I really like that you found a way to utilize the virtual desktop grid. I really love the idea and I can’t wait for plasma 6 to improve upon it but right now I haven’t used it much.
you wrote that it’s hard to reach meta+9 (win+9) but if you have a numpad and use both hands it doesn’t really matter which number you want to reach. It’s always the same distance away. file browser is always at meta+1, browser is at meta+2, etc. I can’t move up and down like you can but I don’t have to. Even if I hadn’t have a numpad, I’d still have two hands and meta+9 wouldn’t be too far away.
In short, I guess I want to say that I have found my way and I really appreciate your write up about your way but to me it sounds too complicated. Moreover, the task manager (kde, not windows. different things) is just a mouse move away and I can reach any app I want to. Moreover, Plasma Drawer is reachable within a meta click and has all apps. It’s not yet as good as GNOME’s but it’s getting there.