Permanent query-replace-regexp bar

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Maybe this? https://github.com/benma/visual-regexp.el

Others will provide answers that are likely to do more what you have in mind. I'll just mention that after you've entered the regexp you can use `M-p` to retrieve it at the prompt for the replacement. And it remains in your input history (as does the replacement pattern) for subsequent query-replacing. `M-p` and `M-n` cycle backward and forward in your minibuffer input history. And you can use `M-r` and `M-s` to get to previous inputs by matching a regexp.

Which version of Emacs are you using? At minimum (based on versions I have installed), what you describe is not true of version 26.3 and later.

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Maybe you like Karthinks's article [Bridging Islands in Emacs: re-builder and query-replace-regexp](https://karthinks.com/software/bridging-islands-in-emacs-1/)

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