Instructions

Getting started

The basics of getting started are on the homepage, but here’s the basic jist:

  1. You create a Google spreadsheet which will contain all your homepage links grouped into categories.
    • You can make a copy of any of our examples by using View in Google Sheets and then File > Make a Copy.
    • Make sure your new spreadsheet is setup for public sharing by going to File > Share > Share with others, and selecting Anyone with the link - otherwise we wont be able to access it.
  2. Customize your homepage sheet - see the Customizing your homepage sheet section below on how.
  3. Paste in your Google Sheet URL into step 3 on the homepage.
  4. Get your custom homepage URL out of the step 4 field on the homepage.
  5. Set your new homepage as your browser’s default page - see the Setting your browser’s homepage section below on how.

Customizing your homepage sheet

The Google Sheet that powers your new homepage is based on the following tabs:

  • The General tab
    • Site Title - the title shown for the homepage
  • The Timers tab
    • Each row represents a timer that will show on your homepage
      • Heading - the title that displays for the timer
      • Cookie ID - a unique cookie name that will be stored locally to keep track of the last time it was reset
    • These are helpful for keeping track of how long it’s been since you checked your email or took a break
    • NOTE: Timers are only stored locally, not in the cloud, so they do not sync between devices
    • NOTE: If you use the same Cookie ID on different Homepage Party homepages, they will each show the same timer value
  • The Bookmarks tab
    • Each row represents a bookmark that will show on your homepage
      • Category - what category the bookmark will show under
      • Title - the name for the bookmark as it will be shown
      • Site URL - the URL that you’ll be taken to if you click on the bookmark
      • Favicon Domain (optional) - if you want the favicon to be pulled from a different domain (ex: if the site is private so the favicon isn’t accessible, but you can specify a public site to pull the favicon from instead)
      • Favicon URL (optional) - a specific image asset to use for the favicon (ideally 24x24 or 32x32 in dimension)

Setting your browser’s homepage

You probably want to make your new hompage URL your startup page for your browser. Find your browser below for specifics on how to do that.

Chrome

While Chrome supports the idea of a homepage (ref), it’s basically worthless as you only see it when you open a new window, not when you open a new tab. Instead, you’ll need to use a plugin - we’d suggest the New Tab Redirect extension.

Firefox

You’ll need a plugin here too, maybe try out the New Tab Override addon.

Safari

Follow these instructions, summarized here:

  1. Go to Safari > Settings
  2. Put your homepage URL in the Homepage field
  3. Change New windows open with and New tabs open with to Homepage

Edge

Edge needs a plugin as well, consider trying out Custom New Tab.