[mjx0]

Have you found a better alternative?

I'm trying to center around MQTT, myself, but looking for a way to use many of the wonderful integrations created by the Home Assistant community. I'm also trying to find a good solution to "react to state changes".

[BeefWellington]

I've replaced all of HA with just some Python interacting with an MQTT server. I just script all the automation and don't have to care about the other 90% of what HomeAssistant brings to the table.

Not for everyone obviously but it's simple and works well.

[theshrike79]

Have you looked into AppDaemon or Pyscript, both provide a Python interface to HA.

They let you use HA's massive library of supported devices, but you don't need to bother with their YAML "programming" horrorshow.

[hipitihop]

Consider leveraging the HA ecosystem of integrations, but for automations add Node Red. There is a well maintained WS node to HA that lets you call any service/action in HA and listen for events or device state changes. https://flows.nodered.org/node/node-red-contrib-home-assista... Along with everything else NR provides like MQTT pub/sub, only limit is imagination and time. I've been doing this for years. Another moving piece I know, but it has been bullet proof for me

[Scene_Cast2]

I haven't found anything better. I want to try Hubitat and OpenHab at some point, maybe they'll be better.

All the community is behind HA though, so it has the most integrations.