diff --git a/cmd/micro/micro.go b/cmd/micro/micro.go
index 59cbb802..4bcf99cb 100644
--- a/cmd/micro/micro.go
+++ b/cmd/micro/micro.go
@@ -55,6 +55,12 @@ func InitFlags() {
 		fmt.Println("    \tRemove plugin(s)")
 		fmt.Println("-plugin update [PLUGIN]...")
 		fmt.Println("    \tUpdate plugin(s) (if no argument is given, updates all plugins)")
+		fmt.Println("-plugin search [PLUGIN]...")
+		fmt.Println("    \tSearch for a plugin")
+		fmt.Println("-plugin list")
+		fmt.Println("    \tList installed plugins")
+		fmt.Println("-plugin available")
+		fmt.Println("    \tList available plugins")
 
 		fmt.Print("\nMicro's options can also be set via command line arguments for quick\nadjustments. For real configuration, please use the settings.json\nfile (see 'help options').\n\n")
 		fmt.Println("-option value")
@@ -107,76 +113,8 @@ func DoPluginFlags() {
 
 		args := flag.Args()
 
-		switch *flagPlugin {
-		case "install":
-			installedVersions := config.GetInstalledVersions(false)
-			for _, plugin := range args {
-				pp := config.GetAllPluginPackages().Get(plugin)
-				if pp == nil {
-					fmt.Println("Unknown plugin \"" + plugin + "\"")
-				} else if err := pp.IsInstallable(); err != nil {
-					fmt.Println("Error installing ", plugin, ": ", err)
-				} else {
-					for _, installed := range installedVersions {
-						if pp.Name == installed.Pack().Name {
-							if pp.Versions[0].Version.Compare(installed.Version) == 1 {
-								fmt.Println(pp.Name, " is already installed but out-of-date: use 'plugin update ", pp.Name, "' to update")
-							} else {
-								fmt.Println(pp.Name, " is already installed")
-							}
-						}
-					}
-					pp.Install()
-				}
-			}
+		config.PluginCommand(os.Stdout, *flagPlugin, args)
 
-		case "remove":
-			removed := ""
-			for _, plugin := range args {
-				// check if the plugin exists.
-				for _, p := range config.Plugins {
-					if p.Name == plugin && p.Default {
-						fmt.Println("Default plugins cannot be removed, but can be disabled via settings.")
-						continue
-					}
-					if p.Name == plugin {
-						config.UninstallPlugin(plugin)
-						removed += plugin + " "
-						continue
-					}
-				}
-			}
-			if removed != "" {
-				fmt.Println("Removed ", removed)
-			} else {
-				fmt.Println("No plugins removed")
-			}
-		case "update":
-			config.UpdatePlugins(args)
-		case "list":
-			plugins := config.GetInstalledVersions(false)
-			fmt.Println("The following plugins are currently installed:")
-			for _, p := range plugins {
-				fmt.Printf("%s (%s)\n", p.Pack().Name, p.Version)
-			}
-		case "search":
-			plugins := config.SearchPlugin(args)
-			fmt.Println(len(plugins), " plugins found")
-			for _, p := range plugins {
-				fmt.Println("----------------")
-				fmt.Println(p.String())
-			}
-			fmt.Println("----------------")
-		case "available":
-			packages := config.GetAllPluginPackages()
-			fmt.Println("Available Plugins:")
-			for _, pkg := range packages {
-				fmt.Println(pkg.Name)
-			}
-		default:
-			fmt.Println("Invalid plugin command")
-			os.Exit(1)
-		}
 		os.Exit(0)
 	}
 }
@@ -290,15 +228,15 @@ func main() {
 		}
 	}()
 
-	action.InitBindings()
-	action.InitCommands()
-
-	err = config.InitColorscheme()
+	err = config.LoadAllPlugins()
 	if err != nil {
 		screen.TermMessage(err)
 	}
 
-	err = config.LoadAllPlugins()
+	action.InitBindings()
+	action.InitCommands()
+
+	err = config.InitColorscheme()
 	if err != nil {
 		screen.TermMessage(err)
 	}
diff --git a/internal/action/command.go b/internal/action/command.go
index bd303a18..d6c7c3ae 100644
--- a/internal/action/command.go
+++ b/internal/action/command.go
@@ -120,11 +120,20 @@ func CommandAction(cmd string) BufKeyAction {
 	}
 }
 
-var PluginCmds = []string{"list", "info", "version"}
+var PluginCmds = []string{"install", "remove", "update", "available", "list", "search"}
 
 // PluginCmd installs, removes, updates, lists, or searches for given plugins
 func (h *BufPane) PluginCmd(args []string) {
-	InfoBar.Error("Plugin command disabled")
+	if len(args) < 1 {
+		InfoBar.Error("Not enough arguments")
+		return
+	}
+
+	if h.Buf.Type != buffer.BTLog {
+		OpenLogBuf(h)
+	}
+
+	config.PluginCommand(buffer.LogBuf, args[0], args[1:])
 }
 
 // RetabCmd changes all spaces to tabs or all tabs to spaces
diff --git a/internal/buffer/buffer.go b/internal/buffer/buffer.go
index 01fe167f..48b30e04 100644
--- a/internal/buffer/buffer.go
+++ b/internal/buffer/buffer.go
@@ -76,16 +76,24 @@ type SharedBuffer struct {
 	// Whether or not suggestions can be autocompleted must be shared because
 	// it changes based on how the buffer has changed
 	HasSuggestions bool
+
+	// Modifications is the list of modified regions for syntax highlighting
+	Modifications []Loc
 }
 
 func (b *SharedBuffer) insert(pos Loc, value []byte) {
 	b.isModified = true
 	b.HasSuggestions = false
 	b.LineArray.insert(pos, value)
+
+	// b.Modifications is cleared every screen redraw so it's
+	// ok to append duplicates
+	b.Modifications = append(b.Modifications, Loc{pos.Y, pos.Y + bytes.Count(value, []byte{'\n'})})
 }
 func (b *SharedBuffer) remove(start, end Loc) []byte {
 	b.isModified = true
 	b.HasSuggestions = false
+	b.Modifications = append(b.Modifications, Loc{start.Y, start.Y})
 	return b.LineArray.remove(start, end)
 }
 
@@ -115,9 +123,7 @@ type Buffer struct {
 	// This stores the highlighting rules and filetype detection info
 	SyntaxDef *highlight.Def
 	// The Highlighter struct actually performs the highlighting
-	Highlighter *highlight.Highlighter
-	// Modifications is the list of modified regions for syntax highlighting
-	Modifications []Loc
+	Highlighter   *highlight.Highlighter
 	HighlightLock sync.Mutex
 
 	// Hash of the original buffer -- empty if fastdirty is on
@@ -333,10 +339,6 @@ func (b *Buffer) Insert(start Loc, text string) {
 		b.EventHandler.active = b.curCursor
 		b.EventHandler.Insert(start, text)
 
-		// b.Modifications is cleared every screen redraw so it's
-		// ok to append duplicates
-		b.Modifications = append(b.Modifications, Loc{start.Y, start.Y + strings.Count(text, "\n")})
-
 		go b.Backup(true)
 	}
 }
@@ -348,8 +350,6 @@ func (b *Buffer) Remove(start, end Loc) {
 		b.EventHandler.active = b.curCursor
 		b.EventHandler.Remove(start, end)
 
-		b.Modifications = append(b.Modifications, Loc{start.Y, start.Y})
-
 		go b.Backup(true)
 	}
 }
@@ -907,12 +907,12 @@ func ParseCursorLocation(cursorPositions []string) (Loc, error) {
 	}
 
 	startpos.Y, err = strconv.Atoi(cursorPositions[0])
-	startpos.Y -= 1
+	startpos.Y--
 	if err == nil {
 		if len(cursorPositions) > 1 {
 			startpos.X, err = strconv.Atoi(cursorPositions[1])
 			if startpos.X > 0 {
-				startpos.X -= 1
+				startpos.X--
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -925,6 +925,11 @@ func (b *Buffer) Line(i int) string {
 	return string(b.LineBytes(i))
 }
 
+func (b *Buffer) Write(bytes []byte) (n int, err error) {
+	b.EventHandler.InsertBytes(b.End(), bytes)
+	return len(bytes), nil
+}
+
 // WriteLog writes a string to the log buffer
 func WriteLog(s string) {
 	LogBuf.EventHandler.Insert(LogBuf.End(), s)
diff --git a/internal/buffer/eventhandler.go b/internal/buffer/eventhandler.go
index aa14a5ba..bd06f02e 100644
--- a/internal/buffer/eventhandler.go
+++ b/internal/buffer/eventhandler.go
@@ -111,6 +111,11 @@ func (eh *EventHandler) ApplyDiff(new string) {
 // Insert creates an insert text event and executes it
 func (eh *EventHandler) Insert(start Loc, textStr string) {
 	text := []byte(textStr)
+	eh.InsertBytes(start, text)
+}
+
+// InsertBytes creates an insert text event and executes it
+func (eh *EventHandler) InsertBytes(start Loc, text []byte) {
 	e := &TextEvent{
 		C:         *eh.cursors[eh.active],
 		EventType: TextEventInsert,
diff --git a/internal/config/plugin.go b/internal/config/plugin.go
index e46e3c6e..1e1f9685 100644
--- a/internal/config/plugin.go
+++ b/internal/config/plugin.go
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	ulua "github.com/zyedidia/micro/internal/lua"
 )
 
+// ErrNoSuchFunction is returned when Call is executed on a function that does not exist
 var ErrNoSuchFunction = errors.New("No such function exists")
 
 // LoadAllPlugins loads all detected plugins (in runtime/plugins and ConfigDir/plugins)
@@ -65,6 +66,7 @@ func RunPluginFnBool(fn string, args ...lua.LValue) (bool, error) {
 	return retbool, reterr
 }
 
+// Plugin stores information about the source files/info for a plugin
 type Plugin struct {
 	DirName string        // name of plugin folder
 	Name    string        // name of plugin
@@ -74,6 +76,7 @@ type Plugin struct {
 	Default bool // pre-installed plugin
 }
 
+// IsEnabled returns if a plugin is enabled
 func (p *Plugin) IsEnabled() bool {
 	if v, ok := GlobalSettings[p.Name]; ok {
 		return v.(bool) && p.Loaded
@@ -81,13 +84,15 @@ func (p *Plugin) IsEnabled() bool {
 	return true
 }
 
+// Plugins is a list of all detected plugins (enabled or disabled)
 var Plugins []*Plugin
 
+// Load creates an option for the plugin and runs all source files
 func (p *Plugin) Load() error {
+	if v, ok := GlobalSettings[p.Name]; ok && !v.(bool) {
+		return nil
+	}
 	for _, f := range p.Srcs {
-		if v, ok := GlobalSettings[p.Name]; ok && !v.(bool) {
-			return nil
-		}
 		dat, err := f.Data()
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
@@ -96,12 +101,13 @@ func (p *Plugin) Load() error {
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
-		p.Loaded = true
-		RegisterGlobalOption(p.Name, true)
 	}
+	p.Loaded = true
+	RegisterGlobalOption(p.Name, true)
 	return nil
 }
 
+// Call calls a given function in this plugin
 func (p *Plugin) Call(fn string, args ...lua.LValue) (lua.LValue, error) {
 	plug := ulua.L.GetGlobal(p.Name)
 	if plug == lua.LNil {
@@ -125,7 +131,23 @@ func (p *Plugin) Call(fn string, args ...lua.LValue) (lua.LValue, error) {
 	return ret, nil
 }
 
+// FindPlugin returns the plugin with the given name
 func FindPlugin(name string) *Plugin {
+	var pl *Plugin
+	for _, p := range Plugins {
+		if !p.IsEnabled() {
+			continue
+		}
+		if p.Name == name {
+			pl = p
+			break
+		}
+	}
+	return pl
+}
+
+// FindAnyPlugin does not require the plugin to be enabled
+func FindAnyPlugin(name string) *Plugin {
 	var pl *Plugin
 	for _, p := range Plugins {
 		if p.Name == name {
diff --git a/internal/config/plugin_installer.go b/internal/config/plugin_installer.go
index 0ca38dde..14622623 100644
--- a/internal/config/plugin_installer.go
+++ b/internal/config/plugin_installer.go
@@ -118,17 +118,17 @@ func fetchAllSources(count int, fetcher func(i int) PluginPackages) PluginPackag
 }
 
 // Fetch retrieves all available PluginPackages from the given channels
-func (pc PluginChannels) Fetch() PluginPackages {
+func (pc PluginChannels) Fetch(out io.Writer) PluginPackages {
 	return fetchAllSources(len(pc), func(i int) PluginPackages {
-		return pc[i].Fetch()
+		return pc[i].Fetch(out)
 	})
 }
 
 // Fetch retrieves all available PluginPackages from the given channel
-func (pc PluginChannel) Fetch() PluginPackages {
+func (pc PluginChannel) Fetch(out io.Writer) PluginPackages {
 	resp, err := http.Get(string(pc))
 	if err != nil {
-		fmt.Println("Failed to query plugin channel:\n", err)
+		fmt.Fprintln(out, "Failed to query plugin channel:\n", err)
 		return PluginPackages{}
 	}
 	defer resp.Body.Close()
@@ -136,19 +136,19 @@ func (pc PluginChannel) Fetch() PluginPackages {
 
 	var repositories []PluginRepository
 	if err := decoder.Decode(&repositories); err != nil {
-		fmt.Println("Failed to decode channel data:\n", err)
+		fmt.Fprintln(out, "Failed to decode channel data:\n", err)
 		return PluginPackages{}
 	}
 	return fetchAllSources(len(repositories), func(i int) PluginPackages {
-		return repositories[i].Fetch()
+		return repositories[i].Fetch(out)
 	})
 }
 
 // Fetch retrieves all available PluginPackages from the given repository
-func (pr PluginRepository) Fetch() PluginPackages {
+func (pr PluginRepository) Fetch(out io.Writer) PluginPackages {
 	resp, err := http.Get(string(pr))
 	if err != nil {
-		fmt.Println("Failed to query plugin repository:\n", err)
+		fmt.Fprintln(out, "Failed to query plugin repository:\n", err)
 		return PluginPackages{}
 	}
 	defer resp.Body.Close()
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ func (pr PluginRepository) Fetch() PluginPackages {
 
 	var plugins PluginPackages
 	if err := decoder.Decode(&plugins); err != nil {
-		fmt.Println("Failed to decode repository data:\n", err)
+		fmt.Fprintln(out, "Failed to decode repository data:\n", err)
 		return PluginPackages{}
 	}
 	if len(plugins) > 0 {
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ func (pp *PluginPackage) UnmarshalJSON(data []byte) error {
 }
 
 // GetAllPluginPackages gets all PluginPackages which may be available.
-func GetAllPluginPackages() PluginPackages {
+func GetAllPluginPackages(out io.Writer) PluginPackages {
 	if allPluginPackages == nil {
 		getOption := func(name string) []string {
 			data := GetGlobalOption(name)
@@ -249,9 +249,9 @@ func GetAllPluginPackages() PluginPackages {
 		}
 		allPluginPackages = fetchAllSources(len(repos)+1, func(i int) PluginPackages {
 			if i == 0 {
-				return channels.Fetch()
+				return channels.Fetch(out)
 			}
-			return repos[i-1].Fetch()
+			return repos[i-1].Fetch(out)
 		})
 	}
 	return allPluginPackages
@@ -301,8 +301,8 @@ func (pp PluginPackage) Match(text string) bool {
 }
 
 // IsInstallable returns true if the package can be installed.
-func (pp PluginPackage) IsInstallable() error {
-	_, err := GetAllPluginPackages().Resolve(GetInstalledVersions(true), PluginDependencies{
+func (pp PluginPackage) IsInstallable(out io.Writer) error {
+	_, err := GetAllPluginPackages(out).Resolve(GetInstalledVersions(true), PluginDependencies{
 		&PluginDependency{
 			Name:  pp.Name,
 			Range: semver.Range(func(v semver.Version) bool { return true }),
@@ -312,18 +312,18 @@ func (pp PluginPackage) IsInstallable() error {
 
 // SearchPlugin retrieves a list of all PluginPackages which match the given search text and
 // could be or are already installed
-func SearchPlugin(texts []string) (plugins PluginPackages) {
+func SearchPlugin(out io.Writer, texts []string) (plugins PluginPackages) {
 	plugins = make(PluginPackages, 0)
 
 pluginLoop:
-	for _, pp := range GetAllPluginPackages() {
+	for _, pp := range GetAllPluginPackages(out) {
 		for _, text := range texts {
 			if !pp.Match(text) {
 				continue pluginLoop
 			}
 		}
 
-		if err := pp.IsInstallable(); err == nil {
+		if err := pp.IsInstallable(out); err == nil {
 			plugins = append(plugins, pp)
 		}
 	}
@@ -363,6 +363,9 @@ func GetInstalledVersions(withCore bool) PluginVersions {
 	}
 
 	for _, p := range Plugins {
+		if !p.IsEnabled() {
+			continue
+		}
 		version := GetInstalledPluginVersion(p.Name)
 		if pv := newStaticPluginVersion(p.Name, version); pv != nil {
 			result = append(result, pv)
@@ -386,8 +389,8 @@ func GetInstalledPluginVersion(name string) string {
 }
 
 // DownloadAndInstall downloads and installs the given plugin and version
-func (pv *PluginVersion) DownloadAndInstall() error {
-	fmt.Printf("Downloading %q (%s) from %q\n", pv.pack.Name, pv.Version, pv.Url)
+func (pv *PluginVersion) DownloadAndInstall(out io.Writer) error {
+	fmt.Fprintf(out, "Downloading %q (%s) from %q\n", pv.pack.Name, pv.Version, pv.Url)
 	resp, err := http.Get(pv.Url)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -536,7 +539,7 @@ func (all PluginPackages) Resolve(selectedVersions PluginVersions, open PluginDe
 	return selectedVersions, nil
 }
 
-func (pv PluginVersions) install() {
+func (pv PluginVersions) install(out io.Writer) {
 	anyInstalled := false
 	currentlyInstalled := GetInstalledVersions(true)
 
@@ -545,16 +548,16 @@ func (pv PluginVersions) install() {
 			shouldInstall := true
 			if pv := currentlyInstalled.find(sel.pack.Name); pv != nil {
 				if pv.Version.NE(sel.Version) {
-					fmt.Println("Uninstalling", sel.pack.Name)
-					UninstallPlugin(sel.pack.Name)
+					fmt.Fprintln(out, "Uninstalling", sel.pack.Name)
+					UninstallPlugin(out, sel.pack.Name)
 				} else {
 					shouldInstall = false
 				}
 			}
 
 			if shouldInstall {
-				if err := sel.DownloadAndInstall(); err != nil {
-					fmt.Println(err)
+				if err := sel.DownloadAndInstall(out); err != nil {
+					fmt.Fprintln(out, err)
 					return
 				}
 				anyInstalled = true
@@ -562,49 +565,56 @@ func (pv PluginVersions) install() {
 		}
 	}
 	if anyInstalled {
-		fmt.Println("One or more plugins installed.")
+		fmt.Fprintln(out, "One or more plugins installed.")
 	} else {
-		fmt.Println("Nothing to install / update")
+		fmt.Fprintln(out, "Nothing to install / update")
 	}
 }
 
 // UninstallPlugin deletes the plugin folder of the given plugin
-func UninstallPlugin(name string) {
+func UninstallPlugin(out io.Writer, name string) {
 	for _, p := range Plugins {
+		if !p.IsEnabled() {
+			continue
+		}
 		if p.Name == name {
 			p.Loaded = false
 			if err := os.RemoveAll(filepath.Join(ConfigDir, "plug", p.DirName)); err != nil {
-				fmt.Println(err)
+				fmt.Fprintln(out, err)
 				return
 			}
+			break
 		}
 	}
 }
 
 // Install installs the plugin
-func (pl PluginPackage) Install() {
-	selected, err := GetAllPluginPackages().Resolve(GetInstalledVersions(true), PluginDependencies{
+func (pl PluginPackage) Install(out io.Writer) {
+	selected, err := GetAllPluginPackages(out).Resolve(GetInstalledVersions(true), PluginDependencies{
 		&PluginDependency{
 			Name:  pl.Name,
 			Range: semver.Range(func(v semver.Version) bool { return true }),
 		}})
 	if err != nil {
-		fmt.Println(err)
+		fmt.Fprintln(out, err)
 		return
 	}
-	selected.install()
+	selected.install(out)
 }
 
 // UpdatePlugins updates the given plugins
-func UpdatePlugins(plugins []string) {
+func UpdatePlugins(out io.Writer, plugins []string) {
 	// if no plugins are specified, update all installed plugins.
 	if len(plugins) == 0 {
 		for _, p := range Plugins {
+			if !p.IsEnabled() {
+				continue
+			}
 			plugins = append(plugins, p.Name)
 		}
 	}
 
-	fmt.Println("Checking for plugin updates")
+	fmt.Fprintln(out, "Checking for plugin updates")
 	microVersion := PluginVersions{
 		newStaticPluginVersion(CorePluginName, util.Version),
 	}
@@ -621,10 +631,82 @@ func UpdatePlugins(plugins []string) {
 		}
 	}
 
-	selected, err := GetAllPluginPackages().Resolve(microVersion, updates)
+	selected, err := GetAllPluginPackages(out).Resolve(microVersion, updates)
 	if err != nil {
-		fmt.Println(err)
+		fmt.Fprintln(out, err)
 		return
 	}
-	selected.install()
+	selected.install(out)
+}
+
+func PluginCommand(out io.Writer, cmd string, args []string) {
+	switch cmd {
+	case "install":
+		installedVersions := GetInstalledVersions(false)
+		for _, plugin := range args {
+			pp := GetAllPluginPackages(out).Get(plugin)
+			if pp == nil {
+				fmt.Fprintln(out, "Unknown plugin \""+plugin+"\"")
+			} else if err := pp.IsInstallable(out); err != nil {
+				fmt.Fprintln(out, "Error installing ", plugin, ": ", err)
+			} else {
+				for _, installed := range installedVersions {
+					if pp.Name == installed.Pack().Name {
+						if pp.Versions[0].Version.Compare(installed.Version) == 1 {
+							fmt.Fprintln(out, pp.Name, " is already installed but out-of-date: use 'plugin update ", pp.Name, "' to update")
+						} else {
+							fmt.Fprintln(out, pp.Name, " is already installed")
+						}
+					}
+				}
+				pp.Install(out)
+			}
+		}
+
+	case "remove":
+		removed := ""
+		for _, plugin := range args {
+			// check if the plugin exists.
+			for _, p := range Plugins {
+				if p.Name == plugin && p.Default {
+					fmt.Fprintln(out, "Default plugins cannot be removed, but can be disabled via settings.")
+					continue
+				}
+				if p.Name == plugin {
+					UninstallPlugin(out, plugin)
+					removed += plugin + " "
+					continue
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		if removed != "" {
+			fmt.Fprintln(out, "Removed ", removed)
+		} else {
+			fmt.Fprintln(out, "No plugins removed")
+		}
+	case "update":
+		UpdatePlugins(out, args)
+	case "list":
+		plugins := GetInstalledVersions(false)
+		fmt.Fprintln(out, "The following plugins are currently installed:")
+		for _, p := range plugins {
+			fmt.Fprintf(out, "%s (%s)\n", p.Pack().Name, p.Version)
+		}
+	case "search":
+		plugins := SearchPlugin(out, args)
+		fmt.Fprintln(out, len(plugins), " plugins found")
+		for _, p := range plugins {
+			fmt.Fprintln(out, "----------------")
+			fmt.Fprintln(out, p.String())
+		}
+		fmt.Fprintln(out, "----------------")
+	case "available":
+		packages := GetAllPluginPackages(out)
+		fmt.Fprintln(out, "Available Plugins:")
+		for _, pkg := range packages {
+			fmt.Fprintln(out, pkg.Name)
+		}
+	default:
+		fmt.Fprintln(out, "Invalid plugin command")
+	}
 }