ido-read-directory-name does not show matches in minibuffer

Question

I'm trying to read a directory path using ido-read-directory-nameto prompt in the minibuffer. I have (ido-everywhere t)and (ido-enable-flex-matching t) enabled, and I'm running emacs 24.5.1.

I expect ido-read-directory-nameto behave like ido-read-file-name, by showing all possible flex matches in the minibuffer. I expect it to show me ONLY directory name matches (not file name matches), since I'm reading for directory names.

But instead of showing matches in the minibuffer, it shows only [.]after the current directory match, like so /usr/bin/[.], which is not what I want.

If I hit TAB once, potential directory matches are displayed in a regular emacs buffer (named "Ido Completions"), as emacs normally does for Apropos, Help, describe-function matches, etc. The buffer says "Potential matches: " and displays a lonely single dot.

If I hit TAB a second time, the single dot is replaced with a full list of potential directory matches, and is displayed in the "Ido Completions" buffer as Emacs normally does. Seeing that, I can start typing a desired match, and the minibuffer will eventually match it.

Sometimes if I type a single letter in the minibuffer, and then backspace to erase it, the usual (nice) flex match display shows up, with something like this ../blah/blah/dir/{. | match1/ | match2/ | ...}showing. From this, I'm thinking that ido-read-directory-nameknows how to properly show directory matches in the minibuffer, but for some reason is not doing it by default.

Why doesn't ido-read-directory-namedisplay the possible directory matches in the minibuffer? Is there some variable that I might have set wrong? (I looked at the 50? possible ido-* variables with describe-variable, but couldn't see anything. Ditto for searching the SO forums, and the net.

I love ido-read-file-name, but ido-read-directory seems to exhibit very different behavior for me. Ideas to try, anyone? Thanks

Answer 1

1. For clarification, all you want ido is to present you with possible sub-directory names?

2. From my interpretation, what you want is ido-dired with C-x d.

This allows you to use dired mode in tandem with ido mode. Here's what that looks like for me when executed in a blank buffer:

After that command, I can navigate around my directories (only, no file names) and choose the directory.

3. Here's a post on overflow where someone has a problem similar to yours.

The solution offered is one I personally use, which is ido-ubiquitous, a package that attempts to implement ido functionality basically in any buffer possible 'without breaking anything.' It's on Github and MELPA. It is a really powerful package that can do a lot more than what I use it for, so I personally highly recommend it.

Together with normal ido, I am able to have near universal buffer completion with just the following three commands:

(ido-mode 1) 
(ido-everywhere 1)
(ido-ubiquitous-mode 1)

Installing Smex also enhances navigating any M- related commands, and only requires (smex-initialize) and rebinding M-x and M-X.

With a lot of emacs minor and major modes, there are various configurations with minor differences so if you don't choose the right one from the start, it can cause confusion/look like it doesn't work. Additionally, if you try to combine modes that theoretically should work together, it goes without saying that they still might not for obscure reasons down in the code itself. At minimum, I hope this answer put you in the right direction.