Regarding (1), that's on your keyboard, which you can choose. Maybe you can give Futo a try? https://keyboard.futo.org/

Why does it need its own F-droid repo?

	▲	ssddanbrown 4 hours ago \| parent \| next [-]
		Because the code is not provided under a free/open-source license, and therefore does not meet the requirements for the main F-droid repo.
	▲	scns 4 hours ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		Simple Keyboard is on F-Droid too. Supports moving cursor via space bar.