This is how I have it set up too, Garrett. This way I can toggle it 'on' for the apps I want to use it in, but can leave it 'off' if I just want to load a web map.
In the 2.8 version, you can use LocalLayer to just add additional layers to the existing layers in a web map. This is handy if you have, say, an RSS feed set up in a web map, but you want to bring some LocalLayer layers in on top of them. Glad to hear it's working for you!