TextPad has only dictionaries as addons or plug-ins. The keyboard macro recording and playback is integral to the software. Its playback accuracy and speed is very good. The downside is that the macros cannot be edited, so there is no accessible macro language. For such features I use AutoHotkey in Windows, and Autokey (Python) in Linux Mint.
The features I was looking for in Kate, did not exist as plugins. The discussions about which exist somewhere on Kate support pages.
It’s possible that one can find the features I was looking for, but for me time is of essence. Familiarizing on how to get the same things done with a different approach/concept, is not worth to spend the time. I know about GNU Emacs and it’s definitely not the way I want to go.
In general, Linux applications are more programmer oriented whereas Windows programs have a better user/consumer oriented approach. And I am a user/consumer.