[jws]

About having to leave light switches in the on position…

Your pain has been felt. Searching the web for "smart light switch cover" will find secondary switch plates which snap on top of your existing switch. They prevent anyone from turning the physical switch off, and instead present a switch or dimmer control for your smart home to use.

Much cheaper for people not comfortable with swapping a light switch, and probably much safer for anyone that doesn't want a piece of low end garbage grade electronics from a mystery vendor inside their walls. Actual UL/CE approved in wall smart switches through a trusted supply chain are still kind of pricey, especially since the compatibility wars are still being fought.