I'm a JS and React _expert_, and I still use CRA all the time whenever I want to spin up a new project because I don't want to take the time to mess with all the build setup. I just want something that works right.
Re:Create-React-App 3.3
by jakelazaroff on Thursday December 05, 2019 @02:10AM
(#21710535)
Same here. Debugging build issues might be one of the most frustrating and boring parts of development, especially because 99% of apps need basically the same setup. CRA gets a new app with good defaults up and running in like thirty seconds. And there’s no magic — if you outgrow it you can always eject.
I said "it's possible I might choose your approach", meaning the option is open to me - CRA defaults or completely custom. You have the option to go either way. Whereas a noob should just use CRA.
Will I understand everything that's happening? No, but that's a non-goal when I'm starting out. The hope is that I get started, google the stuff I don't understand and gradually understand all the components and why they're there. When I become a JS pro, it's possible the sane defaults won't work for me and I'll choose something else, with an approach similar to yours.