No, the search panel is not intended to close automatically - unless the user toggles it off manually - by pressing Cmd+f/F or Cmd+r/R again/second time.

So, first combined keypress - Cmd+f/F to initiate it, and use it, and a 2nd combined keypress - Cmd+f/F to deactivate it/hide it away again, until it is needed again, but it retains the original search data - as long as the system hasn't been rebooted, AFAIK.

There has not been any mention of the search process being automatically closed, it opens on command, and closes on command - that is what I would hope anyone with a logical mind would want/expect this feature to do, and the same with the Replace option

[ Edited by NewSense 08.02.2017 - 18:20 ]