diff --git a/polygerrit-ui/app/elements/change-list/gr-change-list-view/gr-change-list-view.ts b/polygerrit-ui/app/elements/change-list/gr-change-list-view/gr-change-list-view.ts
index a58c7bb..6b74921 100644
--- a/polygerrit-ui/app/elements/change-list/gr-change-list-view/gr-change-list-view.ts
+++ b/polygerrit-ui/app/elements/change-list/gr-change-list-view/gr-change-list-view.ts
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
 import '../gr-repo-header/gr-repo-header';
 import '../gr-user-header/gr-user-header';
 import {page} from '../../../utils/page-wrapper-utils';
-import {navigationToken} from '../../core/gr-navigation/gr-navigation';
 import {
   AccountDetailInfo,
   AccountId,
@@ -26,20 +25,9 @@
 import {
   createSearchUrl,
   searchViewModelToken,
-  SearchViewState,
 } from '../../../models/views/search';
 import {resolve} from '../../../models/dependency';
 import {subscribe} from '../../lit/subscription-controller';
-import {createChangeUrl} from '../../../models/views/change';
-import {debounce, DelayedTask} from '../../../utils/async-util';
-
-const GET_CHANGES_DEBOUNCE_INTERVAL_MS = 10;
-
-const LOOKUP_QUERY_PATTERNS: RegExp[] = [
-  /^\s*i?[0-9a-f]{7,40}\s*$/i, // CHANGE_ID
-  /^\s*[1-9][0-9]*\s*$/g, // CHANGE_NUM
-  /[0-9a-f]{40}/, // COMMIT
-];
 
 const USER_QUERY_PATTERN = /^owner:\s?("[^"]+"|[^ ]+)$/;
 
@@ -60,21 +48,6 @@
 
   @query('#nextArrow') protected nextArrow?: HTMLAnchorElement;
 
-  private _viewState?: SearchViewState;
-
-  @state()
-  get viewState() {
-    return this._viewState;
-  }
-
-  set viewState(viewState: SearchViewState | undefined) {
-    if (this._viewState === viewState) return;
-    const oldViewState = this._viewState;
-    this._viewState = viewState;
-    this.viewStateChanged();
-    this.requestUpdate('viewState', oldViewState);
-  }
-
   // private but used in test
   @state() account?: AccountDetailInfo;
 
@@ -91,19 +64,19 @@
   @state() query = '';
 
   // private but used in test
-  @state() offset?: number;
+  @state() offset = 0;
 
   // private but used in test
-  @state() changes?: ChangeInfo[];
+  @state() changes: ChangeInfo[] = [];
 
   // private but used in test
   @state() loading = true;
 
   // private but used in test
-  @state() userId: AccountId | EmailAddress | null = null;
+  @state() userId?: AccountId | EmailAddress;
 
   // private but used in test
-  @state() repo: RepoName | null = null;
+  @state() repo?: RepoName;
 
   @state() selectedIndex = 0;
 
@@ -115,17 +88,30 @@
 
   private readonly getViewModel = resolve(this, searchViewModelToken);
 
-  private readonly getNavigation = resolve(this, navigationToken);
-
   constructor() {
     super();
     this.addEventListener('next-page', () => this.handleNextPage());
     this.addEventListener('previous-page', () => this.handlePreviousPage());
-    this.addEventListener('reload', () => this.reload());
+
     subscribe(
       this,
-      () => this.getViewModel().state$,
-      x => (this.viewState = x)
+      () => this.getViewModel().query$,
+      x => (this.query = x)
+    );
+    subscribe(
+      this,
+      () => this.getViewModel().offsetNumber$,
+      x => (this.offset = x)
+    );
+    subscribe(
+      this,
+      () => this.getViewModel().loading$,
+      x => (this.loading = x)
+    );
+    subscribe(
+      this,
+      () => this.getViewModel().changes$,
+      x => (this.changes = x)
     );
     subscribe(
       this,
@@ -139,20 +125,14 @@
     );
     subscribe(
       this,
-      () => this.userModel.preferences$,
-      x => {
-        this.preferences = x;
-        if (this.changesPerPage !== x.changes_per_page) {
-          this.changesPerPage = x.changes_per_page;
-          this.debouncedGetChanges();
-        }
-      }
+      () => this.userModel.preferenceChangesPerPage$,
+      x => (this.changesPerPage = x)
     );
-  }
-
-  override disconnectedCallback() {
-    this.getChangesTask?.flush();
-    super.disconnectedCallback();
+    subscribe(
+      this,
+      () => this.userModel.preferences$,
+      x => (this.preferences = x)
+    );
   }
 
   static override get styles() {
@@ -282,63 +262,10 @@
     }
   }
 
-  reload() {
-    if (!this.loading) this.debouncedGetChanges();
-  }
-
-  // private, but visible for testing
-  viewStateChanged() {
-    if (!this.viewState) return;
-
-    let offset = Number(this.viewState.offset);
-    if (isNaN(offset)) offset = 0;
-    const query = this.viewState.query ?? '';
-
-    if (this.query !== query) this.selectedIndex = 0;
-    this.loading = true;
-    this.query = query;
-    this.offset = offset;
-
-    // NOTE: This method may be called before attachment. Fire title-change
-    // in an async so that attachment to the DOM can take place first.
-    setTimeout(() => fireTitleChange(this, this.query));
-
-    this.debouncedGetChanges(true);
-  }
-
-  private getChangesTask?: DelayedTask;
-
-  private debouncedGetChanges(shouldSingleMatchRedirect = false) {
-    this.getChangesTask = debounce(
-      this.getChangesTask,
-      () => {
-        this.getChanges(shouldSingleMatchRedirect);
-      },
-      GET_CHANGES_DEBOUNCE_INTERVAL_MS
-    );
-  }
-
-  async getChanges(shouldSingleMatchRedirect = false) {
-    this.loading = true;
-    const changes =
-      (await this.restApiService.getChanges(
-        this.changesPerPage,
-        this.query,
-        this.offset
-      )) ?? [];
-    if (shouldSingleMatchRedirect && this.query && changes.length === 1) {
-      for (const queryPattern of LOOKUP_QUERY_PATTERNS) {
-        if (this.query.match(queryPattern)) {
-          // "Back"/"Forward" buttons work correctly only with replaceUrl()
-          this.getNavigation().replaceUrl(
-            createChangeUrl({change: changes[0]})
-          );
-          return;
-        }
-      }
+  override updated(changedProperties: PropertyValues) {
+    if (changedProperties.has('query')) {
+      fireTitleChange(this, this.query);
     }
-    this.changes = changes;
-    this.loading = false;
   }
 
   // private but used in test
@@ -372,14 +299,12 @@
   }
 
   private changesChanged() {
-    this.userId = null;
-    this.repo = null;
-    const changes = this.changes;
-    if (!changes || !changes.length) {
-      return;
-    }
+    this.selectedIndex = 0;
+    this.userId = undefined;
+    this.repo = undefined;
+    if (this.changes.length === 0) return;
     if (USER_QUERY_PATTERN.test(this.query)) {
-      const owner = changes[0].owner;
+      const owner = this.changes[0].owner;
       const userId = owner._account_id ? owner._account_id : owner.email;
       if (userId) {
         this.userId = userId;
@@ -387,7 +312,7 @@
       }
     }
     if (REPO_QUERY_PATTERN.test(this.query)) {
-      this.repo = changes[0].project;
+      this.repo = this.changes[0].project;
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/polygerrit-ui/app/elements/change-list/gr-change-list-view/gr-change-list-view_test.ts b/polygerrit-ui/app/elements/change-list/gr-change-list-view/gr-change-list-view_test.ts
index b003b66..4dc3701 100644
--- a/polygerrit-ui/app/elements/change-list/gr-change-list-view/gr-change-list-view_test.ts
+++ b/polygerrit-ui/app/elements/change-list/gr-change-list-view/gr-change-list-view_test.ts
@@ -7,45 +7,20 @@
 import './gr-change-list-view';
 import {GrChangeListView} from './gr-change-list-view';
 import {page} from '../../../utils/page-wrapper-utils';
-import {navigationToken} from '../../core/gr-navigation/gr-navigation';
-import {
-  query,
-  stubRestApi,
-  queryAndAssert,
-  stubFlags,
-} from '../../../test/test-utils';
+import {query, queryAndAssert} from '../../../test/test-utils';
 import {createChange} from '../../../test/test-data-generators';
-import {
-  ChangeInfo,
-  EmailAddress,
-  NumericChangeId,
-  RepoName,
-} from '../../../api/rest-api';
+import {ChangeInfo, EmailAddress, RepoName} from '../../../api/rest-api';
 import {fixture, html, waitUntil, assert} from '@open-wc/testing';
-import {GerritView} from '../../../services/router/router-model';
-import {testResolver} from '../../../test/common-test-setup';
-import {SinonFakeTimers, SinonStub} from 'sinon';
 import {GrChangeList} from '../gr-change-list/gr-change-list';
 import {GrChangeListSection} from '../gr-change-list-section/gr-change-list-section';
 import {GrChangeListItem} from '../gr-change-list-item/gr-change-list-item';
 
-const CHANGE_ID = 'IcA3dAB3edAB9f60B8dcdA6ef71A75980e4B7127';
-const COMMIT_HASH = '12345678';
-
 suite('gr-change-list-view tests', () => {
   let element: GrChangeListView;
-  let changes: ChangeInfo[] | undefined = [];
-  let clock: SinonFakeTimers;
 
   setup(async () => {
-    clock = sinon.useFakeTimers();
-    stubRestApi('getChanges').callsFake(() => Promise.resolve(changes));
     element = await fixture(html`<gr-change-list-view></gr-change-list-view>`);
-    element.viewState = {
-      view: GerritView.SEARCH,
-      query: 'test-query',
-      offset: '0',
-    };
+    element.query = 'test-query';
     await element.updateComplete;
   });
 
@@ -75,11 +50,9 @@
 
   suite('bulk actions', () => {
     setup(async () => {
-      stubFlags('isEnabled').returns(true);
-      changes = [createChange()];
       element.loading = false;
-      element.reload();
-      clock.tick(100);
+      element.changes = [createChange()];
+      await element.updateComplete;
       await element.updateComplete;
       await waitUntil(() => element.loading === false);
     });
@@ -107,8 +80,9 @@
       checkbox.click();
       await waitUntil(() => checkbox.checked);
 
-      element.reload();
+      element.changes = [createChange()];
       await element.updateComplete;
+
       checkbox = queryAndAssert<HTMLInputElement>(
         query(
           query(query(element, 'gr-change-list'), 'gr-change-list-section'),
@@ -222,7 +196,7 @@
   });
 
   test('userId query', async () => {
-    assert.isNull(element.userId);
+    assert.isUndefined(element.userId);
     element.query = 'owner: foo@bar';
     element.changes = [
       {...createChange(), owner: {email: 'foo@bar' as EmailAddress}},
@@ -235,19 +209,19 @@
       {...createChange(), owner: {email: 'foo@bar' as EmailAddress}},
     ];
     await element.updateComplete;
-    assert.isNull(element.userId);
+    assert.isUndefined(element.userId);
   });
 
   test('userId query without email', async () => {
-    assert.isNull(element.userId);
+    assert.isUndefined(element.userId);
     element.query = 'owner: foo@bar';
     element.changes = [{...createChange(), owner: {}}];
     await element.updateComplete;
-    assert.isNull(element.userId);
+    assert.isUndefined(element.userId);
   });
 
   test('repo query', async () => {
-    assert.isNull(element.repo);
+    assert.isUndefined(element.repo);
     element.query = 'project: test-repo';
     element.changes = [
       {
@@ -264,11 +238,11 @@
       {...createChange(), owner: {email: 'foo@bar' as EmailAddress}},
     ];
     await element.updateComplete;
-    assert.isNull(element.repo);
+    assert.isUndefined(element.repo);
   });
 
   test('repo query with open status', async () => {
-    assert.isNull(element.repo);
+    assert.isUndefined(element.repo);
     element.query = 'project:test-repo status:open';
     element.changes = [
       {
@@ -285,74 +259,6 @@
       {...createChange(), owner: {email: 'foo@bar' as EmailAddress}},
     ];
     await element.updateComplete;
-    assert.isNull(element.repo);
-  });
-
-  suite('query based navigation', () => {
-    let replaceUrlStub: SinonStub;
-    setup(() => {
-      replaceUrlStub = sinon.stub(testResolver(navigationToken), 'replaceUrl');
-    });
-
-    teardown(async () => {
-      await element.updateComplete;
-      sinon.restore();
-    });
-
-    test('Searching for a change ID redirects to change', async () => {
-      const change = {...createChange(), _number: 1 as NumericChangeId};
-      changes = [change];
-
-      element.viewState = {view: GerritView.SEARCH, query: CHANGE_ID};
-      clock.tick(100);
-      await element.updateComplete;
-
-      assert.isTrue(replaceUrlStub.called);
-      assert.equal(replaceUrlStub.lastCall.firstArg, '/c/test-project/+/1');
-    });
-
-    test('Searching for a change num redirects to change', async () => {
-      const change = {...createChange(), _number: 1 as NumericChangeId};
-      changes = [change];
-
-      element.viewState = {view: GerritView.SEARCH, query: '1'};
-      clock.tick(100);
-      await element.updateComplete;
-
-      assert.isTrue(replaceUrlStub.called);
-      assert.equal(replaceUrlStub.lastCall.firstArg, '/c/test-project/+/1');
-    });
-
-    test('Commit hash redirects to change', async () => {
-      const change = {...createChange(), _number: 1 as NumericChangeId};
-      changes = [change];
-
-      element.viewState = {view: GerritView.SEARCH, query: COMMIT_HASH};
-      clock.tick(100);
-      await element.updateComplete;
-
-      assert.isTrue(replaceUrlStub.called);
-      assert.equal(replaceUrlStub.lastCall.firstArg, '/c/test-project/+/1');
-    });
-
-    test('Searching for an invalid change ID searches', async () => {
-      changes = [];
-
-      element.viewState = {view: GerritView.SEARCH, query: CHANGE_ID};
-      clock.tick(100);
-      await element.updateComplete;
-
-      assert.isFalse(replaceUrlStub.called);
-    });
-
-    test('Change ID with multiple search results searches', async () => {
-      changes = undefined;
-
-      element.viewState = {view: GerritView.SEARCH, query: CHANGE_ID};
-      clock.tick(100);
-      await element.updateComplete;
-
-      assert.isFalse(replaceUrlStub.called);
-    });
+    assert.isUndefined(element.repo);
   });
 });
diff --git a/polygerrit-ui/app/elements/core/gr-router/gr-router.ts b/polygerrit-ui/app/elements/core/gr-router/gr-router.ts
index 762f6b7..e40a161 100644
--- a/polygerrit-ui/app/elements/core/gr-router/gr-router.ts
+++ b/polygerrit-ui/app/elements/core/gr-router/gr-router.ts
@@ -1292,6 +1292,8 @@
       view: GerritView.SEARCH,
       query: ctx.params[0],
       offset: ctx.params[2],
+      changes: [],
+      loading: false,
     };
     this.setState(state);
     this.searchViewModel.setState(state);
@@ -1304,6 +1306,8 @@
     const state: SearchViewState = {
       view: GerritView.SEARCH,
       query: ctx.params[0],
+      changes: [],
+      loading: false,
     };
     this.setState(state);
     this.searchViewModel.setState(state);
diff --git a/polygerrit-ui/app/elements/core/gr-router/gr-router_test.ts b/polygerrit-ui/app/elements/core/gr-router/gr-router_test.ts
index ce3ed0d..6c29336 100644
--- a/polygerrit-ui/app/elements/core/gr-router/gr-router_test.ts
+++ b/polygerrit-ui/app/elements/core/gr-router/gr-router_test.ts
@@ -403,6 +403,8 @@
         view: GerritView.SEARCH,
         query: 'project:foo/bar/baz',
         offset: undefined,
+        changes: [],
+        loading: false,
       });
 
       ctx.params[1] = '123';
@@ -411,6 +413,8 @@
         view: GerritView.SEARCH,
         query: 'project:foo/bar/baz',
         offset: '123',
+        changes: [],
+        loading: false,
       });
     });
 
@@ -429,6 +433,8 @@
       assertctxToParams(ctx, 'handleChangeIdQueryRoute', {
         view: GerritView.SEARCH,
         query: 'I0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef01234567',
+        changes: [],
+        loading: false,
       });
     });
 
diff --git a/polygerrit-ui/app/models/change/change-model.ts b/polygerrit-ui/app/models/change/change-model.ts
index 5cfe670..b4f16ab 100644
--- a/polygerrit-ui/app/models/change/change-model.ts
+++ b/polygerrit-ui/app/models/change/change-model.ts
@@ -14,15 +14,7 @@
   RevisionPatchSetNum,
 } from '../../types/common';
 import {DefaultBase} from '../../constants/constants';
-import {
-  combineLatest,
-  from,
-  fromEvent,
-  Observable,
-  Subscription,
-  forkJoin,
-  of,
-} from 'rxjs';
+import {combineLatest, from, fromEvent, Observable, forkJoin, of} from 'rxjs';
 import {
   map,
   filter,
@@ -261,8 +253,6 @@
     ([change, account]) => isOwner(change, account)
   );
 
-  private subscriptions: Subscription[] = [];
-
   // For usage in `combineLatest` we need `startWith` such that reload$ has an
   // initial value.
   readonly reload$: Observable<unknown> = fromEvent(document, 'reload').pipe(
@@ -316,13 +306,6 @@
     ];
   }
 
-  override finalize() {
-    for (const s of this.subscriptions) {
-      s.unsubscribe();
-    }
-    this.subscriptions = [];
-  }
-
   // Temporary workaround until path is derived in the model itself.
   updatePath(diffPath?: string) {
     this.updateState({diffPath});
diff --git a/polygerrit-ui/app/models/change/files-model.ts b/polygerrit-ui/app/models/change/files-model.ts
index 31e42a6..6922f6d 100644
--- a/polygerrit-ui/app/models/change/files-model.ts
+++ b/polygerrit-ui/app/models/change/files-model.ts
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
   PatchSetNumber,
   RevisionPatchSetNum,
 } from '../../types/common';
-import {combineLatest, Subscription, of, from} from 'rxjs';
+import {combineLatest, of, from} from 'rxjs';
 import {switchMap, map} from 'rxjs/operators';
 import {RestApiService} from '../../services/gr-rest-api/gr-rest-api';
 import {Finalizable} from '../../services/registry';
@@ -131,8 +131,6 @@
     state => state.filesRightBase
   );
 
-  private subscriptions: Subscription[] = [];
-
   constructor(
     readonly changeModel: ChangeModel,
     readonly commentsModel: CommentsModel,
@@ -198,11 +196,4 @@
         this.updateState(state);
       });
   }
-
-  override finalize() {
-    for (const s of this.subscriptions) {
-      s.unsubscribe();
-    }
-    this.subscriptions = [];
-  }
 }
diff --git a/polygerrit-ui/app/models/checks/checks-model.ts b/polygerrit-ui/app/models/checks/checks-model.ts
index bb46f27..61c2f77 100644
--- a/polygerrit-ui/app/models/checks/checks-model.ts
+++ b/polygerrit-ui/app/models/checks/checks-model.ts
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@
   Observable,
   of,
   Subject,
-  Subscription,
   timer,
 } from 'rxjs';
 import {
@@ -208,8 +207,6 @@
 
   private readonly visibilityChangeListener: () => void;
 
-  private subscriptions: Subscription[] = [];
-
   public checksSelectedPatchsetNumber$ = select(
     this.state$,
     state => state.patchsetNumberSelected
@@ -483,10 +480,7 @@
       'visibilitychange',
       this.visibilityChangeListener
     );
-    for (const s of this.subscriptions) {
-      s.unsubscribe();
-    }
-    this.subscriptions = [];
+    super.finalize();
   }
 
   // Must only be used by the checks service or whatever is in control of this
diff --git a/polygerrit-ui/app/models/comments/comments-model.ts b/polygerrit-ui/app/models/comments/comments-model.ts
index 39d9eaa..8ed4b69 100644
--- a/polygerrit-ui/app/models/comments/comments-model.ts
+++ b/polygerrit-ui/app/models/comments/comments-model.ts
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@
 import {RouterModel} from '../../services/router/router-model';
 import {Finalizable} from '../../services/registry';
 import {define} from '../dependency';
-import {combineLatest, forkJoin, from, Observable, Subscription} from 'rxjs';
+import {combineLatest, forkJoin, from, Observable} from 'rxjs';
 import {fire, fireAlert, fireEvent} from '../../utils/event-util';
 import {CURRENT} from '../../utils/patch-set-util';
 import {RestApiService} from '../../services/gr-rest-api/gr-rest-api';
@@ -370,8 +370,6 @@
 
   private readonly reloadListener: () => void;
 
-  private readonly subscriptions: Subscription[] = [];
-
   private drafts: {[path: string]: DraftInfo[]} = {};
 
   private draftToastTask?: DelayedTask;
@@ -421,10 +419,7 @@
 
   override finalize() {
     document.removeEventListener('reload', this.reloadListener);
-    for (const s of this.subscriptions) {
-      s.unsubscribe();
-    }
-    this.subscriptions.splice(0, this.subscriptions.length);
+    super.finalize();
   }
 
   // Note that this does *not* reload ported comments.
diff --git a/polygerrit-ui/app/models/config/config-model.ts b/polygerrit-ui/app/models/config/config-model.ts
index c4bd637..6e374d1 100644
--- a/polygerrit-ui/app/models/config/config-model.ts
+++ b/polygerrit-ui/app/models/config/config-model.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
  * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
  */
 import {ConfigInfo, RepoName, ServerInfo} from '../../types/common';
-import {from, of, Subscription} from 'rxjs';
+import {from, of} from 'rxjs';
 import {switchMap} from 'rxjs/operators';
 import {Finalizable} from '../../services/registry';
 import {RestApiService} from '../../services/gr-rest-api/gr-rest-api';
@@ -50,8 +50,6 @@
     url => url
   );
 
-  private subscriptions: Subscription[];
-
   constructor(
     readonly changeModel: ChangeModel,
     readonly restApiService: RestApiService
@@ -83,11 +81,4 @@
   updateServerConfig(serverConfig?: ServerInfo) {
     this.updateState({serverConfig});
   }
-
-  override finalize() {
-    for (const s of this.subscriptions) {
-      s.unsubscribe();
-    }
-    this.subscriptions = [];
-  }
 }
diff --git a/polygerrit-ui/app/models/model.ts b/polygerrit-ui/app/models/model.ts
index 7cd8b2a..c44c0bf 100644
--- a/polygerrit-ui/app/models/model.ts
+++ b/polygerrit-ui/app/models/model.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
  * Copyright 2021 Google LLC
  * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
  */
-import {BehaviorSubject, Observable} from 'rxjs';
+import {BehaviorSubject, Observable, Subscription} from 'rxjs';
 import {Finalizable} from '../services/registry';
 
 /**
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@
 
   public state$: Observable<T>;
 
+  protected subscriptions: Subscription[] = [];
+
   constructor(initialState: T) {
     this.subject$ = new BehaviorSubject(initialState);
     this.state$ = this.subject$.asObservable();
@@ -44,5 +46,9 @@
 
   finalize() {
     this.subject$.complete();
+    for (const s of this.subscriptions) {
+      s.unsubscribe();
+    }
+    this.subscriptions = [];
   }
 }
diff --git a/polygerrit-ui/app/models/user/user-model.ts b/polygerrit-ui/app/models/user/user-model.ts
index b69c715..bb607e9 100644
--- a/polygerrit-ui/app/models/user/user-model.ts
+++ b/polygerrit-ui/app/models/user/user-model.ts
@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@
  * Copyright 2021 Google LLC
  * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
  */
-import {from, of, Observable, Subscription} from 'rxjs';
-import {switchMap} from 'rxjs/operators';
+import {from, of, Observable} from 'rxjs';
+import {filter, switchMap} from 'rxjs/operators';
 import {
   DiffPreferencesInfo as DiffPreferencesInfoAPI,
   DiffViewMode,
@@ -26,24 +26,62 @@
 import {Finalizable} from '../../services/registry';
 import {select} from '../../utils/observable-util';
 import {Model} from '../model';
+import {isDefined} from '../../utils/common-util';
 
 export interface UserState {
   /**
    * Keeps being defined even when credentials have expired.
+   *
+   * `undefined` can mean that the app is still starting up and we have not
+   * tried loading an account object yet. If you want to wait until the
+   * `account` is known, then use `accountLoaded` below.
    */
   account?: AccountDetailInfo;
-  preferences: PreferencesInfo;
-  diffPreferences: DiffPreferencesInfo;
-  editPreferences: EditPreferencesInfo;
+  /**
+   * Starts as `false` and switches to `true` after the first `getAccount` call.
+   * A common use case for this is to wait with loading or doing something until
+   * we know whether the user is logged in or not, see `loadedAccount$` below.
+   *
+   * This value cannot change back to `false` once it has become `true`.
+   *
+   * This value does *not* indicate whether the user is logged in or whether an
+   * `account` object is available. If the first `getAccount()` call returns
+   * `undefined`, then `accountLoaded` still becomes true, even if `account`
+   * stays `undefined`.
+   */
+  accountLoaded: boolean;
+  preferences?: PreferencesInfo;
+  diffPreferences?: DiffPreferencesInfo;
+  editPreferences?: EditPreferencesInfo;
   capabilities?: AccountCapabilityInfo;
 }
 
 export class UserModel extends Model<UserState> implements Finalizable {
+  /**
+   * Note that the initially emitted `undefined` value can mean "not loaded
+   * the account into object yet" or "user is not logged in". Consider using
+   * `loadedAccount$` below.
+   *
+   * TODO: Maybe consider changing all usages to `loadedAccount$`.
+   */
   readonly account$: Observable<AccountDetailInfo | undefined> = select(
     this.state$,
     userState => userState.account
   );
 
+  /**
+   * Only emits once we have tried to actually load the account. Note that
+   * this does not initially emit a value.
+   *
+   * So if this emits `undefined`, then you actually know that the user is not
+   * logged in. And for logged in users you will never get an initial
+   * `undefined` emission.
+   */
+  readonly loadedAccount$: Observable<AccountDetailInfo | undefined> = select(
+    this.state$.pipe(filter(s => s.accountLoaded)),
+    userState => userState.account
+  );
+
   /** Note that this may still be true, even if credentials have expired. */
   readonly loggedIn$: Observable<boolean> = select(
     this.account$,
@@ -61,17 +99,17 @@
   readonly preferences$: Observable<PreferencesInfo> = select(
     this.state$,
     userState => userState.preferences
-  );
+  ).pipe(filter(isDefined));
 
   readonly diffPreferences$: Observable<DiffPreferencesInfo> = select(
     this.state$,
     userState => userState.diffPreferences
-  );
+  ).pipe(filter(isDefined));
 
   readonly editPreferences$: Observable<EditPreferencesInfo> = select(
     this.state$,
     userState => userState.editPreferences
-  );
+  ).pipe(filter(isDefined));
 
   readonly preferenceDiffViewMode$: Observable<DiffViewMode> = select(
     this.preferences$,
@@ -83,13 +121,14 @@
     preference => preference.theme
   );
 
-  private subscriptions: Subscription[] = [];
+  readonly preferenceChangesPerPage$: Observable<number> = select(
+    this.preferences$,
+    preference => preference.changes_per_page
+  );
 
   constructor(readonly restApiService: RestApiService) {
     super({
-      preferences: createDefaultPreferences(),
-      diffPreferences: createDefaultDiffPrefs(),
-      editPreferences: createDefaultEditPrefs(),
+      accountLoaded: false,
     });
     this.subscriptions = [
       from(this.restApiService.getAccount()).subscribe(
@@ -97,7 +136,7 @@
           this.setAccount(account);
         }
       ),
-      this.account$
+      this.loadedAccount$
         .pipe(
           switchMap(account => {
             if (!account) return of(createDefaultPreferences());
@@ -107,7 +146,7 @@
         .subscribe((preferences?: PreferencesInfo) => {
           this.setPreferences(preferences ?? createDefaultPreferences());
         }),
-      this.account$
+      this.loadedAccount$
         .pipe(
           switchMap(account => {
             if (!account) return of(createDefaultDiffPrefs());
@@ -117,7 +156,7 @@
         .subscribe((diffPrefs?: DiffPreferencesInfoAPI) => {
           this.setDiffPreferences(diffPrefs ?? createDefaultDiffPrefs());
         }),
-      this.account$
+      this.loadedAccount$
         .pipe(
           switchMap(account => {
             if (!account) return of(createDefaultEditPrefs());
@@ -127,7 +166,7 @@
         .subscribe((editPrefs?: EditPreferencesInfo) => {
           this.setEditPreferences(editPrefs ?? createDefaultEditPrefs());
         }),
-      this.account$
+      this.loadedAccount$
         .pipe(
           switchMap(account => {
             if (!account) return of(undefined);
@@ -140,13 +179,6 @@
     ];
   }
 
-  override finalize() {
-    for (const s of this.subscriptions) {
-      s.unsubscribe();
-    }
-    this.subscriptions = [];
-  }
-
   updatePreferences(prefs: Partial<PreferencesInfo>) {
     return this.restApiService
       .savePreferences(prefs)
@@ -205,6 +237,6 @@
   }
 
   setAccount(account?: AccountDetailInfo) {
-    this.updateState({account});
+    this.updateState({account, accountLoaded: true});
   }
 }
diff --git a/polygerrit-ui/app/models/views/search.ts b/polygerrit-ui/app/models/views/search.ts
index 58cb8f7..d601488 100644
--- a/polygerrit-ui/app/models/views/search.ts
+++ b/polygerrit-ui/app/models/views/search.ts
@@ -3,18 +3,61 @@
  * Copyright 2022 Google LLC
  * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
  */
-import {RepoName, BranchName, TopicName} from '../../api/rest-api';
+import {combineLatest, fromEvent, Observable} from 'rxjs';
+import {
+  filter,
+  map,
+  startWith,
+  switchMap,
+  tap,
+  withLatestFrom,
+} from 'rxjs/operators';
+import {RepoName, BranchName, TopicName, ChangeInfo} from '../../api/rest-api';
+import {NavigationService} from '../../elements/core/gr-navigation/gr-navigation';
+import {RestApiService} from '../../services/gr-rest-api/gr-rest-api';
 import {GerritView} from '../../services/router/router-model';
+import {select} from '../../utils/observable-util';
 import {addQuotesWhen} from '../../utils/string-util';
 import {encodeURL} from '../../utils/url-util';
 import {define} from '../dependency';
 import {Model} from '../model';
+import {UserModel} from '../user/user-model';
 import {ViewState} from './base';
+import {createChangeUrl} from './change';
+
+const LOOKUP_QUERY_PATTERNS: RegExp[] = [
+  /^\s*i?[0-9a-f]{7,40}\s*$/i, // CHANGE_ID
+  /^\s*[1-9][0-9]*\s*$/g, // CHANGE_NUM
+  /[0-9a-f]{40}/, // COMMIT
+];
 
 export interface SearchViewState extends ViewState {
   view: GerritView.SEARCH;
-  query?: string;
+  /**
+   * The query for searching changes.
+   *
+   * Changing this to something non-empty will trigger search.
+   */
+  query: string;
+  /**
+   * How many initial search results should be skipped? This is for showing
+   * more than one search result page. This must be a non-negative number.
+   * If the string is not provided or cannot be parsed as expected, then the
+   * offset falls back to 0.
+   *
+   * TODO: Consider converting from string to number before writing to the
+   * state object.
+   */
   offset?: string;
+
+  /**
+   * Is a search API call currrently in progress?
+   */
+  loading: boolean;
+  /**
+   * The search results for the current query.
+   */
+  changes: ChangeInfo[];
 }
 
 export interface SearchUrlOptions {
@@ -86,8 +129,108 @@
 export const searchViewModelToken =
   define<SearchViewModel>('search-view-model');
 
+/**
+ * This is the view model for the search page.
+ *
+ * It keeps track of the overall search view state and provides selectors for
+ * subscribing to certain slices of the state.
+ *
+ * It manages loading the changes to be shown on the search page by providing
+ * `changes` in its state. Changes to the view state or certain user preferences
+ * will automatically trigger reloading the changes.
+ */
 export class SearchViewModel extends Model<SearchViewState | undefined> {
-  constructor() {
+  public readonly query$ = select(this.state$, s => s?.query ?? '');
+
+  private readonly offset$ = select(this.state$, s => s?.offset ?? '0');
+
+  /**
+   * Convenience selector for getting the `offset` as a number.
+   *
+   * TODO: Consider changing the type of `offset$` and `state.offset` to
+   * `number`.
+   */
+  public readonly offsetNumber$ = select(this.offset$, offset => {
+    const offsetNumber = Number(offset);
+    return Number.isFinite(offsetNumber) ? offsetNumber : 0;
+  });
+
+  public readonly changes$ = select(this.state$, s => s?.changes ?? []);
+
+  public readonly loading$ = select(this.state$, s => s?.loading ?? false);
+
+  // For usage in `combineLatest` we need `startWith` such that reload$ has an
+  // initial value.
+  private readonly reload$: Observable<unknown> = fromEvent(
+    document,
+    'reload'
+  ).pipe(startWith(undefined));
+
+  private readonly reloadChangesTrigger$ = combineLatest([
+    this.reload$,
+    this.query$,
+    this.offsetNumber$,
+    this.userModel.preferenceChangesPerPage$,
+  ]).pipe(
+    map(([_reload, query, offsetNumber, changesPerPage]) => {
+      const params: [string, number, number] = [
+        query,
+        offsetNumber,
+        changesPerPage,
+      ];
+      return params;
+    })
+  );
+
+  constructor(
+    private readonly restApiService: RestApiService,
+    private readonly userModel: UserModel,
+    private readonly getNavigation: () => NavigationService
+  ) {
     super(undefined);
+    this.subscriptions = [
+      this.reloadChangesTrigger$
+        .pipe(
+          switchMap(a => this.reloadChanges(a)),
+          tap(changes => this.updateState({changes, loading: false}))
+        )
+        .subscribe(),
+      this.changes$
+        .pipe(
+          filter(changes => changes.length === 1),
+          withLatestFrom(this.query$)
+        )
+        .subscribe(([changes, query]) =>
+          this.redirectSingleResult(query, changes)
+        ),
+    ];
+  }
+
+  private async reloadChanges([query, offset, changesPerPage]: [
+    string,
+    number,
+    number
+  ]): Promise<ChangeInfo[]> {
+    if (this.getState() === undefined) return [];
+    if (query.trim().length === 0) return [];
+    this.updateState({loading: true});
+    const changes = await this.restApiService.getChanges(
+      changesPerPage,
+      query,
+      offset
+    );
+    return changes ?? [];
+  }
+
+  // visible for testing
+  redirectSingleResult(query: string, changes: ChangeInfo[]): void {
+    if (changes.length !== 1) return;
+    for (const queryPattern of LOOKUP_QUERY_PATTERNS) {
+      if (query.match(queryPattern)) {
+        // "Back"/"Forward" buttons work correctly only with replaceUrl()
+        this.getNavigation().replaceUrl(createChangeUrl({change: changes[0]}));
+        return;
+      }
+    }
   }
 }
diff --git a/polygerrit-ui/app/models/views/search_test.ts b/polygerrit-ui/app/models/views/search_test.ts
index 138ce1e..bb2c0e3 100644
--- a/polygerrit-ui/app/models/views/search_test.ts
+++ b/polygerrit-ui/app/models/views/search_test.ts
@@ -4,9 +4,26 @@
  * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
  */
 import {assert} from '@open-wc/testing';
-import {BranchName, RepoName, TopicName} from '../../api/rest-api';
+import {SinonStub} from 'sinon';
+import {
+  BranchName,
+  NumericChangeId,
+  RepoName,
+  TopicName,
+} from '../../api/rest-api';
+import {navigationToken} from '../../elements/core/gr-navigation/gr-navigation';
 import '../../test/common-test-setup';
-import {createSearchUrl, SearchUrlOptions} from './search';
+import {testResolver} from '../../test/common-test-setup';
+import {createChange} from '../../test/test-data-generators';
+import {
+  createSearchUrl,
+  SearchUrlOptions,
+  SearchViewModel,
+  searchViewModelToken,
+} from './search';
+
+const CHANGE_ID = 'IcA3dAB3edAB9f60B8dcdA6ef71A75980e4B7127';
+const COMMIT_HASH = '12345678';
 
 suite('search view state tests', () => {
   test('createSearchUrl', () => {
@@ -53,4 +70,60 @@
     options = {topic: 'test:test' as TopicName};
     assert.equal(createSearchUrl(options), '/q/topic:"test:test"');
   });
+
+  suite('query based navigation', () => {
+    let replaceUrlStub: SinonStub;
+    let model: SearchViewModel;
+
+    setup(() => {
+      model = testResolver(searchViewModelToken);
+      replaceUrlStub = sinon.stub(testResolver(navigationToken), 'replaceUrl');
+    });
+
+    teardown(() => {
+      model.finalize();
+    });
+
+    test('Searching for a change ID redirects to change', async () => {
+      const change = {...createChange(), _number: 1 as NumericChangeId};
+
+      model.redirectSingleResult(CHANGE_ID, [change]);
+
+      assert.isTrue(replaceUrlStub.called);
+      assert.equal(replaceUrlStub.lastCall.firstArg, '/c/test-project/+/1');
+    });
+
+    test('Searching for a change num redirects to change', async () => {
+      const change = {...createChange(), _number: 1 as NumericChangeId};
+
+      model.redirectSingleResult('1', [change]);
+
+      assert.isTrue(replaceUrlStub.called);
+      assert.equal(replaceUrlStub.lastCall.firstArg, '/c/test-project/+/1');
+    });
+
+    test('Commit hash redirects to change', async () => {
+      const change = {...createChange(), _number: 1 as NumericChangeId};
+
+      model.redirectSingleResult(COMMIT_HASH, [change]);
+
+      assert.isTrue(replaceUrlStub.called);
+      assert.equal(replaceUrlStub.lastCall.firstArg, '/c/test-project/+/1');
+    });
+
+    test('No results: no redirect', async () => {
+      model.redirectSingleResult(CHANGE_ID, []);
+
+      assert.isFalse(replaceUrlStub.called);
+    });
+
+    test('More than 1 result: no redirect', async () => {
+      const change1 = {...createChange(), _number: 1 as NumericChangeId};
+      const change2 = {...createChange(), _number: 2 as NumericChangeId};
+
+      model.redirectSingleResult(CHANGE_ID, [change1, change2]);
+
+      assert.isFalse(replaceUrlStub.called);
+    });
+  });
 });
diff --git a/polygerrit-ui/app/services/app-context-init.ts b/polygerrit-ui/app/services/app-context-init.ts
index 9f7a0c0..f74cfdf 100644
--- a/polygerrit-ui/app/services/app-context-init.ts
+++ b/polygerrit-ui/app/services/app-context-init.ts
@@ -57,7 +57,10 @@
 import {PluginViewModel, pluginViewModelToken} from '../models/views/plugin';
 import {RepoViewModel, repoViewModelToken} from '../models/views/repo';
 import {SearchViewModel, searchViewModelToken} from '../models/views/search';
-import {navigationToken} from '../elements/core/gr-navigation/gr-navigation';
+import {
+  NavigationService,
+  navigationToken,
+} from '../elements/core/gr-navigation/gr-navigation';
 
 /**
  * The AppContext lazy initializator for all services
@@ -131,7 +134,11 @@
   dependencies.set(pluginViewModelToken, pluginViewModel);
   const repoViewModel = new RepoViewModel();
   dependencies.set(repoViewModelToken, repoViewModel);
-  const searchViewModel = new SearchViewModel();
+  const searchViewModel = new SearchViewModel(
+    appContext.restApiService,
+    appContext.userModel,
+    () => dependencies.get(navigationToken) as unknown as NavigationService
+  );
   dependencies.set(searchViewModelToken, searchViewModel);
   const settingsViewModel = new SettingsViewModel();
   dependencies.set(settingsViewModelToken, settingsViewModel);
diff --git a/polygerrit-ui/app/test/test-app-context-init.ts b/polygerrit-ui/app/test/test-app-context-init.ts
index e34773e..eec5446 100644
--- a/polygerrit-ui/app/test/test-app-context-init.ts
+++ b/polygerrit-ui/app/test/test-app-context-init.ts
@@ -138,7 +138,10 @@
   dependencies.set(pluginViewModelToken, pluginViewModelCreator);
   const repoViewModelCreator = () => new RepoViewModel();
   dependencies.set(repoViewModelToken, repoViewModelCreator);
-  const searchViewModelCreator = () => new SearchViewModel();
+  const searchViewModelCreator = () =>
+    new SearchViewModel(appContext.restApiService, appContext.userModel, () =>
+      resolver(navigationToken)
+    );
   dependencies.set(searchViewModelToken, searchViewModelCreator);
   const settingsViewModelCreator = () => new SettingsViewModel();
   dependencies.set(settingsViewModelToken, settingsViewModelCreator);
diff --git a/polygerrit-ui/app/test/test-data-generators.ts b/polygerrit-ui/app/test/test-data-generators.ts
index 9337500..fc865a3 100644
--- a/polygerrit-ui/app/test/test-data-generators.ts
+++ b/polygerrit-ui/app/test/test-data-generators.ts
@@ -706,6 +706,8 @@
     view: GerritView.SEARCH,
     query: TEST_NUMERIC_CHANGE_ID.toString(),
     offset: '0',
+    changes: [],
+    loading: false,
   };
 }
 
diff --git a/polygerrit-ui/app/utils/common-util.ts b/polygerrit-ui/app/utils/common-util.ts
index 05c054b..6c2774e 100644
--- a/polygerrit-ui/app/utils/common-util.ts
+++ b/polygerrit-ui/app/utils/common-util.ts
@@ -47,6 +47,10 @@
   if (!condition) throw new Error(errorMessage);
 }
 
+export function isDefined<T>(x: T): x is NonNullable<T> {
+  return x !== undefined && x !== null;
+}
+
 /**
  * Throws an error if the property is not defined.
  */