fix(CLI): dock_area can be created from CLI with specific profile or empty

bec_widgets/applications/bw_launch.py

@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ def auto_update_dock_area(object_name: str | None = None) -> AutoUpdates:
         object_name(str): The name of the dock area.
 
     Returns:
-        BECDockArea: The created dock area.
+        AdvancedDockArea: The created dock area.
     """
     _auto_update = AutoUpdates(object_name=object_name)
     return _auto_update

bec_widgets/applications/launch_window.py

@@ -397,12 +397,10 @@ class LaunchWindow(BECMainWindow):
         with RPCRegister.delayed_broadcast() as rpc_register:
             existing_dock_areas = rpc_register.get_names_of_rpc_by_class_type(AdvancedDockArea)
             if name is not None:
-                if name in existing_dock_areas:
-                    raise ValueError(
-                        f"Name {name} must be unique for dock areas, but already exists: {existing_dock_areas}."
-                    )
                 WidgetContainerUtils.raise_for_invalid_name(name)
-
+                # If name already exists, generate a unique one with counter suffix
+                if name in existing_dock_areas:
+                    name = WidgetContainerUtils.generate_unique_name(name, existing_dock_areas)
             else:
                 name = "dock_area"
                 name = WidgetContainerUtils.generate_unique_name(name, existing_dock_areas)

bec_widgets/cli/client.py

@@ -274,6 +274,24 @@ class AdvancedDockArea(RPCBase):
             name (str | None): The name of the profile to load. If None, prompts the user.
         """
 
+    @rpc_call
+    def delete_profile(self, name: "str | None" = None, show_dialog: "bool" = False) -> "bool":
+        """
+        Delete a workspace profile.
+
+        Args:
+            name: The name of the profile to delete. If None, uses the currently
+                selected profile from the toolbar combo box (for UI usage).
+            show_dialog: If True, show confirmation dialog before deletion.
+                Defaults to False for CLI/programmatic usage.
+
+        Returns:
+            bool: True if the profile was deleted, False otherwise.
+
+        Raises:
+            ValueError: If the profile is read-only or doesn't exist (when show_dialog=False).
+        """
+
 
 class AutoUpdates(RPCBase):
     @property

bec_widgets/cli/client_utils.py

@@ -303,27 +303,55 @@ class BECGuiClient(RPCBase):
         wait: bool = True,
         geometry: tuple[int, int, int, int] | None = None,
         launch_script: str = "dock_area",
+        profile: str | None = None,
+        empty: bool = False,
         **kwargs,
-    ) -> client.BECDockArea:
+    ) -> client.AdvancedDockArea:
         """Create a new top-level dock area.
 
         Args:
             name(str, optional): The name of the dock area. Defaults to None.
             wait(bool, optional): Whether to wait for the server to start. Defaults to True.
-            geometry(tuple[int, int, int, int] | None): The geometry of the dock area (pos_x, pos_y, w, h)
+            geometry(tuple[int, int, int, int] | None): The geometry of the dock area (pos_x, pos_y, w, h).
+            launch_script(str): The launch script to use. Defaults to "dock_area".
+            profile(str | None): The profile name to load. If None, restores the last used profile.
+                Use a profile name to load a specific saved profile.
+            empty(bool): If True, start with an empty dock area without loading any profile.
+                This takes precedence over the profile argument. Defaults to False.
+            **kwargs: Additional keyword arguments passed to the dock area.
+
         Returns:
-            client.BECDockArea: The new dock area.
+            client.AdvancedDockArea: The new dock area.
+
+        Examples:
+            >>> gui.new()  # Restore last used profile
+            >>> gui.new(profile="my_profile")  # Load specific profile, if profile do not exist, the new profile is created empty with specified name
+            >>> gui.new(empty=True)  # Start with empty dock area
+            >>> gui.new(name="custom_dock", empty=True)  # Named empty dock area
         """
+        if empty:
+            # Use a unique non-existent profile name to ensure empty start
+            profile = "__empty__"
         if not self._check_if_server_is_alive():
             self.start(wait=True)
         if wait:
             with wait_for_server(self):
                 widget = self.launcher._run_rpc(
-                    "launch", launch_script=launch_script, name=name, geometry=geometry, **kwargs
+                    "launch",
+                    launch_script=launch_script,
+                    name=name,
+                    geometry=geometry,
+                    profile=profile,
+                    **kwargs,
                 )  # pylint: disable=protected-access
                 return widget
         widget = self.launcher._run_rpc(
-            "launch", launch_script=launch_script, name=name, geometry=geometry, **kwargs
+            "launch",
+            launch_script=launch_script,
+            name=name,
+            geometry=geometry,
+            profile=profile,
+            **kwargs,
         )  # pylint: disable=protected-access
         return widget
 

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/advanced_dock_area/advanced_dock_area.py

@@ -107,6 +107,7 @@ class AdvancedDockArea(DockAreaWidget):
         "mode.setter",
         "save_profile",
         "load_profile",
+        "delete_profile",
     ]
 
     # Define a signal for mode changes
@@ -183,6 +184,7 @@ class AdvancedDockArea(DockAreaWidget):
     def _ensure_initial_profile(self) -> bool:
         """
         Ensure at least one workspace profile exists for the current namespace.
+        If list_profile fails due to file permission or corrupted profiles, no action taken.
 
         Returns:
             bool: True if a profile was created, False otherwise.
@@ -870,37 +872,82 @@ class AdvancedDockArea(DockAreaWidget):
         self.load_profile(target)
 
     @SafeSlot()
-    def delete_profile(self):
+    def delete_profile(self, name: str | None = None, show_dialog: bool = False) -> bool:
         """
-        Delete the currently selected workspace profile file and refresh the combo list.
+        Delete a workspace profile.
+
+        Args:
+            name: The name of the profile to delete. If None, uses the currently
+                selected profile from the toolbar combo box (for UI usage).
+            show_dialog: If True, show confirmation dialog before deletion.
+                Defaults to False for CLI/programmatic usage.
+
+        Returns:
+            bool: True if the profile was deleted, False otherwise.
+
+        Raises:
+            ValueError: If the profile is read-only or doesn't exist (when show_dialog=False).
+
         """
-        combo = self.toolbar.components.get_action("workspace_combo").widget
+        # Resolve profile name
-        name = combo.currentText()
+        if name is None:
+            combo = self.toolbar.components.get_action("workspace_combo").widget
+            name = combo.currentText()
         if not name:
-            return
+            if show_dialog:
-
+                return False
-        # Protect bundled/module/plugin profiles from deletion
+            raise ValueError("No profile name provided.")
-        if is_profile_read_only(name, namespace=self.profile_namespace):
-            QMessageBox.information(
-                self, "Delete Profile", f"Profile '{name}' is read-only and cannot be deleted."
-            )
-            return
-
-        # Confirm deletion for regular profiles
-        reply = QMessageBox.question(
-            self,
-            "Delete Profile",
-            f"Are you sure you want to delete the profile '{name}'?\n\n"
-            f"This action cannot be undone.",
-            QMessageBox.StandardButton.Yes | QMessageBox.StandardButton.No,
-            QMessageBox.StandardButton.No,
-        )
-        if reply != QMessageBox.StandardButton.Yes:
-            return
 
         namespace = self.profile_namespace
-        delete_profile_files(name, namespace=namespace)
+
+        # Check if profile is read-only
+        if is_profile_read_only(name, namespace=namespace):
+            if show_dialog:
+                QMessageBox.information(
+                    self, "Delete Profile", f"Profile '{name}' is read-only and cannot be deleted."
+                )
+                return False
+            raise ValueError(f"Profile '{name}' is read-only and cannot be deleted.")
+
+        # Confirm deletion if dialog is enabled
+        if show_dialog:
+            reply = QMessageBox.question(
+                self,
+                "Delete Profile",
+                f"Are you sure you want to delete the profile '{name}'?\n\n"
+                f"This action cannot be undone.",
+                QMessageBox.StandardButton.Yes | QMessageBox.StandardButton.No,
+                QMessageBox.StandardButton.No,
+            )
+            if reply != QMessageBox.StandardButton.Yes:
+                return False
+
+        # Perform deletion
+        try:
+            removed = delete_profile_files(name, namespace=namespace)
+        except OSError as exc:
+            if show_dialog:
+                QMessageBox.warning(
+                    self, "Delete Profile", f"Failed to delete profile '{name}': {exc}"
+                )
+                return False
+            raise ValueError(f"Failed to delete profile '{name}': {exc}") from exc
+
+        if not removed:
+            if show_dialog:
+                QMessageBox.information(
+                    self, "Delete Profile", "No writable profile files were found to delete."
+                )
+                return False
+            raise ValueError(f"No writable profile files found for '{name}'.")
+
+        # Clear current profile if it was deleted
+        if getattr(self, "_current_profile_name", None) == name:
+            self._current_profile_name = None
+
+        # Refresh the workspace list
         self._refresh_workspace_list()
+        return True
 
     def _refresh_workspace_list(self):
         """

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/advanced_dock_area/settings/workspace_manager.py

@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
 from bec_widgets import BECWidget, SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.colors import get_accent_colors
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.advanced_dock_area.profile_utils import (
-    delete_profile_files,
     get_profile_info,
     is_quick_select,
     list_profiles,
@@ -341,55 +340,35 @@ class WorkSpaceManager(BECWidget, QWidget):
 
     @SafeSlot(str)
     def delete_profile(self, profile_name: str):
-        info = get_profile_info(profile_name, namespace=self.profile_namespace)
+        """
-        if info.is_read_only:
+        Delete a profile by delegating to the target widget's delete_profile method.
-            QMessageBox.information(
-                self, "Delete Profile", "This profile is read-only and cannot be deleted."
-            )
-            return
 
-        reply = QMessageBox.question(
+        Args:
-            self,
+            profile_name: The name of the profile to delete.
-            "Delete Profile",
+        """
-            (
+        if self.target_widget is None or not hasattr(self.target_widget, "delete_profile"):
-                f"Delete the profile '{profile_name}'?\n\n"
+            QMessageBox.warning(
-                "This will remove both the user and default copies."
+                self, "Delete Profile", "No target widget available for profile deletion."
-            ),
+            )
-            QMessageBox.Yes | QMessageBox.No,
-            QMessageBox.No,
-        )
-        if reply != QMessageBox.Yes:
             return
 
         try:
-            removed = delete_profile_files(profile_name, namespace=self.profile_namespace)
+            result = self.target_widget.delete_profile(profile_name, show_dialog=True)
-        except OSError as exc:
+        except ValueError:
-            QMessageBox.warning(
+            # Error was already handled by target widget's dialog
-                self, "Delete Profile", f"Failed to delete profile '{profile_name}': {exc}"
+            result = False
-            )
-            return
 
-        if not removed:
+        if result:
-            QMessageBox.information(
+            # Refresh our table and select next profile
-                self, "Delete Profile", "No writable profile files were found to delete."
+            self.render_table()
-            )
+            remaining_profiles = list_profiles(namespace=self.profile_namespace)
-            return
+            if remaining_profiles:
-
+                next_profile = remaining_profiles[0]
-        if self.target_widget is not None:
+                self._select_by_name(next_profile)
-            if getattr(self.target_widget, "_current_profile_name", None) == profile_name:
+                self._show_profile_details(next_profile)
-                self.target_widget._current_profile_name = None
+            else:
-            if hasattr(self.target_widget, "_refresh_workspace_list"):
+                self.profile_details_tree.clear()
-                self.target_widget._refresh_workspace_list()
+                self.screenshot_label.setPixmap(QPixmap())
-
-        self.render_table()
-        remaining_profiles = list_profiles(namespace=self.profile_namespace)
-        if remaining_profiles:
-            next_profile = remaining_profiles[0]
-            self._select_by_name(next_profile)
-            self._show_profile_details(next_profile)
-        else:
-            self.profile_details_tree.clear()
-            self.screenshot_label.setPixmap(QPixmap())
 
     def resizeEvent(self, event):
         super().resizeEvent(event)

tests/unit_tests/test_advanced_dock_area.py

@@ -141,9 +141,37 @@ def workspace_manager_target():
         def save_profile(self):
             self.save_called = True
 
+        def save_profile_dialog(self, name: str | None = None):
+            """Mock save_profile_dialog that sets save_called flag."""
+            self.save_called = True
+
         def _refresh_workspace_list(self):
             self.refresh_calls += 1
 
+        def delete_profile(self, name: str, show_dialog: bool = False) -> bool:
+            """Mock delete_profile that performs actual file deletion."""
+            from qtpy.QtWidgets import QMessageBox
+
+            from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.advanced_dock_area.profile_utils import (
+                delete_profile_files,
+                is_profile_read_only,
+            )
+
+            if is_profile_read_only(name):
+                if show_dialog:
+                    QMessageBox.information(
+                        None,
+                        "Delete Profile",
+                        f"Profile '{name}' is read-only and cannot be deleted.",
+                    )
+                    return False
+                raise ValueError(f"Profile '{name}' is read-only.")
+            delete_profile_files(name)
+            if self._current_profile_name == name:
+                self._current_profile_name = None
+            self._refresh_workspace_list()
+            return True
+
     def _factory():
         return _Target()
 
@@ -273,11 +301,6 @@ class TestBasicDockArea:
         assert "panel_one" not in basic_dock_area.dock_map()
         assert "panel_two" in basic_dock_area.dock_map()
 
-    def test_remove_widget_raises_for_unknown_name(self, basic_dock_area):
-        """Test remove_widget raises ValueError for non-existent widget."""
-        with pytest.raises(ValueError, match="No widget found with object name 'nonexistent'"):
-            basic_dock_area.remove_widget("nonexistent")
-
     def test_manifest_serialization_includes_floating_geometry(
         self, basic_dock_area, qtbot, tmp_path
     ):
@@ -1703,7 +1726,7 @@ class TestWorkspaceProfileOperations:
             "bec_widgets.widgets.containers.advanced_dock_area.advanced_dock_area.SaveProfileDialog",
             StubDialog,
         ):
-            advanced_dock_area.save_profile(profile_name)
+            advanced_dock_area.save_profile(profile_name, show_dialog=True)
 
         assert os.path.exists(target_path)
 
@@ -1775,7 +1798,7 @@ class TestWorkspaceProfileOperations:
             "bec_widgets.widgets.containers.advanced_dock_area.advanced_dock_area.SaveProfileDialog",
             StubDialog,
         ):
-            advanced_dock_area.save_profile()
+            advanced_dock_area.save_profile(show_dialog=True)
 
         qtbot.wait(500)
         source_manifest = read_manifest(helper.open_user(source_profile))
@@ -1844,7 +1867,7 @@ class TestWorkspaceProfileOperations:
                     return_value=None,
                 ) as mock_info,
             ):
-                advanced_dock_area.delete_profile()
+                advanced_dock_area.delete_profile(show_dialog=True)
 
                 mock_question.assert_not_called()
                 mock_info.assert_called_once()
@@ -1875,13 +1898,31 @@ class TestWorkspaceProfileOperations:
                 mock_question.return_value = QMessageBox.Yes
 
                 with patch.object(advanced_dock_area, "_refresh_workspace_list") as mock_refresh:
-                    advanced_dock_area.delete_profile()
+                    advanced_dock_area.delete_profile(show_dialog=True)
 
                     mock_question.assert_called_once()
                     mock_refresh.assert_called_once()
                     # Profile should be deleted
                     assert not os.path.exists(user_path)
 
+    def test_delete_profile_cli_usage(self, advanced_dock_area, temp_profile_dir):
+        """Test delete_profile with explicit name (CLI usage - no dialog by default)."""
+        profile_name = "cli_deletable_profile"
+        helper = profile_helper(advanced_dock_area)
+
+        # Create regular profile
+        settings = helper.open_user(profile_name)
+        settings.setValue("test", "value")
+        settings.sync()
+        user_path = helper.user_path(profile_name)
+        assert os.path.exists(user_path)
+
+        # Delete without dialog (CLI usage - default behavior)
+        result = advanced_dock_area.delete_profile(profile_name)
+
+        assert result is True
+        assert not os.path.exists(user_path)
+
     def test_refresh_workspace_list(self, advanced_dock_area, temp_profile_dir):
         """Test refreshing workspace list."""
         # Create some profiles