diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree.lua b/lua/nvim-tree.lua
index d36a2838..0e340561 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree.lua
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ local view = require "nvim-tree.view"
 local utils = require "nvim-tree.utils"
 local change_dir = require "nvim-tree.actions.change-dir"
 local legacy = require "nvim-tree.legacy"
+local core = require "nvim-tree.core"
 
 local _config = {}
 
@@ -58,8 +59,8 @@ function M.open_replacing_current_buffer()
   end
 
   local cwd = vim.fn.fnamemodify(bufname, ":p:h")
-  if not TreeExplorer or cwd ~= TreeExplorer.cwd then
-    lib.init(cwd)
+  if not core.get_explorer() or cwd ~= core.get_cwd() then
+    core.init(cwd)
   end
   view.open_in_current_win { hijack_current_buf = false, resize = false }
   require("nvim-tree.renderer").draw()
@@ -97,13 +98,13 @@ local function update_base_dir_with_filepath(filepath, bufnr)
     end
   end
 
-  if not vim.startswith(filepath, TreeExplorer.cwd) then
+  if not vim.startswith(filepath, core.get_explorer().cwd) then
     change_dir.fn(vim.fn.fnamemodify(filepath, ":p:h"))
   end
 end
 
 function M.find_file(with_open, bufnr)
-  if not with_open and not TreeExplorer then
+  if not with_open and not core.get_explorer() then
     return
   end
 
@@ -248,8 +249,7 @@ function M.on_enter(netrw_disabled)
   end
 
   if should_open or should_hijack or existing_tree_wins[1] ~= nil then
-    lib.init(cwd)
-    lib.open()
+    lib.open(cwd)
 
     if should_focus_other_window then
       vim.cmd "noautocmd wincmd p"
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/change-dir.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/change-dir.lua
index 36f157a4..66636650 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/change-dir.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/change-dir.lua
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 local a = vim.api
+
 local utils = require "nvim-tree.utils"
+local core = require "nvim-tree.core"
 
 local M = {
   current_tab = a.nvim_get_current_tabpage(),
@@ -10,12 +12,12 @@ local M = {
 }
 
 function M.fn(name, with_open)
-  if not TreeExplorer then
+  if not core.get_explorer() then
     return
   end
 
-  local foldername = name == ".." and vim.fn.fnamemodify(utils.path_remove_trailing(TreeExplorer.cwd), ":h") or name
-  local no_cwd_change = vim.fn.expand(foldername) == TreeExplorer.cwd
+  local foldername = name == ".." and vim.fn.fnamemodify(utils.path_remove_trailing(core.get_cwd()), ":h") or name
+  local no_cwd_change = vim.fn.expand(foldername) == core.get_cwd()
   local new_tab = a.nvim_get_current_tabpage()
   local is_window = (vim.v.event.scope == "window" or vim.v.event.changed_window) and new_tab == M.current_tab
   if no_cwd_change or is_window then
@@ -33,7 +35,7 @@ function M.force_dirchange(foldername, with_open)
       vim.cmd("lcd " .. vim.fn.fnameescape(foldername))
     end
   end
-  require("nvim-tree.lib").init(foldername)
+  require("nvim-tree.core").init(foldername)
   if with_open then
     require("nvim-tree.lib").open()
   else
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/collapse-all.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/collapse-all.lua
index 3ae3d1dd..b3b7fa72 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/collapse-all.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/collapse-all.lua
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 local renderer = require "nvim-tree.renderer"
 local utils = require "nvim-tree.utils"
+local core = require "nvim-tree.core"
 
 local M = {}
 
@@ -31,7 +32,7 @@ function M.fn(keep_buffers)
     end
   end
 
-  iter(TreeExplorer.nodes)
+  iter(core.get_explorer().nodes)
   renderer.draw()
 end
 
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/copy-paste.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/copy-paste.lua
index c66e23f0..08f37970 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/copy-paste.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/copy-paste.lua
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ local uv = vim.loop
 
 local lib = require "nvim-tree.lib"
 local utils = require "nvim-tree.utils"
+local core = require "nvim-tree.core"
 
 local M = {}
 
@@ -168,7 +169,7 @@ end
 
 function M.copy_path(node)
   local absolute_path = node.absolute_path
-  local relative_path = utils.path_relative(absolute_path, TreeExplorer.cwd)
+  local relative_path = utils.path_relative(absolute_path, core.get_cwd())
   local content = node.nodes ~= nil and utils.path_add_trailing(relative_path) or relative_path
   return copy_to_clipboard(content)
 end
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/create-file.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/create-file.lua
index 24cbcdc6..00861aac 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/create-file.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/create-file.lua
@@ -4,11 +4,12 @@ local uv = vim.loop
 local utils = require "nvim-tree.utils"
 local events = require "nvim-tree.events"
 local lib = require "nvim-tree.lib"
+local core = require "nvim-tree.core"
 
 local M = {}
 
 local function focus_file(file)
-  local _, i = utils.find_node(TreeExplorer.nodes, function(node)
+  local _, i = utils.find_node(core.get_explorer().nodes, function(node)
     return node.absolute_path == file
   end)
   require("nvim-tree.view").set_cursor { i + 1, 1 }
@@ -62,8 +63,8 @@ function M.fn(node)
   node = lib.get_last_group_node(node)
   if node.name == ".." then
     node = {
-      absolute_path = TreeExplorer.cwd,
-      nodes = TreeExplorer.nodes,
+      absolute_path = core.get_cwd(),
+      nodes = core.get_explorer().nodes,
       open = true,
     }
   end
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/dir-up.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/dir-up.lua
index 05ba3f9f..1ffd9f00 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/dir-up.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/dir-up.lua
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 local utils = require "nvim-tree.utils"
+local core = require "nvim-tree.core"
 
 local M = {}
 
@@ -6,7 +7,7 @@ function M.fn(node)
   if not node or node.name == ".." then
     return require("nvim-tree.actions.change-dir").fn ".."
   else
-    local newdir = vim.fn.fnamemodify(utils.path_remove_trailing(TreeExplorer.cwd), ":h")
+    local newdir = vim.fn.fnamemodify(utils.path_remove_trailing(core.get_cwd()), ":h")
     require("nvim-tree.actions.change-dir").fn(newdir)
     return require("nvim-tree.actions.find-file").fn(node.absolute_path)
   end
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/find-file.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/find-file.lua
index f3177232..f88c8e2a 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/find-file.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/find-file.lua
@@ -1,13 +1,14 @@
 local view = require "nvim-tree.view"
 local utils = require "nvim-tree.utils"
 local renderer = require "nvim-tree.renderer"
+local core = require "nvim-tree.core"
 
 local M = {}
 
 local running = {}
 
 function M.fn(fname)
-  if running[fname] or not TreeExplorer then
+  if running[fname] or not core.get_explorer() then
     return
   end
   running[fname] = true
@@ -30,7 +31,7 @@ function M.fn(fname)
         end
 
         if #node.nodes == 0 then
-          TreeExplorer:expand(node)
+          core.get_explorer():expand(node)
         end
 
         if iterate_nodes(node.nodes) ~= nil then
@@ -43,7 +44,7 @@ function M.fn(fname)
     end
   end
 
-  local index = iterate_nodes(TreeExplorer.nodes)
+  local index = iterate_nodes(core.get_explorer().nodes)
   if tree_altered then
     renderer.draw()
   end
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/movements.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/movements.lua
index e341e766..4bbf1662 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/movements.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/movements.lua
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ local utils = require "nvim-tree.utils"
 local view = require "nvim-tree.view"
 local diagnostics = require "nvim-tree.diagnostics"
 local renderer = require "nvim-tree.renderer"
+local core = require "nvim-tree.core"
+
 local lib = function()
   return require "nvim-tree.lib"
 end
@@ -49,7 +51,7 @@ function M.parent_node(should_close)
       node.open = false
       altered_tree = true
     else
-      local line, parent = iter(TreeExplorer.nodes, true)
+      local line, parent = iter(core.get_explorer().nodes, true)
       if parent == nil then
         line = 1
       elseif should_close then
@@ -82,16 +84,16 @@ function M.sibling(direction)
     local parent, _
 
     -- Check if current node is already at root nodes
-    for index, _node in ipairs(TreeExplorer.nodes) do
+    for index, _node in ipairs(core.get_explorer().nodes) do
       if node_path == _node.absolute_path then
         line = index
       end
     end
 
     if line > 0 then
-      parent = TreeExplorer
+      parent = core.get_explorer()
     else
-      _, parent = iter(TreeExplorer.nodes, true)
+      _, parent = iter(core.get_explorer().nodes, true)
       if parent ~= nil and #parent.nodes > 1 then
         line, _ = get_line_from_node(node)(parent.nodes)
       end
@@ -108,7 +110,7 @@ function M.sibling(direction)
     end
     local target_node = parent.nodes[index]
 
-    line, _ = get_line_from_node(target_node)(TreeExplorer.nodes, true)
+    line, _ = get_line_from_node(target_node)(core.get_explorer().nodes, true)
     if not view.is_root_folder_visible() then
       line = line - 1
     end
@@ -119,7 +121,7 @@ end
 function M.find_git_item(where)
   return function()
     local node_cur = lib().get_node_at_cursor()
-    local nodes_by_line = lib().get_nodes_by_line(TreeExplorer.nodes, view.View.hide_root_folder and 1 or 2)
+    local nodes_by_line = lib().get_nodes_by_line(core.get_explorer().nodes, view.View.hide_root_folder and 1 or 2)
 
     local cur, first, prev, nex = nil, nil, nil, nil
     for line, node in pairs(nodes_by_line) do
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/reloaders.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/reloaders.lua
index 978a9062..da6a9195 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/reloaders.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/reloaders.lua
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ local diagnostics = require "nvim-tree.diagnostics"
 local view = require "nvim-tree.view"
 local renderer = require "nvim-tree.renderer"
 local explorer_module = require "nvim-tree.explorer"
+local core = require "nvim-tree.core"
 
 local M = {}
 
@@ -34,13 +35,13 @@ end
 
 local event_running = false
 function M.reload_explorer()
-  if event_running or not TreeExplorer or not TreeExplorer.cwd or vim.v.exiting ~= vim.NIL then
+  if event_running or not core.get_explorer() or vim.v.exiting ~= vim.NIL then
     return
   end
   event_running = true
 
   local projects = git.reload()
-  refresh_nodes(TreeExplorer, projects)
+  refresh_nodes(core.get_explorer(), projects)
   if view.is_visible() then
     renderer.draw()
   end
@@ -49,13 +50,13 @@ function M.reload_explorer()
 end
 
 function M.reload_git()
-  if not TreeExplorer or not git.config.enable or event_running then
+  if not core.get_explorer() or not git.config.enable or event_running then
     return
   end
   event_running = true
 
   local projects = git.reload()
-  M.reload_node_status(TreeExplorer, projects)
+  M.reload_node_status(core.get_explorer(), projects)
   renderer.draw()
   event_running = false
 end
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/run-command.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/run-command.lua
index 532965f5..453475f6 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/run-command.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/run-command.lua
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 local utils = require "nvim-tree.utils"
+local core = require "nvim-tree.core"
 
 local M = {}
 
@@ -7,7 +8,7 @@ local M = {}
 ---(the topmost node in the nvim-tree window)
 local function get_node_path(node)
   if node.name == ".." then
-    return utils.path_remove_trailing(TreeExplorer.cwd)
+    return utils.path_remove_trailing(core.get_cwd())
   else
     return node.absolute_path
   end
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/search-node.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/search-node.lua
index 91036ec6..93fa0a7c 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/search-node.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/search-node.lua
@@ -1,11 +1,12 @@
 local utils = require "nvim-tree.utils"
 local view = require "nvim-tree.view"
 local renderer = require "nvim-tree.renderer"
+local core = require "nvim-tree.core"
 
 local M = {}
 
 function M.fn()
-  if not TreeExplorer then
+  if not core.get_explorer() then
     return
   end
 
@@ -13,7 +14,7 @@ function M.fn()
   utils.clear_prompt()
 
   local absolute_input_path = utils.path_join {
-    TreeExplorer.cwd,
+    core.get_cwd(),
     input_path,
   }
 
@@ -54,7 +55,7 @@ function M.fn()
           -- if node is not open -> open it
           if not node.open then
             node.open = true
-            TreeExplorer:expand(node)
+            core.get_explorer():expand(node)
             tree_altered = true
           end
 
@@ -70,7 +71,7 @@ function M.fn()
     return index
   end
 
-  local index = search_node(TreeExplorer.nodes)
+  local index = search_node(core.get_explorer().nodes)
 
   if tree_altered then
     renderer.draw()
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/core.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/core.lua
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b1306d76
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/core.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+local events = require "nvim-tree.events"
+local explorer = require "nvim-tree.explorer"
+
+local M = {}
+
+local first_init_done = false
+
+TreeExplorer = nil
+
+function M.init(foldername)
+  TreeExplorer = explorer.Explorer.new(foldername)
+  if not first_init_done then
+    events._dispatch_ready()
+    first_init_done = true
+  end
+end
+
+function M.get_explorer()
+  return TreeExplorer
+end
+
+function M.get_cwd()
+  return TreeExplorer.cwd
+end
+
+return M
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/diagnostics.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/diagnostics.lua
index 7cf6b382..6803a3c5 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/diagnostics.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/diagnostics.lua
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 local a = vim.api
 local utils = require "nvim-tree.utils"
 local view = require "nvim-tree.view"
+local core = require "nvim-tree.core"
 
 local M = {}
 
@@ -103,7 +104,7 @@ local function is_using_coc()
 end
 
 function M.update()
-  if not M.enable or not TreeExplorer or not view.is_buf_valid(view.get_bufnr()) then
+  if not M.enable or not core.get_explorer() or not view.is_buf_valid(view.get_bufnr()) then
     return
   end
   local buffer_severity
@@ -125,7 +126,7 @@ function M.update()
   end
   for bufname, severity in pairs(buffer_severity) do
     if 0 < severity and severity < 5 then
-      local node, line = utils.find_node(TreeExplorer.nodes, function(node)
+      local node, line = utils.find_node(core.get_explorer().nodes, function(node)
         if M.show_on_dirs and not node.open then
           return vim.startswith(bufname, node.absolute_path)
         else
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/lib.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/lib.lua
index 4a88ea03..6b3e8590 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/lib.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/lib.lua
@@ -2,26 +2,13 @@ local api = vim.api
 
 local renderer = require "nvim-tree.renderer"
 local diagnostics = require "nvim-tree.diagnostics"
-local explorer = require "nvim-tree.explorer"
 local view = require "nvim-tree.view"
-local events = require "nvim-tree.events"
-
-local first_init_done = false
+local core = require "nvim-tree.core"
 
 local M = {
   target_winid = nil,
 }
 
-TreeExplorer = nil
-
-function M.init(foldername)
-  TreeExplorer = explorer.Explorer.new(foldername)
-  if not first_init_done then
-    events._dispatch_ready()
-    first_init_done = true
-  end
-end
-
 function M.get_nodes_by_line(nodes_all, line_start)
   local nodes_by_line = {}
   local line = line_start
@@ -42,7 +29,7 @@ function M.get_nodes_by_line(nodes_all, line_start)
 end
 
 function M.get_node_at_cursor()
-  if not TreeExplorer then
+  if not core.get_explorer() then
     return
   end
   local winnr = view.get_winnr()
@@ -57,14 +44,14 @@ function M.get_node_at_cursor()
     local help_text = M.get_nodes_by_line(help_lines, 1)[line]
     return { name = help_text }
   else
-    if line == 1 and TreeExplorer.cwd ~= "/" and not hide_root_folder then
+    if line == 1 and core.get_explorer().cwd ~= "/" and not hide_root_folder then
       return { name = ".." }
     end
 
-    if TreeExplorer.cwd == "/" then
+    if core.get_explorer().cwd == "/" then
       line = line + 1
     end
-    return M.get_nodes_by_line(TreeExplorer.nodes, view.View.hide_root_folder and 1 or 2)[line]
+    return M.get_nodes_by_line(core.get_explorer().nodes, view.View.hide_root_folder and 1 or 2)[line]
   end
 end
 
@@ -84,7 +71,7 @@ function M.expand_or_collapse(node)
   end
 
   if #node.nodes == 0 then
-    TreeExplorer:expand(node)
+    core.get_explorer():expand(node)
   end
 
   renderer.draw()
@@ -104,7 +91,7 @@ end
 
 local function handle_buf_cwd(cwd)
   local respect_buf_cwd = vim.g.nvim_tree_respect_buf_cwd or 0
-  if respect_buf_cwd == 1 and cwd ~= TreeExplorer.cwd then
+  if respect_buf_cwd == 1 and cwd ~= core.get_explorer().cwd then
     require("nvim-tree.actions.change-dir").fn(cwd)
   end
 end
@@ -130,8 +117,8 @@ end
 
 function M.open(cwd)
   M.set_target_win()
-  if not TreeExplorer or cwd then
-    M.init(cwd or vim.loop.cwd())
+  if not core.get_explorer() or cwd then
+    core.init(cwd or vim.loop.cwd())
   end
   if should_hijack_current_buf() then
     view.open_in_current_win()
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/log.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/log.lua
index b9ae16d8..3cd4d92a 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/log.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/log.lua
@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ local M = {
 }
 
 --- Write to log file
---- @param typ as per log.types config
---- @param fmt for string.format
---- @param ... arguments for string.format
+--- @param typ string as per log.types config
+--- @param fmt string for string.format
+--- @param ... any arguments for string.format
 function M.raw(typ, fmt, ...)
   if not M.path or not M.config.types[typ] and not M.config.types.all then
     return
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/renderer/init.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/renderer/init.lua
index d47873ef..9861cf6f 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/renderer/init.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/renderer/init.lua
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ local _padding = require "nvim-tree.renderer.padding"
 local _help = require "nvim-tree.renderer.help"
 local _icons = require "nvim-tree.renderer.icons"
 local git = require "nvim-tree.renderer.git"
+local core = require "nvim-tree.core"
 
 local api = vim.api
 
@@ -223,7 +224,7 @@ local function compute_header()
   if view.is_root_folder_visible() then
     local root_folder_modifier = vim.g.nvim_tree_root_folder_modifier or ":~"
     local root_name = utils.path_join {
-      utils.path_remove_trailing(vim.fn.fnamemodify(TreeExplorer.cwd, root_folder_modifier)),
+      utils.path_remove_trailing(vim.fn.fnamemodify(core.get_cwd(), root_folder_modifier)),
       "..",
     }
     table.insert(lines, root_name)
@@ -234,7 +235,7 @@ end
 
 function M.draw()
   local bufnr = view.get_bufnr()
-  if not TreeExplorer or not bufnr or not api.nvim_buf_is_loaded(bufnr) then
+  if not core.get_explorer() or not bufnr or not api.nvim_buf_is_loaded(bufnr) then
     return
   end
   local cursor
@@ -252,7 +253,7 @@ function M.draw()
   _padding.reload_padding_function()
   git.reload()
   compute_header()
-  update_draw_data(TreeExplorer, show_arrows and 2 or 0, {})
+  update_draw_data(core.get_explorer(), show_arrows and 2 or 0, {})
 
   if view.is_help_ui() then
     lines, hl = _help.compute_lines()
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/view.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/view.lua
index 7ba8dfac..95495439 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/view.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/view.lua
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 local a = vim.api
 
+local core = require "nvim-tree.core"
+
 local M = {}
 
 M.View = {
@@ -343,7 +345,7 @@ function M._prevent_buffer_override()
 end
 
 function M.is_root_folder_visible()
-  return TreeExplorer.cwd ~= "/" and not M.View.hide_root_folder
+  return core.get_cwd() ~= "/" and not M.View.hide_root_folder
 end
 
 local DEFAULT_CONFIG = {