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SPECIFICTION
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Shift

shift.graphics

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Spec score 7.4 #25 of 33 in Font Design Software

What it is

Shift is a free, open-source desktop font editor for designing variable fonts on macOS, Windows, and Linux. Version 0.1.1 is the first alpha release, and the maker says workflows and document details may change. The editor draws and edits straight and cubic curves, shapes, points, handles, side bearings, and advance width. Shape operations include moving, resizing, rotating, flipping, aligning, distributing, union, intersect, and subtract on closed contours. Users can inspect and edit variable-font axes, sources, mappings, style labels, and named instances. The glyph catalog uses Hyperglot language data to indicate required characters for selected languages and scripts. Shift opens `.shift` documents and inspects TTF, OTF, UFO, Designspace, Glyphs, and Glyphspackage sources. TTF and OTF files are view-only previews. Editable `.shift` files can be saved and TrueType fonts exported. Text proofing and complete spacing and kerning workflows are not yet available.

Spec sheet

What it does
Shift is a free, open-source desktop font editor for designing variable fonts.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shift.graphics
Support
The Help menu includes Report a Problem, Show Logs, and Feedback, and the maker lists [email protected] for direct email.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shift.graphics
Maker
The site footer identifies Kostya Farber, while the About page does not expose additional company details in the opened page.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shift.graphics
Alpha status
Version 0.1.1 is the first alpha release, and the maker says workflows and document details may change.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shift.graphics
Import and export
Shift can save editable `.shift` documents and export TrueType fonts; compiled TTF and OTF sources remain view-only.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shift.graphics
Language coverage
The glyph catalog uses Hyperglot language data to show required characters present for selected languages and scripts.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shift.graphics
Open and browse
Shift can open `.shift` documents and inspect TTF, OTF, UFO, Designspace, Glyphs, and Glyphspackage sources.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shift.graphics
Outline editing
The editor supports drawing and editing straight and cubic curves, shapes, points, handles, side bearings, and advance width.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shift.graphics
Read-only formats
TTF and OTF files open as view-only previews and cannot currently be converted into editable Shift documents through the desktop app.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shift.graphics
Security and signing
The release notes say macOS builds are signed and notarized, Windows builds are unsigned, and Linux RPMs and the checksum manifest are signed with the Shift repository key.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shift.graphics
Shape operations
Shift supports moving, resizing, rotating, flipping, aligning, and distributing shapes, plus union, intersect, and subtract operations on closed contours.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shift.graphics
Supported systems
The maker lists macOS, Windows, and Linux as supported platforms.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shift.graphics
Variable fonts
Users can inspect and edit authored sources and settings such as axes, sources, mappings, style labels, and named instances.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shift.graphics
Workflow limits
Text proofing and complete spacing and kerning workflows are not yet available.Read 8 Oct 2026 · shift.graphics

Plans and prices

Free Free Free and open-source font editor · currently in alpha Read 8 Oct 2026 · shift.graphics

Every Shift plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free open-source desktop editor
  • Runs on three desktop systems
  • Variable-font settings can be edited
  • Exports TrueType fonts
  • Hyperglot language data included

Limits

  • First alpha release
  • TTF and OTF previews are view-only
  • Text proofing is unavailable
  • Complete spacing and kerning unavailable

Who it suits

Shift suits font designers who want a free desktop tool for variable-font outlines and settings. It is also relevant to users working across the three listed desktop operating systems.

Verdict

Shift covers core outline editing and variable-font source work in a cross-platform desktop application. Its alpha status and missing proofing, spacing, and kerning workflows matter for production planning.

Where Specifiction places it

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