feat(plugins): introduce plugin aliases (#3157)

* working prototype with passing tests

* new tests and passing plugin tests as well

* style(code): cleanups

* cleanup strider from unused search feature

* prototype of removing old plugin block from the config

* aliases working from config file and all tests passing

* fixups and cleanups

* use aliases in layouts

* update test snapshot

* style(fmt): rustfmt

20 files changed, 1169 insertions, 998 deletions

diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/cli.rs b/zellij-utils/src/cli.rs
index 595293f4..e5b65d39 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/cli.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/cli.rs
@@ -627,7 +627,7 @@ pub enum CliAction {
         in_place: bool,
         #[clap(short, long, value_parser)]
         move_to_focused_tab: bool,
-        url: Url,
+        url: String,
         #[clap(short, long, value_parser)]
         configuration: Option<PluginUserConfiguration>,
         #[clap(short, long, value_parser)]
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/input/actions.rs b/zellij-utils/src/input/actions.rs
index b19529e4..18ed0a8d 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/input/actions.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/input/actions.rs
@@ -2,8 +2,8 @@
 
 use super::command::RunCommandAction;
 use super::layout::{
-    FloatingPaneLayout, Layout, RunPlugin, RunPluginLocation, SwapFloatingLayout, SwapTiledLayout,
-    TiledPaneLayout,
+    FloatingPaneLayout, Layout, PluginAlias, RunPlugin, RunPluginLocation, RunPluginOrAlias,
+    SwapFloatingLayout, SwapTiledLayout, TiledPaneLayout,
 };
 use crate::cli::CliAction;
 use crate::data::{Direction, Resize};
@@ -217,9 +217,9 @@ pub enum Action {
     LeftClick(Position),
     RightClick(Position),
     MiddleClick(Position),
-    LaunchOrFocusPlugin(RunPlugin, bool, bool, bool, bool), // bools => should float,
+    LaunchOrFocusPlugin(RunPluginOrAlias, bool, bool, bool, bool), // bools => should float,
     // move_to_focused_tab, should_open_in_place, skip_cache
-    LaunchPlugin(RunPlugin, bool, bool, bool, Option<PathBuf>), // bools => should float,
+    LaunchPlugin(RunPluginOrAlias, bool, bool, bool, Option<PathBuf>), // bools => should float,
     // should_open_in_place, skip_cache, Option<PathBuf> is cwd
     LeftMouseRelease(Position),
     RightMouseRelease(Position),
@@ -246,19 +246,19 @@ pub enum Action {
     /// Query all tab names
     QueryTabNames,
     /// Open a new tiled (embedded, non-floating) plugin pane
-    NewTiledPluginPane(RunPlugin, Option<String>, bool, Option<PathBuf>), // String is an optional name, bool is
+    NewTiledPluginPane(RunPluginOrAlias, Option<String>, bool, Option<PathBuf>), // String is an optional name, bool is
     // skip_cache, Option<PathBuf> is cwd
     NewFloatingPluginPane(
-        RunPlugin,
+        RunPluginOrAlias,
         Option<String>,
         bool,
         Option<PathBuf>,
         Option<FloatingPaneCoordinates>,
     ), // String is an optional name, bool is
     // skip_cache, Option<PathBuf> is cwd
-    NewInPlacePluginPane(RunPlugin, Option<String>, bool), // String is an optional name, bool is
+    NewInPlacePluginPane(RunPluginOrAlias, Option<String>, bool), // String is an optional name, bool is
     // skip_cache
-    StartOrReloadPlugin(RunPlugin),
+    StartOrReloadPlugin(RunPluginOrAlias),
     CloseTerminalPane(u32),
     ClosePluginPane(u32),
     FocusTerminalPaneWithId(u32, bool), // bool is should_float_if_hidden
@@ -351,14 +351,20 @@ impl Action {
                 let cwd = cwd
                     .map(|cwd| current_dir.join(cwd))
                     .or_else(|| Some(current_dir));
-                let user_configuration = configuration.unwrap_or_default();
                 if let Some(plugin) = plugin {
-                    let location = RunPluginLocation::parse(&plugin, cwd.clone())
-                        .map_err(|e| format!("Failed to parse plugin loction {plugin}: {}", e))?;
-                    let plugin = RunPlugin {
-                        _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                        location,
-                        configuration: user_configuration,
+                    let plugin = match RunPluginLocation::parse(&plugin, cwd.clone()) {
+                        Ok(location) => {
+                            let user_configuration = configuration.unwrap_or_default();
+                            RunPluginOrAlias::RunPlugin(RunPlugin {
+                                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                                location,
+                                configuration: user_configuration,
+                            })
+                        },
+                        Err(_) => RunPluginOrAlias::Alias(PluginAlias::new(
+                            &plugin,
+                            &configuration.map(|c| c.inner().clone()),
+                        )),
                     };
                     if floating {
                         Ok(vec![Action::NewFloatingPluginPane(
@@ -571,14 +577,13 @@ impl Action {
             CliAction::QueryTabNames => Ok(vec![Action::QueryTabNames]),
             CliAction::StartOrReloadPlugin { url, configuration } => {
                 let current_dir = get_current_dir();
-                let run_plugin_location = RunPluginLocation::parse(&url, Some(current_dir))
-                    .map_err(|e| format!("Failed to parse plugin location: {}", e))?;
-                let run_plugin = RunPlugin {
-                    location: run_plugin_location,
-                    _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                    configuration: configuration.unwrap_or_default(),
-                };
-                Ok(vec![Action::StartOrReloadPlugin(run_plugin)])
+                let run_plugin_or_alias = RunPluginOrAlias::from_url(
+                    &url,
+                    &configuration.map(|c| c.inner().clone()),
+                    None,
+                    Some(current_dir),
+                )?;
+                Ok(vec![Action::StartOrReloadPlugin(run_plugin_or_alias)])
             },
             CliAction::LaunchOrFocusPlugin {
                 url,
@@ -589,15 +594,14 @@ impl Action {
                 skip_plugin_cache,
             } => {
                 let current_dir = get_current_dir();
-                let run_plugin_location = RunPluginLocation::parse(url.as_str(), Some(current_dir))
-                    .map_err(|e| format!("Failed to parse plugin location: {}", e))?;
-                let run_plugin = RunPlugin {
-                    location: run_plugin_location,
-                    _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                    configuration: configuration.unwrap_or_default(),
-                };
+                let run_plugin_or_alias = RunPluginOrAlias::from_url(
+                    url.as_str(),
+                    &configuration.map(|c| c.inner().clone()),
+                    None,
+                    Some(current_dir),
+                )?;
                 Ok(vec![Action::LaunchOrFocusPlugin(
-                    run_plugin,
+                    run_plugin_or_alias,
                     floating,
                     move_to_focused_tab,
                     in_place,
@@ -612,16 +616,14 @@ impl Action {
                 skip_plugin_cache,
             } => {
                 let current_dir = get_current_dir();
-                let run_plugin_location =
-                    RunPluginLocation::parse(url.as_str(), Some(current_dir.clone()))
-                        .map_err(|e| format!("Failed to parse plugin location: {}", e))?;
-                let run_plugin = RunPlugin {
-                    location: run_plugin_location,
-                    _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                    configuration: configuration.unwrap_or_default(),
-                };
+                let run_plugin_or_alias = RunPluginOrAlias::from_url(
+                    &url.as_str(),
+                    &configuration.map(|c| c.inner().clone()),
+                    None,
+                    Some(current_dir.clone()),
+                )?;
                 Ok(vec![Action::LaunchPlugin(
-                    run_plugin,
+                    run_plugin_or_alias,
                     floating,
                     in_place,
                     skip_plugin_cache,
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/input/config.rs b/zellij-utils/src/input/config.rs
index eb8fe521..cf6620a9 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/input/config.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/input/config.rs
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ use std::convert::TryFrom;
 
 use super::keybinds::Keybinds;
 use super::options::Options;
-use super::plugins::{PluginsConfig, PluginsConfigError};
+use super::plugins::{PluginAliases, PluginsConfigError};
 use super::theme::{Themes, UiConfig};
 use crate::cli::{CliArgs, Command};
 use crate::envs::EnvironmentVariables;
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ pub struct Config {
     pub keybinds: Keybinds,
     pub options: Options,
     pub themes: Themes,
-    pub plugins: PluginsConfig,
+    pub plugins: PluginAliases,
     pub ui: UiConfig,
     pub env: EnvironmentVariables,
 }
@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@ impl Config {
         self.options = self.options.merge(other.options);
         self.keybinds.merge(other.keybinds.clone());
         self.themes = self.themes.merge(other.themes);
-        self.plugins = self.plugins.merge(other.plugins);
+        self.plugins.merge(other.plugins);
         self.ui = self.ui.merge(other.ui);
         self.env = self.env.merge(other.env);
         Ok(())
@@ -237,11 +237,11 @@ impl Config {
 mod config_test {
     use super::*;
     use crate::data::{InputMode, Palette, PaletteColor, PluginTag};
-    use crate::input::layout::RunPluginLocation;
+    use crate::input::layout::{RunPlugin, RunPluginLocation};
     use crate::input::options::{Clipboard, OnForceClose};
-    use crate::input::plugins::{PluginConfig, PluginType, PluginsConfig};
+    use crate::input::plugins::{PluginConfig, PluginType};
     use crate::input::theme::{FrameConfig, Theme, Themes, UiConfig};
-    use std::collections::HashMap;
+    use std::collections::{BTreeMap, HashMap};
     use std::io::Write;
     use tempfile::tempdir;
 
@@ -591,60 +591,54 @@ mod config_test {
     fn can_define_plugin_configuration_in_configfile() {
         let config_contents = r#"
             plugins {
-                tab-bar { path "tab-bar"; }
-                status-bar { path "status-bar"; }
-                strider {
-                    path "strider"
-                    _allow_exec_host_cmd true
+                tab-bar location="zellij:tab-bar"
+                status-bar location="zellij:status-bar"
+                strider location="zellij:strider"
+                compact-bar location="zellij:compact-bar"
+                session-manager location="zellij:session-manager"
+                welcome-screen location="zellij:session-manager" {
+                    welcome_screen true
                 }
-                compact-bar { path "compact-bar"; }
+                filepicker location="zellij:strider"
             }
         "#;
         let config = Config::from_kdl(config_contents, None).unwrap();
-        let mut expected_plugin_configuration = HashMap::new();
+        let mut expected_plugin_configuration = BTreeMap::new();
         expected_plugin_configuration.insert(
-            PluginTag::new("tab-bar"),
-            PluginConfig {
-                path: PathBuf::from("tab-bar"),
-                run: PluginType::Pane(None),
-                location: RunPluginLocation::Zellij(PluginTag::new("tab-bar")),
-                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                userspace_configuration: Default::default(),
-            },
+            "tab-bar".to_owned(),
+            RunPlugin::from_url("zellij:tab-bar").unwrap(),
         );
         expected_plugin_configuration.insert(
-            PluginTag::new("status-bar"),
-            PluginConfig {
-                path: PathBuf::from("status-bar"),
-                run: PluginType::Pane(None),
-                location: RunPluginLocation::Zellij(PluginTag::new("status-bar")),
-                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                userspace_configuration: Default::default(),
-            },
+            "status-bar".to_owned(),
+            RunPlugin::from_url("zellij:status-bar").unwrap(),
         );
         expected_plugin_configuration.insert(
-            PluginTag::new("strider"),
-            PluginConfig {
-                path: PathBuf::from("strider"),
-                run: PluginType::Pane(None),
-                location: RunPluginLocation::Zellij(PluginTag::new("strider")),
-                _allow_exec_host_cmd: true,
-                userspace_configuration: Default::default(),
-            },
+            "strider".to_owned(),
+            RunPlugin::from_url("zellij:strider").unwrap(),
         );
         expected_plugin_configuration.insert(
-            PluginTag::new("compact-bar"),
-            PluginConfig {
-                path: PathBuf::from("compact-bar"),
-                run: PluginType::Pane(None),
-                location: RunPluginLocation::Zellij(PluginTag::new("compact-bar")),
-                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                userspace_configuration: Default::default(),
-            },
+            "compact-bar".to_owned(),
+            RunPlugin::from_url("zellij:compact-bar").unwrap(),
+        );
+        expected_plugin_configuration.insert(
+            "session-manager".to_owned(),
+            RunPlugin::from_url("zellij:session-manager").unwrap(),
+        );
+        let mut welcome_screen_configuration = BTreeMap::new();
+        welcome_screen_configuration.insert("welcome_screen".to_owned(), "true".to_owned());
+        expected_plugin_configuration.insert(
+            "welcome-screen".to_owned(),
+            RunPlugin::from_url("zellij:session-manager")
+                .unwrap()
+                .with_configuration(welcome_screen_configuration),
+        );
+        expected_plugin_configuration.insert(
+            "filepicker".to_owned(),
+            RunPlugin::from_url("zellij:strider").unwrap(),
         );
         assert_eq!(
             config.plugins,
-            PluginsConfig::from_data(expected_plugin_configuration),
+            PluginAliases::from_data(expected_plugin_configuration),
             "Plugins defined in config"
         );
     }
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/input/layout.rs b/zellij-utils/src/input/layout.rs
index 3dfadb40..ad2fca89 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/input/layout.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/input/layout.rs
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ use std::cmp::Ordering;
 use std::fmt::{Display, Formatter};
 use std::str::FromStr;
 
-use super::plugins::{PluginTag, PluginsConfigError};
+use super::plugins::{PluginAliases, PluginTag, PluginsConfigError};
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use std::collections::BTreeMap;
 use std::vec::Vec;
@@ -80,10 +80,122 @@ impl SplitSize {
     }
 }
 
+#[derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize, Clone, PartialEq, Eq, Hash)]
+pub enum RunPluginOrAlias {
+    RunPlugin(RunPlugin),
+    Alias(PluginAlias),
+}
+
+impl Default for RunPluginOrAlias {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        RunPluginOrAlias::RunPlugin(Default::default())
+    }
+}
+
+impl RunPluginOrAlias {
+    pub fn location_string(&self) -> String {
+        match self {
+            RunPluginOrAlias::RunPlugin(run_plugin) => run_plugin.location.display(),
+            RunPluginOrAlias::Alias(plugin_alias) => plugin_alias.name.clone(),
+        }
+    }
+    pub fn populate_run_plugin_if_needed(&mut self, plugin_aliases: &PluginAliases) {
+        if let RunPluginOrAlias::Alias(run_plugin_alias) = self {
+            if run_plugin_alias.run_plugin.is_some() {
+                log::warn!("Overriding plugin alias");
+            }
+            let merged_run_plugin = plugin_aliases
+                .aliases
+                .get(run_plugin_alias.name.as_str())
+                .map(|r| {
+                    r.clone().merge_configuration(
+                        &run_plugin_alias
+                            .configuration
+                            .as_ref()
+                            .map(|c| c.inner().clone()),
+                    )
+                });
+            run_plugin_alias.run_plugin = merged_run_plugin;
+        }
+    }
+    pub fn get_run_plugin(&self) -> Option<RunPlugin> {
+        match self {
+            RunPluginOrAlias::RunPlugin(run_plugin) => Some(run_plugin.clone()),
+            RunPluginOrAlias::Alias(plugin_alias) => plugin_alias.run_plugin.clone(),
+        }
+    }
+    pub fn get_configuration(&self) -> Option<PluginUserConfiguration> {
+        self.get_run_plugin().map(|r| r.configuration.clone())
+    }
+    pub fn from_url(
+        url: &str,
+        configuration: &Option<BTreeMap<String, String>>,
+        alias_dict: Option<&PluginAliases>,
+        cwd: Option<PathBuf>,
+    ) -> Result<Self, String> {
+        match RunPluginLocation::parse(&url, cwd) {
+            Ok(location) => Ok(RunPluginOrAlias::RunPlugin(RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location,
+                configuration: configuration
+                    .as_ref()
+                    .map(|c| PluginUserConfiguration::new(c.clone()))
+                    .unwrap_or_default(),
+            })),
+            Err(PluginsConfigError::InvalidUrlScheme(_))
+            | Err(PluginsConfigError::InvalidUrl(..)) => {
+                let mut plugin_alias = PluginAlias::new(&url, configuration);
+                if let Some(alias_dict) = alias_dict {
+                    plugin_alias.run_plugin = alias_dict
+                        .aliases
+                        .get(url)
+                        .map(|r| r.clone().merge_configuration(configuration));
+                }
+                Ok(RunPluginOrAlias::Alias(plugin_alias))
+            },
+            Err(e) => {
+                return Err(format!("Failed to parse plugin location {url}: {}", e));
+            },
+        }
+    }
+    pub fn is_equivalent_to_run(&self, run: &Option<Run>) -> bool {
+        match (self, run) {
+            (
+                RunPluginOrAlias::Alias(self_alias),
+                Some(Run::Plugin(RunPluginOrAlias::Alias(run_alias))),
+            ) => {
+                self_alias.name == run_alias.name
+                    && self_alias
+                        .configuration
+                        .as_ref()
+                        // we do the is_empty() checks because an empty configuration is the same as no
+                        // configuration (i.e. None)
+                        .and_then(|c| if c.inner().is_empty() { None } else { Some(c) })
+                        == run_alias.configuration.as_ref().and_then(|c| {
+                            if c.inner().is_empty() {
+                                None
+                            } else {
+                                Some(c)
+                            }
+                        })
+            },
+            (
+                RunPluginOrAlias::Alias(self_alias),
+                Some(Run::Plugin(RunPluginOrAlias::RunPlugin(other_run_plugin))),
+            ) => self_alias.run_plugin.as_ref() == Some(other_run_plugin),
+            (
+                RunPluginOrAlias::RunPlugin(self_run_plugin),
+                Some(Run::Plugin(RunPluginOrAlias::RunPlugin(other_run_plugin))),
+            ) => self_run_plugin == other_run_plugin,
+            _ => false,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 #[derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize, Clone, PartialEq, Eq)]
 pub enum Run {
     #[serde(rename = "plugin")]
-    Plugin(RunPlugin),
+    Plugin(RunPluginOrAlias),
     #[serde(rename = "command")]
     Command(RunCommand),
     EditFile(PathBuf, Option<usize>, Option<PathBuf>), // TODO: merge this with TerminalAction::OpenFile
@@ -227,6 +339,23 @@ impl Run {
             Run::Cwd(cwd) => Some(cwd.clone()),
         }
     }
+    pub fn get_run_plugin(&self) -> Option<RunPlugin> {
+        match self {
+            Run::Plugin(RunPluginOrAlias::RunPlugin(run_plugin)) => Some(run_plugin.clone()),
+            Run::Plugin(RunPluginOrAlias::Alias(plugin_alias)) => {
+                plugin_alias.run_plugin.as_ref().map(|r| r.clone())
+            },
+            _ => None,
+        }
+    }
+    pub fn populate_run_plugin_if_needed(&mut self, alias_dict: &PluginAliases) {
+        match self {
+            Run::Plugin(run_plugin_alias) => {
+                run_plugin_alias.populate_run_plugin_if_needed(alias_dict)
+            },
+            _ => {},
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 #[allow(clippy::derive_hash_xor_eq)]
@@ -246,6 +375,35 @@ impl RunPlugin {
             ..Default::default()
         })
     }
+    pub fn with_configuration(mut self, configuration: BTreeMap<String, String>) -> Self {
+        self.configuration = PluginUserConfiguration::new(configuration);
+        self
+    }
+    pub fn merge_configuration(mut self, configuration: &Option<BTreeMap<String, String>>) -> Self {
+        if let Some(configuration) = configuration {
+            self.configuration.merge(configuration);
+        }
+        self
+    }
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize, Clone, Hash, Default, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub struct PluginAlias {
+    pub name: String,
+    pub configuration: Option<PluginUserConfiguration>,
+    pub run_plugin: Option<RunPlugin>,
+}
+
+impl PluginAlias {
+    pub fn new(name: &str, configuration: &Option<BTreeMap<String, String>>) -> Self {
+        PluginAlias {
+            name: name.to_owned(),
+            configuration: configuration
+                .as_ref()
+                .map(|c| PluginUserConfiguration::new(c.clone())),
+            ..Default::default()
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 #[allow(clippy::derive_hash_xor_eq)]
@@ -280,6 +438,11 @@ impl PluginUserConfiguration {
     pub fn insert(&mut self, config_key: impl Into<String>, config_value: impl Into<String>) {
         self.0.insert(config_key.into(), config_value.into());
     }
+    pub fn merge(&mut self, other_config: &BTreeMap<String, String>) {
+        for (key, value) in other_config {
+            self.0.insert(key.to_owned(), value.clone());
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 impl FromStr for PluginUserConfiguration {
@@ -706,6 +869,15 @@ impl TiledPaneLayout {
             child.add_cwd_to_layout(cwd);
         }
     }
+    pub fn populate_plugin_aliases_in_layout(&mut self, plugin_aliases: &PluginAliases) {
+        match self.run.as_mut() {
+            Some(run) => run.populate_run_plugin_if_needed(plugin_aliases),
+            _ => {},
+        }
+        for child in self.children.iter_mut() {
+            child.populate_plugin_aliases_in_layout(plugin_aliases);
+        }
+    }
     pub fn deepest_depth(&self) -> usize {
         let mut deepest_child_depth = 0;
         for child in self.children.iter() {
@@ -1141,6 +1313,26 @@ impl Layout {
             Err(_e) => None,
         }
     }
+    pub fn populate_plugin_aliases_in_layout(&mut self, plugin_aliases: &PluginAliases) {
+        for tab in self.tabs.iter_mut() {
+            tab.1.populate_plugin_aliases_in_layout(plugin_aliases);
+            for floating_pane_layout in tab.2.iter_mut() {
+                floating_pane_layout
+                    .run
+                    .as_mut()
+                    .map(|f| f.populate_run_plugin_if_needed(&plugin_aliases));
+            }
+        }
+        if let Some(template) = self.template.as_mut() {
+            template.0.populate_plugin_aliases_in_layout(plugin_aliases);
+            for floating_pane_layout in template.1.iter_mut() {
+                floating_pane_layout
+                    .run
+                    .as_mut()
+                    .map(|f| f.populate_run_plugin_if_needed(&plugin_aliases));
+            }
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 fn split_space(
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/input/plugins.rs b/zellij-utils/src/input/plugins.rs
index 2a262222..cb3d6891 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/input/plugins.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/input/plugins.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 //! Plugins configuration metadata
-use std::borrow::Borrow;
-use std::collections::HashMap;
+use std::collections::BTreeMap;
 use std::fs;
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 use thiserror::Error;
@@ -14,73 +13,17 @@ use crate::consts::ASSET_MAP;
 pub use crate::data::PluginTag;
 use crate::errors::prelude::*;
 
-use std::collections::BTreeMap;
-use std::fmt;
-
-/// Used in the config struct for plugin metadata
-#[derive(Clone, PartialEq, Deserialize, Serialize)]
-pub struct PluginsConfig(pub HashMap<PluginTag, PluginConfig>);
-
-impl fmt::Debug for PluginsConfig {
-    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter) -> fmt::Result {
-        let mut stable_sorted = BTreeMap::new();
-        for (plugin_tag, plugin_config) in self.0.iter() {
-            stable_sorted.insert(plugin_tag, plugin_config);
-        }
-        write!(f, "{:#?}", stable_sorted)
-    }
+#[derive(Clone, Debug, Default, Eq, PartialEq, Deserialize, Serialize)]
+pub struct PluginAliases {
+    pub aliases: BTreeMap<String, RunPlugin>,
 }
 
-impl PluginsConfig {
-    pub fn new() -> Self {
-        Self(HashMap::new())
-    }
-    pub fn from_data(data: HashMap<PluginTag, PluginConfig>) -> Self {
-        PluginsConfig(data)
-    }
-
-    /// Get plugin config from run configuration specified in layout files.
-    pub fn get(&self, run: impl Borrow<RunPlugin>) -> Option<PluginConfig> {
-        let run = run.borrow();
-        match &run.location {
-            RunPluginLocation::File(path) => Some(PluginConfig {
-                path: path.clone(),
-                run: PluginType::Pane(None),
-                _allow_exec_host_cmd: run._allow_exec_host_cmd,
-                location: run.location.clone(),
-                userspace_configuration: run.configuration.clone(),
-            }),
-            RunPluginLocation::Zellij(tag) => self.0.get(tag).cloned().map(|plugin| PluginConfig {
-                _allow_exec_host_cmd: run._allow_exec_host_cmd,
-                userspace_configuration: run.configuration.clone(),
-                ..plugin
-            }),
-            RunPluginLocation::Remote(_) => Some(PluginConfig {
-                path: PathBuf::new(),
-                run: PluginType::Pane(None),
-                _allow_exec_host_cmd: run._allow_exec_host_cmd,
-                location: run.location.clone(),
-                userspace_configuration: run.configuration.clone(),
-            }),
-        }
-    }
-
-    pub fn iter(&self) -> impl Iterator<Item = &PluginConfig> {
-        self.0.values()
+impl PluginAliases {
+    pub fn merge(&mut self, other: Self) {
+        self.aliases.extend(other.aliases);
     }
-
-    /// Merges two PluginConfig structs into one PluginConfig struct
-    /// `other` overrides the PluginConfig of `self`.
-    pub fn merge(&self, other: Self) -> Self {
-        let mut plugin_config = self.0.clone();
-        plugin_config.extend(other.0);
-        Self(plugin_config)
-    }
-}
-
-impl Default for PluginsConfig {
-    fn default() -> Self {
-        PluginsConfig(HashMap::new())
+    pub fn from_data(aliases: BTreeMap<String, RunPlugin>) -> Self {
+        PluginAliases { aliases }
     }
 }
 
@@ -100,6 +43,44 @@ pub struct PluginConfig {
 }
 
 impl PluginConfig {
+    pub fn from_run_plugin(run_plugin: &RunPlugin) -> Option<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(),
+            }),
+            RunPluginLocation::Zellij(tag) => {
+                let tag = tag.to_string();
+                if tag == "status-bar"
+                    || tag == "tab-bar"
+                    || tag == "compact-bar"
+                    || tag == "strider"
+                    || tag == "session-manager"
+                {
+                    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()?,
+                        userspace_configuration: run_plugin.configuration.clone(),
+                    })
+                } else {
+                    None
+                }
+            },
+            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(),
+            }),
+        }
+    }
     /// Resolve wasm plugin bytes for the plugin path and given plugin directory.
     ///
     /// If zellij was built without the 'disable_automatic_asset_installation' feature, builtin
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/input/unit/layout_test.rs b/zellij-utils/src/input/unit/layout_test.rs
index 424a5b22..b2070ce1 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/input/unit/layout_test.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/input/unit/layout_test.rs
@@ -551,29 +551,29 @@ fn layout_with_plugin_panes() {
             TiledPaneLayout {
                 children: vec![
                     TiledPaneLayout {
-                        run: Some(Run::Plugin(RunPlugin {
+                        run: Some(Run::Plugin(RunPluginOrAlias::RunPlugin(RunPlugin {
                             location: RunPluginLocation::Zellij(PluginTag::new("tab-bar")),
                             _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
                             configuration: Default::default(),
-                        })),
+                        }))),
                         ..Default::default()
                     },
                     TiledPaneLayout {
-                        run: Some(Run::Plugin(RunPlugin {
+                        run: Some(Run::Plugin(RunPluginOrAlias::RunPlugin(RunPlugin {
                             location: RunPluginLocation::File(PathBuf::from(
                                 "/path/to/my/plugin.wasm",
                             )),
                             _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
                             configuration: Default::default(),
-                        })),
+                        }))),
                         ..Default::default()
                     },
                     TiledPaneLayout {
-                        run: Some(Run::Plugin(RunPlugin {
+                        run: Some(Run::Plugin(RunPluginOrAlias::RunPlugin(RunPlugin {
                             location: RunPluginLocation::Zellij(PluginTag::new("status-bar")),
                             _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
                             configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(expected_plugin_configuration),
-                        })),
+                        }))),
                         ..Default::default()
                     },
                 ],
@@ -2079,6 +2079,9 @@ fn run_plugin_location_parsing() {
             pane {
                 plugin location="file:c:/absolute/windows/plugin.wasm"
             }
+            pane {
+                plugin location="filepicker"
+            }
         }
     "#;
     let layout = Layout::from_kdl(kdl_layout, "layout_file_name".into(), None, None).unwrap();
@@ -2087,59 +2090,67 @@ fn run_plugin_location_parsing() {
             TiledPaneLayout {
                 children: vec![
                     TiledPaneLayout {
-                        run: Some(Run::Plugin(RunPlugin {
+                        run: Some(Run::Plugin(RunPluginOrAlias::RunPlugin(RunPlugin {
                             _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
                             location: RunPluginLocation::Zellij(PluginTag::new("tab-bar")),
                             configuration: Default::default(),
-                        })),
+                        }))),
                         ..Default::default()
                     },
                     TiledPaneLayout {
-                        run: Some(Run::Plugin(RunPlugin {
+                        run: Some(Run::Plugin(RunPluginOrAlias::RunPlugin(RunPlugin {
                             _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
                             location: RunPluginLocation::File(PathBuf::from(
                                 "/path/to/my/plugin.wasm",
                             )),
                             configuration: Default::default(),
-                        })),
+                        }))),
                         ..Default::default()
                     },
                     TiledPaneLayout {
-                        run: Some(Run::Plugin(RunPlugin {
+                        run: Some(Run::Plugin(RunPluginOrAlias::RunPlugin(RunPlugin {
                             _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
                             location: RunPluginLocation::File(PathBuf::from("plugin.wasm")),
                             configuration: Default::default(),
-                        })),
+                        }))),
                         ..Default::default()
                     },
                     TiledPaneLayout {
-                        run: Some(Run::Plugin(RunPlugin {
+                        run: Some(Run::Plugin(RunPluginOrAlias::RunPlugin(RunPlugin {
                             _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
                             location: RunPluginLocation::File(PathBuf::from(
                                 "relative/with space/plugin.wasm",
                             )),
                             configuration: Default::default(),
-                        })),
+                        }))),
                         ..Default::default()
                     },
                     TiledPaneLayout {
-                        run: Some(Run::Plugin(RunPlugin {
+                        run: Some(Run::Plugin(RunPluginOrAlias::RunPlugin(RunPlugin {
                             _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
                             location: RunPluginLocation::File(PathBuf::from(
                                 "/absolute/with space/plugin.wasm",
                             )),
                             configuration: Default::default(),
-                        })),
+                        }))),
                         ..Default::default()
                     },
                     TiledPaneLayout {
-                        run: Some(Run::Plugin(RunPlugin {
+                        run: Some(Run::Plugin(RunPluginOrAlias::RunPlugin(RunPlugin {
                             _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
                             location: RunPluginLocation::File(PathBuf::from(
                                 "c:/absolute/windows/plugin.wasm",
                             )),
                             configuration: Default::default(),
-                        })),
+                        }))),
+                        ..Default::default()
+                    },
+                    TiledPaneLayout {
+                        run: Some(Run::Plugin(RunPluginOrAlias::Alias(PluginAlias {
+                            name: "filepicker".to_owned(),
+                            configuration: Some(PluginUserConfiguration::default()),
+                            ..Default::default()
+                        }))),
                         ..Default::default()
                     },
                 ],
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/input/unit/snapshots/zellij_utils__input__layout__layout_test__can_load_swap_layouts_from_a_different_file.snap b/zellij-utils/src/input/unit/snapshots/zellij_utils__input__layout__layout_test__can_load_swap_layouts_from_a_different_file.snap
index 0ebdf2ca..abfd8801 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/input/unit/snapshots/zellij_utils__input__layout__layout_test__can_load_swap_layouts_from_a_different_file.snap
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/input/unit/snapshots/zellij_utils__input__layout__layout_test__can_load_swap_layouts_from_a_different_file.snap
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ---
 source: zellij-utils/src/input/./unit/layout_test.rs
-assertion_line: 1880
+assertion_line: 1935
 expression: "format!(\"{:#?}\", layout)"
 ---
 Layout {
@@ -65,17 +65,19 @@ Layout {
                             ),
                             run: Some(
                                 Plugin(
-                                    RunPlugin {
-                                        _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                                        location: Zellij(
-                                            PluginTag(
-                                                "tab-bar",
+                                    RunPlugin(
+                                        RunPlugin {
+                                            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                                            location: Zellij(
+                                                PluginTag(
+                                                    "tab-bar",
+                                                ),
                                             ),
-                                        ),
-                                        configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                                            {},
-                                        ),
-                                    },
+                                            configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                                                {},
+                                            ),
+                                        },
+                                    ),
                                 ),
                             ),
                             borderless: true,
@@ -167,17 +169,19 @@ Layout {
                             ),
                             run: Some(
                                 Plugin(
-                                    RunPlugin {
-                                        _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                                        location: Zellij(
-                                            PluginTag(
-                                                "status-bar",
+                                    RunPlugin(
+                                        RunPlugin {
+                                            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                                            location: Zellij(
+                                                PluginTag(
+                                                    "status-bar",
+                                                ),
+                                            ),
+                                            configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                                                {},
                                             ),
-                                        ),
-                                        configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                                            {},
-                                        ),
-                                    },
+                                        },
+                                    ),
                                 ),
                             ),
                             borderless: true,
@@ -220,17 +224,19 @@ Layout {
                             ),
                             run: Some(
                                 Plugin(
-                                    RunPlugin {
-                                        _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                                        location: Zellij(
-                                            PluginTag(
-                                                "tab-bar",
+                                    RunPlugin(
+                                        RunPlugin {
+                                            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                                            location: Zellij(
+                                                PluginTag(
+                                                    "tab-bar",
+                                                ),
+                                            ),
+                                            configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                                                {},
                                             ),
-                                        ),
-                                        configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                                            {},
-                                        ),
-                                    },
+                                        },
+                                    ),
                                 ),
                             ),
                             borderless: true,
@@ -387,17 +393,19 @@ Layout {
                             ),
                             run: Some(
                                 Plugin(
-                                    RunPlugin {
-                                        _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                                        location: Zellij(
-                                            PluginTag(
-                                                "status-bar",
+                                    RunPlugin(
+                                        RunPlugin {
+                                            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                                            location: Zellij(
+                                                PluginTag(
+                                                    "status-bar",
+                                                ),
                                             ),
-                                        ),
-                                        configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                                            {},
-                                        ),
-                                    },
+                                            configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                                                {},
+                                            ),
+                                        },
+                                    ),
                                 ),
                             ),
                             borderless: true,
@@ -440,17 +448,19 @@ Layout {
                             ),
                             run: Some(
                                 Plugin(
-                                    RunPlugin {
-                                        _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                                        location: Zellij(
-                                            PluginTag(
-                                                "tab-bar",
+                                    RunPlugin(
+                                        RunPlugin {
+                                            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                                            location: Zellij(
+                                                PluginTag(
+                                                    "tab-bar",
+                                                ),
+                                            ),
+                                            configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                                                {},
                                             ),
-                                        ),
-                                        configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                                            {},
-                                        ),
-                                    },
+                                        },
+                                    ),
                                 ),
                             ),
                             borderless: true,
@@ -688,17 +698,19 @@ Layout {
                             ),
                             run: Some(
                                 Plugin(
-                                    RunPlugin {
-                                        _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                                        location: Zellij(
-                                            PluginTag(
-                                                "status-bar",
+                                    RunPlugin(
+                                        RunPlugin {
+                                            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                                            location: Zellij(
+                                                PluginTag(
+                                                    "status-bar",
+                                                ),
+                                            ),
+                                            configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                                                {},
                                             ),
-                                        ),
-                                        configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                                            {},
-                                        ),
-                                    },
+                                        },
+                                    ),
                                 ),
                             ),
                             borderless: true,
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/ipc.rs b/zellij-utils/src/ipc.rs
index 902d0235..b91ff697 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/ipc.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/ipc.rs
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ use crate::{
     data::{ClientId, ConnectToSession, InputMode, Style},
     errors::{get_current_ctx, prelude::*, ErrorContext},
     input::keybinds::Keybinds,
-    input::{actions::Action, layout::Layout, options::Options, plugins::PluginsConfig},
+    input::{actions::Action, layout::Layout, options::Options, plugins::PluginAliases},
     pane_size::{Size, SizeInPixels},
 };
 use interprocess::local_socket::LocalSocketStream;
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ pub enum ClientToServerMsg {
         Box<CliArgs>,
         Box<Options>,
         Box<Layout>,
-        Option<PluginsConfig>,
+        Box<PluginAliases>,
     ),
     AttachClient(
         ClientAttributes,
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/kdl/kdl_layout_parser.rs b/zellij-utils/src/kdl/kdl_layout_parser.rs
index 16be5fca..2aa3ba57 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/kdl/kdl_layout_parser.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/kdl/kdl_layout_parser.rs
@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@ use crate::input::{
     config::ConfigError,
     layout::{
         FloatingPaneLayout, Layout, LayoutConstraint, PercentOrFixed, PluginUserConfiguration, Run,
-        RunPlugin, RunPluginLocation, SplitDirection, SplitSize, SwapFloatingLayout,
-        SwapTiledLayout, TiledPaneLayout,
+        RunPluginOrAlias, SplitDirection, SplitSize, SwapFloatingLayout, SwapTiledLayout,
+        TiledPaneLayout,
     },
 };
 
@@ -313,20 +313,21 @@ impl<'a> KdlLayoutParser<'a> {
                 plugin_block.span().len(),
             ),
         )?;
-        let location =
-            RunPluginLocation::parse(&string_url, self.cwd_prefix(None)?).map_err(|e| {
-                ConfigError::new_layout_kdl_error(
-                    e.to_string(),
-                    url_node.span().offset(),
-                    url_node.span().len(),
-                )
-            })?;
         let configuration = KdlLayoutParser::parse_plugin_user_configuration(&plugin_block)?;
-        Ok(Some(Run::Plugin(RunPlugin {
-            _allow_exec_host_cmd,
-            location,
-            configuration,
-        })))
+        let run_plugin_or_alias = RunPluginOrAlias::from_url(
+            &string_url,
+            &Some(configuration.inner().clone()),
+            None,
+            self.cwd_prefix(None)?,
+        )
+        .map_err(|e| {
+            ConfigError::new_kdl_error(
+                format!("Failed to parse plugin: {}", e),
+                url_node.span().offset(),
+                url_node.span().len(),
+            )
+        })?;
+        Ok(Some(Run::Plugin(run_plugin_or_alias)))
     }
     pub fn parse_plugin_user_configuration(
         plugin_block: &KdlNode,
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/kdl/mod.rs b/zellij-utils/src/kdl/mod.rs
index 1d721090..23d7e69e 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/kdl/mod.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/kdl/mod.rs
@@ -7,10 +7,10 @@ use crate::envs::EnvironmentVariables;
 use crate::home::{find_default_config_dir, get_layout_dir};
 use crate::input::config::{Config, ConfigError, KdlError};
 use crate::input::keybinds::Keybinds;
-use crate::input::layout::{Layout, PluginUserConfiguration, RunPlugin, RunPluginLocation};
+use crate::input::layout::{Layout, RunPlugin, RunPluginOrAlias};
 use crate::input::options::{Clipboard, OnForceClose, Options};
 use crate::input::permission::{GrantedPermission, PermissionCache};
-use crate::input::plugins::{PluginConfig, PluginTag, PluginType, PluginsConfig};
+use crate::input::plugins::PluginAliases;
 use crate::input::theme::{FrameConfig, Theme, Themes, UiConfig};
 use kdl_layout_parser::KdlLayoutParser;
 use std::collections::{BTreeMap, HashMap, HashSet};
@@ -981,15 +981,22 @@ impl TryFrom<(&KdlNode, &Options)> for Action {
                     .and_then(|c_m| kdl_child_bool_value_for_entry(c_m, "skip_plugin_cache"))
                     .unwrap_or(false);
                 let current_dir = std::env::current_dir().unwrap_or_else(|_| PathBuf::from("."));
-                let location = RunPluginLocation::parse(&plugin_path, Some(current_dir))?;
                 let configuration = KdlLayoutParser::parse_plugin_user_configuration(&kdl_action)?;
-                let run_plugin = RunPlugin {
-                    location,
-                    _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                    configuration,
-                };
+                let run_plugin_or_alias = RunPluginOrAlias::from_url(
+                    &plugin_path,
+                    &Some(configuration.inner().clone()),
+                    None,
+                    Some(current_dir),
+                )
+                .map_err(|e| {
+                    ConfigError::new_kdl_error(
+                        format!("Failed to parse plugin: {}", e),
+                        kdl_action.span().offset(),
+                        kdl_action.span().len(),
+                    )
+                })?;
                 Ok(Action::LaunchOrFocusPlugin(
-                    run_plugin,
+                    run_plugin_or_alias,
                     should_float,
                     move_to_focused_tab,
                     should_open_in_place,
@@ -1019,15 +1026,22 @@ impl TryFrom<(&KdlNode, &Options)> for Action {
                     .and_then(|c_m| kdl_child_bool_value_for_entry(c_m, "skip_plugin_cache"))
                     .unwrap_or(false);
                 let current_dir = std::env::current_dir().unwrap_or_else(|_| PathBuf::from("."));
-                let location = RunPluginLocation::parse(&plugin_path, Some(current_dir))?;
                 let configuration = KdlLayoutParser::parse_plugin_user_configuration(&kdl_action)?;
-                let run_plugin = RunPlugin {
-                    location,
-                    _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                    configuration,
-                };
+                let run_plugin_or_alias = RunPluginOrAlias::from_url(
+                    &plugin_path,
+                    &Some(configuration.inner().clone()),
+                    None,
+                    Some(current_dir),
+                )
+                .map_err(|e| {
+                    ConfigError::new_kdl_error(
+                        format!("Failed to parse plugin: {}", e),
+                        kdl_action.span().offset(),
+                        kdl_action.span().len(),
+                    )
+                })?;
                 Ok(Action::LaunchPlugin(
-                    run_plugin,
+                    run_plugin_or_alias,
                     should_float,
                     should_open_in_place,
                     skip_plugin_cache,
@@ -1810,9 +1824,9 @@ impl Config {
             let config_themes = Themes::from_kdl(kdl_themes)?;
             config.themes = config.themes.merge(config_themes);
         }
-        if let Some(kdl_plugin_config) = kdl_config.get("plugins") {
-            let config_plugins = PluginsConfig::from_kdl(kdl_plugin_config)?;
-            config.plugins = config.plugins.merge(config_plugins);
+        if let Some(kdl_plugin_aliases) = kdl_config.get("plugins") {
+            let config_plugins = PluginAliases::from_kdl(kdl_plugin_aliases)?;
+            config.plugins.merge(config_plugins);
         }
         if let Some(kdl_ui_config) = kdl_config.get("ui") {
             let config_ui = UiConfig::from_kdl(&kdl_ui_config)?;
@@ -1826,38 +1840,27 @@ impl Config {
     }
 }
 
-impl PluginsConfig {
-    pub fn from_kdl(kdl_plugin_config: &KdlNode) -> Result<Self, ConfigError> {
-        let mut plugins: HashMap<PluginTag, PluginConfig> = HashMap::new();
-        for plugin_config in
-            kdl_children_nodes_or_error!(kdl_plugin_config, "no plugin config found")
-        {
-            let plugin_name = kdl_name!(plugin_config);
-            let plugin_tag = PluginTag::new(plugin_name);
-            let path = kdl_children_property_first_arg_as_string!(plugin_config, "path")
-                .map(|path| PathBuf::from(path))
-                .ok_or(ConfigError::new_kdl_error(
-                    "Plugin path not found or invalid".into(),
-                    plugin_config.span().offset(),
-                    plugin_config.span().len(),
-                ))?;
-            let allow_exec_host_cmd =
-                kdl_children_property_first_arg_as_bool!(plugin_config, "_allow_exec_host_cmd")
-                    .unwrap_or(false);
-            let plugin_config = PluginConfig {
-                path,
-                run: PluginType::Pane(None),
-                location: RunPluginLocation::Zellij(plugin_tag.clone()),
-                _allow_exec_host_cmd: allow_exec_host_cmd,
-                userspace_configuration: PluginUserConfiguration::new(BTreeMap::new()), // TODO: consider removing the whole
-                                                                                        // "plugins" section in the config
-                                                                                        // because it's not used???
-            };
-            plugins.insert(plugin_tag, plugin_config);
+impl PluginAliases {
+    pub fn from_kdl(kdl_plugin_aliases: &KdlNode) -> Result<PluginAliases, ConfigError> {
+        let mut aliases: BTreeMap<String, RunPlugin> = BTreeMap::new();
+        if let Some(kdl_plugin_aliases) = kdl_children_nodes!(kdl_plugin_aliases) {
+            for alias_definition in kdl_plugin_aliases {
+                let alias_name = kdl_name!(alias_definition);
+                if let Some(string_url) =
+                    kdl_get_string_property_or_child_value!(alias_definition, "location")
+                {
+                    let configuration =
+                        KdlLayoutParser::parse_plugin_user_configuration(&alias_definition)?;
+                    let run_plugin = RunPlugin::from_url(string_url)?
+                        .with_configuration(configuration.inner().clone());
+                    aliases.insert(alias_name.to_owned(), run_plugin);
+                }
+            }
         }
-        Ok(PluginsConfig(plugins))
+        Ok(PluginAliases { aliases })
     }
 }
+
 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/plugin_api/action.rs b/zellij-utils/src/plugin_api/action.rs
index ed657897..5673d1f9 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/plugin_api/action.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/plugin_api/action.rs
@@ -18,9 +18,10 @@ use crate::errors::prelude::*;
 use crate::input::actions::Action;
 use crate::input::actions::{SearchDirection, SearchOption};
 use crate::input::command::RunCommandAction;
-use crate::input::layout::{PluginUserConfiguration, RunPlugin, RunPluginLocation};
+use crate::input::layout::{
+    PluginUserConfiguration, RunPlugin, RunPluginLocation, RunPluginOrAlias,
+};
 use crate::position::Position;
-use url::Url;
 
 use std::collections::BTreeMap;
 use std::convert::TryFrom;
@@ -403,24 +404,23 @@ impl TryFrom<ProtobufAction> for Action {
             Some(ProtobufActionName::LaunchOrFocusPlugin) => {
                 match protobuf_action.optional_payload {
                     Some(OptionalPayload::LaunchOrFocusPluginPayload(payload)) => {
-                        let run_plugin_location =
-                            RunPluginLocation::parse(&payload.plugin_url, None)
-                                .map_err(|_| "Malformed LaunchOrFocusPlugin payload")?;
                         let configuration: PluginUserConfiguration = payload
                             .plugin_configuration
                             .and_then(|p| PluginUserConfiguration::try_from(p).ok())
                             .unwrap_or_default();
-                        let run_plugin = RunPlugin {
-                            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                            location: run_plugin_location,
-                            configuration,
-                        };
+                        let run_plugin_or_alias = RunPluginOrAlias::from_url(
+                            &payload.plugin_url.as_str(),
+                            &Some(configuration.inner().clone()),
+                            None,
+                            None,
+                        )
+                        .map_err(|_| "Malformed LaunchOrFocusPlugin payload")?;
                         let should_float = payload.should_float;
                         let move_to_focused_tab = payload.move_to_focused_tab;
                         let should_open_in_place = payload.should_open_in_place;
                         let skip_plugin_cache = payload.skip_plugin_cache;
                         Ok(Action::LaunchOrFocusPlugin(
-                            run_plugin,
+                            run_plugin_or_alias,
                             should_float,
                             move_to_focused_tab,
                             should_open_in_place,
@@ -432,25 +432,24 @@ impl TryFrom<ProtobufAction> for Action {
             },
             Some(ProtobufActionName::LaunchPlugin) => match protobuf_action.optional_payload {
                 Some(OptionalPayload::LaunchOrFocusPluginPayload(payload)) => {
-                    let run_plugin_location =
-                        RunPluginLocation::parse(&payload.plugin_url, None)
-                            .map_err(|_| "Malformed LaunchOrFocusPlugin payload")?;
                     let configuration: PluginUserConfiguration = payload
                         .plugin_configuration
                         .and_then(|p| PluginUserConfiguration::try_from(p).ok())
                         .unwrap_or_default();
-                    let run_plugin = RunPlugin {
-                        _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                        location: run_plugin_location,
-                        configuration,
-                    };
+                    let run_plugin_or_alias = RunPluginOrAlias::from_url(
+                        &payload.plugin_url.as_str(),
+                        &Some(configuration.inner().clone()),
+                        None,
+                        None,
+                    )
+                    .map_err(|_| "Malformed LaunchOrFocusPlugin payload")?;
                     let should_float = payload.should_float;
                     let _move_to_focused_tab = payload.move_to_focused_tab; // not actually used in
                                                                             // this action
                     let should_open_in_place = payload.should_open_in_place;
                     let skip_plugin_cache = payload.skip_plugin_cache;
                     Ok(Action::LaunchPlugin(
-                        run_plugin,
+                        run_plugin_or_alias,
                         should_float,
                         should_open_in_place,
                         skip_plugin_cache,
@@ -553,11 +552,11 @@ impl TryFrom<ProtobufAction> for Action {
                         let run_plugin_location =
                             RunPluginLocation::parse(&payload.plugin_url, None)
                                 .map_err(|_| "Malformed NewTiledPluginPane payload")?;
-                        let run_plugin = RunPlugin {
+                        let run_plugin = RunPluginOrAlias::RunPlugin(RunPlugin {
                             location: run_plugin_location,
                             _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
                             configuration: PluginUserConfiguration::default(),
-                        };
+                        });
                         let pane_name = payload.pane_name;
                         let skip_plugin_cache = payload.skip_plugin_cache;
                         Ok(Action::NewTiledPluginPane(
@@ -576,11 +575,11 @@ impl TryFrom<ProtobufAction> for Action {
                         let run_plugin_location =
                             RunPluginLocation::parse(&payload.plugin_url, None)
                                 .map_err(|_| "Malformed NewTiledPluginPane payload")?;
-                        let run_plugin = RunPlugin {
+                        let run_plugin = RunPluginOrAlias::RunPlugin(RunPlugin {
                             location: run_plugin_location,
                             _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
                             configuration: PluginUserConfiguration::default(),
-                        };
+                        });
                         let pane_name = payload.pane_name;
                         let skip_plugin_cache = payload.skip_plugin_cache;
                         Ok(Action::NewFloatingPluginPane(
@@ -597,14 +596,11 @@ impl TryFrom<ProtobufAction> for Action {
             Some(ProtobufActionName::StartOrReloadPlugin) => {
                 match protobuf_action.optional_payload {
                     Some(OptionalPayload::StartOrReloadPluginPayload(payload)) => {
-                        let run_plugin_location = RunPluginLocation::parse(&payload, None)
-                            .map_err(|_| "Malformed StartOrReloadPluginPayload payload")?;
-                        let run_plugin = RunPlugin {
-                            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                            location: run_plugin_location,
-                            configuration: PluginUserConfiguration::default(),
-                        };
-                        Ok(Action::StartOrReloadPlugin(run_plugin))
+                        let run_plugin_or_alias =
+                            RunPluginOrAlias::from_url(&payload.as_str(), &None, None, None)
+                                .map_err(|_| "Malformed LaunchOrFocusPlugin payload")?;
+
+                        Ok(Action::StartOrReloadPlugin(run_plugin_or_alias))
                     },
                     _ => Err("Wrong payload for Action::StartOrReloadPlugin"),
                 }
@@ -1044,44 +1040,44 @@ impl TryFrom<Action> for ProtobufAction {
                 })
             },
             Action::LaunchOrFocusPlugin(
-                run_plugin,
+                run_plugin_or_alias,
                 should_float,
                 move_to_focused_tab,
                 should_open_in_place,
                 skip_plugin_cache,
             ) => {
-                let url: Url = Url::from(&run_plugin.location);
+                let configuration = run_plugin_or_alias.get_configuration().unwrap_or_default();
                 Ok(ProtobufAction {
                     name: ProtobufActionName::LaunchOrFocusPlugin as i32,
                     optional_payload: Some(OptionalPayload::LaunchOrFocusPluginPayload(
                         LaunchOrFocusPluginPayload {
-                            plugin_url: url.into(),
+                            plugin_url: run_plugin_or_alias.location_string(),
                             should_float,
                             move_to_focused_tab,
                             should_open_in_place,
-                            plugin_configuration: Some(run_plugin.configuration.try_into()?),
+                            plugin_configuration: Some(configuration.try_into()?),
                             skip_plugin_cache,
                         },
                     )),
                 })
             },
             Action::LaunchPlugin(
-                run_plugin,
+                run_plugin_or_alias,
                 should_float,
                 should_open_in_place,
                 skip_plugin_cache,
                 _cwd,
             ) => {
-                let url: Url = Url::from(&run_plugin.location);
+                let configuration = run_plugin_or_alias.get_configuration().unwrap_or_default();
                 Ok(ProtobufAction {
                     name: ProtobufActionName::LaunchPlugin as i32,
                     optional_payload: Some(OptionalPayload::LaunchOrFocusPluginPayload(
                         LaunchOrFocusPluginPayload {
-                            plugin_url: url.into(),
+                            plugin_url: run_plugin_or_alias.location_string(),
                             should_float,
                             move_to_focused_tab: false,
                             should_open_in_place,
-                            plugin_configuration: Some(run_plugin.configuration.try_into()?),
+                            plugin_configuration: Some(configuration.try_into()?),
                             skip_plugin_cache,
                         },
                     )),
@@ -1166,12 +1162,11 @@ impl TryFrom<Action> for ProtobufAction {
                 optional_payload: None,
             }),
             Action::NewTiledPluginPane(run_plugin, pane_name, skip_plugin_cache, _cwd) => {
-                let plugin_url: Url = Url::from(&run_plugin.location);
                 Ok(ProtobufAction {
                     name: ProtobufActionName::NewTiledPluginPane as i32,
                     optional_payload: Some(OptionalPayload::NewTiledPluginPanePayload(
                         NewPluginPanePayload {
-                            plugin_url: plugin_url.into(),
+                            plugin_url: run_plugin.location_string(),
                             pane_name,
                             skip_plugin_cache,
                         },
@@ -1185,27 +1180,30 @@ impl TryFrom<Action> for ProtobufAction {
                 _cwd,
                 _coordinates,
             ) => {
-                let plugin_url: Url = Url::from(&run_plugin.location);
+                //                 let plugin_url: Url = match run_plugin {
+                //                     RunPluginOrAlias::RunPlugin(run_plugin) => Url::from(&run_plugin.location),
+                //                     RunPluginOrAlias::Alias(plugin_alias) => {
+                //                         // TODO: support plugin alias
+                //                         unimplemented!()
+                //                     }
+                //                 };
                 Ok(ProtobufAction {
                     name: ProtobufActionName::NewFloatingPluginPane as i32,
                     optional_payload: Some(OptionalPayload::NewFloatingPluginPanePayload(
                         NewPluginPanePayload {
-                            plugin_url: plugin_url.into(),
+                            plugin_url: run_plugin.location_string(),
                             pane_name,
                             skip_plugin_cache,
                         },
                     )),
                 })
             },
-            Action::StartOrReloadPlugin(run_plugin) => {
-                let plugin_url: Url = Url::from(&run_plugin.location);
-                Ok(ProtobufAction {
-                    name: ProtobufActionName::StartOrReloadPlugin as i32,
-                    optional_payload: Some(OptionalPayload::StartOrReloadPluginPayload(
-                        plugin_url.into(),
-                    )),
-                })
-            },
+            Action::StartOrReloadPlugin(run_plugin) => Ok(ProtobufAction {
+                name: ProtobufActionName::StartOrReloadPlugin as i32,
+                optional_payload: Some(OptionalPayload::StartOrReloadPluginPayload(
+                    run_plugin.location_string(),
+                )),
+            }),
             Action::CloseTerminalPane(terminal_pane_id) => Ok(ProtobufAction {
                 name: ProtobufActionName::CloseTerminalPane as i32,
                 optional_payload: Some(OptionalPayload::CloseTerminalPanePayload(terminal_pane_id)),
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/session_serialization.rs b/zellij-utils/src/session_serialization.rs
index 0cd97328..d34aeb14 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/session_serialization.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/session_serialization.rs
@@ -1,20 +1,11 @@
-//! # Persistence module
-//! !WIP! This module is holding the logic for all persistence sessions need
-//!
-//! # Examples
-//! ```rust,no_run
-//! fn main() {
-//! }
-//! ```
-//!
 use std::collections::BTreeMap;
 use std::path::PathBuf;
 
 use crate::{
     input::layout::PluginUserConfiguration,
     input::layout::{
-        FloatingPaneLayout, Layout, PercentOrFixed, Run, SplitDirection, SplitSize,
-        SwapFloatingLayout, SwapTiledLayout, TiledPaneLayout,
+        FloatingPaneLayout, Layout, PercentOrFixed, Run, RunPluginOrAlias, SplitDirection,
+        SplitSize, SwapFloatingLayout, SwapTiledLayout, TiledPaneLayout,
     },
     pane_size::{Constraint, PaneGeom},
 };
@@ -238,10 +229,20 @@ fn extract_plugin_and_config(
     layout_run: &Option<Run>,
 ) -> (Option<String>, Option<PluginUserConfiguration>) {
     match &layout_run {
-        Some(Run::Plugin(run_plugin)) => (
-            Some(run_plugin.location.display()),
-            Some(run_plugin.configuration.clone()),
-        ),
+        Some(Run::Plugin(run_plugin_or_alias)) => match run_plugin_or_alias {
+            RunPluginOrAlias::RunPlugin(run_plugin) => (
+                Some(run_plugin.location.display()),
+                Some(run_plugin.configuration.clone()),
+            ),
+            RunPluginOrAlias::Alias(plugin_alias) => {
+                let name = plugin_alias.name.clone();
+                let configuration = plugin_alias
+                    .run_plugin
+                    .as_ref()
+                    .map(|run_plugin| run_plugin.configuration.clone());
+                (Some(name), configuration)
+            },
+        },
         _ => (None, None),
     }
 }
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/setup.rs b/zellij-utils/src/setup.rs
index bf34a894..d4146587 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/setup.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/setup.rs
@@ -770,20 +770,6 @@ mod setup_test {
         assert_snapshot!(format!("{:#?}", config));
     }
     #[test]
-    fn layout_plugins_override_config_plugins() {
-        let mut cli_args = CliArgs::default();
-        cli_args.config = Some(PathBuf::from(format!(
-            "{}/src/test-fixtures/config-with-plugins-config.kdl",
-            env!("CARGO_MANIFEST_DIR")
-        )));
-        cli_args.layout = Some(PathBuf::from(format!(
-            "{}/src/test-fixtures/layout-with-plugins-config.kdl",
-            env!("CARGO_MANIFEST_DIR")
-        )));
-        let (config, _layout, _options, _, _) = Setup::from_cli_args(&cli_args).unwrap();
-        assert_snapshot!(format!("{:#?}", config));
-    }
-    #[test]
     fn layout_themes_override_config_themes() {
         let mut cli_args = CliArgs::default();
         cli_args.config = Some(PathBuf::from(format!(
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__default_config_with_no_cli_arguments-2.snap b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__default_config_with_no_cli_arguments-2.snap
index e98379dd..ade6b116 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__default_config_with_no_cli_arguments-2.snap
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__default_config_with_no_cli_arguments-2.snap
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ---
 source: zellij-utils/src/setup.rs
-assertion_line: 672
+assertion_line: 699
 expression: "format!(\"{:#?}\", layout)"
 ---
 Layout {
@@ -23,17 +23,17 @@ Layout {
                         ),
                         run: Some(
                             Plugin(
-                                RunPlugin {
-                                    _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                                    location: Zellij(
-                                        PluginTag(
-                                            "tab-bar",
+                                Alias(
+                                    PluginAlias {
+                                        name: "tab-bar",
+                                        configuration: Some(
+                                            PluginUserConfiguration(
+                                                {},
+                                            ),
                                         ),
-                                    ),
-                                    configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                                        {},
-                                    ),
-                                },
+                                        run_plugin: None,
+                                    },
+                                ),
                             ),
                         ),
                         borderless: true,
@@ -73,17 +73,17 @@ Layout {
                         ),
                         run: Some(
                             Plugin(
-                                RunPlugin {
-                                    _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                                    location: Zellij(
-                                        PluginTag(
-                                            "status-bar",
+                                Alias(
+                                    PluginAlias {
+                                        name: "status-bar",
+                                        configuration: Some(
+                                            PluginUserConfiguration(
+                                                {},
+                                            ),
                                         ),
-                                    ),
-                                    configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                                        {},
-                                    ),
-                                },
+                                        run_plugin: None,
+                                    },
+                                ),
                             ),
                         ),
                         borderless: true,
@@ -133,17 +133,17 @@ Layout {
                             ),
                             run: Some(
                                 Plugin(
-                                    RunPlugin {
-                                        _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                                        location: Zellij(
-                                            PluginTag(
-                                                "tab-bar",
+                                    Alias(
+                                        PluginAlias {
+                                            name: "tab-bar",
+                                            configuration: Some(
+                                                PluginUserConfiguration(
+                                                    {},
+                                                ),
                                             ),
-                                        ),
-                                        configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                                            {},
-                                        ),
-                                    },
+                                            run_plugin: None,
+                                        },
+                                    ),
                                 ),
                             ),
                             borderless: true,
@@ -235,17 +235,17 @@ Layout {
                             ),
                             run: Some(
                                 Plugin(
-                                    RunPlugin {
-                                        _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                                        location: Zellij(
-                                            PluginTag(
-                                                "status-bar",
+                                    Alias(
+                                        PluginAlias {
+                                            name: "status-bar",
+                                            configuration: Some(
+                                                PluginUserConfiguration(
+                                                    {},
+                                                ),
                                             ),
-                                        ),
-                                        configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                                            {},
-                                        ),
-                                    },
+                                            run_plugin: None,
+                                        },
+                                    ),
                                 ),
                             ),
                             borderless: true,
@@ -288,17 +288,17 @@ Layout {
                             ),
                             run: Some(
                                 Plugin(
-                                    RunPlugin {
-                                        _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                                        location: Zellij(
-                                            PluginTag(
-                                                "tab-bar",
+                                    Alias(
+                                        PluginAlias {
+                                            name: "tab-bar",
+                                            configuration: Some(
+                                                PluginUserConfiguration(
+                                                    {},
+                                                ),
                                             ),
-                                        ),
-                                        configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                                            {},
-                                        ),
-                                    },
+                                            run_plugin: None,
+                                        },
+                                    ),
                                 ),
                             ),
                             borderless: true,
@@ -455,17 +455,17 @@ Layout {
                             ),
                             run: Some(
                                 Plugin(
-                                    RunPlugin {
-                                        _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                                        location: Zellij(
-                                            PluginTag(
-                                                "status-bar",
+                                    Alias(
+                                        PluginAlias {
+                                            name: "status-bar",
+                                            configuration: Some(
+                                                PluginUserConfiguration(
+                                                    {},
+                                                ),
                                             ),
-                                        ),
-                                        configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                                            {},
-                                        ),
-                                    },
+                                            run_plugin: None,
+                                        },
+                                    ),
                                 ),
                             ),
                             borderless: true,
@@ -508,17 +508,17 @@ Layout {
                             ),
                             run: Some(
                                 Plugin(
-                                    RunPlugin {
-                                        _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                                        location: Zellij(
-                                            PluginTag(
-                                                "tab-bar",
+                                    Alias(
+                                        PluginAlias {
+                                            name: "tab-bar",
+                                            configuration: Some(
+                                                PluginUserConfiguration(
+                                                    {},
+                                                ),
                                             ),
-                                        ),
-                                        configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                                            {},
-                                        ),
-                                    },
+                                            run_plugin: None,
+                                        },
+                                    ),
                                 ),
                             ),
                             borderless: true,
@@ -756,17 +756,17 @@ Layout {
                             ),
                             run: Some(
                                 Plugin(
-                                    RunPlugin {
-                                        _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                                        location: Zellij(
-                                            PluginTag(
-                                                "status-bar",
+                                    Alias(
+                                        PluginAlias {
+                                            name: "status-bar",
+                                            configuration: Some(
+                                                PluginUserConfiguration(
+                                                    {},
+                                                ),
                                             ),
-                                        ),
-                                        configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                                            {},
-                                        ),
-                                    },
+                                            run_plugin: None,
+                                        },
+                                    ),
                                 ),
                             ),
                             borderless: true,
@@ -816,17 +816,17 @@ Layout {
                             ),
                             run: Some(
                                 Plugin(
-                                    RunPlugin {
-                                        _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                                        location: Zellij(
-                                            PluginTag(
-                                                "tab-bar",
+                                    Alias(
+                                        PluginAlias {
+                                            name: "tab-bar",
+                                            configuration: Some(
+                                                PluginUserConfiguration(
+                                                    {},
+                                                ),
                                             ),
-                                        ),
-                                        configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                                            {},
-                                        ),
-                                    },
+                                            run_plugin: None,
+                                        },
+                                    ),
                                 ),
                             ),
                             borderless: true,
@@ -899,17 +899,17 @@ Layout {
                             ),
                             run: Some(
                                 Plugin(
-                                    RunPlugin {
-                                        _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                                        location: Zellij(
-                                            PluginTag(
-                                                "status-bar",
+                                    Alias(
+                                        PluginAlias {
+                                            name: "status-bar",
+                                            configuration: Some(
+                                                PluginUserConfiguration(
+                                                    {},
+                                                ),
                                             ),
-                                        ),
-                                        configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                                            {},
-                                        ),
-                                    },
+                                            run_plugin: None,
+                                        },
+                                    ),
                                 ),
                             ),
                             borderless: true,
@@ -952,17 +952,17 @@ Layout {
                             ),
                             run: Some(
                                 Plugin(
-                                    RunPlugin {
-                                        _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                                        location: Zellij(
-                                            PluginTag(
-                                                "tab-bar",
+                                    Alias(
+                                        PluginAlias {
+                                            name: "tab-bar",
+                                            configuration: Some(
+                                                PluginUserConfiguration(
+                                                    {},
+                                                ),
                                             ),
-                                        ),
-                                        configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                                            {},
-                                        ),
-                                    },
+                                            run_plugin: None,
+                                        },
+                                    ),
                                 ),
                             ),
                             borderless: true,
@@ -1119,17 +1119,17 @@ Layout {
                             ),
                             run: Some(
                                 Plugin(
-                                    RunPlugin {
-                                        _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                                        location: Zellij(
-                                            PluginTag(
-                                                "status-bar",
+                                    Alias(
+                                        PluginAlias {
+                                            name: "status-bar",
+                                            configuration: Some(
+                                                PluginUserConfiguration(
+                                                    {},
+                                                ),
                                             ),
-                                        ),
-                                        configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                                            {},
-                                        ),
-                                    },
+                                            run_plugin: None,
+                                        },
+                                    ),
                                 ),
                             ),
                             borderless: true,
@@ -1172,17 +1172,17 @@ Layout {
                             ),
                             run: Some(
                                 Plugin(
-                                    RunPlugin {
-                                        _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                                        location: Zellij(
-                                            PluginTag(
-                                                "tab-bar",
+                                    Alias(
+                                        PluginAlias {
+                                            name: "tab-bar",
+                                            configuration: Some(
+                                                PluginUserConfiguration(
+                                                    {},
+                                                ),
                                             ),
-                                        ),
-                                        configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                                            {},
-                                        ),
-                                    },
+                                            run_plugin: None,
+                                        },
+                                    ),
                                 ),
                             ),
                             borderless: true,
@@ -1420,17 +1420,17 @@ Layout {
                             ),
                             run: Some(
                                 Plugin(
-                                    RunPlugin {
-                                        _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                                        location: Zellij(
-                                            PluginTag(
-                                                "status-bar",
+                                    Alias(
+                                        PluginAlias {
+                                            name: "status-bar",
+                                            configuration: Some(
+                                                PluginUserConfiguration(
+                                                    {},
+                                                ),
                                             ),
-                                        ),
-                                        configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                                            {},
-                                        ),
-                                    },
+                                            run_plugin: None,
+                                        },
+                                    ),
                                 ),
                             ),
                             borderless: true,
@@ -1480,17 +1480,17 @@ Layout {
                             ),
                             run: Some(
                                 Plugin(
-                                    RunPlugin {
-                                        _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                                        location: Zellij(
-                                            PluginTag(
-                                                "tab-bar",
+                                    Alias(
+                                        PluginAlias {
+                                            name: "tab-bar",
+                                            configuration: Some(
+                                                PluginUserConfiguration(
+                                                    {},
+                                                ),
                                             ),
-                                        ),
-                                        configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                                            {},
-                                        ),
-                                    },
+                                            run_plugin: None,
+                                        },
+                                    ),
                                 ),
                             ),
                             borderless: true,
@@ -1582,17 +1582,17 @@ Layout {
                             ),
                             run: Some(
                                 Plugin(
-                                    RunPlugin {
-                                        _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                                        location: Zellij(
-                                            PluginTag(
-                                                "status-bar",
+                                    Alias(
+                                        PluginAlias {
+                                            name: "status-bar",
+                                            configuration: Some(
+                                                PluginUserConfiguration(
+                                                    {},
+                                                ),
                                             ),
-                                        ),
-                                        configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                                            {},
-                                        ),
-                                    },
+                                            run_plugin: None,
+                                        },
+                                    ),
                                 ),
                             ),
                             borderless: true,
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 f73b753e..18eaddce 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: 671
+assertion_line: 698
 expression: "format!(\"{:#?}\", config)"
 ---
 Config {
@@ -2655,17 +2655,19 @@ Config {
                 'w',
             ): [
                 LaunchOrFocusPlugin(
-                    RunPlugin {
-                        _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                        location: Zellij(
-                            PluginTag(
-                                "session-manager",
+                    RunPlugin(
+                        RunPlugin {
+                            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                            location: Zellij(
+                                PluginTag(
+                                    "session-manager",
+                                ),
                             ),
-                        ),
-                        configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                            {},
-                        ),
-                    },
+                            configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                                {},
+                            ),
+                        },
+                    ),
                     true,
                     true,
                     false,
@@ -3831,91 +3833,87 @@ Config {
         serialization_interval: None,
     },
     themes: {},
-    plugins: {
-        PluginTag(
-            "compact-bar",
-        ): PluginConfig {
-            path: "compact-bar",
-            run: Pane(
-                None,
-            ),
-            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-            location: Zellij(
-                PluginTag(
-                    "compact-bar",
+    plugins: PluginAliases {
+        aliases: {
+            "compact-bar": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "compact-bar",
+                    ),
                 ),
-            ),
-            userspace_configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                {},
-            ),
-        },
-        PluginTag(
-            "session-manager",
-        ): PluginConfig {
-            path: "session-manager",
-            run: Pane(
-                None,
-            ),
-            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-            location: Zellij(
-                PluginTag(
-                    "session-manager",
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {},
                 ),
-            ),
-            userspace_configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                {},
-            ),
-        },
-        PluginTag(
-            "status-bar",
-        ): PluginConfig {
-            path: "status-bar",
-            run: Pane(
-                None,
-            ),
-            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-            location: Zellij(
-                PluginTag(
-                    "status-bar",
+            },
+            "filepicker": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "strider",
+                    ),
                 ),
-            ),
-            userspace_configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                {},
-            ),
-        },
-        PluginTag(
-            "strider",
-        ): PluginConfig {
-            path: "strider",
-            run: Pane(
-                None,
-            ),
-            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-            location: Zellij(
-                PluginTag(
-                    "strider",
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {},
                 ),
-            ),
-            userspace_configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                {},
-            ),
-        },
-        PluginTag(
-            "tab-bar",
-        ): PluginConfig {
-            path: "tab-bar",
-            run: Pane(
-                None,
-            ),
-            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-            location: Zellij(
-                PluginTag(
-                    "tab-bar",
+            },
+            "session-manager": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "session-manager",
+                    ),
+                ),
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {},
+                ),
+            },
+            "status-bar": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "status-bar",
+                    ),
+                ),
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {},
+                ),
+            },
+            "strider": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "strider",
+                    ),
+                ),
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {},
+                ),
+            },
+            "tab-bar": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "tab-bar",
+                    ),
+                ),
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {},
+                ),
+            },
+            "welcome-screen": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "session-manager",
+                    ),
+                ),
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {
+                        "welcome_screen": "true",
+                    },
                 ),
-            ),
-            userspace_configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                {},
-            ),
+            },
         },
     },
     ui: UiConfig {
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 b5c185c8..89f544ff 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: 729
+assertion_line: 756
 expression: "format!(\"{:#?}\", config)"
 ---
 Config {
@@ -2655,17 +2655,19 @@ Config {
                 'w',
             ): [
                 LaunchOrFocusPlugin(
-                    RunPlugin {
-                        _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                        location: Zellij(
-                            PluginTag(
-                                "session-manager",
+                    RunPlugin(
+                        RunPlugin {
+                            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                            location: Zellij(
+                                PluginTag(
+                                    "session-manager",
+                                ),
                             ),
-                        ),
-                        configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                            {},
-                        ),
-                    },
+                            configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                                {},
+                            ),
+                        },
+                    ),
                     true,
                     true,
                     false,
@@ -3831,91 +3833,87 @@ Config {
         serialization_interval: None,
     },
     themes: {},
-    plugins: {
-        PluginTag(
-            "compact-bar",
-        ): PluginConfig {
-            path: "compact-bar",
-            run: Pane(
-                None,
-            ),
-            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-            location: Zellij(
-                PluginTag(
-                    "compact-bar",
+    plugins: PluginAliases {
+        aliases: {
+            "compact-bar": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "compact-bar",
+                    ),
                 ),
-            ),
-            userspace_configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                {},
-            ),
-        },
-        PluginTag(
-            "session-manager",
-        ): PluginConfig {
-            path: "session-manager",
-            run: Pane(
-                None,
-            ),
-            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-            location: Zellij(
-                PluginTag(
-                    "session-manager",
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {},
                 ),
-            ),
-            userspace_configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                {},
-            ),
-        },
-        PluginTag(
-            "status-bar",
-        ): PluginConfig {
-            path: "status-bar",
-            run: Pane(
-                None,
-            ),
-            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-            location: Zellij(
-                PluginTag(
-                    "status-bar",
+            },
+            "filepicker": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "strider",
+                    ),
                 ),
-            ),
-            userspace_configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                {},
-            ),
-        },
-        PluginTag(
-            "strider",
-        ): PluginConfig {
-            path: "strider",
-            run: Pane(
-                None,
-            ),
-            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-            location: Zellij(
-                PluginTag(
-                    "strider",
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {},
                 ),
-            ),
-            userspace_configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                {},
-            ),
-        },
-        PluginTag(
-            "tab-bar",
-        ): PluginConfig {
-            path: "tab-bar",
-            run: Pane(
-                None,
-            ),
-            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-            location: Zellij(
-                PluginTag(
-                    "tab-bar",
+            },
+            "session-manager": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "session-manager",
+                    ),
+                ),
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {},
+                ),
+            },
+            "status-bar": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "status-bar",
+                    ),
+                ),
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {},
+                ),
+            },
+            "strider": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "strider",
+                    ),
+                ),
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {},
+                ),
+            },
+            "tab-bar": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "tab-bar",
+                    ),
+                ),
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {},
+                ),
+            },
+            "welcome-screen": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "session-manager",
+                    ),
+                ),
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {
+                        "welcome_screen": "true",
+                    },
                 ),
-            ),
-            userspace_configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                {},
-            ),
+            },
         },
     },
     ui: UiConfig {
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 a6df2f5e..23fddc93 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: 785
+assertion_line: 813
 expression: "format!(\"{:#?}\", config)"
 ---
 Config {
@@ -89,91 +89,87 @@ Config {
         serialization_interval: None,
     },
     themes: {},
-    plugins: {
-        PluginTag(
-            "compact-bar",
-        ): PluginConfig {
-            path: "compact-bar",
-            run: Pane(
-                None,
-            ),
-            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-            location: Zellij(
-                PluginTag(
-                    "compact-bar",
+    plugins: PluginAliases {
+        aliases: {
+            "compact-bar": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "compact-bar",
+                    ),
                 ),
-            ),
-            userspace_configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                {},
-            ),
-        },
-        PluginTag(
-            "session-manager",
-        ): PluginConfig {
-            path: "session-manager",
-            run: Pane(
-                None,
-            ),
-            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-            location: Zellij(
-                PluginTag(
-                    "session-manager",
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {},
                 ),
-            ),
-            userspace_configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                {},
-            ),
-        },
-        PluginTag(
-            "status-bar",
-        ): PluginConfig {
-            path: "status-bar",
-            run: Pane(
-                None,
-            ),
-            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-            location: Zellij(
-                PluginTag(
-                    "status-bar",
+            },
+            "filepicker": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "strider",
+                    ),
                 ),
-            ),
-            userspace_configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                {},
-            ),
-        },
-        PluginTag(
-            "strider",
-        ): PluginConfig {
-            path: "strider",
-            run: Pane(
-                None,
-            ),
-            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-            location: Zellij(
-                PluginTag(
-                    "strider",
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {},
                 ),
-            ),
-            userspace_configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                {},
-            ),
-        },
-        PluginTag(
-            "tab-bar",
-        ): PluginConfig {
-            path: "tab-bar",
-            run: Pane(
-                None,
-            ),
-            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-            location: Zellij(
-                PluginTag(
-                    "tab-bar",
+            },
+            "session-manager": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "session-manager",
+                    ),
+                ),
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {},
+                ),
+            },
+            "status-bar": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "status-bar",
+                    ),
+                ),
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {},
+                ),
+            },
+            "strider": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "strider",
+                    ),
+                ),
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {},
+                ),
+            },
+            "tab-bar": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "tab-bar",
+                    ),
+                ),
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {},
+                ),
+            },
+            "welcome-screen": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "session-manager",
+                    ),
+                ),
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {
+                        "welcome_screen": "true",
+                    },
                 ),
-            ),
-            userspace_configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                {},
-            ),
+            },
         },
     },
     ui: UiConfig {
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_plugins_override_config_plugins.snap b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_plugins_override_config_plugins.snap
index e055135e..6e891732 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_plugins_override_config_plugins.snap
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_plugins_override_config_plugins.snap
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ---
 source: zellij-utils/src/setup.rs
-assertion_line: 757
+assertion_line: 784
 expression: "format!(\"{:#?}\", config)"
 ---
 Config {
@@ -2655,17 +2655,19 @@ Config {
                 'w',
             ): [
                 LaunchOrFocusPlugin(
-                    RunPlugin {
-                        _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                        location: Zellij(
-                            PluginTag(
-                                "session-manager",
+                    RunPlugin(
+                        RunPlugin {
+                            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                            location: Zellij(
+                                PluginTag(
+                                    "session-manager",
+                                ),
                             ),
-                        ),
-                        configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                            {},
-                        ),
-                    },
+                            configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                                {},
+                            ),
+                        },
+                    ),
                     true,
                     true,
                     false,
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 ba5df24d..1d682130 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
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ---
 source: zellij-utils/src/setup.rs
-assertion_line: 771
+assertion_line: 799
 expression: "format!(\"{:#?}\", config)"
 ---
 Config {
@@ -2655,17 +2655,19 @@ Config {
                 'w',
             ): [
                 LaunchOrFocusPlugin(
-                    RunPlugin {
-                        _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                        location: Zellij(
-                            PluginTag(
-                                "session-manager",
+                    RunPlugin(
+                        RunPlugin {
+                            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                            location: Zellij(
+                                PluginTag(
+                                    "session-manager",
+                                ),
                             ),
-                        ),
-                        configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                            {},
-                        ),
-                    },
+                            configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                                {},
+                            ),
+                        },
+                    ),
                     true,
                     true,
                     false,
@@ -4135,91 +4137,87 @@ Config {
             },
         },
     },
-    plugins: {
-        PluginTag(
-            "compact-bar",
-        ): PluginConfig {
-            path: "compact-bar",
-            run: Pane(
-                None,
-            ),
-            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-            location: Zellij(
-                PluginTag(
-                    "compact-bar",
+    plugins: PluginAliases {
+        aliases: {
+            "compact-bar": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "compact-bar",
+                    ),
                 ),
-            ),
-            userspace_configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                {},
-            ),
-        },
-        PluginTag(
-            "session-manager",
-        ): PluginConfig {
-            path: "session-manager",
-            run: Pane(
-                None,
-            ),
-            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-            location: Zellij(
-                PluginTag(
-                    "session-manager",
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {},
                 ),
-            ),
-            userspace_configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                {},
-            ),
-        },
-        PluginTag(
-            "status-bar",
-        ): PluginConfig {
-            path: "status-bar",
-            run: Pane(
-                None,
-            ),
-            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-            location: Zellij(
-                PluginTag(
-                    "status-bar",
+            },
+            "filepicker": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "strider",
+                    ),
                 ),
-            ),
-            userspace_configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                {},
-            ),
-        },
-        PluginTag(
-            "strider",
-        ): PluginConfig {
-            path: "strider",
-            run: Pane(
-                None,
-            ),
-            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-            location: Zellij(
-                PluginTag(
-                    "strider",
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {},
                 ),
-            ),
-            userspace_configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                {},
-            ),
-        },
-        PluginTag(
-            "tab-bar",
-        ): PluginConfig {
-            path: "tab-bar",
-            run: Pane(
-                None,
-            ),
-            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-            location: Zellij(
-                PluginTag(
-                    "tab-bar",
+            },
+            "session-manager": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "session-manager",
+                    ),
+                ),
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {},
+                ),
+            },
+            "status-bar": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "status-bar",
+                    ),
                 ),
-            ),
-            userspace_configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                {},
-            ),
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {},
+                ),
+            },
+            "strider": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "strider",
+                    ),
+                ),
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {},
+                ),
+            },
+            "tab-bar": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "tab-bar",
+                    ),
+                ),
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {},
+                ),
+            },
+            "welcome-screen": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "session-manager",
+                    ),
+                ),
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {
+                        "welcome_screen": "true",
+                    },
+                ),
+            },
         },
     },
     ui: UiConfig {
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 a6e7350e..de44f0f1 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: 743
+assertion_line: 770
 expression: "format!(\"{:#?}\", config)"
 ---
 Config {
@@ -2655,17 +2655,19 @@ Config {
                 'w',
             ): [
                 LaunchOrFocusPlugin(
-                    RunPlugin {
-                        _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-                        location: Zellij(
-                            PluginTag(
-                                "session-manager",
+                    RunPlugin(
+                        RunPlugin {
+                            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                            location: Zellij(
+                                PluginTag(
+                                    "session-manager",
+                                ),
                             ),
-                        ),
-                        configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                            {},
-                        ),
-                    },
+                            configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                                {},
+                            ),
+                        },
+                    ),
                     true,
                     true,
                     false,
@@ -3831,91 +3833,87 @@ Config {
         serialization_interval: None,
     },
     themes: {},
-    plugins: {
-        PluginTag(
-            "compact-bar",
-        ): PluginConfig {
-            path: "compact-bar",
-            run: Pane(
-                None,
-            ),
-            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-            location: Zellij(
-                PluginTag(
-                    "compact-bar",
+    plugins: PluginAliases {
+        aliases: {
+            "compact-bar": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "compact-bar",
+                    ),
                 ),
-            ),
-            userspace_configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                {},
-            ),
-        },
-        PluginTag(
-            "session-manager",
-        ): PluginConfig {
-            path: "session-manager",
-            run: Pane(
-                None,
-            ),
-            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-            location: Zellij(
-                PluginTag(
-                    "session-manager",
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {},
                 ),
-            ),
-            userspace_configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                {},
-            ),
-        },
-        PluginTag(
-            "status-bar",
-        ): PluginConfig {
-            path: "status-bar",
-            run: Pane(
-                None,
-            ),
-            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-            location: Zellij(
-                PluginTag(
-                    "status-bar",
+            },
+            "filepicker": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "strider",
+                    ),
                 ),
-            ),
-            userspace_configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                {},
-            ),
-        },
-        PluginTag(
-            "strider",
-        ): PluginConfig {
-            path: "strider",
-            run: Pane(
-                None,
-            ),
-            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-            location: Zellij(
-                PluginTag(
-                    "strider",
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {},
                 ),
-            ),
-            userspace_configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                {},
-            ),
-        },
-        PluginTag(
-            "tab-bar",
-        ): PluginConfig {
-            path: "tab-bar",
-            run: Pane(
-                None,
-            ),
-            _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
-            location: Zellij(
-                PluginTag(
-                    "tab-bar",
+            },
+            "session-manager": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "session-manager",
+                    ),
+                ),
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {},
+                ),
+            },
+            "status-bar": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "status-bar",
+                    ),
+                ),
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {},
+                ),
+            },
+            "strider": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "strider",
+                    ),
+                ),
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {},
+                ),
+            },
+            "tab-bar": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "tab-bar",
+                    ),
+                ),
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {},
+                ),
+            },
+            "welcome-screen": RunPlugin {
+                _allow_exec_host_cmd: false,
+                location: Zellij(
+                    PluginTag(
+                        "session-manager",
+                    ),
+                ),
+                configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
+                    {
+                        "welcome_screen": "true",
+                    },
                 ),
-            ),
-            userspace_configuration: PluginUserConfiguration(
-                {},
-            ),
+            },
         },
     },
     ui: UiConfig {