Precondition

By default in Emacs, `M-x` is analogous to Ctrl+Shift+p. Most users like a vertical completion candidate interface for it, such as the `vertico.el` package (among very very many other options). You can even get it in the middle of the screen with the `posframe.el` package.

Emacs comes with `cua-mode`, which provides some more modern conventions like `C-s` to save, `C-o` to open files, etc., however most users find that the default system does make sense once you learn it. `C-c`, `C-u`, and `C-x` prefixes have very consistent meanings by default across all major modes, and by convention across basically all elisp packages.

I don't use QWERTY, so I find the rebinder package very useful (https://github.com/darkstego/rebinder.el), but I think it can improve the ergonomics of those prefixes across any keyboard layout. My equivalents to `C-x` and `C-u` are on my home-row. I also use home-row mods (https://precondition.github.io/home-row-mods) which make the feel of interacting with Emacs very smooth.

Keybinding discovery is also very easy between the `C-h` family, The `which-key.el` package, and the `helpful.el` package. The `M-x` menu also shows keybindings, even by default.

What's really nice about Emacs is that changing keybindings is very easy, and between hooks, advices, and modes, the keybindings and their behavior are incredibly flexible.

For a full size keyboard, I'd highly recommend the Glove80 [0] instead. For something more compact and portable, look at ZSA's own Voyager [1].

The reason I'd recommend the Glove80 is because a keywell is just so much nicer to type on, especially if you want to actually be able to use the number row without straining your fingers. Their thumb cluster is also the most sane one that I've come across, and the absolute though put into the design is astounding and commendable [2]. The article is definitely worth a read.

I recommend the Voyager especially if you are a believer in 1DFH (1-distance-from-home)[3]. It has very few keys so you'll have to learn about layers [4] and/or home-row mods[5] or my favorite callum-style mods [6].

[0] https://www.moergo.com/

[1] https://www.zsa.io/voyager/

[2] https://www.moergo.com/pages/glove80-ergonomic-keyboard-design-journey-1

[3] https://zealot.hu/absolem/

[4] https://blog.zsa.io/layers-explained/

[5] https://precondition.github.io/home-row-mods

[6] https://github.com/callum-oakley/qmk_firmware/tree/master/users/callum

A split keyboard might still bring you some relief. Modifiers/enter/backspace/etc are usually moved away from your weakest fingers (pinkies) to your strongest (thumbs). I have Ctrl, Alt, backspace, delete, space, enter and shift all on my thumb clusters.

Here's an example of what that might look like: https://kinesis-ergo.com/wp-content/uploads/KB360-GBR_FRONT-2000x1205-1.jpg (though in the default configuration, shift is still on your pinky; you can customize this on most keyboards, or on OS level).

The rabbit hole goes very deep. Another option is home row mods: https://precondition.github.io/home-row-mods. A combination of thumb clusters and home row mods can reduce your finger strain a lot.

Other symbols don't appear on the keycaps just like there's only an upper or a lowercase letter on each key on your keyboard. Your keyboard also doesn't tell you there's ¶ or ‡ underneath the 7 key!

Layers sound pretty crazy but if you start slow and adapt towards them, they're just amazingly useful.

Putting all your modifier keys on the homerow is probably the most immediately understandable use of layers: https://precondition.github.io/home-row-mods

These let you type every character/key combo without awkward pinky stretches.

A somewhat bespoke layer usecase that I find valuable as a programmer is holding "S" on my left hand sets characters hjkl; to the open-surround characters like ({[<

I've switched to programmable ergo keyboards where there's a whole slew of options (https://precondition.github.io/home-row-mods just covers home row mods)

I've always hated stateful control. Always ripped out caps lock key from my boards (or later figured out remapping), same for insert mode

That's carried over, even with options like one shot mods, & cutting down to under 40 keys (& playing with 28, yesterday received a https://github.com/kilipan/zilpzalp), I still don't find stateful control necessary. More layers, combos, & tap-hold go far