The state of front end tool chains is absolutely nauseating these days. Sometimes I feel like most of what I’m getting paid for is simply my ability to jump through hoops, not to actually design or build stuff.

Isn't that what all of software development is? It's tools all the way down

You can start with HTML by using Notepad and a browser.

Aren't notepad and the browser tools? And of course you can start with those, but as projects grow more complex so too will the tools.

You don’t use Notepad and a browser to generate boilerplate for you.

Me? I know who I am! I'm a tool making a tool using another tool.