find-file opens wrong file when typing new file name that fuzzily matches existing one

[adonig]

Hi! First off, thanks for maintaining Vertico - it’s a fantastic piece of work!

I'm encountering an issue where typing the name of a new file in find-file results in Vertico selecting an existing fuzzy match instead of respecting the typed input.

Steps to Reproduce:

1. Ensure a file foo_bar.py exists in the current directory.
2. Run emacs -Q and evaluate the following minimal configuration:

(package-initialize)
(add-to-list 'package-archives '("melpa" . "https://melpa.org/packages/"))
(package-refresh-contents)
(package-install 'vertico)
(require 'vertico)
(vertico-mode 1)

(setq completion-category-overrides '((file (styles basic partial-completion))))
(setq completion-auto-select nil)

3. C-x C-f, type foo.py, and press RET.

Expected behavior:
A new file named foo.py should be created.

Actual behavior:
Vertico opens foo_bar.py instead.

Additional context:

• Emacs version: 30.1
• Vertico version: 20250419.816
• I’ve disabled completion-auto-select and overridden file completion styles to basic + partial-completion, as recommended.
• The same issue occurs when pressing C-j.

Let me know if I can help debug further - I’d be happy to test potential fixes or patches!

Thanks 🙏

[minad]

See https://github.com/minad/vertico?tab=readme-ov-file#key-bindings