I see that the path options are under the path menu, but I'd think it would be appropriate for paths/pathfinder/path cutting between objects
to have a dock just like Fill and Stroke, Align and Distribute, Layers and... XML editor?

Have I overlooked the path dock or does it even exist? If it doesn't are there plans to add one?
Is there an add on? Plug-in? Has anyone brought this up? (I can't find anything about it.)

If there actually IS nothing I think it would be a good standard feature to have. I know I can use the menu
or the shortcuts. (Odd keystrokes. I know I can customize them, but software (proprietary OR open source) shouldn't be about user workarounds)

Anyway, sorry for the probably unneeded rant and newbie laziness. I want to work to improve the software, not just migrate from Illustrator
and tell people what to do.

I think by "docks" you probably mean the dialogs. What is it you think should belong in such a dialog? Are you talking about the path operations (Union, Difference, etc.)? Why should they be in 2 places? Or maybe you haven't noticed the tool control bar? It's the 3rd bar from the top (if you consider the menu titles a bar), and changes with each tool that's engaged. When you engage the Node tool, that control bar is where all the path editing controls are found.

In 0.91, key shortcuts can be customized in Inkscape Preferences > Interface > Keyboard Shortcuts. In previous versions it's different.

You say you want to work to improve the software -- if you have coding skills, or want to get involved with development, here is some info: https://inkscape.org/en/develop/getting-started/. If you don't have that level of skills, there are still things you can do to help: https://inkscape.org/en/contribute/

Edit
It sounds like you might just need to spend some time actually using Inkscape. Maybe follow a couple of tutorials. I imagine it must be hard to compare 2 very different programs, just by looking at them.

Yeah, dialogs. And yes, Union, Difference and those commands.

The Node Tool's control bar has Node controls, just not Path controls (difference, etc.)
Nor does any other tool's control bar variant. I've been using Inkscape on and off for a while. I've seen tutorials on usage and where things are found.
I was just making sure. I figure the Path or Pathfinding tools are in two places in Illustrator and Inkscape's Layers is in two places, so why not Paths?
I just thought I was missing something. It would be a convenient dialog box in the same way Align and Distribute are.

Thank you for clarifying.