I have been playing DC Universe Online, and I really like the way they handle things (at least on the controller side).

They do not have auto-attack, but I think auto-attack works in a FFXIV setting.

Drop the basic attack from the command bar (this is what auto-attack will use)
Hold the Left-Trigger and use the 4 button for the first 4 actions of the command bar
Hold the Right-Trigger and use the 4 buttons for the second 4 actions of the command bar

This however leaves one command without a button...I'm still working on this idea. I just hate having to constantly move around the command bar to select an attack instead of just hitting a bound button combination.