diff --git a/plugin/text_listener.py b/plugin/text_listener.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bd57685
--- /dev/null
+++ b/plugin/text_listener.py
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+import sublime_plugin
+import logging
+
+from .core.buffers import buffers
+from . import globals as g
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+class CodempClientTextChangeListener(sublime_plugin.TextChangeListener):
+    @classmethod
+    def is_applicable(cls, _):  # pyright: ignore
+        # don't attach this event listener automatically
+        # we'll do it by hand with .attach(buffer).
+        return False
+
+    def on_text_changed(self, changes):
+        s = self.buffer.primary_view().settings()
+        if s.get(g.CODEMP_IGNORE_NEXT_TEXT_CHANGE, False):
+            logger.debug("Ignoring echoing back the change.")
+            s[g.CODEMP_IGNORE_NEXT_TEXT_CHANGE] = False
+            return
+
+        bid = str(s.get(g.CODEMP_BUFFER_ID))
+        try:
+            vbuff = buffers.lookupId(bid)
+            logger.debug(f"local buffer change! {vbuff.id}")
+            vbuff.send_change(changes)
+        except KeyError:
+            logger.error(f"could not find registered buffer with id {bid}")
+            pass
+
+TEXT_LISTENER = CodempClientTextChangeListener()
\ No newline at end of file