WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND?
With flow pane incorporated search pane, users can shift+enter to reach for related objects. However, users can’t use keyboard to return it to search without flow.
Also, with language inputs with IME, esc is an often used to clear IME. After selecting a character, IME many times suggests a possible following character. In such state, pressing esc exits search pane as a whole, instead of the IME suggestion.
HOW COULD IT BE DONE?
Always Esc one step only
Add extra steps of Esc for clearing the search criteria for “Related to: object xxx”
REAL WORLD USE CASES
So there is no need to reach “Clear” with mouse and cursor - all the way keyboard access with search pane.
ALTERNATIVES
Clear all search criteria after certain period of non-active time of search pane
ADDITIONAL CONTEXT
The way Raycast utilises Esc is good demonstration of a better workflow. Esc always return one step and one step only, so users won’t be confused of what they are escaping. The inputted text also remains in prompt, making it easy to make follow-up actions.