2.4.2

Automatically generated by python-semantic-release

.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md

@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+---
+name: Bug report
+about: Create a report to help us improve
+title: ''
+labels: ''
+assignees: ''
+
+---
+
+## Bug report
+
+## Summary
+
+[Provide a brief description of the bug.]
+
+## Expected Behavior vs Actual Behavior
+
+[Describe what you expected to happen and what actually happened.]
+
+## Steps to Reproduce
+
+[Outline the steps that lead to the bug's occurrence. Be specific and provide a clear sequence of actions.]
+
+## Related Issues
+
+[Paste links to any related issues or feature requests.]

.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md

@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+---
+name: Feature request
+about: Suggest an idea for this project
+title: ''
+labels: ''
+assignees: ''
+
+---
+
+## Feature Summary
+
+[Provide a brief and clear summary of the new feature you are requesting]
+
+## Problem Description
+
+[Explain the problem or need that this feature aims to address. Be specific about the issues or gaps in the current functionality]
+
+## Use Case
+
+[Describe a real-world scenario or use case where this feature would be beneficial. Explain how it would improve the user experience or workflow]
+
+## Proposed Solution
+
+[If you have a specific solution in mind, describe it here. Explain how it would work and how it would address the problem described above]
+
+## Benefits
+
+[Explain the benefits and advantages of implementing this feature. Highlight how it adds value to the product or improves user satisfaction]
+
+## Alternatives Considered
+
+[If you've considered alternative solutions or workarounds, mention them here. Explain why the proposed feature is the preferred option]
+
+## Impact on Existing Functionality
+
+[Discuss how the new feature might impact or interact with existing features. Address any potential conflicts or dependencies]
+
+## Priority
+
+[Assign a priority level to the feature request based on its importance. Use a scale such as Low, Medium, High]
+
+## Attachments
+
+[Include any relevant attachments, such as sketches, diagrams, or references that can help the development team understand your feature request better]
+
+## Additional Information
+
+[Provide any additional information that might be relevant to the feature request, such as user feedback, market trends, or similar features in other products]

.github/workflows/check_pr.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+name: Check PR status for branch
+on:
+  workflow_call:
+    outputs:
+      branch-pr:
+        description: The PR number if the branch is in one
+        value: ${{ jobs.pr.outputs.branch-pr }}
+
+jobs:
+  pr:
+    runs-on: "ubuntu-latest"
+    outputs:
+      branch-pr: ${{ steps.script.outputs.result }}
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/github-script@v7
+        id: script
+        if: github.event_name == 'push' && github.event.ref_type != 'tag'
+        with:
+          script: |
+            const prs = await github.rest.pulls.list({
+              owner: context.repo.owner,
+              repo: context.repo.repo,
+              head: context.repo.owner + ':${{ github.ref_name }}'
+            })
+            if (prs.data.length) {
+              console.log(`::notice ::Skipping CI on branch push as it is already run in PR #${prs.data[0]["number"]}`)
+              return prs.data[0]["number"]
+            }

.github/workflows/ci.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+name: Full CI
+on: [push, pull_request]
+
+permissions:
+  pull-requests: write
+
+jobs:
+  check_pr_status:
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/check_pr.yml
+
+  formatter:
+    needs: check_pr_status
+    if: needs.check_pr_status.outputs.branch-pr == ''
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/formatter.yml
+
+  unit-test:
+    needs: [check_pr_status, formatter]
+    if: needs.check_pr_status.outputs.branch-pr == ''
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/pytest.yml
+    secrets:
+      CODECOV_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.CODECOV_TOKEN }}
+
+  unit-test-matrix:
+    needs: [check_pr_status, formatter]
+    if: needs.check_pr_status.outputs.branch-pr == ''
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/pytest-matrix.yml
+
+  generate-cli-test:
+    needs: [check_pr_status, formatter]
+    if: needs.check_pr_status.outputs.branch-pr == ''
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/generate-cli-check.yml
+
+  end2end-test:
+    needs: [check_pr_status, formatter]
+    if: needs.check_pr_status.outputs.branch-pr == ''
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/end2end-conda.yml

.github/workflows/end2end-conda.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+name: Run Pytest with Coverage
+on: [workflow_call]
+
+jobs:
+  pytest:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    defaults:
+      run:
+        shell: bash -el {0}
+
+    env:
+      CHILD_PIPELINE_BRANCH: main  # Set the branch you want for ophyd_devices
+      BEC_CORE_BRANCH: main        # Set the branch you want for bec
+      OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH: main   # Set the branch you want for ophyd_devices
+      PROJECT_PATH: ${{ github.repository }}
+      QTWEBENGINE_DISABLE_SANDBOX: 1
+      QT_QPA_PLATFORM: "offscreen"
+
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+      - name: Set up Conda
+        uses: conda-incubator/setup-miniconda@v3
+        with:
+            auto-update-conda: true
+            auto-activate-base: true
+            python-version: '3.11'
+
+      - name: Install dependencies
+        run: |
+          sudo apt-get update
+          sudo apt-get install -y libgl1 libegl1 x11-utils libxkbcommon-x11-0 libdbus-1-3 xvfb
+          sudo apt-get -y install libnss3 libxdamage1 libasound2t64 libatomic1 libxcursor1
+
+      - name: Conda install and run pytest
+        run: |
+          echo -e "\033[35;1m Using branch $BEC_CORE_BRANCH of BEC CORE \033[0;m";
+          git clone --branch $BEC_CORE_BRANCH https://github.com/bec-project/bec.git
+          echo -e "\033[35;1m Using branch $OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH of OPHYD_DEVICES \033[0;m";
+          git clone --branch $OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH https://github.com/bec-project/ophyd_devices.git
+          export OHPYD_DEVICES_PATH=$PWD/ophyd_devices
+          cd ./bec
+          conda create -q -n test-environment python=3.11
+          source ./bin/install_bec_dev.sh -t
+          cd ../
+          pip install -e ./ophyd_devices
+          pip install -e .[dev,pyside6]
+          pytest -v --files-path ./ --start-servers --random-order  ./tests/end-2-end

.github/workflows/formatter.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+name: Formatter and Pylint jobs
+on: [workflow_call]
+jobs:
+
+  Formatter:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Check out repository code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Set up Python
+        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+        with:
+          python-version: '3.13' 
+
+      - name: Run black and isort
+        run: |
+          pip install black isort
+          pip install -e .[dev]
+          black --check --diff --color .
+          isort --check --diff ./
+  Pylint:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+      - name: Set up Python
+        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+        with:
+          python-version: '3.13'
+
+      - name: Install dependencies
+        run: |
+          python -m pip install --upgrade pip
+          pip install pylint pylint-exit anybadge
+
+      - name: Run Pylint
+        run: |
+          mkdir -p ./pylint
+          set +e
+          pylint ./${{ github.event.repository.name }} --output-format=text > ./pylint/pylint.log
+          pylint-exit $?
+          set -e
+
+      - name: Extract Pylint Score
+        id: score
+        run: |
+          SCORE=$(sed -n 's/^Your code has been rated at \([-0-9.]*\)\/.*/\1/p' ./pylint/pylint.log)
+          echo "score=$SCORE" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+
+      - name: Create Badge
+        run: |
+          anybadge --label=Pylint --file=./pylint/pylint.svg --value="${{ steps.score.outputs.score }}" 2=red 4=orange 8=yellow 10=green
+
+      - name: Upload Artifacts
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: pylint-artifacts
+          path: |
+            # ./pylint/pylint.log # not sure why this isn't working
+            ./pylint/pylint.svg

.github/workflows/generate-cli-check.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+name: Run bw-generate-cli
+on: [workflow_call]
+
+jobs:
+  pytest:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    defaults:
+      run:
+        shell: bash -el {0}
+
+    env:
+      CHILD_PIPELINE_BRANCH: main  # Set the branch you want for ophyd_devices
+      BEC_CORE_BRANCH: main        # Set the branch you want for bec
+      OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH: main   # Set the branch you want for ophyd_devices
+      PROJECT_PATH: ${{ github.repository }}
+      QTWEBENGINE_DISABLE_SANDBOX: 1
+      QT_QPA_PLATFORM: "offscreen"
+
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+      - name: Set up Python
+        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+        with:
+          python-version: "3.11"
+
+      - name: Install os dependencies
+        run: |
+          sudo apt-get update
+          sudo apt-get install -y libgl1 libegl1 x11-utils libxkbcommon-x11-0 libdbus-1-3 xvfb
+          sudo apt-get -y install libnss3 libxdamage1 libasound2t64 libatomic1 libxcursor1
+
+      - name: Clone and install dependencies
+        run: |
+            echo -e "\033[35;1m Using branch $BEC_CORE_BRANCH of BEC CORE \033[0;m";
+            git clone --branch $BEC_CORE_BRANCH https://github.com/bec-project/bec.git
+            echo -e "\033[35;1m Using branch $OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH of OPHYD_DEVICES \033[0;m";
+            git clone --branch $OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH https://github.com/bec-project/ophyd_devices.git
+            export OHPYD_DEVICES_PATH=$PWD/ophyd_devices
+            pip install -e ./ophyd_devices
+            pip install -e ./bec/bec_lib[dev]
+            pip install -e ./bec/bec_ipython_client
+            pip install -e .[dev,pyside6]
+
+      - name: Run bw-generate-cli
+        run: |
+            bw-generate-cli --target bec_widgets 
+            git diff --exit-code
+            

.github/workflows/pytest-matrix.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+name: Run Pytest with different Python versions
+on: [workflow_call]
+
+jobs:
+  pytest-matrix:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    strategy:
+      matrix:
+        python-version: ["3.10", "3.11", "3.12"]
+
+    env:
+      CHILD_PIPELINE_BRANCH: main  # Set the branch you want for ophyd_devices
+      BEC_CORE_BRANCH: main        # Set the branch you want for bec
+      OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH: main   # Set the branch you want for ophyd_devices
+      PROJECT_PATH: ${{ github.repository }}
+      QTWEBENGINE_DISABLE_SANDBOX: 1
+      QT_QPA_PLATFORM: "offscreen"
+
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+      - name: Set up Python
+        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+        with:
+          python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
+
+      - name: Install dependencies
+        run: |
+          sudo apt-get update
+          sudo apt-get install -y libgl1 libegl1 x11-utils libxkbcommon-x11-0 libdbus-1-3 xvfb
+          sudo apt-get -y install libnss3 libxdamage1 libasound2t64 libatomic1 libxcursor1
+
+      - name: Clone and install dependencies
+        run: |
+          echo -e "\033[35;1m Using branch $BEC_CORE_BRANCH of BEC CORE \033[0;m";
+          git clone --branch $BEC_CORE_BRANCH https://github.com/bec-project/bec.git
+          echo -e "\033[35;1m Using branch $OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH of OPHYD_DEVICES \033[0;m";
+          git clone --branch $OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH https://github.com/bec-project/ophyd_devices.git
+          export OHPYD_DEVICES_PATH=$PWD/ophyd_devices
+          pip install -e ./ophyd_devices
+          pip install -e ./bec/bec_lib[dev]
+          pip install -e ./bec/bec_ipython_client
+          pip install -e .[dev,pyside6]
+
+      - name: Run Pytest
+        run: |
+          pip install pytest pytest-random-order
+          pytest -v --maxfail=2 --junitxml=report.xml --random-order ./tests/unit_tests

.github/workflows/pytest.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+name: Run Pytest with Coverage
+on: 
+  workflow_call:
+    inputs:
+      pr_number:
+        description: 'Pull request number'
+        required: false
+        type: number
+    secrets:
+      CODECOV_TOKEN:
+        required: true
+
+
+
+permissions:
+  pull-requests: write
+
+jobs:
+  pytest:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+
+    env:
+      CHILD_PIPELINE_BRANCH: main  # Set the branch you want for ophyd_devices
+      BEC_CORE_BRANCH: main        # Set the branch you want for bec
+      OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH: main   # Set the branch you want for ophyd_devices
+      PROJECT_PATH: ${{ github.repository }}
+      QTWEBENGINE_DISABLE_SANDBOX: 1
+      QT_QPA_PLATFORM: "offscreen"
+
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+      - name: Set up Python
+        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+        with:
+          python-version: '3.11'
+
+      - name: Install dependencies
+        run: |
+          sudo apt-get update
+          sudo apt-get install -y libgl1 libegl1 x11-utils libxkbcommon-x11-0 libdbus-1-3 xvfb
+          sudo apt-get -y install libnss3 libxdamage1 libasound2t64 libatomic1 libxcursor1
+
+      - name: Clone and install dependencies
+        run: |
+          echo -e "\033[35;1m Using branch $BEC_CORE_BRANCH of BEC CORE \033[0;m";
+          git clone --branch $BEC_CORE_BRANCH https://github.com/bec-project/bec.git
+          echo -e "\033[35;1m Using branch $OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH of OPHYD_DEVICES \033[0;m";
+          git clone --branch $OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH https://github.com/bec-project/ophyd_devices.git
+          export OHPYD_DEVICES_PATH=$PWD/ophyd_devices
+          pip install -e ./ophyd_devices
+          pip install -e ./bec/bec_lib[dev]
+          pip install -e ./bec/bec_ipython_client
+          pip install -e .[dev,pyside6]
+
+      - name: Run Pytest with Coverage
+        id: coverage
+        run: pytest --random-order --cov=bec_widgets --cov-config=pyproject.toml --cov-branch --cov-report=xml --no-cov-on-fail tests/unit_tests/
+
+      - name: Upload coverage to Codecov
+        uses: codecov/codecov-action@v5
+        with:
+          token: ${{ secrets.CODECOV_TOKEN }}
+          slug: bec-project/bec_widgets

.github/workflows/semantic_release.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+name: Continuous Delivery
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches:
+      - main
+
+# default: least privileged permissions across all jobs
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+
+
+
+jobs:
+  release:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    concurrency:
+      group: ${{ github.workflow }}-release-${{ github.ref_name }}
+      cancel-in-progress: false
+
+    env:
+      CHILD_PIPELINE_BRANCH: main  # Set the branch you want for ophyd_devices
+      BEC_CORE_BRANCH: main        # Set the branch you want for bec
+      OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH: main   # Set the branch you want for ophyd_devices
+      PROJECT_PATH: ${{ github.repository }}
+      QTWEBENGINE_DISABLE_SANDBOX: 1
+      QT_QPA_PLATFORM: "offscreen"
+
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
+
+    steps:
+      # Note: We checkout the repository at the branch that triggered the workflow
+      # with the entire history to ensure to match PSR's release branch detection
+      # and history evaluation.
+      # However, we forcefully reset the branch to the workflow sha because it is
+      # possible that the branch was updated while the workflow was running. This
+      # prevents accidentally releasing un-evaluated changes.
+      - name: Setup | Checkout Repository on Release Branch
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        with:
+          ref: ${{ github.ref_name }}
+          fetch-depth: 0
+          ssh-key: ${{ secrets.CI_DEPLOY_SSH_KEY }}
+          ssh-known-hosts: ${{ secrets.CI_DEPLOY_SSH_KNOWN_HOSTS }}
+
+      - name: Set up Python
+        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+        with:
+          python-version: '3.11'
+
+      - name: Setup | Force release branch to be at workflow sha
+        run: |
+          git reset --hard ${{ github.sha }}
+      - name: Evaluate | Verify upstream has NOT changed
+        # Last chance to abort before causing an error as another PR/push was applied to
+        # the upstream branch while this workflow was running. This is important
+        # because we are committing a version change (--commit). You may omit this step
+        # if you have 'commit: false' in your configuration.
+        #
+        # You may consider moving this to a repo script and call it from this step instead
+        # of writing it in-line.
+        shell: bash
+        run: |
+          set +o pipefail
+
+          UPSTREAM_BRANCH_NAME="$(git status -sb | head -n 1 | cut -d' ' -f2 | grep -E '\.{3}' | cut -d'.' -f4)"
+          printf '%s\n' "Upstream branch name: $UPSTREAM_BRANCH_NAME"
+
+          set -o pipefail
+
+          if [ -z "$UPSTREAM_BRANCH_NAME" ]; then
+              printf >&2 '%s\n' "::error::Unable to determine upstream branch name!"
+              exit 1
+          fi
+
+          git fetch "${UPSTREAM_BRANCH_NAME%%/*}"
+
+          if ! UPSTREAM_SHA="$(git rev-parse "$UPSTREAM_BRANCH_NAME")"; then
+              printf >&2 '%s\n' "::error::Unable to determine upstream branch sha!"
+              exit 1
+          fi
+
+          HEAD_SHA="$(git rev-parse HEAD)"
+
+          if [ "$HEAD_SHA" != "$UPSTREAM_SHA" ]; then
+              printf >&2 '%s\n' "[HEAD SHA] $HEAD_SHA != $UPSTREAM_SHA [UPSTREAM SHA]"
+              printf >&2 '%s\n' "::error::Upstream has changed, aborting release..."
+              exit 1
+          fi
+
+          printf '%s\n' "Verified upstream branch has not changed, continuing with release..."
+
+      - name: Semantic Version Release
+        id: release
+        env:
+          GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+        run: |
+          pip install python-semantic-release==9.* wheel build twine
+          semantic-release -vv version
+          if [ ! -d dist ]; then echo No release will be made; exit 0; fi
+          twine upload dist/* -u __token__ -p $CI_PYPI_TOKEN --skip-existing
+          semantic-release publish

.gitlab-ci.yml

@@ -12,6 +12,9 @@ variables:
     description: ophyd_devices branch
     value: main
   CHILD_PIPELINE_BRANCH: $CI_DEFAULT_BRANCH
+  CHECK_PKG_VERSIONS:
+    description: Whether to run additional tests against min/max/random selection of dependencies. Set to 1 for running.
+    value: 0
 
 workflow:
   rules:
@@ -31,8 +34,8 @@ include:
     inputs:
       stage: test
       path: "."
-      pytest_args: "-v --random-order tests/"
-      exclude_packages: ""
+      pytest_args: "-v,--random-order,tests/unit_tests"
+      pip_args: ".[dev]"
 
 # different stages in the pipeline
 stages:
@@ -57,6 +60,7 @@ stages:
   - pip install -e ./ophyd_devices
   - pip install -e ./bec/bec_lib[dev]
   - pip install -e ./bec/bec_ipython_client
+  - pip install -e ./bec/pytest_bec_e2e
 
 .install-os-packages: &install-os-packages
   - apt-get update
@@ -73,9 +77,9 @@ formatter:
   stage: Formatter
   needs: []
   script:
-    - pip install black isort
-    - isort --check --diff ./
-    - black --check --diff --color ./
+    - pip install -e ./[dev]
+    - isort --check --diff --line-length=100 --profile=black --multi-line=3 --trailing-comma ./
+    - black --check --diff --color --line-length=100 --skip-magic-trailing-comma ./
   rules:
     - if: $CI_PROJECT_PATH == "bec/bec_widgets"
 
@@ -84,7 +88,7 @@ pylint:
   needs: []
   before_script:
     - pip install pylint pylint-exit anybadge
-    - pip install -e .[dev,pyqt6]
+    - pip install -e .[dev]
   script:
     - mkdir ./pylint
     - pylint ./bec_widgets --output-format=text --output=./pylint/pylint.log | tee ./pylint/pylint.log || pylint-exit $?
@@ -143,7 +147,7 @@ tests:
     - *clone-repos
     - *install-os-packages
     - *install-repos
-    - pip install -e .[dev,pyqt6]
+    - pip install -e .[dev,pyside6]
     - coverage run --source=./bec_widgets -m pytest -v --junitxml=report.xml --maxfail=2 --random-order --full-trace ./tests/unit_tests
     - coverage report
     - coverage xml
@@ -158,6 +162,20 @@ tests:
       - tests/reference_failures/
     when: always
 
+generate-client-check:
+  stage: test
+  needs: []
+  variables:
+    QT_QPA_PLATFORM: "offscreen"
+  script:
+    - *clone-repos
+    - *install-os-packages
+    - *install-repos
+    - pip install -e .[dev,pyside6]
+    - bw-generate-cli --target bec_widgets
+    # if there are changes in the generated files, fail the job
+    - git diff --exit-code
+
 test-matrix:
   parallel:
     matrix:
@@ -167,7 +185,6 @@ test-matrix:
           - "3.12"
         QT_PCKG:
           - "pyside6"
-          - "pyqt6"
 
   stage: AdditionalTests
   needs: []
@@ -186,14 +203,20 @@ test-matrix:
 end-2-end-conda:
   stage: End2End
   needs: []
-  image: continuumio/miniconda3
+  image: continuumio/miniconda3:25.1.1-2
   allow_failure: false
   variables:
     QT_QPA_PLATFORM: "offscreen"
   script:
     - *clone-repos
     - *install-os-packages
-    - conda config --prepend channels conda-forge
+    - conda config --show-sources
+    - conda config --add channels conda-forge
+    - conda config --system --remove channels https://repo.anaconda.com/pkgs/main
+    - conda config --system --remove channels https://repo.anaconda.com/pkgs/r
+    - conda config --remove channels https://repo.anaconda.com/pkgs/main
+    - conda config --remove channels https://repo.anaconda.com/pkgs/r
+    - conda config --show-sources
     - conda config --set channel_priority strict
     - conda config --set always_yes yes --set changeps1 no
     - conda create -q -n test-environment python=3.11
@@ -206,9 +229,8 @@ end-2-end-conda:
     - cd ../
     - pip install -e ./ophyd_devices
 
-    - pip install -e .[dev,pyqt6]
-    - cd ./tests/end-2-end
-    - pytest -v --start-servers --flush-redis --random-order
+    - pip install -e .[dev,pyside6]
+    - pytest -v --files-path ./ --start-servers --random-order  ./tests/end-2-end
 
   artifacts:
     when: on_failure
@@ -223,6 +245,7 @@ end-2-end-conda:
     - if: '$CI_PIPELINE_SOURCE == "parent_pipeline"'
     - if: '$CI_MERGE_REQUEST_TARGET_BRANCH_NAME == "main"'
     - if: '$CI_MERGE_REQUEST_TARGET_BRANCH_NAME == "production"'
+    - if: "$CI_MERGE_REQUEST_TARGET_BRANCH_NAME =~ /^pre_release.*$/"
 
 semver:
   stage: Deploy

LICENSE

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 BSD 3-Clause License
 
-Copyright (c) 2023, bec
+Copyright (c) 2025, Paul Scherrer Institute
 All rights reserved.
 
 Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without

README.md

@@ -1,12 +1,28 @@
 # BEC Widgets
 
+
+[![CI](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/actions/workflows/ci.yml/badge.svg)](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/actions/workflows/ci.yml)
+[![badge](https://img.shields.io/pypi/v/bec-widgets)](https://pypi.org/project/bec-widgets/)
+[![License](https://img.shields.io/github/license/bec-project/bec_widgets)](./LICENSE)
+[![Code style: black](https://img.shields.io/badge/code%20style-black-000000.svg)](https://github.com/psf/black)
+[![Python](https://img.shields.io/badge/python-3.10%20%7C%203.11%20%7C%203.12-blue?logo=python&logoColor=white)](https://www.python.org)
+[![PySide6](https://img.shields.io/badge/PySide6-blue?logo=qt&logoColor=white)](https://doc.qt.io/qtforpython/)
+[![Conventional Commits](https://img.shields.io/badge/conventional%20commits-1.0.0-yellow?logo=conventionalcommits&logoColor=white)](https://conventionalcommits.org)
+[![codecov](https://codecov.io/gh/bec-project/bec_widgets/graph/badge.svg?token=0Z9IQRJKMY)](https://codecov.io/gh/bec-project/bec_widgets)
+
+
+**⚠️ Important Notice:**
+
+🚨 **PyQt6 is no longer supported** due to incompatibilities with Qt Designer. Please use **PySide6** instead. 🚨
+
 BEC Widgets is a GUI framework designed for interaction with [BEC (Beamline Experiment Control)](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec).
+
 ## Installation
 
 Use the package manager [pip](https://pip.pypa.io/en/stable/) to install BEC Widgets:
 
 ```bash
-pip install bec_widgets PyQt6
+pip install bec_widgets[pyside6]
 ```
 
 For development purposes, you can clone the repository and install the package locally in editable mode:
@@ -14,22 +30,12 @@ For development purposes, you can clone the repository and install the package l
 ```bash
 git clone https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec-widgets
 cd bec_widgets
-pip install -e .[dev,pyqt6]
+pip install -e .[dev,pyside6]
 ```
 
-BEC Widgets currently supports both Pyside6 and PyQt6, however, no default distribution is specified. As a result, users must install one of the supported
-Python Qt distributions manually.
+BEC Widgets now **only supports PySide6**. Users must manually install PySide6 as no default Qt distribution is
+specified.
 
-To select a specific Python Qt distribution, install the package with an additional tag:
-
-```bash
-pip install bec_widgets[pyqt6]
-```
-or 
-
-```bash
-pip install bec_widgets[pyside6]
-```
 ## Documentation
 
 Documentation of BEC Widgets can be found [here](https://bec-widgets.readthedocs.io/en/latest/). The documentation of the BEC can be found [here](https://bec.readthedocs.io/en/latest/).
@@ -39,7 +45,7 @@ Documentation of BEC Widgets can be found [here](https://bec-widgets.readthedocs
 All commits should use the Angular commit scheme:
 
 > #### <a name="commit-header"></a>Angular Commit Message Header
-> 
+>
 > ```
 > <type>(<scope>): <short summary>
 >   │       │             │
@@ -53,13 +59,13 @@ All commits should use the Angular commit scheme:
 >   │
 >   └─⫸ Commit Type: build|ci|docs|feat|fix|perf|refactor|test
 > ```
-> 
+>
 > The `<type>` and `<summary>` fields are mandatory, the `(<scope>)` field is optional.
 
 > ##### Type
-> 
+>
 > Must be one of the following:
-> 
+>
 > * **build**: Changes that affect the build system or external dependencies (example scopes: gulp, broccoli, npm)
 > * **ci**: Changes to our CI configuration files and scripts (examples: CircleCi, SauceLabs)
 > * **docs**: Documentation only changes
@@ -71,4 +77,5 @@ All commits should use the Angular commit scheme:
 
 ## License
 
-[BSD-3-Clause](https://choosealicense.com/licenses/bsd-3-clause/)
+[BSD-3-Clause](https://choosealicense.com/licenses/bsd-3-clause/)
+

bec_widgets/__init__.py

@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
+
+__all__ = ["BECWidget", "SafeSlot", "SafeProperty"]

bec_widgets/applications/alignment/alignment_1d/alignment_1d.py

@@ -1,209 +0,0 @@
-""" This module contains the GUI for the 1D alignment application.
-It is a preliminary version of the GUI, which will be added to the main branch and steadily updated to be improved.
-"""
-
-import os
-from typing import Optional
-
-from bec_lib.device import Positioner as BECPositioner
-from bec_lib.device import Signal as BECSignal
-from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
-from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
-from qtpy.QtCore import QSize, Signal
-from qtpy.QtGui import QIcon
-from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
-    QApplication,
-    QCheckBox,
-    QDoubleSpinBox,
-    QMainWindow,
-    QPushButton,
-    QSpinBox,
-)
-
-import bec_widgets
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot as Slot
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.toolbar import WidgetAction
-from bec_widgets.utils import UILoader
-from bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher import BECDispatcher
-from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import get_accent_colors
-from bec_widgets.widgets.bec_progressbar.bec_progressbar import BECProgressBar
-from bec_widgets.widgets.device_line_edit.device_line_edit import DeviceLineEdit
-from bec_widgets.widgets.lmfit_dialog.lmfit_dialog import LMFitDialog
-from bec_widgets.widgets.positioner_box.positioner_box import PositionerBox
-from bec_widgets.widgets.positioner_group.positioner_group import PositionerGroup
-from bec_widgets.widgets.stop_button.stop_button import StopButton
-from bec_widgets.widgets.toggle.toggle import ToggleSwitch
-from bec_widgets.widgets.waveform.waveform_widget import BECWaveformWidget
-
-MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
-logger = bec_logger.logger
-
-
-class Alignment1D:
-    """Alignment GUI to perform 1D scans"""
-
-    def __init__(self, client=None, gui_id: Optional[str] = None) -> None:
-        """Initialization
-
-        Args:
-            config: Configuration of the application.
-            client: BEC client object.
-            gui_id: GUI ID.
-        """
-        self.bec_dispatcher = BECDispatcher(client=client)
-        self.client = self.bec_dispatcher.client if client is None else client
-        QApplication.instance().aboutToQuit.connect(self.close)
-        self.dev = self.client.device_manager.devices
-
-        self._accent_colors = get_accent_colors()
-        self.ui_file = "alignment_1d.ui"
-        self.ui = None
-        self.progress_bar = None
-        self.waveform = None
-        self.init_ui()
-
-    def init_ui(self):
-        """Initialise the UI from QT Designer file"""
-        current_path = os.path.dirname(__file__)
-        self.ui = UILoader(None).loader(os.path.join(current_path, self.ui_file))
-        # Customize the plotting widget
-        self.waveform = self.ui.findChild(BECWaveformWidget, "bec_waveform_widget")
-        self._customise_bec_waveform_widget()
-        # Setup comboboxes for motor and signal selection
-        # FIXME after changing the filtering in the combobox
-        self._setup_signal_combobox()
-        # Setup motor indicator
-        self._setup_motor_indicator()
-        # Setup progress bar
-        self._setup_progress_bar()
-        # Add actions buttons
-        self._customise_buttons()
-        # Hook scaninfo updates
-        self.bec_dispatcher.connect_slot(self.scan_status_callback, MessageEndpoints.scan_status())
-
-    def show(self):
-        return self.ui.show()
-
-    ##############################
-    ############ SLOTS ###########
-    ##############################
-
-    @Slot(dict, dict)
-    def scan_status_callback(self, content: dict, _) -> None:
-        """This slot allows to enable/disable the UI critical components when a scan is running"""
-        if content["status"] in ["open"]:
-            self.enable_ui(False)
-        elif content["status"] in ["aborted", "halted", "closed"]:
-            self.enable_ui(True)
-
-    @Slot(tuple)
-    def move_to_center(self, move_request: tuple) -> None:
-        """Move the selected motor to the center"""
-        motor = self.ui.device_combobox.currentText()
-        if move_request[0] in ["center", "center1", "center2"]:
-            pos = move_request[1]
-        self.dev.get(motor).move(float(pos), relative=False)
-
-    @Slot()
-    def reset_progress_bar(self) -> None:
-        """Reset the progress bar"""
-        self.progress_bar.set_value(0)
-        self.progress_bar.set_minimum(0)
-
-    @Slot(dict, dict)
-    def update_progress_bar(self, content: dict, _) -> None:
-        """Hook to update the progress bar
-
-        Args:
-            content: Content of the scan progress message.
-            metadata: Metadata of the message.
-        """
-        if content["max_value"] == 0:
-            self.progress_bar.set_value(0)
-            return
-        self.progress_bar.set_maximum(content["max_value"])
-        self.progress_bar.set_value(content["value"])
-
-    @Slot()
-    def clear_queue(self) -> None:
-        """Clear the scan queue"""
-        self.queue.request_queue_reset()
-
-    ##############################
-    ######## END OF SLOTS ########
-    ##############################
-
-    def enable_ui(self, enable: bool) -> None:
-        """Enable or disable the UI components"""
-        # Enable/disable motor and signal selection
-        self.ui.device_combobox_2.setEnabled(enable)
-        # Enable/disable DAP selection
-        self.ui.dap_combo_box.setEnabled(enable)
-        # Enable/disable Scan Button
-        # self.ui.scan_button.setEnabled(enable)
-        # Disable move to buttons in LMFitDialog
-        self.ui.findChild(LMFitDialog).set_actions_enabled(enable)
-
-    def _customise_buttons(self) -> None:
-        """Add action buttons for the Action Control.
-        In addition, we are adding a callback to also clear the queue to the stop button
-        to ensure that upon clicking the button, no scans from another client may be queued
-        which would be confusing without the queue widget.
-        """
-        fit_dialog = self.ui.findChild(LMFitDialog)
-        fit_dialog.active_action_list = ["center", "center1", "center2"]
-        fit_dialog.move_action.connect(self.move_to_center)
-        stop_button = self.ui.findChild(StopButton)
-        stop_button.button.setText("Stop and Clear Queue")
-        stop_button.button.clicked.connect(self.clear_queue)
-
-    def _customise_bec_waveform_widget(self) -> None:
-        """Customise the BEC Waveform Widget, i.e. clear the toolbar"""
-        self.waveform.toolbar.clear()
-
-    def _setup_motor_indicator(self) -> None:
-        """Setup the arrow item"""
-        self.waveform.waveform.tick_item.add_to_plot()
-        positioner_box = self.ui.findChild(PositionerGroup)
-        positioner_box.position_update.connect(self.waveform.waveform.tick_item.set_position)
-        self.waveform.waveform.tick_item.set_position(0)
-
-    def _setup_signal_combobox(self) -> None:
-        """Setup signal selection"""
-        # FIXME after changing the filtering in the combobox
-        signals = [name for name in self.dev if isinstance(self.dev.get(name), BECSignal)]
-        self.ui.device_combobox_2.setCurrentText(signals[0])
-        self.ui.device_combobox_2.set_device_filter("Signal")
-
-    def _setup_progress_bar(self) -> None:
-        """Setup progress bar"""
-        # FIXME once the BECScanProgressBar is implemented
-        self.progress_bar = self.ui.findChild(BECProgressBar, "bec_progress_bar")
-        self.progress_bar.set_value(0)
-        self.ui.bec_waveform_widget.new_scan.connect(self.reset_progress_bar)
-        self.bec_dispatcher.connect_slot(self.update_progress_bar, MessageEndpoints.scan_progress())
-
-    def close(self):
-        logger.info("Disconnecting", repr(self.bec_dispatcher))
-        self.bec_dispatcher.disconnect_all()
-        logger.info("Shutting down BEC Client", repr(self.client))
-        self.client.shutdown()
-
-
-def main():
-    import sys
-
-    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    icon = QIcon()
-    icon.addFile(
-        os.path.join(MODULE_PATH, "assets", "app_icons", "alignment_1d.png"), size=QSize(48, 48)
-    )
-    app.setWindowIcon(icon)
-    window = Alignment1D()
-    window.show()
-    sys.exit(app.exec_())
-
-
-if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
-    main()

bec_widgets/applications/alignment/alignment_1d/alignment_1d.ui

@@ -1,615 +0,0 @@
-<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
-<ui version="4.0">
- <class>mainWindow</class>
- <widget class="QMainWindow" name="mainWindow">
-  <property name="geometry">
-   <rect>
-    <x>0</x>
-    <y>0</y>
-    <width>1611</width>
-    <height>1019</height>
-   </rect>
-  </property>
-  <property name="windowTitle">
-   <string>Alignment tool</string>
-  </property>
-  <widget class="QWidget" name="widget">
-   <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout_2">
-    <item>
-     <widget class="QWidget" name="widget" native="true">
-      <property name="sizePolicy">
-       <sizepolicy hsizetype="Preferred" vsizetype="Fixed">
-        <horstretch>0</horstretch>
-        <verstretch>0</verstretch>
-       </sizepolicy>
-      </property>
-      <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout_5">
-       <item>
-        <widget class="DarkModeButton" name="dark_mode_button"/>
-       </item>
-       <item>
-        <spacer name="horizontalSpacer_6">
-         <property name="orientation">
-          <enum>Qt::Orientation::Horizontal</enum>
-         </property>
-         <property name="sizeHint" stdset="0">
-          <size>
-           <width>40</width>
-           <height>20</height>
-          </size>
-         </property>
-        </spacer>
-       </item>
-       <item>
-        <widget class="BECStatusBox" name="bec_status_box">
-         <property name="compact_view" stdset="0">
-          <bool>true</bool>
-         </property>
-         <property name="label" stdset="0">
-          <string>BEC Servers</string>
-         </property>
-        </widget>
-       </item>
-       <item>
-        <spacer name="horizontalSpacer_3">
-         <property name="orientation">
-          <enum>Qt::Orientation::Horizontal</enum>
-         </property>
-         <property name="sizeHint" stdset="0">
-          <size>
-           <width>40</width>
-           <height>20</height>
-          </size>
-         </property>
-        </spacer>
-       </item>
-       <item>
-        <widget class="BECQueue" name="bec_queue">
-         <property name="compact_view" stdset="0">
-          <bool>true</bool>
-         </property>
-        </widget>
-       </item>
-       <item>
-        <spacer name="horizontalSpacer_5">
-         <property name="orientation">
-          <enum>Qt::Orientation::Horizontal</enum>
-         </property>
-         <property name="sizeHint" stdset="0">
-          <size>
-           <width>40</width>
-           <height>20</height>
-          </size>
-         </property>
-        </spacer>
-       </item>
-       <item>
-        <widget class="QRadioButton" name="radioButton">
-         <property name="enabled">
-          <bool>false</bool>
-         </property>
-         <property name="text">
-          <string>SLS Light On</string>
-         </property>
-         <property name="checkable">
-          <bool>true</bool>
-         </property>
-         <property name="checked">
-          <bool>true</bool>
-         </property>
-         <property name="autoExclusive">
-          <bool>false</bool>
-         </property>
-        </widget>
-       </item>
-       <item>
-        <spacer name="horizontalSpacer_7">
-         <property name="orientation">
-          <enum>Qt::Orientation::Horizontal</enum>
-         </property>
-         <property name="sizeHint" stdset="0">
-          <size>
-           <width>40</width>
-           <height>20</height>
-          </size>
-         </property>
-        </spacer>
-       </item>
-       <item>
-        <widget class="QRadioButton" name="radioButton_3">
-         <property name="enabled">
-          <bool>false</bool>
-         </property>
-         <property name="text">
-          <string>BEAMLINE Checks</string>
-         </property>
-         <property name="checkable">
-          <bool>true</bool>
-         </property>
-         <property name="checked">
-          <bool>true</bool>
-         </property>
-         <property name="autoExclusive">
-          <bool>false</bool>
-         </property>
-        </widget>
-       </item>
-       <item>
-        <spacer name="horizontalSpacer_4">
-         <property name="orientation">
-          <enum>Qt::Orientation::Horizontal</enum>
-         </property>
-         <property name="sizeHint" stdset="0">
-          <size>
-           <width>40</width>
-           <height>20</height>
-          </size>
-         </property>
-        </spacer>
-       </item>
-       <item>
-        <widget class="StopButton" name="stop_button">
-         <property name="sizePolicy">
-          <sizepolicy hsizetype="MinimumExpanding" vsizetype="MinimumExpanding">
-           <horstretch>0</horstretch>
-           <verstretch>0</verstretch>
-          </sizepolicy>
-         </property>
-         <property name="minimumSize">
-          <size>
-           <width>200</width>
-           <height>40</height>
-          </size>
-         </property>
-         <property name="maximumSize">
-          <size>
-           <width>200</width>
-           <height>40</height>
-          </size>
-         </property>
-        </widget>
-       </item>
-      </layout>
-     </widget>
-    </item>
-    <item>
-     <widget class="BECProgressBar" name="bec_progress_bar">
-      <property name="minimumSize">
-       <size>
-        <width>0</width>
-        <height>25</height>
-       </size>
-      </property>
-      <property name="maximumSize">
-       <size>
-        <width>16777215</width>
-        <height>25</height>
-       </size>
-      </property>
-     </widget>
-    </item>
-    <item>
-     <widget class="QTabWidget" name="tabWidget">
-      <property name="sizePolicy">
-       <sizepolicy hsizetype="Expanding" vsizetype="Expanding">
-        <horstretch>0</horstretch>
-        <verstretch>0</verstretch>
-       </sizepolicy>
-      </property>
-      <property name="currentIndex">
-       <number>0</number>
-      </property>
-      <widget class="QWidget" name="ControlTab">
-       <attribute name="title">
-        <string>Alignment Control</string>
-       </attribute>
-       <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout_6">
-        <item>
-         <widget class="QWidget" name="widget_4" native="true">
-          <property name="sizePolicy">
-           <sizepolicy hsizetype="Preferred" vsizetype="Preferred">
-            <horstretch>1</horstretch>
-            <verstretch>0</verstretch>
-           </sizepolicy>
-          </property>
-          <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout_3">
-           <item>
-            <widget class="ScanControl" name="scan_control">
-             <property name="current_scan" stdset="0">
-              <string>line_scan</string>
-             </property>
-             <property name="hide_arg_box" stdset="0">
-              <bool>false</bool>
-             </property>
-             <property name="hide_scan_selection_combobox" stdset="0">
-              <bool>true</bool>
-             </property>
-             <property name="hide_add_remove_buttons" stdset="0">
-              <bool>true</bool>
-             </property>
-            </widget>
-           </item>
-           <item>
-            <widget class="PositionerGroup" name="positioner_group"/>
-           </item>
-           <item>
-            <spacer name="verticalSpacer">
-             <property name="orientation">
-              <enum>Qt::Orientation::Vertical</enum>
-             </property>
-             <property name="sizeHint" stdset="0">
-              <size>
-               <width>20</width>
-               <height>40</height>
-              </size>
-             </property>
-            </spacer>
-           </item>
-          </layout>
-         </widget>
-        </item>
-        <item>
-         <widget class="QWidget" name="widget_3" native="true">
-          <property name="sizePolicy">
-           <sizepolicy hsizetype="Preferred" vsizetype="Preferred">
-            <horstretch>4</horstretch>
-            <verstretch>0</verstretch>
-           </sizepolicy>
-          </property>
-          <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout">
-           <item>
-            <widget class="QWidget" name="widget_2" native="true">
-             <property name="sizePolicy">
-              <sizepolicy hsizetype="Preferred" vsizetype="Fixed">
-               <horstretch>0</horstretch>
-               <verstretch>0</verstretch>
-              </sizepolicy>
-             </property>
-             <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout_3">
-              <item>
-               <widget class="QLabel" name="label_2">
-                <property name="font">
-                 <font/>
-                </property>
-                <property name="text">
-                 <string>Monitor</string>
-                </property>
-               </widget>
-              </item>
-              <item>
-               <widget class="DeviceComboBox" name="device_combobox_2"/>
-              </item>
-              <item>
-               <widget class="QLabel" name="label_3">
-                <property name="font">
-                 <font/>
-                </property>
-                <property name="text">
-                 <string>LMFit Model</string>
-                </property>
-               </widget>
-              </item>
-              <item>
-               <widget class="DapComboBox" name="dap_combo_box"/>
-              </item>
-              <item>
-               <widget class="QLabel" name="label">
-                <property name="text">
-                 <string>Enable ROI</string>
-                </property>
-               </widget>
-              </item>
-              <item>
-               <widget class="ToggleSwitch" name="toggle_switch">
-                <property name="sizePolicy">
-                 <sizepolicy hsizetype="Expanding" vsizetype="Expanding">
-                  <horstretch>3</horstretch>
-                  <verstretch>0</verstretch>
-                 </sizepolicy>
-                </property>
-                <property name="toolTip">
-                 <string>Activate linear region select for LMFit</string>
-                </property>
-                <property name="layoutDirection">
-                 <enum>Qt::LayoutDirection::LeftToRight</enum>
-                </property>
-                <property name="checked" stdset="0">
-                 <bool>false</bool>
-                </property>
-               </widget>
-              </item>
-              <item>
-               <spacer name="horizontalSpacer_8">
-                <property name="orientation">
-                 <enum>Qt::Orientation::Horizontal</enum>
-                </property>
-                <property name="sizeHint" stdset="0">
-                 <size>
-                  <width>40</width>
-                  <height>20</height>
-                 </size>
-                </property>
-               </spacer>
-              </item>
-             </layout>
-            </widget>
-           </item>
-           <item>
-            <widget class="BECWaveformWidget" name="bec_waveform_widget">
-             <property name="sizePolicy">
-              <sizepolicy hsizetype="Expanding" vsizetype="Expanding">
-               <horstretch>0</horstretch>
-               <verstretch>1</verstretch>
-              </sizepolicy>
-             </property>
-             <property name="minimumSize">
-              <size>
-               <width>600</width>
-               <height>450</height>
-              </size>
-             </property>
-             <property name="clear_curves_on_plot_update" stdset="0">
-              <bool>true</bool>
-             </property>
-            </widget>
-           </item>
-           <item>
-            <widget class="LMFitDialog" name="lm_fit_dialog">
-             <property name="sizePolicy">
-              <sizepolicy hsizetype="Preferred" vsizetype="Minimum">
-               <horstretch>0</horstretch>
-               <verstretch>0</verstretch>
-              </sizepolicy>
-             </property>
-             <property name="minimumSize">
-              <size>
-               <width>0</width>
-               <height>190</height>
-              </size>
-             </property>
-             <property name="always_show_latest" stdset="0">
-              <bool>true</bool>
-             </property>
-             <property name="hide_curve_selection" stdset="0">
-              <bool>true</bool>
-             </property>
-             <property name="hide_summary" stdset="0">
-              <bool>true</bool>
-             </property>
-            </widget>
-           </item>
-          </layout>
-         </widget>
-        </item>
-       </layout>
-      </widget>
-      <widget class="QWidget" name="tab_2">
-       <attribute name="title">
-        <string>Logbook</string>
-       </attribute>
-       <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout_4">
-        <property name="leftMargin">
-         <number>2</number>
-        </property>
-        <property name="topMargin">
-         <number>2</number>
-        </property>
-        <property name="rightMargin">
-         <number>2</number>
-        </property>
-        <property name="bottomMargin">
-         <number>2</number>
-        </property>
-        <item>
-         <widget class="WebsiteWidget" name="website_widget">
-          <property name="url" stdset="0">
-           <string>https://scilog.psi.ch/login</string>
-          </property>
-         </widget>
-        </item>
-       </layout>
-      </widget>
-     </widget>
-    </item>
-   </layout>
-  </widget>
- </widget>
- <customwidgets>
-  <customwidget>
-   <class>DapComboBox</class>
-   <extends>QWidget</extends>
-   <header>dap_combo_box</header>
-  </customwidget>
-  <customwidget>
-   <class>StopButton</class>
-   <extends>QWidget</extends>
-   <header>stop_button</header>
-  </customwidget>
-  <customwidget>
-   <class>WebsiteWidget</class>
-   <extends>QWidget</extends>
-   <header>website_widget</header>
-  </customwidget>
-  <customwidget>
-   <class>BECQueue</class>
-   <extends>QWidget</extends>
-   <header>bec_queue</header>
-  </customwidget>
-  <customwidget>
-   <class>ScanControl</class>
-   <extends>QWidget</extends>
-   <header>scan_control</header>
-  </customwidget>
-  <customwidget>
-   <class>ToggleSwitch</class>
-   <extends>QWidget</extends>
-   <header>toggle_switch</header>
-  </customwidget>
-  <customwidget>
-   <class>BECProgressBar</class>
-   <extends>QWidget</extends>
-   <header>bec_progress_bar</header>
-  </customwidget>
-  <customwidget>
-   <class>DarkModeButton</class>
-   <extends>QWidget</extends>
-   <header>dark_mode_button</header>
-  </customwidget>
-  <customwidget>
-   <class>PositionerGroup</class>
-   <extends>QWidget</extends>
-   <header>positioner_group</header>
-  </customwidget>
-  <customwidget>
-   <class>BECWaveformWidget</class>
-   <extends>QWidget</extends>
-   <header>bec_waveform_widget</header>
-  </customwidget>
-  <customwidget>
-   <class>DeviceComboBox</class>
-   <extends>QComboBox</extends>
-   <header>device_combobox</header>
-  </customwidget>
-  <customwidget>
-   <class>LMFitDialog</class>
-   <extends>QWidget</extends>
-   <header>lm_fit_dialog</header>
-  </customwidget>
-  <customwidget>
-   <class>BECStatusBox</class>
-   <extends>QWidget</extends>
-   <header>bec_status_box</header>
-  </customwidget>
- </customwidgets>
- <resources/>
- <connections>
-  <connection>
-   <sender>toggle_switch</sender>
-   <signal>enabled(bool)</signal>
-   <receiver>bec_waveform_widget</receiver>
-   <slot>toogle_roi_select(bool)</slot>
-   <hints>
-    <hint type="sourcelabel">
-     <x>1042</x>
-     <y>212</y>
-    </hint>
-    <hint type="destinationlabel">
-     <x>1416</x>
-     <y>322</y>
-    </hint>
-   </hints>
-  </connection>
-  <connection>
-   <sender>bec_waveform_widget</sender>
-   <signal>dap_summary_update(QVariantMap,QVariantMap)</signal>
-   <receiver>lm_fit_dialog</receiver>
-   <slot>update_summary_tree(QVariantMap,QVariantMap)</slot>
-   <hints>
-    <hint type="sourcelabel">
-     <x>1099</x>
-     <y>258</y>
-    </hint>
-    <hint type="destinationlabel">
-     <x>1157</x>
-     <y>929</y>
-    </hint>
-   </hints>
-  </connection>
-  <connection>
-   <sender>device_combobox_2</sender>
-   <signal>currentTextChanged(QString)</signal>
-   <receiver>bec_waveform_widget</receiver>
-   <slot>plot(QString)</slot>
-   <hints>
-    <hint type="sourcelabel">
-     <x>577</x>
-     <y>215</y>
-    </hint>
-    <hint type="destinationlabel">
-     <x>1416</x>
-     <y>427</y>
-    </hint>
-   </hints>
-  </connection>
-  <connection>
-   <sender>device_combobox_2</sender>
-   <signal>currentTextChanged(QString)</signal>
-   <receiver>dap_combo_box</receiver>
-   <slot>select_y_axis(QString)</slot>
-   <hints>
-    <hint type="sourcelabel">
-     <x>577</x>
-     <y>215</y>
-    </hint>
-    <hint type="destinationlabel">
-     <x>909</x>
-     <y>215</y>
-    </hint>
-   </hints>
-  </connection>
-  <connection>
-   <sender>dap_combo_box</sender>
-   <signal>new_dap_config(QString,QString,QString)</signal>
-   <receiver>bec_waveform_widget</receiver>
-   <slot>add_dap(QString,QString,QString)</slot>
-   <hints>
-    <hint type="sourcelabel">
-     <x>909</x>
-     <y>215</y>
-    </hint>
-    <hint type="destinationlabel">
-     <x>1416</x>
-     <y>447</y>
-    </hint>
-   </hints>
-  </connection>
-  <connection>
-   <sender>scan_control</sender>
-   <signal>device_selected(QString)</signal>
-   <receiver>positioner_group</receiver>
-   <slot>set_positioners(QString)</slot>
-   <hints>
-    <hint type="sourcelabel">
-     <x>230</x>
-     <y>306</y>
-    </hint>
-    <hint type="destinationlabel">
-     <x>187</x>
-     <y>926</y>
-    </hint>
-   </hints>
-  </connection>
-  <connection>
-   <sender>scan_control</sender>
-   <signal>device_selected(QString)</signal>
-   <receiver>bec_waveform_widget</receiver>
-   <slot>set_x(QString)</slot>
-   <hints>
-    <hint type="sourcelabel">
-     <x>187</x>
-     <y>356</y>
-    </hint>
-    <hint type="destinationlabel">
-     <x>972</x>
-     <y>509</y>
-    </hint>
-   </hints>
-  </connection>
-  <connection>
-   <sender>scan_control</sender>
-   <signal>device_selected(QString)</signal>
-   <receiver>dap_combo_box</receiver>
-   <slot>select_x_axis(QString)</slot>
-   <hints>
-    <hint type="sourcelabel">
-     <x>187</x>
-     <y>356</y>
-    </hint>
-    <hint type="destinationlabel">
-     <x>794</x>
-     <y>202</y>
-    </hint>
-   </hints>
-  </connection>
- </connections>
-</ui>

bec_widgets/applications/bec_app.py

@@ -1,84 +0,0 @@
-"""
-Launcher for BEC GUI Applications
-
-Application must be located in bec_widgets/applications ;
-in order for the launcher to find the application, it has to be put in
-a subdirectory with the same name as the main Python module:
-
-/bec_widgets/applications
-    ├── alignment
-    │   └── alignment_1d
-    │       └── alignment_1d.py
-    ├── other_app
-        └── other_app.py
-
-The tree above would contain 2 applications, alignment_1d and other_app.
-
-The Python module for the application must have `if __name__ == "__main__":`
-in order for the launcher to execute it (it is run with `python -m`).
-"""
-
-import argparse
-import os
-import sys
-
-MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(__file__)
-
-
-def find_apps(base_dir: str) -> list[str]:
-    matching_modules = []
-
-    for root, dirs, files in os.walk(base_dir):
-        parent_dir = os.path.basename(root)
-
-        for file in files:
-            if file.endswith(".py") and file != "__init__.py":
-                file_name_without_ext = os.path.splitext(file)[0]
-
-                if file_name_without_ext == parent_dir:
-                    rel_path = os.path.relpath(root, base_dir)
-                    module_path = rel_path.replace(os.sep, ".")
-
-                    module_name = f"{module_path}.{file_name_without_ext}"
-                    matching_modules.append((file_name_without_ext, module_name))
-
-    return matching_modules
-
-
-def main():
-    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="BEC application launcher")
-
-    parser.add_argument("-m", "--module", type=str, help="The module to run (string argument).")
-
-    # Add a positional argument for the module, which acts as a fallback if -m is not provided
-    parser.add_argument(
-        "positional_module",
-        nargs="?",  # This makes the positional argument optional
-        help="Positional argument that is treated as module if -m is not specified.",
-    )
-
-    args = parser.parse_args()
-    # If the -m/--module is not provided, fallback to the positional argument
-    module = args.module if args.module else args.positional_module
-
-    if module:
-        for app_name, app_module in find_apps(MODULE_PATH):
-            if module in (app_name, app_module):
-                print("Starting:", app_name)
-                python_executable = sys.executable
-
-                # Replace the current process with the new Python module
-                os.execvp(
-                    python_executable,
-                    [python_executable, "-m", f"bec_widgets.applications.{app_module}"],
-                )
-        print(f"Error: cannot find application {module}")
-
-    # display list of apps
-    print("Available applications:")
-    for app, _ in find_apps(MODULE_PATH):
-        print(f"  - {app}")
-
-
-if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
-    main()

bec_widgets/applications/bw_launch.py

@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.auto_update.auto_updates import AutoUpdates
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock.dock_area import BECDockArea
+
+
+def dock_area(object_name: str | None = None) -> BECDockArea:
+    _dock_area = BECDockArea(object_name=object_name, root_widget=True)
+    return _dock_area
+
+
+def auto_update_dock_area(object_name: str | None = None) -> AutoUpdates:
+    """
+    Create a dock area with auto update enabled.
+
+    Args:
+        object_name(str): The name of the dock area.
+
+    Returns:
+        BECDockArea: The created dock area.
+    """
+    _auto_update = AutoUpdates(object_name=object_name)
+    return _auto_update

bec_widgets/applications/launch_window.py

@@ -0,0 +1,517 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import os
+import xml.etree.ElementTree as ET
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Callable
+
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from qtpy.QtCore import Qt, Signal  # type: ignore
+from qtpy.QtGui import QPainter, QPainterPath, QPixmap
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
+    QApplication,
+    QComboBox,
+    QFileDialog,
+    QHBoxLayout,
+    QLabel,
+    QPushButton,
+    QSizePolicy,
+    QSpacerItem,
+    QWidget,
+)
+
+import bec_widgets
+from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_register import RPCRegister
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_plugin_helper import get_all_plugin_widgets
+from bec_widgets.utils.container_utils import WidgetContainerUtils
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.utils.name_utils import pascal_to_snake
+from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import get_plugin_auto_updates
+from bec_widgets.utils.round_frame import RoundedFrame
+from bec_widgets.utils.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.utility.visual.dark_mode_button.dark_mode_button import DarkModeButton
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
+    from qtpy.QtCore import QObject
+
+    from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
+
+
+class LaunchTile(RoundedFrame):
+    open_signal = Signal()
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        parent: QObject | None = None,
+        icon_path: str | None = None,
+        top_label: str | None = None,
+        main_label: str | None = None,
+        description: str | None = None,
+        show_selector: bool = False,
+    ):
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, orientation="vertical")
+
+        self.icon_label = QLabel(parent=self)
+        self.icon_label.setFixedSize(100, 100)
+        self.icon_label.setScaledContents(True)
+        pixmap = QPixmap(icon_path)
+        if not pixmap.isNull():
+            size = 100
+            circular_pixmap = QPixmap(size, size)
+            circular_pixmap.fill(Qt.transparent)
+
+            painter = QPainter(circular_pixmap)
+            painter.setRenderHints(QPainter.Antialiasing, True)
+            path = QPainterPath()
+            path.addEllipse(0, 0, size, size)
+            painter.setClipPath(path)
+            pixmap = pixmap.scaled(size, size, Qt.KeepAspectRatio, Qt.SmoothTransformation)
+            painter.drawPixmap(0, 0, pixmap)
+            painter.end()
+
+            self.icon_label.setPixmap(circular_pixmap)
+        self.layout.addWidget(self.icon_label, alignment=Qt.AlignCenter)
+
+        # Top label
+        self.top_label = QLabel(top_label.upper())
+        font_top = self.top_label.font()
+        font_top.setPointSize(10)
+        self.top_label.setFont(font_top)
+        self.layout.addWidget(self.top_label, alignment=Qt.AlignCenter)
+
+        # Main label
+        self.main_label = QLabel(main_label)
+        font_main = self.main_label.font()
+        font_main.setPointSize(14)
+        font_main.setBold(True)
+        self.main_label.setFont(font_main)
+        self.main_label.setWordWrap(True)
+        self.main_label.setAlignment(Qt.AlignCenter)
+        self.layout.addWidget(self.main_label)
+
+        self.spacer_top = QSpacerItem(0, 10, QSizePolicy.Fixed, QSizePolicy.Fixed)
+        self.layout.addItem(self.spacer_top)
+
+        # Description
+        self.description_label = QLabel(description)
+        self.description_label.setWordWrap(True)
+        self.description_label.setAlignment(Qt.AlignCenter)
+        self.layout.addWidget(self.description_label)
+
+        # Selector
+        if show_selector:
+            self.selector = QComboBox(self)
+            self.layout.addWidget(self.selector)
+        else:
+            self.selector = None
+
+        self.spacer_bottom = QSpacerItem(0, 0, QSizePolicy.Fixed, QSizePolicy.Expanding)
+        self.layout.addItem(self.spacer_bottom)
+
+        # Action button
+        self.action_button = QPushButton("Open")
+        self.action_button.setStyleSheet(
+            """
+        QPushButton {
+            background-color: #007AFF;
+            border: none;
+            padding: 8px 16px;
+            color: white;
+            border-radius: 6px;
+            font-weight: bold;
+        }
+        QPushButton:hover {
+            background-color: #005BB5;
+        }
+        """
+        )
+        self.layout.addWidget(self.action_button, alignment=Qt.AlignCenter)
+
+
+class LaunchWindow(BECMainWindow):
+    RPC = True
+    TILE_SIZE = (250, 300)
+    USER_ACCESS = ["show_launcher", "hide_launcher"]
+
+    def __init__(
+        self, parent=None, gui_id: str = None, window_title="BEC Launcher", *args, **kwargs
+    ):
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, gui_id=gui_id, window_title=window_title, **kwargs)
+
+        self.app = QApplication.instance()
+        self.tiles: dict[str, LaunchTile] = {}
+
+        # Toolbar
+        self.dark_mode_button = DarkModeButton(parent=self, toolbar=True)
+        self.toolbar = ModularToolBar(parent=self)
+        self.addToolBar(Qt.TopToolBarArea, self.toolbar)
+        self.spacer = QWidget(self)
+        self.spacer.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Expanding)
+        self.toolbar.addWidget(self.spacer)
+        self.toolbar.addWidget(self.dark_mode_button)
+
+        # Main Widget
+        self.central_widget = QWidget(self)
+        self.central_widget.layout = QHBoxLayout(self.central_widget)
+        self.setCentralWidget(self.central_widget)
+
+        self.register_tile(
+            name="dock_area",
+            icon_path=os.path.join(MODULE_PATH, "assets", "app_icons", "bec_widgets_icon.png"),
+            top_label="Get started",
+            main_label="BEC Dock Area",
+            description="Highly flexible and customizable dock area application with modular widgets.",
+            action_button=lambda: self.launch("dock_area"),
+            show_selector=False,
+        )
+
+        self.available_auto_updates: dict[str, type[AutoUpdates]] = (
+            self._update_available_auto_updates()
+        )
+        self.register_tile(
+            name="auto_update",
+            icon_path=os.path.join(MODULE_PATH, "assets", "app_icons", "auto_update.png"),
+            top_label="Get automated",
+            main_label="BEC Auto Update Dock Area",
+            description="Dock area with auto update functionality for BEC widgets plotting.",
+            action_button=self._open_auto_update,
+            show_selector=True,
+            selector_items=list(self.available_auto_updates.keys()) + ["Default"],
+        )
+
+        self.register_tile(
+            name="custom_ui_file",
+            icon_path=os.path.join(MODULE_PATH, "assets", "app_icons", "ui_loader_tile.png"),
+            top_label="Get customized",
+            main_label="Launch Custom UI File",
+            description="GUI application with custom UI file.",
+            action_button=self._open_custom_ui_file,
+            show_selector=False,
+        )
+
+        # plugin widgets
+        self.available_widgets: dict[str, BECWidget] = get_all_plugin_widgets()
+        if self.available_widgets:
+            plugin_repo_name = next(iter(self.available_widgets.values())).__module__.split(".")[0]
+            plugin_repo_name = plugin_repo_name.removesuffix("_bec").upper()
+            self.register_tile(
+                name="widget",
+                icon_path=os.path.join(
+                    MODULE_PATH, "assets", "app_icons", "widget_launch_tile.png"
+                ),
+                top_label="Get quickly started",
+                main_label=f"Launch a {plugin_repo_name} Widget",
+                description=f"GUI application with one widget from the {plugin_repo_name} repository.",
+                action_button=self._open_widget,
+                show_selector=True,
+                selector_items=list(self.available_widgets.keys()),
+            )
+
+        self._update_theme()
+
+        self.register = RPCRegister()
+        self.register.callbacks.append(self._turn_off_the_lights)
+        self.register.broadcast()
+
+    def register_tile(
+        self,
+        name: str,
+        icon_path: str | None = None,
+        top_label: str | None = None,
+        main_label: str | None = None,
+        description: str | None = None,
+        action_button: Callable | None = None,
+        show_selector: bool = False,
+        selector_items: list[str] | None = None,
+    ):
+        """
+        Register a tile in the launcher window.
+
+        Args:
+            name(str): The name of the tile.
+            icon_path(str): The path to the icon.
+            top_label(str): The top label of the tile.
+            main_label(str): The main label of the tile.
+            description(str): The description of the tile.
+            action_button(callable): The action to be performed when the button is clicked.
+            show_selector(bool): Whether to show a selector or not.
+            selector_items(list[str]): The items to be shown in the selector.
+        """
+
+        tile = LaunchTile(
+            icon_path=icon_path,
+            top_label=top_label,
+            main_label=main_label,
+            description=description,
+            show_selector=show_selector,
+        )
+        tile.setFixedSize(*self.TILE_SIZE)
+        if action_button:
+            tile.action_button.clicked.connect(action_button)
+        if show_selector and selector_items:
+            tile.selector.addItems(selector_items)
+        self.central_widget.layout.addWidget(tile)
+
+        self.tiles[name] = tile
+
+    def launch(
+        self,
+        launch_script: str,
+        name: str | None = None,
+        geometry: tuple[int, int, int, int] | None = None,
+        **kwargs,
+    ) -> QWidget | None:
+        """Launch the specified script. If the launch script creates a QWidget, it will be
+        embedded in a BECMainWindow. If the launch script creates a BECMainWindow, it will be shown
+        as a separate window.
+
+        Args:
+            launch_script(str): The name of the script to be launched.
+            name(str): The name of the dock area.
+            geometry(tuple): The geometry parameters to be passed to the dock area.
+        Returns:
+            QWidget: The created dock area.
+        """
+        from bec_widgets.applications import bw_launch
+
+        with RPCRegister.delayed_broadcast() as rpc_register:
+            existing_dock_areas = rpc_register.get_names_of_rpc_by_class_type(BECDockArea)
+            if name is not None:
+                if name in existing_dock_areas:
+                    raise ValueError(
+                        f"Name {name} must be unique for dock areas, but already exists: {existing_dock_areas}."
+                    )
+                WidgetContainerUtils.raise_for_invalid_name(name)
+
+            else:
+                name = "dock_area"
+                name = WidgetContainerUtils.generate_unique_name(name, existing_dock_areas)
+
+            if launch_script is None:
+                launch_script = "dock_area"
+            if not isinstance(launch_script, str):
+                raise ValueError(f"Launch script must be a string, but got {type(launch_script)}.")
+
+            if launch_script == "custom_ui_file":
+                ui_file = kwargs.pop("ui_file", None)
+                if not ui_file:
+                    return None
+                return self._launch_custom_ui_file(ui_file)
+
+            if launch_script == "auto_update":
+                auto_update = kwargs.pop("auto_update", None)
+                return self._launch_auto_update(auto_update)
+
+            if launch_script == "widget":
+                widget = kwargs.pop("widget", None)
+                if widget is None:
+                    raise ValueError("Widget name must be provided.")
+                return self._launch_widget(widget)
+
+            launch = getattr(bw_launch, launch_script, None)
+            if launch is None:
+                raise ValueError(f"Launch script {launch_script} not found.")
+
+            result_widget = launch(name)
+            result_widget.resize(result_widget.minimumSizeHint())
+            # TODO Should we simply use the specified name as title here?
+            result_widget.window().setWindowTitle(f"BEC - {name}")
+            logger.info(f"Created new dock area: {name}")
+
+            if geometry is not None:
+                result_widget.setGeometry(*geometry)
+            if isinstance(result_widget, BECMainWindow):
+                result_widget.show()
+            else:
+                window = BECMainWindow()
+                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
+        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)
+
+        tree = ET.parse(ui_file)
+        root = tree.getroot()
+        # Check if the top-level widget is a QMainWindow
+        widget = root.find("widget")
+        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."
+            )
+
+        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.show()
+        logger.info(f"Object name of new instance: {result_widget.objectName()}, {window.gui_id}")
+        return window
+
+    def _launch_auto_update(self, auto_update: str) -> AutoUpdates:
+        if auto_update in self.available_auto_updates:
+            auto_update_cls = self.available_auto_updates[auto_update]
+            window = auto_update_cls()
+        else:
+
+            auto_update = "auto_updates"
+            window = AutoUpdates()
+
+        window.resize(window.minimumSizeHint())
+        QApplication.processEvents()
+        window.setWindowTitle(f"BEC - {window.objectName()}")
+        window.show()
+        return window
+
+    def _launch_widget(self, widget: type[BECWidget]) -> QWidget:
+        name = pascal_to_snake(widget.__name__)
+
+        WidgetContainerUtils.raise_for_invalid_name(name)
+
+        window = BECMainWindow()
+
+        widget_instance = widget(root_widget=True, object_name=name)
+        assert isinstance(widget_instance, QWidget)
+        QApplication.processEvents()
+
+        window.setCentralWidget(widget_instance)
+        window.resize(window.minimumSizeHint())
+        window.setWindowTitle(f"BEC - {widget_instance.objectName()}")
+        window.show()
+        return window
+
+    def apply_theme(self, theme: str):
+        """
+        Change the theme of the application.
+        """
+        for tile in self.tiles.values():
+            tile.apply_theme(theme)
+
+        super().apply_theme(theme)
+
+    def _open_auto_update(self):
+        """
+        Open the auto update window.
+        """
+        if self.tiles["auto_update"].selector is None:
+            auto_update = None
+        else:
+            auto_update = self.tiles["auto_update"].selector.currentText()
+            if auto_update == "Default":
+                auto_update = None
+        return self.launch("auto_update", auto_update=auto_update)
+
+    def _open_widget(self):
+        """
+        Open a widget from the available widgets.
+        """
+        if self.tiles["widget"].selector is None:
+            return
+        widget = self.tiles["widget"].selector.currentText()
+        if widget not in self.available_widgets:
+            raise ValueError(f"Widget {widget} not found in available widgets.")
+        return self.launch("widget", widget=self.available_widgets[widget])
+
+    @SafeSlot(popup_error=True)
+    def _open_custom_ui_file(self):
+        """
+        Open a file dialog to select a custom UI file and launch it.
+        """
+        ui_file, _ = QFileDialog.getOpenFileName(
+            self, "Select UI File", "", "UI Files (*.ui);;All Files (*)"
+        )
+        self.launch("custom_ui_file", ui_file=ui_file)
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _update_available_auto_updates() -> dict[str, type[AutoUpdates]]:
+        """
+        Load all available auto updates from the plugin repository.
+        """
+        try:
+            auto_updates = get_plugin_auto_updates()
+            logger.info(f"Available auto updates: {auto_updates.keys()}")
+        except Exception as exc:
+            logger.error(f"Failed to load auto updates: {exc}")
+            return {}
+        return auto_updates
+
+    def show_launcher(self):
+        """
+        Show the launcher window.
+        """
+        self.show()
+
+    def hide_launcher(self):
+        """
+        Hide the launcher window.
+        """
+        self.hide()
+
+    def showEvent(self, event):
+        super().showEvent(event)
+        self.setFixedSize(self.size())
+
+    def _launcher_is_last_widget(self, connections: dict) -> bool:
+        """
+        Check if the launcher is the last widget in the application.
+        """
+
+        remaining_connections = [
+            connection for connection in connections.values() if connection.parent_id != self.gui_id
+        ]
+        return len(remaining_connections) <= 1
+
+    def _turn_off_the_lights(self, connections: dict):
+        """
+        If there is only one connection remaining, it is the launcher, so we show it.
+        Once the launcher is closed as the last window, we quit the application.
+        """
+        if self._launcher_is_last_widget(connections):
+            self.show()
+            self.activateWindow()
+            self.raise_()
+            if self.app:
+                self.app.setQuitOnLastWindowClosed(True)  # type: ignore
+            return
+
+        self.hide()
+        if self.app:
+            self.app.setQuitOnLastWindowClosed(False)  # type: ignore
+
+    def closeEvent(self, event):
+        """
+        Close the launcher window.
+        """
+        connections = self.register.list_all_connections()
+        if self._launcher_is_last_widget(connections):
+            event.accept()
+            return
+
+        event.ignore()
+        self.hide()
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    import sys
+
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    launcher = LaunchWindow()
+    launcher.show()
+    sys.exit(app.exec())

bec_widgets/cli/__init__.py

@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-from .client import *

bec_widgets/cli/auto_updates.py

@@ -1,184 +0,0 @@
-from __future__ import annotations
-
-import threading
-from queue import Queue
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
-
-from pydantic import BaseModel
-
-if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from .client import BECDockArea, BECFigure
-
-
-class ScanInfo(BaseModel):
-    scan_id: str
-    scan_number: int
-    scan_name: str
-    scan_report_devices: list
-    monitored_devices: list
-    status: str
-    model_config: dict = {"validate_assignment": True}
-
-
-class AutoUpdates:
-    create_default_dock: bool = False
-    enabled: bool = False
-    dock_name: str = None
-
-    def __init__(self, gui: BECDockArea):
-        self.gui = gui
-        self.msg_queue = Queue()
-        self.auto_update_thread = None
-        self._shutdown_sentinel = object()
-        self.start()
-
-    def start(self):
-        """
-        Start the auto update thread.
-        """
-        self.auto_update_thread = threading.Thread(target=self.process_queue)
-        self.auto_update_thread.start()
-
-    def start_default_dock(self):
-        """
-        Create a default dock for the auto updates.
-        """
-        dock = self.gui.add_dock("default_figure")
-        dock.add_widget("BECFigure")
-        self.dock_name = "default_figure"
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def get_scan_info(msg) -> ScanInfo:
-        """
-        Update the script with the given data.
-        """
-        info = msg.info
-        status = msg.status
-        scan_id = msg.scan_id
-        scan_number = info.get("scan_number", 0)
-        scan_name = info.get("scan_name", "Unknown")
-        scan_report_devices = info.get("scan_report_devices", [])
-        monitored_devices = info.get("readout_priority", {}).get("monitored", [])
-        monitored_devices = [dev for dev in monitored_devices if dev not in scan_report_devices]
-        return ScanInfo(
-            scan_id=scan_id,
-            scan_number=scan_number,
-            scan_name=scan_name,
-            scan_report_devices=scan_report_devices,
-            monitored_devices=monitored_devices,
-            status=status,
-        )
-
-    def get_default_figure(self) -> BECFigure | None:
-        """
-        Get the default figure from the GUI.
-        """
-        dock = self.gui.panels.get(self.dock_name, [])
-        if not dock:
-            return None
-        widgets = dock.widget_list
-        if not widgets:
-            return None
-        return widgets[0]
-
-    def run(self, msg):
-        """
-        Run the update function if enabled.
-        """
-        if not self.enabled:
-            return
-        if msg.status != "open":
-            return
-        info = self.get_scan_info(msg)
-        self.handler(info)
-
-    def process_queue(self):
-        """
-        Process the message queue.
-        """
-        while True:
-            msg = self.msg_queue.get()
-            if msg is self._shutdown_sentinel:
-                break
-            self.run(msg)
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def get_selected_device(monitored_devices, selected_device):
-        """
-        Get the selected device for the plot. If no device is selected, the first
-        device in the monitored devices list is selected.
-        """
-        if selected_device:
-            return selected_device
-        if len(monitored_devices) > 0:
-            sel_device = monitored_devices[0]
-            return sel_device
-        return None
-
-    def handler(self, info: ScanInfo) -> None:
-        """
-        Default update function.
-        """
-        if info.scan_name == "line_scan" and info.scan_report_devices:
-            self.simple_line_scan(info)
-            return
-        if info.scan_name == "grid_scan" and info.scan_report_devices:
-            self.simple_grid_scan(info)
-            return
-        if info.scan_report_devices:
-            self.best_effort(info)
-            return
-
-    def simple_line_scan(self, info: ScanInfo) -> None:
-        """
-        Simple line scan.
-        """
-        fig = self.get_default_figure()
-        if not fig:
-            return
-        dev_x = info.scan_report_devices[0]
-        dev_y = self.get_selected_device(info.monitored_devices, self.gui.selected_device)
-        if not dev_y:
-            return
-        fig.clear_all()
-        plt = fig.plot(x_name=dev_x, y_name=dev_y, label=f"Scan {info.scan_number} - {dev_y}")
-        plt.set(title=f"Scan {info.scan_number}", x_label=dev_x, y_label=dev_y)
-
-    def simple_grid_scan(self, info: ScanInfo) -> None:
-        """
-        Simple grid scan.
-        """
-        fig = self.get_default_figure()
-        if not fig:
-            return
-        dev_x = info.scan_report_devices[0]
-        dev_y = info.scan_report_devices[1]
-        dev_z = self.get_selected_device(info.monitored_devices, self.gui.selected_device)
-        fig.clear_all()
-        plt = fig.plot(
-            x_name=dev_x, y_name=dev_y, z_name=dev_z, label=f"Scan {info.scan_number} - {dev_z}"
-        )
-        plt.set(title=f"Scan {info.scan_number}", x_label=dev_x, y_label=dev_y)
-
-    def best_effort(self, info: ScanInfo) -> None:
-        """
-        Best effort scan.
-        """
-        fig = self.get_default_figure()
-        if not fig:
-            return
-        dev_x = info.scan_report_devices[0]
-        dev_y = self.get_selected_device(info.monitored_devices, self.gui.selected_device)
-        if not dev_y:
-            return
-        fig.clear_all()
-        plt = fig.plot(x_name=dev_x, y_name=dev_y, label=f"Scan {info.scan_number} - {dev_y}")
-        plt.set(title=f"Scan {info.scan_number}", x_label=dev_x, y_label=dev_y)
-
-    def shutdown(self):
-        """
-        Shutdown the auto update thread.
-        """
-        self.msg_queue.put(self._shutdown_sentinel)
-        if self.auto_update_thread:
-            self.auto_update_thread.join()

bec_widgets/cli/client_utils.py

@@ -1,65 +1,53 @@
+"""Client utilities for the BEC GUI."""
+
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-import importlib
-import importlib.metadata as imd
 import json
 import os
 import select
 import subprocess
 import threading
 import time
-import uuid
-from functools import wraps
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
+from contextlib import contextmanager
+from threading import Lock
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Literal, TypeAlias, cast
 
-from bec_lib.client import BECClient
 from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
-from bec_lib.utils.import_utils import isinstance_based_on_class_name, lazy_import, lazy_import_from
+from bec_lib.utils.import_utils 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.auto_updates import AutoUpdates
+from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_base import RPCBase, RPCReference
+from bec_widgets.utils.serialization import register_serializer_extension
 
-if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from bec_lib.device import DeviceBase
-
-messages = lazy_import("bec_lib.messages")
-# from bec_lib.connector import MessageObject
-MessageObject = lazy_import_from("bec_lib.connector", ("MessageObject",))
-BECDispatcher = lazy_import_from("bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher", ("BECDispatcher",))
+if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
+    from bec_lib.messages import GUIRegistryStateMessage
+else:
+    GUIRegistryStateMessage = lazy_import_from("bec_lib.messages", "GUIRegistryStateMessage")
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
+IGNORE_WIDGETS = ["LaunchWindow"]
 
-def rpc_call(func):
+RegistryState: TypeAlias = dict[
+    Literal["gui_id", "name", "widget_class", "config", "__rpc__", "container_proxy"],
+    str | bool | dict,
+]
+
+# pylint: disable=redefined-outer-scope
+
+
+def _filter_output(output: str) -> str:
     """
-    A decorator for calling a function on the server.
-
-    Args:
-        func: The function to call.
-
-    Returns:
-        The result of the function call.
+    Filter out the output from the process.
     """
-
-    @wraps(func)
-    def wrapper(self, *args, **kwargs):
-        # we could rely on a strict type check here, but this is more flexible
-        # moreover, it would anyway crash for objects...
-        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
-        if not self.gui_is_alive():
-            raise RuntimeError("GUI is not alive")
-        return self._run_rpc(func.__name__, *args, **kwargs)
-
-    return wrapper
+    if "IMKClient" in output:
+        # only relevant on macOS
+        # see https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255761734?sortBy=rank
+        return ""
+    return output
 
 
 def _get_output(process, logger) -> None:
@@ -75,6 +63,7 @@ def _get_output(process, logger) -> None:
                 if stream in readylist:
                     buf.append(stream.read(4096))
                 output, _, remaining = "".join(buf).rpartition("\n")
+                output = _filter_output(output)
                 if output:
                     log_func[stream](output)
                     buf.clear()
@@ -83,7 +72,13 @@ def _get_output(process, logger) -> None:
         logger.error(f"Error reading process output: {str(e)}")
 
 
-def _start_plot_process(gui_id: str, gui_class: type, config: dict | str, logger=None) -> None:
+def _start_plot_process(
+    gui_id: str,
+    gui_class_id: str,
+    config: dict | str,
+    gui_class: str = "dock_area",
+    logger=None,  # FIXME change gui_class back to "launcher" later
+) -> tuple[subprocess.Popen[str], threading.Thread | None]:
     """
     Start the plot in a new process.
 
@@ -92,11 +87,20 @@ def _start_plot_process(gui_id: str, gui_class: type, config: dict | str, logger
     process will not be captured.
     """
     # pylint: disable=subprocess-run-check
-    command = ["bec-gui-server", "--id", gui_id, "--gui_class", gui_class.__name__]
+    command = [
+        "bec-gui-server",
+        "--id",
+        gui_id,
+        "--gui_class",
+        gui_class,
+        "--gui_class_id",
+        gui_class_id,
+        "--hide",
+    ]
     if config:
         if isinstance(config, dict):
             config = json.dumps(config)
-        command.extend(["--config", config])
+        command.extend(["--config", str(config)])
 
     env_dict = os.environ.copy()
     env_dict["PYTHONUNBUFFERED"] = "1"
@@ -126,215 +130,402 @@ def _start_plot_process(gui_id: str, gui_class: type, config: dict | str, logger
     return process, process_output_processing_thread
 
 
-class BECGuiClientMixin:
+class RepeatTimer(threading.Timer):
+    """RepeatTimer class."""
+
+    def run(self):
+        while not self.finished.wait(self.interval):
+            self.function(*self.args, **self.kwargs)
+
+
+# pylint: disable=protected-access
+@contextmanager
+def wait_for_server(client: BECGuiClient):
+    """Context manager to wait for the server to start."""
+    timeout = client._startup_timeout
+    if not timeout:
+        if client._gui_is_alive():
+            # there is hope, let's wait a bit
+            timeout = 1
+        else:
+            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()
+        else:
+            raise TimeoutError("Could not connect to GUI server")
+    finally:
+        # after initial waiting period, do not wait so much any more
+        # (only relevant if GUI didn't start)
+        client._startup_timeout = 0
+    yield
+
+
+class WidgetNameSpace:
+    def __repr__(self):
+        console = Console()
+        table = Table(title="Available widgets for BEC CLI usage")
+        table.add_column("Widget Name", justify="left", style="magenta")
+        table.add_column("Description", justify="left")
+        for attr, value in self.__dict__.items():
+            docs = value.__doc__
+            docs = docs if docs else "No description available"
+            table.add_row(attr, docs)
+        console.print(table)
+        return ""
+
+
+class AvailableWidgetsNamespace:
+    """Namespace for available widgets in the BEC GUI."""
+
+    def __init__(self):
+        for widget in client.Widgets:
+            name = widget.value
+            if name in IGNORE_WIDGETS:
+                continue
+            setattr(self, name, name)
+
+    def __repr__(self):
+        console = Console()
+        table = Table(title="Available widgets for BEC CLI usage")
+        table.add_column("Widget Name", justify="left", style="magenta")
+        table.add_column("Description", justify="left")
+        for attr_name, _ in self.__dict__.items():
+            docs = getattr(client, attr_name).__doc__
+            docs = docs if docs else "No description available"
+            table.add_row(attr_name, docs if len(docs.strip()) > 0 else "No description available")
+        console.print(table)
+        return ""
+
+
+class BECGuiClient(RPCBase):
+    """BEC GUI client class. Container for GUI applications within Python."""
+
     def __init__(self, **kwargs) -> None:
         super().__init__(**kwargs)
+        self._lock = Lock()
+        self._anchor_widget = "launcher"
+        self._killed = False
+        self._top_level: dict[str, RPCReference] = {}
+        self._startup_timeout = 0
+        self._gui_started_timer = None
+        self._gui_started_event = threading.Event()
         self._process = None
         self._process_output_processing_thread = None
-        self.auto_updates = self._get_update_script()
-        self._target_endpoint = MessageEndpoints.scan_status()
-        self._selected_device = None
+        self._server_registry: dict[str, RegistryState] = {}
+        self._ipython_registry: dict[str, RPCReference] = {}
+        self.available_widgets = AvailableWidgetsNamespace()
+        register_serializer_extension()
 
-    def _get_update_script(self) -> AutoUpdates | None:
-        eps = imd.entry_points(group="bec.widgets.auto_updates")
-        for ep in eps:
-            if ep.name == "plugin_widgets_update":
-                try:
-                    spec = importlib.util.find_spec(ep.module)
-                    # if the module is not found, we skip it
-                    if spec is None:
-                        continue
-                    return ep.load()(gui=self)
-                except Exception as e:
-                    logger.error(f"Error loading auto update script from plugin: {str(e)}")
-        return None
+    ####################
+    #### Client API ####
+    ####################
 
     @property
-    def selected_device(self):
-        """
-        Selected device for the plot.
-        """
-        return self._selected_device
+    def launcher(self) -> RPCBase:
+        """The launcher object."""
+        return RPCBase(gui_id=f"{self._gui_id}:launcher", parent=self, object_name="launcher")
 
-    @selected_device.setter
-    def selected_device(self, device: str | DeviceBase):
-        if isinstance_based_on_class_name(device, "bec_lib.device.DeviceBase"):
-            self._selected_device = device.name
-        elif isinstance(device, str):
-            self._selected_device = device
-        else:
-            raise ValueError("Device must be a string or a device object")
+    def connect_to_gui_server(self, gui_id: str) -> None:
+        """Connect to a GUI server"""
+        # Unregister the old callback
+        self._client.connector.unregister(
+            MessageEndpoints.gui_registry_state(self._gui_id), cb=self._handle_registry_update
+        )
+        self._gui_id = gui_id
 
-    def _start_update_script(self) -> None:
+        # reset the namespace
+        self._update_dynamic_namespace({})
+        self._server_registry = {}
+        self._top_level = {}
+        self._ipython_registry = {}
+
+        # Register the new callback
         self._client.connector.register(
-            self._target_endpoint, cb=self._handle_msg_update, parent=self
+            MessageEndpoints.gui_registry_state(self._gui_id),
+            cb=self._handle_registry_update,
+            parent=self,
+            from_start=True,
         )
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def _handle_msg_update(msg: MessageObject, parent: BECGuiClientMixin) -> None:
-        if parent.auto_updates is not None:
-            # pylint: disable=protected-access
-            parent._update_script_msg_parser(msg.value)
+    @property
+    def windows(self) -> dict:
+        """Dictionary with dock areas in the GUI."""
+        return {widget.object_name: widget for widget in self._top_level.values()}
 
-    def _update_script_msg_parser(self, msg: messages.BECMessage) -> None:
-        if isinstance(msg, messages.ScanStatusMessage):
-            if not self.gui_is_alive():
-                return
-            self.auto_updates.msg_queue.put(msg)
+    @property
+    def window_list(self) -> list:
+        """List with dock areas in the GUI."""
+        return list(self._top_level.values())
 
-    def show(self) -> None:
-        """
-        Show the figure.
-        """
-        if self._process is None or self._process.poll() is not None:
-            self._start_update_script()
-            self._process, self._process_output_processing_thread = _start_plot_process(
-                self._gui_id, self.__class__, self._client._service_config.config, logger=logger
-            )
-        while not self.gui_is_alive():
-            print("Waiting for GUI to start...")
-            time.sleep(1)
-        logger.success(f"GUI started with id: {self._gui_id}")
+    def start(self, wait: bool = False) -> None:
+        """Start the GUI server."""
+        return self._start(wait=wait)
 
-    def close(self) -> None:
+    def show(self):
+        """Show the GUI window."""
+        if self._check_if_server_is_alive():
+            return self._show_all()
+        return self.start(wait=True)
+
+    def hide(self):
+        """Hide the GUI window."""
+        return self._hide_all()
+
+    def new(
+        self,
+        name: str | None = None,
+        wait: bool = True,
+        geometry: tuple[int, int, int, int] | None = None,
+        launch_script: str = "dock_area",
+        **kwargs,
+    ) -> client.BECDockArea:
+        """Create a new top-level dock area.
+
+        Args:
+            name(str, optional): The name of the dock area. Defaults to None.
+            wait(bool, optional): Whether to wait for the server to start. Defaults to True.
+            geometry(tuple[int, int, int, int] | None): The geometry of the dock area (pos_x, pos_y, w, h)
+        Returns:
+            client.BECDockArea: The new dock area.
         """
-        Close the gui window.
+        if not self._check_if_server_is_alive():
+            self.start(wait=True)
+        if wait:
+            with wait_for_server(self):
+                widget = self.launcher._run_rpc(
+                    "launch", launch_script=launch_script, name=name, geometry=geometry, **kwargs
+                )  # pylint: disable=protected-access
+                return widget
+        widget = self.launcher._run_rpc(
+            "launch", launch_script=launch_script, name=name, geometry=geometry, **kwargs
+        )  # pylint: disable=protected-access
+        return widget
+
+    def delete(self, name: str) -> None:
+        """Delete a dock area.
+
+        Args:
+            name(str): The name of the dock area.
         """
+        widget = self.windows.get(name)
+        if widget is None:
+            raise ValueError(f"Dock area {name} not found.")
+        widget._run_rpc("close")  # pylint: disable=protected-access
+
+    def delete_all(self) -> None:
+        """Delete all dock areas."""
+        for widget_name in self.windows:
+            self.delete(widget_name)
+
+    def kill_server(self) -> None:
+        """Kill the GUI server."""
+        # Unregister the registry state
+        self._killed = True
+
+        if self._gui_started_timer is not None:
+            self._gui_started_timer.cancel()
+            self._gui_started_timer.join()
+
         if self._process is None:
             return
 
-        self._client.shutdown()
         if self._process:
+            logger.success("Stopping GUI...")
             self._process.terminate()
             if self._process_output_processing_thread:
                 self._process_output_processing_thread.join()
             self._process.wait()
             self._process = None
-        if self.auto_updates is not None:
-            self.auto_updates.shutdown()
 
-
-class RPCResponseTimeoutError(Exception):
-    """Exception raised when an RPC response is not received within the expected time."""
-
-    def __init__(self, request_id, timeout):
-        super().__init__(
-            f"RPC response not received within {timeout} seconds for request ID {request_id}"
+        # Unregister the registry state
+        self._client.connector.unregister(
+            MessageEndpoints.gui_registry_state(self._gui_id), cb=self._handle_registry_update
         )
+        # Remove all reference from top level
+        self._top_level.clear()
+        self._server_registry.clear()
 
+    def close(self):
+        """Deprecated. Use kill_server() instead."""
+        # FIXME, deprecated in favor of kill, will be removed in the future
+        self.kill_server()
 
-class RPCBase:
-    def __init__(self, gui_id: str = None, config: dict = None, parent=None) -> None:
-        self._client = BECClient()  # BECClient is a singleton; here, we simply get the instance
-        self._config = config if config is not None else {}
-        self._gui_id = gui_id if gui_id is not None else str(uuid.uuid4())[:5]
-        self._parent = parent
-        self._msg_wait_event = threading.Event()
-        self._rpc_response = None
-        super().__init__()
-        # print(f"RPCBase: {self._gui_id}")
+    #########################
+    #### Private methods ####
+    #########################
 
-    def __repr__(self):
-        type_ = type(self)
-        qualname = type_.__qualname__
-        return f"<{qualname} object at {hex(id(self))}>"
+    def _check_if_server_is_alive(self):
+        """Checks if the process is alive"""
+        if self._process is None:
+            return False
+        if self._process.poll() is not None:
+            return False
+        return True
 
-    @property
-    def _root(self):
+    def _gui_post_startup(self):
+        timeout = 60
+        # Wait for 'bec' gui to be registered, this may take some time
+        # After 60s timeout. Should this raise an exception on timeout?
+        while time.time() < time.time() + timeout:
+            if len(list(self._server_registry.keys())) < 2 or not hasattr(
+                self, self._anchor_widget
+            ):
+                time.sleep(0.1)
+            else:
+                break
+
+        self._gui_started_event.set()
+
+    def _start_server(self, wait: bool = False) -> None:
         """
-        Get the root widget. This is the BECFigure widget that holds
-        the anchor gui_id.
+        Start the GUI server, and execute callback when it is launched
         """
-        parent = self
-        # pylint: disable=protected-access
-        while parent._parent is not None:
-            parent = parent._parent
-        return parent
-
-    def _run_rpc(self, method, *args, wait_for_rpc_response=True, timeout=3, **kwargs):
-        """
-        Run the RPC call.
-
-        Args:
-            method: The method to call.
-            args: The arguments to pass to the method.
-            wait_for_rpc_response: Whether to wait for the RPC response.
-            kwargs: The keyword arguments to pass to the method.
-
-        Returns:
-            The result of the RPC call.
-        """
-        request_id = str(uuid.uuid4())
-        rpc_msg = messages.GUIInstructionMessage(
-            action=method,
-            parameter={"args": args, "kwargs": kwargs, "gui_id": self._gui_id},
-            metadata={"request_id": request_id},
-        )
-
-        # pylint: disable=protected-access
-        receiver = self._root._gui_id
-        if wait_for_rpc_response:
-            self._rpc_response = None
-            self._msg_wait_event.clear()
-            self._client.connector.register(
-                MessageEndpoints.gui_instruction_response(request_id),
-                cb=self._on_rpc_response,
-                parent=self,
+        if self._process is None or self._process.poll() is not None:
+            logger.success("GUI starting...")
+            self._startup_timeout = 5
+            self._gui_started_event.clear()
+            self._process, self._process_output_processing_thread = _start_plot_process(
+                self._gui_id,
+                gui_class_id="bec",
+                config=self._client._service_config.config,  # pylint: disable=protected-access
+                logger=logger,
             )
 
-        self._client.connector.set_and_publish(MessageEndpoints.gui_instructions(receiver), rpc_msg)
+            def gui_started_callback(callback):
+                try:
+                    if callable(callback):
+                        callback()
+                finally:
+                    threading.current_thread().cancel()  # type: ignore
 
-        if wait_for_rpc_response:
-            try:
-                finished = self._msg_wait_event.wait(10)
-                if not finished:
-                    raise RPCResponseTimeoutError(request_id, timeout)
-            finally:
-                self._msg_wait_event.clear()
-                self._client.connector.unregister(
-                    MessageEndpoints.gui_instruction_response(request_id), cb=self._on_rpc_response
-                )
-            # get class name
-            if not self._rpc_response.accepted:
-                raise ValueError(self._rpc_response.message["error"])
-            msg_result = self._rpc_response.message.get("result")
-            self._rpc_response = None
-            return self._create_widget_from_msg_result(msg_result)
+            self._gui_started_timer = RepeatTimer(
+                0.5, lambda: self._gui_is_alive() and gui_started_callback(self._gui_post_startup)
+            )
+            self._gui_started_timer.start()
+
+        if wait:
+            self._gui_started_event.wait()
+
+    def _start(self, wait: bool = False) -> None:
+        self._killed = False
+        self._client.connector.register(
+            MessageEndpoints.gui_registry_state(self._gui_id),
+            cb=self._handle_registry_update,
+            parent=self,
+        )
+        return self._start_server(wait=wait)
 
     @staticmethod
-    def _on_rpc_response(msg: MessageObject, parent: RPCBase) -> None:
-        msg = msg.value
-        parent._msg_wait_event.set()
-        parent._rpc_response = msg
+    def _handle_registry_update(
+        msg: dict[str, GUIRegistryStateMessage], parent: BECGuiClient
+    ) -> None:
+        # This was causing a deadlock during shutdown, not sure why.
+        # with self._lock:
+        self = parent
+        self._server_registry = cast(dict[str, RegistryState], msg["data"].state)
+        self._update_dynamic_namespace(self._server_registry)
 
-    def _create_widget_from_msg_result(self, msg_result):
-        if msg_result is None:
-            return None
-        if isinstance(msg_result, list):
-            return [self._create_widget_from_msg_result(res) for res in msg_result]
-        if isinstance(msg_result, dict):
-            if "__rpc__" not in msg_result:
-                return {
-                    key: self._create_widget_from_msg_result(val) for key, val in msg_result.items()
-                }
-            cls = msg_result.pop("widget_class", None)
-            msg_result.pop("__rpc__", None)
+    def _do_show_all(self):
+        rpc_client = RPCBase(gui_id=f"{self._gui_id}:launcher", parent=self)
+        rpc_client._run_rpc("show")  # pylint: disable=protected-access
+        for window in self._top_level.values():
+            window.show()
 
-            if not cls:
-                return msg_result
+    def _show_all(self):
+        with wait_for_server(self):
+            return self._do_show_all()
 
-            cls = getattr(client, cls)
-            # print(msg_result)
-            return cls(parent=self, **msg_result)
-        return msg_result
+    def _hide_all(self):
+        with wait_for_server(self):
+            rpc_client = RPCBase(gui_id=f"{self._gui_id}:launcher", parent=self)
+            rpc_client._run_rpc("hide")  # pylint: disable=protected-access
+            if not self._killed:
+                for window in self._top_level.values():
+                    window.hide()
 
-    def gui_is_alive(self):
+    def _update_dynamic_namespace(self, server_registry: dict):
         """
-        Check if the GUI is alive.
+        Update the dynamic name space with the given server registry.
+        Setting the server registry to an empty dictionary will remove all widgets from the namespace.
+
+        Args:
+            server_registry (dict): The server registry
         """
-        heart = self._client.connector.get(MessageEndpoints.gui_heartbeat(self._root._gui_id))
-        if heart is None:
-            return False
-        if heart.status == messages.BECStatus.RUNNING:
-            return True
-        return False
+        top_level_widgets: dict[str, RPCReference] = {}
+        for gui_id, state in server_registry.items():
+            widget = self._add_widget(state, self)
+            if widget is None:
+                # ignore widgets that are not supported
+                continue
+            # get all top-level widgets. These are widgets that have no parent
+            if not state["config"].get("parent_id"):
+                top_level_widgets[gui_id] = widget
+
+        remove_from_registry = []
+        for gui_id, widget in self._ipython_registry.items():
+            if gui_id not in server_registry:
+                remove_from_registry.append(gui_id)
+        for gui_id in remove_from_registry:
+            self._ipython_registry.pop(gui_id)
+
+        removed_widgets = [
+            widget.object_name for widget in self._top_level.values() if widget._is_deleted()
+        ]
+
+        for widget_name in removed_widgets:
+            # the check is not strictly necessary, but better safe
+            # than sorry; who knows what the user has done
+            if hasattr(self, widget_name):
+                delattr(self, widget_name)
+
+        for gui_id, widget_ref in top_level_widgets.items():
+            setattr(self, widget_ref.object_name, widget_ref)
+
+        self._top_level = top_level_widgets
+
+        for widget in self._ipython_registry.values():
+            widget._refresh_references()
+
+    def _add_widget(self, state: dict, parent: object) -> RPCReference | None:
+        """Add a widget to the namespace
+
+        Args:
+            state (dict): The state of the widget from the _server_registry.
+            parent (object): The parent object.
+        """
+        object_name = state["object_name"]
+        gui_id = state["gui_id"]
+        if state["widget_class"] in IGNORE_WIDGETS:
+            return
+        widget_class = getattr(client, state["widget_class"], None)
+        if widget_class is None:
+            return
+        obj = self._ipython_registry.get(gui_id)
+        if obj is None:
+            widget = widget_class(gui_id=gui_id, object_name=object_name, parent=parent)
+            self._ipython_registry[gui_id] = widget
+        else:
+            widget = obj
+        obj = RPCReference(registry=self._ipython_registry, gui_id=gui_id)
+        return obj
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    from bec_lib.client import BECClient
+    from bec_lib.service_config import ServiceConfig
+
+    try:
+        config = ServiceConfig()
+        bec_client = BECClient(config)
+        bec_client.start()
+
+        # Test the client_utils.py module
+        gui = BECGuiClient()
+
+        gui.start(wait=True)
+        gui.new().new(widget="Waveform")
+        time.sleep(10)
+    finally:
+        gui.kill_server()

bec_widgets/cli/generate_cli.py

@@ -2,16 +2,21 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import argparse
+import importlib
 import inspect
 import os
 import sys
+from pathlib import Path
 
 import black
 import isort
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from qtpy.QtCore import Property as QtProperty
 
-from bec_widgets.utils.generate_designer_plugin import DesignerPluginGenerator
-from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import BECClassContainer, get_rpc_classes
+from bec_widgets.utils.generate_designer_plugin import DesignerPluginGenerator, plugin_filenames
+from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import BECClassContainer, get_custom_classes
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
 
 if sys.version_info >= (3, 11):
     from typing import get_overloads
@@ -29,13 +34,29 @@ else:
 
 
 class ClientGenerator:
-    def __init__(self):
-        self.header = """# This file was automatically generated by generate_cli.py\n
+    def __init__(self, base=False):
+        self._base = base
+        base_imports = (
+            """import enum
+import inspect
+import traceback
+from functools import reduce
+from operator import add
+from typing import Literal, Optional
+"""
+            if self._base
+            else "\n"
+        )
+        self.header = f"""# This file was automatically generated by generate_cli.py
+# type: ignore \n
 from __future__ import annotations
-import enum
-from typing import Literal, Optional, overload
+{base_imports}
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 
-from bec_widgets.cli.client_utils import RPCBase, rpc_call, BECGuiClientMixin
+from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_base import RPCBase, rpc_call
+{"from bec_widgets.utils.bec_plugin_helper import get_all_plugin_widgets, get_plugin_client_module" if self._base else ""}
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
 
 # pylint: skip-file"""
 
@@ -43,18 +64,26 @@ from bec_widgets.cli.client_utils import RPCBase, rpc_call, BECGuiClientMixin
 
     def generate_client(self, class_container: BECClassContainer):
         """
-        Generate the client for the published classes.
+        Generate the client for the published classes, skipping any classes
+        that have `RPC = False`.
 
         Args:
             class_container: The class container with the classes to generate the client for.
         """
-        rpc_top_level_classes = class_container.rpc_top_level_classes
+        # Filter out classes that explicitly have RPC=False
+        rpc_top_level_classes = [
+            cls for cls in class_container.rpc_top_level_classes if getattr(cls, "RPC", True)
+        ]
         rpc_top_level_classes.sort(key=lambda x: x.__name__)
-        connector_classes = class_container.connector_classes
+
+        connector_classes = [
+            cls for cls in class_container.connector_classes if getattr(cls, "RPC", True)
+        ]
         connector_classes.sort(key=lambda x: x.__name__)
 
         self.write_client_enum(rpc_top_level_classes)
         for cls in connector_classes:
+            logger.debug(f"generating RPC client class for {cls.__name__}")
             self.content += "\n\n"
             self.generate_content_for_class(cls)
 
@@ -62,14 +91,50 @@ from bec_widgets.cli.client_utils import RPCBase, rpc_call, BECGuiClientMixin
         """
         Write the client enum to the content.
         """
+        if self._base:
+            self.content += """
+class _WidgetsEnumType(str, enum.Enum):
+    \"\"\" Enum for the available widgets, to be generated programatically  \"\"\"
+    ...
+    """
+
         self.content += """
-class Widgets(str, enum.Enum):
-    \"\"\"
-    Enum for the available widgets.
-    \"\"\"
+
+_Widgets = {
     """
         for cls in published_classes:
-            self.content += f'{cls.__name__} = "{cls.__name__}"\n    '
+            self.content += f'"{cls.__name__}": "{cls.__name__}",\n    '
+
+        self.content += """}
+"""
+        if self._base:
+            self.content += """
+
+try:
+    _plugin_widgets = get_all_plugin_widgets()
+    plugin_client = get_plugin_client_module()
+    Widgets = _WidgetsEnumType("Widgets", {name: name for name in _plugin_widgets} | _Widgets)
+
+    if (_overlap := _Widgets.keys() & _plugin_widgets.keys()) != set():
+        for _widget in _overlap:
+            logger.warning(f"Detected duplicate widget {_widget} in plugin repo file: {inspect.getfile(_plugin_widgets[_widget])} !")
+    for plugin_name, plugin_class in inspect.getmembers(plugin_client, inspect.isclass):
+        if issubclass(plugin_class, RPCBase) and plugin_class is not RPCBase:
+            if plugin_name in globals():
+                conflicting_file = (
+                    inspect.getfile(_plugin_widgets[plugin_name])
+                    if plugin_name in _plugin_widgets
+                    else f"{plugin_client}"
+                )
+                logger.warning(
+                    f"Plugin widget {plugin_name} from {conflicting_file} conflicts with a built-in class!"
+                )
+                continue
+            if plugin_name not in _overlap:
+                globals()[plugin_name] = plugin_class
+except ImportError as e:
+    logger.error(f"Failed loading plugins: \\n{reduce(add, traceback.format_exception(e))}")
+"""
 
     def generate_content_for_class(self, cls):
         """
@@ -81,16 +146,28 @@ class Widgets(str, enum.Enum):
 
         class_name = cls.__name__
 
-        # Generate the content
-        if cls.__name__ == "BECDockArea":
+        if class_name == "BECDockArea":
             self.content += f"""
-class {class_name}(RPCBase, BECGuiClientMixin):"""
+class {class_name}(RPCBase):"""
         else:
             self.content += f"""
 class {class_name}(RPCBase):"""
+
+        if cls.__doc__:
+            # We only want the first line of the docstring
+            # But skip the first line if it's a blank line
+            first_line = cls.__doc__.split("\n")[0]
+            if first_line:
+                class_docs = first_line
+            else:
+                class_docs = cls.__doc__.split("\n")[1]
+            self.content += f"""
+    \"\"\"{class_docs}\"\"\"
+    """
         if not cls.USER_ACCESS:
             self.content += """...
     """
+
         for method in cls.USER_ACCESS:
             is_property_setter = False
             obj = getattr(cls, method, None)
@@ -100,8 +177,10 @@ class {class_name}(RPCBase):"""
                 method = method.split(".setter")[0]
             if obj is None:
                 raise AttributeError(
-                    f"Method {method} not found in class {cls.__name__}. Please check the USER_ACCESS list."
+                    f"Method {method} not found in class {cls.__name__}. "
+                    f"Please check the USER_ACCESS list."
                 )
+
             if isinstance(obj, (property, QtProperty)):
                 # for the cli, we can map qt properties to regular properties
                 if is_property_setter:
@@ -144,18 +223,18 @@ class {class_name}(RPCBase):"""
         # Combine header and content, then format with black
         full_content = self.header + "\n" + self.content
         try:
-            formatted_content = black.format_str(full_content, mode=black.FileMode(line_length=100))
+            formatted_content = black.format_str(full_content, mode=black.Mode(line_length=100))
         except black.NothingChanged:
             formatted_content = full_content
 
-        isort.Config(
+        config = isort.Config(
             profile="black",
             line_length=100,
             multi_line_output=3,
-            include_trailing_comma=True,
+            include_trailing_comma=False,
             known_first_party=["bec_widgets"],
         )
-        formatted_content = isort.code(formatted_content)
+        formatted_content = isort.code(formatted_content, config=config)
 
         with open(file_name, "w", encoding="utf-8") as file:
             file.write(formatted_content)
@@ -167,41 +246,78 @@ def main():
     """
 
     parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="Auto-generate the client for RPC widgets")
-    parser.add_argument("--core", action="store_true", help="Whether to generate the core client")
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--target",
+        action="store",
+        type=str,
+        help="Which package to generate plugin files for. Should be installed in the local environment (example: my_plugin_repo)",
+    )
 
     args = parser.parse_args()
+    if args.target is None:
+        logger.error(
+            "You must provide a target - for safety, the default of running this on bec_widgets core has been removed. To generate the client for bec_widgets, run `bw-generate-cli --target bec_widgets`"
+        )
+        return
 
-    if args.core:
-        current_path = os.path.dirname(__file__)
-        client_path = os.path.join(current_path, "client.py")
+    logger.info(f"BEC Widget code generation tool started with args: {args}")
 
-        rpc_classes = get_rpc_classes("bec_widgets")
+    client_subdir = "cli" if args.target == "bec_widgets" else "widgets"
+    module_name = "bec_widgets" if args.target == "bec_widgets" else f"{args.target}.bec_widgets"
 
-        generator = ClientGenerator()
-        generator.generate_client(rpc_classes)
-        generator.write(client_path)
+    try:
+        module = importlib.import_module(module_name)
+        assert module.__file__ is not None
+        module_file = Path(module.__file__)
+        module_dir = module_file.parent if module_file.is_file() else module_file
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"Failed to load module {module_name} for code generation: {e}")
+        return
 
-        for cls in rpc_classes.plugins:
-            plugin = DesignerPluginGenerator(cls)
-            if not hasattr(plugin, "info"):
-                continue
+    client_path = module_dir / client_subdir / "client.py"
 
-            # if the class directory already has a register, plugin and pyproject file, skip
-            if os.path.exists(
-                os.path.join(plugin.info.base_path, f"register_{plugin.info.plugin_name_snake}.py")
-            ):
-                continue
-            if os.path.exists(
-                os.path.join(plugin.info.base_path, f"{plugin.info.plugin_name_snake}_plugin.py")
-            ):
-                continue
-            if os.path.exists(
-                os.path.join(plugin.info.base_path, f"{plugin.info.plugin_name_snake}.pyproject")
-            ):
-                continue
-            plugin.run()
+    rpc_classes = get_custom_classes(module_name)
+    logger.info(f"Obtained classes with RPC objects: {rpc_classes!r}")
+
+    generator = ClientGenerator(base=module_name == "bec_widgets")
+    logger.info(f"Generating client file at {client_path}")
+    generator.generate_client(rpc_classes)
+    generator.write(str(client_path))
+
+    if module_name != "bec_widgets":
+        non_overwrite_classes = list(clsinfo.name for clsinfo in get_custom_classes("bec_widgets"))
+        logger.info(
+            f"Not writing plugins which would conflict with builtin classes: {non_overwrite_classes}"
+        )
+    else:
+        non_overwrite_classes = []
+
+    for cls in rpc_classes.plugins:
+        logger.info(f"Writing bec-designer plugin files for {cls.__name__}...")
+
+        if cls.__name__ in non_overwrite_classes:
+            logger.error(
+                f"Not writing plugin files for {cls.__name__} because a built-in widget with that name exists"
+            )
+
+        plugin = DesignerPluginGenerator(cls)
+        if not hasattr(plugin, "info"):
+            continue
+
+        def _exists(file: str):
+            return os.path.exists(os.path.join(plugin.info.base_path, file))
+
+        if any(_exists(file) for file in plugin_filenames(plugin.info.plugin_name_snake)):
+            logger.debug(
+                f"Skipping generation of extra plugin files for {plugin.info.plugin_name_snake} - at least one file out of 'plugin.py', 'pyproject', and 'register_{plugin.info.plugin_name_snake}.py' already exists."
+            )
+            continue
+
+        plugin.run()
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
-    sys.argv = ["generate_cli.py", "--core"]
+    import sys
+
+    sys.argv = ["bw-generate-cli", "--target", "bec_widgets"]
     main()

bec_widgets/cli/rpc/rpc_base.py

@@ -0,0 +1,308 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import inspect
+import threading
+import uuid
+from functools import wraps
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, cast
+
+from bec_lib.client import BECClient
+from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
+from bec_lib.utils.import_utils import lazy_import, lazy_import_from
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
+    from bec_lib import messages
+    from bec_lib.connector import MessageObject
+
+    import bec_widgets.cli.client as client
+    from bec_widgets.cli.client_utils import BECGuiClient
+else:
+    client = lazy_import("bec_widgets.cli.client")  # avoid circular import
+    messages = lazy_import("bec_lib.messages")
+    MessageObject = lazy_import_from("bec_lib.connector", ("MessageObject",))
+
+# pylint: disable=protected-access
+
+
+def rpc_call(func):
+    """
+    A decorator for calling a function on the server.
+
+    Args:
+        func: The function to call.
+
+    Returns:
+        The result of the function call.
+    """
+
+    @wraps(func)
+    def wrapper(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        # we could rely on a strict type check here, but this is more flexible
+        # moreover, it would anyway crash for objects...
+        caller_frame = inspect.currentframe().f_back  # type: ignore
+        while caller_frame:
+            if "jedi" in caller_frame.f_globals:
+                # Jedi module is present, likely tab completion
+                # Do not run the RPC call
+                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
+        if not self._root._gui_is_alive():
+            raise RuntimeError("GUI is not alive")
+        return self._run_rpc(func.__name__, *args, **kwargs)
+
+    return wrapper
+
+
+class RPCResponseTimeoutError(Exception):
+    """Exception raised when an RPC response is not received within the expected time."""
+
+    def __init__(self, request_id, timeout):
+        super().__init__(
+            f"RPC response not received within {timeout} seconds for request ID {request_id}"
+        )
+
+
+class DeletedWidgetError(Exception): ...
+
+
+def check_for_deleted_widget(func):
+    @wraps(func)
+    def wrapper(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        if self._gui_id not in self._registry:
+            raise DeletedWidgetError(f"Widget with gui_id {self._gui_id} has been deleted")
+        return func(self, *args, **kwargs)
+
+    return wrapper
+
+
+class RPCReference:
+    def __init__(self, registry: dict, gui_id: str) -> None:
+        self._registry = registry
+        self._gui_id = gui_id
+        self.object_name = self._registry[self._gui_id].object_name
+
+    @check_for_deleted_widget
+    def __getattr__(self, name):
+        if name in ["_registry", "_gui_id", "_is_deleted", "object_name"]:
+            return super().__getattribute__(name)
+        return self._registry[self._gui_id].__getattribute__(name)
+
+    def __setattr__(self, name, value):
+        if name in ["_registry", "_gui_id", "_is_deleted", "object_name"]:
+            return super().__setattr__(name, value)
+        if self._gui_id not in self._registry:
+            raise DeletedWidgetError(f"Widget with gui_id {self._gui_id} has been deleted")
+        self._registry[self._gui_id].__setattr__(name, value)
+
+    def __repr__(self):
+        if self._gui_id not in self._registry:
+            return f"<Deleted widget with gui_id {self._gui_id}>"
+        return self._registry[self._gui_id].__repr__()
+
+    def __str__(self):
+        if self._gui_id not in self._registry:
+            return f"<Deleted widget with gui_id {self._gui_id}>"
+        return self._registry[self._gui_id].__str__()
+
+    def __dir__(self):
+        if self._gui_id not in self._registry:
+            return []
+        return self._registry[self._gui_id].__dir__()
+
+    def _is_deleted(self) -> bool:
+        return self._gui_id not in self._registry
+
+
+class RPCBase:
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        gui_id: str | None = None,
+        config: dict | None = None,
+        object_name: str | None = None,
+        parent=None,
+        **kwargs,
+    ) -> None:
+        self._client = BECClient()  # BECClient is a singleton; here, we simply get the instance
+        self._config = config if config is not None else {}
+        self._gui_id = gui_id if gui_id is not None else str(uuid.uuid4())[:5]
+        self.object_name = object_name if object_name is not None else str(uuid.uuid4())[:5]
+        self._parent = parent
+        self._msg_wait_event = threading.Event()
+        self._rpc_response = None
+        super().__init__()
+        self._rpc_references: dict[str, str] = {}
+
+    def __repr__(self):
+        type_ = type(self)
+        qualname = type_.__qualname__
+        return f"<{qualname} with name: {self.object_name}>"
+
+    def remove(self):
+        """
+        Remove the widget.
+        """
+        obj = self._root._server_registry.get(self._gui_id)
+        if obj is None:
+            raise ValueError(f"Widget {self._gui_id} not found.")
+        if proxy := obj.get("container_proxy"):
+            assert isinstance(proxy, str)
+            self._run_rpc("remove", gui_id=proxy)
+            return
+        self._run_rpc("remove")
+
+    @property
+    def _root(self) -> BECGuiClient:
+        """
+        Get the root widget. This is the BECFigure widget that holds
+        the anchor gui_id.
+        """
+        parent = self
+        # pylint: disable=protected-access
+        while parent._parent is not None:
+            parent = parent._parent
+        return parent  # type: ignore
+
+    def _run_rpc(
+        self,
+        method,
+        *args,
+        wait_for_rpc_response=True,
+        timeout=5,
+        gui_id: str | None = None,
+        **kwargs,
+    ) -> Any:
+        """
+        Run the RPC call.
+
+        Args:
+            method: The method to call.
+            args: The arguments to pass to the method.
+            wait_for_rpc_response: Whether to wait for the RPC response.
+            timeout: The timeout for the RPC response.
+            gui_id: The GUI ID to use for the RPC call. If None, the default GUI ID is used.
+            kwargs: The keyword arguments to pass to the method.
+
+        Returns:
+            The result of the RPC call.
+        """
+        request_id = str(uuid.uuid4())
+        rpc_msg = messages.GUIInstructionMessage(
+            action=method,
+            parameter={"args": args, "kwargs": kwargs, "gui_id": gui_id or self._gui_id},
+            metadata={"request_id": request_id},
+        )
+        # pylint: disable=protected-access
+        receiver = self._root._gui_id
+        if wait_for_rpc_response:
+            self._rpc_response = None
+            self._msg_wait_event.clear()
+            self._client.connector.register(
+                MessageEndpoints.gui_instruction_response(request_id),
+                cb=self._on_rpc_response,
+                parent=self,
+            )
+
+        self._client.connector.set_and_publish(MessageEndpoints.gui_instructions(receiver), rpc_msg)
+
+        if wait_for_rpc_response:
+            try:
+                finished = self._msg_wait_event.wait(timeout)
+                if not finished:
+                    raise RPCResponseTimeoutError(request_id, timeout)
+            finally:
+                self._msg_wait_event.clear()
+                self._client.connector.unregister(
+                    MessageEndpoints.gui_instruction_response(request_id), cb=self._on_rpc_response
+                )
+
+            # we can assume that the response is a RequestResponseMessage, updated by
+            # the _on_rpc_response method
+            assert isinstance(self._rpc_response, messages.RequestResponseMessage)
+
+            if not self._rpc_response.accepted:
+                raise ValueError(self._rpc_response.message["error"])
+            msg_result = self._rpc_response.message.get("result")
+            self._rpc_response = None
+            return self._create_widget_from_msg_result(msg_result)
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _on_rpc_response(msg_obj: MessageObject, parent: RPCBase) -> None:
+        msg = cast(messages.RequestResponseMessage, msg_obj.value)
+        parent._rpc_response = msg
+        parent._msg_wait_event.set()
+
+    def _create_widget_from_msg_result(self, msg_result):
+        if msg_result is None:
+            return None
+        if isinstance(msg_result, list):
+            return [self._create_widget_from_msg_result(res) for res in msg_result]
+        if isinstance(msg_result, dict):
+            if "__rpc__" not in msg_result:
+                return {
+                    key: self._create_widget_from_msg_result(val) for key, val in msg_result.items()
+                }
+            cls = msg_result.pop("widget_class", None)
+            msg_result.pop("__rpc__", None)
+
+            if not cls:
+                return msg_result
+
+            cls = getattr(client, cls)
+            # The namespace of the object will be updated dynamically on the client side
+            # Therefore it is important to check if the object is already in the registry
+            # If yes, we return the reference to the object, otherwise we create a new object
+            # pylint: disable=protected-access
+            if msg_result["gui_id"] in self._root._ipython_registry:
+                return RPCReference(self._root._ipython_registry, msg_result["gui_id"])
+            ret = cls(parent=self, **msg_result)
+            self._root._ipython_registry[ret._gui_id] = ret
+            self._refresh_references()
+            obj = RPCReference(self._root._ipython_registry, ret._gui_id)
+            return obj
+            # return ret
+        return msg_result
+
+    def _gui_is_alive(self):
+        """
+        Check if the GUI is alive.
+        """
+        heart = self._client.connector.get(MessageEndpoints.gui_heartbeat(self._root._gui_id))
+        if heart is None:
+            return False
+        if heart.status == messages.BECStatus.RUNNING:
+            return True
+        return False
+
+    def _refresh_references(self):
+        """
+        Refresh the references.
+        """
+        with self._root._lock:
+            references = {}
+            for key, val in self._root._server_registry.items():
+                parent_id = val["config"].get("parent_id")
+                if parent_id == self._gui_id:
+                    references[key] = {
+                        "gui_id": val["config"]["gui_id"],
+                        "object_name": val["object_name"],
+                    }
+            removed_references = set(self._rpc_references.keys()) - set(references.keys())
+            for key in removed_references:
+                delattr(self, self._rpc_references[key]["object_name"])
+            self._rpc_references = references
+            for key, val in references.items():
+                setattr(
+                    self,
+                    val["object_name"],
+                    RPCReference(self._root._ipython_registry, val["gui_id"]),
+                )

bec_widgets/cli/rpc/rpc_register.py

@@ -0,0 +1,189 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from functools import wraps
+from threading import RLock
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Callable
+from weakref import WeakValueDictionary
+
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from qtpy.QtCore import QObject
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
+    from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector
+    from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock.dock import BECDock
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock.dock_area import BECDockArea
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
+
+def broadcast_update(func):
+    """
+    Decorator to broadcast updates to the RPCRegister whenever a new RPC object is added or removed.
+    If class attribute _skip_broadcast is set to True, the broadcast will be skipped
+    """
+
+    @wraps(func)
+    def wrapper(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        result = func(self, *args, **kwargs)
+        self.broadcast()
+        return result
+
+    return wrapper
+
+
+class RPCRegister:
+    """
+    A singleton class that keeps track of all the RPC objects registered in the system for CLI usage.
+    """
+
+    _instance = None
+    _initialized = False
+
+    def __new__(cls, *args, **kwargs):
+        if cls._instance is None:
+            cls._instance = super(RPCRegister, cls).__new__(cls)
+            cls._initialized = False
+        return cls._instance
+
+    def __init__(self):
+        if self._initialized:
+            return
+        self._rpc_register = WeakValueDictionary()
+        self._broadcast_on_hold = RPCRegisterBroadcast(self)
+        self._lock = RLock()
+        self._skip_broadcast = False
+        self._initialized = True
+        self.callbacks = []
+
+    @classmethod
+    def delayed_broadcast(cls):
+        """
+        Delay the broadcast of the update to all the callbacks.
+        """
+        register = cls()
+        return register._broadcast_on_hold
+
+    @broadcast_update
+    def add_rpc(self, rpc: BECConnector):
+        """
+        Add an RPC object to the register.
+
+        Args:
+            rpc(QObject): The RPC object to be added to the register.
+        """
+        if not hasattr(rpc, "gui_id"):
+            raise ValueError("RPC object must have a 'gui_id' attribute.")
+        self._rpc_register[rpc.gui_id] = rpc
+
+    @broadcast_update
+    def remove_rpc(self, rpc: BECConnector):
+        """
+        Remove an RPC object from the register.
+
+        Args:
+            rpc(str): The RPC object to be removed from the register.
+        """
+        if not hasattr(rpc, "gui_id"):
+            raise ValueError(f"RPC object {rpc} must have a 'gui_id' attribute.")
+        self._rpc_register.pop(rpc.gui_id, None)
+
+    def get_rpc_by_id(self, gui_id: str) -> QObject | None:
+        """
+        Get an RPC object by its ID.
+
+        Args:
+            gui_id(str): The ID of the RPC object to be retrieved.
+
+        Returns:
+            QObject | None: The RPC object with the given ID or None
+        """
+        rpc_object = self._rpc_register.get(gui_id, None)
+        return rpc_object
+
+    def list_all_connections(self) -> dict:
+        """
+        List all the registered RPC objects.
+
+        Returns:
+            dict: A dictionary containing all the registered RPC objects.
+        """
+        with self._lock:
+            connections = dict(self._rpc_register)
+        return connections
+
+    def get_names_of_rpc_by_class_type(
+        self, cls: type[BECWidget] | type[BECConnector] | type[BECDock] | type[BECDockArea]
+    ) -> list[str]:
+        """Get all the names of the widgets.
+
+        Args:
+            cls(BECWidget | BECConnector): The class of the RPC object to be retrieved.
+        """
+        # This retrieves any rpc objects that are subclass of BECWidget,
+        # i.e. curve and image items are excluded
+        widgets = [rpc for rpc in self._rpc_register.values() if isinstance(rpc, cls)]
+        return [widget.object_name for widget in widgets]
+
+    def broadcast(self):
+        """
+        Broadcast the update to all the callbacks.
+        """
+
+        if self._skip_broadcast:
+            return
+        connections = self.list_all_connections()
+        for callback in self.callbacks:
+            callback(connections)
+
+    def object_is_registered(self, obj: BECConnector) -> bool:
+        """
+        Check if an object is registered in the RPC register.
+
+        Args:
+            obj(QObject): The object to check.
+
+        Returns:
+            bool: True if the object is registered, False otherwise.
+        """
+        return obj.gui_id in self._rpc_register
+
+    def add_callback(self, callback: Callable[[dict], None]):
+        """
+        Add a callback that will be called whenever the registry is updated.
+
+        Args:
+            callback(Callable[[dict], None]): The callback to be added. It should accept a dictionary of all the
+            registered RPC objects as an argument.
+        """
+        self.callbacks.append(callback)
+
+    @classmethod
+    def reset_singleton(cls):
+        """
+        Reset the singleton instance.
+        """
+        cls._instance = None
+        cls._initialized = False
+
+
+class RPCRegisterBroadcast:
+    """Context manager for RPCRegister broadcast."""
+
+    def __init__(self, rpc_register: RPCRegister) -> None:
+        self.rpc_register = rpc_register
+        self._call_depth = 0
+
+    def __enter__(self):
+        """Enter the context manager"""
+        self._call_depth += 1  # Needed for nested calls
+        self.rpc_register._skip_broadcast = True
+        return self.rpc_register
+
+    def __exit__(self, *exc):
+        """Exit the context manager"""
+
+        self._call_depth -= 1  # Remove nested calls
+        if self._call_depth == 0:  # The Last one to exit is responsible for broadcasting
+            self.rpc_register._skip_broadcast = False
+        self.rpc_register.broadcast()

bec_widgets/cli/rpc/rpc_widget_handler.py

@@ -1,4 +1,9 @@
-from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from bec_widgets.cli.client_utils import IGNORE_WIDGETS
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_plugin_helper import get_all_plugin_widgets
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import get_custom_classes
 
 
 class RPCWidgetHandler:
@@ -8,7 +13,7 @@ class RPCWidgetHandler:
         self._widget_classes = None
 
     @property
-    def widget_classes(self):
+    def widget_classes(self) -> dict[str, type[BECWidget]]:
         """
         Get the available widget classes.
 
@@ -17,7 +22,7 @@ class RPCWidgetHandler:
         """
         if self._widget_classes is None:
             self.update_available_widgets()
-        return self._widget_classes
+        return self._widget_classes  # type: ignore
 
     def update_available_widgets(self):
         """
@@ -26,25 +31,24 @@ class RPCWidgetHandler:
         Returns:
             None
         """
-        from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import get_rpc_classes
+        clss = get_custom_classes("bec_widgets")
+        self._widget_classes = get_all_plugin_widgets() | {
+            cls.__name__: cls for cls in clss.widgets if cls.__name__ not in IGNORE_WIDGETS
+        }
 
-        clss = get_rpc_classes("bec_widgets")
-        self._widget_classes = {cls.__name__: cls for cls in clss.top_level_classes}
-
-    def create_widget(self, widget_type, **kwargs) -> BECConnector:
+    def create_widget(self, widget_type, **kwargs) -> BECWidget:
         """
         Create a widget from an RPC message.
 
         Args:
             widget_type(str): The type of the widget.
+            name (str): The name of the widget.
             **kwargs: The keyword arguments for the widget.
 
         Returns:
-            widget(BECConnector): The created widget.
+            widget(BECWidget): The created widget.
         """
-        if self._widget_classes is None:
-            self.update_available_widgets()
-        widget_class = self._widget_classes.get(widget_type)
+        widget_class = self.widget_classes.get(widget_type)  # type: ignore
         if widget_class:
             return widget_class(**kwargs)
         raise ValueError(f"Unknown widget type: {widget_type}")

bec_widgets/cli/rpc_register.py

@@ -1,80 +0,0 @@
-from threading import Lock
-from weakref import WeakValueDictionary
-
-from qtpy.QtCore import QObject
-
-
-class RPCRegister:
-    """
-    A singleton class that keeps track of all the RPC objects registered in the system for CLI usage.
-    """
-
-    _instance = None
-    _initialized = False
-    _lock = Lock()
-
-    def __new__(cls, *args, **kwargs):
-        if cls._instance is None:
-            cls._instance = super(RPCRegister, cls).__new__(cls)
-            cls._initialized = False
-        return cls._instance
-
-    def __init__(self):
-        if self._initialized:
-            return
-        self._rpc_register = WeakValueDictionary()
-        self._initialized = True
-
-    def add_rpc(self, rpc: QObject):
-        """
-        Add an RPC object to the register.
-
-        Args:
-            rpc(QObject): The RPC object to be added to the register.
-        """
-        if not hasattr(rpc, "gui_id"):
-            raise ValueError("RPC object must have a 'gui_id' attribute.")
-        self._rpc_register[rpc.gui_id] = rpc
-
-    def remove_rpc(self, rpc: str):
-        """
-        Remove an RPC object from the register.
-
-        Args:
-            rpc(str): The RPC object to be removed from the register.
-        """
-        if not hasattr(rpc, "gui_id"):
-            raise ValueError(f"RPC object {rpc} must have a 'gui_id' attribute.")
-        self._rpc_register.pop(rpc.gui_id, None)
-
-    def get_rpc_by_id(self, gui_id: str) -> QObject:
-        """
-        Get an RPC object by its ID.
-
-        Args:
-            gui_id(str): The ID of the RPC object to be retrieved.
-
-        Returns:
-            QObject: The RPC object with the given ID.
-        """
-        rpc_object = self._rpc_register.get(gui_id, None)
-        return rpc_object
-
-    def list_all_connections(self) -> dict:
-        """
-        List all the registered RPC objects.
-
-        Returns:
-            dict: A dictionary containing all the registered RPC objects.
-        """
-        with self._lock:
-            connections = dict(self._rpc_register)
-        return connections
-
-    @classmethod
-    def reset_singleton(cls):
-        """
-        Reset the singleton instance.
-        """
-        cls._instance = None
-        cls._initialized = False

bec_widgets/cli/server.py

@@ -1,140 +1,27 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-import inspect
+import argparse
 import json
+import os
 import signal
 import sys
 from contextlib import redirect_stderr, redirect_stdout
-from typing import Union
+from typing import cast
 
-from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from bec_lib.service_config import ServiceConfig
-from bec_lib.utils.import_utils import lazy_import
-from qtpy.QtCore import QTimer
+from qtpy.QtCore import QSize, Qt
+from qtpy.QtGui import QIcon
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
-from bec_widgets.cli.rpc_register import RPCRegister
-from bec_widgets.utils import BECDispatcher
-from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector
-from bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher import QtRedisConnector
-from bec_widgets.widgets.dock.dock_area import BECDockArea
-from bec_widgets.widgets.figure import BECFigure
+import bec_widgets
+from bec_widgets.applications.launch_window import LaunchWindow
+from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_register import RPCRegister
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher import BECDispatcher
 
-messages = lazy_import("bec_lib.messages")
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
-
-class BECWidgetsCLIServer:
-
-    def __init__(
-        self,
-        gui_id: str,
-        dispatcher: BECDispatcher = None,
-        client=None,
-        config=None,
-        gui_class: Union[BECFigure, BECDockArea] = BECFigure,
-    ) -> None:
-        self.status = messages.BECStatus.BUSY
-        self.dispatcher = BECDispatcher(config=config) if dispatcher is None else dispatcher
-        self.client = self.dispatcher.client if client is None else client
-        self.client.start()
-        self.gui_id = gui_id
-        self.gui = gui_class(gui_id=self.gui_id)
-        self.rpc_register = RPCRegister()
-        self.rpc_register.add_rpc(self.gui)
-
-        self.dispatcher.connect_slot(
-            self.on_rpc_update, MessageEndpoints.gui_instructions(self.gui_id)
-        )
-
-        # Setup QTimer for heartbeat
-        self._heartbeat_timer = QTimer()
-        self._heartbeat_timer.timeout.connect(self.emit_heartbeat)
-        self._heartbeat_timer.start(200)
-
-        self.status = messages.BECStatus.RUNNING
-        logger.success(f"Server started with gui_id: {self.gui_id}")
-
-    def on_rpc_update(self, msg: dict, metadata: dict):
-        request_id = metadata.get("request_id")
-        logger.debug(f"Received RPC instruction: {msg}, metadata: {metadata}")
-        try:
-            obj = self.get_object_from_config(msg["parameter"])
-            method = msg["action"]
-            args = msg["parameter"].get("args", [])
-            kwargs = msg["parameter"].get("kwargs", {})
-            res = self.run_rpc(obj, method, args, kwargs)
-        except Exception as e:
-            logger.error(f"Error while executing RPC instruction: {e}")
-            self.send_response(request_id, False, {"error": str(e)})
-        else:
-            logger.debug(f"RPC instruction executed successfully: {res}")
-            self.send_response(request_id, True, {"result": res})
-
-    def send_response(self, request_id: str, accepted: bool, msg: dict):
-        self.client.connector.set_and_publish(
-            MessageEndpoints.gui_instruction_response(request_id),
-            messages.RequestResponseMessage(accepted=accepted, message=msg),
-            expire=60,
-        )
-
-    def get_object_from_config(self, config: dict):
-        gui_id = config.get("gui_id")
-        obj = self.rpc_register.get_rpc_by_id(gui_id)
-        if obj is None:
-            raise ValueError(f"Object with gui_id {gui_id} not found")
-        return obj
-
-    def run_rpc(self, obj, method, args, kwargs):
-        logger.debug(f"Running RPC instruction: {method} with args: {args}, kwargs: {kwargs}")
-        method_obj = getattr(obj, method)
-        # check if the method accepts args and kwargs
-        if not callable(method_obj):
-            if not args:
-                res = method_obj
-            else:
-                setattr(obj, method, args[0])
-                res = None
-        else:
-            sig = inspect.signature(method_obj)
-            if sig.parameters:
-                res = method_obj(*args, **kwargs)
-            else:
-                res = method_obj()
-
-        if isinstance(res, list):
-            res = [self.serialize_object(obj) for obj in res]
-        elif isinstance(res, dict):
-            res = {key: self.serialize_object(val) for key, val in res.items()}
-        else:
-            res = self.serialize_object(res)
-        return res
-
-    def serialize_object(self, obj):
-        if isinstance(obj, BECConnector):
-            return {
-                "gui_id": obj.gui_id,
-                "widget_class": obj.__class__.__name__,
-                "config": obj.config.model_dump(),
-                "__rpc__": True,
-            }
-        return obj
-
-    def emit_heartbeat(self):
-        logger.trace(f"Emitting heartbeat for {self.gui_id}")
-        self.client.connector.set(
-            MessageEndpoints.gui_heartbeat(self.gui_id),
-            messages.StatusMessage(name=self.gui_id, status=self.status, info={}),
-            expire=10,
-        )
-
-    def shutdown(self):  # TODO not sure if needed when cleanup is done at level of BECConnector
-        logger.info(f"Shutting down server with gui_id: {self.gui_id}")
-        self.status = messages.BECStatus.IDLE
-        self._heartbeat_timer.stop()
-        self.emit_heartbeat()
-        self.gui.close()
-        self.client.shutdown()
+MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
 
 
 class SimpleFileLikeFromLogOutputFunc:
@@ -155,100 +42,137 @@ class SimpleFileLikeFromLogOutputFunc:
         return
 
 
-def _start_server(gui_id: str, gui_class: Union[BECFigure, BECDockArea], config: str | None = None):
-    if config:
-        try:
-            config = json.loads(config)
-            service_config = ServiceConfig(config=config)
-        except (json.JSONDecodeError, TypeError):
-            service_config = ServiceConfig(config_path=config)
-    else:
-        # if no config is provided, use the default config
-        service_config = ServiceConfig()
+class GUIServer:
+    """
+    This class is used to start the BEC GUI and is the main entry point for launching BEC Widgets in a subprocess.
+    """
 
-    # bec_logger.configure(
-    #     service_config.redis,
-    #     QtRedisConnector,
-    #     service_name="BECWidgetsCLIServer",
-    #     service_config=service_config.service_config,
-    # )
-    server = BECWidgetsCLIServer(gui_id=gui_id, config=service_config, gui_class=gui_class)
-    return server
+    def __init__(self, args):
+        self.config = args.config
+        self.gui_id = args.id
+        self.gui_class = args.gui_class
+        self.gui_class_id = args.gui_class_id
+        self.hide = args.hide
+        self.app: QApplication | None = None
+        self.launcher_window: LaunchWindow | None = None
+        self.dispatcher: BECDispatcher | None = None
+
+    def start(self):
+        """
+        Start the GUI server.
+        """
+        bec_logger.level = bec_logger.LOGLEVEL.INFO
+        if self.hide:
+            # pylint: disable=protected-access
+            bec_logger._stderr_log_level = bec_logger.LOGLEVEL.ERROR
+            bec_logger._update_sinks()
+
+        with redirect_stdout(SimpleFileLikeFromLogOutputFunc(logger.info)):  # type: ignore
+            with redirect_stderr(SimpleFileLikeFromLogOutputFunc(logger.error)):  # type: ignore
+                self._run()
+
+    def _get_service_config(self) -> ServiceConfig:
+        if self.config:
+            try:
+                config = json.loads(self.config)
+                service_config = ServiceConfig(config=config)
+            except (json.JSONDecodeError, TypeError):
+                service_config = ServiceConfig(config_path=config)
+        else:
+            # if no config is provided, use the default config
+            service_config = ServiceConfig()
+        return service_config
+
+    def _run(self):
+        """
+        Run the GUI server.
+        """
+        self.app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+        self.app.setApplicationName("BEC")
+        self.app.gui_id = self.gui_id  # type: ignore
+        self.setup_bec_icon()
+
+        service_config = self._get_service_config()
+        self.dispatcher = BECDispatcher(config=service_config, gui_id=self.gui_id)
+        # self.dispatcher.start_cli_server(gui_id=self.gui_id)
+
+        self.launcher_window = LaunchWindow(gui_id=f"{self.gui_id}:launcher")
+        self.launcher_window.setAttribute(Qt.WA_ShowWithoutActivating)  # type: ignore
+
+        self.app.aboutToQuit.connect(self.shutdown)
+        self.app.setQuitOnLastWindowClosed(False)
+
+        if self.gui_class:
+            # If the server is started with a specific gui class, we launch it.
+            # This will automatically hide the launcher.
+            self.launcher_window.launch(self.gui_class, name=self.gui_class_id)
+
+        def sigint_handler(*args):
+            # display message, for people to let it terminate gracefully
+            print("Caught SIGINT, exiting")
+            # Widgets should be all closed.
+            with RPCRegister.delayed_broadcast():
+                for widget in QApplication.instance().topLevelWidgets():  # type: ignore
+                    widget.close()
+            if self.app:
+                self.app.quit()
+
+        signal.signal(signal.SIGINT, sigint_handler)
+        signal.signal(signal.SIGTERM, sigint_handler)
+
+        sys.exit(self.app.exec())
+
+    def setup_bec_icon(self):
+        """
+        Set the BEC icon for the application
+        """
+        if self.app is None:
+            return
+        icon = QIcon()
+        icon.addFile(
+            os.path.join(MODULE_PATH, "assets", "app_icons", "bec_widgets_icon.png"),
+            size=QSize(48, 48),
+        )
+        self.app.setWindowIcon(icon)
+
+    def shutdown(self):
+        """
+        Shutdown the GUI server.
+        """
+        if self.dispatcher:
+            self.dispatcher.stop_cli_server()
+            self.dispatcher.disconnect_all()
 
 
 def main():
-    import argparse
-    import os
-
-    from qtpy.QtCore import QSize
-    from qtpy.QtGui import QIcon
-    from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QMainWindow
-
-    import bec_widgets
-
-    bec_logger.level = bec_logger.LOGLEVEL.DEBUG
-    if __name__ != "__main__":
-        # if not running as main, set the log level to critical
-        # pylint: disable=protected-access
-        bec_logger._stderr_log_level = bec_logger.LOGLEVEL.CRITICAL
+    """
+    Main entry point for subprocesses that start a GUI server.
+    """
 
     parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="BEC Widgets CLI Server")
-    parser.add_argument("--id", type=str, help="The id of the server")
+    parser.add_argument("--id", type=str, default="test", help="The id of the server")
     parser.add_argument(
         "--gui_class",
         type=str,
         help="Name of the gui class to be rendered. Possible values: \n- BECFigure\n- BECDockArea",
     )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--gui_class_id",
+        type=str,
+        default="bec",
+        help="The id of the gui class that is added to the QApplication",
+    )
     parser.add_argument("--config", type=str, help="Config file or config string.")
+    parser.add_argument("--hide", action="store_true", help="Hide on startup")
 
     args = parser.parse_args()
 
-    if args.gui_class == "BECFigure":
-        gui_class = BECFigure
-    elif args.gui_class == "BECDockArea":
-        gui_class = BECDockArea
-    else:
-        print(
-            "Please specify a valid gui_class to run. Use -h for help."
-            "\n Starting with default gui_class BECFigure."
-        )
-        gui_class = BECFigure
-
-    with redirect_stdout(SimpleFileLikeFromLogOutputFunc(logger.info)):
-        with redirect_stderr(SimpleFileLikeFromLogOutputFunc(logger.error)):
-            app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-            app.setApplicationName("BEC Figure")
-            module_path = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
-            icon = QIcon()
-            icon.addFile(
-                os.path.join(module_path, "assets", "app_icons", "bec_widgets_icon.png"),
-                size=QSize(48, 48),
-            )
-            app.setWindowIcon(icon)
-
-            win = QMainWindow()
-            win.setWindowTitle("BEC Widgets")
-
-            server = _start_server(args.id, gui_class, args.config)
-
-            gui = server.gui
-            win.setCentralWidget(gui)
-            win.resize(800, 600)
-            win.show()
-
-            app.aboutToQuit.connect(server.shutdown)
-
-            def sigint_handler(*args):
-                # display message, for people to let it terminate gracefully
-                print("Caught SIGINT, exiting")
-                app.quit()
-
-            signal.signal(signal.SIGINT, sigint_handler)
-            signal.signal(signal.SIGTERM, sigint_handler)
-
-            sys.exit(app.exec())
+    server = GUIServer(args)
+    server.start()
 
 
-if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
-    sys.argv = ["bec_widgets.cli.server", "--id", "e2860", "--gui_class", "BECDockArea"]
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    # import sys
+
+    # sys.argv = ["bec_widgets", "--gui_class", "MainWindow"]
     main()

bec_widgets/examples/jupyter_console/jupyter_console_window.py

@@ -3,12 +3,11 @@ import os
 import numpy as np
 import pyqtgraph as pg
 from bec_qthemes import material_icon
-from qtpy.QtCore import QSize
-from qtpy.QtGui import QIcon
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
     QApplication,
     QGroupBox,
     QHBoxLayout,
+    QPushButton,
     QSplitter,
     QTabWidget,
     QVBoxLayout,
@@ -16,10 +15,16 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
 )
 
 from bec_widgets.utils import BECDispatcher
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
-from bec_widgets.widgets.dock.dock_area import BECDockArea
-from bec_widgets.widgets.figure import BECFigure
-from bec_widgets.widgets.jupyter_console.jupyter_console import BECJupyterConsole
+from bec_widgets.utils.widget_io import WidgetHierarchy as wh
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock import BECDockArea
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.layout_manager.layout_manager import LayoutManagerWidget
+from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.jupyter_console.jupyter_console import BECJupyterConsole
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.image.image import Image
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.motor_map.motor_map import MotorMap
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.multi_waveform.multi_waveform import MultiWaveform
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.plot_base import PlotBase
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.scatter_waveform.scatter_waveform import ScatterWaveform
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.waveform import Waveform
 
 
 class JupyterConsoleWindow(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover:
@@ -36,26 +41,24 @@ class JupyterConsoleWindow(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover:
                 {
                     "np": np,
                     "pg": pg,
-                    "fig": self.figure,
+                    "wh": wh,
                     "dock": self.dock,
-                    "w1": self.w1,
-                    "w2": self.w2,
-                    "w3": self.w3,
-                    "w4": self.w4,
-                    "w5": self.w5,
-                    "w6": self.w6,
-                    "w7": self.w7,
-                    "w8": self.w8,
-                    "w9": self.w9,
-                    "w10": self.w10,
-                    "d0": self.d0,
-                    "d1": self.d1,
-                    "d2": self.d2,
-                    "wave": self.wf,
-                    # "bar": self.bar,
-                    # "cm": self.colormap,
-                    "im": self.im,
-                    "mm": self.mm,
+                    # "im": self.im,
+                    # "mi": self.mi,
+                    # "mm": self.mm,
+                    # "lm": self.lm,
+                    # "btn1": self.btn1,
+                    # "btn2": self.btn2,
+                    # "btn3": self.btn3,
+                    # "btn4": self.btn4,
+                    # "btn5": self.btn5,
+                    # "btn6": self.btn6,
+                    # "pb": self.pb,
+                    # "pi": self.pi,
+                    # "wf": self.wf,
+                    # "scatter": self.scatter,
+                    # "scatter_mi": self.scatter,
+                    # "mwf": self.mwf,
                 }
             )
 
@@ -74,117 +77,85 @@ class JupyterConsoleWindow(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover:
         first_tab_layout.addWidget(self.dock)
         tab_widget.addTab(first_tab, "Dock Area")
 
-        second_tab = QWidget()
-        second_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(second_tab)
-        self.figure = BECFigure(parent=self, gui_id="figure")
-        second_tab_layout.addWidget(self.figure)
-        tab_widget.addTab(second_tab, "BEC Figure")
-
+        # third_tab = QWidget()
+        # third_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(third_tab)
+        # self.lm = LayoutManagerWidget()
+        # third_tab_layout.addWidget(self.lm)
+        # tab_widget.addTab(third_tab, "Layout Manager Widget")
+        #
+        # fourth_tab = QWidget()
+        # fourth_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(fourth_tab)
+        # self.pb = PlotBase()
+        # self.pi = self.pb.plot_item
+        # fourth_tab_layout.addWidget(self.pb)
+        # tab_widget.addTab(fourth_tab, "PlotBase")
+        #
+        # tab_widget.setCurrentIndex(3)
+        #
         group_box = QGroupBox("Jupyter Console", splitter)
         group_box_layout = QVBoxLayout(group_box)
         self.console = BECJupyterConsole(inprocess=True)
         group_box_layout.addWidget(self.console)
+        #
+        # # Some buttons for layout testing
+        # self.btn1 = QPushButton("Button 1")
+        # self.btn2 = QPushButton("Button 2")
+        # self.btn3 = QPushButton("Button 3")
+        # self.btn4 = QPushButton("Button 4")
+        # self.btn5 = QPushButton("Button 5")
+        # self.btn6 = QPushButton("Button 6")
+        #
+        # fifth_tab = QWidget()
+        # fifth_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(fifth_tab)
+        # self.wf = Waveform()
+        # fifth_tab_layout.addWidget(self.wf)
+        # tab_widget.addTab(fifth_tab, "Waveform Next Gen")
+        # tab_widget.setCurrentIndex(4)
+        #
+        # sixth_tab = QWidget()
+        # sixth_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(sixth_tab)
+        # self.im = Image()
+        # self.mi = self.im.main_image
+        # sixth_tab_layout.addWidget(self.im)
+        # tab_widget.addTab(sixth_tab, "Image Next Gen")
+        # tab_widget.setCurrentIndex(5)
+        #
+        # seventh_tab = QWidget()
+        # seventh_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(seventh_tab)
+        # self.scatter = ScatterWaveform()
+        # self.scatter_mi = self.scatter.main_curve
+        # self.scatter.plot("samx", "samy", "bpm4i")
+        # seventh_tab_layout.addWidget(self.scatter)
+        # tab_widget.addTab(seventh_tab, "Scatter Waveform")
+        # tab_widget.setCurrentIndex(6)
+        #
+        # eighth_tab = QWidget()
+        # eighth_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(eighth_tab)
+        # self.mm = MotorMap()
+        # eighth_tab_layout.addWidget(self.mm)
+        # tab_widget.addTab(eighth_tab, "Motor Map")
+        # tab_widget.setCurrentIndex(7)
+        #
+        # ninth_tab = QWidget()
+        # ninth_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(ninth_tab)
+        # self.mwf = MultiWaveform()
+        # ninth_tab_layout.addWidget(self.mwf)
+        # tab_widget.addTab(ninth_tab, "MultiWaveform")
+        # tab_widget.setCurrentIndex(8)
+        #
+        # # add stuff to the new Waveform widget
+        # self._init_waveform()
+        #
+        # self.setWindowTitle("Jupyter Console Window")
 
-        # add stuff to figure
-        self._init_figure()
-
-        # init dock for testing
-        self._init_dock()
-
-        self.setWindowTitle("Jupyter Console Window")
-
-    def _init_figure(self):
-        self.w1 = self.figure.plot(
-            x_name="samx",
-            y_name="bpm4i",
-            # title="Standard Plot with sync device, custom labels - w1",
-            # x_label="Motor Position",
-            # y_label="Intensity (A.U.)",
-            row=0,
-            col=0,
-        )
-        self.w1.set(
-            title="Standard Plot with sync device, custom labels - w1",
-            x_label="Motor Position",
-            y_label="Intensity (A.U.)",
-        )
-        self.w2 = self.figure.motor_map("samx", "samy", row=0, col=1)
-        self.w3 = self.figure.image(
-            "eiger", color_map="viridis", vrange=(0, 100), title="Eiger Image - w3", row=0, col=2
-        )
-        self.w4 = self.figure.plot(
-            x_name="samx",
-            y_name="samy",
-            z_name="bpm4i",
-            color_map_z="magma",
-            new=True,
-            title="2D scatter plot - w4",
-            row=0,
-            col=3,
-        )
-        self.w5 = self.figure.plot(
-            y_name="bpm4i",
-            new=True,
-            title="Best Effort Plot - w5",
-            dap="GaussianModel",
-            row=1,
-            col=0,
-        )
-        self.w6 = self.figure.plot(
-            x_name="timestamp", y_name="bpm4i", new=True, title="Timestamp Plot - w6", row=1, col=1
-        )
-        self.w7 = self.figure.plot(
-            x_name="index", y_name="bpm4i", new=True, title="Index Plot - w7", row=1, col=2
-        )
-        self.w8 = self.figure.plot(
-            y_name="monitor_async", new=True, title="Async Plot - Best Effort - w8", row=2, col=0
-        )
-        self.w9 = self.figure.plot(
-            x_name="timestamp",
-            y_name="monitor_async",
-            new=True,
-            title="Async Plot - timestamp - w9",
-            row=2,
-            col=1,
-        )
-        self.w10 = self.figure.plot(
-            x_name="index",
-            y_name="monitor_async",
-            new=True,
-            title="Async Plot - index - w10",
-            row=2,
-            col=2,
-        )
-
-    def _init_dock(self):
-
-        self.d0 = self.dock.add_dock(name="dock_0")
-        self.mm = self.d0.add_widget("BECMotorMapWidget")
-        self.mm.change_motors("samx", "samy")
-
-        self.d1 = self.dock.add_dock(name="dock_1", position="right")
-        self.im = self.d1.add_widget("BECImageWidget")
-        self.im.image("waveform", "1d")
-
-        self.d2 = self.dock.add_dock(name="dock_2", position="bottom")
-        self.wf = self.d2.add_widget("BECWaveformWidget", row=0, col=0)
-        self.wf.plot(x_name="samx", y_name="bpm3a")
-        self.wf.plot(x_name="samx", y_name="bpm4i", dap="GaussianModel")
-        # self.bar = self.d2.add_widget("RingProgressBar", row=0, col=1)
-        # self.bar.set_diameter(200)
-
-        # self.d3 = self.dock.add_dock(name="dock_3", position="bottom")
-        # self.colormap = pg.GradientWidget()
-        # self.d3.add_widget(self.colormap, row=0, col=0)
-
-        self.dock.save_state()
+    def _init_waveform(self):
+        self.wf.plot(y_name="bpm4i", y_entry="bpm4i", dap="GaussianModel")
+        self.wf.plot(y_name="bpm3a", y_entry="bpm3a", dap="GaussianModel")
 
     def closeEvent(self, event):
         """Override to handle things when main window is closed."""
         self.dock.cleanup()
         self.dock.close()
-        self.figure.cleanup()
-        self.figure.close()
         self.console.close()
 
         super().closeEvent(event)
@@ -200,16 +171,16 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
     app.setApplicationName("Jupyter Console")
     app.setApplicationDisplayName("Jupyter Console")
-    apply_theme("dark")
-    icon = material_icon("terminal", color="#434343", filled=True)
+    icon = material_icon("terminal", color=(255, 255, 255, 255), filled=True)
     app.setWindowIcon(icon)
 
-    bec_dispatcher = BECDispatcher()
+    bec_dispatcher = BECDispatcher(gui_id="jupyter_console")
     client = bec_dispatcher.client
     client.start()
 
     win = JupyterConsoleWindow()
     win.show()
+    win.resize(1500, 800)
 
     app.aboutToQuit.connect(win.close)
     sys.exit(app.exec_())

bec_widgets/examples/plugin_example_pyside/tictactoetaskmenu.py

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ from qtpy.QtGui import QAction
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QDialog, QDialogButtonBox, QVBoxLayout
 
 from bec_widgets.examples.plugin_example_pyside.tictactoe import TicTacToe
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot as Slot
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot as Slot
 
 
 class TicTacToeDialog(QDialog):  # pragma: no cover

bec_widgets/qt_utils/toolbar.py

@@ -1,296 +0,0 @@
-# pylint: disable=no-name-in-module
-from __future__ import annotations
-
-import os
-from abc import ABC, abstractmethod
-from collections import defaultdict
-from typing import Literal
-
-from bec_qthemes._icon.material_icons import material_icon
-from qtpy.QtCore import QSize, Qt
-from qtpy.QtGui import QAction, QColor, QIcon
-from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
-    QComboBox,
-    QHBoxLayout,
-    QLabel,
-    QMenu,
-    QSizePolicy,
-    QToolBar,
-    QToolButton,
-    QWidget,
-)
-
-import bec_widgets
-
-MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
-
-
-class ToolBarAction(ABC):
-    """
-    Abstract base class for toolbar actions.
-
-    Args:
-        icon_path (str, optional): The name of the icon file from `assets/toolbar_icons`. Defaults to None.
-        tooltip (bool, optional): The tooltip for the action. Defaults to None.
-        checkable (bool, optional): Whether the action is checkable. Defaults to False.
-    """
-
-    def __init__(self, icon_path: str = None, tooltip: str = None, checkable: bool = False):
-        self.icon_path = (
-            os.path.join(MODULE_PATH, "assets", "toolbar_icons", icon_path) if icon_path else None
-        )
-        self.tooltip = tooltip
-        self.checkable = checkable
-        self.action = None
-
-    @abstractmethod
-    def add_to_toolbar(self, toolbar: QToolBar, target: QWidget):
-        """Adds an action or widget to a toolbar.
-
-        Args:
-            toolbar (QToolBar): The toolbar to add the action or widget to.
-            target (QWidget): The target widget for the action.
-        """
-
-
-class SeparatorAction(ToolBarAction):
-    """Separator action for the toolbar."""
-
-    def add_to_toolbar(self, toolbar: QToolBar, target: QWidget):
-        toolbar.addSeparator()
-
-
-class IconAction(ToolBarAction):
-    """
-    Action with an icon for the toolbar.
-
-    Args:
-        icon_path (str): The path to the icon file.
-        tooltip (str): The tooltip for the action.
-        checkable (bool, optional): Whether the action is checkable. Defaults to False.
-    """
-
-    def __init__(self, icon_path: str = None, tooltip: str = None, checkable: bool = False):
-        super().__init__(icon_path, tooltip, checkable)
-
-    def add_to_toolbar(self, toolbar: QToolBar, target: QWidget):
-        icon = QIcon()
-        icon.addFile(self.icon_path, size=QSize(20, 20))
-        self.action = QAction(icon, self.tooltip, target)
-        self.action.setCheckable(self.checkable)
-        toolbar.addAction(self.action)
-
-
-class MaterialIconAction:
-    """
-    Action with a Material icon for the toolbar.
-
-    Args:
-        icon_path (str, optional): The name of the Material icon. Defaults to None.
-        tooltip (bool, optional): The tooltip for the action. Defaults to None.
-        checkable (bool, optional): Whether the action is checkable. Defaults to False.
-        filled (bool, optional): Whether the icon is filled. Defaults to False.
-    """
-
-    def __init__(
-        self,
-        icon_name: str = None,
-        tooltip: str = None,
-        checkable: bool = False,
-        filled: bool = False,
-        color: str | tuple | QColor | dict[Literal["dark", "light"], str] | None = None,
-    ):
-        self.icon_name = icon_name
-        self.tooltip = tooltip
-        self.checkable = checkable
-        self.action = None
-        self.filled = filled
-        self.color = color
-
-    def add_to_toolbar(self, toolbar: QToolBar, target: QWidget):
-        icon = self.get_icon()
-        self.action = QAction(icon, self.tooltip, target)
-        self.action.setCheckable(self.checkable)
-        toolbar.addAction(self.action)
-
-    def get_icon(self):
-
-        icon = material_icon(
-            self.icon_name,
-            size=(20, 20),
-            convert_to_pixmap=False,
-            filled=self.filled,
-            color=self.color,
-        )
-        return icon
-
-
-class DeviceSelectionAction(ToolBarAction):
-    """
-    Action for selecting a device in a combobox.
-
-    Args:
-        label (str): The label for the combobox.
-        device_combobox (DeviceComboBox): The combobox for selecting the device.
-
-    """
-
-    def __init__(self, label: str, device_combobox):
-        super().__init__()
-        self.label = label
-        self.device_combobox = device_combobox
-        self.device_combobox.currentIndexChanged.connect(lambda: self.set_combobox_style("#ffa700"))
-
-    def add_to_toolbar(self, toolbar, target):
-        widget = QWidget()
-        layout = QHBoxLayout(widget)
-        label = QLabel(f"{self.label}")
-        layout.addWidget(label)
-        layout.addWidget(self.device_combobox)
-        toolbar.addWidget(widget)
-
-    def set_combobox_style(self, color: str):
-        self.device_combobox.setStyleSheet(f"QComboBox {{ background-color: {color}; }}")
-
-
-class WidgetAction(ToolBarAction):
-    """
-    Action for adding any widget to the toolbar.
-
-    Args:
-        label (str|None): The label for the widget.
-        widget (QWidget): The widget to be added to the toolbar.
-
-    """
-
-    def __init__(self, label: str | None = None, widget: QWidget = None, parent=None):
-        super().__init__(parent)
-        self.label = label
-        self.widget = widget
-
-    def add_to_toolbar(self, toolbar: QToolBar, target: QWidget):
-        container = QWidget()
-        layout = QHBoxLayout(container)
-        layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
-        layout.setSpacing(5)
-
-        if self.label is not None:
-            label_widget = QLabel(f"{self.label}")
-            label_widget.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Minimum, QSizePolicy.Fixed)
-            label_widget.setAlignment(Qt.AlignVCenter | Qt.AlignRight)
-            layout.addWidget(label_widget)
-
-        if isinstance(self.widget, QComboBox):
-            self.widget.setSizeAdjustPolicy(QComboBox.AdjustToContents)
-
-            size_policy = QSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Fixed)
-            self.widget.setSizePolicy(size_policy)
-
-            self.widget.setMinimumWidth(self.calculate_minimum_width(self.widget))
-
-        else:
-            self.widget.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Preferred, QSizePolicy.Fixed)
-
-        layout.addWidget(self.widget)
-
-        toolbar.addWidget(container)
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def calculate_minimum_width(combo_box: QComboBox) -> int:
-        """
-        Calculate the minimum width required to display the longest item in the combo box.
-
-        Args:
-            combo_box (QComboBox): The combo box to calculate the width for.
-
-        Returns:
-            int: The calculated minimum width in pixels.
-        """
-        font_metrics = combo_box.fontMetrics()
-        max_width = max(font_metrics.width(combo_box.itemText(i)) for i in range(combo_box.count()))
-        return max_width + 60
-
-
-class ExpandableMenuAction(ToolBarAction):
-    """
-    Action for an expandable menu in the toolbar.
-
-    Args:
-        label (str): The label for the menu.
-        actions (dict): A dictionary of actions to populate the menu.
-        icon_path (str, optional): The path to the icon file. Defaults to None.
-
-    """
-
-    def __init__(self, label: str, actions: dict, icon_path: str = None):
-        super().__init__(icon_path, label)
-        self.actions = actions
-        self.widgets = defaultdict(dict)
-
-    def add_to_toolbar(self, toolbar: QToolBar, target: QWidget):
-        button = QToolButton(toolbar)
-        if self.icon_path:
-            button.setIcon(QIcon(self.icon_path))
-        button.setText(self.tooltip)
-        button.setPopupMode(QToolButton.InstantPopup)
-        button.setStyleSheet(
-            """
-                   QToolButton {
-                       font-size: 14px;
-                   }
-                   QMenu {
-                       font-size: 14px;
-                   }
-               """
-        )
-        menu = QMenu(button)
-        for action_id, action in self.actions.items():
-            sub_action = QAction(action.tooltip, target)
-            if hasattr(action, "icon_path"):
-                icon = QIcon()
-                icon.addFile(action.icon_path, size=QSize(20, 20))
-                sub_action.setIcon(icon)
-            elif hasattr(action, "get_icon"):
-                sub_action.setIcon(action.get_icon())
-            sub_action.setCheckable(action.checkable)
-            menu.addAction(sub_action)
-            self.widgets[action_id] = sub_action
-        button.setMenu(menu)
-        toolbar.addWidget(button)
-
-
-class ModularToolBar(QToolBar):
-    """Modular toolbar with optional automatic initialization.
-    Args:
-        parent (QWidget, optional): The parent widget of the toolbar. Defaults to None.
-        actions (list[ToolBarAction], optional): A list of action creators to populate the toolbar. Defaults to None.
-        target_widget (QWidget, optional): The widget that the actions will target. Defaults to None.
-    """
-
-    def __init__(self, parent=None, actions: dict | None = None, target_widget=None):
-        super().__init__(parent)
-
-        self.widgets = defaultdict(dict)
-        self.set_background_color()
-
-        if actions is not None and target_widget is not None:
-            self.populate_toolbar(actions, target_widget)
-
-    def populate_toolbar(self, actions: dict, target_widget):
-        """Populates the toolbar with a set of actions.
-
-        Args:
-            actions (list[ToolBarAction]): A list of action creators to populate the toolbar.
-            target_widget (QWidget): The widget that the actions will target.
-        """
-        self.clear()
-        for action_id, action in actions.items():
-            action.add_to_toolbar(self, target_widget)
-            self.widgets[action_id] = action
-
-    def set_background_color(self):
-        self.setIconSize(QSize(20, 20))
-        self.setMovable(False)
-        self.setFloatable(False)
-        self.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
-        self.setStyleSheet("QToolBar { background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: none; }")

bec_widgets/tests/utils.py

@@ -96,9 +96,9 @@ class FakePositioner(BECPositioner):
         }
         self._info = {
             "signals": {
-                "readback": {"kind_str": "5"},  # hinted
-                "setpoint": {"kind_str": "1"},  # normal
-                "velocity": {"kind_str": "2"},  # config
+                "readback": {"kind_str": "hinted"},  # hinted
+                "setpoint": {"kind_str": "normal"},  # normal
+                "velocity": {"kind_str": "config"},  # config
             }
         }
         self.signals = {
@@ -224,3 +224,11 @@ DEVICES = [
     Positioner("test", limits=[-10, 10], read_value=2.0),
     Device("test_device"),
 ]
+
+
+def check_remote_data_size(widget, plot_name, num_elements):
+    """
+    Check if the remote data has the correct number of elements.
+    Used in the qtbot.waitUntil function.
+    """
+    return len(widget.get_all_data()[plot_name]["x"]) == num_elements

bec_widgets/utils/bec_connector.py

@@ -3,22 +3,29 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 import os
 import time
+import traceback
 import uuid
-from typing import Optional
+from datetime import datetime
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Optional
 
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from bec_lib.utils.import_utils import lazy_import_from
 from pydantic import BaseModel, Field, field_validator
-from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, QRunnable, QThreadPool, Signal
+from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, QRunnable, QThreadPool, QTimer, Signal
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
-from bec_widgets.cli.rpc_register import RPCRegister
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import ErrorPopupUtility
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot as pyqtSlot
+from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_register import RPCRegister
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import ErrorPopupUtility, SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.utils.widget_io import WidgetHierarchy
 from bec_widgets.utils.yaml_dialog import load_yaml, load_yaml_gui, save_yaml, save_yaml_gui
 
+if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
+    from bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher import BECDispatcher
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock import BECDock
+else:
+    BECDispatcher = lazy_import_from("bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher", ("BECDispatcher",))
+
 logger = bec_logger.logger
-BECDispatcher = lazy_import_from("bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher", ("BECDispatcher",))
 
 
 class ConnectionConfig(BaseModel):
@@ -36,8 +43,7 @@ class ConnectionConfig(BaseModel):
         """Generate a GUI ID if none is provided."""
         if v is None:
             widget_class = values.data["widget_class"]
-            v = f"{widget_class}_{str(time.time())}"
-            return v
+            v = f"{widget_class}_{datetime.now().strftime('%Y_%m_%d_%H_%M_%S_%f')}"
         return v
 
 
@@ -69,18 +75,55 @@ class Worker(QRunnable):
 class BECConnector:
     """Connection mixin class to handle BEC client and device manager"""
 
-    USER_ACCESS = ["_config_dict", "_get_all_rpc"]
+    USER_ACCESS = ["_config_dict", "_get_all_rpc", "_rpc_id"]
     EXIT_HANDLERS = {}
 
-    def __init__(self, client=None, config: ConnectionConfig = None, gui_id: str = None):
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        client=None,
+        config: ConnectionConfig | None = None,
+        gui_id: str | None = None,
+        object_name: str | None = None,
+        parent_dock: BECDock | None = None,  # TODO should go away -> issue created #473
+        root_widget: bool = False,
+        **kwargs,
+    ):
+        """
+        BECConnector mixin class to handle BEC client and device manager.
+
+        Args:
+            client(BECClient, optional): The BEC client.
+            config(ConnectionConfig, optional): The connection configuration with specific gui id.
+            gui_id(str, optional): The GUI ID.
+            object_name(str, optional): The object name.
+            parent_dock(BECDock, optional): The parent dock.# TODO should go away -> issue created #473
+            root_widget(bool, optional): If set to True, the parent_id will be always set to None, thus enforcing that the widget is accessible as a root widget of the BECGuiClient object.
+            **kwargs:
+        """
+        # Extract object_name from kwargs to not pass it to Qt class
+        object_name = object_name or kwargs.pop("objectName", None)
+        # Ensure the parent is always the first argument for QObject
+        parent = kwargs.pop("parent", None)
+        # This initializes the QObject or any qt related class BECConnector has to be used from this line down with QObject, otherwise hierarchy logic will not work
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, **kwargs)
+
+        assert isinstance(
+            self, QObject
+        ), "BECConnector must be used with a QObject or any qt related class."
+
+        # flag to check if the object was destroyed and its cleanup was called
+        self._destroyed = False
+
         # BEC related connections
         self.bec_dispatcher = BECDispatcher(client=client)
         self.client = self.bec_dispatcher.client if client is None else client
+        self._parent_dock = parent_dock  # TODO also remove at some point -> issue created #473
+        self.rpc_register = RPCRegister()
 
         if not self.client in BECConnector.EXIT_HANDLERS:
             # register function to clean connections at exit;
             # the function depends on BECClient, and BECDispatcher
-            @pyqtSlot()
+            @SafeSlot()
             def terminate(client=self.client, dispatcher=self.bec_dispatcher):
                 logger.info("Disconnecting", repr(dispatcher))
                 dispatcher.disconnect_all()
@@ -100,24 +143,147 @@ class BECConnector:
             )
             self.config = ConnectionConfig(widget_class=self.__class__.__name__)
 
+        # If the gui_id is passed, it should be respected. However, this should be revisted since
+        # the gui_id has to be unique, and may no longer be.
         if gui_id:
             self.config.gui_id = gui_id
-            self.gui_id = gui_id
+            self.gui_id: str = gui_id  # Keep namespace in sync
         else:
-            self.gui_id = self.config.gui_id
+            self.gui_id: str = self.config.gui_id  # type: ignore
 
-        # register widget to rpc register
-        # be careful: when registering, and the object is not a BECWidget,
-        # cleanup has to called manually since there is no 'closeEvent'
-        self.rpc_register = RPCRegister()
-        self.rpc_register.add_rpc(self)
+        if object_name is not None:
+            self.setObjectName(object_name)
+
+        # 1) If no objectName is set, set the initial name
+        if not self.objectName():
+            self.setObjectName(self.__class__.__name__)
+        self.object_name = self.objectName()
+
+        # 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()
 
         self._thread_pool = QThreadPool.globalInstance()
+        # Store references to running workers so they're not garbage collected prematurely.
+        self._workers = []
 
-    def submit_task(self, fn, *args, on_complete: pyqtSlot = None, **kwargs) -> Worker:
+        # If set to True, the parent_id will be always set to None, thus enforcing that the widget is accessible as a root widget of the BECGuiClient object.
+        self.root_widget = root_widget
+
+        QTimer.singleShot(0, self._update_object_name)
+
+    @property
+    def parent_id(self) -> str | None:
+        try:
+            if self.root_widget:
+                return None
+            connector_parent = WidgetHierarchy._get_becwidget_ancestor(self)
+            return connector_parent.gui_id if connector_parent else None
+        except:
+            logger.error(f"Error getting parent_id for {self.__class__.__name__}")
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    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.
+
+        Args:
+            name (str): The new object name.
+        """
+        self.rpc_register.remove_rpc(self)
+        self.setObjectName(name.replace("-", "_").replace(" ", "_"))
+        QTimer.singleShot(0, self._update_object_name)
+
+    def _update_object_name(self) -> None:
+        """
+        Enforce a unique object name among siblings and register the object for RPC.
+        This method is called through a single shot timer kicked off in the constructor.
+        """
+        # 1) Enforce unique objectName among siblings with the same BECConnector parent
+        self._enforce_unique_sibling_name()
+        # 2) Register the object for RPC
+        self.rpc_register.add_rpc(self)
+
+    def _enforce_unique_sibling_name(self):
+        """
+        Enforce that this BECConnector has a unique objectName among its siblings.
+
+        Sibling logic:
+          - If there's a nearest BECConnector parent, only compare with children of that parent.
+          - If parent is None (i.e., top-level object), compare with all other top-level BECConnectors.
+        """
+        QApplication.processEvents()
+        parent_bec = WidgetHierarchy._get_becwidget_ancestor(self)
+
+        if parent_bec:
+            # We have a parent => only compare with siblings under that parent
+            siblings = parent_bec.findChildren(BECConnector)
+        else:
+            # No parent => treat all top-level BECConnectors as siblings
+            # 1) Gather all BECConnectors from QApplication
+            all_widgets = QApplication.allWidgets()
+            all_bec = [w for w in all_widgets if isinstance(w, BECConnector)]
+            # 2) "Top-level" means closest BECConnector parent is None
+            top_level_bec = [
+                w for w in all_bec if WidgetHierarchy._get_becwidget_ancestor(w) is None
+            ]
+            # 3) We are among these top-level siblings
+            siblings = top_level_bec
+
+        # Collect used names among siblings
+        used_names = {sib.objectName() for sib in siblings if sib is not self}
+
+        base_name = self.object_name
+        if base_name not in used_names:
+            # Name is already unique among siblings
+            return
+
+        # Need a suffix to avoid collision
+        counter = 0
+        while True:
+            trial_name = f"{base_name}_{counter}"
+            if trial_name not in used_names:
+                self.setObjectName(trial_name)
+                self.object_name = trial_name
+                break
+            counter += 1
+
+    # pylint: disable=invalid-name
+    def setObjectName(self, name: str) -> None:
+        """
+        Set the object name of the widget.
+
+        Args:
+            name (str): The new object name.
+        """
+        super().setObjectName(name)
+        self.object_name = name
+        if self.rpc_register.object_is_registered(self):
+            self.rpc_register.broadcast()
+
+    def submit_task(self, fn, *args, on_complete: SafeSlot = None, **kwargs) -> Worker:
         """
         Submit a task to run in a separate thread. The task will run the specified
         function with the provided arguments and emit the completed signal when done.
@@ -144,11 +310,14 @@ class BECConnector:
             >>> def on_complete():
             >>>     print("Task complete")
             >>> self.submit_task(my_function, 1, 2, on_complete=on_complete)
-
         """
         worker = Worker(fn, *args, **kwargs)
         if on_complete:
             worker.signals.completed.connect(on_complete)
+        # Keep a reference to the worker so it is not garbage collected.
+        self._workers.append(worker)
+        # When the worker is done, remove it from our list.
+        worker.signals.completed.connect(lambda: self._workers.remove(worker))
         self._thread_pool.start(worker)
         return worker
 
@@ -180,37 +349,39 @@ class BECConnector:
     @_config_dict.setter
     def _config_dict(self, config: BaseModel) -> None:
         """
-        Get the configuration of the widget.
+        Set the configuration of the widget.
 
-        Returns:
-            dict: The configuration of the widget.
+        Args:
+            config (BaseModel): The new configuration model.
         """
         self.config = config
 
+    # FIXME some thoughts are required to decide how thhis should work with rpc registry
     def apply_config(self, config: dict, generate_new_id: bool = True) -> None:
         """
         Apply the configuration to the widget.
 
         Args:
-            config(dict): Configuration settings.
-            generate_new_id(bool): If True, generate a new GUI ID for the widget.
+            config (dict): Configuration settings.
+            generate_new_id (bool): If True, generate a new GUI ID for the widget.
         """
         self.config = ConnectionConfig(**config)
         if generate_new_id is True:
             gui_id = str(uuid.uuid4())
             self.rpc_register.remove_rpc(self)
-            self.set_gui_id(gui_id)
+            self._set_gui_id(gui_id)
             self.rpc_register.add_rpc(self)
         else:
             self.gui_id = self.config.gui_id
 
+    # FIXME some thoughts are required to decide how thhis should work with rpc registry
     def load_config(self, path: str | None = None, gui: bool = False):
         """
         Load the configuration of the widget from YAML.
 
         Args:
-            path(str): Path to the configuration file for non-GUI dialog mode.
-            gui(bool): If True, use the GUI dialog to load the configuration file.
+            path (str | None): Path to the configuration file for non-GUI dialog mode.
+            gui (bool): If True, use the GUI dialog to load the configuration file.
         """
         if gui is True:
             config = load_yaml_gui(self)
@@ -229,8 +400,8 @@ class BECConnector:
         Save the configuration of the widget to YAML.
 
         Args:
-            path(str): Path to save the configuration file for non-GUI dialog mode.
-            gui(bool): If True, use the GUI dialog to save the configuration file.
+            path (str | None): Path to save the configuration file for non-GUI dialog mode.
+            gui (bool): If True, use the GUI dialog to save the configuration file.
         """
         if gui is True:
             save_yaml_gui(self, self._config_dict)
@@ -238,16 +409,15 @@ class BECConnector:
             if path is None:
                 path = os.getcwd()
             file_path = os.path.join(path, f"{self.__class__.__name__}_config.yaml")
-
             save_yaml(file_path, self._config_dict)
 
-    @pyqtSlot(str)
-    def set_gui_id(self, gui_id: str) -> None:
+    # @SafeSlot(str)
+    def _set_gui_id(self, gui_id: str) -> None:
         """
         Set the GUI ID for the widget.
 
         Args:
-            gui_id(str): GUI ID
+            gui_id (str): GUI ID.
         """
         self.config.gui_id = gui_id
         self.gui_id = gui_id
@@ -268,36 +438,84 @@ class BECConnector:
         """Update the client and device manager from BEC and create object for BEC shortcuts.
 
         Args:
-            client: BEC client
+            client: BEC client.
         """
         self.client = client
         self.get_bec_shortcuts()
 
-    @pyqtSlot(ConnectionConfig)  # TODO can be also dict
+    @SafeSlot(ConnectionConfig)  # TODO can be also dict
     def on_config_update(self, config: ConnectionConfig | dict) -> None:
         """
         Update the configuration for the widget.
 
         Args:
-            config(ConnectionConfig): Configuration settings.
+            config (ConnectionConfig | dict): Configuration settings.
         """
+        gui_id = getattr(config, "gui_id", None)
         if isinstance(config, dict):
             config = ConnectionConfig(**config)
-            # TODO add error handler
-
         self.config = config
+        if gui_id and config.gui_id != gui_id:  # Recreating config should not overwrite the gui_id
+            self.config.gui_id = gui_id
+
+    def remove(self):
+        """Cleanup the BECConnector"""
+        # If the widget is attached to a dock, remove it from the dock.
+        # TODO this should be handled by dock and dock are not by BECConnector  -> issue created #473
+        if self._parent_dock is not None:
+            self._parent_dock.delete(self.object_name)
+        # If the widget is from Qt, trigger its close method.
+        elif hasattr(self, "close"):
+            self.close()
+        # If the widget is neither from a Dock nor from Qt, remove it from the RPC registry.
+        # i.e. Curve Item from Waveform
+        else:
+            self.rpc_register.remove_rpc(self)
 
     def get_config(self, dict_output: bool = True) -> dict | BaseModel:
         """
         Get the configuration of the widget.
 
         Args:
-            dict_output(bool): If True, return the configuration as a dictionary. If False, return the configuration as a pydantic model.
+            dict_output (bool): If True, return the configuration as a dictionary.
+                                If False, return the configuration as a pydantic model.
 
         Returns:
-            dict: The configuration of the plot widget.
+            dict | BaseModel: The configuration of the widget.
         """
         if dict_output:
             return self.config.model_dump()
         else:
             return self.config
+
+
+# --- Example usage of BECConnector: running a simple task ---
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    import sys
+
+    # Create a QApplication instance (required for QThreadPool)
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+
+    connector = BECConnector()
+
+    def print_numbers():
+        """
+        Task function that prints numbers 1 to 10 with a 0.5 second delay between each.
+        """
+        for i in range(1, 11):
+            print(i)
+            time.sleep(0.5)
+
+    def task_complete():
+        """
+        Called when the task is complete.
+        """
+        print("Task complete")
+        # Exit the application after the task completes.
+        app.quit()
+
+    # Submit the task using the connector's submit_task method.
+    connector.submit_task(print_numbers, on_complete=task_complete)
+
+    # Start the Qt event loop.
+    sys.exit(app.exec_())

bec_widgets/utils/bec_designer.py

@@ -10,13 +10,15 @@ from bec_qthemes import material_icon
 from qtpy import PYSIDE6
 from qtpy.QtGui import QIcon
 
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_plugin_helper import user_widget_plugin
+
 if PYSIDE6:
     from PySide6.scripts.pyside_tool import (
         _extend_path_var,
         init_virtual_env,
-        qt_tool_wrapper,
         is_pyenv_python,
         is_virtual_env,
+        qt_tool_wrapper,
         ui_tool_binary,
     )
 
@@ -76,7 +78,7 @@ def list_editable_packages() -> set[str]:
     return editable_packages
 
 
-def patch_designer():  # pragma: no cover
+def patch_designer(cmd_args: list[str] = []):  # pragma: no cover
     if not PYSIDE6:
         print("PYSIDE6 is not available in the environment. Cannot patch designer.")
         return
@@ -93,24 +95,31 @@ def patch_designer():  # pragma: no cover
             _extend_path_var("PATH", os.fspath(Path(sys._base_executable).parent), True)
     else:
         if sys.platform == "linux":
-            suffix = f"{sys.abiflags}.so"
             env_var = "LD_PRELOAD"
+            current_pid = os.getpid()
+            with open(f"/proc/{current_pid}/maps", "rt") as f:
+                for line in f:
+                    if "libpython" in line:
+                        lib_path = line.split()[-1]
+                        os.environ[env_var] = lib_path
+                        break
+
         elif sys.platform == "darwin":
             suffix = ".dylib"
             env_var = "DYLD_INSERT_LIBRARIES"
+            version = f"{major_version}.{minor_version}"
+            library_name = f"libpython{version}{suffix}"
+            lib_path = str(Path(sysconfig.get_config_var("LIBDIR")) / library_name)
+            os.environ[env_var] = lib_path
         else:
             raise RuntimeError(f"Unsupported platform: {sys.platform}")
-        version = f"{major_version}.{minor_version}"
-        library_name = f"libpython{version}{suffix}"
-        lib_path = str(Path(sysconfig.get_config_var("LIBDIR")) / library_name)
-        os.environ[env_var] = lib_path
 
         if is_pyenv_python() or is_virtual_env():
             # append all editable packages to the PYTHONPATH
             editable_packages = list_editable_packages()
             for pckg in editable_packages:
                 _extend_path_var("PYTHONPATH", pckg, True)
-    qt_tool_wrapper(ui_tool_binary("designer"), sys.argv[1:])
+    qt_tool_wrapper(ui_tool_binary("designer"), cmd_args)
 
 
 def find_plugin_paths(base_path: Path):
@@ -138,15 +147,24 @@ def set_plugin_environment_variable(plugin_paths):
 
 
 # Patch the designer function
-def main():  # pragma: no cover
+def open_designer(cmd_args: list[str] = []):  # pragma: no cover
     if not PYSIDE6:
         print("PYSIDE6 is not available in the environment. Exiting...")
         return
     base_dir = Path(os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)).resolve()
+
     plugin_paths = find_plugin_paths(base_dir)
+    if (plugin_repo := user_widget_plugin()) and isinstance(plugin_repo.__file__, str):
+        plugin_repo_dir = Path(os.path.dirname(plugin_repo.__file__)).resolve()
+        plugin_paths.extend(find_plugin_paths(plugin_repo_dir))
+
     set_plugin_environment_variable(plugin_paths)
 
-    patch_designer()
+    patch_designer(cmd_args)
+
+
+def main():
+    open_designer(sys.argv[1:])
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover

bec_widgets/utils/bec_dispatcher.py

@@ -1,9 +1,12 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import collections
+import random
+import string
 from collections.abc import Callable
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Union
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, DefaultDict, Hashable, Union
 
+import louie
 import redis
 from bec_lib.client import BECClient
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
@@ -12,28 +15,52 @@ from bec_lib.service_config import ServiceConfig
 from qtpy.QtCore import QObject
 from qtpy.QtCore import Signal as pyqtSignal
 
+from bec_widgets.utils.serialization import register_serializer_extension
+
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
-if TYPE_CHECKING:
+if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
     from bec_lib.endpoints import EndpointInfo
 
+    from bec_widgets.utils.rpc_server import RPCServer
+
 
 class QtThreadSafeCallback(QObject):
+    """QtThreadSafeCallback is a wrapper around a callback function to make it thread-safe for Qt."""
+
     cb_signal = pyqtSignal(dict, dict)
 
-    def __init__(self, cb):
+    def __init__(self, cb: Callable, cb_info: dict | None = None):
+        """
+        Initialize the QtThreadSafeCallback.
+
+        Args:
+            cb (Callable): The callback function to be wrapped.
+            cb_info (dict, optional): Additional information about the callback. Defaults to None.
+        """
         super().__init__()
+        self.cb_info = cb_info
 
         self.cb = cb
+        self.cb_ref = louie.saferef.safe_ref(cb)
         self.cb_signal.connect(self.cb)
+        self.topics = set()
 
     def __hash__(self):
         # make 2 differents QtThreadSafeCallback to look
         # identical when used as dictionary keys, if the
         # callback is the same
-        return id(self.cb)
+        return f"{id(self.cb_ref)}{self.cb_info}".__hash__()
+
+    def __eq__(self, other):
+        if not isinstance(other, QtThreadSafeCallback):
+            return False
+        return self.cb_ref == other.cb_ref and self.cb_info == other.cb_info
 
     def __call__(self, msg_content, metadata):
+        if self.cb_ref() is None:
+            # callback has been deleted
+            return
         self.cb_signal.emit(msg_content, metadata)
 
 
@@ -73,18 +100,29 @@ class BECDispatcher:
 
     _instance = None
     _initialized = False
+    client: BECClient
+    cli_server: RPCServer | None = None
 
-    def __new__(cls, client=None, config: str = None, *args, **kwargs):
+    def __new__(
+        cls,
+        client=None,
+        config: str | ServiceConfig | None = None,
+        gui_id: str | None = None,
+        *args,
+        **kwargs,
+    ):
         if cls._instance is None:
             cls._instance = super(BECDispatcher, cls).__new__(cls)
             cls._initialized = False
         return cls._instance
 
-    def __init__(self, client=None, config: str | ServiceConfig = None):
+    def __init__(self, client=None, config: str | ServiceConfig | None = None, gui_id: str = None):
         if self._initialized:
             return
 
-        self._slots = collections.defaultdict(set)
+        self._registered_slots: DefaultDict[Hashable, QtThreadSafeCallback] = (
+            collections.defaultdict()
+        )
         self.client = client
 
         if self.client is None:
@@ -107,11 +145,18 @@ class BECDispatcher:
         except redis.exceptions.ConnectionError:
             logger.warning("Could not connect to Redis, skipping start of BECClient.")
 
+        register_serializer_extension()
+
         logger.success("Initialized BECDispatcher")
+
+        self.start_cli_server(gui_id=gui_id)
         self._initialized = True
 
     @classmethod
     def reset_singleton(cls):
+        """
+        Reset the singleton instance of the BECDispatcher.
+        """
         cls._instance = None
         cls._initialized = False
 
@@ -119,6 +164,7 @@ class BECDispatcher:
         self,
         slot: Callable,
         topics: Union[EndpointInfo, str, list[Union[EndpointInfo, str]]],
+        cb_info: dict | None = None,
         **kwargs,
     ) -> None:
         """Connect widget's qt slot, so that it is called on new pub/sub topic message.
@@ -127,11 +173,15 @@ class BECDispatcher:
             slot (Callable): A slot method/function that accepts two inputs: content and metadata of
                 the corresponding pub/sub message
             topics (EndpointInfo | str | list): A topic or list of topics that can typically be acquired via bec_lib.MessageEndpoints
+            cb_info (dict | None): A dictionary containing information about the callback. Defaults to None.
         """
-        slot = QtThreadSafeCallback(slot)
-        self.client.connector.register(topics, cb=slot, **kwargs)
+        qt_slot = QtThreadSafeCallback(cb=slot, cb_info=cb_info)
+        if qt_slot not in self._registered_slots:
+            self._registered_slots[qt_slot] = qt_slot
+        qt_slot = self._registered_slots[qt_slot]
+        self.client.connector.register(topics, cb=qt_slot, **kwargs)
         topics_str, _ = self.client.connector._convert_endpointinfo(topics)
-        self._slots[slot].update(set(topics_str))
+        qt_slot.topics.update(set(topics_str))
 
     def disconnect_slot(self, slot: Callable, topics: Union[str, list]):
         """
@@ -144,16 +194,16 @@ class BECDispatcher:
         # find the right slot to disconnect from ;
         # slot callbacks are wrapped in QtThreadSafeCallback objects,
         # but the slot we receive here is the original callable
-        for connected_slot in self._slots:
+        for connected_slot in self._registered_slots.values():
             if connected_slot.cb == slot:
                 break
         else:
             return
         self.client.connector.unregister(topics, cb=connected_slot)
         topics_str, _ = self.client.connector._convert_endpointinfo(topics)
-        self._slots[connected_slot].difference_update(set(topics_str))
-        if not self._slots[connected_slot]:
-            del self._slots[connected_slot]
+        self._registered_slots[connected_slot].topics.difference_update(set(topics_str))
+        if not self._registered_slots[connected_slot].topics:
+            del self._registered_slots[connected_slot]
 
     def disconnect_topics(self, topics: Union[str, list]):
         """
@@ -164,11 +214,16 @@ class BECDispatcher:
         """
         self.client.connector.unregister(topics)
         topics_str, _ = self.client.connector._convert_endpointinfo(topics)
-        for slot in list(self._slots.keys()):
-            slot_topics = self._slots[slot]
-            slot_topics.difference_update(set(topics_str))
-            if not slot_topics:
-                del self._slots[slot]
+
+        remove_slots = []
+        for connected_slot in self._registered_slots.values():
+            connected_slot.topics.difference_update(set(topics_str))
+
+            if not connected_slot.topics:
+                remove_slots.append(connected_slot)
+
+        for connected_slot in remove_slots:
+            self._registered_slots.pop(connected_slot, None)
 
     def disconnect_all(self, *args, **kwargs):
         """
@@ -178,4 +233,49 @@ class BECDispatcher:
             *args: Arbitrary positional arguments
             **kwargs: Arbitrary keyword arguments
         """
+        # pylint: disable=protected-access
         self.disconnect_topics(self.client.connector._topics_cb)
+
+    def start_cli_server(self, gui_id: str | None = None):
+        """
+        Start the CLI server.
+
+        Args:
+            gui_id(str, optional): The GUI ID. Defaults to None. If None, a unique identifier will be generated.
+        """
+        # pylint: disable=import-outside-toplevel
+        from bec_widgets.utils.rpc_server import RPCServer
+
+        if gui_id is None:
+            gui_id = self.generate_unique_identifier()
+
+        if not self.client.started:
+            logger.error("Cannot start CLI server without a running client")
+            return
+        self.cli_server = RPCServer(gui_id, dispatcher=self, client=self.client)
+        logger.success(f"Started CLI server with gui_id: {gui_id}")
+
+    def stop_cli_server(self):
+        """
+        Stop the CLI server.
+        """
+        if self.cli_server is None:
+            logger.error("Cannot stop CLI server without starting it first")
+            return
+        self.cli_server.shutdown()
+        self.cli_server = None
+        logger.success("Stopped CLI server")
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def generate_unique_identifier(length: int = 4) -> str:
+        """
+        Generate a unique identifier for the application.
+
+        Args:
+            length: The length of the identifier. Defaults to 4.
+
+        Returns:
+            str: The unique identifier.
+        """
+        allowed_chars = string.ascii_lowercase + string.digits
+        return "".join(random.choices(allowed_chars, k=length))

bec_widgets/utils/bec_plugin_helper.py

@@ -0,0 +1,89 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import importlib.metadata
+import inspect
+import pkgutil
+from importlib import util as importlib_util
+from importlib.machinery import FileFinder, ModuleSpec, SourceFileLoader
+from types import ModuleType
+from typing import Generator
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+
+
+def _submodule_specs(module: ModuleType) -> tuple[ModuleSpec | None, ...]:
+    """Return specs for all submodules of the given module."""
+    return tuple(
+        module_info.module_finder.find_spec(module_info.name)
+        for module_info in pkgutil.iter_modules(module.__path__)
+        if isinstance(module_info.module_finder, FileFinder)
+    )
+
+
+def _loaded_submodules_from_specs(
+    submodule_specs: tuple[ModuleSpec | None, ...],
+) -> Generator[ModuleType, None, None]:
+    """Load all submodules from the given specs."""
+    for submodule in (
+        importlib_util.module_from_spec(spec) for spec in submodule_specs if spec is not None
+    ):
+        assert isinstance(
+            submodule.__loader__, SourceFileLoader
+        ), "Module found from FileFinder should have SourceFileLoader!"
+        submodule.__loader__.exec_module(submodule)
+        yield submodule
+
+
+def _submodule_by_name(module: ModuleType, name: str):
+    for submod in _loaded_submodules_from_specs(_submodule_specs(module)):
+        if submod.__name__ == name:
+            return submod
+    return None
+
+
+def _get_widgets_from_module(module: ModuleType) -> dict[str, "type[BECWidget]"]:
+    """Find any BECWidget subclasses in the given module and return them with their names."""
+    from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget  # avoid circular import
+
+    return dict(
+        inspect.getmembers(
+            module,
+            predicate=lambda item: inspect.isclass(item)
+            and issubclass(item, BECWidget)
+            and item is not BECWidget,
+        )
+    )
+
+
+def _all_widgets_from_all_submods(module):
+    """Recursively load submodules, find any BECWidgets, and return them all as a flat dict."""
+    widgets = _get_widgets_from_module(module)
+    if not hasattr(module, "__path__"):
+        return widgets
+    for submod in _loaded_submodules_from_specs(_submodule_specs(module)):
+        widgets.update(_all_widgets_from_all_submods(submod))
+    return widgets
+
+
+def user_widget_plugin() -> ModuleType | None:
+    plugins = importlib.metadata.entry_points(group="bec.widgets.user_widgets")  # type: ignore
+    return None if len(plugins) == 0 else tuple(plugins)[0].load()
+
+
+def get_plugin_client_module() -> ModuleType | None:
+    """If there is a plugin repository installed, return the client module."""
+    return _submodule_by_name(plugin, "client") if (plugin := user_widget_plugin()) else None
+
+
+def get_all_plugin_widgets() -> dict[str, "type[BECWidget]"]:
+    """If there is a plugin repository installed, load all widgets from it."""
+    if plugin := user_widget_plugin():
+        return _all_widgets_from_all_submods(plugin)
+    else:
+        return {}
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    #  print(get_all_plugin_widgets())
+    client = get_plugin_client_module()
+    ...

bec_widgets/utils/bec_signal_proxy.py

@@ -1,32 +1,47 @@
-""" This custom class is a thin wrapper around the SignalProxy class to allow signal calls to be blocked.
+"""This custom class is a thin wrapper around the SignalProxy class to allow signal calls to be blocked.
 Unblocking the proxy needs to be done through the slot unblock_proxy. The most likely use case for this class is
-when the callback function is potentially initiating a slower progress, i.e. requesting a data analysis routine to 
+when the callback function is potentially initiating a slower progress, i.e. requesting a data analysis routine to
 analyse data. Requesting a new fit may lead to request piling up and an overall slow done of performance. This proxy
 will allow you to decide by yourself when to unblock and execute the callback again."""
 
 from pyqtgraph import SignalProxy
-from qtpy.QtCore import Signal, Slot
+from qtpy.QtCore import QTimer, Signal
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 
 
 class BECSignalProxy(SignalProxy):
-    """Thin wrapper around the SignalProxy class to allow signal calls to be blocked, but args still being stored
+    """
+    Thin wrapper around the SignalProxy class to allow signal calls to be blocked,
+    but arguments still being stored.
 
     Args:
-        *args: Arguments to pass to the SignalProxy class
-        rateLimit (int): The rateLimit of the proxy
-        **kwargs: Keyword arguments to pass to the SignalProxy class
+        *args: Arguments to pass to the SignalProxy class.
+        rateLimit (int): The rateLimit of the proxy.
+        timeout (float): The number of seconds after which the proxy automatically
+                         unblocks if still blocked. Default is 10.0 seconds.
+        **kwargs: Keyword arguments to pass to the SignalProxy class.
 
     Example:
-    >>> proxy = BECSignalProxy(signal, rate_limit=25, slot=callback)"""
+        >>> proxy = BECSignalProxy(signal, rate_limit=25, slot=callback)
+    """
 
     is_blocked = Signal(bool)
 
-    def __init__(self, *args, rateLimit=25, **kwargs):
+    def __init__(self, *args, rateLimit=25, timeout=10.0, **kwargs):
         super().__init__(*args, rateLimit=rateLimit, **kwargs)
         self._blocking = False
         self.old_args = None
         self.new_args = None
 
+        # Store timeout value (in seconds)
+        self._timeout = timeout
+
+        # Create a single-shot timer for auto-unblocking
+        self._timer = QTimer()
+        self._timer.setSingleShot(True)
+        self._timer.timeout.connect(self._timeout_unblock)
+
     @property
     def blocked(self):
         """Returns if the proxy is blocked"""
@@ -46,9 +61,30 @@ class BECSignalProxy(SignalProxy):
         self.old_args = args
         super().signalReceived(*args)
 
-    @Slot()
+        self._timer.start(int(self._timeout * 1000))
+
+    @SafeSlot()
     def unblock_proxy(self):
         """Unblock the proxy, and call the signalReceived method in case there was an update of the args."""
-        self.blocked = False
-        if self.new_args != self.old_args:
-            self.signalReceived(*self.new_args)
+        if self.blocked:
+            self._timer.stop()
+            self.blocked = False
+            if self.new_args != self.old_args:
+                self.signalReceived(*self.new_args)
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def _timeout_unblock(self):
+        """
+        Internal method called by the QTimer upon timeout. Unblocks the proxy
+        automatically if it is still blocked.
+        """
+        if self.blocked:
+            self.unblock_proxy()
+
+    def cleanup(self):
+        """
+        Cleanup the proxy by stopping the timer and disconnecting the timeout signal.
+        """
+        self._timer.stop()
+        self._timer.timeout.disconnect(self._timeout_unblock)
+        self._timer.deleteLater()

bec_widgets/utils/bec_widget.py

@@ -1,13 +1,19 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
+
 import darkdetect
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
-from qtpy.QtCore import Slot
-from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QWidget
+from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, Slot
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
+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
 
+if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock import BECDock
+
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
 
@@ -17,13 +23,17 @@ class BECWidget(BECConnector):
     # The icon name is the name of the icon in the icon theme, typically a name taken
     # from fonts.google.com/icons. Override this in subclasses to set the icon name.
     ICON_NAME = "widgets"
+    USER_ACCESS = ["remove"]
 
+    # pylint: disable=too-many-arguments
     def __init__(
         self,
         client=None,
         config: ConnectionConfig = None,
-        gui_id: str = None,
+        gui_id: str | None = None,
         theme_update: bool = False,
+        parent_dock: BECDock | None = None,  # TODO should go away -> issue created #473
+        **kwargs,
     ):
         """
         Base class for all BEC widgets. This class should be used as a mixin class for all BEC widgets, e.g.:
@@ -42,11 +52,12 @@ class BECWidget(BECConnector):
             theme_update(bool, optional): Whether to subscribe to theme updates. Defaults to False. When set to True, the
                 widget's apply_theme method will be called when the theme changes.
         """
-        if not isinstance(self, QWidget):
-            raise RuntimeError(f"{repr(self)} is not a subclass of QWidget")
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
 
-        # Set the theme to auto if it is not set yet
+        super().__init__(
+            client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, parent_dock=parent_dock, **kwargs
+        )
+        if not isinstance(self, QObject):
+            raise RuntimeError(f"{repr(self)} is not a subclass of QWidget")
         app = QApplication.instance()
         if not hasattr(app, "theme"):
             # DO NOT SET THE THEME TO AUTO! Otherwise, the qwebengineview will segfault
@@ -66,7 +77,7 @@ class BECWidget(BECConnector):
         if hasattr(qapp, "theme_signal"):
             qapp.theme_signal.theme_updated.connect(self._update_theme)
 
-    def _update_theme(self, theme: str):
+    def _update_theme(self, theme: str | None = None):
         """Update the theme."""
         if theme is None:
             qapp = QApplication.instance()
@@ -87,10 +98,16 @@ class BECWidget(BECConnector):
 
     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)
 
     def closeEvent(self, event):
-        self.rpc_register.remove_rpc(self)
+        """Wrap the close even to ensure the rpc_register is cleaned up."""
         try:
-            self.cleanup()
+            if not self._destroyed:
+                self.cleanup()
+                self._destroyed = True
         finally:
-            super().closeEvent(event)
+            super().closeEvent(event)  # pylint: disable=no-member

bec_widgets/utils/collapsible_panel_manager.py

@@ -0,0 +1,380 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import sys
+from typing import Literal
+
+import pyqtgraph as pg
+from qtpy.QtCore import Property, QEasingCurve, QObject, QPropertyAnimation
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
+    QApplication,
+    QHBoxLayout,
+    QMainWindow,
+    QPushButton,
+    QSizePolicy,
+    QVBoxLayout,
+    QWidget,
+)
+from typeguard import typechecked
+
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.layout_manager.layout_manager import LayoutManagerWidget
+
+
+class DimensionAnimator(QObject):
+    """
+    Helper class to animate the size of a panel widget.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, panel_widget: QWidget, direction: str):
+        super().__init__()
+        self.panel_widget = panel_widget
+        self.direction = direction
+        self._size = 0
+
+    @Property(int)
+    def panel_width(self):
+        """
+        Returns the current width of the panel widget.
+        """
+        return self._size
+
+    @panel_width.setter
+    def panel_width(self, val: int):
+        """
+        Set the width of the panel widget.
+
+        Args:
+            val(int): The width to set.
+        """
+        self._size = val
+        self.panel_widget.setFixedWidth(val)
+
+    @Property(int)
+    def panel_height(self):
+        """
+        Returns the current height of the panel widget.
+        """
+        return self._size
+
+    @panel_height.setter
+    def panel_height(self, val: int):
+        """
+        Set the height of the panel widget.
+
+        Args:
+            val(int): The height to set.
+        """
+        self._size = val
+        self.panel_widget.setFixedHeight(val)
+
+
+class CollapsiblePanelManager(QObject):
+    """
+    Manager class to handle collapsible panels from a main widget using LayoutManagerWidget.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, layout_manager: LayoutManagerWidget, reference_widget: QWidget, parent=None):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self.layout_manager = layout_manager
+        self.reference_widget = reference_widget
+        self.animations = {}
+        self.panels = {}
+        self.direction_settings = {
+            "left": {"property": b"maximumWidth", "default_size": 200},
+            "right": {"property": b"maximumWidth", "default_size": 200},
+            "top": {"property": b"maximumHeight", "default_size": 150},
+            "bottom": {"property": b"maximumHeight", "default_size": 150},
+        }
+
+    def add_panel(
+        self,
+        direction: Literal["left", "right", "top", "bottom"],
+        panel_widget: QWidget,
+        target_size: int | None = None,
+        duration: int = 300,
+    ):
+        """
+        Add a panel widget to the layout manager.
+
+        Args:
+            direction(Literal["left", "right", "top", "bottom"]): Direction of the panel.
+            panel_widget(QWidget): The panel widget to add.
+            target_size(int, optional): The target size of the panel. Defaults to None.
+            duration(int): The duration of the animation in milliseconds. Defaults to 300.
+        """
+        if direction not in self.direction_settings:
+            raise ValueError("Direction must be one of 'left', 'right', 'top', 'bottom'.")
+
+        if target_size is None:
+            target_size = self.direction_settings[direction]["default_size"]
+
+        self.layout_manager.add_widget_relative(
+            widget=panel_widget, reference_widget=self.reference_widget, position=direction
+        )
+        panel_widget.setVisible(False)
+
+        # Set initial constraints as flexible
+        if direction in ["left", "right"]:
+            panel_widget.setMaximumWidth(0)
+            panel_widget.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Expanding)
+        else:
+            panel_widget.setMaximumHeight(0)
+            panel_widget.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Expanding)
+
+        self.panels[direction] = {
+            "widget": panel_widget,
+            "direction": direction,
+            "target_size": target_size,
+            "duration": duration,
+            "animator": None,
+        }
+
+    def toggle_panel(
+        self,
+        direction: Literal["left", "right", "top", "bottom"],
+        target_size: int | None = None,
+        duration: int | None = None,
+        easing_curve: QEasingCurve = QEasingCurve.InOutQuad,
+        ensure_max: bool = False,
+        scale: float | None = None,
+        animation: bool = True,
+    ):
+        """
+        Toggle the specified panel.
+
+        Parameters:
+            direction (Literal["left", "right", "top", "bottom"]): Direction of the panel to toggle.
+            target_size (int, optional): Override target size for this toggle.
+            duration (int, optional): Override the animation duration.
+            easing_curve (QEasingCurve): Animation easing curve.
+            ensure_max (bool): If True, animate as a fixed-size panel.
+            scale (float, optional): If provided, calculate target_size from main widget size.
+            animation (bool): If False, no animation is performed; panel instantly toggles.
+        """
+        if direction not in self.panels:
+            raise ValueError(f"No panel found in direction '{direction}'.")
+
+        panel_info = self.panels[direction]
+        panel_widget = panel_info["widget"]
+        dir_settings = self.direction_settings[direction]
+
+        # Determine final target size
+        if scale is not None:
+            main_rect = self.reference_widget.geometry()
+            if direction in ["left", "right"]:
+                computed_target = int(main_rect.width() * scale)
+            else:
+                computed_target = int(main_rect.height() * scale)
+            final_target_size = computed_target
+        else:
+            if target_size is None:
+                final_target_size = panel_info["target_size"]
+            else:
+                final_target_size = target_size
+
+        if duration is None:
+            duration = panel_info["duration"]
+
+        expanding_property = dir_settings["property"]
+        currently_visible = panel_widget.isVisible()
+
+        if ensure_max:
+            if panel_info["animator"] is None:
+                panel_info["animator"] = DimensionAnimator(panel_widget, direction)
+            animator = panel_info["animator"]
+
+            if direction in ["left", "right"]:
+                prop_name = b"panel_width"
+            else:
+                prop_name = b"panel_height"
+        else:
+            animator = None
+            prop_name = expanding_property
+
+        if currently_visible:
+            # Hide the panel
+            if ensure_max:
+                start_value = final_target_size
+                end_value = 0
+                finish_callback = lambda w=panel_widget, d=direction: self._after_hide_reset(w, d)
+            else:
+                start_value = (
+                    panel_widget.width()
+                    if direction in ["left", "right"]
+                    else panel_widget.height()
+                )
+                end_value = 0
+                finish_callback = lambda w=panel_widget: w.setVisible(False)
+        else:
+            # Show the panel
+            start_value = 0
+            end_value = final_target_size
+            finish_callback = None
+            if ensure_max:
+                # Fix panel exactly
+                if direction in ["left", "right"]:
+                    panel_widget.setMinimumWidth(0)
+                    panel_widget.setMaximumWidth(final_target_size)
+                    panel_widget.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Fixed, QSizePolicy.Expanding)
+                else:
+                    panel_widget.setMinimumHeight(0)
+                    panel_widget.setMaximumHeight(final_target_size)
+                    panel_widget.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Fixed)
+            else:
+                # Flexible mode
+                if direction in ["left", "right"]:
+                    panel_widget.setMinimumWidth(0)
+                    panel_widget.setMaximumWidth(final_target_size)
+                    panel_widget.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Expanding)
+                else:
+                    panel_widget.setMinimumHeight(0)
+                    panel_widget.setMaximumHeight(final_target_size)
+                    panel_widget.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Expanding)
+
+            panel_widget.setVisible(True)
+
+        if not animation:
+            # No animation: instantly set final state
+            if end_value == 0:
+                # Hiding
+                if ensure_max:
+                    # Reset after hide
+                    self._after_hide_reset(panel_widget, direction)
+                else:
+                    panel_widget.setVisible(False)
+            else:
+                # Showing
+                if ensure_max:
+                    # Already set fixed size
+                    if direction in ["left", "right"]:
+                        panel_widget.setFixedWidth(end_value)
+                    else:
+                        panel_widget.setFixedHeight(end_value)
+                else:
+                    # Just set maximum dimension
+                    if direction in ["left", "right"]:
+                        panel_widget.setMaximumWidth(end_value)
+                    else:
+                        panel_widget.setMaximumHeight(end_value)
+            return
+
+        # With animation
+        animation = QPropertyAnimation(animator if ensure_max else panel_widget, prop_name)
+        animation.setDuration(duration)
+        animation.setStartValue(start_value)
+        animation.setEndValue(end_value)
+        animation.setEasingCurve(easing_curve)
+
+        if end_value == 0 and finish_callback:
+            animation.finished.connect(finish_callback)
+        elif end_value == 0 and not finish_callback:
+            animation.finished.connect(lambda w=panel_widget: w.setVisible(False))
+
+        animation.start()
+        self.animations[panel_widget] = animation
+
+    @typechecked
+    def _after_hide_reset(
+        self, panel_widget: QWidget, direction: Literal["left", "right", "top", "bottom"]
+    ):
+        """
+        Reset the panel widget after hiding it in ensure_max mode.
+
+        Args:
+            panel_widget(QWidget): The panel widget to reset.
+            direction(Literal["left", "right", "top", "bottom"]): The direction of the panel.
+        """
+        # Called after hiding a panel in ensure_max mode
+        panel_widget.setVisible(False)
+        if direction in ["left", "right"]:
+            panel_widget.setMinimumWidth(0)
+            panel_widget.setMaximumWidth(0)
+            panel_widget.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Expanding)
+        else:
+            panel_widget.setMinimumHeight(0)
+            panel_widget.setMaximumHeight(16777215)
+            panel_widget.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Expanding)
+
+
+####################################################################################################
+# The following code is for the GUI control panel to interact with the CollapsiblePanelManager.
+# It is not covered by any tests as it serves only as an example for the CollapsiblePanelManager class.
+####################################################################################################
+
+
+class MainWindow(QMainWindow):  # pragma: no cover
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__()
+        self.setWindowTitle("Panels with ensure_max, scale, and animation toggle")
+        self.resize(800, 600)
+
+        central_widget = QWidget()
+        self.setCentralWidget(central_widget)
+        main_layout = QVBoxLayout(central_widget)
+        main_layout.setContentsMargins(10, 10, 10, 10)
+        main_layout.setSpacing(10)
+
+        # Buttons
+        buttons_layout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.btn_left = QPushButton("Toggle Left (ensure_max=True)")
+        self.btn_top = QPushButton("Toggle Top (scale=0.5, no animation)")
+        self.btn_right = QPushButton("Toggle Right (ensure_max=True, scale=0.3)")
+        self.btn_bottom = QPushButton("Toggle Bottom (no animation)")
+
+        buttons_layout.addWidget(self.btn_left)
+        buttons_layout.addWidget(self.btn_top)
+        buttons_layout.addWidget(self.btn_right)
+        buttons_layout.addWidget(self.btn_bottom)
+
+        main_layout.addLayout(buttons_layout)
+
+        self.layout_manager = LayoutManagerWidget()
+        main_layout.addWidget(self.layout_manager)
+
+        # Main widget
+        self.main_plot = pg.PlotWidget()
+        self.main_plot.plot([1, 2, 3, 4], [4, 3, 2, 1])
+        self.layout_manager.add_widget(self.main_plot, 0, 0)
+
+        self.panel_manager = CollapsiblePanelManager(self.layout_manager, self.main_plot)
+
+        # Panels
+        self.left_panel = pg.PlotWidget()
+        self.left_panel.plot([1, 2, 3], [3, 2, 1])
+        self.panel_manager.add_panel("left", self.left_panel, target_size=200)
+
+        self.right_panel = pg.PlotWidget()
+        self.right_panel.plot([10, 20, 30], [1, 10, 1])
+        self.panel_manager.add_panel("right", self.right_panel, target_size=200)
+
+        self.top_panel = pg.PlotWidget()
+        self.top_panel.plot([1, 2, 3], [1, 2, 3])
+        self.panel_manager.add_panel("top", self.top_panel, target_size=150)
+
+        self.bottom_panel = pg.PlotWidget()
+        self.bottom_panel.plot([2, 4, 6], [10, 5, 10])
+        self.panel_manager.add_panel("bottom", self.bottom_panel, target_size=150)
+
+        # Connect buttons
+        # Left with ensure_max
+        self.btn_left.clicked.connect(
+            lambda: self.panel_manager.toggle_panel("left", ensure_max=True)
+        )
+        # Top with scale=0.5 and no animation
+        self.btn_top.clicked.connect(
+            lambda: self.panel_manager.toggle_panel("top", scale=0.5, animation=False)
+        )
+        # Right with ensure_max, scale=0.3
+        self.btn_right.clicked.connect(
+            lambda: self.panel_manager.toggle_panel("right", ensure_max=True, scale=0.3)
+        )
+        # Bottom no animation
+        self.btn_bottom.clicked.connect(
+            lambda: self.panel_manager.toggle_panel("bottom", target_size=100, animation=False)
+        )
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    w = MainWindow()
+    w.show()
+    sys.exit(app.exec())

bec_widgets/utils/colors.py

@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-import itertools
 import re
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Literal
 
@@ -12,7 +11,7 @@ from pydantic_core import PydanticCustomError
 from qtpy.QtGui import QColor
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
-if TYPE_CHECKING:
+if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
     from bec_qthemes._main import AccentColors
 
 
@@ -71,15 +70,64 @@ def apply_theme(theme: Literal["dark", "light"]):
     Apply the theme to all pyqtgraph widgets. Do not use this function directly. Use set_theme instead.
     """
     app = QApplication.instance()
-    # go through all pyqtgraph widgets and set background
-    children = itertools.chain.from_iterable(
-        top.findChildren(pg.GraphicsLayoutWidget) for top in app.topLevelWidgets()
-    )
-    pg.setConfigOptions(
-        foreground="d" if theme == "dark" else "k", background="k" if theme == "dark" else "w"
-    )
-    for pg_widget in children:
-        pg_widget.setBackground("k" if theme == "dark" else "w")
+    graphic_layouts = [
+        child
+        for top in app.topLevelWidgets()
+        for child in top.findChildren(pg.GraphicsLayoutWidget)
+    ]
+
+    plot_items = [
+        item
+        for gl in graphic_layouts
+        for item in gl.ci.items.keys()  # ci is internal pg.GraphicsLayout that hosts all items
+        if isinstance(item, pg.PlotItem)
+    ]
+
+    histograms = [
+        item
+        for gl in graphic_layouts
+        for item in gl.ci.items.keys()  # ci is internal pg.GraphicsLayout that hosts all items
+        if isinstance(item, pg.HistogramLUTItem)
+    ]
+
+    # Update background color based on the theme
+    if theme == "light":
+        background_color = "#e9ecef"  # Subtle contrast for light mode
+        foreground_color = "#141414"
+        label_color = "#000000"
+        axis_color = "#666666"
+    else:
+        background_color = "#141414"  # Dark mode
+        foreground_color = "#e9ecef"
+        label_color = "#FFFFFF"
+        axis_color = "#CCCCCC"
+
+    # update GraphicsLayoutWidget
+    pg.setConfigOptions(foreground=foreground_color, background=background_color)
+    for pg_widget in graphic_layouts:
+        pg_widget.setBackground(background_color)
+
+    # update PlotItems
+    for plot_item in plot_items:
+        for axis in ["left", "right", "top", "bottom"]:
+            plot_item.getAxis(axis).setPen(pg.mkPen(color=axis_color))
+            plot_item.getAxis(axis).setTextPen(pg.mkPen(color=label_color))
+
+        # Change title color
+        plot_item.titleLabel.setText(plot_item.titleLabel.text, color=label_color)
+
+        # Change legend color
+        if hasattr(plot_item, "legend") and plot_item.legend is not None:
+            plot_item.legend.setLabelTextColor(label_color)
+            # if legend is in plot item and theme is changed, has to be like that because of pg opt logic
+            for sample, label in plot_item.legend.items:
+                label_text = label.text
+                label.setText(label_text, color=label_color)
+
+    # update HistogramLUTItem
+    for histogram in histograms:
+        histogram.axis.setPen(pg.mkPen(color=axis_color))
+        histogram.axis.setTextPen(pg.mkPen(color=label_color))
 
     # now define stylesheet according to theme and apply it
     style = bec_qthemes.load_stylesheet(theme)

bec_widgets/utils/compact_popup.py

@@ -266,3 +266,5 @@ class CompactPopupWidget(QWidget):
         # to ensure proper resources cleanup
         for child in self.container.findChildren(QWidget, options=Qt.FindDirectChildrenOnly):
             child.close()
+
+        super().closeEvent(event)

bec_widgets/utils/container_utils.py

@@ -1,30 +1,54 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-import itertools
-from typing import Type
+from typing import Any, Type
 
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
+from bec_widgets.cli.client_utils import BECGuiClient
+
 
 class WidgetContainerUtils:
 
+    # We need one handler that checks if a WIDGET of a given name is already created for that DOCKAREA
+    # 1. If the name exists, then it depends whether the name was auto-generated -> add _1 to the name
+    #    or alternatively raise an error that it can't be added again ( just raise an error)
+    # 2. Dock names in between docks should also be unique
+
     @staticmethod
-    def generate_unique_widget_id(container: dict, prefix: str = "widget") -> str:
-        """
-        Generate a unique widget ID.
+    def has_name_valid_chars(name: str) -> bool:
+        """Check if the name is valid.
 
         Args:
-            container(dict): The container of widgets.
-            prefix(str): The prefix of the widget ID.
+            name(str): The name to be checked.
 
         Returns:
-            widget_id(str): The unique widget ID.
+            bool: True if the name is valid, False otherwise.
         """
-        existing_ids = set(container.keys())
-        for i in itertools.count(1):
-            widget_id = f"{prefix}_{i}"
-            if widget_id not in existing_ids:
-                return widget_id
+        if not name or len(name) > 256:
+            return False  # Don't accept empty names or names longer than 256 characters
+        check_value = name.replace("_", "").replace("-", "")
+        if not check_value.isalnum() or not check_value.isascii():
+            return False
+        return True
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def generate_unique_name(name: str, list_of_names: list[str] | None = None) -> str:
+        """Generate a unique ID.
+
+        Args:
+            name(str): The name of the widget.
+        Returns:
+            tuple (str): The unique name
+        """
+        if list_of_names is None:
+            list_of_names = []
+        ii = 0
+        while ii < 1000:  # 1000 is arbritrary!
+            name_candidate = f"{name}_{ii}"
+            if name_candidate not in list_of_names:
+                return name_candidate
+            ii += 1
+        raise ValueError("Could not generate a unique name after within 1000 attempts.")
 
     @staticmethod
     def find_first_widget_by_class(
@@ -48,3 +72,36 @@ class WidgetContainerUtils:
             return None
         else:
             raise ValueError(f"No widget of class {widget_class} found.")
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def name_is_protected(name: str, container: Any = None) -> bool:
+        """
+        Check if the name is not protected.
+
+        Args:
+            name(str): The name to be checked.
+
+        Returns:
+            bool: True if the name is not protected, False otherwise.
+        """
+        if container is None:
+            container = BECGuiClient
+        gui_client_methods = set(filter(lambda x: not x.startswith("_"), dir(container)))
+        return name in gui_client_methods
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def raise_for_invalid_name(name: str, container: Any = None) -> None:
+        """
+        Check if the name is valid. If not, raise a ValueError.
+
+        Args:
+            name(str): The name to be checked.
+        Raises:
+            ValueError: If the name is not valid.
+        """
+        if not WidgetContainerUtils.has_name_valid_chars(name):
+            raise ValueError(
+                f"Name '{name}' contains invalid characters. Only alphanumeric characters, underscores, and dashes are allowed."
+            )
+        if WidgetContainerUtils.name_is_protected(name, container):
+            raise ValueError(f"Name '{name}' is protected. Please choose another name.")

bec_widgets/utils/crosshair.py

@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
 from collections import defaultdict
+from typing import Any
 
 import numpy as np
 import pyqtgraph as pg
@@ -6,13 +9,16 @@ from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, Qt, Signal, Slot
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
 
-class NonDownsamplingScatterPlotItem(pg.ScatterPlotItem):
+class CrosshairScatterItem(pg.ScatterPlotItem):
     def setDownsampling(self, ds=None, auto=None, method=None):
         pass
 
     def setClipToView(self, state):
         pass
 
+    def setAlpha(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        pass
+
 
 class Crosshair(QObject):
     # QT Position of mouse cursor
@@ -47,9 +53,15 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
         self.v_line.skip_auto_range = True
         self.h_line = pg.InfiniteLine(angle=0, movable=False)
         self.h_line.skip_auto_range = True
+        # Add custom attribute to identify crosshair lines
+        self.v_line.is_crosshair = True
+        self.h_line.is_crosshair = True
         self.plot_item.addItem(self.v_line, ignoreBounds=True)
         self.plot_item.addItem(self.h_line, ignoreBounds=True)
 
+        # Initialize highlighted curve in a case of multiple curves
+        self.highlighted_curve_index = None
+
         # Add TextItem to display coordinates
         self.coord_label = pg.TextItem("", anchor=(1, 1), fill=(0, 0, 0, 100))
         self.coord_label.setVisible(False)  # Hide initially
@@ -70,6 +82,7 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
         self.plot_item.ctrl.downsampleSpin.valueChanged.connect(self.clear_markers)
 
         # Initialize markers
+        self.items = []
         self.marker_moved_1d = {}
         self.marker_clicked_1d = {}
         self.marker_2d = None
@@ -113,61 +126,103 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
         self.coord_label.fill = pg.mkBrush(label_bg_color)
         self.coord_label.border = pg.mkPen(None)
 
+    @Slot(int)
+    def update_highlighted_curve(self, curve_index: int):
+        """
+        Update the highlighted curve in the case of multiple curves in a plot item.
+
+        Args:
+            curve_index(int): The index of curve to highlight
+        """
+        self.highlighted_curve_index = curve_index
+        self.clear_markers()
+        self.update_markers()
+
     def update_markers(self):
         """Update the markers for the crosshair, creating new ones if necessary."""
 
-        # Create new markers
-        for item in self.plot_item.items:
+        if self.highlighted_curve_index is not None and hasattr(self.plot_item, "visible_curves"):
+            # Focus on the highlighted curve only
+            self.items = [self.plot_item.visible_curves[self.highlighted_curve_index]]
+        else:
+            # Handle all curves
+            self.items = self.plot_item.items
+
+        # Create or update markers
+        for item in self.items:
             if isinstance(item, pg.PlotDataItem):  # 1D plot
-                if item.name() in self.marker_moved_1d:
-                    continue
                 pen = item.opts["pen"]
                 color = pen.color() if hasattr(pen, "color") else pg.mkColor(pen)
-                marker_moved = NonDownsamplingScatterPlotItem(
-                    size=10, pen=pg.mkPen(color), brush=pg.mkBrush(None)
-                )
-                marker_moved.skip_auto_range = True
-                self.marker_moved_1d[item.name()] = marker_moved
-                self.plot_item.addItem(marker_moved)
-
-                # Create glowing effect markers for clicked events
-                for size, alpha in [(18, 64), (14, 128), (10, 255)]:
-                    marker_clicked = NonDownsamplingScatterPlotItem(
-                        size=size,
-                        pen=pg.mkPen(None),
-                        brush=pg.mkBrush(color.red(), color.green(), color.blue(), alpha),
+                name = item.name() or str(id(item))
+                if name in self.marker_moved_1d:
+                    # Update existing markers
+                    marker_moved = self.marker_moved_1d[name]
+                    marker_moved.setPen(pg.mkPen(color))
+                    # Update clicked markers' brushes
+                    for marker_clicked in self.marker_clicked_1d[name]:
+                        alpha = marker_clicked.opts["brush"].color().alpha()
+                        marker_clicked.setBrush(
+                            pg.mkBrush(color.red(), color.green(), color.blue(), alpha)
+                        )
+                    # Update z-values
+                    marker_moved.setZValue(item.zValue() + 1)
+                    for marker_clicked in self.marker_clicked_1d[name]:
+                        marker_clicked.setZValue(item.zValue() + 1)
+                else:
+                    # Create new markers
+                    marker_moved = CrosshairScatterItem(
+                        size=10, pen=pg.mkPen(color), brush=pg.mkBrush(None)
                     )
-                    marker_clicked.skip_auto_range = True
-                    self.marker_clicked_1d[item.name()] = marker_clicked
-                    self.plot_item.addItem(marker_clicked)
+                    marker_moved.skip_auto_range = True
+                    marker_moved.is_crosshair = True
+                    self.marker_moved_1d[name] = marker_moved
+                    self.plot_item.addItem(marker_moved)
+                    # Set marker z-value higher than the curve
+                    marker_moved.setZValue(item.zValue() + 1)
 
+                    # Create glowing effect markers for clicked events
+                    marker_clicked_list = []
+                    for size, alpha in [(18, 64), (14, 128), (10, 255)]:
+                        marker_clicked = CrosshairScatterItem(
+                            size=size,
+                            pen=pg.mkPen(None),
+                            brush=pg.mkBrush(color.red(), color.green(), color.blue(), alpha),
+                        )
+                        marker_clicked.skip_auto_range = True
+                        marker_clicked.is_crosshair = True
+                        self.plot_item.addItem(marker_clicked)
+                        marker_clicked.setZValue(item.zValue() + 1)
+                        marker_clicked_list.append(marker_clicked)
+                    self.marker_clicked_1d[name] = marker_clicked_list
             elif isinstance(item, pg.ImageItem):  # 2D plot
                 if self.marker_2d is not None:
                     continue
                 self.marker_2d = pg.ROI(
                     [0, 0], size=[1, 1], pen=pg.mkPen("r", width=2), movable=False
                 )
+                self.marker_2d.skip_auto_range = True
                 self.plot_item.addItem(self.marker_2d)
 
-    def snap_to_data(self, x, y) -> tuple[defaultdict[list], defaultdict[list]]:
+    def snap_to_data(
+        self, x: float, y: float
+    ) -> tuple[None, None] | tuple[defaultdict[Any, list], defaultdict[Any, list]]:
         """
         Finds the nearest data points to the given x and y coordinates.
 
         Args:
-            x: The x-coordinate of the mouse cursor
-            y: The y-coordinate of the mouse cursor
+            x(float): The x-coordinate of the mouse cursor
+            y(float): The y-coordinate of the mouse cursor
 
         Returns:
             tuple: x and y values snapped to the nearest data
         """
         y_values = defaultdict(list)
         x_values = defaultdict(list)
-        image_2d = None
 
         # Iterate through items in the plot
-        for item in self.plot_item.items:
+        for item in self.items:
             if isinstance(item, pg.PlotDataItem):  # 1D plot
-                name = item.name()
+                name = item.name() or str(id(item))
                 plot_data = item._getDisplayDataset()
                 if plot_data is None:
                     continue
@@ -186,9 +241,9 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
                     y_values[name] = closest_y
                     x_values[name] = closest_x
             elif isinstance(item, pg.ImageItem):  # 2D plot
-                name = item.config.monitor
+                name = item.config.monitor or str(id(item))
                 image_2d = item.image
-                # clip the x and y values to the image dimensions to avoid out of bounds errors
+                # Clip the x and y values to the image dimensions to avoid out of bounds errors
                 y_values[name] = int(np.clip(y, 0, image_2d.shape[1] - 1))
                 x_values[name] = int(np.clip(x, 0, image_2d.shape[0] - 1))
 
@@ -256,9 +311,9 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
                 # not sure how we got here, but just to be safe...
                 return
 
-            for item in self.plot_item.items:
+            for item in self.items:
                 if isinstance(item, pg.PlotDataItem):
-                    name = item.name()
+                    name = item.name() or str(id(item))
                     x, y = x_snap_values[name], y_snap_values[name]
                     if x is None or y is None:
                         continue
@@ -271,7 +326,7 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
                     )
                     self.coordinatesChanged1D.emit(coordinate_to_emit)
                 elif isinstance(item, pg.ImageItem):
-                    name = item.config.monitor
+                    name = item.config.monitor or str(id(item))
                     x, y = x_snap_values[name], y_snap_values[name]
                     if x is None or y is None:
                         continue
@@ -309,13 +364,14 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
                 # not sure how we got here, but just to be safe...
                 return
 
-            for item in self.plot_item.items:
+            for item in self.items:
                 if isinstance(item, pg.PlotDataItem):
-                    name = item.name()
+                    name = item.name() or str(id(item))
                     x, y = x_snap_values[name], y_snap_values[name]
                     if x is None or y is None:
                         continue
-                    self.marker_clicked_1d[name].setData([x], [y])
+                    for marker_clicked in self.marker_clicked_1d[name]:
+                        marker_clicked.setData([x], [y])
                     x_snapped_scaled, y_snapped_scaled = self.scale_emitted_coordinates(x, y)
                     coordinate_to_emit = (
                         name,
@@ -324,7 +380,7 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
                     )
                     self.coordinatesClicked1D.emit(coordinate_to_emit)
                 elif isinstance(item, pg.ImageItem):
-                    name = item.config.monitor
+                    name = item.config.monitor or str(id(item))
                     x, y = x_snap_values[name], y_snap_values[name]
                     if x is None or y is None:
                         continue
@@ -337,9 +393,12 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
     def clear_markers(self):
         """Clears the markers from the plot."""
         for marker in self.marker_moved_1d.values():
-            marker.clear()
-        for marker in self.marker_clicked_1d.values():
-            marker.clear()
+            self.plot_item.removeItem(marker)
+        for markers in self.marker_clicked_1d.values():
+            for marker in markers:
+                self.plot_item.removeItem(marker)
+        self.marker_moved_1d.clear()
+        self.marker_clicked_1d.clear()
 
     def scale_emitted_coordinates(self, x, y):
         """Scales the emitted coordinates if the axes are in log scale.
@@ -365,9 +424,17 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
         """
         x, y = pos
         x_scaled, y_scaled = self.scale_emitted_coordinates(x, y)
-
-        # # Update coordinate label
-        self.coord_label.setText(f"({x_scaled:.{self.precision}g}, {y_scaled:.{self.precision}g})")
+        text = f"({x_scaled:.{self.precision}g}, {y_scaled:.{self.precision}g})"
+        for item in self.items:
+            if isinstance(item, pg.ImageItem):
+                image = item.image
+                ix = int(np.clip(x, 0, image.shape[0] - 1))
+                iy = int(np.clip(y, 0, image.shape[1] - 1))
+                intensity = image[ix, iy]
+                text += f"\nIntensity: {intensity:.{self.precision}g}"
+                break
+        # Update coordinate label
+        self.coord_label.setText(text)
         self.coord_label.setPos(x, y)
         self.coord_label.setVisible(True)
 
@@ -383,6 +450,9 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
         self.clear_markers()
 
     def cleanup(self):
+        if self.marker_2d is not None:
+            self.plot_item.removeItem(self.marker_2d)
+            self.marker_2d = None
         self.plot_item.removeItem(self.v_line)
         self.plot_item.removeItem(self.h_line)
         self.plot_item.removeItem(self.coord_label)

bec_widgets/utils/entry_validator.py

@@ -17,12 +17,24 @@ class EntryValidator:
             raise ValueError(f"Device '{name}' not found in current BEC session")
 
         device = self.devices[name]
-        description = device.describe()
+
+        # Build list of available signal entries from device._info['signals']
+        signals_dict = getattr(device, "_info", {}).get("signals", {})
+        available_entries = [
+            sig.get("obj_name") for sig in signals_dict.values() if sig.get("obj_name")
+        ]
+
+        # If no signals are found, means device is a signal, use the device name as the entry
+        if not available_entries:
+            available_entries = [name]
 
         if entry is None or entry == "":
             entry = next(iter(device._hints), name) if hasattr(device, "_hints") else name
-        if entry not in description:
-            raise ValueError(f"Entry '{entry}' not found in device '{name}' signals")
+        if entry not in available_entries:
+            raise ValueError(
+                f"Entry '{entry}' not found in device '{name}' signals. "
+                f"Available signals: '{available_entries}'"
+            )
 
         return entry
 

bec_widgets/utils/error_popups.py

@@ -2,9 +2,93 @@ import functools
 import sys
 import traceback
 
-from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, Qt, Signal, Slot
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from qtpy.QtCore import Property, QObject, Qt, Signal, Slot
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QMessageBox, QPushButton, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
+
+def SafeProperty(prop_type, *prop_args, popup_error: bool = False, default=None, **prop_kwargs):
+    """
+    Decorator to create a Qt Property with safe getter and setter so that
+    Qt Designer won't crash if an exception occurs in either method.
+
+    Args:
+        prop_type: The property type (e.g., str, bool, int, custom classes, etc.)
+        popup_error (bool): If True, show a popup for any error; otherwise, ignore or log silently.
+        default: Any default/fallback value to return if the getter raises an exception.
+        *prop_args, **prop_kwargs: Passed along to the underlying Qt Property constructor.
+
+    Usage:
+        @SafeProperty(int, default=-1)
+        def some_value(self) -> int:
+            # your getter logic
+            return ...   # if an exception is raised, returns -1
+
+        @some_value.setter
+        def some_value(self, val: int):
+            # your setter logic
+            ...
+    """
+
+    def decorator(py_getter):
+        """Decorator for the user's property getter function."""
+
+        @functools.wraps(py_getter)
+        def safe_getter(self_):
+            try:
+                return py_getter(self_)
+            except Exception:
+                # Identify which property function triggered error
+                prop_name = f"{py_getter.__module__}.{py_getter.__qualname__}"
+                error_msg = traceback.format_exc()
+
+                if popup_error:
+                    ErrorPopupUtility().custom_exception_hook(*sys.exc_info(), popup_error=True)
+                logger.error(f"SafeProperty error in GETTER of '{prop_name}':\n{error_msg}")
+                return default
+
+        class PropertyWrapper:
+            """
+            Intermediate wrapper used so that the user can optionally chain .setter(...).
+            """
+
+            def __init__(self, getter_func):
+                # We store only our safe_getter in the wrapper
+                self.getter_func = safe_getter
+
+            def setter(self, setter_func):
+                """Wraps the user-defined setter to handle errors safely."""
+
+                @functools.wraps(setter_func)
+                def safe_setter(self_, value):
+                    try:
+                        return setter_func(self_, value)
+                    except Exception:
+                        prop_name = f"{setter_func.__module__}.{setter_func.__qualname__}"
+                        error_msg = traceback.format_exc()
+
+                        if popup_error:
+                            ErrorPopupUtility().custom_exception_hook(
+                                *sys.exc_info(), popup_error=True
+                            )
+                        logger.error(f"SafeProperty error in SETTER of '{prop_name}':\n{error_msg}")
+                        return
+
+                # Return the full read/write Property
+                return Property(prop_type, self.getter_func, safe_setter, *prop_args, **prop_kwargs)
+
+            def __call__(self):
+                """
+                If user never calls `.setter(...)`, produce a read-only property.
+                """
+                return Property(prop_type, self.getter_func, None, *prop_args, **prop_kwargs)
+
+        return PropertyWrapper(py_getter)
+
+    return decorator
+
 
 def SafeSlot(*slot_args, **slot_kwargs):  # pylint: disable=invalid-name
     """Function with args, acting like a decorator, applying "error_managed" decorator + Qt Slot
@@ -12,17 +96,55 @@ def SafeSlot(*slot_args, **slot_kwargs):  # pylint: disable=invalid-name
 
     'popup_error' keyword argument can be passed with boolean value if a dialog should pop up,
     otherwise error display is left to the original exception hook
+    'verify_sender' keyword argument can be passed with boolean value if the sender should be verified
+    before executing the slot. If True, the slot will only execute if the sender is a QObject. This is
+    useful to prevent function calls from already deleted objects.
+    'raise_error' keyword argument can be passed with boolean value if the error should be raised
+    after the error is displayed. This is useful to propagate the error to the caller but should be used
+    with great care to avoid segfaults.
+
+    The keywords above are stored in a container which can be overridden by passing
+    '_override_slot_params' keyword argument with a dictionary containing the keywords to override.
+    This is useful to override the default behavior of the decorator for a specific function call.
+
     """
-    popup_error = bool(slot_kwargs.pop("popup_error", False))
+    _slot_params = {
+        "popup_error": bool(slot_kwargs.pop("popup_error", False)),
+        "verify_sender": bool(slot_kwargs.pop("verify_sender", False)),
+        "raise_error": bool(slot_kwargs.pop("raise_error", False)),
+    }
 
     def error_managed(method):
         @Slot(*slot_args, **slot_kwargs)
         @functools.wraps(method)
         def wrapper(*args, **kwargs):
+
+            _override_slot_params = kwargs.pop("_override_slot_params", {})
+            _slot_params.update(_override_slot_params)
             try:
+                if not _slot_params["verify_sender"] or len(args) == 0:
+                    return method(*args, **kwargs)
+
+                _instance = args[0]
+                if not isinstance(_instance, QObject):
+                    return method(*args, **kwargs)
+                sender = _instance.sender()
+                if sender is None:
+                    logger.info(
+                        f"Sender is None for {method.__module__}.{method.__qualname__}, "
+                        "skipping method call."
+                    )
+                    return
                 return method(*args, **kwargs)
+
             except Exception:
-                ErrorPopupUtility().custom_exception_hook(*sys.exc_info(), popup_error=popup_error)
+                slot_name = f"{method.__module__}.{method.__qualname__}"
+                error_msg = traceback.format_exc()
+                if _slot_params["popup_error"]:
+                    ErrorPopupUtility().custom_exception_hook(*sys.exc_info(), popup_error=True)
+                logger.error(f"SafeSlot error in slot '{slot_name}':\n{error_msg}")
+                if _slot_params["raise_error"]:
+                    raise
 
         return wrapper
 
@@ -91,6 +213,12 @@ class _ErrorPopupUtility(QObject):
         msg.setMinimumHeight(400)
         msg.exec_()
 
+    def show_property_error(self, title, message, widget):
+        """
+        Show a property-specific error message.
+        """
+        self.error_occurred.emit(title, message, widget)
+
     def format_traceback(self, traceback_message: str) -> str:
         """
         Format the traceback message to be displayed in the error popup by adding indentation to each line.
@@ -127,12 +255,14 @@ class _ErrorPopupUtility(QObject):
             error_message = " ".join(captured_message)
         return error_message
 
+    def get_error_message(self, exctype, value, tb):
+        return "".join(traceback.format_exception(exctype, value, tb))
+
     def custom_exception_hook(self, exctype, value, tb, popup_error=False):
         if popup_error or self.enable_error_popup:
-            error_message = traceback.format_exception(exctype, value, tb)
             self.error_occurred.emit(
                 "Method error" if popup_error else "Application Error",
-                "".join(error_message),
+                self.get_error_message(exctype, value, tb),
                 self.parent(),
             )
         else:

bec_widgets/utils/expandable_frame.py

@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from bec_qthemes import material_icon
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
+    QFrame,
+    QHBoxLayout,
+    QLabel,
+    QLayout,
+    QSizePolicy,
+    QToolButton,
+    QVBoxLayout,
+    QWidget,
+)
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
+
+
+class ExpandableGroupFrame(QFrame):
+
+    EXPANDED_ICON_NAME: str = "collapse_all"
+    COLLAPSED_ICON_NAME: str = "expand_all"
+
+    def __init__(self, title: str, parent: QWidget | None = None, expanded: bool = True) -> None:
+        super().__init__(parent=parent)
+        self._expanded = expanded
+
+        self.setFrameStyle(QFrame.Shape.StyledPanel | QFrame.Shadow.Plain)
+        self.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Policy.Minimum, QSizePolicy.Policy.Minimum)
+        self._layout = QVBoxLayout()
+        self._layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        self.setLayout(self._layout)
+        self._title_layout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self._layout.addLayout(self._title_layout)
+        self._expansion_button = QToolButton()
+        self._update_icon()
+        self._title = QLabel(f"<b>{title}</b>")
+        self._title_layout.addWidget(self._expansion_button)
+        self._title_layout.addWidget(self._title)
+
+        self._contents = QWidget(self)
+        self._layout.addWidget(self._contents)
+
+        self._expansion_button.clicked.connect(self.switch_expanded_state)
+        self.expanded = self._expanded  # type: ignore
+
+    def set_layout(self, layout: QLayout) -> None:
+        self._contents.setLayout(layout)
+        self._contents.layout().setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)  # type: ignore
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def switch_expanded_state(self):
+        self.expanded = not self.expanded  # type: ignore
+        self._update_icon()
+
+    @SafeProperty(bool)
+    def expanded(self):  # type: ignore
+        return self._expanded
+
+    @expanded.setter
+    def expanded(self, expanded: bool):
+        self._expanded = expanded
+        self._contents.setVisible(expanded)
+        self.updateGeometry()
+
+    def _update_icon(self):
+        self._expansion_button.setIcon(
+            material_icon(icon_name=self.EXPANDED_ICON_NAME, size=(10, 10), convert_to_pixmap=False)
+            if self.expanded
+            else material_icon(
+                icon_name=self.COLLAPSED_ICON_NAME, size=(10, 10), convert_to_pixmap=False
+            )
+        )

bec_widgets/utils/forms_from_types/forms.py

@@ -0,0 +1,182 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from decimal import Decimal
+from types import NoneType
+
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from bec_qthemes import material_icon
+from pydantic import BaseModel, ValidationError
+from qtpy.QtCore import Signal  # type: ignore
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QGridLayout, QLabel, QLayout, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.compact_popup import CompactPopupWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.forms_from_types.items import FormItemSpec, widget_from_type
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
+
+class TypedForm(BECWidget, QWidget):
+    PLUGIN = True
+    ICON_NAME = "list_alt"
+
+    value_changed = Signal()
+
+    RPC = False
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        parent=None,
+        items: list[tuple[str, type]] | None = None,
+        form_item_specs: list[FormItemSpec] | None = None,
+        client=None,
+        **kwargs,
+    ):
+        """Widget with a list of form items based on a list of types.
+
+        Args:
+            items (list[tuple[str, type]]): list of tuples of a name for the field and its type.
+                                            Should be a type supported by the logic in items.py
+            form_item_specs (list[FormItemSpec]): list of form item specs, equivalent to items.
+                                                  only one of items or form_item_specs should be
+                                                  supplied.
+
+        """
+        if (items is not None and form_item_specs is not None) or (
+            items is None and form_item_specs is None
+        ):
+            raise ValueError("Must specify one and only one of items and form_item_specs")
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, client=client, **kwargs)
+        self._items = (
+            form_item_specs
+            if form_item_specs is not None
+            else [
+                FormItemSpec(name=name, item_type=item_type)
+                for name, item_type in items  # type: ignore
+            ]
+        )
+        self._layout = QVBoxLayout()
+        self._layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        self.setLayout(self._layout)
+
+        self._form_grid_container = QWidget(parent=self)
+        self._form_grid = QWidget(parent=self._form_grid_container)
+        self._layout.addWidget(self._form_grid_container)
+        self._form_grid_container.setLayout(QVBoxLayout())
+        self._form_grid.setLayout(self._new_grid_layout())
+
+        self.populate()
+
+    def populate(self):
+        self._clear_grid()
+        for r, item in enumerate(self._items):
+            self._add_griditem(item, r)
+
+    def _add_griditem(self, item: FormItemSpec, row: int):
+        grid = self._form_grid.layout()
+        label = QLabel(item.name)
+        label.setProperty("_model_field_name", item.name)
+        label.setToolTip(item.info.description or item.name)
+        grid.addWidget(label, row, 0)
+        widget = widget_from_type(item.item_type)(parent=self, spec=item)
+        widget.valueChanged.connect(self.value_changed)
+        grid.addWidget(widget, row, 1)
+
+    def _dict_from_grid(self) -> dict[str, str | int | float | Decimal | bool]:
+        grid: QGridLayout = self._form_grid.layout()  # type: ignore
+        return {
+            grid.itemAtPosition(i, 0)
+            .widget()
+            .property("_model_field_name"): grid.itemAtPosition(i, 1)
+            .widget()
+            .getValue()  # type: ignore # we only add 'DynamicFormItem's here
+            for i in range(grid.rowCount())
+        }
+
+    def _clear_grid(self):
+        if (old_layout := self._form_grid.layout()) is not None:
+            while old_layout.count():
+                item = old_layout.takeAt(0)
+                widget = item.widget()
+                if widget is not None:
+                    widget.deleteLater()
+            old_layout.deleteLater()
+            self._form_grid.deleteLater()
+        self._form_grid = QWidget()
+
+        self._form_grid.setLayout(self._new_grid_layout())
+        self._form_grid_container.layout().addWidget(self._form_grid)
+
+        self._form_grid.adjustSize()
+        self._form_grid_container.adjustSize()
+        self.adjustSize()
+
+    def _new_grid_layout(self):
+        new_grid = QGridLayout()
+        new_grid.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        new_grid.setSizeConstraint(QLayout.SizeConstraint.SetFixedSize)
+        return new_grid
+
+
+class PydanticModelForm(TypedForm):
+    metadata_updated = Signal(dict)
+    metadata_cleared = Signal(NoneType)
+
+    def __init__(self, parent=None, metadata_model: type[BaseModel] = None, client=None, **kwargs):
+        """
+        A form generated from a pydantic model.
+
+        Args:
+            metadata_model (type[BaseModel]): the model class for which to generate a form.
+        """
+        self._md_schema = metadata_model
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, form_item_specs=self._form_item_specs(), client=client)
+
+        self._validity = CompactPopupWidget()
+        self._validity.compact_view = True  # type: ignore
+        self._validity.label = "Metadata validity"  # type: ignore
+        self._validity.compact_show_popup.setIcon(
+            material_icon(icon_name="info", size=(10, 10), convert_to_pixmap=False)
+        )
+        self._validity_message = QLabel("Not yet validated")
+        self._validity.addWidget(self._validity_message)
+        self._layout.addWidget(self._validity)
+        self.value_changed.connect(self.validate_form)
+
+    def set_schema(self, schema: type[BaseModel]):
+        self._md_schema = schema
+        self.populate()
+
+    def _form_item_specs(self):
+        return [
+            FormItemSpec(name=name, info=info, item_type=info.annotation)
+            for name, info in self._md_schema.model_fields.items()
+        ]
+
+    def update_items_from_schema(self):
+        self._items = self._form_item_specs()
+
+    def populate(self):
+        self.update_items_from_schema()
+        super().populate()
+
+    def get_form_data(self):
+        """Get the entered metadata as a dict."""
+        return self._dict_from_grid()
+
+    def validate_form(self, *_) -> bool:
+        """validate the currently entered metadata against the pydantic schema.
+        If successful, returns on metadata_emitted and returns true.
+        Otherwise, emits on metadata_cleared and returns false."""
+        try:
+            metadata_dict = self.get_form_data()
+            self._md_schema.model_validate(metadata_dict)
+            self._validity.set_global_state("success")
+            self._validity_message.setText("No errors!")
+            self.metadata_updated.emit(metadata_dict)
+            return True
+        except ValidationError as e:
+            self._validity.set_global_state("emergency")
+            self._validity_message.setText(str(e))
+            self.metadata_cleared.emit(None)
+            return False

bec_widgets/utils/forms_from_types/items.py

@@ -0,0 +1,286 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from abc import abstractmethod
+from decimal import Decimal
+from types import UnionType
+from typing import Callable, Protocol
+
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from bec_qthemes import material_icon
+from pydantic import BaseModel, ConfigDict, Field
+from pydantic.fields import FieldInfo
+from qtpy.QtCore import Signal  # type: ignore
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
+    QApplication,
+    QButtonGroup,
+    QCheckBox,
+    QDoubleSpinBox,
+    QGridLayout,
+    QHBoxLayout,
+    QLabel,
+    QLayout,
+    QLineEdit,
+    QRadioButton,
+    QSpinBox,
+    QToolButton,
+    QWidget,
+)
+
+from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.scan_metadata._util import (
+    clearable_required,
+    field_default,
+    field_limits,
+    field_maxlen,
+    field_minlen,
+    field_precision,
+)
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
+
+class FormItemSpec(BaseModel):
+    """
+    The specification for an item in a dynamically generated form. Uses a pydantic FieldInfo
+    to store most annotation info, since one of the main purposes is to store data for
+    forms genrated from pydantic models, but can also be composed from other sources or by hand.
+    """
+
+    model_config = ConfigDict(arbitrary_types_allowed=True)
+    item_type: type | UnionType
+    name: str
+    info: FieldInfo = FieldInfo()
+
+
+class ClearableBoolEntry(QWidget):
+    stateChanged = Signal()
+
+    def __init__(self, parent: QWidget | None = None) -> None:
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self._layout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self._layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        self.setLayout(self._layout)
+        self._layout.setSizeConstraint(QLayout.SizeConstraint.SetFixedSize)
+        self._entry = QButtonGroup()
+        self._true = QRadioButton("true", parent=self)
+        self._false = QRadioButton("false", parent=self)
+        for button in [self._true, self._false]:
+            self._layout.addWidget(button)
+            self._entry.addButton(button)
+            button.toggled.connect(self.stateChanged)
+
+    def clear(self):
+        self._entry.setExclusive(False)
+        self._true.setChecked(False)
+        self._false.setChecked(False)
+        self._entry.setExclusive(True)
+
+    def isChecked(self) -> bool | None:
+        if not self._true.isChecked() and not self._false.isChecked():
+            return None
+        return self._true.isChecked()
+
+    def setChecked(self, value: bool | None):
+        if value is None:
+            self.clear()
+        elif value:
+            self._true.setChecked(True)
+            self._false.setChecked(False)
+        else:
+            self._true.setChecked(False)
+            self._false.setChecked(True)
+
+    def setToolTip(self, tooltip: str):
+        self._true.setToolTip(tooltip)
+        self._false.setToolTip(tooltip)
+
+
+class DynamicFormItem(QWidget):
+    valueChanged = Signal()
+
+    def __init__(self, parent: QWidget | None = None, *, spec: FormItemSpec) -> None:
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self._spec = spec
+        self._layout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self._layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        self._layout.setSizeConstraint(QLayout.SizeConstraint.SetMaximumSize)
+        self._default = field_default(self._spec.info)
+        self._desc = self._spec.info.description
+        self.setLayout(self._layout)
+        self._add_main_widget()
+        if clearable_required(spec.info):
+            self._add_clear_button()
+
+    @abstractmethod
+    def getValue(self): ...
+
+    @abstractmethod
+    def setValue(self, value): ...
+
+    @abstractmethod
+    def _add_main_widget(self) -> None:
+        """Add the main data entry widget to self._main_widget and appply any
+        constraints from the field info"""
+
+    def _describe(self, pad=" "):
+        return pad + (self._desc if self._desc else "")
+
+    def _add_clear_button(self):
+        self._clear_button = QToolButton()
+        self._clear_button.setIcon(
+            material_icon(icon_name="close", size=(10, 10), convert_to_pixmap=False)
+        )
+        self._layout.addWidget(self._clear_button)
+        # the widget added in _add_main_widget must implement .clear() if value is not required
+        self._clear_button.setToolTip("Clear value or reset to default.")
+        self._clear_button.clicked.connect(self._main_widget.clear)  # type: ignore
+
+    def _value_changed(self, *_, **__):
+        self.valueChanged.emit()
+
+
+class StrMetadataField(DynamicFormItem):
+    def __init__(self, parent: QWidget | None = None, *, spec: FormItemSpec) -> None:
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, spec=spec)
+        self._main_widget.textChanged.connect(self._value_changed)
+
+    def _add_main_widget(self) -> None:
+        self._main_widget = QLineEdit()
+        self._layout.addWidget(self._main_widget)
+        min_length, max_length = (field_minlen(self._spec.info), field_maxlen(self._spec.info))
+        if max_length:
+            self._main_widget.setMaxLength(max_length)
+        self._main_widget.setToolTip(
+            f"(length min: {min_length} max: {max_length}){self._describe()}"
+        )
+        if self._default:
+            self._main_widget.setText(self._default)
+            self._add_clear_button()
+
+    def getValue(self):
+        if self._main_widget.text() == "":
+            return self._default
+        return self._main_widget.text()
+
+    def setValue(self, value: str):
+        if value is None:
+            self._main_widget.setText("")
+        self._main_widget.setText(value)
+
+
+class IntMetadataField(DynamicFormItem):
+    def __init__(self, parent: QWidget | None = None, *, spec: FormItemSpec) -> None:
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, spec=spec)
+        self._main_widget.textChanged.connect(self._value_changed)
+
+    def _add_main_widget(self) -> None:
+        self._main_widget = QSpinBox()
+        self._layout.addWidget(self._main_widget)
+        min_, max_ = field_limits(self._spec.info, int)
+        self._main_widget.setMinimum(min_)
+        self._main_widget.setMaximum(max_)
+        self._main_widget.setToolTip(f"(range {min_} to {max_}){self._describe()}")
+        if self._default is not None:
+            self._main_widget.setValue(self._default)
+            self._add_clear_button()
+        else:
+            self._main_widget.clear()
+
+    def getValue(self):
+        if self._main_widget.text() == "":
+            return self._default
+        return self._main_widget.value()
+
+    def setValue(self, value: int):
+        if value is None:
+            self._main_widget.clear()
+        self._main_widget.setValue(value)
+
+
+class FloatDecimalMetadataField(DynamicFormItem):
+    def __init__(self, parent: QWidget | None = None, *, spec: FormItemSpec) -> None:
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, spec=spec)
+        self._main_widget.textChanged.connect(self._value_changed)
+
+    def _add_main_widget(self) -> None:
+        self._main_widget = QDoubleSpinBox()
+        self._layout.addWidget(self._main_widget)
+        min_, max_ = field_limits(self._spec.info, int)
+        self._main_widget.setMinimum(min_)
+        self._main_widget.setMaximum(max_)
+        precision = field_precision(self._spec.info)
+        if precision:
+            self._main_widget.setDecimals(precision)
+        minstr = f"{float(min_):.3f}" if abs(min_) <= 1000 else f"{float(min_):.3e}"
+        maxstr = f"{float(max_):.3f}" if abs(max_) <= 1000 else f"{float(max_):.3e}"
+        self._main_widget.setToolTip(f"(range {minstr} to {maxstr}){self._describe()}")
+        if self._default is not None:
+            self._main_widget.setValue(self._default)
+            self._add_clear_button()
+        else:
+            self._main_widget.clear()
+
+    def getValue(self):
+        if self._main_widget.text() == "":
+            return self._default
+        return self._main_widget.value()
+
+    def setValue(self, value: float):
+        if value is None:
+            self._main_widget.clear()
+        self._main_widget.setValue(value)
+
+
+class BoolMetadataField(DynamicFormItem):
+    def __init__(self, *, parent: QWidget | None = None, spec: FormItemSpec) -> None:
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, spec=spec)
+        self._main_widget.stateChanged.connect(self._value_changed)
+
+    def _add_main_widget(self) -> None:
+        if clearable_required(self._spec.info):
+            self._main_widget = ClearableBoolEntry()
+        else:
+            self._main_widget = QCheckBox()
+        self._layout.addWidget(self._main_widget)
+        self._main_widget.setToolTip(self._describe(""))
+        self._main_widget.setChecked(self._default)  # type: ignore # if there is no default then it will be ClearableBoolEntry and can be set with None
+
+    def getValue(self):
+        return self._main_widget.isChecked()
+
+    def setValue(self, value):
+        self._main_widget.setChecked(value)
+
+
+def widget_from_type(annotation: type | UnionType | None) -> type[DynamicFormItem]:
+    if annotation in [str, str | None]:
+        return StrMetadataField
+    if annotation in [int, int | None]:
+        return IntMetadataField
+    if annotation in [float, float | None, Decimal, Decimal | None]:
+        return FloatDecimalMetadataField
+    if annotation in [bool, bool | None]:
+        return BoolMetadataField
+    else:
+        logger.warning(f"Type {annotation} is not (yet) supported in metadata form creation.")
+        return StrMetadataField
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+
+    class TestModel(BaseModel):
+        value1: str | None = Field(None)
+        value2: bool | None = Field(None)
+        value3: bool = Field(True)
+        value4: int = Field(123)
+        value5: int | None = Field()
+
+    app = QApplication([])
+    w = QWidget()
+    layout = QGridLayout()
+    w.setLayout(layout)
+    for i, (field_name, info) in enumerate(TestModel.model_fields.items()):
+        layout.addWidget(QLabel(field_name), i, 0)
+        layout.addWidget(widget_from_type(info.annotation)(info), i, 1)
+
+    w.show()
+    app.exec()

bec_widgets/utils/generate_designer_plugin.py

@@ -1,17 +1,30 @@
 import inspect
 import os
 import re
+from typing import NamedTuple
 
 from qtpy.QtCore import QObject
 
+from bec_widgets.utils.name_utils import pascal_to_snake
+
 EXCLUDED_PLUGINS = ["BECConnector", "BECDockArea", "BECDock", "BECFigure"]
 
 
+class PluginFilenames(NamedTuple):
+    register: str
+    plugin: str
+    pyproj: str
+
+
+def plugin_filenames(name: str) -> PluginFilenames:
+    return PluginFilenames(f"register_{name}.py", f"{name}_plugin.py", f"{name}.pyproject")
+
+
 class DesignerPluginInfo:
     def __init__(self, plugin_class):
         self.plugin_class = plugin_class
         self.plugin_name_pascal = plugin_class.__name__
-        self.plugin_name_snake = self.pascal_to_snake(self.plugin_name_pascal)
+        self.plugin_name_snake = pascal_to_snake(self.plugin_name_pascal)
         self.widget_import = f"from {plugin_class.__module__} import {self.plugin_name_pascal}"
         plugin_module = (
             ".".join(plugin_class.__module__.split(".")[:-1]) + f".{self.plugin_name_snake}_plugin"
@@ -27,21 +40,6 @@ class DesignerPluginInfo:
 
         self.base_path = os.path.dirname(inspect.getfile(plugin_class))
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def pascal_to_snake(name: str) -> str:
-        """
-        Convert PascalCase to snake_case.
-
-        Args:
-            name (str): The name to be converted.
-
-        Returns:
-            str: The converted name.
-        """
-        s1 = re.sub(r"([a-z0-9])([A-Z])", r"\1_\2", name)
-        s2 = re.sub(r"([A-Z]+)([A-Z][a-z])", r"\1_\2", s1)
-        return s2.lower()
-
 
 class DesignerPluginGenerator:
     def __init__(self, widget: type):
@@ -53,11 +51,15 @@ class DesignerPluginGenerator:
             self._excluded = True
             return
 
-        self.templates = {}
+        self.templates: dict[str, str] = {}
         self.template_path = os.path.join(
             os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__)), "plugin_templates"
         )
 
+    @property
+    def filenames(self):
+        return plugin_filenames(self.info.plugin_name_snake)
+
     def run(self, validate=True):
         if self._excluded:
             print(f"Plugin {self.widget.__name__} is excluded from generation.")
@@ -107,31 +109,33 @@ class DesignerPluginGenerator:
                 or bool(init_source.find("super().__init__(parent)") > 0)
             )
 
+        # for the new style classes, we only have one super call. We can therefore check if the
+        # number of __init__ calls is 2 (the class itself and the super class)
+        num_inits = re.findall(r"__init__", init_source)
+        if len(num_inits) == 2 and not super_init_found:
+            super_init_found = bool(
+                init_source.find("super().__init__(parent=parent") > 0
+                or init_source.find("super().__init__(parent,") > 0
+                or init_source.find("super().__init__(parent)") > 0
+            )
+
         if not cls_init_found and not super_init_found:
             raise ValueError(
                 f"Widget class {self.widget.__name__} must call the super constructor with parent."
             )
 
+    def _write_file(self, name: str, contents: str):
+        with open(os.path.join(self.info.base_path, name), "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+            f.write(contents)
+
+    def _format(self, name: str):
+        return self.templates[name].format(**self.info.__dict__)
+
     def _write_templates(self):
-        self._write_register()
-        self._write_plugin()
-        self._write_pyproject()
-
-    def _write_register(self):
-        file_path = os.path.join(self.info.base_path, f"register_{self.info.plugin_name_snake}.py")
-        with open(file_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-            f.write(self.templates["register"].format(**self.info.__dict__))
-
-    def _write_plugin(self):
-        file_path = os.path.join(self.info.base_path, f"{self.info.plugin_name_snake}_plugin.py")
-        with open(file_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-            f.write(self.templates["plugin"].format(**self.info.__dict__))
-
-    def _write_pyproject(self):
-        file_path = os.path.join(self.info.base_path, f"{self.info.plugin_name_snake}.pyproject")
-        out = {"files": [f"{self.info.plugin_class.__module__.split('.')[-1]}.py"]}
-        with open(file_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-            f.write(str(out))
+        self._write_file(self.filenames.register, self._format("register"))
+        self._write_file(self.filenames.plugin, self._format("plugin"))
+        pyproj = str({"files": [f"{self.info.plugin_class.__module__.split('.')[-1]}.py"]})
+        self._write_file(self.filenames.pyproj, pyproj)
 
     def _load_templates(self):
         for file in os.listdir(self.template_path):
@@ -143,7 +147,7 @@ class DesignerPluginGenerator:
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     # from bec_widgets.widgets.bec_queue.bec_queue import BECQueue
-    from bec_widgets.widgets.spinner.spinner import SpinnerWidget
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.spinner import SpinnerWidget
 
     generator = DesignerPluginGenerator(SpinnerWidget)
     generator.run(validate=False)

bec_widgets/utils/linear_region_selector.py

@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
-""" Module for a thin wrapper (LinearRegionWrapper) around the LinearRegionItem in pyqtgraph.
-The class is mainly designed for usage with the BECWaveform and 1D plots. """
+"""Module for a thin wrapper (LinearRegionWrapper) around the LinearRegionItem in pyqtgraph.
+The class is mainly designed for usage with the BECWaveform and 1D plots."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
 
 import pyqtgraph as pg
 from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, Signal, Slot

bec_widgets/utils/name_utils.py

@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+import re
+
+
+def pascal_to_snake(name: str) -> str:
+    """
+    Convert PascalCase to snake_case.
+
+    Args:
+        name (str): The name to be converted.
+
+    Returns:
+        str: The converted name.
+    """
+    s1 = re.sub(r"([a-z0-9])([A-Z])", r"\1_\2", name)
+    s2 = re.sub(r"([A-Z]+)([A-Z][a-z])", r"\1_\2", s1)
+    return s2.lower()

bec_widgets/utils/palette_viewer.py

@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
 from bec_widgets.utils.colors import get_accent_colors, get_theme_palette
-from bec_widgets.widgets.dark_mode_button.dark_mode_button import DarkModeButton
+from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.visual.dark_mode_button.dark_mode_button import DarkModeButton
 
 
 class PaletteViewer(BECWidget, QWidget):
@@ -22,10 +22,10 @@ class PaletteViewer(BECWidget, QWidget):
     """
 
     ICON_NAME = "palette"
+    RPC = False
 
     def __init__(self, *args, parent=None, **kwargs):
-        super().__init__(*args, theme_update=True, **kwargs)
-        QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, theme_update=True, **kwargs)
         self.setFixedSize(400, 600)
         layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
         dark_mode_button = DarkModeButton(self)

bec_widgets/utils/plot_indicator_items.py

@@ -148,10 +148,7 @@ class BECTickItem(BECIndicatorItem):
     def cleanup(self) -> None:
         """Cleanup the item"""
         self.remove_from_plot()
-        if self.tick_item is not None:
-            self.tick_item.close()
-            self.tick_item.deleteLater()
-            self.tick_item = None
+        self.tick_item = None
 
 
 class BECArrowItem(BECIndicatorItem):
@@ -174,7 +171,7 @@ class BECArrowItem(BECIndicatorItem):
 
     def __init__(self, plot_item: pg.PlotItem = None, parent=None):
         super().__init__(plot_item=plot_item, parent=parent)
-        self.arrow_item = pg.ArrowItem(parent=parent)
+        self.arrow_item = pg.ArrowItem()
         self.arrow_item.skip_auto_range = True
         self._pos = (0, 0)
         self.arrow_item.setVisible(False)

bec_widgets/utils/plugin_utils.py

@@ -1,7 +1,10 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
 import importlib
 import inspect
 import os
 from dataclasses import dataclass
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 from bec_lib.plugin_helper import _get_available_plugins
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QGraphicsWidget, QWidget
@@ -9,6 +12,9 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import QGraphicsWidget, QWidget
 from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
 
+if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.auto_update.auto_updates import AutoUpdates
+
 
 def get_plugin_widgets() -> dict[str, BECConnector]:
     """
@@ -45,6 +51,40 @@ def _filter_plugins(obj):
     return inspect.isclass(obj) and issubclass(obj, BECConnector)
 
 
+def get_plugin_auto_updates() -> dict[str, type[AutoUpdates]]:
+    """
+    Get all available auto update classes from the plugin directory. AutoUpdates must inherit from AutoUpdate and be
+    placed in the plugin repository's bec_widgets/auto_updates directory. The entry point for the auto updates is
+    specified in the respective pyproject.toml file using the following key:
+        [project.entry-points."bec.widgets.auto_updates"]
+        plugin_widgets_update = "<beamline_name>.bec_widgets.auto_updates"
+
+    e.g.
+        [project.entry-points."bec.widgets.auto_updates"]
+        plugin_widgets_update = "pxiii_bec.bec_widgets.auto_updates"
+
+    Returns:
+        dict[str, AutoUpdates]: A dictionary of widget names and their respective classes.
+    """
+    modules = _get_available_plugins("bec.widgets.auto_updates")
+    loaded_plugins = {}
+    for module in modules:
+        mods = inspect.getmembers(module, predicate=_filter_auto_updates)
+        for name, mod_cls in mods:
+            if name in loaded_plugins:
+                print(f"Duplicated auto update {name}.")
+            loaded_plugins[name] = mod_cls
+    return loaded_plugins
+
+
+def _filter_auto_updates(obj):
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.auto_update.auto_updates import AutoUpdates
+
+    return (
+        inspect.isclass(obj) and issubclass(obj, AutoUpdates) and not obj.__name__ == "AutoUpdates"
+    )
+
+
 @dataclass
 class BECClassInfo:
     name: str
@@ -53,12 +93,18 @@ class BECClassInfo:
     obj: type
     is_connector: bool = False
     is_widget: bool = False
-    is_top_level: bool = False
+    is_plugin: bool = False
 
 
 class BECClassContainer:
     def __init__(self):
-        self._collection = []
+        self._collection: list[BECClassInfo] = []
+
+    def __repr__(self):
+        return str(list(cl.name for cl in self.collection))
+
+    def __iter__(self):
+        return self._collection.__iter__()
 
     def add_class(self, class_info: BECClassInfo):
         """
@@ -88,14 +134,14 @@ class BECClassContainer:
         """
         Get all top-level classes.
         """
-        return [info.obj for info in self.collection if info.is_top_level]
+        return [info.obj for info in self.collection if info.is_plugin]
 
     @property
     def plugins(self):
         """
         Get all plugins. These are all classes that are on the top level and are widgets.
         """
-        return [info.obj for info in self.collection if info.is_widget and info.is_top_level]
+        return [info.obj for info in self.collection if info.is_widget and info.is_plugin]
 
     @property
     def widgets(self):
@@ -109,10 +155,17 @@ class BECClassContainer:
         """
         Get all top-level classes that are RPC-enabled. These are all classes that users can choose from.
         """
-        return [info.obj for info in self.collection if info.is_top_level and info.is_connector]
+        return [info.obj for info in self.collection if info.is_plugin and info.is_connector]
+
+    @property
+    def classes(self):
+        """
+        Get all classes.
+        """
+        return [info.obj for info in self.collection]
 
 
-def get_rpc_classes(repo_name: str) -> BECClassContainer:
+def get_custom_classes(repo_name: str) -> BECClassContainer:
     """
     Get all RPC-enabled classes in the specified repository.
 
@@ -153,6 +206,8 @@ def get_rpc_classes(repo_name: str) -> BECClassContainer:
                         issubclass(obj, QWidget) or issubclass(obj, QGraphicsWidget)
                     ):
                         class_info.is_top_level = True
+                    if hasattr(obj, "PLUGIN") and obj.PLUGIN:
+                        class_info.is_plugin = True
                     collection.add_class(class_info)
 
     return collection

bec_widgets/utils/round_frame.py

@@ -0,0 +1,157 @@
+import pyqtgraph as pg
+from qtpy.QtCore import Property
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QFrame, QHBoxLayout, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
+
+from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.visual.dark_mode_button.dark_mode_button import DarkModeButton
+
+
+class RoundedFrame(QFrame):
+    """
+    A custom QFrame with rounded corners and optional theme updates.
+    The frame can contain any QWidget, however it is mainly designed to wrap PlotWidgets to provide a consistent look and feel with other BEC Widgets.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        parent=None,
+        content_widget: QWidget = None,
+        background_color: str = None,
+        orientation: str = "horizontal",
+        radius: int = 10,
+    ):
+        QFrame.__init__(self, parent)
+
+        self.background_color = background_color
+        self._radius = radius
+
+        # Apply rounded frame styling
+        self.setProperty("skip_settings", True)
+        self.setObjectName("roundedFrame")
+
+        # Create a layout for the frame
+        if orientation == "vertical":
+            self.layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
+            self.layout.setContentsMargins(5, 5, 5, 5)
+        else:
+            self.layout = QHBoxLayout(self)
+            self.layout.setContentsMargins(5, 5, 5, 5)  # Set 5px margin
+
+        # Add the content widget to the layout
+        if content_widget:
+            self.layout.addWidget(content_widget)
+
+        # Store reference to the content widget
+        self.content_widget = content_widget
+
+        # Automatically apply initial styles to the GraphicalLayoutWidget if applicable
+        self.apply_plot_widget_style()
+
+    def apply_theme(self, theme: str):
+        """
+        Apply the theme to the frame and its content if theme updates are enabled.
+        """
+        if self.content_widget is not None and isinstance(
+            self.content_widget, pg.GraphicsLayoutWidget
+        ):
+            self.content_widget.setBackground(self.background_color)
+
+        # Update background color based on the theme
+        if theme == "light":
+            self.background_color = "#e9ecef"  # Subtle contrast for light mode
+        else:
+            self.background_color = "#141414"  # Dark mode
+
+        self.update_style()
+
+    @Property(int)
+    def radius(self):
+        """Radius of the rounded corners."""
+        return self._radius
+
+    @radius.setter
+    def radius(self, value: int):
+        self._radius = value
+        self.update_style()
+
+    def update_style(self):
+        """
+        Update the style of the frame based on the background color.
+        """
+        if self.background_color:
+            self.setStyleSheet(
+                f"""
+                QFrame#roundedFrame {{
+                    background-color: {self.background_color}; 
+                    border-radius: {self._radius}; /* Rounded corners */
+                }}
+            """
+            )
+        self.apply_plot_widget_style()
+
+    def apply_plot_widget_style(self, border: str = "none"):
+        """
+        Automatically apply background, border, and axis styles to the PlotWidget.
+
+        Args:
+            border (str): Border style (e.g., 'none', '1px solid red').
+        """
+        if isinstance(self.content_widget, pg.GraphicsLayoutWidget):
+            # Apply border style via stylesheet
+            self.content_widget.setStyleSheet(
+                f"""
+                GraphicsLayoutWidget {{
+                    border: {border}; /* Explicitly set the border */
+                }}
+            """
+            )
+            self.content_widget.setBackground(self.background_color)
+
+
+class ExampleApp(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__()
+        self.setWindowTitle("Rounded Plots Example")
+
+        # Main layout
+        layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
+
+        dark_button = DarkModeButton()
+
+        # Create PlotWidgets
+        plot1 = pg.GraphicsLayoutWidget()
+        plot_item_1 = pg.PlotItem()
+        plot_item_1.plot([1, 3, 2, 4, 6, 5], pen="r")
+        plot1.plot_item = plot_item_1
+
+        plot2 = pg.GraphicsLayoutWidget()
+        plot_item_2 = pg.PlotItem()
+        plot_item_2.plot([1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32], pen="r")
+        plot2.plot_item = plot_item_2
+
+        # Wrap PlotWidgets in RoundedFrame
+        rounded_plot1 = RoundedFrame(parent=self, content_widget=plot1)
+        rounded_plot2 = RoundedFrame(parent=self, content_widget=plot2)
+
+        # Add to layout
+        layout.addWidget(dark_button)
+        layout.addWidget(rounded_plot1)
+        layout.addWidget(rounded_plot2)
+
+        self.setLayout(layout)
+
+        from qtpy.QtCore import QTimer
+
+        def change_theme():
+            rounded_plot1.apply_theme("light")
+            rounded_plot2.apply_theme("dark")
+
+        QTimer.singleShot(100, change_theme)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    app = QApplication([])
+
+    window = ExampleApp()
+    window.show()
+
+    app.exec()

bec_widgets/utils/rpc_server.py

@@ -0,0 +1,277 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import functools
+import traceback
+import types
+from contextlib import contextmanager
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Callable, TypeVar
+
+from bec_lib.client import BECClient
+from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from bec_lib.utils.import_utils import lazy_import
+from qtpy.QtCore import QTimer
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
+from redis.exceptions import RedisError
+
+from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_register import RPCRegister
+from bec_widgets.utils import BECDispatcher
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import ErrorPopupUtility
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.main_window import BECMainWindow
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
+    from bec_lib import messages
+    from qtpy.QtCore import QObject
+else:
+    messages = lazy_import("bec_lib.messages")
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
+
+T = TypeVar("T")
+
+
+@contextmanager
+def rpc_exception_hook(err_func):
+    """This context replaces the popup message box for error display with a specific hook"""
+    # get error popup utility singleton
+    popup = ErrorPopupUtility()
+    # save current setting
+    old_exception_hook = popup.custom_exception_hook
+
+    # install err_func, if it is a callable
+    # IMPORTANT, Keep self here, because this method is overwriting the custom_exception_hook
+    # of the ErrorPopupUtility (popup instance) class.
+    def custom_exception_hook(self, exc_type, value, tb, **kwargs):
+        err_func({"error": popup.get_error_message(exc_type, value, tb)})
+
+    popup.custom_exception_hook = types.MethodType(custom_exception_hook, popup)
+
+    try:
+        yield popup
+    finally:
+        # restore state of error popup utility singleton
+        popup.custom_exception_hook = old_exception_hook
+
+
+class RPCServer:
+
+    client: BECClient
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        gui_id: str,
+        dispatcher: BECDispatcher | None = None,
+        client: BECClient | None = None,
+        config=None,
+        gui_class_id: str = "bec",
+    ) -> None:
+        self.status = messages.BECStatus.BUSY
+        self.dispatcher = BECDispatcher(config=config) if dispatcher is None else dispatcher
+        self.client = self.dispatcher.client if client is None else client
+        self.client.start()
+        self.gui_id = gui_id
+        # register broadcast callback
+        self.rpc_register = RPCRegister()
+        self.rpc_register.add_callback(self.broadcast_registry_update)
+
+        self.dispatcher.connect_slot(
+            self.on_rpc_update, MessageEndpoints.gui_instructions(self.gui_id)
+        )
+
+        # Setup QTimer for heartbeat
+        self._heartbeat_timer = QTimer()
+        self._heartbeat_timer.timeout.connect(self.emit_heartbeat)
+        self._heartbeat_timer.start(200)
+        self._registry_update_callbacks = []
+        self._broadcasted_data = {}
+
+        self.status = messages.BECStatus.RUNNING
+        logger.success(f"Server started with gui_id: {self.gui_id}")
+
+    def on_rpc_update(self, msg: dict, metadata: dict):
+        request_id = metadata.get("request_id")
+        if request_id is None:
+            logger.error("Received RPC instruction without request_id")
+            return
+        logger.debug(f"Received RPC instruction: {msg}, metadata: {metadata}")
+        with rpc_exception_hook(functools.partial(self.send_response, request_id, False)):
+            try:
+                obj = self.get_object_from_config(msg["parameter"])
+                method = msg["action"]
+                args = msg["parameter"].get("args", [])
+                kwargs = msg["parameter"].get("kwargs", {})
+                res = self.run_rpc(obj, method, args, kwargs)
+            except Exception:
+                content = traceback.format_exc()
+                logger.error(f"Error while executing RPC instruction: {content}")
+                self.send_response(request_id, False, {"error": content})
+            else:
+                logger.debug(f"RPC instruction executed successfully: {res}")
+                self.send_response(request_id, True, {"result": res})
+
+    def send_response(self, request_id: str, accepted: bool, msg: dict):
+        self.client.connector.set_and_publish(
+            MessageEndpoints.gui_instruction_response(request_id),
+            messages.RequestResponseMessage(accepted=accepted, message=msg),
+            expire=60,
+        )
+
+    def get_object_from_config(self, config: dict):
+        gui_id = config.get("gui_id")
+        obj = self.rpc_register.get_rpc_by_id(gui_id)
+        if obj is None:
+            raise ValueError(f"Object with gui_id {gui_id} not found")
+        return obj
+
+    def run_rpc(self, obj, method, args, kwargs):
+        # Run with rpc registry broadcast, but only once
+        with RPCRegister.delayed_broadcast():
+            logger.debug(f"Running RPC instruction: {method} with args: {args}, kwargs: {kwargs}")
+            method_obj = getattr(obj, method)
+            # check if the method accepts args and kwargs
+            if not callable(method_obj):
+                if not args:
+                    res = method_obj
+                else:
+                    setattr(obj, method, args[0])
+                    res = None
+            else:
+                res = method_obj(*args, **kwargs)
+
+            if isinstance(res, list):
+                res = [self.serialize_object(obj) for obj in res]
+            elif isinstance(res, dict):
+                res = {key: self.serialize_object(val) for key, val in res.items()}
+            else:
+                res = self.serialize_object(res)
+            return res
+
+    def serialize_object(self, obj: T) -> None | dict | T:
+        """
+        Serialize all BECConnector objects.
+
+        Args:
+            obj: The object to be serialized.
+
+        Returns:
+            None | dict | T: The serialized object or None if the object is not a BECConnector.
+        """
+        if not isinstance(obj, BECConnector):
+            return obj
+        # Respect RPC = False
+        if getattr(obj, "RPC", True) is False:
+            return None
+        return self._serialize_bec_connector(obj, wait=True)
+
+    def emit_heartbeat(self) -> None:
+        """
+        Emit a heartbeat message to the GUI server.
+        This method is called periodically to indicate that the server is still running.
+        """
+        logger.trace(f"Emitting heartbeat for {self.gui_id}")
+        try:
+            self.client.connector.set(
+                MessageEndpoints.gui_heartbeat(self.gui_id),
+                messages.StatusMessage(name=self.gui_id, status=self.status, info={}),
+                expire=10,
+            )
+        except RedisError as exc:
+            logger.error(f"Error while emitting heartbeat: {exc}")
+
+    def broadcast_registry_update(self, connections: dict) -> None:
+        """
+        Broadcast the registry update to all the callbacks.
+        This method is called whenever the registry is updated.
+        """
+        data = {}
+        for key, val in connections.items():
+            if not isinstance(val, BECConnector):
+                continue
+            if not getattr(val, "RPC", True):
+                continue
+            data[key] = self._serialize_bec_connector(val)
+        if self._broadcasted_data == data:
+            return
+        self._broadcasted_data = data
+
+        logger.info(f"Broadcasting registry update: {data} for {self.gui_id}")
+        self.client.connector.xadd(
+            MessageEndpoints.gui_registry_state(self.gui_id),
+            msg_dict={"data": messages.GUIRegistryStateMessage(state=data)},
+            max_size=1,
+        )
+
+    def _serialize_bec_connector(self, connector: BECConnector, wait=False) -> dict:
+        """
+        Create the serialization dict for a single BECConnector.
+
+        Args:
+            connector (BECConnector): The BECConnector to serialize.
+            wait (bool): If True, wait until the object is registered in the RPC register.
+
+        Returns:
+            dict: The serialized BECConnector object.
+        """
+
+        config_dict = connector.config.model_dump()
+        config_dict["parent_id"] = getattr(connector, "parent_id", None)
+
+        try:
+            parent = connector.parent()
+            if isinstance(parent, BECMainWindow):
+                container_proxy = parent.gui_id
+            else:
+                container_proxy = None
+        except Exception:
+            container_proxy = None
+
+        if wait:
+            while not self.rpc_register.object_is_registered(connector):
+                QApplication.processEvents()
+
+        widget_class = getattr(connector, "rpc_widget_class", None)
+        if not widget_class:
+            widget_class = connector.__class__.__name__
+
+        return {
+            "gui_id": connector.gui_id,
+            "object_name": connector.object_name or connector.__class__.__name__,
+            "widget_class": widget_class,
+            "config": config_dict,
+            "container_proxy": container_proxy,
+            "__rpc__": True,
+        }
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _get_becwidget_ancestor(widget: QObject) -> BECConnector | None:
+        """
+        Traverse up the parent chain to find the nearest BECConnector.
+        Returns None if none is found.
+        """
+
+        parent = widget.parent()
+        while parent is not None:
+            if isinstance(parent, BECConnector):
+                return parent
+            parent = parent.parent()
+        return None
+
+    # Suppose clients register callbacks to receive updates
+    def add_registry_update_callback(self, cb: Callable) -> None:
+        """
+        Add a callback to be called whenever the registry is updated.
+        The specified callback is called whenever the registry is updated.
+
+        Args:
+            cb (Callable): The callback to be added. It should accept a dictionary of all the
+            registered RPC objects as an argument.
+        """
+        self._registry_update_callbacks.append(cb)
+
+    def shutdown(self):  # TODO not sure if needed when cleanup is done at level of BECConnector
+        self.status = messages.BECStatus.IDLE
+        self._heartbeat_timer.stop()
+        self.emit_heartbeat()
+        logger.info("Succeded in shutting down CLI server")
+        self.client.shutdown()

bec_widgets/utils/serialization.py

@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+from bec_lib.serialization import msgpack
+from qtpy.QtCore import QPointF
+
+
+def register_serializer_extension():
+    """
+    Register the serializer extension for the BECConnector.
+    """
+    if not module_is_registered("bec_widgets.utils.serialization"):
+        msgpack.register_object_hook(encode_qpointf, decode_qpointf)
+
+
+def module_is_registered(module_name: str) -> bool:
+    """
+    Check if the module is registered in the encoder.
+
+    Args:
+        module_name (str): The name of the module to check.
+
+    Returns:
+        bool: True if the module is registered, False otherwise.
+    """
+    # pylint: disable=protected-access
+    for enc in msgpack._encoder:
+        if enc[0].__module__ == module_name:
+            return True
+    return False
+
+
+def encode_qpointf(obj):
+    """
+    Encode a QPointF object to a list of floats. As this is mostly used for sending
+    data to the client, it is not necessary to convert it back to a QPointF object.
+    """
+    if isinstance(obj, QPointF):
+        return [obj.x(), obj.y()]
+    return obj
+
+
+def decode_qpointf(obj):
+    """
+    no-op function since QPointF is encoded as a list of floats.
+    """
+    return obj

bec_widgets/utils/settings_dialog.py

@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from PySide6.QtGui import QCloseEvent
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QDialog, QDialogButtonBox, QHBoxLayout, QPushButton, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot as Slot
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
 
 
 class SettingWidget(QWidget):
@@ -20,14 +24,14 @@ class SettingWidget(QWidget):
     def set_target_widget(self, target_widget: QWidget):
         self.target_widget = target_widget
 
-    @Slot()
+    @SafeSlot()
     def accept_changes(self):
         """
         Accepts the changes made in the settings widget and applies them to the target widget.
         """
         pass
 
-    @Slot(dict)
+    @SafeSlot(dict)
     def display_current_settings(self, config_dict: dict):
         """
         Displays the current settings of the target widget in the settings widget.
@@ -37,6 +41,15 @@ class SettingWidget(QWidget):
         """
         pass
 
+    def cleanup(self):
+        """
+        Cleanup the settings widget.
+        """
+
+    def closeEvent(self, event: QCloseEvent) -> None:
+        self.cleanup()
+        return super().closeEvent(event)
+
 
 class SettingsDialog(QDialog):
     """
@@ -54,12 +67,13 @@ class SettingsDialog(QDialog):
         settings_widget: SettingWidget = None,
         window_title: str = "Settings",
         config: dict = None,
+        modal: bool = False,
         *args,
         **kwargs,
     ):
         super().__init__(parent, *args, **kwargs)
 
-        self.setModal(False)
+        self.setModal(modal)
 
         self.setWindowTitle(window_title)
 
@@ -92,15 +106,24 @@ class SettingsDialog(QDialog):
         ok_button.setDefault(True)
         ok_button.setAutoDefault(True)
 
-    @Slot()
+    @SafeSlot()
     def accept(self):
         """
         Accept the changes made in the settings widget and close the dialog.
         """
         self.widget.accept_changes()
+        self.cleanup()
         super().accept()
 
-    @Slot()
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def reject(self):
+        """
+        Reject the changes made in the settings widget and close the dialog.
+        """
+        self.cleanup()
+        super().reject()
+
+    @SafeSlot()
     def apply_changes(self):
         """
         Apply the changes made in the settings widget without closing the dialog.
@@ -113,7 +136,10 @@ class SettingsDialog(QDialog):
         """
         self.button_box.close()
         self.button_box.deleteLater()
+        self.widget.close()
+        self.widget.deleteLater()
 
     def closeEvent(self, event):
+        logger.info("Closing settings dialog")
         self.cleanup()
         super().closeEvent(event)

bec_widgets/utils/side_panel.py

@@ -0,0 +1,402 @@
+import sys
+from typing import Literal, Optional
+
+from qtpy.QtCore import Property, QEasingCurve, QPropertyAnimation
+from qtpy.QtGui import QAction
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
+    QApplication,
+    QFrame,
+    QHBoxLayout,
+    QLabel,
+    QMainWindow,
+    QScrollArea,
+    QSizePolicy,
+    QStackedWidget,
+    QVBoxLayout,
+    QWidget,
+)
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.toolbar import MaterialIconAction, ModularToolBar
+
+
+class SidePanel(QWidget):
+    """
+    Side panel widget that can be placed on the left, right, top, or bottom of the main widget.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        parent=None,
+        orientation: Literal["left", "right", "top", "bottom"] = "left",
+        panel_max_width: int = 200,
+        animation_duration: int = 200,
+        animations_enabled: bool = True,
+        show_toolbar: bool = True,
+    ):
+        super().__init__(parent=parent)
+
+        self.setProperty("skip_settings", True)
+
+        self._orientation = orientation
+        self._panel_max_width = panel_max_width
+        self._animation_duration = animation_duration
+        self._animations_enabled = animations_enabled
+        self._show_toolbar = show_toolbar
+
+        self._panel_width = 0
+        self._panel_height = 0
+        self.panel_visible = False
+        self.current_action: Optional[QAction] = None
+        self.current_index: Optional[int] = None
+        self.switching_actions = False
+
+        self._init_ui()
+
+    def _init_ui(self):
+        """
+        Initialize the UI elements.
+        """
+        if self._orientation in ("left", "right"):
+            self.main_layout = QHBoxLayout(self)
+            self.main_layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+            self.main_layout.setSpacing(0)
+
+            self.toolbar = ModularToolBar(parent=self, target_widget=self, orientation="vertical")
+
+            self.container = QWidget()
+            self.container.layout = QVBoxLayout(self.container)
+            self.container.layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+            self.container.layout.setSpacing(0)
+
+            self.stack_widget = QStackedWidget()
+            self.stack_widget.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Fixed, QSizePolicy.Expanding)
+            self.stack_widget.setMinimumWidth(5)
+            self.stack_widget.setMaximumWidth(self._panel_max_width)
+
+            if self._orientation in ("left", "right"):
+                if self._show_toolbar:
+                    self.main_layout.addWidget(self.toolbar)
+
+                if self._orientation == "left":
+                    self.main_layout.addWidget(self.container)
+                else:
+                    self.main_layout.insertWidget(0, self.container)
+            self.container.layout.addWidget(self.stack_widget)
+
+            self.menu_anim = QPropertyAnimation(self, b"panel_width")
+            self.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Fixed, QSizePolicy.Expanding)
+            self.panel_width = 0  # start hidden
+
+        else:
+            self.main_layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
+            self.main_layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+            self.main_layout.setSpacing(0)
+
+            self.toolbar = ModularToolBar(parent=self, target_widget=self, orientation="horizontal")
+
+            self.container = QWidget()
+            self.container.layout = QVBoxLayout(self.container)
+            self.container.layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+            self.container.layout.setSpacing(0)
+
+            self.stack_widget = QStackedWidget()
+            self.stack_widget.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Fixed)
+            self.stack_widget.setMinimumHeight(5)
+            self.stack_widget.setMaximumHeight(self._panel_max_width)
+
+            if self._orientation == "top":
+                if self._show_toolbar:
+                    self.main_layout.addWidget(self.toolbar)
+                self.main_layout.addWidget(self.container)
+            else:
+                self.main_layout.addWidget(self.container)
+                if self._show_toolbar:
+                    self.main_layout.addWidget(self.toolbar)
+
+            self.container.layout.addWidget(self.stack_widget)
+
+            self.menu_anim = QPropertyAnimation(self, b"panel_height")
+            self.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Fixed)
+            self.panel_height = 0  # start hidden
+
+        self.menu_anim.setDuration(self._animation_duration)
+        self.menu_anim.setEasingCurve(QEasingCurve.InOutQuad)
+
+    @Property(int)
+    def panel_width(self):
+        """Get the panel width."""
+        return self._panel_width
+
+    @panel_width.setter
+    def panel_width(self, width: int):
+        """Set the panel width."""
+        self._panel_width = width
+        if self._orientation in ("left", "right"):
+            self.stack_widget.setFixedWidth(width)
+
+    @Property(int)
+    def panel_height(self):
+        """Get the panel height."""
+        return self._panel_height
+
+    @panel_height.setter
+    def panel_height(self, height: int):
+        """Set the panel height."""
+        self._panel_height = height
+        if self._orientation in ("top", "bottom"):
+            self.stack_widget.setFixedHeight(height)
+
+    @Property(int)
+    def panel_max_width(self):
+        """Get the maximum width of the panel."""
+        return self._panel_max_width
+
+    @panel_max_width.setter
+    def panel_max_width(self, size: int):
+        """Set the maximum width of the panel."""
+        self._panel_max_width = size
+        if self._orientation in ("left", "right"):
+            self.stack_widget.setMaximumWidth(self._panel_max_width)
+        else:
+            self.stack_widget.setMaximumHeight(self._panel_max_width)
+
+    @Property(int)
+    def animation_duration(self):
+        """Get the duration of the animation."""
+        return self._animation_duration
+
+    @animation_duration.setter
+    def animation_duration(self, duration: int):
+        """Set the duration of the animation."""
+        self._animation_duration = duration
+        self.menu_anim.setDuration(duration)
+
+    @Property(bool)
+    def animations_enabled(self):
+        """Get the status of the animations."""
+        return self._animations_enabled
+
+    @animations_enabled.setter
+    def animations_enabled(self, enabled: bool):
+        """Set the status of the animations."""
+        self._animations_enabled = enabled
+
+    def show_panel(self, idx: int):
+        """
+        Show the side panel with animation and switch to idx.
+        """
+        self.stack_widget.setCurrentIndex(idx)
+        self.panel_visible = True
+        self.current_index = idx
+
+        if self._orientation in ("left", "right"):
+            start_val, end_val = 0, self._panel_max_width
+        else:
+            start_val, end_val = 0, self._panel_max_width
+
+        if self._animations_enabled:
+            self.menu_anim.stop()
+            self.menu_anim.setStartValue(start_val)
+            self.menu_anim.setEndValue(end_val)
+            self.menu_anim.start()
+        else:
+            if self._orientation in ("left", "right"):
+                self.panel_width = end_val
+            else:
+                self.panel_height = end_val
+
+    def hide_panel(self):
+        """
+        Hide the side panel with animation.
+        """
+        self.panel_visible = False
+        self.current_index = None
+
+        if self._orientation in ("left", "right"):
+            start_val, end_val = self._panel_max_width, 0
+        else:
+            start_val, end_val = self._panel_max_width, 0
+
+        if self._animations_enabled:
+            self.menu_anim.stop()
+            self.menu_anim.setStartValue(start_val)
+            self.menu_anim.setEndValue(end_val)
+            self.menu_anim.start()
+        else:
+            if self._orientation in ("left", "right"):
+                self.panel_width = end_val
+            else:
+                self.panel_height = end_val
+
+    def switch_to(self, idx: int):
+        """
+        Switch to the specified index without animation.
+        """
+        if self.current_index != idx:
+            self.stack_widget.setCurrentIndex(idx)
+            self.current_index = idx
+
+    def add_menu(
+        self,
+        widget: QWidget,
+        action_id: str | None = None,
+        icon_name: str | None = None,
+        tooltip: str | None = None,
+        title: str | None = None,
+    ) -> int:
+        """
+        Add a menu to the side panel.
+
+        Args:
+            widget(QWidget): The widget to add to the panel.
+            action_id(str | None): The ID of the action. Optional if no toolbar action is needed.
+            icon_name(str | None): The name of the icon. Optional if no toolbar action is needed.
+            tooltip(str | None): The tooltip for the action. Optional if no toolbar action is needed.
+            title(str | None): The title of the panel.
+
+        Returns:
+            int: The index of the added panel, which can be used with show_panel() and switch_to().
+        """
+        # container_widget: top-level container for the stacked page
+        container_widget = QWidget()
+        container_layout = QVBoxLayout(container_widget)
+        container_layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        container_layout.setSpacing(5)
+
+        if title is not None:
+            title_label = QLabel(f"<b>{title}</b>")
+            title_label.setStyleSheet("font-size: 16px;")
+            container_layout.addWidget(title_label)
+
+        # Create a QScrollArea for the actual widget to ensure scrolling if the widget inside is too large
+        scroll_area = QScrollArea()
+        scroll_area.setFrameShape(QFrame.NoFrame)
+        scroll_area.setWidgetResizable(True)
+        # Let the scroll area expand in both directions if there's room
+        scroll_area.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Expanding)
+        scroll_area.setWidget(widget)
+
+        # Put the scroll area in the container layout
+        container_layout.addWidget(scroll_area)
+
+        # Optionally stretch the scroll area to fill vertical space
+        container_layout.setStretchFactor(scroll_area, 1)
+
+        # Add container_widget to the stacked widget
+        index = self.stack_widget.count()
+        self.stack_widget.addWidget(container_widget)
+
+        # Add an action to the toolbar if action_id, icon_name, and tooltip are provided
+        if action_id is not None and icon_name is not None and tooltip is not None:
+            action = MaterialIconAction(icon_name=icon_name, tooltip=tooltip, checkable=True)
+            self.toolbar.add_action(action_id, action, target_widget=self)
+
+            def on_action_toggled(checked: bool):
+                if self.switching_actions:
+                    return
+
+                if checked:
+                    if self.current_action and self.current_action != action.action:
+                        self.switching_actions = True
+                        self.current_action.setChecked(False)
+                        self.switching_actions = False
+
+                    self.current_action = action.action
+
+                    if not self.panel_visible:
+                        self.show_panel(index)
+                    else:
+                        self.switch_to(index)
+                else:
+                    if self.current_action == action.action:
+                        self.current_action = None
+                        self.hide_panel()
+
+            action.action.toggled.connect(on_action_toggled)
+
+        return index
+
+
+############################################
+# DEMO APPLICATION
+############################################
+
+
+class ExampleApp(QMainWindow):  # pragma: no cover
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__()
+        self.setWindowTitle("Side Panel Example")
+
+        central_widget = QWidget()
+        self.setCentralWidget(central_widget)
+        self.layout = QHBoxLayout(central_widget)
+
+        # Create side panel
+        self.side_panel = SidePanel(self, orientation="left", panel_max_width=250)
+        self.layout.addWidget(self.side_panel)
+
+        from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.waveform import Waveform
+
+        self.plot = Waveform()
+        self.layout.addWidget(self.plot)
+
+        self.add_side_menus()
+
+    def add_side_menus(self):
+        # Example 1: With action, icon, and tooltip
+        widget1 = QWidget()
+        layout1 = QVBoxLayout(widget1)
+        for i in range(15):
+            layout1.addWidget(QLabel(f"Widget 1 label row {i}"))
+        self.side_panel.add_menu(
+            widget=widget1,
+            action_id="widget1",
+            icon_name="counter_1",
+            tooltip="Show Widget 1",
+            title="Widget 1 Panel",
+        )
+
+        # Example 2: With action, icon, and tooltip
+        widget2 = QWidget()
+        layout2 = QVBoxLayout(widget2)
+        layout2.addWidget(QLabel("Short widget 2 content"))
+        self.side_panel.add_menu(
+            widget=widget2,
+            action_id="widget2",
+            icon_name="counter_2",
+            tooltip="Show Widget 2",
+            title="Widget 2 Panel",
+        )
+
+        # Example 3: With action, icon, and tooltip
+        widget3 = QWidget()
+        layout3 = QVBoxLayout(widget3)
+        for i in range(10):
+            layout3.addWidget(QLabel(f"Line {i} for Widget 3"))
+        self.side_panel.add_menu(
+            widget=widget3,
+            action_id="widget3",
+            icon_name="counter_3",
+            tooltip="Show Widget 3",
+            title="Widget 3 Panel",
+        )
+
+        # Example 4: Without action, icon, and tooltip (can only be shown programmatically)
+        widget4 = QWidget()
+        layout4 = QVBoxLayout(widget4)
+        layout4.addWidget(QLabel("This panel has no toolbar button"))
+        layout4.addWidget(QLabel("It can only be shown programmatically"))
+        self.hidden_panel_index = self.side_panel.add_menu(widget=widget4, title="Hidden Panel")
+
+        # Example of how to show the hidden panel programmatically after 3 seconds
+        from qtpy.QtCore import QTimer
+
+        QTimer.singleShot(3000, lambda: self.side_panel.show_panel(self.hidden_panel_index))
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    window = ExampleApp()
+    window.resize(1000, 700)
+    window.show()
+    sys.exit(app.exec())

bec_widgets/utils/ui_loader.py

@@ -1,16 +1,17 @@
-import os
-
-from qtpy import PYQT6, PYSIDE6, QT_VERSION
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from qtpy import PYQT6, PYSIDE6
 from qtpy.QtCore import QFile, QIODevice
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.generate_designer_plugin import DesignerPluginInfo
-from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import get_rpc_classes
+from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import get_custom_classes
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
 
 if PYSIDE6:
     from PySide6.QtUiTools import QUiLoader
 
     class CustomUiLoader(QUiLoader):
-        def __init__(self, baseinstance, custom_widgets: dict = None):
+        def __init__(self, baseinstance, custom_widgets: dict | None = None):
             super().__init__(baseinstance)
             self.custom_widgets = custom_widgets or {}
 
@@ -18,10 +19,9 @@ if PYSIDE6:
 
         def createWidget(self, class_name, parent=None, name=""):
             if class_name in self.custom_widgets:
-                widget = self.custom_widgets[class_name](parent)
-                widget.setObjectName(name)
+                widget = self.custom_widgets[class_name](self.baseinstance)
                 return widget
-            return super().createWidget(class_name, parent, name)
+            return super().createWidget(class_name, self.baseinstance, name)
 
 
 class UILoader:
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ class UILoader:
     def __init__(self, parent=None):
         self.parent = parent
 
-        widgets = get_rpc_classes("bec_widgets").top_level_classes
+        widgets = get_custom_classes("bec_widgets").classes
 
         self.custom_widgets = {widget.__name__: widget for widget in widgets}
 
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ class UILoader:
         Returns:
             QWidget: The loaded widget.
         """
-
+        parent = parent or self.parent
         loader = CustomUiLoader(parent, self.custom_widgets)
         file = QFile(ui_file)
         if not file.open(QIODevice.ReadOnly):

bec_widgets/utils/widget_io.py

@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 # pylint: disable=no-name-in-module
-from abc import ABC, abstractmethod
-from typing import Literal
+from __future__ import annotations
 
+from abc import ABC, abstractmethod
+
+import shiboken6 as shb
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
     QApplication,
     QCheckBox,
@@ -9,6 +11,7 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
     QDoubleSpinBox,
     QLabel,
     QLineEdit,
+    QSlider,
     QSpinBox,
     QTableWidget,
     QTableWidgetItem,
@@ -16,6 +19,8 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
     QWidget,
 )
 
+from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.toggle.toggle import ToggleSwitch
+
 
 class WidgetHandler(ABC):
     """Abstract base class for all widget handlers."""
@@ -28,6 +33,15 @@ class WidgetHandler(ABC):
     def set_value(self, widget: QWidget, value):
         """Set a value on the widget instance."""
 
+    def connect_change_signal(self, widget: QWidget, slot):
+        """
+        Connect a change signal from this widget to the given slot.
+        If the widget type doesn't have a known "value changed" signal, do nothing.
+
+        slot: a function accepting two arguments (widget, value)
+        """
+        pass
+
 
 class LineEditHandler(WidgetHandler):
     """Handler for QLineEdit widgets."""
@@ -38,6 +52,9 @@ class LineEditHandler(WidgetHandler):
     def set_value(self, widget: QLineEdit, value: str) -> None:
         widget.setText(value)
 
+    def connect_change_signal(self, widget: QLineEdit, slot):
+        widget.textChanged.connect(lambda text, w=widget: slot(w, text))
+
 
 class ComboBoxHandler(WidgetHandler):
     """Handler for QComboBox widgets."""
@@ -53,6 +70,11 @@ class ComboBoxHandler(WidgetHandler):
         if isinstance(value, int):
             widget.setCurrentIndex(value)
 
+    def connect_change_signal(self, widget: QComboBox, slot):
+        # currentIndexChanged(int) or currentIndexChanged(str) both possible.
+        # We use currentIndexChanged(int) for a consistent behavior.
+        widget.currentIndexChanged.connect(lambda idx, w=widget: slot(w, self.get_value(w)))
+
 
 class TableWidgetHandler(WidgetHandler):
     """Handler for QTableWidget widgets."""
@@ -72,39 +94,84 @@ class TableWidgetHandler(WidgetHandler):
                 item = QTableWidgetItem(str(cell_value))
                 widget.setItem(row, col, item)
 
+    def connect_change_signal(self, widget: QTableWidget, slot):
+        # If desired, we could connect cellChanged(row, col) and then fetch all data.
+        # This might be noisy if table is large.
+        # For demonstration, connect cellChanged to update entire table value.
+        def on_cell_changed(row, col, w=widget):
+            val = self.get_value(w)
+            slot(w, val)
+
+        widget.cellChanged.connect(on_cell_changed)
+
 
 class SpinBoxHandler(WidgetHandler):
     """Handler for QSpinBox and QDoubleSpinBox widgets."""
 
-    def get_value(self, widget, **kwargs):
+    def get_value(self, widget: QSpinBox | QDoubleSpinBox, **kwargs):
         return widget.value()
 
-    def set_value(self, widget, value):
+    def set_value(self, widget: QSpinBox | QDoubleSpinBox, value):
         widget.setValue(value)
 
+    def connect_change_signal(self, widget: QSpinBox | QDoubleSpinBox, slot):
+        widget.valueChanged.connect(lambda val, w=widget: slot(w, val))
+
 
 class CheckBoxHandler(WidgetHandler):
     """Handler for QCheckBox widgets."""
 
-    def get_value(self, widget, **kwargs):
+    def get_value(self, widget: QCheckBox, **kwargs):
         return widget.isChecked()
 
-    def set_value(self, widget, value):
+    def set_value(self, widget: QCheckBox, value):
         widget.setChecked(value)
 
+    def connect_change_signal(self, widget: QCheckBox, slot):
+        widget.toggled.connect(lambda val, w=widget: slot(w, val))
+
+
+class SlideHandler(WidgetHandler):
+    """Handler for QCheckBox widgets."""
+
+    def get_value(self, widget: QSlider, **kwargs):
+        return widget.value()
+
+    def set_value(self, widget: QSlider, value):
+        widget.setValue(value)
+
+    def connect_change_signal(self, widget: QSlider, slot):
+        widget.valueChanged.connect(lambda val, w=widget: slot(w, val))
+
+
+class ToggleSwitchHandler(WidgetHandler):
+    """Handler for ToggleSwitch widgets."""
+
+    def get_value(self, widget: ToggleSwitch, **kwargs):
+        return widget.checked
+
+    def set_value(self, widget: ToggleSwitch, value):
+        widget.checked = value
+
+    def connect_change_signal(self, widget: ToggleSwitch, slot):
+        widget.enabled.connect(lambda val, w=widget: slot(w, val))
+
 
 class LabelHandler(WidgetHandler):
     """Handler for QLabel widgets."""
 
-    def get_value(self, widget, **kwargs):
+    def get_value(self, widget: QLabel, **kwargs):
         return widget.text()
 
-    def set_value(self, widget, value):
+    def set_value(self, widget: QLabel, value):
         widget.setText(value)
 
+    # QLabel typically doesn't have user-editable changes. No signal to connect.
+    # If needed, this can remain empty.
+
 
 class WidgetIO:
-    """Public interface for getting and setting values using handler mapping"""
+    """Public interface for getting, setting values and connecting signals using handler mapping"""
 
     _handlers = {
         QLineEdit: LineEditHandler,
@@ -114,6 +181,8 @@ class WidgetIO:
         QDoubleSpinBox: SpinBoxHandler,
         QCheckBox: CheckBoxHandler,
         QLabel: LabelHandler,
+        ToggleSwitch: ToggleSwitchHandler,
+        QSlider: SlideHandler,
     }
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -148,6 +217,17 @@ class WidgetIO:
         elif not ignore_errors:
             raise ValueError(f"No handler for widget type: {type(widget)}")
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def connect_widget_change_signal(widget, slot):
+        """
+        Connect the widget's value-changed signal to a generic slot function (widget, value).
+        This now delegates the logic to the widget's handler.
+        """
+        handler_class = WidgetIO._find_handler(widget)
+        if handler_class:
+            handler = handler_class()
+            handler.connect_change_signal(widget, slot)
+
     @staticmethod
     def check_and_adjust_limits(spin_box: QDoubleSpinBox, number: float):
         """
@@ -196,39 +276,162 @@ class WidgetHierarchy:
         grab_values: bool = False,
         prefix: str = "",
         exclude_internal_widgets: bool = True,
+        only_bec_widgets: bool = False,
+        show_parent: bool = True,
     ) -> None:
         """
         Print the widget hierarchy to the console.
 
         Args:
-            widget: Widget to print the hierarchy of
+            widget: Widget to print the hierarchy of.
             indent(int, optional): Level of indentation.
             grab_values(bool,optional): Whether to grab the values of the widgets.
-            prefix(stc,optional): Custom string prefix for indentation.
+            prefix(str,optional): Custom string prefix for indentation.
             exclude_internal_widgets(bool,optional): Whether to exclude internal widgets (e.g. QComboBox in PyQt6).
+            only_bec_widgets(bool, optional): Whether to print only widgets that are instances of BECWidget.
+            show_parent(bool, optional): Whether to display which BECWidget is the parent of each discovered BECWidget.
         """
-        widget_info = f"{widget.__class__.__name__} ({widget.objectName()})"
-        if grab_values:
-            value = WidgetIO.get_value(widget, ignore_errors=True)
-            value_str = f" [value: {value}]" if value is not None else ""
-            widget_info += value_str
+        from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector
+        from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.waveform import Waveform
 
+        # 1) Filter out widgets that are not BECConnectors (if 'only_bec_widgets' is True)
+        is_bec = isinstance(widget, BECConnector)
+        if only_bec_widgets and not is_bec:
+            return
+
+        # 2) Determine and print the parent's info (closest BECConnector)
+        parent_info = ""
+        if show_parent and is_bec:
+            ancestor = WidgetHierarchy._get_becwidget_ancestor(widget)
+            if ancestor:
+                parent_label = ancestor.objectName() or ancestor.__class__.__name__
+                parent_info = f" parent={parent_label}"
+            else:
+                parent_info = " parent=None"
+
+        widget_info = f"{widget.__class__.__name__} ({widget.objectName()}){parent_info}"
         print(prefix + widget_info)
 
-        children = widget.children()
-        for child in children:
-            if (
-                exclude_internal_widgets
-                and isinstance(widget, QComboBox)
-                and child.__class__.__name__ in ["QFrame", "QBoxLayout", "QListView"]
-            ):
+        # 3) If it's a Waveform, explicitly print the curves
+        if isinstance(widget, Waveform):
+            for curve in widget.curves:
+                curve_prefix = prefix + "  └─ "
+                print(
+                    f"{curve_prefix}{curve.__class__.__name__} ({curve.objectName()}) "
+                    f"parent={widget.objectName()}"
+                )
+
+        # 4) Recursively handle each child if:
+        #    - It's a QWidget
+        #    - It is a BECConnector (or we don't care about filtering)
+        #    - Its closest BECConnector parent is the current widget
+        for child in widget.findChildren(QWidget):
+            if only_bec_widgets and not isinstance(child, BECConnector):
                 continue
-            child_prefix = prefix + "  "
-            arrow = "├─ " if child != children[-1] else "└─ "
+
+            # if WidgetHierarchy._get_becwidget_ancestor(child) == widget:
+            child_prefix = prefix + "  └─ "
             WidgetHierarchy.print_widget_hierarchy(
-                child, indent + 1, grab_values, prefix=child_prefix + arrow
+                child,
+                indent=indent + 1,
+                grab_values=grab_values,
+                prefix=child_prefix,
+                exclude_internal_widgets=exclude_internal_widgets,
+                only_bec_widgets=only_bec_widgets,
+                show_parent=show_parent,
             )
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def print_becconnector_hierarchy_from_app():
+        """
+        Enumerate ALL BECConnector objects in the QApplication.
+        Also detect if a widget is a PlotBase, and add any data items
+        (PlotDataItem-like) that are also BECConnector objects.
+
+        Build a parent->children graph where each child's 'parent'
+        is its closest BECConnector ancestor. Print the entire hierarchy
+        from the root(s).
+
+        The result is a single, consolidated tree for your entire
+        running GUI, including PlotBase data items that are BECConnector.
+        """
+        import sys
+        from collections import defaultdict
+
+        from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
+
+        from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector
+        from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.plot_base import PlotBase
+
+        # 1) Gather ALL QWidget-based BECConnector objects
+        all_qwidgets = QApplication.allWidgets()
+        bec_widgets = set(w for w in all_qwidgets if isinstance(w, BECConnector))
+
+        # 2) Also gather any BECConnector-based data items from PlotBase widgets
+        for w in all_qwidgets:
+            if isinstance(w, PlotBase) and hasattr(w, "plot_item"):
+                plot_item = w.plot_item
+                if hasattr(plot_item, "listDataItems"):
+                    for data_item in plot_item.listDataItems():
+                        if isinstance(data_item, BECConnector):
+                            bec_widgets.add(data_item)
+
+        # 3) Build a map of (closest BECConnector parent) -> list of children
+        parent_map = defaultdict(list)
+        for w in bec_widgets:
+            parent_bec = WidgetHierarchy._get_becwidget_ancestor(w)
+            parent_map[parent_bec].append(w)
+
+        # 4) Define a recursive printer to show each object's children
+        def print_tree(parent, prefix=""):
+            children = parent_map[parent]
+            for i, child in enumerate(children):
+                connector_class = child.__class__.__name__
+                connector_name = child.objectName() or connector_class
+
+                if parent is None:
+                    parent_label = "None"
+                else:
+                    parent_label = parent.objectName() or parent.__class__.__name__
+
+                line = f"{connector_class} ({connector_name}) parent={parent_label}"
+                # Determine tree-branch symbols
+                is_last = i == len(children) - 1
+                branch_str = "└─ " if is_last else "├─ "
+                print(prefix + branch_str + line)
+
+                # Recurse deeper
+                next_prefix = prefix + ("   " if is_last else "│  ")
+                print_tree(child, prefix=next_prefix)
+
+        # 5) Print top-level items (roots) whose BECConnector parent is None
+        roots = parent_map[None]
+        for r_i, root in enumerate(roots):
+            root_class = root.__class__.__name__
+            root_name = root.objectName() or root_class
+            line = f"{root_class} ({root_name}) parent=None"
+            is_last_root = r_i == len(roots) - 1
+            print(line)
+            # Recurse into its children
+            print_tree(root, prefix="   ")
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _get_becwidget_ancestor(widget):
+        """
+        Traverse up the parent chain to find the nearest BECConnector.
+        Returns None if none is found.
+        """
+        from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector
+
+        if not shb.isValid(widget):
+            return None
+        parent = widget.parent()
+        while parent is not None:
+            if isinstance(parent, BECConnector):
+                return parent
+            parent = parent.parent()
+        return None
+
     @staticmethod
     def export_config_to_dict(
         widget: QWidget,
@@ -309,8 +512,8 @@ class WidgetHierarchy:
                 WidgetHierarchy.import_config_from_dict(child, widget_config, set_values)
 
 
-# Example application to demonstrate the usage of the functions
-if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+# Example usage
+def hierarchy_example():  # pragma: no cover
     app = QApplication([])
 
     # Create instance of WidgetHierarchy
@@ -365,3 +568,37 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     print(f"Config dict new REDUCED: {config_dict_new_reduced}")
 
     app.exec()
+
+
+def widget_io_signal_example():  # pragma: no cover
+    app = QApplication([])
+
+    main_widget = QWidget()
+    layout = QVBoxLayout(main_widget)
+    line_edit = QLineEdit(main_widget)
+    combo_box = QComboBox(main_widget)
+    spin_box = QSpinBox(main_widget)
+    combo_box.addItems(["Option 1", "Option 2", "Option 3"])
+
+    layout.addWidget(line_edit)
+    layout.addWidget(combo_box)
+    layout.addWidget(spin_box)
+
+    main_widget.show()
+
+    def universal_slot(w, val):
+        print(f"Widget {w.objectName() or w} changed, new value: {val}")
+
+    # Connect all supported widgets through their handlers
+    WidgetIO.connect_widget_change_signal(line_edit, universal_slot)
+    WidgetIO.connect_widget_change_signal(combo_box, universal_slot)
+    WidgetIO.connect_widget_change_signal(spin_box, universal_slot)
+
+    app.exec_()
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    # Change example function to test different scenarios
+
+    # hierarchy_example()
+    widget_io_signal_example()

bec_widgets/utils/widget_state_manager.py

@@ -0,0 +1,223 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from bec_lib import bec_logger
+from qtpy.QtCore import QSettings
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
+    QApplication,
+    QCheckBox,
+    QFileDialog,
+    QHBoxLayout,
+    QLabel,
+    QLineEdit,
+    QPushButton,
+    QSpinBox,
+    QVBoxLayout,
+    QWidget,
+)
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
+
+class WidgetStateManager:
+    """
+    A class to manage the state of a widget by saving and loading the state to and from a INI file.
+
+    Args:
+        widget(QWidget): The widget to manage the state for.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, widget):
+        self.widget = widget
+
+    def save_state(self, filename: str = None):
+        """
+        Save the state of the widget to an INI file.
+
+        Args:
+            filename(str): The filename to save the state to.
+        """
+        if not filename:
+            filename, _ = QFileDialog.getSaveFileName(
+                self.widget, "Save Settings", "", "INI Files (*.ini)"
+            )
+        if filename:
+            settings = QSettings(filename, QSettings.IniFormat)
+            self._save_widget_state_qsettings(self.widget, settings)
+
+    def load_state(self, filename: str = None):
+        """
+        Load the state of the widget from an INI file.
+
+        Args:
+            filename(str): The filename to load the state from.
+        """
+        if not filename:
+            filename, _ = QFileDialog.getOpenFileName(
+                self.widget, "Load Settings", "", "INI Files (*.ini)"
+            )
+        if filename:
+            settings = QSettings(filename, QSettings.IniFormat)
+            self._load_widget_state_qsettings(self.widget, settings)
+
+    def _save_widget_state_qsettings(self, widget: QWidget, settings: QSettings):
+        """
+        Save the state of the widget to QSettings.
+
+        Args:
+            widget(QWidget): The widget to save the state for.
+            settings(QSettings): The QSettings object to save the state to.
+        """
+        if widget.property("skip_settings") is True:
+            return
+
+        meta = widget.metaObject()
+        widget_name = self._get_full_widget_name(widget)
+        settings.beginGroup(widget_name)
+        for i in range(meta.propertyCount()):
+            prop = meta.property(i)
+            name = prop.name()
+            if (
+                name == "objectName"
+                or not prop.isReadable()
+                or not prop.isWritable()
+                or not prop.isStored()  # can be extended to fine filter
+            ):
+                continue
+            value = widget.property(name)
+            settings.setValue(name, value)
+        settings.endGroup()
+
+        # Recursively process children (only if they aren't skipped)
+        for child in widget.children():
+            if (
+                child.objectName()
+                and child.property("skip_settings") is not True
+                and not isinstance(child, QLabel)
+            ):
+                self._save_widget_state_qsettings(child, settings)
+
+    def _load_widget_state_qsettings(self, widget: QWidget, settings: QSettings):
+        """
+        Load the state of the widget from QSettings.
+
+        Args:
+            widget(QWidget): The widget to load the state for.
+            settings(QSettings): The QSettings object to load the state from.
+        """
+        if widget.property("skip_settings") is True:
+            return
+
+        meta = widget.metaObject()
+        widget_name = self._get_full_widget_name(widget)
+        settings.beginGroup(widget_name)
+        for i in range(meta.propertyCount()):
+            prop = meta.property(i)
+            name = prop.name()
+            if settings.contains(name):
+                value = settings.value(name)
+                widget.setProperty(name, value)
+        settings.endGroup()
+
+        # Recursively process children (only if they aren't skipped)
+        for child in widget.children():
+            if (
+                child.objectName()
+                and child.property("skip_settings") is not True
+                and not isinstance(child, QLabel)
+            ):
+                self._load_widget_state_qsettings(child, settings)
+
+    def _get_full_widget_name(self, widget: QWidget):
+        """
+        Get the full name of the widget including its parent names.
+
+        Args:
+            widget(QWidget): The widget to get the full name for.
+
+        Returns:
+            str: The full name of the widget.
+        """
+        name = widget.objectName()
+        parent = widget.parent()
+        while parent:
+            obj_name = parent.objectName() or parent.metaObject().className()
+            name = obj_name + "." + name
+            parent = parent.parent()
+        return name
+
+
+class ExampleApp(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover:
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__()
+        self.setObjectName("MainWindow")
+        self.setWindowTitle("State Manager Example")
+
+        layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
+
+        # A line edit to store some user text
+        self.line_edit = QLineEdit(self)
+        self.line_edit.setObjectName("MyLineEdit")
+        self.line_edit.setPlaceholderText("Enter some text here...")
+        layout.addWidget(self.line_edit)
+
+        # A spin box to hold a numeric value
+        self.spin_box = QSpinBox(self)
+        self.spin_box.setObjectName("MySpinBox")
+        self.spin_box.setRange(0, 100)
+        layout.addWidget(self.spin_box)
+
+        # A checkbox to hold a boolean value
+        self.check_box = QCheckBox("Enable feature?", self)
+        self.check_box.setObjectName("MyCheckBox")
+        layout.addWidget(self.check_box)
+
+        # A checkbox that we want to skip
+        self.check_box_skip = QCheckBox("Enable feature - skip save?", self)
+        self.check_box_skip.setProperty("skip_state", True)
+        self.check_box_skip.setObjectName("MyCheckBoxSkip")
+        layout.addWidget(self.check_box_skip)
+
+        #  CREATE A "SIDE PANEL" with nested structure and skip all what is inside
+        self.side_panel = QWidget(self)
+        self.side_panel.setObjectName("SidePanel")
+        self.side_panel.setProperty("skip_settings", True)  # skip the ENTIRE panel
+        layout.addWidget(self.side_panel)
+
+        # Put some sub-widgets inside side_panel
+        panel_layout = QVBoxLayout(self.side_panel)
+        self.panel_label = QLabel("Label in side panel", self.side_panel)
+        self.panel_label.setObjectName("PanelLabel")
+        panel_layout.addWidget(self.panel_label)
+
+        self.panel_edit = QLineEdit(self.side_panel)
+        self.panel_edit.setObjectName("PanelLineEdit")
+        self.panel_edit.setPlaceholderText("I am inside side panel")
+        panel_layout.addWidget(self.panel_edit)
+
+        self.panel_checkbox = QCheckBox("Enable feature in side panel?", self.side_panel)
+        self.panel_checkbox.setObjectName("PanelCheckBox")
+        panel_layout.addWidget(self.panel_checkbox)
+
+        # Save/Load buttons
+        button_layout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.save_button = QPushButton("Save State", self)
+        self.load_button = QPushButton("Load State", self)
+        button_layout.addWidget(self.save_button)
+        button_layout.addWidget(self.load_button)
+        layout.addLayout(button_layout)
+
+        # Create the state manager
+        self.state_manager = WidgetStateManager(self)
+
+        # Connect buttons
+        self.save_button.clicked.connect(lambda: self.state_manager.save_state())
+        self.load_button.clicked.connect(lambda: self.state_manager.load_state())
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover:
+    import sys
+
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    w = ExampleApp()
+    w.show()
+    sys.exit(app.exec_())

bec_widgets/widgets/__init__.py

@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/auto_update/auto_updates.py

@@ -0,0 +1,364 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Literal, overload
+
+from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from bec_lib.messages import ScanStatusMessage
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock.dock_area import BECDockArea
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.main_window import BECMainWindow
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
+    from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock.dock import BECDock
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.image.image import Image
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.motor_map.motor_map import MotorMap
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.multi_waveform.multi_waveform import MultiWaveform
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.scatter_waveform.scatter_waveform import ScatterWaveform
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.waveform import Waveform
+
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
+
+class AutoUpdates(BECMainWindow):
+    _default_dock: BECDock
+    USER_ACCESS = ["enabled", "enabled.setter", "selected_device", "selected_device.setter"]
+    RPC = True
+
+    # enforce that subclasses have the same rpc widget class
+    rpc_widget_class = "AutoUpdates"
+
+    def __init__(
+        self, parent=None, gui_id: str = None, window_title="Auto Update", *args, **kwargs
+    ):
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, gui_id=gui_id, window_title=window_title, **kwargs)
+
+        self.dock_area = BECDockArea(parent=self, object_name="dock_area")
+        self.setCentralWidget(self.dock_area)
+        self._auto_update_selected_device: str | None = None
+
+        self._default_dock = None  # type:ignore
+        self.current_widget: BECWidget | None = None
+        self.dock_name = None
+        self._enabled = True
+        self.start_auto_update()
+
+    def start_auto_update(self):
+        """
+        Establish all connections for the auto updates.
+        """
+        self.bec_dispatcher.connect_slot(self._on_scan_status, MessageEndpoints.scan_status())
+
+    def stop_auto_update(self):
+        """
+        Disconnect all connections for the auto updates.
+        """
+        self.bec_dispatcher.disconnect_slot(
+            self._on_scan_status, MessageEndpoints.scan_status()  # type:ignore
+        )
+
+    @property
+    def selected_device(self) -> str | None:
+        """
+        Get the selected device from the auto update config.
+
+        Returns:
+            str: The selected device. If no device is selected, None is returned.
+        """
+        return self._auto_update_selected_device
+
+    @selected_device.setter
+    def selected_device(self, value: str | None) -> None:
+        """
+        Set the selected device in the auto update config.
+
+        Args:
+            value(str): The selected device.
+        """
+        self._auto_update_selected_device = value
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def _on_scan_status(self, content: dict, metadata: dict) -> None:
+        """
+        Callback for scan status messages.
+        """
+        msg = ScanStatusMessage(**content, metadata=metadata)
+        if not self.enabled:
+            return
+
+        self.enable_gui_highlights(True)
+
+        match msg.status:
+            case "open":
+                self.on_scan_open(msg)
+            case "closed":
+                self.on_scan_closed(msg)
+            case ["aborted", "halted"]:
+                self.on_scan_abort(msg)
+            case _:
+                pass
+
+    def start_default_dock(self):
+        """
+        Create a default dock for the auto updates.
+        """
+        self.dock_name = "update_dock"
+        self._default_dock = self.dock_area.new(self.dock_name)
+        self.current_widget = self._default_dock.new("Waveform")
+
+    @overload
+    def set_dock_to_widget(self, widget: Literal["Waveform"]) -> Waveform: ...
+
+    @overload
+    def set_dock_to_widget(self, widget: Literal["Image"]) -> Image: ...
+
+    @overload
+    def set_dock_to_widget(self, widget: Literal["ScatterWaveform"]) -> ScatterWaveform: ...
+
+    @overload
+    def set_dock_to_widget(self, widget: Literal["MotorMap"]) -> MotorMap: ...
+
+    @overload
+    def set_dock_to_widget(self, widget: Literal["MultiWaveform"]) -> MultiWaveform: ...
+
+    def set_dock_to_widget(
+        self,
+        widget: Literal["Waveform", "Image", "ScatterWaveform", "MotorMap", "MultiWaveForm"] | str,
+    ) -> BECWidget:
+        """
+        Set the dock to the widget.
+
+        Args:
+            widget (str): The widget to set the dock to. Must be the name of a valid widget class.
+
+        Returns:
+            BECWidget: The widget that was set.
+        """
+        if self._default_dock is None or self.current_widget is None:
+            logger.warning(
+                f"Auto Updates: No default dock found. Creating a new one with name {self.dock_name}"
+            )
+            self.start_default_dock()
+        assert self.current_widget is not None
+
+        if not self.current_widget.__class__.__name__ == widget:
+            self._default_dock.delete(self.current_widget.object_name)
+            self.current_widget = self._default_dock.new(widget)
+        return self.current_widget
+
+    def get_selected_device(
+        self, monitored_devices, selected_device: str | None = None
+    ) -> str | None:
+        """
+        Get the selected device for the plot. If no device is selected, the first
+        device in the monitored devices list is selected.
+        """
+
+        if selected_device is None:
+            selected_device = self.selected_device
+        if selected_device:
+            return selected_device
+        if len(monitored_devices) > 0:
+            sel_device = monitored_devices[0]
+            return sel_device
+        return None
+
+    def enable_gui_highlights(self, enable: bool) -> None:
+        """
+        Enable or disable GUI highlights.
+
+        Args:
+            enable (bool): Whether to enable or disable the highlights.
+        """
+        if enable:
+            title = self.dock_area.window().windowTitle()
+            if " [Auto Updates]" in title:
+                return
+            self.dock_area.window().setWindowTitle(f"{title} [Auto Updates]")
+        else:
+            title = self.dock_area.window().windowTitle()
+            self.dock_area.window().setWindowTitle(title.replace(" [Auto Updates]", ""))
+
+    @property
+    def enabled(self) -> bool:
+        """
+        Get the enabled status of the auto updates.
+        """
+        return self._enabled
+
+    @enabled.setter
+    def enabled(self, value: bool) -> None:
+        """
+        Set the enabled status of the auto updates.
+        """
+        if self._enabled == value:
+            return
+        self._enabled = value
+
+        if value:
+            self.start_auto_update()
+            self.enable_gui_highlights(True)
+            self.on_start()
+        else:
+            self.stop_auto_update()
+            self.enable_gui_highlights(False)
+            self.on_stop()
+
+    def cleanup(self) -> None:
+        """
+        Cleanup procedure to run when the auto updates are disabled.
+        """
+        self.enabled = False
+        self.stop_auto_update()
+        self.dock_area.close()
+        self.dock_area.deleteLater()
+        self.dock_area = None
+        super().cleanup()
+
+    ########################################################################
+    ################# Update Functions #####################################
+    ########################################################################
+
+    def simple_line_scan(self, info: ScanStatusMessage) -> None:
+        """
+        Simple line scan.
+
+        Args:
+            info (ScanStatusMessage): The scan status message.
+        """
+
+        # Set the dock to the waveform widget
+        wf = self.set_dock_to_widget("Waveform")
+
+        # Get the scan report devices reported by the scan
+        dev_x = info.scan_report_devices[0]  # type:ignore
+
+        # For the y axis, get the selected device
+        dev_y = self.get_selected_device(info.readout_priority["monitored"])  # type:ignore
+        if not dev_y:
+            return
+
+        # Clear the waveform widget and plot the data
+        # with the scan number and device names
+        # as the label and title
+        wf.clear_all()
+        wf.plot(
+            x_name=dev_x,
+            y_name=dev_y,
+            label=f"Scan {info.scan_number} - {dev_y}",
+            title=f"Scan {info.scan_number}",
+            x_label=dev_x,
+            y_label=dev_y,
+        )
+
+        logger.info(
+            f"Auto Update [simple_line_scan]: Started plot with: x_name={dev_x}, y_name={dev_y}"
+        )
+
+    def simple_grid_scan(self, info: ScanStatusMessage) -> None:
+        """
+        Simple grid scan.
+
+        Args:
+            info (ScanStatusMessage): The scan status message.
+        """
+        # Set the dock to the scatter waveform widget
+        scatter = self.set_dock_to_widget("ScatterWaveform")
+
+        # Get the scan report devices reported by the scan
+        dev_x, dev_y = info.scan_report_devices[0], info.scan_report_devices[1]  # type:ignore
+        dev_z = self.get_selected_device(info.readout_priority["monitored"])  # type:ignore
+
+        if None in (dev_x, dev_y, dev_z):
+            return
+
+        # Clear the scatter waveform widget and plot the data
+        scatter.clear_all()
+        scatter.plot(
+            x_name=dev_x, y_name=dev_y, z_name=dev_z, label=f"Scan {info.scan_number} - {dev_z}"
+        )
+
+        logger.info(
+            f"Auto Update [simple_grid_scan]: Started plot with: x_name={dev_x}, y_name={dev_y}, z_name={dev_z}"
+        )
+
+    def best_effort(self, info: ScanStatusMessage) -> None:
+        """
+        Best effort scan.
+
+        Args:
+            info (ScanStatusMessage): The scan status message.
+        """
+
+        # If the scan report devices are empty, there is nothing we can do
+        if not info.scan_report_devices:
+            return
+        dev_x = info.scan_report_devices[0]  # type:ignore
+        dev_y = self.get_selected_device(info.readout_priority["monitored"])  # type:ignore
+        if not dev_y:
+            return
+
+        # Set the dock to the waveform widget
+        wf = self.set_dock_to_widget("Waveform")
+
+        # Clear the waveform widget and plot the data
+        wf.clear_all()
+        wf.plot(
+            x_name=dev_x,
+            y_name=dev_y,
+            label=f"Scan {info.scan_number} - {dev_y}",
+            title=f"Scan {info.scan_number}",
+            x_label=dev_x,
+            y_label=dev_y,
+        )
+
+        logger.info(f"Auto Update [best_effort]: Started plot with: x_name={dev_x}, y_name={dev_y}")
+
+    #######################################################################
+    ################# GUI Callbacks #######################################
+    #######################################################################
+
+    def on_start(self) -> None:
+        """
+        Procedure to run when the auto updates are enabled.
+        """
+        self.start_default_dock()
+
+    def on_stop(self) -> None:
+        """
+        Procedure to run when the auto updates are disabled.
+        """
+
+    def on_scan_open(self, msg: ScanStatusMessage) -> None:
+        """
+        Procedure to run when a scan starts.
+
+        Args:
+            msg (ScanStatusMessage): The scan status message.
+        """
+        if msg.scan_name == "line_scan" and msg.scan_report_devices:
+            return self.simple_line_scan(msg)
+        if msg.scan_name == "grid_scan" and msg.scan_report_devices:
+            return self.simple_grid_scan(msg)
+        if msg.scan_report_devices:
+            return self.best_effort(msg)
+        return None
+
+    def on_scan_closed(self, msg: ScanStatusMessage) -> None:
+        """
+        Procedure to run when a scan ends.
+
+        Args:
+            msg (ScanStatusMessage): The scan status message.
+        """
+
+    def on_scan_abort(self, msg: ScanStatusMessage) -> None:
+        """
+        Procedure to run when a scan is aborted.
+
+        Args:
+            msg (ScanStatusMessage): The scan status message.
+        """

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/dock/dock.py

@@ -1,25 +1,33 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, Literal, Optional
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, Literal, Optional, cast
 
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from pydantic import Field
 from pyqtgraph.dockarea import Dock, DockLabel
 from qtpy import QtCore, QtGui
 
-from bec_widgets.cli.rpc_wigdet_handler import widget_handler
+from bec_widgets.cli.client_utils import IGNORE_WIDGETS
+from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_widget_handler import widget_handler
 from bec_widgets.utils import ConnectionConfig, GridLayoutManager
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.container_utils import WidgetContainerUtils
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 
-if TYPE_CHECKING:
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
     from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock.dock_area import BECDockArea
+
 
 class DockConfig(ConnectionConfig):
     widgets: dict[str, Any] = Field({}, description="The widgets in the dock.")
     position: Literal["bottom", "top", "left", "right", "above", "below"] = Field(
         "bottom", description="The position of the dock."
     )
-    parent_dock_area: Optional[str] = Field(
+    parent_dock_area: Optional[str] | None = Field(
         None, description="The GUI ID of parent dock area of the dock."
     )
 
@@ -103,16 +111,17 @@ class BECDock(BECWidget, Dock):
     ICON_NAME = "widgets"
     USER_ACCESS = [
         "_config_dict",
-        "_rpc_id",
-        "widget_list",
+        "element_list",
+        "elements",
+        "new",
+        "show",
+        "hide",
         "show_title_bar",
-        "hide_title_bar",
-        "get_widgets_positions",
         "set_title",
-        "add_widget",
-        "list_eligible_widgets",
-        "move_widget",
-        "remove_widget",
+        "hide_title_bar",
+        "available_widgets",
+        "delete",
+        "delete_all",
         "remove",
         "attach",
         "detach",
@@ -121,29 +130,38 @@ class BECDock(BECWidget, Dock):
     def __init__(
         self,
         parent: QWidget | None = None,
-        parent_dock_area: QWidget | None = None,
+        parent_dock_area: BECDockArea | None = None,
         config: DockConfig | None = None,
         name: str | None = None,
+        object_name: str | None = None,
         client=None,
         gui_id: str | None = None,
         closable: bool = True,
         **kwargs,
     ) -> None:
+
         if config is None:
             config = DockConfig(
-                widget_class=self.__class__.__name__, parent_dock_area=parent_dock_area.gui_id
+                widget_class=self.__class__.__name__,
+                parent_dock_area=parent_dock_area.gui_id if parent_dock_area else None,
             )
         else:
             if isinstance(config, dict):
                 config = DockConfig(**config)
             self.config = config
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
         label = CustomDockLabel(text=name, closable=closable)
-        Dock.__init__(self, name=name, label=label, **kwargs)
-        # Dock.__init__(self, name=name, **kwargs)
+        super().__init__(
+            parent=parent_dock_area,
+            name=name,
+            object_name=object_name,
+            client=client,
+            gui_id=gui_id,
+            config=config,
+            label=label,
+            **kwargs,
+        )
 
         self.parent_dock_area = parent_dock_area
-
         # Layout Manager
         self.layout_manager = GridLayoutManager(self.layout)
 
@@ -173,7 +191,18 @@ class BECDock(BECWidget, Dock):
             super().float()
 
     @property
-    def widget_list(self) -> list[BECWidget]:
+    def elements(self) -> dict[str, BECWidget]:
+        """
+        Get the widgets in the dock.
+
+        Returns:
+            widgets(dict): The widgets in the dock.
+        """
+        # pylint: disable=protected-access
+        return dict((widget.object_name, widget) for widget in self.element_list)
+
+    @property
+    def element_list(self) -> list[BECWidget]:
         """
         Get the widgets in the dock.
 
@@ -182,10 +211,6 @@ class BECDock(BECWidget, Dock):
         """
         return self.widgets
 
-    @widget_list.setter
-    def widget_list(self, value: list[BECWidget]):
-        self.widgets = value
-
     def hide_title_bar(self):
         """
         Hide the title bar of the dock.
@@ -194,6 +219,20 @@ class BECDock(BECWidget, Dock):
         self.label.hide()
         self.labelHidden = True
 
+    def show(self):
+        """
+        Show the dock.
+        """
+        super().show()
+        self.show_title_bar()
+
+    def hide(self):
+        """
+        Hide the dock.
+        """
+        self.hide_title_bar()
+        super().hide()
+
     def show_title_bar(self):
         """
         Hide the title bar of the dock.
@@ -211,7 +250,6 @@ class BECDock(BECWidget, Dock):
         """
         self.orig_area.docks[title] = self.orig_area.docks.pop(self.name())
         self.setTitle(title)
-        self._name = title
 
     def get_widgets_positions(self) -> dict:
         """
@@ -222,7 +260,7 @@ class BECDock(BECWidget, Dock):
         """
         return self.layout_manager.get_widgets_positions()
 
-    def list_eligible_widgets(
+    def available_widgets(
         self,
     ) -> list:  # TODO can be moved to some util mixin like container class for rpc widgets
         """
@@ -233,42 +271,65 @@ class BECDock(BECWidget, Dock):
         """
         return list(widget_handler.widget_classes.keys())
 
-    def add_widget(
+    def _get_list_of_widget_name_of_parent_dock_area(self) -> list[str]:
+        if (docks := self.parent_dock_area.panel_list) is None:
+            return []
+        widgets = []
+        for dock in docks:
+            widgets.extend(dock.elements.keys())
+        return widgets
+
+    @SafeSlot(popup_error=True)
+    def new(
         self,
         widget: BECWidget | str,
-        row=None,
-        col=0,
-        rowspan=1,
-        colspan=1,
+        name: str | None = None,
+        row: int | None = None,
+        col: int = 0,
+        rowspan: int = 1,
+        colspan: int = 1,
         shift: Literal["down", "up", "left", "right"] = "down",
     ) -> BECWidget:
         """
         Add a widget to the dock.
 
         Args:
-            widget(QWidget): The widget to add.
+            widget(QWidget): The widget to add. It can not be BECDock or BECDockArea.
+            name(str): The name of the widget.
             row(int): The row to add the widget to. If None, the widget will be added to the next available row.
             col(int): The column to add the widget to.
             rowspan(int): The number of rows the widget should span.
             colspan(int): The number of columns the widget should span.
             shift(Literal["down", "up", "left", "right"]): The direction to shift the widgets if the position is occupied.
         """
+        if name is not None:
+            WidgetContainerUtils.raise_for_invalid_name(name, container=self)
+
         if row is None:
             row = self.layout.rowCount()
 
         if self.layout_manager.is_position_occupied(row, col):
             self.layout_manager.shift_widgets(shift, start_row=row)
 
+        # Check that Widget is not BECDock or BECDockArea
+        widget_class_name = widget if isinstance(widget, str) else widget.__class__.__name__
+        if widget_class_name in IGNORE_WIDGETS:
+            raise ValueError(f"Widget {widget} can not be added to dock.")
+
         if isinstance(widget, str):
-            widget = widget_handler.create_widget(widget)
+            widget = cast(
+                BECWidget,
+                widget_handler.create_widget(
+                    widget_type=widget, object_name=name, parent_dock=self, parent=self
+                ),
+            )
         else:
-            widget = widget
+            widget.object_name = name
 
         self.addWidget(widget, row=row, col=col, rowspan=rowspan, colspan=colspan)
-
         if hasattr(widget, "config"):
-            self.config.widgets[widget.gui_id] = widget.config
-
+            widget.config.gui_id = widget.gui_id
+            self.config.widgets[widget.object_name] = widget.config
         return widget
 
     def move_widget(self, widget: QWidget, new_row: int, new_col: int):
@@ -294,36 +355,68 @@ class BECDock(BECWidget, Dock):
         """
         self.float()
 
-    def remove_widget(self, widget_rpc_id: str):
-        """
-        Remove a widget from the dock.
-
-        Args:
-            widget_rpc_id(str): The ID of the widget to remove.
-        """
-        widget = self.rpc_register.get_rpc_by_id(widget_rpc_id)
-        self.layout.removeWidget(widget)
-        self.config.widgets.pop(widget_rpc_id, None)
-        widget.close()
-
     def remove(self):
         """
         Remove the dock from the parent dock area.
         """
-        # self.cleanup()
-        self.parent_dock_area.remove_dock(self.name())
+        self.parent_dock_area.delete(self.object_name)
+
+    def delete(self, widget_name: str) -> None:
+        """
+        Remove a widget from the dock.
+
+        Args:
+            widget_name(str): Delete the widget with the given name.
+        """
+        # pylint: disable=protected-access
+        widgets = [widget for widget in self.widgets if widget.object_name == widget_name]
+        if len(widgets) == 0:
+            logger.warning(
+                f"Widget with name {widget_name} not found in dock {self.name()}. "
+                f"Checking if gui_id was passed as widget_name."
+            )
+            # Try to find the widget in the RPC register, maybe the gui_id was passed as widget_name
+            widget = self.rpc_register.get_rpc_by_id(widget_name)
+            if widget is None:
+                logger.warning(
+                    f"Widget not found for name or gui_id: {widget_name} in dock {self.name()}"
+                )
+                return
+        else:
+            widget = widgets[0]
+        self.layout.removeWidget(widget)
+        self.config.widgets.pop(widget.object_name, None)
+        if widget in self.widgets:
+            self.widgets.remove(widget)
+        widget.close()
+
+    def delete_all(self):
+        """
+        Remove all widgets from the dock.
+        """
+        for widget in self.widgets:
+            self.delete(widget.object_name)
 
     def cleanup(self):
         """
         Clean up the dock, including all its widgets.
         """
-        for widget in self.widgets:
-            if hasattr(widget, "cleanup"):
-                widget.cleanup()
+        # # FIXME Cleanup might be called twice
+        try:
+            logger.info(f"Cleaning up dock {self.name()}")
+            self.label.close()
+            self.label.deleteLater()
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.error(f"Error while closing dock label: {e}")
+
+        # Remove the dock from the parent dock area
+        if self.parent_dock_area:
+            self.parent_dock_area.dock_area.docks.pop(self.name(), None)
+            self.parent_dock_area.config.docks.pop(self.name(), None)
+        self.delete_all()
         self.widgets.clear()
-        self.label.close()
-        self.label.deleteLater()
         super().cleanup()
+        self.deleteLater()
 
     def close(self):
         """
@@ -332,4 +425,15 @@ class BECDock(BECWidget, Dock):
         """
         self.cleanup()
         super().close()
-        self.parent_dock_area.dock_area.docks.pop(self.name(), None)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    import sys
+
+    from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
+
+    app = QApplication([])
+    dock = BECDock(name="dock")
+    dock.show()
+    app.exec_()
+    sys.exit(app.exec_())

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/dock/dock_area.py

@@ -3,32 +3,42 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 from typing import Literal, Optional
 from weakref import WeakValueDictionary
 
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from pydantic import Field
 from pyqtgraph.dockarea.DockArea import DockArea
-from qtpy.QtCore import Qt
+from qtpy.QtCore import QSize, Qt
 from qtpy.QtGui import QPainter, QPaintEvent
-from qtpy.QtWidgets import QSizePolicy, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QSizePolicy, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.toolbar import (
+from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_register import RPCRegister
+from bec_widgets.utils import ConnectionConfig, WidgetContainerUtils
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.utils.name_utils import pascal_to_snake
+from bec_widgets.utils.toolbar import (
     ExpandableMenuAction,
     MaterialIconAction,
     ModularToolBar,
     SeparatorAction,
 )
-from bec_widgets.utils import ConnectionConfig, WidgetContainerUtils
-from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
-from bec_widgets.widgets.bec_queue.bec_queue import BECQueue
-from bec_widgets.widgets.bec_status_box.bec_status_box import BECStatusBox
-from bec_widgets.widgets.dark_mode_button.dark_mode_button import DarkModeButton
-from bec_widgets.widgets.dock.dock import BECDock, DockConfig
-from bec_widgets.widgets.image.image_widget import BECImageWidget
-from bec_widgets.widgets.motor_map.motor_map_widget import BECMotorMapWidget
-from bec_widgets.widgets.positioner_box.positioner_box import PositionerBox
-from bec_widgets.widgets.ring_progress_bar.ring_progress_bar import RingProgressBar
-from bec_widgets.widgets.scan_control.scan_control import ScanControl
-from bec_widgets.widgets.vscode.vscode import VSCodeEditor
-from bec_widgets.widgets.waveform.waveform_widget import BECWaveformWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.widget_io import WidgetHierarchy
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock.dock import BECDock, DockConfig
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.main_window import BECMainWindow
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box import PositionerBox
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.scan_control.scan_control import ScanControl
+from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.vscode.vscode import VSCodeEditor
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.image.image import Image
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.motor_map.motor_map import MotorMap
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.multi_waveform.multi_waveform import MultiWaveform
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.scatter_waveform.scatter_waveform import ScatterWaveform
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.waveform import Waveform
+from bec_widgets.widgets.progress.ring_progress_bar.ring_progress_bar import RingProgressBar
+from bec_widgets.widgets.services.bec_queue.bec_queue import BECQueue
+from bec_widgets.widgets.services.bec_status_box.bec_status_box import BECStatusBox
+from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.logpanel.logpanel import LogPanel
+from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.visual.dark_mode_button.dark_mode_button import DarkModeButton
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
 
 
 class DockAreaConfig(ConnectionConfig):
@@ -39,18 +49,27 @@ class DockAreaConfig(ConnectionConfig):
 
 
 class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
+    """
+    Container for other widgets. Widgets can be added to the dock area and arranged in a grid layout.
+    """
+
+    PLUGIN = True
     USER_ACCESS = [
+        "_rpc_id",
         "_config_dict",
+        "_get_all_rpc",
+        "new",
+        "show",
+        "hide",
         "panels",
-        "save_state",
-        "remove_dock",
-        "restore_state",
-        "add_dock",
-        "clear_all",
+        "panel_list",
+        "delete",
+        "delete_all",
+        "remove",
         "detach_dock",
         "attach_all",
-        "_get_all_rpc",
-        "temp_areas",
+        "save_state",
+        "restore_state",
     ]
 
     def __init__(
@@ -59,6 +78,8 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
         config: DockAreaConfig | None = None,
         client=None,
         gui_id: str = None,
+        object_name: str = None,
+        **kwargs,
     ) -> None:
         if config is None:
             config = DockAreaConfig(widget_class=self.__class__.__name__)
@@ -66,32 +87,47 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
             if isinstance(config, dict):
                 config = DockAreaConfig(**config)
             self.config = config
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
-        QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
+        super().__init__(
+            parent=parent,
+            object_name=object_name,
+            client=client,
+            gui_id=gui_id,
+            config=config,
+            **kwargs,
+        )
+        self._parent = parent  # TODO probably not needed
         self.layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
         self.layout.setSpacing(5)
         self.layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
 
         self._instructions_visible = True
 
-        self.dock_area = DockArea()
+        self.dark_mode_button = DarkModeButton(parent=self, toolbar=True)
+        self.dock_area = DockArea(parent=self)
         self.toolbar = ModularToolBar(
+            parent=self,
             actions={
                 "menu_plots": ExpandableMenuAction(
                     label="Add Plot ",
                     actions={
                         "waveform": MaterialIconAction(
-                            icon_name=BECWaveformWidget.ICON_NAME,
-                            tooltip="Add Waveform",
+                            icon_name=Waveform.ICON_NAME, tooltip="Add Waveform", filled=True
+                        ),
+                        "scatter_waveform": MaterialIconAction(
+                            icon_name=ScatterWaveform.ICON_NAME,
+                            tooltip="Add Scatter Waveform",
+                            filled=True,
+                        ),
+                        "multi_waveform": MaterialIconAction(
+                            icon_name=MultiWaveform.ICON_NAME,
+                            tooltip="Add Multi Waveform",
                             filled=True,
                         ),
                         "image": MaterialIconAction(
-                            icon_name=BECImageWidget.ICON_NAME, tooltip="Add Image", filled=True
+                            icon_name=Image.ICON_NAME, tooltip="Add Image", filled=True
                         ),
                         "motor_map": MaterialIconAction(
-                            icon_name=BECMotorMapWidget.ICON_NAME,
-                            tooltip="Add Motor Map",
-                            filled=True,
+                            icon_name=MotorMap.ICON_NAME, tooltip="Add Motor Map", filled=True
                         ),
                     },
                 ),
@@ -127,6 +163,9 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
                             tooltip="Add Circular ProgressBar",
                             filled=True,
                         ),
+                        "log_panel": MaterialIconAction(
+                            icon_name=LogPanel.ICON_NAME, tooltip="Add LogPanel", filled=True
+                        ),
                     },
                 ),
                 "separator_2": SeparatorAction(),
@@ -143,44 +182,56 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
 
         self.layout.addWidget(self.toolbar)
         self.layout.addWidget(self.dock_area)
-        self.spacer = QWidget()
+        self.spacer = QWidget(parent=self)
         self.spacer.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Expanding)
         self.toolbar.addWidget(self.spacer)
-        self.toolbar.addWidget(DarkModeButton(toolbar=True))
+        self.toolbar.addWidget(self.dark_mode_button)
         self._hook_toolbar()
 
+    def minimumSizeHint(self):
+        return QSize(800, 600)
+
     def _hook_toolbar(self):
         # Menu Plot
         self.toolbar.widgets["menu_plots"].widgets["waveform"].triggered.connect(
-            lambda: self.add_dock(widget="BECWaveformWidget", prefix="waveform")
+            lambda: self._create_widget_from_toolbar(widget_name="Waveform")
+        )
+        self.toolbar.widgets["menu_plots"].widgets["scatter_waveform"].triggered.connect(
+            lambda: self._create_widget_from_toolbar(widget_name="ScatterWaveform")
+        )
+        self.toolbar.widgets["menu_plots"].widgets["multi_waveform"].triggered.connect(
+            lambda: self._create_widget_from_toolbar(widget_name="MultiWaveform")
         )
         self.toolbar.widgets["menu_plots"].widgets["image"].triggered.connect(
-            lambda: self.add_dock(widget="BECImageWidget", prefix="image")
+            lambda: self._create_widget_from_toolbar(widget_name="Image")
         )
         self.toolbar.widgets["menu_plots"].widgets["motor_map"].triggered.connect(
-            lambda: self.add_dock(widget="BECMotorMapWidget", prefix="motor_map")
+            lambda: self._create_widget_from_toolbar(widget_name="MotorMap")
         )
 
         # Menu Devices
         self.toolbar.widgets["menu_devices"].widgets["scan_control"].triggered.connect(
-            lambda: self.add_dock(widget="ScanControl", prefix="scan_control")
+            lambda: self._create_widget_from_toolbar(widget_name="ScanControl")
         )
         self.toolbar.widgets["menu_devices"].widgets["positioner_box"].triggered.connect(
-            lambda: self.add_dock(widget="PositionerBox", prefix="positioner_box")
+            lambda: self._create_widget_from_toolbar(widget_name="PositionerBox")
         )
 
         # Menu Utils
         self.toolbar.widgets["menu_utils"].widgets["queue"].triggered.connect(
-            lambda: self.add_dock(widget="BECQueue", prefix="queue")
+            lambda: self._create_widget_from_toolbar(widget_name="BECQueue")
         )
         self.toolbar.widgets["menu_utils"].widgets["status"].triggered.connect(
-            lambda: self.add_dock(widget="BECStatusBox", prefix="status")
+            lambda: self._create_widget_from_toolbar(widget_name="BECStatusBox")
         )
         self.toolbar.widgets["menu_utils"].widgets["vs_code"].triggered.connect(
-            lambda: self.add_dock(widget="VSCodeEditor", prefix="vs_code")
+            lambda: self._create_widget_from_toolbar(widget_name="VSCodeEditor")
         )
         self.toolbar.widgets["menu_utils"].widgets["progress_bar"].triggered.connect(
-            lambda: self.add_dock(widget="RingProgressBar", prefix="progress_bar")
+            lambda: self._create_widget_from_toolbar(widget_name="RingProgressBar")
+        )
+        self.toolbar.widgets["menu_utils"].widgets["log_panel"].triggered.connect(
+            lambda: self._create_widget_from_toolbar(widget_name="LogPanel")
         )
 
         # Icons
@@ -188,6 +239,14 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
         self.toolbar.widgets["save_state"].action.triggered.connect(self.save_state)
         self.toolbar.widgets["restore_state"].action.triggered.connect(self.restore_state)
 
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def _create_widget_from_toolbar(self, widget_name: str) -> None:
+        # Run with RPC broadcast to namespace of all widgets
+        with RPCRegister.delayed_broadcast():
+            name = pascal_to_snake(widget_name)
+            dock_name = WidgetContainerUtils.generate_unique_name(name, self.panels.keys())
+            self.new(name=dock_name, widget=widget_name)
+
     def paintEvent(self, event: QPaintEvent):  # TODO decide if we want any default instructions
         super().paintEvent(event)
         if self._instructions_visible:
@@ -195,7 +254,7 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
             painter.drawText(
                 self.rect(),
                 Qt.AlignCenter,
-                "Add docks using 'add_dock' method from CLI\n or \n Add widget docks using the toolbar",
+                "Add docks using 'new' method from CLI\n or \n Add widget docks using the toolbar",
             )
 
     @property
@@ -209,7 +268,17 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
 
     @panels.setter
     def panels(self, value: dict[str, BECDock]):
-        self.dock_area.docks = WeakValueDictionary(value)
+        self.dock_area.docks = WeakValueDictionary(value)  # This can not work can it?
+
+    @property
+    def panel_list(self) -> list[BECDock]:
+        """
+        Get the docks in the dock area.
+
+        Returns:
+            list: The docks in the dock area.
+        """
+        return list(self.dock_area.docks.values())
 
     @property
     def temp_areas(self) -> list:
@@ -239,6 +308,8 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
         """
         if state is None:
             state = self.config.docks_state
+        if state is None:
+            return
         self.dock_area.restoreState(state, missing=missing, extra=extra)
 
     @SafeSlot()
@@ -253,36 +324,17 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
         self.config.docks_state = last_state
         return last_state
 
-    def remove_dock(self, name: str):
-        """
-        Remove a dock by name and ensure it is properly closed and cleaned up.
-
-        Args:
-            name(str): The name of the dock to remove.
-        """
-        dock = self.dock_area.docks.pop(name, None)
-        self.config.docks.pop(name, None)
-        if dock:
-            dock.close()
-            dock.deleteLater()
-            if len(self.dock_area.docks) <= 1:
-                for dock in self.dock_area.docks.values():
-                    dock.hide_title_bar()
-
-        else:
-            raise ValueError(f"Dock with name {name} does not exist.")
-
     @SafeSlot(popup_error=True)
-    def add_dock(
+    def new(
         self,
-        name: str = None,
-        position: Literal["bottom", "top", "left", "right", "above", "below"] = None,
+        name: str | None = None,
+        widget: str | QWidget | None = None,
+        widget_name: str | None = None,
+        position: Literal["bottom", "top", "left", "right", "above", "below"] = "bottom",
         relative_to: BECDock | None = None,
         closable: bool = True,
         floating: bool = False,
-        prefix: str = "dock",
-        widget: str | QWidget | None = None,
-        row: int = None,
+        row: int | None = None,
         col: int = 0,
         rowspan: int = 1,
         colspan: int = 1,
@@ -292,12 +344,11 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
 
         Args:
             name(str): The name of the dock to be displayed and for further references. Has to be unique.
+            widget(str|QWidget|None): The widget to be added to the dock. While using RPC, only BEC RPC widgets from RPCWidgetHandler are allowed.
             position(Literal["bottom", "top", "left", "right", "above", "below"]): The position of the dock.
             relative_to(BECDock): The dock to which the new dock should be added relative to.
             closable(bool): Whether the dock is closable.
             floating(bool): Whether the dock is detached after creating.
-            prefix(str): The prefix for the dock name if no name is provided.
-            widget(str|QWidget|None): The widget to be added to the dock. While using RPC, only BEC RPC widgets from RPCWidgetHandler are allowed.
             row(int): The row of the added widget.
             col(int): The column of the added widget.
             rowspan(int): The rowspan of the added widget.
@@ -306,21 +357,30 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
         Returns:
             BECDock: The created dock.
         """
-        if name is None:
-            name = WidgetContainerUtils.generate_unique_widget_id(
-                container=self.dock_area.docks, prefix=prefix
-            )
+        dock_names = [
+            dock.object_name for dock in self.panel_list
+        ]  # pylint: disable=protected-access
+        if name is not None:  # Name is provided
+            if name in dock_names:
+                raise ValueError(
+                    f"Name {name} must be unique for docks, but already exists in DockArea "
+                    f"with name: {self.object_name} and id {self.gui_id}."
+                )
+            WidgetContainerUtils.raise_for_invalid_name(name, container=self)
 
-        if name in set(self.dock_area.docks.keys()):
-            raise ValueError(f"Dock with name {name} already exists.")
+        else:  # Name is not provided
+            name = WidgetContainerUtils.generate_unique_name(name="dock", list_of_names=dock_names)
 
-        if position is None:
-            position = "bottom"
-
-        dock = BECDock(name=name, parent_dock_area=self, closable=closable)
+        dock = BECDock(
+            parent=self,
+            name=name,  # this is dock name pyqtgraph property, this is displayed on label
+            object_name=name,  # this is a real qt object name passed to BECConnector
+            parent_dock_area=self,
+            closable=closable,
+        )
         dock.config.position = position
-        self.config.docks[name] = dock.config
-
+        self.config.docks[dock.name()] = dock.config
+        # The dock.name is equal to the name passed to BECDock
         self.dock_area.addDock(dock=dock, position=position, relativeTo=relative_to)
 
         if len(self.dock_area.docks) <= 1:
@@ -329,10 +389,11 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
             for dock in self.dock_area.docks.values():
                 dock.show_title_bar()
 
-        if widget is not None and isinstance(widget, str):
-            dock.add_widget(widget=widget, row=row, col=col, rowspan=rowspan, colspan=colspan)
-        elif widget is not None and isinstance(widget, QWidget):
-            dock.addWidget(widget, row=row, col=col, rowspan=rowspan, colspan=colspan)
+        if widget is not None:
+            # Check if widget name exists.
+            dock.new(
+                widget=widget, name=widget_name, row=row, col=col, rowspan=rowspan, colspan=colspan
+            )
         if (
             self._instructions_visible
         ):  # TODO still decide how initial instructions should be handled
@@ -370,46 +431,101 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
         Remove a temporary area from the dock area.
         This is a patched method of pyqtgraph's removeTempArea
         """
+        if area not in self.dock_area.tempAreas:
+            # FIXME add some context for the logging, I am not sure which object is passed.
+            # It looks like a pyqtgraph.DockArea
+            logger.info(f"Attempted to remove dock_area, but was not floating.")
+            return
         self.dock_area.tempAreas.remove(area)
         area.window().close()
         area.window().deleteLater()
 
-    def clear_all(self):
-        """
-        Close all docks and remove all temp areas.
-        """
-        self.attach_all()
-        for dock in dict(self.dock_area.docks).values():
-            dock.remove()
-        self.dock_area.docks.clear()
-
     def cleanup(self):
         """
         Cleanup the dock area.
         """
-        self.clear_all()
-        self.toolbar.close()
-        self.toolbar.deleteLater()
-        self.dock_area.close()
-        self.dock_area.deleteLater()
+        self.delete_all()
+        self.dark_mode_button.close()
+        self.dark_mode_button.deleteLater()
         super().cleanup()
 
-    def close(self):
+    def show(self):
+        """Show all windows including floating docks."""
+        super().show()
+        for docks in self.panels.values():
+            if docks.window() is self:
+                # avoid recursion
+                continue
+            docks.window().show()
+
+    def hide(self):
+        """Hide all windows including floating docks."""
+        super().hide()
+        for docks in self.panels.values():
+            if docks.window() is self:
+                # avoid recursion
+                continue
+            docks.window().hide()
+
+    def delete_all(self) -> None:
         """
-        Close the dock area and cleanup.
-        Has to be implemented to overwrite pyqtgraph event accept in Container close.
+        Delete all docks.
         """
-        self.cleanup()
-        super().close()
+        self.attach_all()
+        for dock_name in self.panels.keys():
+            self.delete(dock_name)
+
+    def delete(self, dock_name: str):
+        """
+        Delete a dock by name.
+
+        Args:
+            dock_name(str): The name of the dock to delete.
+        """
+        dock = self.dock_area.docks.pop(dock_name, None)
+        self.config.docks.pop(dock_name, None)
+        if dock:
+            dock.close()
+            dock.deleteLater()
+            if len(self.dock_area.docks) <= 1:
+                for dock in self.dock_area.docks.values():
+                    dock.hide_title_bar()
+        else:
+            raise ValueError(f"Dock with name {dock_name} does not exist.")
+        # self._broadcast_update()
+
+    def remove(self) -> None:
+        """
+        Remove the dock area. If the dock area is embedded in a BECMainWindow and
+        is set as the central widget, the main window will be closed.
+        """
+        parent = self.parent()
+        if isinstance(parent, BECMainWindow):
+            central_widget = parent.centralWidget()
+            if central_widget is self:
+                # Closing the parent will also close the dock area
+                parent.close()
+                return
+
+        self.close()
 
 
-if __name__ == "__main__":
-    from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+
+    import sys
 
     from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
 
     app = QApplication([])
     set_theme("auto")
     dock_area = BECDockArea()
+    dock_1 = dock_area.new(name="dock_0", widget="DarkModeButton")
+    dock_1.new(widget="DarkModeButton")
+    # dock_1 = dock_area.new(name="dock_0", widget="Waveform")
+    dock_area.new(widget="DarkModeButton")
     dock_area.show()
+    dock_area.setGeometry(100, 100, 800, 600)
+    app.topLevelWidgets()
+    WidgetHierarchy.print_becconnector_hierarchy_from_app()
     app.exec_()
+    sys.exit(app.exec_())

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/dock/dock_area_plugin.py

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
 
 import bec_widgets
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
-from bec_widgets.widgets.dock import BECDockArea
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock import BECDockArea
 
 DOM_XML = """
 <ui language='c++'>

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/dock/register_dock_area.py

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

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/layout_manager/layout_manager.py

@@ -0,0 +1,916 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import math
+import sys
+from typing import Dict, Literal, Optional, Set, Tuple, Union
+
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
+    QApplication,
+    QComboBox,
+    QGridLayout,
+    QGroupBox,
+    QHBoxLayout,
+    QLabel,
+    QLineEdit,
+    QMainWindow,
+    QMessageBox,
+    QPushButton,
+    QSpinBox,
+    QSplitter,
+    QVBoxLayout,
+    QWidget,
+)
+from typeguard import typechecked
+
+from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_widget_handler import widget_handler
+
+
+class LayoutManagerWidget(QWidget):
+    """
+    A robust layout manager that extends QGridLayout functionality, allowing
+    users to add/remove widgets, access widgets by coordinates, shift widgets,
+    and change the layout dynamically with automatic reindexing to keep the grid compact.
+
+    Supports adding widgets via QWidget instances or string identifiers referencing the widget handler.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, parent=None, auto_reindex=True):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self.layout = QGridLayout(self)
+        self.auto_reindex = auto_reindex
+
+        # Mapping from widget to its position (row, col, rowspan, colspan)
+        self.widget_positions: Dict[QWidget, Tuple[int, int, int, int]] = {}
+
+        # Mapping from (row, col) to widget
+        self.position_widgets: Dict[Tuple[int, int], QWidget] = {}
+
+        # Keep track of the current position for automatic placement
+        self.current_row = 0
+        self.current_col = 0
+
+    def add_widget(
+        self,
+        widget: QWidget | str,
+        row: int | None = None,
+        col: int | None = None,
+        rowspan: int = 1,
+        colspan: int = 1,
+        shift_existing: bool = True,
+        shift_direction: Literal["down", "up", "left", "right"] = "right",
+    ) -> QWidget:
+        """
+        Add a widget to the grid with enhanced shifting capabilities.
+
+        Args:
+            widget (QWidget | str): The widget to add. If str, it is used to create a widget via widget_handler.
+            row (int, optional): The row to add the widget to. If None, the next available row is used.
+            col (int, optional): The column to add the widget to. If None, the next available column is used.
+            rowspan (int): Number of rows the widget spans. Default is 1.
+            colspan (int): Number of columns the widget spans. Default is 1.
+            shift_existing (bool): Whether to shift existing widgets if the target position is occupied. Default is True.
+            shift_direction (Literal["down", "up", "left", "right"]): Direction to shift existing widgets. Default is "right".
+
+        Returns:
+            QWidget: The widget that was added.
+        """
+        # Handle widget creation if a BECWidget string identifier is provided
+        if isinstance(widget, str):
+            widget = widget_handler.create_widget(widget)
+
+        if row is None:
+            row = self.current_row
+        if col is None:
+            col = self.current_col
+
+        if (row, col) in self.position_widgets:
+            if shift_existing:
+                # Attempt to shift the existing widget in the specified direction
+                self.shift_widgets(direction=shift_direction, start_row=row, start_col=col)
+            else:
+                raise ValueError(f"Position ({row}, {col}) is already occupied.")
+
+            # Add the widget to the layout
+        self.layout.addWidget(widget, row, col, rowspan, colspan)
+        self.widget_positions[widget] = (row, col, rowspan, colspan)
+        self.position_widgets[(row, col)] = widget
+
+        # Update current position for automatic placement
+        self.current_col = col + colspan
+        self.current_row = max(self.current_row, row)
+
+        if self.auto_reindex:
+            self.reindex_grid()
+
+        return widget
+
+    def add_widget_relative(
+        self,
+        widget: QWidget | str,
+        reference_widget: QWidget,
+        position: Literal["left", "right", "top", "bottom"],
+        rowspan: int = 1,
+        colspan: int = 1,
+        shift_existing: bool = True,
+        shift_direction: Literal["down", "up", "left", "right"] = "right",
+    ) -> QWidget:
+        """
+        Add a widget relative to an existing widget.
+
+        Args:
+            widget (QWidget | str): The widget to add. If str, it is used to create a widget via widget_handler.
+            reference_widget (QWidget): The widget relative to which the new widget will be placed.
+            position (Literal["left", "right", "top", "bottom"]): Position relative to the reference widget.
+            rowspan (int): Number of rows the widget spans. Default is 1.
+            colspan (int): Number of columns the widget spans. Default is 1.
+            shift_existing (bool): Whether to shift existing widgets if the target position is occupied.
+            shift_direction (Literal["down", "up", "left", "right"]): Direction to shift existing widgets.
+
+        Returns:
+            QWidget: The widget that was added.
+
+        Raises:
+            ValueError: If the reference widget is not found.
+        """
+        if reference_widget not in self.widget_positions:
+            raise ValueError("Reference widget not found in layout.")
+
+        ref_row, ref_col, ref_rowspan, ref_colspan = self.widget_positions[reference_widget]
+
+        # Determine new widget position based on the specified relative position
+
+        # If adding to the left or right with shifting, shift the entire column
+        if (
+            position in ("left", "right")
+            and shift_existing
+            and shift_direction in ("left", "right")
+        ):
+            column = ref_col
+            # Collect all rows in this column and sort for safe shifting
+            rows = sorted(
+                {row for (row, col) in self.position_widgets.keys() if col == column},
+                reverse=(shift_direction == "right"),
+            )
+            # Shift each widget in the column
+            for r in rows:
+                self.shift_widgets(direction=shift_direction, start_row=r, start_col=column)
+            # Update reference widget's position after the column shift
+            ref_row, ref_col, ref_rowspan, ref_colspan = self.widget_positions[reference_widget]
+            new_row = ref_row
+            # Compute insertion column based on relative position
+            if position == "left":
+                new_col = ref_col - ref_colspan
+            else:
+                new_col = ref_col + ref_colspan
+            # Add the new widget without triggering another shift
+            return self.add_widget(
+                widget=widget,
+                row=new_row,
+                col=new_col,
+                rowspan=rowspan,
+                colspan=colspan,
+                shift_existing=False,
+            )
+        if position == "left":
+            new_row = ref_row
+            new_col = ref_col - 1
+        elif position == "right":
+            new_row = ref_row
+            new_col = ref_col + ref_colspan
+        elif position == "top":
+            new_row = ref_row - 1
+            new_col = ref_col
+        elif position == "bottom":
+            new_row = ref_row + ref_rowspan
+            new_col = ref_col
+        else:
+            raise ValueError("Invalid position. Choose from 'left', 'right', 'top', 'bottom'.")
+
+        # Add the widget at the calculated position
+        return self.add_widget(
+            widget=widget,
+            row=new_row,
+            col=new_col,
+            rowspan=rowspan,
+            colspan=colspan,
+            shift_existing=shift_existing,
+            shift_direction=shift_direction,
+        )
+
+    def move_widget_by_coords(
+        self,
+        current_row: int,
+        current_col: int,
+        new_row: int,
+        new_col: int,
+        shift: bool = True,
+        shift_direction: Literal["down", "up", "left", "right"] = "right",
+    ) -> None:
+        """
+        Move a widget from (current_row, current_col) to (new_row, new_col).
+
+        Args:
+            current_row (int): Current row of the widget.
+            current_col (int): Current column of the widget.
+            new_row (int): Target row.
+            new_col (int): Target column.
+            shift (bool): Whether to shift existing widgets if the target position is occupied.
+            shift_direction (Literal["down", "up", "left", "right"]): Direction to shift existing widgets.
+
+        Raises:
+            ValueError: If the widget is not found or target position is invalid.
+        """
+        self.move_widget(
+            old_row=current_row,
+            old_col=current_col,
+            new_row=new_row,
+            new_col=new_col,
+            shift=shift,
+            shift_direction=shift_direction,
+        )
+
+    @typechecked
+    def move_widget_by_object(
+        self,
+        widget: QWidget,
+        new_row: int,
+        new_col: int,
+        shift: bool = True,
+        shift_direction: Literal["down", "up", "left", "right"] = "right",
+    ) -> None:
+        """
+        Move a widget to a new position using the widget object.
+
+        Args:
+            widget (QWidget): The widget to move.
+            new_row (int): Target row.
+            new_col (int): Target column.
+            shift (bool): Whether to shift existing widgets if the target position is occupied.
+            shift_direction (Literal["down", "up", "left", "right"]): Direction to shift existing widgets.
+
+        Raises:
+            ValueError: If the widget is not found or target position is invalid.
+        """
+        if widget not in self.widget_positions:
+            raise ValueError("Widget not found in layout.")
+
+        old_position = self.widget_positions[widget]
+        old_row, old_col = old_position[0], old_position[1]
+
+        self.move_widget(
+            old_row=old_row,
+            old_col=old_col,
+            new_row=new_row,
+            new_col=new_col,
+            shift=shift,
+            shift_direction=shift_direction,
+        )
+
+    @typechecked
+    def move_widget(
+        self,
+        old_row: int | None = None,
+        old_col: int | None = None,
+        new_row: int | None = None,
+        new_col: int | None = None,
+        shift: bool = True,
+        shift_direction: Literal["down", "up", "left", "right"] = "right",
+    ) -> None:
+        """
+        Move a widget to a new position. If the new position is occupied and shift is True,
+        shift the existing widget to the specified direction.
+
+        Args:
+            old_row (int, optional): The current row of the widget.
+            old_col (int, optional): The current column of the widget.
+            new_row (int, optional): The target row to move the widget to.
+            new_col (int, optional): The target column to move the widget to.
+            shift (bool): Whether to shift existing widgets if the target position is occupied.
+            shift_direction (Literal["down", "up", "left", "right"]): Direction to shift existing widgets.
+
+        Raises:
+            ValueError: If the widget is not found or target position is invalid.
+        """
+        if new_row is None or new_col is None:
+            raise ValueError("Must provide both new_row and new_col to move a widget.")
+
+        if old_row is None and old_col is None:
+            raise ValueError(f"No widget found at position ({old_row}, {old_col}).")
+        widget = self.get_widget(old_row, old_col)
+
+        if (new_row, new_col) in self.position_widgets:
+            if not shift:
+                raise ValueError(f"Position ({new_row}, {new_col}) is already occupied.")
+            # Shift the existing widget to make space
+            self.shift_widgets(
+                direction=shift_direction,
+                start_row=new_row if shift_direction in ["down", "up"] else 0,
+                start_col=new_col if shift_direction in ["left", "right"] else 0,
+            )
+
+        # Proceed to move the widget
+        self.layout.removeWidget(widget)
+        old_position = self.widget_positions.pop(widget)
+        self.position_widgets.pop((old_position[0], old_position[1]))
+
+        self.layout.addWidget(widget, new_row, new_col, old_position[2], old_position[3])
+        self.widget_positions[widget] = (new_row, new_col, old_position[2], old_position[3])
+        self.position_widgets[(new_row, new_col)] = widget
+
+        # Update current_row and current_col for automatic placement if needed
+        self.current_row = max(self.current_row, new_row)
+        self.current_col = max(self.current_col, new_col + old_position[3])
+
+        if self.auto_reindex:
+            self.reindex_grid()
+
+    @typechecked
+    def shift_widgets(
+        self,
+        direction: Literal["down", "up", "left", "right"],
+        start_row: int = 0,
+        start_col: int = 0,
+    ) -> None:
+        """
+        Shift widgets in the grid in the specified direction starting from the given position.
+
+        Args:
+            direction (Literal["down", "up", "left", "right"]): Direction to shift widgets.
+            start_row (int): Starting row index.
+            start_col (int): Starting column index.
+
+        Raises:
+            ValueError: If shifting causes widgets to go out of grid boundaries.
+        """
+        shifts = []
+        positions_to_shift = [(start_row, start_col)]
+        visited_positions = set()
+
+        while positions_to_shift:
+            row, col = positions_to_shift.pop(0)
+            if (row, col) in visited_positions:
+                continue
+            visited_positions.add((row, col))
+
+            widget = self.position_widgets.get((row, col))
+            if widget is None:
+                continue  # No widget at this position
+
+            # Compute new position based on the direction
+            if direction == "down":
+                new_row = row + 1
+                new_col = col
+            elif direction == "up":
+                new_row = row - 1
+                new_col = col
+            elif direction == "right":
+                new_row = row
+                new_col = col + 1
+            elif direction == "left":
+                new_row = row
+                new_col = col - 1
+
+            # Check for negative indices
+            if new_row < 0 or new_col < 0:
+                raise ValueError("Shifting widgets out of grid boundaries.")
+
+            # If the new position is occupied, add it to the positions to shift
+            if (new_row, new_col) in self.position_widgets:
+                positions_to_shift.append((new_row, new_col))
+
+            shifts.append(
+                (widget, (row, col), (new_row, new_col), self.widget_positions[widget][2:])
+            )
+
+        # Remove all widgets from their old positions
+        for widget, (old_row, old_col), _, _ in shifts:
+            self.layout.removeWidget(widget)
+            self.position_widgets.pop((old_row, old_col))
+
+        # Add widgets to their new positions
+        for widget, _, (new_row, new_col), (rowspan, colspan) in shifts:
+            self.layout.addWidget(widget, new_row, new_col, rowspan, colspan)
+            self.widget_positions[widget] = (new_row, new_col, rowspan, colspan)
+            self.position_widgets[(new_row, new_col)] = widget
+
+            # Update current_row and current_col if needed
+            self.current_row = max(self.current_row, new_row)
+            self.current_col = max(self.current_col, new_col + colspan)
+
+    def shift_all_widgets(self, direction: Literal["down", "up", "left", "right"]) -> None:
+        """
+        Shift all widgets in the grid in the specified direction to make room and prevent negative indices.
+
+        Args:
+            direction (Literal["down", "up", "left", "right"]): Direction to shift all widgets.
+        """
+        # First, collect all the shifts to perform
+        shifts = []
+        for widget, (row, col, rowspan, colspan) in self.widget_positions.items():
+
+            if direction == "down":
+                new_row = row + 1
+                new_col = col
+            elif direction == "up":
+                new_row = row - 1
+                new_col = col
+            elif direction == "right":
+                new_row = row
+                new_col = col + 1
+            elif direction == "left":
+                new_row = row
+                new_col = col - 1
+
+            # Check for negative indices
+            if new_row < 0 or new_col < 0:
+                raise ValueError("Shifting widgets out of grid boundaries.")
+
+            shifts.append((widget, (row, col), (new_row, new_col), (rowspan, colspan)))
+
+        # Now perform the shifts
+        for widget, (old_row, old_col), (new_row, new_col), (rowspan, colspan) in shifts:
+            self.layout.removeWidget(widget)
+            self.position_widgets.pop((old_row, old_col))
+
+        for widget, (old_row, old_col), (new_row, new_col), (rowspan, colspan) in shifts:
+            self.layout.addWidget(widget, new_row, new_col, rowspan, colspan)
+            self.widget_positions[widget] = (new_row, new_col, rowspan, colspan)
+            self.position_widgets[(new_row, new_col)] = widget
+
+        # Update current_row and current_col based on new widget positions
+        self.current_row = max((pos[0] for pos in self.position_widgets.keys()), default=0)
+        self.current_col = max((pos[1] for pos in self.position_widgets.keys()), default=0)
+
+    def remove(
+        self,
+        row: int | None = None,
+        col: int | None = None,
+        coordinates: Tuple[int, int] | None = None,
+    ) -> None:
+        """
+        Remove a widget from the layout. Can be removed by widget ID or by coordinates.
+
+        Args:
+            row (int, optional): The row coordinate of the widget to remove.
+            col (int, optional): The column coordinate of the widget to remove.
+            coordinates (tuple[int, int], optional): The (row, col) coordinates of the widget to remove.
+
+        Raises:
+            ValueError: If the widget to remove is not found.
+        """
+        if coordinates:
+            row, col = coordinates
+            widget = self.get_widget(row, col)
+            if widget is None:
+                raise ValueError(f"No widget found at coordinates {coordinates}.")
+        elif row is not None and col is not None:
+            widget = self.get_widget(row, col)
+            if widget is None:
+                raise ValueError(f"No widget found at position ({row}, {col}).")
+        else:
+            raise ValueError(
+                "Must provide either widget_id, coordinates, or both row and col for removal."
+            )
+
+        self.remove_widget(widget)
+
+    def remove_widget(self, widget: QWidget) -> None:
+        """
+        Remove a widget from the grid and reindex the grid to keep it compact.
+
+        Args:
+            widget (QWidget): The widget to remove.
+
+        Raises:
+            ValueError: If the widget is not found in the layout.
+        """
+        if widget not in self.widget_positions:
+            raise ValueError("Widget not found in layout.")
+
+        position = self.widget_positions.pop(widget)
+        self.position_widgets.pop((position[0], position[1]))
+        self.layout.removeWidget(widget)
+        widget.setParent(None)  # Remove widget from the parent
+        widget.deleteLater()
+
+        # Reindex the grid to maintain compactness
+        if self.auto_reindex:
+            self.reindex_grid()
+
+    def get_widget(self, row: int, col: int) -> QWidget | None:
+        """
+        Get the widget at the specified position.
+
+        Args:
+            row (int): The row coordinate.
+            col (int): The column coordinate.
+
+        Returns:
+            QWidget | None: The widget at the specified position, or None if empty.
+        """
+        return self.position_widgets.get((row, col))
+
+    def get_widget_position(self, widget: QWidget) -> Tuple[int, int, int, int] | None:
+        """
+        Get the position of the specified widget.
+
+        Args:
+            widget (QWidget): The widget to query.
+
+        Returns:
+            Tuple[int, int, int, int] | None: The (row, col, rowspan, colspan) tuple, or None if not found.
+        """
+        return self.widget_positions.get(widget)
+
+    def change_layout(self, num_rows: int | None = None, num_cols: int | None = None) -> None:
+        """
+        Change the layout to have a certain number of rows and/or columns,
+        rearranging the widgets accordingly.
+
+        If only one of num_rows or num_cols is provided, the other is calculated automatically
+        based on the number of widgets and the provided constraint.
+
+        If both are provided, num_rows is calculated based on num_cols.
+
+        Args:
+            num_rows (int | None): The new maximum number of rows.
+            num_cols (int | None): The new maximum number of columns.
+        """
+        if num_rows is None and num_cols is None:
+            return  # Nothing to change
+
+        total_widgets = len(self.widget_positions)
+
+        if num_cols is not None:
+            # Calculate num_rows based on num_cols
+            num_rows = math.ceil(total_widgets / num_cols)
+        elif num_rows is not None:
+            # Calculate num_cols based on num_rows
+            num_cols = math.ceil(total_widgets / num_rows)
+
+        # Sort widgets by current position (row-major order)
+        widgets_sorted = sorted(
+            self.widget_positions.items(),
+            key=lambda item: (item[1][0], item[1][1]),  # Sort by row, then column
+        )
+
+        # Clear the layout without deleting widgets
+        for widget, _ in widgets_sorted:
+            self.layout.removeWidget(widget)
+
+        # Reset position mappings
+        self.widget_positions.clear()
+        self.position_widgets.clear()
+
+        # Re-add widgets based on new layout constraints
+        current_row, current_col = 0, 0
+        for widget, _ in widgets_sorted:
+            if current_col >= num_cols:
+                current_col = 0
+                current_row += 1
+            self.layout.addWidget(widget, current_row, current_col, 1, 1)
+            self.widget_positions[widget] = (current_row, current_col, 1, 1)
+            self.position_widgets[(current_row, current_col)] = widget
+            current_col += 1
+
+        # Update current_row and current_col for automatic placement
+        self.current_row = current_row
+        self.current_col = current_col
+
+        # Reindex the grid to ensure compactness
+        self.reindex_grid()
+
+    def clear_layout(self) -> None:
+        """
+        Remove all widgets from the layout without deleting them.
+        """
+        for widget in list(self.widget_positions):
+            self.layout.removeWidget(widget)
+            self.position_widgets.pop(
+                (self.widget_positions[widget][0], self.widget_positions[widget][1])
+            )
+            self.widget_positions.pop(widget)
+            widget.setParent(None)  # Optionally hide/remove the widget
+
+        self.current_row = 0
+        self.current_col = 0
+
+    def reindex_grid(self) -> None:
+        """
+        Reindex the grid to remove empty rows and columns, ensuring that
+        widget coordinates are contiguous and start from (0, 0).
+        """
+        # Step 1: Collect all occupied positions
+        occupied_positions = sorted(self.position_widgets.keys())
+
+        if not occupied_positions:
+            # No widgets to reindex
+            self.clear_layout()
+            return
+
+        # Step 2: Determine the new mapping by eliminating empty columns and rows
+        # Find unique rows and columns
+        unique_rows = sorted(set(pos[0] for pos in occupied_positions))
+        unique_cols = sorted(set(pos[1] for pos in occupied_positions))
+
+        # Create mappings from old to new indices
+        row_mapping = {old_row: new_row for new_row, old_row in enumerate(unique_rows)}
+        col_mapping = {old_col: new_col for new_col, old_col in enumerate(unique_cols)}
+
+        # Step 3: Collect widgets with their new positions
+        widgets_with_new_positions = []
+        for widget, (row, col, rowspan, colspan) in self.widget_positions.items():
+            new_row = row_mapping[row]
+            new_col = col_mapping[col]
+            widgets_with_new_positions.append((widget, new_row, new_col, rowspan, colspan))
+
+        # Step 4: Clear the layout and reset mappings
+        self.clear_layout()
+
+        # Reset current_row and current_col
+        self.current_row = 0
+        self.current_col = 0
+
+        # Step 5: Re-add widgets with new positions
+        for widget, new_row, new_col, rowspan, colspan in widgets_with_new_positions:
+            self.layout.addWidget(widget, new_row, new_col, rowspan, colspan)
+            self.widget_positions[widget] = (new_row, new_col, rowspan, colspan)
+            self.position_widgets[(new_row, new_col)] = widget
+
+            # Update current position for automatic placement
+            self.current_col = max(self.current_col, new_col + colspan)
+            self.current_row = max(self.current_row, new_row)
+
+    def get_widgets_positions(self) -> Dict[QWidget, Tuple[int, int, int, int]]:
+        """
+        Get the positions of all widgets in the layout.
+
+        Returns:
+            Dict[QWidget, Tuple[int, int, int, int]]: Mapping of widgets to their (row, col, rowspan, colspan).
+        """
+        return self.widget_positions.copy()
+
+    def print_all_button_text(self):
+        """Debug function to print the text of all QPushButton widgets."""
+        print("Coordinates - Button Text")
+        for coord, widget in self.position_widgets.items():
+            if isinstance(widget, QPushButton):
+                print(f"{coord} - {widget.text()}")
+
+
+####################################################################################################
+# The following code is for the GUI control panel to interact with the LayoutManagerWidget.
+# It is not covered by any tests as it serves only as an example for the LayoutManagerWidget class.
+####################################################################################################
+
+
+class ControlPanel(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover
+    def __init__(self, layout_manager: LayoutManagerWidget):
+        super().__init__()
+        self.layout_manager = layout_manager
+        self.init_ui()
+
+    def init_ui(self):
+        main_layout = QVBoxLayout()
+
+        # Add Widget by Coordinates
+        add_coord_group = QGroupBox("Add Widget by Coordinates")
+        add_coord_layout = QGridLayout()
+
+        add_coord_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Text:"), 0, 0)
+        self.text_input = QLineEdit()
+        add_coord_layout.addWidget(self.text_input, 0, 1)
+
+        add_coord_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Row:"), 1, 0)
+        self.row_input = QSpinBox()
+        self.row_input.setMinimum(0)
+        add_coord_layout.addWidget(self.row_input, 1, 1)
+
+        add_coord_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Column:"), 2, 0)
+        self.col_input = QSpinBox()
+        self.col_input.setMinimum(0)
+        add_coord_layout.addWidget(self.col_input, 2, 1)
+
+        self.add_button = QPushButton("Add at Coordinates")
+        self.add_button.clicked.connect(self.add_at_coordinates)
+        add_coord_layout.addWidget(self.add_button, 3, 0, 1, 2)
+
+        add_coord_group.setLayout(add_coord_layout)
+        main_layout.addWidget(add_coord_group)
+
+        # Add Widget Relative
+        add_rel_group = QGroupBox("Add Widget Relative to Existing")
+        add_rel_layout = QGridLayout()
+
+        add_rel_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Text:"), 0, 0)
+        self.rel_text_input = QLineEdit()
+        add_rel_layout.addWidget(self.rel_text_input, 0, 1)
+
+        add_rel_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Reference Widget:"), 1, 0)
+        self.ref_widget_combo = QComboBox()
+        add_rel_layout.addWidget(self.ref_widget_combo, 1, 1)
+
+        add_rel_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Position:"), 2, 0)
+        self.position_combo = QComboBox()
+        self.position_combo.addItems(["left", "right", "top", "bottom"])
+        add_rel_layout.addWidget(self.position_combo, 2, 1)
+
+        self.add_rel_button = QPushButton("Add Relative")
+        self.add_rel_button.clicked.connect(self.add_relative)
+        add_rel_layout.addWidget(self.add_rel_button, 3, 0, 1, 2)
+
+        add_rel_group.setLayout(add_rel_layout)
+        main_layout.addWidget(add_rel_group)
+
+        # Remove Widget
+        remove_group = QGroupBox("Remove Widget")
+        remove_layout = QGridLayout()
+
+        remove_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Row:"), 0, 0)
+        self.remove_row_input = QSpinBox()
+        self.remove_row_input.setMinimum(0)
+        remove_layout.addWidget(self.remove_row_input, 0, 1)
+
+        remove_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Column:"), 1, 0)
+        self.remove_col_input = QSpinBox()
+        self.remove_col_input.setMinimum(0)
+        remove_layout.addWidget(self.remove_col_input, 1, 1)
+
+        self.remove_button = QPushButton("Remove at Coordinates")
+        self.remove_button.clicked.connect(self.remove_widget)
+        remove_layout.addWidget(self.remove_button, 2, 0, 1, 2)
+
+        remove_group.setLayout(remove_layout)
+        main_layout.addWidget(remove_group)
+
+        # Change Layout
+        change_layout_group = QGroupBox("Change Layout")
+        change_layout_layout = QGridLayout()
+
+        change_layout_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Number of Rows:"), 0, 0)
+        self.change_rows_input = QSpinBox()
+        self.change_rows_input.setMinimum(1)
+        self.change_rows_input.setValue(1)  # Default value
+        change_layout_layout.addWidget(self.change_rows_input, 0, 1)
+
+        change_layout_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Number of Columns:"), 1, 0)
+        self.change_cols_input = QSpinBox()
+        self.change_cols_input.setMinimum(1)
+        self.change_cols_input.setValue(1)  # Default value
+        change_layout_layout.addWidget(self.change_cols_input, 1, 1)
+
+        self.change_layout_button = QPushButton("Apply Layout Change")
+        self.change_layout_button.clicked.connect(self.change_layout)
+        change_layout_layout.addWidget(self.change_layout_button, 2, 0, 1, 2)
+
+        change_layout_group.setLayout(change_layout_layout)
+        main_layout.addWidget(change_layout_group)
+
+        # Remove All Widgets
+        self.clear_all_button = QPushButton("Clear All Widgets")
+        self.clear_all_button.clicked.connect(self.clear_all_widgets)
+        main_layout.addWidget(self.clear_all_button)
+
+        # Refresh Reference Widgets and Print Button
+        self.refresh_button = QPushButton("Refresh Reference Widgets")
+        self.refresh_button.clicked.connect(self.refresh_references)
+        self.print_button = QPushButton("Print All Button Text")
+        self.print_button.clicked.connect(self.layout_manager.print_all_button_text)
+        main_layout.addWidget(self.refresh_button)
+        main_layout.addWidget(self.print_button)
+
+        main_layout.addStretch()
+        self.setLayout(main_layout)
+        self.refresh_references()
+
+    def refresh_references(self):
+        self.ref_widget_combo.clear()
+        widgets = self.layout_manager.get_widgets_positions()
+        for widget in widgets:
+            if isinstance(widget, QPushButton):
+                self.ref_widget_combo.addItem(widget.text(), widget)
+
+    def add_at_coordinates(self):
+        text = self.text_input.text()
+        row = self.row_input.value()
+        col = self.col_input.value()
+
+        if not text:
+            QMessageBox.warning(self, "Input Error", "Please enter text for the button.")
+            return
+
+        button = QPushButton(text)
+        try:
+            self.layout_manager.add_widget(widget=button, row=row, col=col)
+            self.refresh_references()
+        except Exception as e:
+            QMessageBox.critical(self, "Error", str(e))
+
+    def add_relative(self):
+        text = self.rel_text_input.text()
+        ref_index = self.ref_widget_combo.currentIndex()
+        ref_widget = self.ref_widget_combo.itemData(ref_index)
+        position = self.position_combo.currentText()
+
+        if not text:
+            QMessageBox.warning(self, "Input Error", "Please enter text for the button.")
+            return
+
+        if ref_widget is None:
+            QMessageBox.warning(self, "Input Error", "Please select a reference widget.")
+            return
+
+        button = QPushButton(text)
+        try:
+            self.layout_manager.add_widget_relative(
+                widget=button, reference_widget=ref_widget, position=position
+            )
+            self.refresh_references()
+        except Exception as e:
+            QMessageBox.critical(self, "Error", str(e))
+
+    def remove_widget(self):
+        row = self.remove_row_input.value()
+        col = self.remove_col_input.value()
+
+        try:
+            widget = self.layout_manager.get_widget(row, col)
+            if widget is None:
+                QMessageBox.warning(self, "Not Found", f"No widget found at ({row}, {col}).")
+                return
+            self.layout_manager.remove_widget(widget)
+            self.refresh_references()
+        except Exception as e:
+            QMessageBox.critical(self, "Error", str(e))
+
+    def change_layout(self):
+        num_rows = self.change_rows_input.value()
+        num_cols = self.change_cols_input.value()
+
+        try:
+            self.layout_manager.change_layout(num_rows=num_rows, num_cols=num_cols)
+            self.refresh_references()
+        except Exception as e:
+            QMessageBox.critical(self, "Error", str(e))
+
+    def clear_all_widgets(self):
+        reply = QMessageBox.question(
+            self,
+            "Confirm Clear",
+            "Are you sure you want to remove all widgets?",
+            QMessageBox.Yes | QMessageBox.No,
+            QMessageBox.No,
+        )
+
+        if reply == QMessageBox.Yes:
+            try:
+                self.layout_manager.clear_layout()
+                self.refresh_references()
+            except Exception as e:
+                QMessageBox.critical(self, "Error", str(e))
+
+
+class MainWindow(QMainWindow):  # pragma: no cover
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__()
+        self.setWindowTitle("Layout Manager Demo")
+        self.resize(800, 600)
+        self.init_ui()
+
+    def init_ui(self):
+        central_widget = QWidget()
+        main_layout = QHBoxLayout()
+
+        # Layout Area GroupBox
+        layout_group = QGroupBox("Layout Area")
+        layout_group.setMinimumSize(400, 400)
+        layout_layout = QVBoxLayout()
+
+        self.layout_manager = LayoutManagerWidget()
+        layout_layout.addWidget(self.layout_manager)
+
+        layout_group.setLayout(layout_layout)
+
+        # Splitter
+        splitter = QSplitter()
+        splitter.addWidget(layout_group)
+
+        # Control Panel
+        control_panel = ControlPanel(self.layout_manager)
+        control_group = QGroupBox("Control Panel")
+        control_layout = QVBoxLayout()
+        control_layout.addWidget(control_panel)
+        control_layout.addStretch()
+        control_group.setLayout(control_layout)
+        splitter.addWidget(control_group)
+
+        main_layout.addWidget(splitter)
+        central_widget.setLayout(main_layout)
+        self.setCentralWidget(central_widget)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    window = MainWindow()
+    window.show()
+    sys.exit(app.exec_())

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/main_window/addons/web_links.py

@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+import webbrowser
+
+
+class BECWebLinksMixin:
+    @staticmethod
+    def open_bec_docs():
+        webbrowser.open("https://beamline-experiment-control.readthedocs.io/en/latest/")
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def open_bec_widgets_docs():
+        webbrowser.open("https://bec.readthedocs.io/projects/bec-widgets/en/latest/")
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def open_bec_bug_report():
+        webbrowser.open("https://gitlab.psi.ch/groups/bec/-/issues/")

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/main_window/main_window.py

@@ -0,0 +1,189 @@
+import os
+
+from qtpy.QtCore import QSize
+from qtpy.QtGui import QAction, QActionGroup, QIcon
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QMainWindow, QStyle
+
+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.container_utils import WidgetContainerUtils
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.utils.widget_io import WidgetHierarchy
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.addons.web_links import BECWebLinksMixin
+
+MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
+
+
+class BECMainWindow(BECWidget, QMainWindow):
+    RPC = False
+    PLUGIN = False
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        parent=None,
+        gui_id: str = None,
+        client=None,
+        window_title: str = "BEC",
+        *args,
+        **kwargs,
+    ):
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
+
+        self.app = QApplication.instance()
+        self.setWindowTitle(window_title)
+        self._init_ui()
+        self._connect_to_theme_change()
+
+    def _init_ui(self):
+
+        # Set the icon
+        self._init_bec_icon()
+
+        # Set Menu and Status bar
+        self._setup_menu_bar()
+
+        # BEC Specific UI
+        self.display_app_id()
+
+    def _init_bec_icon(self):
+        icon = self.app.windowIcon()
+        if icon.isNull():
+            print("No icon is set, setting default icon")
+            icon = QIcon()
+            icon.addFile(
+                os.path.join(MODULE_PATH, "assets", "app_icons", "bec_widgets_icon.png"),
+                size=QSize(48, 48),
+            )
+            self.app.setWindowIcon(icon)
+        else:
+            print("An icon is set")
+
+    def load_ui(self, ui_file):
+        loader = UILoader(self)
+        self.ui = loader.loader(ui_file)
+        self.setCentralWidget(self.ui)
+
+    def display_app_id(self):
+        """
+        Display the app ID in the status bar.
+        """
+        if self.bec_dispatcher.cli_server is None:
+            status_message = "Not connected"
+        else:
+            # Get the server ID from the dispatcher
+            server_id = self.bec_dispatcher.cli_server.gui_id
+            status_message = f"App ID: {server_id}"
+        self.statusBar().showMessage(status_message)
+
+    def _fetch_theme(self) -> str:
+        return self.app.theme.theme
+
+    def _get_launcher_from_qapp(self):
+        """
+        Get the launcher from the QApplication instance.
+        """
+        from bec_widgets.applications.launch_window import LaunchWindow
+
+        qapp = QApplication.instance()
+        widgets = qapp.topLevelWidgets()
+        widgets = [w for w in widgets if isinstance(w, LaunchWindow)]
+        if widgets:
+            return widgets[0]
+        return None
+
+    def _show_launcher(self):
+        """
+        Show the launcher if it exists.
+        """
+        launcher = self._get_launcher_from_qapp()
+        if launcher:
+            launcher.show()
+            launcher.activateWindow()
+            launcher.raise_()
+
+    def _setup_menu_bar(self):
+        """
+        Setup the menu bar for the main window.
+        """
+        menu_bar = self.menuBar()
+
+        ##########################################
+        # Launch menu
+        launch_menu = menu_bar.addMenu("New")
+
+        open_launcher_action = QAction("Open Launcher", self)
+        launch_menu.addAction(open_launcher_action)
+        open_launcher_action.triggered.connect(self._show_launcher)
+
+        ########################################
+        # Theme menu
+        theme_menu = menu_bar.addMenu("Theme")
+
+        theme_group = QActionGroup(self)
+        light_theme_action = QAction("Light Theme", self, checkable=True)
+        dark_theme_action = QAction("Dark Theme", self, checkable=True)
+        theme_group.addAction(light_theme_action)
+        theme_group.addAction(dark_theme_action)
+        theme_group.setExclusive(True)
+
+        theme_menu.addAction(light_theme_action)
+        theme_menu.addAction(dark_theme_action)
+
+        # Connect theme actions
+        light_theme_action.triggered.connect(lambda: self.change_theme("light"))
+        dark_theme_action.triggered.connect(lambda: self.change_theme("dark"))
+
+        # Set the default theme
+        theme = self.app.theme.theme
+        if theme == "light":
+            light_theme_action.setChecked(True)
+        elif theme == "dark":
+            dark_theme_action.setChecked(True)
+
+        ########################################
+        # Help menu
+        help_menu = menu_bar.addMenu("Help")
+
+        help_icon = QApplication.style().standardIcon(QStyle.SP_MessageBoxQuestion)
+        bug_icon = QApplication.style().standardIcon(QStyle.SP_MessageBoxInformation)
+
+        bec_docs = QAction("BEC Docs", self)
+        bec_docs.setIcon(help_icon)
+        widgets_docs = QAction("BEC Widgets Docs", self)
+        widgets_docs.setIcon(help_icon)
+        bug_report = QAction("Bug Report", self)
+        bug_report.setIcon(bug_icon)
+
+        bec_docs.triggered.connect(BECWebLinksMixin.open_bec_docs)
+        widgets_docs.triggered.connect(BECWebLinksMixin.open_bec_widgets_docs)
+        bug_report.triggered.connect(BECWebLinksMixin.open_bec_bug_report)
+
+        help_menu.addAction(bec_docs)
+        help_menu.addAction(widgets_docs)
+        help_menu.addAction(bug_report)
+
+    @SafeSlot(str)
+    def change_theme(self, theme: str):
+        apply_theme(theme)
+
+    def cleanup(self):
+        central_widget = self.centralWidget()
+        central_widget.close()
+        central_widget.deleteLater()
+        if not isinstance(central_widget, BECWidget):
+            # if the central widget is not a BECWidget, we need to call the cleanup method
+            # of all widgets whose parent is the current BECMainWindow
+            children = self.findChildren(BECWidget)
+            for child in children:
+                ancestor = WidgetHierarchy._get_becwidget_ancestor(child)
+                if ancestor is self:
+                    child.cleanup()
+                    child.close()
+                    child.deleteLater()
+        super().cleanup()
+
+
+class UILaunchWindow(BECMainWindow):
+    RPC = True

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

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
-from bec_widgets.widgets.button_abort.button_abort import AbortButton
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.buttons.button_abort.button_abort import AbortButton
 
 DOM_XML = """
 <ui language='c++'>

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

@@ -2,21 +2,28 @@ from bec_qthemes import material_icon
 from qtpy.QtCore import Qt
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QHBoxLayout, QPushButton, QToolButton, QWidget
 
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 
 
 class AbortButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
     """A button that abort the scan."""
 
+    PLUGIN = True
     ICON_NAME = "cancel"
+    RPC = True
 
     def __init__(
-        self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None, toolbar=False, scan_id=None
+        self,
+        parent=None,
+        client=None,
+        config=None,
+        gui_id=None,
+        toolbar=False,
+        scan_id=None,
+        **kwargs,
     ):
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
-        QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
-
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, client=client, gui_id=gui_id, config=config, **kwargs)
         self.get_bec_shortcuts()
 
         self.layout = QHBoxLayout(self)

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

@@ -6,7 +6,9 @@ def main():  # pragma: no cover
         return
     from PySide6.QtDesigner import QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection
 
-    from bec_widgets.widgets.button_abort.abort_button_plugin import AbortButtonPlugin
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.control.buttons.button_abort.abort_button_plugin import (
+        AbortButtonPlugin,
+    )
 
     QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection.addCustomWidget(AbortButtonPlugin())
 

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

@@ -2,19 +2,19 @@ from bec_qthemes import material_icon
 from qtpy.QtCore import Qt
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QHBoxLayout, QMessageBox, QPushButton, QToolButton, QWidget
 
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 
 
 class ResetButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
     """A button that resets the scan queue."""
 
+    PLUGIN = True
     ICON_NAME = "restart_alt"
+    RPC = True
 
-    def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None, toolbar=False):
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
-        QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
-
+    def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None, toolbar=False, **kwargs):
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, client=client, gui_id=gui_id, config=config, **kwargs)
         self.get_bec_shortcuts()
 
         self.layout = QHBoxLayout(self)

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

@@ -6,7 +6,9 @@ def main():  # pragma: no cover
         return
     from PySide6.QtDesigner import QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection
 
-    from bec_widgets.widgets.button_reset.reset_button_plugin import ResetButtonPlugin
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.control.buttons.button_reset.reset_button_plugin import (
+        ResetButtonPlugin,
+    )
 
     QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection.addCustomWidget(ResetButtonPlugin())
 

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

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
-from bec_widgets.widgets.button_reset.button_reset import ResetButton
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.buttons.button_reset.button_reset import ResetButton
 
 DOM_XML = """
 <ui language='c++'>