What is the best way to automate commands in Hybris HAC?

Hi all,

I'm new to SAP Commerce/Hybris and taking my first baby steps in developing modules and extensions on a platform installation of version 1808.

Is there an official API to automate repetetive steps such as "HAC"->"platform"->"Update"->"Update running system (with selected modules)" to speed up development and to avoid making manual errors?

I'm aware of "ant updatesystem", but the Ant task runs much longer than the update process triggered via HAC. Trying to put together a curl command I've only managed to trigger a full initialization, not the needed partial update.

Thanks, Felix