cannot select snippits

I've noticed this too; it seems to be an issue if I'm using the trackpad on my laptop, which tends to convey longer "press-and-hold" reaction on a single-click action on an item in the Snippets list.  You can use the Trigger shortcuts to add a snippet without having to traverse the panel groups:

You can create your own shortcuts by adding them when you create or edit a snippet:

Then, when you're ready to add a snippet, you simply type the snippet trigger (using the example above, "loremipsum"), immediately followed by the Tab key. The snippet should be entered, and you don't have to have the Snippets panel open to use it.