Path power tools.

Simplify

One click in the Path panel rebuilds the path with as few nodes as possible, same shape. It tells you the before and after count; Ctrl Z brings the old path back.

Warp cage

Pick a grid size like 3 by 3 and a cage drops over the shape. Drag any cage point and the whole shape bends with it, like soft clay.

Bone rig

Choose a joint count and bones drop into the path. Rotate a bone and everything past it follows, like posing a limb.

Animate a pose

In animate mode with recording on, every warp or rig pose you release lands as a warp keyframe at the playhead. Pose at different times and it plays back.