Is there a "guide for idiots" section somewhere?

[tds73 (Troy)]

Hello,
I am new to the home automation/smartthings world. I have spent the last couple hours trying to figure out something and am just feeling stupid and frustrated. I think I am real close but not quite.
Is there somewhere to learn how to add device types, codes, and/or customize smartthings app controls, …etc, etc…?
Here is a quick summary of what I am trying to accomplish:
basically use monoprice curtain relay to control 2 garage door openers. I have connected it to the hub, but is is as a simple switch. I have found post talking about some being able to add as a module capable of doing more than just on/off, like the blind controllers that have open and close buttons. This would work for me as I would use open for one opener and close for the other opener, if that makes sense.
I found a code that someone wrote, but have NO idea how to put it in smartthings and then make it work.
Therefore, a smartthings for idiots section would be ideal for me, where instructions would be explained to me like I am a 3 year old.
I can follow directions and learn by doing.

[mattjfrank (Matt)]

FAQ: An Overview of Using Custom Code in SmartThings

So you're new to SmartThings, you asked a question, and someone suggested "custom code" as an answer. Or you were browsing the forums, and you found something that sounded like it would be perfect for what you wanted, but again, "uses custom code." What does that mean, how hard is it to do, and what's the difference between a "SmartApp" and a "Device Type Handler"? (Note: the official terminology has changed a couple of times. "device type handler," "device handler," "DTH," and "device type" all mean the same thing, and you will find all these terms used in the forums.) SECTION I: SMARTAPPS AND DEVICE HANDLERS: WHAT THEY ARE SmartAPPS: Tiny Programs to decide what a specific device should do when, or to collect the information from a specific device SmartApps, including the var…

[JDRoberts]

Also this might be of interest:

A Short Intro to Scheduling/Device Control/Rules in SmartThings

You’ve got your hub. You’ve got some devices. Now how do you schedule what happens when? SmartThings doesn’t have a rules engine/scheduler, so there’s no one tutorial for how to do this. But it’s an open platform, and there are about 12 different ways to set up various kinds of schedules. Some require custom code, some don’t. A “scheduler” in this context is anything that causes a networked device to perform an action, even if it’s just to toggle on or off immediately. (Network engineering definition, forgive me. :blush:) (Note: as of April 2017, the original author of this FAQ lost the ability to add updated screenshots as VoiceOver capability was broken in the official SmartThings mobile app and has not yet been fixed. Anyone who wants to update the screenshots or any out of date i…

[tds73 (Troy)]

Thanks for the replies. Those places were helpful and I was even able to apply a custom code to one of my devices (thanks to one that was written and shared). Someday I may get to trying to write my own.