Left half of bar 3 is normally not in use.

Menu > Character Configuration > Hotbar Settings > Custom > Enable expanded controls with L2+R2

Rotation on face buttons now

My current SAM hotbar layout as of 7.05

HOTBAR LAYOUT/DESIGN LOGIC:

Single Target (L)

Mobs (R)

Shoha II is gone (finally) which allows all skills to fit on 2 and 2/3 hotbars

a xHB layout that seemed more efficient after reading a few guides and gaining better ability context

SAM as of 6.5

Current WIP for updated hotbars in 7.0, focusing on minimising swapping hotbars in combat and keeping visual clarity on relevant buff cooldowns and maximising consistency across all jobs. Bar 1 is for single target, and Bar 2 for AoE.

The Glamour Plate button is being used in place of the newly added skill as needed, and the dye represents potion. Sprint and LB are macroed to L3/R3 respectively.

Standard Samurai Controller/WXHB setup

XHB 1 - Single Target Main Actions

Main XHB is split up with Directional buttons on LT and Face buttons on RT. WXHB has all the important buttons that you will press on the RT this includes you pot, with healing skills/healing potions on the LT. the Expanded XHB has same skills on both configs and has your AOE skills and de-buff skills plus Limit break.

This setup has a smooth layout that make pressing all your buttons with little stress and with great flow. For 7.0 you can see Zanshin replaces Ikishoten after using it so you don't have to change the layout to accommodate the new skill. And since Shoha and Shoha II are one button it also frees up a place to add either a role action skill or something else.

Waiting for the new action images to get added in to fully get this good

Make sure to change Double tap L2 to "Cross Hotbar 4 - Left" and Double tap R2 to "Cross Hotbar 4 - Right"

Updated for Dawntrail

Buttons consistent for similar job actions (Dye = Potion)

Preliminary cross bar