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 filen

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.

Answer 2

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

Answer 3

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.