Hi Dave,
If you close this panel using the "X" button in the top right corner, it will not appear and will not bother you anymore.
However, apart from that, can you please provide me with some details about why this panel is a problem for you and how it affects your workflow? Also, where in the interface would you prefer to see tools, such as the WordPress installation or the Git repository? If you do, I will pass on your feedback to the team for discussion and planning of improvements.