Finder Search Bar - Any Way to Make it Always Expanded?

[macrlz9]

After upgrading to Monterey, I noticed that the search bar is collapsed and expands when clicked.

I don't mind the change but it now takes 2 clicks before you can start typing. One to expand the search bar and another to insert the cursor.

Thoughts?

 

[Puonti]

What happens if Finder is the active window, search bar is not expanded, and you press either Command–Option–Space bar or Command-F?

 

[macrlz9]

What happens if Finder is the active window, search bar is not expanded, and you press either Command–Option–Space bar or Command-F?

Haven't used those keyboard commands before.

Command-F stays in the existing window opening a search screen but still requires a click into the expanded search box.
Command-Option-Space opens a new window with the cursor in the search box ready to accept text.

Interesting how inconsistent this is. I submitted feedback that the UI change is fine it's just that it shouldn't require 2 clicks to be able to start entering text.