diff --git a/plugin/tiny-debugger.lua b/plugin/tiny-debugger.lua
index eb7b1a8..0beb30d 100644
--- a/plugin/tiny-debugger.lua
+++ b/plugin/tiny-debugger.lua
@@ -1 +1,14 @@
 -- tiny-debugger.nvim — entry point
+
+-- require Neovim 0.12+
+if vim.fn.has("nvim-0.12") ~= 1 then
+  vim.notify("tiny-debugger.nvim requires Neovim >= 0.12", vim.log.levels.ERROR)
+  return
+end
+
+-- load dependencies via vim.pack
+vim.pack.add({ "mfussenegger/nvim-dap" })
+vim.pack.add({ "rcarriga/nvim-dap-ui" })
+vim.pack.add({ "nvim-neotest/nvim-nio" })
+vim.pack.add({ "theHamsta/nvim-dap-virtual-text" })
+vim.pack.add({ "Weissle/persistent-breakpoints.nvim" })