1 Document Structure
1.1 Metadata
``meta:
title "My Document"
authors "John" "Jane"
date "2026-04-15"
version 1
``
2 Structural Markers
2.1 Headings
# Level 1
## Level 2
### Level 3
## Level 2 with leading whitespace
# Level 1 with leading whitespace
2.2 Lists
- top level . first
-- nested .. nested first
--- deeper ... deeper
Adjacent list markers at the same depth form one list. The first marker determines whether that list is ordered or unordered.
2.3 Free Nodes
=
= application-defined content
2.4 Tasks
| Attribute | Status |
|---|---|
o | Undone |
. | Done |
> | In progress |
? | Uncertain |
x | Cancelled |
->: Grocery shopping
--.: Eggs
-->: Milk
--?: Oat or almond?
-o: Clean kitchen
-x: Return sweater
2.5 Blocks
- Reading notes
--
Chapter 3 was particularly relevant:
>
quote from chapter 3
>
--
3 Semantic Delimiters
| Delimiter | Meaning |
|---|---|
** | Bold |
__ | Italic |
`` | Verbatim |
~~ | Strikethrough |
$$ | Math |
#| | Table header |
-| | Table row |
|| | Table cell |
[[ ]] | Link target |
(( )) | Link name |
{{ }} | Footnote |
The quick brown fox jumped over the **lazy dog.**
**
The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog.
**
A paragraph **with
soft wrapping** in
it.
3.1 Math
Einstein's famous equation $$E = m c^2$$ changed physics.
$$
E^2 = (m c^2)^2 + (p c)^2
$$
3.2 Tables
#| Name || Type || Color ||
-| Apple || Fruit || Red ||
-| **Carrot** || Vegetable || Orange ||
-| Blueberry || Fruit || Blue ||
3.3 Links
- [[https://kdl.dev]]
- [[https://kdl.dev]]((KDL))
- [[https://kdl.dev]]((KDL)){{ A node-based document language }}
[[recipe]] Document reference
[[#:Ingredients]] Heading in current document
[[https://kdl.dev]] External via protocol attribute
3.4 Footnotes
A good marinara starts with San Marzano
[[tomato]]((tomatoes)) and a generous amount
of olive oil.
[[tomato]]{{ A fruit not a vegetable }}
A good marinara starts with San Marzano
tomato{{ A fruit not a vegetable }} and a generous amount
of olive oil.
4 Attributes
4.1 Basic
##heading1:My Heading
##heading2: My Heading
-list-attribute: list item with **red: BOLD** content
4.2 Chains
##attribute1:attribute2: My Heading
##upcase:red: My Heading
4.3 Janet Forms
-{:key "value"}: Table attribute
-["item 1" "item 2"]: List attribute
5 Escape Sequences
\**this is not bold\**