I love to use the transform tool during sketch phase, it saves a lot of time. My workflow is as follows:

- click a selection tool
- select a drawing area
- click the transform tool
- transform the selection
- hit ENTER (to apply transformation)
- deselect the transform tool (e.g. by selecting the freehand tool)
- deselect the selection

I wonder if this can be done with fewer steps.

I don't think it can be done with less steps.