This issue combines design explorations into one implementation plan and supersedes #49091 for tracking LinkControl. There are three key area of this proposal: inline, navigation, and image links.

I've drawn out the flows for each key area below, consolidating feedback into actionable issues to improve link application across the editor experience. And the tasks listed are prioritized in general implementation order.

Tasks

• A11y review of Link Control/UI design refresh #50950
• LinkControl: Remove tools controls from initial state #50886
• LinkControl: Improve Edit State #50890
• LinkControl: Simpler suggestions #50885
• LinkControl: Only suggest either "Add new page" or "Add link" #50178
• LinkControl: Remove home URL from suggestion #52572
• Make Link UI "Advanced" button not have "Admin Color" when open #53069
• LinkControl: Surface contextual suggestions #50884
• LinkControl: Add control for adding blocks #50888
• LinkControl: Test Migration  #50995

Follow-up

• LinkControl: Add support for linking headings #53147
• Image and Media & Text blocks: Use LinkControl #50893
• LinkControl: Render edit view upon link creation #50892

Inline links

Key concepts:

• Initial state suggests pages (scrollable area).
• Search results return from all available post types.
• "Add new page" opens this modal.
• Only either “Add link” or “Add new page” is rendered, based on the field value.
• Press enter, or click “Add link:” to add a link/item.
• Clicking on an inline link brings up the edit state of the link.
• The “Save” button is disabled unless there are changes.

Navigation links

Key concepts:

• Initial state suggests pages (scrollable area).
• Search results return from all available post types.
• “Add block” control is appended to the foot of the component.
• Navigation Link block variations (Post Link, Category Link, Tag Link, etc) initial state renders type based on the variation—i.e. Category Link renders categories.
• Navigation Link search results return items based on the query type.

Media links

Key concepts:

• Replaces the existing control on media blocks (Image, Media & Text).
• Initial state suggests pages (scrollable area).
• Search results return from all available post types.
• Media-specific tooling to link to the image file and the attachment page.

props to @getdave @jasmussen @jameskoster @SaxonF.