I have the same frustration

On Fri, 29 Jan 2021 at 17:04, Sven Schreiber <svetosch@gmx.net> wrote:

As an alternative I have tried to type a few letters with the focus
being in the variable list pane. Indeed there's a pop-up text field
which accepts my typing, but then nothing happens when I hit Return (or
Tab).

This second feature is now activated, thanks to Allin! So you can start typing and the variable list will jump to the matching name(s).

(Only in git and in upcoming snapshots, of course.)

thanks

sven