1.14.0

Automatically generated by python-semantic-release

.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 +34,9 @@ include:
     inputs:
       stage: test
       path: "."
-      pytest_args: "-v --random-order tests/"
-      exclude_packages: ""
+      pytest_args: "-v,--random-order,tests/unit_tests"
+      ignore_dep_group: "pyqt6"
+      pip_args: ".[dev,pyside6]"
 
 # different stages in the pipeline
 stages:
@@ -57,6 +61,7 @@ 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

bec_widgets/applications/alignment/alignment_1d/alignment_1d.py

@@ -5,36 +5,25 @@ It is a preliminary version of the GUI, which will be added to the main branch a
 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.QtCore import QSize
 from qtpy.QtGui import QIcon
-from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
-    QApplication,
-    QCheckBox,
-    QDoubleSpinBox,
-    QMainWindow,
-    QPushButton,
-    QSpinBox,
-)
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
 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
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.buttons.stop_button.stop_button import StopButton
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_group.positioner_group import (
+    PositionerGroup,
+)
+from bec_widgets.widgets.dap.lmfit_dialog.lmfit_dialog import LMFitDialog
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.waveform_widget import BECWaveformWidget
+from bec_widgets.widgets.progress.bec_progressbar.bec_progressbar import BECProgressBar
 
 MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
 logger = bec_logger.logger

bec_widgets/cli/auto_updates.py

@@ -27,25 +27,17 @@ class AutoUpdates:
 
     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()
+        self._default_dock = None
+        self._default_fig = None
 
     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"
+        self._default_dock = self.gui.add_dock(self.dock_name)
+        self._default_dock.add_widget("BECFigure")
+        self._default_fig = self._default_dock.widget_list[0]
 
     @staticmethod
     def get_scan_info(msg) -> ScanInfo:
@@ -73,15 +65,9 @@ class AutoUpdates:
         """
         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]
+        return self._default_fig
 
-    def run(self, msg):
+    def do_update(self, msg):
         """
         Run the update function if enabled.
         """
@@ -90,20 +76,9 @@ class AutoUpdates:
         if msg.status != "open":
             return
         info = self.get_scan_info(msg)
-        self.handler(info)
+        return 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):
+    def get_selected_device(self, 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.
@@ -120,14 +95,11 @@ class AutoUpdates:
         Default update function.
         """
         if info.scan_name == "line_scan" and info.scan_report_devices:
-            self.simple_line_scan(info)
-            return
+            return self.simple_line_scan(info)
         if info.scan_name == "grid_scan" and info.scan_report_devices:
-            self.simple_grid_scan(info)
-            return
+            return self.simple_grid_scan(info)
         if info.scan_report_devices:
-            self.best_effort(info)
-            return
+            return self.best_effort(info)
 
     def simple_line_scan(self, info: ScanInfo) -> None:
         """
@@ -137,12 +109,19 @@ class AutoUpdates:
         if not fig:
             return
         dev_x = info.scan_report_devices[0]
-        dev_y = self.get_selected_device(info.monitored_devices, self.gui.selected_device)
+        selected_device = yield self.gui.selected_device
+        dev_y = self.get_selected_device(info.monitored_devices, 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)
+        yield fig.clear_all()
+        yield fig.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,
+        )
 
     def simple_grid_scan(self, info: ScanInfo) -> None:
         """
@@ -153,12 +132,18 @@ class AutoUpdates:
             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}"
+        selected_device = yield self.gui.selected_device
+        dev_z = self.get_selected_device(info.monitored_devices, selected_device)
+        yield fig.clear_all()
+        yield fig.plot(
+            x_name=dev_x,
+            y_name=dev_y,
+            z_name=dev_z,
+            label=f"Scan {info.scan_number} - {dev_z}",
+            title=f"Scan {info.scan_number}",
+            x_label=dev_x,
+            y_label=dev_y,
         )
-        plt.set(title=f"Scan {info.scan_number}", x_label=dev_x, y_label=dev_y)
 
     def best_effort(self, info: ScanInfo) -> None:
         """
@@ -168,17 +153,16 @@ class AutoUpdates:
         if not fig:
             return
         dev_x = info.scan_report_devices[0]
-        dev_y = self.get_selected_device(info.monitored_devices, self.gui.selected_device)
+        selected_device = yield self.gui.selected_device
+        dev_y = self.get_selected_device(info.monitored_devices, 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()
+        yield fig.clear_all()
+        yield fig.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,
+        )

bec_widgets/cli/client.py

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 import enum
 from typing import Literal, Optional, overload
 
-from bec_widgets.cli.client_utils import BECGuiClientMixin, RPCBase, rpc_call
+from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_base import RPCBase, rpc_call
 
 # pylint: skip-file
 
@@ -17,11 +17,10 @@ class Widgets(str, enum.Enum):
 
     AbortButton = "AbortButton"
     BECColorMapWidget = "BECColorMapWidget"
-    BECDock = "BECDock"
     BECDockArea = "BECDockArea"
-    BECFigure = "BECFigure"
     BECImageWidget = "BECImageWidget"
     BECMotorMapWidget = "BECMotorMapWidget"
+    BECMultiWaveformWidget = "BECMultiWaveformWidget"
     BECProgressBar = "BECProgressBar"
     BECQueue = "BECQueue"
     BECStatusBox = "BECStatusBox"
@@ -32,10 +31,10 @@ class Widgets(str, enum.Enum):
     DeviceComboBox = "DeviceComboBox"
     DeviceLineEdit = "DeviceLineEdit"
     LMFitDialog = "LMFitDialog"
+    Minesweeper = "Minesweeper"
     PositionIndicator = "PositionIndicator"
     PositionerBox = "PositionerBox"
     PositionerControlLine = "PositionerControlLine"
-    PositionerGroup = "PositionerGroup"
     ResetButton = "ResetButton"
     ResumeButton = "ResumeButton"
     RingProgressBar = "RingProgressBar"
@@ -65,6 +64,13 @@ class AbortButton(RPCBase):
         Get all registered RPC objects.
         """
 
+    @property
+    @rpc_call
+    def _rpc_id(self) -> "str":
+        """
+        Get the RPC ID of the widget.
+        """
+
 
 class BECColorMapWidget(RPCBase):
     @property
@@ -337,7 +343,7 @@ class BECDock(RPCBase):
         """
 
 
-class BECDockArea(RPCBase, BECGuiClientMixin):
+class BECDockArea(RPCBase):
     @property
     @rpc_call
     def _config_dict(self) -> "dict":
@@ -348,6 +354,13 @@ class BECDockArea(RPCBase, BECGuiClientMixin):
             dict: The configuration of the widget.
         """
 
+    @property
+    @rpc_call
+    def selected_device(self) -> "str":
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
     @property
     @rpc_call
     def panels(self) -> "dict[str, BECDock]":
@@ -396,7 +409,6 @@ class BECDockArea(RPCBase, BECGuiClientMixin):
         relative_to: "BECDock | None" = None,
         closable: "bool" = True,
         floating: "bool" = False,
-        temporary: "bool" = False,
         prefix: "str" = "dock",
         widget: "str | QWidget | None" = None,
         row: "int" = None,
@@ -413,7 +425,6 @@ class BECDockArea(RPCBase, BECGuiClientMixin):
             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.
-            temporary(bool): Whether the dock is temporary. After closing the dock do not return to the parent DockArea.
             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.
@@ -465,6 +476,24 @@ class BECDockArea(RPCBase, BECGuiClientMixin):
             list: The temporary areas in the dock area.
         """
 
+    @rpc_call
+    def show(self):
+        """
+        Show all windows including floating docks.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def hide(self):
+        """
+        Hide all windows including floating docks.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def delete(self):
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
 
 class BECFigure(RPCBase):
     @property
@@ -1377,6 +1406,31 @@ class BECImageWidget(RPCBase):
         """
 
 
+class BECMainWindow(RPCBase):
+    @property
+    @rpc_call
+    def _config_dict(self) -> "dict":
+        """
+        Get the configuration of the widget.
+
+        Returns:
+            dict: The configuration of the widget.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def _get_all_rpc(self) -> "dict":
+        """
+        Get all registered RPC objects.
+        """
+
+    @property
+    @rpc_call
+    def _rpc_id(self) -> "str":
+        """
+        Get the RPC ID of the widget.
+        """
+
+
 class BECMotorMap(RPCBase):
     @property
     @rpc_call
@@ -1576,6 +1630,436 @@ class BECMotorMapWidget(RPCBase):
         """
 
 
+class BECMultiWaveform(RPCBase):
+    @property
+    @rpc_call
+    def _rpc_id(self) -> "str":
+        """
+        Get the RPC ID of the widget.
+        """
+
+    @property
+    @rpc_call
+    def _config_dict(self) -> "dict":
+        """
+        Get the configuration of the widget.
+
+        Returns:
+            dict: The configuration of the widget.
+        """
+
+    @property
+    @rpc_call
+    def curves(self) -> collections.deque:
+        """
+        Get the curves of the plot widget as a deque.
+        Returns:
+            deque: Deque of curves.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_monitor(self, monitor: str):
+        """
+        Set the monitor for the plot widget.
+        Args:
+            monitor (str): The monitor to set.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_opacity(self, opacity: int):
+        """
+        Set the opacity of the curve on the plot.
+
+        Args:
+            opacity(int): The opacity of the curve. 0-100.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_curve_limit(self, max_trace: int, flush_buffer: bool = False):
+        """
+        Set the maximum number of traces to display on the plot.
+
+        Args:
+            max_trace (int): The maximum number of traces to display.
+            flush_buffer (bool): Flush the buffer.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_curve_highlight(self, index: int):
+        """
+        Set the curve highlight based on visible curves.
+
+        Args:
+            index (int): The index of the curve to highlight among visible curves.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_colormap(self, colormap: str):
+        """
+        Set the colormap for the curves.
+
+        Args:
+            colormap(str): Colormap for the curves.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set(self, **kwargs) -> "None":
+        """
+        Set the properties of the plot widget.
+
+        Args:
+            **kwargs: Keyword arguments for the properties to be set.
+
+        Possible properties:
+            - title: str
+            - x_label: str
+            - y_label: str
+            - x_scale: Literal["linear", "log"]
+            - y_scale: Literal["linear", "log"]
+            - x_lim: tuple
+            - y_lim: tuple
+            - legend_label_size: int
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_title(self, title: "str", size: "int" = None):
+        """
+        Set the title of the plot widget.
+
+        Args:
+            title(str): Title of the plot widget.
+            size(int): Font size of the title.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_x_label(self, label: "str", size: "int" = None):
+        """
+        Set the label of the x-axis.
+
+        Args:
+            label(str): Label of the x-axis.
+            size(int): Font size of the label.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_y_label(self, label: "str", size: "int" = None):
+        """
+        Set the label of the y-axis.
+
+        Args:
+            label(str): Label of the y-axis.
+            size(int): Font size of the label.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_x_scale(self, scale: "Literal['linear', 'log']" = "linear"):
+        """
+        Set the scale of the x-axis.
+
+        Args:
+            scale(Literal["linear", "log"]): Scale of the x-axis.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_y_scale(self, scale: "Literal['linear', 'log']" = "linear"):
+        """
+        Set the scale of the y-axis.
+
+        Args:
+            scale(Literal["linear", "log"]): Scale of the y-axis.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_x_lim(self, *args) -> "None":
+        """
+        Set the limits of the x-axis. This method can accept either two separate arguments
+        for the minimum and maximum x-axis values, or a single tuple containing both limits.
+
+        Usage:
+            set_x_lim(x_min, x_max)
+            set_x_lim((x_min, x_max))
+
+        Args:
+            *args: A variable number of arguments. Can be two integers (x_min and x_max)
+                   or a single tuple with two integers.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_y_lim(self, *args) -> "None":
+        """
+        Set the limits of the y-axis. This method can accept either two separate arguments
+        for the minimum and maximum y-axis values, or a single tuple containing both limits.
+
+        Usage:
+            set_y_lim(y_min, y_max)
+            set_y_lim((y_min, y_max))
+
+        Args:
+            *args: A variable number of arguments. Can be two integers (y_min and y_max)
+                   or a single tuple with two integers.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_grid(self, x: "bool" = False, y: "bool" = False):
+        """
+        Set the grid of the plot widget.
+
+        Args:
+            x(bool): Show grid on the x-axis.
+            y(bool): Show grid on the y-axis.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_colormap(self, colormap: str):
+        """
+        Set the colormap for the curves.
+
+        Args:
+            colormap(str): Colormap for the curves.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def enable_fps_monitor(self, enable: "bool" = True):
+        """
+        Enable the FPS monitor.
+
+        Args:
+            enable(bool): True to enable, False to disable.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def lock_aspect_ratio(self, lock):
+        """
+        Lock aspect ratio.
+
+        Args:
+            lock(bool): True to lock, False to unlock.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def export(self):
+        """
+        Show the Export Dialog of the plot widget.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def get_all_data(self, output: Literal["dict", "pandas"] = "dict") -> dict:
+        """
+        Extract all curve data into a dictionary or a pandas DataFrame.
+
+        Args:
+            output (Literal["dict", "pandas"]): Format of the output data.
+
+        Returns:
+            dict | pd.DataFrame: Data of all curves in the specified format.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def remove(self):
+        """
+        Remove the plot widget from the figure.
+        """
+
+
+class BECMultiWaveformWidget(RPCBase):
+    @property
+    @rpc_call
+    def curves(self) -> list[pyqtgraph.graphicsItems.PlotDataItem.PlotDataItem]:
+        """
+        Get the curves of the plot widget as a list
+        Returns:
+            list: List of curves.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_monitor(self, monitor: str) -> None:
+        """
+        Set the monitor of the plot widget.
+
+        Args:
+            monitor(str): The monitor to set.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_curve_highlight(self, index: int) -> None:
+        """
+        Set the curve highlight of the plot widget by index
+
+        Args:
+            index(int): The index of the curve to highlight.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_opacity(self, opacity: int) -> None:
+        """
+        Set the opacity of the plot widget.
+
+        Args:
+            opacity(int): The opacity to set.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_curve_limit(self, curve_limit: int) -> None:
+        """
+        Set the maximum number of traces to display on the plot widget.
+
+        Args:
+            curve_limit(int): The maximum number of traces to display.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_buffer_flush(self, flush_buffer: bool) -> None:
+        """
+        Set the buffer flush property of the plot widget.
+
+        Args:
+            flush_buffer(bool): True to flush the buffer, False to not flush the buffer.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_highlight_last_curve(self, enable: bool) -> None:
+        """
+        Enable or disable highlighting of the last curve.
+
+        Args:
+            enable(bool): True to enable highlighting of the last curve, False to disable.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_colormap(self, colormap: str) -> None:
+        """
+        Set the colormap of the plot widget.
+
+        Args:
+            colormap(str): The colormap to set.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set(self, **kwargs):
+        """
+        Set the properties of the plot widget.
+
+        Args:
+            **kwargs: Keyword arguments for the properties to be set.
+
+        Possible properties:
+            - title: str
+            - x_label: str
+            - y_label: str
+            - x_scale: Literal["linear", "log"]
+            - y_scale: Literal["linear", "log"]
+            - x_lim: tuple
+            - y_lim: tuple
+            - legend_label_size: int
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_title(self, title: str):
+        """
+        Set the title of the plot widget.
+
+        Args:
+            title(str): The title to set.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_x_label(self, x_label: str):
+        """
+        Set the x-axis label of the plot widget.
+
+        Args:
+            x_label(str): The x-axis label to set.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_y_label(self, y_label: str):
+        """
+        Set the y-axis label of the plot widget.
+
+        Args:
+            y_label(str): The y-axis label to set.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_x_scale(self, x_scale: Literal["linear", "log"]):
+        """
+        Set the x-axis scale of the plot widget.
+
+        Args:
+            x_scale(str): The x-axis scale to set.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_y_scale(self, y_scale: Literal["linear", "log"]):
+        """
+        Set the y-axis scale of the plot widget.
+
+        Args:
+            y_scale(str): The y-axis scale to set.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_x_lim(self, x_lim: tuple):
+        """
+        Set x-axis limits of the plot widget.
+
+        Args:
+            x_lim(tuple): The x-axis limits to set.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_y_lim(self, y_lim: tuple):
+        """
+        Set y-axis limits of the plot widget.
+
+        Args:
+            y_lim(tuple): The y-axis limits to set.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_grid(self, x_grid: bool, y_grid: bool):
+        """
+        Set the grid of the plot widget.
+
+        Args:
+            x_grid(bool): True to enable the x-grid, False to disable.
+            y_grid(bool): True to enable the y-grid, False to disable.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_colormap(self, colormap: str) -> None:
+        """
+        Set the colormap of the plot widget.
+
+        Args:
+            colormap(str): The colormap to set.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def enable_fps_monitor(self, enabled: bool):
+        """
+        Enable or disable the FPS monitor
+
+        Args:
+            enabled(bool): True to enable the FPS monitor, False to disable.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def lock_aspect_ratio(self, lock: bool):
+        """
+        Lock the aspect ratio of the plot widget.
+
+        Args:
+            lock(bool): True to lock the aspect ratio, False to unlock.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def export(self):
+        """
+        Export the plot widget.
+        """
+
+
 class BECPlotBase(RPCBase):
     @property
     @rpc_call
@@ -1811,6 +2295,13 @@ class BECQueue(RPCBase):
         Get all registered RPC objects.
         """
 
+    @property
+    @rpc_call
+    def _rpc_id(self) -> "str":
+        """
+        Get the RPC ID of the widget.
+        """
+
 
 class BECStatusBox(RPCBase):
     @property
@@ -1829,6 +2320,13 @@ class BECStatusBox(RPCBase):
         Get all registered RPC objects.
         """
 
+    @property
+    @rpc_call
+    def _rpc_id(self) -> "str":
+        """
+        Get the RPC ID of the widget.
+        """
+
 
 class BECWaveform(RPCBase):
     @property
@@ -2551,6 +3049,13 @@ class DeviceBrowser(RPCBase):
         Get all registered RPC objects.
         """
 
+    @property
+    @rpc_call
+    def _rpc_id(self) -> "str":
+        """
+        Get the RPC ID of the widget.
+        """
+
 
 class DeviceComboBox(RPCBase):
     @property
@@ -2569,6 +3074,13 @@ class DeviceComboBox(RPCBase):
         Get all registered RPC objects.
         """
 
+    @property
+    @rpc_call
+    def _rpc_id(self) -> "str":
+        """
+        Get the RPC ID of the widget.
+        """
+
 
 class DeviceInputBase(RPCBase):
     @property
@@ -2587,6 +3099,13 @@ class DeviceInputBase(RPCBase):
         Get all registered RPC objects.
         """
 
+    @property
+    @rpc_call
+    def _rpc_id(self) -> "str":
+        """
+        Get the RPC ID of the widget.
+        """
+
 
 class DeviceLineEdit(RPCBase):
     @property
@@ -2605,6 +3124,13 @@ class DeviceLineEdit(RPCBase):
         Get all registered RPC objects.
         """
 
+    @property
+    @rpc_call
+    def _rpc_id(self) -> "str":
+        """
+        Get the RPC ID of the widget.
+        """
+
 
 class DeviceSignalInputBase(RPCBase):
     @property
@@ -2623,6 +3149,13 @@ class DeviceSignalInputBase(RPCBase):
         Get all registered RPC objects.
         """
 
+    @property
+    @rpc_call
+    def _rpc_id(self) -> "str":
+        """
+        Get the RPC ID of the widget.
+        """
+
 
 class LMFitDialog(RPCBase):
     @property
@@ -2641,6 +3174,16 @@ class LMFitDialog(RPCBase):
         Get all registered RPC objects.
         """
 
+    @property
+    @rpc_call
+    def _rpc_id(self) -> "str":
+        """
+        Get the RPC ID of the widget.
+        """
+
+
+class Minesweeper(RPCBase): ...
+
 
 class PositionIndicator(RPCBase):
     @rpc_call
@@ -2730,6 +3273,13 @@ class ResetButton(RPCBase):
         Get all registered RPC objects.
         """
 
+    @property
+    @rpc_call
+    def _rpc_id(self) -> "str":
+        """
+        Get the RPC ID of the widget.
+        """
+
 
 class ResumeButton(RPCBase):
     @property
@@ -2748,6 +3298,13 @@ class ResumeButton(RPCBase):
         Get all registered RPC objects.
         """
 
+    @property
+    @rpc_call
+    def _rpc_id(self) -> "str":
+        """
+        Get the RPC ID of the widget.
+        """
+
 
 class Ring(RPCBase):
     @rpc_call
@@ -3045,6 +3602,13 @@ class ScanControl(RPCBase):
         Get all registered RPC objects.
         """
 
+    @property
+    @rpc_call
+    def _rpc_id(self) -> "str":
+        """
+        Get the RPC ID of the widget.
+        """
+
 
 class SignalComboBox(RPCBase):
     @property
@@ -3063,6 +3627,13 @@ class SignalComboBox(RPCBase):
         Get all registered RPC objects.
         """
 
+    @property
+    @rpc_call
+    def _rpc_id(self) -> "str":
+        """
+        Get the RPC ID of the widget.
+        """
+
 
 class SignalLineEdit(RPCBase):
     @property
@@ -3081,6 +3652,13 @@ class SignalLineEdit(RPCBase):
         Get all registered RPC objects.
         """
 
+    @property
+    @rpc_call
+    def _rpc_id(self) -> "str":
+        """
+        Get the RPC ID of the widget.
+        """
+
 
 class StopButton(RPCBase):
     @property
@@ -3099,6 +3677,13 @@ class StopButton(RPCBase):
         Get all registered RPC objects.
         """
 
+    @property
+    @rpc_call
+    def _rpc_id(self) -> "str":
+        """
+        Get the RPC ID of the widget.
+        """
+
 
 class TextBox(RPCBase):
     @rpc_call

bec_widgets/cli/client_utils.py

@@ -7,61 +7,33 @@ import os
 import select
 import subprocess
 import threading
-import time
-import uuid
-from functools import wraps
+from contextlib import contextmanager
+from dataclasses import dataclass
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
-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
 
 import bec_widgets.cli.client as client
 from bec_widgets.cli.auto_updates import AutoUpdates
+from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_base import RPCBase
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from bec_lib import messages
+    from bec_lib.connector import MessageObject
     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",))
+    from bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher import BECDispatcher
+else:
+    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",))
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
 
-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...
-        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
-
-
 def _get_output(process, logger) -> None:
     log_func = {process.stdout: logger.debug, process.stderr: logger.error}
     stream_buffer = {process.stdout: [], process.stderr: []}
@@ -92,11 +64,11 @@ 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.__name__, "--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"
@@ -126,14 +98,85 @@ 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):
+    def run(self):
+        while not self.finished.wait(self.interval):
+            self.function(*self.args, **self.kwargs)
+
+
+@contextmanager
+def wait_for_server(client):
+    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
+
+
+### ----------------------------
+### NOTE
+### it is far easier to extend the 'delete' method on the client side,
+### to know when the client is deleted, rather than listening to server
+### to get notified. However, 'generate_cli.py' cannot add extra stuff
+### in the generated client module. So, here a class with the same name
+### is created, and client module is patched.
+class BECDockArea(client.BECDockArea):
+    def delete(self):
+        if self is BECGuiClient._top_level["main"].widget:
+            raise RuntimeError("Cannot delete main window")
+        super().delete()
+        try:
+            del BECGuiClient._top_level[self._gui_id]
+        except KeyError:
+            # if a dock area is not at top level
+            pass
+
+
+client.BECDockArea = BECDockArea
+### ----------------------------
+
+
+@dataclass
+class WidgetDesc:
+    title: str
+    widget: BECDockArea
+
+
+class BECGuiClient(RPCBase):
+    _top_level = {}
+
     def __init__(self, **kwargs) -> None:
         super().__init__(**kwargs)
+        self._auto_updates_enabled = True
+        self._auto_updates = None
+        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
+
+    @property
+    def windows(self):
+        return self._top_level
+
+    @property
+    def auto_updates(self):
+        if self._auto_updates_enabled:
+            with wait_for_server(self):
+                return self._auto_updates
 
     def _get_update_script(self) -> AutoUpdates | None:
         eps = imd.entry_points(group="bec.widgets.auto_updates")
@@ -154,187 +197,151 @@ class BECGuiClientMixin:
         """
         Selected device for the plot.
         """
-        return self._selected_device
+        auto_update_config_ep = MessageEndpoints.gui_auto_update_config(self._gui_id)
+        auto_update_config = self._client.connector.get(auto_update_config_ep)
+        if auto_update_config:
+            return auto_update_config.selected_device
+        return None
 
     @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
+            self._client.connector.set_and_publish(
+                MessageEndpoints.gui_auto_update_config(self._gui_id),
+                messages.GUIAutoUpdateConfigMessage(selected_device=device.name),
+            )
         elif isinstance(device, str):
-            self._selected_device = device
+            self._client.connector.set_and_publish(
+                MessageEndpoints.gui_auto_update_config(self._gui_id),
+                messages.GUIAutoUpdateConfigMessage(selected_device=device),
+            )
         else:
             raise ValueError("Device must be a string or a device object")
 
     def _start_update_script(self) -> None:
-        self._client.connector.register(
-            self._target_endpoint, cb=self._handle_msg_update, parent=self
-        )
+        self._client.connector.register(MessageEndpoints.scan_status(), cb=self._handle_msg_update)
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def _handle_msg_update(msg: MessageObject, parent: BECGuiClientMixin) -> None:
-        if parent.auto_updates is not None:
+    def _handle_msg_update(self, msg: MessageObject) -> None:
+        if self.auto_updates is not None:
             # pylint: disable=protected-access
-            parent._update_script_msg_parser(msg.value)
+            return self._update_script_msg_parser(msg.value)
 
     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)
+            if self._auto_updates_enabled:
+                return self.auto_updates.do_update(msg)
 
-    def show(self) -> None:
+    def _gui_post_startup(self):
+        self._top_level["main"] = WidgetDesc(
+            title="BEC Widgets", widget=BECDockArea(gui_id=self._gui_id)
+        )
+        if self._auto_updates_enabled:
+            if self._auto_updates is None:
+                auto_updates = self._get_update_script()
+                if auto_updates is None:
+                    AutoUpdates.create_default_dock = True
+                    AutoUpdates.enabled = True
+                    auto_updates = AutoUpdates(self._top_level["main"].widget)
+                if auto_updates.create_default_dock:
+                    auto_updates.start_default_dock()
+                self._start_update_script()
+                self._auto_updates = auto_updates
+        self._do_show_all()
+        self._gui_started_event.set()
+
+    def start_server(self, wait=False) -> None:
         """
-        Show the figure.
+        Start the GUI server, and execute callback when it is launched
         """
         if self._process is None or self._process.poll() is not None:
-            self._start_update_script()
+            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, 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 gui_started_callback(callback):
+                try:
+                    if callable(callback):
+                        callback()
+                finally:
+                    threading.current_thread().cancel()
+
+            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 _dump(self):
+        rpc_client = RPCBase(gui_id=f"{self._gui_id}:window", parent=self)
+        return rpc_client._run_rpc("_dump")
+
+    def start(self):
+        return self.start_server()
+
+    def _do_show_all(self):
+        rpc_client = RPCBase(gui_id=f"{self._gui_id}:window", parent=self)
+        rpc_client._run_rpc("show")
+        for window in self._top_level.values():
+            window.widget.show()
+
+    def show_all(self):
+        with wait_for_server(self):
+            return self._do_show_all()
+
+    def hide_all(self):
+        with wait_for_server(self):
+            rpc_client = RPCBase(gui_id=f"{self._gui_id}:window", parent=self)
+            rpc_client._run_rpc("hide")
+            for window in self._top_level.values():
+                window.widget.hide()
+
+    def show(self):
+        if self._process is not None:
+            return self.show_all()
+        # backward compatibility: show() was also starting server
+        return self.start_server(wait=True)
+
+    def hide(self):
+        return self.hide_all()
+
+    @property
+    def main(self):
+        """Return client to main dock area (in main window)"""
+        with wait_for_server(self):
+            return self._top_level["main"].widget
+
+    def new(self, title):
+        """Ask main window to create a new top-level dock area"""
+        with wait_for_server(self):
+            rpc_client = RPCBase(gui_id=f"{self._gui_id}:window", parent=self)
+            widget = rpc_client._run_rpc("new_dock_area", title)
+            self._top_level[widget._gui_id] = WidgetDesc(title=title, widget=widget)
+            return widget
 
     def close(self) -> None:
         """
         Close the gui window.
         """
+        self._top_level.clear()
+
+        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}"
-        )
-
-
-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}")
-
-    def __repr__(self):
-        type_ = type(self)
-        qualname = type_.__qualname__
-        return f"<{qualname} object at {hex(id(self))}>"
-
-    @property
-    def _root(self):
-        """
-        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
-
-    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,
-            )
-
-        self._client.connector.set_and_publish(MessageEndpoints.gui_instructions(receiver), rpc_msg)
-
-        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)
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def _on_rpc_response(msg: MessageObject, parent: RPCBase) -> None:
-        msg = msg.value
-        parent._msg_wait_event.set()
-        parent._rpc_response = msg
-
-    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)
-            # print(msg_result)
-            return cls(parent=self, **msg_result)
-        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

bec_widgets/cli/generate_cli.py

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ import isort
 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.plugin_utils import BECClassContainer, get_custom_classes
 
 if sys.version_info >= (3, 11):
     from typing import get_overloads
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 import enum
 from typing import Literal, Optional, overload
 
-from bec_widgets.cli.client_utils import RPCBase, rpc_call, BECGuiClientMixin
+from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_base import RPCBase, rpc_call
 
 # pylint: skip-file"""
 
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ class Widgets(str, enum.Enum):
         # Generate the content
         if cls.__name__ == "BECDockArea":
             self.content += f"""
-class {class_name}(RPCBase, BECGuiClientMixin):"""
+class {class_name}(RPCBase):"""
         else:
             self.content += f"""
 class {class_name}(RPCBase):"""
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ def main():
         current_path = os.path.dirname(__file__)
         client_path = os.path.join(current_path, "client.py")
 
-        rpc_classes = get_rpc_classes("bec_widgets")
+        rpc_classes = get_custom_classes("bec_widgets")
 
         generator = ClientGenerator()
         generator.generate_client(rpc_classes)

bec_widgets/cli/rpc/rpc_base.py

@@ -0,0 +1,177 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import threading
+import uuid
+from functools import wraps
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
+
+from bec_lib.client import BECClient
+from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
+from bec_lib.utils.import_utils import lazy_import, lazy_import_from
+
+import bec_widgets.cli.client as client
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from bec_lib import messages
+    from bec_lib.connector import MessageObject
+else:
+    messages = lazy_import("bec_lib.messages")
+    # from bec_lib.connector import MessageObject
+    MessageObject = lazy_import_from("bec_lib.connector", ("MessageObject",))
+
+
+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...
+        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
+
+
+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 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}")
+
+    def __repr__(self):
+        type_ = type(self)
+        qualname = type_.__qualname__
+        return f"<{qualname} object at {hex(id(self))}>"
+
+    @property
+    def _root(self):
+        """
+        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
+
+    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,
+            )
+
+        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
+                )
+            # 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)
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _on_rpc_response(msg: MessageObject, parent: RPCBase) -> None:
+        msg = msg.value
+        parent._msg_wait_event.set()
+        parent._rpc_response = msg
+
+    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)
+            # print(msg_result)
+            return cls(parent=self, **msg_result)
+        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

bec_widgets/cli/rpc/rpc_register.py

@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
 from threading import Lock
 from weakref import WeakValueDictionary
 

bec_widgets/cli/rpc/rpc_widget_handler.py

@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
 from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector
 
 
@@ -26,10 +28,10 @@ class RPCWidgetHandler:
         Returns:
             None
         """
-        from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import get_rpc_classes
+        from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import get_custom_classes
 
-        clss = get_rpc_classes("bec_widgets")
-        self._widget_classes = {cls.__name__: cls for cls in clss.top_level_classes}
+        clss = get_custom_classes("bec_widgets")
+        self._widget_classes = {cls.__name__: cls for cls in clss.widgets}
 
     def create_widget(self, widget_type, **kwargs) -> BECConnector:
         """

bec_widgets/cli/server.py

@@ -1,29 +1,52 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-import inspect
+import functools
 import json
 import signal
 import sys
-from contextlib import redirect_stderr, redirect_stdout
+import types
+from contextlib import contextmanager, redirect_stderr, redirect_stdout
 from typing import Union
 
 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 Qt, QTimer
 
-from bec_widgets.cli.rpc_register import RPCRegister
+from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_register import RPCRegister
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import ErrorPopupUtility
 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
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock import BECDockArea
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure import BECFigure
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.main_window import BECMainWindow
 
 messages = lazy_import("bec_lib.messages")
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
 
+@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
+    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 BECWidgetsCLIServer:
 
     def __init__(
@@ -58,18 +81,19 @@ class BECWidgetsCLIServer:
     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})
+        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 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(
@@ -96,11 +120,7 @@ class BECWidgetsCLIServer:
                 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()
+            res = method_obj(*args, **kwargs)
 
         if isinstance(res, list):
             res = [self.serialize_object(obj) for obj in res]
@@ -182,42 +202,50 @@ def main():
 
     from qtpy.QtCore import QSize
     from qtpy.QtGui import QIcon
-    from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QMainWindow
+    from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
     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
-
     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("--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":
+    if args.hide:
+        # if we start hidden, it means we are under control of the client
+        # -> set the log level to critical to not see all the messages
+        # pylint: disable=protected-access
+        # bec_logger._stderr_log_level = bec_logger.LOGLEVEL.CRITICAL
+        bec_logger.level = bec_logger.LOGLEVEL.CRITICAL
+    else:
+        # verbose log
+        bec_logger.level = bec_logger.LOGLEVEL.DEBUG
+
+    if args.gui_class == "BECDockArea":
         gui_class = BECDockArea
+    elif args.gui_class == "BECFigure":
+        gui_class = BECFigure
     else:
         print(
             "Please specify a valid gui_class to run. Use -h for help."
             "\n Starting with default gui_class BECFigure."
         )
-        gui_class = BECFigure
+        gui_class = BECDockArea
 
     with redirect_stdout(SimpleFileLikeFromLogOutputFunc(logger.info)):
         with redirect_stderr(SimpleFileLikeFromLogOutputFunc(logger.error)):
             app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-            app.setApplicationName("BEC Figure")
+            # set close on last window, only if not under control of client ;
+            # indeed, Qt considers a hidden window a closed window, so if all windows
+            # are hidden by default it exits
+            app.setQuitOnLastWindowClosed(not args.hide)
             module_path = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
             icon = QIcon()
             icon.addFile(
@@ -225,22 +253,33 @@ def main():
                 size=QSize(48, 48),
             )
             app.setWindowIcon(icon)
-
-            win = QMainWindow()
-            win.setWindowTitle("BEC Widgets")
+            # store gui id within QApplication object, to make it available to all widgets
+            app.gui_id = args.id
 
             server = _start_server(args.id, gui_class, args.config)
 
+            win = BECMainWindow(gui_id=f"{server.gui_id}:window")
+            win.setAttribute(Qt.WA_ShowWithoutActivating)
+            win.setWindowTitle("BEC Widgets")
+
+            RPCRegister().add_rpc(win)
+
             gui = server.gui
             win.setCentralWidget(gui)
-            win.resize(800, 600)
-            win.show()
+            if not args.hide:
+                win.show()
 
             app.aboutToQuit.connect(server.shutdown)
 
             def sigint_handler(*args):
                 # display message, for people to let it terminate gracefully
                 print("Caught SIGINT, exiting")
+                # first hide all top level windows
+                # this is to discriminate the cases between "user clicks on [X]"
+                # (which should be filtered, to not close -see BECDockArea-)
+                # or "app is asked to close"
+                for window in app.topLevelWidgets():
+                    window.hide()  # so, we know we can exit because it is hidden
                 app.quit()
 
             signal.signal(signal.SIGINT, sigint_handler)
@@ -249,6 +288,5 @@ def main():
             sys.exit(app.exec())
 
 
-if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
-    sys.argv = ["bec_widgets.cli.server", "--id", "e2860", "--gui_class", "BECDockArea"]
+if __name__ == "__main__":
     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,
@@ -17,9 +16,10 @@ 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.widgets.containers.dock import BECDockArea
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure import BECFigure
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.layout_manager.layout_manager import LayoutManagerWidget
+from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.jupyter_console.jupyter_console import BECJupyterConsole
 
 
 class JupyterConsoleWindow(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover:
@@ -52,10 +52,16 @@ class JupyterConsoleWindow(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover:
                     "d1": self.d1,
                     "d2": self.d2,
                     "wave": self.wf,
-                    # "bar": self.bar,
-                    # "cm": self.colormap,
                     "im": self.im,
                     "mm": self.mm,
+                    "mw": self.mw,
+                    "lm": self.lm,
+                    "btn1": self.btn1,
+                    "btn2": self.btn2,
+                    "btn3": self.btn3,
+                    "btn4": self.btn4,
+                    "btn5": self.btn5,
+                    "btn6": self.btn6,
                 }
             )
 
@@ -80,11 +86,25 @@ class JupyterConsoleWindow(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover:
         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")
+
         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")
+
         # add stuff to figure
         self._init_figure()
 
@@ -94,15 +114,7 @@ class JupyterConsoleWindow(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover:
         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 = self.figure.plot(x_name="samx", y_name="bpm4i", row=0, col=0)
         self.w1.set(
             title="Standard Plot with sync device, custom labels - w1",
             x_label="Motor Position",
@@ -167,15 +179,9 @@ class JupyterConsoleWindow(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover:
         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.wf = self.d2.add_widget("BECFigure", row=0, col=0)
 
-        # 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.mw = self.wf.multi_waveform(monitor="waveform")  # , config=config)
 
         self.dock.save_state()
 
@@ -210,6 +216,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
 
     win = JupyterConsoleWindow()
     win.show()
+    win.resize(1200, 800)
 
     app.aboutToQuit.connect(win.close)
     sys.exit(app.exec_())

bec_widgets/qt_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/qt_utils/error_popups.py

@@ -2,10 +2,46 @@ import functools
 import sys
 import traceback
 
-from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, Qt, Signal, Slot
+from qtpy.QtCore import Property, QObject, Qt, Signal, Slot
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QMessageBox, QPushButton, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
 
+def SafeProperty(prop_type, *prop_args, popup_error: bool = False, **prop_kwargs):
+    """
+    Decorator to create a Qt Property with a safe setter that won't crash Designer on errors.
+    Behaves similarly to SafeSlot, but for properties.
+
+    Args:
+        prop_type: The property type (e.g., str, bool, "QStringList", etc.)
+        popup_error (bool): If True, show popup on error, otherwise just handle it silently.
+        *prop_args, **prop_kwargs: Additional arguments and keyword arguments accepted by Property.
+    """
+
+    def decorator(getter):
+        class PropertyWrapper:
+            def __init__(self, getter_func):
+                self.getter_func = getter_func
+
+            def setter(self, setter_func):
+                @functools.wraps(setter_func)
+                def safe_setter(self_, value):
+                    try:
+                        return setter_func(self_, value)
+                    except Exception:
+                        if popup_error:
+                            ErrorPopupUtility().custom_exception_hook(
+                                *sys.exc_info(), popup_error=True
+                            )
+                        else:
+                            return
+
+                return Property(prop_type, self.getter_func, safe_setter, *prop_args, **prop_kwargs)
+
+        return PropertyWrapper(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
     to the passed function, to display errors instead of potentially raising an exception
@@ -91,6 +127,12 @@ 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 +169,14 @@ 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/qt_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):

bec_widgets/qt_utils/round_frame.py

@@ -0,0 +1,177 @@
+import pyqtgraph as pg
+from qtpy.QtCore import Property
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QFrame, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.visual.dark_mode_button.dark_mode_button import DarkModeButton
+
+
+class RoundedFrame(BECWidget, 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,
+        theme_update: bool = True,
+        radius: int = 10,
+        **kwargs,
+    ):
+        super().__init__(**kwargs)
+        QFrame.__init__(self, parent)
+
+        self.background_color = background_color
+        self.theme_update = theme_update if background_color is None else False
+        self._radius = radius
+
+        # Apply rounded frame styling
+        self.setObjectName("roundedFrame")
+        self.update_style()
+
+        # Create a layout for the frame
+        layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
+        layout.setContentsMargins(5, 5, 5, 5)  # Set 5px margin
+
+        # Add the content widget to the layout
+        if content_widget:
+            layout.addWidget(content_widget)
+
+        # Store reference to the content widget
+        self.content_widget = content_widget
+
+        # Automatically apply initial styles to the PlotWidget if applicable
+        if isinstance(content_widget, pg.PlotWidget):
+            self.apply_plot_widget_style()
+
+        self._connect_to_theme_change()
+
+    def apply_theme(self, theme: str):
+        """
+        Apply the theme to the frame and its content if theme updates are enabled.
+        """
+        if not self.theme_update:
+            return
+
+        # 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()
+
+        # Update PlotWidget's background color and axis styles if applicable
+        if isinstance(self.content_widget, pg.PlotWidget):
+            self.apply_plot_widget_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 */
+                }}
+            """
+            )
+
+    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.PlotWidget):
+            # Sync PlotWidget's background color with the RoundedFrame's background color
+            self.content_widget.setBackground(self.background_color)
+
+            # Calculate contrast-optimized axis and label colors
+            if self.background_color == "#e9ecef":  # Light mode
+                label_color = "#000000"
+                axis_color = "#666666"
+            else:  # Dark mode
+                label_color = "#FFFFFF"
+                axis_color = "#CCCCCC"
+
+            # Apply axis label and tick colors
+            plot_item = self.content_widget.getPlotItem()
+            plot_item.getAxis("left").setPen(pg.mkPen(color=axis_color))
+            plot_item.getAxis("bottom").setPen(pg.mkPen(color=axis_color))
+            plot_item.getAxis("left").setTextPen(pg.mkPen(color=label_color))
+            plot_item.getAxis("bottom").setTextPen(pg.mkPen(color=label_color))
+
+            # Apply border style via stylesheet
+            self.content_widget.setStyleSheet(
+                f"""
+                PlotWidget {{
+                    border: {border}; /* Explicitly set the border */
+                }}
+            """
+            )
+
+
+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.PlotWidget()
+        plot1.plot([1, 3, 2, 4, 6, 5], pen="r")
+
+        plot2 = pg.PlotWidget()
+        plot2.plot([1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32], pen="r")
+
+        # Wrap PlotWidgets in RoundedFrame
+        rounded_plot1 = RoundedFrame(content_widget=plot1, theme_update=True)
+        rounded_plot2 = RoundedFrame(content_widget=plot2, theme_update=True)
+        round = RoundedFrame()
+
+        # Add to layout
+        layout.addWidget(dark_button)
+        layout.addWidget(rounded_plot1)
+        layout.addWidget(rounded_plot2)
+        layout.addWidget(round)
+
+        self.setLayout(layout)
+
+        # Simulate theme change after 2 seconds
+        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/qt_utils/side_panel.py

@@ -0,0 +1,386 @@
+import sys
+from typing import Literal, Optional
+
+from qtpy.QtCore import Property, QEasingCurve, QPropertyAnimation
+from qtpy.QtGui import QAction
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
+    QApplication,
+    QHBoxLayout,
+    QLabel,
+    QMainWindow,
+    QSizePolicy,
+    QSpacerItem,
+    QStackedWidget,
+    QVBoxLayout,
+    QWidget,
+)
+
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.toolbar import MaterialIconAction, ModularToolBar
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.waveform_widget import BECWaveformWidget
+
+
+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,
+    ):
+        super().__init__(parent=parent)
+
+        self._orientation = orientation
+        self._panel_max_width = panel_max_width
+        self._animation_duration = animation_duration
+        self._animations_enabled = animations_enabled
+        self._orientation = orientation
+
+        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(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)
+
+            if self._orientation == "left":
+                self.main_layout.addWidget(self.toolbar)
+                self.main_layout.addWidget(self.container)
+            else:
+                self.main_layout.addWidget(self.container)
+                self.main_layout.addWidget(self.toolbar)
+
+            self.container.layout.addWidget(self.stack_widget)
+            self.stack_widget.setMaximumWidth(self._panel_max_width)
+
+        else:
+            self.main_layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
+            self.main_layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+            self.main_layout.setSpacing(0)
+
+            self.toolbar = ModularToolBar(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)
+
+            if self._orientation == "top":
+                self.main_layout.addWidget(self.toolbar)
+                self.main_layout.addWidget(self.container)
+            else:
+                self.main_layout.addWidget(self.container)
+                self.main_layout.addWidget(self.toolbar)
+
+            self.container.layout.addWidget(self.stack_widget)
+            self.stack_widget.setMaximumHeight(self._panel_max_width)
+
+        if self._orientation in ("left", "right"):
+            self.menu_anim = QPropertyAnimation(self, b"panel_width")
+        else:
+            self.menu_anim = QPropertyAnimation(self, b"panel_height")
+
+        self.menu_anim.setDuration(self._animation_duration)
+        self.menu_anim.setEasingCurve(QEasingCurve.InOutQuad)
+
+        if self._orientation in ("left", "right"):
+            self.panel_width = 0
+        else:
+            self.panel_height = 0
+
+    @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.
+
+        Args:
+            width(int): The width of the panel.
+        """
+        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.
+
+        Args:
+            height(int): The height of the panel.
+        """
+        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.
+
+        Args:
+            size(int): 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.
+
+        Args:
+            duration(int): 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.
+
+        Args:
+            enabled(bool): 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.
+
+        Args:
+            idx(int): The index of the panel to show.
+        """
+        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.
+
+        Args:
+            idx(int): The index of the panel to switch to.
+        """
+        if self.current_index != idx:
+            self.stack_widget.setCurrentIndex(idx)
+            self.current_index = idx
+
+    def add_menu(self, action_id: str, icon_name: str, tooltip: str, widget: QWidget, title: str):
+        """
+        Add a menu to the side panel.
+
+        Args:
+            action_id(str): The ID of the action.
+            icon_name(str): The name of the icon.
+            tooltip(str): The tooltip for the action.
+            widget(QWidget): The widget to add to the panel.
+            title(str): The title of the panel.
+        """
+        container_widget = QWidget()
+        container_layout = QVBoxLayout(container_widget)
+        container_widget.setStyleSheet("background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0);")
+        title_label = QLabel(f"<b>{title}</b>")
+        title_label.setStyleSheet("font-size: 16px;")
+        spacer = QSpacerItem(0, 0, QSizePolicy.Minimum, QSizePolicy.Expanding)
+        container_layout.addWidget(title_label)
+        container_layout.addWidget(widget)
+        container_layout.addItem(spacer)
+        container_layout.setContentsMargins(5, 5, 5, 5)
+        container_layout.setSpacing(5)
+
+        index = self.stack_widget.count()
+        self.stack_widget.addWidget(container_widget)
+
+        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)
+
+
+class ExampleApp(QMainWindow):  # pragma: no cover
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__()
+        self.setWindowTitle("Side Panel Example")
+
+        central_widget = QWidget()
+        self.setCentralWidget(central_widget)
+
+        self.side_panel = SidePanel(self, orientation="left")
+
+        self.layout = QHBoxLayout(central_widget)
+
+        self.layout.addWidget(self.side_panel)
+        self.plot = BECWaveformWidget()
+        self.layout.addWidget(self.plot)
+        self.add_side_menus()
+
+    def add_side_menus(self):
+        widget1 = QWidget()
+        widget1_layout = QVBoxLayout(widget1)
+        widget1_layout.addWidget(QLabel("This is Widget 1"))
+        self.side_panel.add_menu(
+            action_id="widget1",
+            icon_name="counter_1",
+            tooltip="Show Widget 1",
+            widget=widget1,
+            title="Widget 1 Panel",
+        )
+
+        widget2 = QWidget()
+        widget2_layout = QVBoxLayout(widget2)
+        widget2_layout.addWidget(QLabel("This is Widget 2"))
+        self.side_panel.add_menu(
+            action_id="widget2",
+            icon_name="counter_2",
+            tooltip="Show Widget 2",
+            widget=widget2,
+            title="Widget 2 Panel",
+        )
+
+        widget3 = QWidget()
+        widget3_layout = QVBoxLayout(widget3)
+        widget3_layout.addWidget(QLabel("This is Widget 3"))
+        self.side_panel.add_menu(
+            action_id="widget3",
+            icon_name="counter_3",
+            tooltip="Show Widget 3",
+            widget=widget3,
+            title="Widget 3 Panel",
+        )
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    window = ExampleApp()
+    window.resize(800, 600)
+    window.show()
+    sys.exit(app.exec())

bec_widgets/qt_utils/toolbar.py

@@ -261,17 +261,31 @@ class ExpandableMenuAction(ToolBarAction):
 
 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.
+        actions (dict, optional): A dictionary of action creators to populate the toolbar. Defaults to None.
         target_widget (QWidget, optional): The widget that the actions will target. Defaults to None.
+        orientation (Literal["horizontal", "vertical"], optional): The initial orientation of the toolbar. Defaults to "horizontal".
+        background_color (str, optional): The background color of the toolbar. Defaults to "rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" - transparent background.
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, parent=None, actions: dict | None = None, target_widget=None):
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        parent=None,
+        actions: dict | None = None,
+        target_widget=None,
+        orientation: Literal["horizontal", "vertical"] = "horizontal",
+        background_color: str = "rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)",
+    ):
         super().__init__(parent)
 
         self.widgets = defaultdict(dict)
-        self.set_background_color()
+        self.background_color = background_color
+        self.set_background_color(self.background_color)
+
+        # Set the initial orientation
+        self.set_orientation(orientation)
 
         if actions is not None and target_widget is not None:
             self.populate_toolbar(actions, target_widget)
@@ -280,7 +294,7 @@ class ModularToolBar(QToolBar):
         """Populates the toolbar with a set of actions.
 
         Args:
-            actions (list[ToolBarAction]): A list of action creators to populate the toolbar.
+            actions (dict): A dictionary of action creators to populate the toolbar.
             target_widget (QWidget): The widget that the actions will target.
         """
         self.clear()
@@ -288,9 +302,83 @@ class ModularToolBar(QToolBar):
             action.add_to_toolbar(self, target_widget)
             self.widgets[action_id] = action
 
-    def set_background_color(self):
+    def set_background_color(self, color: str = "rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)"):
+        """
+        Sets the background color and other appearance settings.
+
+        Args:
+            color(str): The background color of the toolbar.
+        """
         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; }")
+        self.background_color = color
+        self.setStyleSheet(f"QToolBar {{ background-color: {color}; border: none; }}")
+
+    def set_orientation(self, orientation: Literal["horizontal", "vertical"]):
+        """Sets the orientation of the toolbar.
+
+        Args:
+            orientation (Literal["horizontal", "vertical"]): The desired orientation of the toolbar.
+        """
+        if orientation == "horizontal":
+            self.setOrientation(Qt.Horizontal)
+        elif orientation == "vertical":
+            self.setOrientation(Qt.Vertical)
+        else:
+            raise ValueError("Orientation must be 'horizontal' or 'vertical'.")
+
+    def update_material_icon_colors(self, new_color: str | tuple | QColor):
+        """
+        Updates the color of all MaterialIconAction icons in the toolbar.
+
+        Args:
+            new_color (str | tuple | QColor): The new color for the icons.
+        """
+        for action in self.widgets.values():
+            if isinstance(action, MaterialIconAction):
+                action.color = new_color
+                # Refresh the icon
+                updated_icon = action.get_icon()
+                action.action.setIcon(updated_icon)
+
+    def add_action(self, action_id: str, action: ToolBarAction, target_widget: QWidget):
+        """
+        Adds a new action to the toolbar dynamically.
+
+        Args:
+            action_id (str): Unique identifier for the action.
+            action (ToolBarAction): The action to add to the toolbar.
+            target_widget (QWidget): The target widget for the action.
+        """
+        if action_id in self.widgets:
+            raise ValueError(f"Action with ID '{action_id}' already exists.")
+        action.add_to_toolbar(self, target_widget)
+        self.widgets[action_id] = action
+
+    def hide_action(self, action_id: str):
+        """
+        Hides a specific action on the toolbar.
+
+        Args:
+            action_id (str): Unique identifier for the action to hide.
+        """
+        if action_id not in self.widgets:
+            raise ValueError(f"Action with ID '{action_id}' does not exist.")
+        action = self.widgets[action_id]
+        if hasattr(action, "action") and isinstance(action.action, QAction):
+            action.action.setVisible(False)
+
+    def show_action(self, action_id: str):
+        """
+        Shows a specific action on the toolbar.
+
+        Args:
+            action_id (str): Unique identifier for the action to show.
+        """
+        if action_id not in self.widgets:
+            raise ValueError(f"Action with ID '{action_id}' does not exist.")
+        action = self.widgets[action_id]
+        if hasattr(action, "action") and isinstance(action.action, QAction):
+            action.action.setVisible(True)

bec_widgets/tests/utils.py

@@ -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

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ from pydantic import BaseModel, Field, field_validator
 from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, QRunnable, QThreadPool, Signal
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
-from bec_widgets.cli.rpc_register import RPCRegister
+from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.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.utils.yaml_dialog import load_yaml, load_yaml_gui, save_yaml, save_yaml_gui
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ 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):

bec_widgets/utils/bec_designer.py

@@ -93,17 +93,24 @@ 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

bec_widgets/utils/crosshair.py

@@ -6,13 +6,16 @@ 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 +50,15 @@ 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 +79,7 @@ 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
@@ -113,34 +123,74 @@ 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
@@ -162,12 +212,11 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
         """
         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
@@ -188,7 +237,7 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
             elif isinstance(item, pg.ImageItem):  # 2D plot
                 name = item.config.monitor
                 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 +305,9 @@ 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
@@ -309,13 +358,14 @@ 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,
@@ -337,9 +387,12 @@ 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.
@@ -366,7 +419,7 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
         x, y = pos
         x_scaled, y_scaled = self.scale_emitted_coordinates(x, y)
 
-        # # Update coordinate label
+        # Update coordinate label
         self.coord_label.setText(f"({x_scaled:.{self.precision}g}, {y_scaled:.{self.precision}g})")
         self.coord_label.setPos(x, y)
         self.coord_label.setVisible(True)

bec_widgets/utils/generate_designer_plugin.py

@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ 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/plugin_utils.py

@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ class BECClassInfo:
     obj: type
     is_connector: bool = False
     is_widget: bool = False
-    is_top_level: bool = False
+    is_plugin: bool = False
 
 
 class BECClassContainer:
@@ -88,14 +88,14 @@ 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 +109,17 @@ 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 +160,8 @@ 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/ui_loader.py

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ from qtpy import PYQT6, PYSIDE6, QT_VERSION
 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
 
 if PYSIDE6:
     from PySide6.QtUiTools import QUiLoader
@@ -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}
 

bec_widgets/utils/widget_io.py

@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 # pylint: disable=no-name-in-module
 from abc import ABC, abstractmethod
-from typing import Literal
 
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
     QApplication,
@@ -28,6 +27,15 @@ 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 +46,9 @@ 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 +64,11 @@ 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."""
@@ -72,6 +88,16 @@ 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."""
@@ -82,6 +108,9 @@ class SpinBoxHandler(WidgetHandler):
     def set_value(self, widget, 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."""
@@ -92,6 +121,9 @@ class CheckBoxHandler(WidgetHandler):
     def set_value(self, widget, value):
         widget.setChecked(value)
 
+    def connect_change_signal(self, widget: QCheckBox, slot):
+        widget.toggled.connect(lambda val, w=widget: slot(w, val))
+
 
 class LabelHandler(WidgetHandler):
     """Handler for QLabel widgets."""
@@ -99,12 +131,15 @@ class LabelHandler(WidgetHandler):
     def get_value(self, widget, **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,
@@ -148,6 +183,17 @@ 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):
         """
@@ -309,8 +355,8 @@ 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 +411,37 @@ 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/widgets/containers/dock/dock.py

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ 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.rpc.rpc_widget_handler import widget_handler
 from bec_widgets.utils import ConnectionConfig, GridLayoutManager
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
 

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/dock/dock_area.py

@@ -3,11 +3,12 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 from typing import Literal, Optional
 from weakref import WeakValueDictionary
 
+from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
 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 (
@@ -18,17 +19,18 @@ from bec_widgets.qt_utils.toolbar import (
 )
 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.widgets.containers.dock.dock import BECDock, DockConfig
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box.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_widget import BECImageWidget
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.motor_map.motor_map_widget import BECMotorMapWidget
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.multi_waveform.multi_waveform_widget import BECMultiWaveformWidget
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.waveform_widget import BECWaveformWidget
+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.visual.dark_mode_button.dark_mode_button import DarkModeButton
 
 
 class DockAreaConfig(ConnectionConfig):
@@ -39,8 +41,10 @@ class DockAreaConfig(ConnectionConfig):
 
 
 class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
+    PLUGIN = True
     USER_ACCESS = [
         "_config_dict",
+        "selected_device",
         "panels",
         "save_state",
         "remove_dock",
@@ -51,6 +55,9 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
         "attach_all",
         "_get_all_rpc",
         "temp_areas",
+        "show",
+        "hide",
+        "delete",
     ]
 
     def __init__(
@@ -85,6 +92,11 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
                             tooltip="Add Waveform",
                             filled=True,
                         ),
+                        "multi_waveform": MaterialIconAction(
+                            icon_name=BECMultiWaveformWidget.ICON_NAME,
+                            tooltip="Add Multi Waveform",
+                            filled=True,
+                        ),
                         "image": MaterialIconAction(
                             icon_name=BECImageWidget.ICON_NAME, tooltip="Add Image", filled=True
                         ),
@@ -149,11 +161,17 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
         self.toolbar.addWidget(DarkModeButton(toolbar=True))
         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")
         )
+        self.toolbar.widgets["menu_plots"].widgets["multi_waveform"].triggered.connect(
+            lambda: self.add_dock(widget="BECMultiWaveformWidget", prefix="multi_waveform")
+        )
         self.toolbar.widgets["menu_plots"].widgets["image"].triggered.connect(
             lambda: self.add_dock(widget="BECImageWidget", prefix="image")
         )
@@ -198,6 +216,17 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
                 "Add docks using 'add_dock' method from CLI\n or \n Add widget docks using the toolbar",
             )
 
+    @property
+    def selected_device(self) -> str:
+        gui_id = QApplication.instance().gui_id
+        auto_update_config = self.client.connector.get(
+            MessageEndpoints.gui_auto_update_config(gui_id)
+        )
+        try:
+            return auto_update_config.selected_device
+        except AttributeError:
+            return None
+
     @property
     def panels(self) -> dict[str, BECDock]:
         """
@@ -280,7 +309,6 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
         relative_to: BECDock | None = None,
         closable: bool = True,
         floating: bool = False,
-        temporary: bool = False,
         prefix: str = "dock",
         widget: str | QWidget | None = None,
         row: int = None,
@@ -297,7 +325,6 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
             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.
-            temporary(bool): Whether the dock is temporary. After closing the dock do not return to the parent DockArea.
             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.
@@ -319,21 +346,16 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
         if position is None:
             position = "bottom"
 
-        if temporary:
-            target_area = self.dock_area.addTempArea()
-        else:
-            target_area = self.dock_area
-
         dock = BECDock(name=name, parent_dock_area=self, closable=closable)
         dock.config.position = position
         self.config.docks[name] = dock.config
 
-        target_area.addDock(dock=dock, position=position, relativeTo=relative_to)
+        self.dock_area.addDock(dock=dock, position=position, relativeTo=relative_to)
 
-        if len(target_area.docks) <= 1:
+        if len(self.dock_area.docks) <= 1:
             dock.hide_title_bar()
-        elif len(target_area.docks) > 1:
-            for dock in target_area.docks.values():
+        elif len(self.dock_area.docks) > 1:
+            for dock in self.dock_area.docks.values():
                 dock.show_title_bar()
 
         if widget is not None and isinstance(widget, str):
@@ -401,6 +423,17 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
         self.dock_area.deleteLater()
         super().cleanup()
 
+    def closeEvent(self, event):
+        if self.parent() is None:
+            # we are at top-level (independent window)
+            if self.isVisible():
+                # we are visible => user clicked on [X]
+                # (when closeEvent is called from shutdown procedure,
+                # everything is hidden first)
+                # so, let's ignore "close", and do hide instead
+                event.ignore()
+                self.setVisible(False)
+
     def close(self):
         """
         Close the dock area and cleanup.
@@ -409,6 +442,28 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
         self.cleanup()
         super().close()
 
+    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(self):
+        self.hide()
+        self.deleteLater()
+
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication

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/figure/figure.py

@@ -16,10 +16,20 @@ from typeguard import typechecked
 from bec_widgets.utils import ConnectionConfig, WidgetContainerUtils
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
 from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
-from bec_widgets.widgets.figure.plots.image.image import BECImageShow, ImageConfig
-from bec_widgets.widgets.figure.plots.motor_map.motor_map import BECMotorMap, MotorMapConfig
-from bec_widgets.widgets.figure.plots.plot_base import BECPlotBase, SubplotConfig
-from bec_widgets.widgets.figure.plots.waveform.waveform import BECWaveform, Waveform1DConfig
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure.plots.image.image import BECImageShow, ImageConfig
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure.plots.motor_map.motor_map import (
+    BECMotorMap,
+    MotorMapConfig,
+)
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure.plots.multi_waveform.multi_waveform import (
+    BECMultiWaveform,
+    BECMultiWaveformConfig,
+)
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure.plots.plot_base import BECPlotBase, SubplotConfig
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure.plots.waveform.waveform import (
+    BECWaveform,
+    Waveform1DConfig,
+)
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
@@ -64,6 +74,7 @@ class WidgetHandler:
             "BECWaveform": (BECWaveform, Waveform1DConfig),
             "BECImageShow": (BECImageShow, ImageConfig),
             "BECMotorMap": (BECMotorMap, MotorMapConfig),
+            "BECMultiWaveform": (BECMultiWaveform, BECMultiWaveformConfig),
         }
 
     def create_widget(
@@ -134,8 +145,14 @@ class BECFigure(BECWidget, pg.GraphicsLayoutWidget):
         "BECWaveform": BECWaveform,
         "BECImageShow": BECImageShow,
         "BECMotorMap": BECMotorMap,
+        "BECMultiWaveform": BECMultiWaveform,
+    }
+    widget_method_map = {
+        "BECWaveform": "plot",
+        "BECImageShow": "image",
+        "BECMotorMap": "motor_map",
+        "BECMultiWaveform": "multi_waveform",
     }
-    widget_method_map = {"BECWaveform": "plot", "BECImageShow": "image", "BECMotorMap": "motor_map"}
 
     clean_signal = pyqtSignal()
 
@@ -445,10 +462,27 @@ class BECFigure(BECWidget, pg.GraphicsLayoutWidget):
 
         return motor_map
 
+    def multi_waveform(
+        self,
+        monitor: str = None,
+        new: bool = False,
+        row: int | None = None,
+        col: int | None = None,
+        config: dict | None = None,
+        **axis_kwargs,
+    ):
+        multi_waveform = self.subplot_factory(
+            widget_type="BECMultiWaveform", config=config, row=row, col=col, new=new, **axis_kwargs
+        )
+        if config is not None:
+            return multi_waveform
+        multi_waveform.set_monitor(monitor)
+        return multi_waveform
+
     def subplot_factory(
         self,
         widget_type: Literal[
-            "BECPlotBase", "BECWaveform", "BECImageShow", "BECMotorMap"
+            "BECPlotBase", "BECWaveform", "BECImageShow", "BECMotorMap", "BECMultiWaveform"
         ] = "BECPlotBase",
         row: int = None,
         col: int = None,
@@ -500,7 +534,7 @@ class BECFigure(BECWidget, pg.GraphicsLayoutWidget):
     def add_widget(
         self,
         widget_type: Literal[
-            "BECPlotBase", "BECWaveform", "BECImageShow", "BECMotorMap"
+            "BECPlotBase", "BECWaveform", "BECImageShow", "BECMotorMap", "BECMultiWaveform"
         ] = "BECPlotBase",
         widget_id: str = None,
         row: int = None,

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/figure/plots/image/image.py

@@ -6,19 +6,22 @@ from typing import Any, Literal, Optional
 import numpy as np
 from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
-from pydantic import BaseModel, Field, ValidationError
+from pydantic import Field, ValidationError
 from qtpy.QtCore import QThread, Slot
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
 # from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot as Slot
 from bec_widgets.utils import EntryValidator
-from bec_widgets.widgets.figure.plots.image.image_item import BECImageItem, ImageItemConfig
-from bec_widgets.widgets.figure.plots.image.image_processor import (
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure.plots.image.image_item import (
+    BECImageItem,
+    ImageItemConfig,
+)
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure.plots.image.image_processor import (
     ImageProcessor,
     ImageStats,
     ProcessorWorker,
 )
-from bec_widgets.widgets.figure.plots.plot_base import BECPlotBase, SubplotConfig
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure.plots.plot_base import BECPlotBase, SubplotConfig
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/figure/plots/image/image_item.py

@@ -8,10 +8,13 @@ from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from pydantic import Field
 
 from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector, ConnectionConfig
-from bec_widgets.widgets.figure.plots.image.image_processor import ImageStats, ProcessingConfig
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure.plots.image.image_processor import (
+    ImageStats,
+    ProcessingConfig,
+)
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from bec_widgets.widgets.figure.plots.image.image import BECImageShow
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure.plots.image.image import BECImageShow
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/figure/plots/motor_map/motor_map.py

@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot as Slot
 from bec_widgets.utils import Colors, EntryValidator
-from bec_widgets.widgets.figure.plots.plot_base import BECPlotBase, SubplotConfig
-from bec_widgets.widgets.figure.plots.waveform.waveform import Signal, SignalData
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure.plots.plot_base import BECPlotBase, SubplotConfig
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure.plots.waveform.waveform import Signal, SignalData
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/figure/plots/multi_waveform/multi_waveform.py

@@ -0,0 +1,353 @@
+from collections import deque
+from typing import Literal, Optional
+
+import pyqtgraph as pg
+from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from pydantic import Field, field_validator
+from pyqtgraph.exporters import MatplotlibExporter
+from qtpy.QtCore import Signal, Slot
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
+
+from bec_widgets.utils import Colors
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure.plots.plot_base import BECPlotBase, SubplotConfig
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
+
+class BECMultiWaveformConfig(SubplotConfig):
+    color_palette: Optional[str] = Field(
+        "magma", description="The color palette of the figure widget.", validate_default=True
+    )
+    curve_limit: Optional[int] = Field(
+        200, description="The maximum number of curves to display on the plot."
+    )
+    flush_buffer: Optional[bool] = Field(
+        False, description="Flush the buffer of the plot widget when the curve limit is reached."
+    )
+    monitor: Optional[str] = Field(
+        None, description="The monitor to set for the plot widget."
+    )  # TODO validate monitor in bec -> maybe make it as SignalData class for validation purpose
+    curve_width: Optional[int] = Field(1, description="The width of the curve on the plot.")
+    opacity: Optional[int] = Field(50, description="The opacity of the curve on the plot.")
+    highlight_last_curve: Optional[bool] = Field(
+        True, description="Highlight the last curve on the plot."
+    )
+
+    model_config: dict = {"validate_assignment": True}
+    _validate_color_map_z = field_validator("color_palette")(Colors.validate_color_map)
+
+
+class BECMultiWaveform(BECPlotBase):
+    monitor_signal_updated = Signal()
+    highlighted_curve_index_changed = Signal(int)
+    USER_ACCESS = [
+        "_rpc_id",
+        "_config_dict",
+        "curves",
+        "set_monitor",
+        "set_opacity",
+        "set_curve_limit",
+        "set_curve_highlight",
+        "set_colormap",
+        "set",
+        "set_title",
+        "set_x_label",
+        "set_y_label",
+        "set_x_scale",
+        "set_y_scale",
+        "set_x_lim",
+        "set_y_lim",
+        "set_grid",
+        "set_colormap",
+        "enable_fps_monitor",
+        "lock_aspect_ratio",
+        "export",
+        "get_all_data",
+        "remove",
+    ]
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        parent: Optional[QWidget] = None,
+        parent_figure=None,
+        config: Optional[BECMultiWaveformConfig] = None,
+        client=None,
+        gui_id: Optional[str] = None,
+    ):
+        if config is None:
+            config = BECMultiWaveformConfig(widget_class=self.__class__.__name__)
+        super().__init__(
+            parent=parent, parent_figure=parent_figure, config=config, client=client, gui_id=gui_id
+        )
+        self.old_scan_id = None
+        self.scan_id = None
+        self.monitor = None
+        self.connected = False
+        self.current_highlight_index = 0
+        self._curves = deque()
+        self.visible_curves = []
+        self.number_of_visible_curves = 0
+
+        # Get bec shortcuts dev, scans, queue, scan_storage, dap
+        self.get_bec_shortcuts()
+
+    @property
+    def curves(self) -> deque:
+        """
+        Get the curves of the plot widget as a deque.
+        Returns:
+            deque: Deque of curves.
+        """
+        return self._curves
+
+    @curves.setter
+    def curves(self, value: deque):
+        self._curves = value
+
+    @property
+    def highlight_last_curve(self) -> bool:
+        """
+        Get the highlight_last_curve property.
+        Returns:
+            bool: The highlight_last_curve property.
+        """
+        return self.config.highlight_last_curve
+
+    @highlight_last_curve.setter
+    def highlight_last_curve(self, value: bool):
+        self.config.highlight_last_curve = value
+
+    def set_monitor(self, monitor: str):
+        """
+        Set the monitor for the plot widget.
+        Args:
+            monitor (str): The monitor to set.
+        """
+        self.config.monitor = monitor
+        self._connect_monitor()
+
+    def _connect_monitor(self):
+        """
+        Connect the monitor to the plot widget.
+        """
+        try:
+            previous_monitor = self.monitor
+        except AttributeError:
+            previous_monitor = None
+
+        if previous_monitor and self.connected is True:
+            self.bec_dispatcher.disconnect_slot(
+                self.on_monitor_1d_update, MessageEndpoints.device_monitor_1d(previous_monitor)
+            )
+        if self.config.monitor and self.connected is False:
+            self.bec_dispatcher.connect_slot(
+                self.on_monitor_1d_update, MessageEndpoints.device_monitor_1d(self.config.monitor)
+            )
+            self.connected = True
+            self.monitor = self.config.monitor
+
+    @Slot(dict, dict)
+    def on_monitor_1d_update(self, msg: dict, metadata: dict):
+        """
+        Update the plot widget with the monitor data.
+
+        Args:
+            msg(dict): The message data.
+            metadata(dict): The metadata of the message.
+        """
+        data = msg.get("data", None)
+        current_scan_id = metadata.get("scan_id", None)
+
+        if current_scan_id != self.scan_id:
+            self.scan_id = current_scan_id
+            self.clear_curves()
+            self.curves.clear()
+            if self.crosshair:
+                self.crosshair.clear_markers()
+
+        # Always create a new curve and add it
+        curve = pg.PlotDataItem()
+        curve.setData(data)
+        self.plot_item.addItem(curve)
+        self.curves.append(curve)
+
+        # Max Trace and scale colors
+        self.set_curve_limit(self.config.curve_limit, self.config.flush_buffer)
+
+        self.monitor_signal_updated.emit()
+
+    @Slot(int)
+    def set_curve_highlight(self, index: int):
+        """
+        Set the curve highlight based on visible curves.
+
+        Args:
+            index (int): The index of the curve to highlight among visible curves.
+        """
+        self.plot_item.visible_curves = [curve for curve in self.curves if curve.isVisible()]
+        num_visible_curves = len(self.plot_item.visible_curves)
+        self.number_of_visible_curves = num_visible_curves
+
+        if num_visible_curves == 0:
+            return  # No curves to highlight
+
+        if index >= num_visible_curves:
+            index = num_visible_curves - 1
+        elif index < 0:
+            index = num_visible_curves + index
+        self.current_highlight_index = index
+        num_colors = num_visible_curves
+        colors = Colors.evenly_spaced_colors(
+            colormap=self.config.color_palette, num=num_colors, format="HEX"
+        )
+        for i, curve in enumerate(self.plot_item.visible_curves):
+            curve.setPen()
+            if i == self.current_highlight_index:
+                curve.setPen(pg.mkPen(color=colors[i], width=5))
+                curve.setAlpha(alpha=1, auto=False)
+                curve.setZValue(1)
+            else:
+                curve.setPen(pg.mkPen(color=colors[i], width=1))
+                curve.setAlpha(alpha=self.config.opacity / 100, auto=False)
+                curve.setZValue(0)
+
+        self.highlighted_curve_index_changed.emit(self.current_highlight_index)
+
+    @Slot(int)
+    def set_opacity(self, opacity: int):
+        """
+        Set the opacity of the curve on the plot.
+
+        Args:
+            opacity(int): The opacity of the curve. 0-100.
+        """
+        self.config.opacity = max(0, min(100, opacity))
+        self.set_curve_highlight(self.current_highlight_index)
+
+    @Slot(int, bool)
+    def set_curve_limit(self, max_trace: int, flush_buffer: bool = False):
+        """
+        Set the maximum number of traces to display on the plot.
+
+        Args:
+            max_trace (int): The maximum number of traces to display.
+            flush_buffer (bool): Flush the buffer.
+        """
+        self.config.curve_limit = max_trace
+        self.config.flush_buffer = flush_buffer
+
+        if self.config.curve_limit is None:
+            self.scale_colors()
+            return
+
+        if self.config.flush_buffer:
+            # Remove excess curves from the plot and the deque
+            while len(self.curves) > self.config.curve_limit:
+                curve = self.curves.popleft()
+                self.plot_item.removeItem(curve)
+        else:
+            # Hide or show curves based on the new max_trace
+            num_curves_to_show = min(self.config.curve_limit, len(self.curves))
+            for i, curve in enumerate(self.curves):
+                if i < len(self.curves) - num_curves_to_show:
+                    curve.hide()
+                else:
+                    curve.show()
+        self.scale_colors()
+
+    def scale_colors(self):
+        """
+        Scale the colors of the curves based on the current colormap.
+        """
+        if self.config.highlight_last_curve:
+            self.set_curve_highlight(-1)  # Use -1 to highlight the last visible curve
+        else:
+            self.set_curve_highlight(self.current_highlight_index)
+
+    def set_colormap(self, colormap: str):
+        """
+        Set the colormap for the curves.
+
+        Args:
+            colormap(str): Colormap for the curves.
+        """
+        self.config.color_palette = colormap
+        self.set_curve_highlight(self.current_highlight_index)
+
+    def hook_crosshair(self) -> None:
+        super().hook_crosshair()
+        if self.crosshair:
+            self.highlighted_curve_index_changed.connect(self.crosshair.update_highlighted_curve)
+            if self.curves:
+                self.crosshair.update_highlighted_curve(self.current_highlight_index)
+
+    def get_all_data(self, output: Literal["dict", "pandas"] = "dict") -> dict:
+        """
+        Extract all curve data into a dictionary or a pandas DataFrame.
+
+        Args:
+            output (Literal["dict", "pandas"]): Format of the output data.
+
+        Returns:
+            dict | pd.DataFrame: Data of all curves in the specified format.
+        """
+        data = {}
+        try:
+            import pandas as pd
+        except ImportError:
+            pd = None
+            if output == "pandas":
+                logger.warning(
+                    "Pandas is not installed. "
+                    "Please install pandas using 'pip install pandas'."
+                    "Output will be dictionary instead."
+                )
+                output = "dict"
+
+        curve_keys = []
+        curves_list = list(self.curves)
+        for i, curve in enumerate(curves_list):
+            x_data, y_data = curve.getData()
+            if x_data is not None or y_data is not None:
+                key = f"curve_{i}"
+                curve_keys.append(key)
+                if output == "dict":
+                    data[key] = {"x": x_data.tolist(), "y": y_data.tolist()}
+                elif output == "pandas" and pd is not None:
+                    data[key] = pd.DataFrame({"x": x_data, "y": y_data})
+
+        if output == "pandas" and pd is not None:
+            combined_data = pd.concat([data[key] for key in curve_keys], axis=1, keys=curve_keys)
+            return combined_data
+        return data
+
+    def clear_curves(self):
+        """
+        Remove all curves from the plot, excluding crosshair items.
+        """
+        items_to_remove = []
+        for item in self.plot_item.items:
+            if not getattr(item, "is_crosshair", False) and isinstance(item, pg.PlotDataItem):
+                items_to_remove.append(item)
+        for item in items_to_remove:
+            self.plot_item.removeItem(item)
+
+    def export_to_matplotlib(self):
+        """
+        Export current waveform to matplotlib GUI. Available only if matplotlib is installed in the environment.
+        """
+        MatplotlibExporter(self.plot_item).export()
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    import sys
+
+    from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
+
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure import BECFigure
+
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    widget = BECFigure()
+    widget.show()
+    sys.exit(app.exec_())

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/figure/plots/waveform/waveform.py

@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@ from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot as Slot
 from bec_widgets.utils import Colors, EntryValidator
 from bec_widgets.utils.colors import get_accent_colors
 from bec_widgets.utils.linear_region_selector import LinearRegionWrapper
-from bec_widgets.widgets.figure.plots.plot_base import BECPlotBase, SubplotConfig
-from bec_widgets.widgets.figure.plots.waveform.waveform_curve import (
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure.plots.plot_base import BECPlotBase, SubplotConfig
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure.plots.waveform.waveform_curve import (
     BECCurve,
     CurveConfig,
     Signal,

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/figure/plots/waveform/waveform_curve.py

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, Literal, Optional
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Literal, Optional
 
 import numpy as np
 import pyqtgraph as pg
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ from qtpy import QtCore
 from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector, Colors, ConnectionConfig
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from bec_widgets.widgets.figure.plots.waveform import BECWaveform1D
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure.plots.waveform import BECWaveform1D
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/layout_manager/layout_manager.py

@@ -0,0 +1,881 @@
+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: Optional[int] = 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 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/main_window.py

@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QMainWindow
+
+from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock.dock_area import BECDockArea
+
+
+class BECMainWindow(QMainWindow, BECConnector):
+    def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        BECConnector.__init__(self, **kwargs)
+        QMainWindow.__init__(self, *args, **kwargs)
+
+    def _dump(self):
+        """Return a dictionary with informations about the application state, for use in tests"""
+        # TODO: ModularToolBar and something else leak top-level widgets (3 or 4 QMenu + 2 QWidget);
+        # so, a filtering based on title is applied here, but the solution is to not have those widgets
+        # as top-level (so for now, a window with no title does not appear in _dump() result)
+
+        # NOTE: the main window itself is excluded, since we want to dump dock areas
+        info = {
+            tlw.gui_id: {
+                "title": tlw.windowTitle(),
+                "visible": tlw.isVisible(),
+                "class": str(type(tlw)),
+            }
+            for tlw in QApplication.instance().topLevelWidgets()
+            if tlw is not self and tlw.windowTitle()
+        }
+        # Add the main window dock area
+        info[self.centralWidget().gui_id] = {
+            "title": self.windowTitle(),
+            "visible": self.isVisible(),
+            "class": str(type(self.centralWidget())),
+        }
+        return info
+
+    def new_dock_area(self, name):
+        dock_area = BECDockArea()
+        dock_area.resize(dock_area.minimumSizeHint())
+        dock_area.window().setWindowTitle(name)
+        dock_area.show()
+        return dock_area

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

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
 class AbortButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
     """A button that abort the scan."""
 
+    PLUGIN = True
     ICON_NAME = "cancel"
 
     def __init__(

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

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
 class ResetButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
     """A button that resets the scan queue."""
 
+    PLUGIN = True
     ICON_NAME = "restart_alt"
 
     def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None, toolbar=False):

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++'>

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

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
 class ResumeButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
     """A button that continue scan queue."""
 
+    PLUGIN = True
     ICON_NAME = "resume"
 
     def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None, toolbar=False):

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

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

bec_widgets/widgets/control/buttons/button_resume/resume_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_resume.button_resume import ResumeButton
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.buttons.button_resume.button_resume import ResumeButton
 
 DOM_XML = """
 <ui language='c++'>

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

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ def main():  # pragma: no cover
         return
     from PySide6.QtDesigner import QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection
 
-    from bec_widgets.widgets.stop_button.stop_button_plugin import StopButtonPlugin
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.control.buttons.stop_button.stop_button_plugin import StopButtonPlugin
 
     QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection.addCustomWidget(StopButtonPlugin())
 

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

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
 class StopButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
     """A button that stops the current scan."""
 
+    PLUGIN = True
     ICON_NAME = "dangerous"
 
     def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None, toolbar=False):

bec_widgets/widgets/control/buttons/stop_button/stop_button_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.stop_button.stop_button import StopButton
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.buttons.stop_button.stop_button import StopButton
 
 DOM_XML = """
 <ui language='c++'>

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

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ from bec_widgets.utils.colors import get_accent_colors, get_theme_palette
 
 class PositionIndicator(BECWidget, QWidget):
     USER_ACCESS = ["set_value", "set_range", "vertical", "indicator_width", "rounded_corners"]
-
+    PLUGIN = True
     ICON_NAME = "horizontal_distribute"
 
     def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None):

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

@@ -6,7 +6,9 @@ from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
 
 import bec_widgets
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
-from bec_widgets.widgets.position_indicator.position_indicator import PositionIndicator
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.position_indicator.position_indicator import (
+    PositionIndicator,
+)
 
 DOM_XML = """
 <ui language='c++'>

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

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ def main():  # pragma: no cover
         return
     from PySide6.QtDesigner import QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection
 
-    from bec_widgets.widgets.position_indicator.position_indicator_plugin import (
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.position_indicator.position_indicator_plugin import (
         PositionIndicatorPlugin,
     )
 

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

@@ -12,14 +12,16 @@ from bec_lib.messages import ScanQueueMessage
 from bec_qthemes import material_icon
 from qtpy.QtCore import Property, Signal, Slot
 from qtpy.QtGui import QDoubleValidator
-from qtpy.QtWidgets import QDialog, QDoubleSpinBox, QPushButton, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QDialog, QDoubleSpinBox, QPushButton, QVBoxLayout
 
 from bec_widgets.qt_utils.compact_popup import CompactPopupWidget
 from bec_widgets.utils import UILoader
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
 from bec_widgets.utils.colors import get_accent_colors, set_theme
-from bec_widgets.widgets.base_classes.device_input_base import BECDeviceFilter
-from bec_widgets.widgets.device_line_edit.device_line_edit import DeviceLineEdit
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_input.base_classes.device_input_base import BECDeviceFilter
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_input.device_line_edit.device_line_edit import (
+    DeviceLineEdit,
+)
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
@@ -32,6 +34,7 @@ class PositionerBox(BECWidget, CompactPopupWidget):
     ui_file = "positioner_box.ui"
     dimensions = (234, 224)
 
+    PLUGIN = True
     ICON_NAME = "switch_right"
     USER_ACCESS = ["set_positioner"]
     device_changed = Signal(str, str)
@@ -240,11 +243,18 @@ class PositionerBox(BECWidget, CompactPopupWidget):
             signal = hinted_signals[0]
             readback_val = signals.get(signal, {}).get("value")
 
-        if f"{self.device}_setpoint" in signals:
-            setpoint_val = signals.get(f"{self.device}_setpoint", {}).get("value")
+        for setpoint_signal in ["setpoint", "user_setpoint"]:
+            setpoint_val = signals.get(f"{self.device}_{setpoint_signal}", {}).get("value")
+            if setpoint_val is not None:
+                break
 
-        if f"{self.device}_motor_is_moving" in signals:
-            is_moving = signals.get(f"{self.device}_motor_is_moving", {}).get("value")
+        for moving_signal in ["motor_done_move", "motor_is_moving"]:
+            is_moving = signals.get(f"{self.device}_{moving_signal}", {}).get("value")
+            if is_moving is not None:
+                break
+
+        if is_moving is not None:
+            self.ui.spinner_widget.setVisible(True)
             if is_moving:
                 self.ui.spinner_widget.start()
                 self.ui.spinner_widget.setToolTip("Device is moving")
@@ -253,6 +263,8 @@ class PositionerBox(BECWidget, CompactPopupWidget):
                 self.ui.spinner_widget.stop()
                 self.ui.spinner_widget.setToolTip("Device is idle")
                 self.set_global_state("success")
+        else:
+            self.ui.spinner_widget.setVisible(False)
 
         if readback_val is not None:
             self.ui.readback.setText(f"{readback_val:.{precision}f}")

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

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import os
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
-from bec_widgets.widgets.positioner_box.positioner_box import PositionerBox
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box.positioner_box import PositionerBox
 
 DOM_XML = """
 <ui language='c++'>

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

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 from bec_lib.device import Positioner
 
-from bec_widgets.widgets.positioner_box.positioner_box import PositionerBox
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box.positioner_box import PositionerBox
 
 
 class PositionerControlLine(PositionerBox):
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ class PositionerControlLine(PositionerBox):
     ui_file = "positioner_control_line.ui"
     dimensions = (60, 600)  # height, width
 
+    PLUGIN = True
     ICON_NAME = "switch_left"
 
     def __init__(self, parent=None, device: Positioner = None, *args, **kwargs):

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

@@ -6,7 +6,9 @@ import os
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
-from bec_widgets.widgets.positioner_box.positioner_control_line import PositionerControlLine
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box.positioner_control_line import (
+    PositionerControlLine,
+)
 
 DOM_XML = """
 <ui language='c++'>

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

@@ -6,7 +6,9 @@ def main():  # pragma: no cover
         return
     from PySide6.QtDesigner import QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection
 
-    from bec_widgets.widgets.positioner_box.positioner_box_plugin import PositionerBoxPlugin
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box.positioner_box_plugin import (
+        PositionerBoxPlugin,
+    )
 
     QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection.addCustomWidget(PositionerBoxPlugin())
 

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

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ def main():  # pragma: no cover
         return
     from PySide6.QtDesigner import QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection
 
-    from bec_widgets.widgets.positioner_box.positioner_control_line_plugin import (
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box.positioner_control_line_plugin import (
         PositionerControlLinePlugin,
     )
 

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

@@ -5,16 +5,16 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 from bec_lib.device import Positioner
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from qtpy.QtCore import Property, QSize, Signal, Slot
-from qtpy.QtWidgets import QGridLayout, QGroupBox, QSizePolicy, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QGridLayout, QGroupBox, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
-from bec_widgets.widgets.positioner_box.positioner_box import PositionerBox
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box.positioner_box import PositionerBox
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
 
 class PositionerGroupBox(QGroupBox):
-
+    PLUGIN = True
     position_update = Signal(float)
 
     def __init__(self, parent, dev_name):

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

@@ -6,7 +6,9 @@ import os
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
-from bec_widgets.widgets.positioner_group.positioner_group import PositionerGroup
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_group.positioner_group import (
+    PositionerGroup,
+)
 
 DOM_XML = """
 <ui language='c++'>

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

@@ -6,7 +6,9 @@ def main():  # pragma: no cover
         return
     from PySide6.QtDesigner import QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection
 
-    from bec_widgets.widgets.positioner_group.positioner_group_plugin import PositionerGroupPlugin
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_group.positioner_group_plugin import (
+        PositionerGroupPlugin,
+    )
 
     QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection.addCustomWidget(PositionerGroupPlugin())