return {
    {
        "nvim-neo-tree/neo-tree.nvim",
        branch = "v3.x",
        dependencies = {
            "nvim-lua/plenary.nvim",
            "MunifTanjim/nui.nvim",
            "nvim-tree/nvim-web-devicons",
        },
        keys = {
            {
                "<leader>t",
                function()
                    require("neo-tree.command").execute({
                        toggle = true,
                        source = "filesystem",
                        position = "left",
                    })
                end,
                desc = "Buffers (root dir)",
            },
        },
        config = function()
            -- automatically close file tree if file is selected
            require("neo-tree").setup({
                close_if_last_window = true,
                event_handlers = {
                    {
                        event = "file_open_requested",
                        handler = function()
                            require("neo-tree.command").execute({ action = "close" })
                        end,
                    },
                    -- makes it so quitting inside buffer quits all buffers
                    {
                        event = "neo_tree_buffer_enter",
                        handler = function()
                            vim.cmd("cabbrev <buffer> q qall")
                        end,
                    },
                },

                -- filesystem = {
                --     components = {
                --         icon = function(config, node, state)
                --             local icon = config.default or " "
                --             local padding = config.padding or " "
                --             local highlight = config.highlight or highlights.FILE_ICON
                --
                --             if node.type == "directory" then
                --                 highlight = highlights.DIRECTORY_ICON
                --                 if node:is_expanded() then
                --                     icon = config.folder_open or "-"
                --                 else
                --                     icon = config.folder_closed or "+"
                --                 end
                --             elseif node.type == "file" then
                --                 local success, web_devicons = pcall(require, "nvim-web-devicons")
                --                 if success then
                --                     local devicon, hl = web_devicons.get_icon(node.name, node.ext)
                --                     icon = devicon or icon
                --                     highlight = hl or highlight
                --                 end
                --             end
                --
                --             return {
                --                 text = icon .. padding,
                --                 highlight = highlight,
                --             } 
                --         end,
                --     }
                -- }
                })

            -- auto open file tree on empty buffer or directory
            vim.api.nvim_create_autocmd("VimEnter", {
            callback = function(data)
                local is_directory = vim.fn.isdirectory(data.file) == 1
                local no_name = data.file == "" and vim.bo[data.buf].buftype == ""
                
                    if is_directory or no_name then
                        require("neo-tree.command").execute({
                            action = "focus",
                            source = "filesystem",
                            position = "left",
                        })
                    end
            end,
        })
        end,
        lazy = false, -- neo-tree lazy loads itself
    }
}