diff --git a/lua/harpoon2/buffer.lua b/lua/harpoon2/buffer.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4ba6d79
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lua/harpoon2/buffer.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,121 @@
+local utils = require("harpoon2.utils")
+local M = {}
+
+local HARPOON_MENU = "__harpoon-menu__"
+
+-- simple reason here is that if we are deving harpoon, we will create several
+-- ui objects, each with their own buffer, which will cause the name to be duplicated and then we will get a vim error on nvim_buf_set_name
+local harpoon_menu_id = 0
+
+local function get_harpoon_menu_name()
+    harpoon_menu_id = harpoon_menu_id + 1
+    return HARPOON_MENU .. harpoon_menu_id
+end
+
+---TODO: I don't know how to do what i want to do, but i want to be able to
+---make this so we use callbacks for these buffer actions instead of using
+---strings back into the ui.  it feels gross and it puts odd coupling
+---@param bufnr number
+function M.setup_autocmds_and_keymaps(bufnr)
+    --[[
+    -- TODO: Do the highlighting better
+    local curr_file = vim.api.nvim_buf_get_name(0)
+    local cmd =
+        string.format(
+            "autocmd Filetype harpoon "
+                .. "let path = '%s' | call clearmatches() | "
+                -- move the cursor to the line containing the current filename
+                .. "call search('\\V'.path.'\\$') | "
+                -- add a hl group to that line
+                .. "call matchadd('HarpoonCurrentFile', '\\V'.path.'\\$')",
+            curr_file:gsub("\\", "\\\\")
+        )
+    print(cmd)
+    vim.cmd(cmd)
+    --]]
+
+    if vim.api.nvim_buf_get_name(bufnr) == "" then
+        vim.api.nvim_buf_set_name(bufnr, get_harpoon_menu_name())
+    end
+
+    vim.api.nvim_buf_set_option(bufnr, "filetype", "harpoon")
+    vim.api.nvim_buf_set_option(bufnr, "buftype", "acwrite")
+    vim.api.nvim_buf_set_option(bufnr, "bufhidden", "delete")
+
+    --[[
+    vim.api.nvim_buf_set_keymap(
+        bufnr,
+        "n",
+        "z",
+        "<Cmd>lua print('WTF')<CR>",
+        { silent = true }
+    )
+    --]]
+
+    vim.api.nvim_buf_set_keymap(
+        bufnr,
+        "n",
+        "q",
+        "<Cmd>lua require('harpoon2').ui:toggle_quick_menu()<CR>",
+        { silent = true }
+    )
+    vim.api.nvim_buf_set_keymap(
+        bufnr,
+        "n",
+        "<ESC>",
+        "<Cmd>lua require('harpoon2').ui:toggle_quick_menu()<CR>",
+        { silent = true }
+    )
+    vim.api.nvim_buf_set_keymap(
+        bufnr,
+        "n",
+        "<CR>",
+        "<Cmd>lua require('harpoon2').ui:select_menu_item()<CR>",
+        {}
+    )
+    -- TODO: Update these to use the new autocmd api
+    vim.cmd(
+        string.format(
+            "autocmd BufWriteCmd <buffer=%s> lua require('harpoon2').ui:on_menu_save()",
+            bufnr
+        )
+    )
+    -- TODO: Do we want this?  is this a thing?
+    -- its odd... why save on text change? shouldn't we wait until close / w / esc?
+    --[[
+    if global_config.save_on_change then
+        vim.cmd(
+            string.format(
+                "autocmd TextChanged,TextChangedI <buffer=%s> lua require('harpoon2').ui:on_menu_save()",
+                bufnr
+            )
+        )
+    end
+    --]]
+    vim.cmd(
+        string.format(
+            "autocmd BufModifiedSet <buffer=%s> set nomodified",
+            bufnr
+        )
+    )
+    vim.cmd(
+        "autocmd BufLeave <buffer> ++nested ++once silent lua require('harpoon2').ui:toggle_quick_menu()"
+    )
+
+end
+
+---@param bufnr number
+function M.get_contents(bufnr)
+    local lines = vim.api.nvim_buf_get_lines(bufnr, 0, -1, true)
+    local indices = {}
+
+    for _, line in pairs(lines) do
+        if not utils.is_white_space(line) then
+            table.insert(indices, line)
+        end
+    end
+
+    return indices
+end
+
+return M
diff --git a/lua/harpoon2/config.lua b/lua/harpoon2/config.lua
index 1365cb9..f3ec2da 100644
--- a/lua/harpoon2/config.lua
+++ b/lua/harpoon2/config.lua
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+local utils = require("harpoon2.utils")
 local M = {}
 
 ---@alias HarpoonListItem {value: any, context: any}
@@ -12,6 +13,12 @@ local M = {}
 ---@field add? fun(item: any?): HarpoonListItem
 ---@field BufLeave? fun(evt: any, list: HarpoonList): nil
 ---@field VimLeavePre? fun(evt: any, list: HarpoonList): nil
+---@field get_root_dir? fun(): string
+
+---@class HarpoonWindowSettings
+---@field width number
+---@field height number
+
 
 ---notehunthoeunthoeunthoeunthoeunthoeunth
 ---@class HarpoonSettings
@@ -108,10 +115,21 @@ function M.get_default_config()
                 return list_item_a.value == list_item_b.value
             end,
 
+            get_root_dir = function()
+                return vim.loop.cwd()
+            end,
+
             ---@param name any
             ---@return HarpoonListItem
             add = function(name)
-                name = name or vim.api.nvim_buf_get_name(vim.api.nvim_get_current_buf())
+                name = name or
+                    -- TODO: should we do path normalization???
+                    -- i know i have seen sometimes it becoming an absolute
+                    -- path, if that is the case we can use the context to
+                    -- store the bufname and then have value be the normalized
+                    -- value
+                    vim.api.nvim_buf_get_name(vim.api.nvim_get_current_buf())
+
                 local bufnr = vim.fn.bufnr(name, false)
 
                 local pos = {1, 0}
diff --git a/lua/harpoon2/init.lua b/lua/harpoon2/init.lua
index 517a886..593b8b5 100644
--- a/lua/harpoon2/init.lua
+++ b/lua/harpoon2/init.lua
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+local Ui = require("harpoon2.ui")
 local Data = require("harpoon2.data")
 local Config = require("harpoon2.config")
 local List = require("harpoon2.list")
@@ -12,6 +13,7 @@ local DEFAULT_LIST = "__harpoon_files"
 
 ---@class Harpoon
 ---@field config HarpoonConfig
+---@field ui HarpoonUI
 ---@field data HarpoonData
 ---@field lists {[string]: {[string]: HarpoonList}}
 ---@field hooks_setup boolean
@@ -23,18 +25,24 @@ Harpoon.__index = Harpoon
 function Harpoon:new()
     local config = Config.get_default_config()
 
-    return setmetatable({
+    local harpoon = setmetatable({
         config = config,
         data = Data.Data:new(),
+        ui = Ui:new(config.settings),
         lists = {},
         hooks_setup = false,
     }, self)
+
+    return harpoon
 end
 
 ---@param partial_config HarpoonPartialConfig
 ---@return Harpoon
 function Harpoon:setup(partial_config)
     self.config = Config.merge_config(partial_config, self.config)
+    self.ui:configure(self.config.settings)
+
+    ---TODO: should we go through every seen list and update its config?
 
     if self.hooks_setup == false then
         local augroup = vim.api.nvim_create_augroup
@@ -44,6 +52,7 @@ function Harpoon:setup(partial_config)
             group = HarpoonGroup,
             pattern = '*',
             callback = function(ev)
+                --[[
                 self:_for_each_list(function(list, config)
 
                     local fn = config[ev.event]
@@ -55,6 +64,7 @@ function Harpoon:setup(partial_config)
                         self:sync()
                     end
                 end)
+                --]]
             end,
         })
 
@@ -129,6 +139,16 @@ function Harpoon:dump()
     return self.data._data
 end
 
-return Harpoon:new()
+function Harpoon:__debug_reset()
+    require("plenary.reload").reload_module("harpoon2")
+end
 
+local harpoon = Harpoon:new()
+HARPOON_DEBUG_VAR = HARPOON_DEBUG_VAR or 0
+if HARPOON_DEBUG_VAR == 0 then
+    harpoon.ui:toggle_quick_menu(harpoon:list())
+    HARPOON_DEBUG_VAR = 1
+end
+-- leave this undone, i sometimes use this for debugging
 
+return harpoon
diff --git a/lua/harpoon2/list.lua b/lua/harpoon2/list.lua
index 8bb588c..21d8681 100644
--- a/lua/harpoon2/list.lua
+++ b/lua/harpoon2/list.lua
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ end
 --- @class HarpoonList
 --- @field config HarpoonPartialConfigItem
 --- @field name string
+--- @field _index number
 --- @field items HarpoonItem[]
 local HarpoonList = {}
 
@@ -27,9 +28,15 @@ function HarpoonList:new(config, name, items)
         items = items,
         config = config,
         name = name,
+        _index = 1,
     }, self)
 end
 
+---@return number
+function HarpoonList:length()
+    return #self.items
+end
+
 ---@return HarpoonList
 function HarpoonList:append(item)
     item = item or self.config.add()
@@ -113,6 +120,24 @@ function HarpoonList:select(index, options)
     end
 end
 
+function HarpoonList:next()
+    self._index = self._index + 1
+    if self._index > #self.items then
+        self._index = 1
+    end
+
+    self:select(self._index)
+end
+
+function HarpoonList:prev()
+    self._index = self._index - 1
+    if self._index < 1 then
+        self._index = #self.items
+    end
+
+    self:select(self._index)
+end
+
 --- @return string[]
 function HarpoonList:display()
     local out = {}
diff --git a/lua/harpoon2/test/ui_spec.lua b/lua/harpoon2/test/ui_spec.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5ec055f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lua/harpoon2/test/ui_spec.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+local utils = require("harpoon2.test.utils")
+
+local eq = assert.are.same
+
+describe("harpoon", function()
+
+    before_each(utils.before_each)
+
+    it("open the ui without any items in the list", function()
+        local harpoon = require("harpoon2")
+        harpoon.ui:toggle_quick_menu(harpoon:list())
+
+        -- no test, just wanted it to run without error'ing
+    end)
+
+end)
+
+
diff --git a/lua/harpoon2/test/utils.lua b/lua/harpoon2/test/utils.lua
index ecee9c1..25e0668 100644
--- a/lua/harpoon2/test/utils.lua
+++ b/lua/harpoon2/test/utils.lua
@@ -1,8 +1,27 @@
+local Data = require("harpoon2.data")
 
 local M = {}
 
 M.created_files = {}
 
+function M.before_each()
+    Data.set_data_path("/tmp/harpoon2.json")
+    Data.__dangerously_clear_data()
+    require("plenary.reload").reload_module("harpoon2")
+    Data = require("harpoon2.data")
+    Data.set_data_path("/tmp/harpoon2.json")
+    local harpoon = require("harpoon2")
+    M.clean_files()
+
+    harpoon:setup({
+        settings = {
+            key = function()
+                return "testies"
+            end
+        }
+    })
+end
+
 function M.clean_files()
     for _, bufnr in ipairs(M.created_files) do
         vim.api.nvim_buf_delete(bufnr, {force = true})
diff --git a/lua/harpoon2/ui.lua b/lua/harpoon2/ui.lua
index a59651e..3b525ad 100644
--- a/lua/harpoon2/ui.lua
+++ b/lua/harpoon2/ui.lua
@@ -1,42 +1,57 @@
--- TODO: This is just the UI from the previous harpoon.
--- it needs to be cleaned up and converted to the new api
-local harpoon = require("harpoon")
-local popup = require("plenary.popup")
-local Marked = require("harpoon.mark")
-local utils = require("harpoon.utils")
-local log = require("harpoon.dev").log
+local popup = require("plenary").popup
+local Buffer = require("harpoon2.buffer")
+local DEFAULT_WINDOW_WIDTH = 69 -- nice
 
-local M = {}
+---@class HarpoonUI
+---@field win_id number
+---@field bufnr number
+---@field settings HarpoonSettings
+---@field active_list HarpoonList
+local HarpoonUI = {}
 
-Harpoon_win_id = nil
-Harpoon_bufh = nil
+HarpoonUI.__index = HarpoonUI
 
--- We save before we close because we use the state of the buffer as the list
--- of items.
-local function close_menu(force_save)
-    force_save = force_save or false
-    local global_config = harpoon.get_global_settings()
-
-    if global_config.save_on_toggle or force_save then
-        require("harpoon.ui").on_menu_save()
-    end
-
-    vim.api.nvim_win_close(Harpoon_win_id, true)
-
-    Harpoon_win_id = nil
-    Harpoon_bufh = nil
+---@param settings HarpoonSettings
+---@return HarpoonUI
+function HarpoonUI:new(settings)
+    return setmetatable({
+        win_id = nil,
+        bufnr = nil,
+        active_list = nil,
+        settings = settings,
+    }, self)
 end
 
-local function create_window()
-    log.trace("_create_window()")
-    local config = harpoon.get_menu_config()
-    local width = config.width or 60
-    local height = config.height or 10
-    local borderchars = config.borderchars
-        or { "─", "│", "─", "│", "╭", "╮", "╯", "╰" }
-    local bufnr = vim.api.nvim_create_buf(false, false)
+function HarpoonUI:close_menu()
+    print("CLOSING MENU")
+    if self.win_id ~= nil and vim.api.nvim_win_is_valid(self.win_id) then
+        vim.api.nvim_win_close(self.win_id, true)
+    end
 
-    local Harpoon_win_id, win = popup.create(bufnr, {
+    if self.bufnr ~= nil and vim.api.nvim_buf_is_valid(self.bufnr) then
+        vim.api.nvim_buf_delete(self.bufnr, { force = true })
+    end
+
+    self.active_list = nil
+    self.win_id = nil
+    self.bufnr = nil
+end
+
+---@return number,number
+function HarpoonUI:_create_window()
+    local win = vim.api.nvim_list_uis()
+
+    local width = DEFAULT_WINDOW_WIDTH
+    if #win > 0 then
+        -- no ackshual reason for 0.62569, just looks complicated, and i want
+        -- to make my boss think i am smart
+        width = math.floor(win[1].width * 0.62569)
+    end
+
+    local height = 8
+    local borderchars = { "─", "│", "─", "│", "╭", "╮", "╯", "╰" }
+    local bufnr = vim.api.nvim_create_buf(false, false)
+    local win_id, _ = popup.create(bufnr, {
         title = "Harpoon",
         highlight = "HarpoonWindow",
         line = math.floor(((vim.o.lines - height) / 2) - 1),
@@ -45,180 +60,62 @@ local function create_window()
         minheight = height,
         borderchars = borderchars,
     })
+    Buffer.setup_autocmds_and_keymaps(bufnr)
 
+    self.win_id = win_id
+    vim.api.nvim_win_set_option(self.win_id, "number", true)
     vim.api.nvim_win_set_option(
-        win.border.win_id,
+        win_id,
         "winhl",
         "Normal:HarpoonBorder"
     )
 
-    return {
-        bufnr = bufnr,
-        win_id = Harpoon_win_id,
-    }
+    return win_id, bufnr
 end
 
-local function get_menu_items()
-    log.trace("_get_menu_items()")
-    local lines = vim.api.nvim_buf_get_lines(Harpoon_bufh, 0, -1, true)
-    local indices = {}
+local count = 0
 
-    for _, line in pairs(lines) do
-        if not utils.is_white_space(line) then
-            table.insert(indices, line)
-        end
-    end
+---@param list HarpoonList
+function HarpoonUI:toggle_quick_menu(list)
 
-    return indices
-end
+    count = count + 1
+    print("toggle?", self.win_id, self.bufnr, count)
 
-function M.toggle_quick_menu()
-    log.trace("toggle_quick_menu()")
-    if Harpoon_win_id ~= nil and vim.api.nvim_win_is_valid(Harpoon_win_id) then
-        close_menu()
+    if list == nil or self.win_id ~= nil then
+        self:close_menu()
         return
     end
 
-    local curr_file = utils.normalize_path(vim.api.nvim_buf_get_name(0))
-    vim.cmd(
-        string.format(
-            "autocmd Filetype harpoon "
-                .. "let path = '%s' | call clearmatches() | "
-                -- move the cursor to the line containing the current filename
-                .. "call search('\\V'.path.'\\$') | "
-                -- add a hl group to that line
-                .. "call matchadd('HarpoonCurrentFile', '\\V'.path.'\\$')",
-            curr_file:gsub("\\", "\\\\")
-        )
-    )
+    local win_id, bufnr = self:_create_window()
 
-    local win_info = create_window()
-    local contents = {}
-    local global_config = harpoon.get_global_settings()
+    print("_create_window_results", win_id, bufnr, count)
+    self.win_id = win_id
+    self.bufnr = bufnr
+    self.active_list = list
 
-    Harpoon_win_id = win_info.win_id
-    Harpoon_bufh = win_info.bufnr
-
-    for idx = 1, Marked.get_length() do
-        local file = Marked.get_marked_file_name(idx)
-        if file == "" then
-            file = "(empty)"
-        end
-        contents[idx] = string.format("%s", file)
-    end
-
-    vim.api.nvim_win_set_option(Harpoon_win_id, "number", true)
-    vim.api.nvim_buf_set_name(Harpoon_bufh, "harpoon-menu")
-    vim.api.nvim_buf_set_lines(Harpoon_bufh, 0, #contents, false, contents)
-    vim.api.nvim_buf_set_option(Harpoon_bufh, "filetype", "harpoon")
-    vim.api.nvim_buf_set_option(Harpoon_bufh, "buftype", "acwrite")
-    vim.api.nvim_buf_set_option(Harpoon_bufh, "bufhidden", "delete")
-    vim.api.nvim_buf_set_keymap(
-        Harpoon_bufh,
-        "n",
-        "q",
-        "<Cmd>lua require('harpoon.ui').toggle_quick_menu()<CR>",
-        { silent = true }
-    )
-    vim.api.nvim_buf_set_keymap(
-        Harpoon_bufh,
-        "n",
-        "<ESC>",
-        "<Cmd>lua require('harpoon.ui').toggle_quick_menu()<CR>",
-        { silent = true }
-    )
-    vim.api.nvim_buf_set_keymap(
-        Harpoon_bufh,
-        "n",
-        "<CR>",
-        "<Cmd>lua require('harpoon.ui').select_menu_item()<CR>",
-        {}
-    )
-    vim.cmd(
-        string.format(
-            "autocmd BufWriteCmd <buffer=%s> lua require('harpoon.ui').on_menu_save()",
-            Harpoon_bufh
-        )
-    )
-    if global_config.save_on_change then
-        vim.cmd(
-            string.format(
-                "autocmd TextChanged,TextChangedI <buffer=%s> lua require('harpoon.ui').on_menu_save()",
-                Harpoon_bufh
-            )
-        )
-    end
-    vim.cmd(
-        string.format(
-            "autocmd BufModifiedSet <buffer=%s> set nomodified",
-            Harpoon_bufh
-        )
-    )
-    vim.cmd(
-        "autocmd BufLeave <buffer> ++nested ++once silent lua require('harpoon.ui').toggle_quick_menu()"
-    )
+    local contents = self.active_list:display()
+    vim.api.nvim_buf_set_lines(self.bufnr, 0, -1, false, contents)
 end
 
-function M.select_menu_item()
+function HarpoonUI:select_menu_item()
+    error("select_menu_item...?")
     local idx = vim.fn.line(".")
-    close_menu(true)
-    M.nav_file(idx)
+    self.active_list:select(idx)
+    self:close_menu()
 end
 
-function M.on_menu_save()
-    log.trace("on_menu_save()")
-    Marked.set_mark_list(get_menu_items())
+function HarpoonUI:on_menu_save()
+    error("saving...?")
+    local list = Buffer.get_contents(self.bufnr)
+    self.active_list:resolve_displayed(list)
 end
 
-local function get_or_create_buffer(filename)
-    local buf_exists = vim.fn.bufexists(filename) ~= 0
-    if buf_exists then
-        return vim.fn.bufnr(filename)
-    end
-
-    return vim.fn.bufadd(filename)
-end
-
-function M.nav_file(id)
-    log.trace("nav_file(): Navigating to", id)
-    local idx = Marked.get_index_of(id)
-    if not Marked.valid_index(idx) then
-        log.debug("nav_file(): No mark exists for id", id)
-        return
-    end
-
-    local mark = Marked.get_marked_file(idx)
-    local filename = vim.fs.normalize(mark.filename)
-    local buf_id = get_or_create_buffer(filename)
-    local set_row = not vim.api.nvim_buf_is_loaded(buf_id)
-
-    local old_bufnr = vim.api.nvim_get_current_buf()
-
-    vim.api.nvim_set_current_buf(buf_id)
-    vim.api.nvim_buf_set_option(buf_id, "buflisted", true)
-    if set_row and mark.row and mark.col then
-        vim.cmd(string.format(":call cursor(%d, %d)", mark.row, mark.col))
-        log.debug(
-            string.format(
-                "nav_file(): Setting cursor to row: %d, col: %d",
-                mark.row,
-                mark.col
-            )
-        )
-    end
-
-    local old_bufinfo = vim.fn.getbufinfo(old_bufnr)
-    if type(old_bufinfo) == "table" and #old_bufinfo >= 1 then
-        old_bufinfo = old_bufinfo[1]
-        local no_name = old_bufinfo.name == ""
-        local one_line = old_bufinfo.linecount == 1
-        local unchanged = old_bufinfo.changed == 0
-        if no_name and one_line and unchanged then
-            vim.api.nvim_buf_delete(old_bufnr, {})
-        end
-    end
+---@param settings HarpoonSettings
+function HarpoonUI:configure(settings)
+    self.settings = settings
 end
 
+--[[
 function M.location_window(options)
     local default_options = {
         relative = "editor",
@@ -239,6 +136,7 @@ function M.location_window(options)
     }
 end
 
+-- TODO: What is this used for?
 function M.notification(text)
     local win_stats = vim.api.nvim_list_uis()[1]
     local win_width = win_stats.width
@@ -270,41 +168,6 @@ end
 function M.close_notification(bufnr)
     vim.api.nvim_buf_delete(bufnr)
 end
+--]]
 
-function M.nav_next()
-    log.trace("nav_next()")
-    local current_index = Marked.get_current_index()
-    local number_of_items = Marked.get_length()
-
-    if current_index == nil then
-        current_index = 1
-    else
-        current_index = current_index + 1
-    end
-
-    if current_index > number_of_items then
-        current_index = 1
-    end
-    M.nav_file(current_index)
-end
-
-function M.nav_prev()
-    log.trace("nav_prev()")
-    local current_index = Marked.get_current_index()
-    local number_of_items = Marked.get_length()
-
-    if current_index == nil then
-        current_index = number_of_items
-    else
-        current_index = current_index - 1
-    end
-
-    if current_index < 1 then
-        current_index = number_of_items
-    end
-
-    M.nav_file(current_index)
-end
-
-return M
-
+return HarpoonUI
diff --git a/lua/harpoon2/utils.lua b/lua/harpoon2/utils.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8dfa86a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lua/harpoon2/utils.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+local Path = require("plenary.path")
+
+local M = {}
+function M.normalize_path(item)
+    return Path:new(item):make_relative(M.project_key())
+end
+
+function M.is_white_space(str)
+    return str:gsub("%s", "") == ""
+end
+
+return M