I use Homebridge to bring non-HomeKit devices into Apple’s HomeKit environment but it can also be helpful in your automations because the Virtual Accessories for Homebridge allows you to create virtual devices that can be used to help control your HomeKit automations. These virtual devices can be used like a variable. Another thing I like is the ability to create timers so you don’t have to do the shortcuts since the shortcuts are only accessible directly in the Home app and not available in apps like Controller For HomeKit.
One example is I have an automation that turns off a light when we arrive at home. I don’t want the light to turn off immediately, so I have created a 5 minutes switch timer in Homebridge that is activates via an automation when we arrive and when the timer expires, it turns the light off. The same functionality can be obtained via a Shortcut but I like to use Controller For HomeKit, and as I said earlier, Shortcuts cannot be accessed outside the Home app.
Another thing I did was create a simple switch to act like a variable. I then have an automation that run year round for landscape lights and when it runs, it turns the switch on. I then have a Christmas automation to turn on other lights during that time of year and instead of putting the same timing in that automation, it triggers when the switch is turned on by the landscape automation, so now if I want to change the time of day to turn on lights, I only have to change one automation and the other automation just works.