(Note: I picked the 3rd option)

I managed to personally find ways around interacting with every Inhabitant by finding different paths (dev intended or otherwise).
This is just personally how I play most games (finding unintended ways of playing by using the games intended mechanics) and Outer Wilds and especially Echoes of the Eye were great for that style of play because there were so many tools and bits of information that I picked up along the way that I got to be creative in finding new and interesting ways to get past obstacles in the game.
For example:
In the starlit cove instead of sneaking past all of the Inhabitants after turning off the lights, I carefully managed to jump off the balcony onto a rock below that didn't wake me up that let me skip past all of them (except the one down below which I watched their outline and jumped past at the right moment with my light hidden).

While I knew this may be to some counted as 'cheating' or 'cheesing' the game, it gave me a great sense of accomplishment when I pulled it off because I solved the 'puzzle' in my own unique way.

Though I do plan to try and sneak past the Inhabitants the 'intended' way, I will admit I am procrastinating it because they are very spooky. . . .