`cancelSelection` interferes with extension API `registerCommand("type")`

[bmalehorn]

Does this issue occur when all extensions are disabled?: No, it's a bug with the extension API itself

• VS Code Version: 1.135.0-insider (Universal)
• OS Version: Darwin arm64 25.4.0

Hello, I'm reporting a bug I've noticed where calling cancelSelection interferes with extensions that register the "type" command. Normally extensions can register "type" to intercept all inputs:

subscription = vscode.commands.registerCommand("type", onType)

This is useful for Vim-style extensions which want to override regular typed letters like "a", "b", "c". Typing those letters are instead intercepted by the onType listener, and don't actually type letters.

However, I noticed that when I trigger a "cancelSelection" command, the next typed letter will actually get typed, somehow bypassing the "type" register command:

Screen.Recording.2026-08-18.at.4.21.42.PM.mp4

In the above recording I have a "type" command registered, configured so that typing the letter "a" will trigger the "cancelSelection" command, and typing the letter "j" will trigger the "cursorDown" command.

When I press "j" I would expect the cursor to move down one row.

Instead, when I press "j" it removes most of the section I had previously highlighted, only keeping a couple letters. Then it adds "jj".

Some extra information:

• This issue began occurring sometime between 2026-01-01 and 2026-04-23 on stable
• My extension I used to reproduce this (bmalehorn.vimspired) hasn't been updated in 3 years, so it's not a change in the extension. You can view the extension source here
• It's possible this is a regression in the extension API, and I'd be fine with a workaround my extension can use
• Canceling selection by pressing Escape does not reproduce the issue (so, what's the difference between Escape and cancelSelection?)
• This doesn't occur on reverse selection (selecting from right to left)
• This doesn't occur on multiline selections
• The amount of text remaining (above, only 1 character remained) is not consistently 1 character, it's a variable amount between 0 and the whole line
• Different keys (a, j) and different commands (cursorDown) still reproduce the issue

Steps to Reproduce:

1. Install the extension bmalehorn.vimspired
2. Set your vscode config to:

{
  "vimspired.keybindings": {
    "a": "cancelSelection",
    "j": "cursorDown",
  },
}

3. in a file, highlight one line from left to right
4. press "a"
5. press "j"

Expected: the cursor moves down 1 row, no text is modified.
Actual: the previously-highlighted portion is partially deleted and "jj" is added to the end.