feat: add sound assets

Automatically generated by python-semantic-release

.github/actions/bw_install/action.yml

@@ -62,4 +62,4 @@ runs:
         uv pip install --system -e ./ophyd_devices
         uv pip install --system -e ./bec/bec_lib[dev]
         uv pip install --system -e ./bec/bec_ipython_client
-        uv pip install --system -e ./bec_widgets[dev,pyside6]
+        uv pip install --system -e ./bec_widgets[dev,qtermwidget]

.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/child_repos.yml

@@ -45,6 +45,18 @@ jobs:
           cd ./bec
           pip install pytest pytest-random-order
           pytest -v --maxfail=2 --junitxml=report.xml --random-order ./bec_server/tests ./bec_ipython_client/tests/client_tests ./bec_lib/tests
+
+      - name: Upload BEC unit test artifacts if job fails
+        if: failure()
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: bec-unit-test-artifacts
+          path: |
+            ./bec/report.xml
+            ./bec/logs/*.log
+          if-no-files-found: ignore
+          retention-days: 7
+
   bec-e2e-test:
     name: BEC End2End Tests
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
@@ -62,3 +74,12 @@ jobs:
           OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH: ${{ inputs.OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH }}
           BEC_WIDGETS_BRANCH: ${{ inputs.BEC_WIDGETS_BRANCH }}
           PYTHON_VERSION: '3.11'
+
+      - name: Upload BEC e2e logs if job fails
+        if: failure()
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: bec-e2e-test-logs
+          path: ./_e2e_test_checkout_/bec/logs/*.log
+          if-no-files-found: ignore
+          retention-days: 7

.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

.gitignore

@@ -177,4 +177,6 @@ cython_debug/
 #  be found at https://github.com/github/gitignore/blob/main/Global/JetBrains.gitignore
 #  and can be added to the global gitignore or merged into this file.  For a more nuclear
 #  option (not recommended) you can uncomment the following to ignore the entire idea folder.
-#.idea/
+#.idea/
+#
+tombi.toml

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -1,6 +1,629 @@
 # CHANGELOG
 
 
+## v3.15.0 (2026-06-12)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **beamline-states**: Better pydantic model handling
+  ([`64cbf93`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/64cbf93d64895cc8af9522506512c4e8f5de939d))
+
+- **bec_widget**: Removal of non existing TYPE check for old dock area
+  ([`08650e8`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/08650e86a3d3aa1098514bad3d8119401ace1d3f))
+
+- **device-input**: Align validity styling
+  ([`6db198e`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/6db198e68422967c1c6d8ffb749b993e0e4975e1))
+
+- **notification-banner**: Eventfilter guard for QStandartItem
+  ([`d07d03c`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/d07d03c1be7b405e52126cfc507fdcd79093cb45))
+
+- **notification-center**: Sync light theme styling
+  ([`f78bc26`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/f78bc26a26bfebfc7df83a9c6cd7dd5c95a35d05))
+
+- **pydantic**: Adoption to new ScanArgument refactor from bec
+  ([`3dfed23`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/3dfed232efb8baff14ebe62b6b14e62e0a4acd36))
+
+- **widget_it**: Device/signal combobox handler
+  ([`434f9f5`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/434f9f561fca199aadc798db682a7e863a3246b3))
+
+### Build System
+
+- **bec**: Bump bec_lib and bec_ipython_client to v3.134
+  ([`9550866`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/9550866b677bb304ab0ea490827d0d0c09064722))
+
+### Features
+
+- **beamline-states**: Add state manager widget
+  ([`2546cc4`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/2546cc484d1c483fd45f1b80847a7e0200faba43))
+
+- **beamline-states**: Collapse all functionality with cleanup of not used settings widgets if state
+  is not dirty
+  ([`768c138`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/768c138576ad924dfad334888583131cc452e4f0))
+
+- **dock-area**: Expose beamline state manager
+  ([`6aa1f7e`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/6aa1f7e74ae4497d449b03e600e5c3fbbfc34be0))
+
+- **forms**: Add pydantic widget form
+  ([`b20897f`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/b20897f4bf2c05653e57bd79c5e292883d1f8ee8))
+
+- **forms**: Unified pydantic and scan control adapter for pydantic models
+  ([`563603b`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/563603b80e52ec6746a57fa68b1f7b2dbc101439))
+
+- **widget_io**: Register handler
+  ([`7e6dca4`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/7e6dca49120fba480a8756a0cb951b88a2df3584))
+
+### Refactoring
+
+- **beamline-states**: Beamlinestatemanager widget moved to separate module
+  ([`4bb7e81`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/4bb7e811dd514e69e9a507505b976c3b8de1d035))
+
+- **colors**: Consolidate theme helpers
+  ([`aca2c4a`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/aca2c4a7a50e85b0d0f61251f71bc097a258599f))
+
+- **main-window**: Remove status-tip override
+  ([`f6f590c`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/f6f590cabdfd66f4bb4f8095414db5d120b0f9a1))
+
+- **notification_banner**: Remove defensive patterns
+  ([`64ed28b`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/64ed28ba4f554958305cc9cf37da1a124ba2a99b))
+
+
+## v3.14.0 (2026-06-11)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **bec_progress_bar**: Replace the custom paint event progressbar with native QProgressBar
+  ([`007f930`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/007f9306a62f60cf66a268f608984b6a954b8653))
+
+- **progress**: Scan progress reset on_scan_status in unified backend
+  ([`3d93cf2`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/3d93cf2f01778a9825a94adcba44a26fbeaf4be4))
+
+- **ring**: Progresssignal fetch logic back
+  ([`e8bd803`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/e8bd80377e0bee40142c5cd0d4a9c35d35f2d950))
+
+- **scan_control**: Remove parent from layout to prevent `QLayout: Attempting to add QLayout "" to
+  ScanGroupBox "", which already has a layout`
+  ([`e8e67f6`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/e8e67f68a2912c69a7df3d82daaa67fab3ae1139))
+
+### Continuous Integration
+
+- **child_repos**: Artifact logs upload if child pipelines fail
+  ([`acfc1b4`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/acfc1b4b883b2a3cf0596c881489cb2c953dd219))
+
+### Features
+
+- **progress**: Progress is tracked from bec; unified progress backend
+  ([`51f7652`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/51f7652b1fe59db6bf94a8183ae0e3a715601aa6))
+
+### Refactoring
+
+- **bec_progress**: Simplification of chunk radius calculation
+  ([`e547ec7`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/e547ec71ae1f45db72d9b8cde0b5fe564466333c))
+
+### Testing
+
+- **e2e**: Increase rpc test_available_widgets timout back to 100
+  ([`af125e2`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/af125e2222ff11a73f28dadb3a5d93e409ad010e))
+
+
+## v3.13.5 (2026-06-02)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- Change prints into proper logs
+  ([`c8275fc`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/c8275fcfd5c920393df3aa201c32a632ac8086a5))
+
+- **abort_button**: From __future__ import annotations
+  ([`3796984`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/37969841822c8c38c23a1d8fca8e38aec684957b))
+
+- **client_utils**: Increase default rpc timeout to 60s
+  ([`07515d2`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/07515d24be6e930b1b40170fc710255914cb7454))
+
+- **client_utils**: Stop output reader thread on shutdown
+  ([`4572760`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/4572760b56ca2ab6435db3a6a4ba0d270e9008d1))
+
+- **companion_app**: Disable logging of bec_lib.scan_items on widget side
+  ([`bd66afb`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/bd66afb98dcb76ca87b0db1334df3c1af0a9dbad))
+
+- **forms**: Gridlayout applied to widget which already has layout
+  ([`1427c70`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/1427c70cfb6f84bbced7f72ec5cfa55ac0b9b742))
+
+- **launch_window**: Exclude launcher check for non-parented widgets for BECMainWindow
+  ([`ed68eb5`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/ed68eb5ac6b20cfc7ca2c0b91864dc54fb579499))
+
+- **launcher**: Avoid orphan widgets detection and logging
+  ([`9f94ca7`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/9f94ca7748d73a30622ecbaef384f4bc73a3d2fb))
+
+- **logging**: Removed args/kwargs from logging messages
+  ([`2fb7fb2`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/2fb7fb2ff487863c3bc931498496da74b25e52d8))
+
+- **rpc**: Additional logs
+  ([`e41e609`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/e41e60956b54890b70b3390b981196c9477abd93))
+
+- **rpc**: Client/server rpc handshake for shutdown
+  ([`8a180ea`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/8a180eaa7be5c1603d893cf3b50585f88f9b0c83))
+
+- **rpc**: Log dispatcher receipt before qt callback
+  ([`878745b`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/878745b99ac1e22c0fbddecc294e599469a2adfe))
+
+- **rpc**: More robust shutdown section with PID logging
+  ([`e42a982`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/e42a9824ccd54b71a3141aaf2aa4e02af6a13782))
+
+- **rpc_server**: Log warning if rpc call is repeated
+  ([`859563a`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/859563abb3e94ff55886e72db3177522900a89b8))
+
+### Refactoring
+
+- **client_utils**: Simplify PID fetching
+  ([`154ae60`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/154ae6026a6471b7c1db42f7c2ff3dc7be4b4afb))
+
+- **rpc**: Share logging helpers
+  ([`8e1e282`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/8e1e282fac22ab6f726049758306c7ca17af70eb))
+
+
+## v3.13.4 (2026-05-29)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **positioner_box**: Fix STOP button
+  ([`9a58dba`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/9a58dba414d9eec32fd7de7fc64c97c38f020b84))
+
+
+## v3.13.3 (2026-05-22)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **tests**: Rename description attribute to _description in FakeDevice
+  ([`668b1bd`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/668b1bd9cd158fc12cff2c340d7317f30a212121))
+
+
+## v3.13.2 (2026-05-22)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **tests**: Rename description attribute to _description in FakePositioner
+  ([`c346bd0`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/c346bd0f18ce873ff5ca6c59150c9581c9edca8d))
+
+
+## v3.13.1 (2026-05-21)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- Use .show instead of .start
+  ([`b4beb27`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/b4beb274da745da618f9b37ec241cd0109c088f1))
+
+- **gui**: Replace window.show() with window.raise_window() and add hide() method
+  ([`f7a48b5`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/f7a48b5f6a51d391dca26ca42d03bad4f278ff22))
+
+
+## v3.13.0 (2026-05-21)
+
+### Features
+
+- **rpc-base**: Set default RPC timeout and allow customization
+  ([`f03a5d9`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/f03a5d9e853bd62b8ec1bad1c1e112fe01befe70))
+
+
+## v3.12.2 (2026-05-21)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **toggle**: Disable styling implemented
+  ([`9eb0541`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/9eb05416ab68dcb88732dca8974c665030d34e0b))
+
+
+## v3.12.1 (2026-05-21)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **device_input**: Correct cleanup unsubscribe
+  ([`56427a7`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/56427a7f0c3a89fe847d415c8b45212e663434c4))
+
+- **device_input**: Ensure callback is removed after cleanup
+  ([`d99db7d`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/d99db7d04208945b86a39d65022b211ba093caed))
+
+- **signal_combobox**: Signature matched for update_signals_from_filters
+  ([`a976837`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/a976837cff612349f2a3f17900903c203bc3d250))
+
+
+## v3.12.0 (2026-05-20)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **scan-control**: Filter out private scans from allowed scans
+  ([`2dc0227`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/2dc0227d38f0e217e252a5e5751bafd60363a5a4))
+
+- **scan-control**: Hide hidden scan arguments
+  ([`2d8e1ee`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/2d8e1eed4d6503c42a38c8de910ddaa54132405d))
+
+- **scan-control**: Reject unsupported scan input types
+  ([`3b579e7`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/3b579e740f36c60c3635681a9b2c35b518498f58))
+
+- **scan-control**: Skip duplicate visible scan kwargs
+  ([`b8740c9`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/b8740c95941d36102f07a51d74a50e6f262a6646))
+
+### Features
+
+- Add support for new scan signatures including units
+  ([`d5bf10e`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/d5bf10e21682ae8270078c7858a036bafbabf10e))
+
+
+## v3.11.1 (2026-05-18)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **scan progressbar**: Fix device subscription cleanup
+  ([`faa200b`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/faa200bf5c3cf0c5bebb9858700106899f583695))
+
+
+## v3.11.0 (2026-05-15)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- Remove device/signal line edit and abstraction layer for combobox/lineEdit
+  ([`bb6c0bb`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/bb6c0bb08fc9802bec0d6b9994a76a5bcf2a3a81))
+
+- **scan_control**: Scangroupbox enforce correct device combobox type in correct order
+  ([`c47b246`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/c47b246a9fd5c9aff2512c2744b8ff19c87e6e03))
+
+### Features
+
+- **device_input**: Comboboxes can have line edit like autocomplete
+  ([`3d934a8`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/3d934a8c3825b17319c3cb99750b96042e0bc230))
+
+### Refactoring
+
+- **device_input**: Consolidation of device/signal combobox logic; docsrtings added
+  ([`daa1ba0`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/daa1ba020ce6d05800186d2467a496c1024e8aa5))
+
+
+## v3.10.0 (2026-05-13)
+
+### Documentation
+
+- Fix link to doc page
+  ([`0cd000d`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/0cd000dfa1bb6f1b4d286e5aab30299361f436f6))
+
+### Features
+
+- Bl plugin menu in BECDockArea
+  ([`e22ab7e`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/e22ab7e4c10552e22aaaa9dbc30d098fbfa9c49c))
+
+
+## v3.9.1 (2026-05-12)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- Logpanel fixture overwriting xread
+  ([`3c7834b`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/3c7834b492a5d2da13689f58b20caf38dda9ac1d))
+
+- **scan_control**: Restore scan parameters from history are fetched on demand with button
+  ([`acd35a2`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/acd35a278660ce4962167af6237b5d12007f0774))
+
+
+## v3.9.0 (2026-05-12)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- Test bw-generate-cli
+  ([`085f9fa`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/085f9fa271a0a8e339bff83f235011ac4a9d29ea))
+
+- **dock_area**: Icon fetching for toolbar import optimised
+  ([`79931fa`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/79931faf554fd0978c54d6562aa1b5fc4ab823b2))
+
+- **jupyter_console_widget**: Widget_handler API fix
+  ([`6b3cebe`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/6b3cebe9cbdb5c02ae2aa14b0f624a51c9c2ca4c))
+
+### Features
+
+- Move to lazy widget import
+  ([`5cc8242`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/5cc82425f07d76e881ae59a121a3af77f227bfee))
+
+### Testing
+
+- Fix available scans endpoint operation
+  ([`bb1544e`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/bb1544ecb70612267e2b03ba041c6f656789d63c))
+
+
+## v3.8.1 (2026-05-11)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **web_links**: Update documentation links in BECWebLinksMixin
+  ([`9d92f8b`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/9d92f8b53a6ffe57a9dffad797580228023bf6e1))
+
+
+## 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
+
+- Allow admin user to pass deployment group check
+  ([`e6c8cd0`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/e6c8cd0b1a1162302071c93a2ac51880b3cf1b7d))
+
+- **bec-atlas-admin-view**: Fix atlas_url to bec-atlas-prod.psi.ch
+  ([`242f893`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/242f8933b246802f5f3a5b9df7de07901f151c82))
+
+### Testing
+
+- Add tests for admin access
+  ([`2dab16b`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/2dab16b68415806f3f291657f394bb2d8654229d))
+
+
+## v3.4.1 (2026-04-01)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **hover_widget**: Make it fancy + mouse tracking
+  ([`e25b660`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/e25b6604d195804bbd6ea6aac395d44dc00d6155))
+
+- **ring**: Changed inheritance to BECWidget and added cleanup
+  ([`2f75aae`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/2f75aaea16a178e180e68d702cd1bdf85a768bcf))
+
+- **ring**: Hook update hover to update method
+  ([`90ecd8e`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/90ecd8ea87faf06c3f545e3f9241f403b733d7eb))
+
+- **ring**: Minor general fixes
+  ([`6775509`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/677550931b28fbf35fd55880bf6e001f7351b99b))
+
+- **ring_progress_bar**: Added hover mouse effect
+  ([`96b5179`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/96b5179658c41fb39df7a40f4d96e82092605791))
+
+### Testing
+
+- **ring_progress_bar**: Add unit tests for hover behavior
+  ([`6e5f6e7`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/6e5f6e7fbb6f9680f6d026e105e6840d24c6591c))
+
+
+## v3.4.0 (2026-03-26)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **lmfit_dialog**: Compact layout size policy for better alignment panel UX
+  ([`31389a3`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/31389a3dd0c7b1c671acdf49ae50b08455f466a7))
+
+- **waveform**: Alignment panel indicators request autoscale if updated
+  ([`a292375`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/a2923752c27ad7b9749db3d309fe288747b85acb))
+
+### Features
+
+- **waveform**: 1d alignment mode panel
+  ([`a486c52`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/a486c52058b4edbea00ad7bb018f1fa2822fb9c6))
+
+
+## v3.3.4 (2026-03-24)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **lmfit_dialog**: Dialog compact adjustment and cleanup of stale methods
+  ([`f67b60a`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/f67b60ac98cd87ed8391fee8545eb8064a068e67))
+
+- **lmfit_dialog**: Fix cpp object deleted
+  ([`5ec59d5`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/5ec59d5dbb75e3a9deb488b0affaf8cb704242b9))
+
+- **lmfit_dialog**: Fix fit_curve_id type annotation and remove_dap_data selection behavior
+  ([`05c38d9`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/05c38d9b82cc6dfaec8f5abf8e0ececa5d001524))
+
+Co-authored-by: wyzula-jan <133381102+wyzula-jan@users.noreply.github.com>
+
+Agent-Logs-Url:
+  https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/sessions/97395c0e-0271-4cdf-b39f-f3117d21bfa3
+
+
+## v3.3.3 (2026-03-23)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **positioner_box**: Remove CompactPopupWidget inheritance
+  ([`da400d2`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/da400d20b672236241ce3a4480481ac6a5df1b2e))
+
+
+## v3.3.2 (2026-03-22)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- Typos
+  ([`3d29a67`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/3d29a67c0b2175f2f29b8e5a7befce55f3d28fd3))
+
+
+## v3.3.1 (2026-03-20)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **dap_combobox**: Added safeguard for no DAP models
+  ([`79af15a`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/79af15a88b993cd5b6bf730796f995f20cf6f188))
+
+- **dap_combobox**: Rewritten as proper combobox
+  ([`90222f3`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/90222f30821f822eb24b0179401d4e43050e0156))
+
+
 ## v3.3.0 (2026-03-20)
 
 ### Bug Fixes

README.md

@@ -192,8 +192,7 @@ Positioner boxes and tweak controls handle precise moves, homing, and calibratio
 
 ## Documentation
 
-Documentation of BEC Widgets can be found [here](https://bec-widgets.readthedocs.io/en/latest/). The documentation of
-the BEC can be found [here](https://bec.readthedocs.io/en/latest/).
+The documentation can be found [here](https://bec.readthedocs.io/).
 
 ## License
 

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

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import json
 import os
 import signal
 import sys
+import traceback
 from contextlib import redirect_stderr, redirect_stdout
 
 import darkdetect
@@ -19,8 +20,8 @@ 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
 
@@ -63,6 +64,7 @@ class GUIServer:
         self.app: QApplication | None = None
         self.launcher_window: LaunchWindow | None = None
         self.dispatcher: BECDispatcher | None = None
+        self._shutdown_started = False
 
     def start(self):
         """
@@ -74,6 +76,7 @@ class GUIServer:
             bec_logger._stderr_log_level = bec_logger.LOGLEVEL.ERROR
             bec_logger._update_sinks()
 
+        bec_logger.disabled_modules = ["bec_lib.scan_items"]
         with redirect_stdout(SimpleFileLikeFromLogOutputFunc(logger.info)):  # type: ignore
             with redirect_stderr(SimpleFileLikeFromLogOutputFunc(logger.error)):  # type: ignore
                 self._run()
@@ -122,17 +125,8 @@ class GUIServer:
         self.app.aboutToQuit.connect(self.shutdown)
         self.app.setQuitOnLastWindowClosed(True)
 
-        def sigint_handler(*args):
-            # display message, for people to let it terminate gracefully
-            print("Caught SIGINT, exiting")
-            # Widgets should be all closed.
-            with RPCRegister.delayed_broadcast():
-                for widget in QApplication.instance().topLevelWidgets():  # type: ignore
-                    widget.close()
-            self.shutdown()
-
-        signal.signal(signal.SIGINT, sigint_handler)
-        signal.signal(signal.SIGTERM, sigint_handler)
+        signal.signal(signal.SIGINT, self.request_shutdown)
+        signal.signal(signal.SIGTERM, self.request_shutdown)
 
         sys.exit(self.app.exec())
 
@@ -149,16 +143,67 @@ class GUIServer:
         )
         self.app.setWindowIcon(icon)
 
+    def request_shutdown(self, signum=None, _frame=None):
+        """
+        Request Qt application shutdown from an RPC call or OS signal.
+
+        Cleanup itself is handled by ``shutdown()``, which is connected to
+        ``QApplication.aboutToQuit``. Calling it directly here would run BEC/RPC
+        teardown before Qt has processed the widget close events.
+        """
+        signal_name = signal.Signals(signum).name if signum is not None else "shutdown"
+        pid = os.getpid()
+        if self.app is None:
+            logger.info(f"Caught {signal_name}, shutting down GUI server pid={pid} without app")
+            self.shutdown()
+            return
+
+        widgets = [
+            f"{widget.__class__.__name__}(objectName={widget.objectName()!r})"
+            for widget in self.app.topLevelWidgets()
+        ]
+        logger.info(
+            f"Caught {signal_name}, requesting GUI server shutdown pid={pid} "
+            f"top_level_widgets={widgets}"
+        )
+        with RPCRegister.delayed_broadcast():
+            for widget in self.app.topLevelWidgets():
+                widget.close()
+        self.app.quit()
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _run_shutdown_step(step: str, callback):
+        try:
+            callback()
+        except Exception as exc:
+            logger.error(
+                f"GUIServer shutdown step failed pid={os.getpid()} step={step}: {exc}\n"
+                f"{traceback.format_exc()}"
+            )
+
     def shutdown(self):
-        logger.info("Shutdown GUIServer", repr(self))
-        if self.launcher_window and shiboken6.isValid(self.launcher_window):
-            self.launcher_window.close()
-            self.launcher_window.deleteLater()
-        if pylsp_server.is_running():
-            pylsp_server.stop()
-        if self.dispatcher:
-            self.dispatcher.stop_cli_server()
-            self.dispatcher.disconnect_all()
+        if self._shutdown_started:
+            return
+        self._shutdown_started = True
+        logger.info(f"Shutdown GUIServer pid={os.getpid()} {repr(self)}")
+
+        def close_launcher_window():
+            if self.launcher_window and shiboken6.isValid(self.launcher_window):
+                self.launcher_window.close()
+                self.launcher_window.deleteLater()
+
+        def stop_pylsp_server():
+            if pylsp_server.is_running():
+                pylsp_server.stop()
+
+        def stop_dispatcher():
+            if self.dispatcher:
+                self.dispatcher.stop_cli_server()
+                self.dispatcher.disconnect_all()
+
+        self._run_shutdown_step("close_launcher_window", close_launcher_window)
+        self._run_shutdown_step("stop_pylsp_server", stop_pylsp_server)
+        self._run_shutdown_step("stop_dispatcher", stop_dispatcher)
 
 
 def main():

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
@@ -207,6 +207,7 @@ class LaunchWindow(BECMainWindow):
 
         self.app = QApplication.instance()
         self.tiles: dict[str, LaunchTile] = {}
+        self._logged_unparented_connections: set[str] = set()
         # Track the smallest main‑label font size chosen so far
         self._min_main_label_pt: int | None = None
 
@@ -655,53 +656,83 @@ class LaunchWindow(BECMainWindow):
         super().showEvent(event)
         self.setFixedSize(self.size())
 
-    def _launcher_is_last_widget(self, connections: dict) -> bool:
+    def _has_external_window(self, connections: dict) -> bool:
         """
-        Check if the launcher is the last widget in the application.
+        Check if any registered non-launcher connection owns a top-level Qt window.
         """
-
-        # get all parents of connections
         for connection in connections.values():
-            try:
-                parent = connection.parent()
-                if parent is None and connection.objectName() != self.objectName():
-                    logger.info(
-                        f"Found non-launcher connection without parent: {connection.objectName()}"
-                    )
-                    return False
-            except Exception as e:
-                logger.error(f"Error getting parent of connection: {e}")
-                return False
-        return True
+            if self._connection_belongs_to_launcher(connection):
+                continue
+            if isinstance(connection, QWidget) and connection.isWindow():
+                return True
+        return False
+
+    def _log_unparented_connections(self, connections: dict) -> None:
+        """
+        Log non-launcher RPC connections that remain without an active top-level window.
+        """
+        for connection in connections.values():
+            if self._connection_belongs_to_launcher(connection):
+                continue
+            if isinstance(connection, QWidget) and connection.isWindow():
+                continue
+
+            connection_description = (
+                f"type={type(connection).__name__} objectName={connection.objectName()!r} "
+                f"gui_id={connection.gui_id!r}"
+            )
+            if connection_description in self._logged_unparented_connections:
+                continue
+            self._logged_unparented_connections.add(connection_description)
+            logger.warning(
+                "Registered non-launcher RPC connection has no active top-level window: "
+                f"{connection_description}"
+            )
+
+    def _connection_belongs_to_launcher(self, connection: QObject) -> bool:
+        """
+        Check whether a registered connection is the launcher itself or part of its Qt hierarchy.
+        """
+        if connection is self or connection.gui_id == self.gui_id:
+            return True
+
+        parent = connection.parent()
+        while parent is not None:
+            if parent is self:
+                return True
+            parent = parent.parent()
+
+        return False
 
     def _turn_off_the_lights(self, connections: dict):
         """
         If there is only one connection remaining, it is the launcher, so we show it.
         Once the launcher is closed as the last window, we quit the application.
         """
-        if self._launcher_is_last_widget(connections):
-            self.show()
-            self.activateWindow()
-            self.raise_()
+        if self._has_external_window(connections):
+            self.hide()
             if self.app:
-                self.app.setQuitOnLastWindowClosed(True)  # type: ignore
+                self.app.setQuitOnLastWindowClosed(False)  # type: ignore
             return
 
-        self.hide()
+        self._log_unparented_connections(connections)
+        self.show()
+        self.activateWindow()
+        self.raise_()
         if self.app:
-            self.app.setQuitOnLastWindowClosed(False)  # type: ignore
+            self.app.setQuitOnLastWindowClosed(True)  # type: ignore
 
     def closeEvent(self, event):
         """
         Close the launcher window.
         """
         connections = self.register.list_all_connections()
-        if self._launcher_is_last_widget(connections):
-            event.accept()
+        if self._has_external_window(connections):
+            event.ignore()
+            self.hide()
             return
 
-        event.ignore()
-        self.hide()
+        event.accept()
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover

bec_widgets/applications/main_app.py

@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ class BECMainApp(BECMainWindow):
             developer_view_step = self.guided_tour.register_widget(
                 widget=sidebar_developer_view,
                 title="Developer View",
-                text="Click here to access the Developer view to write scripts and makros.",
+                text="Click here to access the Developer view to write scripts and macros.",
             )
             tour_steps.append(developer_view_step)
 

bec_widgets/applications/views/developer_view/developer_widget.py

@@ -16,9 +16,9 @@ from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.toolbar import ModularToolBar
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.basic_dock_area import DockAreaWidget
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.dock_area import BECDockArea
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.qt_ads import CDockWidget
+from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.bec_console.bec_console import BecConsole, BECShell
 from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.monaco.monaco_dock import MonacoDock
 from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.monaco.monaco_widget import MonacoWidget
-from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.web_console.web_console import BECShell, WebConsole
 from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.ide_explorer.ide_explorer import IDEExplorer
 
 
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ class DeveloperWidget(DockAreaWidget):
 
         self.console = BECShell(self, rpc_exposed=False)
         self.console.setObjectName("BEC Shell")
-        self.terminal = WebConsole(self, rpc_exposed=False)
+        self.terminal = BecConsole(self, rpc_exposed=False)
         self.terminal.setObjectName("Terminal")
         self.monaco = MonacoDock(self, rpc_exposed=False, rpc_passthrough_children=False)
         self.monaco.setObjectName("MonacoEditor")
@@ -410,23 +410,3 @@ class DeveloperWidget(DockAreaWidget):
         """Clean up resources used by the developer widget."""
         self.delete_all()
         return super().cleanup()
-
-
-if __name__ == "__main__":
-    import sys
-
-    from bec_qthemes import apply_theme
-    from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
-
-    from bec_widgets.applications.main_app import BECMainApp
-
-    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    apply_theme("dark")
-
-    _app = BECMainApp()
-    _app.show()
-    # developer_view.show()
-    # developer_view.setWindowTitle("Developer View")
-    # developer_view.resize(1920, 1080)
-    # developer_view.set_stretch(horizontal=[1, 3, 2], vertical=[5, 5]) #can be set during runtime
-    sys.exit(app.exec_())

bec_widgets/applications/views/device_manager_view/device_manager_display_widget.py

@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ class DeviceManagerDisplayWidget(DockAreaWidget):
         self._upload_redis_dialog: UploadRedisDialog | None = None
         self._dialog_validation_connection: QMetaObject.Connection | None = None
 
-        # NOTE: We need here a seperate config helper instance to avoid conflicts with
+        # NOTE: We need here a separate config helper instance to avoid conflicts with
         # other communications to REDIS as uploading a config through a CommunicationConfigAction
         # will block if we use the config_helper from self.client.config._config_helper
         self._config_helper = config_helper.ConfigHelper(self.client.connector)
@@ -607,8 +607,8 @@ class DeviceManagerDisplayWidget(DockAreaWidget):
                 self.device_table_view._is_config_in_sync_with_redis()
             )
             validation_results = self.device_table_view.get_validation_results()
-            for config, config_status, connnection_status in validation_results.values():
-                if connnection_status == ConnectionStatus.CONNECTED.value:
+            for config, config_status, connection_status in validation_results.values():
+                if connection_status == ConnectionStatus.CONNECTED.value:
                     self.device_table_view.update_device_validation(
                         config, config_status, ConnectionStatus.CAN_CONNECT, ""
                     )

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
 
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ logger = bec_logger.logger
 
 
 class _WidgetsEnumType(str, enum.Enum):
-    """Enum for the available widgets, to be generated programatically"""
+    """Enum for the available widgets, to be generated programmatically"""
 
     ...
 
@@ -32,6 +32,8 @@ _Widgets = {
     "BECQueue": "BECQueue",
     "BECShell": "BECShell",
     "BECStatusBox": "BECStatusBox",
+    "BeamlineStateManager": "BeamlineStateManager",
+    "BecConsole": "BecConsole",
     "DapComboBox": "DapComboBox",
     "DeviceBrowser": "DeviceBrowser",
     "Heatmap": "Heatmap",
@@ -56,35 +58,24 @@ _Widgets = {
     "SignalLabel": "SignalLabel",
     "TextBox": "TextBox",
     "Waveform": "Waveform",
-    "WebConsole": "WebConsole",
     "WebsiteWidget": "WebsiteWidget",
 }
 
 
 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 +83,8 @@ 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 +93,8 @@ 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 +131,8 @@ 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 +153,8 @@ class AvailableDeviceResources(RPCBase):
 
 
 class BECDockArea(RPCBase):
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock_area.dock_area"
+
     @rpc_call
     def new(
         self,
@@ -342,10 +341,10 @@ 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 +359,31 @@ 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 +406,8 @@ class BECDockArea(RPCBase):
 
 
 class BECMainWindow(RPCBase):
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.main_window"
+
     @rpc_call
     def remove(self):
         """
@@ -411,7 +428,9 @@ class BECMainWindow(RPCBase):
 
 
 class BECProgressBar(RPCBase):
-    """A custom progress bar with smooth transitions. The displayed text can be customized using a template."""
+    """A BEC progress bar backed by Qt's native QProgressBar."""
+
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.progress.bec_progressbar.bec_progressbar"
 
     @rpc_call
     def set_value(self, value):
@@ -486,6 +505,8 @@ 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):
         """
@@ -506,7 +527,9 @@ class BECQueue(RPCBase):
 
 
 class BECShell(RPCBase):
-    """A WebConsole pre-configured to run the BEC shell."""
+    """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 +553,8 @@ 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 +590,8 @@ 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":
@@ -691,9 +718,87 @@ class BaseROI(RPCBase):
         """
 
 
+class BeamlineStateManager(RPCBase):
+    """Widget displaying and managing all BEC beamline states."""
+
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.services.beamline_states.beamline_state_manager"
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def clear_filters(self) -> "None":
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def collapse_all(self) -> "None":
+        """
+        Collapse the settings panel of all displayed state pills.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def state_summary(self) -> "dict[str, dict[str, str]]":
+        """
+        Return all beamline states (including filtered ones) with their current status and label.
+
+        Returns:
+            dict: Mapping of state name to a dictionary with ``status`` and ``label`` keys.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def remove(self):
+        """
+        Cleanup the BECConnector
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def attach(self):
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def detach(self):
+        """
+        Detach the widget from its parent dock widget (if widget is in the dock), making it a floating widget.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_timeout(None)
+    @rpc_call
+    def screenshot(self, file_name: "str | None" = None):
+        """
+        Take a screenshot of the dock area and save it to a file.
+        """
+
+
+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):
+        """
+        Cleanup the BECConnector
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def attach(self):
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
+    @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 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":
@@ -821,6 +926,8 @@ class CircularROI(RPCBase):
 
 
 class Curve(RPCBase):
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.curve"
+
     @rpc_call
     def remove(self):
         """
@@ -985,7 +1092,9 @@ class Curve(RPCBase):
 
 
 class DapComboBox(RPCBase):
-    """The DAPComboBox widget is an extension to the QComboBox with all avaialble DAP model from BEC."""
+    """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):
@@ -1011,13 +1120,15 @@ class DapComboBox(RPCBase):
         Slot to update the fit model.
 
         Args:
-            default_device(str): Default device name.
+            fit_name(str): Fit model name.
         """
 
 
 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":
         """
@@ -1028,6 +1139,8 @@ 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):
         """
@@ -1050,27 +1163,7 @@ class DeviceBrowser(RPCBase):
 class DeviceInitializationProgressBar(RPCBase):
     """A progress bar that displays the progress of device initialization."""
 
-    @rpc_call
-    def remove(self):
-        """
-        Cleanup the BECConnector
-        """
-
-    @rpc_call
-    def attach(self):
-        """
-        None
-        """
-
-    @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 DeviceInputBase(RPCBase):
-    """Mixin base class for device input widgets."""
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.progress.device_initialization_progress_bar.device_initialization_progress_bar"
 
     @rpc_call
     def remove(self):
@@ -1094,6 +1187,8 @@ 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":
         """
@@ -1104,6 +1199,8 @@ 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":
         """
@@ -1296,10 +1393,10 @@ 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:
@@ -1314,15 +1411,31 @@ 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
@@ -1347,6 +1460,8 @@ 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,
@@ -1531,6 +1646,8 @@ 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":
@@ -1653,6 +1770,8 @@ 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):
         """
@@ -2351,6 +2470,8 @@ 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):
         """
@@ -2962,6 +3083,8 @@ class Image(RPCBase):
 
 
 class ImageItem(RPCBase):
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.plots.image.image_item"
+
     @property
     @rpc_call
     def color_map(self) -> "str":
@@ -3112,6 +3235,8 @@ class ImageItem(RPCBase):
 
 
 class LaunchWindow(RPCBase):
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.applications.launch_window"
+
     @rpc_call
     def show_launcher(self):
         """
@@ -3126,33 +3251,38 @@ 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,
@@ -3337,6 +3467,8 @@ 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
@@ -3511,6 +3643,8 @@ 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):
         """
@@ -3981,6 +4115,8 @@ 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):
         """
@@ -4440,6 +4576,8 @@ 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):
         """
@@ -4571,6 +4709,10 @@ 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):
         """
@@ -4636,6 +4778,10 @@ 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"):
         """
@@ -4668,6 +4814,8 @@ 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"):
         """
@@ -4737,6 +4885,8 @@ 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"):
         """
@@ -4769,6 +4919,8 @@ 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"):
         """
@@ -4800,6 +4952,8 @@ 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":
@@ -4929,6 +5083,8 @@ 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):
         """
@@ -4949,6 +5105,8 @@ 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"):
         """
@@ -5042,6 +5200,8 @@ class Ring(RPCBase):
 
 
 class RingProgressBar(RPCBase):
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.progress.ring_progress_bar.ring_progress_bar"
+
     @rpc_call
     def remove(self):
         """
@@ -5121,12 +5281,14 @@ 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):
         """
@@ -5150,6 +5312,8 @@ 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):
         """
@@ -5172,6 +5336,8 @@ 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":
@@ -5181,6 +5347,8 @@ class ScatterCurve(RPCBase):
 
 
 class ScatterWaveform(RPCBase):
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.plots.scatter_waveform.scatter_waveform"
+
     @rpc_call
     def remove(self):
         """
@@ -5648,6 +5816,8 @@ class ScatterWaveform(RPCBase):
 
 
 class SignalLabel(RPCBase):
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.utility.signal_label.signal_label"
+
     @property
     @rpc_call
     def custom_label(self) -> "str":
@@ -5792,6 +5962,8 @@ 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:
         """
@@ -5814,6 +5986,8 @@ 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":
         """
@@ -5824,6 +5998,8 @@ class ViewBase(RPCBase):
 class Waveform(RPCBase):
     """Widget for plotting waveforms."""
 
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.waveform"
+
     @rpc_call
     def remove(self):
         """
@@ -6402,6 +6578,8 @@ class Waveform(RPCBase):
 
 
 class WaveformViewInline(RPCBase):
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.applications.views.view"
+
     @rpc_call
     def activate(self) -> "None":
         """
@@ -6410,6 +6588,8 @@ class WaveformViewInline(RPCBase):
 
 
 class WaveformViewPopup(RPCBase):
+    _IMPORT_MODULE = "bec_widgets.applications.views.view"
+
     @rpc_call
     def activate(self) -> "None":
         """
@@ -6417,31 +6597,11 @@ class WaveformViewPopup(RPCBase):
         """
 
 
-class WebConsole(RPCBase):
-    """A simple widget to display a website"""
-
-    @rpc_call
-    def remove(self):
-        """
-        Cleanup the BECConnector
-        """
-
-    @rpc_call
-    def attach(self):
-        """
-        None
-        """
-
-    @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 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

@@ -5,14 +5,15 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 import json
 import os
 import select
+import signal
 import subprocess
 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
@@ -33,6 +34,12 @@ else:
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
 IGNORE_WIDGETS = ["LaunchWindow"]
+PROCESS_TERMINATION_TIMEOUT = 10
+PROCESS_OUTPUT_THREAD_JOIN_TIMEOUT = 2
+PROCESS_OUTPUT_SELECT_TIMEOUT = 0.2
+GRACEFUL_SERVER_SHUTDOWN_RPC_TIMEOUT = 3
+GRACEFUL_SERVER_SHUTDOWN_TIMEOUT = 5
+OUTPUT_READER_STOP_EVENT_ATTR = "_bec_output_reader_stop_event"
 
 RegistryState: TypeAlias = dict[
     Literal["gui_id", "name", "widget_class", "config", "__rpc__", "container_proxy"],
@@ -53,14 +60,16 @@ def _filter_output(output: str) -> str:
     return output
 
 
-def _get_output(process, logger) -> None:
+def _get_output(process, logger, stop_event: threading.Event | None = None) -> None:
     log_func = {process.stdout: logger.debug, process.stderr: logger.info}
     stream_buffer = {process.stdout: [], process.stderr: []}
     try:
         os.set_blocking(process.stdout.fileno(), False)
         os.set_blocking(process.stderr.fileno(), False)
-        while process.poll() is None:
-            readylist, _, _ = select.select([process.stdout, process.stderr], [], [], 1)
+        while process.poll() is None and not (stop_event and stop_event.is_set()):
+            readylist, _, _ = select.select(
+                [process.stdout, process.stderr], [], [], PROCESS_OUTPUT_SELECT_TIMEOUT
+            )
             for stream in (process.stdout, process.stderr):
                 buf = stream_buffer[stream]
                 if stream in readylist:
@@ -75,6 +84,95 @@ def _get_output(process, logger) -> None:
         logger.error(f"Error reading process output: {str(e)}")
 
 
+def _process_group_snapshot(process) -> str:
+    try:
+        pgid = os.getpgid(process.pid)
+    except ProcessLookupError:
+        return "Process group snapshot unavailable: process already exited"
+    try:
+        result = subprocess.run(
+            ["ps", "-o", "pid,ppid,pgid,stat,command", "-g", str(pgid)],
+            check=False,
+            capture_output=True,
+            text=True,
+            timeout=2,
+        )
+    except Exception as exc:
+        return f"Process group snapshot unavailable: {exc}"
+    output = result.stdout.strip()
+    if not output:
+        return f"Process group snapshot empty for pgid={pgid}"
+    return output
+
+
+def _terminate_plot_process(process, logger, timeout: float = PROCESS_TERMINATION_TIMEOUT) -> None:
+    if process.poll() is not None:
+        return
+
+    process_info = f"pid={process.pid} command={process.args}"
+    try:
+        pgid = os.getpgid(process.pid)
+        process_info = f"pid={process.pid} pgid={pgid} command={process.args}"
+        logger.info(f"Terminating GUI process group {process_info}")
+        os.killpg(pgid, signal.SIGTERM)
+    except ProcessLookupError:
+        process.wait(timeout=timeout)
+        return
+    except Exception as exc:
+        logger.warning("Failed to terminate GUI process group; terminating process only.")
+        logger.info(f"GUI process termination failure details: {exc}. pid={process.pid}")
+        process.terminate()
+
+    try:
+        process.wait(timeout=timeout)
+        return
+    except subprocess.TimeoutExpired:
+        logger.warning(f"GUI process did not stop within {timeout}s; killing it.")
+        logger.info(
+            f"GUI process force-kill details: {process_info}\n"
+            f"{_process_group_snapshot(process)}"
+        )
+
+    try:
+        os.killpg(os.getpgid(process.pid), signal.SIGKILL)
+    except ProcessLookupError as e:
+        logger.error(f"Failed to kill GUI process group: {e}")
+        process.wait(timeout=timeout)
+        return
+    process.wait(timeout=timeout)
+
+
+def _wait_for_process_exit(process, timeout: float) -> bool:
+    try:
+        process.wait(timeout=timeout)
+    except subprocess.TimeoutExpired:
+        return False
+    return True
+
+
+def _join_process_output_thread(process, thread: threading.Thread | None, logger) -> None:
+    if thread is None:
+        return
+    thread.join(timeout=PROCESS_OUTPUT_THREAD_JOIN_TIMEOUT)
+    if not thread.is_alive():
+        return
+
+    if stop_event := getattr(thread, OUTPUT_READER_STOP_EVENT_ATTR, None):
+        stop_event.set()
+
+    for stream in (process.stdout, process.stderr):
+        if stream is None:
+            continue
+        try:
+            stream.close()
+        except OSError as e:
+            logger.error(f"Failed to close stream {str(e)}")
+    thread.join(timeout=PROCESS_OUTPUT_THREAD_JOIN_TIMEOUT)
+    if thread.is_alive():
+        logger.warning("GUI process output reader thread did not stop after process shutdown.")
+        logger.info(f"GUI process output reader thread details: pid={process.pid}")
+
+
 def _start_plot_process(
     gui_id: str,
     gui_class_id: str,
@@ -126,8 +224,14 @@ def _start_plot_process(
     if logger is None:
         process_output_processing_thread = None
     else:
+        process_output_stop_event = threading.Event()
         process_output_processing_thread = threading.Thread(
-            target=_get_output, args=(process, logger)
+            target=_get_output, args=(process, logger, process_output_stop_event)
+        )
+        setattr(
+            process_output_processing_thread,
+            OUTPUT_READER_STOP_EVENT_ATTR,
+            process_output_stop_event,
         )
         process_output_processing_thread.start()
     return process, process_output_processing_thread
@@ -222,6 +326,7 @@ class BECGuiClient(RPCBase):
         self._ipython_registry: dict[str, RPCReference] = {}
         self.available_widgets = AvailableWidgetsNamespace()
         register_serializer_extension()
+        self._rpc_timeout = 60
 
     ####################
     #### Client API ####
@@ -232,6 +337,21 @@ class BECGuiClient(RPCBase):
         """The launcher object."""
         return RPCBase(gui_id=f"{self._gui_id}:launcher", parent=self, object_name="launcher")
 
+    def set_rpc_timeout(self, timeout: float):
+        """Set the timeout for RPC calls to the GUI server.
+
+        Args:
+            timeout(float): The timeout in seconds.
+        """
+        if not isinstance(timeout, (int, float)) or timeout < 0:
+            raise ValueError("Timeout must be a non-negative number.")
+        self._rpc_timeout = timeout
+
+    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 +367,9 @@ 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,
         )
 
@@ -354,7 +473,7 @@ class BECGuiClient(RPCBase):
             )
 
         if not self._check_if_server_is_alive():
-            self.start(wait=True)
+            self.show(wait=True)
         if wait:
             with wait_for_server(self):
                 return self._new_impl(
@@ -450,11 +569,13 @@ class BECGuiClient(RPCBase):
 
         if self._process:
             logger.success("Stopping GUI...")
-            self._process.terminate()
-            if self._process_output_processing_thread:
-                self._process_output_processing_thread.join()
-            self._process.wait()
+            if not self._request_server_shutdown():
+                _terminate_plot_process(self._process, logger)
+            _join_process_output_thread(
+                self._process, self._process_output_processing_thread, logger
+            )
             self._process = None
+            self._process_output_processing_thread = None
 
         # Unregister the registry state
         self._client.connector.unregister(
@@ -473,6 +594,37 @@ class BECGuiClient(RPCBase):
     #### Private methods ####
     #########################
 
+    def _request_server_shutdown(self) -> bool:
+        if self._process is None or self._process.poll() is not None:
+            return True
+        process_details = f"pid={self._process.pid} command={self._process.args}"
+        logger.info(f"Requesting graceful GUI shutdown {process_details}")
+        try:
+            self.launcher._run_rpc(  # pylint: disable=protected-access
+                "system.shutdown",
+                wait_for_rpc_response=True,
+                timeout=GRACEFUL_SERVER_SHUTDOWN_RPC_TIMEOUT,
+            )
+        except Exception as exc:
+            logger.warning(
+                "Could not confirm graceful GUI shutdown via RPC; "
+                "falling back to process termination."
+            )
+            logger.info(f"Graceful GUI shutdown RPC failure details: {exc}. {process_details}")
+            return False
+        if _wait_for_process_exit(self._process, GRACEFUL_SERVER_SHUTDOWN_TIMEOUT):
+            logger.info(f"GUI server exited after graceful shutdown {process_details}")
+            return True
+        logger.warning(
+            "GUI server did not exit after graceful shutdown request; "
+            "falling back to process termination."
+        )
+        logger.info(
+            f"Graceful GUI shutdown timeout details: {process_details}\n"
+            f"{_process_group_snapshot(self._process)}"
+        )
+        return False
+
     def _check_if_server_is_alive(self):
         """Checks if the process is alive"""
         if self._process is None:
@@ -531,20 +683,14 @@ 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)
 
@@ -552,7 +698,7 @@ class BECGuiClient(RPCBase):
         if self.launcher and len(self._top_level) == 0:
             self.launcher._run_rpc("show")  # pylint: disable=protected-access
         for window in self._top_level.values():
-            window.show()
+            window.raise_window()
 
     def _show_all(self):
         with wait_for_server(self):
@@ -571,7 +717,7 @@ class BECGuiClient(RPCBase):
         if self.launcher and len(self._top_level) == 0:
             self.launcher._run_rpc("raise")  # pylint: disable=protected-access
         for window in self._top_level.values():
-            window._run_rpc("raise")  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+            window.raise_window()
 
     def _raise_all(self):
         with wait_for_server(self):

bec_widgets/cli/designer_plugins.py

@@ -0,0 +1,166 @@
+# 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"),
+    "BeamlineStateManager": (
+        "bec_widgets.widgets.services.beamline_states.beamline_state_manager",
+        "BeamlineStateManager",
+    ),
+    "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",
+    ),
+    "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"),
+    "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",
+    "BeamlineStateManager": "format_list_bulleted",
+    "BecConsole": "terminal",
+    "ColorButton": "colors",
+    "ColorButtonNative": "colors",
+    "ColormapSelector": "palette",
+    "DapComboBox": "data_exploration",
+    "DarkModeButton": "dark_mode",
+    "DeviceBrowser": "lists",
+    "DeviceComboBox": "list_alt",
+    "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",
+    "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

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 import inspect
 import threading
+import time
 import uuid
 from functools import wraps
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, cast
@@ -9,6 +10,7 @@ from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, cast
 from bec_lib.client import BECClient
 from bec_lib.device import DeviceBaseWithConfig
 from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from bec_lib.utils.import_utils import lazy_import, lazy_import_from
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
@@ -24,6 +26,9 @@ else:
 
 # pylint: disable=protected-access
 
+_DEFAULT_RPC_TIMEOUT = object()
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
 
 def _name_arg(arg):
     if isinstance(arg, DeviceBaseWithConfig):
@@ -154,6 +159,7 @@ class RPCReference:
 
 
 class RPCBase:
+
     def __init__(
         self,
         gui_id: str | None = None,
@@ -207,12 +213,16 @@ class RPCBase:
         # Use explicit call to ensure action name is 'raise' (not 'raise_')
         return self._run_rpc("raise")
 
+    def hide(self):
+        """Hide this widget (or its container)."""
+        return self._run_rpc("hide")
+
     def _run_rpc(
         self,
         method,
         *args,
-        wait_for_rpc_response=True,
-        timeout=5,
+        wait_for_rpc_response: bool = True,
+        timeout: float | None | object = _DEFAULT_RPC_TIMEOUT,
         gui_id: str | None = None,
         **kwargs,
     ) -> Any:
@@ -223,13 +233,16 @@ class RPCBase:
             method: The method to call.
             args: The arguments to pass to the method.
             wait_for_rpc_response: Whether to wait for the RPC response.
-            timeout: The timeout for the RPC response.
+            timeout: The timeout for the RPC response. If omitted, the client's default RPC
+                timeout is used. If explicitly set to None, wait indefinitely.
             gui_id: The GUI ID to use for the RPC call. If None, the default GUI ID is used.
             kwargs: The keyword arguments to pass to the method.
 
         Returns:
             The result of the RPC call.
         """
+        if timeout is _DEFAULT_RPC_TIMEOUT:
+            timeout = self._root._rpc_timeout
         if method in ["show", "hide", "raise"] and gui_id is None:
             obj = self._root._server_registry.get(self._gui_id)
             if obj is None:
@@ -248,17 +261,42 @@ 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
             )
 
+        target_gui_id = gui_id or self._gui_id
+        sent_at = time.time()
+        deadline = sent_at + timeout if timeout is not None else None
+        rpc_msg.metadata.update(
+            {
+                "method": method,
+                "receiver": receiver,
+                "target_gui_id": target_gui_id,
+                "object_name": self.object_name,
+                "wait_for_response": wait_for_rpc_response,
+                "timeout": timeout,
+                "sent_at": sent_at,
+                "deadline": deadline,
+            }
+        )
+        logger.info(
+            "Sending GUI RPC request "
+            f"request_id={request_id} method={method} receiver={receiver} "
+            f"target_gui_id={target_gui_id} object_name={self.object_name} "
+            f"wait_for_response={wait_for_rpc_response} timeout={timeout}"
+        )
         self._client.connector.set_and_publish(MessageEndpoints.gui_instructions(receiver), rpc_msg)
 
         if wait_for_rpc_response:
             try:
                 finished = self._msg_wait_event.wait(timeout)
                 if not finished:
+                    logger.error(
+                        "GUI RPC response timeout "
+                        f"request_id={request_id} method={method} receiver={receiver} "
+                        f"target_gui_id={target_gui_id} object_name={self.object_name} "
+                        f"timeout={timeout}"
+                    )
                     raise RPCResponseTimeoutError(request_id, timeout)
             finally:
                 self._msg_wait_event.clear()
@@ -270,17 +308,23 @@ class RPCBase:
             # the _on_rpc_response method
             assert isinstance(self._rpc_response, messages.RequestResponseMessage)
 
+            logger.info(
+                "Received GUI RPC response "
+                f"request_id={request_id} method={method} receiver={receiver} "
+                f"target_gui_id={target_gui_id} object_name={self.object_name} "
+                f"accepted={self._rpc_response.accepted}"
+            )
             if not self._rpc_response.accepted:
                 raise ValueError(self._rpc_response.message["error"])
             msg_result = self._rpc_response.message.get("result")
             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()
+        logger.debug(f"GUI RPC response callback received: {msg}")
+        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/tests/utils.py

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ class FakeDevice(BECDevice):
         super().__init__(name=name)
         self._enabled = enabled
         self.signals = {self.name: {"value": 1.0}}
-        self.description = {self.name: {"source": self.name, "dtype": "number", "shape": []}}
+        self._description = {self.name: {"source": self.name, "dtype": "number", "shape": []}}
         self._readout_priority = readout_priority
         self._config = {
             "readoutPriority": "baseline",
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ class FakeDevice(BECDevice):
         Returns:
             dict: Description of the device
         """
-        return self.description
+        return self._description
 
 
 class FakePositioner(BECPositioner):
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ class FakePositioner(BECPositioner):
         self._limits = limits
         self._readout_priority = readout_priority
         self.signals = {self.name: {"value": 1.0}}
-        self.description = {self.name: {"source": self.name, "dtype": "number", "shape": []}}
+        self._description = {self.name: {"source": self.name, "dtype": "number", "shape": []}}
         self._config = {
             "readoutPriority": "baseline",
             "deviceClass": "ophyd_devices.SimPositioner",
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ class FakePositioner(BECPositioner):
         Returns:
             dict: Description of the device
         """
-        return self.description
+        return self._description
 
     @property
     def precision(self):

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
 
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ class BECConnector:
             )
             self.config = ConnectionConfig(widget_class=self.__class__.__name__)
 
-        # If the gui_id is passed, it should be respected. However, this should be revisted since
+        # If the gui_id is passed, it should be respected. However, this should be revisited since
         # the gui_id has to be unique, and may no longer be.
         if gui_id:
             self.config.gui_id = gui_id
@@ -399,7 +399,7 @@ class BECConnector:
         """
         self.config = config
 
-    # FIXME some thoughts are required to decide how thhis should work with rpc registry
+    # FIXME some thoughts are required to decide how this should work with rpc registry
     def apply_config(self, config: dict, generate_new_id: bool = True) -> None:
         """
         Apply the configuration to the widget.
@@ -417,7 +417,7 @@ class BECConnector:
         else:
             self.gui_id = self.config.gui_id
 
-    # FIXME some thoughts are required to decide how thhis should work with rpc registry
+    # FIXME some thoughts are required to decide how this should work with rpc registry
     def load_config(self, path: str | None = None, gui: bool = False):
         """
         Load the configuration of the widget from YAML.

bec_widgets/utils/bec_dispatcher.py

@@ -3,8 +3,9 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 import collections
 import random
 import string
+import time
 from collections.abc import Callable
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, DefaultDict, Hashable, Union
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, DefaultDict, Hashable, Union
 
 import louie
 import redis
@@ -15,6 +16,7 @@ from bec_lib.service_config import ServiceConfig
 from qtpy.QtCore import QObject
 from qtpy.QtCore import Signal as pyqtSignal
 
+from bec_widgets.utils.rpc_logging import elapsed_seconds, format_elapsed
 from bec_widgets.utils.serialization import register_serializer_extension
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
@@ -25,6 +27,39 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
     from bec_widgets.utils.rpc_server import RPCServer
 
 
+def _log_rpc_dispatcher_receive(msg_content: Any, metadata: Any) -> None:
+    if not isinstance(msg_content, dict) or not isinstance(metadata, dict):
+        return
+    request_id = metadata.get("request_id")
+    method = msg_content.get("action")
+    parameter = msg_content.get("parameter")
+    if request_id is None or method is None or not isinstance(parameter, dict):
+        return
+
+    dispatch_received_at = time.time()
+    sent_at = metadata.get("sent_at")
+    deadline = metadata.get("deadline")
+    timeout = metadata.get("timeout")
+    dispatch_latency = elapsed_seconds(sent_at, dispatch_received_at)
+    stale_on_dispatch = deadline is not None and dispatch_received_at > deadline
+    target_gui_id = parameter.get("gui_id") or metadata.get("target_gui_id")
+
+    logger.info(
+        "GUI RPC dispatcher received request before Qt callback emit "
+        f"request_id={request_id} method={method} receiver={metadata.get('receiver')} "
+        f"target_gui_id={target_gui_id} object_name={metadata.get('object_name')} "
+        f"timeout={timeout} dispatch_latency_s={format_elapsed(dispatch_latency)} "
+        f"stale_on_dispatch={stale_on_dispatch}"
+    )
+    if stale_on_dispatch:
+        logger.warning(
+            "GUI RPC dispatcher received request after client timeout deadline "
+            f"request_id={request_id} method={method} receiver={metadata.get('receiver')} "
+            f"target_gui_id={target_gui_id} object_name={metadata.get('object_name')} "
+            f"timeout={timeout} dispatch_latency_s={format_elapsed(dispatch_latency)}"
+        )
+
+
 class QtThreadSafeCallback(QObject):
     """QtThreadSafeCallback is a wrapper around a callback function to make it thread-safe for Qt."""
 
@@ -88,10 +123,12 @@ class QtRedisConnector(RedisConnector):
 
             # we can notice kwargs are lost when passed to Qt slot
             metadata = msg.metadata
+            _log_rpc_dispatcher_receive(msg.content, metadata)
             cb(msg.content, metadata)
         else:
             # from stream
             msg = msg["data"]
+            _log_rpc_dispatcher_receive(msg.content, msg.metadata)
             cb(msg.content, msg.metadata)
 
 
@@ -175,12 +212,15 @@ 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 +103,64 @@ 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 {}
+
+
+@lru_cache
+def get_plugin_widget_icons() -> dict[str, str]:
+    """If there is a plugin repository installed, return the designer widget icon registry."""
+    designer_module = get_plugin_designer_module()
+    if designer_module and hasattr(designer_module, "widget_icons"):
+        return designer_module.widget_icons
+    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

@@ -10,17 +10,16 @@ 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
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
     from bec_widgets.utils.busy_loader import BusyLoaderOverlay
-    from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock import BECDock
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
@@ -331,32 +330,34 @@ class BECWidget(BECConnector):
             # All widgets need to call super().cleanup() in their cleanup method
             logger.info(f"Registry cleanup for widget {self.__class__.__name__}")
             self.rpc_register.remove_rpc(self)
-        children = self.findChildren(BECWidget)
-        for child in children:
-            if not shiboken6.isValid(child):
-                # If the child is not valid, it means it has already been deleted
-                continue
-            child.close()
-            child.deleteLater()
+            children = self.findChildren(BECWidget)
+            for child in children:
+                if not shiboken6.isValid(child):
+                    # If the child is not valid, it means it has already been deleted
+                    continue
+                child.close()
+                child.deleteLater()
 
-        # Tear down busy overlay explicitly to stop spinner and remove filters
-        overlay = getattr(self, "_busy_overlay", None)
-        if overlay is not None and shiboken6.isValid(overlay):
-            try:
-                overlay.hide()
-                filt = getattr(overlay, "_filter", None)
-                if filt is not None and shiboken6.isValid(filt):
-                    try:
-                        self.removeEventFilter(filt)
-                    except Exception as exc:
-                        logger.warning(f"Failed to remove event filter from busy overlay: {exc}")
+            # Tear down busy overlay explicitly to stop spinner and remove filters
+            overlay = getattr(self, "_busy_overlay", None)
+            if overlay is not None and shiboken6.isValid(overlay):
+                try:
+                    overlay.hide()
+                    filt = getattr(overlay, "_filter", None)
+                    if filt is not None and shiboken6.isValid(filt):
+                        try:
+                            self.removeEventFilter(filt)
+                        except Exception as exc:
+                            logger.warning(
+                                f"Failed to remove event filter from busy overlay: {exc}"
+                            )
 
-                # Cleanup the overlay widget. This will call cleanup on the custom widget if present.
+                    # Cleanup the overlay widget. This will call cleanup on the custom widget if present.
 
-                overlay.cleanup()
-                overlay.deleteLater()
-            except Exception as exc:
-                logger.warning(f"Failed to delete busy overlay: {exc}")
+                    overlay.cleanup()
+                    overlay.deleteLater()
+                except Exception as exc:
+                    logger.warning(f"Failed to delete busy overlay: {exc}")
 
     def closeEvent(self, event):
         """Wrap the close even to ensure the rpc_register is cleaned up."""

bec_widgets/utils/colors.py

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 import re
 from functools import lru_cache
-from typing import Literal
+from typing import Any, Literal
 
 import numpy as np
 import pyqtgraph as pg
@@ -21,8 +21,7 @@ logger = bec_logger.logger
 def get_theme_name():
     if QApplication.instance() is None or not hasattr(QApplication.instance(), "theme"):
         return "dark"
-    else:
-        return QApplication.instance().theme.theme
+    return QApplication.instance().theme.theme
 
 
 def get_theme_palette():
@@ -58,6 +57,25 @@ def apply_theme(theme: Literal["dark", "light"]):
     process_all_deferred_deletes(QApplication.instance())
 
 
+def theme_color(theme: Any | None, key: str, fallback: QColor | str) -> QColor:
+    """
+    Return a QColor from a BEC theme, or the fallback when no theme is set.
+    """
+
+    fallback_color = fallback if isinstance(fallback, QColor) else QColor(str(fallback))
+    if theme is None:
+        return fallback_color
+    return theme.color(key, fallback_color.name())
+
+
+def rgba(color: QColor | str, alpha: int) -> str:
+    """
+    Return a QSS-compatible rgba string.
+    """
+    qcolor = color if isinstance(color, QColor) else QColor(str(color))
+    return f"rgba({qcolor.red()}, {qcolor.green()}, {qcolor.blue()}, {alpha})"
+
+
 class Colors:
     @staticmethod
     def list_available_colormaps() -> list[str]:
@@ -150,25 +168,6 @@ class Colors:
 
         return ge.colorMap()
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def golden_ratio(num: int) -> list:
-        """Calculate the golden ratio for a given number of angles.
-
-        Args:
-            num (int): Number of angles
-
-        Returns:
-            list: List of angles calculated using the golden ratio.
-        """
-        phi = 2 * np.pi * ((1 + np.sqrt(5)) / 2)
-        angles = []
-        for ii in range(num):
-            x = np.cos(ii * phi)
-            y = np.sin(ii * phi)
-            angle = np.arctan2(y, x)
-            angles.append(angle)
-        return angles
-
     @staticmethod
     def set_theme_offset(theme: Literal["light", "dark"] | None = None, offset=0.2) -> tuple:
         """
@@ -239,20 +238,7 @@ class Colors:
         else:
             positions = np.linspace(min_pos, max_pos, num)
 
-        # Sample colors from the colormap at the calculated positions
-        colors = cmap.map(positions, mode="float")
-        color_list = []
-
-        for color in colors:
-            if format.upper() == "HEX":
-                color_list.append(QColor.fromRgbF(*color).name())
-            elif format.upper() == "RGB":
-                color_list.append(tuple((np.array(color) * 255).astype(int)))
-            elif format.upper() == "QCOLOR":
-                color_list.append(QColor.fromRgbF(*color))
-            else:
-                raise ValueError("Unsupported format. Please choose 'RGB', 'HEX', or 'QColor'.")
-        return color_list
+        return Colors._format_mapped_colors(cmap.map(positions, mode="float"), format)
 
     @staticmethod
     def golden_angle_color(
@@ -288,20 +274,19 @@ class Colors:
         positions = np.mod(np.arange(num) * golden_angle_conjugate, 1)
         positions = min_pos + positions * (max_pos - min_pos)
 
-        # Sample colors from the colormap at the calculated positions
-        colors = cmap.map(positions, mode="float")
-        color_list = []
+        return Colors._format_mapped_colors(cmap.map(positions, mode="float"), format)
 
-        for color in colors:
-            if format.upper() == "HEX":
-                color_list.append(QColor.fromRgbF(*color).name())
-            elif format.upper() == "RGB":
-                color_list.append(tuple((np.array(color) * 255).astype(int)))
-            elif format.upper() == "QCOLOR":
-                color_list.append(QColor.fromRgbF(*color))
-            else:
-                raise ValueError("Unsupported format. Please choose 'RGB', 'HEX', or 'QColor'.")
-        return color_list
+    @staticmethod
+    def _format_mapped_colors(colors: np.ndarray, format: Literal["QColor", "HEX", "RGB"]) -> list:
+        color_format = format.upper()
+        if color_format not in {"QCOLOR", "HEX", "RGB"}:
+            raise ValueError("Unsupported format. Please choose 'RGB', 'HEX', or 'QColor'.")
+
+        if color_format == "QCOLOR":
+            return [QColor.fromRgbF(*color) for color in colors]
+        if color_format == "HEX":
+            return [QColor.fromRgbF(*color).name() for color in colors]
+        return [tuple((np.array(color) * 255).astype(int)) for color in colors]
 
     @staticmethod
     def hex_to_rgba(hex_color: str, alpha=255) -> tuple:
@@ -325,22 +310,6 @@ class Colors:
             raise ValueError("HEX color must be 6 or 8 characters long.")
         return (r, g, b, alpha)
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def rgba_to_hex(r: int, g: int, b: int, a: int = 255) -> str:
-        """
-        Convert RGBA color to HEX.
-
-        Args:
-            r(int): Red value (0-255).
-            g(int): Green value (0-255).
-            b(int): Blue value (0-255).
-            a(int): Alpha value (0-255). Default is 255 (opaque).
-
-        Returns:
-            hec_color(str): HEX color string.
-        """
-        return "#{:02X}{:02X}{:02X}{:02X}".format(r, g, b, a)
-
     @staticmethod
     def validate_color(color: tuple | str) -> tuple | str:
         """

bec_widgets/utils/container_utils.py

@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ class WidgetContainerUtils:
         if list_of_names is None:
             list_of_names = []
         ii = 0
-        while ii < 1000:  # 1000 is arbritrary!
+        while ii < 1000:  # 1000 is arbitrary!
             name_candidate = f"{name}_{ii}"
             if name_candidate not in list_of_names:
                 return name_candidate

bec_widgets/utils/filter_io.py

@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
-"""Module for handling filter I/O operations in BEC Widgets for input fields.
-These operations include filtering device/signal names and/or device types.
-"""
+"""Small helpers for populating editable combo boxes used by device inputs."""
 
-from abc import ABC, abstractmethod
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from contextlib import nullcontext
 
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
-from qtpy.QtCore import QStringListModel
-from qtpy.QtWidgets import QComboBox, QCompleter, QLineEdit
+from qtpy.QtCore import QSignalBlocker
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QComboBox
 from typeguard import TypeCheckError
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.ophyd_kind_util import Kind
@@ -14,329 +14,102 @@ from bec_widgets.utils.ophyd_kind_util import Kind
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
 
-class WidgetFilterHandler(ABC):
-    """Abstract base class for widget filter handlers"""
+def replace_combobox_items(
+    combo_box: QComboBox,
+    items: list[str | tuple],
+    *,
+    preserve_current_text: bool = False,
+    block_signals: bool = False,
+) -> None:
+    """Replace all combobox entries.
 
-    @abstractmethod
-    def set_selection(self, widget, selection: list[str | tuple]) -> None:
-        """Set the filtered_selection for the widget
-
-        Args:
-            widget: Widget instance
-            selection (list[str | tuple]): Filtered selection of items.
-                If tuple, it contains (text, data) pairs.
-        """
-
-    @abstractmethod
-    def check_input(self, widget, text: str) -> bool:
-        """Check if the input text is in the filtered selection
-
-        Args:
-            widget: Widget instance
-            text (str): Input text
-
-        Returns:
-            bool: True if the input text is in the filtered selection
-        """
-
-    @abstractmethod
-    def update_with_kind(
-        self, kind: Kind, signal_filter: set, device_info: dict, device_name: str
-    ) -> list[str | tuple]:
-        """Update the selection based on the kind of signal.
-
-        Args:
-            kind (Kind): The kind of signal to filter.
-            signal_filter (set): Set of signal kinds to filter.
-            device_info (dict): Dictionary containing device information.
-            device_name (str): Name of the device.
-
-        Returns:
-            list[str | tuple]: A list of filtered signals based on the kind.
-        """
-        # This method should be implemented in subclasses or extended as needed
-
-    def update_with_bec_signal_class(
-        self,
-        signal_class_filter: str | list[str],
-        client,
-        ndim_filter: int | list[int] | None = None,
-    ) -> list[tuple[str, str, dict]]:
-        """Update the selection based on signal classes using device_manager.get_bec_signals.
-
-        Args:
-            signal_class_filter (str|list[str]): List of signal class names to filter.
-            client: BEC client instance.
-            ndim_filter (int | list[int] | None): Filter signals by dimensionality.
-                If provided, only signals with matching ndim will be included.
-
-        Returns:
-            list[tuple[str, str, dict]]: A list of (device_name, signal_name, signal_config) tuples.
-        """
-        if not client or not hasattr(client, "device_manager"):
-            return []
-
-        try:
-            signals = client.device_manager.get_bec_signals(signal_class_filter)
-        except TypeCheckError as e:
-            logger.warning(f"Error retrieving signals: {e}")
-            return []
-
-        if ndim_filter is None:
-            return signals
-
-        if isinstance(ndim_filter, int):
-            ndim_filter = [ndim_filter]
-
-        filtered_signals = []
-        for device_name, signal_name, signal_config in signals:
-            ndim = None
-            if isinstance(signal_config, dict):
-                ndim = signal_config.get("describe", {}).get("signal_info", {}).get("ndim")
-
-            if ndim in ndim_filter:
-                filtered_signals.append((device_name, signal_name, signal_config))
-
-        return filtered_signals
-
-
-class LineEditFilterHandler(WidgetFilterHandler):
-    """Handler for QLineEdit widget"""
-
-    def set_selection(self, widget: QLineEdit, selection: list[str | tuple]) -> None:
-        """Set the selection for the widget to the completer model
-
-        Args:
-            widget (QLineEdit): The QLineEdit widget
-            selection (list[str | tuple]): Filtered selection of items. If tuple, it contains (text, data) pairs.
-        """
-        if isinstance(selection, tuple):
-            # If selection is a tuple, it contains (text, data) pairs
-            selection = [text for text, _ in selection]
-        if not isinstance(widget.completer, QCompleter):
-            completer = QCompleter(widget)
-            widget.setCompleter(completer)
-        widget.completer.setModel(QStringListModel(selection, widget))
-
-    def check_input(self, widget: QLineEdit, text: str) -> bool:
-        """Check if the input text is in the filtered selection
-
-        Args:
-            widget (QLineEdit): The QLineEdit widget
-            text (str): Input text
-
-        Returns:
-            bool: True if the input text is in the filtered selection
-        """
-        model = widget.completer.model()
-        model_data = [model.data(model.index(i)) for i in range(model.rowCount())]
-        return text in model_data
-
-    def update_with_kind(
-        self, kind: Kind, signal_filter: set, device_info: dict, device_name: str
-    ) -> list[str | tuple]:
-        """Update the selection based on the kind of signal.
-
-        Args:
-            kind (Kind): The kind of signal to filter.
-            signal_filter (set): Set of signal kinds to filter.
-            device_info (dict): Dictionary containing device information.
-            device_name (str): Name of the device.
-
-        Returns:
-            list[str | tuple]: A list of filtered signals based on the kind.
-        """
-
-        return [
-            signal
-            for signal, signal_info in device_info.items()
-            if kind in signal_filter and (signal_info.get("kind_str", None) == str(kind.name))
-        ]
-
-
-class ComboBoxFilterHandler(WidgetFilterHandler):
-    """Handler for QComboBox widget"""
-
-    def set_selection(self, widget: QComboBox, selection: list[str | tuple]) -> None:
-        """Set the selection for the widget to the completer model
-
-        Args:
-            widget (QComboBox): The QComboBox widget
-            selection (list[str | tuple]): Filtered selection of items. If tuple, it contains (text, data) pairs.
-        """
-        widget.clear()
-        if len(selection) == 0:
-            return
-        for element in selection:
-            if isinstance(element, str):
-                widget.addItem(element)
-            elif isinstance(element, tuple):
-                # If element is a tuple, it contains (text, data) pairs
-                widget.addItem(*element)
-
-    def check_input(self, widget: QComboBox, text: str) -> bool:
-        """Check if the input text is in the filtered selection
-
-        Args:
-            widget (QComboBox): The QComboBox widget
-            text (str): Input text
-
-        Returns:
-            bool: True if the input text is in the filtered selection
-        """
-        return text in [widget.itemText(i) for i in range(widget.count())]
-
-    def update_with_kind(
-        self, kind: Kind, signal_filter: set, device_info: dict, device_name: str
-    ) -> list[str | tuple]:
-        """Update the selection based on the kind of signal.
-
-        Args:
-            kind (Kind): The kind of signal to filter.
-            signal_filter (set): Set of signal kinds to filter.
-            device_info (dict): Dictionary containing device information.
-            device_name (str): Name of the device.
-
-        Returns:
-            list[str | tuple]: A list of filtered signals based on the kind.
-        """
-        out = []
-        for signal, signal_info in device_info.items():
-            if kind not in signal_filter or (signal_info.get("kind_str", None) != str(kind.name)):
-                continue
-            obj_name = signal_info.get("obj_name", "")
-            component_name = signal_info.get("component_name", "")
-            signal_wo_device = obj_name.removeprefix(f"{device_name}_")
-            if not signal_wo_device:
-                signal_wo_device = obj_name
-
-            if signal_wo_device != signal and component_name.replace(".", "_") != signal_wo_device:
-                # If the object name is not the same as the signal name, we use the object name
-                # to display in the combobox.
-                out.append((f"{signal_wo_device} ({signal})", signal_info))
-            else:
-                # If the object name is the same as the signal name, we do not change it.
-                out.append((signal, signal_info))
-
-        return out
-
-
-class FilterIO:
-    """Public interface to set filters for input widgets.
-    It supports the list of widgets stored in class attribute _handlers.
+    Args:
+        combo_box: Combobox whose entries should be replaced.
+        items: Entries to add. String entries are added as display text. Tuple entries are
+            passed to ``QComboBox.addItem`` as ``(text, data)``.
+        preserve_current_text: If True, restore the combobox text after replacing the items.
+        block_signals: If True, block combobox signals while the items are replaced.
     """
+    current_text = combo_box.currentText()
+    signal_blocker = QSignalBlocker(combo_box) if block_signals else nullcontext()
+    with signal_blocker:
+        combo_box.clear()
+        for item in items:
+            if isinstance(item, str):
+                combo_box.addItem(item)
+            else:
+                combo_box.addItem(*item)
+        if preserve_current_text:
+            combo_box.setCurrentText(current_text)
 
-    _handlers = {QLineEdit: LineEditFilterHandler, QComboBox: ComboBoxFilterHandler}
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def set_selection(widget, selection: list[str | tuple], ignore_errors=True):
-        """
-        Retrieve value from the widget instance.
+def signal_items_for_kind(
+    *, kind: Kind, signal_filter: set[Kind], device_info: dict, device_name: str
+) -> list[tuple[str, dict]]:
+    """Build display entries for signals matching a BEC signal kind.
 
-        Args:
-            widget: Widget instance.
-            selection (list[str | tuple]): Filtered selection of items.
-                If tuple, it contains (text, data) pairs.
-            ignore_errors(bool, optional): Whether to ignore if no handler is found.
-        """
-        handler_class = FilterIO._find_handler(widget)
-        if handler_class:
-            return handler_class().set_selection(widget=widget, selection=selection)
-        if not ignore_errors:
-            raise ValueError(
-                f"No matching handler for widget type: {type(widget)} in handler list {FilterIO._handlers}"
-            )
-        return None
+    Args:
+        kind: Signal kind to collect.
+        signal_filter: Enabled signal kinds.
+        device_info: Signal metadata from the BEC device info dictionary.
+        device_name: Name of the device owning the signals.
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def check_input(widget, text: str, ignore_errors=True):
-        """
-        Check if the input text is in the filtered selection.
+    Returns:
+        Combobox entries as ``(display_text, signal_info)`` tuples.
+    """
+    items: list[tuple[str, dict]] = []
+    for signal_name, signal_info in device_info.items():
+        if kind not in signal_filter or signal_info.get("kind_str") != kind.name:
+            continue
 
-        Args:
-            widget: Widget instance.
-            text(str): Input text.
-            ignore_errors(bool, optional): Whether to ignore if no handler is found.
+        obj_name = signal_info.get("obj_name", "")
+        component_name = signal_info.get("component_name", "")
+        signal_without_device = obj_name.removeprefix(f"{device_name}_")
+        if not signal_without_device:
+            signal_without_device = obj_name
 
-        Returns:
-            bool: True if the input text is in the filtered selection.
-        """
-        handler_class = FilterIO._find_handler(widget)
-        if handler_class:
-            return handler_class().check_input(widget=widget, text=text)
-        if not ignore_errors:
-            raise ValueError(
-                f"No matching handler for widget type: {type(widget)} in handler list {FilterIO._handlers}"
-            )
-        return None
+        if (
+            signal_without_device != signal_name
+            and component_name.replace(".", "_") != signal_without_device
+        ):
+            items.append((f"{signal_without_device} ({signal_name})", signal_info))
+        else:
+            items.append((signal_name, signal_info))
+    return items
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def update_with_kind(
-        widget, kind: Kind, signal_filter: set, device_info: dict, device_name: str
-    ) -> list[str | tuple]:
-        """
-        Update the selection based on the kind of signal.
 
-        Args:
-            widget: Widget instance.
-            kind (Kind): The kind of signal to filter.
-            signal_filter (set): Set of signal kinds to filter.
-            device_info (dict): Dictionary containing device information.
-            device_name (str): Name of the device.
+def get_bec_signals_for_classes(
+    *, client, signal_class_filter: str | list[str], ndim_filter: int | list[int] | None = None
+) -> list[tuple[str, str, dict]]:
+    """Return BEC signals filtered by signal class and optional dimensionality.
 
-        Returns:
-            list[str | tuple]: A list of filtered signals based on the kind.
-        """
-        handler_class = FilterIO._find_handler(widget)
-        if handler_class:
-            return handler_class().update_with_kind(
-                kind=kind,
-                signal_filter=signal_filter,
-                device_info=device_info,
-                device_name=device_name,
-            )
-        raise ValueError(
-            f"No matching handler for widget type: {type(widget)} in handler list {FilterIO._handlers}"
-        )
+    Args:
+        client: BEC client that provides ``device_manager.get_bec_signals``.
+        signal_class_filter: Signal class name or class names passed to the device manager.
+        ndim_filter: Optional dimensionality filter. If provided, only signals whose
+            ``describe.signal_info.ndim`` is in this value are returned.
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def update_with_signal_class(
-        widget, signal_class_filter: list[str], client, ndim_filter: int | list[int] | None = None
-    ) -> list[tuple[str, str, dict]]:
-        """
-        Update the selection based on signal classes using device_manager.get_bec_signals.
+    Returns:
+        Tuples of ``(device_name, signal_name, signal_config)`` for matching signals.
+    """
+    if not client or not hasattr(client, "device_manager"):
+        return []
 
-        Args:
-            widget: Widget instance.
-            signal_class_filter (list[str]): List of signal class names to filter.
-            client: BEC client instance.
-            ndim_filter (int | list[int] | None): Filter signals by dimensionality.
-                If provided, only signals with matching ndim will be included.
+    try:
+        signals = client.device_manager.get_bec_signals(signal_class_filter)
+    except TypeCheckError as exc:
+        logger.warning(f"Error retrieving signals: {exc}")
+        return []
 
-        Returns:
-            list[tuple[str, str, dict]]: A list of (device_name, signal_name, signal_config) tuples.
-        """
-        handler_class = FilterIO._find_handler(widget)
-        if handler_class:
-            return handler_class().update_with_bec_signal_class(
-                signal_class_filter=signal_class_filter, client=client, ndim_filter=ndim_filter
-            )
-        raise ValueError(
-            f"No matching handler for widget type: {type(widget)} in handler list {FilterIO._handlers}"
-        )
+    if ndim_filter is None:
+        return signals
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def _find_handler(widget):
-        """
-        Find the appropriate handler for the widget by checking its base classes.
-
-        Args:
-            widget: Widget instance.
-
-        Returns:
-            handler_class: The handler class if found, otherwise None.
-        """
-        for base in type(widget).__mro__:
-            if base in FilterIO._handlers:
-                return FilterIO._handlers[base]
-        return None
+    accepted_ndim = [ndim_filter] if isinstance(ndim_filter, int) else ndim_filter
+    filtered_signals: list[tuple[str, str, dict]] = []
+    for device_name, signal_name, signal_config in signals:
+        ndim = None
+        if isinstance(signal_config, dict):
+            ndim = signal_config.get("describe", {}).get("signal_info", {}).get("ndim")
+        if ndim in accepted_ndim:
+            filtered_signals.append((device_name, signal_name, signal_config))
+    return filtered_signals

bec_widgets/utils/forms_from_types/forms.py

@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ class TypedForm(BECWidget, QWidget):
         self.adjustSize()
 
     def _new_grid_layout(self):
-        new_grid = QGridLayout(self)
+        new_grid = QGridLayout()
         new_grid.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
         return new_grid
 

bec_widgets/utils/forms_from_types/items.py

@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ class FormItemSpec(BaseModel):
     """
     The specification for an item in a dynamically generated form. Uses a pydantic FieldInfo
     to store most annotation info, since one of the main purposes is to store data for
-    forms genrated from pydantic models, but can also be composed from other sources or by hand.
+    forms generated from pydantic models, but can also be composed from other sources or by hand.
     """
 
     model_config = ConfigDict(arbitrary_types_allowed=True)
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ class DynamicFormItem(QWidget):
     @abstractmethod
     def _add_main_widget(self) -> None:
         self._main_widget: QWidget
-        """Add the main data entry widget to self._main_widget and appply any
+        """Add the main data entry widget to self._main_widget and apply any
         constraints from the field info"""
 
     @SafeSlot()

bec_widgets/utils/forms_from_types/pydantic_model_info_adapter.py

@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from collections.abc import Mapping
+from typing import Any
+
+from bec_lib.scan_args import ScanArgument
+from pydantic import BaseModel
+from pydantic_core import PydanticUndefined
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.scan_arg_metadata import ui_config_from_metadata
+
+NUMERIC_BOUND_KEYS = {"gt", "ge", "lt", "le"}
+
+
+def pydantic_model_input_configs(model: type[BaseModel]) -> list[dict[str, Any]]:
+    """Return scan-control-style field items for a Pydantic model."""
+    configs = []
+    for name, info in model.model_fields.items():
+        metadata: dict[str, Any] = {}
+        for entry in info.metadata:
+            if isinstance(entry, ScanArgument):
+                metadata.update(entry.model_dump(exclude_none=True))
+                continue
+            for key in NUMERIC_BOUND_KEYS:
+                value = getattr(entry, key, None)
+                if value is not None:
+                    metadata.setdefault(key, value)
+
+        if isinstance(info.json_schema_extra, Mapping):
+            metadata.update(dict(info.json_schema_extra))
+
+        if info.description and metadata.get("description") is None:
+            metadata["description"] = info.description
+
+        default: Any
+        if info.default is not PydanticUndefined:
+            default = info.default
+        elif info.default_factory is not None:
+            default = info.get_default(call_default_factory=True)
+        else:
+            default = None
+
+        display_name = metadata.get("display_name") or info.title
+        if display_name is None:
+            display_name = name.replace("_", " ").capitalize()
+
+        item = ui_config_from_metadata(
+            name=name, metadata=metadata, default=default, display_name=display_name
+        )
+        item.update({key: value for key, value in metadata.items() if key not in item})
+        configs.append(item)
+
+    return configs

bec_widgets/utils/forms_from_types/pydantic_widget_form.py

@@ -0,0 +1,815 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from types import NoneType
+from typing import Any, Literal, get_args, get_origin
+
+from bec_lib.device import DeviceBase, Signal
+from pydantic import BaseModel, ValidationError
+from pydantic.fields import FieldInfo
+from qtpy.QtCore import Qt
+from qtpy.QtCore import Signal as QtSignal
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
+    QCheckBox,
+    QComboBox,
+    QDoubleSpinBox,
+    QFormLayout,
+    QHBoxLayout,
+    QLineEdit,
+    QSpinBox,
+    QWidget,
+)
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.forms_from_types.pydantic_model_info_adapter import (
+    NUMERIC_BOUND_KEYS,
+    pydantic_model_input_configs,
+)
+from bec_widgets.utils.scan_arg_metadata import (
+    apply_numeric_limits,
+    apply_numeric_precision,
+    apply_unit_metadata,
+    device_units,
+)
+from bec_widgets.utils.widget_io import WidgetIO
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_input.device_combobox.device_combobox import DeviceComboBox
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_input.signal_combobox.signal_combobox import SignalComboBox
+from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.spinbox.decimal_spinbox import BECSpinBox
+
+
+class OptionalValueWidget(QWidget):
+    """Wrap a value widget with an enable checkbox for optional Pydantic fields.
+
+    Attributes:
+        value_changed: Signal emitted with the current value whenever the checkbox
+            state or wrapped widget value changes.
+    """
+
+    value_changed = QtSignal(object)
+
+    def __init__(self, value_widget: QWidget, parent: QWidget | None = None) -> None:
+        """Create an optional-value wrapper.
+
+        Args:
+            value_widget: Input widget used when the optional value is enabled.
+            parent: Optional parent widget.
+        """
+        super().__init__(parent=parent)
+        self._value_widget = value_widget
+        self._checkbox = QCheckBox(self)
+        self._checkbox.setToolTip("Enable value")
+        self._value_widget.setParent(self)
+
+        layout = QHBoxLayout(self)
+        layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        layout.setSpacing(8)
+        layout.addWidget(self._checkbox)
+        layout.addWidget(self._value_widget, 1)
+
+        self._checkbox.toggled.connect(self._on_enabled_changed)
+        WidgetIO.connect_widget_change_signal(self._value_widget, self._emit_current_value)
+        self._on_enabled_changed(False)
+
+    @property
+    def value_widget(self) -> QWidget:
+        """Return the wrapped input widget.
+
+        Returns:
+            The widget that edits the non-``None`` value.
+        """
+        return self._value_widget
+
+    @property
+    def checkbox(self) -> QCheckBox:
+        """Return the checkbox controlling whether the value is enabled.
+
+        Returns:
+            The enable checkbox.
+        """
+        return self._checkbox
+
+    def value(self) -> Any:
+        """Return the current optional value.
+
+        Returns:
+            ``None`` when the checkbox is unchecked; otherwise the wrapped widget value.
+        """
+        if not self._checkbox.isChecked():
+            return None
+        return WidgetIO.get_value(self._value_widget)
+
+    def set_value(self, value: Any) -> None:
+        """Set the optional value.
+
+        Args:
+            value: Value to set on the wrapped widget. ``None`` disables the value.
+        """
+        enabled = value is not None
+        self._checkbox.setChecked(enabled)
+        self._value_widget.setEnabled(enabled)
+        if enabled:
+            WidgetIO.set_value(self._value_widget, value)
+
+    def _on_enabled_changed(self, enabled: bool) -> None:
+        self._value_widget.setEnabled(enabled)
+        self.value_changed.emit(self.value())
+
+    def _emit_current_value(self, *_args) -> None:
+        self.value_changed.emit(self.value())
+
+
+class PydanticWidgetForm(QWidget):
+    """Generate a Qt form from a Pydantic model.
+
+    The form maps Pydantic field annotations to Qt widgets, applies supported
+    field metadata, and exposes typed and raw data accessors for the generated
+    fields.
+
+    Attributes:
+        changed: Signal emitted whenever a generated input widget changes.
+        validity_changed: Signal emitted by :meth:`validate` with the current
+            validation result.
+    """
+
+    changed = QtSignal()
+    validity_changed = QtSignal(bool)
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        model: type[BaseModel],
+        parent: QWidget | None = None,
+        *,
+        data: BaseModel | dict[str, Any] | None = None,
+        read_only_fields: set[str] | None = None,
+        client=None,
+    ) -> None:
+        """Create a generated form for a Pydantic model.
+
+        Args:
+            model: Pydantic model class used to generate fields and validate data.
+            parent: Optional parent widget.
+            data: Optional initial model instance or raw field-value mapping.
+            read_only_fields: Field names that should be displayed but not editable.
+            client: Optional BEC client passed to domain-specific widgets such as
+                device and signal combo boxes.
+        """
+        super().__init__(parent=parent)
+        self._model = model
+        self._client = client
+        self._read_only_fields = set(read_only_fields or set())
+        self._widgets: dict[str, QWidget] = {}
+        self._field_configs: dict[str, dict[str, Any]] = {}
+        self._baseline: dict[str, Any] = {}
+
+        self._layout = QFormLayout()
+        self._layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        self._layout.setHorizontalSpacing(10)
+        self._layout.setVerticalSpacing(8)
+        self._layout.setFieldGrowthPolicy(QFormLayout.FieldGrowthPolicy.AllNonFixedFieldsGrow)
+        self._layout.setLabelAlignment(Qt.AlignmentFlag.AlignRight)
+        self.setLayout(self._layout)
+
+        self._populate()
+        if data is not None:
+            self.set_data(data)
+        self.mark_clean()
+
+    @property
+    def model(self) -> type[BaseModel]:
+        """Return the active Pydantic model class.
+
+        Returns:
+            The model class currently used by this form.
+        """
+        return self._model
+
+    @property
+    def widgets(self) -> dict[str, QWidget]:
+        """Return generated field widgets keyed by model field name.
+
+        Returns:
+            A shallow copy of the field-widget mapping. Optional fields return
+            their outer :class:`OptionalValueWidget`.
+        """
+        return dict(self._widgets)
+
+    def field_widget(self, name: str) -> QWidget:
+        """Return the generated widget for a field.
+
+        Args:
+            name: Model field name.
+
+        Returns:
+            The generated field widget. Optional fields return their outer
+            :class:`OptionalValueWidget`.
+
+        Raises:
+            KeyError: If no widget exists for ``name``.
+        """
+        return self._widgets[name]
+
+    def input_widget(self, name: str) -> QWidget:
+        """Return the direct input widget for a field.
+
+        Args:
+            name: Model field name.
+
+        Returns:
+            The editable input widget. Optional fields return the wrapped value
+            widget instead of the outer optional wrapper.
+
+        Raises:
+            KeyError: If no widget exists for ``name``.
+        """
+        widget = self._widgets[name]
+        if isinstance(widget, OptionalValueWidget):
+            return widget.value_widget
+        return widget
+
+    def input_widgets(self) -> dict[str, QWidget]:
+        """Return direct input widgets keyed by model field name.
+
+        Returns:
+            Mapping of field names to editable input widgets.
+        """
+        return {name: self.input_widget(name) for name in self._widgets}
+
+    def input_widgets_by_type(self, widget_type: type[QWidget]) -> list[QWidget]:
+        """Return direct input widgets matching a widget type.
+
+        Args:
+            widget_type: Qt widget class to match with ``isinstance``.
+
+        Returns:
+            List of input widgets matching ``widget_type``.
+        """
+        return [
+            widget for widget in self.input_widgets().values() if isinstance(widget, widget_type)
+        ]
+
+    def set_model(self, model: type[BaseModel], data: dict[str, Any] | None = None) -> None:
+        """Replace the active model and rebuild the form.
+
+        Args:
+            model: New Pydantic model class.
+            data: Optional initial data for the new model. When omitted, values
+                from fields shared with the previous model are preserved.
+        """
+        old_data = self.raw_data()
+        self.cleanup()
+        self._model = model
+        self._populate()
+        if data is None:
+            data = {key: value for key, value in old_data.items() if key in model.model_fields}
+        self.set_partial_data(data)
+        self.mark_clean()
+
+    def set_data(self, data: BaseModel | dict[str, Any]) -> None:
+        """Set form values from a model instance or mapping.
+
+        Args:
+            data: Pydantic model instance or raw field-value mapping.
+        """
+        values = data.model_dump() if isinstance(data, BaseModel) else dict(data)
+        self.set_partial_data(values)
+
+    def set_partial_data(self, data: dict[str, Any]) -> None:
+        """Set values for fields present in the form.
+
+        Unknown keys are ignored, which allows callers to pass larger model
+        dumps or backend payloads safely.
+
+        Args:
+            data: Field-value mapping to apply.
+        """
+        for name, value in data.items():
+            if name not in self._widgets:
+                continue
+            self._set_widget_value(name, value)
+        self._refresh_reference_units()
+        self.changed.emit()
+
+    def raw_data(self) -> dict[str, Any]:
+        """Return current widget values without Pydantic validation.
+
+        Returns:
+            Mapping of model field names to raw widget values.
+        """
+        return {name: self._read_widget_value(name) for name in self._widgets}
+
+    def get_data(self) -> dict[str, Any]:
+        """Return current data after Pydantic validation.
+
+        Returns:
+            Validated model data as a dictionary.
+
+        Raises:
+            ValidationError: If Pydantic validation fails.
+            ValueError: If domain widget validation fails.
+        """
+        return self.model_instance().model_dump()
+
+    def model_instance(self) -> BaseModel:
+        """Return the current values as a Pydantic model instance.
+
+        Returns:
+            Validated instance of the active model class.
+
+        Raises:
+            ValidationError: If Pydantic validation fails.
+            ValueError: If domain widget validation fails.
+        """
+        self._validate_domain_widgets()
+        return self._model.model_validate(self.raw_data())
+
+    def validate(self) -> bool:
+        """Validate the current form values.
+
+        Returns:
+            ``True`` when current values validate successfully, otherwise ``False``.
+        """
+        try:
+            self.get_data()
+        except (ValidationError, ValueError):
+            self.validity_changed.emit(False)
+            return False
+        self.validity_changed.emit(True)
+        return True
+
+    def dirty_fields(self) -> set[str]:
+        """Return fields whose raw values differ from the clean baseline.
+
+        Returns:
+            Set of dirty field names.
+        """
+        current = self.raw_data()
+        fields = set(current) | set(self._baseline)
+        return {field for field in fields if current.get(field) != self._baseline.get(field)}
+
+    def mark_clean(self) -> None:
+        """Store the current raw values as the clean baseline."""
+        self._baseline = self.raw_data()
+
+    def reset_to_baseline(self) -> None:
+        """Restore the form values to the current clean baseline."""
+        self.set_partial_data(self._baseline)
+
+    def editable_data(self) -> dict[str, Any]:
+        """Return validated data excluding read-only fields.
+
+        Returns:
+            Validated editable field values.
+
+        Raises:
+            ValidationError: If Pydantic validation fails.
+            ValueError: If domain widget validation fails.
+        """
+        return {
+            key: value
+            for key, value in self.get_data().items()
+            if key not in self._read_only_fields
+        }
+
+    def raw_editable_data(self) -> dict[str, Any]:
+        """Return raw widget data excluding read-only fields.
+
+        Returns:
+            Raw editable field values.
+        """
+        return {
+            key: value
+            for key, value in self.raw_data().items()
+            if key not in self._read_only_fields
+        }
+
+    def cleanup(self) -> None:
+        """Close and schedule deletion of all generated field widgets."""
+        while self._layout.rowCount():
+            row = self._layout.takeRow(0)
+            for item in (row.labelItem, row.fieldItem):
+                widget = item.widget() if item is not None else None
+                if widget is not None:
+                    widget.close()
+                    # Detach before deleteLater: a child pending deletion that still has a
+                    # signal connection into this form crashes if the form is garbage
+                    # collected before the deferred delete is processed.
+                    widget.setParent(None)
+                    widget.deleteLater()
+        self._widgets.clear()
+        self._field_configs.clear()
+
+    def closeEvent(self, event) -> None:  # noqa: N802
+        self.cleanup()
+        super().closeEvent(event)
+
+    def _populate(self) -> None:
+        for config in pydantic_model_input_configs(self._model):
+            name = config["name"]
+            info = self._model.model_fields[name]
+            widget = self._create_widget(name, info)
+            label_text = config["display_name"]
+            self._layout.addRow(label_text, widget)
+            label = self._layout.labelForField(widget)
+            if label is not None:
+                label.setProperty("_model_field_name", name)
+            if config.get("tooltip") and label is not None:
+                label.setToolTip(config["tooltip"])
+            widget.setEnabled(name not in self._read_only_fields)
+            self._widgets[name] = widget
+            self._field_configs[name] = config
+            self._set_widget_value(name, config["default"])
+            self._apply_field_metadata(name)
+            self._connect_widget(widget)
+
+        self._connect_device_signal_widgets()
+        self._connect_reference_unit_widgets()
+        self._refresh_reference_units()
+
+    def _create_widget(self, name: str, info: FieldInfo) -> QWidget:
+        annotation = info.annotation
+        args = get_args(annotation)
+        optional = NoneType in args
+        non_none_args = tuple(arg for arg in args if arg is not NoneType)
+        value_annotation = non_none_args[0] if len(non_none_args) == 1 else annotation
+
+        widget = self._create_value_widget(name, value_annotation)
+        numeric = value_annotation in (int, float) or any(
+            arg in (int, float) for arg in get_args(value_annotation)
+        )
+        if optional and (numeric or value_annotation is bool):
+            return OptionalValueWidget(widget, parent=self)
+        return widget
+
+    def _create_value_widget(self, name: str, annotation: Any) -> QWidget:
+        args = get_args(annotation)
+        if (
+            isinstance(annotation, type)
+            and issubclass(annotation, Signal)
+            or any(isinstance(arg, type) and issubclass(arg, Signal) for arg in args)
+        ):
+            return SignalComboBox(
+                parent=self,
+                client=self._client,
+                require_device=self._model_has_device_field(),
+                arg_name=name,
+            )
+        if (
+            isinstance(annotation, type)
+            and issubclass(annotation, DeviceBase)
+            or any(isinstance(arg, type) and issubclass(arg, DeviceBase) for arg in args)
+        ):
+            return DeviceComboBox(parent=self, client=self._client, arg_name=name)
+        if get_origin(annotation) is Literal:
+            widget = QComboBox(self)
+            widget.addItems([str(value) for value in get_args(annotation)])
+            return widget
+        if annotation is bool:
+            return QCheckBox(self)
+        if annotation is int:
+            spin_box = QSpinBox(self)
+            spin_box.setRange(-2147483647, 2147483647)
+            return spin_box
+        if annotation is float:
+            spin_box = BECSpinBox(self)
+            spin_box.setRange(-1_000_000_000, 1_000_000_000)
+            return spin_box
+        return QLineEdit(self)
+
+    def _apply_field_metadata(self, name: str) -> None:
+        config = self._field_configs[name]
+        field_widget = self._widgets[name]
+        input_widget = self.input_widget(name)
+
+        if config.get("precision") is not None:
+            apply_numeric_precision(input_widget, config)
+        if any(config.get(key) is not None for key in NUMERIC_BOUND_KEYS):
+            apply_numeric_limits(input_widget, config)
+
+        apply_unit_metadata(field_widget, config)
+        if input_widget is not field_widget:
+            apply_unit_metadata(input_widget, config)
+
+    def _connect_widget(self, widget: QWidget) -> None:
+        if isinstance(widget, OptionalValueWidget):
+            widget.value_changed.connect(lambda _value: self.changed.emit())
+            return
+        WidgetIO.connect_widget_change_signal(widget, lambda *_args: self.changed.emit())
+
+    def _connect_device_signal_widgets(self) -> None:
+        devices = [
+            widget for widget in self._widgets.values() if isinstance(widget, DeviceComboBox)
+        ]
+        signals = [
+            widget for widget in self._widgets.values() if isinstance(widget, SignalComboBox)
+        ]
+        if not devices or not signals:
+            return
+        device_widget = devices[0]
+        for signal_widget in signals:
+            device_widget.device_selected.connect(signal_widget.set_device)
+            device_widget.device_reset.connect(lambda w=signal_widget: w.set_device(None))
+            if device_widget.currentText().strip():
+                signal_widget.set_device(device_widget.currentText().strip())
+
+    def _connect_reference_unit_widgets(self) -> None:
+        for name, widget in self.input_widgets().items():
+            if not isinstance(widget, DeviceComboBox):
+                continue
+            widget.device_selected.connect(
+                lambda _device_name, field_name=name: self._update_reference_units(field_name)
+            )
+            widget.device_reset.connect(
+                lambda field_name=name: self._apply_reference_units(field_name, None)
+            )
+            widget.currentTextChanged.connect(
+                lambda text, field_name=name: self._handle_reference_device_text(field_name, text)
+            )
+
+    def _refresh_reference_units(self) -> None:
+        for name, widget in self.input_widgets().items():
+            if isinstance(widget, DeviceComboBox):
+                self._update_reference_units(name)
+
+    def _update_reference_units(self, source_name: str) -> None:
+        widget = self.input_widget(source_name)
+        if not isinstance(widget, DeviceComboBox) or not widget.is_valid_input:
+            self._apply_reference_units(source_name, None)
+            return
+        self._apply_reference_units(source_name, device_units(widget.get_current_device()))
+
+    def _apply_reference_units(self, source_name: str, units: str | None) -> None:
+        for field_name, config in self._field_configs.items():
+            if config.get("reference_units") != source_name:
+                continue
+            field_widget = self.field_widget(field_name)
+            input_widget = self.input_widget(field_name)
+            apply_unit_metadata(field_widget, config, units)
+            if input_widget is not field_widget:
+                apply_unit_metadata(input_widget, config, units)
+
+    def _handle_reference_device_text(self, source_name: str, device_name: str) -> None:
+        widget = self.input_widget(source_name)
+        if isinstance(widget, DeviceComboBox) and not widget.validate_device(device_name):
+            self._apply_reference_units(source_name, None)
+
+    def _validate_domain_widgets(self) -> None:
+        for widget in self._widgets.values():
+            if isinstance(widget, DeviceComboBox):
+                device = widget.currentText().strip()
+                if not device:
+                    raise ValueError("Device is required.")
+                if not widget.is_valid_input:
+                    raise ValueError(f"Device '{device}' is not available.")
+            if isinstance(widget, SignalComboBox):
+                signal = widget.get_signal_name().strip()
+                if signal and not widget.is_valid_input:
+                    raise ValueError(f"Signal '{signal}' is not available.")
+
+    def _read_widget_value(self, name: str) -> Any:
+        widget = self._widgets[name]
+        info = self._model.model_fields[name]
+        if isinstance(widget, OptionalValueWidget):
+            return widget.value()
+        if isinstance(widget, QLineEdit):
+            value = WidgetIO.get_value(widget)
+            return None if NoneType in get_args(info.annotation) and value == "" else value
+        if isinstance(widget, QComboBox) and get_origin(info.annotation) is Literal:
+            return WidgetIO.get_value(widget, as_string=True)
+        return WidgetIO.get_value(widget)
+
+    def _set_widget_value(self, name: str, value: Any) -> None:
+        widget = self._widgets[name]
+        if isinstance(widget, OptionalValueWidget):
+            widget.set_value(value)
+            return
+        if value is None:
+            if isinstance(widget, QLineEdit):
+                value = ""
+            elif isinstance(widget, QCheckBox):
+                value = False
+            elif isinstance(widget, (QSpinBox, QDoubleSpinBox)):
+                value = 0
+        WidgetIO.set_value(widget, value)
+
+    def _model_has_device_field(self) -> bool:
+        for field in self._model.model_fields.values():
+            annotation = field.annotation
+            args = get_args(annotation)
+            has_device = (
+                isinstance(annotation, type)
+                and issubclass(annotation, DeviceBase)
+                or any(isinstance(arg, type) and issubclass(arg, DeviceBase) for arg in args)
+            )
+            has_signal = (
+                isinstance(annotation, type)
+                and issubclass(annotation, Signal)
+                or any(isinstance(arg, type) and issubclass(arg, Signal) for arg in args)
+            )
+            if has_device and not has_signal:
+                return True
+        return False
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    import json
+    import sys
+
+    from bec_lib.scan_args import ScanArgument
+    from pydantic import Field
+    from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QLabel, QPushButton, QTabWidget, QTextEdit, QVBoxLayout
+
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
+
+    class BasicScanConfig(BaseModel):
+        """Plain Pydantic fields without GUI metadata."""
+
+        sample_name: str
+        enabled: bool = True
+        repeats: int = 3
+
+    class LimitConfig(BaseModel):
+        """Normal Pydantic Field metadata."""
+
+        mode: Literal["monitor", "scan", "calibration"] = "scan"
+        low_limit: (
+            float | None
+        )  # example of the field without additional metadata, still works in form
+        high_limit: float | None = Field(
+            default=10.0,
+            title="High limit",
+            description="Optional upper allowed value.",
+            json_schema_extra={"precision": 4},
+        )
+        tolerance: float = Field(
+            default=0.1,
+            title="Tolerance",
+            description="Warning tolerance around configured limits.",
+            json_schema_extra={"precision": 4},
+        )
+
+    class ScanArgumentConfig(BaseModel):
+        """ScanArgument metadata applied through Field extras."""
+
+        settling_time: float = Field(
+            default=0.0,
+            **ScanArgument(
+                display_name="Settling time",
+                description="Time to wait after moving.",
+                units="s",
+                precision=3,
+                ge=0,
+            ).model_dump(),
+        )
+        frames: int = Field(
+            default=1,
+            **ScanArgument(
+                display_name="Frames", description="Number of frames per trigger.", ge=1
+            ).model_dump(),
+        )
+
+    class DeviceSignalLimitsConfig(BaseModel):
+        """Device, signal, and numeric fields whose units follow the selected device."""
+
+        model_config = {"arbitrary_types_allowed": True}
+
+        device: DeviceBase | str = Field(
+            default="",
+            **ScanArgument(display_name="Device", description="Positioner device.").model_dump(),
+        )
+        signal: Signal | str | None = Field(
+            default=None,
+            **ScanArgument(display_name="Signal", description="Device signal.").model_dump(),
+        )
+        low_limit: float | None = Field(
+            default=None,
+            **ScanArgument(
+                display_name="Low limit",
+                description="Optional lower limit.",
+                reference_units="device",
+                precision=4,
+            ).model_dump(),
+        )
+        high_limit: float | None = Field(
+            default=None,
+            **ScanArgument(
+                display_name="High limit",
+                description="Optional upper limit.",
+                reference_units="device",
+                precision=4,
+            ).model_dump(),
+        )
+
+    class DisplayConfig(BaseModel):
+        title: str | None = Field(
+            default=None, title="Title", description="Optional display title."
+        )
+        show_grid: bool = Field(default=True, title="Show grid")
+        refresh_interval: int = Field(
+            default=1000, title="Refresh interval", description="Refresh interval in milliseconds."
+        )
+
+    class DeviceAndSignalConfig(BaseModel):
+        model_config = {"arbitrary_types_allowed": True}
+
+        title: str | None = Field(
+            default=None, title="Title", description="Optional display title."
+        )
+        device: DeviceBase | str = Field(
+            default="", title="Device", description="BEC device selection."
+        )
+        signal: Signal | str | None = Field(
+            default=None,
+            title="Signal",
+            description="Signal selection scoped to the selected device.",
+        )
+        refresh_interval: int = Field(
+            default=1000, title="Refresh interval", description="Refresh interval in milliseconds."
+        )
+
+    class DeviceOnlyConfig(BaseModel):
+        model_config = {"arbitrary_types_allowed": True}
+
+        title: str | None = Field(
+            default=None, title="Title", description="Optional display title."
+        )
+        device: DeviceBase | str = Field(
+            default="", title="Device", description="BEC device selection."
+        )
+        refresh_interval: int = Field(
+            default=1000, title="Refresh interval", description="Refresh interval in milliseconds."
+        )
+
+    class SignalOnlyConfig(BaseModel):
+        model_config = {"arbitrary_types_allowed": True}
+
+        title: str | None = Field(
+            default=None, title="Title", description="Optional display title."
+        )
+        signal: Signal | str | None = Field(
+            default=None,
+            title="Signal",
+            description="Global BEC signal selection without a device field.",
+        )
+        refresh_interval: int = Field(
+            default=1000, title="Refresh interval", description="Refresh interval in milliseconds."
+        )
+
+    class ExampleWindow(QWidget):
+        def __init__(self) -> None:
+            super().__init__()
+            self.setWindowTitle("PydanticWidgetForm example")
+
+            self._tabs = QTabWidget(self)
+            self._output = QTextEdit(self)
+            self._output.setReadOnly(True)
+            self._output.setPlaceholderText("Validated form data appears here.")
+            self._forms: list[PydanticWidgetForm] = []
+
+            self._add_form("Basic", PydanticWidgetForm(BasicScanConfig))
+            self._add_form("Limits", PydanticWidgetForm(LimitConfig))
+            self._add_form("ScanArgument", PydanticWidgetForm(ScanArgumentConfig))
+            self._add_form("Display", PydanticWidgetForm(DisplayConfig))
+            self._add_form("Device + signal", PydanticWidgetForm(DeviceAndSignalConfig))
+            self._add_form("Device limits", PydanticWidgetForm(DeviceSignalLimitsConfig))
+            self._add_form("Device only", PydanticWidgetForm(DeviceOnlyConfig))
+            self._add_form("Signal only", PydanticWidgetForm(SignalOnlyConfig))
+
+            show_data = QPushButton("Show current tab data", self)
+            show_data.clicked.connect(self._show_current_data)
+
+            layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
+            layout.addWidget(QLabel("Generated forms from Pydantic models", self))
+            layout.addWidget(self._tabs)
+            layout.addWidget(show_data)
+            layout.addWidget(self._output)
+
+        def _add_form(self, title: str, form: PydanticWidgetForm) -> None:
+            form.changed.connect(lambda _form=form: self._on_form_changed(_form))
+            self._forms.append(form)
+            self._tabs.addTab(form, title)
+
+        def _show_current_data(self, _checked: bool = False, *, validate: bool = True) -> None:
+            form = self._forms[self._tabs.currentIndex()]
+            if validate:
+                try:
+                    data = form.get_data()
+                except (ValidationError, ValueError) as exc:
+                    self._output.setPlainText(str(exc))
+                    return
+                key = "data"
+            else:
+                data = form.raw_data()
+                key = "raw_data"
+            self._output.setPlainText(
+                json.dumps(
+                    {key: data, "dirty_fields": sorted(form.dirty_fields())}, indent=2, default=str
+                )
+            )
+
+        def _on_form_changed(self, form: PydanticWidgetForm) -> None:
+            if form is self._forms[self._tabs.currentIndex()]:
+                self._show_current_data(validate=False)
+
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    apply_theme("dark")
+    window = ExampleWindow()
+    window.show()
+    sys.exit(app.exec())

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
 
@@ -94,7 +85,7 @@ logger = bec_logger.logger
         if self._base:
             self.content += """
 class _WidgetsEnumType(str, enum.Enum):
-    \"\"\" Enum for the available widgets, to be generated programatically  \"\"\"
+    \"\"\" Enum for the available widgets, to be generated programmatically  \"\"\"
     ...
     """
 
@@ -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/ophyd_kind_util.py

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ class Kind(IFBase):
     """
     This is used in the .kind attribute of all OphydObj (Signals, Devices).
 
-    A Device examines its components' .kind atttribute to decide whether to
+    A Device examines its components' .kind attribute to decide whether to
     traverse it in read(), read_configuration(), or neither. Additionally, if
     decides whether to include its name in `hints['fields']`.
     """

bec_widgets/utils/plugin_templates/plugin.template

@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ class {plugin_name_pascal}Plugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
         if parent is None:
-           return QWidget()
+            return QWidget()
         t = {plugin_name_pascal}(parent)
         return t
 

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_logging.py

@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+
+def elapsed_seconds(start: float | int | None, stop: float) -> float | None:
+    if start is None:
+        return None
+    try:
+        return max(0.0, stop - float(start))
+    except (TypeError, ValueError):
+        return None
+
+
+def format_elapsed(elapsed: float | None) -> str:
+    if elapsed is None:
+        return "unknown"
+    return f"{elapsed:.3f}"

bec_widgets/utils/rpc_server.py

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import functools
+import time
 import traceback
 import types
 from contextlib import contextmanager
@@ -11,14 +12,15 @@ from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from bec_lib.utils.import_utils import lazy_import
 from qtpy.QtCore import Qt, QTimer
-from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, 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_logging import elapsed_seconds, format_elapsed
+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
@@ -115,27 +117,107 @@ class RPCServer:
         if request_id is None:
             logger.error("Received RPC instruction without request_id")
             return
+        method = msg.get("action")
+        parameter = msg.get("parameter", {})
+        args = parameter.get("args", [])
+        kwargs = parameter.get("kwargs", {})
+        target_gui_id = parameter.get("gui_id")
+        sent_at = metadata.get("sent_at")
+        deadline = metadata.get("deadline")
+        timeout = metadata.get("timeout")
+        received_at = time.time()
+        receive_latency = elapsed_seconds(sent_at, received_at)
+        stale_on_receive = deadline is not None and received_at > deadline
+        logger.info(
+            "GUI RPC server received request "
+            f"request_id={request_id} method={method} gui_id={self.gui_id} "
+            f"target_gui_id={target_gui_id} timeout={timeout} "
+            f"receive_latency_s={format_elapsed(receive_latency)} "
+            f"stale_on_receive={stale_on_receive}"
+        )
+        if stale_on_receive:
+            logger.warning(
+                "GUI RPC server received request after client timeout deadline "
+                f"request_id={request_id} method={method} gui_id={self.gui_id} "
+                f"target_gui_id={target_gui_id} timeout={timeout} "
+                f"receive_latency_s={format_elapsed(receive_latency)}"
+            )
         logger.debug(f"Received RPC instruction: {msg}, metadata: {metadata}")
+
+        # Shutdown must acknowledge before teardown starts. The generic RPC path
+        # below publishes successful responses through QTimer.singleShot(0);
+        # for system.shutdown that would race with the queued app quit and
+        # dispatcher shutdown scheduled by _shutdown_gui_server().
+        if method == "system.shutdown":
+            execution_start = time.perf_counter()
+            try:
+                self.run_system_rpc(method, args, kwargs)
+            except Exception:
+                execution_duration = time.perf_counter() - execution_start
+                content = traceback.format_exc()
+                logger.error(
+                    "GUI RPC server shutdown request failed "
+                    f"request_id={request_id} method={method} gui_id={self.gui_id} "
+                    f"execution_duration_s={execution_duration:.3f}\n{content}"
+                )
+                self.send_response(request_id, False, {"error": content})
+            else:
+                execution_duration = time.perf_counter() - execution_start
+                logger.info(
+                    "GUI RPC server acknowledged shutdown request "
+                    f"request_id={request_id} method={method} gui_id={self.gui_id} "
+                    f"execution_duration_s={execution_duration:.3f}"
+                )
+                self.send_response(request_id, True, {"result": None})
+            return
+
+        execution_start = time.perf_counter()
         with rpc_exception_hook(functools.partial(self.send_response, request_id, False)):
             try:
-                method = msg["action"]
-                args = msg["parameter"].get("args", [])
-                kwargs = msg["parameter"].get("kwargs", {})
                 if method.startswith("system."):
                     res = self.run_system_rpc(method, args, kwargs)
                 else:
-                    obj = self.get_object_from_config(msg["parameter"])
+                    obj = self.get_object_from_config(parameter)
                     res = self.run_rpc(obj, method, args, kwargs)
             except Exception:
+                execution_duration = time.perf_counter() - execution_start
                 content = traceback.format_exc()
-                logger.error(f"Error while executing RPC instruction: {content}")
+                logger.error(
+                    "GUI RPC server execution failed "
+                    f"request_id={request_id} method={method} gui_id={self.gui_id} "
+                    f"target_gui_id={target_gui_id} execution_duration_s={execution_duration:.3f}\n"
+                    f"{content}"
+                )
                 self.send_response(request_id, False, {"error": content})
             else:
+                execution_duration = time.perf_counter() - execution_start
+                response_stale = deadline is not None and time.time() > deadline
+                logger.info(
+                    "GUI RPC server executed request "
+                    f"request_id={request_id} method={method} gui_id={self.gui_id} "
+                    f"target_gui_id={target_gui_id} execution_duration_s={execution_duration:.3f} "
+                    f"response_after_client_deadline={response_stale}"
+                )
+                if response_stale:
+                    logger.warning(
+                        "GUI RPC server response is late for client timeout "
+                        f"request_id={request_id} method={method} gui_id={self.gui_id} "
+                        f"target_gui_id={target_gui_id} timeout={timeout} "
+                        f"execution_duration_s={execution_duration:.3f}"
+                    )
                 logger.debug(f"RPC instruction executed successfully: {res}")
                 self._rpc_singleshot_repeats[request_id] = SingleshotRPCRepeat()
                 QTimer.singleShot(0, lambda: self.serialize_result_and_send(request_id, res))
 
     def send_response(self, request_id: str, accepted: bool, msg: dict):
+        log_message = (
+            "GUI RPC server publishing response "
+            f"request_id={request_id} gui_id={self.gui_id} accepted={accepted}"
+        )
+        if accepted:
+            logger.info(log_message)
+        else:
+            logger.error(log_message)
         self.client.connector.set_and_publish(
             MessageEndpoints.gui_instruction_response(request_id),
             messages.RequestResponseMessage(accepted=accepted, message=msg),
@@ -156,7 +238,7 @@ class RPCServer:
             if method == "raise" and hasattr(
                 obj, "setWindowState"
             ):  # special case for raising windows, should work even if minimized
-                # this is a special case for raising windows for gnome on rethat 9 systems where changing focus is supressed by default
+                # this is a special case for raising windows for gnome on Red Hat (RHEL) 9 systems where changing focus is suppressed by default
                 # The procedure is as follows:
                 # 1. Get the current window state to check if the window is minimized and remove minimized flag
                 # 2. Then in order to force gnome to raise the window, we set the window to stay on top temporarily
@@ -236,10 +318,23 @@ class RPCServer:
     def run_system_rpc(self, method: str, args: list, kwargs: dict):
         if method == "system.launch_dock_area":
             return self._launch_dock_area(*args, **kwargs)
+        if method == "system.shutdown":
+            return self._shutdown_gui_server()
         if method == "system.list_capabilities":
-            return {"system.launch_dock_area": True}
+            return {"system.launch_dock_area": True, "system.shutdown": True}
         raise ValueError(f"Unknown system RPC method: {method}")
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def _shutdown_gui_server() -> None:
+        app = QApplication.instance()
+        if app is None:
+            return
+        gui_server = getattr(app, "gui_server", None)
+        if gui_server is not None and hasattr(gui_server, "request_shutdown"):
+            QTimer.singleShot(0, gui_server.request_shutdown)
+            return
+        QTimer.singleShot(0, app.quit)
+
     @staticmethod
     def _launch_dock_area(
         name: str | None = None,
@@ -297,7 +392,14 @@ class RPCServer:
                 res = self.serialize_object(res)
         except RegistryNotReadyError:
             try:
-                self._rpc_singleshot_repeats[request_id] += retry_delay
+                repeat = self._rpc_singleshot_repeats[request_id]
+                repeat += retry_delay
+                logger.warning(
+                    "GUI RPC result serialization delayed; retrying "
+                    f"request_id={request_id} retry_delay_ms={retry_delay} "
+                    f"accumulated_delay_ms={repeat.accumulated_delay} "
+                    f"max_delay_ms={repeat.max_delay}"
+                )
                 QTimer.singleShot(
                     retry_delay, lambda: self.serialize_result_and_send(request_id, res)
                 )
@@ -407,8 +509,9 @@ class RPCServer:
                 container_proxy = parent.gui_id
             else:
                 container_proxy = None
-        except Exception:
+        except Exception as e:
             container_proxy = None
+            logger.error(f"Error while serializing RPC result: {e}")
 
         if wait and not self.rpc_register.object_is_registered(connector):
             raise RegistryNotReadyError(f"Connector {connector} not registered yet")
@@ -442,5 +545,5 @@ class RPCServer:
         self.status = messages.BECStatus.IDLE
         self._heartbeat_timer.stop()
         self.emit_heartbeat()
-        logger.info("Succeded in shutting down CLI server")
+        logger.info("Succeeded in shutting down CLI server")
         self.client.shutdown()

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/scan_arg_metadata.py

@@ -0,0 +1,155 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import re
+from collections.abc import Mapping
+from typing import Any
+
+from bec_lib import bec_logger
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QDoubleSpinBox, QSpinBox, QWidget
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
+UNIT_TOOLTIP_PREFIXES = ("Units:", "Units from:")
+
+
+def format_display_name(name: str) -> str:
+    """Convert a raw argument name into a user-facing label."""
+    parts = re.split(r"(_|\d+)", name)
+    return " ".join(part.capitalize() for part in parts if part.isalnum()).strip()
+
+
+def resolve_tooltip(scan_argument: Mapping[str, Any]) -> str | None:
+    """Resolve explicit tooltip text, falling back to the description."""
+    return scan_argument.get("tooltip") or scan_argument.get("description")
+
+
+def ui_config_from_metadata(
+    name: str,
+    metadata: Mapping[str, Any],
+    *,
+    default: Any = None,
+    input_type: Any = None,
+    arg: bool = False,
+    display_name: str | None = None,
+) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Build the normalized scan-input item consumed by form widgets."""
+    return {
+        "arg": arg,
+        "name": name,
+        "type": input_type,
+        "display_name": display_name or metadata.get("display_name") or format_display_name(name),
+        "tooltip": resolve_tooltip(metadata),
+        "default": default,
+        "expert": metadata.get("expert", False),
+        "hidden": metadata.get("hidden", False),
+        "precision": metadata.get("precision"),
+        "units": metadata.get("units"),
+        "reference_units": metadata.get("reference_units"),
+        "reference_limits": metadata.get("reference_limits"),
+        "gt": metadata.get("gt"),
+        "ge": metadata.get("ge"),
+        "lt": metadata.get("lt"),
+        "le": metadata.get("le"),
+        "alternative_group": metadata.get("alternative_group"),
+    }
+
+
+def unit_tooltip(item: Mapping[str, Any], units: str | None = None) -> str | None:
+    """Build tooltip text from scan argument unit metadata."""
+    tooltip = item.get("tooltip")
+    reference_units = item.get("reference_units")
+    units = units or item.get("units")
+
+    tooltip_parts = [tooltip] if tooltip else []
+    if units:
+        tooltip_parts.append(f"Units: {units}")
+    elif reference_units:
+        tooltip_parts.append(f"Units from: {reference_units}")
+    if tooltip_parts:
+        return "\n".join(str(part) for part in tooltip_parts)
+    return None
+
+
+def strip_unit_tooltip(tooltip: str) -> str:
+    """Remove unit lines added by :func:`apply_unit_metadata`."""
+    return "\n".join(
+        line for line in tooltip.splitlines() if not line.startswith(UNIT_TOOLTIP_PREFIXES)
+    ).strip()
+
+
+def apply_unit_metadata(widget: QWidget, item: Mapping[str, Any], units: str | None = None) -> None:
+    """Apply unit tooltip text and numeric suffix metadata to a widget."""
+    units = units or item.get("units")
+    tooltip = unit_tooltip(item, units)
+    existing_tooltip = strip_unit_tooltip(widget.toolTip())
+    base_tooltip = item.get("tooltip")
+    if base_tooltip and existing_tooltip == base_tooltip:
+        existing_tooltip = ""
+
+    if tooltip:
+        widget.setToolTip(f"{existing_tooltip}\n{tooltip}" if existing_tooltip else tooltip)
+    else:
+        widget.setToolTip(existing_tooltip)
+
+    if hasattr(widget, "setSuffix"):
+        widget.setSuffix(f" {units}" if units else "")
+
+
+def device_units(device: object) -> str | None:
+    """Return engineering units from a BEC device object when available."""
+    egu = getattr(device, "egu", None)
+    if not callable(egu):
+        return None
+    try:
+        return egu()
+    except Exception:
+        logger.exception("Failed to fetch engineering units from device %s", device)
+        return None
+
+
+def apply_numeric_precision(widget: QWidget, item: Mapping[str, Any]) -> None:
+    """Apply decimal precision metadata to spinboxes supporting ``setDecimals``."""
+    if not hasattr(widget, "setDecimals"):
+        return
+
+    precision = item.get("precision")
+    if precision is None:
+        return
+
+    try:
+        widget.setDecimals(max(0, int(precision)))
+    except (TypeError, ValueError):
+        logger.warning(
+            "Ignoring invalid precision %r for parameter %s", precision, item.get("name")
+        )
+
+
+def apply_numeric_limits(widget: QWidget, item: Mapping[str, Any]) -> None:
+    """Apply ``gt/ge/lt/le`` numeric bounds to Qt spinboxes."""
+    if isinstance(widget, QSpinBox) and not isinstance(widget, QDoubleSpinBox):
+        minimum = -2147483647
+        maximum = 2147483647
+        if item.get("ge") is not None:
+            minimum = int(item["ge"])
+        if item.get("gt") is not None:
+            minimum = int(item["gt"]) + 1
+        if item.get("le") is not None:
+            maximum = int(item["le"])
+        if item.get("lt") is not None:
+            maximum = int(item["lt"]) - 1
+        widget.setRange(minimum, maximum)
+        return
+
+    if isinstance(widget, QDoubleSpinBox):
+        minimum = -float("inf")
+        maximum = float("inf")
+        step = 10 ** (-widget.decimals())
+        if item.get("ge") is not None:
+            minimum = float(item["ge"])
+        if item.get("gt") is not None:
+            minimum = float(item["gt"]) + step
+        if item.get("le") is not None:
+            maximum = float(item["le"])
+        if item.get("lt") is not None:
+            maximum = float(item["lt"]) - step
+        widget.setRange(minimum, maximum)

bec_widgets/utils/sound_player.py

@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+from pathlib import Path
+
+from qtpy.QtCore import QUrl
+from qtpy.QtMultimedia import QAudioOutput, QMediaPlayer
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QComboBox, QPushButton, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
+
+
+class SoundPlayerWidget(QWidget):
+    """Simple widget to preview bundled sound assets."""
+
+    def __init__(self, parent=None):
+        super().__init__(parent=parent)
+        self.setWindowTitle("Sound Player")
+
+        self._sounds_dir = Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent / "assets" / "sounds"
+        self._player = QMediaPlayer(self)
+        self._audio_output = QAudioOutput(self)
+        self._player.setAudioOutput(self._audio_output)
+
+        self.sound_combo_box = QComboBox(self)
+        self.play_button = QPushButton("Play", self)
+
+        self._populate_sounds()
+        self.play_button.clicked.connect(self.play_selected_sound)
+
+        layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
+        layout.addWidget(self.sound_combo_box)
+        layout.addWidget(self.play_button)
+
+        self.resize(420, 100)
+
+    def _populate_sounds(self) -> None:
+        """Load bundled sound assets into the combo box."""
+        sound_files = sorted(self._sounds_dir.glob("*.mp3"))
+        for sound_file in sound_files:
+            self.sound_combo_box.addItem(sound_file.stem, str(sound_file))
+
+        self.play_button.setEnabled(bool(sound_files))
+        if not sound_files:
+            self.sound_combo_box.addItem("No sounds found")
+
+    def play_selected_sound(self) -> None:
+        """Play the currently selected sound asset."""
+        sound_path = self.sound_combo_box.currentData()
+        if not sound_path:
+            return
+
+        self._player.setSource(QUrl.fromLocalFile(sound_path))
+        self._player.stop()
+        self._player.play()
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    import sys
+
+    from bec_qthemes import apply_theme
+
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    apply_theme("light")
+
+    widget = SoundPlayerWidget()
+    widget.show()
+    sys.exit(app.exec_())

bec_widgets/utils/toolbars/actions.py

@@ -27,8 +27,10 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
 
 import bec_widgets
 from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.splitter import ResizableSpacer
-from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_input.base_classes.device_input_base import BECDeviceFilter
-from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_input.device_combobox.device_combobox import DeviceComboBox
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_input.device_combobox.device_combobox import (
+    BECDeviceFilter,
+    DeviceComboBox,
+)
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 

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
 
@@ -85,7 +85,11 @@ class ComboBoxHandler(WidgetHandler):
 
     def set_value(self, widget: QComboBox, value: int | str) -> None:
         if isinstance(value, str):
-            value = widget.findText(value)
+            index = widget.findText(value)
+            if index < 0 and widget.isEditable():
+                widget.setCurrentText(value)
+                return
+            value = index
         if isinstance(value, int):
             widget.setCurrentIndex(value)
 
@@ -95,6 +99,45 @@ class ComboBoxHandler(WidgetHandler):
         widget.currentIndexChanged.connect(lambda idx, w=widget: slot(w, self.get_value(w)))
 
 
+class DeviceComboBoxHandler(ComboBoxHandler):
+    """Handler for BEC device comboboxes. The widget value is the device name."""
+
+    def get_value(self, widget, **kwargs) -> str:
+        return widget.currentText().strip()
+
+    def set_value(self, widget, value: str | None) -> None:
+        device = "" if value is None else str(value)
+        if not device:
+            widget.setCurrentText("")
+            return
+        widget.set_device(device)
+        if widget.currentText() != device:
+            widget.setCurrentText(device)
+
+    def connect_change_signal(self, widget, slot):
+        widget.currentTextChanged.connect(lambda text, w=widget: slot(w, text.strip()))
+
+
+class SignalComboBoxHandler(ComboBoxHandler):
+    """Handler for BEC signal comboboxes. The widget value is the signal object name."""
+
+    def get_value(self, widget, **kwargs) -> str | None:
+        signal = widget.get_signal_name().strip()
+        return signal or None
+
+    def set_value(self, widget, value: str | None) -> None:
+        signal = "" if value is None else str(value)
+        if not signal:
+            widget.setCurrentText("")
+            return
+        widget.set_signal(signal)
+        if widget.currentText() != signal and widget.get_signal_name() != signal:
+            widget.setCurrentText(signal)
+
+    def connect_change_signal(self, widget, slot):
+        widget.currentTextChanged.connect(lambda _text, w=widget: slot(w, self.get_value(w)))
+
+
 class TableWidgetHandler(WidgetHandler):
     """Handler for QTableWidget widgets."""
 
@@ -203,6 +246,28 @@ class WidgetIO:
         ToggleSwitch: ToggleSwitchHandler,
         QSlider: SlideHandler,
     }
+    _deferred_handlers_registered = False
+
+    @classmethod
+    def _register_deferred_handlers(cls) -> None:
+        """
+        Register handlers for widgets that import this module themselves and therefore
+        cannot be imported here at module level without a circular import. The import is
+        deferred to the first handler lookup, when all modules are fully initialized.
+        """
+        if cls._deferred_handlers_registered:
+            return
+        cls._deferred_handlers_registered = True
+        # pylint: disable=import-outside-toplevel
+        from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_input.device_combobox.device_combobox import (
+            DeviceComboBox,
+        )
+        from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_input.signal_combobox.signal_combobox import (
+            SignalComboBox,
+        )
+
+        cls._handlers[DeviceComboBox] = DeviceComboBoxHandler
+        cls._handlers[SignalComboBox] = SignalComboBoxHandler
 
     @staticmethod
     def get_value(widget, ignore_errors=False, **kwargs):
@@ -278,6 +343,7 @@ class WidgetIO:
         Returns:
             handler_class: The handler class if found, otherwise None.
         """
+        WidgetIO._register_deferred_handlers()
         for base in type(widget).__mro__:
             if base in WidgetIO._handlers:
                 return WidgetIO._handlers[base]
@@ -418,7 +484,7 @@ 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 +534,7 @@ 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 +600,7 @@ 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 +702,7 @@ 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 +730,7 @@ 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):