feat: available resources basic structure

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CHANGELOG.md

@@ -1,6 +1,334 @@
 # CHANGELOG
 
 
+## v2.35.0 (2025-08-14)
+
+### Build System
+
+- Pyside6 upgraded to 6.9.0
+  ([`44ba720`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/44ba7201b4914d63281bbed5e62d07e5c240595a))
+
+### Features
+
+- **property_manager**: Property manager widget
+  ([`926d722`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/926d7229559d189d382fe034b3afbc544e709efa))
+
+
+## v2.34.0 (2025-08-07)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- Plugin widget import machinery
+  ([`9de5484`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/9de548446b9975c0f692757c66ffa07b9a849f15))
+
+- lazy import client so plugin widgets can import BECWidgets which use it indirectly - exclude
+  classes originating from bec_widgets core from plugin discovery - better errors
+
+- Use better source for plugin repo name
+  ([`f4af6eb`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/f4af6ebc5fabf5b62ec87b580476d93d52690b08))
+
+### Features
+
+- Autoformat compiled file and add docs
+  ([`a923f12`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/a923f12c974192909222fcada9eca97325866d74))
+
+- **plugin manager**: Add cli commands
+  ([`49ac7de`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/49ac7decf7d4cf461e6437f7285dc6967ee36d96))
+
+
+## v2.33.3 (2025-07-31)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **scan-history-view**: Account for async loading of scan history
+  ([`6df1d0c`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/6df1d0c31fb58c25b01e95e2247277ff2dd5d00e))
+
+### Refactoring
+
+- Improve scan history performance on loading full scan lists
+  ([`a5adf3a`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/a5adf3a97d9ff05cef833445c1e6cd8f35a9a2fa))
+
+- Make ids a set, cleanup
+  ([`c1f62ad`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/c1f62ad6cb00d9b392a8e0b6247f5260dfb37256))
+
+- Use client callback for scan history reload
+  ([`d22a331`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/d22a3317baeccfcc4e074dcef4e3912301d210c5))
+
+- **scan-history**: Add spinner for loading time of history
+  ([`50c84a7`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/50c84a766a2b021768fb2c0e8ee00b8e5f058ba7))
+
+- **scan-history**: Fix insert logic; cleanup
+  ([`946752a`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/946752a4b05804c2f59cb5c21e4c1d11709a7d44))
+
+
+## v2.33.2 (2025-07-31)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- Delete choice dialog on close
+  ([`23413cf`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/23413cffabe721e35bb5bb726ec34d74dc4ffe05))
+
+- Display short lists in SignalDisplay
+  ([`4bbb8fa`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/4bbb8fa519e8a90eebfcfa34e157493c9baa7880))
+
+- Don't warn on empty DeviceEdit init
+  ([`f18eeb9`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/f18eeb9c5dccbd9348b6ee6d1477a8b7925d40fc))
+
+- Remove config, directly set device+signal
+  ([`32ce8e2`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/32ce8e2818ceacda87e48399e3ed4df0cabb2335))
+
+
+## v2.33.1 (2025-07-31)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **cli**: Ensure guis are not started twice
+  ([`cd81e7f`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/cd81e7f9ba40be23f6b930d250f743276720b277))
+
+
+## v2.33.0 (2025-07-29)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **monaco**: Forward text changed signal
+  ([`a51ef04`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/a51ef04cdf0ac8abdb7008d78b13c75b86ce9e06))
+
+### Build System
+
+- Update bec and qtmonaco min dependencies
+  ([`5f925ba`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/5f925ba4e3840219e4473d6346ece6746076f718))
+
+### Features
+
+- **monaco**: Add insert, delete and lsp header
+  ([`fc68d2c`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/fc68d2cf2d6b161d8e3b9fc9daf6185d9197deba))
+
+- **monaco**: Add vim mode
+  ([`627b49b`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/627b49b33a30e45b2bfecb57f090eecfa31af09d))
+
+- **web console**: Add set_readonly method
+  ([`c2e1642`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/c2e16429c91de7cc0e672ba36224e9031c1c4234))
+
+- **web console**: Add signal to indicate when the js backend is initialized
+  ([`2b9fe6c`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/2b9fe6c9590c8d18b7542307273176e118828681))
+
+### Testing
+
+- **web console**: Add tests for the web console
+  ([`40f4bce`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/40f4bce2854bcf333ce261229bd1703b80ced538))
+
+
+## v2.32.0 (2025-07-29)
+
+### Features
+
+- **dock area**: Add screenshot toolbar action
+  ([`fd5af01`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/fd5af0184279400ca6d8e5d2042f31be88d180f3))
+
+- **rpc_timeout**: Add decorator to override the rpc timeout
+  ([`8a214c8`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/8a214c897899d0d94d5f262591a001c127d1b155))
+
+
+## v2.31.3 (2025-07-29)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **waveform**: Fallback mechanism for auto mode to use index if scan_report_devices are not
+  available
+  ([`6bf84ae`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/6bf84aea2508ff01fe201c045ec055684da88593))
+
+
+## v2.31.2 (2025-07-29)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **bec widgets**: Always call cleanup of child widgets on cleanup
+  ([`bf86a03`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/bf86a030a08b325a08e031ff71d0716a2f2f122b))
+
+
+## v2.31.1 (2025-07-29)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **image_base**: Fix cleanup of uninitialized image layer
+  ([`c1bdc50`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/c1bdc506e8099f178acdccbe0e1109deeeaaca38))
+
+
+## v2.31.0 (2025-07-29)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **bec_main_window**: Main window have unified status bar on macOS
+  ([`1d0490f`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/1d0490fff428d51f2cdb7d35a954a7cd62cbb65c))
+
+- **color_button_native**: Removed BECWidget inheritance
+  ([`e42ffd7`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/e42ffd7c015a026d8e0967ac6b5866cbbea7bfed))
+
+- **decimal_spinbox**: Removed BECWidget inheritance
+  ([`2bd6d00`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/2bd6d0089955172134afb4d39939890026ed43f0))
+
+- **launch_window**: Logic for custom main window apps adjusted
+  ([`e090ac4`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/e090ac49b72fa15ebf1c09164ff3c6de577cb939))
+
+- **plugin_utils**: Plugins can be created from QWidgets, no need for BECWidget base class for
+  plugin creation
+  ([`c2a918e`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/c2a918ef4b77ccd7fa43d1bc0b907d55a17a6c95))
+
+- **scan_progressbar**: Added kwargs to init
+  ([`7073e75`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/7073e75adf0eeb81f4f8e27eb99fc1b7a395c751))
+
+- **utils**: Plugin template createWidget do not initialise widgets by default
+  ([`728d4ef`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/728d4efd9646ffcecd7d1a2f70988a7d7c799124))
+
+- **widgets**: Added missing __init__ files
+  ([`6bbf512`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/6bbf5126cf586063ed08d6cd489d6a9af28eac35))
+
+### Features
+
+- **bec_main_window**: Plugin and rpc created
+  ([`e4521d9`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/e4521d95286bbc598c3c05f357d247d950477b71))
+
+### Refactoring
+
+- **widgets**: All plugins regenerated
+  ([`10cbb9a`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/10cbb9a05cb96a791448caff4ffc4115b76146d7))
+
+### Testing
+
+- **launch_window**: Mainwindow raise test removed, features is supported now
+  ([`0854175`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/0854175acbda1d4de71358aec028539552a26448))
+
+
+## v2.30.6 (2025-07-26)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **waveform**: Autorange is applied with 150ms delay after curve is added
+  ([`61e5bde`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/61e5bde15f0e1ebe185ddbe81cd71ad581ae6009))
+
+
+## v2.30.5 (2025-07-25)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **positioner-box**: Test to fix handling of none integer values for precision
+  ([`b718b43`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/b718b438bacff6eb6cd6015f1a67dcf75c05dce4))
+
+### Refactoring
+
+- **positioner-box**: Cleanup, accept float precision
+  ([`4d5df96`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/4d5df9608a9438b9f6d7508c323eb3772e53f37d))
+
+
+## v2.30.4 (2025-07-25)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **cli**: Remove stderr from cli output when not using rpc
+  ([`b4e0664`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/b4e0664011682cae9966aa2632210a6b60e11714))
+
+
+## v2.30.3 (2025-07-23)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- Cleanup subscriptions in device browser
+  ([`0d81bdd`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/0d81bdd4ddb4ec474a414b107cbc7fc865253934))
+
+
+## v2.30.2 (2025-07-23)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- Factor out device name function and add test
+  ([`8eb8225`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/8eb8225a7f56014d6093aa142b3a5d071837982e))
+
+- **rpc_base**: Rpc_call wrapper passes full_name for Devices indeed of name
+  ([`491d044`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/491d04467c8ce4e116d61e614895d1dcc6b4b201))
+
+### Testing
+
+- **test_plotting_framework_e2e**: Added test for waveform with passing device from dev container
+  ([`3fd09fc`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/3fd09fceef2ffa7e7c3eee20176304bafb00d0db))
+
+
+## v2.30.1 (2025-07-22)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- Ignore KeyError in SignalLabel
+  ([`608590c`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/608590c5421368d5bba0e4b0f5187d90cac323be))
+
+
+## v2.30.0 (2025-07-22)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **device_browser**: Display signal for signals
+  ([`3384ca0`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/3384ca02bdb5a2798ad3339ecf3e2ba7c121e28f))
+
+- **device_signal_display**: Don't read omitted
+  ([`b9af36a`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/b9af36a4f1c91e910d4fc738b17b90e92287a7e3))
+
+- **signal_label**: Rewrite reading selection logic
+  ([`cd17a4a`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/cd17a4aad905296eb0460ecc27e5920f5c2e8fe5))
+
+- **signal_label**: Show all signals by default
+  ([`22beadc`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/22beadcad061b328c986414f30fef57b64bad693))
+
+- **signal_label**: Update signal from dialog correctly
+  ([`959cedb`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/959cedbbd5a123eef5f3370287bf6476c48caab9))
+
+- **signal_label**: Use read() instead of get() for init
+  ([`f0dc992`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/f0dc99258607a5cc8af51686d01f7fd54ae2779f))
+
+### Chores
+
+- Update client.py
+  ([`fd1f994`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/fd1f9941e046b7ae1e247dde39c20bcbc37ac189))
+
+### Features
+
+- **signal_label**: Property to display array data or not
+  ([`ca4f975`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/ca4f97503bf06363e8e8a5d494a9857223da4104))
+
+
+## v2.29.0 (2025-07-22)
+
+### Features
+
+- **notification_banner**: Notification centre for alarms implemented into BECMainWindow
+  ([`cd9d22d`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/cd9d22d0b40d633af76cb1188b57feb7b6a5dbf2))
+
+### Refactoring
+
+- **notification_banner**: Becnotificationbroker done as singleton to sync all windows in the
+  session
+  ([`7cda2ed`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/7cda2ed846d3c27799f4f15f6c5c667631b1ca55))
+
+
+## v2.28.0 (2025-07-21)
+
+### Features
+
+- Disable editing while scan active
+  ([`1397655`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/13976557fbdb71a1161029521d81a655d25dd134))
+
+- Remove and readd device for config changes
+  ([`8489ef4`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/8489ef4a69d69b39648b1a9270012f14f95c6121))
+
+- Save and load config from devicebrowser
+  ([`7f0098f`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/7f0098f1533d419cc75801c4d6cbea485c7bbf94))
+
+
+## v2.27.1 (2025-07-17)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **image_roi_tree**: Rois signals are disconnected when roi tree widget is closed
+  ([`00e3713`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/00e3713181916a432e4e9dec8a0d80205914cf77))
+
+
 ## v2.27.0 (2025-07-17)
 
 ### Features

bec_widgets/applications/launch_window.py

@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.toolbar import ModularToolBar
 from bec_widgets.utils.ui_loader import UILoader
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.auto_update.auto_updates import AutoUpdates
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock.dock_area import BECDockArea
-from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.main_window import BECMainWindow, UILaunchWindow
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.main_window import BECMainWindow, BECMainWindowNoRPC
 from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.visual.dark_mode_button.dark_mode_button import DarkModeButton
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
@@ -395,20 +395,24 @@ class LaunchWindow(BECMainWindow):
             if isinstance(result_widget, BECMainWindow):
                 result_widget.show()
             else:
-                window = BECMainWindow()
+                window = BECMainWindowNoRPC()
                 window.setCentralWidget(result_widget)
                 window.setWindowTitle(f"BEC - {result_widget.objectName()}")
                 window.show()
             return result_widget
 
     def _launch_custom_ui_file(self, ui_file: str | None) -> BECMainWindow:
-        # Load the custom UI file
+        """
+        Load a custom .ui file. If the top-level widget is a MainWindow subclass,
+        instantiate it directly; otherwise, embed it in a UILaunchWindow.
+        """
         if ui_file is None:
             raise ValueError("UI file must be provided for custom UI file launch.")
         filename = os.path.basename(ui_file).split(".")[0]
 
         WidgetContainerUtils.raise_for_invalid_name(filename)
 
+        # Parse the UI to detect top-level widget class
         tree = ET.parse(ui_file)
         root = tree.getroot()
         # Check if the top-level widget is a QMainWindow
@@ -416,19 +420,22 @@ class LaunchWindow(BECMainWindow):
         if widget is None:
             raise ValueError("No widget found in the UI file.")
 
-        if widget.attrib.get("class") == "QMainWindow":
-            raise ValueError(
-                "Loading a QMainWindow from a UI file is currently not supported. "
-                "If you need this, please contact the BEC team or create a ticket on gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets."
-            )
+        # Load the UI into a widget
+        loader = UILoader(None)
+        loaded = loader.loader(ui_file)
+
+        # Display the UI in a BECMainWindow
+        if isinstance(loaded, BECMainWindow):
+            window = loaded
+            window.object_name = filename
+        else:
+            window = BECMainWindow(object_name=filename)
+            window.setCentralWidget(loaded)
 
-        window = UILaunchWindow(object_name=filename)
         QApplication.processEvents()
-        result_widget = UILoader(window).loader(ui_file)
-        window.setCentralWidget(result_widget)
-        window.setWindowTitle(f"BEC - {window.object_name}")
+        window.setWindowTitle(f"BEC - {filename}")
         window.show()
-        logger.info(f"Object name of new instance: {result_widget.objectName()}, {window.gui_id}")
+        logger.info(f"Launched custom UI: {filename}, type: {type(window).__name__}")
         return window
 
     def _launch_auto_update(self, auto_update: str) -> AutoUpdates:
@@ -451,7 +458,7 @@ class LaunchWindow(BECMainWindow):
 
         WidgetContainerUtils.raise_for_invalid_name(name)
 
-        window = BECMainWindow()
+        window = BECMainWindowNoRPC()
 
         widget_instance = widget(root_widget=True, object_name=name)
         assert isinstance(widget_instance, QWidget)

bec_widgets/cli/client.py

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ from typing import Literal, Optional
 
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 
-from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_base import RPCBase, rpc_call
+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
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ class _WidgetsEnumType(str, enum.Enum):
 _Widgets = {
     "AbortButton": "AbortButton",
     "BECDockArea": "BECDockArea",
+    "BECMainWindow": "BECMainWindow",
     "BECProgressBar": "BECProgressBar",
     "BECQueue": "BECQueue",
     "BECStatusBox": "BECStatusBox",
@@ -48,11 +49,13 @@ _Widgets = {
     "PositionerBox": "PositionerBox",
     "PositionerBox2D": "PositionerBox2D",
     "PositionerControlLine": "PositionerControlLine",
+    "PositionerGroup": "PositionerGroup",
     "ResetButton": "ResetButton",
     "ResumeButton": "ResumeButton",
     "RingProgressBar": "RingProgressBar",
     "SBBMonitor": "SBBMonitor",
     "ScanControl": "ScanControl",
+    "ScanProgressBar": "ScanProgressBar",
     "ScatterWaveform": "ScatterWaveform",
     "SignalComboBox": "SignalComboBox",
     "SignalLabel": "SignalLabel",
@@ -411,6 +414,13 @@ class BECDockArea(RPCBase):
             dict: The state of the dock area.
         """
 
+    @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.
+        """
+
     @rpc_call
     def restore_state(
         self, state: "dict" = None, missing: "Literal['ignore', 'error']" = "ignore", extra="bottom"
@@ -425,6 +435,14 @@ class BECDockArea(RPCBase):
         """
 
 
+class BECMainWindow(RPCBase):
+    @rpc_call
+    def remove(self):
+        """
+        Cleanup the BECConnector
+        """
+
+
 class BECProgressBar(RPCBase):
     """A custom progress bar with smooth transitions. The displayed text can be customized using a template."""
 
@@ -1415,6 +1433,13 @@ class Heatmap(RPCBase):
         Minimum decimal places for crosshair when dynamic precision is enabled.
         """
 
+    @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.
+        """
+
     @property
     @rpc_call
     def color_map(self) -> "str":
@@ -1953,6 +1978,13 @@ class Image(RPCBase):
         Minimum decimal places for crosshair when dynamic precision is enabled.
         """
 
+    @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.
+        """
+
     @property
     @rpc_call
     def color_map(self) -> "str":
@@ -2437,6 +2469,26 @@ class MonacoWidget(RPCBase):
         Get the current text from the Monaco editor.
         """
 
+    @rpc_call
+    def insert_text(self, text: str, line: int | None = None, column: int | None = None) -> None:
+        """
+        Insert text at the current cursor position or at a specified line and column.
+
+        Args:
+            text (str): The text to insert.
+            line (int, optional): The line number (1-based) to insert the text at. Defaults to None.
+            column (int, optional): The column number (1-based) to insert the text at. Defaults to None.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def delete_line(self, line: int | None = None) -> None:
+        """
+        Delete a line in the Monaco editor.
+
+        Args:
+            line (int, optional): The line number (1-based) to delete. If None, the current line will be deleted.
+        """
+
     @rpc_call
     def set_language(self, language: str) -> None:
         """
@@ -2510,6 +2562,34 @@ class MonacoWidget(RPCBase):
             enabled (bool): If True, the minimap will be enabled; otherwise, it will be disabled.
         """
 
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_vim_mode_enabled(self, enabled: bool) -> None:
+        """
+        Enable or disable Vim mode in the Monaco editor.
+
+        Args:
+            enabled (bool): If True, Vim mode will be enabled; otherwise, it will be disabled.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_lsp_header(self, header: str) -> None:
+        """
+        Set the LSP (Language Server Protocol) header for the Monaco editor.
+        The header is used to provide context for language servers but is not displayed in the editor.
+
+        Args:
+            header (str): The LSP header to set.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def get_lsp_header(self) -> str:
+        """
+        Get the current LSP header set in the Monaco editor.
+
+        Returns:
+            str: The LSP header.
+        """
+
 
 class MotorMap(RPCBase):
     """Motor map widget for plotting motor positions in 2D including a trace of the last points."""
@@ -2785,6 +2865,13 @@ class MotorMap(RPCBase):
         The font size of the legend font.
         """
 
+    @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.
+        """
+
     @property
     @rpc_call
     def color(self) -> "tuple":
@@ -3190,6 +3277,13 @@ class MultiWaveform(RPCBase):
         Minimum decimal places for crosshair when dynamic precision is enabled.
         """
 
+    @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.
+        """
+
     @property
     @rpc_call
     def highlighted_index(self):
@@ -3404,6 +3498,13 @@ class PositionerBox(RPCBase):
             positioner (Positioner | str) : Positioner to set, accepts str or the device
         """
 
+    @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 PositionerBox2D(RPCBase):
     """Simple Widget to control two positioners in box form"""
@@ -3426,6 +3527,13 @@ class PositionerBox2D(RPCBase):
             positioner (Positioner | str) : Positioner to set, accepts str or the device
         """
 
+    @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 PositionerControlLine(RPCBase):
     """A widget that controls a single device."""
@@ -3439,6 +3547,13 @@ class PositionerControlLine(RPCBase):
             positioner (Positioner | str) : Positioner to set, accepts str or the device
         """
 
+    @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 PositionerGroup(RPCBase):
     """Simple Widget to control a positioner in box form"""
@@ -3897,6 +4012,13 @@ class ScanControl(RPCBase):
         Cleanup the BECConnector
         """
 
+    @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 ScanProgressBar(RPCBase):
     """Widget to display a progress bar that is hooked up to the scan progress of a scan."""
@@ -4205,6 +4327,13 @@ class ScatterWaveform(RPCBase):
         Minimum decimal places for crosshair when dynamic precision is enabled.
         """
 
+    @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.
+        """
+
     @property
     @rpc_call
     def main_curve(self) -> "ScatterCurve":
@@ -4378,6 +4507,76 @@ class SignalLabel(RPCBase):
         Show the button to select the signal to display
         """
 
+    @property
+    @rpc_call
+    def show_hinted_signals(self) -> "bool":
+        """
+        In the signal selection menu, show hinted signals
+        """
+
+    @show_hinted_signals.setter
+    @rpc_call
+    def show_hinted_signals(self) -> "bool":
+        """
+        In the signal selection menu, show hinted signals
+        """
+
+    @property
+    @rpc_call
+    def show_normal_signals(self) -> "bool":
+        """
+        In the signal selection menu, show normal signals
+        """
+
+    @show_normal_signals.setter
+    @rpc_call
+    def show_normal_signals(self) -> "bool":
+        """
+        In the signal selection menu, show normal signals
+        """
+
+    @property
+    @rpc_call
+    def show_config_signals(self) -> "bool":
+        """
+        In the signal selection menu, show config signals
+        """
+
+    @show_config_signals.setter
+    @rpc_call
+    def show_config_signals(self) -> "bool":
+        """
+        In the signal selection menu, show config signals
+        """
+
+    @property
+    @rpc_call
+    def display_array_data(self) -> "bool":
+        """
+        Displays the full data from array signals if set to True.
+        """
+
+    @display_array_data.setter
+    @rpc_call
+    def display_array_data(self) -> "bool":
+        """
+        Displays the full data from array signals if set to True.
+        """
+
+    @property
+    @rpc_call
+    def max_list_display_len(self) -> "int":
+        """
+        For small lists, the max length to display
+        """
+
+    @max_list_display_len.setter
+    @rpc_call
+    def max_list_display_len(self) -> "int":
+        """
+        For small lists, the max length to display
+        """
+
 
 class SignalLineEdit(RPCBase):
     """Line edit widget for device input with autocomplete for device names."""
@@ -4453,14 +4652,6 @@ class TextBox(RPCBase):
         """
 
 
-class UILaunchWindow(RPCBase):
-    @rpc_call
-    def remove(self):
-        """
-        Cleanup the BECConnector
-        """
-
-
 class VSCodeEditor(RPCBase):
     """A widget to display the VSCode editor."""
 
@@ -4774,6 +4965,13 @@ class Waveform(RPCBase):
         Minimum decimal places for crosshair when dynamic precision is enabled.
         """
 
+    @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.
+        """
+
     @property
     @rpc_call
     def curves(self) -> "list[Curve]":

bec_widgets/cli/client_utils.py

@@ -14,18 +14,21 @@ from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Literal, TypeAlias, cast
 
 from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
-from bec_lib.utils.import_utils import lazy_import_from
+from bec_lib.utils.import_utils import lazy_import, lazy_import_from
 from rich.console import Console
 from rich.table import Table
 
-import bec_widgets.cli.client as client
 from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_base import RPCBase, RPCReference
 from bec_widgets.utils.serialization import register_serializer_extension
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
     from bec_lib.messages import GUIRegistryStateMessage
+
+    import bec_widgets.cli.client as client
 else:
     GUIRegistryStateMessage = lazy_import_from("bec_lib.messages", "GUIRegistryStateMessage")
+    client = lazy_import("bec_widgets.cli.client")
+
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
@@ -51,7 +54,7 @@ def _filter_output(output: str) -> str:
 
 
 def _get_output(process, logger) -> None:
-    log_func = {process.stdout: logger.debug, process.stderr: logger.error}
+    log_func = {process.stdout: logger.debug, process.stderr: logger.info}
     stream_buffer = {process.stdout: [], process.stderr: []}
     try:
         os.set_blocking(process.stdout.fileno(), False)
@@ -151,8 +154,10 @@ def wait_for_server(client: BECGuiClient):
             raise RuntimeError("GUI is not alive")
     try:
         if client._gui_started_event.wait(timeout=timeout):
-            client._gui_started_timer.cancel()
-            client._gui_started_timer.join()
+            if client._gui_started_timer is not None:
+                # cancel the timer, we are done
+                client._gui_started_timer.cancel()
+                client._gui_started_timer.join()
         else:
             raise TimeoutError("Could not connect to GUI server")
     finally:
@@ -261,13 +266,20 @@ class BECGuiClient(RPCBase):
 
     def start(self, wait: bool = False) -> None:
         """Start the GUI server."""
+        logger.warning("Using <gui>.start() is deprecated, use <gui>.show() instead.")
         return self._start(wait=wait)
 
-    def show(self):
-        """Show the GUI window."""
+    def show(self, wait=True) -> None:
+        """
+        Show the GUI window.
+        If the GUI server is not running, it will be started.
+
+        Args:
+            wait(bool): Whether to wait for the server to start. Defaults to True.
+        """
         if self._check_if_server_is_alive():
             return self._show_all()
-        return self.start(wait=True)
+        return self._start(wait=wait)
 
     def hide(self):
         """Hide the GUI window."""
@@ -382,6 +394,9 @@ class BECGuiClient(RPCBase):
         """
         Start the GUI server, and execute callback when it is launched
         """
+        if self._gui_is_alive():
+            self._gui_started_event.set()
+            return
         if self._process is None or self._process.poll() is not None:
             logger.success("GUI starting...")
             self._startup_timeout = 5
@@ -524,7 +539,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
         # Test the client_utils.py module
         gui = BECGuiClient()
 
-        gui.start(wait=True)
+        gui.show(wait=True)
         gui.new().new(widget="Waveform")
         time.sleep(10)
     finally:

bec_widgets/cli/generate_cli.py

@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 {base_imports}
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 
-from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_base import RPCBase, rpc_call
+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 ""}
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
@@ -180,7 +180,10 @@ class {class_name}(RPCBase):"""
                     f"Method {method} not found in class {cls.__name__}. "
                     f"Please check the USER_ACCESS list."
                 )
-
+            if hasattr(obj, "__rpc_timeout__"):
+                timeout = {"value": obj.__rpc_timeout__}
+            else:
+                timeout = {}
             if isinstance(obj, (property, QtProperty)):
                 # for the cli, we can map qt properties to regular properties
                 if is_property_setter:
@@ -205,14 +208,26 @@ class {class_name}(RPCBase):"""
     def {method}{str(sig_overload)}: ...
     """
 
-                self.content += """
-    @rpc_call"""
+                self.content += f"""
+    {self._rpc_call(timeout)}"""
             self.content += f"""
     def {method}{str(sig)}:
         \"\"\"
 {doc}
         \"\"\""""
 
+    def _rpc_call(self, timeout_info: dict[str, float | None]):
+        """
+        Decorator to mark a method as an RPC call.
+        This is used to generate the client code for the method.
+        """
+        if not timeout_info:
+            return "@rpc_call"
+        timeout = timeout_info.get("value", None)
+        return f"""
+    @rpc_timeout({timeout})
+    @rpc_call"""
+
     def write(self, file_name: str):
         """
         Write the content to a file, automatically formatted with black.

bec_widgets/cli/rpc/rpc_base.py

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ from functools import wraps
 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.utils.import_utils import lazy_import, lazy_import_from
 
@@ -24,6 +25,43 @@ else:
 # pylint: disable=protected-access
 
 
+def _name_arg(arg):
+    if isinstance(arg, DeviceBaseWithConfig):
+        # if dev.<device> is passed to GUI, it passes full_name
+        if hasattr(arg, "full_name"):
+            return arg.full_name
+    elif hasattr(arg, "name"):
+        return arg.name
+    return arg
+
+
+def _transform_args_kwargs(args, kwargs) -> tuple[tuple, dict]:
+    return tuple(_name_arg(arg) for arg in args), {k: _name_arg(v) for k, v in kwargs.items()}
+
+
+def rpc_timeout(timeout):
+    """
+    A decorator to set a timeout for an RPC call.
+
+    Args:
+        timeout: The timeout in seconds.
+
+    Returns:
+        The decorated function.
+    """
+
+    def decorator(func):
+        @wraps(func)
+        def wrapper(self, *args, **kwargs):
+            if "timeout" not in kwargs:
+                kwargs["timeout"] = timeout
+            return func(self, *args, **kwargs)
+
+        return wrapper
+
+    return decorator
+
+
 def rpc_call(func):
     """
     A decorator for calling a function on the server.
@@ -47,15 +85,7 @@ def rpc_call(func):
                 return None  # func(*args, **kwargs)
             caller_frame = caller_frame.f_back
 
-        out = []
-        for arg in args:
-            if hasattr(arg, "name"):
-                arg = arg.name
-            out.append(arg)
-        args = tuple(out)
-        for key, val in kwargs.items():
-            if hasattr(val, "name"):
-                kwargs[key] = val.name
+        args, kwargs = _transform_args_kwargs(args, kwargs)
         if not self._root._gui_is_alive():
             raise RuntimeError("GUI is not alive")
         return self._run_rpc(func.__name__, *args, **kwargs)

bec_widgets/utils/bec_connector.py

@@ -161,8 +161,6 @@ class BECConnector:
 
         # 2) Enforce unique objectName among siblings with the same BECConnector parent
         self.setParent(parent)
-        if isinstance(self.parent(), QObject) and hasattr(self, "cleanup"):
-            self.parent().destroyed.connect(self._run_cleanup_on_deleted_parent)
 
         # Error popups
         self.error_utility = ErrorPopupUtility()
@@ -186,24 +184,6 @@ class BECConnector:
         except:
             logger.error(f"Error getting parent_id for {self.__class__.__name__}")
 
-    def _run_cleanup_on_deleted_parent(self) -> None:
-        """
-        Run cleanup on the deleted parent.
-        This method is called when the parent is deleted.
-        """
-        if not hasattr(self, "cleanup"):
-            return
-        try:
-            if not self._destroyed:
-                self.cleanup()
-                self._destroyed = True
-        except Exception:
-            content = traceback.format_exc()
-            logger.info(
-                "Failed to run cleanup on deleted parent. "
-                f"This is not necessarily an error as the parent may be deleted before the child and includes already a cleanup. The following exception was raised:\n{content}"
-            )
-
     def change_object_name(self, name: str) -> None:
         """
         Change the object name of the widget. Unregister old name and register the new one.

bec_widgets/utils/bec_plugin_helper.py

@@ -38,9 +38,11 @@ def _loaded_submodules_from_specs(
         try:
             submodule.__loader__.exec_module(submodule)
         except Exception as e:
-            logger.error(
-                f"Error loading plugin {submodule}: \n{''.join(traceback.format_exception(e))}"
-            )
+            exception_text = "".join(traceback.format_exception(e))
+            if "(most likely due to a circular import)" in exception_text:
+                logger.warning(f"Circular import encountered while loading {submodule}")
+            else:
+                logger.error(f"Error loading plugin {submodule}: \n{exception_text}")
         yield submodule
 
 
@@ -59,7 +61,8 @@ def _get_widgets_from_module(module: ModuleType) -> BECClassContainer:
         module,
         predicate=lambda item: inspect.isclass(item)
         and issubclass(item, BECWidget)
-        and item is not BECWidget,
+        and item is not BECWidget
+        and not item.__module__.startswith("bec_widgets"),
     )
     return BECClassContainer(
         BECClassInfo(name=k, module=module.__name__, file=module.__loader__.get_filename(), obj=v)

bec_widgets/utils/bec_plugin_manager/create/widget.py

@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+import traceback
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Annotated
+
+import copier
+import typer
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from bec_lib.plugin_helper import plugin_repo_path
+from bec_lib.utils.plugin_manager._constants import ANSWER_KEYS
+from bec_lib.utils.plugin_manager._util import existing_data, git_stage_files, make_commit
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_plugin_manager.edit_ui import open_and_watch_ui_editor
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+_app = typer.Typer(rich_markup_mode="rich")
+
+
+def _commit_added_widget(repo: Path, name: str):
+    git_stage_files(repo, [".copier-answers.yml"])
+    git_stage_files(repo / repo.name / "bec_widgets" / "widgets" / name, [])
+    make_commit(repo, f"plugin-manager added new widget: {name}")
+    logger.info(f"Committing new widget {name}")
+
+
+def _widget_exists(widget_list: list[dict[str, str | bool]], name: str):
+    return name in [w["name"] for w in widget_list]
+
+
+def _editor_cb(ctx: typer.Context, value: bool):
+    if value and not ctx.params["use_ui"]:
+        raise typer.BadParameter("Can only open the editor if creating a .ui file!")
+    return value
+
+
+_bold_blue = "\033[34m\033[1m"
+_off = "\033[0m"
+_USE_UI_MSG = "Generate a .ui file for use in bec-designer."
+_OPEN_DESIGNER_MSG = f"""This app can watch for changes and recompile them to a python file imported to the widget whenever it is saved.
+To open this editor independently, you can use {_bold_blue}bec-plugin-manager edit-ui [widget_name]{_off}.
+Open the created widget .ui file in bec-designer now?"""
+
+
+@_app.command()
+def widget(
+    name: Annotated[str, typer.Argument(help="Enter a name for your widget in snake_case")],
+    use_ui: Annotated[bool, typer.Option(prompt=_USE_UI_MSG, help=_USE_UI_MSG)] = True,
+    open_editor: Annotated[
+        bool, typer.Option(prompt=_OPEN_DESIGNER_MSG, help=_OPEN_DESIGNER_MSG, callback=_editor_cb)
+    ] = True,
+):
+    """Create a new widget plugin with the given name.
+
+If [bold white]use_ui[/bold white] is set, a bec-designer .ui file will also be created. If \
+[bold white]open_editor[/bold white] is additionally set, the .ui file will be opened in \
+bec-designer and the compiled python version will be updated when changes are made and saved."""
+    if (formatted_name := name.lower().replace("-", "_")) != name:
+        logger.warning(f"Adjusting widget name from {name} to {formatted_name}")
+    if not formatted_name.isidentifier():
+        logger.error(
+            f"{name} is not a valid name for a widget (even after converting to {formatted_name}) - please enter something in snake_case"
+        )
+        exit(-1)
+    logger.info(f"Adding new widget {formatted_name} to the template...")
+    try:
+        repo = Path(plugin_repo_path())
+        plugin_data = existing_data(repo, [ANSWER_KEYS.VERSION, ANSWER_KEYS.WIDGETS])
+        if _widget_exists(plugin_data[ANSWER_KEYS.WIDGETS], formatted_name):
+            logger.error(f"Widget {formatted_name} already exists!")
+            exit(-1)
+        plugin_data[ANSWER_KEYS.WIDGETS].append({"name": formatted_name, "use_ui": use_ui})
+        copier.run_update(
+            repo,
+            data=plugin_data,
+            defaults=True,
+            unsafe=True,
+            overwrite=True,
+            vcs_ref=plugin_data[ANSWER_KEYS.VERSION],
+        )
+        _commit_added_widget(repo, formatted_name)
+    except Exception:
+        logger.error(traceback.format_exc())
+        logger.error("exiting...")
+        exit(-1)
+    logger.success(f"Added widget {formatted_name}!")
+    if open_editor:
+        open_and_watch_ui_editor(formatted_name)

bec_widgets/utils/bec_plugin_manager/edit_ui.py

@@ -0,0 +1,136 @@
+import re
+import subprocess
+from pathlib import Path
+
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from bec_lib.plugin_helper import plugin_package_name, plugin_repo_path
+from watchdog.events import (
+    DirCreatedEvent,
+    DirModifiedEvent,
+    DirMovedEvent,
+    FileCreatedEvent,
+    FileModifiedEvent,
+    FileMovedEvent,
+    FileSystemEvent,
+    FileSystemEventHandler,
+)
+from watchdog.observers import Observer
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import open_designer
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_plugin_helper import get_all_plugin_widgets
+from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import get_custom_classes
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
+
+class RecompileHandler(FileSystemEventHandler):
+    def __init__(self, in_file: Path, out_file: Path) -> None:
+        super().__init__()
+        self.in_file = str(in_file)
+        self.out_file = str(out_file)
+        self._pyside_import_re = re.compile(r"from PySide6\.(.*) import ")
+        self._widget_import_re = re.compile(
+            r"^from ([a-zA-Z_]*) import ([a-zA-Z_]*)$", re.MULTILINE
+        )
+        self._widget_modules = {
+            c.name: c.module for c in (get_custom_classes("bec_widgets") + get_all_plugin_widgets())
+        }
+
+    def on_created(self, event: DirCreatedEvent | FileCreatedEvent) -> None:
+        self.recompile(event)
+
+    def on_modified(self, event: DirModifiedEvent | FileModifiedEvent) -> None:
+        self.recompile(event)
+
+    def on_moved(self, event: DirMovedEvent | FileMovedEvent) -> None:
+        self.recompile(event)
+
+    def recompile(self, event: FileSystemEvent) -> None:
+        if event.src_path == self.in_file or event.dest_path == self.in_file:
+            self._recompile()
+
+    def _recompile(self):
+        logger.success(".ui file modified, recompiling...")
+        code = subprocess.call(
+            ["pyside6-uic", "--absolute-imports", self.in_file, "-o", self.out_file]
+        )
+        logger.success(f"compilation exited with code {code}")
+        if code != 0:
+            return
+        self._add_comment_to_file()
+        logger.success("updating imports...")
+        self._update_imports()
+        logger.success("formatting...")
+        code = subprocess.call(
+            ["black", "--line-length=100", "--skip-magic-trailing-comma", self.out_file]
+        )
+        if code != 0:
+            logger.error(f"Error while running black on {self.out_file}, code: {code}")
+            return
+        code = subprocess.call(
+            [
+                "isort",
+                "--line-length=100",
+                "--profile=black",
+                "--multi-line=3",
+                "--trailing-comma",
+                self.out_file,
+            ]
+        )
+        if code != 0:
+            logger.error(f"Error while running isort on {self.out_file}, code: {code}")
+            return
+        logger.success("done!")
+
+    def _add_comment_to_file(self):
+        with open(self.out_file, "r+") as f:
+            initial = f.read()
+            f.seek(0)
+            f.write(f"# Generated from {self.in_file} by bec-plugin-manager - do not edit! \n")
+            f.write(
+                "# Use 'bec-plugin-manager edit-ui [widget_name]' to make changes, and this file will be updated accordingly. \n\n"
+            )
+            f.write(initial)
+
+    def _update_imports(self):
+        with open(self.out_file, "r+") as f:
+            initial = f.read()
+            f.seek(0)
+            qtpy_imports = re.sub(
+                self._pyside_import_re, lambda ob: f"from qtpy.{ob.group(1)} import ", initial
+            )
+            print(self._widget_modules)
+            print(re.findall(self._widget_import_re, qtpy_imports))
+            widget_imports = re.sub(
+                self._widget_import_re,
+                lambda ob: (
+                    f"from {module} import {ob.group(2)}"
+                    if (module := self._widget_modules.get(ob.group(2))) is not None
+                    else ob.group(1)
+                ),
+                qtpy_imports,
+            )
+            f.write(widget_imports)
+            f.truncate()
+
+
+def open_and_watch_ui_editor(widget_name: str):
+    logger.info(f"Opening the editor for {widget_name}, and watching")
+    repo = Path(plugin_repo_path())
+    widget_dir = repo / plugin_package_name() / "bec_widgets" / "widgets" / widget_name
+    ui_file = widget_dir / f"{widget_name}.ui"
+    ui_outfile = widget_dir / f"{widget_name}_ui.py"
+
+    logger.info(
+        f"Opening the editor for {widget_name}, and watching {ui_file} for changes. Whenever you save the file, it will be recompiled to {ui_outfile}"
+    )
+    recompile_handler = RecompileHandler(ui_file, ui_outfile)
+    observer = Observer()
+    observer.schedule(recompile_handler, str(ui_file.parent))
+    observer.start()
+    try:
+        open_designer([str(ui_file)])
+    finally:
+        observer.stop()
+        observer.join()
+    logger.info("Editing session ended, exiting...")

bec_widgets/utils/bec_widget.py

@@ -1,15 +1,19 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+from datetime import datetime
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 import darkdetect
+import shiboken6
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
-from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, Slot
-from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
+from qtpy.QtCore import QObject
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QFileDialog, QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_register import RPCRegister
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector, ConnectionConfig
 from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.utils.rpc_decorator import rpc_timeout
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
     from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock import BECDock
@@ -87,7 +91,7 @@ class BECWidget(BECConnector):
                 theme = "dark"
         self.apply_theme(theme)
 
-    @Slot(str)
+    @SafeSlot(str)
     def apply_theme(self, theme: str):
         """
         Apply the theme to the widget.
@@ -96,12 +100,43 @@ class BECWidget(BECConnector):
             theme(str, optional): The theme to be applied.
         """
 
+    @SafeSlot()
+    @SafeSlot(str)
+    @rpc_timeout(None)
+    def screenshot(self, file_name: str | None = None):
+        """
+        Take a screenshot of the dock area and save it to a file.
+        """
+        if not isinstance(self, QWidget):
+            logger.error("Cannot take screenshot of non-QWidget instance")
+            return
+
+        screenshot = self.grab()
+        if file_name is None:
+            file_name, _ = QFileDialog.getSaveFileName(
+                self,
+                "Save Screenshot",
+                f"bec_{datetime.now().strftime('%Y%m%d_%H%M%S')}.png",
+                "PNG Files (*.png);;JPEG Files (*.jpg *.jpeg);;All Files (*)",
+            )
+        if not file_name:
+            return
+        screenshot.save(file_name)
+        logger.info(f"Screenshot saved to {file_name}")
+
     def cleanup(self):
         """Cleanup the widget."""
         with RPCRegister.delayed_broadcast():
             # 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()
 
     def closeEvent(self, event):
         """Wrap the close even to ensure the rpc_register is cleaned up."""

bec_widgets/utils/compact_popup.py

@@ -259,12 +259,3 @@ class CompactPopupWidget(QWidget):
     @expand_popup.setter
     def expand_popup(self, popup: bool):
         self._expand_popup = popup
-
-    def closeEvent(self, event):
-        # Called by Qt, on closing - since the children widgets can be
-        # BECWidgets, it is good to explicitely call 'close' on them,
-        # to ensure proper resources cleanup
-        for child in self.container.findChildren(QWidget, options=Qt.FindDirectChildrenOnly):
-            child.close()
-
-        super().closeEvent(event)

bec_widgets/utils/entry_validator.py

@@ -28,6 +28,10 @@ class EntryValidator:
         if not available_entries:
             available_entries = [name]
 
+        # edge case for if name is passed instead of full_name, should not happen
+        if entry in signals_dict:
+            entry = signals_dict[entry].get("obj_name", entry)
+
         if entry is None or entry == "":
             entry = next(iter(device._hints), name) if hasattr(device, "_hints") else name
         if entry not in available_entries:

bec_widgets/utils/generate_designer_plugin.py

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ from qtpy.QtCore import QObject
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.name_utils import pascal_to_snake
 
-EXCLUDED_PLUGINS = ["BECConnector", "BECDockArea", "BECDock", "BECFigure"]
+EXCLUDED_PLUGINS = ["BECConnector", "BECDock"]
 _PARENT_ARG_REGEX = r".__init__\(\s*(?:parent\)|parent=parent,?|parent,?)"
 _SELF_PARENT_ARG_REGEX = r".__init__\(\s*self,\s*(?:parent\)|parent=parent,?|parent,?)"
 SUPER_INIT_REGEX = re.compile(r"super\(\)" + _PARENT_ARG_REGEX, re.MULTILINE)

bec_widgets/utils/plugin_templates/plugin.template

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 {widget_import}
@@ -20,6 +21,8 @@ class {plugin_name_pascal}Plugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+           return QWidget()
         t = {plugin_name_pascal}(parent)
         return t
 

bec_widgets/utils/plugin_utils.py

@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ def get_custom_classes(repo_name: str) -> BECClassContainer:
                     class_info = BECClassInfo(name=name, module=module.__name__, file=path, obj=obj)
                     if issubclass(obj, BECConnector):
                         class_info.is_connector = True
-                    if issubclass(obj, BECWidget):
+                    if issubclass(obj, QWidget) or issubclass(obj, BECWidget):
                         class_info.is_widget = True
                     if len(subs) == 1 and (
                         issubclass(obj, QWidget) or issubclass(obj, QGraphicsWidget)

bec_widgets/utils/property_editor.py

@@ -0,0 +1,694 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from qtpy.QtCore import QLocale, QMetaEnum, Qt, QTimer
+from qtpy.QtGui import QColor, QCursor, QFont, QIcon, QPalette
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
+    QCheckBox,
+    QColorDialog,
+    QComboBox,
+    QDoubleSpinBox,
+    QFileDialog,
+    QFontDialog,
+    QHBoxLayout,
+    QHeaderView,
+    QLabel,
+    QLineEdit,
+    QMenu,
+    QPushButton,
+    QSizePolicy,
+    QSpinBox,
+    QToolButton,
+    QTreeWidget,
+    QTreeWidgetItem,
+    QVBoxLayout,
+    QWidget,
+)
+
+
+class PropertyEditor(QWidget):
+    def __init__(self, target: QWidget, parent: QWidget | None = None, show_only_bec: bool = True):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self._target = target
+        self._bec_only = show_only_bec
+
+        layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
+        layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+
+        # Name row
+        name_row = QHBoxLayout()
+        name_row.addWidget(QLabel("Name:"))
+        self.name_edit = QLineEdit(target.objectName())
+        self.name_edit.setEnabled(False)  # TODO implement with RPC broadcast
+        name_row.addWidget(self.name_edit)
+        layout.addLayout(name_row)
+
+        # BEC only checkbox
+        filter_row = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.chk_show_qt = QCheckBox("Show Qt properties")
+        self.chk_show_qt.setChecked(False)
+        filter_row.addWidget(self.chk_show_qt)
+        filter_row.addStretch(1)
+        layout.addLayout(filter_row)
+        self.chk_show_qt.toggled.connect(lambda checked: self.set_show_only_bec(not checked))
+
+        # Main tree widget
+        self.tree = QTreeWidget(self)
+        self.tree.setColumnCount(2)
+        self.tree.setHeaderLabels(["Property", "Value"])
+        self.tree.setAlternatingRowColors(True)
+        self.tree.setRootIsDecorated(False)
+        layout.addWidget(self.tree)
+        self._build()
+
+    def _class_chain(self):
+        chain = []
+        mo = self._target.metaObject()
+        while mo is not None:
+            chain.append(mo)
+            mo = mo.superClass()
+        return chain
+
+    def set_show_only_bec(self, flag: bool):
+        self._bec_only = flag
+        self._build()
+
+    def _set_equal_columns(self):
+        header = self.tree.header()
+        header.setSectionResizeMode(0, QHeaderView.Interactive)
+        header.setSectionResizeMode(1, QHeaderView.Interactive)
+        w = self.tree.viewport().width() or self.tree.width()
+        if w > 0:
+            half = max(1, w // 2)
+            self.tree.setColumnWidth(0, half)
+            self.tree.setColumnWidth(1, w - half)
+
+    def _build(self):
+        self.tree.clear()
+        for mo in self._class_chain():
+            class_name = mo.className()
+            if self._bec_only and not self._is_bec_metaobject(mo):
+                continue
+            group_item = QTreeWidgetItem(self.tree, [class_name])
+            group_item.setFirstColumnSpanned(True)
+            start = mo.propertyOffset()
+            end = mo.propertyCount()
+            for i in range(start, end):
+                prop = mo.property(i)
+                if (
+                    not prop.isReadable()
+                    or not prop.isWritable()
+                    or not prop.isStored()
+                    or not prop.isDesignable()
+                ):
+                    continue
+                name = prop.name()
+                if name == "objectName":
+                    continue
+                value = self._target.property(name)
+                self._add_property_row(group_item, name, value, prop)
+            if group_item.childCount() == 0:
+                idx = self.tree.indexOfTopLevelItem(group_item)
+                self.tree.takeTopLevelItem(idx)
+        self.tree.expandAll()
+        QTimer.singleShot(0, self._set_equal_columns)
+
+    def _enum_int(self, obj) -> int:
+        return int(getattr(obj, "value", obj))
+
+    def _make_sizepolicy_editor(self, name: str, sp):
+        if not isinstance(sp, QSizePolicy):
+            return None
+        wrap = QWidget(self)
+        row = QHBoxLayout(wrap)
+        row.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        row.setSpacing(4)
+        h_combo = QComboBox(wrap)
+        v_combo = QComboBox(wrap)
+        hs = QSpinBox(wrap)
+        vs = QSpinBox(wrap)
+        for b in (hs, vs):
+            b.setRange(0, 16777215)
+        policies = [
+            (QSizePolicy.Fixed, "Fixed"),
+            (QSizePolicy.Minimum, "Minimum"),
+            (QSizePolicy.Maximum, "Maximum"),
+            (QSizePolicy.Preferred, "Preferred"),
+            (QSizePolicy.Expanding, "Expanding"),
+            (QSizePolicy.MinimumExpanding, "MinExpanding"),
+            (QSizePolicy.Ignored, "Ignored"),
+        ]
+        for pol, text in policies:
+            h_combo.addItem(text, self._enum_int(pol))
+            v_combo.addItem(text, self._enum_int(pol))
+
+        def _set_current(combo, val):
+            idx = combo.findData(self._enum_int(val))
+            if idx >= 0:
+                combo.setCurrentIndex(idx)
+
+        _set_current(h_combo, sp.horizontalPolicy())
+        _set_current(v_combo, sp.verticalPolicy())
+        hs.setValue(sp.horizontalStretch())
+        vs.setValue(sp.verticalStretch())
+
+        def apply_changes():
+            hp = QSizePolicy.Policy(h_combo.currentData())
+            vp = QSizePolicy.Policy(v_combo.currentData())
+            nsp = QSizePolicy(hp, vp)
+            nsp.setHorizontalStretch(hs.value())
+            nsp.setVerticalStretch(vs.value())
+            self._target.setProperty(name, nsp)
+
+        h_combo.currentIndexChanged.connect(lambda _=None: apply_changes())
+        v_combo.currentIndexChanged.connect(lambda _=None: apply_changes())
+        hs.valueChanged.connect(lambda _=None: apply_changes())
+        vs.valueChanged.connect(lambda _=None: apply_changes())
+        row.addWidget(h_combo)
+        row.addWidget(v_combo)
+        row.addWidget(hs)
+        row.addWidget(vs)
+        return wrap
+
+    def _make_locale_editor(self, name: str, loc):
+        if not isinstance(loc, QLocale):
+            return None
+        wrap = QWidget(self)
+        row = QHBoxLayout(wrap)
+        row.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        row.setSpacing(4)
+        lang_combo = QComboBox(wrap)
+        country_combo = QComboBox(wrap)
+        for lang in QLocale.Language:
+            try:
+                lang_int = self._enum_int(lang)
+            except Exception:
+                continue
+            if lang_int < 0:
+                continue
+            name_txt = QLocale.languageToString(QLocale.Language(lang_int))
+            lang_combo.addItem(name_txt, lang_int)
+
+        def populate_countries():
+            country_combo.blockSignals(True)
+            country_combo.clear()
+            for terr in QLocale.Country:
+                try:
+                    terr_int = self._enum_int(terr)
+                except Exception:
+                    continue
+                if terr_int < 0:
+                    continue
+                text = QLocale.countryToString(QLocale.Country(terr_int))
+                country_combo.addItem(text, terr_int)
+            cur_country = self._enum_int(loc.country())
+            idx = country_combo.findData(cur_country)
+            if idx >= 0:
+                country_combo.setCurrentIndex(idx)
+            country_combo.blockSignals(False)
+
+        cur_lang = self._enum_int(loc.language())
+        idx = lang_combo.findData(cur_lang)
+        if idx >= 0:
+            lang_combo.setCurrentIndex(idx)
+        populate_countries()
+
+        def apply_locale():
+            lang = QLocale.Language(int(lang_combo.currentData()))
+            country = QLocale.Country(int(country_combo.currentData()))
+            self._target.setProperty(name, QLocale(lang, country))
+
+        lang_combo.currentIndexChanged.connect(lambda _=None: populate_countries())
+        lang_combo.currentIndexChanged.connect(lambda _=None: apply_locale())
+        country_combo.currentIndexChanged.connect(lambda _=None: apply_locale())
+        row.addWidget(lang_combo)
+        row.addWidget(country_combo)
+        return wrap
+
+    def _make_icon_editor(self, name: str, icon):
+        btn = QPushButton(self)
+        btn.setText("Choose…")
+        if isinstance(icon, QIcon) and not icon.isNull():
+            btn.setIcon(icon)
+
+        def pick():
+            path, _ = QFileDialog.getOpenFileName(
+                self, "Select Icon", "", "Images (*.png *.jpg *.jpeg *.bmp *.svg)"
+            )
+            if path:
+                ic = QIcon(path)
+                self._target.setProperty(name, ic)
+                btn.setIcon(ic)
+
+        btn.clicked.connect(pick)
+        return btn
+
+    def _spin_pair(self, ints: bool = True):
+        box1 = QSpinBox(self) if ints else QDoubleSpinBox(self)
+        box2 = QSpinBox(self) if ints else QDoubleSpinBox(self)
+        if ints:
+            box1.setRange(-10_000_000, 10_000_000)
+            box2.setRange(-10_000_000, 10_000_000)
+        else:
+            for b in (box1, box2):
+                b.setDecimals(6)
+                b.setRange(-1e12, 1e12)
+                b.setSingleStep(0.1)
+        row = QHBoxLayout()
+        row.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        row.setSpacing(4)
+        wrap = QWidget(self)
+        wrap.setLayout(row)
+        row.addWidget(box1)
+        row.addWidget(box2)
+        return wrap, box1, box2
+
+    def _spin_quad(self, ints: bool = True):
+        s = QSpinBox if ints else QDoubleSpinBox
+        boxes = [s(self) for _ in range(4)]
+        if ints:
+            for b in boxes:
+                b.setRange(-10_000_000, 10_000_000)
+        else:
+            for b in boxes:
+                b.setDecimals(6)
+                b.setRange(-1e12, 1e12)
+                b.setSingleStep(0.1)
+        row = QHBoxLayout()
+        row.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        row.setSpacing(4)
+        wrap = QWidget(self)
+        wrap.setLayout(row)
+        for b in boxes:
+            row.addWidget(b)
+        return wrap, boxes
+
+    def _make_font_editor(self, name: str, value):
+        btn = QPushButton(self)
+        if isinstance(value, QFont):
+            btn.setText(f"{value.family()}, {value.pointSize()}pt")
+        else:
+            btn.setText("Select font…")
+
+        def pick():
+            ok, font = QFontDialog.getFont(
+                value if isinstance(value, QFont) else QFont(), self, "Select Font"
+            )
+            if ok:
+                self._target.setProperty(name, font)
+                btn.setText(f"{font.family()}, {font.pointSize()}pt")
+
+        btn.clicked.connect(pick)
+        return btn
+
+    def _make_color_editor(self, initial: QColor, apply_cb):
+        btn = QPushButton(self)
+        if isinstance(initial, QColor):
+            btn.setText(initial.name())
+            btn.setStyleSheet(f"background:{initial.name()};")
+        else:
+            btn.setText("Select color…")
+
+        def pick():
+            col = QColorDialog.getColor(
+                initial if isinstance(initial, QColor) else QColor(), self, "Select Color"
+            )
+            if col.isValid():
+                apply_cb(col)
+                btn.setText(col.name())
+                btn.setStyleSheet(f"background:{col.name()};")
+
+        btn.clicked.connect(pick)
+        return btn
+
+    def _apply_palette_color(
+        self,
+        name: str,
+        pal: QPalette,
+        group: QPalette.ColorGroup,
+        role: QPalette.ColorRole,
+        col: QColor,
+    ):
+        pal.setColor(group, role, col)
+        self._target.setProperty(name, pal)
+
+    def _make_palette_editor(self, name: str, pal: QPalette):
+        if not isinstance(pal, QPalette):
+            return None
+        wrap = QWidget(self)
+        row = QHBoxLayout(wrap)
+        row.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        group_combo = QComboBox(wrap)
+        role_combo = QComboBox(wrap)
+        pick_btn = self._make_color_editor(
+            pal.color(QPalette.Active, QPalette.WindowText),
+            lambda col: self._apply_palette_color(
+                name, pal, QPalette.Active, QPalette.WindowText, col
+            ),
+        )
+        groups = [
+            (QPalette.Active, "Active"),
+            (QPalette.Inactive, "Inactive"),
+            (QPalette.Disabled, "Disabled"),
+        ]
+        for g, label in groups:
+            group_combo.addItem(label, int(getattr(g, "value", g)))
+        roles = [
+            (QPalette.WindowText, "WindowText"),
+            (QPalette.Window, "Window"),
+            (QPalette.Base, "Base"),
+            (QPalette.AlternateBase, "AlternateBase"),
+            (QPalette.ToolTipBase, "ToolTipBase"),
+            (QPalette.ToolTipText, "ToolTipText"),
+            (QPalette.Text, "Text"),
+            (QPalette.Button, "Button"),
+            (QPalette.ButtonText, "ButtonText"),
+            (QPalette.BrightText, "BrightText"),
+            (QPalette.Highlight, "Highlight"),
+            (QPalette.HighlightedText, "HighlightedText"),
+        ]
+        for r, label in roles:
+            role_combo.addItem(label, int(getattr(r, "value", r)))
+
+        def rewire_button():
+            g = QPalette.ColorGroup(int(group_combo.currentData()))
+            r = QPalette.ColorRole(int(role_combo.currentData()))
+            col = pal.color(g, r)
+            while row.count() > 2:
+                w = row.takeAt(2).widget()
+                if w:
+                    w.deleteLater()
+            btn = self._make_color_editor(
+                col, lambda c: self._apply_palette_color(name, pal, g, r, c)
+            )
+            row.addWidget(btn)
+
+        group_combo.currentIndexChanged.connect(lambda _: rewire_button())
+        role_combo.currentIndexChanged.connect(lambda _: rewire_button())
+        row.addWidget(group_combo)
+        row.addWidget(role_combo)
+        row.addWidget(pick_btn)
+        return wrap
+
+    def _make_cursor_editor(self, name: str, value):
+        combo = QComboBox(self)
+        shapes = [
+            (Qt.ArrowCursor, "Arrow"),
+            (Qt.IBeamCursor, "IBeam"),
+            (Qt.WaitCursor, "Wait"),
+            (Qt.CrossCursor, "Cross"),
+            (Qt.UpArrowCursor, "UpArrow"),
+            (Qt.SizeAllCursor, "SizeAll"),
+            (Qt.PointingHandCursor, "PointingHand"),
+            (Qt.ForbiddenCursor, "Forbidden"),
+            (Qt.WhatsThisCursor, "WhatsThis"),
+            (Qt.BusyCursor, "Busy"),
+        ]
+        current_shape = None
+        if isinstance(value, QCursor):
+            try:
+                enum_val = value.shape()
+                current_shape = int(getattr(enum_val, "value", enum_val))
+            except Exception:
+                current_shape = None
+        for shape, text in shapes:
+            combo.addItem(text, int(getattr(shape, "value", shape)))
+        if current_shape is not None:
+            idx = combo.findData(current_shape)
+            if idx >= 0:
+                combo.setCurrentIndex(idx)
+
+        def apply_index(i):
+            shape_val = int(combo.itemData(i))
+            self._target.setProperty(name, QCursor(Qt.CursorShape(shape_val)))
+
+        combo.currentIndexChanged.connect(apply_index)
+        return combo
+
+    def _add_property_row(self, parent: QTreeWidgetItem, name: str, value, prop):
+        item = QTreeWidgetItem(parent, [name, ""])
+        editor = self._make_editor(name, value, prop)
+        if editor is not None:
+            self.tree.setItemWidget(item, 1, editor)
+        else:
+            item.setText(1, repr(value))
+
+    def _is_bec_metaobject(self, mo) -> bool:
+        cname = mo.className()
+        for cls in type(self._target).mro():
+            if getattr(cls, "__name__", None) == cname:
+                mod = getattr(cls, "__module__", "")
+                return mod.startswith("bec_widgets")
+        return False
+
+    def _enum_text(self, meta_enum: QMetaEnum, value_int: int) -> str:
+        if not meta_enum.isFlag():
+            key = meta_enum.valueToKey(value_int)
+            return key.decode() if isinstance(key, (bytes, bytearray)) else (key or str(value_int))
+        parts = []
+        for i in range(meta_enum.keyCount()):
+            k = meta_enum.key(i)
+            v = meta_enum.value(i)
+            if value_int & v:
+                k = k.decode() if isinstance(k, (bytes, bytearray)) else k
+                parts.append(k)
+        return " | ".join(parts) if parts else "0"
+
+    def _enum_value_to_int(self, meta_enum: QMetaEnum, value) -> int:
+        try:
+            return int(value)
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+        v = getattr(value, "value", None)
+        if isinstance(v, (int,)):
+            return int(v)
+        n = getattr(value, "name", None)
+        if isinstance(n, str):
+            res = meta_enum.keyToValue(n)
+            if res != -1:
+                return int(res)
+        s = str(value)
+        parts = [p.strip() for p in s.replace(",", "|").split("|")]
+        keys = []
+        for p in parts:
+            if "." in p:
+                p = p.split(".")[-1]
+            keys.append(p)
+        keystr = "|".join(keys)
+        try:
+            res = meta_enum.keysToValue(keystr)
+            if res != -1:
+                return int(res)
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+        return 0
+
+    def _make_enum_editor(self, name: str, value, prop):
+        meta_enum = prop.enumerator()
+        current = self._enum_value_to_int(meta_enum, value)
+
+        if not meta_enum.isFlag():
+            combo = QComboBox(self)
+            for i in range(meta_enum.keyCount()):
+                key = meta_enum.key(i)
+                key = key.decode() if isinstance(key, (bytes, bytearray)) else key
+                combo.addItem(key, meta_enum.value(i))
+            idx = combo.findData(current)
+            if idx < 0:
+                txt = self._enum_text(meta_enum, current)
+                idx = combo.findText(txt)
+            combo.setCurrentIndex(max(idx, 0))
+
+            def apply_index(i):
+                v = combo.itemData(i)
+                self._target.setProperty(name, int(v))
+
+            combo.currentIndexChanged.connect(apply_index)
+            return combo
+
+        btn = QToolButton(self)
+        btn.setText(self._enum_text(meta_enum, current))
+        btn.setPopupMode(QToolButton.InstantPopup)
+        menu = QMenu(btn)
+        actions = []
+        for i in range(meta_enum.keyCount()):
+            key = meta_enum.key(i)
+            key = key.decode() if isinstance(key, (bytes, bytearray)) else key
+            act = menu.addAction(key)
+            act.setCheckable(True)
+            act.setChecked(bool(current & meta_enum.value(i)))
+            actions.append(act)
+        btn.setMenu(menu)
+
+        def apply_flags():
+            flags = 0
+            for i, act in enumerate(actions):
+                if act.isChecked():
+                    flags |= meta_enum.value(i)
+            self._target.setProperty(name, int(flags))
+            btn.setText(self._enum_text(meta_enum, flags))
+
+        menu.triggered.connect(lambda _a: apply_flags())
+        return btn
+
+    def _make_editor(self, name: str, value, prop):
+        from qtpy.QtCore import QPoint, QPointF, QRect, QRectF, QSize, QSizeF
+
+        if prop.isEnumType():
+            return self._make_enum_editor(name, value, prop)
+        if isinstance(value, QColor):
+            return self._make_color_editor(value, lambda col: self._target.setProperty(name, col))
+        if isinstance(value, QFont):
+            return self._make_font_editor(name, value)
+        if isinstance(value, QPalette):
+            return self._make_palette_editor(name, value)
+        if isinstance(value, QCursor):
+            return self._make_cursor_editor(name, value)
+        if isinstance(value, QSizePolicy):
+            ed = self._make_sizepolicy_editor(name, value)
+            if ed is not None:
+                return ed
+        if isinstance(value, QLocale):
+            ed = self._make_locale_editor(name, value)
+            if ed is not None:
+                return ed
+        if isinstance(value, QIcon):
+            ed = self._make_icon_editor(name, value)
+            if ed is not None:
+                return ed
+        if isinstance(value, QSize):
+            wrap, w, h = self._spin_pair(ints=True)
+            w.setValue(value.width())
+            h.setValue(value.height())
+            w.valueChanged.connect(
+                lambda _: self._target.setProperty(name, QSize(w.value(), h.value()))
+            )
+            h.valueChanged.connect(
+                lambda _: self._target.setProperty(name, QSize(w.value(), h.value()))
+            )
+            return wrap
+        if isinstance(value, QSizeF):
+            wrap, w, h = self._spin_pair(ints=False)
+            w.setValue(value.width())
+            h.setValue(value.height())
+            w.valueChanged.connect(
+                lambda _: self._target.setProperty(name, QSizeF(w.value(), h.value()))
+            )
+            h.valueChanged.connect(
+                lambda _: self._target.setProperty(name, QSizeF(w.value(), h.value()))
+            )
+            return wrap
+        if isinstance(value, QPoint):
+            wrap, x, y = self._spin_pair(ints=True)
+            x.setValue(value.x())
+            y.setValue(value.y())
+            x.valueChanged.connect(
+                lambda _: self._target.setProperty(name, QPoint(x.value(), y.value()))
+            )
+            y.valueChanged.connect(
+                lambda _: self._target.setProperty(name, QPoint(x.value(), y.value()))
+            )
+            return wrap
+        if isinstance(value, QPointF):
+            wrap, x, y = self._spin_pair(ints=False)
+            x.setValue(value.x())
+            y.setValue(value.y())
+            x.valueChanged.connect(
+                lambda _: self._target.setProperty(name, QPointF(x.value(), y.value()))
+            )
+            y.valueChanged.connect(
+                lambda _: self._target.setProperty(name, QPointF(x.value(), y.value()))
+            )
+            return wrap
+        if isinstance(value, QRect):
+            wrap, boxes = self._spin_quad(ints=True)
+            for b, v in zip(boxes, (value.x(), value.y(), value.width(), value.height())):
+                b.setValue(v)
+
+            def apply_rect():
+                self._target.setProperty(
+                    name,
+                    QRect(boxes[0].value(), boxes[1].value(), boxes[2].value(), boxes[3].value()),
+                )
+
+            for b in boxes:
+                b.valueChanged.connect(lambda _=None: apply_rect())
+            return wrap
+        if isinstance(value, QRectF):
+            wrap, boxes = self._spin_quad(ints=False)
+            for b, v in zip(boxes, (value.x(), value.y(), value.width(), value.height())):
+                b.setValue(v)
+
+            def apply_rectf():
+                self._target.setProperty(
+                    name,
+                    QRectF(boxes[0].value(), boxes[1].value(), boxes[2].value(), boxes[3].value()),
+                )
+
+            for b in boxes:
+                b.valueChanged.connect(lambda _=None: apply_rectf())
+            return wrap
+        if isinstance(value, bool):
+            w = QCheckBox(self)
+            w.setChecked(bool(value))
+            w.toggled.connect(lambda v: self._target.setProperty(name, v))
+            return w
+        if isinstance(value, int) and not isinstance(value, bool):
+            w = QSpinBox(self)
+            w.setRange(-10_000_000, 10_000_000)
+            w.setValue(int(value))
+            w.valueChanged.connect(lambda v: self._target.setProperty(name, v))
+            return w
+        if isinstance(value, float):
+            w = QDoubleSpinBox(self)
+            w.setDecimals(6)
+            w.setRange(-1e12, 1e12)
+            w.setSingleStep(0.1)
+            w.setValue(float(value))
+            w.valueChanged.connect(lambda v: self._target.setProperty(name, v))
+            return w
+        if isinstance(value, str):
+            w = QLineEdit(self)
+            w.setText(value)
+            w.editingFinished.connect(lambda: self._target.setProperty(name, w.text()))
+            return w
+        return None
+
+
+class DemoApp(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover:
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__()
+
+        layout = QHBoxLayout(self)
+
+        # Create a BECWidget instance example
+        waveform = self.create_waveform()
+
+        # property editor for the BECWidget
+        property_editor = PropertyEditor(waveform, show_only_bec=True)
+
+        layout.addWidget(waveform)
+        layout.addWidget(property_editor)
+
+    def create_waveform(self):
+        """Create a new waveform widget."""
+
+        from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.waveform import Waveform
+
+        waveform = Waveform(parent=self)
+        waveform.title = "New Waveform"
+        waveform.x_label = "X Axis"
+        waveform.y_label = "Y Axis"
+        return waveform
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover:
+    import sys
+
+    from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
+
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    demo = DemoApp()
+    demo.setWindowTitle("Property Editor Demo")
+    demo.resize(1200, 800)
+    demo.show()
+    sys.exit(app.exec())

bec_widgets/utils/rpc_decorator.py

@@ -13,3 +13,17 @@ def register_rpc_methods(cls):
         if getattr(method, "rpc_public", False):
             cls.USER_ACCESS.add(name)
     return cls
+
+
+def rpc_timeout(timeout: float | None):
+    """
+    Decorator to set a timeout for RPC methods.
+    The actual implementation of timeout handling is within the cli module. This decorator
+    is solely to inform the generate-cli command about the timeout value.
+    """
+
+    def decorator(func):
+        func.__rpc_timeout__ = timeout  # Store the timeout value in the function
+        return func
+
+    return decorator

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/auto_update/auto_updates.py

@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ class AutoUpdates(BECMainWindow):
     _default_dock: BECDock
     USER_ACCESS = ["enabled", "enabled.setter", "selected_device", "selected_device.setter"]
     RPC = True
+    PLUGIN = False
 
     # enforce that subclasses have the same rpc widget class
     rpc_widget_class = "AutoUpdates"

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/dock/bec_dock_area.pyproject

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{'files': ['dock_area.py']}

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/dock/bec_dock_area_plugin.py

@@ -1,22 +1,19 @@
 # Copyright (C) 2022 The Qt Company Ltd.
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
-import os
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
-import bec_widgets
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
-from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock import BECDockArea
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock.dock_area import BECDockArea
 
 DOM_XML = """
 <ui language='c++'>
-    <widget class='BECDockArea' name='dock_area'>
+    <widget class='BECDockArea' name='bec_dock_area'>
     </widget>
 </ui>
 """
 
-MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
-
 
 class BECDockAreaPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
     def __init__(self):
@@ -24,6 +21,8 @@ class BECDockAreaPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = BECDockArea(parent)
         return t
 
@@ -31,13 +30,13 @@ class BECDockAreaPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         return DOM_XML
 
     def group(self):
-        return "BEC Plots"
+        return "BEC Containers"
 
     def icon(self):
         return designer_material_icon(BECDockArea.ICON_NAME)
 
     def includeFile(self):
-        return "dock_area"
+        return "bec_dock_area"
 
     def initialize(self, form_editor):
         self._form_editor = form_editor
@@ -52,7 +51,7 @@ class BECDockAreaPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         return "BECDockArea"
 
     def toolTip(self):
-        return "BECDockArea"
+        return ""
 
     def whatsThis(self):
         return self.toolTip()

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/dock/dock.py

@@ -389,6 +389,7 @@ class BECDock(BECWidget, Dock):
         if widget in self.widgets:
             self.widgets.remove(widget)
         widget.close()
+        widget.deleteLater()
 
     def delete_all(self):
         """

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/dock/dock_area.py

@@ -71,6 +71,7 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
         "detach_dock",
         "attach_all",
         "save_state",
+        "screenshot",
         "restore_state",
     ]
 
@@ -267,11 +268,16 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
             "restore_state",
             MaterialIconAction(icon_name="frame_reload", tooltip="Restore Dock State", parent=self),
         )
+        self.toolbar.components.add_safe(
+            "screenshot",
+            MaterialIconAction(icon_name="photo_camera", tooltip="Take Screenshot", parent=self),
+        )
 
         bundle = ToolbarBundle("dock_actions", self.toolbar.components)
         bundle.add_action("attach_all")
         bundle.add_action("save_state")
         bundle.add_action("restore_state")
+        bundle.add_action("screenshot")
         self.toolbar.add_bundle(bundle)
 
     def _hook_toolbar(self):
@@ -333,6 +339,7 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
         self.toolbar.components.get_action("restore_state").action.triggered.connect(
             self.restore_state
         )
+        self.toolbar.components.get_action("screenshot").action.triggered.connect(self.screenshot)
 
     @SafeSlot()
     def _create_widget_from_toolbar(self, widget_name: str) -> None:

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/dock/dock_area.pyproject

@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-{'files': ['dock_area.py','dock.py']}

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/dock/register_bec_dock_area.py

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ def main():  # pragma: no cover
         return
     from PySide6.QtDesigner import QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection
 
-    from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock.dock_area_plugin import BECDockAreaPlugin
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock.bec_dock_area_plugin import BECDockAreaPlugin
 
     QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection.addCustomWidget(BECDockAreaPlugin())
 

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/main_window/bec_main_window.pyproject

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{'files': ['main_window.py']}

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/main_window/bec_main_window_plugin.py

@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+# Copyright (C) 2022 The Qt Company Ltd.
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
+from qtpy.QtCore import QSize
+from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtGui import QIcon
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.main_window import BECMainWindow
+
+DOM_XML = """
+<ui language='c++'>
+    <widget class='BECMainWindow' name='bec_main_window'>
+    </widget>
+</ui>
+"""
+
+
+class BECMainWindowPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__()
+        self._form_editor = None
+
+    def createWidget(self, parent):
+        # We want to initialize BECMainWindow upon starting designer
+        t = BECMainWindow(parent)
+        return t
+
+    def domXml(self):
+        return DOM_XML
+
+    def group(self):
+        return "BEC Containers"
+
+    def icon(self):
+        return designer_material_icon(BECMainWindow.ICON_NAME)
+
+    def includeFile(self):
+        return "bec_main_window"
+
+    def initialize(self, form_editor):
+        import os
+
+        from qtpy.QtCore import Qt
+        from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
+
+        import bec_widgets
+
+        MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
+        QApplication.setAttribute(Qt.AA_DontUseNativeMenuBar, True)
+        app = QApplication.instance()
+        icon = QIcon()
+        icon.addFile(
+            os.path.join(MODULE_PATH, "assets", "app_icons", "BEC-General-App.png"),
+            size=QSize(48, 48),
+        )
+        app.setWindowIcon(icon)
+        self._form_editor = form_editor
+
+    def isContainer(self):
+        return True
+
+    def isInitialized(self):
+        return self._form_editor is not None
+
+    def name(self):
+        return "BECMainWindow"
+
+    def toolTip(self):
+        return "BECMainWindow"
+
+    def whatsThis(self):
+        return self.toolTip()

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/main_window/main_window.py

@@ -19,20 +19,28 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
 import bec_widgets
 from bec_widgets.utils import UILoader
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme, set_theme
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.widget_io import WidgetHierarchy
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.addons.hover_widget import HoverWidget
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.addons.notification_center.notification_banner import (
+    BECNotificationBroker,
+    NotificationCentre,
+    NotificationIndicator,
+)
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.addons.scroll_label import ScrollLabel
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.addons.web_links import BECWebLinksMixin
 from bec_widgets.widgets.progress.scan_progressbar.scan_progressbar import ScanProgressBar
 
 MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
 
+# Ensure the application does not use the native menu bar on macOS to be consistent with linux development.
+QApplication.setAttribute(Qt.AA_DontUseNativeMenuBar, True)
+
 
 class BECMainWindow(BECWidget, QMainWindow):
-    RPC = False
-    PLUGIN = False
+    RPC = True
+    PLUGIN = True
     SCAN_PROGRESS_WIDTH = 100  # px
     STATUS_BAR_WIDGETS_EXPIRE_TIME = 60_000  # milliseconds
 
@@ -50,6 +58,14 @@ class BECMainWindow(BECWidget, QMainWindow):
         self.app = QApplication.instance()
         self.status_bar = self.statusBar()
         self.setWindowTitle(window_title)
+
+        # Notification Centre overlay
+        self.notification_centre = NotificationCentre(parent=self)  # Notification layer
+        self.notification_broker = BECNotificationBroker()
+        self._nc_margin = 16
+        self._position_notification_centre()
+
+        # Init ui
         self._init_ui()
         self._connect_to_theme_change()
 
@@ -58,6 +74,34 @@ class BECMainWindow(BECWidget, QMainWindow):
             self.display_client_message, MessageEndpoints.client_info()
         )
 
+    def setCentralWidget(self, widget: QWidget, qt_default: bool = False):  # type: ignore[override]
+        """
+        Re‑implement QMainWindow.setCentralWidget so that the *main content*
+        widget always lives on the lower layer of the stacked layout that
+        hosts our notification overlays.
+
+        Args:
+            widget: The widget that should become the new central content.
+            qt_default: When *True* the call is forwarded to the base class so
+                that Qt behaves exactly as the original implementation (used
+                during __init__ when we first install ``self._full_content``).
+        """
+        super().setCentralWidget(widget)
+        self.notification_centre.raise_()
+        self.statusBar().raise_()
+
+    def resizeEvent(self, event):
+        super().resizeEvent(event)
+        self._position_notification_centre()
+
+    def _position_notification_centre(self):
+        """Keep the notification panel at a fixed margin top-right."""
+        if not hasattr(self, "notification_centre"):
+            return
+        margin = getattr(self, "_nc_margin", 16)  # px
+        nc = self.notification_centre
+        nc.move(self.width() - nc.width() - margin, margin)
+
     ################################################################################
     # MainWindow Elements Initialization
     ################################################################################
@@ -94,6 +138,26 @@ class BECMainWindow(BECWidget, QMainWindow):
         # Add scan_progress bar with display logic
         self._add_scan_progress_bar()
 
+        # Setup NotificationIndicator to bottom right of the status bar
+        self._add_notification_indicator()
+
+    ################################################################################
+    # Notification indicator and Notification Centre helpers
+
+    def _add_notification_indicator(self):
+        """
+        Add the notification indicator to the status bar and hook the signals.
+        """
+        # Add the notification indicator to the status bar
+        self.notification_indicator = NotificationIndicator(self)
+        self.status_bar.addPermanentWidget(self.notification_indicator)
+
+        # Connect the notification broker to the indicator
+        self.notification_centre.counts_updated.connect(self.notification_indicator.update_counts)
+        self.notification_indicator.filter_changed.connect(self.notification_centre.apply_filter)
+        self.notification_indicator.show_all_requested.connect(self.notification_centre.show_all)
+        self.notification_indicator.hide_all_requested.connect(self.notification_centre.hide_all)
+
     ################################################################################
     # Client message status bar widget helpers
 
@@ -379,12 +443,12 @@ class BECMainWindow(BECWidget, QMainWindow):
     @SafeSlot(str)
     def change_theme(self, theme: str):
         """
-        Change the theme of the application.
+        Change the theme of the application and propagate it to widgets.
 
         Args:
-            theme(str): The theme to apply, either "light" or "dark".
+            theme(str): Either "light" or "dark".
         """
-        apply_theme(theme)
+        set_theme(theme)  # emits theme_updated and applies palette globally
 
     def event(self, event):
         if event.type() == QEvent.Type.StatusTip:
@@ -430,15 +494,16 @@ class BECMainWindow(BECWidget, QMainWindow):
         super().cleanup()
 
 
-class UILaunchWindow(BECMainWindow):
-    RPC = True
+class BECMainWindowNoRPC(BECMainWindow):
+    RPC = False
+    PLUGIN = False
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     import sys
 
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    main_window = UILaunchWindow()
+    main_window = BECMainWindow()
     main_window.show()
     main_window.resize(800, 600)
     sys.exit(app.exec())

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/main_window/register_bec_main_window.py

@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+def main():  # pragma: no cover
+    from qtpy import PYSIDE6
+
+    if not PYSIDE6:
+        print("PYSIDE6 is not available in the environment. Cannot patch designer.")
+        return
+    from PySide6.QtDesigner import QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection
+
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.bec_main_window_plugin import (
+        BECMainWindowPlugin,
+    )
+
+    QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection.addCustomWidget(BECMainWindowPlugin())
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    main()

bec_widgets/widgets/control/buttons/button_abort/abort_button_plugin.py

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.buttons.button_abort.button_abort import AbortButton
@@ -20,6 +21,8 @@ class AbortButtonPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = AbortButton(parent)
         return t
 

bec_widgets/widgets/control/buttons/button_reset/reset_button_plugin.py

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.buttons.button_reset.button_reset import ResetButton
@@ -20,6 +21,8 @@ class ResetButtonPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = ResetButton(parent)
         return t
 
@@ -48,7 +51,7 @@ class ResetButtonPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         return "ResetButton"
 
     def toolTip(self):
-        return "A button that reset the scan queue."
+        return "A button that resets the scan queue."
 
     def whatsThis(self):
         return self.toolTip()

bec_widgets/widgets/control/buttons/button_resume/resume_button_plugin.py

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.buttons.button_resume.button_resume import ResumeButton
@@ -20,6 +21,8 @@ class ResumeButtonPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = ResumeButton(parent)
         return t
 

bec_widgets/widgets/control/buttons/stop_button/stop_button_plugin.py

@@ -1,10 +1,9 @@
 # Copyright (C) 2022 The Qt Company Ltd.
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
-import os
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
-import bec_widgets
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.buttons.stop_button.stop_button import StopButton
 
@@ -15,8 +14,6 @@ DOM_XML = """
 </ui>
 """
 
-MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
-
 
 class StopButtonPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
     def __init__(self):
@@ -24,6 +21,8 @@ class StopButtonPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = StopButton(parent)
         return t
 

bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_control/position_indicator/position_indicator_plugin.py

@@ -1,10 +1,9 @@
 # Copyright (C) 2022 The Qt Company Ltd.
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
-import os
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
-import bec_widgets
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.position_indicator.position_indicator import (
     PositionIndicator,
@@ -17,8 +16,6 @@ DOM_XML = """
 </ui>
 """
 
-MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
-
 
 class PositionIndicatorPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
     def __init__(self):
@@ -26,6 +23,8 @@ class PositionIndicatorPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cov
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = PositionIndicator(parent)
         return t
 
@@ -54,7 +53,7 @@ class PositionIndicatorPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cov
         return "PositionIndicator"
 
     def toolTip(self):
-        return "PositionIndicator"
+        return ""
 
     def whatsThis(self):
         return self.toolTip()

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

@@ -138,7 +138,11 @@ class PositionerBoxBase(BECWidget, CompactPopupWidget):
         signals = msg_content.get("signals", {})
         # pylint: disable=protected-access
         hinted_signals = self.dev[device]._hints
-        precision = self.dev[device].precision
+        precision = getattr(self.dev[device], "precision", 8)
+        try:
+            precision = int(precision)
+        except (TypeError, ValueError):
+            precision = int(8)
 
         spinner = ui_components["spinner"]
         position_indicator = ui_components["position_indicator"]
@@ -178,11 +182,13 @@ class PositionerBoxBase(BECWidget, CompactPopupWidget):
             spinner.setVisible(False)
 
         if readback_val is not None:
-            readback.setText(f"{readback_val:.{precision}f}")
+            text = f"{readback_val:.{precision}f}"
+            readback.setText(text)
             position_emit(readback_val)
 
         if setpoint_val is not None:
-            setpoint.setText(f"{setpoint_val:.{precision}f}")
+            text = f"{setpoint_val:.{precision}f}"
+            setpoint.setText(text)
 
         limits = self.dev[device].limits
         limit_update(limits)
@@ -205,10 +211,13 @@ class PositionerBoxBase(BECWidget, CompactPopupWidget):
         ui["readback"].setToolTip(f"{device} readback")
         ui["setpoint"].setToolTip(f"{device} setpoint")
         ui["step_size"].setToolTip(f"Step size for {device}")
-        precision = self.dev[device].precision
-        if precision is not None:
-            ui["step_size"].setDecimals(precision)
-            ui["step_size"].setValue(10**-precision * 10)
+        precision = getattr(self.dev[device], "precision", 8)
+        try:
+            precision = int(precision)
+        except (TypeError, ValueError):
+            precision = int(8)
+        ui["step_size"].setDecimals(precision)
+        ui["step_size"].setValue(10**-precision * 10)
 
     def _swap_readback_signal_connection(self, slot, old_device, new_device):
         self.bec_dispatcher.disconnect_slot(slot, MessageEndpoints.device_readback(old_device))

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

@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ class PositionerBox(PositionerBoxBase):
     PLUGIN = True
     RPC = True
 
-    USER_ACCESS = ["set_positioner"]
+    USER_ACCESS = ["set_positioner", "screenshot"]
     device_changed = Signal(str, str)
     # Signal emitted to inform listeners about a position update
     position_update = Signal(float)

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

@@ -1,12 +1,13 @@
 # Copyright (C) 2022 The Qt Company Ltd.
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
 
-import os
-
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
-from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box import PositionerBox
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box.positioner_box.positioner_box import (
+    PositionerBox,
+)
 
 DOM_XML = """
 <ui language='c++'>
@@ -14,7 +15,6 @@ DOM_XML = """
     </widget>
 </ui>
 """
-MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(__file__)))
 
 
 class PositionerBoxPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@ class PositionerBoxPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = PositionerBox(parent)
         return t
 
@@ -30,7 +32,7 @@ class PositionerBoxPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         return DOM_XML
 
     def group(self):
-        return "Device Control"
+        return "BEC Device Control"
 
     def icon(self):
         return designer_material_icon(PositionerBox.ICON_NAME)

bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_control/positioner_box/positioner_box_2d/positioner_box2_d_plugin.py

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box.positioner_box_2d.positioner_box_2d import (
@@ -22,6 +23,8 @@ class PositionerBox2DPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = PositionerBox2D(parent)
         return t
 
@@ -29,7 +32,7 @@ class PositionerBox2DPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         return DOM_XML
 
     def group(self):
-        return "Device Control"
+        return "BEC Device Control"
 
     def icon(self):
         return designer_material_icon(PositionerBox2D.ICON_NAME)

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

@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ class PositionerBox2D(PositionerBoxBase):
 
     PLUGIN = True
     RPC = True
-    USER_ACCESS = ["set_positioner_hor", "set_positioner_ver"]
+    USER_ACCESS = ["set_positioner_hor", "set_positioner_ver", "screenshot"]
 
     device_changed_hor = Signal(str, str)
     device_changed_ver = Signal(str, str)

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

@@ -1,12 +1,13 @@
 # Copyright (C) 2022 The Qt Company Ltd.
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
 
-import os
-
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
-from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box import PositionerControlLine
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box.positioner_control_line.positioner_control_line import (
+    PositionerControlLine,
+)
 
 DOM_XML = """
 <ui language='c++'>
@@ -14,7 +15,6 @@ DOM_XML = """
     </widget>
 </ui>
 """
-MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(__file__)))
 
 
 class PositionerControlLinePlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@ class PositionerControlLinePlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = PositionerControlLine(parent)
         return t
 
@@ -30,7 +32,7 @@ class PositionerControlLinePlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no
         return DOM_XML
 
     def group(self):
-        return "Device Control"
+        return "BEC Device Control"
 
     def icon(self):
         return designer_material_icon(PositionerControlLine.ICON_NAME)
@@ -51,7 +53,7 @@ class PositionerControlLinePlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no
         return "PositionerControlLine"
 
     def toolTip(self):
-        return "A widget that controls a single positioner in line form."
+        return "A widget that controls a single device."
 
     def whatsThis(self):
         return self.toolTip()

bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_control/positioner_group/positioner_group.py

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ logger = bec_logger.logger
 
 
 class PositionerGroupBox(QGroupBox):
-    PLUGIN = True
+
     position_update = Signal(float)
 
     def __init__(self, parent, dev_name):
@@ -45,7 +45,12 @@ class PositionerGroupBox(QGroupBox):
 
     def _on_position_update(self, pos: float):
         self.position_update.emit(pos)
-        self.widget.label = f"%.{self.widget.dev[self.widget.device].precision}f" % pos
+        precision = getattr(self.widget.dev[self.widget.device], "precision", 8)
+        try:
+            precision = int(precision)
+        except (TypeError, ValueError):
+            precision = int(8)
+        self.widget.label = f"{pos:.{precision}f}"
 
     def close(self):
         self.widget.close()
@@ -55,6 +60,7 @@ class PositionerGroupBox(QGroupBox):
 class PositionerGroup(BECWidget, QWidget):
     """Simple Widget to control a positioner in box form"""
 
+    PLUGIN = True
     ICON_NAME = "grid_view"
     USER_ACCESS = ["set_positioners"]
 

bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_control/positioner_group/positioner_group.pyproject

@@ -1 +1 @@
-{'files': ['positioner_group.py']}
+{'files': ['positioner_group.py']}

bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_control/positioner_group/positioner_group_plugin.py

@@ -1,9 +1,8 @@
 # Copyright (C) 2022 The Qt Company Ltd.
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
 
-import os
-
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_group.positioner_group import (
@@ -16,7 +15,6 @@ DOM_XML = """
     </widget>
 </ui>
 """
-MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(__file__)))
 
 
 class PositionerGroupPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
@@ -25,6 +23,8 @@ class PositionerGroupPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = PositionerGroup(parent)
         return t
 
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ class PositionerGroupPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         return DOM_XML
 
     def group(self):
-        return "Device Control"
+        return "BEC Device Control"
 
     def icon(self):
         return designer_material_icon(PositionerGroup.ICON_NAME)
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ class PositionerGroupPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         return "PositionerGroup"
 
     def toolTip(self):
-        return "Container Widget to control positioners in compact form, in a grid"
+        return "Simple Widget to control a positioner in box form"
 
     def whatsThis(self):
         return self.toolTip()

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

@@ -112,7 +112,9 @@ class DeviceInputBase(BECWidget):
             WidgetIO.set_value(widget=self, value=device)
             self.config.default = device
         else:
-            logger.warning(f"Device {device} is not in the filtered selection.")
+            logger.warning(
+                f"Device {device} is not in the filtered selection of {self}: {self.devices}."
+            )
 
     @SafeSlot()
     def update_devices_from_filters(self):
@@ -131,7 +133,8 @@ class DeviceInputBase(BECWidget):
         # Filter based on readout priority
         devs = [dev for dev in devs if self._check_readout_filter(dev)]
         self.devices = [device.name for device in devs]
-        self.set_device(current_device)
+        if current_device != "":
+            self.set_device(current_device)
 
     @SafeSlot(list)
     def set_available_devices(self, devices: list[str]):

bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_input/device_combobox/device_combo_box.pyproject

@@ -1,3 +1 @@
-{
-    "files": ["device_combobox.py"]
-}
+{'files': ['device_combobox.py']}

bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_input/device_combobox/device_combo_box_plugin.py

@@ -1,22 +1,19 @@
 # Copyright (C) 2022 The Qt Company Ltd.
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
-import os
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
-import bec_widgets
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_input.device_combobox.device_combobox import DeviceComboBox
 
 DOM_XML = """
 <ui language='c++'>
-    <widget class='DeviceComboBox' name='device_combobox'>
+    <widget class='DeviceComboBox' name='device_combo_box'>
     </widget>
 </ui>
 """
 
-MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
-
 
 class DeviceComboBoxPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
     def __init__(self):
@@ -24,6 +21,8 @@ class DeviceComboBoxPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = DeviceComboBox(parent)
         return t
 
@@ -37,7 +36,7 @@ class DeviceComboBoxPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         return designer_material_icon(DeviceComboBox.ICON_NAME)
 
     def includeFile(self):
-        return "device_combobox"
+        return "device_combo_box"
 
     def initialize(self, form_editor):
         self._form_editor = form_editor
@@ -52,7 +51,7 @@ class DeviceComboBoxPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         return "DeviceComboBox"
 
     def toolTip(self):
-        return "Device ComboBox Example for BEC Widgets"
+        return ""
 
     def whatsThis(self):
         return self.toolTip()

bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_input/device_line_edit/device_line_edit.pyproject

@@ -1,3 +1 @@
-{
-    "files": ["device_line_edit.py"]
-}
+{'files': ['device_line_edit.py']}

bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_input/device_line_edit/device_line_edit_plugin.py

@@ -1,10 +1,9 @@
 # Copyright (C) 2022 The Qt Company Ltd.
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
-import os
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
-import bec_widgets
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_input.device_line_edit.device_line_edit import (
     DeviceLineEdit,
@@ -17,8 +16,6 @@ DOM_XML = """
 </ui>
 """
 
-MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
-
 
 class DeviceLineEditPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
     def __init__(self):
@@ -26,6 +23,8 @@ class DeviceLineEditPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = DeviceLineEdit(parent)
         return t
 
@@ -54,7 +53,7 @@ class DeviceLineEditPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         return "DeviceLineEdit"
 
     def toolTip(self):
-        return "Device LineEdit Example for BEC Widgets with autocomplete."
+        return ""
 
     def whatsThis(self):
         return self.toolTip()

bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_input/signal_combobox/signal_combo_box_plugin.py

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_input.signal_combobox.signal_combobox import SignalComboBox
@@ -20,6 +21,8 @@ class SignalComboBoxPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = SignalComboBox(parent)
         return t
 
@@ -48,7 +51,7 @@ class SignalComboBoxPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         return "SignalComboBox"
 
     def toolTip(self):
-        return "Signal ComboBox Example for BEC Widgets with autocomplete."
+        return ""
 
     def whatsThis(self):
         return self.toolTip()

bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_input/signal_line_edit/signal_line_edit_plugin.py

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_input.signal_line_edit.signal_line_edit import (
@@ -22,6 +23,8 @@ class SignalLineEditPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = SignalLineEdit(parent)
         return t
 
@@ -50,7 +53,7 @@ class SignalLineEditPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         return "SignalLineEdit"
 
     def toolTip(self):
-        return "Signal LineEdit Example for BEC Widgets with autocomplete."
+        return ""
 
     def whatsThis(self):
         return self.toolTip()

bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_manager/components/available_device_resources/__init__.py

@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+from .available_device_resources import AvailableDeviceResources
+
+__all__ = ["AvailableDeviceResources"]

bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_manager/components/available_device_resources/available_device_resources.py

@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+from random import randint
+from typing import Iterable
+
+from qtpy.QtCore import QSize
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QListWidgetItem, QWidget
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_manager.components.available_device_resources.available_device_resources_ui import (
+    Ui_availableDeviceResources,
+)
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_manager.components.available_device_resources.device_resource_backend import (
+    HashableDevice,
+    get_backend,
+)
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_manager.components.available_device_resources.device_tag_group import (
+    DeviceTagGroup,
+)
+
+
+class AvailableDeviceResources(BECWidget, QWidget, Ui_availableDeviceResources):
+    def __init__(self, parent=None, **kwargs):
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, **kwargs)
+        self.setupUi(self)
+        self._backend = get_backend()
+        self._items: dict[str, tuple[QListWidgetItem, DeviceTagGroup]] = {}
+        self.refresh_full_list()
+
+    def refresh_full_list(self):
+        self.tag_groups_list.clear()
+        self._items = {}
+        for tag_group, devices in self._backend.tag_groups.items():
+            item = QListWidgetItem(self.tag_groups_list)
+            tag_group_widget = DeviceTagGroup(self.tag_groups_list, tag_group, devices)
+            self.tag_groups_list.setItemWidget(item, tag_group_widget)
+            self.tag_groups_list.addItem(item)
+            self._items[tag_group] = (item, tag_group_widget)
+            item.setSizeHint(QSize(tag_group_widget.width(), tag_group_widget.height()))
+
+    def set_devices_state(self, devices: Iterable[HashableDevice], included: bool):
+        for _, tag_group in self._items.values():
+            for device in devices:
+                tag_group.set_item_state(hash(device), included)
+
+    def resizeEvent(self, event):
+        super().resizeEvent(event)
+        for list_item, tag_group_widget in self._items.values():
+            list_item.setSizeHint(tag_group_widget.sizeHint())
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    import sys
+
+    from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
+
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    widget = AvailableDeviceResources()
+    widget.set_devices_state(
+        list(filter(lambda _: randint(0, 1) == 1, widget._backend.all_devices)), True
+    )
+    widget.show()
+    sys.exit(app.exec())

bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_manager/components/available_device_resources/available_device_resources_ui.py

@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+from qtpy.QtCore import QMetaObject, Qt
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QAbstractItemView, QListView, QListWidget, QVBoxLayout
+
+
+class Ui_availableDeviceResources(object):
+    def setupUi(self, availableDeviceResources):
+        if not availableDeviceResources.objectName():
+            availableDeviceResources.setObjectName("availableDeviceResources")
+        self.verticalLayout = QVBoxLayout(availableDeviceResources)
+        self.verticalLayout.setObjectName("verticalLayout")
+        self.tag_groups_list = QListWidget(availableDeviceResources)
+        self.tag_groups_list.setObjectName("tag_groups_list")
+        self.tag_groups_list.setSelectionMode(QAbstractItemView.SelectionMode.NoSelection)
+        self.tag_groups_list.setVerticalScrollMode(QAbstractItemView.ScrollMode.ScrollPerPixel)
+        self.tag_groups_list.setHorizontalScrollMode(QAbstractItemView.ScrollMode.ScrollPerPixel)
+        self.tag_groups_list.setMovement(QListView.Movement.Static)
+        self.tag_groups_list.setSpacing(2)
+        self.tag_groups_list.setDragDropMode(QListWidget.DragDropMode.DragOnly)
+        self.tag_groups_list.setDragEnabled(True)
+        self.tag_groups_list.setAcceptDrops(False)
+        self.tag_groups_list.setHorizontalScrollBarPolicy(Qt.ScrollBarPolicy.ScrollBarAlwaysOff)
+        availableDeviceResources.setMinimumWidth(250)
+        availableDeviceResources.resize(250, availableDeviceResources.height())
+
+        self.verticalLayout.addWidget(self.tag_groups_list)
+
+        QMetaObject.connectSlotsByName(availableDeviceResources)

bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_manager/components/available_device_resources/device_resource_backend.py

@@ -0,0 +1,143 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import operator
+from functools import reduce
+from glob import glob
+from pathlib import Path
+from textwrap import dedent
+from typing import AbstractSet, Protocol
+
+from bec_lib.atlas_models import Device
+from bec_lib.bec_yaml_loader import yaml_load
+from bec_lib.plugin_helper import plugin_package_name, plugin_repo_path
+from pydantic import model_validator
+
+
+class HashableDevice(Device):
+    source_files: set[str] = set()
+    names: set[str] = set()
+
+    @model_validator(mode="after")
+    def add_name(self) -> HashableDevice:
+        self.names.add(self.name)
+        return self
+
+    def as_normal_device(self):
+        return Device.model_validate(self)
+
+    def __hash__(self) -> int:
+        config_values = sorted(
+            (str(kv) for kv in self.deviceConfig.items()) if self.deviceConfig else []
+        )
+        return (reduce(operator.add, (self.name, self.deviceClass, *config_values))).__hash__()
+
+    def __eq__(self, value: object) -> bool:
+        if not isinstance(value, self.__class__):
+            return False
+        if hash(self) == hash(value):
+            return True
+        return False
+
+    def rich_text(self) -> str:
+        return dedent(
+            f"""
+        <b><u><h2> {self.name}: </h2></u></b>
+        <table>
+        <tr><td> description: </td><td><i> {self.description}  </i></td></tr>
+        <tr><td> config:      </td><td><i> {self.deviceConfig} </i></td></tr>
+        <tr><td> enabled:     </td><td><i> {self.enabled}      </i></td></tr>
+        <tr><td> read only:   </td><td><i> {self.readOnly}     </i></td></tr>
+        </table>
+        """
+        )
+
+    def add_sources(self, other: HashableDevice):
+        self.source_files.update(other.source_files)
+
+    def add_tags(self, other: HashableDevice):
+        self.deviceTags.update(other.deviceTags)
+
+    def add_names(self, other: HashableDevice):
+        self.names.update(other.names)
+
+
+class _HashableDeviceSet(set):
+    def __or__(self, value: AbstractSet) -> _HashableDeviceSet:
+        for item in self:
+            if item in value:
+                for other_item in value:
+                    if other_item == item:
+                        item.add_sources(other_item)
+                        item.add_tags(other_item)
+                        item.add_names(other_item)
+        for other_item in value:
+            if other_item not in self:
+                self.add(other_item)
+        return self
+
+
+class DeviceResourceBackend(Protocol):
+    @property
+    def tag_groups(self) -> dict[str, set[HashableDevice]]:
+        """A dictionary of all availble devices separated by tag groups. The same device may
+        appear more than once (in different groups)."""
+        ...
+
+    @property
+    def all_devices(self) -> set[HashableDevice]:
+        """A set of all availble devices. The same device may not appear more than once."""
+        ...
+
+    def tags(self) -> set[str]:
+        """Returns a set of all the tags in all available devices."""
+        ...
+
+    def tag_group(self, tag: str) -> set[HashableDevice]:
+        """Returns a set of the devices in the tag group with the given key."""
+        ...
+
+
+class _ConfigFileBackend(DeviceResourceBackend):
+    def __init__(self) -> None:
+        self._raw_device_set: set[HashableDevice] = self._get_config_from_files(
+            Path(plugin_repo_path()) / plugin_package_name() / "device_configs/"
+        )
+        self._tag_groups = self._get_tag_groups()
+
+    def _get_config_from_files(self, dir: Path):
+        files = glob("*.yaml", root_dir=dir, recursive=True)
+
+        def devices_from_file(file: str):
+            data = yaml_load(str(dir / file))
+            return set(
+                HashableDevice.model_validate(
+                    dev | {"name": name, "source_files": {str(dir / file)}}
+                )
+                for name, dev in data.items()
+            )
+
+        return reduce(operator.or_, map(devices_from_file, files))
+
+    def _get_tag_groups(self) -> dict[str, set[HashableDevice]]:
+        return {
+            tag: set(filter(lambda dev: tag in dev.deviceTags, self._raw_device_set))
+            for tag in self.tags()
+        }
+
+    @property
+    def tag_groups(self):
+        return self._tag_groups
+
+    @property
+    def all_devices(self):
+        return self._raw_device_set
+
+    def tags(self) -> set[str]:
+        return reduce(operator.or_, (dev.deviceTags for dev in self._raw_device_set))
+
+    def tag_group(self, tag: str) -> set[HashableDevice]:
+        return self.tag_groups[tag]
+
+
+def get_backend() -> DeviceResourceBackend:
+    return _ConfigFileBackend()

bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_manager/components/available_device_resources/device_tag_group.py

@@ -0,0 +1,163 @@
+from textwrap import dedent
+from typing import Callable, NamedTuple
+
+from bec_qthemes import material_icon
+from qtpy.QtCore import QSize
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QFrame, QHBoxLayout, QLabel, QListWidgetItem, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
+
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_manager.components.available_device_resources.device_resource_backend import (
+    HashableDevice,
+)
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_manager.components.available_device_resources.device_tag_group_item_ui import (
+    Ui_DeviceTagGroup,
+)
+
+DEVICE_HASH_ROLE = 101
+
+
+class _DeviceEntryWidget(QFrame):
+    _grid_size = QSize(120, 80)
+
+    def __init__(self, device_spec: HashableDevice, parent=None, **kwargs):
+        super().__init__(parent, **kwargs)
+        self._device_spec = device_spec
+        self.included: bool = False
+
+        self.setFrameShape(QFrame.Shape.StyledPanel)
+        self.setFrameShadow(QFrame.Shadow.Raised)
+
+        self._layout = QVBoxLayout()
+        self._layout.setContentsMargins(5, 5, 5, 5)
+        self.setLayout(self._layout)
+        self.setMinimumSize(self._grid_size)
+
+        self.setup_title_layout(device_spec)
+
+        self.setToolTip(device_spec.rich_text())
+
+        self.details = QLabel(f"Tags:\n{', '.join(device_spec.deviceTags)}")
+        self.details.setStyleSheet("QLabel { font-size: 8pt; }")
+        self.details.setWordWrap(True)
+        self._layout.addWidget(self.details)
+
+    def setup_title_layout(self, device_spec: HashableDevice):
+        self._title_layout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self._title_container = QWidget(parent=self)
+        self._title_container.setLayout(self._title_layout)
+
+        self.title = QLabel(device_spec.name)
+        self.title.setToolTip(device_spec.name)
+        self.title.setStyleSheet(self.title_style("#FF0000"))
+        self._title_layout.addWidget(self.title)
+
+        self._title_layout.addStretch(1)
+
+        self._warning_label = QLabel()
+        self._title_layout.addWidget(self._warning_label)
+
+        self._layout.addWidget(self._title_container)
+
+    def check_and_display_warning(self):
+        if len(self._device_spec.names) == 1 and len(self._device_spec.source_files) == 1:
+            self._warning_label.setText("")
+            self._warning_label.setToolTip("")
+        else:
+            self._warning_label.setPixmap(material_icon("warning", color="#FFAA00"))
+            self._warning_label.setToolTip(
+                dedent(
+                    f"""
+                    {f"Device has multiple names! Please check! \n names: {self._device_spec.names}" if len(self._device_spec.names)>1 else ""}
+                    {f"Device found in multiple source files! Please check! \n files: {self._device_spec.names}" if len(self._device_spec.names)>1 else ""}
+                    """
+                )
+            )
+
+    @property
+    def device_hash(self):
+        return hash(self._device_spec)
+
+    def title_style(self, color: str) -> str:
+        return f"QLabel {{ color: {color}; font-weight: bold; font-size: 10pt; }}"
+
+    def setTitle(self, text: str):
+        self.title.setText(text)
+
+    def set_included(self, included: bool):
+        self.included = included
+        self.title.setStyleSheet(self.title_style("#00FF00" if included else "#FF0000"))
+
+
+class _DeviceEntry(NamedTuple):
+    list_item: QListWidgetItem
+    widget: _DeviceEntryWidget
+
+
+class DeviceTagGroup(QWidget, Ui_DeviceTagGroup):
+    def __init__(
+        self, parent=None, name: str = "TagGroupTitle", data: set[HashableDevice] = set(), **kwargs
+    ):
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, **kwargs)
+        self.setupUi(self)
+        self.device_list.setGridSize(_DeviceEntryWidget._grid_size)
+        self.title.setText(name)
+        self._devices: dict[str, _DeviceEntry] = {}
+        for device in data:
+            self._add_item(device)
+        self.device_list.sortItems()
+
+    def _add_item(self, device: HashableDevice):
+        item = QListWidgetItem(self.device_list)
+        widget = _DeviceEntryWidget(device, self)
+        item.setSizeHint(QSize(widget.width(), widget.height()))
+        self.device_list.setItemWidget(item, widget)
+        self.device_list.addItem(item)
+        self._devices[device.name] = _DeviceEntry(item, widget)
+
+    def set_item_state(self, /, device_hash: int, included: bool):
+        for dev in self._devices.values():
+            if dev.widget.device_hash == device_hash:
+                dev.widget.set_included(included)
+        self._update_num_included()
+
+    def _update_num_included(self):
+        n_included = sum(int(dev.widget.included) for dev in self._devices.values())
+        if n_included == 0:
+            color = "#FF0000"
+        elif n_included == len(self._devices):
+            color = "#00FF00"
+        else:
+            color = "#FFAA00"
+        self.n_included.setText(f"{n_included} / {len(self._devices)}")
+        self.n_included.setStyleSheet(f"QLabel {{ color: {color}; }}")
+
+    def resizeEvent(self, event):
+        super().resizeEvent(event)
+        self.setMinimumHeight(self.sizeHint().height())
+        self.setMaximumHeight(self.sizeHint().height())
+
+    def __repr__(self) -> str:
+        return f"{self.__class__.__name__}: {self.title.text()}"
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    import sys
+
+    from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
+
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    widget = DeviceTagGroup(name="Tag group 1")
+    for item in [
+        HashableDevice(
+            **{
+                "name": f"test_device_{i}",
+                "deviceClass": "TestDeviceClass",
+                "readoutPriority": "baseline",
+                "enabled": True,
+            }
+        )
+        for i in range(5)
+    ]:
+        widget._add_item(item)
+    widget._update_num_included()
+    widget.show()
+    sys.exit(app.exec())

bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_manager/components/available_device_resources/device_tag_group_item_ui.py

@@ -0,0 +1,135 @@
+import math
+from functools import partial
+
+from bec_qthemes import material_icon
+from qtpy.QtCore import QMetaObject, QSize, Qt
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
+    QAbstractItemView,
+    QFrame,
+    QHBoxLayout,
+    QLabel,
+    QListView,
+    QListWidget,
+    QSizePolicy,
+    QSpacerItem,
+    QToolButton,
+    QVBoxLayout,
+)
+
+
+class AutoHeightListWidget(QListWidget):
+    def __init__(self, parent=None):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self.setViewMode(QListView.ViewMode.IconMode)
+        self.setResizeMode(QListView.ResizeMode.Adjust)
+        self.setWrapping(True)
+        self.setUniformItemSizes(True)
+        self.setMovement(QListView.Movement.Static)
+        self.setAcceptDrops(False)
+        self.setDragEnabled(True)
+        self.setSelectionMode(QAbstractItemView.SelectionMode.ExtendedSelection)
+        self.setSpacing(5)
+
+        self.setVerticalScrollBarPolicy(Qt.ScrollBarPolicy.ScrollBarAlwaysOff)
+        self.setHorizontalScrollBarPolicy(Qt.ScrollBarPolicy.ScrollBarAlwaysOff)
+
+    def resizeEvent(self, event):
+        super().resizeEvent(event)
+        self.setMinimumHeight(self._calcSize().height())
+        self.setMaximumHeight(self._calcSize().height())
+
+    def sizeHint(self):
+        return self._calcSize()
+
+    def minimumSizeHint(self):
+        return self._calcSize()
+
+    def _calcSize(self):
+        if self.count() == 0:
+            return super().sizeHint()
+
+        grid = self.gridSize()
+        if not grid.isValid():
+            grid = QSize(100, 100)  # fallback
+
+        items_per_row = max(1, self.viewport().width() // grid.width())
+        rows = math.ceil(self.count() / items_per_row)
+
+        height = rows * grid.height() + 2 * self.frameWidth()
+        return QSize(self.viewport().width(), height)
+
+
+class Ui_DeviceTagGroup(object):
+    def setupUi(self, DeviceTagGroup):
+        if not DeviceTagGroup.objectName():
+            DeviceTagGroup.setObjectName("DeviceTagGroup")
+        DeviceTagGroup.setMinimumWidth(150)
+        self.verticalLayout = QVBoxLayout(DeviceTagGroup)
+        self.verticalLayout.setObjectName("verticalLayout")
+        self.frame = QFrame(DeviceTagGroup)
+        self.frame.setObjectName("frame")
+        self.frame.setFrameShape(QFrame.Shape.StyledPanel)
+        self.frame.setFrameShadow(QFrame.Shadow.Raised)
+        self.verticalLayout_2 = QVBoxLayout(self.frame)
+        self.verticalLayout_2.setObjectName("verticalLayout_2")
+        self.horizontalLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.horizontalLayout.setObjectName("horizontalLayout")
+
+        self.title = QLabel(self.frame)
+        self.title.setObjectName("title")
+        self.horizontalLayout.addWidget(self.title)
+
+        self.n_included = QLabel(self.frame, text="...")
+        self.n_included.setObjectName("n_included")
+        self.horizontalLayout.addWidget(self.n_included)
+
+        self.horizontalSpacer = QSpacerItem(
+            40, 20, QSizePolicy.Policy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Policy.Minimum
+        )
+        self.horizontalLayout.addItem(self.horizontalSpacer)
+
+        self.delete_tag_button = QToolButton(self.frame)
+        self.delete_tag_button.setObjectName("delete_tag_button")
+        self.horizontalLayout.addWidget(self.delete_tag_button)
+
+        self.remove_from_composition_button = QToolButton(self.frame)
+        self.remove_from_composition_button.setObjectName("remove_from_composition_button")
+        self.horizontalLayout.addWidget(self.remove_from_composition_button)
+
+        self.add_to_composition_button = QToolButton(self.frame)
+        self.add_to_composition_button.setObjectName("add_to_composition_button")
+        self.horizontalLayout.addWidget(self.add_to_composition_button)
+
+        self.remove_all_button = QToolButton(self.frame)
+        self.remove_all_button.setObjectName("remove_all_from_composition_button")
+        self.horizontalLayout.addWidget(self.remove_all_button)
+
+        self.add_all_button = QToolButton(self.frame)
+        self.add_all_button.setObjectName("add_all_to_composition_button")
+        self.horizontalLayout.addWidget(self.add_all_button)
+
+        self.verticalLayout_2.addLayout(self.horizontalLayout)
+
+        self.device_list = AutoHeightListWidget(self.frame)
+        self.device_list.setObjectName("device_list")
+
+        self.verticalLayout_2.addWidget(self.device_list)
+
+        self.verticalLayout.addWidget(self.frame)
+
+        self.set_icons()
+
+        QMetaObject.connectSlotsByName(DeviceTagGroup)
+
+    def set_icons(self):
+        icon = partial(material_icon, size=(15, 15), convert_to_pixmap=False)
+        self.delete_tag_button.setIcon(icon("delete"))
+        self.delete_tag_button.setToolTip("Delete tag group")
+        self.remove_from_composition_button.setIcon(icon("remove"))
+        self.remove_from_composition_button.setToolTip("Remove selected from composition")
+        self.add_to_composition_button.setIcon(icon("add"))
+        self.add_to_composition_button.setToolTip("Add selected to composition")
+        self.remove_all_button.setIcon(icon("chips"))
+        self.remove_all_button.setToolTip("Remove all with this tag from composition")
+        self.add_all_button.setIcon(icon("add_box"))
+        self.add_all_button.setToolTip("Add all with this tag to composition")

bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_manager/device_manager.py

@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+"""
+This module provides an implementation for the device config view.
+The widget is the entry point for users to edit device configurations.
+"""
+
+from qtpy import QtWidgets
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+
+
+class DeviceConfigView(BECWidget, QtWidgets.QTreeWidget):
+    """
+    DeviceConfigView is a widget that allows users to view device configurations.
+    It inherits from BECWidget and QtWidgets.QTreeWidget.
+    """
+
+    RPC = False
+    PLUGIN = False
+
+    def __init__(self, parent=None):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self.column_header
+        self.setup_ui()
+
+    def setup_ui(self):
+        """
+        Set up the user interface for the device configuration view.
+        This method initializes the layout and widgets needed for displaying
+        and editing device configurations.
+        """
+        # Initialize layout and widgets here
+        pass

bec_widgets/widgets/control/scan_control/scan_control.py

@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ class ScanControl(BECWidget, QWidget):
     Widget to submit new scans to the queue.
     """
 
+    USER_ACCESS = ["remove", "screenshot"]
     PLUGIN = True
     ICON_NAME = "tune"
     ARG_BOX_POSITION: int = 2

bec_widgets/widgets/control/scan_control/scan_control_plugin.py

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.scan_control.scan_control import ScanControl
@@ -20,6 +21,8 @@ class ScanControlPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = ScanControl(parent)
         return t
 
@@ -27,7 +30,7 @@ class ScanControlPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         return DOM_XML
 
     def group(self):
-        return "Device Control"
+        return "BEC Device Control"
 
     def icon(self):
         return designer_material_icon(ScanControl.ICON_NAME)
@@ -48,7 +51,7 @@ class ScanControlPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         return "ScanControl"
 
     def toolTip(self):
-        return "ScanControl"
+        return ""
 
     def whatsThis(self):
         return self.toolTip()

bec_widgets/widgets/dap/dap_combo_box/dap_combo_box_plugin.py

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.dap.dap_combo_box.dap_combo_box import DapComboBox
@@ -20,6 +21,8 @@ class DapComboBoxPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = DapComboBox(parent)
         return t
 

bec_widgets/widgets/dap/lmfit_dialog/lm_fit_dialog_plugin.py

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.dap.lmfit_dialog.lmfit_dialog import LMFitDialog
@@ -20,6 +21,8 @@ class LMFitDialogPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = LMFitDialog(parent)
         return t
 
@@ -48,7 +51,7 @@ class LMFitDialogPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         return "LMFitDialog"
 
     def toolTip(self):
-        return "LMFitDialog"
+        return "Dialog for displaying the fit summary and params for LMFit DAP processes"
 
     def whatsThis(self):
         return self.toolTip()

bec_widgets/widgets/editors/monaco/monaco_widget.py

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 from typing import Literal
 
 import qtmonaco
+from qtpy.QtCore import Signal
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
@@ -12,11 +13,14 @@ class MonacoWidget(BECWidget, QWidget):
     A simple Monaco editor widget
     """
 
+    text_changed = Signal(str)
     PLUGIN = True
     ICON_NAME = "code"
     USER_ACCESS = [
         "set_text",
         "get_text",
+        "insert_text",
+        "delete_line",
         "set_language",
         "get_language",
         "set_theme",
@@ -25,6 +29,9 @@ class MonacoWidget(BECWidget, QWidget):
         "set_cursor",
         "current_cursor",
         "set_minimap_enabled",
+        "set_vim_mode_enabled",
+        "set_lsp_header",
+        "get_lsp_header",
     ]
 
     def __init__(self, parent=None, config=None, client=None, gui_id=None, **kwargs):
@@ -36,6 +43,7 @@ class MonacoWidget(BECWidget, QWidget):
         self.editor = qtmonaco.Monaco(self)
         layout.addWidget(self.editor)
         self.setLayout(layout)
+        self.editor.text_changed.connect(self.text_changed.emit)
         self.editor.initialized.connect(self.apply_theme)
 
     def apply_theme(self, theme: str | None = None) -> None:
@@ -65,6 +73,26 @@ class MonacoWidget(BECWidget, QWidget):
         """
         return self.editor.get_text()
 
+    def insert_text(self, text: str, line: int | None = None, column: int | None = None) -> None:
+        """
+        Insert text at the current cursor position or at a specified line and column.
+
+        Args:
+            text (str): The text to insert.
+            line (int, optional): The line number (1-based) to insert the text at. Defaults to None.
+            column (int, optional): The column number (1-based) to insert the text at. Defaults to None.
+        """
+        self.editor.insert_text(text, line, column)
+
+    def delete_line(self, line: int | None = None) -> None:
+        """
+        Delete a line in the Monaco editor.
+
+        Args:
+            line (int, optional): The line number (1-based) to delete. If None, the current line will be deleted.
+        """
+        self.editor.delete_line(line)
+
     def set_cursor(
         self,
         line: int,
@@ -154,6 +182,34 @@ class MonacoWidget(BECWidget, QWidget):
         """
         self.editor.clear_highlighted_lines()
 
+    def set_vim_mode_enabled(self, enabled: bool) -> None:
+        """
+        Enable or disable Vim mode in the Monaco editor.
+
+        Args:
+            enabled (bool): If True, Vim mode will be enabled; otherwise, it will be disabled.
+        """
+        self.editor.set_vim_mode_enabled(enabled)
+
+    def set_lsp_header(self, header: str) -> None:
+        """
+        Set the LSP (Language Server Protocol) header for the Monaco editor.
+        The header is used to provide context for language servers but is not displayed in the editor.
+
+        Args:
+            header (str): The LSP header to set.
+        """
+        self.editor.set_lsp_header(header)
+
+    def get_lsp_header(self) -> str:
+        """
+        Get the current LSP header set in the Monaco editor.
+
+        Returns:
+            str: The LSP header.
+        """
+        return self.editor.get_lsp_header()
+
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     qapp = QApplication([])

bec_widgets/widgets/editors/monaco/monaco_widget_plugin.py

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.monaco.monaco_widget import MonacoWidget
@@ -20,6 +21,8 @@ class MonacoWidgetPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = MonacoWidget(parent)
         return t
 

bec_widgets/widgets/editors/sbb_monitor/sbb_monitor_plugin.py

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.sbb_monitor.sbb_monitor import SBBMonitor
@@ -20,6 +21,8 @@ class SBBMonitorPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = SBBMonitor(parent)
         return t
 
@@ -27,7 +30,7 @@ class SBBMonitorPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         return DOM_XML
 
     def group(self):
-        return ""
+        return "BEC Utils"
 
     def icon(self):
         return designer_material_icon(SBBMonitor.ICON_NAME)

bec_widgets/widgets/editors/scan_metadata/scan_metadata_plugin.py

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.scan_metadata.scan_metadata import ScanMetadata
@@ -20,6 +21,8 @@ class ScanMetadataPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = ScanMetadata(parent)
         return t
 
@@ -27,7 +30,7 @@ class ScanMetadataPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         return DOM_XML
 
     def group(self):
-        return ""
+        return "BEC Input Widgets"
 
     def icon(self):
         return designer_material_icon(ScanMetadata.ICON_NAME)
@@ -48,7 +51,7 @@ class ScanMetadataPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         return "ScanMetadata"
 
     def toolTip(self):
-        return "Dynamically generates a form for inclusion of metadata for a scan."
+        return "ScanMetadata"
 
     def whatsThis(self):
         return self.toolTip()

bec_widgets/widgets/editors/text_box/text_box_plugin.py

@@ -1,10 +1,9 @@
 # Copyright (C) 2022 The Qt Company Ltd.
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
-import os
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
-import bec_widgets
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.text_box.text_box import TextBox
 
@@ -14,7 +13,6 @@ DOM_XML = """
     </widget>
 </ui>
 """
-MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
 
 
 class TextBoxPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
@@ -23,6 +21,8 @@ class TextBoxPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = TextBox(parent)
         return t
 
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ class TextBoxPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         return "TextBox"
 
     def toolTip(self):
-        return "TextBox"
+        return "A widget that displays text in plain and HTML format"
 
     def whatsThis(self):
         return self.toolTip()

bec_widgets/widgets/editors/vscode/vs_code_editor_plugin.py

@@ -1,10 +1,9 @@
 # Copyright (C) 2022 The Qt Company Ltd.
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
-import os
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
-import bec_widgets
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.vscode.vscode import VSCodeEditor
 
@@ -15,8 +14,6 @@ DOM_XML = """
 </ui>
 """
 
-MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
-
 
 class VSCodeEditorPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
     def __init__(self):
@@ -24,6 +21,8 @@ class VSCodeEditorPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = VSCodeEditor(parent)
         return t
 

bec_widgets/widgets/editors/web_console/web_console.py

@@ -6,11 +6,12 @@ import time
 
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from louie.saferef import safe_ref
-from qtpy.QtCore import QUrl, qInstallMessageHandler
+from qtpy.QtCore import QTimer, QUrl, Signal, qInstallMessageHandler
 from qtpy.QtWebEngineWidgets import QWebEnginePage, QWebEngineView
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
@@ -165,11 +166,16 @@ class WebConsole(BECWidget, QWidget):
     A simple widget to display a website
     """
 
+    _js_callback = Signal(bool)
+    initialized = Signal()
+
     PLUGIN = True
     ICON_NAME = "terminal"
 
     def __init__(self, parent=None, config=None, client=None, gui_id=None, **kwargs):
         super().__init__(parent=parent, client=client, gui_id=gui_id, config=config, **kwargs)
+        self._startup_cmd = "bec --nogui"
+        self._is_initialized = False
         _web_console_registry.register(self)
         self._token = _web_console_registry._token
         layout = QVBoxLayout()
@@ -181,6 +187,48 @@ class WebConsole(BECWidget, QWidget):
         layout.addWidget(self.browser)
         self.setLayout(layout)
         self.page.setUrl(QUrl(f"http://localhost:{_web_console_registry._server_port}"))
+        self._startup_timer = QTimer()
+        self._startup_timer.setInterval(500)
+        self._startup_timer.timeout.connect(self._check_page_ready)
+        self._startup_timer.start()
+        self._js_callback.connect(self._on_js_callback)
+
+    def _check_page_ready(self):
+        """
+        Check if the page is ready and stop the timer if it is.
+        """
+        if self.page.isLoading():
+            return
+
+        self.page.runJavaScript("window.term !== undefined", self._js_callback.emit)
+
+    def _on_js_callback(self, ready: bool):
+        """
+        Callback for when the JavaScript is ready.
+        """
+        if not ready:
+            return
+        self._is_initialized = True
+        self._startup_timer.stop()
+        if self._startup_cmd:
+            self.write(self._startup_cmd)
+        self.initialized.emit()
+
+    @SafeProperty(str)
+    def startup_cmd(self):
+        """
+        Get the startup command for the web console.
+        """
+        return self._startup_cmd
+
+    @startup_cmd.setter
+    def startup_cmd(self, cmd: str):
+        """
+        Set the startup command for the web console.
+        """
+        if not isinstance(cmd, str):
+            raise ValueError("Startup command must be a string.")
+        self._startup_cmd = cmd
 
     def write(self, data: str, send_return: bool = True):
         """
@@ -213,10 +261,19 @@ class WebConsole(BECWidget, QWidget):
             "document.querySelector('textarea.xterm-helper-textarea').dispatchEvent(new KeyboardEvent('keypress', {charCode: 3}))"
         )
 
+    def set_readonly(self, readonly: bool):
+        """
+        Set the web console to read-only mode.
+        """
+        if not isinstance(readonly, bool):
+            raise ValueError("Readonly must be a boolean.")
+        self.setEnabled(not readonly)
+
     def cleanup(self):
         """
         Clean up the registry by removing any instances that are no longer valid.
         """
+        self._startup_timer.stop()
         _web_console_registry.unregister(self)
         super().cleanup()
 

bec_widgets/widgets/editors/web_console/web_console_plugin.py

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.web_console.web_console import WebConsole
@@ -20,6 +21,8 @@ class WebConsolePlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = WebConsole(parent)
         return t
 
@@ -27,7 +30,7 @@ class WebConsolePlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         return DOM_XML
 
     def group(self):
-        return "BEC Console"
+        return "BEC Developer"
 
     def icon(self):
         return designer_material_icon(WebConsole.ICON_NAME)

bec_widgets/widgets/editors/website/website_widget_plugin.py

@@ -1,10 +1,9 @@
 # Copyright (C) 2022 The Qt Company Ltd.
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
-import os
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
-import bec_widgets
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.website.website import WebsiteWidget
 
@@ -14,7 +13,6 @@ DOM_XML = """
     </widget>
 </ui>
 """
-MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
 
 
 class WebsiteWidgetPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
@@ -23,6 +21,8 @@ class WebsiteWidgetPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = WebsiteWidget(parent)
         return t
 

bec_widgets/widgets/games/minesweeper_plugin.py

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.games.minesweeper import Minesweeper
@@ -20,6 +21,8 @@ class MinesweeperPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = Minesweeper(parent)
         return t
 

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/heatmap/heatmap.py

@@ -115,6 +115,7 @@ class Heatmap(ImageBase):
         "auto_range_y.setter",
         "minimal_crosshair_precision",
         "minimal_crosshair_precision.setter",
+        "screenshot",
         # ImageView Specific Settings
         "color_map",
         "color_map.setter",

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/heatmap/heatmap_plugin.py

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.heatmap.heatmap import Heatmap
@@ -20,6 +21,8 @@ class HeatmapPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = Heatmap(parent)
         return t
 
@@ -27,7 +30,7 @@ class HeatmapPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         return DOM_XML
 
     def group(self):
-        return "Plot Widgets"
+        return "BEC Plots"
 
     def icon(self):
         return designer_material_icon(Heatmap.ICON_NAME)

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/image/image.py

@@ -91,6 +91,7 @@ class Image(ImageBase):
         "auto_range_y.setter",
         "minimal_crosshair_precision",
         "minimal_crosshair_precision.setter",
+        "screenshot",
         # ImageView Specific Settings
         "color_map",
         "color_map.setter",

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/image/image_base.py

@@ -1034,7 +1034,8 @@ class ImageBase(PlotBase):
         if self.y_roi is not None:
             self.y_roi.cleanup_pyqtgraph()
 
-        self.layer_manager.clear()
-        self.layer_manager = None
+        if self.layer_manager is not None:
+            self.layer_manager.clear()
+            self.layer_manager = None
 
         super().cleanup()

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/image/image_plugin.py

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.image.image import Image
@@ -20,6 +21,8 @@ class ImagePlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = Image(parent)
         return t
 
@@ -27,7 +30,7 @@ class ImagePlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         return DOM_XML
 
     def group(self):
-        return "Plot Widgets"
+        return "BEC Plots"
 
     def icon(self):
         return designer_material_icon(Image.ICON_NAME)

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

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 import math
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
+from bec_lib import bec_logger
 from bec_qthemes import material_icon
 from qtpy.QtCore import QEvent, Qt
 from qtpy.QtGui import QColor
@@ -39,6 +40,9 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.image.image import Image
 
 
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
+
 class ROILockButton(QToolButton):
     """Keeps its icon and checked state in sync with a single ROI."""
 
@@ -447,6 +451,18 @@ class ROIPropertyTree(BECWidget, QWidget):
     def cleanup(self):
         self.cmap.close()
         self.cmap.deleteLater()
+        if self.controller and hasattr(self.controller, "rois"):
+            for roi in self.controller.rois:  # disconnect all signals from ROIs
+                try:
+                    if isinstance(roi, RectangularROI):
+                        roi.edgesChanged.disconnect()
+                    else:
+                        roi.centerChanged.disconnect()
+                    roi.penChanged.disconnect()
+                    roi.nameChanged.disconnect()
+                except (RuntimeError, TypeError) as e:
+                    logger.error(f"Failed to disconnect roi qt signal: {e}")
+
         super().cleanup()
 
 

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/motor_map/motor_map.py

@@ -128,6 +128,7 @@ class MotorMap(PlotBase):
         "y_log.setter",
         "legend_label_size",
         "legend_label_size.setter",
+        "screenshot",
         # motor_map specific
         "color",
         "color.setter",

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/motor_map/motor_map_plugin.py

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.motor_map.motor_map import MotorMap
@@ -20,6 +21,8 @@ class MotorMapPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = MotorMap(parent)
         return t
 
@@ -27,7 +30,7 @@ class MotorMapPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         return DOM_XML
 
     def group(self):
-        return "Plot Widgets"
+        return "BEC Plots"
 
     def icon(self):
         return designer_material_icon(MotorMap.ICON_NAME)

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/multi_waveform/multi_waveform.py

@@ -96,6 +96,7 @@ class MultiWaveform(PlotBase):
         "legend_label_size.setter",
         "minimal_crosshair_precision",
         "minimal_crosshair_precision.setter",
+        "screenshot",
         # MultiWaveform Specific RPC Access
         "highlighted_index",
         "highlighted_index.setter",

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/multi_waveform/multi_waveform_plugin.py

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.multi_waveform.multi_waveform import MultiWaveform
@@ -20,6 +21,8 @@ class MultiWaveformPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = MultiWaveform(parent)
         return t
 
@@ -27,7 +30,7 @@ class MultiWaveformPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         return DOM_XML
 
     def group(self):
-        return "Plot Widgets"
+        return "BEC Plots"
 
     def icon(self):
         return designer_material_icon(MultiWaveform.ICON_NAME)

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/scatter_waveform/scatter_waveform.py

@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@ class ScatterWaveform(PlotBase):
         "legend_label_size.setter",
         "minimal_crosshair_precision",
         "minimal_crosshair_precision.setter",
+        "screenshot",
         # Scatter Waveform Specific RPC Access
         "main_curve",
         "color_map",

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/scatter_waveform/scatter_waveform_plugin.py

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.scatter_waveform.scatter_waveform import ScatterWaveform
@@ -20,6 +21,8 @@ class ScatterWaveformPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = ScatterWaveform(parent)
         return t
 
@@ -27,7 +30,7 @@ class ScatterWaveformPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         return DOM_XML
 
     def group(self):
-        return "Plot Widgets"
+        return "BEC Plots"
 
     def icon(self):
         return designer_material_icon(ScatterWaveform.ICON_NAME)

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/waveform/waveform.py

@@ -105,6 +105,7 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
         "legend_label_size.setter",
         "minimal_crosshair_precision",
         "minimal_crosshair_precision.setter",
+        "screenshot",
         # Waveform Specific RPC Access
         "curves",
         "x_mode",
@@ -908,6 +909,10 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
             self.roi_enable.emit(True)  # Enable the ROI toolbar action
             self.request_dap()  # Request DAP update directly without blocking proxy
 
+        QTimer.singleShot(
+            150, self.auto_range
+        )  # autorange with a delay to ensure the plot is updated
+
         return curve
 
     def _add_curve_object(self, name: str, config: CurveConfig) -> Curve:
@@ -1630,18 +1635,25 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
             # 4.2 If there are sync curves, use the first device from the scan report
             else:
                 try:
-                    x_name = self._ensure_str_list(
+                    scan_report_devices = self._ensure_str_list(
                         self.scan_item.metadata["bec"]["scan_report_devices"]
-                    )[0]
-                except:
-                    x_name = self.scan_item.status_message.info["scan_report_devices"][0]
-                x_entry = self.entry_validator.validate_signal(x_name, None)
-                if access_key == "val":
-                    x_data = data.get(x_name, {}).get(x_entry, {}).get(access_key, None)
+                    )
+                except Exception:
+                    scan_report_devices = self.scan_item.status_message.info.get(
+                        "scan_report_devices", []
+                    )
+                if not scan_report_devices:
+                    x_data = None
+                    new_suffix = " (auto: index)"
                 else:
-                    entry_obj = data.get(x_name, {}).get(x_entry)
-                    x_data = entry_obj.read()["value"] if entry_obj else None
-                new_suffix = f" (auto: {x_name}-{x_entry})"
+                    x_name = scan_report_devices[0]
+                    x_entry = self.entry_validator.validate_signal(x_name, None)
+                    if access_key == "val":
+                        x_data = data.get(x_name, {}).get(x_entry, {}).get(access_key, None)
+                    else:
+                        entry_obj = data.get(x_name, {}).get(x_entry)
+                        x_data = entry_obj.read()["value"] if entry_obj else None
+                    new_suffix = f" (auto: {x_name}-{x_entry})"
         self._update_x_label_suffix(new_suffix)
         return x_data
 

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/waveform/waveform_plugin.py

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.waveform import Waveform
@@ -20,6 +21,8 @@ class WaveformPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = Waveform(parent)
         return t
 
@@ -27,7 +30,7 @@ class WaveformPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         return DOM_XML
 
     def group(self):
-        return "Plot Widgets"
+        return "BEC Plots"
 
     def icon(self):
         return designer_material_icon(Waveform.ICON_NAME)

bec_widgets/widgets/progress/bec_progressbar/bec_progress_bar_plugin.py

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.progress.bec_progressbar.bec_progressbar import BECProgressBar
@@ -20,6 +21,8 @@ class BECProgressBarPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = BECProgressBar(parent)
         return t
 

bec_widgets/widgets/progress/ring_progress_bar/ring_progress_bar_plugin.py

@@ -1,10 +1,9 @@
 # Copyright (C) 2022 The Qt Company Ltd.
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
-import os
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
-import bec_widgets
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.progress.ring_progress_bar.ring_progress_bar import RingProgressBar
 
@@ -14,7 +13,6 @@ DOM_XML = """
     </widget>
 </ui>
 """
-MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
 
 
 class RingProgressBarPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
@@ -23,6 +21,8 @@ class RingProgressBarPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = RingProgressBar(parent)
         return t
 
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ class RingProgressBarPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         return "RingProgressBar"
 
     def toolTip(self):
-        return "RingProgressBar"
+        return ""
 
     def whatsThis(self):
         return self.toolTip()

bec_widgets/widgets/progress/scan_progressbar/scan_progress_bar_plugin.py

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.progress.scan_progressbar.scan_progressbar import ScanProgressBar
@@ -20,6 +21,8 @@ class ScanProgressBarPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = ScanProgressBar(parent)
         return t
 
@@ -48,7 +51,7 @@ class ScanProgressBarPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         return "ScanProgressBar"
 
     def toolTip(self):
-        return "A progress bar that is hooked up to the scan progress of a scan."
+        return ""
 
     def whatsThis(self):
         return self.toolTip()

bec_widgets/widgets/progress/scan_progressbar/scan_progressbar.py

@@ -124,11 +124,14 @@ class ScanProgressBar(BECWidget, QWidget):
     """
 
     ICON_NAME = "timelapse"
+    PLUGIN = True
     progress_started = Signal()
     progress_finished = Signal()
 
-    def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None, one_line_design=False):
-        super().__init__(parent=parent, client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
+    def __init__(
+        self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None, one_line_design=False, **kwargs
+    ):
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
 
         self.get_bec_shortcuts()
         ui_file = os.path.join(

bec_widgets/widgets/services/bec_queue/bec_queue_plugin.py

@@ -1,10 +1,9 @@
 # Copyright (C) 2022 The Qt Company Ltd.
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
-import os
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
-import bec_widgets
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.services.bec_queue.bec_queue import BECQueue
 
@@ -15,8 +14,6 @@ DOM_XML = """
 </ui>
 """
 
-MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
-
 
 class BECQueuePlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
     def __init__(self):
@@ -24,6 +21,8 @@ class BECQueuePlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = BECQueue(parent)
         return t
 

bec_widgets/widgets/services/bec_status_box/bec_status_box_plugin.py

@@ -1,10 +1,9 @@
 # Copyright (C) 2022 The Qt Company Ltd.
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
-import os
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
-import bec_widgets
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 from bec_widgets.widgets.services.bec_status_box.bec_status_box import BECStatusBox
 
@@ -15,8 +14,6 @@ DOM_XML = """
 </ui>
 """
 
-MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
-
 
 class BECStatusBoxPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
     def __init__(self):
@@ -24,6 +21,8 @@ class BECStatusBoxPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         self._form_editor = None
 
     def createWidget(self, parent):
+        if parent is None:
+            return QWidget()
         t = BECStatusBox(parent)
         return t