diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree.lua b/lua/nvim-tree.lua
index f3260c47ac2..42c4a4f0cc5 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree.lua
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ local actions = require "nvim-tree.actions"
 local legacy = require "nvim-tree.legacy"
 local core = require "nvim-tree.core"
 local git = require "nvim-tree.git"
-local filters = require "nvim-tree.explorer.filters"
 local buffers = require "nvim-tree.buffers"
 local notify = require "nvim-tree.notify"
 
@@ -210,7 +209,13 @@ local function setup_autocommands(opts)
   create_nvim_tree_autocmd("BufReadPost", {
     callback = function(data)
       -- update opened file buffers
-      if (filters.config.filter_no_buffer or renderer.config.highlight_opened_files ~= "none") and vim.bo[data.buf].buftype == "" then
+      local explorer = core.get_explorer()
+      if not explorer then
+        return
+      end
+      if
+        (explorer.filters.config.filter_no_buffer or renderer.config.highlight_opened_files ~= "none") and vim.bo[data.buf].buftype == ""
+      then
         utils.debounce("Buf:filter_buffer", opts.view.debounce_delay, function()
           actions.reloaders.reload_explorer()
         end)
@@ -221,7 +226,13 @@ local function setup_autocommands(opts)
   create_nvim_tree_autocmd("BufUnload", {
     callback = function(data)
       -- update opened file buffers
-      if (filters.config.filter_no_buffer or renderer.config.highlight_opened_files ~= "none") and vim.bo[data.buf].buftype == "" then
+      local explorer = core.get_explorer()
+      if not explorer then
+        return
+      end
+      if
+        (explorer.filters.config.filter_no_buffer or renderer.config.highlight_opened_files ~= "none") and vim.bo[data.buf].buftype == ""
+      then
         utils.debounce("Buf:filter_buffer", opts.view.debounce_delay, function()
           actions.reloaders.reload_explorer()
         end)
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/finders/search-node.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/finders/search-node.lua
index 5e3b612d315..49678002b5c 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/finders/search-node.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/finders/search-node.lua
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 local core = require "nvim-tree.core"
-local filters = require "nvim-tree.explorer.filters"
 local find_file = require("nvim-tree.actions.finders.find-file").fn
 
 local M = {}
@@ -9,6 +8,11 @@ local M = {}
 ---@return string|nil
 local function search(search_dir, input_path)
   local realpaths_searched = {}
+  local explorer = core.get_explorer()
+
+  if not explorer then
+    return
+  end
 
   if not search_dir then
     return
@@ -19,7 +23,7 @@ local function search(search_dir, input_path)
   local function iter(dir)
     local realpath, path, name, stat, handle, _
 
-    local filter_status = filters.prepare()
+    local filter_status = explorer.filters:prepare()
 
     handle, _ = vim.loop.fs_scandir(dir)
     if not handle then
@@ -42,7 +46,7 @@ local function search(search_dir, input_path)
         break
       end
 
-      if not filters.should_filter(path, stat, filter_status) then
+      if not explorer.filters:should_filter(path, stat, filter_status) then
         if string.find(path, "/" .. input_path .. "$") then
           return path
         end
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/tree/modifiers/toggles.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/tree/modifiers/toggles.lua
index 1d0c4e472ab..fdcb21d777d 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/tree/modifiers/toggles.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/tree/modifiers/toggles.lua
@@ -1,8 +1,7 @@
 local lib = require "nvim-tree.lib"
 local utils = require "nvim-tree.utils"
-local filters = require "nvim-tree.explorer.filters"
 local reloaders = require "nvim-tree.actions.reloaders"
-
+local core = require "nvim-tree.core"
 local M = {}
 
 local function reload()
@@ -11,39 +10,56 @@ local function reload()
   utils.focus_node_or_parent(node)
 end
 
-function M.custom()
-  filters.config.filter_custom = not filters.config.filter_custom
+local function wrap_explorer(fn)
+  return function(...)
+    local explorer = core.get_explorer()
+    if explorer then
+      return fn(explorer, ...)
+    end
+  end
+end
+
+local function custom(explorer)
+  explorer.filters.config.filter_custom = not explorer.filters.config.filter_custom
   reload()
 end
 
-function M.git_ignored()
-  filters.config.filter_git_ignored = not filters.config.filter_git_ignored
+local function git_ignored(explorer)
+  explorer.filters.config.filter_git_ignored = not explorer.filters.config.filter_git_ignored
   reload()
 end
 
-function M.git_clean()
-  filters.config.filter_git_clean = not filters.config.filter_git_clean
+local function git_clean(explorer)
+  explorer.filters.config.filter_git_clean = not explorer.filters.config.filter_git_clean
   reload()
 end
 
-function M.no_buffer()
-  filters.config.filter_no_buffer = not filters.config.filter_no_buffer
+local function no_buffer(explorer)
+  explorer.filters.config.filter_no_buffer = not explorer.filters.config.filter_no_buffer
   reload()
 end
 
-function M.no_bookmark()
-  filters.config.filter_no_bookmark = not filters.config.filter_no_bookmark
+local function no_bookmark(explorer)
+  explorer.filters.config.filter_no_bookmark = not explorer.filters.config.filter_no_bookmark
   reload()
 end
 
-function M.dotfiles()
-  filters.config.filter_dotfiles = not filters.config.filter_dotfiles
+local function dotfiles(explorer)
+  explorer.filters.config.filter_dotfiles = not explorer.filters.config.filter_dotfiles
   reload()
 end
 
-function M.enable()
-  filters.config.enable = not filters.config.enable
+local function enable(explorer)
+  explorer.filters.config.enable = not explorer.filters.config.enable
   reload()
 end
 
+M.custom = wrap_explorer(custom)
+M.git_ignored = wrap_explorer(git_ignored)
+M.git_clean = wrap_explorer(git_clean)
+M.no_buffer = wrap_explorer(no_buffer)
+M.no_bookmark = wrap_explorer(no_bookmark)
+M.dotfiles = wrap_explorer(dotfiles)
+M.enable = wrap_explorer(enable)
+
 return M
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/explore.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/explore.lua
index 665c47c1641..8cb4bc4a350 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/explore.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/explore.lua
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ local builders = require "nvim-tree.explorer.node-builders"
 local explorer_node = require "nvim-tree.explorer.node"
 local git = require "nvim-tree.git"
 local sorters = require "nvim-tree.explorer.sorters"
-local filters = require "nvim-tree.explorer.filters"
 local live_filter = require "nvim-tree.live-filter"
 local log = require "nvim-tree.log"
 
@@ -15,10 +14,11 @@ local M = {}
 ---@param cwd string
 ---@param node Node
 ---@param git_status table
-local function populate_children(handle, cwd, node, git_status)
+---@param parent Explorer
+local function populate_children(handle, cwd, node, git_status, parent)
   local node_ignored = explorer_node.is_git_ignored(node)
   local nodes_by_path = utils.bool_record(node.nodes, "absolute_path")
-  local filter_status = filters.prepare(git_status)
+  local filter_status = parent.filters:prepare(git_status)
   while true do
     local name, t = vim.loop.fs_scandir_next(handle)
     if not name then
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ local function populate_children(handle, cwd, node, git_status)
     ---@type uv.fs_stat.result|nil
     local stat = vim.loop.fs_stat(abs)
 
-    if not filters.should_filter(abs, stat, filter_status) and not nodes_by_path[abs] and Watcher.is_fs_event_capable(abs) then
+    if not parent.filters:should_filter(abs, stat, filter_status) and not nodes_by_path[abs] and Watcher.is_fs_event_capable(abs) then
       local child = nil
       if t == "directory" and vim.loop.fs_access(abs, "R") then
         child = builders.folder(node, abs, name, stat)
@@ -56,8 +56,9 @@ end
 
 ---@param node Node
 ---@param status table
+---@param parent Explorer
 ---@return Node[]|nil
-function M.explore(node, status)
+function M.explore(node, status, parent)
   local cwd = node.link_to or node.absolute_path
   local handle = vim.loop.fs_scandir(cwd)
   if not handle then
@@ -66,7 +67,7 @@ function M.explore(node, status)
 
   local profile = log.profile_start("explore init %s", node.absolute_path)
 
-  populate_children(handle, cwd, node, status)
+  populate_children(handle, cwd, node, status, parent)
 
   local is_root = not node.parent
   local child_folder_only = explorer_node.has_one_child_folder(node) and node.nodes[1]
@@ -74,7 +75,7 @@ function M.explore(node, status)
     local child_cwd = child_folder_only.link_to or child_folder_only.absolute_path
     local child_status = git.load_project_status(child_cwd)
     node.group_next = child_folder_only
-    local ns = M.explore(child_folder_only, child_status)
+    local ns = M.explore(child_folder_only, child_status, parent)
     node.nodes = ns or {}
 
     log.profile_end(profile)
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/filters.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/filters.lua
index 7b8be1315f7..a1eb80da784 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/filters.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/filters.lua
@@ -1,15 +1,52 @@
 local utils = require "nvim-tree.utils"
 
-local M = {
-  ignore_list = {},
-  exclude_list = {},
-  custom_function = nil,
-}
+---@class Filters to handle all opts.filters and related API
+---@field config table hydrated user opts.filters
+---@field private explorer Explorer
+---@field private exclude_list string[] filters.exclude
+---@field private ignore_list string[] filters.custom string table
+---@field private custom_function (fun(absolute_path: string): boolean)|nil filters.custom function
+local Filters = {}
+
+---@param opts table user options
+---@param explorer Explorer
+---@return Filters
+function Filters:new(opts, explorer)
+  local o = {
+    explorer = explorer,
+    ignore_list = {},
+    exclude_list = opts.filters.exclude,
+    custom_function = nil,
+    config = {
+      enable = opts.filters.enable,
+      filter_custom = true,
+      filter_dotfiles = opts.filters.dotfiles,
+      filter_git_ignored = opts.filters.git_ignored,
+      filter_git_clean = opts.filters.git_clean,
+      filter_no_buffer = opts.filters.no_buffer,
+      filter_no_bookmark = opts.filters.no_bookmark,
+    },
+  }
+
+  local custom_filter = opts.filters.custom
+  if type(custom_filter) == "function" then
+    o.custom_function = custom_filter
+  else
+    if custom_filter and #custom_filter > 0 then
+      for _, filter_name in pairs(custom_filter) do
+        o.ignore_list[filter_name] = true
+      end
+    end
+  end
+  setmetatable(o, self)
+  self.__index = self
+  return o
+end
 
 ---@param path string
 ---@return boolean
-local function is_excluded(path)
-  for _, node in ipairs(M.exclude_list) do
+local function is_excluded(self, path)
+  for _, node in ipairs(self.exclude_list) do
     if path:match(node) then
       return true
     end
@@ -21,7 +58,7 @@ end
 ---@param path string Absolute path
 ---@param git_status table from prepare
 ---@return boolean
-local function git(path, git_status)
+local function git(self, path, git_status)
   if type(git_status) ~= "table" or type(git_status.files) ~= "table" or type(git_status.dirs) ~= "table" then
     return false
   end
@@ -32,12 +69,12 @@ local function git(path, git_status)
   status = status or git_status.dirs.indirect[path] and git_status.dirs.indirect[path][1]
 
   -- filter ignored; overrides clean as they are effectively dirty
-  if M.config.filter_git_ignored and status == "!!" then
+  if self.config.filter_git_ignored and status == "!!" then
     return true
   end
 
   -- filter clean
-  if M.config.filter_git_clean and not status then
+  if self.config.filter_git_clean and not status then
     return true
   end
 
@@ -48,8 +85,8 @@ end
 ---@param path string Absolute path
 ---@param bufinfo table vim.fn.getbufinfo { buflisted = 1 }
 ---@return boolean
-local function buf(path, bufinfo)
-  if not M.config.filter_no_buffer or type(bufinfo) ~= "table" then
+local function buf(self, path, bufinfo)
+  if not self.config.filter_no_buffer or type(bufinfo) ~= "table" then
     return false
   end
 
@@ -65,15 +102,15 @@ end
 
 ---@param path string
 ---@return boolean
-local function dotfile(path)
-  return M.config.filter_dotfiles and utils.path_basename(path):sub(1, 1) == "."
+local function dotfile(self, path)
+  return self.config.filter_dotfiles and utils.path_basename(path):sub(1, 1) == "."
 end
 
 ---@param path string
 ---@param path_type string|nil filetype of path
 ---@param bookmarks table<string, string|nil> path, filetype table of bookmarked files
-local function bookmark(path, path_type, bookmarks)
-  if not M.config.filter_no_bookmark then
+local function bookmark(self, path, path_type, bookmarks)
+  if not self.config.filter_no_bookmark then
     return false
   end
   -- if bookmark is empty, we should see a empty filetree
@@ -107,21 +144,21 @@ end
 
 ---@param path string
 ---@return boolean
-local function custom(path)
-  if not M.config.filter_custom then
+local function custom(self, path)
+  if not self.config.filter_custom then
     return false
   end
 
   local basename = utils.path_basename(path)
 
   -- filter user's custom function
-  if M.custom_function and M.custom_function(path) then
+  if self.custom_function and self.custom_function(path) then
     return true
   end
 
   -- filter custom regexes
   local relpath = utils.path_relative(path, vim.loop.cwd())
-  for pat, _ in pairs(M.ignore_list) do
+  for pat, _ in pairs(self.ignore_list) do
     if vim.fn.match(relpath, pat) ~= -1 or vim.fn.match(basename, pat) ~= -1 then
       return true
     end
@@ -129,7 +166,7 @@ local function custom(path)
 
   local idx = path:match ".+()%.[^.]+$"
   if idx then
-    if M.ignore_list["*" .. string.sub(path, idx)] == true then
+    if self.ignore_list["*" .. string.sub(path, idx)] == true then
       return true
     end
   end
@@ -143,14 +180,14 @@ end
 --- git_status: reference
 --- bufinfo: empty unless no_buffer set: vim.fn.getbufinfo { buflisted = 1 }
 --- bookmarks: absolute paths to boolean
-function M.prepare(git_status)
+function Filters:prepare(git_status)
   local status = {
     git_status = git_status or {},
     bufinfo = {},
     bookmarks = {},
   }
 
-  if M.config.filter_no_buffer then
+  if self.config.filter_no_buffer then
     status.bufinfo = vim.fn.getbufinfo { buflisted = 1 }
   end
 
@@ -169,47 +206,21 @@ end
 ---@param fs_stat uv.fs_stat.result|nil fs_stat of file
 ---@param status table from prepare
 ---@return boolean
-function M.should_filter(path, fs_stat, status)
-  if not M.config.enable then
+function Filters:should_filter(path, fs_stat, status)
+  if not self.config.enable then
     return false
   end
 
   -- exclusions override all filters
-  if is_excluded(path) then
+  if is_excluded(self, path) then
     return false
   end
 
-  return git(path, status.git_status)
-    or buf(path, status.bufinfo)
-    or dotfile(path)
-    or custom(path)
-    or bookmark(path, fs_stat and fs_stat.type, status.bookmarks)
-end
-
-function M.setup(opts)
-  M.config = {
-    enable = opts.filters.enable,
-    filter_custom = true,
-    filter_dotfiles = opts.filters.dotfiles,
-    filter_git_ignored = opts.filters.git_ignored,
-    filter_git_clean = opts.filters.git_clean,
-    filter_no_buffer = opts.filters.no_buffer,
-    filter_no_bookmark = opts.filters.no_bookmark,
-  }
-
-  M.ignore_list = {}
-  M.exclude_list = opts.filters.exclude
-
-  local custom_filter = opts.filters.custom
-  if type(custom_filter) == "function" then
-    M.custom_function = custom_filter
-  else
-    if custom_filter and #custom_filter > 0 then
-      for _, filter_name in pairs(custom_filter) do
-        M.ignore_list[filter_name] = true
-      end
-    end
-  end
+  return git(self, path, status.git_status)
+    or buf(self, path, status.bufinfo)
+    or dotfile(self, path)
+    or custom(self, path)
+    or bookmark(self, path, fs_stat and fs_stat.type, status.bookmarks)
 end
 
-return M
+return Filters
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/init.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/init.lua
index 25ad242ecf0..5b682b72c55 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/init.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/init.lua
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ local git = require "nvim-tree.git"
 local notify = require "nvim-tree.notify"
 local watch = require "nvim-tree.explorer.watch"
 local explorer_node = require "nvim-tree.explorer.node"
+local Filters = require "nvim-tree.explorer.filters"
 local Marks = require "nvim-tree.marks"
 
 local M = {}
@@ -41,6 +42,7 @@ function Explorer.new(path)
     marks = Marks:new(),
   }, Explorer)
   explorer.watcher = watch.create_watcher(explorer)
+  explorer.filters = Filters:new(M.config, explorer)
   explorer:_load(explorer)
   return explorer
 end
@@ -50,7 +52,7 @@ end
 function Explorer:_load(node)
   local cwd = node.link_to or node.absolute_path
   local git_status = git.load_project_status(cwd)
-  M.explore(node, git_status)
+  M.explore(node, git_status, self)
 end
 
 ---@param node Node
@@ -71,9 +73,9 @@ function Explorer:destroy()
 end
 
 function M.setup(opts)
+  M.config = opts
   require("nvim-tree.explorer.node").setup(opts)
   require("nvim-tree.explorer.explore").setup(opts)
-  require("nvim-tree.explorer.filters").setup(opts)
   require("nvim-tree.explorer.sorters").setup(opts)
   require("nvim-tree.explorer.reload").setup(opts)
   require("nvim-tree.explorer.watch").setup(opts)
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/reload.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/reload.lua
index 9d2ddcab5b7..3243861ea6d 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/reload.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/reload.lua
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 local utils = require "nvim-tree.utils"
 local builders = require "nvim-tree.explorer.node-builders"
 local explorer_node = require "nvim-tree.explorer.node"
-local filters = require "nvim-tree.explorer.filters"
 local sorters = require "nvim-tree.explorer.sorters"
 local live_filter = require "nvim-tree.live-filter"
 local git = require "nvim-tree.git"
@@ -70,6 +69,10 @@ end
 ---@param node Node
 ---@param git_status table
 function M.reload(node, git_status)
+  local explorer = require("nvim-tree.core").get_explorer()
+  if not explorer then
+    return
+  end
   local cwd = node.link_to or node.absolute_path
   local handle = vim.loop.fs_scandir(cwd)
   if not handle then
@@ -78,7 +81,7 @@ function M.reload(node, git_status)
 
   local profile = log.profile_start("reload %s", node.absolute_path)
 
-  local filter_status = filters.prepare(git_status)
+  local filter_status = explorer.filters:prepare(git_status)
 
   if node.group_next then
     node.nodes = { node.group_next }
@@ -100,7 +103,7 @@ function M.reload(node, git_status)
     ---@type uv.fs_stat.result|nil
     local stat = vim.loop.fs_stat(abs)
 
-    if not filters.should_filter(abs, stat, filter_status) then
+    if not explorer.filters:should_filter(abs, stat, filter_status) then
       remain_childs[abs] = true
 
       -- Recreate node if type changes.
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/live-filter.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/live-filter.lua
index 350043aae6b..cc305da6af4 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/live-filter.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/live-filter.lua
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 local view = require "nvim-tree.view"
 local utils = require "nvim-tree.utils"
 local Iterator = require "nvim-tree.iterators.node-iterator"
-local filters = require "nvim-tree.explorer.filters"
 
 local M = {
   filter = nil,
@@ -57,7 +56,8 @@ end
 ---@param node Node
 ---@return boolean
 local function matches(node)
-  if not filters.config.enable then
+  local explorer = require("nvim-tree.core").get_explorer()
+  if not explorer or not explorer.filters.config.enable then
     return true
   end