diff --git a/home/shell/default.nix b/home/shell/default.nix
index 37d071d..26c0bb8 100644
--- a/home/shell/default.nix
+++ b/home/shell/default.nix
@@ -79,7 +79,12 @@ in {
     enableNixDirenvIntegration = true;
   };
 
-  home.file.".envrc".text = ''
+  # for .envrc's in child directories add "source_up"
+  # for them to pick up this config
+  home.file."dev/work/.envrc".text = ''
     dotenv
   '';
+  home.file."dev/work/.env".text = ''
+    BROWSER=firefox-work
+  '';
 }