Symptom#

A global Vim-style leader on SPC works in code buffers but not in dired and other special modes: SPC f f does nothing there, or SPC moves to the next line. Evil itself is on (normal state, j/k work).

Cause#

evil-collection sets up mode-specific evil keymaps, and in dired (and other modes) it binds SPC. A mode's own evil binding wins over a global one, so the leader never sees the key.

Fix#

Tell evil-collection never to bind SPC before it sets up the modes:

(setq evil-collection-key-blacklist '("SPC"))

A related trap: asking evil-collection to set up the minibuffer puts every minibuffer in insert state, where C-n/C-p are evil's word completion instead of "next/previous candidate". Leave minibuffer setup off (evil's default) unless you want that.

Evidence#

• Emacs 30 with evil and evil-collection, 2026-09-26: after the blacklist, SPC f f in dired opened the file prompt in that folder, and j, k, RET and - still worked.
• With minibuffer setup removed, C-n and C-p moved through a completion list again and Esc still closed it.