Packer.nvim: Can't seem to figure out setup

[p00f]

I get this on startup (imgur wasn't working)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RdXTqghguJYjODTaCUs_tqr5zZx2R1d6/view?usp=sharing
It is looking for stuff in the wrong places, so I'm obviously doing something wrong.
What I did:
1) git clone https://github.com/wbthomason/packer.nvim ~/.local/share/nvim/site/pack/packer/opt/packer.nvim

2) My init.vim:

lua require('packer').startup()
lua require('plugins')
"aniseed.dotfiles, colorizer and bufferline are from plugins
lua require('aniseed.dotfiles')
lua require'colorizer'.setup()
lua require'bufferline'.setup()
"treesitter_setup.lua is a file in .config/nvim/lua/
lua require'treesitter_setup'

lua require'nvim_lsp'.vimls.setup {on_attach=require'diagnostic'.on_attach()}
lua require'nvim_lsp'.bashls.setup{on_attach=require'diagnostic'.on_attach()}
lua require'nvim_lsp'.jdtls.setup{on_attach=require'diagnostic'.on_attach()}

3) .config/nvim/lua/plugins.lua:

-- This file can be loaded by calling `lua require('plugins')` from your init.vim

-- Only required if you have packer in your `opt` pack
vim.cmd [[packadd packer.nvim]]
-- Temporary until https://github.com/neovim/neovim/pull/12632 is merged
vim._update_package_paths()


return require('packer').startup(function()
  use {'wbthomason/packer.nvim'}
  use 'Akin909/nvim-bufferline.lua'
  use {'bakpakin/fennel.vim', ft = {'fnl'}}
  use {'camspiers/lens.vim', requires = {{'camspiers/animate.vim'}}}
  use 'dense-analysis/ale'
  use {'dracula/vim'}
  use 'editorconfig/editorconfig-vim'
  use {'guns/vim-sexp', ft = {'clj', 'fnl'}, requires = 'tpope/vim-sexp-mappings-for-regular-people'}
  use 'hardcoreplayers/dashboard-nvim'
  -- Plugins can have post-install/update hooks
  use {'iamcco/markdown-preview.nvim', run = 'cd app && yarn install', cmd = 'MarkdownPreview', ft = {'md', 'mkdn', 'vim-plug'}}
  use 'jeffkreeftmeijer/vim-numbertoggle'
  use 'jiangmiao/auto-pairs'
  use 'justinmk/vim-gtfo'
  use 'justinmk/vim-sneak'
  use {'kassio/neoterm',
    cmd = {'TNew'}
  }
  use {'kyazdani42/nvim-tree.lua', requires = {'kyazdani42/nvim-web-devicons'}}
  use {'liuchengxu/vim-clap', config = 'vim.cmd[[Clap install-binary!]]'}
  use 'liuchengxu/vista.vim'
  use 'mattn/vim-sonictemplate'
  use 'mhinz/vim-signify'
  use {
    'nvim-lua/completion-nvim',
    opt = true,
    requires = {{'hrsh7th/vim-vsnip'}, {'hrsh7th/vim-vsnip-integ'}, {'ncm2/float-preview.nvim'}, {'aca/completion-tabnine'}}
  }
  use {'neovim/nvim-lsp', requires = {'nvim-lua/lsp-status.nvim', 'nvim-lua/diagnostic-nvim'}}
  use 'norcalli/nvim-colorizer.lua'
  use 'nvim-treesitter/nvim-treesitter'
  use 'Olical/aniseed'
  use {'Olical/conjure', ft = {'fnl', 'clj'}}
  use 'pbrisbin/vim-mkdir'
  use 'psliwka/vim-smoothie'
  use 'tpope/vim-fugitive'
  use 'tpope/vim-surround'
  use 'tyru/caw.vim'
  use {'reedes/vim-pencil', ft = {'txt', 'md', 'mkdn', 'rst'}}
  use 'rhysd/git-messenger.vim'
--TODO  use 'skywind3000/vim-quickui'
  use {'vigoux/LanguageTool.nvim',
--TODO    ft = {}
}
  use 'vim-airline/vim-airline'
  use{'Yggdroot/indentLine', requires = 'lukas-reineke/indent-blankline.nvim'}
  use 'ryanoasis/vim-devicons'
end)

[carlitux]

@p00f I don't know if calling twice startup is good.

• First after doing your setup open nvim again and run ex command PackerCompile, this will enable requires, config, and setup... Always remember this.

• requires on init.vim won't work as start packages run on VimEnter event so you need to setup config and setup options.

My setup

" init.vim
lua require('init')

-- lua/init.lua

local api = vim.api
local fn = vim.fn
local luv = vim.loop

local packer_path = luv.os_homedir() .. '/.local/share/nvim/site/pack/packer/opt/packer.nvim'

api.nvim_command('packadd packer.nvim')
-- Temporary until https://github.com/neovim/neovim/pull/12632 is merged
vim._update_package_paths()

local packer = require('packer')
local packages = require('packages')

packer.startup(function()
  for key, value in pairs(packages) do
    packer.use(value)
  end

  -- Temporary until https://github.com/neovim/neovim/pull/12632 is merged
  vim._update_package_paths()
end)

-- lua/packages.lua

local packages = {
  { 'wbthomason/packer.nvim', opt = true },
  { 
    'nvim-treesitter/nvim-treesitter', 
    config = 'require [[config/treesitter]]',
  },
  { 
    'neovim/nvim-lsp',
    config = 'require [[config/lsp]]',
    requires = {
      { 'nvim-lua/completion-nvim' },
      { 'nvim-lua/diagnostic-nvim' },
      { 'nvim-lua/lsp-status.nvim' },
    },
  },
  { 
    'drewtempelmeyer/palenight.vim',
    config='vim.cmd [[colorscheme palenight]]'
  },
  { 
    'norcalli/nvim-colorizer.lua',
    config='require [[colorizer]].setup()',
  },
  { 
    'Akin909/nvim-bufferline.lua',
    -- after = {'ryanoasis/vim-devicons', 'drewtempelmeyer/palenight.vim'},
    config='require [[bufferline]].setup{ options = { view = "multiwindow", numbers = "ordinal", number_style = "superscript", mappings = true, separator_style = "thin" } }',
  },
}

return packages

and you have to create lua/config/lsp.lua lua/config/treesitter.lua files to do your settings for lsp and treesitter (if you want to use it)

[p00f]

Thanks, I'll try this

and you have to create lua/config/lsp.lua lua/config/treesitter.lua files to do your settings for lsp and treesitter (if you want to use it)

lsp.lua is from a plugin, treesitter.lua is created. They work fine when used with vim-plug

[p00f]

Nah that still doesn't work

[carlitux]

vim-plug use another approach, this use package feature of vim.

lsp.lua is from a plugin, treesitter.lua is created

no, those files you have to create them in lua/config directory. or if you want chose another name and update the require in config

{ 
    'nvim-treesitter/nvim-treesitter', 
    config = 'require [[config/treesitter]]',
  },
  { 
    'neovim/nvim-lsp',
    config = 'require [[config/lsp]]',
    requires = {
      { 'nvim-lua/completion-nvim' },
      { 'nvim-lua/diagnostic-nvim' },
      { 'nvim-lua/lsp-status.nvim' },
    },
  },

Nah that still doesn't work

I hope you are doing this:

1. Save all your setup files
2. close neovim
3. open neovim
4. run :PackerCompile
5. close neovim
6. open neovim

EDIT. Also you have to run :PackerInstall or :PackerUpdate

[p00f]

Thanks, that seems to kinda work. How do I require like lua require'colorizer'.setup() from here:https://github.com/norcalli/nvim-colorizer.lua#installation-and-usage

[p00f]

Got it, thanks!!
{'norcalli/nvim-colorizer.lua', config={'require [[colorizer]].setup()'}}

[p00f]

One more thing, I can't get completion to work with https://github.com/aca/completion-tabnine + https://github.com/nvim-lua/completion-nvim
~/.config/nvim/init.vim:

set termguicolors
lua require('init')

~/.config/nvim/init.lua: (copied from @carlitux 's comment)

-- lua/init.lua

local api = vim.api
local fn = vim.fn
local luv = vim.loop

local packer_path = luv.os_homedir() .. '/.local/share/nvim/site/pack/packer/opt/packer.nvim'

api.nvim_command('packadd packer.nvim')
-- Temporary until https://github.com/neovim/neovim/pull/12632 is merged
vim._update_package_paths()

local packer = require('packer')
local packages = require('packages')

packer.startup(function()
  for key, value in pairs(packages) do
    packer.use(value)
  end

  -- Temporary until https://github.com/neovim/neovim/pull/12632 is merged
  vim._update_package_paths()
end)

~/.config/nvim/luya/packages.lua:

local packages = {
  {'wbthomason/packer.nvim'},
  {'Akin909/nvim-bufferline.lua', config = 'require [[bufferline]].setup()'},
  {'bakpakin/fennel.vim', ft = {'java'}, opt = true},
  {'camspiers/lens.vim', requires = {{'camspiers/animate.vim'}}},
  {'dense-analysis/ale'},
  {'dracula/vim'},
  {'editorconfig/editorconfig-vim'},
  {'guns/vim-sexp', ft = {'clj', 'fnl'}, requires = 'tpope/vim-sexp-mappings-for-regular-people'},
  {'hardcoreplayers/dashboard-nvim'},
  {'iamcco/markdown-preview.nvim', run = 'cd app && yarn install', cmd = 'MarkdownPreview', ft = {'md', 'mkdn', 'vim-plug'}},
  {'jeffkreeftmeijer/vim-numbertoggle'},
  {'jiangmiao/auto-pairs'},
  {'justinmk/vim-gtfo'},
  {'justinmk/vim-sneak'},
  {'kassio/neoterm', cmd = {'TNew'}},
  {'kyazdani42/nvim-tree.lua', requires = {'kyazdani42/nvim-web-devicons'}},
  {'liuchengxu/vim-clap',
  --  config = 'vim.cmd[[Clap install-binary!]]'
  },
  {'liuchengxu/vista.vim'},
  {'mattn/vim-sonictemplate'},
  {'mhinz/vim-signify'},
  {'nvim-lua/completion-nvim',
    requires = {{'hrsh7th/vim-vsnip'}, {'hrsh7th/vim-vsnip-integ'},
    --{'ncm2/float-preview.nvim'},
    {'aca/completion-tabnine'}}},
  {'neovim/nvim-lsp',
    requires = {'nvim-lua/lsp-status.nvim', 'nvim-lua/diagnostic-nvim'},
    config = {'require [[nvim_lsp]].bashls.setup{}', 'require [[nvim_lsp]].jdtls.setup{}', 'require [[nvim_lsp]].vimls.setup{}'}
  },
  {'norcalli/nvim-colorizer.lua', config={'require [[colorizer]].setup()'}},
  {'nvim-treesitter/nvim-treesitter', config='require [[treesitter_setup]]' },
  {'Olical/aniseed', config='require [[aniseed.dotfiles]]'},
  {'Olical/conjure', ft = {'fnl', 'clj'}},
  {'pbrisbin/vim-mkdir'},
  {'psliwka/vim-smoothie'},
  {'tpope/vim-fugitive'},
  {'tpope/vim-surround'},
  {'tyru/caw.vim'},
  {'reedes/vim-pencil', ft = {'txt', 'md', 'mkdn', 'rst'}},
  {'rhysd/git-messenger.vim'},
--TODO  'skywind3000/vim-quickui',
  {'vigoux/LanguageTool.nvim',
--TODO    ft = {},
},
  {'vim-airline/vim-airline'},
  {'Yggdroot/indentLine', requires = 'lukas-reineke/indent-blankline.nvim'},
  {'ryanoasis/vim-devicons'},
}
return packages

I have set completion-nvim to attach to every buffer like this (in dotfiles)

autocmd BufEnter * lua require'completion'.on_attach()

Now, if I have

let g:completion_chain_complete_list = {
    \ 'default': [
    \    {'complete_items': ['lsp', 'snippet' ]},
    \    {'mode': '<c-p>'},
    \    {'mode': '<c-n>'}
    \]
\}

completion works fine.

But as soon as I add 'tabnine' to 'complete_items', like

let g:completion_chain_complete_list = {
    \ 'default': [
    \    {'complete_items': ['lsp', 'snippet', 'tabnine' ]},
    \    {'mode': '<c-p>'},
    \    {'mode': '<c-n>'}
    \]
\}

completion stops working. (Not even lsp completion works)
There are not errors emitted

[wbthomason]

Just to confirm, that completion-nvim setup works with vim-plug and you have run PackerUpdate or PackerInstall since adding aca/completion-tabnine to the requires table for completion-nvim?

Also @carlitux thanks for helping out!

[p00f]

yes, just checked both of these

[wbthomason]

Ah! I tried to replicate the issue and figured it out; you never ran install.sh.

Try making your tabnine config something like

{'aca/completion-tabnine', run = './install.sh'}

[p00f]

Big brain time

[p00f]

How is ft supposed to work?
I have 2 plugins

• bakpakin/fennel.vim which is syntax highlighting for fennel, specifed as {'bakpakin/fennel.vim', ft = 'fnl'}
• iamcco/markdown-preview.nvim which is - well - markdown preview , specified as {'iamcco/markdown-preview.nvim', run = 'cd app && yarn install', cmd = 'MarkdownPreview', ft = {'md', 'mkdn', 'markdown'}, config= 'vim.cmd[[MarkdownPreview]]'}

Both of them are not loaded (ie I don't see syntax highlighting in fennel files, and get Error executing lua [string "vim.cmd[[MarkdownPreview]]"]:1: Vim:E492: Not an editor command: MarkdownPreview when I run :MarkdownPreview

[p00f]

PS -there's a typo in the quickstart section of the readme - you forgot to close ' after config = 'vim.cmd[[ALEEnable]]

[wbthomason]

How is ft supposed to work?
I have 2 plugins

* `bakpakin/fennel.vim` which is syntax highlighting for fennel, specifed as `{'bakpakin/fennel.vim', ft = 'fnl'}`

* `iamcco/markdown-preview.nvim` which is - well - markdown preview , specified as `{'iamcco/markdown-preview.nvim', run = 'cd app && yarn install', cmd = 'MarkdownPreview', ft = {'md', 'mkdn', 'markdown'}, config= 'vim.cmd[[MarkdownPreview]]'}`

Both of them are not loaded (ie I don't see syntax highlighting in fennel files, and get Error executing lua [string "vim.cmd[[MarkdownPreview]]"]:1: Vim:E492: Not an editor command: MarkdownPreview when I run :MarkdownPreview

ft loads plugins when any of the given filetypes are set. For https://github.com/bakpakin/fennel.vim, I suspect you're not getting any highlighting because that plugin (via its ftdetect script) defines the fnl filetype. So, without that plugin loaded, no file ever gets the fnl filetype set.

The problem with your markdown-preview.nvim config is a subtler one, but has to do with how that particular plugin is designed (i.e. it doesn't play nice with filetype-based lazy loading by default). If you look at its initialization script https://github.com/iamcco/markdown-preview.nvim/blob/ee63528bec7adbcdfaf94e2637fe630a6a576115/plugin/mkdp.vim#L113, it creates its commands in a BufEnter autocommand. However, since it's now being loaded after filetype is set, BufEnter has passed and the commands never get set.

You can fix this by making your config trigger BufEnter, e.g.

  use {
    'iamcco/markdown-preview.nvim',
    ft = {'md', 'mkdn', 'markdown'},
    config = {'vim.cmd[[doautocmd BufEnter]]', 'vim.cmd[[MarkdownPreview]]'},
    run = 'cd app && yarn install',
    cmd = 'MarkdownPreview'
  }

PS -there's a typo in the quickstart section of the readme - you forgot to close ' after config = 'vim.cmd[[ALEEnable]]

Thanks! I'll fix this.