diff --git a/backend/app/services/artist_service.py b/backend/app/services/artist_service.py
index b7de9dc..b3d87a2 100644
--- a/backend/app/services/artist_service.py
+++ b/backend/app/services/artist_service.py
@@ -316,17 +316,32 @@ class ArtistService:
         cleaned = (prefix or "").strip()
         if not cleaned:
             return []
-        like = f"%{cleaned.lower()}%"
-        prefix_like = f"{cleaned.lower()}%"
-        # Rank: exact (0) < prefix (1) < substring (2).
+        low = cleaned.lower()
+        like = f"%{low}%"
+        prefix_like = f"{low}%"
+        # Spacing- and punctuation-insensitive too, so "Tamada Heijun" finds
+        # "TamadaHeijun" and "sabu_art" finds "Sabu Art" — the same creator is
+        # spelled differently on every platform, and the browser extension's
+        # Add panel matches a Discord server name against these (milestone 429).
+        # [[:alnum:]] keeps non-Latin letters; a query with none (all
+        # punctuation) skips this arm rather than matching every artist.
+        squashed = "".join(ch for ch in low if ch.isalnum())
+        name_squashed = func.regexp_replace(func.lower(Artist.name), "[^[:alnum:]]", "", "g")
+        matches = [func.lower(Artist.name).like(like)]
+        if squashed:
+            matches.append(name_squashed.like(f"%{squashed}%"))
+        # Rank: exact (0) < exact ignoring spacing (1) < prefix (2) <
+        # substring (3) < substring ignoring spacing (4).
         rank = case(
-            (func.lower(Artist.name) == cleaned.lower(), 0),
-            (func.lower(Artist.name).like(prefix_like), 1),
-            else_=2,
+            (func.lower(Artist.name) == low, 0),
+            (name_squashed == squashed, 1),
+            (func.lower(Artist.name).like(prefix_like), 2),
+            (func.lower(Artist.name).like(like), 3),
+            else_=4,
         ).label("rank")
         rows = (await self.session.execute(
             select(Artist, rank)
-            .where(func.lower(Artist.name).like(like))
+            .where(or_(*matches))
             .order_by(rank, Artist.name.asc())
             .limit(limit)
         )).all()
diff --git a/extension/content/content-script.css b/extension/content/content-script.css
index 6ac3bdf..629e3bd 100644
--- a/extension/content/content-script.css
+++ b/extension/content/content-script.css
@@ -82,3 +82,18 @@
 }
 .fc-panel__btn--primary { border-color: rgb(244, 186, 122); background: rgb(244, 186, 122); color: rgb(20, 23, 26); }
 .fc-panel__btn:disabled { opacity: 0.5; cursor: default; }
+
+/* Artist autocomplete — the list sits under the field, inside the panel. */
+.fc-panel__combo { position: relative; }
+.fc-panel__results {
+  margin-top: 4px; border-radius: 6px;
+  background: rgb(12, 14, 16);
+}
+.fc-panel__results:empty { display: none; }
+.fc-panel__results:not(:empty) { border: 1px solid rgb(70, 74, 80); padding: 3px; }
+.fc-panel__result { display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; width: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; }
+.fc-panel__result--active { background: rgb(52, 44, 32); outline: 1px solid rgb(244, 186, 122); }
+.fc-panel__result--new { color: rgb(244, 186, 122); }
+.fc-panel__result-tag { font-size: 11px; color: rgb(140, 220, 160); }
+.fc-panel__empty { padding: 6px 9px; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(170, 166, 156); }
+.fc-panel__hint--match { color: rgb(140, 220, 160); }
diff --git a/extension/content/content-script.js b/extension/content/content-script.js
index 1d57474..293e163 100644
--- a/extension/content/content-script.js
+++ b/extension/content/content-script.js
@@ -157,7 +157,6 @@
     closePanel();
     const d = probe.discord || {};
     const choice = discordPanelDefaults(probe);
-    let searchSeq = 0;
 
     const scopeRow = (value, label, disabled) => {
       const input = el('input', {
@@ -168,12 +167,21 @@
       return el('label', { class: 'fc-panel__radio' }, [input, el('span', { text: label })]);
     };
 
+    // The artist field is an autocomplete over FC's artists: it searches as
+    // soon as the panel opens (with the prefilled name) and on every keystroke,
+    // lists the matches under the field, fills in the rest of the top match as
+    // you type (Tab or Enter accepts it, typing on replaces it), and picks an
+    // artist whose name IS the text, spacing and case aside, without being
+    // asked. ↑/↓ walk the list; the last row creates a new artist instead.
     const nameInput = el('input', {
       type: 'text', class: 'fc-panel__input', value: choice.artistName,
-      placeholder: 'Artist name — search or type a new one',
+      placeholder: 'Search artists or type a new name',
       autocomplete: 'off', spellcheck: false,
+      role: 'combobox',
     });
-    const results = el('div', { class: 'fc-panel__results' });
+    nameInput.setAttribute('aria-autocomplete', 'both');
+    nameInput.setAttribute('aria-expanded', 'false');
+    const results = el('div', { class: 'fc-panel__results', role: 'listbox' });
     const hint = el('div', { class: 'fc-panel__hint' });
     const addBtn = el('button', { class: 'fc-panel__btn fc-panel__btn--primary', text: 'Add' });
     const cancelBtn = el('button', { class: 'fc-panel__btn', text: 'Cancel' });
@@ -185,41 +193,83 @@
       scopeRow('channel', d.channel_id ? channelLabel(d) : 'this channel', !d.channel_id),
       scopeRow('server', `Every channel in ${serverLabel(d)}`, false),
       el('div', { class: 'fc-panel__label', text: 'Artist' }),
-      nameInput,
-      results,
+      el('div', { class: 'fc-panel__combo' }, [nameInput, results]),
       hint,
       el('div', { class: 'fc-panel__actions' }, [cancelBtn, addBtn]),
     ]);
 
+    // Search state: the rows on screen, which one ↑/↓ has highlighted (-1 =
+    // none), and whether the list is open.
+    let rows = [];
+    let active = -1;
+    let listOpen = false;
+
     function refresh() {
       const req = discordAddRequest(choice);
       addBtn.disabled = !req;
       if (!req) hint.textContent = 'Pick an artist or type a name.';
-      else if (req.artistId != null) hint.textContent = `Connects to ${choice.artist.name} in FabledCurator.`;
-      else hint.textContent = `Adds to “${req.artistName}” — created if FabledCurator has no artist by that name.`;
+      else if (req.artistId != null) hint.textContent = `✓ Connects to ${choice.artist.name}, already in FabledCurator.`;
+      else hint.textContent = `Creates a new artist “${req.artistName}”.`;
+      hint.classList.toggle('fc-panel__hint--match', !!req && req.artistId != null);
     }
 
-    function showResults(rows) {
-      results.replaceChildren(...rows.map((a) => {
-        const row = el('button', { class: 'fc-panel__result', text: a.name });
-        row.addEventListener('click', () => {
-          choice.artist = { id: a.id, name: a.name };
-          choice.artistName = a.name;
-          nameInput.value = a.name;
-          results.replaceChildren();
-          refresh();
-        });
+    function pick(artist) {
+      choice.artist = artist ? { id: artist.id, name: artist.name } : null;
+      if (artist) {
+        choice.artistName = artist.name;
+        nameInput.value = artist.name;
+      }
+      closeList();
+      refresh();
+    }
+
+    function closeList() {
+      listOpen = false;
+      active = -1;
+      results.replaceChildren();
+      nameInput.setAttribute('aria-expanded', 'false');
+    }
+
+    function renderList() {
+      const typed = nameInput.value.trim();
+      const exact = exactArtistMatch(typed, rows);
+      const items = rows.map((a, i) => {
+        const row = el('button', { type: 'button', class: 'fc-panel__result', role: 'option' }, [
+          el('span', { text: a.name }),
+        ]);
+        if (choice.artist && choice.artist.id === a.id) {
+          row.appendChild(el('span', { class: 'fc-panel__result-tag', text: 'selected' }));
+        }
+        row.classList.toggle('fc-panel__result--active', i === active);
+        // mousedown, not click: it fires before the input's blur closes the list.
+        row.addEventListener('mousedown', (e) => { e.preventDefault(); pick(a); });
         return row;
-      }));
+      });
+      if (typed && !exact) {
+        const i = rows.length;
+        const create = el('button', { type: 'button', class: 'fc-panel__result fc-panel__result--new', role: 'option',
+          text: `+ New artist “${typed}”` });
+        create.classList.toggle('fc-panel__result--active', i === active);
+        create.addEventListener('mousedown', (e) => { e.preventDefault(); pick(null); choice.artistName = typed; refresh(); });
+        items.push(create);
+      }
+      if (typed && !rows.length) {
+        items.unshift(el('div', { class: 'fc-panel__empty', text: 'No FabledCurator artist matches.' }));
+      }
+      results.replaceChildren(...items);
+      listOpen = items.length > 0;
+      nameInput.setAttribute('aria-expanded', String(listOpen));
+      results.querySelector('.fc-panel__result--active')?.scrollIntoView({ block: 'nearest' });
     }
 
     let debounce = null;
-    nameInput.addEventListener('input', () => {
-      choice.artistName = nameInput.value;
-      refresh();
+    let searchSeq = 0;
+    // `autofill` is false for deletions: filling the name back in as you
+    // backspace would make it impossible to delete.
+    function search(autofill) {
       clearTimeout(debounce);
       const q = nameInput.value.trim();
-      if (!q) { results.replaceChildren(); return; }
+      if (!q) { rows = []; closeList(); return; }
       debounce = setTimeout(async () => {
         const mine = ++searchSeq;
         let r;
@@ -228,14 +278,69 @@
         } catch {
           return;
         }
-        if (mine !== searchSeq || r?.error) return;
-        showResults(r.artists || []);
-      }, 200);
+        // Stale: a later keystroke has its own search coming.
+        if (mine !== searchSeq || r?.error || nameInput.value.trim() !== q) return;
+        rows = r.artists || [];
+        active = -1;
+        const exact = exactArtistMatch(q, rows);
+        if (exact && !choice.artist) {
+          choice.artist = { id: exact.id, name: exact.name };
+        } else if (autofill && document.activeElement === nameInput) {
+          const hit = inlineCompletion(nameInput.value, rows);
+          const caret = nameInput.value.length;
+          if (hit && nameInput.selectionStart === caret) {
+            nameInput.value = nameInput.value + hit.name.slice(caret);
+            nameInput.setSelectionRange(caret, hit.name.length);
+            choice.artist = { id: hit.id, name: hit.name };
+            choice.artistName = hit.name;
+          }
+        }
+        renderList();
+        refresh();
+      }, 150);
+    }
+
+    nameInput.addEventListener('input', (e) => {
+      choice.artistName = nameInput.value;
+      // Any edit un-picks: the artist is whatever the field now says.
+      choice.artist = null;
+      refresh();
+      search(!String(e.inputType || '').startsWith('delete'));
     });
+    nameInput.addEventListener('focus', () => { if (rows.length) renderList(); });
+    nameInput.addEventListener('blur', () => closeList());
+
     // Keep Discord's global shortcuts from eating keystrokes meant for us.
     panel.addEventListener('keydown', (e) => {
       e.stopPropagation();
-      if (e.key === 'Escape') closePanel();
+      const count = results.querySelectorAll('.fc-panel__result').length;
+      if (e.target === nameInput && listOpen && count) {
+        if (e.key === 'ArrowDown' || e.key === 'ArrowUp') {
+          e.preventDefault();
+          active = e.key === 'ArrowDown' ? (active + 1) % count : (active <= 0 ? count - 1 : active - 1);
+          renderList();
+          return;
+        }
+        if ((e.key === 'Enter' || e.key === 'Tab') && active >= 0) {
+          e.preventDefault();
+          results.querySelectorAll('.fc-panel__result')[active]
+            .dispatchEvent(new MouseEvent('mousedown', { cancelable: true }));
+          return;
+        }
+        if ((e.key === 'Tab' || e.key === 'Enter') && choice.artist
+            && nameInput.selectionEnd > nameInput.selectionStart) {
+          // Accept the inline autofill — Enter too, but only to accept: the
+          // add itself takes a second Enter, once the hint names the artist.
+          e.preventDefault();
+          pick(choice.artist);
+          return;
+        }
+      }
+      if (e.key === 'Escape') {
+        if (listOpen) closeList();
+        else closePanel();
+        return;
+      }
       if (e.key === 'Enter' && e.target === nameInput && !addBtn.disabled) addBtn.click();
     });
 
@@ -253,6 +358,10 @@
     document.body.appendChild(panel);
     refresh();
     nameInput.focus();
+    nameInput.select();
+    // Search what the field opens with — the server's name, usually — so an
+    // artist it already matches is picked before the operator types anything.
+    if (!choice.artist && nameInput.value.trim()) search(false);
   }
 
   function showToast(text, kind) {
diff --git a/extension/lib/chip.js b/extension/lib/chip.js
index b17fddb..b698970 100644
--- a/extension/lib/chip.js
+++ b/extension/lib/chip.js
@@ -78,3 +78,30 @@ function discordAddRequest(choice) {
   const name = (choice.artistName || '').trim();
   return name ? { url, artistName: name } : null;
 }
+
+/**
+ * An artist name reduced to what identifies it: lowercase letters and digits
+ * of any script, nothing else — so "Tamada Heijun", "tamada_heijun" and
+ * "TamadaHeijun" are one name. Mirrors the server's autocomplete (#429).
+ */
+function squashName(name) {
+  return String(name || '').toLowerCase().replace(/[^\p{L}\p{N}]/gu, '');
+}
+
+/** The search result that IS the query, spacing aside, else null. */
+function exactArtistMatch(query, results) {
+  const q = squashName(query);
+  if (!q) return null;
+  return (results || []).find((a) => squashName(a.name) === q) || null;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Inline autofill: the first result whose name extends what was typed
+ * (case-insensitive), so the panel can fill in the rest and select it —
+ * typing on overwrites it, Tab or Enter accepts it. null when none does.
+ */
+function inlineCompletion(typed, results) {
+  const t = String(typed || '').toLowerCase();
+  if (!t) return null;
+  return (results || []).find((a) => a.name.length > t.length && a.name.toLowerCase().startsWith(t)) || null;
+}
diff --git a/extension/test/chip.spec.js b/extension/test/chip.spec.js
index b6955d5..14812c7 100644
--- a/extension/test/chip.spec.js
+++ b/extension/test/chip.spec.js
@@ -106,3 +106,38 @@ describe('Discord Add panel', () => {
     expect(discordAddRequest(choice)).toBe(null)
   })
 })
+
+const { squashName, exactArtistMatch, inlineCompletion } = loadLib('chip.js', [
+  'squashName',
+  'exactArtistMatch',
+  'inlineCompletion'
+])
+
+describe('artist matching for the Add panel', () => {
+  const results = [
+    { id: 1, name: 'TamadaHeijun' },
+    { id: 2, name: 'Tamago' },
+    { id: 3, name: 'Sabu Art' }
+  ]
+
+  it('treats spacing, case and punctuation as the same name', () => {
+    expect(squashName('Tamada Heijun')).toBe('tamadaheijun')
+    expect(squashName('sabu_art!')).toBe('sabuart')
+    expect(squashName('玉田 平順')).toBe('玉田平順')
+  })
+
+  it('finds the result that is the query, spacing aside', () => {
+    expect(exactArtistMatch('tamada heijun', results)).toEqual({ id: 1, name: 'TamadaHeijun' })
+    expect(exactArtistMatch('Tama', results)).toBe(null)
+    expect(exactArtistMatch('  ', results)).toBe(null)
+  })
+
+  it('autofills the first name that extends what was typed', () => {
+    expect(inlineCompletion('tamad', results)).toEqual({ id: 1, name: 'TamadaHeijun' })
+    expect(inlineCompletion('Sab', results).name).toBe('Sabu Art')
+    // Nothing to add once the name is complete, or when nothing extends it.
+    expect(inlineCompletion('Sabu Art', results)).toBe(null)
+    expect(inlineCompletion('heijun', results)).toBe(null)
+    expect(inlineCompletion('', results)).toBe(null)
+  })
+})
diff --git a/tests/test_artist_service_find_or_create.py b/tests/test_artist_service_find_or_create.py
index e9bb838..1520dd1 100644
--- a/tests/test_artist_service_find_or_create.py
+++ b/tests/test_artist_service_find_or_create.py
@@ -50,6 +50,34 @@ async def test_autocomplete_ranks_exact_prefix_substring(db):
     assert "Bob" not in names
 
 
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_autocomplete_ignores_spacing_and_punctuation(db):
+    """The same creator is spelled differently per platform — a Discord server
+    "Tamada Heijun" must find the Patreon artist "TamadaHeijun" (milestone 429)."""
+    db.add_all([
+        Artist(name="TamadaHeijun", slug="tamadaheijun"),
+        Artist(name="Sabu Art", slug="sabu-art"),
+        Artist(name="Bob", slug="bob"),
+    ])
+    await db.flush()
+    svc = ArtistService(db)
+    assert [r.name for r in await svc.autocomplete("Tamada Heijun")] == ["TamadaHeijun"]
+    assert [r.name for r in await svc.autocomplete("sabu_art")] == ["Sabu Art"]
+    # All punctuation: no squashed arm, so it does not match everyone.
+    assert await svc.autocomplete("--") == []
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_autocomplete_ranks_an_exact_match_ignoring_spacing_above_a_prefix(db):
+    db.add_all([
+        Artist(name="Sabu Artworks", slug="sabu-artworks"),
+        Artist(name="SabuArt", slug="sabuart"),
+    ])
+    await db.flush()
+    names = [r.name for r in await ArtistService(db).autocomplete("sabu art")]
+    assert names == ["SabuArt", "Sabu Artworks"]
+
+
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
 async def test_autocomplete_empty_query_returns_empty(db):
     svc = ArtistService(db)