Troubleshooting `show_all_diags_on_cursorline` In Neovim

Oct 31, 2025 by Admin 57 views

Hey guys! Having trouble with show_all_diags_on_cursorline in tiny-inline-diagnostic.nvim? You're not alone! Let's dive into this issue and figure out why it might not be working as expected. This guide will walk you through the problem, potential causes, and how to troubleshoot it effectively.

Understanding the Issue

The main issue here is that the show_all_diags_on_cursorline option, which should ideally display diagnostics only when the cursor is on a line with an issue, doesn't seem to be functioning correctly. Even when set to false, diagnostics are still appearing regardless of the cursor's position on the line. This can be quite frustrating, especially when you want a cleaner interface that only highlights problems when you're actively addressing them.

The user, like many of us, expected that setting show_all_diags_on_cursorline = false would prevent diagnostics from showing unless the cursor was precisely on the line with the diagnostic. However, the diagnostics are persistently visible, which defeats the purpose of this configuration option. Let’s explore the potential reasons and solutions for this.

Initial Configuration Attempts

The user has already taken some good first steps in trying to resolve this. They've attempted to configure the plugin in two different ways, both of which should theoretically disable the display of all diagnostics unless the cursor is on the relevant line. Here’s a recap:

Explicitly setting show_all_diags_on_cursorline = false in the plugin's setup function.

  {
    'rachartier/tiny-inline-diagnostic.nvim',
    event = 'LspAttach',
    config = function()
      local tid = require('tiny-inline-diagnostic')
      tid.setup({
        options = {
          show_all_diags_on_cursorline = false,
        }
      })
    end
  }

Using the default settings by calling tid.setup({}), which should also result in show_all_diags_on_cursorline being false since that's the default.

  {
    'rachartier/tiny-inline-diagnostic.nvim',
    event = 'LspAttach',
    config = function()
      local tid = require('tiny-inline-diagnostic')
      tid.setup({})
    end
  }

Despite these efforts, the issue persists, indicating that the problem might lie elsewhere. It's a common scenario where a simple configuration tweak doesn't immediately solve the problem, and we need to dig a bit deeper.

Potential Causes and Troubleshooting Steps

Okay, so the configurations didn't work as expected. What now? Let's explore some potential causes and how to troubleshoot them. Think of this as a detective game – we're hunting down the culprit!

1. Plugin Version Issues

First things first, ensure you're running the latest version of tiny-inline-diagnostic.nvim. Sometimes, bugs are fixed in newer releases, and you might be encountering a known issue. Using your plugin manager (like Packer, Plug, or Lazy), update the plugin and see if that resolves the problem.

How to check: Use your plugin manager's commands to check the installed version and compare it with the latest release on the plugin's GitHub repository.
Solution: Update the plugin to the latest version.

2. Configuration Overrides

It's possible that another part of your Neovim configuration is overriding the show_all_diags_on_cursorline setting. This could be due to another plugin, a custom command, or even a conflicting setting in your init.lua or init.vim file. Let's investigate.

How to check:
- Search your config: Use grep or a similar tool to search your Neovim configuration files for instances of show_all_diags_on_cursorline. This will help you identify if the option is being set elsewhere.
- Check other plugins: Review the configurations of other plugins you're using, especially those related to diagnostics or LSP (Language Server Protocol), as they might be interfering.
Solution: If you find conflicting settings, comment them out or adjust them to align with your desired behavior.

3. LSP Client Interference

The Language Server Protocol (LSP) clients, such as lsp-config, handle the communication between Neovim and the language server. It's conceivable that the LSP client configuration might be influencing how diagnostics are displayed.

How to check:
- Review LSP client settings: Examine your LSP client configurations (e.g., for lua-language-server, tsserver, etc.) to see if any settings related to diagnostics display are overriding the plugin's behavior.
- Disable LSP client diagnostics: As a test, try disabling diagnostics in your LSP client configuration temporarily to see if tiny-inline-diagnostic.nvim then behaves as expected. If it does, the issue likely lies within the LSP client settings.
Solution: Adjust your LSP client settings to ensure they don't conflict with tiny-inline-diagnostic.nvim.

4. Event Handling Issues

The user is using event = 'LspAttach' to load the plugin. While this is generally a good approach, there might be edge cases where the event is not being handled as expected, or there's a timing issue.

How to check:
- Try a different event: As a test, try using a different event, such as 'VeryLazy' or 'BufReadPost', to load the plugin. This can help determine if the issue is related to the LspAttach event specifically.
- Manual setup: You could also try setting up the plugin manually after the LSP attaches to see if that makes a difference.
Solution: If a different event resolves the issue, you might want to stick with that event or investigate further why LspAttach isn't working as expected in your setup.

5. Caching or Stale Settings

Sometimes, Neovim might be caching old settings, or there might be stale data interfering with the plugin's behavior. A simple restart or clearing the cache might do the trick.

How to check:
- Restart Neovim: Close and reopen Neovim to ensure a fresh start.
- Clear cache: If you're using a plugin manager that caches settings, try clearing the cache (refer to your plugin manager's documentation for the specific command).
Solution: Restart Neovim and clear any relevant caches.

6. Plugin Conflicts

It's always possible that another plugin is interfering with tiny-inline-diagnostic.nvim. Plugin conflicts can be tricky to diagnose, but a systematic approach can help.

How to check:
- Disable other plugins: Try disabling other plugins one by one (or in groups) to see if the issue resolves. This can help you pinpoint the conflicting plugin.
- Check for similar functionality: Look for plugins that might be providing similar diagnostic features, as these are more likely to cause conflicts.
Solution: If you identify a conflicting plugin, you might need to either remove it, adjust its settings, or find an alternative plugin.

Diving Deeper: Debugging Techniques

If none of the above steps work, it's time to roll up our sleeves and use some debugging techniques. Don't worry; it's not as scary as it sounds! We'll use Neovim's built-in debugging tools and some strategic logging to understand what's happening under the hood.

1. Using `vim.api.nvim_get_var`

This function allows you to inspect the values of Neovim variables, including plugin options. We can use it to confirm whether the show_all_diags_on_cursorline option is actually being set to false as we expect.

How to use:
1. Open Neovim.
2. Enter command mode by pressing :.
3. Type :lua print(vim.inspect(vim.api.nvim_get_var('tiny_inline_diagnostic_options'))) and press Enter.
What to look for: The output will be a table containing the plugin's options. Check if show_all_diags_on_cursorline is indeed set to false. If it's not, this indicates that the option is not being set correctly, and we need to revisit the configuration.

2. Adding Logging Statements

Strategic logging can provide valuable insights into the plugin's execution flow. By adding print statements at key points in the plugin's code, we can track the values of variables and the execution path.

How to use:
1. Locate the plugin's code (usually in ~/.local/share/nvim/lazy/tiny-inline-diagnostic.nvim or a similar path, depending on your plugin manager).
2. Open the relevant Lua files (e.g., init.lua, config.lua).
3. Add print statements at strategic locations, such as:
  - Inside the setup function to check the options being passed.
  - In the functions that handle diagnostic display to see if they are being called and what conditions are being met.
For example:
```
-- Inside the setup function
print('Options passed to setup:', vim.inspect(options))

-- In the diagnostic display function
print('Cursor on diagnostic line:', cursor_on_diagnostic_line)
```
What to look for: After adding the logging statements, restart Neovim and observe the output in the Neovim message area (you can view it by typing :messages). The logs will help you understand:
- Whether the setup function is being called with the correct options.
- If the diagnostic display functions are being executed.
- What conditions are being evaluated when deciding whether to show diagnostics.

3. Using the Neovim Debugger

For more advanced debugging, Neovim has a built-in debugger that allows you to step through code, set breakpoints, and inspect variables in real-time. This can be incredibly helpful for understanding complex issues.

How to use:
1. Start Neovim with the -u NONE flag to load a minimal configuration (this helps avoid interference from other plugins). You can also specify a minimal init.lua file that only loads the plugin you're debugging.
2. Use the :lua require'dap'.continue() commands to step through the code.
What to look for: The debugger allows you to:
- Set breakpoints at specific lines of code.
- Step through the code line by line.
- Inspect the values of variables at any point.
- Identify the exact location where the logic is deviating from your expectations.

Answering the User's Question Directly

Okay, let’s bring it back to the original question: Why isn't show_all_diags_on_cursorline working in tiny-inline-diagnostic.nvim?

Based on the troubleshooting steps we've discussed, here's a summary of potential reasons and how to address them:

Incorrect Configuration: Double-check that the option is actually being set to false. Use vim.api.nvim_get_var to verify.
Configuration Overrides: Another plugin or setting might be overriding the option. Search your config files for conflicts.
LSP Client Interference: Your LSP client might be handling diagnostics display. Adjust LSP client settings if needed.
Plugin Version: Ensure you're using the latest version of the plugin.
Event Handling: Try a different event for loading the plugin to rule out issues with LspAttach.
Caching/Stale Settings: Restart Neovim and clear any relevant caches.
Plugin Conflicts: Disable other plugins to identify potential conflicts.

Final Thoughts

Troubleshooting Neovim plugins can sometimes feel like solving a puzzle, but with a systematic approach and the right tools, you can usually get to the bottom of it. Remember to take it one step at a time, test your changes, and use debugging techniques when needed. Don't be afraid to dive into the plugin's code and see what's happening behind the scenes.

I hope this comprehensive guide helps you resolve the issue with show_all_diags_on_cursorline in tiny-inline-diagnostic.nvim. Happy coding, and remember, we're all in this together! If you're still stuck, don't hesitate to ask for further assistance in the Neovim community. There are plenty of folks who are happy to help!