diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8bb1f50
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+---
+name: Bug report
+about: Something isn't working
+title: ''
+labels: bug
+assignees: ''
+
+---
+
+## Description
+
+<!--
+  Include steps to reproduce, what you expect to happen, and the actual result with screenshots if you could.
+
+  If this issue is related to a particular filetype or provider (such as symbols not showing for a particular language or file), please include the output of `:OutlineStatus` on that particular buffer.
+-->
+
+
+## Neovim setup
+
+- Neovim version:   <!--[e.g. 0.9.4] (note that outline.nvim requires 0.7+)-->
+- Outline.nvim version:   <!--[e.g. v1.0.0, or a commit hash]-->
+- Neovim distro (if applicable):   <!--[e.g. LazyVim]-->
+- Plugin manager:   <!--[e.g. Lazy.nvim]-->
+
+<!--Please include your relevant config for outline.nvim below, if any-->
+
+Config:
+```
+
+```
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5ceff9f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+---
+name: Feature request
+about: Suggest an idea for this project
+title: ''
+labels: enhancement
+assignees: ''
+
+---
+
+## Description
+
+
+<!--
+  Please include whether you're interested in implementing this feature yourself.
+
+  In many cases, a feature doesn't land solely because there isn't enough interest or motivation for someone to implement it.
+
+  Thanks for proposing ways to improve outline.nvim!
+-->
diff --git a/doc/outline.txt b/doc/outline.txt
index ee54587..48c63a7 100644
--- a/doc/outline.txt
+++ b/doc/outline.txt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-*outline.txt*             For NVIM v0.7.0            Last change: 2024 July 05
+*outline.txt*            For NVIM v0.7.0           Last change: 2024 August 13
 
 ==============================================================================
 Table of Contents                                  *outline-table-of-contents*
diff --git a/lua/outline/init.lua b/lua/outline/init.lua
index b57b10b..f02ecef 100644
--- a/lua/outline/init.lua
+++ b/lua/outline/init.lua
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ local cfg = require('outline.config')
 local highlight = require('outline.highlight')
 local providers = require('outline.providers.init')
 local utils = require('outline.utils.init')
+local symbols = require('outline.symbols')
 
 local M = {
   ---@type outline.Sidebar[]
@@ -354,6 +355,7 @@ function M.setup(opts)
 
   cfg.setup(opts)
   highlight.setup()
+  symbols.setup()
 
   setup_global_autocmd()
   setup_commands()
diff --git a/lua/outline/symbols.lua b/lua/outline/symbols.lua
index ac6c542..a3a4b68 100644
--- a/lua/outline/symbols.lua
+++ b/lua/outline/symbols.lua
@@ -45,6 +45,11 @@ for k, v in pairs(M.kinds) do
   M.str_to_kind[v] = k
 end
 
+-- use a stub if lspkind is missing or not configured
+local lspkind = {
+  symbolic = function(kind, opts) return '' end
+}
+
 ---@param kind string|integer
 ---@param bufnr integer
 ---@return string icon
@@ -65,22 +70,26 @@ function M.icon_from_kind(kind, bufnr)
     end
   end
 
-  if cfg.o.symbols.icon_source == 'lspkind' then
-    local has_lspkind, lspkind = pcall(require, 'lspkind')
-    if not has_lspkind then
-      vim.notify(
-        '[outline]: icon_source set to lspkind but failed to require lspkind!',
-        vim.log.levels.ERROR
-      )
-    else
-      local icon = lspkind.symbolic(kindstr, { with_text = false })
-      if icon and icon ~= '' then
-        return icon
-      end
-    end
+  local icon = lspkind.symbolic(kindstr, { with_text = false })
+  if icon and icon ~= '' then
+    return icon
   end
 
   return cfg.o.symbols.icons[kindstr].icon
 end
 
+function M.setup()
+  if cfg.o.symbols.icon_source == 'lspkind' then
+    local has_lspkind, _lspkind = pcall(require, 'lspkind')
+    if has_lspkind then
+      lspkind = _lspkind
+    else
+      vim.notify(
+        '[outline]: icon_source set to lspkind but failed to require lspkind!',
+        vim.log.levels.ERROR
+      )
+    end
+  end
+end
+
 return M