Hey everyone. I there a way to add a button to the Krita palette for the layers docker? Or is there a way for the layers docker to be on screen in the canvas mode? thanks

You can have just the Layers docker on-screen in Canvas-Only mode if you set up a Workspace with just the Layers docker in it (call it 'Layers-Only' or whatever) and set up Canvas-Only mode to not hide the 'Toolbox and palettes'. Go to Settings -> Configure Krita -> Canvas-only settings for that last part.
The Workspace chooser/manager is the button at the far right side of the Toolbar.

Then, you can choose the Layers-Only workspace and hit Tab to go to Canvas-Only mode.

Before you do that, if you've already arranged the dockers to your liking, save your current docker arrangement as a named Workspace so that you can go back to having it when you want it.