diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree.lua b/lua/nvim-tree.lua
index 4d05899bf2a..2965547b5b9 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree.lua
@@ -1,244 +1,103 @@
-local api = require("nvim-tree.api")
-local log = require("nvim-tree.log")
-local view = require("nvim-tree.view")
-local utils = require("nvim-tree.utils")
-local find_file = require("nvim-tree.actions.tree.find-file")
-local change_dir = require("nvim-tree.actions.tree.change-dir")
-local full_name = require("nvim-tree.renderer.components.full-name")
-local core = require("nvim-tree.core")
-local notify = require("nvim-tree.notify")
 local config = require("nvim-tree.config")
 
-local M = {
-  init_root = "",
-}
-
---- Helper function to execute some explorer method safely
----@param fn string # key of explorer
----@param ... any|nil
----@return function|nil
-local function explorer_fn(fn, ...)
-  local explorer = core.get_explorer()
-  if explorer then
-    return explorer[fn](explorer, ...)
-  end
-end
-
---- Update the tree root to a directory or the directory containing
----@param path string relative or absolute
----@param bufnr number|nil
-function M.change_root(path, bufnr)
-  -- skip if current file is in ignore_list
-  if type(bufnr) == "number" then
-    local ft
-
-    if vim.fn.has("nvim-0.10") == 1 then
-      ft = vim.api.nvim_get_option_value("filetype", { buf = bufnr }) or ""
-    else
-      ft = vim.api.nvim_buf_get_option(bufnr, "filetype") or "" ---@diagnostic disable-line: deprecated
-    end
-
-    for _, value in pairs(config.g.update_focused_file.update_root.ignore_list) do
-      if utils.str_find(path, value) or utils.str_find(ft, value) then
-        return
-      end
-    end
-  end
-
-  -- don't find inexistent
-  if vim.fn.filereadable(path) == 0 then
-    return
-  end
-
-  local cwd = core.get_cwd()
-  if cwd == nil then
-    return
-  end
-
-  local vim_cwd = vim.fn.getcwd()
-
-  -- test if in vim_cwd
-  if utils.path_relative(path, vim_cwd) ~= path then
-    if vim_cwd ~= cwd then
-      explorer_fn("change_dir", vim_cwd)
-    end
-    return
-  end
-  -- test if in cwd
-  if utils.path_relative(path, cwd) ~= path then
-    return
-  end
-
-  -- otherwise test M.init_root
-  if config.g.prefer_startup_root and utils.path_relative(path, M.init_root) ~= path then
-    explorer_fn("change_dir", M.init_root)
-    return
-  end
-  -- otherwise root_dirs
-  for _, dir in pairs(config.g.root_dirs) do
-    dir = vim.fn.fnamemodify(dir, ":p")
-    if utils.path_relative(path, dir) ~= path then
-      explorer_fn("change_dir", dir)
-      return
-    end
-  end
-  -- finally fall back to the folder containing the file
-  explorer_fn("change_dir", vim.fn.fnamemodify(path, ":p:h"))
-end
-
-function M.tab_enter()
-  if view.is_visible({ any_tabpage = true }) then
-    local bufname = vim.api.nvim_buf_get_name(0)
-
-    local ft
-    if vim.fn.has("nvim-0.10") == 1 then
-      ft = vim.api.nvim_get_option_value("filetype", { buf = 0 }) or ""
-    else
-      ft = vim.api.nvim_buf_get_option(0, "ft") ---@diagnostic disable-line: deprecated
-    end
-
-    for _, filter in ipairs(config.g.tab.sync.ignore) do
-      if bufname:match(filter) ~= nil or ft:match(filter) ~= nil then
-        return
-      end
-    end
-    view.open({ focus_tree = false })
-
-    local explorer = core.get_explorer()
-    if explorer then
-      explorer.renderer:draw()
-    end
-  end
-end
-
-function M.open_on_directory()
-  local should_proceed = config.g.hijack_directories.auto_open or view.is_visible()
-  if not should_proceed then
-    return
-  end
-
-  local buf = vim.api.nvim_get_current_buf()
-  local bufname = vim.api.nvim_buf_get_name(buf)
-  if vim.fn.isdirectory(bufname) ~= 1 then
-    return
-  end
-
-
-  local explorer = core.get_explorer()
-  if not explorer then
-    core.init(bufname)
-  end
-
-  explorer_fn("force_dirchange", bufname, true, false)
-end
-
-local function manage_netrw()
-  if config.g.hijack_netrw then
-    vim.cmd("silent! autocmd! FileExplorer *")
-    vim.cmd("autocmd VimEnter * ++once silent! autocmd! FileExplorer *")
-  end
-  if config.g.disable_netrw then
-    vim.g.loaded_netrw = 1
-    vim.g.loaded_netrwPlugin = 1
-  end
-end
+local M = {}
 
 local function setup_autocommands()
   local augroup_id = vim.api.nvim_create_augroup("NvimTree", { clear = true })
-  local function create_nvim_tree_autocmd(name, custom_opts)
-    local default_opts = { group = augroup_id }
-    vim.api.nvim_create_autocmd(name, vim.tbl_extend("force", default_opts, custom_opts))
-  end
 
-  -- prevent new opened file from opening in the same window as nvim-tree
-  create_nvim_tree_autocmd("BufWipeout", {
+  vim.api.nvim_create_autocmd("BufWipeout", {
+    group = augroup_id,
     pattern = "NvimTree_*",
     callback = function()
-      if not utils.is_nvim_tree_buf(0) then
-        return
-      end
-      if config.g.actions.open_file.eject then
-        view._prevent_buffer_override()
-      else
-        view.abandon_current_window()
-      end
+      require("nvim-tree.view").wipeout()
     end,
   })
 
   if config.g.tab.sync.open then
-    create_nvim_tree_autocmd("TabEnter", { callback = vim.schedule_wrap(M.tab_enter) })
+    vim.api.nvim_create_autocmd("TabEnter", {
+      group = augroup_id,
+      callback = vim.schedule_wrap(function()
+        require("nvim-tree.actions.tree.open").tab_enter()
+      end)
+    })
   end
+
   if config.g.sync_root_with_cwd then
-    create_nvim_tree_autocmd("DirChanged", {
+    vim.api.nvim_create_autocmd("DirChanged", {
+      group = augroup_id,
       callback = function()
-        change_dir.fn(vim.loop.cwd())
+        require("nvim-tree.actions.tree.change-dir").fn(vim.loop.cwd())
       end,
     })
   end
+
   if config.g.update_focused_file.enable then
-    create_nvim_tree_autocmd("BufEnter", {
+    vim.api.nvim_create_autocmd("BufEnter", {
+      group = augroup_id,
       callback = function(event)
-        local exclude = config.g.update_focused_file.exclude
-        if type(exclude) == "function" and exclude(event) then
-          return
-        end
-        utils.debounce("BufEnter:find_file", config.g.view.debounce_delay, function()
-          find_file.fn()
-        end)
+        require("nvim-tree.actions.tree.find-file").buf_enter(event)
       end,
     })
   end
 
   if config.g.hijack_directories.enable and (config.g.disable_netrw or config.g.hijack_netrw) then
-    create_nvim_tree_autocmd({ "BufEnter", "BufNewFile" }, { callback = M.open_on_directory, nested = true })
+    vim.api.nvim_create_autocmd({ "BufEnter", "BufNewFile" }, {
+      group = augroup_id,
+      callback = function()
+        require("nvim-tree.actions.tree.open").open_on_directory()
+      end,
+      nested = true
+    })
   end
 
   if config.g.view.centralize_selection then
-    create_nvim_tree_autocmd("BufEnter", {
+    vim.api.nvim_create_autocmd("BufEnter", {
+      group = augroup_id,
       pattern = "NvimTree_*",
-      callback = function()
-        vim.schedule(function()
-          vim.api.nvim_buf_call(0, function()
-            local is_term_mode = vim.api.nvim_get_mode().mode == "t"
-            if is_term_mode then
-              return
-            end
-            vim.cmd([[norm! zz]])
-          end)
+      callback = vim.schedule_wrap(function()
+        vim.api.nvim_buf_call(0, function()
+          local is_term_mode = vim.api.nvim_get_mode().mode == "t"
+          if is_term_mode then
+            return
+          end
+          vim.cmd([[norm! zz]])
         end)
-      end,
+      end)
     })
   end
 
   if config.g.diagnostics.enable then
-    create_nvim_tree_autocmd("DiagnosticChanged", {
+    vim.api.nvim_create_autocmd("DiagnosticChanged", {
+      group = augroup_id,
       callback = function(ev)
-        log.line("diagnostics", "DiagnosticChanged")
         require("nvim-tree.diagnostics").update_lsp(ev)
       end,
     })
-    create_nvim_tree_autocmd("User", {
+
+    vim.api.nvim_create_autocmd("User", {
+      group = augroup_id,
       pattern = "CocDiagnosticChange",
       callback = function()
-        log.line("diagnostics", "CocDiagnosticChange")
         require("nvim-tree.diagnostics").update_coc()
       end,
     })
   end
 
   if config.g.view.float.enable and config.g.view.float.quit_on_focus_loss then
-    create_nvim_tree_autocmd("WinLeave", {
+    vim.api.nvim_create_autocmd("WinLeave", {
+      group = augroup_id,
       pattern = "NvimTree_*",
       callback = function()
-        if utils.is_nvim_tree_buf(0) then
-          view.close()
+        if require("nvim-tree.utils").is_nvim_tree_buf(0) then
+          require("nvim-tree.view").close()
         end
       end,
     })
   end
 
   -- Handles event dispatch when tree is closed by `:q`
-  create_nvim_tree_autocmd("WinClosed", {
+  vim.api.nvim_create_autocmd("WinClosed", {
+    group = augroup_id,
     pattern = "*",
     ---@param ev vim.api.keyset.create_autocmd.callback_args
     callback = function(ev)
@@ -252,55 +111,49 @@ local function setup_autocommands()
   })
 
   -- renderer.full name
-  full_name.setup_autocommands()
+  require("nvim-tree.renderer.components.full-name").setup_autocommands()
 end
 
-function M.purge_all_state()
-  view.close_all_tabs()
-  view.abandon_all_windows()
-  local explorer = core.get_explorer()
-  if explorer then
-    require("nvim-tree.git").purge_state()
-    explorer:destroy()
-    core.reset_explorer()
-  end
-  -- purge orphaned that were not destroyed by their nodes
-  require("nvim-tree.watcher").purge_watchers()
-end
-
----@param config_user? nvim_tree.config user supplied subset of config
+---`require("nvim-tree").setup` must be called once to initialise nvim-tree.
+---Call again to apply a change in configuration without restarting Nvim.
+---@param config_user? nvim_tree.config subset, uses defaults when nil
 function M.setup(config_user)
+  local log = require("nvim-tree.log")
+
+  -- Nvim version check
   if vim.fn.has("nvim-0.9") == 0 then
-    notify.warn("nvim-tree.lua requires Neovim 0.9 or higher")
+    require("nvim-tree.notify").warn("nvim-tree.lua requires Neovim 0.9 or higher")
     return
   end
 
-  M.init_root = vim.fn.getcwd()
-
+  -- validate and merge with defaults as config.g
   config.setup(config_user)
 
-  manage_netrw()
-
+  -- optionally create the log file
   require("nvim-tree.log").start()
 
+  -- optionally log the configuration
   if log.enabled("config") then
     log.line("config", "default config + user")
     log.raw("config", "%s\n", vim.inspect(config.g))
   end
 
+  -- idempotent highlight definition
   require("nvim-tree.appearance").set_hl()
 
+  -- idempotent au (re)definition
   setup_autocommands()
 
+  -- subsequent calls to setup clear all state
   if vim.g.NvimTreeSetup == 1 then
-    -- subsequent calls to setup
-    M.purge_all_state()
+    require("nvim-tree.core").purge_all_state()
   end
 
+  -- hydrate post setup API
+  require("nvim-tree.api.impl").hydrate_post_setup(require("nvim-tree.api"))
+
   vim.g.NvimTreeSetup = 1
   vim.api.nvim_exec_autocmds("User", { pattern = "NvimTreeSetup" })
-
-  require("nvim-tree.api.impl").hydrate_post_setup(api)
 end
 
 vim.g.NvimTreeRequired = 1
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/tree/change-root.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/tree/change-root.lua
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..81bdc39f353
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/tree/change-root.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+local utils = require("nvim-tree.utils")
+local core = require("nvim-tree.core")
+local config = require("nvim-tree.config")
+
+local M = {}
+
+--- Update the tree root to a directory or the directory containing
+---@param path string relative or absolute
+---@param bufnr number|nil
+function M.fn(path, bufnr)
+  -- skip if current file is in ignore_list
+  if type(bufnr) == "number" then
+    local ft
+
+    if vim.fn.has("nvim-0.10") == 1 then
+      ft = vim.api.nvim_get_option_value("filetype", { buf = bufnr }) or ""
+    else
+      ft = vim.api.nvim_buf_get_option(bufnr, "filetype") or "" ---@diagnostic disable-line: deprecated
+    end
+
+    for _, value in pairs(config.g.update_focused_file.update_root.ignore_list) do
+      if utils.str_find(path, value) or utils.str_find(ft, value) then
+        return
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
+  -- don't find inexistent
+  if vim.fn.filereadable(path) == 0 then
+    return
+  end
+
+  local cwd = core.get_cwd()
+  if cwd == nil then
+    return
+  end
+
+  local vim_cwd = vim.fn.getcwd()
+
+  local explorer = core.get_explorer()
+  if not explorer then
+    return
+  end
+
+  -- test if in vim_cwd
+  if utils.path_relative(path, vim_cwd) ~= path then
+    if vim_cwd ~= cwd then
+      explorer:change_dir(vim_cwd)
+    end
+    return
+  end
+  -- test if in cwd
+  if utils.path_relative(path, cwd) ~= path then
+    return
+  end
+
+  -- otherwise test init_root
+  if config.g.prefer_startup_root and utils.path_relative(path, config.init_root) ~= path then
+    explorer:change_dir(config.init_root)
+    return
+  end
+  -- otherwise root_dirs
+  for _, dir in pairs(config.g.root_dirs) do
+    dir = vim.fn.fnamemodify(dir, ":p")
+    if utils.path_relative(path, dir) ~= path then
+      explorer:change_dir(dir)
+      return
+    end
+  end
+  -- finally fall back to the folder containing the file
+  explorer:change_dir(vim.fn.fnamemodify(path, ":p:h"))
+end
+
+return M
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/tree/find-file.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/tree/find-file.lua
index d58c9cbfb51..99d771bdfaa 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/tree/find-file.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/tree/find-file.lua
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 local core = require("nvim-tree.core")
 local lib = require("nvim-tree.lib")
+local utils = require("nvim-tree.utils")
 local view = require("nvim-tree.view")
 local config = require("nvim-tree.config")
 local finders_find_file = require("nvim-tree.actions.finders.find-file")
+local change_root = require("nvim-tree.actions.tree.change-root")
 
 local M = {}
 
@@ -58,11 +60,22 @@ function M.fn(opts)
 
   -- update root
   if opts.update_root or config.g.update_focused_file.update_root.enable then
-    require("nvim-tree").change_root(path, bufnr)
+    change_root.fn(path, bufnr)
   end
 
   -- find
   finders_find_file.fn(path)
 end
 
+---@param event vim.api.keyset.create_autocmd.callback_args
+function M.buf_enter(event)
+  local exclude = config.g.update_focused_file.exclude
+  if type(exclude) == "function" and exclude(event) then
+    return
+  end
+  utils.debounce("BufEnter:find_file", config.g.view.debounce_delay, function()
+    M.fn()
+  end)
+end
+
 return M
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/tree/open.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/tree/open.lua
index 5244706a033..7926edee382 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/tree/open.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/tree/open.lua
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 local lib = require("nvim-tree.lib")
 local view = require("nvim-tree.view")
+local core = require("nvim-tree.core")
 local config = require("nvim-tree.config")
 local finders_find_file = require("nvim-tree.actions.finders.find-file")
+local change_root = require("nvim-tree.actions.tree.change-root")
 
 local M = {}
 
@@ -41,7 +43,7 @@ function M.fn(opts)
   if config.g.update_focused_file.enable or opts.find_file then
     -- update root
     if opts.update_root then
-      require("nvim-tree").change_root(previous_path, previous_buf)
+      change_root.fn(previous_path, previous_buf)
     end
 
     -- find
@@ -49,4 +51,52 @@ function M.fn(opts)
   end
 end
 
+function M.open_on_directory()
+  local should_proceed = config.g.hijack_directories.auto_open or view.is_visible()
+  if not should_proceed then
+    return
+  end
+
+  local buf = vim.api.nvim_get_current_buf()
+  local bufname = vim.api.nvim_buf_get_name(buf)
+  if vim.fn.isdirectory(bufname) ~= 1 then
+    return
+  end
+
+  -- instantiate an explorer if there is not one
+  if not core.get_explorer() then
+    core.init(bufname)
+  end
+
+  local explorer = core.get_explorer()
+  if explorer then
+    explorer:force_dirchange(bufname, true, false)
+  end
+end
+
+function M.tab_enter()
+  if view.is_visible({ any_tabpage = true }) then
+    local bufname = vim.api.nvim_buf_get_name(0)
+
+    local ft
+    if vim.fn.has("nvim-0.10") == 1 then
+      ft = vim.api.nvim_get_option_value("filetype", { buf = 0 }) or ""
+    else
+      ft = vim.api.nvim_buf_get_option(0, "ft") ---@diagnostic disable-line: deprecated
+    end
+
+    for _, filter in ipairs(config.g.tab.sync.ignore) do
+      if bufname:match(filter) ~= nil or ft:match(filter) ~= nil then
+        return
+      end
+    end
+    view.open({ focus_tree = false })
+
+    local explorer = core.get_explorer()
+    if explorer then
+      explorer.renderer:draw()
+    end
+  end
+end
+
 return M
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/tree/toggle.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/tree/toggle.lua
index f38b0999d90..8be5e7f3e4d 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/tree/toggle.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/tree/toggle.lua
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ local lib = require("nvim-tree.lib")
 local view = require("nvim-tree.view")
 local config = require("nvim-tree.config")
 local finders_find_file = require("nvim-tree.actions.finders.find-file")
+local change_root = require("nvim-tree.actions.tree.change-root")
 
 local M = {}
 
@@ -56,7 +57,7 @@ function M.fn(opts, no_focus, cwd, bang)
     if config.g.update_focused_file.enable or opts.find_file then
       -- update root
       if opts.update_root then
-        require("nvim-tree").change_root(previous_path, previous_buf)
+        change_root.fn(previous_path, previous_buf)
       end
 
       -- find
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/config.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/config.lua
index 5c3403d36d7..56c02e9caef 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/config.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/config.lua
@@ -17,7 +17,11 @@ local M = {
 
   ---Immutable OS, detected once on first require
   ---@type table<"unix"|"macos"|"wsl"|"windows", boolean>
-  os = nil
+  os = nil,
+
+  ---Nvim cwd at setup time
+  ---@type string
+  init_root = "",
 }
 
 M.os = {
@@ -528,6 +532,19 @@ local function process_config(g)
   end
 end
 
+---Hijack and disable netrw if (globally) configured
+---@param g nvim_tree.config
+local function manage_netrw(g)
+  if g.hijack_netrw then
+    vim.cmd("silent! autocmd! FileExplorer *")
+    vim.cmd("autocmd VimEnter * ++once silent! autocmd! FileExplorer *")
+  end
+  if g.disable_netrw then
+    vim.g.loaded_netrw = 1
+    vim.g.loaded_netrwPlugin = 1
+  end
+end
+
 ---Validate user config and migrate legacy.
 ---Merge with M.d and persist as M.g
 ---When no user config M.g is set to M.d and M.u is set to nil
@@ -554,6 +571,12 @@ function M.setup(u)
 
   -- process merged config
   process_config(M.g)
+
+  -- deal with netrw
+  manage_netrw(M.g)
+
+  -- store cwd
+  M.init_root = vim.fn.getcwd()
 end
 
 ---Deep clone defaults
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/core.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/core.lua
index 60d4a0a6f6a..6b4770ac215 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/core.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/core.lua
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ local events = require("nvim-tree.events")
 local notify = require("nvim-tree.notify")
 local view = require("nvim-tree.view")
 local log = require("nvim-tree.log")
+local git = require("nvim-tree.git")
+local watcher = require("nvim-tree.watcher")
 
 local M = {}
 
@@ -64,4 +66,16 @@ function M.get_nodes_starting_line()
   return offset
 end
 
+function M.purge_all_state()
+  view.close_all_tabs()
+  view.abandon_all_windows()
+  if TreeExplorer then
+    git.purge_state()
+    TreeExplorer:destroy()
+    M.reset_explorer()
+  end
+  -- purge orphaned that were not destroyed by their nodes
+  watcher.purge_watchers()
+end
+
 return M
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/diagnostics.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/diagnostics.lua
index 3c8c527e2b7..c4a6707026c 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/diagnostics.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/diagnostics.lua
@@ -128,6 +128,7 @@ end
 ---On disabling LSP, a reset event will be sent for all buffers.
 ---@param ev table standard event with data.diagnostics populated
 function M.update_lsp(ev)
+  log.line("diagnostics", "DiagnosticChanged")
   if not config.g.diagnostics.enable or not ev or not ev.data or not ev.data.diagnostics then
     return
   end
@@ -174,6 +175,7 @@ end
 ---Fired on CocDiagnosticChanged events:
 ---debounced retrieval, cache update, version increment and draw
 function M.update_coc()
+  log.line("diagnostics", "CocDiagnosticChange")
   if not config.g.diagnostics.enable then
     return
   end
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/init.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/init.lua
index d33be5f10bf..03e028e13a8 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/init.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/init.lua
@@ -771,7 +771,6 @@ function Explorer:cd(global, path)
   vim.cmd((global and "cd " or "lcd ") .. vim.fn.fnameescape(path))
 end
 
----@private
 ---@param foldername string
 ---@param should_open_view boolean|nil
 ---@param should_init boolean|nil
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/view.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/view.lua
index f0fc8a21faa..0b2546b8d36 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/view.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/view.lua
@@ -639,4 +639,17 @@ function M.is_width_determined()
   return type(M.View.width) ~= "function"
 end
 
+---Called on BufWipeout
+---Prevent new opened file from opening in the same window as nvim-tree
+function M.wipeout()
+  if not utils.is_nvim_tree_buf(0) then
+    return
+  end
+  if config.g.actions.open_file.eject then
+    M._prevent_buffer_override()
+  else
+    M.abandon_current_window()
+  end
+end
+
 return M
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/watcher.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/watcher.lua
index b29988538ab..d881af318cc 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/watcher.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/watcher.lua
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ M.Watcher = Watcher
 function M.disable_watchers(msg)
   notify.warn(string.format("Disabling watchers: %s", msg))
   config.g.filesystem_watchers.enable = false
-  require("nvim-tree").purge_all_state()
+  require("nvim-tree.core").purge_all_state()
 end
 
 function M.purge_watchers()