CoRE and Piston Rules Engine, first design steps

Although I have done quite a lot with ST and even got numerous Core Pistons running succesfully I have never used Status and routines. I have recently managed to integrate my home alarm with ST which has opened up so much more to me.
In my case the away routine options are too limiting, the question is having reviewed routines and its limits is it possibly to use Core to create the routine? Or am I not thinking out of the box enough…?
Thanks