I can code, but I don’t want to. (I’m dependent on text-to-speech and it’s next to impossible to do groovy with that software. Even cut-and-paste is difficult.)
Consequently, I use almost no custom code with SmartThings. I do use a custom device type for the smartenIT toggle switch, but that’s only because there isn’t a standard device type for it. I do use a lot of virtual switches, but those are one of the easiest things to set up in the IDE.
There are two Third-party rules engines which are worth looking at. They make everything a lot easier.
If you look in the community created smart apps section of the forum you’ll find discussion of them there.
https://community.smartthings.com/c/projects-stories/created-smart-apps
One is a free product from a community member, @joec . I think he has limited sign-ups. I haven’t tried that one.
The other is a $10 iOS app sold through the I tunes store. Called smartrules. I really like it. Written by community member @obycode . Not perfect, but for me, adds a missing piece to smartthings which I find very useful. There’s a free demo version you can download that let you set up just one rule, so you can try it and see if you like it.
I agree that smartthings is a long way from plug-and-play. So it depends a lot on what your personal needs and preferences are.
BTW, the following topic cover the basic cut and paste use of custom code. It may still be more work than you want to do, but it’s not that bad: