> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.minimalmacropad.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Layers in MinimalPad Studio for Mac

> Add, rename, and delete MinimalPad layers in Studio for Mac, and understand how layers relate to app profiles.

A layer is one set of key assignments stored on the pad. **Default** is always active and holds the keys that should work everywhere. Anything above it overrides Default while it's on.

Your pad has room for 16 layers. The sidebar footer shows how many slots are free.

## The three kinds of layer

|                | What it is                                      | What switches to it                     |
| -------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| **Default**    | The base layer, always on                       | Nothing — it's the fallback             |
| **Profiles**   | A layer tied to a Mac app                       | Studio, when that app comes forward     |
| **Pad layers** | Any other layer, such as **Connections & LEDs** | A key on the pad that you press or hold |

Profiles sit directly above Default, under the pad's own layers, so a system layer like **Connections & LEDs** still wins while you hold its key.

## Inherit

A key you leave alone on a layer is set to **Inherit**: it does whatever the layer below does. This is why a new profile behaves exactly like Default until you change something, and why you only ever have to set the keys that actually differ.

## Add a layer

Click **New layer** in the sidebar. Studio takes a free slot, sets every key to Inherit, puts the layer on top, and opens its name for editing.

<Warning>
  A new pad layer does nothing until a key switches to it. The canvas tells you when no key reaches a layer yet — assign a **Layer** key somewhere to get to it. See [Change a key](/mac/change-a-key).
</Warning>

## Rename a layer

Double-click the layer name above the pad, click the pencil beside it, or right-click the layer in the sidebar and choose **Rename…**. Return keeps the name, Escape cancels. The pad stores 19 bytes, so the field stops there.

## Delete a layer

Right-click the layer and choose **Delete layer…**.

Studio refuses if a key on another layer still switches to it — for example, **Connections & LEDs** is kept alive by the hold key on the bottom right. Reassign that key first.

To remove a profile, use **Delete profile…** instead; that takes its layer with it.

## Profiles that need repair

A profile's layer can drift out of step with Studio — most often because the pad was edited elsewhere, such as renaming or deleting a layer in [Studio for browser](/browser/overview). It can also happen after a power cut in the middle of creating a profile.

When that happens Studio marks the profile **Needs repair**, never switches to it, and offers to fix it. Accepting the repair puts the profile back on a healthy layer; you can also delete the profile and make it again.

<Note>
  Studio writes a layer change into its own records before it touches the pad, so an interruption never leaves a half-made layer behind. The next time it reads the pad, it keeps what the pad holds and undoes what it doesn't.
</Note>