diff --git a/gradle.properties b/gradle.properties
index 77935cf..1885440 100644
--- a/gradle.properties
+++ b/gradle.properties
@@ -15,6 +15,6 @@ kotlin_version=2.0.21
 fabric_kotlin_version=1.12.3
 
 # mod properties
-mod_version=1.8.1
+mod_version=1.9
 maven_group=net.mcbrawls
 mod_id=slate
diff --git a/src/main/kotlin/net/mcbrawls/slate/Slate.kt b/src/main/kotlin/net/mcbrawls/slate/Slate.kt
index 3d1c8e9..c5b03c2 100644
--- a/src/main/kotlin/net/mcbrawls/slate/Slate.kt
+++ b/src/main/kotlin/net/mcbrawls/slate/Slate.kt
@@ -88,20 +88,37 @@ open class Slate {
         action.invoke(tiles)
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Adds a layer to this slate at the given tile index.
+     */
+    fun addLayer(index: Int, layer: SlateLayer) {
+        layers.add(LayerWithIndex(index, layer))
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Adds a layer to this slate at the given coordinates.
+     */
+    fun addLayer(x: Int, y: Int, layer: SlateLayer) {
+        addLayer(TileGrid.toIndex(x, y, tiles.width), layer)
+    }
+
     /**
      * Adds a layer to this slate.
      * @return the created layer
      */
-    inline fun layer(
+    inline fun addLayer(
         index: Int,
         width: Int,
         height: Int,
         factory: SlateLayer.Factory = SlateLayer.Factory(::SlateLayer),
         builder: SlateLayer.() -> Unit,
     ) : SlateLayer {
-        val layer = factory.create(width, height)
-        layer.apply(builder)
-        layers.add(LayerWithIndex(index, layer))
+        val layer = factory
+            .create(width, height)
+            .apply(builder)
+
+        addLayer(index, layer)
+
         return layer
     }
 
@@ -109,7 +126,7 @@ open class Slate {
      * Adds a paged layer to this slate.
      * @return the created layer
      */
-    inline fun pagedLayer(
+    inline fun addPagedLayer(
         index: Int,
         width: Int,
         height: Int,
@@ -121,10 +138,9 @@ open class Slate {
             override fun createTile(index: Int): Tile? {
                 return slotFactory.invoke(this, index)
             }
-        }
+        }.apply(builder)
 
-        layer.apply(builder)
-        layers.add(LayerWithIndex(index, layer))
+        addLayer(index, layer)
 
         return layer
     }
diff --git a/src/test/kotlin/net/mcbrawls/slate/test/SlateTest.kt b/src/test/kotlin/net/mcbrawls/slate/test/SlateTest.kt
index ae28dc6..98fcb21 100644
--- a/src/test/kotlin/net/mcbrawls/slate/test/SlateTest.kt
+++ b/src/test/kotlin/net/mcbrawls/slate/test/SlateTest.kt
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ class SlateTest : ModInitializer {
                 val slate = slate {
                     title = Text.literal("Slate Innit")
 
-                    layer(4, 3, 2) {
+                    addLayer(4, 3, 2) {
                         for (i in 0 until size) {
                             tiles[i] = tile(Items.STONE) {
                                 tooltip(Text.literal("Layer tile at $i"))