diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index fca7a0c..a3da113 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -511,10 +511,10 @@ startup sequence for more flexibility and better performance.
 
 In practice this means that step 10 of [Neovim Initialization](https://neovim.io/doc/user/starting.html#initialization) is done by Lazy:
 
-1. all plugins with `lazy=false` are loaded. This includes sourcing `/plugin` and `/ftdetect` files. (`/after` will not be sourced yet)
-2. all files from `/plugin` and `/ftdetect` directories in you rtp are sourced (excluding `/after`)
-3. all `/after/plugin` files are sourced (this inludes `/after` from plugins)
-4. all the plugins' `init()` functions are executed
+1. all the plugins' `init()` functions are executed
+2. all plugins with `lazy=false` are loaded. This includes sourcing `/plugin` and `/ftdetect` files. (`/after` will not be sourced yet)
+3. all files from `/plugin` and `/ftdetect` directories in you rtp are sourced (excluding `/after`)
+4. all `/after/plugin` files are sourced (this inludes `/after` from plugins)
 
 Files from runtime directories are always sourced in alphabetical order.
 
diff --git a/lua/lazy/core/loader.lua b/lua/lazy/core/loader.lua
index 2e66930..2da7f97 100644
--- a/lua/lazy/core/loader.lua
+++ b/lua/lazy/core/loader.lua
@@ -58,36 +58,7 @@ function M.startup()
   -- backup original rtp
   local rtp = vim.opt.rtp:get()
 
-  -- 1. load start plugin
-  Util.track({ start = "start" })
-  for _, plugin in pairs(Config.plugins) do
-    if plugin.lazy == false then
-      M.load(plugin, { start = "start" })
-    end
-  end
-  Util.track()
-
-  -- 2. load plugins from rtp, excluding after
-  Util.track({ start = "rtp plugins" })
-  for _, path in ipairs(rtp) do
-    if not path:find("after/?$") then
-      M.packadd(path)
-    end
-  end
-  Util.track()
-
-  -- 3. load after plugins
-  Util.track({ start = "after" })
-  for _, path in ipairs(vim.opt.rtp:get()) do
-    if path:find("after/?$") then
-      M.source_runtime(path, "plugin")
-    end
-  end
-  Util.track()
-
-  M.init_done = true
-
-  -- 4. run plugin init
+  -- 1. run plugin init
   Util.track({ start = "init" })
   for _, plugin in pairs(Config.plugins) do
     if plugin.init then
@@ -98,6 +69,35 @@ function M.startup()
   end
   Util.track()
 
+  -- 2. load start plugin
+  Util.track({ start = "start" })
+  for _, plugin in pairs(Config.plugins) do
+    if plugin.lazy == false and not plugin._.loaded then
+      M.load(plugin, { start = "start" })
+    end
+  end
+  Util.track()
+
+  -- 3. load plugins from rtp, excluding after
+  Util.track({ start = "rtp plugins" })
+  for _, path in ipairs(rtp) do
+    if not path:find("after/?$") then
+      M.packadd(path)
+    end
+  end
+  Util.track()
+
+  -- 4. load after plugins
+  Util.track({ start = "after" })
+  for _, path in ipairs(vim.opt.rtp:get()) do
+    if path:find("after/?$") then
+      M.source_runtime(path, "plugin")
+    end
+  end
+  Util.track()
+
+  M.init_done = true
+
   Util.track()
 end
 
diff --git a/lua/lazy/core/plugin.lua b/lua/lazy/core/plugin.lua
index fbd676d..844db73 100644
--- a/lua/lazy/core/plugin.lua
+++ b/lua/lazy/core/plugin.lua
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ local M = {}
 
 ---@class LazyPluginHooks
 ---@field init? fun(LazyPlugin) Will always be run
----@field config? fun(LazyPlugin) Will be executed when loading the plugin
+---@field config? fun(LazyPlugin)|true|table Will be executed when loading the plugin
 ---@field build? string|fun(LazyPlugin)
 
 ---@class LazyPluginHandlers: table<LazyHandlerTypes, string|string[]>