I really like my custom layer, it has all the most common symbols and numpad in one layer. It might not suit peope who need to type foreign accents/characters a lot though.
Obviously OP should use Extend *in addition* to a having a customs symbols layer. Choose Life. Choose Extend.
]]>In particular, the Wide mod and Extend.
On a side note, I don't agree with stretching so much up to the number row. Why would you want that? If you ground yourself up there you'll have trouble with the transit to the lower row. It's bad enough to jump two rows up and down, three is quite a distance.
]]>The problem
How do you enter spec characters on your keyboard? Likely, you use 2 little fingers (1-st for "Shift", 2-d for "character"), but considering where they are, I want to say: "This is so uncomfortable!!!".
Just look at these photos!!!!!
The whole load on the little fingers - on the weakest fingers (also Frequent using of Shift doesn't add convenience in entering a new brace).
The solution
In my solution, I swapped special characters and numbers (to enter a number, you must use shift). + Character's position was changed
Important! Some of key locations may not suit you, This is the only idea and you have an opportunity to make your own, more comfortable layout if you want.
The final heatmap
Also the layout will suit for people, who use HTML, XML, XAML, because you shouldn't use shift for enter "<" and ">"
XML heatmap
Download: here
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