"Double-click in an empty space of the TG GUI and get a search box to type something in" is what he asked for.
If you do "N" in the Network window pane you get exactly that! The Node Palette with the search box at the bottom.
That`s 1 or 2 clicks away top-most?
It`s a poor search function I`d say. It can only search for the Node Name - not for the Function/Category Name.
The problem with the Favourites Palette for me is the fact that it quickly grows to a large number of "Favourites"
And again, if you set it up once in the scene file the palette comes back when reopening and the search box is simply and always there.
To me that is fast and easy.
But anyways, I got the impression that FlynnAD did not know about the Node Palette window at all...?...
If so, I think all the answers should help improve his workflow.
CHeers, Klaus