The current favourites system seems rather inefficient & isn't graphically oriented requiring massive exports & imports to adjust. Using special prefix/suffix etc seems yet again a workaround & isn't graphically oriented for creating theme templates within a project. Detail sheets don't allow (for example) light object sets for 3d & having one with all my favourite settings might be helpful - either in each project file or referenced via a master core office template.
Managing libraries & templates with the many little 'tricks' required seems a 4d chess game & while I can assume both of you are power users what I might suggest seems a direct & obvious solution with less 'codifying' required allowing easier & less risky staffing up - there is still the issue of materials & other attribute management ie as an attribute library evolves one must be so careful not to drag in a prior item that totally screws up the sequential numeric materials referencing or adds additional layers that then 'make work'...
ArchiCAD has in my opinion a heck of a lot of mind numbing & obfuscating fiddley management overhead that only deters productivity & I wonder if a 'purging' or migrating subset in the project map might possibly reduce this burden as well as improve flexibility...?
Since AC 4.12 on the mac, LEED AP, certified BIM Author...