This thread is very interesting as it shows how difficult it is to provide a solution for everyday use, but that also requires some head scratching.
With this in mind, I am surprised by the fact that people complain about HA. Software that uses words such as YAML, Integration etc. is obviously not a TV that requires a remote with 5 buttons. I would not complain about my TV not making coffee.
I use HA for many years now and I had it breaking exactly once, at a key change. I had automated updates at that time and it just taught me to upgrade manually and read the release notes. This is the "price" you pay for a dynamic, complex system.
I found it getting simpler (and more obscure) with time and overall I think it is a good thing. I used to have everything in YAML files and getting frustrated by the UI. Now I changed my mind and do not care anymore about renaming a device directly in the UI, even though I do not know where the change is (actually I know but this is not the place you want to dig in). It just works and I like home automation but it is not my full time job either.
The learning curve is not smooth. It starts pretty much flat and then there are cliffs you climb through "eureka!" moments when you understand what is what and how it is connected. It takes some time.
The automations went a great way (very great) from the time they were completely crazy all in YAML to today where you can do most of the things in th eUI. I used the YAML version for a short time, wrote my own, discovered AppDaemon, discovered pyscript and finally (the trip above lasted a few years) I am back to the built-in solution. Nothing beats a toggle switch to disable an automation at 4am in the morning from your bed.
The documentation is a bit weird. It is very complete, but quite difficult to master. There are still things I do not understand, I see them in the documentation but still do not understand after reading it.
Fortunately there is the community which is awesome. I think all the questions I ever had were answered. There is a big "but" though: it is very helpful when you are a beginner or an intermediate user, but you are mostly on your own for more advanced things. It is not that someone does not want to help, it is rather that there are so many possibilities with HA that you are likely to hit unchartered territory at some point if you want to become an advanced user. Otherise you will be fine.
In conclusion: THANK YOU VERY MUCH HOME ASSISTANT (but my wife hates you because everything works only 90% of the time, but when it works it is awesome :))