diff --git a/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/archive.lua b/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/archive.lua
index cd1e7837..575d3422 100644
--- a/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/archive.lua
+++ b/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/archive.lua
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ function M:peek(job)
 	if job.skip > 0 and bound < job.skip + limit then
 		ya.emit("peek", { math.max(0, bound - limit), only_if = job.file.url, upper_bound = true })
 	else
-		ya.preview_widgets(job, {
+		ya.preview_widget(job, {
 			ui.Text(paths):area(job.area),
 			ui.Text(sizes):area(job.area):align(ui.Text.RIGHT),
 		})
diff --git a/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/empty.lua b/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/empty.lua
index 1c862f25..87cd0adf 100644
--- a/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/empty.lua
+++ b/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/empty.lua
@@ -1,10 +1,6 @@
 local M = {}
 
-function M.msg(job, s)
-	ya.preview_widgets(job, {
-		ui.Text(ui.Line(s):reverse()):area(job.area):wrap(ui.Text.WRAP),
-	})
-end
+function M.msg(job, s) ya.preview_widget(job, ui.Text(ui.Line(s):reverse()):area(job.area):wrap(ui.Text.WRAP)) end
 
 function M:peek(job)
 	local path = tostring(job.file.url)
@@ -43,7 +39,7 @@ function M:peek(job)
 	if job.skip > 0 and i < job.skip + limit then
 		ya.emit("peek", { math.max(0, i - limit), only_if = job.file.url, upper_bound = true })
 	else
-		ya.preview_widgets(job, { ui.Text(lines):area(job.area) })
+		ya.preview_widget(job, ui.Text(lines):area(job.area))
 	end
 end
 
diff --git a/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/file.lua b/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/file.lua
index 066f7354..3713604b 100644
--- a/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/file.lua
+++ b/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/file.lua
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ function M:peek(job)
 		text = ui.Text(string.format("Failed to start `%s`, error: %s", cmd, err))
 	end
 
-	ya.preview_widgets(job, { text:area(job.area):wrap(ui.Text.WRAP) })
+	ya.preview_widget(job, text:area(job.area):wrap(ui.Text.WRAP))
 end
 
 function M:seek() end
diff --git a/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/folder.lua b/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/folder.lua
index e52c4ce6..a23068ac 100644
--- a/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/folder.lua
+++ b/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/folder.lua
@@ -16,9 +16,7 @@ function M:peek(job)
 	if #folder.files == 0 then
 		local done, err = folder.stage()
 		local s = not done and "Loading..." or not err and "No items" or string.format("Error: %s", err)
-		return ya.preview_widgets(job, {
-			ui.Text(s):area(job.area):align(ui.Text.CENTER),
-		})
+		return ya.preview_widget(job, ui.Text(s):area(job.area):align(ui.Text.CENTER))
 	end
 
 	local entities = {}
@@ -26,7 +24,7 @@ function M:peek(job)
 		entities[#entities + 1] = Entity:new(f):redraw()
 	end
 
-	ya.preview_widgets(job, {
+	ya.preview_widget(job, {
 		ui.List(entities):area(job.area),
 		table.unpack(Marker:new(job.area, folder):redraw()),
 	})
diff --git a/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/font.lua b/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/font.lua
index c3357605..7b9ddb4a 100644
--- a/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/font.lua
+++ b/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/font.lua
@@ -14,8 +14,9 @@ function M:peek(job)
 	end
 
 	ya.sleep(math.max(0, rt.preview.image_delay / 1000 + start - os.clock()))
-	ya.image_show(cache, job.area)
-	ya.preview_widgets(job, {})
+
+	local _, err = ya.image_show(cache, job.area)
+	ya.preview_widget(job, err and ui.Text(tostring(err)):wrap(ui.Text.WRAP))
 end
 
 function M:seek() end
diff --git a/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/image.lua b/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/image.lua
index 0c4d49f5..56bad52f 100644
--- a/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/image.lua
+++ b/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/image.lua
@@ -7,8 +7,9 @@ function M:peek(job)
 	end
 
 	ya.sleep(math.max(0, rt.preview.image_delay / 1000 + start - os.clock()))
-	ya.image_show(url, job.area)
-	ya.preview_widgets(job, {})
+
+	local _, err = ya.image_show(url, job.area)
+	ya.preview_widget(job, err and ui.Text(tostring(err)):area(job.area):wrap(ui.Text.WRAP))
 end
 
 function M:seek() end
diff --git a/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/json.lua b/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/json.lua
index 78922135..d1055f35 100644
--- a/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/json.lua
+++ b/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/json.lua
@@ -32,9 +32,10 @@ function M:peek(job)
 		ya.emit("peek", { math.max(0, i - limit), only_if = job.file.url, upper_bound = true })
 	else
 		lines = lines:gsub("\t", string.rep(" ", rt.preview.tab_size))
-		ya.preview_widgets(job, {
-			ui.Text.parse(lines):area(job.area):wrap(rt.preview.wrap == "yes" and ui.Text.WRAP or ui.Text.WRAP_NO),
-		})
+		ya.preview_widget(
+			job,
+			ui.Text.parse(lines):area(job.area):wrap(rt.preview.wrap == "yes" and ui.Text.WRAP or ui.Text.WRAP_NO)
+		)
 	end
 end
 
diff --git a/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/magick.lua b/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/magick.lua
index b976f13d..365d42d6 100644
--- a/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/magick.lua
+++ b/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/magick.lua
@@ -12,8 +12,9 @@ function M:peek(job)
 	end
 
 	ya.sleep(math.max(0, rt.preview.image_delay / 1000 + start - os.clock()))
-	ya.image_show(cache, job.area)
-	ya.preview_widgets(job, {})
+
+	local _, err = ya.image_show(cache, job.area)
+	ya.preview_widget(job, err and ui.Text(tostring(err)):wrap(ui.Text.WRAP))
 end
 
 function M:seek() end
diff --git a/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/pdf.lua b/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/pdf.lua
index 070a49ae..23b5127b 100644
--- a/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/pdf.lua
+++ b/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/pdf.lua
@@ -12,8 +12,9 @@ function M:peek(job)
 	end
 
 	ya.sleep(math.max(0, rt.preview.image_delay / 1000 + start - os.clock()))
-	ya.image_show(cache, job.area)
-	ya.preview_widgets(job, {})
+
+	local _, err = ya.image_show(cache, job.area)
+	ya.preview_widget(job, err and ui.Text(tostring(err)):wrap(ui.Text.WRAP))
 end
 
 function M:seek(job)
diff --git a/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/svg.lua b/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/svg.lua
index 7d046b17..a74ca898 100644
--- a/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/svg.lua
+++ b/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/svg.lua
@@ -12,8 +12,9 @@ function M:peek(job)
 	end
 
 	ya.sleep(math.max(0, rt.preview.image_delay / 1000 + start - os.clock()))
-	ya.image_show(cache, job.area)
-	ya.preview_widgets(job, {})
+
+	local _, err = ya.image_show(cache, job.area)
+	ya.preview_widget(job, err and ui.Text(tostring(err)):wrap(ui.Text.WRAP))
 end
 
 function M:seek() end
diff --git a/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/video.lua b/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/video.lua
index 7811eef9..475fa340 100644
--- a/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/video.lua
+++ b/yazi-plugin/preset/plugins/video.lua
@@ -12,8 +12,9 @@ function M:peek(job)
 	end
 
 	ya.sleep(math.max(0, rt.preview.image_delay / 1000 + start - os.clock()))
-	ya.image_show(cache, job.area)
-	ya.preview_widgets(job, {})
+
+	local _, err = ya.image_show(cache, job.area)
+	ya.preview_widget(job, err and ui.Text(tostring(err)):wrap(ui.Text.WRAP))
 end
 
 function M:seek(job)
diff --git a/yazi-plugin/src/bindings/calculator.rs b/yazi-plugin/src/bindings/calculator.rs
index 06fa002c..8cf8e11a 100644
--- a/yazi-plugin/src/bindings/calculator.rs
+++ b/yazi-plugin/src/bindings/calculator.rs
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ impl UserData for SizeCalculator {
 	fn add_methods<M: UserDataMethods<Self>>(methods: &mut M) {
 		methods.add_async_method_mut("recv", |lua, mut me, ()| async move {
 			match me.0.next().await {
-				Ok(value) => (value, Value::Nil).into_lua_multi(&lua),
+				Ok(value) => value.into_lua_multi(&lua),
 				Err(e) => (Value::Nil, Error::Io(e)).into_lua_multi(&lua),
 			}
 		});
diff --git a/yazi-plugin/src/bindings/chan.rs b/yazi-plugin/src/bindings/chan.rs
index 206e9433..81203d2e 100644
--- a/yazi-plugin/src/bindings/chan.rs
+++ b/yazi-plugin/src/bindings/chan.rs
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ impl UserData for MpscTx {
 	fn add_methods<M: mlua::UserDataMethods<Self>>(methods: &mut M) {
 		methods.add_async_method("send", |lua, me, value: Value| async move {
 			match me.0.send(value).await {
-				Ok(()) => (true, Value::Nil).into_lua_multi(&lua),
+				Ok(()) => true.into_lua_multi(&lua),
 				Err(e) => (false, Error::Custom(e.to_string())).into_lua_multi(&lua),
 			}
 		});
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ pub struct MpscUnboundedRx(pub tokio::sync::mpsc::UnboundedReceiver<Value>);
 impl UserData for MpscUnboundedTx {
 	fn add_methods<M: mlua::UserDataMethods<Self>>(methods: &mut M) {
 		methods.add_method("send", |lua, me, value: Value| match me.0.send(value) {
-			Ok(()) => (true, Value::Nil).into_lua_multi(lua),
+			Ok(()) => true.into_lua_multi(lua),
 			Err(e) => (false, Error::Custom(e.to_string())).into_lua_multi(lua),
 		});
 	}
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ impl UserData for OneshotTx {
 				return Err("Oneshot sender already used".into_lua_err());
 			};
 			match tx.send(value) {
-				Ok(()) => (true, Value::Nil).into_lua_multi(lua),
+				Ok(()) => true.into_lua_multi(lua),
 				Err(_) => (false, Error::Custom("Oneshot receiver closed".to_string())).into_lua_multi(lua),
 			}
 		});
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ impl UserData for OneshotRx {
 				return Err("Oneshot receiver already used".into_lua_err());
 			};
 			match rx.await {
-				Ok(value) => (value, Value::Nil).into_lua_multi(&lua),
+				Ok(value) => value.into_lua_multi(&lua),
 				Err(e) => (Value::Nil, Error::Custom(e.to_string())).into_lua_multi(&lua),
 			}
 		});
diff --git a/yazi-plugin/src/elements/text.rs b/yazi-plugin/src/elements/text.rs
index 5aa0b355..fcbf4fe9 100644
--- a/yazi-plugin/src/elements/text.rs
+++ b/yazi-plugin/src/elements/text.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 use std::mem;
 
 use ansi_to_tui::IntoText;
-use mlua::{ExternalError, ExternalResult, IntoLua, Lua, MetaMethod, Table, UserData, Value};
+use mlua::{ExternalError, ExternalResult, IntoLua, Lua, MetaMethod, ObjectLike, Table, UserData, Value};
 use ratatui::widgets::Widget;
 
 use super::{Area, Line, Span};
diff --git a/yazi-plugin/src/fs/fs.rs b/yazi-plugin/src/fs/fs.rs
index dbdcc805..c4f3577e 100644
--- a/yazi-plugin/src/fs/fs.rs
+++ b/yazi-plugin/src/fs/fs.rs
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ fn op(lua: &Lua) -> mlua::Result<Function> {
 
 fn cwd(lua: &Lua) -> mlua::Result<Function> {
 	lua.create_function(|lua, ()| match std::env::current_dir() {
-		Ok(p) => (Url::new(p), Value::Nil).into_lua_multi(lua),
+		Ok(p) => Url::new(p).into_lua_multi(lua),
 		Err(e) => (Value::Nil, Error::Io(e)).into_lua_multi(lua),
 	})
 }
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ fn cha(lua: &Lua) -> mlua::Result<Function> {
 		};
 
 		match meta {
-			Ok(m) => (Cha::from(m), Value::Nil).into_lua_multi(&lua),
+			Ok(m) => Cha::from(m).into_lua_multi(&lua),
 			Err(e) => (Value::Nil, Error::Io(e)).into_lua_multi(&lua),
 		}
 	})
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ fn cha(lua: &Lua) -> mlua::Result<Function> {
 fn write(lua: &Lua) -> mlua::Result<Function> {
 	lua.create_async_function(|lua, (url, data): (UrlRef, mlua::String)| async move {
 		match fs::write(&*url, data.as_bytes()).await {
-			Ok(()) => (true, Value::Nil).into_lua_multi(&lua),
+			Ok(()) => true.into_lua_multi(&lua),
 			Err(e) => (false, Error::Io(e)).into_lua_multi(&lua),
 		}
 	})
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ fn create(lua: &Lua) -> mlua::Result<Function> {
 		};
 
 		match result {
-			Ok(()) => (true, Value::Nil).into_lua_multi(&lua),
+			Ok(()) => true.into_lua_multi(&lua),
 			Err(e) => (false, Error::Io(e)).into_lua_multi(&lua),
 		}
 	})
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ fn remove(lua: &Lua) -> mlua::Result<Function> {
 		};
 
 		match result {
-			Ok(()) => (true, Value::Nil).into_lua_multi(&lua),
+			Ok(()) => true.into_lua_multi(&lua),
 			Err(e) => (false, Error::Io(e)).into_lua_multi(&lua),
 		}
 	})
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ fn read_dir(lua: &Lua) -> mlua::Result<Function> {
 			tbl.raw_push(f)?;
 		}
 
-		(tbl, Value::Nil).into_lua_multi(&lua)
+		tbl.into_lua_multi(&lua)
 	})
 }
 
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ fn expand_url(lua: &Lua) -> mlua::Result<Function> {
 fn unique_name(lua: &Lua) -> mlua::Result<Function> {
 	lua.create_async_function(|lua, url: UrlRef| async move {
 		match yazi_fs::unique_name(url.clone(), async { false }).await {
-			Ok(u) => (Url::new(u), Value::Nil).into_lua_multi(&lua),
+			Ok(u) => Url::new(u).into_lua_multi(&lua),
 			Err(e) => (Value::Nil, Error::Io(e)).into_lua_multi(&lua),
 		}
 	})
diff --git a/yazi-plugin/src/process/child.rs b/yazi-plugin/src/process/child.rs
index f9f9bd3a..3b3b61dc 100644
--- a/yazi-plugin/src/process/child.rs
+++ b/yazi-plugin/src/process/child.rs
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ impl UserData for Child {
 				return Err("stdin is not piped".into_lua_err());
 			};
 			match stdin.write_all(&src.as_bytes()).await {
-				Ok(()) => (true, Value::Nil).into_lua_multi(&lua),
+				Ok(()) => true.into_lua_multi(&lua),
 				Err(e) => (false, Error::Io(e)).into_lua_multi(&lua),
 			}
 		});
@@ -148,32 +148,32 @@ impl UserData for Child {
 				return Err("stdin is not piped".into_lua_err());
 			};
 			match stdin.flush().await {
-				Ok(()) => (true, Value::Nil).into_lua_multi(&lua),
+				Ok(()) => true.into_lua_multi(&lua),
 				Err(e) => (false, Error::Io(e)).into_lua_multi(&lua),
 			}
 		});
 
 		methods.add_async_method_mut("wait", |lua, mut me, ()| async move {
 			match me.wait().await {
-				Ok(status) => (Status::new(status), Value::Nil).into_lua_multi(&lua),
+				Ok(status) => Status::new(status).into_lua_multi(&lua),
 				Err(e) => (Value::Nil, Error::Io(e)).into_lua_multi(&lua),
 			}
 		});
 		methods.add_async_function("wait_with_output", |lua, ud: AnyUserData| async move {
 			match ud.take::<Self>()?.wait_with_output().await {
-				Ok(output) => (Output::new(output), Value::Nil).into_lua_multi(&lua),
+				Ok(output) => Output::new(output).into_lua_multi(&lua),
 				Err(e) => (Value::Nil, Error::Io(e)).into_lua_multi(&lua),
 			}
 		});
 		methods.add_async_method_mut("try_wait", |lua, mut me, ()| async move {
 			match me.inner.try_wait() {
-				Ok(Some(status)) => (Status::new(status), Value::Nil).into_lua_multi(&lua),
-				Ok(None) => (Value::Nil, Value::Nil).into_lua_multi(&lua),
+				Ok(Some(status)) => Status::new(status).into_lua_multi(&lua),
+				Ok(None) => Value::Nil.into_lua_multi(&lua),
 				Err(e) => (Value::Nil, Error::Io(e)).into_lua_multi(&lua),
 			}
 		});
 		methods.add_method_mut("start_kill", |lua, me, ()| match me.inner.start_kill() {
-			Ok(_) => (true, Value::Nil).into_lua_multi(lua),
+			Ok(_) => true.into_lua_multi(lua),
 			Err(e) => (false, Error::Io(e)).into_lua_multi(lua),
 		});
 
diff --git a/yazi-plugin/src/process/command.rs b/yazi-plugin/src/process/command.rs
index 49f99f56..a956fcd2 100644
--- a/yazi-plugin/src/process/command.rs
+++ b/yazi-plugin/src/process/command.rs
@@ -176,18 +176,18 @@ impl UserData for Command {
 			Ok(ud)
 		});
 		methods.add_method_mut("spawn", |lua, me, ()| match me.spawn() {
-			Ok(child) => (child, Value::Nil).into_lua_multi(lua),
+			Ok(child) => child.into_lua_multi(lua),
 			Err(e) => (Value::Nil, Error::Io(e)).into_lua_multi(lua),
 		});
 		methods.add_async_method_mut("output", |lua, mut me, ()| async move {
 			match me.output().await {
-				Ok(output) => (Output::new(output), Value::Nil).into_lua_multi(&lua),
+				Ok(output) => Output::new(output).into_lua_multi(&lua),
 				Err(e) => (Value::Nil, Error::Io(e)).into_lua_multi(&lua),
 			}
 		});
 		methods.add_async_method_mut("status", |lua, mut me, ()| async move {
 			match me.status().await {
-				Ok(status) => (Status::new(status), Value::Nil).into_lua_multi(&lua),
+				Ok(status) => Status::new(status).into_lua_multi(&lua),
 				Err(e) => (Value::Nil, Error::Io(e)).into_lua_multi(&lua),
 			}
 		});
diff --git a/yazi-plugin/src/utils/image.rs b/yazi-plugin/src/utils/image.rs
index 1bbc2931..edacd624 100644
--- a/yazi-plugin/src/utils/image.rs
+++ b/yazi-plugin/src/utils/image.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
-use mlua::{Function, IntoLua, Lua, Value};
+use mlua::{Function, IntoLuaMulti, Lua, Value};
 use yazi_adapter::{ADAPTOR, Image};
-use yazi_binding::UrlRef;
+use yazi_binding::{Error, UrlRef};
 
 use super::Utils;
 use crate::{bindings::ImageInfo, elements::Rect};
@@ -8,20 +8,18 @@ use crate::{bindings::ImageInfo, elements::Rect};
 impl Utils {
 	pub(super) fn image_info(lua: &Lua) -> mlua::Result<Function> {
 		lua.create_async_function(|lua, url: UrlRef| async move {
-			if let Ok(info) = yazi_adapter::ImageInfo::new(&url).await {
-				ImageInfo::from(info).into_lua(&lua)
-			} else {
-				Value::Nil.into_lua(&lua)
+			match yazi_adapter::ImageInfo::new(&url).await {
+				Ok(info) => ImageInfo::from(info).into_lua_multi(&lua),
+				Err(e) => (Value::Nil, Error::Custom(e.to_string())).into_lua_multi(&lua),
 			}
 		})
 	}
 
 	pub(super) fn image_show(lua: &Lua) -> mlua::Result<Function> {
 		lua.create_async_function(|lua, (url, rect): (UrlRef, Rect)| async move {
-			if let Ok(area) = ADAPTOR.get().image_show(&url, *rect).await {
-				Rect::from(area).into_lua(&lua)
-			} else {
-				Value::Nil.into_lua(&lua)
+			match ADAPTOR.get().image_show(&url, *rect).await {
+				Ok(area) => Rect::from(area).into_lua_multi(&lua),
+				Err(e) => (Value::Nil, Error::Custom(e.to_string())).into_lua_multi(&lua),
 			}
 		})
 	}
diff --git a/yazi-plugin/src/utils/json.rs b/yazi-plugin/src/utils/json.rs
index 5d3574b6..b930f33c 100644
--- a/yazi-plugin/src/utils/json.rs
+++ b/yazi-plugin/src/utils/json.rs
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ impl Utils {
 	pub(super) fn json_encode(lua: &Lua) -> mlua::Result<Function> {
 		lua.create_async_function(|lua, value: Value| async move {
 			match serde_json::to_string(&value) {
-				Ok(s) => (s, Value::Nil).into_lua_multi(&lua),
+				Ok(s) => s.into_lua_multi(&lua),
 				Err(e) => (Value::Nil, Error::Serde(e)).into_lua_multi(&lua),
 			}
 		})
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ impl Utils {
 	pub(super) fn json_decode(lua: &Lua) -> mlua::Result<Function> {
 		lua.create_async_function(|lua, s: mlua::String| async move {
 			match serde_json::from_slice::<serde_json::Value>(&s.as_bytes()) {
-				Ok(v) => (lua.to_value_with(&v, OPTS)?, Value::Nil).into_lua_multi(&lua),
+				Ok(v) => lua.to_value_with(&v, OPTS)?.into_lua_multi(&lua),
 				Err(e) => (Value::Nil, Error::Serde(e)).into_lua_multi(&lua),
 			}
 		})
diff --git a/yazi-plugin/src/utils/layer.rs b/yazi-plugin/src/utils/layer.rs
index 797b5275..ac795158 100644
--- a/yazi-plugin/src/utils/layer.rs
+++ b/yazi-plugin/src/utils/layer.rs
@@ -59,10 +59,9 @@ impl Utils {
 			if debounce < 0.0 {
 				Err("negative debounce duration".into_lua_err())
 			} else if debounce == 0.0 {
-				(InputRx::new(rx), Value::Nil).into_lua_multi(&lua)
+				InputRx::new(rx).into_lua_multi(&lua)
 			} else {
-				(InputRx::new(Debounce::new(rx, Duration::from_secs_f64(debounce))), Value::Nil)
-					.into_lua_multi(&lua)
+				InputRx::new(Debounce::new(rx, Duration::from_secs_f64(debounce))).into_lua_multi(&lua)
 			}
 		})
 	}
diff --git a/yazi-plugin/src/utils/preview.rs b/yazi-plugin/src/utils/preview.rs
index 2136d1c2..e0ed3093 100644
--- a/yazi-plugin/src/utils/preview.rs
+++ b/yazi-plugin/src/utils/preview.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use mlua::{AnyUserData, Function, IntoLuaMulti, Lua, Table, Value};
+use mlua::{AnyUserData, ExternalError, Function, IntoLuaMulti, Lua, Table, Value};
 use yazi_config::{YAZI, preview::PreviewWrap};
 use yazi_macro::emit;
 use yazi_shared::{errors::PeekError, event::Cmd};
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ impl Utils {
 				Ok(text) => text,
 				Err(e @ PeekError::Exceed(max)) => return (e.to_string(), max).into_lua_multi(&lua),
 				Err(e @ PeekError::Unexpected(_)) => {
-					return (e.to_string(), Value::Nil).into_lua_multi(&lua);
+					return e.to_string().into_lua_multi(&lua);
 				}
 			};
 
@@ -56,14 +56,22 @@ impl Utils {
 			})];
 
 			emit!(Call(Cmd::new("mgr:update_peeked").with_any("lock", lock)));
-			(Value::Nil, Value::Nil).into_lua_multi(&lua)
+			().into_lua_multi(&lua)
 		})
 	}
 
-	pub(super) fn preview_widgets(lua: &Lua) -> mlua::Result<Function> {
-		lua.create_async_function(|_, (t, widgets): (Table, Vec<AnyUserData>)| async move {
+	pub(super) fn preview_widget(lua: &Lua) -> mlua::Result<Function> {
+		lua.create_async_function(|_, (t, value): (Table, Value)| async move {
 			let mut lock = PreviewLock::try_from(t)?;
-			lock.data = widgets.into_iter().map(Renderable::try_from).collect::<mlua::Result<_>>()?;
+			lock.data = match value {
+				Value::Nil => vec![],
+				Value::Table(tbl) => tbl
+					.sequence_values::<AnyUserData>()
+					.map(|ud| ud.and_then(Renderable::try_from))
+					.collect::<mlua::Result<_>>()?,
+				Value::UserData(ud) => vec![Renderable::try_from(ud)?],
+				_ => Err("preview widget must be a renderable element or a table of them".into_lua_err())?,
+			};
 
 			emit!(Call(Cmd::new("mgr:update_peeked").with_any("lock", lock)));
 			Ok(())
diff --git a/yazi-plugin/src/utils/utils.rs b/yazi-plugin/src/utils/utils.rs
index 41100a70..1c143598 100644
--- a/yazi-plugin/src/utils/utils.rs
+++ b/yazi-plugin/src/utils/utils.rs
@@ -44,7 +44,8 @@ pub fn compose(lua: &Lua, isolate: bool) -> mlua::Result<Value> {
 
 			// Preview
 			b"preview_code" => Utils::preview_code(lua)?,
-			b"preview_widgets" => Utils::preview_widgets(lua)?,
+			b"preview_widget" => Utils::preview_widget(lua)?,
+			b"preview_widgets" => Utils::preview_widget(lua)?, // TODO: remove this in the future
 
 			// Process
 			b"proc_info" => Utils::proc_info(lua)?,