diff --git a/doc/nvim-tree-lua.txt b/doc/nvim-tree-lua.txt
index 98eb8abfc46..adf54f1c2b3 100644
--- a/doc/nvim-tree-lua.txt
+++ b/doc/nvim-tree-lua.txt
@@ -639,7 +639,6 @@ Following is the default configuration. See |nvim-tree-opts| for details. >lua
         },
       },
       experimental = {
-        multi_instance = false,
       },
       log = {
         enable = false,
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree.lua b/lua/nvim-tree.lua
index e4b12181c73..dd4c8fc3070 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree.lua
@@ -486,7 +486,6 @@ local DEFAULT_OPTS = { -- BEGIN_DEFAULT_OPTS
     },
   },
   experimental = {
-    multi_instance = false,
   },
   log = {
     enable = false,
@@ -669,7 +668,7 @@ function M.purge_all_state()
   local explorer = core.get_explorer()
   if explorer then
     explorer.view:close_all_tabs()
-    explorer.view:abandon_all_windows("purge_all_state")
+    explorer.view:abandon_all_windows()
     require("nvim-tree.git").purge_state()
     explorer:destroy()
     core.reset_explorer()
@@ -727,7 +726,6 @@ function M.setup(conf)
   require("nvim-tree.buffers").setup(opts)
   require("nvim-tree.help").setup(opts)
   require("nvim-tree.watcher").setup(opts)
-  require("nvim-tree.multi-instance-debug").setup(opts)
 
   setup_autocommands(opts)
 
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/fs/remove-file.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/fs/remove-file.lua
index b475506380a..707e115961f 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/fs/remove-file.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/fs/remove-file.lua
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ local function close_windows(windows)
   -- Prevent from closing when the win count equals 1 or 2,
   -- where the win to remove could be the last opened.
   -- For details see #2503.
-  if explorer and explorer.view.float.enable and #vim.api.nvim_list_wins() < 3 then
+  if explorer and explorer.opts.view.float.enable and #vim.api.nvim_list_wins() < 3 then
     return
   end
 
@@ -36,12 +36,12 @@ local function clear_buffer(absolute_path)
   for _, buf in pairs(bufs) do
     if buf.name == absolute_path then
       local tree_winnr = vim.api.nvim_get_current_win()
-      if buf.hidden == 0 and (#bufs > 1 or explorer and explorer.view.float.enable) then
+      if buf.hidden == 0 and (#bufs > 1 or explorer and explorer.opts.view.float.enable) then
         vim.api.nvim_set_current_win(buf.windows[1])
         vim.cmd(":bn")
       end
       vim.api.nvim_buf_delete(buf.bufnr, { force = true })
-      if explorer and not explorer.view.float.quit_on_focus_loss then
+      if explorer and not explorer.opts.view.float.quit_on_focus_loss then
         vim.api.nvim_set_current_win(tree_winnr)
       end
       if M.config.actions.remove_file.close_window then
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/node/open-file.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/node/open-file.lua
index f59ceb6f249..7f40cdfa11d 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/node/open-file.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/node/open-file.lua
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ local function usable_win_ids()
   local explorer = core.get_explorer()
   local tabpage = vim.api.nvim_get_current_tabpage()
   local win_ids = vim.api.nvim_tabpage_list_wins(tabpage)
-  local tree_winid = explorer and explorer.view:get_winnr(tabpage, "open-file.usable_win_ids")
+  local tree_winid = explorer and explorer.view:get_winid(tabpage)
 
   return vim.tbl_filter(function(id)
     local bufid = vim.api.nvim_win_get_buf(id)
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ local function open_file_in_tab(filename)
   if M.quit_on_open then
     local explorer = core.get_explorer()
     if explorer then
-      explorer.view:close(nil, "open-file.open_file_in_tab")
+      explorer.view:close()
     end
   end
   if M.relative_path then
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ local function drop(filename)
   if M.quit_on_open then
     local explorer = core.get_explorer()
     if explorer then
-      explorer.view:close(nil, "open-file.drop")
+      explorer.view:close()
     end
   end
   if M.relative_path then
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ local function tab_drop(filename)
   if M.quit_on_open then
     local explorer = core.get_explorer()
     if explorer then
-      explorer.view:close(nil, "open-file.tab_drop")
+      explorer.view:close()
     end
   end
   if M.relative_path then
@@ -352,7 +352,7 @@ local function open_in_new_window(filename, mode)
     end
   end
 
-  if (mode == "preview" or mode == "preview_no_picker") and explorer and explorer.view.float.enable then
+  if (mode == "preview" or mode == "preview_no_picker") and explorer and explorer.opts.view.float.enable then
     -- ignore "WinLeave" autocmd on preview
     -- because the registered "WinLeave"
     -- will kill the floating window immediately
@@ -453,7 +453,7 @@ function M.fn(mode, filename)
   end
 
   if M.quit_on_open and explorer then
-    explorer.view:close(nil, "open-file.fn")
+    explorer.view:close()
   end
 end
 
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/root/change-dir.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/root/change-dir.lua
index f98d51d33e2..f23f3c12086 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/root/change-dir.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/root/change-dir.lua
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ M.force_dirchange = add_profiling_to(function(foldername, should_open_view)
     if should_change_dir() then
       cd(M.options.global, foldername)
     end
-    core.init(foldername, "change-dir")
+    core.init(foldername)
   end
 
   if should_open_view then
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/tree/toggle.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/tree/toggle.lua
index d2ba0262a30..fb976cfbe71 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/tree/toggle.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/tree/toggle.lua
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ function M.fn(opts, no_focus, cwd, bang)
 
   if explorer and explorer.view:is_visible() then
     -- close
-    explorer.view:close(nil, "toggle.fn")
+    explorer.view:close()
   else
     -- open
     lib.open({
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/api.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/api.lua
index c75115c6c62..4bf07ee2d75 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/api.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/api.lua
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ local function edit(mode, node, edit_opts)
   local mode_unsupported_quit_on_open = mode == "drop" or mode == "tab_drop" or mode == "edit_in_place"
   if not mode_unsupported_quit_on_open and edit_opts.quit_on_open then
     if explorer then
-      explorer.view:close(cur_tabpage, "api.edit " .. mode)
+      explorer.view:close(cur_tabpage)
     end
   end
 
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/core.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/core.lua
index 46f6ef698ca..fe9125e612d 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/core.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/core.lua
@@ -9,12 +9,9 @@ local TreeExplorer = nil
 local first_init_done = false
 
 ---@param foldername string
----@param callsite string
-function M.init(foldername, callsite)
+function M.init(foldername)
   local profile = log.profile_start("core init %s", foldername)
 
-  log.line("dev", "core.init(%s, %s)", foldername, callsite)
-
   if TreeExplorer then
     TreeExplorer:destroy()
   end
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/diagnostics.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/diagnostics.lua
index 0ed81c74682..e6484caf23e 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/diagnostics.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/diagnostics.lua
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ function M.update_coc()
 
     local bufnr
     if explorer then
-      bufnr = explorer.view:get_bufnr("diagnostics.update_coc")
+      bufnr = explorer.view:get_bufnr()
     end
 
     local should_draw = bufnr and vim.api.nvim_buf_is_valid(bufnr) and vim.api.nvim_buf_is_loaded(bufnr)
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/init.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/init.lua
index ca8c6d39103..a07ca411663 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/init.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/init.lua
@@ -105,12 +105,9 @@ function Explorer:create_autocmds()
     vim.api.nvim_create_autocmd("WinLeave", {
       group = self.augroup_id,
       pattern = "NvimTree_*",
-      callback = function(data)
-        if self.opts.experimental.multi_instance then
-          log.line("dev", "WinLeave %s", vim.inspect(data, { newline = "" }))
-        end
+      callback = function()
         if utils.is_nvim_tree_buf(0) then
-          self.view:close(nil, "WinLeave")
+          self.view:close()
         end
       end,
     })
@@ -172,10 +169,7 @@ function Explorer:create_autocmds()
   vim.api.nvim_create_autocmd("BufWipeout", {
     group = self.augroup_id,
     pattern = "NvimTree_*",
-    callback = function(data)
-      if self.opts.experimental.multi_instance then
-        log.line("dev", "BufWipeout %s", vim.inspect(data, { newline = "" }))
-      end
+    callback = function()
       if not utils.is_nvim_tree_buf(0) then
         return
       end
@@ -554,7 +548,7 @@ end
 ---nil on no explorer or invalid view win
 ---@return integer[]|nil
 function Explorer:get_cursor_position()
-  local winnr = self.view:get_winnr(nil, "Explorer:get_cursor_position")
+  local winnr = self.view:get_winid()
   if not winnr or not vim.api.nvim_win_is_valid(winnr) then
     return
   end
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/live-filter.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/live-filter.lua
index 9bd24406964..fbc643311e7 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/live-filter.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/live-filter.lua
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ local overlay_bufnr = 0
 local overlay_winnr = 0
 
 local function remove_overlay(self)
-  if self.explorer.view.float.enable and self.explorer.view.float.quit_on_focus_loss then
+  if self.explorer.opts.view.float.enable and self.explorer.opts.view.float.quit_on_focus_loss then
     -- return to normal nvim-tree float behaviour when filter window is closed
     vim.api.nvim_create_autocmd("WinLeave", {
       pattern = "NvimTree_*",
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ local function calculate_overlay_win_width(self)
 end
 
 local function create_overlay(self)
-  if self.explorer.view.float.enable then
+  if self.explorer.opts.view.float.enable then
     -- don't close nvim-tree float when focus is changed to filter window
     vim.api.nvim_clear_autocmds({
       event   = "WinLeave",
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/view.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/view.lua
index 787db038701..a0742a4f6e4 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/view.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/explorer/view.lua
@@ -7,31 +7,19 @@ local globals = require("nvim-tree.globals")
 
 local Class = require("nvim-tree.classic")
 
----@class OpenInWinOpts
----@field hijack_current_buf boolean|nil default true
----@field resize boolean|nil default true
----@field winid number|nil 0 or nil for current
-
-local DEFAULT_MIN_WIDTH = 30
-local DEFAULT_MAX_WIDTH = -1
-local DEFAULT_PADDING = 1
-
+---Window and buffer related settings and operations
 ---@class (exact) View: Class
 ---@field live_filter table
 ---@field side string
----@field float table
 ---@field private explorer Explorer
 ---@field private adaptive_size boolean
----@field private centralize_selection boolean
----@field private hide_root_folder boolean
 ---@field private winopts table
----@field private height integer
----@field private preserve_window_proportions boolean
 ---@field private initial_width integer
 ---@field private width (fun():integer)|integer|string
 ---@field private max_width integer
 ---@field private padding integer
----@field private bufnr_by_tab table<integer, integer> stored per tab until multi-instance is complete
+-- TODO multi-instance remove or replace with single member
+---@field private bufnr_by_tabid table<integer, integer>
 local View = Class:extend()
 
 ---@class View
@@ -45,18 +33,13 @@ local View = Class:extend()
 function View:new(args)
   args.explorer:log_new("View")
 
-  self.explorer                    = args.explorer
-  self.adaptive_size               = false
-  self.centralize_selection        = self.explorer.opts.view.centralize_selection
-  self.float                       = self.explorer.opts.view.float
-  self.height                      = self.explorer.opts.view.height
-  self.hide_root_folder            = self.explorer.opts.renderer.root_folder_label == false
-  self.preserve_window_proportions = self.explorer.opts.view.preserve_window_proportions
-  self.side                        = (self.explorer.opts.view.side == "right") and "right" or "left"
-  self.live_filter                 = { prev_focused_node = nil, }
-  self.bufnr_by_tab                = {}
-
-  self.winopts                     = {
+  self.explorer         = args.explorer
+  self.adaptive_size    = false
+  self.side             = (self.explorer.opts.view.side == "right") and "right" or "left"
+  self.live_filter      = { prev_focused_node = nil, }
+  self.bufnr_by_tabid   = {}
+
+  self.winopts          = {
     relativenumber = self.explorer.opts.view.relativenumber,
     number         = self.explorer.opts.view.number,
     list           = false,
@@ -77,20 +60,16 @@ function View:new(args)
 
   self:configure_width(self.explorer.opts.view.width)
   self.initial_width = self:get_width()
+
+  -- TODO multi-instance remove this; delete buffers rather than retaining them
+  local tabid = vim.api.nvim_get_current_tabpage()
+  self.bufnr_by_tabid[tabid] = globals.BUFNR_BY_TABID[tabid]
 end
 
 function View:destroy()
   self.explorer:log_destroy("View")
 end
 
--- The initial state of a tab
-local tabinitial = {
-  -- The position of the cursor { line, column }
-  cursor = { 0, 0 },
-  -- The NvimTree window number
-  winnr = nil,
-}
-
 ---@type { name: string, value: any }[]
 local BUFFER_OPTIONS = {
   { name = "bufhidden",  value = "wipe" },
@@ -101,11 +80,12 @@ local BUFFER_OPTIONS = {
   { name = "swapfile",   value = false },
 }
 
+-- TODO multi-instance remove this; delete buffers rather than retaining them
 ---@private
 ---@param bufnr integer
 ---@return boolean
 function View:matches_bufnr(bufnr)
-  for _, b in pairs(globals.BUFNR_PER_TAB) do
+  for _, b in pairs(globals.BUFNR_BY_TABID) do
     if b == bufnr then
       return true
     end
@@ -113,6 +93,7 @@ function View:matches_bufnr(bufnr)
   return false
 end
 
+-- TODO multi-instance remove this; delete buffers rather than retaining them
 ---@private
 function View:wipe_rogue_buffer()
   for _, bufnr in ipairs(vim.api.nvim_list_bufs()) do
@@ -127,23 +108,23 @@ end
 function View:create_buffer(bufnr)
   self:wipe_rogue_buffer()
 
-  local tab = vim.api.nvim_get_current_tabpage()
-  globals.BUFNR_PER_TAB[tab] = bufnr or vim.api.nvim_create_buf(false, false)
+  local tabid = vim.api.nvim_get_current_tabpage()
 
-  if self.explorer.opts.experimental.multi_instance then
-    self.bufnr_by_tab[tab] = globals.BUFNR_PER_TAB[tab]
-  end
+  bufnr = bufnr or vim.api.nvim_create_buf(false, false)
 
-  vim.api.nvim_buf_set_name(self:get_bufnr("View:create_buffer1"), "NvimTree_" .. tab)
+  -- set both bufnr registries
+  globals.BUFNR_BY_TABID[tabid] = bufnr
+  self.bufnr_by_tabid[tabid] = bufnr
+
+  vim.api.nvim_buf_set_name(bufnr, "NvimTree_" .. tabid)
 
-  bufnr = self:get_bufnr("View:create_buffer2")
   for _, option in ipairs(BUFFER_OPTIONS) do
     vim.api.nvim_set_option_value(option.name, option.value, { buf = bufnr })
   end
 
-  require("nvim-tree.keymap").on_attach(self:get_bufnr("View:create_buffer3"))
+  require("nvim-tree.keymap").on_attach(bufnr)
 
-  events._dispatch_tree_attached_post(self:get_bufnr("View:create_buffer4"))
+  events._dispatch_tree_attached_post(bufnr)
 end
 
 ---@private
@@ -175,27 +156,9 @@ local move_tbl = {
   right = "L",
 }
 
--- setup_tabpage sets up the initial state of a tab
----@private
----@param tabpage integer
----@param callsite string
-function View:setup_tabpage(tabpage, callsite)
-  local winnr = vim.api.nvim_get_current_win()
-
-  if self.explorer.opts.experimental.multi_instance then
-    log.line("dev", "View:setup_tabpage(%3s, %-20.20s) w%d %s",
-      tabpage,
-      callsite,
-      winnr,
-      globals.TABPAGES[tabpage] and vim.inspect(globals.TABPAGES[tabpage], { newline = "" }) or "tabinitial")
-  end
-
-  globals.TABPAGES[tabpage] = vim.tbl_extend("force", globals.TABPAGES[tabpage] or tabinitial, { winnr = winnr })
-end
-
 ---@private
 function View:set_window_options_and_buffer()
-  pcall(vim.api.nvim_command, "buffer " .. self:get_bufnr("View:set_window_options_and_buffer"))
+  pcall(vim.api.nvim_command, "buffer " .. self:get_bufnr())
 
   if vim.fn.has("nvim-0.10") == 1 then
     local eventignore = vim.api.nvim_get_option_value("eventignore", {})
@@ -223,22 +186,22 @@ end
 ---@private
 ---@return table
 function View:open_win_config()
-  if type(self.float.open_win_config) == "function" then
-    return self.float.open_win_config()
+  if type(self.explorer.opts.view.float.open_win_config) == "function" then
+    return self.explorer.opts.view.float.open_win_config()
   else
-    return self.float.open_win_config
+    return self.explorer.opts.view.float.open_win_config
   end
 end
 
 ---@private
 function View:open_window()
-  if self.float.enable then
+  if self.explorer.opts.view.float.enable then
     vim.api.nvim_open_win(0, true, self:open_win_config())
   else
     vim.api.nvim_command("vsp")
     self:reposition_window()
   end
-  self:setup_tabpage(vim.api.nvim_get_current_tabpage(), "View:open_window")
+  globals.WINID_BY_TABID[vim.api.nvim_get_current_tabpage()] = vim.api.nvim_get_current_win()
   self:set_window_options_and_buffer()
 end
 
@@ -273,37 +236,31 @@ local function switch_buf_if_last_buf()
   end
 end
 
----save_tab_state saves any state that should be preserved across redraws.
+---save any state that should be preserved on reopening
 ---@private
----@param tabnr integer
-function View:save_tab_state(tabnr)
-  local tabpage = tabnr or vim.api.nvim_get_current_tabpage()
-  globals.CURSORS[tabpage] = vim.api.nvim_win_get_cursor(self:get_winnr(tabpage, "View:save_tab_state") or 0)
+---@param tabid integer
+function View:save_state(tabid)
+  tabid = tabid or vim.api.nvim_get_current_tabpage()
+  globals.CURSORS[tabid] = vim.api.nvim_win_get_cursor(self:get_winid(tabid) or 0)
 end
 
 ---@private
----@param tabpage integer
-function View:close_internal(tabpage)
-  if self.explorer.opts.experimental.multi_instance then
-    log.line("dev", "View:close_internal(t%s)", tabpage)
-  end
-  if not self:is_visible({ tabpage = tabpage }) then
+---@param tabid integer
+function View:close_internal(tabid)
+  if not self:is_visible({ tabpage = tabid }) then
     return
   end
-  self:save_tab_state(tabpage)
+  self:save_state(tabid)
   switch_buf_if_last_buf()
-  local tree_win = self:get_winnr(tabpage, "View:close_internal")
+  local tree_win = self:get_winid(tabid)
   local current_win = vim.api.nvim_get_current_win()
-  for _, win in pairs(vim.api.nvim_tabpage_list_wins(tabpage)) do
+  for _, win in pairs(vim.api.nvim_tabpage_list_wins(tabid)) do
     if vim.api.nvim_win_get_config(win).relative == "" then
       local prev_win = vim.fn.winnr("#") -- this tab only
       if tree_win == current_win and prev_win > 0 then
         vim.api.nvim_set_current_win(vim.fn.win_getid(prev_win))
       end
       if vim.api.nvim_win_is_valid(tree_win or 0) then
-        if self.explorer.opts.experimental.multi_instance then
-          log.line("dev", "View:close_internal(t%s) w%s", tabpage, tree_win)
-        end
         local success, error = pcall(vim.api.nvim_win_close, tree_win or 0, true)
         if not success then
           notify.debug("Failed to close window: " .. error)
@@ -319,23 +276,19 @@ function View:close_this_tab_only()
   self:close_internal(vim.api.nvim_get_current_tabpage())
 end
 
+-- TODO this is broken at 1.13.0 - current tab does not close when tab.sync.close is set
 function View:close_all_tabs()
-  for tabpage, _ in pairs(globals.TABPAGES) do
-    self:close_internal(tabpage)
+  for tabid, _ in pairs(globals.WINID_BY_TABID) do
+    self:close_internal(tabid)
   end
 end
 
----@param tabpage integer|nil
----@param callsite string
-function View:close(tabpage, callsite)
-  if self.explorer.opts.experimental.multi_instance then
-    log.line("dev", "View:close(t%s, %s)", tabpage, callsite)
-  end
-
+---@param tabid integer|nil
+function View:close(tabid)
   if self.explorer.opts.tab.sync.close then
     self:close_all_tabs()
-  elseif tabpage then
-    self:close_internal(tabpage)
+  elseif tabid then
+    self:close_internal(tabid)
   else
     self:close_this_tab_only()
   end
@@ -366,12 +319,12 @@ end
 ---@private
 function View:grow()
   local starts_at = self:is_root_folder_visible(require("nvim-tree.core").get_cwd()) and 1 or 0
-  local lines = vim.api.nvim_buf_get_lines(self:get_bufnr("View:grow1"), starts_at, -1, false)
+  local lines = vim.api.nvim_buf_get_lines(self:get_bufnr(), starts_at, -1, false)
   -- number of columns of right-padding to indicate end of path
   local padding = self:get_size(self.padding)
 
   -- account for sign/number columns etc.
-  local wininfo = vim.fn.getwininfo(self:get_winnr(nil, "View:grow"))
+  local wininfo = vim.fn.getwininfo(self:get_winid())
   if type(wininfo) == "table" and type(wininfo[1]) == "table" then
     padding = padding + wininfo[1].textoff
   end
@@ -390,7 +343,7 @@ function View:grow()
   for line_nr, l in pairs(lines) do
     local count = vim.fn.strchars(l)
     -- also add space for right-aligned icons
-    local extmarks = vim.api.nvim_buf_get_extmarks(self:get_bufnr("View:grow2"), ns_id, { line_nr, 0 }, { line_nr, -1 }, { details = true })
+    local extmarks = vim.api.nvim_buf_get_extmarks(self:get_bufnr(), ns_id, { line_nr, 0 }, { line_nr, -1 }, { details = true })
     count = count + utils.extmarks_length(extmarks)
     if resizing_width < count then
       resizing_width = count
@@ -411,9 +364,9 @@ end
 
 ---@param size string|number|nil
 function View:resize(size)
-  if self.float.enable and not self.adaptive_size then
+  if self.explorer.opts.view.float.enable and not self.adaptive_size then
     -- if the floating windows's adaptive size is not desired, then the
-    -- float size should be defined in view.float.open_win_config
+    -- float size should be defined in self.explorer.opts.view.float.open_win_config
     return
   end
 
@@ -433,20 +386,19 @@ function View:resize(size)
 
   if size then
     self.width = size
-    self.height = size
   end
 
   if not self:is_visible() then
     return
   end
 
-  local winnr = self:get_winnr(nil, "View:resize") or 0
+  local winid = self:get_winid() or 0
 
   local new_size = self:get_width()
 
-  if new_size ~= vim.api.nvim_win_get_width(winnr) then
-    vim.api.nvim_win_set_width(winnr, new_size)
-    if not self.preserve_window_proportions then
+  if new_size ~= vim.api.nvim_win_get_width(winid) then
+    vim.api.nvim_win_set_width(winid, new_size)
+    if not self.explorer.opts.view.preserve_window_proportions then
       vim.cmd(":wincmd =")
     end
   end
@@ -462,24 +414,16 @@ function View:reposition_window()
 end
 
 ---@private
----@param callsite string
-function View:set_current_win(callsite)
+function View:set_current_win()
   local current_tab = vim.api.nvim_get_current_tabpage()
-  local current_win = vim.api.nvim_get_current_win()
-
-  if self.explorer.opts.experimental.multi_instance then
-    log.line("dev", "View:set_current_win(%-20.20s) t%d w%3s->w%3s %s",
-      callsite,
-      current_tab,
-      globals.TABPAGES[current_tab].winnr,
-      current_win,
-      (globals.TABPAGES[current_tab].winnr == current_win) and "" or "MISMATCH"
-    )
-  end
-
-  globals.TABPAGES[current_tab].winnr = current_win
+  globals.WINID_BY_TABID[current_tab] = vim.api.nvim_get_current_win()
 end
 
+---@class OpenInWinOpts
+---@field hijack_current_buf boolean|nil default true
+---@field resize boolean|nil default true
+---@field winid number|nil 0 or nil for current
+
 ---Open the tree in the a window
 ---@param opts OpenInWinOpts|nil
 function View:open_in_win(opts)
@@ -489,8 +433,8 @@ function View:open_in_win(opts)
     vim.api.nvim_set_current_win(opts.winid)
   end
   self:create_buffer(opts.hijack_current_buf and vim.api.nvim_get_current_buf())
-  self:setup_tabpage(vim.api.nvim_get_current_tabpage(),                         "View:open_in_win")
-  self:set_current_win("View:open_in_win")
+  globals.WINID_BY_TABID[vim.api.nvim_get_current_tabpage()] = vim.api.nvim_get_current_win()
+  self:set_current_win()
   self:set_window_options_and_buffer()
   if opts.resize then
     self:reposition_window()
@@ -502,44 +446,17 @@ end
 function View:abandon_current_window()
   local tab = vim.api.nvim_get_current_tabpage()
 
-  if self.explorer.opts.experimental.multi_instance then
-    log.line("dev", "View:abandon_current_window() t%d w%s b%s member b%s %s",
-      tab,
-      globals.TABPAGES[tab] and globals.TABPAGES[tab].winnr or nil,
-      globals.BUFNR_PER_TAB[tab],
-      self.bufnr_by_tab[tab],
-      (globals.BUFNR_PER_TAB[tab] == self.bufnr_by_tab[tab]) and "" or "MISMATCH")
-
-    self.bufnr_by_tab[tab] = nil
-  end
+  -- reset both bufnr registries
+  globals.BUFNR_BY_TABID[tab] = nil
+  self.bufnr_by_tabid[tab] = nil
 
-  -- TODO multi-instance kill the buffer instead of retaining
-
-  globals.BUFNR_PER_TAB[tab] = nil
-  if globals.TABPAGES[tab] then
-    globals.TABPAGES[tab].winnr = nil
-  end
+  globals.WINID_BY_TABID[tab] = nil
 end
 
----@param callsite string
-function View:abandon_all_windows(callsite)
+function View:abandon_all_windows()
   for tab, _ in pairs(vim.api.nvim_list_tabpages()) do
-    if self.explorer.opts.experimental.multi_instance then
-      log.line("dev", "View:abandon_all_windows(%-20.20s) t%d w%s b%s member b%s %s",
-        callsite,
-        tab,
-        globals.TABPAGES and globals.TABPAGES.winnr or nil,
-        globals.BUFNR_PER_TAB[tab],
-        self.bufnr_by_tab[tab],
-        (globals.BUFNR_PER_TAB[tab] == self.bufnr_by_tab[tab]) and "" or "MISMATCH")
-    end
-
-    -- TODO multi-instance kill the buffer instead of retaining
-
-    globals.BUFNR_PER_TAB[tab] = nil
-    if globals.TABPAGES[tab] then
-      globals.TABPAGES[tab].winnr = nil
-    end
+    globals.BUFNR_BY_TABID[tab] = nil
+    globals.WINID_BY_TABID[tab] = nil
   end
 end
 
@@ -547,164 +464,104 @@ end
 ---@return boolean
 function View:is_visible(opts)
   if opts and opts.tabpage then
-    if globals.TABPAGES[opts.tabpage] == nil then
-      return false
-    end
-    local winnr = globals.TABPAGES[opts.tabpage].winnr
-    return winnr and vim.api.nvim_win_is_valid(winnr)
+    local winid = self:winid(opts.tabpage)
+    return winid and vim.api.nvim_win_is_valid(winid) or false
   end
 
   if opts and opts.any_tabpage then
-    for _, v in pairs(globals.TABPAGES) do
-      if v.winnr and vim.api.nvim_win_is_valid(v.winnr) then
+    for tabid, _ in pairs(globals.WINID_BY_TABID) do
+      local winid = self:winid(tabid)
+
+      if winid and vim.api.nvim_win_is_valid(winid) then
         return true
       end
     end
     return false
   end
 
-  return self:get_winnr(nil, "View:is_visible1") ~= nil and vim.api.nvim_win_is_valid(self:get_winnr(nil, "View:is_visible2") or 0)
+  local winid = self:get_winid()
+  return winid ~= nil and vim.api.nvim_win_is_valid(winid or 0)
 end
 
 ---@param opts table|nil
 function View:set_cursor(opts)
   if self:is_visible() then
-    pcall(vim.api.nvim_win_set_cursor, self:get_winnr(nil, "View:set_cursor"), opts)
+    pcall(vim.api.nvim_win_set_cursor, self:get_winid(), opts)
   end
 end
 
----@param winnr number|nil
+---@param winid number|nil
 ---@param open_if_closed boolean|nil
-function View:focus(winnr, open_if_closed)
-  local wnr = winnr or self:get_winnr(nil, "View:focus1")
+function View:focus(winid, open_if_closed)
+  local wid = winid or self:get_winid(nil)
 
-  if vim.api.nvim_win_get_tabpage(wnr or 0) ~= vim.api.nvim_win_get_tabpage(0) then
-    self:close(nil, "View:focus")
+  if vim.api.nvim_win_get_tabpage(wid or 0) ~= vim.api.nvim_win_get_tabpage(0) then
+    self:close()
     self:open()
-    wnr = self:get_winnr(nil, "View:focus2")
+    wid = self:get_winid(nil)
   elseif open_if_closed and not self:is_visible() then
     self:open()
   end
 
-  if wnr then
-    vim.api.nvim_set_current_win(wnr)
+  if wid then
+    vim.api.nvim_set_current_win(wid)
   end
 end
 
 --- Retrieve the winid of the open tree.
 ---@param opts ApiTreeWinIdOpts|nil
----@return number|nil winid unlike get_winnr(), this returns nil if the nvim-tree window is not visible
+---@return number|nil winid unlike get_winid(), this returns nil if the nvim-tree window is not visible
 function View:api_winid(opts)
   local tabpage = opts and opts.tabpage
   if tabpage == 0 then
     tabpage = vim.api.nvim_get_current_tabpage()
   end
   if self:is_visible({ tabpage = tabpage }) then
-    return self:get_winnr(tabpage, "View:winid")
+    return self:get_winid(tabpage)
   else
     return nil
   end
 end
 
---- Restores the state of a NvimTree window if it was initialized before.
-function View:restore_tab_state()
-  local tabpage = vim.api.nvim_get_current_tabpage()
-  self:set_cursor(globals.CURSORS[tabpage])
+---restore any state from last close
+function View:restore_state()
+  self:set_cursor(globals.CURSORS[vim.api.nvim_get_current_tabpage()])
 end
 
 --- winid containing the buffer
----@param tabpage number|nil (optional) the number of the chosen tabpage. Defaults to current tabpage.
----@param callsite string
+---@param tabid number|nil (optional) the number of the chosen tabpage. Defaults to current tabpage.
 ---@return integer? winid
-function View:winid(tabpage, callsite)
-  local bufnr = self.bufnr_by_tab[tabpage]
-
-  local msg = string.format("View:winid(%3s, %-20.20s)", tabpage, callsite)
+function View:winid(tabid)
+  local bufnr = self.bufnr_by_tabid[tabid]
 
   if bufnr then
-    for _, w in pairs(vim.api.nvim_tabpage_list_wins(tabpage or 0)) do
-      if vim.api.nvim_win_get_buf(w) == bufnr then
-        log.line("dev", "%s b%d : w%s", msg, bufnr, w)
-        return w
+    for _, winid in pairs(vim.api.nvim_tabpage_list_wins(tabid or 0)) do
+      if vim.api.nvim_win_get_buf(winid) == bufnr then
+        return winid
       end
     end
-  else
-    log.line("dev", "%s no bufnr", msg)
   end
 end
 
 --- Returns the window number for nvim-tree within the tabpage specified
----@param tabpage number|nil (optional) the number of the chosen tabpage. Defaults to current tabpage.
----@param callsite string
+---@param tabid number|nil (optional) the number of the chosen tabpage. Defaults to current tabpage.
 ---@return number|nil
-function View:get_winnr(tabpage, callsite)
-  if self.explorer.opts.experimental.multi_instance then
-    local msg = string.format("View:get_winnr(%3s, %-20.20s)", tabpage, callsite)
-
-    tabpage = tabpage or vim.api.nvim_get_current_tabpage()
-    local tabinfo = globals.TABPAGES[tabpage]
-
-    local ret = nil
-
-    if not tabinfo then
-      msg = string.format("%s t%d no tabinfo", msg, tabpage)
-    elseif not tabinfo.winnr then
-      msg = string.format("%s t%d no tabinfo.winnr", msg, tabpage)
-    elseif not vim.api.nvim_win_is_valid(tabinfo.winnr) then
-      msg = string.format("%s t%d invalid tabinfo.winnr %d", msg, tabpage, tabinfo.winnr)
-    else
-      msg = string.format("%s t%d w%d", msg, tabpage, tabinfo.winnr)
-      ret = tabinfo.winnr
-    end
-
-    local winid = self:winid(tabpage, "View:get_winnr")
-    if ret ~= winid then
-      if ret then
-        msg = string.format("%s winid_from_bufnr w%s MISMATCH", msg, winid)
-      else
-        msg = string.format("%s winid_from_bufnr w%s STALE", msg, winid)
-      end
-      notify.error(string.format("View:get_winnr w%s View:winnr w%s MISMATCH", ret, winid))
-    end
-
-    log.line("dev", "%s", msg)
-
-    return ret
-  else
-    tabpage = tabpage or vim.api.nvim_get_current_tabpage()
-    local tabinfo = globals.TABPAGES[tabpage]
-    if tabinfo and tabinfo.winnr and vim.api.nvim_win_is_valid(tabinfo.winnr) then
-      return tabinfo.winnr
-    end
-  end
+function View:get_winid(tabid)
+  tabid = tabid or vim.api.nvim_get_current_tabpage()
+  return self:winid(tabid)
 end
 
 --- Returns the current nvim tree bufnr
----@param callsite string
 ---@return number
-function View:get_bufnr(callsite)
+function View:get_bufnr()
   local tab = vim.api.nvim_get_current_tabpage()
-  if self.explorer.opts.experimental.multi_instance then
-    log.line("dev", "View:get_bufnr(%-20.20s) t%d global b%s member b%s %s",
-      callsite,
-      tab,
-      globals.BUFNR_PER_TAB[tab],
-      self.bufnr_by_tab[tab],
-      (globals.BUFNR_PER_TAB[tab] == self.bufnr_by_tab[tab]) and "" or "MISMATCH")
-
-    if globals.BUFNR_PER_TAB[tab] ~= self.bufnr_by_tab[tab] then
-      notify.error(string.format("View:get_bufnr globals.BUFNR_PER_TAB[%s] b%s view.bufnr_by_tab[%s] b%s MISMATCH",
-        tab, globals.BUFNR_PER_TAB[tab],
-        tab, self.bufnr_by_tab[tab]
-      ))
-    end
-  end
-  return globals.BUFNR_PER_TAB[tab]
+
+  return self.bufnr_by_tabid[tab]
 end
 
 function View:prevent_buffer_override()
-  local view_winnr = self:get_winnr(nil, "View:prevent_buffer_override")
-  local view_bufnr = self:get_bufnr("View:prevent_buffer_override")
+  local view_winid = self:get_winid()
+  local view_bufnr = self:get_bufnr()
 
   -- need to schedule to let the new buffer populate the window
   -- because this event needs to be run on bufWipeout.
@@ -716,18 +573,14 @@ function View:prevent_buffer_override()
     local bufname = vim.api.nvim_buf_get_name(curbuf)
 
     if not bufname:match("NvimTree") then
-      for i, tabpage in ipairs(globals.TABPAGES) do
-        if tabpage.winnr == view_winnr then
-          if self.explorer.opts.experimental.multi_instance then
-            log.line("dev", "View:prevent_buffer_override() t%d w%d clearing", i, view_winnr)
-          end
-
-          globals.TABPAGES[i] = nil
+      for i, winid in ipairs(globals.WINID_BY_TABID) do
+        if winid == view_winid then
+          globals.WINID_BY_TABID[i] = nil
           break
         end
       end
     end
-    if curwin ~= view_winnr or bufname == "" or curbuf == view_bufnr then
+    if curwin ~= view_winid or bufname == "" or curbuf == view_bufnr then
       return
     end
 
@@ -757,14 +610,14 @@ end
 ---@param cwd string|nil
 ---@return boolean
 function View:is_root_folder_visible(cwd)
-  return cwd ~= "/" and not self.hide_root_folder
+  return cwd ~= "/" and self.explorer.opts.renderer.root_folder_label ~= false
 end
 
 -- used on ColorScheme event
 function View:reset_winhl()
-  local winnr = self:get_winnr(nil, "View:reset_winhl1")
-  if winnr and vim.api.nvim_win_is_valid(winnr) then
-    vim.wo[self:get_winnr(nil, "View:reset_winhl2")].winhl = appearance.WIN_HL
+  local winid = self:get_winid()
+  if winid and vim.api.nvim_win_is_valid(winid) then
+    vim.wo[winid].winhl = appearance.WIN_HL
   end
 end
 
@@ -774,6 +627,11 @@ function View:is_width_determined()
   return type(self.width) ~= "function"
 end
 
+-- These are needed as they are populated only by the user, not configuration
+local DEFAULT_MIN_WIDTH = 30
+local DEFAULT_MAX_WIDTH = -1
+local DEFAULT_PADDING = 1
+
 ---Configure width-related config
 ---@param width string|function|number|table|nil
 function View:configure_width(width)
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/globals.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/globals.lua
index 58e3452f7ee..66211260bc6 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/globals.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/globals.lua
@@ -2,8 +2,8 @@
 
 local M = {
   -- from View
-  TABPAGES = {},
-  BUFNR_PER_TAB = {},
+  WINID_BY_TABID = {},
+  BUFNR_BY_TABID = {},
   CURSORS = {},
 }
 
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/lib.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/lib.lua
index 20fe23dbdd4..49a927bca6c 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/lib.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/lib.lua
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ function M.set_target_win()
 
   local id = vim.api.nvim_get_current_win()
 
-  if explorer and id == explorer.view:get_winnr(nil, "lib.set_target_win") then
+  if explorer and id == explorer.view:get_winid() then
     M.target_winid = 0
     return
   end
@@ -102,14 +102,14 @@ function M.open(opts)
   M.set_target_win()
   if not core.get_explorer() or opts.path then
     if opts.path then
-      core.init(opts.path, "lib.open - opts.path")
+      core.init(opts.path)
     else
       local cwd, err = vim.loop.cwd()
       if not cwd then
         notify.error(string.format("current working directory unavailable: %s", err))
         return
       end
-      core.init(cwd, "lib.open - cwd")
+      core.init(cwd)
     end
   end
 
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ function M.open(opts)
   end
 
   if explorer then
-    explorer.view:restore_tab_state()
+    explorer.view:restore_state()
   end
 end
 
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/multi-instance-debug.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/multi-instance-debug.lua
deleted file mode 100644
index 5b4604837cd..00000000000
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/multi-instance-debug.lua
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,112 +0,0 @@
-local globals = require("nvim-tree.globals")
-
-local M = {}
-
---- Debugging only.
---- Tabs show TABPAGES winnr and BUFNR_PER_TAB bufnr for the tab.
---- Orphans for inexistent tab_ids are shown at the right.
---- lib.target_winid is always shown at the right next to a close button.
---- Enable with:
----   vim.opt.tabline = "%!v:lua.require('nvim-tree.explorer.view').tab_line()"
----   vim.opt.showtabline = 2
----@return string
-function M.tab_line()
-  local tab_ids = vim.api.nvim_list_tabpages()
-  local cur_tab_id = vim.api.nvim_get_current_tabpage()
-
-  local bufnr_per_tab = vim.deepcopy(globals.BUFNR_PER_TAB)
-  local tabpages = vim.deepcopy(globals.TABPAGES)
-
-  local tl = "%#TabLine#"
-
-  for i, tab_id in ipairs(tab_ids) do
-    -- click to select
-    tl = tl .. "%" .. i .. "T"
-
-    -- style
-    if tab_id == cur_tab_id then
-      tl = tl .. "%#StatusLine#|"
-    else
-      tl = tl .. "|%#TabLine#"
-    end
-
-    -- tab_id itself
-    tl = tl .. " t" .. tab_id
-
-    -- winnr, if present
-    local tp = globals.TABPAGES[tab_id]
-    if tp then
-      tl = tl .. " w" .. (tp.winnr or "nil")
-    else
-      tl = tl .. "      "
-    end
-
-    -- bufnr, if present
-    local bpt = globals.BUFNR_PER_TAB[tab_id]
-    if bpt then
-      tl = tl .. " b" .. bpt
-    else
-      tl = tl .. "   "
-    end
-
-    tl = tl .. " "
-
-    -- remove actively mapped
-    bufnr_per_tab[tab_id] = nil
-    tabpages[tab_id] = nil
-  end
-
-  -- close last and reset
-  tl = tl .. "|%#CursorLine#%T"
-
-  -- collect orphans
-  local orphans = {}
-  for tab_id, bufnr in pairs(bufnr_per_tab) do
-    orphans[tab_id] = orphans[tab_id] or {}
-    orphans[tab_id].bufnr = bufnr
-  end
-  for tab_id, tp in pairs(tabpages) do
-    orphans[tab_id] = orphans[tab_id] or {}
-    orphans[tab_id].winnr = tp.winnr
-  end
-
-  -- right-align
-  tl = tl .. "%=%#TabLine#"
-
-  -- print orphans
-  for tab_id, orphan in pairs(orphans) do
-    -- inexistent tab
-    tl = tl .. "%#error#| t" .. tab_id
-
-    -- maybe winnr
-    if orphan.winnr then
-      tl = tl .. " w" .. (orphan.winnr or "nil")
-    else
-      tl = tl .. "      "
-    end
-
-    -- maybe bufnr
-    if orphan.bufnr then
-      tl = tl .. " b" .. orphan.bufnr
-    else
-      tl = tl .. "   "
-    end
-    tl = tl .. " "
-  end
-
-  -- target win id and close button
-  tl = tl .. "|%#TabLine# twi" .. (require("nvim-tree.lib").target_winid or "?") .. " %999X| X |"
-
-  return tl
-end
-
-function M.setup(opts)
-  if not opts.experimental.multi_instance then
-    return
-  end
-
-  vim.opt.tabline = "%!v:lua.require('nvim-tree.multi-instance-debug').tab_line()"
-  vim.opt.showtabline = 2
-end
-
-return M
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/renderer/init.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/renderer/init.lua
index f782973726a..2684ab1451f 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/renderer/init.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/renderer/init.lua
@@ -101,28 +101,29 @@ function Renderer:render_hl(bufnr, hl_range_args)
 end
 
 function Renderer:draw()
-  local bufnr = self.explorer.view:get_bufnr("Renderer:draw")
+  local bufnr = self.explorer.view:get_bufnr()
   if not bufnr or not vim.api.nvim_buf_is_loaded(bufnr) then
     return
   end
+  local winid = self.explorer.view:get_winid()
 
   local profile = log.profile_start("draw")
 
-  local cursor = vim.api.nvim_win_get_cursor(self.explorer.view:get_winnr(nil, "Renderer:draw1") or 0)
+  local cursor = vim.api.nvim_win_get_cursor(winid or 0)
 
   local builder = Builder(self.explorer):build()
 
   self:_draw(bufnr, builder.lines, builder.hl_range_args, builder.signs, builder.extmarks, builder.virtual_lines)
 
   if cursor and #builder.lines >= cursor[1] then
-    vim.api.nvim_win_set_cursor(self.explorer.view:get_winnr(nil, "Renderer:draw2") or 0, cursor)
+    vim.api.nvim_win_set_cursor(winid or 0, cursor)
   end
 
   self.explorer.view:grow_from_content()
 
   log.profile_end(profile)
 
-  events._dispatch_on_tree_rendered(bufnr, self.explorer.view:get_winnr(nil, "Renderer:draw3"))
+  events._dispatch_on_tree_rendered(bufnr, winid)
 end
 
 return Renderer