diff --git a/doc/nvim-tree-lua.txt b/doc/nvim-tree-lua.txt
index ca81303ced3..c4c8645e552 100644
--- a/doc/nvim-tree-lua.txt
+++ b/doc/nvim-tree-lua.txt
@@ -542,6 +542,34 @@ performance.
     Idle milliseconds between filesystem change and action.
       Type: `number`, Default: `50` (ms)
 
+*nvim-tree.on_attach*
+Function ran when creating the nvim-tree buffer.
+This can be used to attach keybindings to the tree buffer.
+When on_attach is "disabled", it will use the older mapping strategy, otherwise it
+will use the newer one.
+>
+    on_attach = function(bufnr)
+        local inject_node = require("nvim-tree.utils").inject_node
+
+        vim.keymap.set("n", "<leader>n", inject_node(function(node)
+            if node then
+                print(node.absolute_path)
+            end
+        end), { buffer = bufnr, noremap = true })
+
+        vim.bo[bufnr].path = "/tmp"
+    end
+<
+    Type: `function(bufnr)`, Default: `"disable"`
+
+*nvim-tree.remove_keymaps*
+This can be used to remove the default mappings in the tree.
+- Remove specific keys by passing a `string` table of keys
+    eg. {"<C-o>", "<CR>", "o", "<Tab>"}
+- Remove all default mappings by passing `true`
+- Ignore by passing `false`
+    Type: `bool` or `{string}`, Default: `false`
+
 *nvim-tree.view*
 Window / buffer setup.
 
@@ -599,14 +627,11 @@ Window / buffer setup.
     Configuration options for |nvim-tree-mappings|
 
         *nvim-tree.view.mappings.custom_only*
-        Will use only the provided user mappings and not the default otherwise,
-        extends the default mappings with the provided user mappings.
-          Type: `boolean`, Default: `false`
+            DEPRECATED: see |nvim-tree.remove_keymaps|
+
 
         *nvim-tree.view.mappings.list*
-        A list of keymaps that will extend or override the default keymaps.
-          Type: `table`
-          Default: see |nvim-tree-default-mappings|
+            DEPRECATED: see |nvim-tree.on_attach|
 
 *nvim-tree.renderer*
 UI rendering setup
@@ -1045,130 +1070,56 @@ exists.
 ==============================================================================
  6. MAPPINGS                                              *nvim-tree-mappings*
 
-The `list` option in `view.mappings.list` is a table of
+Setting your own mapping in the configuration is deprecated, see |nvim-tree.on_attach| now.
+
+You can remove default mappings with |nvim-tree.remove_keymaps|.
+
+`<CR>`, `o`, `<2-LeftMouse>`    open a file or folder; root will cd to the above directory
+`<C-e>`                         edit the file in place, effectively replacing the tree explorer
+`O`                             same as (edit) with no window picker
+`<C-]>`, `<2-RightMouse>`       cd in the directory under the cursor
+`<C-v>`                         open the file in a vertical split
+`<C-x>`                         open the file in a horizontal split
+`<C-t>`                         open the file in a new tab
+`<`                             navigate to the previous sibling of current file/directory
+`>`                             navigate to the next sibling of current file/directory
+`P`                             move cursor to the parent directory
+`<BS>`                          close current opened directory or parent
+`<Tab>`                         open the file as a preview (keeps the cursor in the tree)
+`K`                             navigate to the first sibling of current file/directory
+`J`                             navigate to the last sibling of current file/directory
+`I`                             toggle visibility of files/folders hidden via |git.ignore| option
+`H`                             toggle visibility of dotfiles via |filters.dotfiles| option
+`U`                             toggle visibility of files/folders hidden via |filters.custom| option
+`R`                             refresh the tree
+`a`                             add a file; leaving a trailing `/` will add a directory
+`d`                             delete a file (will prompt for confirmation)
+`D`                             trash a file via |trash| option
+`r`                             rename a file
+`<C-r>`                         rename a file and omit the filename on input
+`x`                             add/remove file/directory to cut clipboard
+`c`                             add/remove file/directory to copy clipboard
+`p`                             paste from clipboard; cut clipboard has precedence over copy; will prompt for confirmation
+`y`                             copy name to system clipboard
+`Y`                             copy relative path to system clipboard
+`gy`                            copy absolute path to system clipboard
+`[e`                            go to next diagnostic item
+`[c`                            go to next git item
+`]e`                            go to prev diagnostic item
+`]c`                            go to prev git item
+`-`                             navigate up to the parent directory of the current file/directory
+`s`                             open a file with default system application or a folder with default file manager, using |system_open| option
+`f`                             live filter nodes dynamically based on regex matching.
+`F`                             clear live filter
+`q`                             close tree window
+`W`                             collapse the whole tree
+`E`                             expand the whole tree, stopping after expanding |actions.expand_all.max_folder_discovery| folders; this might hang neovim for a while if running on a big folder
+`S`                             prompt the user to enter a path and then expands the tree to match the path
+`.`                             enter vim command mode with the file the cursor is on
+`<C-k>`                         toggle a popup with file infos about the file under the cursor
+`g?`                            toggle help
+`m`                             Toggle node in bookmarks
 
-- `key` can be either a string or a table of string (lhs)
-- `action` is the name of the action, set to `""` to remove default action
-- `action_cb` is the function that will be called, it receives the node as a parameter. Optional for default actions
-- `mode` is normal by default
->
-  local tree_cb = require'nvim-tree.config'.nvim_tree_callback
-
-  local function print_node_path(node) {
-    print(node.absolute_path)
-  }
-
-  local list = {
-    { key = {"<CR>", "o" }, action = "edit", mode = "n"},
-    { key = "p", action = "print_path", action_cb = print_node_path },
-    { key = "s", cb = tree_cb("vsplit") }, --tree_cb and the cb property are deprecated
-    { key = "<2-RightMouse>", action = "" }, -- will remove default cd action
-  }
-<
-Mouse support defined in |KeyBindings|
-
-DEFAULT MAPPINGS                                     *nvim-tree-default-mappings*
-
-`<CR>`            edit                open a file or folder; root will cd to the above directory
-`o`
-`<2-LeftMouse>`
-`<C-e>`           edit_in_place       edit the file in place, effectively replacing the tree explorer
-`O`               edit_no_picker      same as (edit) with no window picker
-`<C-]>`           cd                  cd in the directory under the cursor
-`<2-RightMouse>`
-`<C-v>`           vsplit              open the file in a vertical split
-`<C-x>`           split               open the file in a horizontal split
-`<C-t>`           tabnew              open the file in a new tab
-`<`               prev_sibling        navigate to the previous sibling of current file/directory
-`>`               next_sibling        navigate to the next sibling of current file/directory
-`P`               parent_node         move cursor to the parent directory
-`<BS>`            close_node          close current opened directory or parent
-`<Tab>`           preview             open the file as a preview (keeps the cursor in the tree)
-`K`               first_sibling       navigate to the first sibling of current file/directory
-`J`               last_sibling        navigate to the last sibling of current file/directory
-`I`               toggle_git_ignored  toggle visibility of files/folders hidden via |git.ignore| option
-`H`               toggle_dotfiles     toggle visibility of dotfiles via |filters.dotfiles| option
-`U`               toggle_custom       toggle visibility of files/folders hidden via |filters.custom| option
-`R`               refresh             refresh the tree
-`a`               create              add a file; leaving a trailing `/` will add a directory
-`d`               remove              delete a file (will prompt for confirmation)
-`D`               trash               trash a file via |trash| option
-`r`               rename              rename a file
-`<C-r>`           full_rename         rename a file and omit the filename on input
-`x`               cut                 add/remove file/directory to cut clipboard
-`c`               copy                add/remove file/directory to copy clipboard
-`p`               paste               paste from clipboard; cut clipboard has precedence over copy; will prompt for confirmation
-`y`               copy_name           copy name to system clipboard
-`Y`               copy_path           copy relative path to system clipboard
-`gy`              copy_absolute_path  copy absolute path to system clipboard
-`[e`              prev_diag_item      go to next diagnostic item
-`[c`              prev_git_item       go to next git item
-`]e`              next_diag_item      go to prev diagnostic item
-`]c`              next_git_item       go to prev git item
-`-`               dir_up              navigate up to the parent directory of the current file/directory
-`s`               system_open         open a file with default system application or a folder with default file manager, using |system_open| option
-`f`               live_filter         live filter nodes dynamically based on regex matching.
-`F`               clear_live_filter   clear live filter
-`q`               close               close tree window
-`W`               collapse_all        collapse the whole tree
-`E`               expand_all          expand the whole tree, stopping after expanding |actions.expand_all.max_folder_discovery| folders; this might hang neovim for a while if running on a big folder
-`S`               search_node         prompt the user to enter a path and then expands the tree to match the path
-`.`               run_file_command    enter vim command mode with the file the cursor is on
-`<C-k>`           toggle_file_info    toggle a popup with file infos about the file under the cursor
-`g?`              toggle_help         toggle help
-`m`               toggle_mark         Toggle node in bookmarks
-`bmv`             bulk_move           Move all bookmarked nodes into specified location
-
->
-  view.mappings.list = { -- BEGIN_DEFAULT_MAPPINGS
-    { key = { "<CR>", "o", "<2-LeftMouse>" }, action = "edit" },
-    { key = "<C-e>",                          action = "edit_in_place" },
-    { key = "O",                              action = "edit_no_picker" },
-    { key = { "<C-]>", "<2-RightMouse>" },    action = "cd" },
-    { key = "<C-v>",                          action = "vsplit" },
-    { key = "<C-x>",                          action = "split" },
-    { key = "<C-t>",                          action = "tabnew" },
-    { key = "<",                              action = "prev_sibling" },
-    { key = ">",                              action = "next_sibling" },
-    { key = "P",                              action = "parent_node" },
-    { key = "<BS>",                           action = "close_node" },
-    { key = "<Tab>",                          action = "preview" },
-    { key = "K",                              action = "first_sibling" },
-    { key = "J",                              action = "last_sibling" },
-    { key = "I",                              action = "toggle_git_ignored" },
-    { key = "H",                              action = "toggle_dotfiles" },
-    { key = "U",                              action = "toggle_custom" },
-    { key = "R",                              action = "refresh" },
-    { key = "a",                              action = "create" },
-    { key = "d",                              action = "remove" },
-    { key = "D",                              action = "trash" },
-    { key = "r",                              action = "rename" },
-    { key = "<C-r>",                          action = "full_rename" },
-    { key = "x",                              action = "cut" },
-    { key = "c",                              action = "copy" },
-    { key = "p",                              action = "paste" },
-    { key = "y",                              action = "copy_name" },
-    { key = "Y",                              action = "copy_path" },
-    { key = "gy",                             action = "copy_absolute_path" },
-    { key = "[e",                             action = "prev_diag_item" },
-    { key = "[c",                             action = "prev_git_item" },
-    { key = "]e",                             action = "next_diag_item" },
-    { key = "]c",                             action = "next_git_item" },
-    { key = "-",                              action = "dir_up" },
-    { key = "s",                              action = "system_open" },
-    { key = "f",                              action = "live_filter" },
-    { key = "F",                              action = "clear_live_filter" },
-    { key = "q",                              action = "close" },
-    { key = "W",                              action = "collapse_all" },
-    { key = "E",                              action = "expand_all" },
-    { key = "S",                              action = "search_node" },
-    { key = ".",                              action = "run_file_command" },
-    { key = "<C-k>",                          action = "toggle_file_info" },
-    { key = "g?",                             action = "toggle_help" },
-    { key = "m",                              action = "toggle_mark" },
-    { key = "bmv",                            action = "bulk_move" },
-  } -- END_DEFAULT_MAPPINGS
-<
 ==============================================================================
  7. HIGHLIGHT GROUPS                                     *nvim-tree-highlight*
 
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree.lua b/lua/nvim-tree.lua
index 80ee741d613..9147e8e15d6 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree.lua
@@ -434,6 +434,8 @@ local DEFAULT_OPTS = { -- BEGIN_DEFAULT_OPTS
   sync_root_with_cwd = false,
   reload_on_bufenter = false,
   respect_buf_cwd = false,
+  on_attach = "disable", -- function(bufnr). If nil, will use the deprecated mapping strategy
+  remove_keymaps = false, -- boolean (disable totally or not) or list of key (lhs)
   view = {
     adaptive_size = false,
     centralize_selection = false,
@@ -445,6 +447,7 @@ local DEFAULT_OPTS = { -- BEGIN_DEFAULT_OPTS
     number = false,
     relativenumber = false,
     signcolumn = "yes",
+    -- @deprecated
     mappings = {
       custom_only = false,
       list = {
@@ -605,6 +608,8 @@ end
 local FIELD_OVERRIDE_TYPECHECK = {
   width = { string = true, ["function"] = true, number = true },
   height = { string = true, ["function"] = true, number = true },
+  remove_keymaps = { boolean = true, table = true },
+  on_attach = { ["function"] = true, string = true },
 }
 
 local function validate_options(conf)
@@ -682,6 +687,7 @@ function M.setup(conf)
   log.raw("config", "%s\n", vim.inspect(opts))
 
   require("nvim-tree.actions").setup(opts)
+  require("nvim-tree.keymap").setup(opts)
   require("nvim-tree.colors").setup()
   require("nvim-tree.diagnostics").setup(opts)
   require("nvim-tree.explorer").setup(opts)
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/init.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/init.lua
index 943403d0261..e3b9366fccb 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/init.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/init.lua
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+-- @deprecated: new implemention in nvim-tree.keymap. Please do not edit this file.
+
 local a = vim.api
 
 local log = require "nvim-tree.log"
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/keymap.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/keymap.lua
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..f8cd5fc6bfd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/keymap.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,286 @@
+local Api = require "nvim-tree.api"
+
+local M = {}
+
+local DEFAULT_KEYMAPS = {
+  {
+    key = { "<CR>", "o", "<2-LeftMouse>" },
+    callback = Api.node.open.edit,
+    desc = "open a file or folder; root will cd to the above directory",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "<C-e>",
+    callback = Api.node.open.replace_tree_buffer,
+    desc = "edit the file in place, effectively replacing the tree explorer",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "O",
+    callback = Api.node.open.no_window_picker,
+    desc = "same as (edit) with no window picker",
+  },
+  {
+    key = { "<C-]>", "<2-RightMouse>" },
+    callback = Api.tree.change_root_to_node,
+    desc = "cd in the directory under the cursor",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "<C-v>",
+    callback = Api.node.open.vertical,
+    desc = "open the file in a vertical split",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "<C-x>",
+    callback = Api.node.open.horizontal,
+    desc = "open the file in a horizontal split",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "<C-t>",
+    callback = Api.node.open.tab,
+    desc = "open the file in a new tab",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "<",
+    callback = Api.node.navigate.sibling.prev,
+    desc = "navigate to the previous sibling of current file/directory",
+  },
+  {
+    key = ">",
+    callback = Api.node.navigate.sibling.next,
+    desc = "navigate to the next sibling of current file/directory",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "P",
+    callback = Api.node.navigate.parent,
+    desc = "move cursor to the parent directory",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "<BS>",
+    callback = Api.node.navigate.parent_close,
+    desc = "close current opened directory or parent",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "<Tab>",
+    callback = Api.node.open.preview,
+    desc = "open the file as a preview (keeps the cursor in the tree)",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "K",
+    callback = Api.node.navigate.sibling.first,
+    desc = "navigate to the first sibling of current file/directory",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "J",
+    callback = Api.node.navigate.sibling.last,
+    desc = "navigate to the last sibling of current file/directory",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "I",
+    callback = Api.tree.toggle_gitignore_filter,
+    desc = "toggle visibility of files/folders hidden via |git.ignore| option",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "H",
+    callback = Api.tree.toggle_hidden_filter,
+    desc = "toggle visibility of dotfiles via |filters.dotfiles| option",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "U",
+    callback = Api.tree.toggle_custom_filter,
+    desc = "toggle visibility of files/folders hidden via |filters.custom| option",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "R",
+    callback = Api.tree.reload,
+    desc = "refresh the tree",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "a",
+    callback = Api.fs.create,
+    desc = "add a file; leaving a trailing `/` will add a directory",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "d",
+    callback = Api.fs.remove,
+    desc = "delete a file (will prompt for confirmation)",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "D",
+    callback = Api.fs.trash,
+    desc = "trash a file via |trash| option",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "r",
+    callback = Api.fs.rename,
+    desc = "rename a file",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "<C-r>",
+    callback = Api.fs.rename_sub,
+    desc = "rename a file and omit the filename on input",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "x",
+    callback = Api.fs.cut,
+    desc = "add/remove file/directory to cut clipboard",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "c",
+    callback = Api.fs.copy.node,
+    desc = "add/remove file/directory to copy clipboard",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "p",
+    callback = Api.fs.paste,
+    desc = "paste from clipboard; cut clipboard has precedence over copy; will prompt for confirmation",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "y",
+    callback = Api.fs.copy.filename,
+    desc = "copy name to system clipboard",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "Y",
+    callback = Api.fs.copy.relative_path,
+    desc = "copy relative path to system clipboard",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "gy",
+    callback = Api.fs.copy.absolute_path,
+    desc = "copy absolute path to system clipboard",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "[e",
+    callback = Api.node.navigate.diagnostics.next,
+    desc = "go to next diagnostic item",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "[c",
+    callback = Api.node.navigate.git.next,
+    desc = "go to next git item",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "]e",
+    callback = Api.node.navigate.diagnostics.prev,
+    desc = "go to prev diagnostic item",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "]c",
+    callback = Api.node.navigate.git.prev,
+    desc = "go to prev git item",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "-",
+    callback = Api.tree.change_root_to_parent,
+    desc = "navigate up to the parent directory of the current file/directory",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "s",
+    callback = Api.node.run.system,
+    desc = "open a file with default system application or a folder with default file manager, using |system_open| option",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "f",
+    callback = Api.live_filter.start,
+    desc = "live filter nodes dynamically based on regex matching.",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "F",
+    callback = Api.live_filter.clear,
+    desc = "clear live filter",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "q",
+    callback = Api.tree.close,
+    desc = "close tree window",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "W",
+    callback = Api.tree.collapse_all,
+    desc = "collapse the whole tree",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "E",
+    callback = Api.tree.expand_all,
+    desc = "expand the whole tree, stopping after expanding |callbacks.expand_all.max_folder_discovery| folders; this might hang neovim for a while if running on a big folder",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "S",
+    callback = Api.tree.search_node,
+    desc = "prompt the user to enter a path and then expands the tree to match the path",
+  },
+  {
+    key = ".",
+    callback = Api.node.run.cmd,
+    desc = "enter vim command mode with the file the cursor is on",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "<C-k>",
+    callback = Api.node.show_info_popup,
+    desc = "toggle a popup with file infos about the file under the cursor",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "g?",
+    callback = Api.tree.toggle_help,
+    desc = "toggle help",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "m",
+    callback = Api.marks.toggle,
+    desc = "Toggle node in bookmarks",
+  },
+  {
+    key = "bmv",
+    callback = Api.marks.bulk.move,
+    desc = "Move all bookmarked nodes into specified location",
+  },
+}
+
+function M.set_keymaps(bufnr)
+  local opts = { noremap = true, silent = true, nowait = true, buffer = bufnr }
+  for _, km in ipairs(M.keymaps) do
+    local keys = type(km.key) == "table" and km.key or { km.key }
+    for _, key in ipairs(keys) do
+      vim.keymap.set("n", key, km.callback, opts)
+    end
+  end
+end
+
+local function get_keymaps(keys_to_disable)
+  if keys_to_disable == true then
+    return {}
+  end
+
+  if type(keys_to_disable) == "table" and #keys_to_disable > 0 then
+    local new_map = {}
+    for _, m in pairs(DEFAULT_KEYMAPS) do
+      local keys = type(m.key) == "table" and m.key or { m.key }
+      local reminding_keys = {}
+      for _, key in pairs(keys) do
+        local found = false
+        for _, key_to_disable in pairs(keys_to_disable) do
+          if key_to_disable == key then
+            found = true
+            break
+          end
+        end
+        if not found then
+          table.insert(reminding_keys, key)
+        end
+      end
+      if #reminding_keys > 0 then
+        local map = vim.deepcopy(m)
+        map.key = reminding_keys
+        table.insert(new_map, map)
+      end
+    end
+    return new_map
+  end
+
+  return DEFAULT_KEYMAPS
+end
+
+function M.setup(opts)
+  M.keymaps = get_keymaps(opts)
+end
+
+return M
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/utils.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/utils.lua
index 5168af74cec..6ff48111138 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/utils.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/utils.lua
@@ -400,4 +400,10 @@ function M.array_remove(array, item)
   end
 end
 
+function M.inject_node(f)
+  return function()
+    f(require("nvim-tree.lib").get_node_at_cursor())
+  end
+end
+
 return M
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/view.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/view.lua
index c76fc91427c..4e5f1c85abc 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/view.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/view.lua
@@ -92,7 +92,12 @@ local function create_buffer(bufnr)
     vim.bo[M.get_bufnr()][option] = value
   end
 
-  require("nvim-tree.actions").apply_mappings(M.get_bufnr())
+  if type(M.on_attach) == "function" then
+    require("nvim-tree.keymap").set_keymaps(M.get_bufnr())
+    M.on_attach(M.get_bufnr())
+  else
+    require("nvim-tree.actions").apply_mappings(M.get_bufnr())
+  end
 end
 
 local function get_size()
@@ -426,6 +431,7 @@ function M.setup(opts)
   M.View.winopts.number = options.number
   M.View.winopts.relativenumber = options.relativenumber
   M.View.winopts.signcolumn = options.signcolumn
+  M.on_attach = opts.on_attach
 end
 
 return M