| ID | Output | Function |
|---|
| TD | Function | Tap · Hold · Double |
|---|
Priority: L10 Intl > L4 Sym > L5 Num > L9 CLI > L7 Clip > L11/12 WM · Amber border = redesigned · Blue border = new
| # | Layer | Access Key(s) | Type | Left half | Right half |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L0 | Base Layer Colemak-DH · Tap Dance HRM |
Always active | — | Alpha + HRM (A=Meta R=Alt S=Ctrl T=Shift) + layer keys | Alpha + HRM (N=Shift E=Ctrl I=AltGr O=Meta) + layer keys |
| L1 | RGB & Media Redesigned · W/Y ring top |
Hold WHold YRing top · all thumbs free on this layer | MO(1) · both | Spd/Sat/Hue/Val ± home+bot · Mode/RGB/Mode+ thumbs | Prev/Vol/Next home · Bri± bot · Mute/Play/Stop thumbs |
| L2 | Navigation |
Hold SpaceLeft thumb middle | LT2 · left | Modifiers · Caps · AltGr · Ins | NEIO=←↓↑→ · Home/End/PgUp/PgDn · Clipboard top |
| L3 | Mouse |
Hold TabLeft thumb outer | LT3 · left | Modifiers · AltGr | Mouse move · Scroll wheel · Clipboard · Buttons |
| L4 | Symbols Frequency + Strength |
Hold BspRight thumb middle — no lateral | LT4 · right | = ! _ # home (T→A rank 1→4) · ~ + : bot · Tab=− | $ @ % & home (N→O rank 5→8) · * ^ ; bot |
| L5 | Numbers Numpad layout |
Hold EntRight thumb inner | LT5 · right | Numpad 7–9 top · 4–6 home · 1–3 bot · .·0·− thumb | KP operators · Modifiers |
| L6 | Function Keys |
Hold DelRight thumb outer | LT6 · right | F1–F12 · PrtSc · ScrLk · Pause | Modifiers · AltGr |
| L7 | Clipboard Symmetric |
Hold ZHold /Pinkies · symmetric for one-hand mouse use | MO(7) · sym | Undo/Cut/Copy/Paste/Redo · Modifiers | Identical to left |
| L8 | Bracket Pairs Access key upgraded |
Hold CHold ,Middle fingers down · strongest pair | MO(8) · sym | { [ < ( tap · } ] > ) hold | Identical + \ right outer |
| L9 | Code & CLI Shell operators |
Hold XHold .Ring fingers down · symmetric | MO(9) · sym | || · 2>&1 · && · ·|· home (A→T, deliberate order) | / ~/hold ../dbl · $()/${} · !=/== · =>/→ · $? bot |
| L10 | International Promoted · both sides |
Hold DHold HIndex fingers · German-primary | MO(10) · both | A=− · R=€ · S=ß · T=" dead/literal (TD33) | N=" dead/literal · E=`/``` · I=| · O=\ · H=' |
| L11 | Tiling WM — Quick WS 1–4 · reflex access |
Hold FHold UMiddle fingers up · top row | MO(11) · both | WS1–4 home (T→A) · →WS1–4 bot · Kill/Float/Full thumbs | ⊞+NEIO focus home · ⊞⇧+NEIO move window bot · Kill/Float/Full thumbs |
| L12 | Tiling WM — Full Map WS 1–10 · new · numpad memory |
Hold LRight index top · left hand free for numpad | MO(12) · new | WS1–9 numpad positions · WS10=Spc · tap=go · hold=move | Identical to L11 right |
| ID | Output | Function | Used in layer |
|---|
| TD | Function / Key | Tap | Hold | Double | Used in layer |
|---|
Cadenza is a 36-key split keyboard layout built on Colemak-DH, designed for an IT consultant writing primarily in German and English, working daily in shell, Python, YAML, Markdown, and a tiling window manager. It began as a Miryoku-inspired layout and evolved through systematic, documented design decisions.
The name Cadenza refers to the improvised solo passage near the end of a concerto movement — technically demanding, individual, aimed at the finale. A fitting metaphor for a layout that combines typing virtuosity with clear structure.
The inner column (G/M in Colemak-DH) requires a lateral inward index finger movement — one of the most strain-inducing motions on a keyboard. G and M carry only their base letters plus App/Menu on hold. Never layer content. This is the same insight behind the Colemak-DH modification itself.
Home row = zero travel cost. Bottom row = natural finger curl. Top row = against the natural curl direction. Top rows in all redesigned layers are empty except for layer access keys (W/Y/F/U/L).
Every layer access key and every layer-content key requires straight vertical finger movement. No diagonal, no lateral. Middle finger down (C/,), ring finger down (X/.), pinky down (Z//), middle up (F/U), ring up (W/Y).
Index > Middle > Ring > Pinky. On every row, the most important or frequent symbol goes to the strongest available finger. = (rank 1 symbol) sits on T (strongest left index). Workspace 1 sits on T in L11. AltGr and Meta go to weaker fingers.
Once learned, this spatial pattern transfers automatically: L2 Navigation arrows, L11/L12 focus switching (home row), and window movement (bottom row) all use the same finger positions.
Miryoku is an excellent baseline. Cadenza keeps Miryoku's core insight (layers via thumb holds, HRM on home row) and replaces the parts that don't serve the specific use case.
= rank 1 → T (strongest left index)$ rank 5 → N (strongest right index)Miryoku has no WM integration. Cadenza provides L11 Quick (F/U, WS 1–4, reflex speed) and L12 Full Map (L, WS 1–10, numpad memory). Both share identical right-side content (focus/move/kill/float/fullscreen) for consistent muscle memory regardless of which layer is held.
L9 provides full shell operator access without leaving the layer. The path navigation key (N) is the key innovation: / tap · ~/ hold · ../ double — an entire filesystem path without releasing the layer. $?(), ${}, comparison and arrow operators complete the set.
Tap Dance is used for three purposes: Home Row Mods (HRM — tap=letter, hold=modifier, no dedicated modifier keys anywhere), layer access (tap=letter, hold=MO(layer)), and multi-action keys (tap/hold/double for related character sequences).
Tapping terms are finger-calibrated: index and middle finger use 200ms; ring and pinky use 250ms to account for their naturally slower movement.
| Resource | Used | Available | Free |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tap Dance | 43 | 48 | 5 |
| Macros | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| Key Overrides | 0 | 32 | 32 |
| Combos | 0 | 32 | 32 |
| Layers | 13 | 16 | 3 |