fix: test bw-generate-cli

Automatically generated by python-semantic-release

.github/scripts/aggregate_benchmarks.py

@@ -0,0 +1,169 @@
+##########################
+### AI-generated file. ###
+##########################
+
+"""Aggregate and merge benchmark JSON files.
+
+The workflow runs the same benchmark suite on multiple independent runners.
+This script reads every JSON file produced by those attempts, normalizes the
+contained benchmark values, and writes a compact mapping JSON where each value is
+the median across attempts. It can also merge independent hyperfine JSON files
+from one runner into a single hyperfine-style JSON file.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import argparse
+import json
+import statistics
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Any
+
+from compare_benchmarks import Benchmark, extract_benchmarks
+
+
+def collect_benchmarks(paths: list[Path]) -> dict[str, list[Benchmark]]:
+    """Collect benchmarks from multiple JSON files.
+
+    Args:
+        paths (list[Path]): Paths to hyperfine, pytest-benchmark, or compact
+            mapping JSON files.
+
+    Returns:
+        dict[str, list[Benchmark]]: Benchmarks grouped by benchmark name.
+    """
+
+    collected: dict[str, list[Benchmark]] = {}
+    for path in paths:
+        for name, benchmark in extract_benchmarks(path).items():
+            collected.setdefault(name, []).append(benchmark)
+    return collected
+
+
+def aggregate(collected: dict[str, list[Benchmark]]) -> dict[str, dict[str, object]]:
+    """Aggregate grouped benchmarks using the median value.
+
+    Args:
+        collected (dict[str, list[Benchmark]]): Benchmarks grouped by benchmark
+            name.
+
+    Returns:
+        dict[str, dict[str, object]]: Compact mapping JSON data. Each benchmark
+        contains ``value``, ``unit``, ``metric``, ``attempts``, and
+        ``attempt_values``.
+    """
+
+    aggregated: dict[str, dict[str, object]] = {}
+    for name, benchmarks in sorted(collected.items()):
+        values = [benchmark.value for benchmark in benchmarks]
+        unit = next((benchmark.unit for benchmark in benchmarks if benchmark.unit), "")
+        metric = next((benchmark.metric for benchmark in benchmarks if benchmark.metric), "value")
+        aggregated[name] = {
+            "value": statistics.median(values),
+            "unit": unit,
+            "metric": f"median-of-attempt-{metric}",
+            "attempts": len(values),
+            "attempt_values": values,
+        }
+    return aggregated
+
+
+def merge_hyperfine_results(paths: list[Path]) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Merge hyperfine result files.
+
+    Args:
+        paths (list[Path]): Hyperfine JSON files to merge.
+
+    Returns:
+        dict[str, Any]: Hyperfine-style JSON object containing all result rows.
+
+    Raises:
+        ValueError: If any file has no hyperfine ``results`` list.
+    """
+
+    merged: dict[str, Any] = {"results": []}
+    for path in paths:
+        data = json.loads(path.read_text(encoding="utf-8"))
+        results = data.get("results", []) if isinstance(data, dict) else None
+        if not isinstance(results, list):
+            raise ValueError(f"{path} has no hyperfine results list")
+        merged["results"].extend(results)
+    return merged
+
+
+def main_from_paths(input_dir: Path, output: Path) -> int:
+    """Aggregate all JSON files in a directory and write the result.
+
+    Args:
+        input_dir (Path): Directory containing benchmark JSON files.
+        output (Path): Path where the aggregate JSON should be written.
+
+    Returns:
+        int: Always ``0`` on success.
+
+    Raises:
+        ValueError: If no JSON files are found in ``input_dir``.
+    """
+
+    paths = sorted(input_dir.rglob("*.json"))
+    if not paths:
+        raise ValueError(f"No benchmark JSON files found in {input_dir}")
+
+    output.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    output.write_text(
+        json.dumps(aggregate(collect_benchmarks(paths)), indent=2, sort_keys=True) + "\n",
+        encoding="utf-8",
+    )
+    return 0
+
+
+def merge_from_paths(input_dir: Path, output: Path) -> int:
+    """Merge all hyperfine JSON files in a directory and write the result.
+
+    Args:
+        input_dir (Path): Directory containing hyperfine JSON files.
+        output (Path): Path where the merged JSON should be written.
+
+    Returns:
+        int: Always ``0`` on success.
+
+    Raises:
+        ValueError: If no JSON files are found in ``input_dir``.
+    """
+
+    paths = sorted(input_dir.glob("*.json"))
+    if not paths:
+        raise ValueError(f"No hyperfine JSON files found in {input_dir}")
+
+    output.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    output.write_text(
+        json.dumps(merge_hyperfine_results(paths), indent=2, sort_keys=True) + "\n",
+        encoding="utf-8",
+    )
+    return 0
+
+
+def main() -> int:
+    """Run the benchmark aggregation command line interface.
+
+    Returns:
+        int: Always ``0`` on success.
+    """
+
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser()
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--mode",
+        choices=("aggregate", "merge-hyperfine"),
+        default="aggregate",
+        help="Operation to perform.",
+    )
+    parser.add_argument("--input-dir", required=True, type=Path)
+    parser.add_argument("--output", required=True, type=Path)
+    args = parser.parse_args()
+    if args.mode == "merge-hyperfine":
+        return merge_from_paths(input_dir=args.input_dir, output=args.output)
+    return main_from_paths(input_dir=args.input_dir, output=args.output)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    raise SystemExit(main())

.github/scripts/compare_benchmarks.py

@@ -0,0 +1,454 @@
+##########################
+### AI-generated file. ###
+##########################
+
+"""Compare benchmark JSON files and write a GitHub Actions summary.
+
+The script supports JSON emitted by hyperfine, JSON emitted by pytest-benchmark,
+and a compact mapping format generated by ``aggregate_benchmarks.py``. Timing
+formats prefer median values and fall back to mean values when median values are
+not present.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import argparse
+import json
+import math
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Any
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class Benchmark:
+    """Normalized benchmark result.
+
+    Attributes:
+        name (str): Stable benchmark name used to match baseline and current results.
+        value (float): Numeric benchmark value used for comparison.
+        unit (str): Display unit for the value, for example ``"s"``.
+        metric (str): Source metric name, for example ``"median"`` or ``"mean"``.
+    """
+
+    name: str
+    value: float
+    unit: str
+    metric: str = "value"
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class Comparison:
+    """Comparison between one baseline benchmark and one current benchmark.
+
+    Attributes:
+        name (str): Benchmark name.
+        baseline (float): Baseline benchmark value.
+        current (float): Current benchmark value.
+        delta_percent (float): Percent change from baseline to current.
+        unit (str): Display unit for both values.
+        metric (str): Current result metric used for comparison.
+        regressed (bool): Whether the change exceeds the configured threshold in
+            the worse direction.
+        improved (bool): Whether the change exceeds the configured threshold in
+            the better direction.
+    """
+
+    name: str
+    baseline: float
+    current: float
+    delta_percent: float
+    unit: str
+    metric: str
+    regressed: bool
+    improved: bool
+
+
+def _read_json(path: Path) -> Any:
+    """Read JSON data from a file.
+
+    Args:
+        path (Path): Path to the JSON file.
+
+    Returns:
+        Any: Parsed JSON value.
+    """
+
+    with path.open("r", encoding="utf-8") as stream:
+        return json.load(stream)
+
+
+def _as_float(value: Any) -> float | None:
+    """Convert a value to a finite float.
+
+    Args:
+        value (Any): Value to convert.
+
+    Returns:
+        float | None: Converted finite float, or ``None`` if conversion fails.
+    """
+
+    try:
+        result = float(value)
+    except (TypeError, ValueError):
+        return None
+    if math.isfinite(result):
+        return result
+    return None
+
+
+def _extract_hyperfine(data: dict[str, Any]) -> dict[str, Benchmark]:
+    """Extract normalized benchmarks from hyperfine JSON.
+
+    Args:
+        data (dict[str, Any]): Parsed hyperfine JSON object.
+
+    Returns:
+        dict[str, Benchmark]: Benchmarks keyed by command name.
+    """
+
+    benchmarks: dict[str, Benchmark] = {}
+    for result in data.get("results", []):
+        if not isinstance(result, dict):
+            continue
+        name = str(result.get("command") or result.get("name") or "").strip()
+        metric = "median"
+        value = _as_float(result.get(metric))
+        if value is None:
+            metric = "mean"
+            value = _as_float(result.get(metric))
+        if name and value is not None:
+            benchmarks[name] = Benchmark(name=name, value=value, unit="s", metric=metric)
+    return benchmarks
+
+
+def _extract_pytest_benchmark(data: dict[str, Any]) -> dict[str, Benchmark]:
+    """Extract normalized benchmarks from pytest-benchmark JSON.
+
+    Args:
+        data (dict[str, Any]): Parsed pytest-benchmark JSON object.
+
+    Returns:
+        dict[str, Benchmark]: Benchmarks keyed by full benchmark name.
+    """
+
+    benchmarks: dict[str, Benchmark] = {}
+    for benchmark in data.get("benchmarks", []):
+        if not isinstance(benchmark, dict):
+            continue
+
+        name = str(benchmark.get("fullname") or benchmark.get("name") or "").strip()
+        stats = benchmark.get("stats", {})
+        value = None
+        metric = "median"
+        if isinstance(stats, dict):
+            value = _as_float(stats.get(metric))
+            if value is None:
+                metric = "mean"
+                value = _as_float(stats.get(metric))
+        if name and value is not None:
+            benchmarks[name] = Benchmark(name=name, value=value, unit="s", metric=metric)
+    return benchmarks
+
+
+def _extract_simple_mapping(data: dict[str, Any]) -> dict[str, Benchmark]:
+    """Extract normalized benchmarks from a compact mapping JSON object.
+
+    Args:
+        data (dict[str, Any]): Parsed mapping where each benchmark is either a
+            raw number or an object containing ``value``, ``unit``, and ``metric``.
+
+    Returns:
+        dict[str, Benchmark]: Benchmarks keyed by mapping key.
+    """
+
+    benchmarks: dict[str, Benchmark] = {}
+
+    for name, raw_value in data.items():
+        if name in {"version", "context", "commit", "timestamp"}:
+            continue
+
+        value = _as_float(raw_value)
+        unit = ""
+        metric = "value"
+        if value is None and isinstance(raw_value, dict):
+            value = _as_float(raw_value.get("value"))
+            unit = str(raw_value.get("unit") or "")
+            metric = str(raw_value.get("metric") or "value")
+
+        if value is not None:
+            benchmarks[str(name)] = Benchmark(name=str(name), value=value, unit=unit, metric=metric)
+
+    return benchmarks
+
+
+def extract_benchmarks(path: Path) -> dict[str, Benchmark]:
+    """Extract normalized benchmarks from a supported JSON file.
+
+    Args:
+        path (Path): Path to a hyperfine, pytest-benchmark, or compact mapping
+            JSON file.
+
+    Returns:
+        dict[str, Benchmark]: Normalized benchmarks keyed by name.
+
+    Raises:
+        ValueError: If the JSON root is not an object or no supported benchmark
+            entries can be extracted.
+    """
+
+    data = _read_json(path)
+    if not isinstance(data, dict):
+        raise ValueError(f"{path} must contain a JSON object")
+
+    extractors = (_extract_hyperfine, _extract_pytest_benchmark, _extract_simple_mapping)
+    for extractor in extractors:
+        benchmarks = extractor(data)
+        if benchmarks:
+            return benchmarks
+
+    raise ValueError(f"No supported benchmark entries found in {path}")
+
+
+def compare_benchmarks(
+    baseline: dict[str, Benchmark],
+    current: dict[str, Benchmark],
+    threshold_percent: float,
+    higher_is_better: bool,
+) -> tuple[list[Comparison], list[str], list[str]]:
+    """Compare baseline benchmarks with current benchmarks.
+
+    Args:
+        baseline (dict[str, Benchmark]): Baseline benchmarks keyed by name.
+        current (dict[str, Benchmark]): Current benchmarks keyed by name.
+        threshold_percent (float): Regression threshold in percent.
+        higher_is_better (bool): If ``True``, lower current values are treated as
+            regressions. If ``False``, higher current values are treated as
+            regressions.
+
+    Returns:
+        tuple[list[Comparison], list[str], list[str]]: Comparisons for common
+        benchmark names, names missing from current results, and names newly
+        present in current results.
+    """
+
+    comparisons: list[Comparison] = []
+    missing_in_current: list[str] = []
+    new_in_current: list[str] = []
+
+    for name, baseline_benchmark in sorted(baseline.items()):
+        current_benchmark = current.get(name)
+        if current_benchmark is None:
+            missing_in_current.append(name)
+            continue
+
+        if baseline_benchmark.value == 0:
+            delta_percent = 0.0
+        else:
+            delta_percent = (
+                (current_benchmark.value - baseline_benchmark.value)
+                / abs(baseline_benchmark.value)
+                * 100
+            )
+
+        if higher_is_better:
+            regressed = delta_percent <= -threshold_percent
+            improved = delta_percent >= threshold_percent
+        else:
+            regressed = delta_percent >= threshold_percent
+            improved = delta_percent <= -threshold_percent
+
+        comparisons.append(
+            Comparison(
+                name=name,
+                baseline=baseline_benchmark.value,
+                current=current_benchmark.value,
+                delta_percent=delta_percent,
+                unit=current_benchmark.unit or baseline_benchmark.unit,
+                metric=current_benchmark.metric,
+                regressed=regressed,
+                improved=improved,
+            )
+        )
+
+    for name in sorted(set(current) - set(baseline)):
+        new_in_current.append(name)
+
+    return comparisons, missing_in_current, new_in_current
+
+
+def _format_value(value: float, unit: str) -> str:
+    """Format a benchmark value for Markdown output.
+
+    Args:
+        value (float): Numeric benchmark value.
+        unit (str): Display unit.
+
+    Returns:
+        str: Formatted value with optional unit suffix.
+    """
+
+    suffix = f" {unit}" if unit else ""
+    return f"{value:.6g}{suffix}"
+
+
+def _format_status(comparison: Comparison) -> str:
+    """Format a comparison status for Markdown output."""
+
+    if comparison.regressed:
+        return ":red_circle: regressed"
+    if comparison.improved:
+        return ":green_circle: improved"
+    return "ok"
+
+
+def write_summary(
+    path: Path,
+    comparisons: list[Comparison],
+    missing_in_current: list[str],
+    new_in_current: list[str],
+    threshold_percent: float,
+    higher_is_better: bool,
+) -> None:
+    """Write a Markdown benchmark comparison summary.
+
+    Args:
+        path (Path): Path where the summary should be written.
+        comparisons (list[Comparison]): Comparison rows for matching benchmarks.
+        missing_in_current (list[str]): Baseline benchmark names missing from the
+            current result.
+        new_in_current (list[str]): Current benchmark names not present in the
+            baseline result.
+        threshold_percent (float): Regression threshold in percent.
+        higher_is_better (bool): Whether higher benchmark values are considered
+            better.
+    """
+
+    regressions = [comparison for comparison in comparisons if comparison.regressed]
+    improvements = [comparison for comparison in comparisons if comparison.improved]
+    direction = "higher is better" if higher_is_better else "lower is better"
+    sorted_comparisons = sorted(comparisons, key=lambda comparison: comparison.name)
+
+    lines = [
+        "<!-- bw-benchmark-comment -->",
+        "## Benchmark comparison",
+        "",
+        f"Threshold: {threshold_percent:g}% ({direction}).",
+        f"Result: {len(regressions)} regression(s), {len(improvements)} improvement(s) beyond threshold.",
+    ]
+    lines.append("")
+
+    if regressions:
+        lines.extend(
+            [
+                f"{len(regressions)} benchmark(s) regressed beyond the configured threshold.",
+                "",
+                "| Benchmark | Baseline | Current | Change |",
+                "| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |",
+            ]
+        )
+        for comparison in regressions:
+            lines.append(
+                "| "
+                f"{comparison.name} | "
+                f"{_format_value(comparison.baseline, comparison.unit)} | "
+                f"{_format_value(comparison.current, comparison.unit)} | "
+                f"{comparison.delta_percent:+.2f}% |"
+            )
+    else:
+        lines.append("No benchmark regression exceeded the configured threshold.")
+
+    lines.append("")
+
+    if improvements:
+        lines.extend(
+            [
+                f"{len(improvements)} benchmark(s) improved beyond the configured threshold.",
+                "",
+                "| Benchmark | Baseline | Current | Change |",
+                "| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |",
+            ]
+        )
+        for comparison in improvements:
+            lines.append(
+                "| "
+                f"{comparison.name} | "
+                f"{_format_value(comparison.baseline, comparison.unit)} | "
+                f"{_format_value(comparison.current, comparison.unit)} | "
+                f"{comparison.delta_percent:+.2f}% |"
+            )
+    else:
+        lines.append("No benchmark improvement exceeded the configured threshold.")
+
+    if sorted_comparisons:
+        lines.extend(
+            [
+                "",
+                "<details>",
+                "<summary>All benchmark results</summary>",
+                "",
+                "| Benchmark | Baseline | Current | Change | Status |",
+                "| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | --- |",
+            ]
+        )
+        for comparison in sorted_comparisons:
+            lines.append(
+                "| "
+                f"{comparison.name} | "
+                f"{_format_value(comparison.baseline, comparison.unit)} | "
+                f"{_format_value(comparison.current, comparison.unit)} | "
+                f"{comparison.delta_percent:+.2f}% | "
+                f"{_format_status(comparison)} |"
+            )
+        lines.extend(["", "</details>"])
+
+    if missing_in_current:
+        lines.extend(["", "Missing benchmarks in the current run:"])
+        lines.extend(f"- `{name}`" for name in missing_in_current)
+
+    if new_in_current:
+        lines.extend(["", "New benchmarks in the current run:"])
+        lines.extend(f"- `{name}`" for name in new_in_current)
+
+    path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    path.write_text("\n".join(lines) + "\n", encoding="utf-8")
+
+
+def main() -> int:
+    """Run the benchmark comparison command line interface.
+
+    Returns:
+        int: ``1`` when a regression exceeds the threshold, otherwise ``0``.
+    """
+
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser()
+    parser.add_argument("--baseline", required=True, type=Path)
+    parser.add_argument("--current", required=True, type=Path)
+    parser.add_argument("--summary", required=True, type=Path)
+    parser.add_argument("--threshold-percent", required=True, type=float)
+    parser.add_argument("--higher-is-better", action="store_true")
+    args = parser.parse_args()
+
+    baseline = extract_benchmarks(args.baseline)
+    current = extract_benchmarks(args.current)
+    comparisons, missing_in_current, new_in_current = compare_benchmarks(
+        baseline=baseline,
+        current=current,
+        threshold_percent=args.threshold_percent,
+        higher_is_better=args.higher_is_better,
+    )
+
+    write_summary(
+        path=args.summary,
+        comparisons=comparisons,
+        missing_in_current=missing_in_current,
+        new_in_current=new_in_current,
+        threshold_percent=args.threshold_percent,
+        higher_is_better=args.higher_is_better,
+    )
+
+    return 1 if any(comparison.regressed for comparison in comparisons) else 0
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    raise SystemExit(main())

.github/scripts/run_benchmarks.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+
+##########################
+### AI-generated file. ###
+##########################
+
+set -euo pipefail
+
+mkdir -p benchmark-results
+benchmark_json="${BENCHMARK_JSON:-benchmark-results/current.json}"
+benchmark_root="$(dirname "$benchmark_json")"
+hyperfine_benchmark_dir="${BENCHMARK_HYPERFINE_DIR:-tests/benchmarks/hyperfine}"
+pytest_benchmark_dirs="${BENCHMARK_PYTEST_DIRS:-${BENCHMARK_PYTEST_DIR:-}}"
+benchmark_work_dir="$benchmark_root/raw-results"
+hyperfine_json_dir="$benchmark_work_dir/hyperfine"
+pytest_json="$benchmark_work_dir/pytest.json"
+
+shopt -s nullglob
+benchmark_scripts=()
+benchmark_scripts=("$hyperfine_benchmark_dir"/benchmark_*.sh)
+shopt -u nullglob
+
+pytest_dirs=()
+for pytest_benchmark_dir in $pytest_benchmark_dirs; do
+  if [ -d "$pytest_benchmark_dir" ]; then
+    pytest_dirs+=("$pytest_benchmark_dir")
+  else
+    echo "Pytest benchmark directory not found: $pytest_benchmark_dir" >&2
+    exit 1
+  fi
+done
+
+if [ "${#benchmark_scripts[@]}" -eq 0 ] && [ "${#pytest_dirs[@]}" -eq 0 ]; then
+  echo "No benchmark scripts or pytest benchmarks found" >&2
+  exit 1
+fi
+
+echo "Benchmark Python: $(command -v python)"
+python -c 'import sys; print(sys.version)'
+
+rm -rf "$benchmark_work_dir"
+mkdir -p "$hyperfine_json_dir"
+
+if [ "${#benchmark_scripts[@]}" -gt 0 ]; then
+  for benchmark_script in "${benchmark_scripts[@]}"; do
+    title="$(sed -n 's/^# BENCHMARK_TITLE:[[:space:]]*//p' "$benchmark_script" | head -n 1)"
+    if [ -z "$title" ]; then
+      title="$(basename "$benchmark_script" .sh)"
+    fi
+    benchmark_name="$(basename "$benchmark_script" .sh)"
+    benchmark_result_json="$hyperfine_json_dir/$benchmark_name.json"
+    echo "Preflight benchmark script: $benchmark_script"
+    bash "$benchmark_script"
+
+    hyperfine \
+      --show-output \
+      --warmup 1 \
+      --runs 5 \
+      --command-name "$title" \
+      --export-json "$benchmark_result_json" \
+      "bash $(printf "%q" "$benchmark_script")"
+  done
+fi
+
+if [ "${#pytest_dirs[@]}" -gt 0 ]; then
+  pytest \
+    -q "${pytest_dirs[@]}" \
+    --benchmark-only \
+    --benchmark-json "$pytest_json"
+fi
+
+python .github/scripts/aggregate_benchmarks.py \
+  --input-dir "$benchmark_work_dir" \
+  --output "$benchmark_json"

.github/scripts/run_with_bec_servers.py

@@ -0,0 +1,125 @@
+##########################
+### AI-generated file. ###
+##########################
+
+"""Run a command with BEC e2e services available."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import argparse
+import os
+import shutil
+import subprocess
+import tempfile
+import time
+from pathlib import Path
+
+import bec_lib
+from bec_ipython_client import BECIPythonClient
+from bec_lib.redis_connector import RedisConnector
+from bec_lib.service_config import ServiceConfig, ServiceConfigModel
+from redis import Redis
+
+
+def _wait_for_redis(host: str, port: int) -> None:
+    client = Redis(host=host, port=port)
+    deadline = time.monotonic() + 10
+    while time.monotonic() < deadline:
+        try:
+            if client.ping():
+                return
+        except Exception:
+            time.sleep(0.1)
+    raise RuntimeError(f"Redis did not start on {host}:{port}")
+
+
+def _start_redis(files_path: Path, host: str, port: int) -> subprocess.Popen:
+    redis_server = shutil.which("redis-server")
+    if redis_server is None:
+        raise RuntimeError("redis-server executable not found")
+
+    return subprocess.Popen(
+        [
+            redis_server,
+            "--bind",
+            host,
+            "--port",
+            str(port),
+            "--save",
+            "",
+            "--appendonly",
+            "no",
+            "--dir",
+            str(files_path),
+        ]
+    )
+
+
+def _write_configs(files_path: Path, host: str, port: int) -> Path:
+    test_config = files_path / "test_config.yaml"
+    services_config = files_path / "services_config.yaml"
+
+    bec_lib_path = Path(bec_lib.__file__).resolve().parent
+    shutil.copyfile(bec_lib_path / "tests" / "test_config.yaml", test_config)
+
+    service_config = ServiceConfigModel(
+        redis={"host": host, "port": port}, file_writer={"base_path": str(files_path)}
+    )
+    services_config.write_text(service_config.model_dump_json(indent=4), encoding="utf-8")
+    return services_config
+
+
+def _load_demo_config(services_config: Path) -> None:
+    bec = BECIPythonClient(ServiceConfig(services_config), RedisConnector, forced=True)
+    bec.start()
+    try:
+        bec.config.load_demo_config()
+    finally:
+        bec.shutdown()
+        bec._client._reset_singleton()
+
+
+def main() -> int:
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser()
+    parser.add_argument("command", nargs=argparse.REMAINDER)
+    args = parser.parse_args()
+
+    if args.command[:1] == ["--"]:
+        args.command = args.command[1:]
+    if not args.command:
+        raise ValueError("No command provided")
+
+    host = "127.0.0.1"
+    port = 6379
+
+    with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory(prefix="bec-benchmark-") as tmp:
+        files_path = Path(tmp)
+        services_config = _write_configs(files_path, host, port)
+        redis_process = _start_redis(files_path, host, port)
+        processes = None
+        service_handler = None
+        try:
+            _wait_for_redis(host, port)
+
+            from bec_server.bec_server_utils.service_handler import ServiceHandler
+
+            service_handler = ServiceHandler(
+                bec_path=files_path, config_path=services_config, interface="subprocess"
+            )
+            processes = service_handler.start()
+            _load_demo_config(services_config)
+
+            env = os.environ.copy()
+            return subprocess.run(args.command, env=env, check=False).returncode
+        finally:
+            if service_handler is not None and processes is not None:
+                service_handler.stop(processes)
+            redis_process.terminate()
+            try:
+                redis_process.wait(timeout=10)
+            except subprocess.TimeoutExpired:
+                redis_process.kill()
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    raise SystemExit(main())

.github/workflows/benchmark.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,242 @@
+name: BW Benchmarks
+
+on: [ workflow_call ]
+
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+
+env:
+  BENCHMARK_JSON: benchmark-results/current.json
+  BENCHMARK_BASELINE_JSON: gh-pages-benchmark-data/benchmarks/latest.json
+  BENCHMARK_SUMMARY: benchmark-results/summary.md
+  BENCHMARK_COMMAND: "bash .github/scripts/run_benchmarks.sh"
+  BENCHMARK_THRESHOLD_PERCENT: 20
+  BENCHMARK_HIGHER_IS_BETTER: false
+
+jobs:
+  benchmark_attempt:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    continue-on-error: true
+    permissions:
+      contents: read
+    defaults:
+      run:
+        shell: bash -el {0}
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        attempt: [ 1, 2, 3 ]
+
+    env:
+      BENCHMARK_JSON: benchmark-results/current-${{ matrix.attempt }}.json
+      BEC_CORE_BRANCH: main
+      OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH: main
+      PLUGIN_REPO_BRANCH: main
+      BENCHMARK_PYTEST_DIRS: tests/unit_tests/benchmarks
+      QTWEBENGINE_DISABLE_SANDBOX: 1
+      QT_QPA_PLATFORM: "offscreen"
+
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout BEC Widgets
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        with:
+          repository: bec-project/bec_widgets
+          ref: ${{ github.event.pull_request.head.sha || github.sha }}
+
+      - name: Set up Conda
+        uses: conda-incubator/setup-miniconda@v3
+        with:
+          auto-update-conda: true
+          auto-activate-base: true
+          python-version: "3.11"
+
+      - name: Install system dependencies
+        run: |
+          sudo apt-get update
+          sudo apt-get install -y libgl1 libegl1 x11-utils libxkbcommon-x11-0 libdbus-1-3 xvfb
+          sudo apt-get -y install libnss3 libxdamage1 libasound2t64 libatomic1 libxcursor1
+          sudo apt-get -y install ttyd hyperfine redis-server
+
+      - name: Install full e2e environment
+        run: |
+          echo -e "\033[35;1m Using branch $BEC_CORE_BRANCH of BEC CORE \033[0;m";
+          git clone --branch "$BEC_CORE_BRANCH" https://github.com/bec-project/bec.git
+          echo -e "\033[35;1m Using branch $OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH of OPHYD_DEVICES \033[0;m";
+          git clone --branch "$OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH" https://github.com/bec-project/ophyd_devices.git
+          export OHPYD_DEVICES_PATH=$PWD/ophyd_devices
+          echo -e "\033[35;1m Using branch $PLUGIN_REPO_BRANCH of bec_testing_plugin \033[0;m";
+          git clone --branch "$PLUGIN_REPO_BRANCH" https://github.com/bec-project/bec_testing_plugin.git
+          cd ./bec
+          conda create -q -n test-environment python=3.11
+          conda activate test-environment
+          source ./bin/install_bec_dev.sh -t
+          cd ../
+          python -m pip install -e ./ophyd_devices -e .[dev,pyside6] -e ./bec_testing_plugin pytest-benchmark
+
+          mkdir -p "$(dirname "$BENCHMARK_JSON")"
+          python .github/scripts/run_with_bec_servers.py -- bash -lc "$BENCHMARK_COMMAND"
+          test -s "$BENCHMARK_JSON"
+
+      - name: Upload benchmark artifact
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: bw-benchmark-json-${{ matrix.attempt }}
+          path: ${{ env.BENCHMARK_JSON }}
+
+  benchmark:
+    needs: [ benchmark_attempt ]
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    permissions:
+      contents: read
+      issues: write
+      pull-requests: write
+
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout BEC Widgets
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        with:
+          repository: bec-project/bec_widgets
+          ref: ${{ github.event.pull_request.head.sha || github.sha }}
+
+      - name: Download benchmark attempts
+        uses: actions/download-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          pattern: bw-benchmark-json-*
+          path: benchmark-results/attempts
+          merge-multiple: true
+
+      - name: Aggregate benchmark attempts
+        run: |
+          python .github/scripts/aggregate_benchmarks.py \
+            --input-dir benchmark-results/attempts \
+            --output "$BENCHMARK_JSON"
+
+      - name: Upload aggregate benchmark artifact
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: bw-benchmark-json
+          path: ${{ env.BENCHMARK_JSON }}
+
+      - name: Fetch gh-pages benchmark data
+        run: |
+          if git ls-remote --exit-code --heads origin gh-pages; then
+            git clone --depth=1 --branch gh-pages "$GITHUB_SERVER_URL/$GITHUB_REPOSITORY.git" gh-pages-benchmark-data
+          else
+            mkdir -p gh-pages-benchmark-data
+          fi
+
+      - name: Compare with latest gh-pages benchmark
+        id: compare
+        continue-on-error: true
+        run: |
+          if [ ! -s "$BENCHMARK_BASELINE_JSON" ]; then
+            mkdir -p "$(dirname "$BENCHMARK_SUMMARY")"
+            {
+              echo "<!-- bw-benchmark-comment -->"
+              echo "## Benchmark comparison"
+              echo
+              echo "No benchmark baseline was found on gh-pages."
+            } > "$BENCHMARK_SUMMARY"
+            exit 0
+          fi
+
+          args=(
+            --baseline "$BENCHMARK_BASELINE_JSON"
+            --current "$BENCHMARK_JSON"
+            --summary "$BENCHMARK_SUMMARY"
+            --threshold-percent "$BENCHMARK_THRESHOLD_PERCENT"
+          )
+
+          if [ "$BENCHMARK_HIGHER_IS_BETTER" = "true" ]; then
+            args+=(--higher-is-better)
+          fi
+
+          set +e
+          python .github/scripts/compare_benchmarks.py "${args[@]}"
+          status=$?
+          set -e
+
+          if [ ! -s "$BENCHMARK_SUMMARY" ]; then
+            mkdir -p "$(dirname "$BENCHMARK_SUMMARY")"
+            {
+              echo "<!-- bw-benchmark-comment -->"
+              echo "## Benchmark comparison"
+              echo
+              echo "Benchmark comparison failed before writing a summary."
+            } > "$BENCHMARK_SUMMARY"
+          fi
+
+          exit "$status"
+
+      - name: Find existing benchmark PR comment
+        if: github.event_name == 'pull_request'
+        id: fc
+        uses: peter-evans/find-comment@v3
+        with:
+          issue-number: ${{ github.event.pull_request.number }}
+          comment-author: github-actions[bot]
+          body-includes: "<!-- bw-benchmark-comment -->"
+
+      - name: Create or update benchmark PR comment
+        if: github.event_name == 'pull_request'
+        uses: peter-evans/create-or-update-comment@v5
+        with:
+          issue-number: ${{ github.event.pull_request.number }}
+          comment-id: ${{ steps.fc.outputs.comment-id }}
+          body-path: ${{ env.BENCHMARK_SUMMARY }}
+          edit-mode: replace
+
+      - name: Fail on benchmark regression
+        if: github.event_name == 'pull_request' && steps.compare.outcome == 'failure'
+        run: exit 1
+
+  publish:
+    needs: [ benchmark ]
+    if: github.event_name == 'push' && github.ref == 'refs/heads/main'
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
+
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout BEC Widgets
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        with:
+          repository: bec-project/bec_widgets
+          ref: ${{ github.sha }}
+
+      - name: Download aggregate benchmark artifact
+        uses: actions/download-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: bw-benchmark-json
+          path: benchmark-results
+
+      - name: Verify aggregate benchmark artifact
+        run: test -s "$BENCHMARK_JSON"
+
+      - name: Prepare gh-pages for publishing
+        run: |
+          # Clean up any existing worktree/directory
+          if [ -d gh-pages-benchmark-data ]; then
+            git worktree remove gh-pages-benchmark-data --force || rm -rf gh-pages-benchmark-data
+          fi
+
+          if git ls-remote --exit-code --heads origin gh-pages; then
+            git fetch --depth=1 origin gh-pages
+            git worktree add gh-pages-benchmark-data FETCH_HEAD
+          else
+            git worktree add --detach gh-pages-benchmark-data
+            git -C gh-pages-benchmark-data checkout --orphan gh-pages
+            git -C gh-pages-benchmark-data rm -rf .
+          fi
+
+      - name: Publish benchmark data to gh-pages
+        working-directory: gh-pages-benchmark-data
+        run: |
+          mkdir -p benchmarks/history
+          cp "../$BENCHMARK_JSON" benchmarks/latest.json
+          cp "../$BENCHMARK_JSON" "benchmarks/history/${GITHUB_SHA}.json"
+          git config user.name "github-actions[bot]"
+          git config user.email "41898282+github-actions[bot]@users.noreply.github.com"
+          git add benchmarks/latest.json "benchmarks/history/${GITHUB_SHA}.json"
+          git commit -m "Update BW benchmark data for ${GITHUB_SHA}" || exit 0
+          git push origin HEAD:gh-pages

.github/workflows/ci.yml

@@ -1,19 +1,19 @@
 name: Full CI
-on: 
+on:
   push:
   pull_request:
   workflow_dispatch:
     inputs:
       BEC_WIDGETS_BRANCH:
-        description: 'Branch of BEC Widgets to install'
+        description: "Branch of BEC Widgets to install"
         required: false
         type: string
       BEC_CORE_BRANCH:
-        description: 'Branch of BEC Core to install'
+        description: "Branch of BEC Core to install"
         required: false
         type: string
       OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH:
-        description: 'Branch of Ophyd Devices to install'
+        description: "Branch of Ophyd Devices to install"
         required: false
         type: string
 
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ concurrency:
 
 permissions:
   pull-requests: write
+  contents: read
 
 jobs:
   check_pr_status:
@@ -33,6 +34,15 @@ jobs:
     if: needs.check_pr_status.outputs.branch-pr == ''
     uses: ./.github/workflows/formatter.yml
 
+  benchmark:
+    needs: [check_pr_status]
+    if: needs.check_pr_status.outputs.branch-pr == ''
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
+      issues: write
+      pull-requests: write
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/benchmark.yml
+
   unit-test:
     needs: [check_pr_status, formatter]
     if: needs.check_pr_status.outputs.branch-pr == ''
@@ -69,9 +79,9 @@ jobs:
     uses: ./.github/workflows/child_repos.yml
     with:
       BEC_CORE_BRANCH: ${{ inputs.BEC_CORE_BRANCH || 'main' }}
-      OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH: ${{ inputs.OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH || 'main'}} 
+      OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH: ${{ inputs.OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH || 'main'}}
       BEC_WIDGETS_BRANCH: ${{ inputs.BEC_WIDGETS_BRANCH || github.head_ref || github.sha }}
-  
+
   plugin_repos:
     needs: [check_pr_status, formatter]
     if: needs.check_pr_status.outputs.branch-pr == ''
@@ -81,4 +91,4 @@ jobs:
       BEC_WIDGETS_BRANCH: ${{ inputs.BEC_WIDGETS_BRANCH || github.head_ref || github.sha }}
 
     secrets:
-      GH_READ_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GH_READ_TOKEN }}
+      GH_READ_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GH_READ_TOKEN }}

.github/workflows/pytest-matrix.yml

@@ -1,25 +1,25 @@
 name: Run Pytest with different Python versions
-on: 
+on:
   workflow_call:
     inputs:
       pr_number:
-        description: 'Pull request number'
+        description: "Pull request number"
         required: false
         type: number
       BEC_CORE_BRANCH:
-        description: 'Branch of BEC Core to install'
+        description: "Branch of BEC Core to install"
         required: false
-        default: 'main'
+        default: "main"
         type: string
       OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH:
-        description: 'Branch of Ophyd Devices to install'
+        description: "Branch of Ophyd Devices to install"
         required: false
-        default: 'main'
+        default: "main"
         type: string
       BEC_WIDGETS_BRANCH:
-        description: 'Branch of BEC Widgets to install'
+        description: "Branch of BEC Widgets to install"
         required: false
-        default: 'main'
+        default: "main"
         type: string
 
 jobs:
@@ -30,15 +30,14 @@ jobs:
         python-version: ["3.11", "3.12", "3.13"]
 
     env:
-      BEC_WIDGETS_BRANCH: main  # Set the branch you want for bec_widgets
-      BEC_CORE_BRANCH: main        # Set the branch you want for bec
-      OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH: main   # Set the branch you want for ophyd_devices
+      BEC_WIDGETS_BRANCH: main # Set the branch you want for bec_widgets
+      BEC_CORE_BRANCH: main # Set the branch you want for bec
+      OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH: main # Set the branch you want for ophyd_devices
       PROJECT_PATH: ${{ github.repository }}
       QTWEBENGINE_DISABLE_SANDBOX: 1
       QT_QPA_PLATFORM: "offscreen"
 
     steps:
-
       - name: Checkout BEC Widgets
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
         with:
@@ -56,4 +55,4 @@ jobs:
       - name: Run Pytest
         run: |
           pip install pytest pytest-random-order
-          pytest -v --junitxml=report.xml --random-order ./tests/unit_tests
+          pytest -v --junitxml=report.xml --random-order --ignore=tests/unit_tests/benchmarks ./tests/unit_tests

.github/workflows/pytest.yml

@@ -1,32 +1,30 @@
 name: Run Pytest with Coverage
-on: 
+on:
   workflow_call:
     inputs:
       pr_number:
-        description: 'Pull request number'
+        description: "Pull request number"
         required: false
         type: number
       BEC_CORE_BRANCH:
-        description: 'Branch of BEC Core to install'
+        description: "Branch of BEC Core to install"
         required: false
-        default: 'main'
+        default: "main"
         type: string
       OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH:
-        description: 'Branch of Ophyd Devices to install'
+        description: "Branch of Ophyd Devices to install"
         required: false
-        default: 'main'
+        default: "main"
         type: string
       BEC_WIDGETS_BRANCH:
-        description: 'Branch of BEC Widgets to install'
+        description: "Branch of BEC Widgets to install"
         required: false
-        default: 'main'
+        default: "main"
         type: string
     secrets:
       CODECOV_TOKEN:
         required: true
 
-
-
 permissions:
   pull-requests: write
 
@@ -55,7 +53,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Run Pytest with Coverage
         id: coverage
-        run: pytest --random-order --cov=bec_widgets --cov-config=pyproject.toml --cov-branch --cov-report=xml --no-cov-on-fail tests/unit_tests/
+        run: pytest --random-order --cov=bec_widgets --cov-config=pyproject.toml --cov-branch --cov-report=xml --no-cov-on-fail --ignore=tests/unit_tests/benchmarks tests/unit_tests/
 
       - name: Upload test artifacts
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
@@ -69,4 +67,4 @@ jobs:
         uses: codecov/codecov-action@v5
         with:
           token: ${{ secrets.CODECOV_TOKEN }}
-          slug: bec-project/bec_widgets
+          slug: bec-project/bec_widgets

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -1,6 +1,195 @@
 # CHANGELOG
 
 
+## v3.8.0 (2026-05-01)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **dock_area**: Change to show_dialo=False for CLI profile baseline restore
+  ([`0b1f0b4`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/0b1f0b4c262ff31469b7114b9f00bf0a7b85e8f2))
+
+- **dock_area**: Cli call load_profile has restore_baseline kwarg
+  ([`cc82597`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/cc825972c202cd9ded32f8b2d1ce5f822c2ebdba))
+
+### Features
+
+- **dock_area**: Add CLI restore current profile from baseline with optional confirmation dialog
+  ([`17865a2`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/17865a2c338a4a1f944659dde4ec05c25a8dd963))
+
+
+## v3.7.3 (2026-05-01)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **dock_area**: Profile names changed, default->baseline, user->runtime
+  ([`dd32caf`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/dd32caf6e815fd1922b6aae84d00decad9dbf869))
+
+### Testing
+
+- **dock_area**: Remove low-value tests
+  ([`717d74b`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/717d74b19e8c6960209190c47ba32732ffaa0094))
+
+
+## v3.7.2 (2026-04-29)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **dock-area**: Avoid switching profile when saving new profile
+  ([`73b44cf`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/73b44cffb219347cacb609f3b93068eda6701b42))
+
+- **workspace-actions**: Use try/finally and restore previous blocked state in refresh_profiles
+  ([`30ef255`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/30ef25533af9df5a9bd9e69808dc49fdf22f4318))
+
+Agent-Logs-Url:
+  https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/sessions/004cb4bc-5015-485e-a803-1e63876b7024
+
+Co-authored-by: wyzula-jan <133381102+wyzula-jan@users.noreply.github.com>
+
+### Build System
+
+- Add pytest-benchmark dependency
+  ([`551d38d`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/551d38d90111361e64bfcf10a1409be71dd298bc))
+
+### Chores
+
+- Update header comments in script files to indicate AI generation
+  ([`3f1aa80`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/3f1aa80756368454c3631cb6cf9d29db28af177a))
+
+### Continuous Integration
+
+- Add benchmark workflow
+  ([`999b7a2`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/999b7a2321f2f222c04b056a2db4280f66de9c48))
+
+- Fix benchmark upload
+  ([`19b5c8f`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/19b5c8f724dbdb7421957c290f9213bf072392df))
+
+- Increase threshold to 20 percent
+  ([`409c9e5`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/409c9e5bfacdfc003f1bc8c9944f01798bd3818e))
+
+### Testing
+
+- Fix assertions after updating ophyd devices templates
+  ([`a614d66`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/a614d662d6da716a49afb4ed3a3903f108210386))
+
+Co-authored-by: Copilot <copilot@github.com>
+
+- Remove references to "scan_motors" in tests
+  ([`5056ef8`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/5056ef8946d03a20e802709d3fe81c84c195fe41))
+
+
+## v3.7.1 (2026-04-21)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **heatmap**: Fix access to status from metadata
+  ([`55694ff`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/55694ff2b96581e03c63c8b8e068e2db79bcf780))
+
+### Testing
+
+- Fix exit status and status access in tests
+  ([`91afc77`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/91afc775d59b4ba31bed3585847a67c301acf9b0))
+
+
+## v3.7.0 (2026-04-21)
+
+### Features
+
+- Move companion app to applications
+  ([`0cf84cd`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/0cf84cd1d839ac4a39ffb5fb9ba57d432e04348a))
+
+### Refactoring
+
+- Cleanup of imports
+  ([`3e77f54`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/3e77f540345f56b9f184a332fcdd50d4d4c8c621))
+
+
+## v3.6.0 (2026-04-21)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- Change resize mode to interactive
+  ([`a5db2dc`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/a5db2dc340f3386e68b300fd4528a44f87cbbf97))
+
+- Small usability changes
+  ([`5a497c3`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/5a497c3598c2d8f27916d91d53c646d5d6d3a4a7))
+
+### Features
+
+- Add button/slot to pause/unpause logs
+  ([`23e3644`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/23e3644619de958bcfdb8a0b2ee1f7c2ce05b235))
+
+- Add logpanel to menu
+  ([`2e8f43f`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/2e8f43fcac581cd1c227308198565d142a1bf276))
+
+- Migrate logpanel to table model/view
+  ([`09bb112`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/09bb1121d83bac1f6e4827daa476fbe7cd5b3a80))
+
+
+## v3.5.1 (2026-04-20)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- Don't assume attr exists if we timed out waiting for it
+  ([`f7a1ee4`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/f7a1ee49a42c58ba315c8957b45a80d862ffe745))
+
+### Refactoring
+
+- Don't import real widgets in client
+  ([`8e51c1a`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/8e51c1adb6a7658c54846794cf97b774cbac2193))
+
+
+## v3.5.0 (2026-04-14)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- Connect signals the correct way around
+  ([`f562c61`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/f562c61e3cec3387f6821bad74403beeb3436355))
+
+- Create new bec shell if deleted
+  ([`1754e75`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/1754e759f0c59f2f4063f661bacd334127326947))
+
+- Formatting in plugin template
+  ([`fa2ef83`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/fa2ef83bb9dfeeb4c5fc7cd77168c16101c32693))
+
+- **bec_console**: Persistent bec session
+  ([`9b0ec9d`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/9b0ec9dd79ad1adc5d211dd703db7441da965f34))
+
+### Features
+
+- Add qtermwidget plugin and replace web term
+  ([`02cb393`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/02cb393bb086165dc64917b633d5570d02e1a2a9))
+
+### Refactoring
+
+- Code cleanup
+  ([`bda5d38`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/bda5d389651bb2b13734cd31159679e85b1bd583))
+
+
+## v3.4.4 (2026-04-14)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- Check duplicate stream sub
+  ([`c7de320`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/c7de320ca564264a31b84931f553170f25659685))
+
+- Check for duplicate subscriptions in GUIClient
+  ([`37747ba`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/37747babda407040333c6bd04646be9a49e0ee81))
+
+- Make gui client registry callback non static
+  ([`32f5d48`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/32f5d486d3fc8d41df2668c58932ae982819b285))
+
+- Remove staticmethod subscription
+  ([`0ff1fdc`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/0ff1fdc81578eec3ffc5d4030fca7b357a0b4c2f))
+
+
+## v3.4.3 (2026-04-13)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- Set OPHYD_CONTROL_LAYER to dummy for tests
+  ([`5e84d3b`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/5e84d3bec608ae9f2ee6dae67db2e3e1387b1f59))
+
+
 ## v3.4.2 (2026-04-01)
 
 ### Bug Fixes

bec_widgets/__init__.py

@@ -1,19 +1,13 @@
-import os
-import sys
-
-import bec_widgets.widgets.containers.qt_ads as QtAds
-from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
-from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
-
-if sys.platform.startswith("linux"):
-    qt_platform = os.environ.get("QT_QPA_PLATFORM", "")
-    if qt_platform != "offscreen":
-        os.environ["QT_QPA_PLATFORM"] = "xcb"
-
-# Default QtAds configuration
-QtAds.CDockManager.setConfigFlag(QtAds.CDockManager.eConfigFlag.FocusHighlighting, True)
-QtAds.CDockManager.setConfigFlag(
-    QtAds.CDockManager.eConfigFlag.RetainTabSizeWhenCloseButtonHidden, True
-)
-
 __all__ = ["BECWidget", "SafeSlot", "SafeProperty"]
+
+
+def __getattr__(name):
+    if name == "BECWidget":
+        from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+
+        return BECWidget
+    if name in {"SafeSlot", "SafeProperty"}:
+        from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
+
+        return {"SafeSlot": SafeSlot, "SafeProperty": SafeProperty}[name]
+    raise AttributeError(f"module {__name__!r} has no attribute {name!r}")

bec_widgets/applications/__init__.py

@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+import os
+import sys
+
+import bec_widgets.widgets.containers.qt_ads as QtAds
+
+if sys.platform.startswith("linux"):
+    qt_platform = os.environ.get("QT_QPA_PLATFORM", "")
+    if qt_platform != "offscreen":
+        os.environ["QT_QPA_PLATFORM"] = "xcb"
+
+# Default QtAds configuration
+QtAds.CDockManager.setConfigFlag(QtAds.CDockManager.eConfigFlag.FocusHighlighting, True)
+QtAds.CDockManager.setConfigFlag(
+    QtAds.CDockManager.eConfigFlag.RetainTabSizeWhenCloseButtonHidden, True
+)

bec_widgets/applications/companion_app.py

@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
 import bec_widgets
 from bec_widgets.applications.launch_window import LaunchWindow
-from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_register import RPCRegister
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher import BECDispatcher
+from bec_widgets.utils.rpc_register import RPCRegister
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 

bec_widgets/applications/launch_window.py

@@ -20,13 +20,13 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
 )
 
 import bec_widgets
-from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_register import RPCRegister
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_plugin_helper import get_all_plugin_widgets
 from bec_widgets.utils.container_utils import WidgetContainerUtils
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.name_utils import pascal_to_snake
 from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import get_plugin_auto_updates
 from bec_widgets.utils.round_frame import RoundedFrame
+from bec_widgets.utils.rpc_register import RPCRegister
 from bec_widgets.utils.screen_utils import apply_window_geometry, centered_geometry_for_app
 from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.toolbar import ModularToolBar
 from bec_widgets.utils.ui_loader import UILoader

bec_widgets/cli/__init__.py

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+from bec_widgets.cli.rpc import rpc_base

bec_widgets/cli/client.py

@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ from typing import Literal, Optional
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 
 from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_base import RPCBase, rpc_call, rpc_timeout
-from bec_widgets.utils.bec_plugin_helper import get_all_plugin_widgets, get_plugin_client_module
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_plugin_helper import get_plugin_client_module
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
@@ -62,29 +62,19 @@ _Widgets = {
 
 
 try:
-    _plugin_widgets = get_all_plugin_widgets().as_dict()
     plugin_client = get_plugin_client_module()
-    Widgets = _WidgetsEnumType("Widgets", {name: name for name in _plugin_widgets} | _Widgets)
-
-    if (_overlap := _Widgets.keys() & _plugin_widgets.keys()) != set():
-        for _widget in _overlap:
-            logger.warning(
-                f"Detected duplicate widget {_widget} in plugin repo file: {inspect.getfile(_plugin_widgets[_widget])} !"
-            )
     for plugin_name, plugin_class in inspect.getmembers(plugin_client, inspect.isclass):
         if issubclass(plugin_class, RPCBase) and plugin_class is not RPCBase:
+            if plugin_name not in _Widgets:
+                _Widgets[plugin_name] = plugin_name
             if plugin_name in globals():
-                conflicting_file = (
-                    inspect.getfile(_plugin_widgets[plugin_name])
-                    if plugin_name in _plugin_widgets
-                    else f"{plugin_client}"
-                )
                 logger.warning(
-                    f"Plugin widget {plugin_name} from {conflicting_file} conflicts with a built-in class!"
+                    f"Plugin widget {plugin_name} in {plugin_class._IMPORT_MODULE} conflicts with a built-in class!"
                 )
                 continue
-            if plugin_name not in _overlap:
+            else:
                 globals()[plugin_name] = plugin_class
+        Widgets = _WidgetsEnumType("Widgets", _Widgets)
 except ImportError as e:
     logger.error(f"Failed loading plugins: \n{reduce(add, traceback.format_exception(e))}")
 
@@ -92,6 +82,8 @@ except ImportError as e:
 class AdminView(RPCBase):
     """A view for administrators to change the current active experiment, manage messaging"""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.applications.views.admin_view.admin_view"
+
     @rpc_call
     def activate(self) -> "None":
         """
@@ -100,6 +92,8 @@ class AdminView(RPCBase):
 
 
 class AutoUpdates(RPCBase):
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.containers.auto_update.auto_updates"
+
     @property
     @rpc_call
     def enabled(self) -> "bool":
@@ -136,6 +130,8 @@ class AutoUpdates(RPCBase):
 
 
 class AvailableDeviceResources(RPCBase):
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_manager.components.available_device_resources.available_device_resources"
+
     @rpc_call
     def remove(self):
         """
@@ -156,6 +152,8 @@ class AvailableDeviceResources(RPCBase):
 
 
 class BECDockArea(RPCBase):
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.dock_area"
+
     @rpc_call
     def new(
         self,
@@ -342,10 +340,10 @@ class BECDockArea(RPCBase):
         Save the current workspace profile.
 
         On first save of a given name:
-          - writes a default copy to states/default/<name>.ini with tag=default and created_at
-          - writes a user copy   to states/user/<name>.ini    with tag=user    and created_at
-        On subsequent saves of user-owned profiles:
-          - updates both the default and user copies so restore uses the latest snapshot.
+          - writes a baseline copy to profiles/baseline/<name>.ini with created_at
+          - writes a runtime copy to profiles/runtime/<name>.ini with created_at
+        On subsequent saves:
+          - updates both the baseline and runtime copies so restore uses the latest snapshot.
         Read-only bundled profiles cannot be overwritten.
 
         Args:
@@ -360,15 +358,31 @@ class BECDockArea(RPCBase):
 
     @rpc_timeout(None)
     @rpc_call
-    def load_profile(self, name: "str | None" = None):
+    def load_profile(self, name: "str | None" = None, restore_baseline: "bool" = False):
         """
         Load a workspace profile.
 
-        Before switching, persist the current profile to the user copy.
-        Prefer loading the user copy; fall back to the default copy.
+        Before switching, persist the current profile to the runtime copy.
+        Prefer loading the runtime copy; fall back to the baseline copy. When
+        ``restore_baseline`` is True, first overwrite the runtime copy with the
+        baseline profile and then load it.
 
         Args:
             name (str | None): The name of the profile to load. If None, prompts the user.
+            restore_baseline (bool): If True, restore the runtime copy from the
+                baseline before loading. Defaults to False.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_timeout(None)
+    @rpc_call
+    def restore_baseline_profile(self, name: "str | None" = None, show_dialog: "bool" = False):
+        """
+        Overwrite the runtime copy of *name* with the baseline.
+        If *name* is None, target the currently active profile.
+
+        Args:
+            name (str | None): The name of the profile to restore. If None, uses the current profile.
+            show_dialog (bool): If True, ask for confirmation before restoring.
         """
 
     @rpc_call
@@ -391,6 +405,8 @@ class BECDockArea(RPCBase):
 
 
 class BECMainWindow(RPCBase):
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.main_window"
+
     @rpc_call
     def remove(self):
         """
@@ -413,6 +429,8 @@ class BECMainWindow(RPCBase):
 class BECProgressBar(RPCBase):
     """A custom progress bar with smooth transitions. The displayed text can be customized using a template."""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.progress.bec_progressbar.bec_progressbar"
+
     @rpc_call
     def set_value(self, value):
         """
@@ -486,6 +504,8 @@ class BECProgressBar(RPCBase):
 class BECQueue(RPCBase):
     """Widget to display the BEC queue."""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.services.bec_queue.bec_queue"
+
     @rpc_call
     def remove(self):
         """
@@ -508,6 +528,8 @@ class BECQueue(RPCBase):
 class BECShell(RPCBase):
     """A BecConsole pre-configured to run the BEC shell."""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.editors.bec_console.bec_console"
+
     @rpc_call
     def remove(self):
         """
@@ -530,6 +552,8 @@ class BECShell(RPCBase):
 class BECStatusBox(RPCBase):
     """An autonomous widget to display the status of BEC services."""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.services.bec_status_box.bec_status_box"
+
     @rpc_call
     def get_server_state(self) -> "str":
         """
@@ -565,6 +589,8 @@ class BECStatusBox(RPCBase):
 class BaseROI(RPCBase):
     """Base class for all Region of Interest (ROI) implementations."""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.plots.roi.image_roi"
+
     @property
     @rpc_call
     def label(self) -> "str":
@@ -694,6 +720,8 @@ class BaseROI(RPCBase):
 class BecConsole(RPCBase):
     """A console widget with access to a shared registry of terminals, such that instances can be moved around."""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.editors.bec_console.bec_console"
+
     @rpc_call
     def remove(self):
         """
@@ -716,6 +744,8 @@ class BecConsole(RPCBase):
 class CircularROI(RPCBase):
     """Circular Region of Interest with center/diameter tracking and auto-labeling."""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.plots.roi.image_roi"
+
     @property
     @rpc_call
     def label(self) -> "str":
@@ -843,6 +873,8 @@ class CircularROI(RPCBase):
 
 
 class Curve(RPCBase):
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.curve"
+
     @rpc_call
     def remove(self):
         """
@@ -1009,6 +1041,8 @@ class Curve(RPCBase):
 class DapComboBox(RPCBase):
     """Editable combobox listing the available DAP models."""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.dap.dap_combo_box.dap_combo_box"
+
     @rpc_call
     def select_y_axis(self, y_axis: str):
         """
@@ -1040,6 +1074,8 @@ class DapComboBox(RPCBase):
 class DeveloperView(RPCBase):
     """A view for users to write scripts and macros and execute them within the application."""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.applications.views.developer_view.developer_view"
+
     @rpc_call
     def activate(self) -> "None":
         """
@@ -1050,6 +1086,8 @@ class DeveloperView(RPCBase):
 class DeviceBrowser(RPCBase):
     """DeviceBrowser is a widget that displays all available devices in the current BEC session."""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.services.device_browser.device_browser"
+
     @rpc_call
     def remove(self):
         """
@@ -1072,6 +1110,8 @@ class DeviceBrowser(RPCBase):
 class DeviceInitializationProgressBar(RPCBase):
     """A progress bar that displays the progress of device initialization."""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.progress.device_initialization_progress_bar.device_initialization_progress_bar"
+
     @rpc_call
     def remove(self):
         """
@@ -1094,6 +1134,8 @@ class DeviceInitializationProgressBar(RPCBase):
 class DeviceInputBase(RPCBase):
     """Mixin base class for device input widgets."""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_input.base_classes.device_input_base"
+
     @rpc_call
     def remove(self):
         """
@@ -1116,6 +1158,8 @@ class DeviceInputBase(RPCBase):
 class DeviceManagerView(RPCBase):
     """A view for users to manage devices within the application."""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.applications.views.device_manager_view.device_manager_view"
+
     @rpc_call
     def activate(self) -> "None":
         """
@@ -1126,6 +1170,8 @@ class DeviceManagerView(RPCBase):
 class DockAreaView(RPCBase):
     """Modular dock area view for arranging and managing multiple dockable widgets."""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.applications.views.dock_area_view.dock_area_view"
+
     @rpc_call
     def activate(self) -> "None":
         """
@@ -1318,10 +1364,10 @@ class DockAreaView(RPCBase):
         Save the current workspace profile.
 
         On first save of a given name:
-          - writes a default copy to states/default/<name>.ini with tag=default and created_at
-          - writes a user copy   to states/user/<name>.ini    with tag=user    and created_at
-        On subsequent saves of user-owned profiles:
-          - updates both the default and user copies so restore uses the latest snapshot.
+          - writes a baseline copy to profiles/baseline/<name>.ini with created_at
+          - writes a runtime copy to profiles/runtime/<name>.ini with created_at
+        On subsequent saves:
+          - updates both the baseline and runtime copies so restore uses the latest snapshot.
         Read-only bundled profiles cannot be overwritten.
 
         Args:
@@ -1336,15 +1382,31 @@ class DockAreaView(RPCBase):
 
     @rpc_timeout(None)
     @rpc_call
-    def load_profile(self, name: "str | None" = None):
+    def load_profile(self, name: "str | None" = None, restore_baseline: "bool" = False):
         """
         Load a workspace profile.
 
-        Before switching, persist the current profile to the user copy.
-        Prefer loading the user copy; fall back to the default copy.
+        Before switching, persist the current profile to the runtime copy.
+        Prefer loading the runtime copy; fall back to the baseline copy. When
+        ``restore_baseline`` is True, first overwrite the runtime copy with the
+        baseline profile and then load it.
 
         Args:
             name (str | None): The name of the profile to load. If None, prompts the user.
+            restore_baseline (bool): If True, restore the runtime copy from the
+                baseline before loading. Defaults to False.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_timeout(None)
+    @rpc_call
+    def restore_baseline_profile(self, name: "str | None" = None, show_dialog: "bool" = False):
+        """
+        Overwrite the runtime copy of *name* with the baseline.
+        If *name* is None, target the currently active profile.
+
+        Args:
+            name (str | None): The name of the profile to restore. If None, uses the current profile.
+            show_dialog (bool): If True, ask for confirmation before restoring.
         """
 
     @rpc_call
@@ -1369,6 +1431,8 @@ class DockAreaView(RPCBase):
 class DockAreaWidget(RPCBase):
     """Lightweight dock area that exposes the core Qt ADS docking helpers without any"""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.basic_dock_area"
+
     @rpc_call
     def new(
         self,
@@ -1553,6 +1617,8 @@ class DockAreaWidget(RPCBase):
 class EllipticalROI(RPCBase):
     """Elliptical Region of Interest with centre/width/height tracking and auto-labelling."""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.plots.roi.image_roi"
+
     @property
     @rpc_call
     def label(self) -> "str":
@@ -1675,6 +1741,8 @@ class EllipticalROI(RPCBase):
 class Heatmap(RPCBase):
     """Heatmap widget for visualizing 2d grid data with color mapping for the z-axis."""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.plots.heatmap.heatmap"
+
     @rpc_call
     def remove(self):
         """
@@ -2373,6 +2441,8 @@ class Heatmap(RPCBase):
 class Image(RPCBase):
     """Image widget for displaying 2D data."""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.plots.image.image"
+
     @rpc_call
     def remove(self):
         """
@@ -2984,6 +3054,8 @@ class Image(RPCBase):
 
 
 class ImageItem(RPCBase):
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.plots.image.image_item"
+
     @property
     @rpc_call
     def color_map(self) -> "str":
@@ -3134,6 +3206,8 @@ class ImageItem(RPCBase):
 
 
 class LaunchWindow(RPCBase):
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.applications.launch_window"
+
     @rpc_call
     def show_launcher(self):
         """
@@ -3148,33 +3222,38 @@ class LaunchWindow(RPCBase):
 
 
 class LogPanel(RPCBase):
-    """Displays a log panel"""
+    """Live display of the BEC logs in a table view."""
+
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.utility.logpanel.logpanel"
 
     @rpc_call
-    def set_plain_text(self, text: str) -> None:
+    def remove(self):
         """
-        Set the plain text of the widget.
-
-        Args:
-            text (str): The text to set.
+        Cleanup the BECConnector
         """
 
     @rpc_call
-    def set_html_text(self, text: str) -> None:
+    def attach(self):
+        """
+        None
         """
-        Set the HTML text of the widget.
 
-        Args:
-            text (str): The text to set.
+    @rpc_call
+    def detach(self):
+        """
+        Detach the widget from its parent dock widget (if widget is in the dock), making it a floating widget.
         """
 
 
-class Minesweeper(RPCBase): ...
+class Minesweeper(RPCBase):
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.games.minesweeper"
 
 
 class MonacoDock(RPCBase):
     """MonacoDock is a dock widget that contains Monaco editor instances."""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.editors.monaco.monaco_dock"
+
     @rpc_call
     def new(
         self,
@@ -3359,6 +3438,8 @@ class MonacoDock(RPCBase):
 class MonacoWidget(RPCBase):
     """A simple Monaco editor widget"""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.editors.monaco.monaco_widget"
+
     @rpc_call
     def set_text(
         self, text: "str", file_name: "str | None" = None, reset: "bool" = False
@@ -3533,6 +3614,8 @@ class MonacoWidget(RPCBase):
 class MotorMap(RPCBase):
     """Motor map widget for plotting motor positions in 2D including a trace of the last points."""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.plots.motor_map.motor_map"
+
     @rpc_call
     def remove(self):
         """
@@ -4003,6 +4086,8 @@ class MotorMap(RPCBase):
 class MultiWaveform(RPCBase):
     """MultiWaveform widget for displaying multiple waveforms emitted by a single signal."""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.plots.multi_waveform.multi_waveform"
+
     @rpc_call
     def remove(self):
         """
@@ -4462,6 +4547,8 @@ class MultiWaveform(RPCBase):
 class PdfViewerWidget(RPCBase):
     """A widget to display PDF documents with toolbar controls."""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.utility.pdf_viewer.pdf_viewer"
+
     @rpc_call
     def load_pdf(self, file_path: str):
         """
@@ -4593,6 +4680,10 @@ class PdfViewerWidget(RPCBase):
 class PositionIndicator(RPCBase):
     """Display a position within a defined range, e.g. motor limits."""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = (
+        "bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.position_indicator.position_indicator"
+    )
+
     @rpc_call
     def set_value(self, position: float):
         """
@@ -4658,6 +4749,10 @@ class PositionIndicator(RPCBase):
 class PositionerBox(RPCBase):
     """Simple Widget to control a positioner in box form"""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = (
+        "bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box.positioner_box.positioner_box"
+    )
+
     @rpc_call
     def set_positioner(self, positioner: "str | Positioner"):
         """
@@ -4690,6 +4785,8 @@ class PositionerBox(RPCBase):
 class PositionerBox2D(RPCBase):
     """Simple Widget to control two positioners in box form"""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box.positioner_box_2d.positioner_box_2d"
+
     @rpc_call
     def set_positioner_hor(self, positioner: "str | Positioner"):
         """
@@ -4759,6 +4856,8 @@ class PositionerBox2D(RPCBase):
 class PositionerControlLine(RPCBase):
     """A widget that controls a single device."""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box.positioner_control_line.positioner_control_line"
+
     @rpc_call
     def set_positioner(self, positioner: "str | Positioner"):
         """
@@ -4791,6 +4890,8 @@ class PositionerControlLine(RPCBase):
 class PositionerGroup(RPCBase):
     """Simple Widget to control a positioner in box form"""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_group.positioner_group"
+
     @rpc_call
     def set_positioners(self, device_names: "str"):
         """
@@ -4822,6 +4923,8 @@ class PositionerGroup(RPCBase):
 class RectangularROI(RPCBase):
     """Defines a rectangular Region of Interest (ROI) with additional functionality."""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.plots.roi.image_roi"
+
     @property
     @rpc_call
     def label(self) -> "str":
@@ -4951,6 +5054,8 @@ class RectangularROI(RPCBase):
 class ResumeButton(RPCBase):
     """A button that continue scan queue."""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.control.buttons.button_resume.button_resume"
+
     @rpc_call
     def remove(self):
         """
@@ -4971,6 +5076,8 @@ class ResumeButton(RPCBase):
 
 
 class Ring(RPCBase):
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.progress.ring_progress_bar.ring"
+
     @rpc_call
     def set_value(self, value: "int | float"):
         """
@@ -5064,6 +5171,8 @@ class Ring(RPCBase):
 
 
 class RingProgressBar(RPCBase):
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.progress.ring_progress_bar.ring_progress_bar"
+
     @rpc_call
     def remove(self):
         """
@@ -5143,12 +5252,14 @@ class RingProgressBar(RPCBase):
 class SBBMonitor(RPCBase):
     """A widget to display the SBB monitor website."""
 
-    ...
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.editors.sbb_monitor.sbb_monitor"
 
 
 class ScanControl(RPCBase):
     """Widget to submit new scans to the queue."""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.control.scan_control.scan_control"
+
     @rpc_call
     def attach(self):
         """
@@ -5172,6 +5283,8 @@ class ScanControl(RPCBase):
 class ScanProgressBar(RPCBase):
     """Widget to display a progress bar that is hooked up to the scan progress of a scan."""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.progress.scan_progressbar.scan_progressbar"
+
     @rpc_call
     def remove(self):
         """
@@ -5194,6 +5307,8 @@ class ScanProgressBar(RPCBase):
 class ScatterCurve(RPCBase):
     """Scatter curve item for the scatter waveform widget."""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.plots.scatter_waveform.scatter_curve"
+
     @property
     @rpc_call
     def color_map(self) -> "str":
@@ -5203,6 +5318,8 @@ class ScatterCurve(RPCBase):
 
 
 class ScatterWaveform(RPCBase):
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.plots.scatter_waveform.scatter_waveform"
+
     @rpc_call
     def remove(self):
         """
@@ -5670,6 +5787,8 @@ class ScatterWaveform(RPCBase):
 
 
 class SignalLabel(RPCBase):
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.utility.signal_label.signal_label"
+
     @property
     @rpc_call
     def custom_label(self) -> "str":
@@ -5814,6 +5933,8 @@ class SignalLabel(RPCBase):
 class TextBox(RPCBase):
     """A widget that displays text in plain and HTML format"""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.editors.text_box.text_box"
+
     @rpc_call
     def set_plain_text(self, text: str) -> None:
         """
@@ -5836,6 +5957,8 @@ class TextBox(RPCBase):
 class ViewBase(RPCBase):
     """Wrapper for a content widget used inside the main app's stacked view."""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.applications.views.view"
+
     @rpc_call
     def activate(self) -> "None":
         """
@@ -5846,6 +5969,8 @@ class ViewBase(RPCBase):
 class Waveform(RPCBase):
     """Widget for plotting waveforms."""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.waveform"
+
     @rpc_call
     def remove(self):
         """
@@ -6424,6 +6549,8 @@ class Waveform(RPCBase):
 
 
 class WaveformViewInline(RPCBase):
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.applications.views.view"
+
     @rpc_call
     def activate(self) -> "None":
         """
@@ -6432,6 +6559,8 @@ class WaveformViewInline(RPCBase):
 
 
 class WaveformViewPopup(RPCBase):
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.applications.views.view"
+
     @rpc_call
     def activate(self) -> "None":
         """
@@ -6442,6 +6571,8 @@ class WaveformViewPopup(RPCBase):
 class WebsiteWidget(RPCBase):
     """A simple widget to display a website"""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.editors.website.website"
+
     @rpc_call
     def set_url(self, url: str) -> None:
         """

bec_widgets/cli/client_utils.py

@@ -10,9 +10,9 @@ import threading
 import time
 from contextlib import contextmanager
 from threading import Lock
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Literal, TypeAlias, cast
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Callable, Literal, TypeAlias, cast
 
-from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
+from bec_lib.endpoints import EndpointInfo, MessageEndpoints
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from bec_lib.utils.import_utils import lazy_import, lazy_import_from
 from rich.console import Console
@@ -232,6 +232,11 @@ class BECGuiClient(RPCBase):
         """The launcher object."""
         return RPCBase(gui_id=f"{self._gui_id}:launcher", parent=self, object_name="launcher")
 
+    def _safe_register_stream(self, endpoint: EndpointInfo, cb: Callable, **kwargs):
+        """Check if already registered for registration in idempotent functions."""
+        if not self._client.connector.any_stream_is_registered(endpoint, cb=cb):
+            self._client.connector.register(endpoint, cb=cb, **kwargs)
+
     def connect_to_gui_server(self, gui_id: str) -> None:
         """Connect to a GUI server"""
         # Unregister the old callback
@@ -247,10 +252,9 @@ class BECGuiClient(RPCBase):
         self._ipython_registry = {}
 
         # Register the new callback
-        self._client.connector.register(
+        self._safe_register_stream(
             MessageEndpoints.gui_registry_state(self._gui_id),
             cb=self._handle_registry_update,
-            parent=self,
             from_start=True,
         )
 
@@ -531,20 +535,14 @@ class BECGuiClient(RPCBase):
 
     def _start(self, wait: bool = False) -> None:
         self._killed = False
-        self._client.connector.register(
-            MessageEndpoints.gui_registry_state(self._gui_id),
-            cb=self._handle_registry_update,
-            parent=self,
+        self._safe_register_stream(
+            MessageEndpoints.gui_registry_state(self._gui_id), cb=self._handle_registry_update
         )
         return self._start_server(wait=wait)
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def _handle_registry_update(
-        msg: dict[str, GUIRegistryStateMessage], parent: BECGuiClient
-    ) -> None:
+    def _handle_registry_update(self, msg: dict[str, GUIRegistryStateMessage]) -> None:
         # This was causing a deadlock during shutdown, not sure why.
         # with self._lock:
-        self = parent
         self._server_registry = cast(dict[str, RegistryState], msg["data"].state)
         self._update_dynamic_namespace(self._server_registry)
 

bec_widgets/cli/designer_plugins.py

@@ -0,0 +1,171 @@
+# This file was automatically generated by generate_cli.py
+# type: ignore
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+# pylint: skip-file
+
+designer_plugins = {
+    "AbortButton": ("bec_widgets.widgets.control.buttons.button_abort.button_abort", "AbortButton"),
+    "BECColorMapWidget": (
+        "bec_widgets.widgets.utility.visual.colormap_widget.colormap_widget",
+        "BECColorMapWidget",
+    ),
+    "BECMainWindow": ("bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.main_window", "BECMainWindow"),
+    "BECProgressBar": (
+        "bec_widgets.widgets.progress.bec_progressbar.bec_progressbar",
+        "BECProgressBar",
+    ),
+    "BECQueue": ("bec_widgets.widgets.services.bec_queue.bec_queue", "BECQueue"),
+    "BECShell": ("bec_widgets.widgets.editors.bec_console.bec_console", "BECShell"),
+    "BECSpinBox": ("bec_widgets.widgets.utility.spinbox.decimal_spinbox", "BECSpinBox"),
+    "BECStatusBox": ("bec_widgets.widgets.services.bec_status_box.bec_status_box", "BECStatusBox"),
+    "BecConsole": ("bec_widgets.widgets.editors.bec_console.bec_console", "BecConsole"),
+    "ColorButton": ("bec_widgets.widgets.utility.visual.color_button.color_button", "ColorButton"),
+    "ColorButtonNative": (
+        "bec_widgets.widgets.utility.visual.color_button_native.color_button_native",
+        "ColorButtonNative",
+    ),
+    "ColormapSelector": (
+        "bec_widgets.widgets.utility.visual.colormap_selector.colormap_selector",
+        "ColormapSelector",
+    ),
+    "DapComboBox": ("bec_widgets.widgets.dap.dap_combo_box.dap_combo_box", "DapComboBox"),
+    "DarkModeButton": (
+        "bec_widgets.widgets.utility.visual.dark_mode_button.dark_mode_button",
+        "DarkModeButton",
+    ),
+    "DeviceBrowser": (
+        "bec_widgets.widgets.services.device_browser.device_browser",
+        "DeviceBrowser",
+    ),
+    "DeviceComboBox": (
+        "bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_input.device_combobox.device_combobox",
+        "DeviceComboBox",
+    ),
+    "DeviceLineEdit": (
+        "bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_input.device_line_edit.device_line_edit",
+        "DeviceLineEdit",
+    ),
+    "Heatmap": ("bec_widgets.widgets.plots.heatmap.heatmap", "Heatmap"),
+    "IDEExplorer": ("bec_widgets.widgets.utility.ide_explorer.ide_explorer", "IDEExplorer"),
+    "Image": ("bec_widgets.widgets.plots.image.image", "Image"),
+    "LMFitDialog": ("bec_widgets.widgets.dap.lmfit_dialog.lmfit_dialog", "LMFitDialog"),
+    "LogPanel": ("bec_widgets.widgets.utility.logpanel.logpanel", "LogPanel"),
+    "Minesweeper": ("bec_widgets.widgets.games.minesweeper", "Minesweeper"),
+    "MonacoWidget": ("bec_widgets.widgets.editors.monaco.monaco_widget", "MonacoWidget"),
+    "MotorMap": ("bec_widgets.widgets.plots.motor_map.motor_map", "MotorMap"),
+    "MultiWaveform": ("bec_widgets.widgets.plots.multi_waveform.multi_waveform", "MultiWaveform"),
+    "PdfViewerWidget": ("bec_widgets.widgets.utility.pdf_viewer.pdf_viewer", "PdfViewerWidget"),
+    "PositionIndicator": (
+        "bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.position_indicator.position_indicator",
+        "PositionIndicator",
+    ),
+    "PositionerBox": (
+        "bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box.positioner_box.positioner_box",
+        "PositionerBox",
+    ),
+    "PositionerBox2D": (
+        "bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box.positioner_box_2d.positioner_box_2d",
+        "PositionerBox2D",
+    ),
+    "PositionerControlLine": (
+        "bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box.positioner_control_line.positioner_control_line",
+        "PositionerControlLine",
+    ),
+    "PositionerGroup": (
+        "bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_group.positioner_group",
+        "PositionerGroup",
+    ),
+    "ResetButton": ("bec_widgets.widgets.control.buttons.button_reset.button_reset", "ResetButton"),
+    "ResumeButton": (
+        "bec_widgets.widgets.control.buttons.button_resume.button_resume",
+        "ResumeButton",
+    ),
+    "RingProgressBar": (
+        "bec_widgets.widgets.progress.ring_progress_bar.ring_progress_bar",
+        "RingProgressBar",
+    ),
+    "SBBMonitor": ("bec_widgets.widgets.editors.sbb_monitor.sbb_monitor", "SBBMonitor"),
+    "ScanControl": ("bec_widgets.widgets.control.scan_control.scan_control", "ScanControl"),
+    "ScanMetadata": ("bec_widgets.widgets.editors.scan_metadata.scan_metadata", "ScanMetadata"),
+    "ScanProgressBar": (
+        "bec_widgets.widgets.progress.scan_progressbar.scan_progressbar",
+        "ScanProgressBar",
+    ),
+    "ScatterWaveform": (
+        "bec_widgets.widgets.plots.scatter_waveform.scatter_waveform",
+        "ScatterWaveform",
+    ),
+    "SignalComboBox": (
+        "bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_input.signal_combobox.signal_combobox",
+        "SignalComboBox",
+    ),
+    "SignalLabel": ("bec_widgets.widgets.utility.signal_label.signal_label", "SignalLabel"),
+    "SignalLineEdit": (
+        "bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_input.signal_line_edit.signal_line_edit",
+        "SignalLineEdit",
+    ),
+    "SpinnerWidget": ("bec_widgets.widgets.utility.spinner.spinner", "SpinnerWidget"),
+    "StopButton": ("bec_widgets.widgets.control.buttons.stop_button.stop_button", "StopButton"),
+    "TextBox": ("bec_widgets.widgets.editors.text_box.text_box", "TextBox"),
+    "ToggleSwitch": ("bec_widgets.widgets.utility.toggle.toggle", "ToggleSwitch"),
+    "Waveform": ("bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.waveform", "Waveform"),
+    "WebsiteWidget": ("bec_widgets.widgets.editors.website.website", "WebsiteWidget"),
+    "WidgetFinderComboBox": (
+        "bec_widgets.widgets.utility.widget_finder.widget_finder",
+        "WidgetFinderComboBox",
+    ),
+}
+
+widget_icons = {
+    "AbortButton": "cancel",
+    "BECColorMapWidget": "palette",
+    "BECMainWindow": "widgets",
+    "BECProgressBar": "page_control",
+    "BECQueue": "edit_note",
+    "BECShell": "hub",
+    "BECSpinBox": "123",
+    "BECStatusBox": "widgets",
+    "BecConsole": "terminal",
+    "ColorButton": "colors",
+    "ColorButtonNative": "colors",
+    "ColormapSelector": "palette",
+    "DapComboBox": "data_exploration",
+    "DarkModeButton": "dark_mode",
+    "DeviceBrowser": "lists",
+    "DeviceComboBox": "list_alt",
+    "DeviceLineEdit": "edit_note",
+    "Heatmap": "dataset",
+    "IDEExplorer": "widgets",
+    "Image": "image",
+    "LMFitDialog": "monitoring",
+    "LogPanel": "browse_activity",
+    "Minesweeper": "videogame_asset",
+    "MonacoWidget": "code",
+    "MotorMap": "my_location",
+    "MultiWaveform": "ssid_chart",
+    "PdfViewerWidget": "picture_as_pdf",
+    "PositionIndicator": "horizontal_distribute",
+    "PositionerBox": "switch_right",
+    "PositionerBox2D": "switch_right",
+    "PositionerControlLine": "switch_left",
+    "PositionerGroup": "grid_view",
+    "ResetButton": "restart_alt",
+    "ResumeButton": "resume",
+    "RingProgressBar": "track_changes",
+    "SBBMonitor": "train",
+    "ScanControl": "tune",
+    "ScanMetadata": "list_alt",
+    "ScanProgressBar": "timelapse",
+    "ScatterWaveform": "scatter_plot",
+    "SignalComboBox": "list_alt",
+    "SignalLabel": "scoreboard",
+    "SignalLineEdit": "vital_signs",
+    "SpinnerWidget": "progress_activity",
+    "StopButton": "dangerous",
+    "TextBox": "chat",
+    "ToggleSwitch": "toggle_on",
+    "Waveform": "show_chart",
+    "WebsiteWidget": "travel_explore",
+    "WidgetFinderComboBox": "frame_inspect",
+}

bec_widgets/cli/rpc/rpc_base.py

@@ -248,9 +248,7 @@ class RPCBase:
             self._rpc_response = None
             self._msg_wait_event.clear()
             self._client.connector.register(
-                MessageEndpoints.gui_instruction_response(request_id),
-                cb=self._on_rpc_response,
-                parent=self,
+                MessageEndpoints.gui_instruction_response(request_id), cb=self._on_rpc_response
             )
 
         self._client.connector.set_and_publish(MessageEndpoints.gui_instructions(receiver), rpc_msg)
@@ -276,11 +274,10 @@ class RPCBase:
             self._rpc_response = None
             return self._create_widget_from_msg_result(msg_result)
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def _on_rpc_response(msg_obj: MessageObject, parent: RPCBase) -> None:
+    def _on_rpc_response(self, msg_obj: MessageObject) -> None:
         msg = cast(messages.RequestResponseMessage, msg_obj.value)
-        parent._rpc_response = msg
-        parent._msg_wait_event.set()
+        self._rpc_response = msg
+        self._msg_wait_event.set()
 
     def _create_widget_from_msg_result(self, msg_result):
         if msg_result is None:

bec_widgets/cli/rpc/rpc_widget_handler.py

@@ -1,57 +0,0 @@
-from __future__ import annotations
-
-from bec_widgets.cli.client_utils import IGNORE_WIDGETS
-from bec_widgets.utils.bec_plugin_helper import get_all_plugin_widgets
-from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
-from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import get_custom_classes
-
-
-class RPCWidgetHandler:
-    """Handler class for creating widgets from RPC messages."""
-
-    def __init__(self):
-        self._widget_classes = None
-
-    @property
-    def widget_classes(self) -> dict[str, type[BECWidget]]:
-        """
-        Get the available widget classes.
-
-        Returns:
-            dict: The available widget classes.
-        """
-        if self._widget_classes is None:
-            self.update_available_widgets()
-        return self._widget_classes  # type: ignore
-
-    def update_available_widgets(self):
-        """
-        Update the available widgets.
-
-        Returns:
-            None
-        """
-        self._widget_classes = (
-            get_custom_classes("bec_widgets", packages=("widgets", "applications"))
-            + get_all_plugin_widgets()
-        ).as_dict(IGNORE_WIDGETS)
-
-    def create_widget(self, widget_type, **kwargs) -> BECWidget:
-        """
-        Create a widget from an RPC message.
-
-        Args:
-            widget_type(str): The type of the widget.
-            name (str): The name of the widget.
-            **kwargs: The keyword arguments for the widget.
-
-        Returns:
-            widget(BECWidget): The created widget.
-        """
-        widget_class = self.widget_classes.get(widget_type)  # type: ignore
-        if widget_class:
-            return widget_class(**kwargs)
-        raise ValueError(f"Unknown widget type: {widget_type}")
-
-
-widget_handler = RPCWidgetHandler()

bec_widgets/examples/jupyter_console/jupyter_console_window.py

@@ -25,8 +25,8 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
     QWidget,
 )
 
-from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_widget_handler import widget_handler
 from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
+from bec_widgets.utils.rpc_widget_handler import widget_handler
 from bec_widgets.utils.widget_io import WidgetHierarchy as wh
 from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.jupyter_console.jupyter_console import BECJupyterConsole
 
@@ -206,7 +206,6 @@ class JupyterConsoleWindow(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover:
 
     def _populate_registry_widgets(self):
         try:
-            widget_handler.update_available_widgets()
             items = sorted(widget_handler.widget_classes.keys())
         except Exception as exc:
             print(f"Failed to load registered widgets: {exc}")
@@ -335,20 +334,13 @@ class JupyterConsoleWindow(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover:
 
         If kwargs does not contain `object_name`, it will default to the provided shortcut.
         """
-        # Ensure registry is loaded
-        widget_handler.update_available_widgets()
-        cls = widget_handler.widget_classes.get(widget_type)
-        if cls is None:
-            raise ValueError(f"Unknown registered widget type: {widget_type}")
-
         if kwargs is None:
             kwargs = {"object_name": shortcut}
         else:
             kwargs = dict(kwargs)
             kwargs.setdefault("object_name", shortcut)
 
-        # Instantiate and add
-        widget = cls(**kwargs)
+        widget = widget_handler.create_widget(widget_type, **kwargs)
         if not isinstance(widget, QWidget):
             raise TypeError(
                 f"Instantiated object for type '{widget_type}' is not a QWidget: {type(widget)}"

bec_widgets/utils/__init__.py

@@ -1,13 +1 @@
-from qtpy.QtWebEngineWidgets import QWebEngineView
 
-from .bec_connector import BECConnector, ConnectionConfig
-from .bec_dispatcher import BECDispatcher
-from .bec_table import BECTable
-from .colors import Colors
-from .container_utils import WidgetContainerUtils
-from .crosshair import Crosshair
-from .entry_validator import EntryValidator
-from .layout_manager import GridLayoutManager
-from .rpc_decorator import register_rpc_methods, rpc_public
-from .ui_loader import UILoader
-from .validator_delegate import DoubleValidationDelegate

bec_widgets/utils/bec_connector.py

@@ -15,9 +15,9 @@ from pydantic import BaseModel, Field, field_validator
 from qtpy.QtCore import Property, QObject, QRunnable, QThreadPool, Signal
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
-from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_register import RPCRegister
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import ErrorPopupUtility, SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.name_utils import sanitize_namespace
+from bec_widgets.utils.rpc_register import RPCRegister
 from bec_widgets.utils.widget_io import WidgetHierarchy
 from bec_widgets.utils.yaml_dialog import load_yaml, load_yaml_gui, save_yaml, save_yaml_gui
 

bec_widgets/utils/bec_dispatcher.py

@@ -175,12 +175,15 @@ class BECDispatcher:
             cb_info (dict | None): A dictionary containing information about the callback. Defaults to None.
         """
         qt_slot = QtThreadSafeCallback(cb=slot, cb_info=cb_info)
-        if qt_slot not in self._registered_slots:
-            self._registered_slots[qt_slot] = qt_slot
-        qt_slot = self._registered_slots[qt_slot]
-        self.client.connector.register(topics, cb=qt_slot, **kwargs)
-        topics_str, _ = self.client.connector._convert_endpointinfo(topics)
-        qt_slot.topics.update(set(topics_str))
+        if not self.client.connector.any_stream_is_registered(topics, qt_slot):
+            if qt_slot not in self._registered_slots:
+                self._registered_slots[qt_slot] = qt_slot
+            qt_slot = self._registered_slots[qt_slot]
+            self.client.connector.register(topics, cb=qt_slot, **kwargs)
+            topics_str, _ = self.client.connector._convert_endpointinfo(topics)
+            qt_slot.topics.update(set(topics_str))
+        else:
+            logger.warning(f"Attempted to create duplicate stream subscription for {topics=}")
 
     def disconnect_slot(
         self, slot: Callable, topics: EndpointInfo | str | list[EndpointInfo] | list[str]

bec_widgets/utils/bec_plugin_helper.py

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import importlib.metadata
 import inspect
 import pkgutil
 import traceback
+from functools import lru_cache
 from importlib import util as importlib_util
 from importlib.machinery import FileFinder, ModuleSpec, SourceFileLoader
 from types import ModuleType
@@ -11,7 +12,11 @@ from typing import Generator
 
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 
-from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import BECClassContainer, BECClassInfo
+from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import (
+    BECClassContainer,
+    BECClassInfo,
+    rpc_widget_registry_from_source,
+)
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
@@ -53,6 +58,14 @@ def _submodule_by_name(module: ModuleType, name: str):
     return None
 
 
+def _submodule_spec_by_name(module: ModuleType, name: str) -> ModuleSpec | None:
+    for module_info in pkgutil.iter_modules(module.__path__):
+        if module_info.name != name or not isinstance(module_info.module_finder, FileFinder):
+            continue
+        return module_info.module_finder.find_spec(module_info.name)
+    return None
+
+
 def _get_widgets_from_module(module: ModuleType) -> BECClassContainer:
     """Find any BECWidget subclasses in the given module and return them with their info."""
     from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget  # avoid circular import
@@ -90,16 +103,55 @@ def get_plugin_client_module() -> ModuleType | None:
     return _submodule_by_name(plugin, "client") if (plugin := user_widget_plugin()) else None
 
 
+def get_plugin_designer_module() -> ModuleType | None:
+    """If there is a plugin repository installed, return the designer module."""
+    return (
+        _submodule_by_name(plugin, "designer_plugins") if (plugin := user_widget_plugin()) else None
+    )
+
+
+@lru_cache
+def get_plugin_rpc_widget_registry() -> dict[str, tuple[str, str]]:
+    """If there is a plugin repository installed, return the RPC widget registry."""
+    plugin = user_widget_plugin()
+    if plugin is None:
+        return {}
+
+    client_spec = _submodule_spec_by_name(plugin, "client")
+    if client_spec is not None and client_spec.origin:
+        try:
+            return rpc_widget_registry_from_source(client_spec.origin)
+        except (OSError, SyntaxError) as exc:
+            logger.warning(f"Could not parse plugin RPC widget registry: {exc}")
+
+    client_module = get_plugin_client_module()
+    if client_module is None:
+        return {}
+    registry = {}
+    for plugin_name, plugin_class in inspect.getmembers(client_module, inspect.isclass):
+        if hasattr(plugin_class, "_IMPORT_MODULE"):
+            registry[plugin_name] = (plugin_class._IMPORT_MODULE, plugin_class.__name__)
+    return registry
+
+
+@lru_cache
+def get_plugin_designer_registry() -> dict[str, tuple[str, str]]:
+    """If there is a plugin repository installed, return the designer plugin registry."""
+    designer_module = get_plugin_designer_module()
+    if designer_module and hasattr(designer_module, "designer_plugins"):
+        return designer_module.designer_plugins
+    return {}
+
+
 def get_all_plugin_widgets() -> BECClassContainer:
     """If there is a plugin repository installed, load all widgets from it."""
     if plugin := user_widget_plugin():
         return _all_widgets_from_all_submods(plugin)
-    else:
-        return BECClassContainer()
+    return BECClassContainer()
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
-
+    widgets = get_plugin_rpc_widget_registry()
     client = get_plugin_client_module()
     print(get_all_plugin_widgets())
     ...

bec_widgets/utils/bec_widget.py

@@ -10,11 +10,11 @@ from qtpy.QtGui import QFont, QPixmap
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QFileDialog, QLabel, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
 import bec_widgets.widgets.containers.qt_ads as QtAds
-from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_register import RPCRegister
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector, ConnectionConfig
 from bec_widgets.utils.busy_loader import install_busy_loader
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeConnect, SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.rpc_decorator import rpc_timeout
+from bec_widgets.utils.rpc_register import RPCRegister
 from bec_widgets.utils.widget_io import WidgetHierarchy
 from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.spinner.spinner import SpinnerWidget
 

bec_widgets/utils/generate_cli.py

@@ -7,31 +7,22 @@ import inspect
 import os
 import sys
 from pathlib import Path
+from typing import get_overloads
 
 import black
 import isort
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from qtpy.QtCore import Property as QtProperty
 
-from bec_widgets.utils.generate_designer_plugin import DesignerPluginGenerator, plugin_filenames
+from bec_widgets.utils.generate_designer_plugin import (
+    DesignerPluginGenerator,
+    DesignerPluginInfo,
+    plugin_filenames,
+)
 from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import BECClassContainer, get_custom_classes
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 11):
-    from typing import get_overloads
-else:
-    print(
-        "Python version is less than 3.11, using dummy function for get_overloads. "
-        "If you want to use the real function 'typing.get_overloads()', please use Python 3.11 or later."
-    )
-
-    def get_overloads(_obj):
-        """
-        Dummy function for Python versions before 3.11.
-        """
-        return []
-
 
 class ClientGenerator:
     def __init__(self, base=False):
@@ -54,7 +45,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 
 from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_base import RPCBase, rpc_call, rpc_timeout
-{"from bec_widgets.utils.bec_plugin_helper import get_all_plugin_widgets, get_plugin_client_module" if self._base else ""}
+{"from bec_widgets.utils.bec_plugin_helper import get_plugin_client_module" if self._base else ""}
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
@@ -111,27 +102,19 @@ _Widgets = {
             self.content += """
 
 try:
-    _plugin_widgets = get_all_plugin_widgets().as_dict()
     plugin_client = get_plugin_client_module()
-    Widgets = _WidgetsEnumType("Widgets", {name: name for name in _plugin_widgets} | _Widgets)
-
-    if (_overlap := _Widgets.keys() & _plugin_widgets.keys()) != set():
-        for _widget in _overlap:
-            logger.warning(f"Detected duplicate widget {_widget} in plugin repo file: {inspect.getfile(_plugin_widgets[_widget])} !")
     for plugin_name, plugin_class in inspect.getmembers(plugin_client, inspect.isclass):
         if issubclass(plugin_class, RPCBase) and plugin_class is not RPCBase:
+            if plugin_name not in _Widgets:
+                _Widgets[plugin_name] = plugin_name
             if plugin_name in globals():
-                conflicting_file = (
-                    inspect.getfile(_plugin_widgets[plugin_name])
-                    if plugin_name in _plugin_widgets
-                    else f"{plugin_client}"
-                )
                 logger.warning(
-                    f"Plugin widget {plugin_name} from {conflicting_file} conflicts with a built-in class!"
+                    f"Plugin widget {plugin_name} in {plugin_class._IMPORT_MODULE} conflicts with a built-in class!"
                 )
                 continue
-            if plugin_name not in _overlap:
+            else:
                 globals()[plugin_name] = plugin_class
+        Widgets = _WidgetsEnumType("Widgets", _Widgets)
 except ImportError as e:
     logger.error(f"Failed loading plugins: \\n{reduce(add, traceback.format_exception(e))}")
 """
@@ -146,12 +129,8 @@ except ImportError as e:
 
         class_name = cls.__name__
 
-        if class_name == "BECDockArea":
-            self.content += f"""
-class {class_name}(RPCBase):"""
-        else:
-            self.content += f"""
-class {class_name}(RPCBase):"""
+        self.content += f"""
+class {class_name}(RPCBase):\n"""
 
         if cls.__doc__:
             # We only want the first line of the docstring
@@ -162,13 +141,9 @@ class {class_name}(RPCBase):"""
             else:
                 class_docs = cls.__doc__.split("\n")[1]
             self.content += f"""
-    \"\"\"{class_docs}\"\"\"
-    """
+    \"\"\"{class_docs}\"\"\"\n"""
         user_access_entries = self._get_user_access_entries(cls)
-        if not user_access_entries:
-            self.content += """...
-    """
-
+        self.content += f'    _IMPORT_MODULE="{cls.__module__}"\n'
         for method_entry in user_access_entries:
             method, obj, is_property_setter = self._resolve_method_object(cls, method_entry)
             if obj is None:
@@ -279,6 +254,58 @@ class {class_name}(RPCBase):"""
             file.write(formatted_content)
 
 
+def write_designer_plugins(plugin_infos: list[DesignerPluginInfo], file_name: str):
+    """
+    Write a registry of Qt widget classes with designer plugins.
+
+    Args:
+        plugin_infos(list[DesignerPluginInfo]): The designer plugin metadata to write.
+        file_name(str): The name of the file to write to.
+    """
+    plugin_infos = sorted(plugin_infos, key=lambda info: info.plugin_name_pascal)
+    content = """# This file was automatically generated by generate_cli.py
+# type: ignore
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+# pylint: skip-file
+
+designer_plugins = {
+"""
+    for info in plugin_infos:
+        widget_module = info.plugin_class.__module__
+        widget_class = info.plugin_name_pascal
+        content += f'    "{info.plugin_name_pascal}": ("{widget_module}", "{widget_class}"),\n'
+
+    content += """
+}
+
+widget_icons = {
+"""
+    for info in plugin_infos:
+        content += f'    "{info.plugin_name_pascal}": "{info.icon_name}",\n'
+
+    content += """
+}
+"""
+
+    try:
+        formatted_content = black.format_str(content, mode=black.Mode(line_length=100))
+    except black.NothingChanged:
+        formatted_content = content
+
+    config = isort.Config(
+        profile="black",
+        line_length=100,
+        multi_line_output=3,
+        include_trailing_comma=False,
+        known_first_party=["bec_widgets"],
+    )
+    formatted_content = isort.code(formatted_content, config=config)
+
+    with open(file_name, "w", encoding="utf-8") as file:
+        file.write(formatted_content)
+
+
 def main():
     """
     Main entry point for the script, controlled by command line arguments.
@@ -332,6 +359,8 @@ def main():
     else:
         non_overwrite_classes = []
 
+    designer_plugin_infos = []
+
     for cls in rpc_classes.plugins:
         logger.info(f"Writing bec-designer plugin files for {cls.__name__}...")
 
@@ -339,21 +368,30 @@ def main():
             logger.error(
                 f"Not writing plugin files for {cls.__name__} because a built-in widget with that name exists"
             )
+            continue
 
         plugin = DesignerPluginGenerator(cls)
-        if not hasattr(plugin, "info"):
+        if not hasattr(plugin, "info") or plugin.excluded:
             continue
 
         def _exists(file: str):
             return os.path.exists(os.path.join(plugin.info.base_path, file))
 
         if any(_exists(file) for file in plugin_filenames(plugin.info.plugin_name_snake)):
+            if _exists(plugin.filenames.plugin):
+                designer_plugin_infos.append(plugin.info)
             logger.debug(
                 f"Skipping generation of extra plugin files for {plugin.info.plugin_name_snake} - at least one file out of 'plugin.py', 'pyproject', and 'register_{plugin.info.plugin_name_snake}.py' already exists."
             )
             continue
 
         plugin.run()
+        designer_plugin_infos.append(plugin.info)
+
+    # Write designer_plugins.py with plugin import metadata for all widgets with designer plugins.
+    designer_plugins_path = module_dir / client_subdir / "designer_plugins.py"
+    logger.info(f"Generating designer plugin registry at {designer_plugins_path}")
+    write_designer_plugins(designer_plugin_infos, str(designer_plugins_path))
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover

bec_widgets/utils/generate_designer_plugin.py

@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ class DesignerPluginInfo:
         self.plugin_name_pascal = plugin_class.__name__
         self.plugin_name_snake = pascal_to_snake(self.plugin_name_pascal)
         self.widget_import = f"from {plugin_class.__module__} import {self.plugin_name_pascal}"
+        self.icon_name = getattr(plugin_class, "ICON_NAME", "")
         plugin_module = (
             ".".join(plugin_class.__module__.split(".")[:-1]) + f".{self.plugin_name_snake}_plugin"
         )
@@ -63,6 +64,10 @@ class DesignerPluginGenerator:
     def filenames(self):
         return plugin_filenames(self.info.plugin_name_snake)
 
+    @property
+    def excluded(self):
+        return self._excluded
+
     def run(self, validate=True):
         if self._excluded:
             print(f"Plugin {self.widget.__name__} is excluded from generation.")

bec_widgets/utils/plugin_utils.py

@@ -1,56 +1,22 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+import ast
 import importlib
 import inspect
 import os
 from dataclasses import dataclass
+from functools import lru_cache
+from pathlib import Path
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Iterable
 
-from bec_lib.plugin_helper import _get_available_plugins
-from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
-
-from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector
-from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
-
 if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
+    from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
+
+    from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector
+    from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
     from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.auto_update.auto_updates import AutoUpdates
 
 
-def get_plugin_widgets() -> dict[str, BECConnector]:
-    """
-    Get all available widgets from the plugin directory. Widgets are classes that inherit from BECConnector.
-    The plugins are provided through python plugins and specified in the respective pyproject.toml file using
-    the following key:
-
-        [project.entry-points."bec.widgets.user_widgets"]
-        plugin_widgets = "path.to.plugin.module"
-
-    e.g.
-        [project.entry-points."bec.widgets.user_widgets"]
-        plugin_widgets = "pxiii_bec.bec_widgets.widgets"
-
-        assuming that the widgets module for the package pxiii_bec is located at pxiii_bec/bec_widgets/widgets and
-        contains the widgets to be loaded within the pxiii_bec/bec_widgets/widgets/__init__.py file.
-
-    Returns:
-        dict[str, BECConnector]: A dictionary of widget names and their respective classes.
-    """
-    modules = _get_available_plugins("bec.widgets.user_widgets")
-    loaded_plugins = {}
-    print(modules)
-    for module in modules:
-        mods = inspect.getmembers(module, predicate=_filter_plugins)
-        for name, mod_cls in mods:
-            if name in loaded_plugins:
-                print(f"Duplicated widgets plugin {name}.")
-            loaded_plugins[name] = mod_cls
-    return loaded_plugins
-
-
-def _filter_plugins(obj):
-    return inspect.isclass(obj) and issubclass(obj, BECConnector)
-
-
 def get_plugin_auto_updates() -> dict[str, type[AutoUpdates]]:
     """
     Get all available auto update classes from the plugin directory. AutoUpdates must inherit from AutoUpdate and be
@@ -66,6 +32,8 @@ def get_plugin_auto_updates() -> dict[str, type[AutoUpdates]]:
     Returns:
         dict[str, AutoUpdates]: A dictionary of widget names and their respective classes.
     """
+    from bec_lib.plugin_helper import _get_available_plugins
+
     modules = _get_available_plugins("bec.widgets.auto_updates")
     loaded_plugins = {}
     for module in modules:
@@ -168,6 +136,11 @@ class BECClassContainer:
 
 def _collect_classes_from_package(repo_name: str, package: str) -> BECClassContainer:
     """Collect classes from a package subtree (for example ``widgets`` or ``applications``)."""
+    from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
+
+    from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector
+    from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+
     collection = BECClassContainer()
     try:
         anchor_module = importlib.import_module(f"{repo_name}.{package}")
@@ -194,17 +167,18 @@ def _collect_classes_from_package(repo_name: str, package: str) -> BECClassConta
 
             for name in dir(module):
                 obj = getattr(module, name)
+                if not isinstance(obj, type):
+                    continue
                 if not hasattr(obj, "__module__") or obj.__module__ != module.__name__:
                     continue
-                if isinstance(obj, type):
-                    class_info = BECClassInfo(name=name, module=module.__name__, file=path, obj=obj)
-                    if issubclass(obj, BECConnector):
-                        class_info.is_connector = True
-                    if issubclass(obj, QWidget) or issubclass(obj, BECWidget):
-                        class_info.is_widget = True
-                    if hasattr(obj, "PLUGIN") and obj.PLUGIN:
-                        class_info.is_plugin = True
-                    collection.add_class(class_info)
+                class_info = BECClassInfo(name=name, module=module.__name__, file=path, obj=obj)
+                if issubclass(obj, BECConnector):
+                    class_info.is_connector = True
+                if issubclass(obj, QWidget) or issubclass(obj, BECWidget):
+                    class_info.is_widget = True
+                if hasattr(obj, "PLUGIN") and obj.PLUGIN:
+                    class_info.is_plugin = True
+                collection.add_class(class_info)
     return collection
 
 
@@ -229,3 +203,89 @@ def get_custom_classes(
     for package in selected_packages:
         collection += _collect_classes_from_package(repo_name, package)
     return collection
+
+
+def _get_designer_registry() -> dict[str, tuple[str, str]]:
+    from bec_widgets.cli.designer_plugins import designer_plugins
+
+    return designer_plugins
+
+
+def _resolve_widget_from_registry(import_path: str, widget_name: str) -> type[QWidget]:
+    widget = importlib.import_module(import_path)
+    return getattr(widget, widget_name)
+
+
+def designer_plugin_exists(name: str) -> bool:
+    from bec_widgets.utils.bec_plugin_helper import get_plugin_designer_registry
+
+    internal_registry = _get_designer_registry()
+    external_registry = get_plugin_designer_registry()
+    return name in internal_registry or name in external_registry
+
+
+def get_designer_plugin(name: str, raise_on_missing: bool = True) -> type[QWidget] | None:
+    from bec_widgets.utils.bec_plugin_helper import get_plugin_designer_registry
+
+    internal_registry = _get_designer_registry()
+    external_registry = get_plugin_designer_registry()
+    if name in external_registry:
+        import_path, widget_name = external_registry[name]
+        return _resolve_widget_from_registry(import_path, widget_name)
+    if name in internal_registry:
+        import_path, widget_name = internal_registry[name]
+        return _resolve_widget_from_registry(import_path, widget_name)
+
+    if raise_on_missing:
+        raise ValueError(
+            f"Designer plugin {name} not found in either internal or external registry."
+        )
+    return None
+
+
+def rpc_widget_registry_from_source(path: str | Path) -> dict[str, tuple[str, str]]:
+    """Parse a generated RPC client module and return its widget registry."""
+    source_path = Path(path)
+    module_node = ast.parse(source_path.read_text(encoding="utf-8"), filename=str(source_path))
+    registry = {}
+    for node in module_node.body:
+        if not isinstance(node, ast.ClassDef):
+            continue
+        for item in node.body:
+            if not isinstance(item, ast.Assign):
+                continue
+            if not any(
+                isinstance(target, ast.Name) and target.id == "_IMPORT_MODULE"
+                for target in item.targets
+            ):
+                continue
+            if isinstance(item.value, ast.Constant) and isinstance(item.value.value, str):
+                registry[node.name] = (item.value.value, node.name)
+            break
+    return registry
+
+
+@lru_cache
+def get_rpc_widget_registry() -> dict[str, tuple[str, str]]:
+    client_path = Path(__file__).resolve().parents[1] / "cli" / "client.py"
+    return rpc_widget_registry_from_source(client_path)
+
+
+@lru_cache
+def rpc_widget_registry() -> dict[str, tuple[str, str]]:
+    from bec_widgets.utils.bec_plugin_helper import get_plugin_rpc_widget_registry
+
+    internal_registry = get_rpc_widget_registry()
+    external_registry = get_plugin_rpc_widget_registry()
+    return {**external_registry, **internal_registry}
+
+
+def get_rpc_widget(name: str, raise_on_missing: bool = True) -> type[QWidget] | None:
+    registry = rpc_widget_registry()
+    if name in registry:
+        import_path, widget_name = registry[name]
+        return _resolve_widget_from_registry(import_path, widget_name)
+
+    if raise_on_missing:
+        raise ValueError(f"RPC widget {name} not found in registry.")
+    return None

bec_widgets/utils/rpc_server.py

@@ -14,11 +14,11 @@ from qtpy.QtCore import Qt, QTimer
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 from redis.exceptions import RedisError
 
-from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_register import RPCRegister
-from bec_widgets.utils import BECDispatcher
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher import BECDispatcher
 from bec_widgets.utils.container_utils import WidgetContainerUtils
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import ErrorPopupUtility
+from bec_widgets.utils.rpc_register import RPCRegister
 from bec_widgets.utils.screen_utils import apply_window_geometry
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.dock_area import BECDockArea
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.main_window import BECMainWindow, BECMainWindowNoRPC

bec_widgets/utils/rpc_widget_handler.py

@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import get_rpc_widget, rpc_widget_registry
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
+    from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+
+
+class RPCWidgetHandler:
+    """Handler class for creating widgets from RPC messages."""
+
+    def __init__(self):
+        self._widget_registry = None
+
+    @property
+    def widget_classes(self) -> dict[str, tuple[str, str]]:
+        """
+        Get the available widget classes.
+
+        Returns:
+            dict: The available widget classes.
+        """
+        registry = rpc_widget_registry()
+        if not registry:
+            return {}
+        return registry
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def create_widget(widget_type, **kwargs) -> BECWidget:
+        """
+        Create a widget from an RPC message.
+
+        Args:
+            widget_type(str): The type of the widget.
+            name (str): The name of the widget.
+            **kwargs: The keyword arguments for the widget.
+
+        Returns:
+            widget(BECWidget): The created widget.
+        """
+        widget = get_rpc_widget(widget_type, raise_on_missing=False)
+        if widget:
+            return widget(**kwargs)
+        raise ValueError(f"Unknown widget type: {widget_type}")
+
+
+widget_handler = RPCWidgetHandler()

bec_widgets/utils/ui_loader.py

@@ -1,10 +1,8 @@
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
-from qtpy import PYQT6, PYSIDE6
+from qtpy import PYSIDE6
 from qtpy.QtCore import QFile, QIODevice
 
-from bec_widgets.utils.bec_plugin_helper import get_all_plugin_widgets
-from bec_widgets.utils.generate_designer_plugin import DesignerPluginInfo
-from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import get_custom_classes
+from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import get_designer_plugin
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
@@ -12,16 +10,14 @@ if PYSIDE6:
     from qtpy.QtUiTools import QUiLoader
 
     class CustomUiLoader(QUiLoader):
-        def __init__(self, baseinstance, custom_widgets: dict | None = None):
+        def __init__(self, baseinstance):
             super().__init__(baseinstance)
-            self.custom_widgets = custom_widgets or {}
-
             self.baseinstance = baseinstance
 
         def createWidget(self, class_name, parent=None, name=""):
-            if class_name in self.custom_widgets:
-                widget = self.custom_widgets[class_name](self.baseinstance)
-                return widget
+            widget = get_designer_plugin(class_name, raise_on_missing=False)
+            if widget is not None:
+                return widget(self.baseinstance)
             return super().createWidget(class_name, self.baseinstance, name)
 
 
@@ -31,16 +27,9 @@ class UILoader:
     def __init__(self, parent=None):
         self.parent = parent
 
-        self.custom_widgets = (
-            get_custom_classes("bec_widgets") + get_all_plugin_widgets()
-        ).as_dict()
-
-        if PYSIDE6:
-            self.loader = self.load_ui_pyside6
-        elif PYQT6:
-            self.loader = self.load_ui_pyqt6
-        else:
+        if not PYSIDE6:
             raise ImportError("No compatible Qt bindings found.")
+        self.loader = self.load_ui_pyside6
 
     def load_ui_pyside6(self, ui_file, parent=None):
         """
@@ -53,7 +42,7 @@ class UILoader:
             QWidget: The loaded widget.
         """
         parent = parent or self.parent
-        loader = CustomUiLoader(parent, self.custom_widgets)
+        loader = CustomUiLoader(parent)
         file = QFile(ui_file)
         if not file.open(QIODevice.ReadOnly):
             raise IOError(f"Cannot open file: {ui_file}")
@@ -61,71 +50,6 @@ class UILoader:
         file.close()
         return widget
 
-    def load_ui_pyqt6(self, ui_file, parent=None):
-        """
-        Specific loader for PyQt6 using loadUi.
-        Args:
-            ui_file(str): Path to the .ui file.
-            parent(QWidget): Parent widget.
-
-        Returns:
-            QWidget: The loaded widget.
-        """
-        from PyQt6.uic.Loader.loader import DynamicUILoader
-
-        class CustomDynamicUILoader(DynamicUILoader):
-            def __init__(self, package, custom_widgets: dict = None):
-                super().__init__(package)
-                self.custom_widgets = custom_widgets or {}
-
-            def _handle_custom_widgets(self, el):
-                """Handle the <customwidgets> element."""
-
-                def header2module(header):
-                    """header2module(header) -> string
-
-                    Convert paths to C++ header files to according Python modules
-                    >>> header2module("foo/bar/baz.h")
-                    'foo.bar.baz'
-                    """
-
-                    if header.endswith(".h"):
-                        header = header[:-2]
-
-                    mpath = []
-                    for part in header.split("/"):
-                        # Ignore any empty parts or those that refer to the current
-                        # directory.
-                        if part not in ("", "."):
-                            if part == "..":
-                                # We should allow this for Python3.
-                                raise SyntaxError(
-                                    "custom widget header file name may not contain '..'."
-                                )
-
-                            mpath.append(part)
-
-                    return ".".join(mpath)
-
-                for custom_widget in el:
-                    classname = custom_widget.findtext("class")
-                    header = custom_widget.findtext("header")
-                    if header:
-                        header = self._translate_bec_widgets_header(header)
-                    self.factory.addCustomWidget(
-                        classname,
-                        custom_widget.findtext("extends") or "QWidget",
-                        header2module(header),
-                    )
-
-            def _translate_bec_widgets_header(self, header):
-                for name, value in self.custom_widgets.items():
-                    if header == DesignerPluginInfo.pascal_to_snake(name):
-                        return value.__module__
-                return header
-
-        return CustomDynamicUILoader("", self.custom_widgets).loadUi(ui_file, parent)
-
     def load_ui(self, ui_file, parent=None):
         """
         Universal UI loader method.

bec_widgets/utils/widget_io.py

@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
 from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.toggle.toggle import ToggleSwitch
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
-    from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector
+    from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
@@ -418,7 +418,7 @@ class WidgetHierarchy:
             only_bec_widgets(bool, optional): Whether to print only widgets that are instances of BECWidget.
             show_parent(bool, optional): Whether to display which BECWidget is the parent of each discovered BECWidget.
         """
-        from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector
+        from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector
         from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.waveform import Waveform
 
         for node in WidgetHierarchy.iter_widget_tree(
@@ -468,7 +468,7 @@ class WidgetHierarchy:
 
         from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
-        from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector
+        from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector
         from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.plot_base import PlotBase
 
         # 1) Gather ALL QWidget-based BECConnector objects
@@ -534,7 +534,7 @@ class WidgetHierarchy:
         Returns:
             The nearest ancestor that is a BECConnector, or None if not found.
         """
-        from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector
+        from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector
 
         # Guard against deleted/invalid Qt wrappers
         if not shb.isValid(widget):
@@ -636,7 +636,7 @@ class WidgetHierarchy:
         Return all BECConnector instances whose closest BECConnector ancestor is the given widget,
         including the widget itself if it is a BECConnector.
         """
-        from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector
+        from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector
 
         connectors: list[BECConnector] = []
         if isinstance(widget, BECConnector):
@@ -664,7 +664,7 @@ class WidgetHierarchy:
             return None
 
         try:
-            from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector  # local import to avoid cycles
+            from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector  # local import to avoid cycles
 
             is_bec_target = False
             if isinstance(ancestor_class, str):

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/dock_area/basic_dock_area.py

@@ -13,9 +13,9 @@ from shiboken6 import isValid
 
 import bec_widgets.widgets.containers.qt_ads as QtAds
 from bec_widgets import BECWidget, SafeSlot
-from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_widget_handler import widget_handler
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector
 from bec_widgets.utils.property_editor import PropertyEditor
+from bec_widgets.utils.rpc_widget_handler import widget_handler
 from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.actions import MaterialIconAction
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.qt_ads import (
     CDockAreaWidget,

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/dock_area/dock_area.py

@@ -19,11 +19,10 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
 
 import bec_widgets.widgets.containers.qt_ads as QtAds
 from bec_widgets import BECWidget, SafeProperty, SafeSlot
-from bec_widgets.applications.views.view import ViewTourSteps
-from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_widget_handler import widget_handler
-from bec_widgets.utils import BECDispatcher
+from bec_widgets.cli.designer_plugins import widget_icons
 from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 from bec_widgets.utils.rpc_decorator import rpc_timeout
+from bec_widgets.utils.rpc_widget_handler import widget_handler
 from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.actions import (
     ExpandableMenuAction,
     MaterialIconAction,
@@ -35,25 +34,25 @@ from bec_widgets.utils.widget_state_manager import WidgetStateManager
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.basic_dock_area import DockAreaWidget
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.profile_utils import (
     SETTINGS_KEYS,
-    default_profile_candidates,
+    baseline_profile_candidates,
     delete_profile_files,
     get_last_profile,
     is_profile_read_only,
     is_quick_select,
     list_profiles,
     list_quick_profiles,
-    load_default_profile_screenshot,
-    load_user_profile_screenshot,
+    load_baseline_profile_screenshot,
+    load_runtime_profile_screenshot,
     now_iso_utc,
-    open_default_settings,
-    open_user_settings,
+    open_baseline_settings,
+    open_runtime_settings,
     profile_origin,
     profile_origin_display,
     read_manifest,
-    restore_user_from_default,
+    restore_runtime_from_baseline,
+    runtime_profile_candidates,
     set_last_profile,
     set_quick_select,
-    user_profile_candidates,
     write_manifest,
 )
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.settings.dialogs import (
@@ -65,22 +64,7 @@ from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.toolbar_components.workspace_actio
     WorkspaceConnection,
     workspace_bundle,
 )
-from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.main_window import BECMainWindowNoRPC
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.qt_ads import CDockWidget
-from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box import PositionerBox, PositionerBox2D
-from bec_widgets.widgets.control.scan_control import ScanControl
-from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.bec_console.bec_console import BecConsole, BECShell
-from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.heatmap.heatmap import Heatmap
-from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.image.image import Image
-from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.motor_map.motor_map import MotorMap
-from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.multi_waveform.multi_waveform import MultiWaveform
-from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.scatter_waveform.scatter_waveform import ScatterWaveform
-from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.waveform import Waveform
-from bec_widgets.widgets.progress.ring_progress_bar.ring_progress_bar import RingProgressBar
-from bec_widgets.widgets.services.bec_queue.bec_queue import BECQueue
-from bec_widgets.widgets.services.bec_status_box.bec_status_box import BECStatusBox
-from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.logpanel import LogPanel
-from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.visual.dark_mode_button.dark_mode_button import DarkModeButton
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
@@ -108,6 +92,7 @@ class BECDockArea(DockAreaWidget):
         "list_profiles",
         "save_profile",
         "load_profile",
+        "restore_baseline_profile",
         "delete_profile",
     ]
 
@@ -143,6 +128,10 @@ class BECDockArea(DockAreaWidget):
         self._mode = mode
 
         # Toolbar
+        from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.visual.dark_mode_button.dark_mode_button import (
+            DarkModeButton,
+        )
+
         self.dark_mode_button = DarkModeButton(parent=self, toolbar=True)
         self.dark_mode_button.setVisible(enable_profile_management)
         self._setup_toolbar()
@@ -235,11 +224,8 @@ class BECDockArea(DockAreaWidget):
     def _load_initial_profile(self, name: str) -> None:
         """Load the initial profile."""
         self.load_profile(name)
-        combo = self.toolbar.components.get_action("workspace_combo").widget
-        combo.blockSignals(True)
         if not self._empty_profile_active:
-            combo.setCurrentText(name)
-        combo.blockSignals(False)
+            self._set_workspace_combo_text_silent(name)
 
     def _start_empty_workspace(self) -> None:
         """
@@ -344,38 +330,42 @@ class BECDockArea(DockAreaWidget):
         self.toolbar = ModularToolBar(parent=self)
 
         plot_actions = {
-            "waveform": (Waveform.ICON_NAME, "Add Waveform", "Waveform"),
+            "waveform": (widget_icons["Waveform"], "Add Waveform", "Waveform"),
             "scatter_waveform": (
-                ScatterWaveform.ICON_NAME,
+                widget_icons["ScatterWaveform"],
                 "Add Scatter Waveform",
                 "ScatterWaveform",
             ),
-            "multi_waveform": (MultiWaveform.ICON_NAME, "Add Multi Waveform", "MultiWaveform"),
-            "image": (Image.ICON_NAME, "Add Image", "Image"),
-            "motor_map": (MotorMap.ICON_NAME, "Add Motor Map", "MotorMap"),
-            "heatmap": (Heatmap.ICON_NAME, "Add Heatmap", "Heatmap"),
+            "multi_waveform": (
+                widget_icons["MultiWaveform"],
+                "Add Multi Waveform",
+                "MultiWaveform",
+            ),
+            "image": (widget_icons["Image"], "Add Image", "Image"),
+            "motor_map": (widget_icons["MotorMap"], "Add Motor Map", "MotorMap"),
+            "heatmap": (widget_icons["Heatmap"], "Add Heatmap", "Heatmap"),
         }
         device_actions = {
-            "scan_control": (ScanControl.ICON_NAME, "Add Scan Control", "ScanControl"),
-            "positioner_box": (PositionerBox.ICON_NAME, "Add Device Box", "PositionerBox"),
+            "scan_control": (widget_icons["ScanControl"], "Add Scan Control", "ScanControl"),
+            "positioner_box": (widget_icons["PositionerBox"], "Add Device Box", "PositionerBox"),
             "positioner_box_2D": (
-                PositionerBox2D.ICON_NAME,
+                widget_icons["PositionerBox2D"],
                 "Add Device 2D Box",
                 "PositionerBox2D",
             ),
         }
         util_actions = {
-            "queue": (BECQueue.ICON_NAME, "Add Scan Queue", "BECQueue"),
-            "status": (BECStatusBox.ICON_NAME, "Add BEC Status Box", "BECStatusBox"),
+            "queue": (widget_icons["BECQueue"], "Add Scan Queue", "BECQueue"),
+            "status": (widget_icons["BECStatusBox"], "Add BEC Status Box", "BECStatusBox"),
             "progress_bar": (
-                RingProgressBar.ICON_NAME,
+                widget_icons["RingProgressBar"],
                 "Add Circular ProgressBar",
                 "RingProgressBar",
             ),
-            "terminal": (BecConsole.ICON_NAME, "Add Terminal", "BecConsole"),
-            "bec_shell": (BECShell.ICON_NAME, "Add BEC Shell", "BECShell"),
-            "log_panel": (LogPanel.ICON_NAME, "Add LogPanel - Disabled", "LogPanel"),
-            "sbb_monitor": ("train", "Add SBB Monitor", "SBBMonitor"),
+            "terminal": (widget_icons["BecConsole"], "Add Terminal", "BecConsole"),
+            "bec_shell": (widget_icons["BECShell"], "Add BEC Shell", "BECShell"),
+            "sbb_monitor": (widget_icons["SBBMonitor"], "Add SBB Monitor", "SBBMonitor"),
+            "log_panel": (widget_icons["LogPanel"], "Add LogPanel", "LogPanel"),
         }
 
         # Create expandable menu actions (original behavior)
@@ -487,9 +477,7 @@ class BECDockArea(DockAreaWidget):
             # first two items not needed for this part
             for key, (_, _, widget_type) in mapping.items():
                 act = menu.actions[key].action
-                if widget_type == "LogPanel":
-                    act.setEnabled(False)  # keep disabled per issue #644
-                elif key == "terminal":
+                if key == "terminal":
                     act.triggered.connect(
                         lambda _, t=widget_type: self.new(widget=t, closable=True, startup_cmd=None)
                     )
@@ -510,10 +498,7 @@ class BECDockArea(DockAreaWidget):
             for action_id, (_, _, widget_type) in mapping.items():
                 flat_action_id = f"flat_{action_id}"
                 flat_action = self.toolbar.components.get_action(flat_action_id).action
-                if widget_type == "LogPanel":
-                    flat_action.setEnabled(False)  # keep disabled per issue #644
-                else:
-                    flat_action.triggered.connect(lambda _, t=widget_type: self.new(t))
+                flat_action.triggered.connect(lambda _, t=widget_type: self.new(t))
 
         _connect_flat_actions(self._ACTION_MAPPINGS["menu_plots"])
         _connect_flat_actions(self._ACTION_MAPPINGS["menu_devices"])
@@ -595,13 +580,13 @@ class BECDockArea(DockAreaWidget):
 
     @property
     def profile_namespace(self) -> str | None:
-        """Namespace used to scope user/default profile files for this dock area."""
+        """Namespace used to scope runtime/baseline profile files for this dock area."""
         return self._resolve_profile_namespace()
 
     def _profile_exists(self, name: str, namespace: str | None) -> bool:
         return any(
-            os.path.exists(path) for path in user_profile_candidates(name, namespace)
-        ) or any(os.path.exists(path) for path in default_profile_candidates(name, namespace))
+            os.path.exists(path) for path in runtime_profile_candidates(name, namespace)
+        ) or any(os.path.exists(path) for path in baseline_profile_candidates(name, namespace))
 
     def _write_snapshot_to_settings(self, settings, save_preview: bool = True) -> None:
         """
@@ -627,35 +612,34 @@ class BECDockArea(DockAreaWidget):
         name: str,
         namespace: str | None,
         *,
-        write_default: bool = True,
-        write_user: bool = True,
+        write_baseline: bool = True,
+        write_runtime: bool = True,
         save_preview: bool = True,
     ) -> None:
         """
-        Write profile settings to default and/or user settings files.
+        Write profile settings to baseline and/or runtime settings files.
 
         Args:
             name: The profile name.
             namespace: The profile namespace.
-            write_default: Whether to write to the default settings file.
-            write_user: Whether to write to the user settings file.
+            write_baseline: Whether to write to the baseline settings file.
+            write_runtime: Whether to write to the runtime settings file.
             save_preview: Whether to save a screenshot preview.
         """
-        if write_default:
-            ds = open_default_settings(name, namespace=namespace)
-            self._write_snapshot_to_settings(ds, save_preview=save_preview)
-            if not ds.value(SETTINGS_KEYS["created_at"], ""):
-                ds.setValue(SETTINGS_KEYS["created_at"], now_iso_utc())
-            if not ds.value(SETTINGS_KEYS["is_quick_select"], None):
-                ds.setValue(SETTINGS_KEYS["is_quick_select"], True)
 
-        if write_user:
-            us = open_user_settings(name, namespace=namespace)
-            self._write_snapshot_to_settings(us, save_preview=save_preview)
-            if not us.value(SETTINGS_KEYS["created_at"], ""):
-                us.setValue(SETTINGS_KEYS["created_at"], now_iso_utc())
-            if not us.value(SETTINGS_KEYS["is_quick_select"], None):
-                us.setValue(SETTINGS_KEYS["is_quick_select"], True)
+        def _write_settings(open_settings) -> None:
+            settings = open_settings(name, namespace=namespace)
+            self._write_snapshot_to_settings(settings, save_preview=save_preview)
+            if not settings.value(SETTINGS_KEYS["created_at"], ""):
+                settings.setValue(SETTINGS_KEYS["created_at"], now_iso_utc())
+            if not settings.value(SETTINGS_KEYS["is_quick_select"], None):
+                settings.setValue(SETTINGS_KEYS["is_quick_select"], True)
+
+        if write_baseline:
+            _write_settings(open_baseline_settings)
+
+        if write_runtime:
+            _write_settings(open_runtime_settings)
 
     def _finalize_profile_change(self, name: str, namespace: str | None) -> None:
         """
@@ -673,6 +657,14 @@ class BECDockArea(DockAreaWidget):
         combo = self.toolbar.components.get_action("workspace_combo").widget
         combo.refresh_profiles(active_profile=name)
 
+    def _set_workspace_combo_text_silent(self, text: str) -> None:
+        combo = self.toolbar.components.get_action("workspace_combo").widget
+        was_blocked = combo.blockSignals(True)
+        try:
+            combo.setCurrentText(text)
+        finally:
+            combo.blockSignals(was_blocked)
+
     def _enter_empty_profile_state(self) -> None:
         """
         Switch to the transient empty workspace state.
@@ -709,10 +701,10 @@ class BECDockArea(DockAreaWidget):
         Save the current workspace profile.
 
         On first save of a given name:
-          - writes a default copy to states/default/<name>.ini with tag=default and created_at
-          - writes a user copy   to states/user/<name>.ini    with tag=user    and created_at
-        On subsequent saves of user-owned profiles:
-          - updates both the default and user copies so restore uses the latest snapshot.
+          - writes a baseline copy to profiles/baseline/<name>.ini with created_at
+          - writes a runtime copy to profiles/runtime/<name>.ini with created_at
+        On subsequent saves:
+          - updates both the baseline and runtime copies so restore uses the latest snapshot.
         Read-only bundled profiles cannot be overwritten.
 
         Args:
@@ -776,7 +768,7 @@ class BECDockArea(DockAreaWidget):
             overwrite_existing = origin == "settings"
 
         origin_before_save = profile_origin(name, namespace=namespace)
-        overwrite_default = overwrite_existing and origin_before_save == "settings"
+        overwrite_baseline = overwrite_existing and origin_before_save == "settings"
 
         # Display saving placeholder in toolbar
         workspace_combo = self.toolbar.components.get_action("workspace_combo").widget
@@ -785,12 +777,12 @@ class BECDockArea(DockAreaWidget):
         workspace_combo.setCurrentIndex(0)
         workspace_combo.blockSignals(False)
 
-        # Write to default and/or user settings
-        should_write_default = overwrite_default or not any(
-            os.path.exists(path) for path in default_profile_candidates(name, namespace)
+        # Write to baseline and/or runtime settings
+        should_write_baseline = overwrite_baseline or not any(
+            os.path.exists(path) for path in baseline_profile_candidates(name, namespace)
         )
         self._write_profile_settings(
-            name, namespace, write_default=should_write_default, write_user=True
+            name, namespace, write_baseline=should_write_baseline, write_runtime=True
         )
 
         set_quick_select(name, quickselect, namespace=namespace)
@@ -800,7 +792,6 @@ class BECDockArea(DockAreaWidget):
             self._pending_autosave_skip = (current_profile, name)
         else:
             self._pending_autosave_skip = None
-        workspace_combo.setCurrentText(name)
         self._finalize_profile_change(name, namespace)
 
     @SafeSlot()
@@ -820,16 +811,21 @@ class BECDockArea(DockAreaWidget):
 
     @SafeSlot()
     @SafeSlot(str)
+    @SafeSlot(str, bool)
     @rpc_timeout(None)
-    def load_profile(self, name: str | None = None):
+    def load_profile(self, name: str | None = None, restore_baseline: bool = False):
         """
         Load a workspace profile.
 
-        Before switching, persist the current profile to the user copy.
-        Prefer loading the user copy; fall back to the default copy.
+        Before switching, persist the current profile to the runtime copy.
+        Prefer loading the runtime copy; fall back to the baseline copy. When
+        ``restore_baseline`` is True, first overwrite the runtime copy with the
+        baseline profile and then load it.
 
         Args:
             name (str | None): The name of the profile to load. If None, prompts the user.
+            restore_baseline (bool): If True, restore the runtime copy from the
+                baseline before loading. Defaults to False.
         """
         if name == "":
             return
@@ -848,14 +844,17 @@ class BECDockArea(DockAreaWidget):
             if skip_pair and skip_pair == (prev_name, name):
                 self._pending_autosave_skip = None
             else:
-                us_prev = open_user_settings(prev_name, namespace=namespace)
+                us_prev = open_runtime_settings(prev_name, namespace=namespace)
                 self._write_snapshot_to_settings(us_prev, save_preview=True)
 
+        if restore_baseline:
+            restore_runtime_from_baseline(name, namespace=namespace)
+
         settings = None
-        if any(os.path.exists(path) for path in user_profile_candidates(name, namespace)):
-            settings = open_user_settings(name, namespace=namespace)
-        elif any(os.path.exists(path) for path in default_profile_candidates(name, namespace)):
-            settings = open_default_settings(name, namespace=namespace)
+        if any(os.path.exists(path) for path in runtime_profile_candidates(name, namespace)):
+            settings = open_runtime_settings(name, namespace=namespace)
+        elif any(os.path.exists(path) for path in baseline_profile_candidates(name, namespace)):
+            settings = open_baseline_settings(name, namespace=namespace)
         if settings is None:
             logger.warning(f"Profile '{name}' not found in namespace '{namespace}'. Creating new.")
             self.delete_all()
@@ -897,32 +896,36 @@ class BECDockArea(DockAreaWidget):
 
     @SafeSlot()
     @SafeSlot(str)
-    def restore_user_profile_from_default(self, name: str | None = None):
+    @SafeSlot(str, bool)
+    @rpc_timeout(None)
+    def restore_baseline_profile(self, name: str | None = None, show_dialog: bool = False):
         """
-        Overwrite the user copy of *name* with the default baseline.
+        Overwrite the runtime copy of *name* with the baseline.
         If *name* is None, target the currently active profile.
 
         Args:
             name (str | None): The name of the profile to restore. If None, uses the current profile.
+            show_dialog (bool): If True, ask for confirmation before restoring.
         """
         target = name or getattr(self, "_current_profile_name", None)
         if not target:
             return
         namespace = self.profile_namespace
 
-        current_pixmap = None
-        if self.isVisible():
-            current_pixmap = QPixmap()
-            ba = bytes(self.screenshot_bytes())
-            current_pixmap.loadFromData(ba)
-        if current_pixmap is None or current_pixmap.isNull():
-            current_pixmap = load_user_profile_screenshot(target, namespace=namespace)
-        default_pixmap = load_default_profile_screenshot(target, namespace=namespace)
+        if show_dialog:
+            current_pixmap = None
+            if self.isVisible():
+                current_pixmap = QPixmap()
+                ba = bytes(self.screenshot_bytes())
+                current_pixmap.loadFromData(ba)
+            if current_pixmap is None or current_pixmap.isNull():
+                current_pixmap = load_runtime_profile_screenshot(target, namespace=namespace)
+            baseline_pixmap = load_baseline_profile_screenshot(target, namespace=namespace)
 
-        if not RestoreProfileDialog.confirm(self, current_pixmap, default_pixmap):
-            return
+            if not RestoreProfileDialog.confirm(self, current_pixmap, baseline_pixmap):
+                return
 
-        restore_user_from_default(target, namespace=namespace)
+        restore_runtime_from_baseline(target, namespace=namespace)
         self.delete_all()
         self.load_profile(target)
 
@@ -1057,7 +1060,7 @@ class BECDockArea(DockAreaWidget):
         manage_action = self.toolbar.components.get_action("manage_workspaces").action
         if self.manage_dialog is None or not self.manage_dialog.isVisible():
             self.manage_widget = WorkSpaceManager(
-                self, target_widget=self, default_profile=self._current_profile_name
+                self, target_widget=self, active_profile=self._current_profile_name
             )
             self.manage_dialog = QDialog(modal=False)
 
@@ -1156,7 +1159,7 @@ class BECDockArea(DockAreaWidget):
             return
 
         namespace = self.profile_namespace
-        settings = open_user_settings(name, namespace=namespace)
+        settings = open_runtime_settings(name, namespace=namespace)
         self._write_snapshot_to_settings(settings)
         set_last_profile(name, namespace=namespace, instance=self._last_profile_instance_id())
         self._exit_snapshot_written = True
@@ -1186,6 +1189,8 @@ class BECDockArea(DockAreaWidget):
         )
         step_ids.append(step_id)
 
+        from bec_widgets.applications.views.view import ViewTourSteps
+
         return ViewTourSteps(view_title="Dock Area Workspace", step_ids=step_ids)
 
     def cleanup(self):
@@ -1206,6 +1211,9 @@ class BECDockArea(DockAreaWidget):
 if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     import sys
 
+    from bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher import BECDispatcher
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.main_window import BECMainWindowNoRPC
+
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
     apply_theme("dark")
     dispatcher = BECDispatcher(gui_id="ads")

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/dock_area/profile_utils.py

@@ -2,9 +2,13 @@
 Utilities for managing BECDockArea profiles stored in INI files.
 
 Policy:
-- All created/modified profiles are stored under the BEC settings root: <base_path>/profiles/{default,user}
-- Bundled read-only defaults are discovered in BW core states/default and plugin bec_widgets/profiles but never written to.
-- Lookup order when reading: user → settings default → app or plugin bundled default.
+- All created/modified profiles are stored under the BEC settings root:
+  <base_path>/profiles/{baseline,runtime}
+- Bundled read-only baselines are discovered in BW core profiles and plugin
+  bec_widgets/profiles but never written to.
+- Lookup order when reading: runtime → settings baseline → app or plugin bundled baseline.
+- Legacy settings paths profiles/{default,user} are read through a thin segment
+  alias layer and copied to the canonical location on first access.
 """
 
 from __future__ import annotations
@@ -32,6 +36,12 @@ logger = bec_logger.logger
 MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(__file__)))
 
 ProfileOrigin = Literal["module", "plugin", "settings", "unknown"]
+ProfileSegment = Literal["baseline", "runtime"]
+
+_PROFILE_SEGMENT_ALIASES: dict[ProfileSegment, tuple[str, str]] = {
+    "baseline": ("baseline", "default"),
+    "runtime": ("runtime", "user"),
+}
 
 
 def module_profiles_dir() -> str:
@@ -130,7 +140,7 @@ def _profiles_dir(segment: str, namespace: str | None) -> str:
     Build (and ensure) the directory that holds profiles for a namespace segment.
 
     Args:
-        segment (str): Either ``"user"`` or ``"default"``.
+        segment (str): Profile segment directory name.
         namespace (str | None): Optional namespace label to scope profiles.
 
     Returns:
@@ -143,157 +153,175 @@ def _profiles_dir(segment: str, namespace: str | None) -> str:
     return path
 
 
-def _user_path_candidates(name: str, namespace: str | None) -> list[str]:
-    """
-    Generate candidate user-profile paths honoring namespace fallbacks.
-
-    Args:
-        name (str): Profile name without extension.
-        namespace (str | None): Optional namespace label.
-
-    Returns:
-        list[str]: Ordered list of candidate user profile paths (.ini files).
-    """
+def _candidate_namespaces(namespace: str | None) -> list[str | None]:
     ns = slugify.slugify(namespace, separator="_") if namespace else None
-    primary = os.path.join(_profiles_dir("user", ns), f"{name}.ini")
     if not ns:
-        return [primary]
-    legacy = os.path.join(_profiles_dir("user", None), f"{name}.ini")
-    return [primary, legacy] if legacy != primary else [primary]
+        return [None]
+    return [ns, None]
 
 
-def _default_path_candidates(name: str, namespace: str | None) -> list[str]:
+def _segment_profile_path(segment_name: str, name: str, namespace: str | None) -> str:
+    return os.path.join(_profiles_dir(segment_name, namespace), f"{name}.ini")
+
+
+def _canonical_profile_path(segment: ProfileSegment, name: str, namespace: str | None) -> str:
+    return _segment_profile_path(_PROFILE_SEGMENT_ALIASES[segment][0], name, namespace)
+
+
+def _segment_path_candidates(
+    segment: ProfileSegment,
+    name: str,
+    namespace: str | None,
+    *,
+    include_legacy: bool = True,
+    migrate_legacy: bool = True,
+) -> list[str]:
     """
-    Generate candidate default-profile paths honoring namespace fallbacks.
+    Generate profile candidates for a canonical segment.
 
-    Args:
-        name (str): Profile name without extension.
-        namespace (str | None): Optional namespace label.
-
-    Returns:
-        list[str]: Ordered list of candidate default profile paths (.ini files).
+    Canonical baseline/runtime files are always preferred. Namespace fallback
+    files and legacy default/user files are copied to the primary canonical path
+    when the primary file does not exist.
     """
-    ns = slugify.slugify(namespace, separator="_") if namespace else None
-    primary = os.path.join(_profiles_dir("default", ns), f"{name}.ini")
-    if not ns:
-        return [primary]
-    legacy = os.path.join(_profiles_dir("default", None), f"{name}.ini")
-    return [primary, legacy] if legacy != primary else [primary]
+    canonical = [
+        _segment_profile_path(_PROFILE_SEGMENT_ALIASES[segment][0], name, ns)
+        for ns in _candidate_namespaces(namespace)
+    ]
+    legacy = []
+    if include_legacy:
+        legacy = [
+            _segment_profile_path(_PROFILE_SEGMENT_ALIASES[segment][1], name, ns)
+            for ns in _candidate_namespaces(namespace)
+        ]
+
+    primary_canonical = canonical[0]
+    if migrate_legacy and not os.path.exists(primary_canonical):
+        canonical_src = next((path for path in canonical[1:] if os.path.exists(path)), None)
+        if canonical_src:
+            os.makedirs(os.path.dirname(primary_canonical), exist_ok=True)
+            shutil.copy2(canonical_src, primary_canonical)
+        elif include_legacy:
+            legacy_src = next((path for path in legacy if os.path.exists(path)), None)
+            if legacy_src:
+                os.makedirs(os.path.dirname(primary_canonical), exist_ok=True)
+                shutil.copy2(legacy_src, primary_canonical)
+
+    return list(dict.fromkeys(canonical + legacy))
 
 
-def default_profiles_dir(namespace: str | None = None) -> str:
+def baseline_profiles_dir(namespace: str | None = None) -> str:
     """
-    Return the directory that stores default profiles for the namespace.
+    Return the directory that stores baseline profiles for the namespace.
 
     Args:
         namespace (str | None, optional): Namespace label. Defaults to ``None``.
 
     Returns:
-        str: Absolute path to the default profile directory.
+        str: Absolute path to the baseline profile directory.
     """
-    return _profiles_dir("default", namespace)
+    return _profiles_dir("baseline", namespace)
 
 
-def user_profiles_dir(namespace: str | None = None) -> str:
+def runtime_profiles_dir(namespace: str | None = None) -> str:
     """
-    Return the directory that stores user profiles for the namespace.
+    Return the directory that stores runtime profiles for the namespace.
 
     Args:
         namespace (str | None, optional): Namespace label. Defaults to ``None``.
 
     Returns:
-        str: Absolute path to the user profile directory.
+        str: Absolute path to the runtime profile directory.
     """
-    return _profiles_dir("user", namespace)
+    return _profiles_dir("runtime", namespace)
 
 
-def default_profile_path(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> str:
+def baseline_profile_path(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> str:
     """
-    Compute the canonical default profile path for a profile name.
+    Compute the canonical baseline profile path for a profile name.
 
     Args:
         name (str): Profile name without extension.
         namespace (str | None, optional): Namespace label. Defaults to ``None``.
 
     Returns:
-        str: Absolute path to the default profile file (.ini).
+        str: Absolute path to the baseline profile file (.ini).
     """
-    return _default_path_candidates(name, namespace)[0]
+    return _canonical_profile_path("baseline", name, namespace)
 
 
-def user_profile_path(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> str:
+def runtime_profile_path(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> str:
     """
-    Compute the canonical user profile path for a profile name.
+    Compute the canonical runtime profile path for a profile name.
 
     Args:
         name (str): Profile name without extension.
         namespace (str | None, optional): Namespace label. Defaults to ``None``.
 
     Returns:
-        str: Absolute path to the user profile file (.ini).
+        str: Absolute path to the runtime profile file (.ini).
     """
-    return _user_path_candidates(name, namespace)[0]
+    return _canonical_profile_path("runtime", name, namespace)
 
 
-def user_profile_candidates(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> list[str]:
+def runtime_profile_candidates(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> list[str]:
     """
-    List all user profile path candidates for a profile name.
+    List all runtime profile path candidates for a profile name.
 
     Args:
         name (str): Profile name without extension.
         namespace (str | None, optional): Namespace label. Defaults to ``None``.
 
     Returns:
-        list[str]: De-duplicated list of candidate user profile paths.
+        list[str]: De-duplicated list of candidate runtime profile paths.
     """
-    return list(dict.fromkeys(_user_path_candidates(name, namespace)))
+    return _segment_path_candidates("runtime", name, namespace)
 
 
-def default_profile_candidates(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> list[str]:
+def baseline_profile_candidates(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> list[str]:
     """
-    List all default profile path candidates for a profile name.
+    List all baseline profile path candidates for a profile name.
 
     Args:
         name (str): Profile name without extension.
         namespace (str | None, optional): Namespace label. Defaults to ``None``.
 
     Returns:
-        list[str]: De-duplicated list of candidate default profile paths.
+        list[str]: De-duplicated list of candidate baseline profile paths.
     """
-    return list(dict.fromkeys(_default_path_candidates(name, namespace)))
+    return _segment_path_candidates("baseline", name, namespace)
 
 
-def _existing_user_settings(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> QSettings | None:
+def _existing_runtime_settings(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> QSettings | None:
     """
-    Resolve the first existing user profile settings object.
+    Resolve the first existing runtime profile settings object.
 
     Args:
         name (str): Profile name without extension.
         namespace (str | None, optional): Namespace label to search. Defaults to ``None``.
 
     Returns:
-        QSettings | None: Config for the first existing user profile candidate, or ``None``
+        QSettings | None: Config for the first existing runtime profile candidate, or ``None``
             when no files are present.
     """
-    for path in user_profile_candidates(name, namespace):
+    for path in runtime_profile_candidates(name, namespace):
         if os.path.exists(path):
             return QSettings(path, QSettings.IniFormat)
     return None
 
 
-def _existing_default_settings(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> QSettings | None:
+def _existing_baseline_settings(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> QSettings | None:
     """
-    Resolve the first existing default profile settings object.
+    Resolve the first existing baseline profile settings object.
 
     Args:
         name (str): Profile name without extension.
         namespace (str | None, optional): Namespace label to search. Defaults to ``None``.
 
     Returns:
-        QSettings | None: Config for the first existing default profile candidate, or ``None``
+        QSettings | None: Config for the first existing baseline profile candidate, or ``None``
             when no files are present.
     """
-    for path in default_profile_candidates(name, namespace):
+    for path in baseline_profile_candidates(name, namespace):
         if os.path.exists(path):
             return QSettings(path, QSettings.IniFormat)
     return None
@@ -347,7 +375,7 @@ def profile_origin(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> ProfileOrigin:
     plugin_path = plugin_profile_path(name)
     if plugin_path and os.path.exists(plugin_path):
         return "plugin"
-    for path in user_profile_candidates(name, namespace) + default_profile_candidates(
+    for path in runtime_profile_candidates(name, namespace) + baseline_profile_candidates(
         name, namespace
     ):
         if os.path.exists(path):
@@ -406,8 +434,8 @@ def delete_profile_files(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> bool:
     read_only = is_profile_read_only(name, namespace)
 
     removed = False
-    # Always allow removing user copies; keep default copies for read-only origins.
-    for path in set(user_profile_candidates(name, namespace)):
+    # Always allow removing runtime copies; keep baseline copies for read-only origins.
+    for path in set(runtime_profile_candidates(name, namespace)):
         try:
             os.remove(path)
             removed = True
@@ -415,7 +443,7 @@ def delete_profile_files(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> bool:
             continue
 
     if not read_only:
-        for path in set(default_profile_candidates(name, namespace)):
+        for path in set(baseline_profile_candidates(name, namespace)):
             try:
                 os.remove(path)
                 removed = True
@@ -443,7 +471,7 @@ SETTINGS_KEYS = {
 
 def list_profiles(namespace: str | None = None) -> list[str]:
     """
-    Enumerate all known profile names, syncing bundled defaults when missing locally.
+    Enumerate all known profile names, syncing bundled baselines when missing locally.
 
     Args:
         namespace (str | None, optional): Namespace label scoped to the profile set.
@@ -459,16 +487,27 @@ def list_profiles(namespace: str | None = None) -> list[str]:
             return set()
         return {os.path.splitext(f)[0] for f in os.listdir(directory) if f.endswith(".ini")}
 
-    settings_dirs = {default_profiles_dir(namespace), user_profiles_dir(namespace)}
+    settings_dirs = {baseline_profiles_dir(namespace), runtime_profiles_dir(namespace)}
     if ns:
-        settings_dirs.add(default_profiles_dir(None))
-        settings_dirs.add(user_profiles_dir(None))
+        settings_dirs.add(baseline_profiles_dir(None))
+        settings_dirs.add(runtime_profiles_dir(None))
+
+    for segment in ("baseline", "runtime"):
+        for legacy_dir in [
+            _profiles_dir(_PROFILE_SEGMENT_ALIASES[segment][1], item)
+            for item in _candidate_namespaces(namespace)
+        ]:
+            settings_dirs.add(legacy_dir)
 
     settings_names: set[str] = set()
     for directory in settings_dirs:
         settings_names |= _collect_from(directory)
 
-    # Also consider read-only defaults from core module and beamline plugin repositories
+    for name in sorted(settings_names):
+        runtime_profile_candidates(name, namespace)
+        baseline_profile_candidates(name, namespace)
+
+    # Also consider read-only baselines from core module and beamline plugin repositories
     read_only_sources: dict[str, tuple[str, str]] = {}
     sources: list[tuple[str, str | None]] = [
         ("module", module_profiles_dir()),
@@ -484,17 +523,17 @@ def list_profiles(namespace: str | None = None) -> list[str]:
             read_only_sources.setdefault(name, (origin, os.path.join(directory, filename)))
 
     for name, (_origin, src) in sorted(read_only_sources.items()):
-        # Ensure a copy in the namespace-specific settings default directory
-        dst_default = default_profile_path(name, namespace)
-        if not os.path.exists(dst_default):
-            os.makedirs(os.path.dirname(dst_default), exist_ok=True)
-            shutil.copyfile(src, dst_default)
-        # Ensure a user copy exists to allow edits in the writable settings area
-        dst_user = user_profile_path(name, namespace)
-        if not os.path.exists(dst_user):
-            os.makedirs(os.path.dirname(dst_user), exist_ok=True)
-            shutil.copyfile(src, dst_user)
-            s = open_user_settings(name, namespace)
+        # Ensure a copy in the namespace-specific settings baseline directory.
+        dst_baseline = baseline_profile_path(name, namespace)
+        if not os.path.exists(dst_baseline):
+            os.makedirs(os.path.dirname(dst_baseline), exist_ok=True)
+            shutil.copy2(src, dst_baseline)
+        # Ensure a runtime copy exists to allow edits in the writable settings area.
+        dst_runtime = runtime_profile_path(name, namespace)
+        if not os.path.exists(dst_runtime):
+            os.makedirs(os.path.dirname(dst_runtime), exist_ok=True)
+            shutil.copy2(src, dst_runtime)
+            s = open_runtime_settings(name, namespace)
             if s.value(SETTINGS_KEYS["created_at"], "") == "":
                 s.setValue(SETTINGS_KEYS["created_at"], now_iso_utc())
 
@@ -504,32 +543,34 @@ def list_profiles(namespace: str | None = None) -> list[str]:
     return sorted(settings_names)
 
 
-def open_default_settings(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> QSettings:
+def open_baseline_settings(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> QSettings:
     """
-    Open (and create if necessary) the default profile settings file.
+    Open (and create if necessary) the baseline profile settings file.
 
     Args:
         name (str): Profile name without extension.
         namespace (str | None, optional): Namespace label. Defaults to ``None``.
 
     Returns:
-        QSettings: Settings instance targeting the default profile file.
+        QSettings: Settings instance targeting the baseline profile file.
     """
-    return QSettings(default_profile_path(name, namespace), QSettings.IniFormat)
+    baseline_profile_candidates(name, namespace)
+    return QSettings(baseline_profile_path(name, namespace), QSettings.IniFormat)
 
 
-def open_user_settings(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> QSettings:
+def open_runtime_settings(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> QSettings:
     """
-    Open (and create if necessary) the user profile settings file.
+    Open (and create if necessary) the runtime profile settings file.
 
     Args:
         name (str): Profile name without extension.
         namespace (str | None, optional): Namespace label. Defaults to ``None``.
 
     Returns:
-        QSettings: Settings instance targeting the user profile file.
+        QSettings: Settings instance targeting the runtime profile file.
     """
-    return QSettings(user_profile_path(name, namespace), QSettings.IniFormat)
+    runtime_profile_candidates(name, namespace)
+    return QSettings(runtime_profile_path(name, namespace), QSettings.IniFormat)
 
 
 def _app_settings() -> QSettings:
@@ -759,26 +800,26 @@ def read_manifest(settings: QSettings) -> list[dict]:
     return items
 
 
-def restore_user_from_default(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> None:
+def restore_runtime_from_baseline(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> None:
     """
-    Copy the default profile to the user profile, preserving quick-select flag.
+    Copy the baseline profile to the runtime profile, preserving quick-select flag.
 
     Args:
         name(str): Profile name without extension.
         namespace(str | None, optional): Namespace label. Defaults to ``None``.
     """
     src = None
-    for candidate in default_profile_candidates(name, namespace):
+    for candidate in baseline_profile_candidates(name, namespace):
         if os.path.exists(candidate):
             src = candidate
             break
     if not src:
         return
-    dst = user_profile_path(name, namespace)
+    dst = runtime_profile_path(name, namespace)
     preserve_quick_select = is_quick_select(name, namespace)
     os.makedirs(os.path.dirname(dst), exist_ok=True)
     shutil.copyfile(src, dst)
-    s = open_user_settings(name, namespace)
+    s = open_runtime_settings(name, namespace)
     if not s.value(SETTINGS_KEYS["created_at"], ""):
         s.setValue(SETTINGS_KEYS["created_at"], now_iso_utc())
     if preserve_quick_select:
@@ -796,9 +837,9 @@ def is_quick_select(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> bool:
     Returns:
         bool: True if quick-select is enabled for the profile.
     """
-    s = _existing_user_settings(name, namespace)
+    s = _existing_runtime_settings(name, namespace)
     if s is None:
-        s = _existing_default_settings(name, namespace)
+        s = _existing_baseline_settings(name, namespace)
     if s is None:
         return False
     return s.value(SETTINGS_KEYS["is_quick_select"], False, type=bool)
@@ -813,13 +854,13 @@ def set_quick_select(name: str, enabled: bool, namespace: str | None = None) ->
         enabled(bool): True to enable quick-select, False to disable.
         namespace(str | None, optional): Namespace label. Defaults to ``None``.
     """
-    s = open_user_settings(name, namespace)
+    s = open_runtime_settings(name, namespace)
     s.setValue(SETTINGS_KEYS["is_quick_select"], bool(enabled))
 
 
 def list_quick_profiles(namespace: str | None = None) -> list[str]:
     """
-    List only profiles that have quick-select enabled (user wins over default).
+    List only profiles that have quick-select enabled (runtime wins over baseline).
 
     Args:
         namespace(str | None, optional): Namespace label. Defaults to ``None``.
@@ -909,8 +950,8 @@ class ProfileInfo(BaseModel):
     is_quick_select: bool = False
     widget_count: int = 0
     size_kb: int = 0
-    user_path: str = ""
-    default_path: str = ""
+    runtime_path: str = ""
+    baseline_path: str = ""
     origin: ProfileOrigin = "unknown"
     is_read_only: bool = False
 
@@ -924,19 +965,19 @@ def get_profile_info(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> ProfileInfo:
         namespace (str | None, optional): Namespace label. Defaults to ``None``.
 
     Returns:
-        ProfileInfo: Structured profile metadata, preferring the user copy when present.
+        ProfileInfo: Structured profile metadata, preferring the runtime copy when present.
     """
-    user_paths = user_profile_candidates(name, namespace)
-    default_paths = default_profile_candidates(name, namespace)
-    u_path = next((p for p in user_paths if os.path.exists(p)), user_paths[0])
-    d_path = next((p for p in default_paths if os.path.exists(p)), default_paths[0])
+    runtime_paths = runtime_profile_candidates(name, namespace)
+    baseline_paths = baseline_profile_candidates(name, namespace)
+    r_path = next((p for p in runtime_paths if os.path.exists(p)), runtime_paths[0])
+    b_path = next((p for p in baseline_paths if os.path.exists(p)), baseline_paths[0])
     origin = profile_origin(name, namespace)
     read_only = origin in {"module", "plugin"}
-    prefer_user = os.path.exists(u_path)
-    if prefer_user:
-        s = QSettings(u_path, QSettings.IniFormat)
-    elif os.path.exists(d_path):
-        s = QSettings(d_path, QSettings.IniFormat)
+    prefer_runtime = os.path.exists(r_path)
+    if prefer_runtime:
+        s = QSettings(r_path, QSettings.IniFormat)
+    elif os.path.exists(b_path):
+        s = QSettings(b_path, QSettings.IniFormat)
     else:
         s = None
     if s is None:
@@ -957,14 +998,14 @@ def get_profile_info(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> ProfileInfo:
             is_quick_select=False,
             widget_count=0,
             size_kb=0,
-            user_path=u_path,
-            default_path=d_path,
+            runtime_path=r_path,
+            baseline_path=b_path,
             origin=origin,
             is_read_only=read_only,
         )
 
     created = s.value(SETTINGS_KEYS["created_at"], "", type=str) or now_iso_utc()
-    src_path = u_path if prefer_user else d_path
+    src_path = r_path if prefer_runtime else b_path
     modified = _file_modified_iso(src_path)
     count = _manifest_count(s)
     try:
@@ -990,8 +1031,8 @@ def get_profile_info(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> ProfileInfo:
         is_quick_select=is_quick_select(name, namespace),
         widget_count=count,
         size_kb=size_kb,
-        user_path=u_path,
-        default_path=d_path,
+        runtime_path=r_path,
+        baseline_path=b_path,
         origin=origin,
         is_read_only=read_only,
     )
@@ -999,7 +1040,7 @@ def get_profile_info(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> ProfileInfo:
 
 def load_profile_screenshot(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> QPixmap | None:
     """
-    Load the stored screenshot pixmap for a profile from settings (user preferred).
+    Load the stored screenshot pixmap for a profile from settings (runtime preferred).
 
     Args:
         name (str): Profile name without extension.
@@ -1008,17 +1049,17 @@ def load_profile_screenshot(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> QPixmap
     Returns:
         QPixmap | None: Screenshot pixmap or ``None`` if unavailable.
     """
-    s = _existing_user_settings(name, namespace)
+    s = _existing_runtime_settings(name, namespace)
     if s is None:
-        s = _existing_default_settings(name, namespace)
+        s = _existing_baseline_settings(name, namespace)
     if s is None:
         return None
     return _load_screenshot_from_settings(s)
 
 
-def load_default_profile_screenshot(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> QPixmap | None:
+def load_baseline_profile_screenshot(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> QPixmap | None:
     """
-    Load the screenshot from the default profile copy, if available.
+    Load the screenshot from the baseline profile copy, if available.
 
     Args:
         name (str): Profile name without extension.
@@ -1027,15 +1068,15 @@ def load_default_profile_screenshot(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) ->
     Returns:
         QPixmap | None: Screenshot pixmap or ``None`` if unavailable.
     """
-    s = _existing_default_settings(name, namespace)
+    s = _existing_baseline_settings(name, namespace)
     if s is None:
         return None
     return _load_screenshot_from_settings(s)
 
 
-def load_user_profile_screenshot(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> QPixmap | None:
+def load_runtime_profile_screenshot(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> QPixmap | None:
     """
-    Load the screenshot from the user profile copy, if available.
+    Load the screenshot from the runtime profile copy, if available.
 
     Args:
         name (str): Profile name without extension.
@@ -1044,7 +1085,7 @@ def load_user_profile_screenshot(name: str, namespace: str | None = None) -> QPi
     Returns:
         QPixmap | None: Screenshot pixmap or ``None`` if unavailable.
     """
-    s = _existing_user_settings(name, namespace)
+    s = _existing_runtime_settings(name, namespace)
     if s is None:
         return None
     return _load_screenshot_from_settings(s)

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/dock_area/settings/dialogs.py

@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ class SaveProfileDialog(QDialog):
                 self,
                 "Read-only profile",
                 (
-                    f"'{name}' is a default profile provided by {provider} and cannot be overwritten.\n"
+                    f"'{name}' is a baseline profile provided by {provider} and cannot be overwritten.\n"
                     "Please choose a different name."
                 ),
             )
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ class SaveProfileDialog(QDialog):
                 "Overwrite profile",
                 (
                     f"A profile named '{name}' already exists.\n\n"
-                    "Overwriting will update both the saved profile and its restore default.\n"
+                    "Overwriting will update both the runtime profile and its restore baseline.\n"
                     "Do you want to continue?"
                 ),
                 QMessageBox.StandardButton.Yes | QMessageBox.StandardButton.No,
@@ -257,21 +257,24 @@ class PreviewPanel(QGroupBox):
 
 class RestoreProfileDialog(QDialog):
     """
-    Confirmation dialog that previews the current profile screenshot against the default baseline.
+    Confirmation dialog that previews the current runtime screenshot against the baseline.
     """
 
     def __init__(
-        self, parent: QWidget | None, current_pixmap: QPixmap | None, default_pixmap: QPixmap | None
+        self,
+        parent: QWidget | None,
+        current_pixmap: QPixmap | None,
+        baseline_pixmap: QPixmap | None,
     ):
         super().__init__(parent)
-        self.setWindowTitle("Restore Profile to Default")
+        self.setWindowTitle("Restore Profile to Baseline")
         self.setModal(True)
         self.resize(880, 480)
 
         layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
 
         info_label = QLabel(
-            "Restoring will discard your custom layout and replace it with the default profile."
+            "Restoring will discard your runtime layout and replace it with the baseline profile."
         )
         info_label.setWordWrap(True)
         layout.addWidget(info_label)
@@ -280,7 +283,7 @@ class RestoreProfileDialog(QDialog):
         layout.addLayout(preview_row)
 
         current_preview = PreviewPanel("Current", current_pixmap, self)
-        default_preview = PreviewPanel("Default", default_pixmap, self)
+        baseline_preview = PreviewPanel("Baseline", baseline_pixmap, self)
 
         # Equal expansion left/right
         preview_row.addWidget(current_preview, 1)
@@ -292,7 +295,7 @@ class RestoreProfileDialog(QDialog):
         arrow_label.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Fixed, QSizePolicy.Expanding)
         preview_row.addWidget(arrow_label)
 
-        preview_row.addWidget(default_preview, 1)
+        preview_row.addWidget(baseline_preview, 1)
 
         # Enforce equal stretch for both previews
         preview_row.setStretch(0, 1)
@@ -300,7 +303,7 @@ class RestoreProfileDialog(QDialog):
         preview_row.setStretch(2, 1)
 
         warn_label = QLabel(
-            "This action cannot be undone. Do you want to restore the default layout now?"
+            "This action cannot be undone. Do you want to restore the baseline layout now?"
         )
         warn_label.setWordWrap(True)
         layout.addWidget(warn_label)
@@ -324,7 +327,7 @@ class RestoreProfileDialog(QDialog):
 
     @staticmethod
     def confirm(
-        parent: QWidget | None, current_pixmap: QPixmap | None, default_pixmap: QPixmap | None
+        parent: QWidget | None, current_pixmap: QPixmap | None, baseline_pixmap: QPixmap | None
     ) -> bool:
-        dialog = RestoreProfileDialog(parent, current_pixmap, default_pixmap)
+        dialog = RestoreProfileDialog(parent, current_pixmap, baseline_pixmap)
         return dialog.exec() == QDialog.Accepted

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

@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ class WorkSpaceManager(BECWidget, QWidget):
     HEADERS = ["Actions", "Profile", "Author"]
 
     def __init__(
-        self, parent=None, target_widget=None, default_profile: str | None = None, **kwargs
+        self, parent=None, target_widget=None, active_profile: str | None = None, **kwargs
     ):
         super().__init__(parent=parent, **kwargs)
         self.target_widget = target_widget
@@ -59,13 +59,13 @@ class WorkSpaceManager(BECWidget, QWidget):
         self._init_ui()
         if self.target_widget is not None and hasattr(self.target_widget, "profile_changed"):
             self.target_widget.profile_changed.connect(self.on_profile_changed)
-        if default_profile is not None:
-            self._select_by_name(default_profile)
-            self._show_profile_details(default_profile)
+        if active_profile is not None:
+            self._select_by_name(active_profile)
+            self._show_profile_details(active_profile)
 
     def _init_ui(self):
         self.root_layout = QHBoxLayout(self)
-        self.splitter = QSplitter(Qt.Horizontal, self)
+        self.splitter = QSplitter(Qt.Orientation.Horizontal, self)
         self.root_layout.addWidget(self.splitter)
 
         # Init components
@@ -89,7 +89,9 @@ class WorkSpaceManager(BECWidget, QWidget):
         left_panel.setMinimumWidth(220)
 
         # Make the screenshot preview expand to fill remaining space
-        self.screenshot_label.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Expanding)
+        self.screenshot_label.setSizePolicy(
+            QSizePolicy.Policy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Policy.Expanding
+        )
 
         self.right_box = QGroupBox("Profile Screenshot Preview", self)
         right_col = QVBoxLayout(self.right_box)
@@ -250,8 +252,8 @@ class WorkSpaceManager(BECWidget, QWidget):
             ("Quick select", "Yes" if info.is_quick_select else "No"),
             ("Widgets", str(info.widget_count)),
             ("Size (KB)", str(info.size_kb)),
-            ("User path", info.user_path or ""),
-            ("Default path", info.default_path or ""),
+            ("Runtime path", info.runtime_path or ""),
+            ("Baseline path", info.baseline_path or ""),
         ]
         for k, v in entries:
             self.profile_details_tree.addTopLevelItem(QTreeWidgetItem([k, v]))

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/dock_area/toolbar_components/workspace_actions.py

@@ -24,19 +24,9 @@ class ProfileComboBox(QComboBox):
     def set_quick_profile_provider(self, provider: Callable[[], list[str]]) -> None:
         self._quick_provider = provider
 
-    def refresh_profiles(
-        self, active_profile: str | None = None, show_empty_profile: bool = False
+    def _refresh_profiles(
+        self, current_text: str, active_profile: str | None = None, show_empty_profile: bool = False
     ) -> None:
-        """
-        Refresh the profile list and ensure the active profile is visible.
-
-        Args:
-            active_profile(str | None): The currently active profile name.
-            show_empty_profile(bool): If True, show an explicit empty unsaved workspace entry.
-        """
-
-        current_text = active_profile or self.currentText()
-        self.blockSignals(True)
         self.clear()
 
         quick_profiles = self._quick_provider()
@@ -103,7 +93,6 @@ class ProfileComboBox(QComboBox):
             if index >= 0:
                 self.setCurrentIndex(index)
 
-        self.blockSignals(False)
         if active_profile and self.currentText() != active_profile:
             idx = self.findText(active_profile)
             if idx >= 0:
@@ -115,6 +104,24 @@ class ProfileComboBox(QComboBox):
         else:
             self.setToolTip("")
 
+    def refresh_profiles(
+        self, active_profile: str | None = None, show_empty_profile: bool = False
+    ) -> None:
+        """
+        Refresh the profile list and ensure the active profile is visible.
+
+        Args:
+            active_profile(str | None): The currently active profile name.
+            show_empty_profile(bool): If True, show an explicit empty unsaved workspace entry.
+        """
+
+        current_text = active_profile or self.currentText()
+        was_blocked = self.blockSignals(True)
+        try:
+            self._refresh_profiles(current_text, active_profile, show_empty_profile)
+        finally:
+            self.blockSignals(was_blocked)
+
 
 def workspace_bundle(components: ToolbarComponents, enable_tools: bool = True) -> ToolbarBundle:
     """
@@ -122,6 +129,7 @@ def workspace_bundle(components: ToolbarComponents, enable_tools: bool = True) -
 
     Args:
         components (ToolbarComponents): The components to be added to the bundle.
+        enable_tools(bool): If True, show the workspace management tools; otherwise, only show the profile combo.
 
     Returns:
         ToolbarBundle: The workspace toolbar bundle.
@@ -143,15 +151,15 @@ def workspace_bundle(components: ToolbarComponents, enable_tools: bool = True) -
     components.get_action("save_workspace").action.setVisible(enable_tools)
 
     components.add_safe(
-        "reset_default_workspace",
+        "reset_baseline_workspace",
         MaterialIconAction(
             icon_name="undo",
-            tooltip="Refresh Current Workspace",
+            tooltip="Restore Baseline Profile",
             checkable=False,
             parent=components.toolbar,
         ),
     )
-    components.get_action("reset_default_workspace").action.setVisible(enable_tools)
+    components.get_action("reset_baseline_workspace").action.setVisible(enable_tools)
 
     components.add_safe(
         "manage_workspaces",
@@ -164,7 +172,7 @@ def workspace_bundle(components: ToolbarComponents, enable_tools: bool = True) -
     bundle = ToolbarBundle("workspace", components)
     bundle.add_action("workspace_combo")
     bundle.add_action("save_workspace")
-    bundle.add_action("reset_default_workspace")
+    bundle.add_action("reset_baseline_workspace")
     bundle.add_action("manage_workspaces")
     return bundle
 
@@ -194,9 +202,9 @@ class WorkspaceConnection(BundleConnection):
             self.target_widget.load_profile
         )
 
-        reset_action = self.components.get_action("reset_default_workspace").action
+        reset_action = self.components.get_action("reset_baseline_workspace").action
         if reset_action.isVisible():
-            reset_action.triggered.connect(self._reset_workspace_to_default)
+            reset_action.triggered.connect(self._reset_workspace_to_baseline)
 
         manage_action = self.components.get_action("manage_workspaces").action
         if manage_action.isVisible():
@@ -213,9 +221,9 @@ class WorkspaceConnection(BundleConnection):
             self.target_widget.load_profile
         )
 
-        reset_action = self.components.get_action("reset_default_workspace").action
+        reset_action = self.components.get_action("reset_baseline_workspace").action
         if reset_action.isVisible():
-            reset_action.triggered.disconnect(self._reset_workspace_to_default)
+            reset_action.triggered.disconnect(self._reset_workspace_to_baseline)
 
         manage_action = self.components.get_action("manage_workspaces").action
         if manage_action.isVisible():
@@ -223,8 +231,8 @@ class WorkspaceConnection(BundleConnection):
         self._connected = False
 
     @SafeSlot()
-    def _reset_workspace_to_default(self):
+    def _reset_workspace_to_baseline(self):
         """
         Refreshes the current workspace.
         """
-        self.target_widget.restore_user_profile_from_default()
+        self.target_widget.restore_baseline_profile(show_dialog=True)

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/layout_manager/layout_manager.py

@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
 )
 from typeguard import typechecked
 
-from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_widget_handler import widget_handler
+from bec_widgets.utils.rpc_widget_handler import widget_handler
 
 
 class LayoutManagerWidget(QWidget):

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/main_window/addons/notification_center/notification_banner.py

@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, QTimer
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QFrame, QMainWindow, QScrollArea, QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
-from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector
 from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 from bec_widgets.utils.widget_io import WidgetIO
 

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/main_window/main_window.py

@@ -18,10 +18,10 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
 )
 
 import bec_widgets
-from bec_widgets.utils import UILoader
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
 from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.utils.ui_loader import UILoader
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.addons.hover_widget import HoverWidget
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.addons.notification_center.notification_banner import (
     BECNotificationBroker,
@@ -30,7 +30,6 @@ from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.addons.notification_center.notif
 )
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.addons.scroll_label import ScrollLabel
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.addons.web_links import BECWebLinksMixin
-from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.bec_console.bec_console import BecConsoleRegistry
 from bec_widgets.widgets.progress.scan_progressbar.scan_progressbar import ScanProgressBar
 from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.widget_hierarchy_tree.widget_hierarchy_tree import (
     WidgetHierarchyDialog,
@@ -54,9 +53,6 @@ class BECMainWindow(BECWidget, QMainWindow):
         super().__init__(parent=parent, **kwargs)
 
         self.app = QApplication.instance()
-        self._console_registry = BecConsoleRegistry(self)
-        if not hasattr(self.app, "console_widget_registry"):
-            self.app.console_widget_registry = self._console_registry
         self.status_bar = self.statusBar()
         self._launcher_window = None
         self.setWindowTitle(window_title)

bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_control/positioner_box/positioner_box/positioner_box.py

@@ -11,9 +11,9 @@ from qtpy.QtCore import Qt, Signal
 from qtpy.QtGui import QDoubleValidator
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QDoubleSpinBox
 
-from bec_widgets.utils import UILoader
 from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme, get_accent_colors
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.utils.ui_loader import UILoader
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box.positioner_box_base import (
     DeviceUpdateUIComponents,
     PositionerBoxBase,

bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_control/positioner_box/positioner_box_2d/positioner_box_2d.py

@@ -12,9 +12,9 @@ from qtpy.QtCore import Signal
 from qtpy.QtGui import QDoubleValidator
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QDoubleSpinBox
 
-from bec_widgets.utils import UILoader
 from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.utils.ui_loader import UILoader
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box.positioner_box_base import (
     DeviceUpdateUIComponents,
     PositionerBoxBase,

bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_input/base_classes/device_input_base.py

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ from bec_lib.device import Signal as BECSignal
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from pydantic import field_validator
 
-from bec_widgets.utils import ConnectionConfig
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import ConnectionConfig
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.filter_io import FilterIO

bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_input/base_classes/device_signal_input_base.py

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ from bec_lib.device import Signal
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from qtpy.QtCore import Property
 
-from bec_widgets.utils import ConnectionConfig
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import ConnectionConfig
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.filter_io import FilterIO

bec_widgets/widgets/control/scan_control/scan_control.py

@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
     QWidget,
 )
 
-from bec_widgets.utils import ConnectionConfig
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import ConnectionConfig
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
 from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme, get_accent_colors
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot

bec_widgets/widgets/dap/lmfit_dialog/lmfit_dialog.py

@@ -5,10 +5,10 @@ from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from qtpy.QtCore import Signal
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QPushButton, QSizePolicy, QTreeWidgetItem, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
-from bec_widgets.utils import UILoader
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
 from bec_widgets.utils.colors import get_accent_colors
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.utils.ui_loader import UILoader
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 

bec_widgets/widgets/editors/bec_console/bec_console.py

@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import enum
+from dataclasses import dataclass, field
 from uuid import uuid4
 from weakref import WeakValueDictionary
 
 import shiboken6
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
-from pydantic import BaseModel
-from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, Qt
+from qtpy.QtCore import Qt, Signal
 from qtpy.QtGui import QMouseEvent
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
     QApplication,
@@ -39,33 +39,133 @@ class ConsoleMode(str, enum.Enum):
     HIDDEN = "hidden"
 
 
-class _TerminalOwnerInfo(BaseModel):
+@dataclass
+class _TerminalOwnerInfo:
     """Should be managed only by the BecConsoleRegistry. Consoles should ask the registry for
     necessary ownership info."""
 
     owner_console_id: str | None = None
-    registered_console_ids: set[str] = set()
-    instance: BecTerminal | QWidget
-    terminal_id: str
+    registered_console_ids: set[str] = field(default_factory=set)
+    instance: BecTerminal | None = None
+    terminal_id: str = ""
     initialized: bool = False
-    keep_if_last_console_closed: bool = False
-
-    model_config = {"arbitrary_types_allowed": True}
+    persist_session: bool = False
+    fallback_holder: QWidget | None = None
 
 
-class BecConsoleRegistry(QWidget):
+class BecConsoleRegistry:
     """
     A registry for the BecConsole class to manage its instances.
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, parent):
+    def __init__(self):
         """
         Initialize the registry.
         """
-        super().__init__(parent=parent)
         self._consoles: WeakValueDictionary[str, BecConsole] = WeakValueDictionary()
         self._terminal_registry: dict[str, _TerminalOwnerInfo] = {}
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def _is_valid_qobject(obj: object | None) -> bool:
+        return obj is not None and shiboken6.isValid(obj)
+
+    def _connect_app_cleanup(self) -> None:
+        app = QApplication.instance()
+        if app is None:
+            return
+        app.aboutToQuit.connect(self.clear, Qt.ConnectionType.UniqueConnection)
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _new_terminal_info(console: BecConsole) -> _TerminalOwnerInfo:
+        term = _BecTermClass()
+        return _TerminalOwnerInfo(
+            registered_console_ids={console.console_id},
+            owner_console_id=console.console_id,
+            instance=term,
+            terminal_id=console.terminal_id,
+            persist_session=console.persist_terminal_session,
+        )
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _replace_terminal(info: _TerminalOwnerInfo, console: BecConsole) -> None:
+        info.instance = _BecTermClass()
+        info.initialized = False
+        info.owner_console_id = console.console_id
+        info.registered_console_ids.add(console.console_id)
+        info.persist_session = info.persist_session or console.persist_terminal_session
+
+    def _delete_terminal_info(self, info: _TerminalOwnerInfo) -> None:
+        if self._is_valid_qobject(info.instance):
+            info.instance.deleteLater()  # type: ignore[union-attr]
+        info.instance = None
+        if self._is_valid_qobject(info.fallback_holder):
+            info.fallback_holder.deleteLater()
+        info.fallback_holder = None
+
+    def _parking_parent(
+        self,
+        info: _TerminalOwnerInfo,
+        console: BecConsole | None = None,
+        *,
+        avoid_console: bool = False,
+    ) -> QWidget | None:
+        for console_id in info.registered_console_ids:
+            candidate = self._consoles.get(console_id)
+            if candidate is None or candidate is console:
+                continue
+            if self._is_valid_qobject(candidate):
+                return candidate._term_holder
+
+        if console is None or not self._is_valid_qobject(console):
+            return None
+
+        window = console.window()
+        if window is not None and window is not console and self._is_valid_qobject(window):
+            return window
+
+        if not avoid_console:
+            return console._term_holder
+        return None
+
+    def _fallback_holder(
+        self,
+        info: _TerminalOwnerInfo,
+        console: BecConsole | None = None,
+        *,
+        avoid_console: bool = False,
+    ) -> QWidget:
+        if not self._is_valid_qobject(info.fallback_holder):
+            info.fallback_holder = QWidget(
+                parent=self._parking_parent(info, console, avoid_console=avoid_console)
+            )
+            info.fallback_holder.setObjectName(f"_bec_console_terminal_holder_{info.terminal_id}")
+            info.fallback_holder.hide()
+        return info.fallback_holder
+
+    def _park_terminal(
+        self,
+        info: _TerminalOwnerInfo,
+        console: BecConsole | None = None,
+        *,
+        avoid_console: bool = False,
+    ) -> None:
+        if not self._is_valid_qobject(info.instance):
+            return
+
+        parent = self._parking_parent(info, console, avoid_console=avoid_console)
+        if parent is None and info.persist_session:
+            parent = self._fallback_holder(info, console, avoid_console=avoid_console)
+
+        info.instance.hide()  # type: ignore[union-attr]
+        info.instance.setParent(parent)  # type: ignore[union-attr]
+
+    def clear(self) -> None:
+        """Delete every tracked terminal and holder."""
+        for info in list(self._terminal_registry.values()):
+            self._delete_terminal_info(info)
+        self._terminal_registry.clear()
+        self._consoles.clear()
+
     def register(self, console: BecConsole):
         """
         Register an instance of BecConsole. If there is already a terminal with the associated
@@ -74,49 +174,56 @@ class BecConsoleRegistry(QWidget):
         Args:
             console (BecConsole): The instance to register.
         """
+        self._connect_app_cleanup()
         self._consoles[console.console_id] = console
         console_id, terminal_id = console.console_id, console.terminal_id
-        if (term_info := self._terminal_registry.get(terminal_id)) is None or not shiboken6.isValid(
-            term_info.instance
-        ):
-            term = _BecTermClass()
-            self._terminal_registry[terminal_id] = _TerminalOwnerInfo(
-                registered_console_ids={console_id},
-                owner_console_id=console_id,
-                instance=term,
-                terminal_id=terminal_id,
-                keep_if_last_console_closed=console.persevere_terminal,
-            )
-            if console.persevere_terminal:
-                term.setAttribute(Qt.WidgetAttribute.WA_DeleteOnClose, False)
+        term_info = self._terminal_registry.get(terminal_id)
+        if term_info is None:
+            self._terminal_registry[terminal_id] = self._new_terminal_info(console)
             return
 
-        logger.info(f"Registered new console {console_id} for terminal {terminal_id}")
+        term_info.persist_session = term_info.persist_session or console.persist_terminal_session
+        had_registered_consoles = bool(term_info.registered_console_ids)
         term_info.registered_console_ids.add(console_id)
+        if not self._is_valid_qobject(term_info.instance):
+            self._replace_terminal(term_info, console)
+            return
+        if (
+            term_info.owner_console_id is not None
+            and term_info.owner_console_id not in self._consoles
+        ):
+            term_info.owner_console_id = None
+        if term_info.owner_console_id is None and not had_registered_consoles:
+            term_info.owner_console_id = console_id
+        logger.info(f"Registered new console {console_id} for terminal {terminal_id}")
 
     def unregister(self, console: BecConsole):
         """
         Unregister an instance of BecConsole.
 
         Args:
-            instance (BecConsole): The instance to unregister.
+            console (BecConsole): The instance to unregister.
         """
         console_id, terminal_id = console.console_id, console.terminal_id
         if console_id in self._consoles:
             del self._consoles[console_id]
         if (term_info := self._terminal_registry.get(terminal_id)) is None:
             return
+        detached = console._detach_terminal_widget(term_info.instance)
         if console_id in term_info.registered_console_ids:
             term_info.registered_console_ids.remove(console_id)
         if term_info.owner_console_id == console_id:
             term_info.owner_console_id = None
         if not term_info.registered_console_ids:
-            if not term_info.keep_if_last_console_closed:
-                term_info.instance.deleteLater()
-                del self._terminal_registry[terminal_id]
-            else:
-                term_info.instance.setHidden()
-                term_info.instance.setParent(self)
+            if term_info.persist_session and self._is_valid_qobject(term_info.instance):
+                self._park_terminal(term_info, console, avoid_console=True)
+                logger.info(f"Unregistered console {console_id} for terminal {terminal_id}")
+                return
+
+            self._delete_terminal_info(term_info)
+            del self._terminal_registry[terminal_id]
+        elif detached:
+            self._park_terminal(term_info, console, avoid_console=True)
 
         logger.info(f"Unregistered console {console_id} for terminal {terminal_id}")
 
@@ -127,6 +234,8 @@ class BecConsoleRegistry(QWidget):
         if (info := self._terminal_registry.get(console.terminal_id)) is None:
             logger.warning(f"Console {console.console_id} references an unknown terminal!")
             return False
+        if not self._is_valid_qobject(info.instance):
+            return False
         return info.owner_console_id == console.console_id
 
     def take_ownership(self, console: BecConsole) -> BecTerminal | None:
@@ -141,14 +250,19 @@ class BecConsoleRegistry(QWidget):
         console_id, terminal_id = console.console_id, console.terminal_id
 
         if terminal_id not in self._terminal_registry:
-            logger.warning(f"Terminal {terminal_id} not found in registry")
-            return None
+            self.register(console)
 
         instance_info = self._terminal_registry[terminal_id]
-        if (old_owner_console_id := instance_info.owner_console_id) is not None:
-            if (old_owner := self._consoles.get(old_owner_console_id)) is not None:
+        if not self._is_valid_qobject(instance_info.instance):
+            self._replace_terminal(instance_info, console)
+        if (old_owner_console_ide := instance_info.owner_console_id) is not None:
+            if (
+                old_owner_console_ide != console_id
+                and (old_owner := self._consoles.get(old_owner_console_ide)) is not None
+            ):
                 old_owner.yield_ownership()  # call this on the old owner to make sure it is updated
         instance_info.owner_console_id = console_id
+        instance_info.registered_console_ids.add(console_id)
         logger.info(f"Transferred ownership of terminal {terminal_id} to {console_id}")
         return instance_info.instance
 
@@ -168,17 +282,21 @@ class BecConsoleRegistry(QWidget):
             return None
 
         instance_info = self._terminal_registry[terminal_id]
+        if not self._is_valid_qobject(instance_info.instance):
+            if instance_info.owner_console_id == console_id:
+                self._replace_terminal(instance_info, console)
+            else:
+                return None
         if instance_info.owner_console_id == console_id:
             return instance_info.instance
 
     def yield_ownership(self, console: BecConsole):
         """
-        Yield ownership of a instance without destroying it. The instance remains in the
+        Yield ownership of an instance without destroying it. The instance remains in the
         registry with no owner, available for another widget to claim.
 
         Args:
-            gui_id (str): The GUI ID of the widget yielding ownership.
-
+            console (BecConsole): The console which wishes to yield ownership of its associated terminal.
         """
         console_id, terminal_id = console.console_id, console.terminal_id
         logger.debug(f"Console {console_id} attempted to yield ownership")
@@ -190,20 +308,40 @@ class BecConsoleRegistry(QWidget):
             logger.debug(f"But it was not the owner, which was {term_info.owner_console_id}!")
             return
         term_info.owner_console_id = None
+        console._detach_terminal_widget(term_info.instance)
+        self._park_terminal(term_info, console)
 
-        term_info.instance.setParent(QApplication.instance().console_widget_registry)
+    def should_initialize(self, console: BecConsole) -> bool:
+        """Return true if the console should send its startup command to the terminal."""
+        info = self._terminal_registry.get(console.terminal_id)
+        if info is None:
+            return False
+        return (
+            info.owner_console_id == console.console_id
+            and not info.initialized
+            and self._is_valid_qobject(info.instance)
+        )
+
+    def mark_initialized(self, console: BecConsole) -> None:
+        info = self._terminal_registry.get(console.terminal_id)
+        if info is not None and info.owner_console_id == console.console_id:
+            info.initialized = True
 
     def owner_is_visible(self, term_id: str) -> bool:
         """
-        Check if the owner of a instance is currently visible.
+        Check if the owner of an instance is currently visible.
 
         Args:
-            unique_id (str): The unique identifier for the instance.
+            term_id (str): The terminal ID to check.
         Returns:
             bool: True if the owner is visible, False otherwise.
         """
         instance_info = self._terminal_registry.get(term_id)
-        if instance_info is None or instance_info.owner_console_id is None:
+        if (
+            instance_info is None
+            or instance_info.owner_console_id is None
+            or not self._is_valid_qobject(instance_info.instance)
+        ):
             return False
 
         if (owner := self._consoles.get(instance_info.owner_console_id)) is None:
@@ -211,6 +349,9 @@ class BecConsoleRegistry(QWidget):
         return owner.isVisible()
 
 
+_bec_console_registry = BecConsoleRegistry()
+
+
 class _Overlay(QWidget):
     def __init__(self, console: BecConsole):
         super().__init__(parent=console)
@@ -227,8 +368,12 @@ class _Overlay(QWidget):
 class BecConsole(BECWidget, QWidget):
     """A console widget with access to a shared registry of terminals, such that instances can be moved around."""
 
+    _js_callback = Signal(bool)
+    initialized = Signal()
+
     PLUGIN = True
     ICON_NAME = "terminal"
+    persist_terminal_session = False
 
     def __init__(
         self,
@@ -238,7 +383,6 @@ class BecConsole(BECWidget, QWidget):
         gui_id=None,
         startup_cmd: str | None = None,
         terminal_id: str | None = None,
-        persevere_terminal: bool = False,
         **kwargs,
     ):
         super().__init__(parent=parent, client=client, gui_id=gui_id, config=config, **kwargs)
@@ -248,7 +392,6 @@ class BecConsole(BECWidget, QWidget):
         self.terminal_id = terminal_id or str(uuid4())
         self.console_id = self.gui_id
         self.term: BecTerminal | None = None  # Will be set in _set_up_instance
-        self.persevere_terminal = persevere_terminal
 
         self._set_up_instance()
 
@@ -276,13 +419,12 @@ class BecConsole(BECWidget, QWidget):
         self._stacked_layout.addWidget(self._overlay)
 
         # will create a new terminal instance if there isn't already one for this ID
-        QApplication.instance().console_widget_registry.register(self)
+        _bec_console_registry.register(self)
         self._infer_mode()
-        if self.startup_cmd:
-            self.write(self.startup_cmd, True)  # will have no effect if not the owner
+        self._ensure_startup_started()
 
     def _infer_mode(self):
-        self.term = QApplication.instance().console_widget_registry.try_get_term(self)
+        self.term = _bec_console_registry.try_get_term(self)
         if self.term:
             self._set_mode(ConsoleMode.ACTIVE)
         elif self.isHidden():
@@ -301,8 +443,9 @@ class BecConsole(BECWidget, QWidget):
         match mode:
             case ConsoleMode.ACTIVE:
                 if self.term:
-                    if self.term not in (self._term_layout.children()):
+                    if self._term_layout.indexOf(self.term) == -1:  # type: ignore[arg-type]
                         self._term_layout.addWidget(self.term)  # type: ignore # BecTerminal is QWidget
+                    self.term.show()  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
                     self._stacked_layout.setCurrentIndex(0)
                     self._mode = mode
                 else:
@@ -326,7 +469,6 @@ class BecConsole(BECWidget, QWidget):
     def startup_cmd(self, cmd: str | None):
         """
         Set the startup command for the console.
-        logger.info(f"{self._console_id} inferred mode active through ownerp)
         """
         self._startup_cmd = cmd
 
@@ -341,14 +483,38 @@ class BecConsole(BECWidget, QWidget):
         if self.term:
             self.term.write(data, send_return)
 
+    def _ensure_startup_started(self):
+        if not self.startup_cmd or not _bec_console_registry.should_initialize(self):
+            return
+        self.write(self.startup_cmd, True)
+        _bec_console_registry.mark_initialized(self)
+
+    def _detach_terminal_widget(self, term: BecTerminal | None) -> bool:
+        if term is None or not BecConsoleRegistry._is_valid_qobject(term):
+            if self.term is term:
+                self.term = None
+            return False
+
+        is_child = self.isAncestorOf(term)  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+        if self._term_layout.indexOf(term) != -1:  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+            self._term_layout.removeWidget(term)  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+            is_child = True
+        if is_child:
+            term.hide()  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+            term.setParent(None)  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+        if self.term is term:
+            self.term = None
+        return is_child
+
     def take_terminal_ownership(self):
         """
         Take ownership of a web instance from the registry. This will transfer the instance
         from its current owner (if any) to this widget.
         """
         # Get the instance from registry
-        self.term = QApplication.instance().console_widget_registry.take_ownership(self)
+        self.term = _bec_console_registry.take_ownership(self)
         self._infer_mode()
+        self._ensure_startup_started()
         if self._mode == ConsoleMode.ACTIVE:
             logger.debug(f"Widget {self.gui_id} took ownership of instance {self.terminal_id}")
 
@@ -358,7 +524,7 @@ class BecConsole(BECWidget, QWidget):
         available for another widget to claim. This is automatically called when the
         widget becomes hidden.
         """
-        QApplication.instance().console_widget_registry.yield_ownership(self)
+        _bec_console_registry.yield_ownership(self)
         self._infer_mode()
         if self._mode != ConsoleMode.ACTIVE:
             logger.debug(f"Widget {self.gui_id} yielded ownership of instance {self.terminal_id}")
@@ -371,13 +537,13 @@ class BecConsole(BECWidget, QWidget):
     def showEvent(self, event):
         """Called when the widget is shown. Updates UI state based on ownership."""
         super().showEvent(event)
-        if not QApplication.instance().console_widget_registry.is_owner(self):
-            if not QApplication.instance().console_widget_registry.owner_is_visible(self.terminal_id):
+        if not _bec_console_registry.is_owner(self):
+            if not _bec_console_registry.owner_is_visible(self.terminal_id):
                 self.take_terminal_ownership()
 
     def cleanup(self):
         """Unregister this console on destruction."""
-        QApplication.instance().console_widget_registry.unregister(self)
+        _bec_console_registry.unregister(self)
         super().cleanup()
 
 
@@ -389,6 +555,7 @@ class BECShell(BecConsole):
     """
 
     ICON_NAME = "hub"
+    persist_terminal_session = True
 
     def __init__(self, parent=None, config=None, client=None, gui_id=None, **kwargs):
         super().__init__(
@@ -397,7 +564,6 @@ class BECShell(BecConsole):
             client=client,
             gui_id=gui_id,
             terminal_id="bec_shell",
-            persevere_terminal=True,
             **kwargs,
         )
 

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/heatmap/heatmap.py

@@ -2,25 +2,20 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 import json
 from dataclasses import dataclass
-from typing import Literal
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Literal
 
 import numpy as np
 import pyqtgraph as pg
 from bec_lib import bec_logger, messages
 from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
+from bec_lib.utils.import_utils import lazy_import, lazy_import_from
 from pydantic import BaseModel, Field, field_validator
 from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, Qt, QThread, QTimer, Signal
 from qtpy.QtGui import QTransform
-from scipy.interpolate import (
-    CloughTocher2DInterpolator,
-    LinearNDInterpolator,
-    NearestNDInterpolator,
-)
-from scipy.spatial import cKDTree
 from toolz import partition
 
-from bec_widgets.utils import Colors
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import ConnectionConfig
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import Colors
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.settings_dialog import SettingsDialog
 from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.actions import MaterialIconAction
@@ -32,6 +27,22 @@ from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.plot_base import PlotBase
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
 
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from scipy.interpolate import (
+        CloughTocher2DInterpolator,
+        LinearNDInterpolator,
+        NearestNDInterpolator,
+    )
+    from scipy.spatial import cKDTree
+else:
+
+    CloughTocher2DInterpolator, LinearNDInterpolator, NearestNDInterpolator = lazy_import_from(
+        "scipy.interpolate",
+        ["CloughTocher2DInterpolator", "LinearNDInterpolator", "NearestNDInterpolator"],
+    )
+    cKDTree = lazy_import_from("scipy.spatial", ["cKDTree"])
+
+
 class HeatmapDeviceSignal(BaseModel):
     """The configuration of a signal in the scatter waveform widget."""
 
@@ -611,7 +622,7 @@ class Heatmap(ImageBase):
             scan_msg = self.scan_item.status_message
         elif hasattr(self.scan_item, "metadata"):
             metadata = self.scan_item.metadata["bec"]
-            status = metadata["exit_status"]
+            status = metadata["status"]
             scan_id = metadata["scan_id"]
             scan_name = metadata["scan_name"]
             scan_type = metadata["scan_type"]

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/heatmap/settings/heatmap_setting.py

@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ import os
 
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QFrame, QScrollArea, QVBoxLayout
 
-from bec_widgets.utils import UILoader
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.settings_dialog import SettingWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.ui_loader import UILoader
 
 
 class HeatmapSettings(SettingWidget):

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/image/image.py

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ from pydantic import BaseModel, Field, field_validator
 from qtpy.QtCore import QTimer
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
-from bec_widgets.utils import ConnectionConfig
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import ConnectionConfig
 from bec_widgets.utils.colors import Colors, apply_theme
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.image.image_base import ImageBase

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/image/image_base.py

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ from pydantic import BaseModel, ConfigDict, Field, ValidationError
 from qtpy.QtCore import QPointF, Signal, SignalInstance
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QDialog, QVBoxLayout
 
-from bec_widgets.utils import Colors
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import Colors
 from bec_widgets.utils.container_utils import WidgetContainerUtils
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.side_panel import SidePanel

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/image/image_item.py

@@ -9,7 +9,8 @@ from pydantic import Field, ValidationError, field_validator
 from qtpy.QtCore import Signal
 from qtpy.QtGui import QTransform
 
-from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector, Colors, ConnectionConfig
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector, ConnectionConfig
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import Colors
 from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.image.image_processor import (
     ImageProcessor,
     ImageStats,

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/image/setting_widgets/image_roi_tree.py

@@ -20,7 +20,8 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
 )
 
 from bec_widgets import BECWidget
-from bec_widgets.utils import BECDispatcher, ConnectionConfig
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import ConnectionConfig
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher import BECDispatcher
 from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.actions import WidgetAction
 from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.bundles import ToolbarBundle
 from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.toolbar import MaterialIconAction, ModularToolBar

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/motor_map/motor_map.py

@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ from qtpy.QtCore import Signal
 from qtpy.QtGui import QColor
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QHBoxLayout, QMainWindow, QWidget
 
-from bec_widgets.utils import Colors, ConnectionConfig
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import ConnectionConfig
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import Colors, apply_theme
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.settings_dialog import SettingsDialog
 from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.toolbar import MaterialIconAction

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/motor_map/settings/motor_map_settings.py

@@ -2,9 +2,9 @@ import os
 
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QFrame, QScrollArea, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
-from bec_widgets.utils import UILoader
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.settings_dialog import SettingWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.ui_loader import UILoader
 from bec_widgets.utils.widget_io import WidgetIO
 
 

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/multi_waveform/multi_waveform.py

@@ -10,7 +10,8 @@ from pydantic import Field, ValidationError, field_validator
 from qtpy.QtCore import Signal
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
-from bec_widgets.utils import Colors, ConnectionConfig
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import ConnectionConfig
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import Colors
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.side_panel import SidePanel
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_input.device_combobox.device_combobox import DeviceComboBox

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/multi_waveform/settings/control_panel.py

@@ -2,9 +2,9 @@ import os
 
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
-from bec_widgets.utils import UILoader
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.settings_dialog import SettingWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.ui_loader import UILoader
 from bec_widgets.utils.widget_io import WidgetIO
 
 

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/plot_base.py

@@ -8,8 +8,10 @@ from bec_lib import bec_logger
 from qtpy.QtCore import QPoint, QPointF, Qt, Signal
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QHBoxLayout, QLabel, QMainWindow, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
-from bec_widgets.utils import ConnectionConfig, Crosshair, EntryValidator
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import ConnectionConfig
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.crosshair import Crosshair
+from bec_widgets.utils.entry_validator import EntryValidator
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.fps_counter import FPSCounter
 from bec_widgets.utils.plot_indicator_items import BECArrowItem, BECTickItem

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/roi/image_roi.py

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ from qtpy import QtCore
 from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, Signal
 
 from bec_widgets import SafeProperty
-from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector, ConnectionConfig
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector, ConnectionConfig
 from bec_widgets.utils.colors import Colors
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/scatter_waveform/scatter_curve.py

@@ -8,7 +8,8 @@ from bec_lib import bec_logger
 from pydantic import BaseModel, Field, ValidationError, field_validator
 from qtpy import QtCore
 
-from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector, Colors, ConnectionConfig
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector, ConnectionConfig
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import Colors
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
     from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.scatter_waveform.scatter_waveform import ScatterWaveform

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/scatter_waveform/scatter_waveform.py

@@ -7,7 +7,8 @@ from pydantic import Field, ValidationError, field_validator
 from qtpy.QtCore import QTimer, Signal
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QHBoxLayout, QMainWindow, QWidget
 
-from bec_widgets.utils import Colors, ConnectionConfig
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import ConnectionConfig
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import Colors
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.settings_dialog import SettingsDialog
 from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.toolbar import MaterialIconAction

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/scatter_waveform/settings/scatter_curve_setting.py

@@ -2,9 +2,9 @@ import os
 
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QFrame, QScrollArea, QVBoxLayout
 
-from bec_widgets.utils import UILoader
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.settings_dialog import SettingWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.ui_loader import UILoader
 
 
 class ScatterCurveSettings(SettingWidget):

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/setting_menus/axis_settings.py

@@ -2,9 +2,9 @@ import os
 
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QFrame, QScrollArea, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
-from bec_widgets.utils import UILoader
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.settings_dialog import SettingWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.ui_loader import UILoader
 from bec_widgets.utils.widget_io import WidgetIO
 
 

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/waveform/curve.py

@@ -8,7 +8,8 @@ from bec_lib import bec_logger
 from pydantic import BaseModel, Field, field_validator
 from qtpy import QtCore
 
-from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector, Colors, ConnectionConfig
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector, ConnectionConfig
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import Colors
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
     from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.waveform import Waveform

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/waveform/settings/curve_settings/curve_tree.py

@@ -50,9 +50,10 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
 )
 
 from bec_widgets import SafeSlot
-from bec_widgets.utils import ConnectionConfig, EntryValidator
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import ConnectionConfig
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
 from bec_widgets.utils.colors import Colors
+from bec_widgets.utils.entry_validator import EntryValidator
 from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.actions import WidgetAction
 from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.bundles import ToolbarBundle
 from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.toolbar import MaterialIconAction, ModularToolBar

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/waveform/waveform.py

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ from bec_lib.device import Positioner
 from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
 from bec_lib.lmfit_serializer import serialize_lmfit_params, serialize_param_object
 from bec_lib.scan_data_container import ScanDataContainer
+from bec_lib.utils.import_utils import lazy_import
 from pydantic import Field, ValidationError, field_validator
 from qtpy.QtCore import Qt, QTimer, Signal
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
@@ -25,7 +26,7 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
     QWidget,
 )
 
-from bec_widgets.utils import ConnectionConfig
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import ConnectionConfig
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_signal_proxy import BECSignalProxy
 from bec_widgets.utils.colors import Colors, apply_theme
 from bec_widgets.utils.container_utils import WidgetContainerUtils
@@ -54,13 +55,7 @@ _DAP_PARAM = object()
 if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
     import lmfit  # type: ignore
 else:
-    try:
-        import lmfit  # type: ignore
-    except Exception as e:  # pragma: no cover
-        logger.warning(
-            f"lmfit could not be imported: {e}. Custom DAP functionality will be unavailable."
-        )
-        lmfit = None
+    lmfit = lazy_import("lmfit")
 
 
 # noinspection PyDataclass

bec_widgets/widgets/progress/ring_progress_bar/ring_progress_bar.py

@@ -6,8 +6,8 @@ from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from qtpy.QtCore import QPointF, QSize, Qt
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QHBoxLayout, QLabel, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
-from bec_widgets.utils import Colors
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import Colors
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty
 from bec_widgets.utils.settings_dialog import SettingsDialog
 from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.actions import MaterialIconAction

bec_widgets/widgets/progress/ring_progress_bar/ring_progress_settings_cards.py

@@ -19,9 +19,9 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
     QWidget,
 )
 
-from bec_widgets.utils import UILoader
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.settings_dialog import SettingWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.ui_loader import UILoader
 from bec_widgets.widgets.progress.ring_progress_bar.ring import Ring
 from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.visual.colormap_widget.colormap_widget import BECColorMapWidget
 

bec_widgets/widgets/services/device_browser/device_browser.py

@@ -12,10 +12,10 @@ from pyqtgraph import SignalProxy
 from qtpy.QtCore import QThreadPool, Signal
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QFileDialog, QListWidget, QToolButton, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
-from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_register import RPCRegister
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.list_of_expandable_frames import ListOfExpandableFrames
+from bec_widgets.utils.rpc_register import RPCRegister
 from bec_widgets.utils.ui_loader import UILoader
 from bec_widgets.widgets.services.device_browser.device_item import DeviceItem
 from bec_widgets.widgets.services.device_browser.device_item.device_config_dialog import (

bec_widgets/widgets/utility/bec_term/qtermwidget_wrapper.py

@@ -52,19 +52,19 @@ class BecQTerm(QWidget):
         self.setLayout(self._layout)
         if QTermWidget:
             self._main_widget = QTermWidget(parent=self)
-            self.activity.connect(self._main_widget.activity)
-            self.bell.connect(self._main_widget.bell)
-            self.copy_available.connect(self._main_widget.copyAvailable)
-            self.current_directory_changed.connect(self._main_widget.currentDirectoryChanged)
-            self.finished.connect(self._main_widget.finished)
-            self.profile_changed.connect(self._main_widget.profileChanged)
-            self.received_data.connect(self._main_widget.receivedData)
-            self.silence.connect(self._main_widget.silence)
-            self.term_got_focus.connect(self._main_widget.termGetFocus)
-            self.term_key_pressed.connect(self._main_widget.termKeyPressed)
-            self.term_lost_focus.connect(self._main_widget.termLostFocus)
-            self.title_changed.connect(self._main_widget.titleChanged)
-            self.url_activated.connect(self._main_widget.urlActivated)
+            self._main_widget.activity.connect(self.activity)
+            self._main_widget.bell.connect(self.bell)
+            self._main_widget.copyAvailable.connect(self.copy_available)
+            self._main_widget.currentDirectoryChanged.connect(self.current_directory_changed)
+            self._main_widget.finished.connect(self.finished)
+            self._main_widget.profileChanged.connect(self.profile_changed)
+            self._main_widget.receivedData.connect(self.received_data)
+            self._main_widget.silence.connect(self.silence)
+            self._main_widget.termGetFocus.connect(self.term_got_focus)
+            self._main_widget.termKeyPressed.connect(self.term_key_pressed)
+            self._main_widget.termLostFocus.connect(self.term_lost_focus)
+            self._main_widget.titleChanged.connect(self.title_changed)
+            self._main_widget.urlActivated.connect(self.url_activated)
             self._setEnvironment([f"{k}={v}" for k, v in os.environ.items()])
             self._setColorScheme("Solarized")
         else:
@@ -78,12 +78,6 @@ class BecQTerm(QWidget):
             text += "\n"
         self._sendText(text)
 
-    def deleteLater(self, /) -> None:
-        return super().deleteLater()
-
-    def close(self, /) -> bool:
-        return super().close()
-
     # automatically forwarded to the widget only if it exists
     @_forward
     def _addCustomColorSchemeDir(self, custom_dir: str, /) -> None: ...

bec_widgets/widgets/utility/logpanel/_util.py

@@ -1,58 +0,0 @@
-"""Utilities for filtering and formatting in the LogPanel"""
-
-from __future__ import annotations
-
-import re
-from collections import deque
-from typing import Callable, Iterator
-
-from bec_lib.logger import LogLevel
-from bec_lib.messages import LogMessage
-from qtpy.QtCore import QDateTime
-
-LinesHtmlFormatter = Callable[[deque[LogMessage]], Iterator[str]]
-LineFormatter = Callable[[LogMessage], str]
-LineFilter = Callable[[LogMessage], bool] | None
-
-ANSI_ESCAPE_REGEX = re.compile(r"\x1B(?:[@-Z\\-_]|\[[0-?]*[ -/]*[@-~])")
-
-
-def replace_escapes(s: str):
-    s = ANSI_ESCAPE_REGEX.sub("", s)
-    return s.replace(" ", "&nbsp;").replace("\n", "<br />").replace("\t", "    ")
-
-
-def level_filter(msg: LogMessage, thresh: int):
-    return LogLevel[msg.content["log_type"].upper()].value >= thresh
-
-
-def noop_format(line: LogMessage):
-    _textline = line.log_msg if isinstance(line.log_msg, str) else line.log_msg["text"]
-    return replace_escapes(_textline.strip()) + "<br />"
-
-
-def simple_color_format(line: LogMessage, colors: dict[LogLevel, str]):
-    color = colors.get(LogLevel[line.content["log_type"].upper()]) or colors[LogLevel.INFO]
-    return f'<font color="{color}">{noop_format(line)}</font>'
-
-
-def create_formatter(line_format: LineFormatter, line_filter: LineFilter) -> LinesHtmlFormatter:
-    def _formatter(data: deque[LogMessage]):
-        if line_filter is not None:
-            return (line_format(line) for line in data if line_filter(line))
-        else:
-            return (line_format(line) for line in data)
-
-    return _formatter
-
-
-def log_txt(line):
-    return line.log_msg if isinstance(line.log_msg, str) else line.log_msg["text"]
-
-
-def log_time(line):
-    return QDateTime.fromMSecsSinceEpoch(int(line.log_msg["record"]["time"]["timestamp"] * 1000))
-
-
-def log_svc(line):
-    return line.log_msg["service_name"]

bec_widgets/widgets/utility/logpanel/log_panel_plugin.py

@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ class LogPanelPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         return DOM_XML
 
     def group(self):
-        return "BEC Services"
+        return ""
 
     def icon(self):
         return designer_material_icon(LogPanel.ICON_NAME)
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ class LogPanelPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         return "LogPanel"
 
     def toolTip(self):
-        return "Displays a log panel"
+        return "LogPanel"
 
     def whatsThis(self):
         return self.toolTip()

bec_widgets/widgets/utility/logpanel/logpanel.py

@@ -2,21 +2,31 @@
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-import operator
 import os
-import re
 from collections import deque
-from functools import partial, reduce
-from re import Pattern
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Literal
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from functools import partial
+from typing import Iterable, Literal
 
 from bec_lib.client import BECClient
 from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
 from bec_lib.logger import LogLevel, bec_logger
 from bec_lib.messages import LogMessage, StatusMessage
-from pyqtgraph import SignalProxy
-from qtpy.QtCore import QDateTime, QObject, Qt, Signal
-from qtpy.QtGui import QFont
+from bec_qthemes import material_icon
+from qtpy.QtCore import Signal  # type: ignore
+from qtpy.QtCore import (
+    QAbstractTableModel,
+    QCoreApplication,
+    QDateTime,
+    QModelIndex,
+    QObject,
+    QPersistentModelIndex,
+    QSize,
+    QSortFilterProxyModel,
+    Qt,
+    QTimer,
+)
+from qtpy.QtGui import QColor
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
     QApplication,
     QCheckBox,
@@ -25,204 +35,414 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
     QDialog,
     QGridLayout,
     QHBoxLayout,
+    QHeaderView,
     QLabel,
     QLineEdit,
     QPushButton,
-    QScrollArea,
-    QTextEdit,
+    QSizePolicy,
+    QTableView,
+    QToolButton,
     QVBoxLayout,
     QWidget,
 )
+from thefuzz import fuzz
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme, get_theme_palette
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
-from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.text_box.text_box import TextBox
-from bec_widgets.widgets.services.bec_status_box.bec_status_box import BECServiceStatusMixin
-from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.logpanel._util import (
-    LineFilter,
-    LineFormatter,
-    LinesHtmlFormatter,
-    create_formatter,
-    level_filter,
-    log_svc,
-    log_time,
-    log_txt,
-    noop_format,
-    simple_color_format,
-)
-
-if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
-    from qtpy.QtCore import SignalInstance
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
 MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(__file__)))
 
-# TODO: improve log color handling
-DEFAULT_LOG_COLORS = {
-    LogLevel.INFO: "#FFFFFF",
-    LogLevel.SUCCESS: "#00FF00",
-    LogLevel.WARNING: "#FFCC00",
-    LogLevel.ERROR: "#FF0000",
-    LogLevel.DEBUG: "#0000CC",
+_DEFAULT_LOG_COLORS = {
+    LogLevel.INFO.name: QColor("#FFFFFF"),
+    LogLevel.SUCCESS.name: QColor("#00FF00"),
+    LogLevel.WARNING.name: QColor("#FFCC00"),
+    LogLevel.ERROR.name: QColor("#FF0000"),
+    LogLevel.DEBUG.name: QColor("#0000CC"),
 }
 
 
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class _Constants:
+    FUZZ_THRESHOLD = 80
+    UPDATE_INTERVAL_MS = 200
+    headers = ["level", "timestamp", "service_name", "message", "function"]
+
+
+_CONST = _Constants()
+
+
+class TimestampUpdate:
+    def __init__(self, value: QDateTime | None, update_type: Literal["start", "end"]) -> None:
+        self.value = value
+        self.update_type = update_type
+
+
 class BecLogsQueue(BECConnector, QObject):
     """Manages getting logs from BEC Redis and formatting them for display"""
 
     RPC = False
-    new_message = Signal()
+    new_messages = Signal()
+    paused = Signal(bool)
+    _instance: BecLogsQueue | None = None
 
-    def __init__(
-        self,
-        parent: QObject | None,
-        maxlen: int = 1000,
-        line_formatter: LineFormatter = noop_format,
-        **kwargs,
-    ) -> None:
+    @classmethod
+    def instance(cls):
+        if cls._instance is None:
+            cls._instance = cls(QCoreApplication.instance())
+        return cls._instance
+
+    def __init__(self, parent: QObject | None, maxlen: int = 2500, **kwargs) -> None:
+        if BecLogsQueue._instance:
+            raise RuntimeError("Create no more than one BecLogsQueue - use BecLogsQueue.instance()")
         super().__init__(parent=parent, **kwargs)
-        self._timestamp_start: QDateTime | None = None
-        self._timestamp_end: QDateTime | None = None
         self._max_length = maxlen
-        self._data: deque[LogMessage] = deque([], self._max_length)
-        self._display_queue: deque[str] = deque([], self._max_length)
-        self._log_level: str | None = None
-        self._search_query: Pattern | str | None = None
-        self._selected_services: set[str] | None = None
-        self._set_formatter_and_update_filter(line_formatter)
-        # instance attribute still accessible after c++ object is deleted, so the callback can be unregistered
+        self._paused = False
+        self._data = deque(
+            (
+                item["data"]
+                for item in self.bec_dispatcher.client.connector.xread(
+                    MessageEndpoints.log(), count=self._max_length, id="0"
+                )
+            ),
+            maxlen=self._max_length,
+        )
+        self._incoming: deque[LogMessage] = deque([], maxlen=self._max_length)
         self.bec_dispatcher.connect_slot(self._process_incoming_log_msg, MessageEndpoints.log())
 
+        self._update_timer = QTimer(self, interval=_CONST.UPDATE_INTERVAL_MS)
+        self._update_timer.timeout.connect(self._proc_update)
+        QCoreApplication.instance().aboutToQuit.connect(self.cleanup)  # type: ignore
+        self._update_timer.start()
+
+    def __len__(self):
+        return len(self._data)
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def toggle_pause(self):
+        self._paused = not self._paused
+        self.paused.emit(self._paused)
+
+    def row_data(self, index: int) -> LogMessage | None:
+        if index < 0 or index > (len(self._data) - 1):
+            return None
+        return self._data[index]
+
+    def cell_data(self, row: int, key: str):
+        if key == "level":
+            return self._data[row].log_type.upper()
+
+        msg_item = self._data[row].log_msg
+        if isinstance(msg_item, str):
+            return msg_item
+        if key == "service_name":
+            return msg_item.get(key)
+        elif key in ["service_name", "function", "message"]:
+            return msg_item.get("record", {}).get(key)
+        elif key == "timestamp":
+            return msg_item.get("record", {}).get("time", {}).get("repr")
+
+    def log_timestamp(self, row: int) -> float:
+        msg_item = self._data[row].log_msg
+        if isinstance(msg_item, str):
+            return 0
+        return msg_item.get("record", {}).get("time", {}).get("timestamp")
+
     def cleanup(self, *_):
         """Stop listening to the Redis log stream"""
         self.bec_dispatcher.disconnect_slot(
             self._process_incoming_log_msg, [MessageEndpoints.log()]
         )
+        self._update_timer.stop()
+        BecLogsQueue._instance = None
 
     @SafeSlot(verify_sender=True)
     def _process_incoming_log_msg(self, msg: dict, _metadata: dict):
         try:
             _msg = LogMessage(**msg)
-            self._data.append(_msg)
-            if self.filter is None or self.filter(_msg):
-                self._display_queue.append(self._line_formatter(_msg))
-                self.new_message.emit()
+            self._incoming.append(_msg)
         except Exception as e:
             if "Internal C++ object (BecLogsQueue) already deleted." in e.args:
                 return
             logger.warning(f"Error in LogPanel incoming message callback: {e}")
 
-    def _set_formatter_and_update_filter(self, line_formatter: LineFormatter = noop_format):
-        self._line_formatter: LineFormatter = line_formatter
-        self._queue_formatter: LinesHtmlFormatter = create_formatter(
-            self._line_formatter, self.filter
-        )
-
-    def _combine_filters(self, *args: LineFilter):
-        return lambda msg: reduce(operator.and_, [filt(msg) for filt in args if filt is not None])
-
-    def _create_re_filter(self) -> LineFilter:
-        if self._search_query is None:
-            return None
-        elif isinstance(self._search_query, str):
-            return lambda line: self._search_query in log_txt(line)
-        return lambda line: self._search_query.match(log_txt(line)) is not None
-
-    def _create_service_filter(self):
-        return (
-            lambda line: self._selected_services is None or log_svc(line) in self._selected_services
-        )
-
-    def _create_timestamp_filter(self) -> LineFilter:
-        s, e = self._timestamp_start, self._timestamp_end
-        if s is e is None:
-            return lambda msg: True
-
-        def _time_filter(msg):
-            msg_time = log_time(msg)
-            if s is None:
-                return msg_time <= e
-            if e is None:
-                return s <= msg_time
-            return s <= msg_time <= e
-
-        return _time_filter
-
-    @property
-    def filter(self) -> LineFilter:
-        """A function which filters a log message based on all applied criteria"""
-        thresh = LogLevel[self._log_level].value if self._log_level is not None else 0
-        return self._combine_filters(
-            partial(level_filter, thresh=thresh),
-            self._create_re_filter(),
-            self._create_timestamp_filter(),
-            self._create_service_filter(),
-        )
-
-    def update_level_filter(self, level: str):
-        """Change the log-level of the level filter"""
-        if level not in [l.name for l in LogLevel]:
-            logger.error(f"Logging level {level} unrecognized for filter!")
+    @SafeSlot(verify_sender=True)
+    def _proc_update(self):
+        if self._paused or len(self._incoming) == 0:
             return
-        self._log_level = level
-        self._set_formatter_and_update_filter(self._line_formatter)
+        self._data.extend(self._incoming)
+        self._incoming.clear()
+        self.new_messages.emit()
 
-    def update_search_filter(self, search_query: Pattern | str | None = None):
-        """Change the string or regex to filter against"""
-        self._search_query = search_query
-        self._set_formatter_and_update_filter(self._line_formatter)
 
-    def update_time_filter(self, start: QDateTime | None, end: QDateTime | None):
-        """Change the start and/or end times to filter against"""
-        self._timestamp_start = start
-        self._timestamp_end = end
-        self._set_formatter_and_update_filter(self._line_formatter)
+class BecLogsTableModel(QAbstractTableModel):
+    def __init__(self, parent: QWidget | None = None):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self.log_queue = BecLogsQueue.instance()
+        self.log_queue.new_messages.connect(self.handle_new_messages)
+        self._headers = _CONST.headers
 
-    def update_service_filter(self, services: set[str]):
-        """Change the selected services to display"""
-        self._selected_services = services
-        self._set_formatter_and_update_filter(self._line_formatter)
+    def rowCount(self, parent: QModelIndex | QPersistentModelIndex = QModelIndex()) -> int:
+        return len(self.log_queue)
 
-    def update_line_formatter(self, line_formatter: LineFormatter):
-        """Update the formatter"""
-        self._set_formatter_and_update_filter(line_formatter)
+    def columnCount(self, parent: QModelIndex | QPersistentModelIndex = QModelIndex()) -> int:
+        return len(self._headers)
 
-    def display_all(self) -> str:
-        """Return formatted output for all log messages"""
-        return "\n".join(self._queue_formatter(self._data.copy()))
+    def headerData(self, section, orientation, role=int(Qt.ItemDataRole.DisplayRole)):
+        if role == Qt.ItemDataRole.DisplayRole and orientation == Qt.Orientation.Horizontal:
+            return self._headers[section]
+        return None
 
-    def format_new(self):
-        """Return formatted output for the display queue"""
-        res = "\n".join(self._display_queue)
-        self._display_queue = deque([], self._max_length)
-        return res
+    def get_row_data(self, index: QModelIndex) -> LogMessage | None:
+        """Return the row data for the given index."""
+        if not index.isValid():
+            return None
+        return self.log_queue.row_data(index.row())
 
-    def clear_logs(self):
-        """Clear the cache and display queue"""
-        self._data = deque([])
-        self._display_queue = deque([])
+    def timestamp(self, row: int):
+        return QDateTime.fromMSecsSinceEpoch(int(self.log_queue.log_timestamp(row) * 1000))
 
-    def fetch_history(self):
-        """Fetch all available messages from Redis"""
-        self._data = deque(
-            item["data"]
-            for item in self.bec_dispatcher.client.connector.xread(
-                MessageEndpoints.log().endpoint, from_start=True, count=self._max_length
-            )
+    def data(self, index, role=int(Qt.ItemDataRole.DisplayRole)):
+        """Return data for the given index and role."""
+        if not index.isValid():
+            return
+        if role in [Qt.ItemDataRole.DisplayRole, Qt.ItemDataRole.ToolTipRole]:
+            return self.log_queue.cell_data(index.row(), self._headers[index.column()])
+        if role in [Qt.ItemDataRole.ForegroundRole]:
+            return self._map_log_level_color(self.log_queue.cell_data(index.row(), "level"))
+
+    def _map_log_level_color(self, data):
+        return _DEFAULT_LOG_COLORS.get(data)
+
+    def handle_new_messages(self):
+        self.dataChanged.emit(
+            self.index(0, 0), self.index(self.rowCount() - 1, self.columnCount() - 1)
         )
 
-    def unique_service_names_from_history(self) -> set[str]:
-        """Go through the log history to determine active service names"""
-        return set(msg.log_msg["service_name"] for msg in self._data)
+
+class LogMsgProxyModel(QSortFilterProxyModel):
+    show_service_column = Signal(bool)
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        parent=None,
+        service_filter: set[str] | None = None,
+        level_filter: LogLevel | None = None,
+    ):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self._service_filter = service_filter or set()
+        self._level_filter: LogLevel | None = level_filter
+        self._filter_text: str = ""
+        self._fuzzy_search: bool = False
+        self._time_filter_start: QDateTime | None = None
+        self._time_filter_end: QDateTime | None = None
+
+    def get_row_data(self, rows: Iterable[QModelIndex]) -> Iterable[LogMessage | None]:
+        return (self.sourceModel().get_row_data(self.mapToSource(idx)) for idx in rows)
+
+    def sourceModel(self) -> BecLogsTableModel:
+        return super().sourceModel()  # type: ignore
+
+    @SafeSlot(int, int)
+    def refresh(self, *_):
+        self.invalidateRowsFilter()
+
+    @SafeSlot(None)
+    @SafeSlot(set)
+    def update_service_filter(self, filter: set[str]):
+        """Filter to the selected services (show any service in the provided set)
+
+        Args:
+            filter (set[str] | None): set of services for which to show logs"""
+        self._service_filter = filter
+        self.show_service_column.emit(len(filter) != 1)
+        self.invalidateRowsFilter()
+
+    @SafeSlot(None)
+    @SafeSlot(LogLevel)
+    def update_level_filter(self, filter: LogLevel | None):
+        """Filter to the selected log level
+
+        Args:
+            filter (str | None): lowest log level to show"""
+        self._level_filter = filter
+        self.invalidateRowsFilter()
+
+    @SafeSlot(str)
+    def update_filter_text(self, filter: str):
+        """Filter messages based on text
+
+        Args:
+            filter (str | None): set of services for which to show logs"""
+        self._filter_text = filter
+        self.invalidateRowsFilter()
+
+    @SafeSlot(bool)
+    def update_fuzzy(self, state: bool):
+        """Set text filter to fuzzy search or not
+
+        Args:
+            state (bool): fuzzy search on"""
+        self._fuzzy_search = state
+        self.invalidateRowsFilter()
+
+    @SafeSlot(TimestampUpdate)
+    def update_timestamp(self, update: TimestampUpdate):
+        if update.update_type == "start":
+            self._time_filter_start = update.value
+        else:
+            self._time_filter_end = update.value
+        self.invalidateRowsFilter()
+
+    def filterAcceptsRow(self, source_row: int, source_parent) -> bool:
+        # No service filter, and no filter text, display everything
+        possible_filters = [
+            self._service_filter,
+            self._level_filter,
+            self._filter_text,
+            self._time_filter_start,
+            self._time_filter_end,
+        ]
+        if not any(map(bool, possible_filters)):
+            return True
+        model = self.sourceModel()
+        # Filter out services
+        if self._service_filter:
+            col = _CONST.headers.index("service_name")
+            if model.data(model.index(source_row, col, source_parent)) not in self._service_filter:
+                return False
+        # Filter out levels
+        if self._level_filter:
+            col = _CONST.headers.index("level")
+            level: str = model.data(model.index(source_row, col, source_parent))  # type: ignore
+            if LogLevel[level] < self._level_filter:
+                return False
+        # Filter time
+        if self._time_filter_start:
+            if model.timestamp(source_row) < self._time_filter_start:
+                return False
+        if self._time_filter_end:
+            if model.timestamp(source_row) > self._time_filter_end:
+                return False
+        # Filter message text - must go last because this can return True
+        if self._filter_text:
+            col = _CONST.headers.index("message")
+            msg: str = model.data(model.index(source_row, col, source_parent)).lower()  # type: ignore
+            if self._fuzzy_search:
+                return fuzz.partial_ratio(self._filter_text.lower(), msg) >= _CONST.FUZZ_THRESHOLD
+            else:
+                return self._filter_text.lower() in msg.lower()
+        return True
+
+
+class BecLogTableView(QTableView):
+    def __init__(self, *args, max_message_width: int = 1000, **kwargs) -> None:
+        super().__init__(*args, **kwargs)
+        header = QHeaderView(Qt.Orientation.Horizontal, parent=self)
+        header.setSectionResizeMode(QHeaderView.ResizeMode.Interactive)
+        header.setStretchLastSection(True)
+        header.setMaximumSectionSize(max_message_width)
+        self.setHorizontalHeader(header)
+
+    def model(self) -> LogMsgProxyModel:
+        return super().model()  # type: ignore
+
+
+class LogPanel(BECWidget, QWidget):
+    """Live display of the BEC logs in a table view."""
+
+    PLUGIN = True
+    ICON_NAME = "browse_activity"
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        parent: QWidget | None = None,
+        max_message_width: int = 1000,
+        show_toolbar: bool = True,
+        service_filter: set[str] | None = None,
+        level_filter: LogLevel | None = None,
+        **kwargs,
+    ) -> None:
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, **kwargs)
+        self._setup_models(service_filter=service_filter, level_filter=level_filter)
+        self._layout = QVBoxLayout()
+        self.setLayout(self._layout)
+        if show_toolbar:
+            self._setup_toolbar(client=self.client)
+        self._setup_table_view(max_message_width=max_message_width)
+        self._update_service_filter(service_filter or set())
+        if show_toolbar:
+            self._connect_toolbar()
+        self._proxy.show_service_column.connect(self._show_service_column)
+        colors = QApplication.instance().theme.accent_colors  # type: ignore
+        dict_colors = QApplication.instance().theme.colors  # type: ignore
+        _DEFAULT_LOG_COLORS.update(
+            {
+                LogLevel.INFO.name: dict_colors["FG"],
+                LogLevel.SUCCESS.name: colors.success,
+                LogLevel.WARNING.name: colors.warning,
+                LogLevel.ERROR.name: colors.emergency,
+                LogLevel.DEBUG.name: dict_colors["BORDER"],
+            }
+        )
+        self._table.scrollToBottom()
+
+    def _setup_models(self, service_filter: set[str] | None, level_filter: LogLevel | None):
+        self._model = BecLogsTableModel(parent=self)
+        self._proxy = LogMsgProxyModel(
+            parent=self, service_filter=service_filter, level_filter=level_filter
+        )
+        self._proxy.setSourceModel(self._model)
+        self._model.log_queue.new_messages.connect(self._proxy.refresh)
+
+    def _setup_table_view(self, max_message_width: int) -> None:
+        """Setup the table view."""
+        self._table = BecLogTableView(self, max_message_width=max_message_width)
+        self._table.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Policy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Policy.Expanding)
+        self._layout.addWidget(self._table)
+        self._table.setModel(self._proxy)
+        self._table.setHorizontalScrollMode(QTableView.ScrollMode.ScrollPerPixel)
+        self._table.setTextElideMode(Qt.TextElideMode.ElideRight)
+        self._table.resizeColumnsToContents()
+
+    def _setup_toolbar(self, client: BECClient):
+        self._toolbar = LogPanelToolbar(self, client)
+        self._layout.addWidget(self._toolbar)
+
+    def _connect_toolbar(self):
+        self._toolbar.services_selected.connect(self._proxy.update_service_filter)
+        self._toolbar.search_textbox.textChanged.connect(self._proxy.update_filter_text)
+        self._toolbar.level_changed.connect(self._proxy.update_level_filter)
+        self._toolbar.fuzzy_changed.connect(self._proxy.update_fuzzy)
+        self._toolbar.timestamp_update.connect(self._proxy.update_timestamp)
+        self._toolbar.pause_button.clicked.connect(self._model.log_queue.toggle_pause)
+        self._model.log_queue.paused.connect(self._toolbar._update_pause_button_icon)
+
+    def _update_service_filter(self, filter: set[str]):
+        self._service_filter = filter
+        self._proxy.update_service_filter(filter)
+        self._table.setColumnHidden(
+            _CONST.headers.index("service_name"), len(self._service_filter) == 1
+        )
+
+    @SafeSlot(bool)
+    def _show_service_column(self, show: bool):
+        self._table.setColumnHidden(_CONST.headers.index("service_name"), not show)
+
+    def sizeHint(self) -> QSize:
+        return QSize(600, 300)
 
 
 class LogPanelToolbar(QWidget):
+    services_selected = Signal(set)
+    level_changed = Signal(LogLevel)
+    fuzzy_changed = Signal(bool)
+    timestamp_update = Signal(TimestampUpdate)
 
-    services_selected: SignalInstance = Signal(set)
-
-    def __init__(self, parent: QWidget | None = None) -> None:
+    def __init__(self, parent: QWidget | None = None, client: BECClient | None = None) -> None:
         """A toolbar for the logpanel, mainly used for managing the states of filters"""
         super().__init__(parent)
 
@@ -231,51 +451,69 @@ class LogPanelToolbar(QWidget):
         self._timestamp_end: QDateTime | None = None
 
         self._unique_service_names: set[str] = set()
-        self._services_selected: set[str] | None = None
+        self._services_selected: set[str] = set()
 
-        self.layout = QHBoxLayout(self)  # type: ignore
+        self._layout = QHBoxLayout(self)
 
-        self.service_choice_button = QPushButton("Select services", self)
-        self.layout.addWidget(self.service_choice_button)
-        self.service_choice_button.clicked.connect(self._open_service_filter_dialog)
+        if client is not None:
+            self.client = client
+            self.service_choice_button = QPushButton("Select services", self)
+            self._layout.addWidget(self.service_choice_button)
+            self.service_choice_button.clicked.connect(self._open_service_filter_dialog)
+            self.service_list_update(self.client.service_status)
+            self._services_selected = self._unique_service_names
 
         self.filter_level_dropdown = self._log_level_box()
-        self.layout.addWidget(self.filter_level_dropdown)
-
-        self.clear_button = QPushButton("Clear all", self)
-        self.layout.addWidget(self.clear_button)
-        self.fetch_button = QPushButton("Fetch history", self)
-        self.layout.addWidget(self.fetch_button)
+        self._layout.addWidget(self.filter_level_dropdown)
+        self.filter_level_dropdown.currentTextChanged.connect(self._emit_level)
 
         self._string_search_box()
 
         self.timerange_button = QPushButton("Set time range", self)
-        self.layout.addWidget(self.timerange_button)
+        self._layout.addWidget(self.timerange_button)
+        self.timerange_button.clicked.connect(self._open_datetime_dialog)
 
-    @property
-    def time_start(self):
-        return self._timestamp_start
+        self.pause_button = QToolButton()
+        self.pause_button.setIcon(material_icon("pause", size=(20, 20), convert_to_pixmap=False))
+        self._PLAYING_TOOLTIP = "Pause live log updates."
+        self._PAUSED_TOOLTIP = "Continue live log updates."
+        self.pause_button.setToolTip(self._PLAYING_TOOLTIP)
+        self._layout.addWidget(self.pause_button)
 
-    @property
-    def time_end(self):
-        return self._timestamp_end
+    @SafeSlot(bool)
+    def _update_pause_button_icon(self, paused):
+        if paused:
+            icon = "play_arrow"
+            tooltip = self._PAUSED_TOOLTIP
+        else:
+            icon = "pause"
+            tooltip = self._PLAYING_TOOLTIP
+        self.pause_button.setIcon(material_icon(icon, size=(20, 20), convert_to_pixmap=False))
+        self.pause_button.setToolTip(tooltip)
 
     def _string_search_box(self):
-        self.layout.addWidget(QLabel("Search: "))
+        self._layout.addWidget(QLabel("Search: "))
         self.search_textbox = QLineEdit()
-        self.layout.addWidget(self.search_textbox)
-        self.layout.addWidget(QLabel("Use regex: "))
-        self.regex_enabled = QCheckBox()
-        self.layout.addWidget(self.regex_enabled)
-        self.update_re_button = QPushButton("Update search", self)
-        self.layout.addWidget(self.update_re_button)
+        self._layout.addWidget(self.search_textbox)
+        self._layout.addWidget(QLabel("Fuzzy: "))
+        self.fuzzy = QCheckBox()
+        self._layout.addWidget(self.fuzzy)
+        self.fuzzy.checkStateChanged.connect(self._emit_fuzzy)
 
     def _log_level_box(self):
         box = QComboBox()
         box.setToolTip("Display logs with equal or greater significance to the selected level.")
-        [box.addItem(l.name) for l in LogLevel]
+        [box.addItem(level.name) for level in LogLevel]
         return box
 
+    @SafeSlot(str)
+    def _emit_level(self, level: str):
+        self.level_changed.emit(LogLevel[level])
+
+    @SafeSlot(Qt.CheckState)
+    def _emit_fuzzy(self, state: Qt.CheckState):
+        self.fuzzy_changed.emit(state == Qt.CheckState.Checked)
+
     def _current_ts(self, selection_type: Literal["start", "end"]):
         if selection_type == "start":
             return self._timestamp_start
@@ -284,6 +522,7 @@ class LogPanelToolbar(QWidget):
         else:
             raise ValueError(f"timestamps can only be for the start or end, not {selection_type}")
 
+    @SafeSlot()
     def _open_datetime_dialog(self):
         """Open dialog window for timestamp filter selection"""
         self._dt_dialog = QDialog(self)
@@ -312,8 +551,8 @@ class LogPanelToolbar(QWidget):
             )
             _layout.addWidget(date_clear_button)
 
-        for v in [("start", label_start), ("end", label_end)]:
-            date_button_set(*v)
+        date_button_set("start", label_start)
+        date_button_set("end", label_end)
 
         close_button = QPushButton("Close", parent=self._dt_dialog)
         close_button.clicked.connect(self._dt_dialog.accept)
@@ -352,27 +591,23 @@ class LogPanelToolbar(QWidget):
             self._timestamp_start = dt
         else:
             self._timestamp_end = dt
+        self.timestamp_update.emit(TimestampUpdate(value=dt, update_type=selection_type))
 
-    @SafeSlot(dict, set)
-    def service_list_update(
-        self, services_info: dict[str, StatusMessage], services_from_history: set[str], *_, **__
-    ):
+    def service_list_update(self, services_info: dict[str, StatusMessage]):
         """Change the list of services which can be selected"""
         self._unique_service_names = set([s.split("/")[0] for s in services_info.keys()])
-        self._unique_service_names |= services_from_history
-        if self._services_selected is None:
-            self._services_selected = self._unique_service_names
 
     @SafeSlot()
     def _open_service_filter_dialog(self):
+        self.service_list_update(self.client.service_status)
         if len(self._unique_service_names) == 0 or self._services_selected is None:
             return
         self._svc_dialog = QDialog(self)
-        self._svc_dialog.setWindowTitle(f"Select services to show logs from")
+        self._svc_dialog.setWindowTitle("Select services to show logs from")
         layout = QVBoxLayout()
         self._svc_dialog.setLayout(layout)
 
-        service_cb_grid = QGridLayout(parent=self._svc_dialog)
+        service_cb_grid = QGridLayout()
         layout.addLayout(service_cb_grid)
 
         def check_box(name: str, checked: Qt.CheckState):
@@ -398,146 +633,6 @@ class LogPanelToolbar(QWidget):
         self._svc_dialog.deleteLater()
 
 
-class LogPanel(TextBox):
-    """Displays a log panel"""
-
-    ICON_NAME = "terminal"
-    service_list_update = Signal(dict, set)
-
-    def __init__(
-        self,
-        parent=None,
-        client: BECClient | None = None,
-        service_status: BECServiceStatusMixin | None = None,
-        **kwargs,
-    ):
-        """Initialize the LogPanel widget."""
-        super().__init__(parent=parent, client=client, config={"text": ""}, **kwargs)
-        self._update_colors()
-        self._service_status = service_status or BECServiceStatusMixin(self, client=self.client)  # type: ignore
-        self._log_manager = BecLogsQueue(
-            parent=self, line_formatter=partial(simple_color_format, colors=self._colors)
-        )
-        self._proxy_update = SignalProxy(
-            self._log_manager.new_message, rateLimit=1, slot=self._on_append
-        )
-
-        self.toolbar = LogPanelToolbar(parent=self)
-        self.toolbar_area = QScrollArea()
-        self.toolbar_area.setVerticalScrollBarPolicy(Qt.ScrollBarPolicy.ScrollBarAlwaysOff)
-        self.toolbar_area.setSizeAdjustPolicy(QScrollArea.SizeAdjustPolicy.AdjustToContents)
-        self.toolbar_area.setFixedHeight(int(self.toolbar.clear_button.height() * 2))
-        self.toolbar_area.setWidget(self.toolbar)
-
-        self.layout.addWidget(self.toolbar_area)
-        self.toolbar.clear_button.clicked.connect(self._on_clear)
-        self.toolbar.fetch_button.clicked.connect(self._on_fetch)
-        self.toolbar.update_re_button.clicked.connect(self._on_re_update)
-        self.toolbar.search_textbox.returnPressed.connect(self._on_re_update)
-        self.toolbar.regex_enabled.checkStateChanged.connect(self._on_re_update)
-        self.toolbar.filter_level_dropdown.currentTextChanged.connect(self._set_level_filter)
-
-        self.toolbar.timerange_button.clicked.connect(self._choose_datetime)
-        self._service_status.services_update.connect(self._update_service_list)
-        self.service_list_update.connect(self.toolbar.service_list_update)
-        self.toolbar.services_selected.connect(self._update_service_filter)
-
-        self.text_box_text_edit.setFont(QFont("monospace", 12))
-        self.text_box_text_edit.setHtml("")
-        self.text_box_text_edit.setLineWrapMode(QTextEdit.LineWrapMode.NoWrap)
-
-        self._connect_to_theme_change()
-
-    @SafeSlot(set)
-    def _update_service_filter(self, services: set[str]):
-        self._log_manager.update_service_filter(services)
-        self._on_redraw()
-
-    @SafeSlot(dict, dict)
-    def _update_service_list(self, services_info: dict[str, StatusMessage], *_, **__):
-        self.service_list_update.emit(
-            services_info, self._log_manager.unique_service_names_from_history()
-        )
-
-    @SafeSlot()
-    def _choose_datetime(self):
-        self.toolbar._open_datetime_dialog()
-        self._set_time_filter()
-
-    def _connect_to_theme_change(self):
-        """Connect to the theme change signal."""
-        qapp = QApplication.instance()
-        if hasattr(qapp, "theme_signal"):
-            qapp.theme_signal.theme_updated.connect(self._on_redraw)  # type: ignore
-
-    def _update_colors(self):
-        self._colors = DEFAULT_LOG_COLORS.copy()
-        self._colors.update({LogLevel.INFO: get_theme_palette().text().color().name()})
-
-    def _cursor_to_end(self):
-        c = self.text_box_text_edit.textCursor()
-        c.movePosition(c.MoveOperation.End)
-        self.text_box_text_edit.setTextCursor(c)
-
-    @SafeSlot()
-    @SafeSlot(str)
-    def _on_redraw(self, *_):
-        self._update_colors()
-        self._log_manager.update_line_formatter(partial(simple_color_format, colors=self._colors))
-        self.set_html_text(self._log_manager.display_all())
-        self._cursor_to_end()
-
-    @SafeSlot(verify_sender=True)
-    def _on_append(self, *_):
-        self.text_box_text_edit.insertHtml(self._log_manager.format_new())
-        self._cursor_to_end()
-
-    @SafeSlot()
-    def _on_clear(self):
-        self._log_manager.clear_logs()
-        self.set_html_text(self._log_manager.display_all())
-        self._cursor_to_end()
-
-    @SafeSlot()
-    @SafeSlot(Qt.CheckState)
-    def _on_re_update(self, *_):
-        if self.toolbar.regex_enabled.isChecked():
-            try:
-                search_query = re.compile(self.toolbar.search_textbox.text())
-            except Exception as e:
-                logger.warning(f"Failed to compile search regex with error {e}")
-                search_query = None
-            logger.info(f"Setting LogPanel search regex to {search_query}")
-        else:
-            search_query = self.toolbar.search_textbox.text()
-            logger.info(f'Setting LogPanel search string to "{search_query}"')
-        self._log_manager.update_search_filter(search_query)
-        self.set_html_text(self._log_manager.display_all())
-        self._cursor_to_end()
-
-    @SafeSlot()
-    def _on_fetch(self):
-        self._log_manager.fetch_history()
-        self.set_html_text(self._log_manager.display_all())
-        self._cursor_to_end()
-
-    @SafeSlot(str)
-    def _set_level_filter(self, level: str):
-        self._log_manager.update_level_filter(level)
-        self._on_redraw()
-
-    @SafeSlot()
-    def _set_time_filter(self):
-        self._log_manager.update_time_filter(self.toolbar.time_start, self.toolbar.time_end)
-        self._on_redraw()
-
-    def cleanup(self):
-        self._service_status.cleanup()
-        self._log_manager.cleanup()
-        self._log_manager.deleteLater()
-        super().cleanup()
-
-
 if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     import sys
 
@@ -545,7 +640,15 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
 
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
     apply_theme("dark")
-    widget = LogPanel()
+    panel = QWidget()
+    queue = BecLogsQueue(panel)
+    layout = QVBoxLayout(panel)
+    layout.addWidget(QLabel("All logs, no filters:"))
+    layout.addWidget(LogPanel())
+    layout.addWidget(QLabel("All services, level filter WARNING preapplied:"))
+    layout.addWidget(LogPanel(level_filter=LogLevel.WARNING))
+    layout.addWidget(QLabel('All services, service filter {"DeviceServer"} preapplied:'))
+    layout.addWidget(LogPanel(service_filter={"DeviceServer"}))
 
-    widget.show()
+    panel.show()
     sys.exit(app.exec())

bec_widgets/widgets/utility/visual/colormap_widget/colormap_widget.py

@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@ from qtpy import QtCore, QtGui
 from qtpy.QtCore import Property, Signal, Slot
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QSizePolicy, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
-from bec_widgets.utils import Colors
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import Colors
 
 
 class RoundedColorMapButton(ColorMapButton):

bec_widgets/widgets/utility/widget_hierarchy_tree/widget_hierarchy_tree.py

@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
     QWidget,
 )
 
-from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector
 from bec_widgets.utils.widget_highlighter import WidgetHighlighter
 from bec_widgets.utils.widget_io import WidgetHierarchy
 

pyproject.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [project]
 name = "bec_widgets"
-version = "3.4.2"
+version = "3.8.0"
 description = "BEC Widgets"
 requires-python = ">=3.11"
 classifiers = [
@@ -12,19 +12,19 @@ dependencies = [
   "PyJWT~=2.9",
   "PySide6==6.9.0",
   "PySide6-QtAds==4.4.0",
-  "bec_ipython_client~=3.107,>=3.107.2",  # needed for jupyter console
+  "bec_ipython_client~=3.107,>=3.107.2", # needed for jupyter console
   "bec_lib~=3.107,>=3.107.2",
   "bec_qthemes~=1.0, >=1.3.4",
-  "black>=26,<27",  # needed for bw-generate-cli
+  "black>=26,<27",                       # needed for bw-generate-cli
   "copier~=9.7",
   "darkdetect~=0.8",
-  "isort>=5.13, <9.0",  # needed for bw-generate-cli
+  "isort>=5.13, <9.0",                   # needed for bw-generate-cli
   "markdown~=3.9",
   "ophyd_devices~=1.29, >=1.29.1",
   "pydantic~=2.0",
   "pylsp-bec~=1.2",
   "pyqtgraph==0.13.7",
-  "qtconsole~=5.5, >=5.5.1",  # needed for jupyter console
+  "qtconsole~=5.5, >=5.5.1",             # needed for jupyter console
   "qtmonaco~=0.8, >=0.8.1",
   "qtpy~=2.4",
   "thefuzz~=0.22",
@@ -38,8 +38,8 @@ Homepage = "https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets"
 [project.scripts]
 bec-app = "bec_widgets.applications.main_app:main"
 bec-designer = "bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer:main"
-bec-gui-server = "bec_widgets.cli.server:main"
-bw-generate-cli = "bec_widgets.cli.generate_cli:main"
+bec-gui-server = "bec_widgets.applications.companion_app:main"
+bw-generate-cli = "bec_widgets.utils.generate_cli:main"
 
 [project.optional-dependencies]
 dev = [
@@ -52,12 +52,11 @@ dev = [
   "pytest-xvfb~=3.0",
   "pytest~=8.0",
   "pytest-cov~=6.1.1",
+  "pytest-benchmark~=5.2",
   "watchdog~=6.0",
   "pre_commit~=4.2",
 ]
-qtermwidget = [
-  "pyside6_qtermwidget",
-]
+qtermwidget = ["pyside6_qtermwidget"]
 
 [build-system]
 requires = ["hatchling"]
@@ -68,7 +67,7 @@ line-length = 100
 skip-magic-trailing-comma = true
 
 [tool.coverage.report]
-skip_empty = true  # exclude empty *files*, e.g. __init__.py, from the report
+skip_empty = true # exclude empty *files*, e.g. __init__.py, from the report
 exclude_lines = [
   "pragma: no cover",
   "if TYPE_CHECKING:",

tests/benchmarks/hyperfine/benchmark_import_bec_widgets.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# BENCHMARK_TITLE: Import bec_widgets
+set -euo pipefail
+
+python -c 'import bec_widgets; print(bec_widgets.__file__)'

tests/benchmarks/hyperfine/benchmark_launch_bec_with_companion.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# BENCHMARK_TITLE: BEC IPython client with companion app
+set -euo pipefail
+
+bec --post-startup-file tests/benchmarks/hyperfine/utils/exit_bec_startup.py

tests/benchmarks/hyperfine/benchmark_launch_bec_without_companion.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# BENCHMARK_TITLE: BEC IPython client without companion app
+set -euo pipefail
+
+bec --nogui --post-startup-file tests/benchmarks/hyperfine/utils/exit_bec_startup.py

tests/benchmarks/hyperfine/utils/exit_bec_startup.py

@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+import time
+
+_ip = get_ipython()
+_ip.confirm_exit = False
+_ip.ask_exit()

tests/conftest.py

@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+import traceback
+
 import pytest
 import qtpy.QtCore
 from pytestqt.exceptions import TimeoutError as QtBotTimeoutError
@@ -5,12 +7,14 @@ from qtpy.QtCore import QTimer
 
 
 class TestableQTimer(QTimer):
-    _instances: list[tuple[QTimer, str]] = []
+    _instances: list[tuple[QTimer, str, str]] = []
     _current_test_name: str = ""
 
     def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
         super().__init__(*args, **kwargs)
-        TestableQTimer._instances.append((self, TestableQTimer._current_test_name))
+        tb = traceback.format_stack()
+        init_line = list(filter(lambda msg: "QTimer(" in msg, tb))[-1]
+        TestableQTimer._instances.append((self, TestableQTimer._current_test_name, init_line))
 
     @classmethod
     def check_all_stopped(cls, qtbot):
@@ -20,12 +24,21 @@ class TestableQTimer(QTimer):
             except RuntimeError as e:
                 return "already deleted" in e.args[0]
 
+        def _format_timers(timers: list[tuple[QTimer, str, str]]):
+            return "\n".join(
+                f"Timer: {t[0]}\n    in test: {t[1]}\n    created at:{t[2]}" for t in timers
+            )
+
         try:
-            qtbot.waitUntil(lambda: all(_is_done_or_deleted(timer) for timer, _ in cls._instances))
+            qtbot.waitUntil(
+                lambda: all(_is_done_or_deleted(timer) for timer, _, _ in cls._instances)
+            )
         except QtBotTimeoutError as exc:
             active_timers = list(filter(lambda t: t[0].isActive(), cls._instances))
-            (t.stop() for t, _ in cls._instances)
-            raise TimeoutError(f"Failed to stop all timers: {active_timers}") from exc
+            (t.stop() for t, _, _ in cls._instances)
+            raise TimeoutError(
+                f"Failed to stop all timers:\n{_format_timers(active_timers)}"
+            ) from exc
         cls._instances = []
 
 

tests/end-2-end/conftest.py

@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ def threads_check_fixture(threads_check):
 @pytest.fixture
 def gui_id():
     """New gui id each time, to ensure no 'gui is alive' zombie key can perturb"""
-    return f"figure_{random.randint(0,100)}"  # make a new gui id each time, to ensure no 'gui is alive' zombie key can perturb
+    return f"figure_{random.randint(0, 100)}"  # make a new gui id each time, to ensure no 'gui is alive' zombie key can perturb
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope="function")
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ def connected_client_gui_obj(qtbot, gui_id, bec_client_lib):
         qtbot.waitUntil(lambda: len(gui.bec.widget_list()) == 0, timeout=10000)
         yield gui
     finally:
-        gui.bec.delete_all()  # ensure clean state
-        qtbot.waitUntil(lambda: len(gui.bec.widget_list()) == 0, timeout=10000)
+        if (bec := getattr(gui, "bec", None)) is not None:
+            bec.delete_all()  # ensure clean state
+            qtbot.waitUntil(lambda: len(bec.widget_list()) == 0, timeout=10000)
         gui.kill_server()

tests/end-2-end/test_bec_dock_rpc_e2e.py

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import pytest
 
 from bec_widgets.cli.client import Image, MotorMap, Waveform
+from bec_widgets.cli.client_utils import BECGuiClient
 from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_base import RPCReference
 
 # pylint: disable=unused-argument
@@ -122,7 +123,7 @@ def test_ring_bar(qtbot, connected_client_gui_obj):
     assert gui._ipython_registry[bar._gui_id].__class__.__name__ == "RingProgressBar"
 
 
-def test_rpc_gui_obj(connected_client_gui_obj, qtbot):
+def test_rpc_gui_obj(connected_client_gui_obj: BECGuiClient, qtbot):
     gui = connected_client_gui_obj
 
     qtbot.waitUntil(lambda: len(gui.windows) == 1, timeout=3000)

tests/end-2-end/test_scan_control_e2e.py

@@ -59,5 +59,4 @@ def test_run_line_scan_with_parameters_e2e(scan_control, bec_client_lib, qtbot):
     last_scan = queue.scan_storage.storage[-1]
     assert last_scan.status_message.info["scan_name"] == scan_name
     assert last_scan.status_message.info["exp_time"] == kwargs["exp_time"]
-    assert last_scan.status_message.info["scan_motors"] == [args["device"]]
     assert last_scan.status_message.info["num_points"] == kwargs["steps"]

tests/end-2-end/test_with_plugins_e2e.py

@@ -84,7 +84,6 @@ def test_scan_metadata_for_custom_scan(
         last_scan = queue.scan_storage.storage[-1]
         assert last_scan.status_message.info["scan_name"] == scan_name
         assert last_scan.status_message.info["exp_time"] == kwargs["exp_time"]
-        assert last_scan.status_message.info["scan_motors"] == [args["device"]]
         assert last_scan.status_message.info["num_points"] == kwargs["steps"]
 
     if valid:

tests/end-2-end/user_interaction/test_user_interaction_e2e.py

@@ -260,22 +260,6 @@ def test_widgets_e2e_image(qtbot, connected_client_gui_obj, random_generator_fro
     maybe_remove_dock_area(qtbot, gui=gui, random_int_gen=random_generator_from_seed)
 
 
-# TODO re-enable when issue is resolved #560
-# @pytest.mark.timeout(PYTEST_TIMEOUT)
-# def test_widgets_e2e_log_panel(qtbot, connected_client_gui_obj, random_generator_from_seed):
-#     """Test the LogPanel widget."""
-#     gui = connected_client_gui_obj
-#     bec = gui._client
-#     # Create dock_area and widget
-#     widget = create_widget(qtbot, gui, gui.available_widgets.LogPanel)
-#     widget: client.LogPanel
-
-#     # No rpc calls to check so far
-
-#     # Test removing the widget, or leaving it open for the next test
-#     maybe_remove_dock_area(qtbot, gui=gui, random_int_gen=random_generator_from_seed)
-
-
 @pytest.mark.timeout(PYTEST_TIMEOUT)
 def test_widgets_e2e_minesweeper(qtbot, connected_client_gui_obj, random_generator_from_seed):
     """Test the MineSweeper widget."""

tests/unit_tests/benchmarks/test_dock_area_benchmark.py

@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import pytest
+
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.dock_area import BECDockArea
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.waveform import Waveform
+from tests.unit_tests.client_mocks import mocked_client
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def dock_area(qtbot, mocked_client):
+    widget = BECDockArea(client=mocked_client)
+    qtbot.addWidget(widget)
+    qtbot.waitExposed(widget)
+    yield widget
+
+
+def test_add_waveform_to_dock_area(benchmark, dock_area, qtbot, mocked_client):
+    """Benchmark adding a Waveform widget to an existing dock area."""
+
+    def add_waveform():
+        dock_area.new("Waveform")
+        return dock_area
+
+    dock = benchmark(add_waveform)
+
+    assert dock is not None

tests/unit_tests/conftest.py

@@ -1,3 +1,8 @@
+# Force ophyd onto its dummy control layer in tests so importing it does not
+# try to create a real EPICS CA context.
+import os
+
+os.environ.setdefault("OPHYD_CONTROL_LAYER", "dummy")
 import json
 import time
 from unittest import mock
@@ -13,16 +18,16 @@ from bec_lib.client import BECClient
 from bec_lib.messages import _StoredDataInfo
 from bec_qthemes import apply_theme
 from bec_qthemes._theme import Theme
-from ophyd._pyepics_shim import _dispatcher
+from ophyd._dummy_shim import _dispatcher
 from pytestqt.exceptions import TimeoutError as QtBotTimeoutError
 from qtpy.QtCore import QEvent, QEventLoop
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QMessageBox
 
-from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_register import RPCRegister
 from bec_widgets.tests.utils import DEVICES, DMMock
 from bec_widgets.utils import bec_dispatcher as bec_dispatcher_module
 from bec_widgets.utils import error_popups
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher import QtRedisConnector
+from bec_widgets.utils.rpc_register import RPCRegister
 
 # Patch to set default RAISE_ERROR_DEFAULT to True for tests
 # This means that by default, error popups will raise exceptions during tests
@@ -222,7 +227,7 @@ def create_history_file(file_path, data: dict, metadata: dict) -> messages.ScanH
     msg = messages.ScanHistoryMessage(
         scan_id=metadata["scan_id"],
         scan_name=metadata["scan_name"],
-        exit_status=metadata["exit_status"],
+        exit_status=metadata["status"],
         file_path=file_path,
         scan_number=metadata["scan_number"],
         dataset_number=metadata["dataset_number"],
@@ -269,7 +274,7 @@ def grid_scan_history_msg(tmpdir):
         "scan_id": "test_scan",
         "scan_name": "grid_scan",
         "scan_type": "step",
-        "exit_status": "closed",
+        "status": "closed",
         "scan_number": 1,
         "dataset_number": 1,
         "request_inputs": {
@@ -349,7 +354,7 @@ def scan_history_factory(tmpdir):
             "scan_id": scan_id,
             "scan_name": scan_name,
             "scan_type": scan_type,
-            "exit_status": "closed",
+            "status": "closed",
             "scan_number": scan_number,
             "dataset_number": dataset_number,
             "request_inputs": {

tests/unit_tests/test_bec_connector.py

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import pytest
 from qtpy.QtCore import QObject
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QWidget
 
-from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot as Slot
 

tests/unit_tests/test_bec_console.py

@@ -1,10 +1,13 @@
 from unittest import mock
 
 import pytest
-from qtpy.QtCore import Qt
+import shiboken6
+from qtpy.QtCore import QEvent, QEventLoop, Qt
 from qtpy.QtGui import QHideEvent, QShowEvent
 from qtpy.QtTest import QTest
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QWidget
 
+import bec_widgets.widgets.editors.bec_console.bec_console as bec_console_module
 from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.bec_console.bec_console import (
     BecConsole,
     BECShell,
@@ -15,6 +18,20 @@ from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.bec_console.bec_console import (
 from .client_mocks import mocked_client
 
 
+def process_deferred_deletes():
+    app = QApplication.instance()
+    app.sendPostedEvents(None, QEvent.DeferredDelete)
+    app.processEvents(QEventLoop.AllEvents)
+
+
+@pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
+def clean_bec_console_registry():
+    _bec_console_registry.clear()
+    yield
+    _bec_console_registry.clear()
+    process_deferred_deletes()
+
+
 @pytest.fixture
 def console_widget(qtbot):
     """Create a BecConsole widget."""
@@ -128,12 +145,108 @@ def test_is_owner(console_widget: BecConsole):
     assert not _bec_console_registry.is_owner(mock_console)
 
 
-def test_bec_shell_leaves_terminal_instantiated(qtbot):
-    widget = BECShell()
+def test_closing_active_console_keeps_terminal_valid_for_remaining_console(qtbot):
+    widget1 = BecConsole(client=mocked_client, gui_id="close_owner", terminal_id="shared_close")
+    widget2 = BecConsole(client=mocked_client, gui_id="remaining", terminal_id="shared_close")
+    qtbot.addWidget(widget2)
+
+    widget1.take_terminal_ownership()
+    term = widget1.term
+    assert term is not None
+
+    widget1.close()
+    widget1.deleteLater()
+    process_deferred_deletes()
+
+    assert shiboken6.isValid(term)
+    widget2.take_terminal_ownership()
+
+    assert widget2.term is term
+    assert widget2._mode == ConsoleMode.ACTIVE
+
+
+def test_active_console_detaches_terminal_before_destruction(qtbot):
+    widget1 = BecConsole(client=mocked_client, gui_id="owner", terminal_id="shared_detach")
+    widget2 = BecConsole(client=mocked_client, gui_id="survivor", terminal_id="shared_detach")
+    qtbot.addWidget(widget1)
+    qtbot.addWidget(widget2)
+
+    widget1.take_terminal_ownership()
+    term = widget1.term
+    assert term is not None
+    assert widget1.isAncestorOf(term)
+
+    widget1.close()
+
+    assert shiboken6.isValid(term)
+    assert not widget1.isAncestorOf(term)
+    assert term.parent() is widget2._term_holder
+
+
+def test_bec_shell_terminal_persists_after_last_shell_unregisters(qtbot):
+    shell = BECShell(gui_id="bec_shell_persistent")
+    qtbot.addWidget(shell)
+    term = shell.term
+    assert term is not None
+
+    _bec_console_registry.unregister(shell)
+
+    info = _bec_console_registry._terminal_registry["bec_shell"]
+    assert info.registered_console_ids == set()
+    assert info.owner_console_id is None
+    assert info.persist_session is True
+    assert info.instance is term
+    assert shiboken6.isValid(term)
+
+
+def test_new_bec_shell_claims_preserved_terminal(qtbot):
+    shell1 = BECShell(gui_id="bec_shell_first")
+    term = shell1.term
+    assert term is not None
+
+    shell1.close()
+    shell1.deleteLater()
+    process_deferred_deletes()
+
+    assert "bec_shell" in _bec_console_registry._terminal_registry
+    assert shiboken6.isValid(term)
+
+    shell2 = BECShell(gui_id="bec_shell_second")
+    qtbot.addWidget(shell2)
+    shell2.showEvent(QShowEvent())
+
+    assert shell2.term is term
+    assert shell2._mode == ConsoleMode.ACTIVE
+
+
+def test_persistent_bec_shell_sends_startup_command_once(qtbot, monkeypatch):
+    class RecordingTerminal(QWidget):
+        writes = []
+
+        def write(self, text: str, add_newline: bool = True):
+            self.writes.append((text, add_newline))
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(bec_console_module, "_BecTermClass", RecordingTerminal)
+
+    shell1 = BECShell(gui_id="bec_shell_startup_first")
+    shell1.close()
+    shell1.deleteLater()
+    process_deferred_deletes()
+
+    shell2 = BECShell(gui_id="bec_shell_startup_second")
+    qtbot.addWidget(shell2)
+    shell2.showEvent(QShowEvent())
+
+    assert len(RecordingTerminal.writes) == 1
+    assert RecordingTerminal.writes[0][0].startswith("bec ")
+    assert RecordingTerminal.writes[0][1] is True
+
+
+def test_plain_console_terminal_removed_after_last_unregister(qtbot):
+    widget = BecConsole(client=mocked_client, gui_id="plain_console", terminal_id="plain_terminal")
     qtbot.addWidget(widget)
 
-    assert len(_bec_console_registry._terminal_registry) != 0
+    assert "plain_terminal" in _bec_console_registry._terminal_registry
     _bec_console_registry.unregister(widget)
-    assert len(_bec_console_registry._terminal_registry) != 0
 
-    assert _bec_console_registry._terminal_registry["bec_shell"].owner_console_id is None
+    assert "plain_terminal" not in _bec_console_registry._terminal_registry

tests/unit_tests/test_bec_queue.py

@@ -71,7 +71,6 @@ def bec_queue_msg_full():
                             },
                             "report_instructions": [{"scan_progress": 20}],
                             "scan_id": "2d704cc3-c172-404c-866d-608ce09fce40",
-                            "scan_motors": ["samx"],
                             "scan_number": 1289,
                         }
                     ],

tests/unit_tests/test_client_plugin_widgets.py

@@ -9,7 +9,8 @@ from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_base import RPCBase
 from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import BECClassContainer, BECClassInfo
 
 
-class _TestGlobalPlugin(RPCBase): ...
+class _TestGlobalPlugin(RPCBase):
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "test.global.plugin.widgets"
 
 
 mock_client_module_globals = SimpleNamespace()
@@ -25,12 +26,13 @@ mock_client_module_globals.Widgets = _TestGlobalPlugin
 def test_plugins_dont_clobber_client_globals(bec_logger: MagicMock):
     reload(client)
     bec_logger.logger.warning.assert_called_with(
-        "Plugin widget Widgets from namespace(Widgets=<class 'tests.unit_tests.test_client_plugin_widgets._TestGlobalPlugin'>) conflicts with a built-in class!"
+        "Plugin widget Widgets in test.global.plugin.widgets conflicts with a built-in class!"
     )
     assert isinstance(client.Widgets, enum.EnumType)
 
 
-class _TestDuplicatePlugin(RPCBase): ...
+class _TestDuplicatePlugin(RPCBase):
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "test.duplicate.plugin.module"
 
 
 mock_client_module_duplicate = SimpleNamespace()
@@ -54,7 +56,7 @@ def test_duplicate_plugins_not_allowed(_, bec_logger: MagicMock):
     reload(client)
     assert (
         call(
-            f"Detected duplicate widget Waveform in plugin repo file: {inspect.getfile(_TestDuplicatePlugin)} !"
+            "Plugin widget Waveform in test.duplicate.plugin.module conflicts with a built-in class!"
         )
         in bec_logger.logger.warning.mock_calls
     )

tests/unit_tests/test_color_utils.py

@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ from pydantic import ValidationError
 from qtpy.QtGui import QColor
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
-from bec_widgets.utils import Colors, ConnectionConfig
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import ConnectionConfig
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import Colors, apply_theme
 from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.curve import CurveConfig
 from tests.unit_tests.client_mocks import mocked_client
 from tests.unit_tests.conftest import create_widget

tests/unit_tests/test_crosshair.py

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import pytest
 from qtpy.QtCore import QPointF, Qt
 from qtpy.QtGui import QTransform
 
-from bec_widgets.utils import Crosshair
+from bec_widgets.utils.crosshair import Crosshair
 from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.image.image_item import ImageItem
 from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.waveform import Waveform
 from tests.unit_tests.client_mocks import mocked_client

tests/unit_tests/test_device_manager_view.py

@@ -146,10 +146,7 @@ class TestDeviceManagerViewDialogs:
         group_combo: QtWidgets.QComboBox = dialog._control_widgets["group_combo"]
         assert group_combo.count() == len(OPHYD_DEVICE_TEMPLATES)
 
-        # Test select a group from available templates
         variant_combo = dialog._control_widgets["variant_combo"]
-        assert variant_combo.isEnabled() is False
-
         with qtbot.waitSignal(group_combo.currentTextChanged):
             epics_signal_index = group_combo.findText("EpicsSignal")
             group_combo.setCurrentIndex(epics_signal_index)  # Select "EpicsSignal" group
@@ -235,7 +232,7 @@ class TestDeviceManagerViewDialogs:
         sample_config = {
             "name": "TestDevice",
             "enabled": True,
-            "deviceClass": "ophyd.EpicsSignal",
+            "deviceClass": "ophyd_devices.EpicsSignal",
             "readoutPriority": "baseline",
             "deviceConfig": {"read_pv": "X25DA-ES1-MOT:GET"},
         }
@@ -248,7 +245,7 @@ class TestDeviceManagerViewDialogs:
         assert variant_combo.currentText() == "EpicsSignal"
         config = dialog._device_config_template.get_config_fields()
         assert config["name"] == "TestDevice"
-        assert config["deviceClass"] == "ophyd.EpicsSignal"
+        assert config["deviceClass"] == "ophyd_devices.EpicsSignal"
         assert config["deviceConfig"]["read_pv"] == "X25DA-ES1-MOT:GET"
 
         # Test now to add the device config with different validation results

tests/unit_tests/test_dock_area.py

@@ -19,19 +19,19 @@ from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.basic_dock_area import (
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.dock_area import BECDockArea, SaveProfileDialog
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.profile_utils import (
     SETTINGS_KEYS,
-    default_profile_path,
+    baseline_profile_path,
     get_profile_info,
     is_profile_read_only,
     is_quick_select,
     list_profiles,
-    load_default_profile_screenshot,
-    load_user_profile_screenshot,
-    open_default_settings,
-    open_user_settings,
+    load_baseline_profile_screenshot,
+    load_runtime_profile_screenshot,
+    open_baseline_settings,
+    open_runtime_settings,
     read_manifest,
-    restore_user_from_default,
+    restore_runtime_from_baseline,
+    runtime_profile_path,
     set_quick_select,
-    user_profile_path,
     write_manifest,
 )
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.settings.dialogs import (
@@ -188,17 +188,17 @@ class _NamespaceProfiles:
     def __init__(self, widget: BECDockArea):
         self.namespace = widget.profile_namespace
 
-    def open_user(self, name: str):
-        return open_user_settings(name, namespace=self.namespace)
+    def open_runtime(self, name: str):
+        return open_runtime_settings(name, namespace=self.namespace)
 
-    def open_default(self, name: str):
-        return open_default_settings(name, namespace=self.namespace)
+    def open_baseline(self, name: str):
+        return open_baseline_settings(name, namespace=self.namespace)
 
-    def user_path(self, name: str) -> str:
-        return user_profile_path(name, namespace=self.namespace)
+    def runtime_path(self, name: str) -> str:
+        return runtime_profile_path(name, namespace=self.namespace)
 
-    def default_path(self, name: str) -> str:
-        return default_profile_path(name, namespace=self.namespace)
+    def baseline_path(self, name: str) -> str:
+        return baseline_profile_path(name, namespace=self.namespace)
 
     def list_profiles(self) -> list[str]:
         return list_profiles(namespace=self.namespace)
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ class TestBasicDockArea:
         assert basic_dock_area.widget_map(bec_widgets_only=False)["panel_bec"] is panel_bec
 
     def test_new_widget_string_creates_widget(self, basic_dock_area, qtbot):
-        basic_dock_area.new("DarkModeButton")
+        basic_dock_area.new("RingProgressBar")
         qtbot.waitUntil(lambda: len(basic_dock_area.dock_list()) > 0, timeout=1000)
 
         assert basic_dock_area.widget_list()
@@ -615,35 +615,6 @@ class TestBasicDockArea:
         ]
 
 
-class TestAdvancedDockAreaInit:
-    """Test initialization and basic properties."""
-
-    def test_init(self, advanced_dock_area):
-        assert advanced_dock_area is not None
-        assert isinstance(advanced_dock_area, BECDockArea)
-        assert advanced_dock_area.mode == "creator"
-        assert hasattr(advanced_dock_area, "dock_manager")
-        assert hasattr(advanced_dock_area, "toolbar")
-        assert hasattr(advanced_dock_area, "dark_mode_button")
-        assert hasattr(advanced_dock_area, "state_manager")
-
-    def test_rpc_and_plugin_flags(self):
-        assert BECDockArea.RPC is True
-        assert BECDockArea.PLUGIN is False
-
-    def test_user_access_list(self):
-        expected_methods = [
-            "new",
-            "widget_map",
-            "widget_list",
-            "workspace_is_locked",
-            "attach_all",
-            "delete_all",
-        ]
-        for method in expected_methods:
-            assert method in BECDockArea.USER_ACCESS
-
-
 class TestDockManagement:
     """Test dock creation, management, and manipulation."""
 
@@ -652,7 +623,7 @@ class TestDockManagement:
         initial_count = len(advanced_dock_area.dock_list())
 
         # Create a widget by string name
-        widget = advanced_dock_area.new("DarkModeButton")
+        widget = advanced_dock_area.new("RingProgressBar")
 
         # Wait for the dock to be created (since it's async)
         qtbot.wait(200)
@@ -720,7 +691,7 @@ class TestDockManagement:
         initial_count = len(widget_map)
 
         # Create a widget
-        advanced_dock_area.new("DarkModeButton")
+        advanced_dock_area.new("RingProgressBar")
         qtbot.wait(200)
 
         # Check widget map updated
@@ -734,7 +705,7 @@ class TestDockManagement:
         initial_count = len(widget_list)
 
         # Create a widget
-        advanced_dock_area.new("DarkModeButton")
+        advanced_dock_area.new("RingProgressBar")
         qtbot.wait(200)
 
         # Check widget list updated
@@ -744,8 +715,8 @@ class TestDockManagement:
     def test_delete_all(self, advanced_dock_area, qtbot):
         """Test delete_all functionality."""
         # Create multiple widgets
-        advanced_dock_area.new("DarkModeButton")
-        advanced_dock_area.new("DarkModeButton")
+        advanced_dock_area.new("RingProgressBar")
+        advanced_dock_area.new("RingProgressBar")
 
         # Wait for docks to be created
         qtbot.wait(200)
@@ -801,7 +772,7 @@ class TestWorkspaceLocking:
     def test_lock_workspace_property_setter(self, advanced_dock_area, qtbot):
         """Test workspace_is_locked property setter."""
         # Create a dock first
-        advanced_dock_area.new("DarkModeButton")
+        advanced_dock_area.new("RingProgressBar")
         qtbot.wait(200)
 
         # Initially unlocked
@@ -851,16 +822,6 @@ class TestDeveloperMode:
 class TestToolbarFunctionality:
     """Test toolbar setup and functionality."""
 
-    def test_toolbar_setup(self, advanced_dock_area):
-        """Test toolbar is properly set up."""
-        assert hasattr(advanced_dock_area, "toolbar")
-        assert hasattr(advanced_dock_area, "_ACTION_MAPPINGS")
-
-        # Check that action mappings are properly set
-        assert "menu_plots" in advanced_dock_area._ACTION_MAPPINGS
-        assert "menu_devices" in advanced_dock_area._ACTION_MAPPINGS
-        assert "menu_utils" in advanced_dock_area._ACTION_MAPPINGS
-
     def test_toolbar_plot_actions(self, advanced_dock_area):
         """Test plot toolbar actions trigger widget creation."""
         plot_actions = [
@@ -926,8 +887,8 @@ class TestToolbarFunctionality:
     def test_attach_all_action(self, advanced_dock_area, qtbot):
         """Test attach_all toolbar action."""
         # Create floating docks
-        advanced_dock_area.new("DarkModeButton", start_floating=True)
-        advanced_dock_area.new("DarkModeButton", start_floating=True)
+        advanced_dock_area.new("RingProgressBar", start_floating=True)
+        advanced_dock_area.new("RingProgressBar", start_floating=True)
 
         qtbot.wait(200)
 
@@ -946,7 +907,7 @@ class TestToolbarFunctionality:
 
     def test_load_profile_restores_floating_dock(self, advanced_dock_area, qtbot):
         helper = profile_helper(advanced_dock_area)
-        settings = helper.open_user("floating_profile")
+        settings = helper.open_runtime("floating_profile")
         settings.clear()
 
         settings.setValue("profile/created_at", "2025-11-23T00:00:00Z")
@@ -955,7 +916,7 @@ class TestToolbarFunctionality:
         # Floating entry
         settings.setArrayIndex(0)
         settings.setValue("object_name", "FloatingWaveform")
-        settings.setValue("widget_class", "DarkModeButton")
+        settings.setValue("widget_class", "RingProgressBar")
         settings.setValue("closable", True)
         settings.setValue("floatable", True)
         settings.setValue("movable", True)
@@ -973,7 +934,7 @@ class TestToolbarFunctionality:
         # Anchored entry
         settings.setArrayIndex(1)
         settings.setValue("object_name", "EmbeddedWaveform")
-        settings.setValue("widget_class", "DarkModeButton")
+        settings.setValue("widget_class", "RingProgressBar")
         settings.setValue("closable", True)
         settings.setValue("floatable", True)
         settings.setValue("movable", True)
@@ -1215,18 +1176,6 @@ class TestPreviewPanel:
         assert "No preview available" in panel.image_label.text()
 
 
-class TestRestoreProfileDialog:
-    """Test restore dialog confirmation flow."""
-
-    def test_confirm_accepts(self, monkeypatch):
-        monkeypatch.setattr(RestoreProfileDialog, "exec", lambda self: QDialog.Accepted)
-        assert RestoreProfileDialog.confirm(None, QPixmap(), QPixmap()) is True
-
-    def test_confirm_rejects(self, monkeypatch):
-        monkeypatch.setattr(RestoreProfileDialog, "exec", lambda self: QDialog.Rejected)
-        assert RestoreProfileDialog.confirm(None, QPixmap(), QPixmap()) is False
-
-
 class TestProfileInfoAndScreenshots:
     """Tests for profile utilities metadata and screenshot helpers."""
 
@@ -1246,9 +1195,9 @@ class TestProfileInfoAndScreenshots:
         settings.endArray()
         settings.sync()
 
-    def test_get_profile_info_user_origin(self, temp_profile_dir):
-        name = "info_user"
-        settings = open_user_settings(name)
+    def test_get_profile_info_runtime_origin(self, temp_profile_dir):
+        name = "info_runtime"
+        settings = open_runtime_settings(name)
         settings.setValue(profile_utils.SETTINGS_KEYS["created_at"], "2023-01-01T00:00:00Z")
         settings.setValue("profile/author", "Custom")
         set_quick_select(name, True)
@@ -1262,22 +1211,22 @@ class TestProfileInfoAndScreenshots:
         assert info.is_quick_select is True
         assert info.widget_count == 3
         assert info.author == "User"
-        assert info.user_path.endswith(f"{name}.ini")
+        assert info.runtime_path.endswith(f"{name}.ini")
         assert info.size_kb >= 0
 
-    def test_get_profile_info_default_only(self, temp_profile_dir):
-        name = "info_default"
-        settings = open_default_settings(name)
+    def test_get_profile_info_baseline_only(self, temp_profile_dir):
+        name = "info_baseline"
+        settings = open_baseline_settings(name)
         self._write_manifest(settings, count=1)
 
-        user_path = user_profile_path(name)
-        if os.path.exists(user_path):
-            os.remove(user_path)
+        runtime_path = runtime_profile_path(name)
+        if os.path.exists(runtime_path):
+            os.remove(runtime_path)
 
         info = get_profile_info(name)
 
         assert info.origin == "settings"
-        assert info.user_path.endswith(f"{name}.ini")
+        assert info.baseline_path.endswith(f"{name}.ini")
         assert info.widget_count == 1
 
     def test_get_profile_info_module_readonly(self, module_profile_factory):
@@ -1289,10 +1238,10 @@ class TestProfileInfoAndScreenshots:
 
     def test_get_profile_info_unknown_profile(self):
         name = "nonexistent_profile"
-        if os.path.exists(user_profile_path(name)):
-            os.remove(user_profile_path(name))
-        if os.path.exists(default_profile_path(name)):
-            os.remove(default_profile_path(name))
+        if os.path.exists(runtime_profile_path(name)):
+            os.remove(runtime_profile_path(name))
+        if os.path.exists(baseline_profile_path(name)):
+            os.remove(baseline_profile_path(name))
 
         info = get_profile_info(name)
 
@@ -1300,29 +1249,29 @@ class TestProfileInfoAndScreenshots:
         assert info.is_read_only is False
         assert info.widget_count == 0
 
-    def test_load_user_profile_screenshot(self, temp_profile_dir):
-        name = "user_screenshot"
-        settings = open_user_settings(name)
+    def test_load_runtime_profile_screenshot(self, temp_profile_dir):
+        name = "runtime_screenshot"
+        settings = open_runtime_settings(name)
         settings.setValue(profile_utils.SETTINGS_KEYS["screenshot"], self.PNG_BYTES)
         settings.sync()
 
-        pix = load_user_profile_screenshot(name)
+        pix = load_runtime_profile_screenshot(name)
 
         assert pix is not None and not pix.isNull()
 
-    def test_load_default_profile_screenshot(self, temp_profile_dir):
-        name = "default_screenshot"
-        settings = open_default_settings(name)
+    def test_load_baseline_profile_screenshot(self, temp_profile_dir):
+        name = "baseline_screenshot"
+        settings = open_baseline_settings(name)
         settings.setValue(profile_utils.SETTINGS_KEYS["screenshot"], self.PNG_BYTES)
         settings.sync()
 
-        pix = load_default_profile_screenshot(name)
+        pix = load_baseline_profile_screenshot(name)
 
         assert pix is not None and not pix.isNull()
 
     def test_load_screenshot_from_settings_invalid(self, temp_profile_dir):
         name = "invalid_screenshot"
-        settings = open_user_settings(name)
+        settings = open_runtime_settings(name)
         settings.setValue(profile_utils.SETTINGS_KEYS["screenshot"], "not-an-image")
         settings.sync()
 
@@ -1332,7 +1281,7 @@ class TestProfileInfoAndScreenshots:
 
     def test_load_screenshot_from_settings_bytes(self, temp_profile_dir):
         name = "bytes_screenshot"
-        settings = open_user_settings(name)
+        settings = open_runtime_settings(name)
         settings.setValue(profile_utils.SETTINGS_KEYS["screenshot"], self.PNG_BYTES)
         settings.sync()
 
@@ -1347,7 +1296,7 @@ class TestWorkSpaceManager:
     @staticmethod
     def _create_profiles(names):
         for name in names:
-            settings = open_user_settings(name)
+            settings = open_runtime_settings(name)
             settings.setValue("meta", "value")
             settings.sync()
 
@@ -1411,7 +1360,7 @@ class TestWorkSpaceManager:
 
         manager.delete_profile(name)
 
-        assert not os.path.exists(user_profile_path(name))
+        assert not os.path.exists(runtime_profile_path(name))
         assert target.refresh_calls >= 1
 
     def test_delete_readonly_profile_shows_message(
@@ -1441,21 +1390,23 @@ class TestWorkSpaceManager:
 class TestAdvancedDockAreaRestoreAndDialogs:
     """Additional coverage for restore flows and workspace dialogs."""
 
-    def test_restore_user_profile_from_default_confirm_true(self, advanced_dock_area, monkeypatch):
+    def test_restore_runtime_profile_from_baseline_confirm_true(
+        self, advanced_dock_area, monkeypatch
+    ):
         profile_name = "profile_restore_true"
         helper = profile_helper(advanced_dock_area)
-        helper.open_default(profile_name).sync()
-        helper.open_user(profile_name).sync()
+        helper.open_baseline(profile_name).sync()
+        helper.open_runtime(profile_name).sync()
         advanced_dock_area._current_profile_name = profile_name
         advanced_dock_area.isVisible = lambda: False
         pix = QPixmap(8, 8)
         pix.fill(Qt.red)
         monkeypatch.setattr(
-            "bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.dock_area.load_user_profile_screenshot",
+            "bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.dock_area.load_runtime_profile_screenshot",
             lambda name, namespace=None: pix,
         )
         monkeypatch.setattr(
-            "bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.dock_area.load_default_profile_screenshot",
+            "bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.dock_area.load_baseline_profile_screenshot",
             lambda name, namespace=None: pix,
         )
         monkeypatch.setattr(
@@ -1465,12 +1416,12 @@ class TestAdvancedDockAreaRestoreAndDialogs:
 
         with (
             patch(
-                "bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.dock_area.restore_user_from_default"
+                "bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.dock_area.restore_runtime_from_baseline"
             ) as mock_restore,
             patch.object(advanced_dock_area, "delete_all") as mock_delete_all,
             patch.object(advanced_dock_area, "load_profile") as mock_load_profile,
         ):
-            advanced_dock_area.restore_user_profile_from_default()
+            advanced_dock_area.restore_baseline_profile(show_dialog=True)
 
         assert mock_restore.call_count == 1
         args, kwargs = mock_restore.call_args
@@ -1479,20 +1430,22 @@ class TestAdvancedDockAreaRestoreAndDialogs:
         mock_delete_all.assert_called_once()
         mock_load_profile.assert_called_once_with(profile_name)
 
-    def test_restore_user_profile_from_default_confirm_false(self, advanced_dock_area, monkeypatch):
+    def test_restore_runtime_profile_from_baseline_confirm_false(
+        self, advanced_dock_area, monkeypatch
+    ):
         profile_name = "profile_restore_false"
         helper = profile_helper(advanced_dock_area)
-        helper.open_default(profile_name).sync()
-        helper.open_user(profile_name).sync()
+        helper.open_baseline(profile_name).sync()
+        helper.open_runtime(profile_name).sync()
         advanced_dock_area._current_profile_name = profile_name
         advanced_dock_area.isVisible = lambda: False
         monkeypatch.setattr(
-            "bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.dock_area.load_user_profile_screenshot",
-            lambda name: QPixmap(),
+            "bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.dock_area.load_runtime_profile_screenshot",
+            lambda name, namespace=None: QPixmap(),
         )
         monkeypatch.setattr(
-            "bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.dock_area.load_default_profile_screenshot",
-            lambda name: QPixmap(),
+            "bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.dock_area.load_baseline_profile_screenshot",
+            lambda name, namespace=None: QPixmap(),
         )
         monkeypatch.setattr(
             "bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.dock_area.RestoreProfileDialog.confirm",
@@ -1500,24 +1453,49 @@ class TestAdvancedDockAreaRestoreAndDialogs:
         )
 
         with patch(
-            "bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.dock_area.restore_user_from_default"
+            "bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.dock_area.restore_runtime_from_baseline"
         ) as mock_restore:
-            advanced_dock_area.restore_user_profile_from_default()
+            advanced_dock_area.restore_baseline_profile(show_dialog=True)
 
         mock_restore.assert_not_called()
 
-    def test_restore_user_profile_from_default_no_target(self, advanced_dock_area, monkeypatch):
+    def test_restore_runtime_profile_from_baseline_without_dialog(self, advanced_dock_area):
+        profile_name = "alignment_scan"
+        helper = profile_helper(advanced_dock_area)
+        helper.open_baseline(profile_name).sync()
+        helper.open_runtime(profile_name).sync()
+
+        with (
+            patch(
+                "bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.dock_area.RestoreProfileDialog.confirm"
+            ) as mock_confirm,
+            patch(
+                "bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.dock_area.restore_runtime_from_baseline"
+            ) as mock_restore,
+            patch.object(advanced_dock_area, "delete_all") as mock_delete_all,
+            patch.object(advanced_dock_area, "load_profile") as mock_load_profile,
+        ):
+            advanced_dock_area.restore_baseline_profile(profile_name, show_dialog=False)
+
+        mock_confirm.assert_not_called()
+        mock_restore.assert_called_once_with(
+            profile_name, namespace=advanced_dock_area.profile_namespace
+        )
+        mock_delete_all.assert_called_once()
+        mock_load_profile.assert_called_once_with(profile_name)
+
+    def test_restore_runtime_profile_from_baseline_no_target(self, advanced_dock_area, monkeypatch):
         advanced_dock_area._current_profile_name = None
         with patch(
             "bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.dock_area.RestoreProfileDialog.confirm"
         ) as mock_confirm:
-            advanced_dock_area.restore_user_profile_from_default()
+            advanced_dock_area.restore_baseline_profile(show_dialog=True)
         mock_confirm.assert_not_called()
 
     def test_refresh_workspace_list_with_refresh_profiles(self, advanced_dock_area):
         profile_name = "refresh_profile"
         helper = profile_helper(advanced_dock_area)
-        helper.open_user(profile_name).sync()
+        helper.open_runtime(profile_name).sync()
         # Simulate a normal named-profile state (not transient empty startup mode).
         advanced_dock_area._empty_profile_active = False
         advanced_dock_area._current_profile_name = profile_name
@@ -1572,8 +1550,8 @@ class TestAdvancedDockAreaRestoreAndDialogs:
         active = "active_profile"
         quick = "quick_profile"
         helper = profile_helper(advanced_dock_area)
-        helper.open_user(active).sync()
-        helper.open_user(quick).sync()
+        helper.open_runtime(active).sync()
+        helper.open_runtime(quick).sync()
         helper.set_quick_select(quick, True)
 
         combo_stub = ComboStub()
@@ -1600,7 +1578,7 @@ class TestAdvancedDockAreaRestoreAndDialogs:
 
         advanced_dock_area._current_profile_name = "manager_profile"
         helper = profile_helper(advanced_dock_area)
-        helper.open_user("manager_profile").sync()
+        helper.open_runtime("manager_profile").sync()
 
         advanced_dock_area.show_workspace_manager()
 
@@ -1635,18 +1613,104 @@ class TestProfileManagement:
 
     def test_profile_path(self, temp_profile_dir):
         """Test profile path generation."""
-        path = user_profile_path("test_profile")
-        expected = os.path.join(temp_profile_dir, "user", "test_profile.ini")
+        path = runtime_profile_path("test_profile")
+        expected = os.path.join(temp_profile_dir, "runtime", "test_profile.ini")
         assert path == expected
 
-        default_path = default_profile_path("test_profile")
-        expected_default = os.path.join(temp_profile_dir, "default", "test_profile.ini")
-        assert default_path == expected_default
+        baseline_path = baseline_profile_path("test_profile")
+        expected_baseline = os.path.join(temp_profile_dir, "baseline", "test_profile.ini")
+        assert baseline_path == expected_baseline
 
-    def test_open_settings(self, temp_profile_dir):
-        """Test opening settings for a profile."""
-        settings = open_user_settings("test_profile")
-        assert isinstance(settings, QSettings)
+    def test_legacy_user_profile_is_mapped_to_runtime(self, temp_profile_dir):
+        """Legacy user profiles are copied into the canonical runtime segment."""
+        name = "legacy_runtime"
+        legacy_dir = os.path.join(temp_profile_dir, "user")
+        os.makedirs(legacy_dir, exist_ok=True)
+        legacy_path = os.path.join(legacy_dir, f"{name}.ini")
+        legacy_settings = QSettings(legacy_path, QSettings.IniFormat)
+        legacy_settings.setValue("test/value", "legacy")
+        legacy_settings.sync()
+
+        canonical_path = runtime_profile_path(name)
+        assert not os.path.exists(canonical_path)
+
+        assert name in list_profiles()
+
+        assert os.path.exists(canonical_path)
+        assert open_runtime_settings(name).value("test/value", "", type=str) == "legacy"
+
+    def test_legacy_default_profile_is_mapped_to_baseline(self, temp_profile_dir):
+        """Legacy default profiles are copied into the canonical baseline segment."""
+        name = "legacy_baseline"
+        legacy_dir = os.path.join(temp_profile_dir, "default")
+        os.makedirs(legacy_dir, exist_ok=True)
+        legacy_path = os.path.join(legacy_dir, f"{name}.ini")
+        legacy_settings = QSettings(legacy_path, QSettings.IniFormat)
+        legacy_settings.setValue("test/value", "legacy")
+        legacy_settings.sync()
+
+        canonical_path = baseline_profile_path(name)
+        assert not os.path.exists(canonical_path)
+
+        assert name in list_profiles()
+
+        assert os.path.exists(canonical_path)
+        assert open_baseline_settings(name).value("test/value", "", type=str) == "legacy"
+
+    def test_runtime_namespace_fallback_is_materialized(self, temp_profile_dir):
+        """Canonical runtime namespace fallback is copied before opening primary settings."""
+        name = "runtime_namespace_fallback"
+        fallback_settings = open_runtime_settings(name)
+        fallback_settings.setValue("test/value", "fallback")
+        fallback_settings.sync()
+
+        namespaced_path = runtime_profile_path(name, namespace="beamline")
+        assert not os.path.exists(namespaced_path)
+
+        settings = open_runtime_settings(name, namespace="beamline")
+
+        assert os.path.exists(namespaced_path)
+        assert settings.value("test/value", "", type=str) == "fallback"
+
+    def test_baseline_namespace_fallback_is_materialized(self, temp_profile_dir):
+        """Canonical baseline namespace fallback is copied before opening primary settings."""
+        name = "baseline_namespace_fallback"
+        fallback_settings = open_baseline_settings(name)
+        fallback_settings.setValue("test/value", "fallback")
+        fallback_settings.sync()
+
+        namespaced_path = baseline_profile_path(name, namespace="beamline")
+        assert not os.path.exists(namespaced_path)
+
+        settings = open_baseline_settings(name, namespace="beamline")
+
+        assert os.path.exists(namespaced_path)
+        assert settings.value("test/value", "", type=str) == "fallback"
+
+    def test_canonical_profile_wins_over_legacy_profile(self, temp_profile_dir):
+        """Canonical runtime/baseline files are not overwritten by legacy fallback files."""
+        name = "canonical_wins"
+        runtime_settings = open_runtime_settings(name)
+        runtime_settings.setValue("test/value", "canonical-runtime")
+        runtime_settings.sync()
+        baseline_settings = open_baseline_settings(name)
+        baseline_settings.setValue("test/value", "canonical-baseline")
+        baseline_settings.sync()
+
+        for segment, value in (("user", "legacy-runtime"), ("default", "legacy-baseline")):
+            legacy_dir = os.path.join(temp_profile_dir, segment)
+            os.makedirs(legacy_dir, exist_ok=True)
+            legacy_settings = QSettings(
+                os.path.join(legacy_dir, f"{name}.ini"), QSettings.IniFormat
+            )
+            legacy_settings.setValue("test/value", value)
+            legacy_settings.sync()
+
+        assert name in list_profiles()
+        assert open_runtime_settings(name).value("test/value", "", type=str) == "canonical-runtime"
+        assert (
+            open_baseline_settings(name).value("test/value", "", type=str) == "canonical-baseline"
+        )
 
     def test_list_profiles_empty(self, temp_profile_dir):
         """Test listing profiles when directory is empty."""
@@ -1666,7 +1730,7 @@ class TestProfileManagement:
         # Create some test profile files
         profile_names = ["profile1", "profile2", "profile3"]
         for name in profile_names:
-            settings = open_user_settings(name)
+            settings = open_runtime_settings(name)
             settings.setValue("test", "value")
             settings.sync()
 
@@ -1676,29 +1740,29 @@ class TestProfileManagement:
 
     def test_readonly_profile_operations(self, temp_profile_dir, module_profile_factory):
         """Test read-only profile functionality."""
-        profile_name = "user_profile"
+        profile_name = "runtime_profile"
 
         # Initially should not be read-only
         assert not is_profile_read_only(profile_name)
 
-        # Create a user profile and ensure it's writable
-        settings = open_user_settings(profile_name)
+        # Create a runtime profile and ensure it's writable
+        settings = open_runtime_settings(profile_name)
         settings.setValue("test", "value")
         settings.sync()
         assert not is_profile_read_only(profile_name)
 
         # Verify a bundled module profile is detected as read-only
-        readonly_name = module_profile_factory("module_default")
+        readonly_name = module_profile_factory("module_baseline")
         assert is_profile_read_only(readonly_name)
 
     def test_write_and_read_manifest(self, temp_profile_dir, advanced_dock_area, qtbot):
         """Test writing and reading dock manifest."""
-        settings = open_user_settings("test_manifest")
+        settings = open_runtime_settings("test_manifest")
 
         # Create real docks
-        advanced_dock_area.new("DarkModeButton")
-        advanced_dock_area.new("DarkModeButton")
-        advanced_dock_area.new("DarkModeButton")
+        advanced_dock_area.new("RingProgressBar")
+        advanced_dock_area.new("RingProgressBar")
+        advanced_dock_area.new("RingProgressBar")
 
         # Wait for docks to be created
         qtbot.wait(1000)
@@ -1723,18 +1787,18 @@ class TestProfileManagement:
     def test_restore_preserves_quick_select(self, temp_profile_dir):
         """Ensure restoring keeps the quick select flag when it was enabled."""
         profile_name = "restorable_profile"
-        default_settings = open_default_settings(profile_name)
-        default_settings.setValue("test", "default")
-        default_settings.sync()
+        baseline_settings = open_baseline_settings(profile_name)
+        baseline_settings.setValue("test", "baseline")
+        baseline_settings.sync()
 
-        user_settings = open_user_settings(profile_name)
-        user_settings.setValue("test", "user")
-        user_settings.sync()
+        runtime_settings = open_runtime_settings(profile_name)
+        runtime_settings.setValue("test", "runtime")
+        runtime_settings.sync()
 
         set_quick_select(profile_name, True)
         assert is_quick_select(profile_name)
 
-        restore_user_from_default(profile_name)
+        restore_runtime_from_baseline(profile_name)
 
         assert is_quick_select(profile_name)
 
@@ -1758,7 +1822,7 @@ class TestWorkspaceProfileOperations:
             widget.prepare_for_shutdown()
         mock_write.assert_not_called()
 
-        helper.open_user("real_profile").sync()
+        helper.open_runtime("real_profile").sync()
         widget.load_profile("real_profile")
         assert widget._empty_profile_active is False
         assert widget._empty_profile_consumed is True
@@ -1772,7 +1836,7 @@ class TestWorkspaceProfileOperations:
         profile_name = module_profile_factory("readonly_profile")
         new_profile = f"{profile_name}_custom"
         helper = profile_helper(advanced_dock_area)
-        target_path = helper.user_path(new_profile)
+        target_path = helper.runtime_path(new_profile)
         if os.path.exists(target_path):
             os.remove(target_path)
 
@@ -1802,11 +1866,11 @@ class TestWorkspaceProfileOperations:
         helper = profile_helper(advanced_dock_area)
 
         # Create a profile with manifest
-        settings = helper.open_user(profile_name)
+        settings = helper.open_runtime(profile_name)
         settings.beginWriteArray("manifest/widgets", 1)
         settings.setArrayIndex(0)
         settings.setValue("object_name", "test_widget")
-        settings.setValue("widget_class", "DarkModeButton")
+        settings.setValue("widget_class", "RingProgressBar")
         settings.setValue("closable", True)
         settings.setValue("floatable", True)
         settings.setValue("movable", True)
@@ -1823,6 +1887,83 @@ class TestWorkspaceProfileOperations:
         widget_map = advanced_dock_area.widget_map()
         assert "test_widget" in widget_map
 
+    def test_load_profile_default_does_not_restore_baseline(self, advanced_dock_area):
+        """Regular profile loading should not restore the runtime copy."""
+        profile_name = "load_without_baseline_restore"
+        helper = profile_helper(advanced_dock_area)
+        helper.open_runtime(profile_name).sync()
+
+        with patch(
+            "bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.dock_area.restore_runtime_from_baseline"
+        ) as mock_restore:
+            advanced_dock_area.load_profile(profile_name)
+
+        mock_restore.assert_not_called()
+        assert advanced_dock_area._current_profile_name == profile_name
+
+    def test_load_profile_restores_baseline_without_dialog(self, advanced_dock_area):
+        """CLI loading can restore the runtime copy from baseline without confirmation."""
+        profile_name = "alignment_scan"
+        helper = profile_helper(advanced_dock_area)
+        helper.open_baseline(profile_name).sync()
+        helper.open_runtime(profile_name).sync()
+
+        with (
+            patch(
+                "bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.dock_area.RestoreProfileDialog.confirm"
+            ) as mock_confirm,
+            patch(
+                "bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.dock_area.restore_runtime_from_baseline"
+            ) as mock_restore,
+        ):
+            advanced_dock_area.load_profile(profile_name, restore_baseline=True)
+
+        mock_confirm.assert_not_called()
+        mock_restore.assert_called_once_with(
+            profile_name, namespace=advanced_dock_area.profile_namespace
+        )
+        assert advanced_dock_area._current_profile_name == profile_name
+
+    def test_load_profile_materializes_runtime_namespace_fallback(self, advanced_dock_area):
+        """Loading a runtime fallback copies it into the active namespace before opening."""
+        profile_name = "load_runtime_namespace_fallback"
+        helper = profile_helper(advanced_dock_area)
+        fallback_settings = open_runtime_settings(profile_name)
+        fallback_settings.setValue("test/value", "fallback")
+        fallback_settings.sync()
+
+        namespaced_path = helper.runtime_path(profile_name)
+        assert not os.path.exists(namespaced_path)
+
+        advanced_dock_area.load_profile(profile_name)
+
+        assert os.path.exists(namespaced_path)
+        assert (
+            QSettings(namespaced_path, QSettings.IniFormat).value("test/value", "", type=str)
+            == "fallback"
+        )
+        assert advanced_dock_area._current_profile_name == profile_name
+
+    def test_load_profile_materializes_baseline_namespace_fallback(self, advanced_dock_area):
+        """Loading a baseline fallback copies it into the active namespace before opening."""
+        profile_name = "load_baseline_namespace_fallback"
+        helper = profile_helper(advanced_dock_area)
+        fallback_settings = open_baseline_settings(profile_name)
+        fallback_settings.setValue("test/value", "fallback")
+        fallback_settings.sync()
+
+        namespaced_path = helper.baseline_path(profile_name)
+        assert not os.path.exists(namespaced_path)
+
+        advanced_dock_area.load_profile(profile_name)
+
+        assert os.path.exists(namespaced_path)
+        assert (
+            QSettings(namespaced_path, QSettings.IniFormat).value("test/value", "", type=str)
+            == "fallback"
+        )
+        assert advanced_dock_area._current_profile_name == profile_name
+
     def test_save_as_skips_autosave_source_profile(
         self, advanced_dock_area, temp_profile_dir, qtbot
     ):
@@ -1831,11 +1972,11 @@ class TestWorkspaceProfileOperations:
         new_profile = "autosave_new"
         helper = profile_helper(advanced_dock_area)
 
-        settings = helper.open_user(source_profile)
+        settings = helper.open_runtime(source_profile)
         settings.beginWriteArray("manifest/widgets", 1)
         settings.setArrayIndex(0)
         settings.setValue("object_name", "source_widget")
-        settings.setValue("widget_class", "DarkModeButton")
+        settings.setValue("widget_class", "RingProgressBar")
         settings.setValue("closable", True)
         settings.setValue("floatable", True)
         settings.setValue("movable", True)
@@ -1844,7 +1985,7 @@ class TestWorkspaceProfileOperations:
 
         advanced_dock_area.load_profile(source_profile)
         qtbot.wait(500)
-        advanced_dock_area.new("DarkModeButton")
+        advanced_dock_area.new("RingProgressBar")
         qtbot.wait(500)
 
         class StubDialog:
@@ -1863,11 +2004,16 @@ class TestWorkspaceProfileOperations:
         with patch(
             "bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.dock_area.SaveProfileDialog", StubDialog
         ):
-            advanced_dock_area.save_profile(show_dialog=True)
+            widgets_before_save = list(advanced_dock_area.widget_list())
+            with patch.object(advanced_dock_area, "load_profile") as mock_load_profile:
+                advanced_dock_area.save_profile(show_dialog=True)
+                qtbot.wait(100)
+                mock_load_profile.assert_not_called()
 
         qtbot.wait(500)
-        source_manifest = read_manifest(helper.open_user(source_profile))
-        new_manifest = read_manifest(helper.open_user(new_profile))
+        assert list(advanced_dock_area.widget_list()) == widgets_before_save
+        source_manifest = read_manifest(helper.open_runtime(source_profile))
+        new_manifest = read_manifest(helper.open_runtime(new_profile))
 
         assert len(source_manifest) == 1
         assert len(new_manifest) == 2
@@ -1879,11 +2025,11 @@ class TestWorkspaceProfileOperations:
         helper = profile_helper(advanced_dock_area)
 
         for profile in (profile_a, profile_b):
-            settings = helper.open_user(profile)
+            settings = helper.open_runtime(profile)
             settings.beginWriteArray("manifest/widgets", 1)
             settings.setArrayIndex(0)
             settings.setValue("object_name", f"{profile}_widget")
-            settings.setValue("widget_class", "DarkModeButton")
+            settings.setValue("widget_class", "RingProgressBar")
             settings.setValue("closable", True)
             settings.setValue("floatable", True)
             settings.setValue("movable", True)
@@ -1892,13 +2038,13 @@ class TestWorkspaceProfileOperations:
 
         advanced_dock_area.load_profile(profile_a)
         qtbot.wait(500)
-        advanced_dock_area.new("DarkModeButton")
+        advanced_dock_area.new("RingProgressBar")
         qtbot.wait(500)
 
         advanced_dock_area.load_profile(profile_b)
         qtbot.wait(500)
 
-        manifest_a = read_manifest(helper.open_user(profile_a))
+        manifest_a = read_manifest(helper.open_runtime(profile_a))
         assert len(manifest_a) == 2
 
     def test_delete_profile_readonly(
@@ -1907,15 +2053,15 @@ class TestWorkspaceProfileOperations:
         """Test deleting bundled profile removes only the writable copy."""
         profile_name = module_profile_factory("readonly_profile")
         helper = profile_helper(advanced_dock_area)
-        helper.list_profiles()  # ensure default and user copies are materialized
-        helper.open_default(profile_name).sync()
-        settings = helper.open_user(profile_name)
+        helper.list_profiles()  # ensure baseline and runtime copies are materialized
+        helper.open_baseline(profile_name).sync()
+        settings = helper.open_runtime(profile_name)
         settings.setValue("test", "value")
         settings.sync()
-        user_path = helper.user_path(profile_name)
-        default_path = helper.default_path(profile_name)
-        assert os.path.exists(user_path)
-        assert os.path.exists(default_path)
+        runtime_path = helper.runtime_path(profile_name)
+        baseline_path = helper.baseline_path(profile_name)
+        assert os.path.exists(runtime_path)
+        assert os.path.exists(baseline_path)
 
         with patch.object(advanced_dock_area.toolbar.components, "get_action") as mock_get_action:
             mock_combo = MagicMock()
@@ -1936,9 +2082,9 @@ class TestWorkspaceProfileOperations:
 
                 mock_question.assert_not_called()
                 mock_info.assert_called_once()
-                # Read-only profile should remain intact (user + default copies)
-                assert os.path.exists(user_path)
-                assert os.path.exists(default_path)
+                # Read-only profile should remain intact (runtime + baseline copies)
+                assert os.path.exists(runtime_path)
+                assert os.path.exists(baseline_path)
 
     def test_delete_profile_success(self, advanced_dock_area, temp_profile_dir):
         """Test successful profile deletion."""
@@ -1946,11 +2092,11 @@ class TestWorkspaceProfileOperations:
         helper = profile_helper(advanced_dock_area)
 
         # Create regular profile
-        settings = helper.open_user(profile_name)
+        settings = helper.open_runtime(profile_name)
         settings.setValue("test", "value")
         settings.sync()
-        user_path = helper.user_path(profile_name)
-        assert os.path.exists(user_path)
+        runtime_path = helper.runtime_path(profile_name)
+        assert os.path.exists(runtime_path)
 
         with patch.object(advanced_dock_area.toolbar.components, "get_action") as mock_get_action:
             mock_combo = MagicMock()
@@ -1968,7 +2114,7 @@ class TestWorkspaceProfileOperations:
                     mock_question.assert_called_once()
                     mock_refresh.assert_called_once()
                     # Profile should be deleted
-                    assert not os.path.exists(user_path)
+                    assert not os.path.exists(runtime_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)."""
@@ -1976,24 +2122,24 @@ class TestWorkspaceProfileOperations:
         helper = profile_helper(advanced_dock_area)
 
         # Create regular profile
-        settings = helper.open_user(profile_name)
+        settings = helper.open_runtime(profile_name)
         settings.setValue("test", "value")
         settings.sync()
-        user_path = helper.user_path(profile_name)
-        assert os.path.exists(user_path)
+        runtime_path = helper.runtime_path(profile_name)
+        assert os.path.exists(runtime_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)
+        assert not os.path.exists(runtime_path)
 
     def test_refresh_workspace_list(self, advanced_dock_area, temp_profile_dir):
         """Test refreshing workspace list."""
         # Create some profiles
         helper = profile_helper(advanced_dock_area)
         for name in ["profile1", "profile2"]:
-            settings = helper.open_user(name)
+            settings = helper.open_runtime(name)
             settings.setValue("test", "value")
             settings.sync()
 
@@ -2033,20 +2179,6 @@ class TestCleanupAndMisc:
         # Verify dock was removed
         assert len(advanced_dock_area.dock_list()) == initial_count - 1
 
-    def test_apply_dock_lock(self, advanced_dock_area, qtbot):
-        """Test _apply_dock_lock functionality."""
-        # Create a dock first
-        advanced_dock_area.new("DarkModeButton")
-        qtbot.wait(200)
-
-        # Test locking
-        advanced_dock_area._apply_dock_lock(True)
-        # No assertion needed - just verify it doesn't crash
-
-        # Test unlocking
-        advanced_dock_area._apply_dock_lock(False)
-        # No assertion needed - just verify it doesn't crash
-
     def test_make_dock(self, advanced_dock_area):
         """Test _make_dock functionality."""
         from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.visual.dark_mode_button.dark_mode_button import (
@@ -2229,7 +2361,6 @@ class TestFlatToolbarActions:
             "flat_progress_bar",
             "flat_terminal",
             "flat_bec_shell",
-            "flat_log_panel",
             "flat_sbb_monitor",
         ]
 
@@ -2289,11 +2420,6 @@ class TestFlatToolbarActions:
                 action.trigger()
                 mock_new.assert_called_once_with(widget_type)
 
-    def test_flat_log_panel_action_disabled(self, advanced_dock_area):
-        """Test that flat log panel action is disabled."""
-        action = advanced_dock_area.toolbar.components.get_action("flat_log_panel").action
-        assert not action.isEnabled()
-
 
 class TestModeTransitions:
     """Test mode transitions and state consistency."""
@@ -2342,8 +2468,8 @@ class TestModeTransitions:
     def test_mode_switching_preserves_existing_docks(self, advanced_dock_area, qtbot):
         """Test that mode switching doesn't affect existing docked widgets."""
         # Create some widgets
-        advanced_dock_area.new("DarkModeButton")
-        advanced_dock_area.new("DarkModeButton")
+        advanced_dock_area.new("RingProgressBar")
+        advanced_dock_area.new("RingProgressBar")
         qtbot.wait(200)
 
         initial_dock_count = len(advanced_dock_area.dock_list())

tests/unit_tests/test_generate_cli_client.py

@@ -5,7 +5,8 @@ import black
 import isort
 import pytest
 
-from bec_widgets.cli.generate_cli import ClientGenerator
+from bec_widgets.utils.generate_cli import ClientGenerator, write_designer_plugins
+from bec_widgets.utils.generate_designer_plugin import DesignerPluginInfo
 from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import BECClassContainer, BECClassInfo
 
 # pylint: disable=missing-function-docstring
@@ -59,6 +60,14 @@ class MockViewWithContent:
         """Activate view."""
 
 
+class MockDesignerWidgetBase:
+    ICON_NAME = "mock_icon"
+
+
+class MockDesignerWidget(MockDesignerWidgetBase):
+    pass
+
+
 def test_client_generator_with_black_formatting():
     generator = ClientGenerator(base=True)
     container = BECClassContainer()
@@ -104,8 +113,7 @@ def test_client_generator_with_black_formatting():
         from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 
         from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_base import RPCBase, rpc_call, rpc_timeout
-        from bec_widgets.utils.bec_plugin_helper import (get_all_plugin_widgets,
-                                                        get_plugin_client_module)
+        from bec_widgets.utils.bec_plugin_helper import get_plugin_client_module
 
         logger = bec_logger.logger
 
@@ -123,31 +131,25 @@ def test_client_generator_with_black_formatting():
 
         
         try:
-            _plugin_widgets = get_all_plugin_widgets().as_dict()
             plugin_client = get_plugin_client_module()
-            Widgets = _WidgetsEnumType("Widgets", {name: name for name in _plugin_widgets} | _Widgets)
-
-            if (_overlap := _Widgets.keys() & _plugin_widgets.keys()) != set():
-                for _widget in _overlap:
-                    logger.warning(f"Detected duplicate widget {_widget} in plugin repo file: {inspect.getfile(_plugin_widgets[_widget])} !")
             for plugin_name, plugin_class in inspect.getmembers(plugin_client, inspect.isclass):
                 if issubclass(plugin_class, RPCBase) and plugin_class is not RPCBase:
+                    if plugin_name not in _Widgets:
+                        _Widgets[plugin_name] = plugin_name
                     if plugin_name in globals():
-                        conflicting_file = (
-                            inspect.getfile(_plugin_widgets[plugin_name])
-                            if plugin_name in _plugin_widgets
-                            else f"{plugin_client}"
-                        )
                         logger.warning(
-                            f"Plugin widget {plugin_name} from {conflicting_file} conflicts with a built-in class!"
+                            f"Plugin widget {plugin_name} in {plugin_class._IMPORT_MODULE} conflicts with a built-in class!"
                         )
                         continue
-                    if plugin_name not in _overlap:
+                    else:
                         globals()[plugin_name] = plugin_class
+                Widgets = _WidgetsEnumType("Widgets", _Widgets)
         except ImportError as e:
             logger.error(f"Failed loading plugins: \\n{reduce(add, traceback.format_exception(e))}")
 
         class MockBECFigure(RPCBase):
+            _IMPORT_MODULE = "tests.unit_tests.test_generate_cli_client"
+            
             @rpc_call
             def add_plot(self, plot_id: str):
                 """
@@ -162,6 +164,8 @@ def test_client_generator_with_black_formatting():
 
 
         class MockBECWaveform1D(RPCBase):
+            _IMPORT_MODULE = "tests.unit_tests.test_generate_cli_client"
+            
             @rpc_call
             def set_frequency(self, frequency: float) -> list:
                 """
@@ -290,3 +294,18 @@ c = a + b"""
         content = file.read()
 
     assert corrected in content
+
+
+def test_write_designer_plugins(tmp_path):
+    file_name = tmp_path / "designer_plugins.py"
+
+    write_designer_plugins([DesignerPluginInfo(MockDesignerWidget)], str(file_name))
+
+    with open(file_name, "r", encoding="utf-8") as file:
+        content = file.read()
+
+    assert '"MockDesignerWidget":' in content
+    assert '"tests.unit_tests.test_generate_cli_client"' in content
+    assert '"MockDesignerWidget"' in content
+    assert '"MockDesignerWidget": "mock_icon"' in content
+    assert "MockDesignerWidgetPlugin" not in content

tests/unit_tests/test_logpanel.py

@@ -7,163 +7,123 @@ from collections import deque
 from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch
 
 import pytest
+from bec_lib.logger import LogLevel
 from bec_lib.messages import LogMessage
-from bec_lib.redis_connector import StreamMessage
 from qtpy.QtCore import QDateTime
 
-from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.logpanel._util import (
-    log_time,
-    replace_escapes,
-    simple_color_format,
-)
-from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.logpanel.logpanel import DEFAULT_LOG_COLORS, LogPanel
+from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.logpanel.logpanel import LogPanel, TimestampUpdate
 
 from .client_mocks import mocked_client
 
-TEST_TABLE_STRING = "2025-01-15 15:57:18 | bec_server.scan_server.scan_queue | [INFO] | \n \x1b[3m              primary queue / ScanQueueStatus.RUNNING              \x1b[0m\n┏━━━━━━━━━━━━━┳━━━━━━━━━┳━━━━━━━━━┳━━━━━━┳━━━━━━━━━━━━┳━━━━━━━━━━━┓\n┃\x1b[1m \x1b[0m\x1b[1m queue_id  \x1b[0m\x1b[1m \x1b[0m┃\x1b[1m \x1b[0m\x1b[1mscan_id\x1b[0m\x1b[1m \x1b[0m┃\x1b[1m \x1b[0m\x1b[1mis_scan\x1b[0m\x1b[1m \x1b[0m┃\x1b[1m \x1b[0m\x1b[1mtype\x1b[0m\x1b[1m \x1b[0m┃\x1b[1m \x1b[0m\x1b[1mscan_numb…\x1b[0m\x1b[1m \x1b[0m┃\x1b[1m \x1b[0m\x1b[1mIQ status\x1b[0m\x1b[1m \x1b[0m┃\n┡━━━━━━━━━━━━━╇━━━━━━━━━╇━━━━━━━━━╇━━━━━━╇━━━━━━━━━━━━╇━━━━━━━━━━━┩\n│ bbe50c82-6… │  None   │  False  │  mv  │    None    │  PENDING  │\n└─────────────┴─────────┴─────────┴──────┴────────────┴───────────┘\n\n"
-
 TEST_LOG_MESSAGES = [
-    LogMessage(
-        metadata={},
-        log_type="debug",
-        log_msg={
-            "text": "datetime | debug | test log message",
-            "record": {"time": {"timestamp": 123456789.000}},
-            "service_name": "ScanServer",
-        },
-    ),
-    LogMessage(
-        metadata={},
-        log_type="info",
-        log_msg={
-            "text": "datetime | info | test log message",
-            "record": {"time": {"timestamp": 123456789.007}},
-            "service_name": "ScanServer",
-        },
-    ),
-    LogMessage(
-        metadata={},
-        log_type="success",
-        log_msg={
-            "text": "datetime | success | test log message",
-            "record": {"time": {"timestamp": 123456789.012}},
-            "service_name": "ScanServer",
-        },
-    ),
-]
-
-TEST_COMBINED_PLAINTEXT = "datetime | debug | test log message\ndatetime | info | test log message\ndatetime | success | test log message\n"
-
-
-@pytest.fixture
-def raw_queue():
-    yield deque(TEST_LOG_MESSAGES, maxlen=100)
-
-
-@pytest.fixture
-def log_panel(qtbot, mocked_client: MagicMock):
-    widget = LogPanel(client=mocked_client, service_status=MagicMock())
-    qtbot.addWidget(widget)
-    qtbot.waitExposed(widget)
-    yield widget
-
-
-def test_log_panel_init(log_panel: LogPanel):
-    assert log_panel.plain_text == ""
-
-
-def test_table_string_processing():
-    assert "\x1b" in TEST_TABLE_STRING
-    sanitized = replace_escapes(TEST_TABLE_STRING)
-    assert "\x1b" not in sanitized
-    assert "  " not in sanitized
-    assert "\n" not in sanitized
-
-
-@pytest.mark.parametrize(
-    ["msg", "color"], zip(TEST_LOG_MESSAGES, ["#0000CC", "#FFFFFF", "#00FF00"])
-)
-def test_color_format(msg: LogMessage, color: str):
-    assert color in simple_color_format(msg, DEFAULT_LOG_COLORS)
-
-
-def test_logpanel_output(qtbot, log_panel: LogPanel):
-    log_panel._log_manager._data = deque(TEST_LOG_MESSAGES)
-    log_panel._on_redraw()
-    assert log_panel.plain_text == TEST_COMBINED_PLAINTEXT
-
-    def display_queue_empty():
-        print(log_panel._log_manager._display_queue)
-        return len(log_panel._log_manager._display_queue) == 0
-
-    next_text = "datetime | error | test log message"
-    msg = LogMessage(
-        metadata={},
-        log_type="error",
-        log_msg={"text": next_text, "record": {}, "service_name": "ScanServer"},
-    )
-    log_panel._log_manager._process_incoming_log_msg(
-        msg.content, msg.metadata, _override_slot_params={"verify_sender": False}
-    )
-
-    qtbot.waitUntil(display_queue_empty, timeout=5000)
-    assert log_panel.plain_text == TEST_COMBINED_PLAINTEXT + next_text + "\n"
-
-
-def test_level_filter(log_panel: LogPanel):
-    log_panel._log_manager._data = deque(TEST_LOG_MESSAGES)
-    log_panel._log_manager.update_level_filter("INFO")
-    log_panel._on_redraw()
-    assert (
-        log_panel.plain_text
-        == "datetime | info | test log message\ndatetime | success | test log message\n"
-    )
-
-
-def test_clear_button(log_panel: LogPanel):
-    log_panel._log_manager._data = deque(TEST_LOG_MESSAGES)
-    log_panel.toolbar.clear_button.click()
-    assert log_panel._log_manager._data == deque([])
-
-
-def test_timestamp_filter(log_panel: LogPanel):
-    log_panel._log_manager._timestamp_start = QDateTime(1973, 11, 29, 21, 33, 9, 5, 1)
-    pytest.approx(log_panel._log_manager._timestamp_start.toMSecsSinceEpoch() / 1000, 123456789.005)
-    log_panel._log_manager._timestamp_end = QDateTime(1973, 11, 29, 21, 33, 9, 10, 1)
-    pytest.approx(log_panel._log_manager._timestamp_end.toMSecsSinceEpoch() / 1000, 123456789.010)
-    filter_ = log_panel._log_manager._create_timestamp_filter()
-    assert not filter_(TEST_LOG_MESSAGES[0])
-    assert filter_(TEST_LOG_MESSAGES[1])
-    assert not filter_(TEST_LOG_MESSAGES[2])
-
-
-def test_error_handling_in_callback(log_panel: LogPanel):
-    log_panel._log_manager.new_message = MagicMock()
-
-    with patch("bec_widgets.widgets.utility.logpanel.logpanel.logger") as logger:
-        # generally errors should be logged
-        log_panel._log_manager.new_message.emit = MagicMock(
-            side_effect=ValueError("Something went wrong")
-        )
-        msg = LogMessage(
+    {"data": msg}
+    for msg in [
+        LogMessage(
             metadata={},
             log_type="debug",
             log_msg={
                 "text": "datetime | debug | test log message",
-                "record": {"time": {"timestamp": 123456789.000}},
+                "record": {
+                    "time": {"timestamp": 123456789.000, "repr": "2025-01-01 00:00:01"},
+                    "message": "test debug message abcd",
+                    "function": "_debug",
+                },
+                "service_name": "ScanServer",
+            },
+        ),
+        LogMessage(
+            metadata={},
+            log_type="info",
+            log_msg={
+                "text": "datetime | info | test info log message",
+                "record": {
+                    "time": {"timestamp": 123456789.007, "repr": "2025-01-01 00:00:02"},
+                    "message": "test info message efgh",
+                    "function": "_info",
+                },
+                "service_name": "DeviceServer",
+            },
+        ),
+        LogMessage(
+            metadata={},
+            log_type="success",
+            log_msg={
+                "text": "datetime | success | test log message",
+                "record": {
+                    "time": {"timestamp": 123456789.012, "repr": "2025-01-01 00:00:03"},
+                    "message": "test success message ijkl",
+                    "function": "_success",
+                },
+                "service_name": "ScanServer",
+            },
+        ),
+    ]
+]
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def log_panel(qtbot, mocked_client):
+    mocked_client.connector.xread = lambda *_, **__: TEST_LOG_MESSAGES
+    widget = LogPanel()
+    qtbot.addWidget(widget)
+    qtbot.waitExposed(widget)
+    yield widget
+    widget._model.log_queue.cleanup()
+    widget.close()
+    widget.deleteLater()
+    qtbot.wait(100)
+
+
+def test_log_panel_init(qtbot, log_panel: LogPanel):
+    assert log_panel
+
+
+def test_log_panel_filters(qtbot, log_panel: LogPanel):
+    assert log_panel._proxy.rowCount() == 3
+    # Service filter
+    log_panel._update_service_filter({"DeviceServer"})
+    qtbot.waitUntil(lambda: log_panel._proxy.rowCount() == 1, timeout=200)
+    log_panel._update_service_filter(set())
+    qtbot.waitUntil(lambda: log_panel._proxy.rowCount() == 3, timeout=200)
+    # Text filter
+    log_panel._proxy.update_filter_text("efgh")
+    qtbot.waitUntil(lambda: log_panel._proxy.rowCount() == 1, timeout=200)
+    log_panel._proxy.update_filter_text("")
+    qtbot.waitUntil(lambda: log_panel._proxy.rowCount() == 3, timeout=200)
+    # Time filter
+    log_panel._proxy.update_timestamp(
+        TimestampUpdate(value=QDateTime.fromMSecsSinceEpoch(123456789004), update_type="start")
+    )
+    qtbot.waitUntil(lambda: log_panel._proxy.rowCount() == 2, timeout=200)
+    log_panel._proxy.update_timestamp(
+        TimestampUpdate(value=QDateTime.fromMSecsSinceEpoch(123456789009), update_type="end")
+    )
+    qtbot.waitUntil(lambda: log_panel._proxy.rowCount() == 1, timeout=200)
+    log_panel._proxy.update_timestamp(TimestampUpdate(value=None, update_type="start"))
+    log_panel._proxy.update_timestamp(TimestampUpdate(value=None, update_type="end"))
+    qtbot.waitUntil(lambda: log_panel._proxy.rowCount() == 3, timeout=200)
+    # Level filter
+    log_panel._proxy.update_level_filter(LogLevel.SUCCESS)
+    qtbot.waitUntil(lambda: log_panel._proxy.rowCount() == 1, timeout=200)
+    log_panel._proxy.update_level_filter(None)
+    qtbot.waitUntil(lambda: log_panel._proxy.rowCount() == 3, timeout=200)
+
+
+def test_log_panel_update(qtbot, log_panel: LogPanel):
+    log_panel._model.log_queue._incoming.append(
+        LogMessage(
+            metadata={},
+            log_type="error",
+            log_msg={
+                "text": "datetime | error | test log message",
+                "record": {
+                    "time": {"timestamp": 123456789.015, "repr": "2025-01-01 00:00:03"},
+                    "message": "test error message xyz",
+                    "function": "_error",
+                },
                 "service_name": "ScanServer",
             },
         )
-        log_panel._log_manager._process_incoming_log_msg(
-            msg.content, msg.metadata, _override_slot_params={"verify_sender": False}
-        )
-        logger.warning.assert_called_once()
-
-        # this specific error should be ignored and not relogged
-        log_panel._log_manager.new_message.emit = MagicMock(
-            side_effect=RuntimeError("Internal C++ object (BecLogsQueue) already deleted.")
-        )
-        log_panel._log_manager._process_incoming_log_msg(
-            msg.content, msg.metadata, _override_slot_params={"verify_sender": False}
-        )
-        logger.warning.assert_called_once()
+    )
+    log_panel._model.log_queue._proc_update()
+    qtbot.waitUntil(lambda: log_panel._model.rowCount() == 4, timeout=500)