feat(config): allow loading background plugins on startup (#3616)

* remove old partial implementation

* feat(plugins): allow loading background plugins on startup

* add e2e test

* update config

* udpate config merging

* style(fmt): rustfmt

23 files changed, 839 insertions, 103 deletions

diff --git a/src/tests/e2e/cases.rs b/src/tests/e2e/cases.rs
index eec66096..5103d656 100644
--- a/src/tests/e2e/cases.rs
+++ b/src/tests/e2e/cases.rs
@@ -2371,3 +2371,55 @@ pub fn send_command_through_the_cli() {
     let last_snapshot = account_for_races_in_snapshot(last_snapshot);
     assert_snapshot!(last_snapshot);
 }
+
+#[test]
+#[ignore]
+pub fn load_plugins_in_background_on_startup() {
+    let fake_win_size = Size {
+        cols: 120,
+        rows: 24,
+    };
+    let config_file_name = "load_background_plugins.kdl";
+    let mut test_attempts = 10;
+    let mut test_timed_out = false;
+    let last_snapshot = loop {
+        RemoteRunner::kill_running_sessions(fake_win_size);
+        let mut runner =
+            RemoteRunner::new_with_config(fake_win_size, config_file_name).add_step(Step {
+                name: "Wait for plugin to load and request permissions",
+                instruction: |mut remote_terminal: RemoteTerminal| -> bool {
+                    let mut step_is_complete = false;
+                    if remote_terminal.snapshot_contains("Allow? (y/n)") {
+                        std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(100));
+                        remote_terminal.send_key("y".as_bytes());
+                        step_is_complete = true;
+                    }
+                    step_is_complete
+                },
+            });
+        runner.run_all_steps();
+        let last_snapshot = runner.take_snapshot_after(Step {
+            name: "Wait for plugin to disappear after permissions were granted",
+            instruction: |mut remote_terminal: RemoteTerminal| -> bool {
+                let mut step_is_complete = false;
+                if !remote_terminal.snapshot_contains("Allow? (y/n)") {
+                    step_is_complete = true;
+                }
+                step_is_complete
+            },
+        });
+        if runner.test_timed_out && test_attempts > 0 {
+            test_attempts -= 1;
+            continue;
+        } else {
+            test_timed_out = runner.test_timed_out;
+            break last_snapshot;
+        }
+    };
+    let last_snapshot = account_for_races_in_snapshot(last_snapshot);
+    assert!(
+        !test_timed_out,
+        "Test timed out, possibly waiting for permission request"
+    );
+    assert_snapshot!(last_snapshot);
+}
diff --git a/src/tests/e2e/remote_runner.rs b/src/tests/e2e/remote_runner.rs
index 49cdf64e..40feeb21 100644
--- a/src/tests/e2e/remote_runner.rs
+++ b/src/tests/e2e/remote_runner.rs
@@ -67,9 +67,13 @@ fn stop_zellij(channel: &mut ssh2::Channel) {
     channel.write_all(b"rm -rf /tmp/*\n").unwrap(); // remove temporary artifacts from previous
                                                     // tests
     channel.write_all(b"rm -rf /tmp/*\n").unwrap(); // remove temporary artifacts from previous
+    channel.write_all(b"rm -rf /tmp/*\n").unwrap(); // remove temporary artifacts from previous
     channel
         .write_all(b"rm -rf ~/.cache/zellij/*/session_info\n")
         .unwrap();
+    channel
+        .write_all(b"rm -rf ~/.cache/zellij/permissions.kdl\n")
+        .unwrap();
 }
 
 fn start_zellij(channel: &mut ssh2::Channel) {
diff --git a/src/tests/e2e/snapshots/zellij__tests__e2e__cases__load_plugins_in_background_on_startup.snap b/src/tests/e2e/snapshots/zellij__tests__e2e__cases__load_plugins_in_background_on_startup.snap
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..cabf017a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/tests/e2e/snapshots/zellij__tests__e2e__cases__load_plugins_in_background_on_startup.snap
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+---
+source: src/tests/e2e/cases.rs
+assertion_line: 2426
+expression: last_snapshot
+---
+ Zellij (e2e-test)  Tab #1 
+┌ Pane #1 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
+│$ █                                                                                                                   │
+│                                                                                                                      │
+│                                                                                                                      │
+│                                                                                                                      │
+│                                                                                                                      │
+│                                                                                                                      │
+│                                                                                                                      │
+│                                                                                                                      │
+│                                                                                                                      │
+│                                                                                                                      │
+│                                                                                                                      │
+│                                                                                                                      │
+│                                                                                                                      │
+│                                                                                                                      │
+│                                                                                                                      │
+│                                                                                                                      │
+│                                                                                                                      │
+│                                                                                                                      │
+│                                                                                                                      │
+│                                                                                                                      │
+└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
+ Ctrl g  UNLOCK                                         Alt +  <n> New Pane  <←↓↑→> Change Focus  <f> Floating  
diff --git a/src/tests/fixtures/configs/load_background_plugins.kdl b/src/tests/fixtures/configs/load_background_plugins.kdl
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..dc270d9f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/tests/fixtures/configs/load_background_plugins.kdl
@@ -0,0 +1,392 @@
+keybinds clear-defaults=true {
+    locked {
+        bind "Ctrl g" { SwitchToMode "normal"; }
+    }
+    pane {
+        bind "left" { MoveFocus "left"; }
+        bind "down" { MoveFocus "down"; }
+        bind "up" { MoveFocus "up"; }
+        bind "right" { MoveFocus "right"; }
+        bind "c" { SwitchToMode "renamepane"; PaneNameInput 0; }
+        bind "d" { NewPane "down"; SwitchToMode "locked"; }
+        bind "e" { TogglePaneEmbedOrFloating; SwitchToMode "locked"; }
+        bind "f" { ToggleFocusFullscreen; SwitchToMode "locked"; }
+        bind "h" { MoveFocus "left"; }
+        bind "j" { MoveFocus "down"; }
+        bind "k" { MoveFocus "up"; }
+        bind "l" { MoveFocus "right"; }
+        bind "n" { NewPane; SwitchToMode "locked"; }
+        bind "p" { SwitchToMode "normal"; }
+        bind "r" { NewPane "right"; SwitchToMode "locked"; }
+        bind "w" { ToggleFloatingPanes; SwitchToMode "locked"; }
+        bind "x" { CloseFocus; SwitchToMode "locked"; }
+        bind "z" { TogglePaneFrames; SwitchToMode "locked"; }
+        bind "tab" { SwitchFocus; }
+    }
+    tab {
+        bind "left" { GoToPreviousTab; }
+        bind "down" { GoToNextTab; }
+        bind "up" { GoToPreviousTab; }
+        bind "right" { GoToNextTab; }
+        bind "1" { GoToTab 1; SwitchToMode "locked"; }
+        bind "2" { GoToTab 2; SwitchToMode "locked"; }
+        bind "3" { GoToTab 3; SwitchToMode "locked"; }
+        bind "4" { GoToTab 4; SwitchToMode "locked"; }
+        bind "5" { GoToTab 5; SwitchToMode "locked"; }
+        bind "6" { GoToTab 6; SwitchToMode "locked"; }
+        bind "7" { GoToTab 7; SwitchToMode "locked"; }
+        bind "8" { GoToTab 8; SwitchToMode "locked"; }
+        bind "9" { GoToTab 9; SwitchToMode "locked"; }
+        bind "[" { BreakPaneLeft; SwitchToMode "locked"; }
+        bind "]" { BreakPaneRight; SwitchToMode "locked"; }
+        bind "b" { BreakPane; SwitchToMode "locked"; }
+        bind "h" { GoToPreviousTab; }
+        bind "j" { GoToNextTab; }
+        bind "k" { GoToPreviousTab; }
+        bind "l" { GoToNextTab; }
+        bind "n" { NewTab; SwitchToMode "locked"; }
+        bind "r" { SwitchToMode "renametab"; TabNameInput 0; }
+        bind "s" { ToggleActiveSyncTab; SwitchToMode "locked"; }
+        bind "t" { SwitchToMode "normal"; }
+        bind "x" { CloseTab; SwitchToMode "locked"; }
+        bind "tab" { ToggleTab; }
+    }
+    resize {
+        bind "left" { Resize "Increase left"; }
+        bind "down" { Resize "Increase down"; }
+        bind "up" { Resize "Increase up"; }
+        bind "right" { Resize "Increase right"; }
+        bind "+" { Resize "Increase"; }
+        bind "-" { Resize "Decrease"; }
+        bind "=" { Resize "Increase"; }
+        bind "H" { Resize "Decrease left"; }
+        bind "J" { Resize "Decrease down"; }
+        bind "K" { Resize "Decrease up"; }
+        bind "L" { Resize "Decrease right"; }
+        bind "h" { Resize "Increase left"; }
+        bind "j" { Resize "Increase down"; }
+        bind "k" { Resize "Increase up"; }
+        bind "l" { Resize "Increase right"; }
+        bind "r" { SwitchToMode "normal"; }
+    }
+    move {
+        bind "left" { MovePane "left"; }
+        bind "down" { MovePane "down"; }
+        bind "up" { MovePane "up"; }
+        bind "right" { MovePane "right"; }
+        bind "h" { MovePane "left"; }
+        bind "j" { MovePane "down"; }
+        bind "k" { MovePane "up"; }
+        bind "l" { MovePane "right"; }
+        bind "m" { SwitchToMode "normal"; }
+        bind "n" { MovePane; }
+        bind "p" { MovePaneBackwards; }
+        bind "tab" { MovePane; }
+    }
+    scroll {
+        bind "e" { EditScrollback; SwitchToMode "locked"; }
+        bind "f" { SwitchToMode "entersearch"; SearchInput 0; }
+        bind "s" { SwitchToMode "normal"; }
+    }
+    search {
+        bind "c" { SearchToggleOption "CaseSensitivity"; }
+        bind "n" { Search "down"; }
+        bind "o" { SearchToggleOption "WholeWord"; }
+        bind "p" { Search "up"; }
+        bind "w" { SearchToggleOption "Wrap"; }
+    }
+    session {
+        bind "c" {
+            LaunchOrFocusPlugin "configuration" {
+                floating true
+                move_to_focused_tab true
+            }
+            SwitchToMode "locked"
+        }
+        bind "d" { Detach; }
+        bind "o" { SwitchToMode "normal"; }
+        bind "Ctrl s" { SwitchToMode "scroll"; }
+        bind "w" {
+            LaunchOrFocusPlugin "session-manager" {
+                floating true
+                move_to_focused_tab true
+            }
+            SwitchToMode "locked"
+        }
+    }
+    shared_among "normal" "locked" {
+        bind "Alt left" { MoveFocusOrTab "left"; }
+        bind "Alt down" { MoveFocus "down"; }
+        bind "Alt up" { MoveFocus "up"; }
+        bind "Alt right" { MoveFocusOrTab "right"; }
+        bind "Alt +" { Resize "Increase"; }
+        bind "Alt -" { Resize "Decrease"; }
+        bind "Alt =" { Resize "Increase"; }
+        bind "Alt [" { PreviousSwapLayout; }
+        bind "Alt ]" { NextSwapLayout; }
+        bind "Alt f" { ToggleFloatingPanes; }
+        bind "Alt w" { 
+            LaunchPlugin "filepicker" {
+                close_on_selection true
+            }
+        }
+        bind "Alt h" { MoveFocusOrTab "left"; }
+        bind "Alt i" { MoveTab "left"; }
+        bind "Alt j" { MoveFocus "down"; }
+        bind "Alt k" { MoveFocus "up"; }
+        bind "Alt l" { MoveFocusOrTab "right"; }
+        bind "Alt n" { NewPane; }
+        bind "Alt o" { MoveTab "right"; }
+    }
+    shared_except "locked" "renametab" "renamepane" {
+        bind "Ctrl g" { SwitchToMode "locked"; }
+        bind "Ctrl q" { Quit; }
+    }
+    shared_except "locked" "entersearch" {
+        bind "enter" { SwitchToMode "locked"; }
+    }
+    shared_except "locked" "entersearch" "renametab" "renamepane" "move" {
+        bind "m" { SwitchToMode "move"; }
+    }
+    shared_except "locked" "entersearch" "search" "renametab" "renamepane" "session" {
+        bind "o" { SwitchToMode "session"; }
+    }
+    shared_except "locked" "tab" "entersearch" "renametab" "renamepane" {
+        bind "t" { SwitchToMode "tab"; }
+    }
+    shared_except "locked" "tab" "scroll" "entersearch" "renametab" "renamepane" {
+        bind "s" { SwitchToMode "scroll"; }
+    }
+    shared_except "locked" "pane" "entersearch" "search" "renametab" "renamepane" "move" {
+        bind "p" { SwitchToMode "pane"; }
+    }
+    shared_except "locked" "resize" "pane" "tab" "entersearch" "renametab" "renamepane" {
+        bind "r" { SwitchToMode "resize"; }
+    }
+    shared_among "scroll" "search" {
+        bind "PageDown" { PageScrollDown; }
+        bind "PageUp" { PageScrollUp; }
+        bind "left" { PageScrollUp; }
+        bind "down" { ScrollDown; }
+        bind "up" { ScrollUp; }
+        bind "right" { PageScrollDown; }
+        bind "Ctrl b" { PageScrollUp; }
+        bind "Ctrl c" { ScrollToBottom; SwitchToMode "locked"; }
+        bind "d" { HalfPageScrollDown; }
+        bind "Ctrl f" { PageScrollDown; }
+        bind "h" { PageScrollUp; }
+        bind "j" { ScrollDown; }
+        bind "k" { ScrollUp; }
+        bind "l" { PageScrollDown; }
+        bind "u" { HalfPageScrollUp; }
+    }
+    entersearch {
+        bind "Ctrl c" { SwitchToMode "scroll"; }
+        bind "esc" { SwitchToMode "scroll"; }
+        bind "enter" { SwitchToMode "search"; }
+    }
+    renametab {
+        bind "esc" { UndoRenameTab; SwitchToMode "tab"; }
+    }
+    shared_among "renametab" "renamepane" {
+        bind "Ctrl c" { SwitchToMode "locked"; }
+    }
+    renamepane {
+        bind "esc" { UndoRenamePane; SwitchToMode "pane"; }
+    }
+}
+plugins {
+    compact-bar location="zellij:compact-bar"
+    configuration location="zellij:configuration"
+    filepicker location="zellij:strider" {
+        cwd "/"
+    }
+    session-manager location="zellij:session-manager"
+    status-bar location="zellij:status-bar"
+    strider location="zellij:strider"
+    tab-bar location="zellij:tab-bar"
+    welcome-screen location="zellij:session-manager" {
+        welcome_screen true
+    }
+}
+
+load_plugins {
+  "file:/usr/src/zellij/wasm32-wasi/release/fixture-plugin-for-tests.wasm" {
+      config_key "config_value"
+      config_key2 "config_value2"
+  }
+}
+ 
+// Use a simplified UI without special fonts (arrow glyphs)
+// Options:
+//   - true
+//   - false (Default)
+// 
+// simplified_ui true
+ 
+// Choose the theme that is specified in the themes section.
+// Default: default
+// 
+// theme "default"
+ 
+// Choose the base input mode of zellij.
+// Default: normal
+// 
+default_mode "locked"
+ 
+// Choose the path to the default shell that zellij will use for opening new panes
+// Default: $SHELL
+// 
+// default_shell "fish"
+ 
+// Choose the path to override cwd that zellij will use for opening new panes
+// 
+// default_cwd "/tmp"
+ 
+// The name of the default layout to load on startup
+// Default: "default"
+// 
+// default_layout "compact"
+ 
+// The folder in which Zellij will look for layouts
+// 
+// layout_dir "/tmp"
+ 
+// The folder in which Zellij will look for themes
+// 
+// theme_dir "/tmp"
+ 
+// Toggle enabling the mouse mode.
+// On certain configurations, or terminals this could
+// potentially interfere with copying text.
+// Options:
+//   - true (default)
+//   - false
+// 
+// mouse_mode false
+ 
+// Toggle having pane frames around the panes
+// Options:
+//   - true (default, enabled)
+//   - false
+// 
+// pane_frames false
+ 
+// When attaching to an existing session with other users,
+// should the session be mirrored (true)
+// or should each user have their own cursor (false)
+// Default: false
+// 
+// mirror_session true
+ 
+// Choose what to do when zellij receives SIGTERM, SIGINT, SIGQUIT or SIGHUP
+// eg. when terminal window with an active zellij session is closed
+// Options:
+//   - detach (Default)
+//   - quit
+// 
+// on_force_close "quit"
+ 
+// Configure the scroll back buffer size
+// This is the number of lines zellij stores for each pane in the scroll back
+// buffer. Excess number of lines are discarded in a FIFO fashion.
+// Valid values: positive integers
+// Default value: 10000
+// 
+// scroll_buffer_size 10000
+ 
+// Provide a command to execute when copying text. The text will be piped to
+// the stdin of the program to perform the copy. This can be used with
+// terminal emulators which do not support the OSC 52 ANSI control sequence
+// that will be used by default if this option is not set.
+// Examples:
+//
+// copy_command "xclip -selection clipboard" // x11
+// copy_command "wl-copy"                    // wayland
+// copy_command "pbcopy"                     // osx
+// 
+ 
+// Choose the destination for copied text
+// Allows using the primary selection buffer (on x11/wayland) instead of the system clipboard.
+// Does not apply when using copy_command.
+// Options:
+//   - system (default)
+//   - primary
+// 
+// copy_clipboard "primary"
+ 
+// Enable automatic copying (and clearing) of selection when releasing mouse
+// Default: true
+// 
+// copy_on_select true
+ 
+// Path to the default editor to use to edit pane scrollbuffer
+// Default: $EDITOR or $VISUAL
+// scrollback_editor "nvim"
+ 
+// A fixed name to always give the Zellij session.
+// Consider also setting `attach_to_session true,`
+// otherwise this will error if such a session exists.
+// Default: <RANDOM>
+// 
+// session_name "My singleton session"
+ 
+// When `session_name` is provided, attaches to that session
+// if it is already running or creates it otherwise.
+// Default: false
+// 
+// attach_to_session true
+ 
+// Toggle between having Zellij lay out panes according to a predefined set of layouts whenever possible
+// Options:
+//   - true (default)
+//   - false
+// 
+// auto_layout false
+ 
+// Whether sessions should be serialized to the cache folder (including their tabs/panes, cwds and running commands) so that they can later be resurrected
+// Options:
+//   - true (default)
+//   - false
+// 
+// session_serialization false
+ 
+// Whether pane viewports are serialized along with the session, default is false
+// Options:
+//   - true
+//   - false (default)
+// 
+// serialize_pane_viewport false
+ 
+// Scrollback lines to serialize along with the pane viewport when serializing sessions, 0
+// defaults to the scrollback size. If this number is higher than the scrollback size, it will
+// also default to the scrollback size. This does nothing if `serialize_pane_viewport` is not true.
+// 
+// scrollback_lines_to_serialize 10000
+ 
+// Enable or disable the rendering of styled and colored underlines (undercurl).
+// May need to be disabled for certain unsupported terminals
+// Default: true
+// 
+// styled_underlines false
+ 
+// How often in seconds sessions are serialized
+// 
+// serialization_interval 10000
+ 
+// Enable or disable writing of session metadata to disk (if disabled, other sessions might not know
+// metadata info on this session)
+// Default: false
+// 
+// disable_session_metadata false
+ 
+// Enable or disable support for the enhanced Kitty Keyboard Protocol (the host terminal must also support it)
+// Default: true (if the host terminal supports it)
+// 
+// support_kitty_keyboard_protocol false
+
+ // ui {
+ //     pane_frames {
+ //         rounded_corners true
+ //     }
+ // }
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/lib.rs b/zellij-server/src/lib.rs
index 470ea88d..d95dff7b 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/lib.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/lib.rs
@@ -550,6 +550,7 @@ pub fn start_server(mut os_input: Box<dyn ServerOsApi>, socket_path: PathBuf) {
                     },
                     *config.clone(),
                     plugin_aliases,
+                    client_id,
                 );
                 let mut runtime_configuration = config.clone();
                 runtime_configuration.options = *runtime_config_options.clone();
@@ -1138,6 +1139,7 @@ fn init_session(
     options: SessionOptions,
     mut config: Config,
     plugin_aliases: Box<PluginAliases>,
+    client_id: ClientId,
 ) -> SessionMetaData {
     let SessionOptions {
         opts,
@@ -1224,7 +1226,8 @@ fn init_session(
         .spawn({
             let screen_bus = Bus::new(
                 vec![screen_receiver, bounded_screen_receiver],
-                None,
+                Some(&to_screen), // there are certain occasions (eg. caching) where the screen
+                // needs to send messages to itself
                 Some(&to_pty),
                 Some(&to_plugin),
                 Some(&to_server),
@@ -1237,6 +1240,7 @@ fn init_session(
             let client_attributes_clone = client_attributes.clone();
             let debug = opts.debug;
             let layout = layout.clone();
+            let config = config.clone();
             move || {
                 screen_thread_main(
                     screen_bus,
@@ -1272,6 +1276,7 @@ fn init_session(
             let default_shell = default_shell.clone();
             let capabilities = capabilities.clone();
             let layout_dir = config_options.layout_dir.clone();
+            let background_plugins = config.background_plugins.clone();
             move || {
                 plugin_thread_main(
                     plugin_bus,
@@ -1287,6 +1292,8 @@ fn init_session(
                     plugin_aliases,
                     default_mode,
                     default_keybinds,
+                    background_plugins,
+                    client_id,
                 )
                 .fatal()
             }
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/panes/plugin_pane.rs b/zellij-server/src/panes/plugin_pane.rs
index 5ef548c2..7e16ee2d 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/panes/plugin_pane.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/plugin_pane.rs
@@ -99,6 +99,7 @@ pub(crate) struct PluginPane {
     debug: bool,
     arrow_fonts: bool,
     styled_underlines: bool,
+    should_be_suppressed: bool,
 }
 
 impl PluginPane {
@@ -152,6 +153,7 @@ impl PluginPane {
             debug,
             arrow_fonts,
             styled_underlines,
+            should_be_suppressed: false,
         };
         for client_id in currently_connected_clients {
             plugin.handle_plugin_bytes(client_id, initial_loading_message.as_bytes().to_vec());
@@ -692,6 +694,12 @@ impl Pane for PluginPane {
         self.style.rounded_corners = rounded_corners;
         self.frame.clear();
     }
+    fn set_should_be_suppressed(&mut self, should_be_suppressed: bool) {
+        self.should_be_suppressed = should_be_suppressed;
+    }
+    fn query_should_be_suppressed(&self) -> bool {
+        self.should_be_suppressed
+    }
 }
 
 impl PluginPane {
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/plugins/mod.rs b/zellij-server/src/plugins/mod.rs
index 9f7ef13a..af2723a0 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/plugins/mod.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/plugins/mod.rs
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ use zellij_utils::{
         command::TerminalAction,
         keybinds::Keybinds,
         layout::{FloatingPaneLayout, Layout, Run, RunPlugin, RunPluginOrAlias, TiledPaneLayout},
-        plugins::PluginAliases,
+        plugins::{PluginAliases, PluginConfig},
     },
     ipc::ClientAttributes,
     pane_size::Size,
@@ -216,6 +216,12 @@ pub(crate) fn plugin_thread_main(
     plugin_aliases: Box<PluginAliases>,
     default_mode: InputMode,
     default_keybinds: Keybinds,
+    background_plugins: HashSet<RunPluginOrAlias>,
+    // the client id that started the session,
+    // we need it here because the thread's own list of connected clients might not yet be updated
+    // on session start when we need to load the background plugins, and so we must have an
+    // explicit client_id that has started the session
+    initiating_client_id: ClientId,
 ) -> Result<()> {
     info!("Wasm main thread starts");
     let plugin_dir = data_dir.join("plugins/");
@@ -241,6 +247,16 @@ pub(crate) fn plugin_thread_main(
         default_keybinds,
     );
 
+    for mut run_plugin_or_alias in background_plugins {
+        load_background_plugin(
+            run_plugin_or_alias,
+            &mut wasm_bridge,
+            &bus,
+            &plugin_aliases,
+            initiating_client_id,
+        );
+    }
+
     loop {
         let (event, mut err_ctx) = bus.recv().expect("failed to receive event on channel");
         err_ctx.add_call(ContextType::Plugin((&event).into()));
@@ -933,6 +949,53 @@ fn pipe_to_specific_plugins(
     }
 }
 
+fn load_background_plugin(
+    mut run_plugin_or_alias: RunPluginOrAlias,
+    wasm_bridge: &mut WasmBridge,
+    bus: &Bus<PluginInstruction>,
+    plugin_aliases: &PluginAliases,
+    client_id: ClientId,
+) {
+    run_plugin_or_alias.populate_run_plugin_if_needed(&plugin_aliases);
+    let cwd = run_plugin_or_alias.get_initial_cwd();
+    let run_plugin = run_plugin_or_alias.get_run_plugin();
+    let size = Size::default();
+    let skip_cache = false;
+    match wasm_bridge.load_plugin(
+        &run_plugin,
+        None,
+        size,
+        cwd.clone(),
+        skip_cache,
+        Some(client_id),
+        None,
+    ) {
+        Ok((plugin_id, client_id)) => {
+            let should_float = None;
+            let should_be_open_in_place = false;
+            let pane_title = None;
+            let pane_id_to_replace = None;
+            let start_suppressed = true;
+            drop(bus.senders.send_to_screen(ScreenInstruction::AddPlugin(
+                should_float,
+                should_be_open_in_place,
+                run_plugin_or_alias,
+                pane_title,
+                None,
+                plugin_id,
+                pane_id_to_replace,
+                cwd,
+                start_suppressed,
+                // None,
+                Some(client_id),
+            )));
+        },
+        Err(e) => {
+            log::error!("Failed to load plugin: {e}");
+        },
+    }
+}
+
 const EXIT_TIMEOUT: Duration = Duration::from_secs(3);
 
 #[path = "./unit/plugin_tests.rs"]
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/plugins/plugin_loader.rs b/zellij-server/src/plugins/plugin_loader.rs
index 7613da09..41bdb7f6 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/plugins/plugin_loader.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/plugins/plugin_loader.rs
@@ -836,9 +836,6 @@ impl<'a> PluginLoader<'a> {
             )))));
         let wasi_ctx = wasi_ctx_builder.build_p1();
         let mut mut_plugin = self.plugin.clone();
-        if let Some(tab_index) = self.tab_index {
-            mut_plugin.set_tab_index(tab_index);
-        }
         let plugin_env = PluginEnv {
             plugin_id: self.plugin_id,
             client_id: self.client_id,
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/plugins/unit/plugin_tests.rs b/zellij-server/src/plugins/unit/plugin_tests.rs
index 0d20cea0..690ef516 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/plugins/unit/plugin_tests.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/plugins/unit/plugin_tests.rs
@@ -301,6 +301,7 @@ fn create_plugin_thread(
     Box<dyn FnOnce()>,
 ) {
     let zellij_cwd = zellij_cwd.unwrap_or_else(|| PathBuf::from("."));
+    let initiating_client_id = 1;
     let (to_server, _server_receiver): ChannelWithContext<ServerInstruction> =
         channels::bounded(50);
     let to_server = SenderWithContext::new(to_server);
@@ -367,6 +368,8 @@ fn create_plugin_thread(
                 Box::new(plugin_aliases),
                 InputMode::Normal,
                 Keybinds::default(),
+                Default::default(),
+                initiating_client_id,
             )
             .expect("TEST")
         })
@@ -430,6 +433,7 @@ fn create_plugin_thread_with_server_receiver(
     let plugin_capabilities = PluginCapabilities::default();
     let client_attributes = ClientAttributes::default();
     let default_shell_action = None; // TODO: change me
+    let initiating_client_id = 1;
     let plugin_thread = std::thread::Builder::new()
         .name("plugin_thread".to_string())
         .spawn(move || {
@@ -448,6 +452,8 @@ fn create_plugin_thread_with_server_receiver(
                 Box::new(PluginAliases::default()),
                 InputMode::Normal,
                 Keybinds::default(),
+                Default::default(),
+                initiating_client_id,
             )
             .expect("TEST");
         })
@@ -517,6 +523,7 @@ fn create_plugin_thread_with_pty_receiver(
     let plugin_capabilities = PluginCapabilities::default();
     let client_attributes = ClientAttributes::default();
     let default_shell_action = None; // TODO: change me
+    let initiating_client_id = 1;
     let plugin_thread = std::thread::Builder::new()
         .name("plugin_thread".to_string())
         .spawn(move || {
@@ -535,6 +542,8 @@ fn create_plugin_thread_with_pty_receiver(
                 Box::new(PluginAliases::default()),
                 InputMode::Normal,
                 Keybinds::default(),
+                Default::default(),
+                initiating_client_id,
             )
             .expect("TEST")
         })
@@ -599,6 +608,7 @@ fn create_plugin_thread_with_background_jobs_receiver(
     let plugin_capabilities = PluginCapabilities::default();
     let client_attributes = ClientAttributes::default();
     let default_shell_action = None; // TODO: change me
+    let initiating_client_id = 1;
     let plugin_thread = std::thread::Builder::new()
         .name("plugin_thread".to_string())
         .spawn(move || {
@@ -617,6 +627,8 @@ fn create_plugin_thread_with_background_jobs_receiver(
                 Box::new(PluginAliases::default()),
                 InputMode::Normal,
                 Keybinds::default(),
+                Default::default(),
+                initiating_client_id,
             )
             .expect("TEST")
         })
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/plugins/zellij_exports.rs b/zellij-server/src/plugins/zellij_exports.rs
index 6bdabaa3..d1e938a2 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/plugins/zellij_exports.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/plugins/zellij_exports.rs
@@ -41,7 +41,6 @@ use zellij_utils::{
         actions::Action,
         command::{OpenFilePayload, RunCommand, RunCommandAction, TerminalAction},
         layout::{Layout, RunPluginOrAlias},
-        plugins::PluginType,
     },
     plugin_api::{
         plugin_command::ProtobufPluginCommand,
@@ -406,38 +405,25 @@ fn unsubscribe(env: &PluginEnv, event_list: HashSet<EventType>) -> Result<()> {
 }
 
 fn set_selectable(env: &PluginEnv, selectable: bool) {
-    match env.plugin.run {
-        PluginType::Pane(Some(tab_index)) => {
-            // let selectable = selectable != 0;
-            env.senders
-                .send_to_screen(ScreenInstruction::SetSelectable(
-                    PaneId::Plugin(env.plugin_id),
-                    selectable,
-                    tab_index,
-                ))
-                .with_context(|| {
-                    format!(
-                        "failed to set plugin {} selectable from plugin {}",
-                        selectable,
-                        env.name()
-                    )
-                })
-                .non_fatal();
-        },
-        _ => {
-            debug!(
-                "{} - Calling method 'set_selectable' does nothing for headless plugins",
-                env.plugin.location
+    env.senders
+        .send_to_screen(ScreenInstruction::SetSelectable(
+            PaneId::Plugin(env.plugin_id),
+            selectable,
+        ))
+        .with_context(|| {
+            format!(
+                "failed to set plugin {} selectable from plugin {}",
+                selectable,
+                env.name()
             )
-        },
-    }
+        })
+        .non_fatal();
 }
 
 fn request_permission(env: &PluginEnv, permissions: Vec<PermissionType>) -> Result<()> {
     if PermissionCache::from_path_or_default(None)
         .check_permissions(env.plugin.location.to_string(), &permissions)
     {
-        log::info!("PermissionRequestResult 1");
         return env
             .senders
             .send_to_plugin(PluginInstruction::PermissionRequestResult(
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/screen.rs b/zellij-server/src/screen.rs
index cebe5b26..e7b0cb7b 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/screen.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/screen.rs
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ use crate::{
     panes::PaneId,
     plugins::{PluginId, PluginInstruction, PluginRenderAsset},
     pty::{ClientTabIndexOrPaneId, PtyInstruction, VteBytes},
-    tab::Tab,
+    tab::{SuppressedPanes, Tab},
     thread_bus::Bus,
     ui::{
         loading_indication::LoadingIndication,
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ pub enum ScreenInstruction {
     CloseFocusedPane(ClientId),
     ToggleActiveTerminalFullscreen(ClientId),
     TogglePaneFrames,
-    SetSelectable(PaneId, bool, usize),
+    SetSelectable(PaneId, bool),
     ClosePane(PaneId, Option<ClientId>),
     HoldPane(
         PaneId,
@@ -822,6 +822,27 @@ impl Screen {
         Ok(())
     }
 
+    fn move_suppressed_panes_from_closed_tab(
+        &mut self,
+        suppressed_panes: SuppressedPanes,
+    ) -> Result<()> {
+        // TODO: this is not entirely accurate, these also sometimes contain a pane who's
+        // scrollback is being edited - in this case we need to close it or to move it to the
+        // appropriate tab
+        let err_context = || "Failed to move suppressed panes from closed tab";
+        let first_tab_index = *self
+            .tabs
+            .keys()
+            .next()
+            .context("screen contains no tabs")
+            .with_context(err_context)?;
+        self.tabs
+            .get_mut(&first_tab_index)
+            .with_context(err_context)?
+            .add_suppressed_panes(suppressed_panes);
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
     fn move_clients_between_tabs(
         &mut self,
         source_tab_index: usize,
@@ -1053,7 +1074,16 @@ impl Screen {
         let err_context = || format!("failed to close tab at index {tab_index:?}");
 
         let mut tab_to_close = self.tabs.remove(&tab_index).with_context(err_context)?;
-        let pane_ids = tab_to_close.get_all_pane_ids();
+        let mut pane_ids = tab_to_close.get_all_pane_ids();
+
+        // here we extract the suppressed panes (these are background panes that don't care which
+        // tab they are in, and in the future we should probably make them global to screen rather
+        // than to each tab) and move them to another tab if there is one
+        let suppressed_panes = tab_to_close.extract_suppressed_panes();
+        for suppressed_pane_id in suppressed_panes.keys() {
+            pane_ids.retain(|p| p != suppressed_pane_id);
+        }
+
         // below we don't check the result of sending the CloseTab instruction to the pty thread
         // because this might be happening when the app is closing, at which point the pty thread
         // has already closed and this would result in an error
@@ -1071,6 +1101,8 @@ impl Screen {
             let client_mode_infos_in_closed_tab = tab_to_close.drain_connected_clients(None);
             self.move_clients_from_closed_tab(client_mode_infos_in_closed_tab)
                 .with_context(err_context)?;
+            self.move_suppressed_panes_from_closed_tab(suppressed_panes)
+                .with_context(err_context)?;
             let visible_tab_indices: HashSet<usize> =
                 self.active_tab_indices.values().copied().collect();
             for t in self.tabs.values_mut() {
@@ -2676,7 +2708,7 @@ pub(crate) fn screen_thread_main(
     let mut pending_tab_ids: HashSet<usize> = HashSet::new();
     let mut pending_tab_switches: HashSet<(usize, ClientId)> = HashSet::new(); // usize is the
                                                                                // tab_index
-
+    let mut pending_events_waiting_for_client: Vec<ScreenInstruction> = vec![];
     let mut plugin_loading_message_cache = HashMap::new();
     loop {
         let (event, mut err_ctx) = screen
@@ -3263,18 +3295,14 @@ pub(crate) fn screen_thread_main(
                 screen.unblock_input()?;
                 screen.log_and_report_session_state()?;
             },
-            ScreenInstruction::SetSelectable(id, selectable, tab_index) => {
-                screen.get_indexed_tab_mut(tab_index).map_or_else(
-                    || {
-                        log::warn!(
-                            "Tab index #{} not found, could not set selectable for plugin #{:?}.",
-                            tab_index,
-                            id
-                        )
-                    },
-                    |tab| tab.set_pane_selectable(id, selectable),
-                );
-
+            ScreenInstruction::SetSelectable(pid, selectable) => {
+                let all_tabs = screen.get_tabs_mut();
+                for tab in all_tabs.values_mut() {
+                    if tab.has_pane_with_pid(&pid) {
+                        tab.set_pane_selectable(pid, selectable);
+                        break;
+                    }
+                }
                 screen.render(None)?;
                 screen.log_and_report_session_state()?;
             },
@@ -3448,6 +3476,10 @@ pub(crate) fn screen_thread_main(
                     }
                 }
 
+                for event in pending_events_waiting_for_client.drain(..) {
+                    screen.bus.senders.send_to_screen(event).non_fatal();
+                }
+
                 screen.unblock_input()?;
                 screen.render(None)?;
                 // we do this here in order to recover from a race condition on app start
@@ -3674,6 +3706,9 @@ pub(crate) fn screen_thread_main(
                 } else if let Some(tab_position_to_focus) = tab_position_to_focus {
                     screen.go_to_tab(tab_position_to_focus, client_id)?;
                 }
+                for event in pending_events_waiting_for_client.drain(..) {
+                    screen.bus.senders.send_to_screen(event).non_fatal();
+                }
                 screen.log_and_report_session_state()?;
                 screen.render(None)?;
             },
@@ -3944,6 +3979,21 @@ pub(crate) fn screen_thread_main(
                 start_suppressed,
                 client_id,
             ) => {
+                if screen.active_tab_indices.is_empty() && tab_index.is_none() {
+                    pending_events_waiting_for_client.push(ScreenInstruction::AddPlugin(
+                        should_float,
+                        should_be_in_place,
+                        run_plugin_or_alias,
+                        pane_title,
+                        tab_index,
+                        plugin_id,
+                        pane_id_to_replace,
+                        cwd,
+                        start_suppressed,
+                        client_id,
+                    ));
+                    continue;
+                }
                 let pane_title = pane_title.unwrap_or_else(|| {
                     format!(
                         "({}) - {}",
@@ -4208,7 +4258,7 @@ pub(crate) fn screen_thread_main(
                 let all_tabs = screen.get_tabs_mut();
                 for tab in all_tabs.values_mut() {
                     if tab.has_non_suppressed_pane_with_pid(&pane_id) {
-                        tab.suppress_pane(pane_id, client_id);
+                        tab.suppress_pane(pane_id, Some(client_id));
                         drop(screen.render(None));
                         break;
                     }
@@ -4255,9 +4305,9 @@ pub(crate) fn screen_thread_main(
                 });
 
                 if !found {
-                    log::error!(
-                        "PluginId '{}' not found - cannot request permissions",
-                        plugin_id
+                    log::error!("PluginId '{}' not found - caching request", plugin_id);
+                    pending_events_waiting_for_client.push(
+                        ScreenInstruction::RequestPluginPermissions(plugin_id, plugin_permission),
                     );
                 }
             },
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/tab/mod.rs b/zellij-server/src/tab/mod.rs
index ae238fa0..9cabfabe 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/tab/mod.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/tab/mod.rs
@@ -136,6 +136,7 @@ pub const MIN_TERMINAL_WIDTH: usize = 5;
 const MAX_PENDING_VTE_EVENTS: usize = 7000;
 
 type HoldForCommand = Option<RunCommand>;
+pub type SuppressedPanes = HashMap<PaneId, (bool, Box<dyn Pane>)>; // bool => is scrollback editor
 
 enum BufferedTabInstruction {
     SetPaneSelectable(PaneId, bool),
@@ -150,7 +151,7 @@ pub(crate) struct Tab {
     pub prev_name: String,
     tiled_panes: TiledPanes,
     floating_panes: FloatingPanes,
-    suppressed_panes: HashMap<PaneId, (bool, Box<dyn Pane>)>, // bool => is scrollback editor
+    suppressed_panes: SuppressedPanes,
     max_panes: Option<usize>,
     viewport: Rc<RefCell<Viewport>>, // includes all non-UI panes
     display_area: Rc<RefCell<Size>>, // includes all panes (including eg. the status bar and tab bar in the default layout)
@@ -495,6 +496,10 @@ pub trait Pane {
     fn update_theme(&mut self, _theme: Palette) {}
     fn update_arrow_fonts(&mut self, _should_support_arrow_fonts: bool) {}
     fn update_rounded_corners(&mut self, _rounded_corners: bool) {}
+    fn set_should_be_suppressed(&mut self, _should_be_suppressed: bool) {}
+    fn query_should_be_suppressed(&self) -> bool {
+        false
+    }
 }
 
 #[derive(Clone, Debug)]
@@ -1855,7 +1860,7 @@ impl Tab {
         let mut should_update_ui = false;
         let is_sync_panes_active = self.is_sync_panes_active();
 
-        let active_terminal = self
+        let active_pane = self
             .floating_panes
             .get_mut(&pane_id)
             .or_else(|| self.tiled_panes.get_pane_mut(pane_id))
@@ -1867,8 +1872,7 @@ impl Tab {
         // However if the terminal is part of a tab-sync, we need to
         // check if the terminal should receive input or not (depending on its
         // 'exclude_from_sync' configuration).
-        let should_not_write_to_terminal =
-            is_sync_panes_active && active_terminal.exclude_from_sync();
+        let should_not_write_to_terminal = is_sync_panes_active && active_pane.exclude_from_sync();
 
         if should_not_write_to_terminal {
             return Ok(should_update_ui);
@@ -1876,7 +1880,7 @@ impl Tab {
 
         match pane_id {
             PaneId::Terminal(active_terminal_id) => {
-                match active_terminal.adjust_input_to_terminal(
+                match active_pane.adjust_input_to_terminal(
                     key_with_modifier,
                     raw_input_bytes,
                     raw_input_bytes_are_kitty,
@@ -1918,7 +1922,7 @@ impl Tab {
                     None => {},
                 }
             },
-            PaneId::Plugin(pid) => match active_terminal.adjust_input_to_terminal(
+            PaneId::Plugin(pid) => match active_pane.adjust_input_to_terminal(
                 key_with_modifier,
                 raw_input_bytes,
                 raw_input_bytes_are_kitty,
@@ -1942,6 +1946,10 @@ impl Tab {
                         .with_context(err_context)?;
                 },
                 Some(AdjustedInput::PermissionRequestResult(permissions, status)) => {
+                    if active_pane.query_should_be_suppressed() {
+                        active_pane.set_should_be_suppressed(false);
+                        self.suppress_pane(PaneId::Plugin(pid), client_id);
+                    }
                     self.request_plugin_permissions(pid, None);
                     self.senders
                         .send_to_plugin(PluginInstruction::PermissionRequestResult(
@@ -4113,12 +4121,24 @@ impl Tab {
                 None => Ok(()),
             })
     }
-    pub fn suppress_pane(&mut self, pane_id: PaneId, client_id: ClientId) {
+    pub fn focus_suppressed_pane_for_all_clients(&mut self, pane_id: PaneId) {
+        match self.suppressed_panes.remove(&pane_id) {
+            Some(pane) => {
+                self.show_floating_panes();
+                self.add_floating_pane(pane.1, pane_id, None, None);
+                self.floating_panes.focus_pane_for_all_clients(pane_id);
+            },
+            None => {
+                log::error!("Could not find suppressed pane wiht id: {:?}", pane_id);
+            },
+        }
+    }
+    pub fn suppress_pane(&mut self, pane_id: PaneId, client_id: Option<ClientId>) {
         // this method places a pane in the suppressed pane with its own ID - this means we'll
         // not take it out of there when another pane is closed (eg. like happens with the
         // scrollback editor), but it has to take itself out on its own (eg. a plugin using the
         // show_self() method)
-        if let Some(pane) = self.extract_pane(pane_id, true, Some(client_id)) {
+        if let Some(pane) = self.extract_pane(pane_id, true, client_id) {
             let is_scrollback_editor = false;
             self.suppressed_panes
                 .insert(pane_id, (is_scrollback_editor, pane));
@@ -4205,19 +4225,36 @@ impl Tab {
         Ok(())
     }
     pub fn request_plugin_permissions(&mut self, pid: u32, permissions: Option<PluginPermission>) {
+        let mut should_focus_pane = false;
         if let Some(plugin_pane) = self
             .tiled_panes
             .get_pane_mut(PaneId::Plugin(pid))
             .or_else(|| self.floating_panes.get_pane_mut(PaneId::Plugin(pid)))
             .or_else(|| {
-                self.suppressed_panes
+                let mut suppressed_pane = self
+                    .suppressed_panes
                     .values_mut()
                     .find(|s_p| s_p.1.pid() == PaneId::Plugin(pid))
-                    .map(|s_p| &mut s_p.1)
+                    .map(|s_p| &mut s_p.1);
+                if let Some(suppressed_pane) = suppressed_pane.as_mut() {
+                    if permissions.is_some() {
+                        // here what happens is that we're requesting permissions for a pane that
+                        // is suppressed, meaning the user cannot see the permission request
+                        // so we temporarily focus this pane as a floating pane, marking it so that
+                        // once the permissions are accepted/rejected by the user, it will be
+                        // suppressed again
+                        suppressed_pane.set_should_be_suppressed(true);
+                        should_focus_pane = true;
+                    }
+                }
+                suppressed_pane
             })
         {
             plugin_pane.request_permissions_from_user(permissions);
         }
+        if should_focus_pane {
+            self.focus_suppressed_pane_for_all_clients(PaneId::Plugin(pid));
+        }
     }
     pub fn rerun_terminal_pane_with_id(&mut self, terminal_pane_id: u32) {
         let pane_id = PaneId::Terminal(terminal_pane_id);
@@ -4331,6 +4368,14 @@ impl Tab {
     pub fn update_auto_layout(&mut self, auto_layout: bool) {
         self.auto_layout = auto_layout;
     }
+    pub fn extract_suppressed_panes(&mut self) -> SuppressedPanes {
+        self.suppressed_panes.drain().collect()
+    }
+    pub fn add_suppressed_panes(&mut self, mut suppressed_panes: SuppressedPanes) {
+        for (pane_id, suppressed_pane_entry) in suppressed_panes.drain() {
+            self.suppressed_panes.insert(pane_id, suppressed_pane_entry);
+        }
+    }
     fn new_scrollback_editor_pane(&self, pid: u32) -> TerminalPane {
         let next_terminal_position = self.get_next_terminal_position();
         let mut new_pane = TerminalPane::new(
diff --git a/zellij-utils/assets/config/default.kdl b/zellij-utils/assets/config/default.kdl
index 9d2afa40..2765c78e 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/assets/config/default.kdl
+++ b/zellij-utils/assets/config/default.kdl
@@ -210,6 +210,12 @@ plugins {
     configuration location="zellij:configuration"
 }
 
+// Plugins to load in the background when a new session starts
+load_plugins {
+  // "file:/path/to/my-plugin.wasm"
+  // "https://example.com/my-plugin.wasm"
+}
+
 // Choose what to do when zellij receives SIGTERM, SIGINT, SIGQUIT or SIGHUP
 // eg. when terminal window with an active zellij session is closed
 // (Requires restart)
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/input/config.rs b/zellij-utils/src/input/config.rs
index 49ff5c2e..ae574b99 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/input/config.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/input/config.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 use crate::data::Palette;
 use miette::{Diagnostic, LabeledSpan, NamedSource, SourceCode};
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
+use std::collections::HashSet;
 use std::fs::File;
 use std::io::{self, Read};
 use std::path::PathBuf;
@@ -9,6 +10,7 @@ use thiserror::Error;
 use std::convert::TryFrom;
 
 use super::keybinds::Keybinds;
+use super::layout::{RunPlugin, RunPluginOrAlias};
 use super::options::Options;
 use super::plugins::{PluginAliases, PluginsConfigError};
 use super::theme::{Themes, UiConfig};
@@ -29,6 +31,7 @@ pub struct Config {
     pub plugins: PluginAliases,
     pub ui: UiConfig,
     pub env: EnvironmentVariables,
+    pub background_plugins: HashSet<RunPluginOrAlias>,
 }
 
 #[derive(Error, Debug)]
@@ -400,7 +403,7 @@ mod config_test {
     use crate::data::{InputMode, Palette, PaletteColor, PluginTag};
     use crate::input::layout::{RunPlugin, RunPluginLocation};
     use crate::input::options::{Clipboard, OnForceClose};
-    use crate::input::plugins::{PluginConfig, PluginType};
+    use crate::input::plugins::PluginConfig;
     use crate::input::theme::{FrameConfig, Theme, Themes, UiConfig};
     use std::collections::{BTreeMap, HashMap};
     use std::io::Write;
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/input/plugins.rs b/zellij-utils/src/input/plugins.rs
index 5a2ac645..a646b386 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/input/plugins.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/input/plugins.rs
@@ -35,8 +35,6 @@ impl PluginAliases {
 pub struct PluginConfig {
     /// Path of the plugin, see resolve_wasm_bytes for resolution semantics
     pub path: PathBuf,
-    /// Plugin type
-    pub run: PluginType,
     /// Allow command execution from plugin
     pub _allow_exec_host_cmd: bool,
     /// Original location of the
@@ -52,7 +50,6 @@ impl PluginConfig {
         match &run_plugin.location {
             RunPluginLocation::File(path) => Some(PluginConfig {
                 path: path.clone(),
-                run: PluginType::Pane(None),
                 _allow_exec_host_cmd: run_plugin._allow_exec_host_cmd,
                 location: run_plugin.location.clone(),
                 userspace_configuration: run_plugin.configuration.clone(),
@@ -69,7 +66,6 @@ impl PluginConfig {
                 {
                     Some(PluginConfig {
                         path: PathBuf::from(&tag),
-                        run: PluginType::Pane(None),
                         _allow_exec_host_cmd: run_plugin._allow_exec_host_cmd,
                         location: RunPluginLocation::parse(&format!("zellij:{}", tag), None)
                             .ok()?,
@@ -82,7 +78,6 @@ impl PluginConfig {
             },
             RunPluginLocation::Remote(_) => Some(PluginConfig {
                 path: PathBuf::new(),
-                run: PluginType::Pane(None),
                 _allow_exec_host_cmd: run_plugin._allow_exec_host_cmd,
                 location: run_plugin.location.clone(),
                 userspace_configuration: run_plugin.configuration.clone(),
@@ -187,41 +182,11 @@ impl PluginConfig {
         return last_err;
     }
 
-    /// Sets the tab index inside of the plugin type of the run field.
-    pub fn set_tab_index(&mut self, tab_index: usize) {
-        match self.run {
-            PluginType::Pane(..) => {
-                self.run = PluginType::Pane(Some(tab_index));
-            },
-            PluginType::Headless => {},
-        }
-    }
-
     pub fn is_builtin(&self) -> bool {
         matches!(self.location, RunPluginLocation::Zellij(_))
     }
 }
 
-/// Type of the plugin. Defaults to Pane.
-#[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq, Deserialize, Serialize, Hash, Eq)]
-#[serde(rename_all = "kebab-case")]
-pub enum PluginType {
-    // TODO: A plugin with output that's cloned across every pane in a tab, or across the entire
-    // application might be useful
-    // Tab
-    // Static
-    /// Starts immediately when Zellij is started and runs without a visible pane
-    Headless,
-    /// Runs once per pane declared inside a layout file
-    Pane(Option<usize>), // tab_index
-}
-
-impl Default for PluginType {
-    fn default() -> Self {
-        Self::Pane(None)
-    }
-}
-
 #[derive(Error, Debug, PartialEq)]
 pub enum PluginsConfigError {
     #[error("Duplication in plugin tag names is not allowed: '{}'", String::from(.0.clone()))]
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/kdl/mod.rs b/zellij-utils/src/kdl/mod.rs
index 3c8aeb71..e57bb828 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/kdl/mod.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/kdl/mod.rs
@@ -3616,6 +3616,10 @@ impl Config {
             let config_plugins = PluginAliases::from_kdl(kdl_plugin_aliases)?;
             config.plugins.merge(config_plugins);
         }
+        if let Some(kdl_load_plugins) = kdl_config.get("load_plugins") {
+            let load_plugins = load_plugins_from_kdl(kdl_load_plugins)?;
+            config.background_plugins = load_plugins;
+        }
         if let Some(kdl_ui_config) = kdl_config.get("ui") {
             let config_ui = UiConfig::from_kdl(&kdl_ui_config)?;
             config.ui = config.ui.merge(config_ui);
@@ -3640,6 +3644,9 @@ impl Config {
         let plugins = self.plugins.to_kdl(add_comments);
         document.nodes_mut().push(plugins);
 
+        let load_plugins = load_plugins_to_kdl(&self.background_plugins, add_comments);
+        document.nodes_mut().push(load_plugins);
+
         if let Some(ui_config) = self.ui.to_kdl() {
             document.nodes_mut().push(ui_config);
         }
@@ -3729,6 +3736,103 @@ impl PluginAliases {
     }
 }
 
+pub fn load_plugins_to_kdl(
+    background_plugins: &HashSet<RunPluginOrAlias>,
+    add_comments: bool,
+) -> KdlNode {
+    let mut load_plugins = KdlNode::new("load_plugins");
+    let mut load_plugins_children = KdlDocument::new();
+    for run_plugin_or_alias in background_plugins.iter() {
+        let mut background_plugin_node = KdlNode::new(run_plugin_or_alias.location_string());
+        let mut background_plugin_children = KdlDocument::new();
+
+        let cwd = match run_plugin_or_alias {
+            RunPluginOrAlias::RunPlugin(run_plugin) => run_plugin.initial_cwd.clone(),
+            RunPluginOrAlias::Alias(plugin_alias) => plugin_alias.initial_cwd.clone(),
+        };
+        let mut has_children = false;
+        if let Some(cwd) = cwd.as_ref() {
+            has_children = true;
+            let mut cwd_node = KdlNode::new("cwd");
+            cwd_node.push(cwd.display().to_string());
+            background_plugin_children.nodes_mut().push(cwd_node);
+        }
+        let configuration = match run_plugin_or_alias {
+            RunPluginOrAlias::RunPlugin(run_plugin) => {
+                Some(run_plugin.configuration.inner().clone())
+            },
+            RunPluginOrAlias::Alias(plugin_alias) => plugin_alias
+                .configuration
+                .as_ref()
+                .map(|c| c.inner().clone()),
+        };
+        if let Some(configuration) = configuration {
+            if !configuration.is_empty() {
+                has_children = true;
+                for (config_key, config_value) in configuration {
+                    let mut node = KdlNode::new(config_key.to_owned());
+                    if config_value == "true" {
+                        node.push(KdlValue::Bool(true));
+                    } else if config_value == "false" {
+                        node.push(KdlValue::Bool(false));
+                    } else {
+                        node.push(config_value.to_string());
+                    }
+                    background_plugin_children.nodes_mut().push(node);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        if has_children {
+            background_plugin_node.set_children(background_plugin_children);
+        }
+        load_plugins_children
+            .nodes_mut()
+            .push(background_plugin_node);
+    }
+    load_plugins.set_children(load_plugins_children);
+
+    if add_comments {
+        load_plugins.set_leading(format!(
+            "\n{}\n{}\n{}\n",
+            "// Plugins to load in the background when a new session starts",
+            "// eg. \"file:/path/to/my-plugin.wasm\"",
+            "// eg. \"https://example.com/my-plugin.wasm\"",
+        ));
+    }
+    load_plugins
+}
+
+fn load_plugins_from_kdl(
+    kdl_load_plugins: &KdlNode,
+) -> Result<HashSet<RunPluginOrAlias>, ConfigError> {
+    let mut load_plugins: HashSet<RunPluginOrAlias> = HashSet::new();
+    if let Some(kdl_load_plugins) = kdl_children_nodes!(kdl_load_plugins) {
+        for plugin_block in kdl_load_plugins {
+            let url_node = plugin_block.name();
+            let string_url = url_node.value();
+            let configuration = KdlLayoutParser::parse_plugin_user_configuration(&plugin_block)?;
+            let cwd = kdl_get_string_property_or_child_value!(&plugin_block, "cwd")
+                .map(|s| PathBuf::from(s));
+            let run_plugin_or_alias = RunPluginOrAlias::from_url(
+                &string_url,
+                &Some(configuration.inner().clone()),
+                None,
+                cwd.clone(),
+            )
+            .map_err(|e| {
+                ConfigError::new_kdl_error(
+                    format!("Failed to parse plugin: {}", e),
+                    url_node.span().offset(),
+                    url_node.span().len(),
+                )
+            })?
+            .with_initial_cwd(cwd);
+            load_plugins.insert(run_plugin_or_alias);
+        }
+    }
+    Ok(load_plugins)
+}
+
 impl UiConfig {
     pub fn from_kdl(kdl_ui_config: &KdlNode) -> Result<UiConfig, ConfigError> {
         let mut ui_config = UiConfig::default();
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/kdl/snapshots/zellij_utils__kdl__bare_config_from_default_assets_to_string.snap b/zellij-utils/src/kdl/snapshots/zellij_utils__kdl__bare_config_from_default_assets_to_string.snap
index 6cd58d55..a385211a 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/kdl/snapshots/zellij_utils__kdl__bare_config_from_default_assets_to_string.snap
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/kdl/snapshots/zellij_utils__kdl__bare_config_from_default_assets_to_string.snap
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ---
 source: zellij-utils/src/kdl/mod.rs
-assertion_line: 5060
+assertion_line: 5525
 expression: fake_config_stringified
 ---
 keybinds clear-defaults=true {
@@ -237,4 +237,6 @@ plugins {
         welcome_screen true
     }
 }
+load_plugins {
+}
 
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/kdl/snapshots/zellij_utils__kdl__bare_config_from_default_assets_to_string_with_comments.snap b/zellij-utils/src/kdl/snapshots/zellij_utils__kdl__bare_config_from_default_assets_to_string_with_comments.snap
index c30dca10..3f438da1 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/kdl/snapshots/zellij_utils__kdl__bare_config_from_default_assets_to_string_with_comments.snap
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/kdl/snapshots/zellij_utils__kdl__bare_config_from_default_assets_to_string_with_comments.snap
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ---
 source: zellij-utils/src/kdl/mod.rs
-assertion_line: 5441
+assertion_line: 5537
 expression: fake_config_stringified
 ---
 keybinds clear-defaults=true {
@@ -240,6 +240,12 @@ plugins {
         welcome_screen true
     }
 }
+
+// Plugins to load in the background when a new session starts
+// eg. "file:/path/to/my-plugin.wasm"
+// eg. "https://example.com/my-plugin.wasm"
+load_plugins {
+}
  
 // Use a simplified UI without special fonts (arrow glyphs)
 // Options:
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__default_config_with_no_cli_arguments.snap b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__default_config_with_no_cli_arguments.snap
index 45657125..07892df6 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__default_config_with_no_cli_arguments.snap
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__default_config_with_no_cli_arguments.snap
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ---
 source: zellij-utils/src/setup.rs
-assertion_line: 753
+assertion_line: 754
 expression: "format!(\"{:#?}\", config)"
 ---
 Config {
@@ -5682,4 +5682,5 @@ Config {
         },
     },
     env: {},
+    background_plugins: {},
 }
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_env_vars_override_config_env_vars.snap b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_env_vars_override_config_env_vars.snap
index 95e4ff27..2d4200de 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_env_vars_override_config_env_vars.snap
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_env_vars_override_config_env_vars.snap
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ---
 source: zellij-utils/src/setup.rs
-assertion_line: 811
+assertion_line: 812
 expression: "format!(\"{:#?}\", config)"
 ---
 Config {
@@ -5686,4 +5686,5 @@ Config {
         "LAYOUT_ENV_VAR": "make sure I'm also here",
         "MY_ENV_VAR": "from layout",
     },
+    background_plugins: {},
 }
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_keybinds_override_config_keybinds.snap b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_keybinds_override_config_keybinds.snap
index 028feefe..b7b66e3a 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_keybinds_override_config_keybinds.snap
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_keybinds_override_config_keybinds.snap
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ---
 source: zellij-utils/src/setup.rs
-assertion_line: 853
+assertion_line: 854
 expression: "format!(\"{:#?}\", config)"
 ---
 Config {
@@ -231,4 +231,5 @@ Config {
         },
     },
     env: {},
+    background_plugins: {},
 }
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_themes_override_config_themes.snap b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_themes_override_config_themes.snap
index bfda7107..87ccfb70 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_themes_override_config_themes.snap
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_themes_override_config_themes.snap
@@ -5989,4 +5989,5 @@ Config {
         },
     },
     env: {},
+    background_plugins: {},
 }
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_ui_config_overrides_config_ui_config.snap b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_ui_config_overrides_config_ui_config.snap
index 5233e9e4..17f0e6d6 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_ui_config_overrides_config_ui_config.snap
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_ui_config_overrides_config_ui_config.snap
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ---
 source: zellij-utils/src/setup.rs
-assertion_line: 825
+assertion_line: 826
 expression: "format!(\"{:#?}\", config)"
 ---
 Config {
@@ -5682,4 +5682,5 @@ Config {
         },
     },
     env: {},
+    background_plugins: {},
 }