A long-time user here but haven't been on forum very much.

The favorite/recent patches box is nice but sometimes need to find something different than what's been used recently.

Would love to have a way to search for strings (words) within patch list(s). Maybe even spawn a new window (outside of PT workspace) that would list instrument and patch name (and searchable) if that would be possible.

For now I'm stuck with creating a spreadsheet and keeping it open to the side with instruments/numbers/names/groups that I search to find new patches.

Patch lists are General MIDI (GM) compatible or non-GM compatible. Some soft synths include a GM compatible mode but some do not.

The +++ Roland Cloud Sound Canvas VA +++, +++ Cakewalk TTS-1 +++and +++ Coyote WT +++ are three example of GM compatible soft synths.
The MIDI synths in Windows and Mac operating systems and all smart phones are more examples of GM compatible synths. What GM compatible means is all 128 patches have an name assignment. This allows MIDI instrument # 20 to be a Church Organ in all Windows and Mac computers as well as all smart phones. +++ HERE +++ is a listing of all GM compatible instruments, drums and drum kits.

Then there are the non GM compatible virtual MIDI instruments. Developer examples include +++ Indiginus +++, +++ Amplesound +++ and +++ East/West Sounds +++. Programs learn the names of these instruments by using a +++ Instrument Definition File +++.

How do you propose for PG Music to find a patch list file and search through it?

Wasn't proposing a solution -just a wish-list item but could certainly use the instrument definition file installed for pt -- either as is or as basis for a separate spreadsheet/database tyle file. If there is a working instrument definition file then all the various odd combinations mentioned are taken care of/standardized for PT.

FWIW in the PT folder is a Patches.INI file that can be opened and searched in any text editor.
Unless I'm misunderstanding the request.