diff --git a/doc/nvim-tree-lua.txt b/doc/nvim-tree-lua.txt
index 528cbf73f1b..6fb8a18489d 100644
--- a/doc/nvim-tree-lua.txt
+++ b/doc/nvim-tree-lua.txt
@@ -1915,9 +1915,14 @@ Config: bookmarks                                 *nvim-tree-config-bookmarks*
 Config: help                                           *nvim-tree-config-help*
 
 *nvim_tree.config.help*
+    {sort_by}                                  *nvim_tree.config.help.sort_by*
+
+    Sort help entries alphabetically by:
+    • `"key"`: map lhs
+    • `"desc"`: description
 
     Fields: ~
-      • {sort_by}?  (`"key"|"desc"`, default: `"key"`) Alphabetically.
+      • {sort_by}?  (`nvim_tree.config.help.sort_by`) (default: `"key"`)
 
 
 
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree.lua b/lua/nvim-tree.lua
index db711e84ce1..dec52e85d42 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree.lua
@@ -285,19 +285,11 @@ function M.setup(config_user)
   end
 
   require("nvim-tree.actions").setup(config.g)
-  require("nvim-tree.keymap").setup(config.g)
   require("nvim-tree.appearance").setup()
-  require("nvim-tree.diagnostics").setup(config.g)
   require("nvim-tree.explorer"):setup(config.g)
   require("nvim-tree.explorer.watch").setup(config.g)
-  require("nvim-tree.git").setup(config.g)
-  require("nvim-tree.git.utils").setup(config.g)
   require("nvim-tree.view").setup(config.g)
-  require("nvim-tree.lib").setup(config.g)
   require("nvim-tree.renderer.components").setup(config.g)
-  require("nvim-tree.buffers").setup(config.g)
-  require("nvim-tree.help").setup(config.g)
-  require("nvim-tree.watcher").setup(config.g)
 
   setup_autocommands()
 
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/_meta/config/help.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/_meta/config/help.lua
index b47a10e628e..4e31ce03ff0 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/_meta/config/help.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/_meta/config/help.lua
@@ -3,9 +3,14 @@ error("Cannot require a meta file")
 
 
 
+---{sort_by} [nvim_tree.config.help.sort_by]()
+---
+---Sort help entries alphabetically by:
+---- `"key"`: map lhs
+---- `"desc"`: description
+---@alias nvim_tree.config.help.sort_by "key"|"desc"
 ---
 ---@class nvim_tree.config.help
 ---
----Alphabetically.
 ---(default: `"key"`)
----@field sort_by? "key"|"desc"
+---@field sort_by? nvim_tree.config.help.sort_by
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/buffers.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/buffers.lua
index 4ccbe78adbc..a9a1cbef7de 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/buffers.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/buffers.lua
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+local config = require("nvim-tree.config")
+
 local DirectoryNode = require("nvim-tree.node.directory")
 
 local M = {}
@@ -26,7 +28,7 @@ end
 ---@param node Node
 ---@return boolean
 function M.is_modified(node)
-  if not M.config.modified.enable then
+  if not config.g.modified.enable then
     return false
   end
 
@@ -36,11 +38,11 @@ function M.is_modified(node)
 
   local dir = node:as(DirectoryNode)
   if dir then
-    if not M.config.modified.show_on_dirs then
+    if not config.g.modified.show_on_dirs then
       return false
     end
 
-    if dir.open and not M.config.modified.show_on_open_dirs then
+    if dir.open and not config.g.modified.show_on_open_dirs then
       return false
     end
   end
@@ -55,11 +57,4 @@ function M.is_opened(node)
   return node and vim.fn.bufloaded(node.absolute_path) > 0
 end
 
----@param opts nvim_tree.config
-function M.setup(opts)
-  M.config = {
-    modified = opts.modified,
-  }
-end
-
 return M
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/config.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/config.lua
index 7d1d3cad905..f9c5bf66914 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/config.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/config.lua
@@ -11,10 +11,10 @@ local M = {
   ---@type nvim_tree.config immutable default config
   d = {},
 
-  ---@type nvim_tree.config? global current config, nil until setup called
+  ---@type nvim_tree.config? global current config, nil until setup called, mutable
   g = nil,
 
-  ---@type nvim_tree.config? raw user config, nil when no user config passed to setup
+  ---@type nvim_tree.config? immutable raw user config, nil when no user config passed to setup
   u = nil,
 }
 
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/diagnostics.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/diagnostics.lua
index 853966b983a..3c8c527e2b7 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/diagnostics.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/diagnostics.lua
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+local config = require("nvim-tree.config")
 local core = require("nvim-tree.core")
 local utils = require("nvim-tree.utils")
 local view = require("nvim-tree.view")
@@ -38,11 +39,16 @@ local function uniformize_path(path)
 end
 
 ---Severity is within diagnostics.severity.min, diagnostics.severity.max
----@param severity lsp.DiagnosticSeverity
----@param config table
+---Alway in range when using vim.diagnostic.Opts:
+---@see nvim_tree.config.diagnostics.diagnostic_opts
+---@param severity vim.diagnostic.Severity
 ---@return boolean
-local function is_severity_in_range(severity, config)
-  return config.max <= severity and severity <= config.min
+local function is_severity_in_range(severity)
+  if config.g.diagnostics.diagnostic_opts then
+    return true
+  else
+    return severity >= config.g.diagnostics.severity.max and severity <= config.g.diagnostics.severity.min
+  end
 end
 
 ---Handle any COC exceptions, preventing any propagation
@@ -86,7 +92,7 @@ local function from_coc()
     local bufname = uniformize_path(diagnostic.file)
     local coc_severity = COC_SEVERITY_LEVELS[diagnostic.severity]
     local highest_severity = buffer_severity[bufname] or coc_severity
-    if is_severity_in_range(highest_severity, M.severity) then
+    if is_severity_in_range(highest_severity) then
       buffer_severity[bufname] = math.min(highest_severity, coc_severity)
     end
   end
@@ -122,7 +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)
-  if not M.enable or not ev or not ev.data or not ev.data.diagnostics then
+  if not config.g.diagnostics.enable or not ev or not ev.data or not ev.data.diagnostics then
     return
   end
 
@@ -138,7 +144,7 @@ function M.update_lsp(ev)
 
   -- most severe (lowest) severity in user range
   for _, diagnostic in ipairs(diagnostics) do
-    if diagnostic.severity >= M.severity.max and diagnostic.severity <= M.severity.min then
+    if is_severity_in_range(diagnostic.severity) then
       if not new_severity or diagnostic.severity < new_severity then
         new_severity = diagnostic.severity
       end
@@ -150,7 +156,7 @@ function M.update_lsp(ev)
     NODE_SEVERITIES[bufname] = new_severity
     NODE_SEVERITIES_VERSION = NODE_SEVERITIES_VERSION + 1
 
-    utils.debounce("DiagnosticChanged redraw", M.debounce_delay, function()
+    utils.debounce("DiagnosticChanged redraw", config.g.diagnostics.debounce_delay, function()
       local profile_redraw = log.profile_start("DiagnosticChanged redraw")
 
       local explorer = core.get_explorer()
@@ -168,10 +174,10 @@ end
 ---Fired on CocDiagnosticChanged events:
 ---debounced retrieval, cache update, version increment and draw
 function M.update_coc()
-  if not M.enable then
+  if not config.g.diagnostics.enable then
     return
   end
-  utils.debounce("CocDiagnosticChanged update", M.debounce_delay, function()
+  utils.debounce("CocDiagnosticChanged update", config.g.diagnostics.debounce_delay, function()
     local profile = log.profile_start("CocDiagnosticChanged update")
     NODE_SEVERITIES = from_coc()
     NODE_SEVERITIES_VERSION = NODE_SEVERITIES_VERSION + 1
@@ -198,12 +204,12 @@ end
 ---@param node Node
 ---@return DiagStatus|nil
 function M.get_diag_status(node)
-  if not M.enable then
+  if not config.g.diagnostics.enable then
     return nil
   end
 
   -- dir but we shouldn't show on dirs at all
-  if node:is(DirectoryNode) and not M.show_on_dirs then
+  if node:is(DirectoryNode) and not config.g.diagnostics.show_on_dirs then
     return nil
   end
 
@@ -222,26 +228,10 @@ function M.get_diag_status(node)
   end
 
   -- dir is closed or we should show on open_dirs
-  if not dir.open or M.show_on_open_dirs then
+  if not dir.open or config.g.diagnostics.show_on_open_dirs then
     return node.diag_status
   end
   return nil
 end
 
-function M.setup(opts)
-  M.enable = opts.diagnostics.enable
-  M.debounce_delay = opts.diagnostics.debounce_delay
-  M.severity = opts.diagnostics.diagnostic_opts and {
-    min = vim.diagnostic.severity.HINT,
-    max = vim.diagnostic.severity.ERROR
-  } or opts.diagnostics.severity
-
-  if M.enable then
-    log.line("diagnostics", "setup")
-  end
-
-  M.show_on_dirs = opts.diagnostics.show_on_dirs
-  M.show_on_open_dirs = opts.diagnostics.show_on_open_dirs
-end
-
 return M
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/git/init.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/git/init.lua
index 2ad0243ed06..e7e3d8361e1 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/git/init.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/git/init.lua
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 local log = require("nvim-tree.log")
 local utils = require("nvim-tree.utils")
+local config = require("nvim-tree.config")
 local git_utils = require("nvim-tree.git.utils")
 
 local GitRunner = require("nvim-tree.git.runner")
@@ -88,7 +89,7 @@ end
 
 ---@return nvim_tree.git.Project[] maybe empty
 function M.reload_all_projects()
-  if not M.config.git.enable then
+  if not config.g.git.enable then
     return {}
   end
 
@@ -106,7 +107,7 @@ end
 function M.reload_project(toplevel, path, callback)
   local project = M._projects_by_toplevel[toplevel] --[[@as nvim_tree.git.Project]]
 
-  if not toplevel or not project or not M.config.git.enable then
+  if not toplevel or not project or not config.g.git.enable then
     if callback then
       callback()
     end
@@ -126,7 +127,7 @@ function M.reload_project(toplevel, path, callback)
     path           = path,
     list_untracked = git_utils.should_show_untracked(toplevel),
     list_ignored   = true,
-    timeout        = M.config.git.timeout,
+    timeout        = config.g.git.timeout,
   }
 
   if callback then
@@ -161,7 +162,7 @@ function M.get_toplevel(path)
     return nil
   end
 
-  if not M.config.git.enable then
+  if not config.g.git.enable then
     return nil
   end
 
@@ -194,15 +195,15 @@ function M.get_toplevel(path)
   local toplevel_norm = vim.fn.fnamemodify(toplevel, ":p")
 
   -- ignore disabled paths
-  if type(M.config.git.disable_for_dirs) == "table" then
-    for _, disabled_for_dir in ipairs(M.config.git.disable_for_dirs) do
+  if type(config.g.git.disable_for_dirs) == "table" then
+    for _, disabled_for_dir in ipairs(config.g.git.disable_for_dirs --[[@as string[] ]]) do
       local disabled_norm = vim.fn.fnamemodify(disabled_for_dir, ":p")
       if toplevel_norm == disabled_norm then
         return nil
       end
     end
-  elseif type(M.config.git.disable_for_dirs) == "function" then
-    if M.config.git.disable_for_dirs(toplevel_norm) then
+  elseif type(config.g.git.disable_for_dirs) == "function" then
+    if config.g.git.disable_for_dirs(toplevel_norm) then
       return nil
     end
   end
@@ -220,7 +221,7 @@ function M.get_toplevel(path)
 end
 
 local function reload_tree_at(toplevel)
-  if not M.config.git.enable or not toplevel then
+  if not config.g.git.enable or not toplevel then
     return nil
   end
 
@@ -259,7 +260,7 @@ end
 ---@param path string absolute
 ---@return nvim_tree.git.Project maybe empty
 function M.load_project(path)
-  if not M.config.git.enable then
+  if not config.g.git.enable then
     return {}
   end
 
@@ -278,17 +279,17 @@ function M.load_project(path)
     toplevel       = toplevel,
     list_untracked = git_utils.should_show_untracked(toplevel),
     list_ignored   = true,
-    timeout        = M.config.git.timeout,
+    timeout        = config.g.git.timeout,
   })
 
   local watcher = nil
-  if M.config.filesystem_watchers.enable then
+  if config.g.filesystem_watchers.enable then
     log.line("watcher", "git start")
 
     ---@param w Watcher
     local callback = function(w)
       log.line("watcher", "git event scheduled '%s'", w.data.toplevel)
-      utils.debounce("git:watcher:" .. w.data.toplevel, M.config.filesystem_watchers.debounce_delay, function()
+      utils.debounce("git:watcher:" .. w.data.toplevel, config.g.filesystem_watchers.debounce_delay, function()
         if w.destroyed then
           return
         end
@@ -403,12 +404,7 @@ end
 function M.disable_git_integration()
   log.line("git", "disabling git integration")
   M.purge_state()
-  M.config.git.enable = false
-end
-
-function M.setup(opts)
-  M.config.git = opts.git
-  M.config.filesystem_watchers = opts.filesystem_watchers
+  config.g.git.enable = false
 end
 
 return M
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/git/utils.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/git/utils.lua
index 25d83f35d85..149abc20ce5 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/git/utils.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/git/utils.lua
@@ -1,9 +1,24 @@
 local log = require("nvim-tree.log")
 local utils = require("nvim-tree.utils")
+local config = require("nvim-tree.config")
 
-local M = {
-  use_cygpath = false,
-}
+local M = {}
+
+---@type boolean?
+local use_cygpath_cached = nil
+
+---true when cygwin enabled and present
+---@return boolean
+local function use_cygpath()
+  if use_cygpath_cached == nil then
+    if config.g.git.cygwin_support then
+      use_cygpath_cached = vim.fn.executable("cygpath") == 1
+    else
+      use_cygpath_cached = false
+    end
+  end
+  return use_cygpath_cached
+end
 
 --- Execute system command
 ---@param cmd string[]
@@ -11,7 +26,7 @@ local M = {
 ---@return integer exit code
 local function system(cmd)
   if vim.fn.has("nvim-0.10") == 1 then
-    local obj = vim.system(cmd):wait(M.opts.git.timeout)
+    local obj = vim.system(cmd):wait(config.g.git.timeout)
     return obj.stdout or "", obj.code
   else
     return vim.fn.system(cmd), vim.v.shell_error
@@ -50,7 +65,7 @@ function M.get_toplevel(cwd)
   if vim.fn.has("win32") == 1 then
     -- msys2 git support
     -- cygpath calls must in array format to avoid shell compatibility issues
-    if M.use_cygpath then
+    if use_cygpath() then
       toplevel = vim.fn.system({ "cygpath", "-w", toplevel })
       if vim.v.shell_error ~= 0 then
         return nil, nil
@@ -195,11 +210,4 @@ function M.git_status_dir(parent_ignored, project, path, path_fallback)
   return ns
 end
 
-function M.setup(opts)
-  if opts.git.cygwin_support then
-    M.use_cygpath = vim.fn.executable("cygpath") == 1
-  end
-  M.opts = opts
-end
-
 return M
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/help.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/help.lua
index 7757b706bbe..897f7ea5dfe 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/help.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/help.lua
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 local keymap = require("nvim-tree.keymap")
-local api = {} -- circular dependency
+local api = require("nvim-tree.api")
+local config = require("nvim-tree.config")
 
 local PAT_MOUSE = "^<.*Mouse"
 local PAT_CTRL = "^<C%-"
@@ -14,8 +15,6 @@ local WIN_HL = table.concat({
 local namespace_help_id = vim.api.nvim_create_namespace("NvimTreeHelp")
 
 local M = {
-  config = {},
-
   -- one and only buf/win
   bufnr = nil,
   winnr = nil,
@@ -90,7 +89,7 @@ end
 local function compute(map)
   local head_lhs = "nvim-tree mappings"
   local head_rhs1 = "exit: q"
-  local head_rhs2 = string.format("sort by %s: s", M.config.sort_by == "key" and "description" or "keymap")
+  local head_rhs2 = string.format("sort by %s: s", config.g.help.sort_by == "key" and "description" or "keymap")
 
   -- merge modes for duplicate lhs+desc entries e.g. "n" + "x" -> "nx"
   local merged = {}
@@ -111,7 +110,7 @@ local function compute(map)
   -- sorter function for mappings
   local sort_fn
 
-  if M.config.sort_by == "desc" then
+  if config.g.help.sort_by == "desc" then
     sort_fn = function(a, b)
       return a.desc:lower() < b.desc:lower()
     end
@@ -234,10 +233,10 @@ local function open()
 
   -- style it a bit like the tree
   vim.wo[M.winnr].winhl = WIN_HL
-  vim.wo[M.winnr].cursorline = M.config.cursorline
+  vim.wo[M.winnr].cursorline = config.g.view.cursorline
 
   local function toggle_sort()
-    M.config.sort_by = (M.config.sort_by == "desc") and "key" or "desc"
+    config.g.help.sort_by = (config.g.help.sort_by == "desc") and "key" or "desc"
     open()
   end
 
@@ -281,11 +280,4 @@ function M.toggle()
   end
 end
 
-function M.setup(opts)
-  M.config.cursorline = opts.view.cursorline
-  M.config.sort_by = opts.help.sort_by
-
-  api = require("nvim-tree.api")
-end
-
 return M
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/keymap.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/keymap.lua
index 622d0092ee6..044bf6c9a9b 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/keymap.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/keymap.lua
@@ -1,5 +1,18 @@
 local M = {}
 
+local config = require("nvim-tree.config")
+
+---Execute the user or default on attach
+---@see nvim_tree.config.on_attach
+---@param bufnr integer
+function M.on_attach(bufnr)
+  if type(config.g.on_attach) == "function" then
+    config.g.on_attach(bufnr)
+  else
+    M.on_attach_default(bufnr)
+  end
+end
+
 --- Apply mappings to a scratch buffer and return buffer local mappings
 ---@param fn fun(bufnr: integer) on_attach or on_attach_default
 ---@return table as per vim.api.nvim_buf_get_keymap
@@ -106,12 +119,4 @@ function M.on_attach_default(bufnr)
   -- END_ON_ATTACH_DEFAULT
 end
 
-function M.setup(opts)
-  if type(opts.on_attach) ~= "function" then
-    M.on_attach = M.on_attach_default
-  else
-    M.on_attach = opts.on_attach
-  end
-end
-
 return M
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/lib.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/lib.lua
index 788af98d5bd..8915aa88a39 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/lib.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/lib.lua
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 local view = require("nvim-tree.view")
 local core = require("nvim-tree.core")
 local notify = require("nvim-tree.notify")
+local config = require("nvim-tree.config")
 
 ---@class LibOpenOpts
 ---@field path string|nil path
@@ -25,7 +26,7 @@ end
 ---@param cwd string
 local function handle_buf_cwd(cwd)
   local explorer = core.get_explorer()
-  if M.respect_buf_cwd and cwd ~= core.get_cwd() and explorer then
+  if config.g.respect_buf_cwd and cwd ~= core.get_cwd() and explorer then
     explorer:change_dir(cwd)
   end
 end
@@ -54,8 +55,8 @@ local function should_hijack_current_buf()
     ft = vim.api.nvim_buf_get_option(bufnr, "ft") ---@diagnostic disable-line: deprecated
   end
 
-  local should_hijack_unnamed = M.hijack_unnamed_buffer_when_opening and bufname == "" and not bufmodified and ft == ""
-  local should_hijack_dir = bufname ~= "" and vim.fn.isdirectory(bufname) == 1 and M.hijack_directories.enable
+  local should_hijack_unnamed = config.g.hijack_unnamed_buffer_when_opening and bufname == "" and not bufmodified and ft == ""
+  local should_hijack_dir = bufname ~= "" and vim.fn.isdirectory(bufname) == 1 and config.g.hijack_directories.enable
 
   return should_hijack_dir or should_hijack_unnamed
 end
@@ -76,7 +77,7 @@ function M.prompt(prompt_input, prompt_select, items_short, items_long, kind, ca
     return ""
   end
 
-  if M.select_prompts then
+  if config.g.select_prompts then
     vim.ui.select(items_short, { prompt = prompt_select, kind = kind, format_item = format_item }, function(item_short)
       callback(item_short)
     end)
@@ -132,12 +133,4 @@ function M.open(opts)
   view.restore_tab_state()
 end
 
-function M.setup(opts)
-  M.hijack_unnamed_buffer_when_opening = opts.hijack_unnamed_buffer_when_opening
-  M.hijack_directories = opts.hijack_directories
-  M.respect_buf_cwd = opts.respect_buf_cwd
-  M.select_prompts = opts.select_prompts
-  M.group_empty = opts.renderer.group_empty
-end
-
 return M
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/watcher.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/watcher.lua
index ecae249de4c..f188f6aece0 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/watcher.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/watcher.lua
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 local notify = require("nvim-tree.notify")
 local log = require("nvim-tree.log")
 local utils = require("nvim-tree.utils")
+local config = require("nvim-tree.config")
 
 local Class = require("nvim-tree.classic")
 
@@ -13,9 +14,7 @@ local FS_EVENT_FLAGS = {
   recursive = false,
 }
 
-local M = {
-  config = {},
-}
+local M = {}
 
 ---Registry of all events
 ---@type Event[]
@@ -79,7 +78,7 @@ function Event:start()
       log.line("watcher", "event_cb '%s' '%s' FAIL : %s", self.path, filename, err)
 
       -- do nothing if watchers have already been disabled
-      if not M.config.filesystem_watchers.enable then
+      if not config.g.filesystem_watchers.enable then
         return
       end
 
@@ -238,7 +237,7 @@ M.Watcher = Watcher
 ---@param msg string
 function M.disable_watchers(msg)
   notify.warn(string.format("Disabling watchers: %s", msg))
-  M.config.filesystem_watchers.enable = false
+  config.g.filesystem_watchers.enable = false
   require("nvim-tree").purge_all_state()
 end
 
@@ -279,8 +278,4 @@ function M.is_fs_event_capable(path)
   return true
 end
 
-function M.setup(opts)
-  M.config.filesystem_watchers = opts.filesystem_watchers
-end
-
 return M