Echo JS 0.11.0

> No, it's not that simple if you want to copy certain files from A to B and C, other files from A to D etc

Well, yes, it's *that* simple. If I have multiple destinations for the same file, I just have to .pipe again to another destination, that's it.
If I have to move other files to other destinations, I just have to do a new gulp.src and so on. On the plus side, I have the syntax of glob at disposal, and directories get created if they don't exist yet.

Are you even arguing that JavaScript doesn't have enough flexibility for that?

> I really don't see why I should be spawning servers or shell scripts etc from within gulp when it works much better just running them directly.

Strange, I'm sure I just perfectly explained why. Maybe I wasn't clear?
And no, they don't work "much better". At best they work as good.

The only times I rely on just npm scripts is for simple projects(?) that sprout and die in a day.

No, you haven't explained perfectly why. And yes, they work much better because there is no extra gulp wrapper around them. If you are happy with gulp good for you, but it's mostly unnecessary.