It's not a dismal failure, just poorly implemented.
No, these are not ghost nodes. The device DID include and is functioning. the app just isn't updating to reflect that. Smartstart DOES include using the QR code (check your devices list). Like pretty much everything else with the app it doesn't work quite right. Specifically, the app never updates that the device was included. I have devices still showing pending months later, even though they have been included and are in use. Like you, I was frustrated with this. But once I figured this small but essential detail out, it's not really a problem other than the extra step to double-check the devices list. I had a thread similar to this a few months ago in which I figured it out.. Also, It doesn't do you any good to name the device in SmartStart when you add it. It will include the device with the generic name and will name any subsequent devices the same (in Smartstart). Either way, you'll end up going into devices to rename them. The biggest advantage I see is adding stuff withS2 security, and not having to enter all those numbers from the DSK. For Zigbeee or Zwave that doesn't have the DSK numbers, it just as easy to include the "classic" way.
Generally, I'm finding I use the actual habitat app less and less, except for the Smartstart. Either the dashboards are clunky (more so now that I have started using Hubivue and Hubitat Dashboard app). Geofencing with the app is a complete joke. Yeah, I have it as part of my presence solution, but nothing is dependent on it alone. Finally, I just don't see the need to use the app to do anything on the hub when I can just bookmark the hub's IP address and access it directly that way. There was a time that Hubitat was hesitant to put out an app (and I believe they still feel the app is a side item, a distraction), and the more I play with alternatives, I'm starting to understand why. I really almost believe they should just bag the app altogether. It hasn't been updated for a while, and I don't believe there is even a current beta in development, even though if you look through the forum, there are plenty of documented issues to be addressed.
Including my Ring Motion sensors was where I was FINALLY able to get Smart Start to work correctly. prior to that It wasn't really doing any thing .
I really do believe this is where the value of Smart Start comes in , when dealing with the DSK numbers, especially if you have to enter the WHOLE number, not just the first 5 digits. If you are adding stuff without security, I really don't see much value of using SmartStart over doing it the "classic" way.
