Perhaps a higher-level orchestration tool(s) is/are needed, that will accomplish most typical workflows like: (...)
These are all valid points, and things that ultimately s6-frontend, the future UI over s6/s6-linux-init/s6-rc, aims to solve. "Higher-level interface" is the (now) #1 feature request for the s6 family of tools, so be assured I've heard it. :) No promises on the date of delivery, but it's definitely on the radar. -- Laurent