[the_other_guy]

a work around is to change a widget
edit home.xml

Not 100% sure I get this. l really want to find an implementation without modding XML, unless it's the only way, so that future upgrades / changes all work, and it's easily replicated.

I am guessing that what you're saying is one can add node "links" to home page, which go to specific places, instead of having them in the category bar.  I may have to pick this up later. 

one thing i did see was Shared Menus: Your custom menus are shared between skins. https://kodi.wiki/view/Add-on:Skin_Shortcuts so maybe change theme setup page then go back to Estuary Mod