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I do design work, in addition to building stuff. I need to see colors "as-is" (to the degree that's ever a thing) fairly often. 5/100 brightness wouldn't be great, and even syntax-highlighting gets murky at low brightness, I'm guessing?

I've found contrast suffers when using that approach. That's why dark mode seems to work best for some of us.

You don't need eye-blazing contrast in low light. If you try it your eyes will adjust.

Is there anything visible at that point. There always seems to be someone advocating impractical solutions simply because they believe these solutions work for them personally.

My monitor's absolute lowest brightness is ideal for me in diffuse daylight (normal working conditions) and tolerable (still not too bright) in the evening. It is annoying that they don't go even lower, but it works for me. My phone's brightness slider goes all the way down to a comfortable level for night, at the very lowest setting.

Depends on your specific display. Mine is at brightness 16 at home, and 0 or 2 at work.

Of course, everything is visible. Perfectly visible, not as some sort of compromise.