# Neovim plugins

**Neovim plugins** extend the editor with new features: syntax highlighting, fuzzy search, git integration, language servers, autocomplete. The plugin ecosystem is large and powerful.

## Plugin managers

A plugin manager downloads and manages plugins. Popular managers:

- **lazy.nvim**: modern, lazy-loading (popular in 2024+)
- **packer.nvim**: compile-based, fast
- **vim-plug**: simple, light
- **dein.vim**: heavy but comprehensive

Most new setups use `lazy.nvim`.

## Install lazy.nvim

```bash
git clone --filter=blob:none --sparse https://github.com/folke/lazy.nvim.git ~/.local/share/nvim/lazy/lazy.nvim
```

Then in `init.lua`:

```lua
local lazypath = vim.fn.stdpath("data") .. "/lazy/lazy.nvim"
if not vim.loop.fs_stat(lazypath) then
  vim.fn.system({"git", "clone", "--filter=blob:none", "https://github.com/folke/lazy.nvim.git", lazypath})
end
vim.opt.rtp:prepend(lazypath)

require("lazy").setup("plugins")
```

Create `~/.config/nvim/lua/plugins/init.lua` with plugin specs.

## Example plugins

```lua
-- ~/.config/nvim/lua/plugins/init.lua
return {
  -- Syntax highlighting
  {
    "nvim-treesitter/nvim-treesitter",
    run = ":TSUpdate",
  },
  
  -- Fuzzy finder
  {
    "nvim-telescope/telescope.nvim",
    dependencies = { "nvim-lua/plenary.nvim" },
  },
  
  -- LSP framework
  {
    "neovim/nvim-lspconfig",
    dependencies = { "williamboman/mason.nvim" },
  },
  
  -- Autocomplete
  {
    "hrsh7th/nvim-cmp",
    dependencies = { "hrsh7th/cmp-nvim-lsp" },
  },
  
  -- Git signs
  {
    "lewis6991/gitsigns.nvim",
  },
  
  -- Colorscheme
  {
    "folke/tokyonight.nvim",
  },
}
```

## Popular plugins

- **nvim-treesitter**: semantic syntax highlighting based on AST
- **telescope**: fuzzy search for files, buffers, grep
- **lspconfig**: language server setup
- **nvim-cmp**: autocomplete engine
- **gitsigns**: git diff marks in gutter
- **nvim-tree** or **oil.nvim**: file browser
- **lualine**: status line
- **which-key**: keybinding hints

## Installing and updating

After adding plugin specs, run `:Lazy sync` (with lazy.nvim). This downloads, installs, and cleans up.

`:Lazy update` — update all plugins.
`:Lazy clean` — remove unused plugins.
`:Lazy log` — view recent changes.

## Plugin configuration

Most plugins need setup. Example for lspconfig:

```lua
require("lspconfig").pyright.setup({})  -- Python language server
```

For complex setup (many plugins), organize into files:

```
~/.config/nvim/
├── init.lua
├── lua/
│   ├── plugins/
│   │   ├── init.lua        -- list of plugins
│   │   ├── lsp.lua         -- lsp setup
│   │   └── telescope.lua   -- telescope config
│   └── config.lua
```

Then require in `init.lua`:

```lua
require("config")
require("plugins.lsp")
require("plugins.telescope")
```

## Finding plugins

Search at [nvim.dev](https://nvim.dev), [GitHub](https://github.com/topics/neovim-plugin), or ask in Neovim communities. Read plugin READMEs for setup instructions.

**Moderation**: avoid plugin bloat. Start with essentials (LSP, fuzzy find, syntax), add as needed.