diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 6660b30f..0cd54fb0 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 .gradle
+.kotlin
 build/
 !gradle/wrapper/gradle-wrapper.jar
 !**/src/main/**/build/
diff --git a/build.gradle.kts b/build.gradle.kts
index 77f68a8b..7f315e6f 100644
--- a/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/build.gradle.kts
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ plugins {
 }
 
 group = "com.mituuz"
-version = "0.25.1"
+version = "0.26.0"
 
 repositories {
   mavenCentral()
diff --git a/changelog.md b/changelog.md
index c9cda728..fd45fae2 100644
--- a/changelog.md
+++ b/changelog.md
@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
 # Changelog
+## Version 0.26.0
+- Default to initial view when clearing the search string
+
 ## Version 0.25.1
 - Fix task cancellation, making lower debounce time feel much better
 - Lower default debounce time
diff --git a/src/main/kotlin/com/mituuz/fuzzier/Fuzzier.kt b/src/main/kotlin/com/mituuz/fuzzier/Fuzzier.kt
index d395f38c..22b8f18a 100644
--- a/src/main/kotlin/com/mituuz/fuzzier/Fuzzier.kt
+++ b/src/main/kotlin/com/mituuz/fuzzier/Fuzzier.kt
@@ -150,9 +150,13 @@ open class Fuzzier : FuzzyAction() {
 
     override fun updateListContents(project: Project, searchString: String) {
         if (StringUtils.isBlank(searchString)) {
-            ApplicationManager.getApplication().invokeLater {
-                component.fileList.model = DefaultListModel()
-                defaultDoc?.let { (component as FuzzyFinderComponent).previewPane.updateFile(it) }
+            if (fuzzierSettingsService.state.recentFilesMode != NONE) {
+                createInitialView(project)
+            } else {
+                ApplicationManager.getApplication().invokeLater {
+                    component.fileList.model = DefaultListModel()
+                    defaultDoc?.let { (component as FuzzyFinderComponent).previewPane.updateFile(it) }
+                }
             }
             return
         }
diff --git a/src/main/resources/META-INF/plugin.xml b/src/main/resources/META-INF/plugin.xml
index e9c1f422..05f28af4 100644
--- a/src/main/resources/META-INF/plugin.xml
+++ b/src/main/resources/META-INF/plugin.xml
@@ -29,12 +29,8 @@
   </extensions>
 
   <change-notes><![CDATA[
-  <h2>Version 0.25.1</h2>
-  - Fix task cancellation, making lower debounce time feel much better<br>
-  - Lower default debounce time<br>
-  <h2>Version 0.25.0</h2>
-  - Clear up settings grouping<br>
-  - Add option to highlight filename matches in the file list<br>
+  <h2>Version 0.26.0</h2>
+  - Default to initial view when clearing the search string<br>
   ]]>
   </change-notes>