Emacs ido-mode and creating new files in directories, it keeps changing the directory while I'm typing

Question

When using ido-mode in emacs, it tends to get in my way when I'm trying to create a new file inside a directory, using: C-x C-f ( start typing a new filename, which doesn't yet exist ) RET

Ordinarily this should create a new file, but when I have ido mode, I have to type the new filename really quickly, otherwise ido-mode decides to move me into a directory that has a file with a matching name, causing me to open that file, instead of creating a new file.

Does anybody know how to force ido-mode to avoid looking in directories other than the one you're currently in?

Gillard

Answer 1

You can disable the merging (the "looking in other directories" in ido vulgo) with

(setq ido-auto-merge-work-directories-length -1)

but you can also undo the merge with C-z in ido.

Boomer

Right you are :) I would not have guessed the purpose from the name of that function. Works perfectly. – Gillard

Thanks, I wasn't clear what the heck "merge" meant in the ido context until I found this answer. – Raye

C-z gets me what I need (I was having the exact same problem); thanks! This way I can keep the behavior (it's convenient, sometimes), but still have a way to get out of it when it's not what I want (most of the time). – Colyer

"it's convenient, sometimes" you can also disable it and trigger the merge using M-s if that is what you would prefer (I do). – Repine

Answer 2

Doing this really helps. Basically use ido-mode up until you get to the correct directory, then hit C-f again to get out of ido-mode as you type the new filename.

C-x C-f navigate to directory C-f enter new filename RET.

Gillard

I have a feeling this should have more up-votes than the other answer. thx – Saccharine

Answer 3

Use C-j to tell ido to input what you have typed rather than the first completion. This is also mentioned on emacswiki.

Eugeniusz

This only works if you've finished typing the filename before it switches directory. If I've stalled halfway through typing a filename, it switches directory, then when I carry on typing, it's just matching files in some other part of my home directory. – Gillard

Hmm, actually, just double typing <kbd>C-x</kbd> <kbd>C-f</kbd> <kbd>C-f</kbd> if my plan is to create a new file seems to help, since that jumps out of ido mode. It's not perfect, but it's better than it changing directory. – Gillard