wip sorting list

Note: The stylesheet is now set by qthemes, not the widget itself. As a result, the widget-specific stylesheet remains empty.

.github/dependabot.yml

@@ -1,6 +0,0 @@
-version: 2
-updates:
-  - package-ecosystem: "pip"
-    directory: "/"
-    schedule:
-      interval: "weekly"

.github/workflows/pytest-matrix.yml

@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     strategy:
       matrix:
-        python-version: ["3.11", "3.12", "3.13"]
+        python-version: ["3.10", "3.11", "3.12"]
 
     env:
       BEC_WIDGETS_BRANCH: main  # Set the branch you want for bec_widgets

.github/workflows/pytest.yml

@@ -57,6 +57,14 @@ jobs:
         id: coverage
         run: pytest --random-order --cov=bec_widgets --cov-config=pyproject.toml --cov-branch --cov-report=xml --no-cov-on-fail tests/unit_tests/
 
+      - name: Upload test artifacts
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        if: failure()
+        with:
+          name: image-references
+          path: bec_widgets/tests/reference_failures/
+          if-no-files-found: ignore
+
       - name: Upload coverage to Codecov
         uses: codecov/codecov-action@v5
         with:

.github/workflows/stale-issues.yml

@@ -2,14 +2,10 @@ name: 'Close stale issues and PRs'
 on:
   schedule:
     - cron: '00 10 * * *'
-  workflow_dispatch:
 
 jobs:
   stale:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    permissions:
-      issues: write
-      pull-requests: write
     steps:
       - uses: actions/stale@v9
         with:

.gitlab-ci.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,289 @@
+# This file is a template, and might need editing before it works on your project.
+# Official language image. Look for the different tagged releases at:
+# https://hub.docker.com/r/library/python/tags/
+image: $CI_DEPENDENCY_PROXY_GROUP_IMAGE_PREFIX/python:3.11
+#commands to run in the Docker container before starting each job.
+variables:
+  DOCKER_TLS_CERTDIR: ""
+  BEC_CORE_BRANCH:
+    description: bec branch
+    value: main
+  OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH:
+    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:
+    - if: $CI_PIPELINE_SOURCE == "schedule"
+    - if: $CI_PIPELINE_SOURCE == "web"
+    - if: $CI_PIPELINE_SOURCE == "pipeline"
+    - if: $CI_PIPELINE_SOURCE == "parent_pipeline"
+    - if: $CI_PIPELINE_SOURCE == "merge_request_event"
+    - if: $CI_COMMIT_BRANCH && $CI_OPEN_MERGE_REQUESTS
+      when: never
+    - if: $CI_COMMIT_BRANCH
+
+include:
+  - template: Security/Secret-Detection.gitlab-ci.yml
+  - project: "bec/awi_utils"
+    file: "/templates/check-packages-job.yml"
+    inputs:
+      stage: test
+      path: "."
+      pytest_args: "-v,--random-order,tests/unit_tests"
+      pip_args: ".[dev]"
+
+# different stages in the pipeline
+stages:
+  - Formatter
+  - test
+  - AdditionalTests
+  - End2End
+  - Deploy
+
+.install-qt-webengine-deps: &install-qt-webengine-deps
+  - apt-get -y install libnss3 libxdamage1 libasound2 libatomic1 libxcursor1
+  - export QTWEBENGINE_DISABLE_SANDBOX=1
+
+.clone-repos: &clone-repos
+  - echo -e "\033[35;1m Using branch $BEC_CORE_BRANCH of BEC CORE \033[0;m";
+  - git clone --branch $BEC_CORE_BRANCH https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec.git
+  - echo -e "\033[35;1m Using branch $OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH of OPHYD_DEVICES \033[0;m";
+  - git clone --branch $OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/ophyd_devices.git
+  - export OHPYD_DEVICES_PATH=$PWD/ophyd_devices
+
+.install-repos: &install-repos
+  - 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
+  - apt-get install -y libgl1-mesa-glx libegl1-mesa x11-utils libxkbcommon-x11-0 libdbus-1-3 xvfb
+  - *install-qt-webengine-deps
+
+before_script:
+  - if [[ "$CI_PROJECT_PATH" != "bec/bec_widgets" ]]; then
+    echo -e "\033[35;1m Using branch $CHILD_PIPELINE_BRANCH of BEC Widgets \033[0;m";
+    test -d bec_widgets || git clone --branch $CHILD_PIPELINE_BRANCH https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets.git; cd bec_widgets;
+    fi
+
+formatter:
+  stage: Formatter
+  needs: []
+  script:
+    - pip install -e ./[dev]
+    - isort --check --diff --line-length=100 --profile=black --multi-line=3 --trailing-comma ./
+    - black --check --diff --color --line-length=100 --skip-magic-trailing-comma ./
+  rules:
+    - if: $CI_PROJECT_PATH == "bec/bec_widgets"
+
+pylint:
+  stage: Formatter
+  needs: []
+  before_script:
+    - pip install pylint pylint-exit anybadge
+    - pip install -e .[dev]
+  script:
+    - mkdir ./pylint
+    - pylint ./bec_widgets --output-format=text --output=./pylint/pylint.log | tee ./pylint/pylint.log || pylint-exit $?
+    - PYLINT_SCORE=$(sed -n 's/^Your code has been rated at \([-0-9.]*\)\/.*/\1/p' ./pylint/pylint.log)
+    - anybadge --label=Pylint --file=pylint/pylint.svg --value=$PYLINT_SCORE 2=red 4=orange 8=yellow 10=green
+    - echo "Pylint score is $PYLINT_SCORE"
+  artifacts:
+    paths:
+      - ./pylint/
+    expire_in: 1 week
+  rules:
+    - if: $CI_PROJECT_PATH == "bec/bec_widgets"
+
+pylint-check:
+  stage: Formatter
+  needs: []
+  allow_failure: true
+  before_script:
+    - pip install pylint pylint-exit anybadge
+    - apt-get update
+    - apt-get install -y bc
+  script:
+    - git fetch origin $CI_MERGE_REQUEST_TARGET_BRANCH_NAME
+    # Identify changed Python files
+    - if [ "$CI_PIPELINE_SOURCE" == "merge_request_event" ]; then
+      TARGET_BRANCH_COMMIT_SHA=$(git rev-parse origin/$CI_MERGE_REQUEST_TARGET_BRANCH_NAME);
+      CHANGED_FILES=$(git diff --name-only $TARGET_BRANCH_COMMIT_SHA HEAD | grep '\.py$' || true);
+      else
+      CHANGED_FILES=$(git diff --name-only $CI_COMMIT_BEFORE_SHA $CI_COMMIT_SHA | grep '\.py$' || true);
+      fi
+    - if [ -z "$CHANGED_FILES" ]; then echo "No Python files changed."; exit 0; fi
+
+    - echo "Changed Python files:"
+      - $CHANGED_FILES
+    # Run pylint only on changed files
+    - mkdir ./pylint
+    - pylint $CHANGED_FILES --output-format=text | tee ./pylint/pylint_changed_files.log || pylint-exit $?
+    - PYLINT_SCORE=$(sed -n 's/^Your code has been rated at \([-0-9.]*\)\/.*/\1/p' ./pylint/pylint_changed_files.log)
+    - echo "Pylint score is $PYLINT_SCORE"
+
+    # Fail the job if the pylint score is below 9
+    - if [ "$(echo "$PYLINT_SCORE < 9" | bc)" -eq 1 ]; then echo "Your pylint score is below the acceptable threshold (9)."; exit 1; fi
+  artifacts:
+    paths:
+      - ./pylint/
+    expire_in: 1 week
+  rules:
+    - if: $CI_PROJECT_PATH == "bec/bec_widgets"
+
+tests:
+  stage: test
+  needs: []
+  variables:
+    QT_QPA_PLATFORM: "offscreen"
+  script:
+    - *clone-repos
+    - *install-os-packages
+    - *install-repos
+    - pip install -e .[dev,pyside6]
+    - coverage run --source=./bec_widgets -m pytest -v --junitxml=report.xml --maxfail=2 --random-order --full-trace ./tests/unit_tests
+    - coverage report
+    - coverage xml
+  coverage: '/(?i)total.*? (100(?:\.0+)?\%|[1-9]?\d(?:\.\d+)?\%)$/'
+  artifacts:
+    reports:
+      junit: report.xml
+      coverage_report:
+        coverage_format: cobertura
+        path: coverage.xml
+    paths:
+      - tests/reference_failures/
+    when: always
+
+generate-client-check:
+  stage: test
+  needs: []
+  variables:
+    QT_QPA_PLATFORM: "offscreen"
+  script:
+    - *clone-repos
+    - *install-os-packages
+    - *install-repos
+    - pip install -e .[dev,pyside6]
+    - bw-generate-cli --target bec_widgets
+    # if there are changes in the generated files, fail the job
+    - git diff --exit-code
+
+test-matrix:
+  parallel:
+    matrix:
+      - PYTHON_VERSION:
+          - "3.10"
+          - "3.11"
+          - "3.12"
+        QT_PCKG:
+          - "pyside6"
+
+  stage: AdditionalTests
+  needs: []
+  variables:
+    QT_QPA_PLATFORM: "offscreen"
+    PYTHON_VERSION: ""
+    QT_PCKG: ""
+  image: $CI_DEPENDENCY_PROXY_GROUP_IMAGE_PREFIX/python:$PYTHON_VERSION
+  script:
+    - *clone-repos
+    - *install-os-packages
+    - *install-repos
+    - pip install -e .[dev,$QT_PCKG]
+    - pytest -v --maxfail=2 --junitxml=report.xml --random-order ./tests/unit_tests
+
+end-2-end-conda:
+  stage: End2End
+  needs: []
+  image: continuumio/miniconda3:25.1.1-2
+  allow_failure: false
+  variables:
+    QT_QPA_PLATFORM: "offscreen"
+  script:
+    - *clone-repos
+    - *install-os-packages
+    - conda config --show-sources
+    - conda config --add channels conda-forge
+    - conda config --system --remove channels https://repo.anaconda.com/pkgs/main
+    - conda config --system --remove channels https://repo.anaconda.com/pkgs/r
+    - conda config --remove channels https://repo.anaconda.com/pkgs/main
+    - conda config --remove channels https://repo.anaconda.com/pkgs/r
+    - conda config --show-sources
+    - conda config --set channel_priority strict
+    - conda config --set always_yes yes --set changeps1 no
+    - conda create -q -n test-environment python=3.11
+    - conda init bash
+    - source ~/.bashrc
+    - conda activate test-environment
+
+    - cd ./bec
+    - source ./bin/install_bec_dev.sh -t
+    - cd ../
+    - pip install -e ./ophyd_devices
+
+    - pip install -e .[dev,pyside6]
+    - pytest -v --files-path ./ --start-servers --random-order  ./tests/end-2-end
+
+  artifacts:
+    when: on_failure
+    paths:
+      - ./logs/*.log
+    expire_in: 1 week
+
+  rules:
+    - if: '$CI_PIPELINE_SOURCE == "schedule"'
+    - if: '$CI_PIPELINE_SOURCE == "web"'
+    - if: '$CI_PIPELINE_SOURCE == "pipeline"'
+    - if: '$CI_PIPELINE_SOURCE == "parent_pipeline"'
+    - if: '$CI_MERGE_REQUEST_TARGET_BRANCH_NAME == "main"'
+    - if: '$CI_MERGE_REQUEST_TARGET_BRANCH_NAME == "production"'
+    - if: "$CI_MERGE_REQUEST_TARGET_BRANCH_NAME =~ /^pre_release.*$/"
+
+semver:
+  stage: Deploy
+  needs: ["tests"]
+  script:
+    - git config --global user.name "ci_update_bot"
+    - git config --global user.email "ci_update_bot@bec.ch"
+    - git checkout "$CI_COMMIT_REF_NAME"
+    - git reset --hard origin/"$CI_COMMIT_REF_NAME"
+
+    # delete all local tags
+    - git tag -l | xargs git tag -d
+    - git fetch --tags
+    - git tag
+
+    # build and publish package
+    - pip install python-semantic-release==9.* wheel build twine
+    - export GL_TOKEN=$CI_UPDATES
+    - semantic-release -vv version
+
+    # check if any artifacts were created
+    - if [ ! -d dist ]; then echo No release will be made; exit 0; fi
+    - twine upload dist/* -u __token__ -p $CI_PYPI_TOKEN --skip-existing
+    - semantic-release publish
+
+  allow_failure: false
+  rules:
+    - if: '$CI_COMMIT_REF_NAME == "main" && $CI_PROJECT_PATH == "bec/bec_widgets"'
+
+pages:
+  stage: Deploy
+  needs: ["semver"]
+  variables:
+    TARGET_BRANCH: $CI_COMMIT_REF_NAME
+  rules:
+    - if: "$CI_COMMIT_TAG != null"
+      variables:
+        TARGET_BRANCH: $CI_COMMIT_TAG
+    - if: '$CI_COMMIT_REF_NAME == "main" && $CI_PROJECT_PATH == "bec/bec_widgets"'
+  script:
+    - curl -X POST -d "branches=$CI_COMMIT_REF_NAME" -d "token=$RTD_TOKEN" https://readthedocs.org/api/v2/webhook/bec-widgets/253243/

.pylintrc

@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ persistent=yes
 
 # Minimum Python version to use for version dependent checks. Will default to
 # the version used to run pylint.
-py-version=3.11
+py-version=3.10
 
 # When enabled, pylint would attempt to guess common misconfiguration and emit
 # user-friendly hints instead of false-positive error messages.

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -1,221 +1,6 @@
 # CHANGELOG
 
 
-## v2.42.0 (2025-10-21)
-
-### Features
-
-- **image_roi**: Enhance get_coordinates to include rectangle center and dimensions
-  ([`96664c3`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/96664c3923737df0b09aa8f35df388f9fd630b55))
-
-- **positioner_box_2d**: Added properties to enable/disable vertical and horizontal controls
-  ([`1e19092`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/1e190923196f8b28c92dfdd83b9ce90873dd792d))
-
-
-## v2.41.1 (2025-10-15)
-
-### Bug Fixes
-
-- **dependencies**: Bec lib versions fixed
-  ([`3941050`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/3941050883a791f800ab7178af2435ac14f837b6))
-
-
-## v2.41.0 (2025-10-15)
-
-### Bug Fixes
-
-- **image_roi**: Delete button added to compact version
-  ([`ef27de4`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/ef27de40ceee8375d95a0f3a8e451b7d05d0ae2c))
-
-- **image_roi**: Rois can be removed with right click context menu
-  ([`37df95e`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/37df95ead8d6a07a6c5794a97a486d9f380004cc))
-
-### Build System
-
-- **bec_lib**: Version bump to 3.69.3
-  ([`28ac9c5`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/28ac9c5cc369bdfa712c70c45591243631c65066))
-
-### Features
-
-- **image_roi_tree**: Compact mode added
-  ([`c87a6cf`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/c87a6cfce9c36588b32f5279e63072bc2646c36f))
-
-### Refactoring
-
-- **serializer**: Upgrade to new serializer interface
-  ([`3d807ea`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/3d807eaa63980fd2bb11661696c4d8548fffde8c))
-
-### Testing
-
-- **deviceconfig-form-update**: Add onFailure default to test
-  ([`1dd20d5`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/1dd20d5986485f3bfe7ee02596ca23027ec4b756))
-
-
-## v2.40.0 (2025-10-08)
-
-### Bug Fixes
-
-- **curve_tree**: Fetching scan numbers directly from the bec client
-  ([`8111a4a`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/8111a4a21b7c1bd75316e9a1f1166b88ea52326d))
-
-- **curve_tree**: Safeguard fetching scan numbers from BEC client
-  ([`df8065e`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/df8065ea4000b24235520756515aa18f812bb390))
-
-- **curve_tree**: Scans are always fetched by scan ids
-  ([`20a59af`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/20a59af648a9808057df2226a3a3c12893cc5059))
-
-- **waveform**: Cleanup of scan_history dialog if not closed manually before widget
-  ([`d681ba5`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/d681ba538be9ccec45a1ebd412cbc33c8c7c0ae2))
-
-- **waveform**: Fetching scan number is not done from list but from .get_by_scan_number
-  ([`962ab77`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/962ab774e6afc73a321a5680e2862d9e41812888))
-
-- **waveform**: If scan id and scan number is provided, the scan is fetched from the scan id
-  ([`e59f27a`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/e59f27a22de490768c814c80642a7a91bebfef5b))
-
-- **waveform**: Safeguard added to the fetching history data
-  ([`540cfc3`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/540cfc37be65afcf721773564adc85de681a9d07))
-
-- **waveform**: Safeguard for _scan_history_closed
-  ([`2bf4896`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/2bf489600e96bb5b47d89bed261614f62c970ca9))
-
-- **waveform**: Safeguard for if scan_item is a list
-  ([`7e88a00`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/7e88a002b6ca40fc85fde993282b8706f140d9aa))
-
-- **waveform**: Update x suffix label with x property change, do not wait for next update cycle
-  ([`d19001c`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/d19001c94e652c0c3e18f8d7903fd1ccff1111cd))
-
-- **waveform**: X_data checked with is scalar instead of len()
-  ([`db7dd4f`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/db7dd4f8d4b1210e65c852f6193fc8cf0f4809a5))
-
-### Build System
-
-- **bec_lib**: Bec_lib dependency raised to 3.68
-  ([`2f3dc2c`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/2f3dc2ce6b7133fc5582bd6996a674590cf1002d))
-
-### Chores
-
-- Add dependabot config
-  ([`f25f865`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/f25f86522f0a2e9dd24ca862ea8de89873951f83))
-
-### Features
-
-- **waveform**: New type of curve - history curve
-  ([`f083dff`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/f083dff6128c6256443b49f54ab12b54f1b90d66))
-
-### Refactoring
-
-- **test_waveform**: Test waveform renamed
-  ([`2f798be`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/2f798be7b0d43d304ccbd0e992a9d62f1aa1dd5f))
-
-- **waveform**: Separate method to fetch scan item from history
-  ([`4be7058`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/4be70580a60293204b135c6ea77978f1dcf8aa5f))
-
-### Testing
-
-- **conftest**: Suppress_message_box for error popups fixture autouse True
-  ([`0844a9e`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/0844a9e11975a34780b1dc413f5145517d1a1a22))
-
-- **plotting_framework_e2e**: Fetching history curve
-  ([`a006f95`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/a006f95f211ad115019967e365a6627d9678a1e3))
-
-- **waveform,curve_tree**: Test extended to cover history curve behaviour
-  ([`5a5d323`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/5a5d32312b08e1edeb69243daddfaaa9bac22273))
-
-
-## v2.39.1 (2025-10-07)
-
-### Bug Fixes
-
-- Explicitly pass the cached readout flag
-  ([`50696bc`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/50696bce4ce14c61b4bdda8c6fb40967972e6b23))
-
-
-## v2.39.0 (2025-09-24)
-
-### Bug Fixes
-
-- **rpc**: Fix hide/show
-  ([`975404f`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/975404f483ddae041d9f4d819f39c53cec191439))
-
-### Features
-
-- **rpc_base**: Windows can be raised to front from CLI
-  ([`565c0bd`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/565c0bd1e7f4684d8401b6a2827c35422b1125c4))
-
-
-## v2.38.4 (2025-09-23)
-
-### Bug Fixes
-
-- **image**: Add support for specifying preview signals through cli
-  ([`108ddae`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/108ddae6ca3501a57b499c7080a36cf41a653074))
-
-
-## v2.38.3 (2025-09-23)
-
-### Bug Fixes
-
-- **connector**: Only flush pending events
-  ([`475ca9f`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/475ca9f2d81bcc2bb0c7b104c0712b13d6616c08))
-
-- **ringprogressbar**: Fix client signature
-  ([`65bc5f5`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/65bc5f5421077da70ef5068d51e36119e1055955))
-
-- **ringprogressbar**: Various fixes and improvements
-  ([`bbb5fc6`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/bbb5fc6ce17248a948c6fd4a7652d17d64a79d2a))
-
-### Chores
-
-- Deprecate 3.10, add 3.13
-  ([`3e33934`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/3e339348dd3d0a3b12522312132fca139dc22835))
-
-### Testing
-
-- **ringprogressbar**: Extend e2e test
-  ([`b1b6c5e`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/b1b6c5e6a5dd81965baa5c742e9bdae8cdb4f09b))
-
-
-## v2.38.2 (2025-09-11)
-
-### Bug Fixes
-
-- **crosshair**: Ignore fetching data and markers from invisible items
-  ([`72b6f74`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/72b6f74252e1f36339945c549049b166cccf3561))
-
-- **plot_base**: Crosshair items are excluded from visible curves and from auto_range
-  ([`4dc4ede`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/4dc4ede1d251d081e5bcf3d37fcc784982c9258e))
-
-- **plot_base**: Visible items injected into plot item
-  ([`b703b37`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/b703b37bbdbf97182b58ac4c69c1384fa78d0c12))
-
-- **waveform**: Changing curve visibility refresh markers
-  ([`556832f`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/556832fd48bcb16b95df8cf91417d7045bbca2a3))
-
-### Continuous Integration
-
-- Fix stale issues job permissions; add workflow dispatch option
-  ([`fe67a4f`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/fe67a4f325cbd41f13102e5698d86ed9e90b048e))
-
-### Documentation
-
-- Move to autoapi
-  ([`18ef35f`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/18ef35f22a1b7496b13f833e63a4f3875e1497e3))
-
-### Testing
-
-- **crosshair**: Visibility test added with plotbase fixture
-  ([`3a2ec9f`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/3a2ec9f1b74c4bb5f239940b874576a877ce45c0))
-
-
-## v2.38.1 (2025-08-22)
-
-### Bug Fixes
-
-- Move thefuzz dependency to prod
-  ([`ad7cdc6`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/ad7cdc60dd6da6c5291f8b42932aacb12aa671a6))
-
-
 ## v2.38.0 (2025-08-19)
 
 ### Features

README.md

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 [![badge](https://img.shields.io/pypi/v/bec-widgets)](https://pypi.org/project/bec-widgets/)
 [![License](https://img.shields.io/github/license/bec-project/bec_widgets)](./LICENSE)
 [![Code style: black](https://img.shields.io/badge/code%20style-black-000000.svg)](https://github.com/psf/black)
-[![Python](https://img.shields.io/badge/python-3.11%20%7C%203.12%20%7C%203.13-blue?logo=python&logoColor=white)](https://www.python.org)
+[![Python](https://img.shields.io/badge/python-3.10%20%7C%203.11%20%7C%203.12-blue?logo=python&logoColor=white)](https://www.python.org)
 [![PySide6](https://img.shields.io/badge/PySide6-blue?logo=qt&logoColor=white)](https://doc.qt.io/qtforpython/)
 [![Conventional Commits](https://img.shields.io/badge/conventional%20commits-1.0.0-yellow?logo=conventionalcommits&logoColor=white)](https://conventionalcommits.org)
 [![codecov](https://codecov.io/gh/bec-project/bec_widgets/graph/badge.svg?token=0Z9IQRJKMY)](https://codecov.io/gh/bec-project/bec_widgets)

bec_widgets/__init__.py

@@ -1,4 +1,20 @@
+import os
+import sys
+
+import PySide6QtAds as QtAds
+
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
 
+if sys.platform.startswith("linux"):
+    qt_platform = os.environ.get("QT_QPA_PLATFORM", "")
+    if qt_platform != "offscreen":
+        os.environ["QT_QPA_PLATFORM"] = "xcb"
+
+# Default QtAds configuration
+QtAds.CDockManager.setConfigFlag(QtAds.CDockManager.eConfigFlag.FocusHighlighting, True)
+QtAds.CDockManager.setConfigFlag(
+    QtAds.CDockManager.eConfigFlag.RetainTabSizeWhenCloseButtonHidden, True
+)
+
 __all__ = ["BECWidget", "SafeSlot", "SafeProperty"]

bec_widgets/cli/client.py

@@ -106,6 +106,99 @@ class AbortButton(RPCBase):
         Cleanup the BECConnector
         """
 
+    @rpc_call
+    def attach(self):
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def detach(self):
+        """
+        Detach the widget from its parent dock widget (if widget is in the dock), making it a floating widget.
+        """
+
+
+class AdvancedDockArea(RPCBase):
+    @rpc_call
+    def new(
+        self,
+        widget: "BECWidget | str",
+        closable: "bool" = True,
+        floatable: "bool" = True,
+        movable: "bool" = True,
+        start_floating: "bool" = False,
+        where: "Literal['left', 'right', 'top', 'bottom'] | None" = None,
+    ) -> "BECWidget":
+        """
+        Create a new widget (or reuse an instance) and add it as a dock.
+
+        Args:
+            widget: Widget instance or a string widget type (factory-created).
+            closable: Whether the dock is closable.
+            floatable: Whether the dock is floatable.
+            movable: Whether the dock is movable.
+            start_floating: Start the dock in a floating state.
+            where: Preferred area to add the dock: "left" | "right" | "top" | "bottom".
+                   If None, uses the instance default passed at construction time.
+        Returns:
+            The widget instance.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def widget_map(self) -> "dict[str, QWidget]":
+        """
+        Return a dictionary mapping widget names to their corresponding BECWidget instances.
+
+        Returns:
+            dict: A dictionary mapping widget names to BECWidget instances.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def widget_list(self) -> "list[QWidget]":
+        """
+        Return a list of all BECWidget instances in the dock area.
+
+        Returns:
+            list: A list of all BECWidget instances in the dock area.
+        """
+
+    @property
+    @rpc_call
+    def lock_workspace(self) -> "bool":
+        """
+        Get or set the lock state of the workspace.
+
+        Returns:
+            bool: True if the workspace is locked, False otherwise.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def attach_all(self):
+        """
+        Return all floating docks to the dock area, preserving tab groups within each floating container.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def delete_all(self):
+        """
+        Delete all docks and widgets.
+        """
+
+    @property
+    @rpc_call
+    def mode(self) -> "str":
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
+    @mode.setter
+    @rpc_call
+    def mode(self) -> "str":
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
 
 class AutoUpdates(RPCBase):
     @property
@@ -442,6 +535,18 @@ class BECMainWindow(RPCBase):
         Cleanup the BECConnector
         """
 
+    @rpc_call
+    def attach(self):
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def detach(self):
+        """
+        Detach the widget from its parent dock widget (if widget is in the dock), making it a floating widget.
+        """
+
 
 class BECProgressBar(RPCBase):
     """A custom progress bar with smooth transitions. The displayed text can be customized using a template."""
@@ -525,6 +630,18 @@ class BECQueue(RPCBase):
         Cleanup the BECConnector
         """
 
+    @rpc_call
+    def attach(self):
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def detach(self):
+        """
+        Detach the widget from its parent dock widget (if widget is in the dock), making it a floating widget.
+        """
+
 
 class BECStatusBox(RPCBase):
     """An autonomous widget to display the status of BEC services."""
@@ -541,6 +658,25 @@ class BECStatusBox(RPCBase):
         Cleanup the BECConnector
         """
 
+    @rpc_call
+    def attach(self):
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def detach(self):
+        """
+        Detach the widget from its parent dock widget (if widget is in the dock), making it a floating widget.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_timeout(None)
+    @rpc_call
+    def screenshot(self, file_name: "str | None" = None):
+        """
+        Take a screenshot of the dock area and save it to a file.
+        """
+
 
 class BaseROI(RPCBase):
     """Base class for all Region of Interest (ROI) implementations."""
@@ -1002,6 +1138,18 @@ class DarkModeButton(RPCBase):
         Cleanup the BECConnector
         """
 
+    @rpc_call
+    def attach(self):
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def detach(self):
+        """
+        Detach the widget from its parent dock widget (if widget is in the dock), making it a floating widget.
+        """
+
 
 class DeviceBrowser(RPCBase):
     """DeviceBrowser is a widget that displays all available devices in the current BEC session."""
@@ -1012,6 +1160,18 @@ class DeviceBrowser(RPCBase):
         Cleanup the BECConnector
         """
 
+    @rpc_call
+    def attach(self):
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def detach(self):
+        """
+        Detach the widget from its parent dock widget (if widget is in the dock), making it a floating widget.
+        """
+
 
 class DeviceComboBox(RPCBase):
     """Combobox widget for device input with autocomplete for device names."""
@@ -1045,6 +1205,18 @@ class DeviceInputBase(RPCBase):
         Cleanup the BECConnector
         """
 
+    @rpc_call
+    def attach(self):
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def detach(self):
+        """
+        Detach the widget from its parent dock widget (if widget is in the dock), making it a floating widget.
+        """
+
 
 class DeviceLineEdit(RPCBase):
     """Line edit widget for device input with autocomplete for device names."""
@@ -1433,6 +1605,18 @@ class Heatmap(RPCBase):
         Minimum decimal places for crosshair when dynamic precision is enabled.
         """
 
+    @rpc_call
+    def attach(self):
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def detach(self):
+        """
+        Detach the widget from its parent dock widget (if widget is in the dock), making it a floating widget.
+        """
+
     @rpc_timeout(None)
     @rpc_call
     def screenshot(self, file_name: "str | None" = None):
@@ -1978,6 +2162,18 @@ class Image(RPCBase):
         Minimum decimal places for crosshair when dynamic precision is enabled.
         """
 
+    @rpc_call
+    def attach(self):
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def detach(self):
+        """
+        Detach the widget from its parent dock widget (if widget is in the dock), making it a floating widget.
+        """
+
     @rpc_timeout(None)
     @rpc_call
     def screenshot(self, file_name: "str | None" = None):
@@ -2218,7 +2414,7 @@ class Image(RPCBase):
         Set the image source and update the image.
 
         Args:
-            monitor(str|tuple|None): The name of the monitor to use for the image, or a tuple of (device, signal) for preview signals. If None or empty string, the current monitor will be disconnected.
+            monitor(str): The name of the monitor to use for the image.
             monitor_type(str): The type of monitor to use. Options are "1d", "2d", or "auto".
             color_map(str): The color map to use for the image.
             color_bar(str): The type of color bar to use. Options are "simple" or "full".
@@ -2590,6 +2786,25 @@ class MonacoWidget(RPCBase):
             str: The LSP header.
         """
 
+    @rpc_call
+    def attach(self):
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def detach(self):
+        """
+        Detach the widget from its parent dock widget (if widget is in the dock), making it a floating widget.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_timeout(None)
+    @rpc_call
+    def screenshot(self, file_name: "str | None" = None):
+        """
+        Take a screenshot of the dock area and save it to a file.
+        """
+
 
 class MotorMap(RPCBase):
     """Motor map widget for plotting motor positions in 2D including a trace of the last points."""
@@ -2865,6 +3080,18 @@ class MotorMap(RPCBase):
         The font size of the legend font.
         """
 
+    @rpc_call
+    def attach(self):
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def detach(self):
+        """
+        Detach the widget from its parent dock widget (if widget is in the dock), making it a floating widget.
+        """
+
     @rpc_timeout(None)
     @rpc_call
     def screenshot(self, file_name: "str | None" = None):
@@ -3277,6 +3504,18 @@ class MultiWaveform(RPCBase):
         Minimum decimal places for crosshair when dynamic precision is enabled.
         """
 
+    @rpc_call
+    def attach(self):
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def detach(self):
+        """
+        Detach the widget from its parent dock widget (if widget is in the dock), making it a floating widget.
+        """
+
     @rpc_timeout(None)
     @rpc_call
     def screenshot(self, file_name: "str | None" = None):
@@ -3498,6 +3737,18 @@ class PositionerBox(RPCBase):
             positioner (Positioner | str) : Positioner to set, accepts str or the device
         """
 
+    @rpc_call
+    def attach(self):
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def detach(self):
+        """
+        Detach the widget from its parent dock widget (if widget is in the dock), making it a floating widget.
+        """
+
     @rpc_timeout(None)
     @rpc_call
     def screenshot(self, file_name: "str | None" = None):
@@ -3527,6 +3778,18 @@ class PositionerBox2D(RPCBase):
             positioner (Positioner | str) : Positioner to set, accepts str or the device
         """
 
+    @rpc_call
+    def attach(self):
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def detach(self):
+        """
+        Detach the widget from its parent dock widget (if widget is in the dock), making it a floating widget.
+        """
+
     @rpc_timeout(None)
     @rpc_call
     def screenshot(self, file_name: "str | None" = None):
@@ -3534,34 +3797,6 @@ class PositionerBox2D(RPCBase):
         Take a screenshot of the dock area and save it to a file.
         """
 
-    @property
-    @rpc_call
-    def enable_controls_hor(self) -> "bool":
-        """
-        Persisted switch for horizontal control buttons (tweak/step).
-        """
-
-    @enable_controls_hor.setter
-    @rpc_call
-    def enable_controls_hor(self) -> "bool":
-        """
-        Persisted switch for horizontal control buttons (tweak/step).
-        """
-
-    @property
-    @rpc_call
-    def enable_controls_ver(self) -> "bool":
-        """
-        Persisted switch for vertical control buttons (tweak/step).
-        """
-
-    @enable_controls_ver.setter
-    @rpc_call
-    def enable_controls_ver(self) -> "bool":
-        """
-        Persisted switch for vertical control buttons (tweak/step).
-        """
-
 
 class PositionerControlLine(RPCBase):
     """A widget that controls a single device."""
@@ -3575,6 +3810,18 @@ class PositionerControlLine(RPCBase):
             positioner (Positioner | str) : Positioner to set, accepts str or the device
         """
 
+    @rpc_call
+    def attach(self):
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def detach(self):
+        """
+        Detach the widget from its parent dock widget (if widget is in the dock), making it a floating widget.
+        """
+
     @rpc_timeout(None)
     @rpc_call
     def screenshot(self, file_name: "str | None" = None):
@@ -3594,6 +3841,25 @@ class PositionerGroup(RPCBase):
         Device names must be separated by space
         """
 
+    @rpc_call
+    def attach(self):
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def detach(self):
+        """
+        Detach the widget from its parent dock widget (if widget is in the dock), making it a floating widget.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_timeout(None)
+    @rpc_call
+    def screenshot(self, file_name: "str | None" = None):
+        """
+        Take a screenshot of the dock area and save it to a file.
+        """
+
 
 class RectangularROI(RPCBase):
     """Defines a rectangular Region of Interest (ROI) with additional functionality."""
@@ -3681,8 +3947,8 @@ class RectangularROI(RPCBase):
     @rpc_call
     def get_coordinates(self, typed: "bool | None" = None) -> "dict | tuple":
         """
-        Returns the coordinates of a rectangle's corners, rectangle center and dimensions.
-        Supports returning them as either a dictionary with descriptive keys or a tuple of coordinates.
+        Returns the coordinates of a rectangle's corners. Supports returning them
+        as either a dictionary with descriptive keys or a tuple of coordinates.
 
         Args:
             typed (bool | None): If True, returns coordinates as a dictionary with
@@ -3690,7 +3956,7 @@ class RectangularROI(RPCBase):
                 the value of `self.description`.
 
         Returns:
-            dict | tuple: The rectangle's corner coordinates, rectangle center and dimensions, where the format
+            dict | tuple: The rectangle's corner coordinates, where the format
                 depends on the `typed` parameter.
         """
 
@@ -3733,6 +3999,18 @@ class ResetButton(RPCBase):
         Cleanup the BECConnector
         """
 
+    @rpc_call
+    def attach(self):
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def detach(self):
+        """
+        Detach the widget from its parent dock widget (if widget is in the dock), making it a floating widget.
+        """
+
 
 class ResumeButton(RPCBase):
     """A button that continue scan queue."""
@@ -3743,6 +4021,18 @@ class ResumeButton(RPCBase):
         Cleanup the BECConnector
         """
 
+    @rpc_call
+    def attach(self):
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def detach(self):
+        """
+        Detach the widget from its parent dock widget (if widget is in the dock), making it a floating widget.
+        """
+
 
 class Ring(RPCBase):
     @rpc_call
@@ -3908,7 +4198,7 @@ class RingProgressBar(RPCBase):
         """
 
     @rpc_call
-    def set_precision(self, precision: "int", bar_index: "int | None" = None):
+    def set_precision(self, precision: "int", bar_index: "int" = None):
         """
         Set the precision for the progress bars. If bar_index is not provide, the precision will be set for all progress bars.
 
@@ -4024,6 +4314,25 @@ class RingProgressBar(RPCBase):
             bool: True if scan segment updates are enabled.
         """
 
+    @rpc_call
+    def attach(self):
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def detach(self):
+        """
+        Detach the widget from its parent dock widget (if widget is in the dock), making it a floating widget.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_timeout(None)
+    @rpc_call
+    def screenshot(self, file_name: "str | None" = None):
+        """
+        Take a screenshot of the dock area and save it to a file.
+        """
+
 
 class SBBMonitor(RPCBase):
     """A widget to display the SBB monitor website."""
@@ -4035,9 +4344,15 @@ class ScanControl(RPCBase):
     """Widget to submit new scans to the queue."""
 
     @rpc_call
-    def remove(self):
+    def attach(self):
         """
-        Cleanup the BECConnector
+        None
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def detach(self):
+        """
+        Detach the widget from its parent dock widget (if widget is in the dock), making it a floating widget.
         """
 
     @rpc_timeout(None)
@@ -4057,6 +4372,18 @@ class ScanProgressBar(RPCBase):
         Cleanup the BECConnector
         """
 
+    @rpc_call
+    def attach(self):
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def detach(self):
+        """
+        Detach the widget from its parent dock widget (if widget is in the dock), making it a floating widget.
+        """
+
 
 class ScatterCurve(RPCBase):
     """Scatter curve item for the scatter waveform widget."""
@@ -4355,6 +4682,18 @@ class ScatterWaveform(RPCBase):
         Minimum decimal places for crosshair when dynamic precision is enabled.
         """
 
+    @rpc_call
+    def attach(self):
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def detach(self):
+        """
+        Detach the widget from its parent dock widget (if widget is in the dock), making it a floating widget.
+        """
+
     @rpc_timeout(None)
     @rpc_call
     def screenshot(self, file_name: "str | None" = None):
@@ -4657,6 +4996,18 @@ class StopButton(RPCBase):
         Cleanup the BECConnector
         """
 
+    @rpc_call
+    def attach(self):
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def detach(self):
+        """
+        Detach the widget from its parent dock widget (if widget is in the dock), making it a floating widget.
+        """
+
 
 class TextBox(RPCBase):
     """A widget that displays text in plain and HTML format"""
@@ -4689,6 +5040,25 @@ class VSCodeEditor(RPCBase):
 class Waveform(RPCBase):
     """Widget for plotting waveforms."""
 
+    @rpc_call
+    def attach(self):
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def detach(self):
+        """
+        Detach the widget from its parent dock widget (if widget is in the dock), making it a floating widget.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_timeout(None)
+    @rpc_call
+    def screenshot(self, file_name: "str | None" = None):
+        """
+        Take a screenshot of the dock area and save it to a file.
+        """
+
     @property
     @rpc_call
     def _config_dict(self) -> "dict":
@@ -4993,13 +5363,6 @@ class Waveform(RPCBase):
         Minimum decimal places for crosshair when dynamic precision is enabled.
         """
 
-    @rpc_timeout(None)
-    @rpc_call
-    def screenshot(self, file_name: "str | None" = None):
-        """
-        Take a screenshot of the dock area and save it to a file.
-        """
-
     @property
     @rpc_call
     def curves(self) -> "list[Curve]":
@@ -5107,8 +5470,6 @@ class Waveform(RPCBase):
         color: "str | None" = None,
         label: "str | None" = None,
         dap: "str | None" = None,
-        scan_id: "str | None" = None,
-        scan_number: "int | None" = None,
         **kwargs,
     ) -> "Curve":
         """
@@ -5131,10 +5492,6 @@ class Waveform(RPCBase):
             dap(str): The dap model to use for the curve, only available for sync devices.
             If not specified, none will be added.
             Use the same string as is the name of the LMFit model.
-            scan_id(str):  Optional scan ID. When provided, the curve is treated as a **history** curve and
-                the y‑data (and optional x‑data) are fetched from that historical scan. Such curves are
-                never cleared by live‑scan resets.
-            scan_number(int): Optional scan index. When provided, the curve is treated as a **history** curve and
 
         Returns:
             Curve: The curve object.
@@ -5177,11 +5534,11 @@ class Waveform(RPCBase):
     def update_with_scan_history(self, scan_index: "int" = None, scan_id: "str" = None):
         """
         Update the scan curves with the data from the scan storage.
-        If both arguments are provided, scan_id takes precedence and scan_index is ignored.
+        Provide only one of scan_id or scan_index.
 
         Args:
             scan_id(str, optional): ScanID of the scan to be updated. Defaults to None.
-            scan_index(int, optional): Index (scan number) of the scan to be updated. Defaults to None.
+            scan_index(int, optional): Index of the scan to be updated. Defaults to None.
         """
 
     @rpc_call
@@ -5247,6 +5604,18 @@ class WebConsole(RPCBase):
         Cleanup the BECConnector
         """
 
+    @rpc_call
+    def attach(self):
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def detach(self):
+        """
+        Detach the widget from its parent dock widget (if widget is in the dock), making it a floating widget.
+        """
+
 
 class WebsiteWidget(RPCBase):
     """A simple widget to display a website"""
@@ -5286,3 +5655,22 @@ class WebsiteWidget(RPCBase):
         """
         Go forward in the history
         """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def attach(self):
+        """
+        None
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def detach(self):
+        """
+        Detach the widget from its parent dock widget (if widget is in the dock), making it a floating widget.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_timeout(None)
+    @rpc_call
+    def screenshot(self, file_name: "str | None" = None):
+        """
+        Take a screenshot of the dock area and save it to a file.
+        """

bec_widgets/cli/client_utils.py

@@ -285,18 +285,6 @@ class BECGuiClient(RPCBase):
         """Hide the GUI window."""
         return self._hide_all()
 
-    def raise_window(self, wait: bool = True) -> None:
-        """
-        Bring GUI windows to the front.
-        If the GUI server is not running, it will be started.
-
-        Args:
-            wait(bool): Whether to wait for the server to start. Defaults to True.
-        """
-        if self._check_if_server_is_alive():
-            return self._raise_all()
-        return self._start(wait=wait)
-
     def new(
         self,
         name: str | None = None,
@@ -455,8 +443,8 @@ class BECGuiClient(RPCBase):
         self._update_dynamic_namespace(self._server_registry)
 
     def _do_show_all(self):
-        if self.launcher and len(self._top_level) == 0:
-            self.launcher._run_rpc("show")  # pylint: disable=protected-access
+        rpc_client = RPCBase(gui_id=f"{self._gui_id}:launcher", parent=self)
+        rpc_client._run_rpc("show")  # pylint: disable=protected-access
         for window in self._top_level.values():
             window.show()
 
@@ -466,24 +454,11 @@ class BECGuiClient(RPCBase):
 
     def _hide_all(self):
         with wait_for_server(self):
-            if self._killed:
-                return
-            self.launcher._run_rpc("hide")
-            for window in self._top_level.values():
-                window.hide()
-
-    def _do_raise_all(self):
-        """Bring GUI windows to the front."""
-        if self.launcher and len(self._top_level) == 0:
-            self.launcher._run_rpc("raise")  # pylint: disable=protected-access
-        for window in self._top_level.values():
-            window._run_rpc("raise")  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
-
-    def _raise_all(self):
-        with wait_for_server(self):
-            if self._killed:
-                return
-            return self._do_raise_all()
+            rpc_client = RPCBase(gui_id=f"{self._gui_id}:launcher", parent=self)
+            rpc_client._run_rpc("hide")  # pylint: disable=protected-access
+            if not self._killed:
+                for window in self._top_level.values():
+                    window.hide()
 
     def _update_dynamic_namespace(self, server_registry: dict):
         """

bec_widgets/cli/rpc/rpc_base.py

@@ -202,11 +202,6 @@ class RPCBase:
             parent = parent._parent
         return parent  # type: ignore
 
-    def raise_window(self):
-        """Bring this widget (or its container) to the front."""
-        # Use explicit call to ensure action name is 'raise' (not 'raise_')
-        return self._run_rpc("raise")
-
     def _run_rpc(
         self,
         method,
@@ -230,12 +225,6 @@ class RPCBase:
         Returns:
             The result of the RPC call.
         """
-        if method in ["show", "hide", "raise"] and gui_id is None:
-            obj = self._root._server_registry.get(self._gui_id)
-            if obj is None:
-                raise ValueError(f"Widget {self._gui_id} not found.")
-            gui_id = obj.get("container_proxy")  # type: ignore
-
         request_id = str(uuid.uuid4())
         rpc_msg = messages.GUIInstructionMessage(
             action=method,

bec_widgets/cli/server.py

@@ -7,8 +7,10 @@ import signal
 import sys
 from contextlib import redirect_stderr, redirect_stdout
 
+import darkdetect
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from bec_lib.service_config import ServiceConfig
+from bec_qthemes import apply_theme
 from qtmonaco.pylsp_provider import pylsp_server
 from qtpy.QtCore import QSize, Qt
 from qtpy.QtGui import QIcon
@@ -92,6 +94,11 @@ class GUIServer:
         Run the GUI server.
         """
         self.app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+        if darkdetect.isDark():
+            apply_theme("dark")
+        else:
+            apply_theme("light")
+
         self.app.setApplicationName("BEC")
         self.app.gui_id = self.gui_id  # type: ignore
         self.setup_bec_icon()

bec_widgets/examples/device_manager_view/device_manager_view.py

@@ -0,0 +1,214 @@
+from typing import List
+
+import PySide6QtAds as QtAds
+import yaml
+from bec_qthemes import material_icon
+from PySide6QtAds import CDockManager, CDockWidget
+from qtpy.QtCore import Qt, QTimer
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
+    QPushButton,
+    QSizePolicy,
+    QSplitter,
+    QStackedLayout,
+    QTreeWidget,
+    QVBoxLayout,
+    QWidget,
+)
+
+from bec_widgets import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.advanced_dock_area.advanced_dock_area import AdvancedDockArea
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_manager.components.available_device_resources.available_device_resources import (
+    AvailableDeviceResources,
+)
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_manager.components.device_table_view import DeviceTableView
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_manager.components.dm_config_view import DMConfigView
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_manager.components.dm_ophyd_test import (
+    DeviceManagerOphydTest,
+)
+from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.monaco.monaco_widget import MonacoWidget
+from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.web_console.web_console import WebConsole
+from bec_widgets.widgets.services.bec_status_box.bec_status_box import BECStatusBox
+from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.ide_explorer.ide_explorer import IDEExplorer
+
+
+def set_splitter_weights(splitter: QSplitter, weights: List[float]) -> None:
+    """
+    Apply initial sizes to a splitter using weight ratios, e.g. [1,3,2,1].
+    Works for horizontal or vertical splitters and sets matching stretch factors.
+    """
+
+    def apply():
+        n = splitter.count()
+        if n == 0:
+            return
+        w = list(weights[:n]) + [1] * max(0, n - len(weights))
+        w = [max(0.0, float(x)) for x in w]
+        tot_w = sum(w)
+        if tot_w <= 0:
+            w = [1.0] * n
+            tot_w = float(n)
+        total_px = (
+            splitter.width() if splitter.orientation() == Qt.Horizontal else splitter.height()
+        )
+        if total_px < 2:
+            QTimer.singleShot(0, apply)
+            return
+        sizes = [max(1, int(total_px * (wi / tot_w))) for wi in w]
+        diff = total_px - sum(sizes)
+        if diff != 0:
+            idx = max(range(n), key=lambda i: w[i])
+            sizes[idx] = max(1, sizes[idx] + diff)
+        splitter.setSizes(sizes)
+        for i, wi in enumerate(w):
+            splitter.setStretchFactor(i, max(1, int(round(wi * 100))))
+
+    QTimer.singleShot(0, apply)
+
+
+class DeviceManagerView(BECWidget, QWidget):
+
+    def __init__(self, parent=None, *args, **kwargs):
+        super().__init__(parent, *args, **kwargs)
+
+        # Top-level layout hosting a toolbar and the dock manager
+        self._root_layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
+        self._root_layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        self._root_layout.setSpacing(0)
+        self.dock_manager = CDockManager(self)
+        self._root_layout.addWidget(self.dock_manager)
+
+        # Initialize the widgets
+        self.available_devices = AvailableDeviceResources(self)
+        self.device_table_view = DeviceTableView(self)
+        # Placeholder
+        self.dm_config_view = DMConfigView(self)
+
+        # Placeholder for ophyd test
+        WebConsole.startup_cmd = "ipython"
+        self.ophyd_test = DeviceManagerOphydTest(self)
+        self.ophyd_test_dock = QtAds.CDockWidget("Ophyd Test", self)
+        self.ophyd_test_dock.setWidget(self.ophyd_test)
+
+        # Create the dock widgets
+        self.available_devices_dock = QtAds.CDockWidget("Explorer", self)
+        self.available_devices_dock.setWidget(self.available_devices)
+
+        self.device_table_view_dock = QtAds.CDockWidget("Device Table", self)
+        self.device_table_view_dock.setWidget(self.device_table_view)
+
+        # Device Table will be central widget
+        self.dock_manager.setCentralWidget(self.device_table_view_dock)
+
+        self.dm_config_view_dock = QtAds.CDockWidget("YAML Editor", self)
+        self.dm_config_view_dock.setWidget(self.dm_config_view)
+
+        # Add the dock widgets to the dock manager
+        self.dock_manager.addDockWidget(
+            QtAds.DockWidgetArea.LeftDockWidgetArea, self.available_devices_dock
+        )
+        monaco_yaml_area = self.dock_manager.addDockWidget(
+            QtAds.DockWidgetArea.RightDockWidgetArea, self.dm_config_view_dock
+        )
+        self.dock_manager.addDockWidget(
+            QtAds.DockWidgetArea.BottomDockWidgetArea, self.ophyd_test_dock, monaco_yaml_area
+        )
+
+        for dock in self.dock_manager.dockWidgets():
+            # dock.setFeature(CDockWidget.DockWidgetDeleteOnClose, True)#TODO implement according to MonacoDock or AdvancedDockArea
+            # dock.setFeature(CDockWidget.CustomCloseHandling, True) #TODO same
+            dock.setFeature(CDockWidget.DockWidgetClosable, False)
+            dock.setFeature(CDockWidget.DockWidgetFloatable, False)
+            dock.setFeature(CDockWidget.DockWidgetMovable, False)
+
+        # Fetch all dock areas of the dock widgets (on our case always one dock area)
+        for dock in self.dock_manager.dockWidgets():
+            area = dock.dockAreaWidget()
+            area.titleBar().setVisible(False)
+
+        # Apply stretch after the layout is done
+        self.set_default_view([2, 5, 3], [5, 5])
+
+        # Connect slots
+        self.device_table_view.selected_device.connect(self.dm_config_view.on_select_config)
+        self.device_table_view.model.devices_reset.connect(
+            self.available_devices.update_devices_state
+        )
+
+    ####### Default view has to be done with setting up splitters ########
+    def set_default_view(self, horizontal_weights: list, vertical_weights: list):
+        """Apply initial weights to every horizontal and vertical splitter.
+
+        Examples:
+            horizontal_weights = [1, 3, 2, 1]
+            vertical_weights   = [3, 7]  # top:bottom = 30:70
+        """
+        splitters_h = []
+        splitters_v = []
+        for splitter in self.findChildren(QSplitter):
+            if splitter.orientation() == Qt.Horizontal:
+                splitters_h.append(splitter)
+            elif splitter.orientation() == Qt.Vertical:
+                splitters_v.append(splitter)
+
+        def apply_all():
+            for s in splitters_h:
+                set_splitter_weights(s, horizontal_weights)
+            for s in splitters_v:
+                set_splitter_weights(s, vertical_weights)
+
+        QTimer.singleShot(0, apply_all)
+
+    def set_stretch(self, *, horizontal=None, vertical=None):
+        """Update splitter weights and re-apply to all splitters.
+
+        Accepts either a list/tuple of weights (e.g., [1,3,2,1]) or a role dict
+        for convenience: horizontal roles = {"left","center","right"},
+        vertical roles = {"top","bottom"}.
+        """
+
+        def _coerce_h(x):
+            if x is None:
+                return None
+            if isinstance(x, (list, tuple)):
+                return list(map(float, x))
+            if isinstance(x, dict):
+                return [
+                    float(x.get("left", 1)),
+                    float(x.get("center", x.get("middle", 1))),
+                    float(x.get("right", 1)),
+                ]
+            return None
+
+        def _coerce_v(x):
+            if x is None:
+                return None
+            if isinstance(x, (list, tuple)):
+                return list(map(float, x))
+            if isinstance(x, dict):
+                return [float(x.get("top", 1)), float(x.get("bottom", 1))]
+            return None
+
+        h = _coerce_h(horizontal)
+        v = _coerce_v(vertical)
+        if h is None:
+            h = [1, 1, 1]
+        if v is None:
+            v = [1, 1]
+        self.set_default_view(h, v)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    import sys
+
+    from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
+
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    device_manager_view = DeviceManagerView()
+    config = device_manager_view.client.device_manager._get_redis_device_config()
+    device_manager_view.device_table_view.set_device_config(config)
+    device_manager_view.show()
+    device_manager_view.setWindowTitle("Device Manager View")
+    device_manager_view.resize(1200, 800)
+    # developer_view.set_stretch(horizontal=[1, 3, 2], vertical=[5, 5]) #can be set during runtime
+    sys.exit(app.exec_())

bec_widgets/examples/device_manager_view/device_manager_widget.py

@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+"""Top Level wrapper for device_manager widget"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from bec_qthemes import material_icon
+from qtpy import QtCore, QtWidgets
+
+from bec_widgets.examples.device_manager_view.device_manager_view import DeviceManagerView
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+
+
+class DeviceManagerWidget(BECWidget, QtWidgets.QWidget):
+
+    def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None):
+        super().__init__(client=client, parent=parent)
+        self.stacked_layout = QtWidgets.QStackedLayout()
+        self.stacked_layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        self.stacked_layout.setSpacing(0)
+        self.stacked_layout.setStackingMode(QtWidgets.QStackedLayout.StackAll)
+        self.setLayout(self.stacked_layout)
+
+        # Add device manager view
+        self.device_manager_view = DeviceManagerView()
+        self.stacked_layout.addWidget(self.device_manager_view)
+
+        # Add overlay widget
+        self._overlay_widget = QtWidgets.QWidget(self)
+        self._customize_overlay()
+        self.stacked_layout.addWidget(self._overlay_widget)
+        self.stacked_layout.setCurrentWidget(self._overlay_widget)
+
+    def _customize_overlay(self):
+        self._overlay_widget.setStyleSheet(
+            "background: qlineargradient(x1:0, y1:0, x2:0, y2:1,stop:0 #ffffff, stop:1 #e0e0e0);"
+        )
+        self._overlay_widget.setAutoFillBackground(True)
+        self._overlay_layout = QtWidgets.QVBoxLayout()
+        self._overlay_layout.setAlignment(QtCore.Qt.AlignmentFlag.AlignCenter)
+        self._overlay_widget.setLayout(self._overlay_layout)
+        self._overlay_widget.setSizePolicy(
+            QtWidgets.QSizePolicy.Policy.Expanding, QtWidgets.QSizePolicy.Policy.Expanding
+        )
+        self.button_load_current_config = QtWidgets.QPushButton("Load Current Config")
+        icon = material_icon(icon_name="database", size=(24, 24), convert_to_pixmap=False)
+        self.button_load_current_config.setIcon(icon)
+        self._overlay_layout.addWidget(self.button_load_current_config)
+        self.button_load_current_config.clicked.connect(self._load_config_clicked)
+        self._overlay_widget.setVisible(True)
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def _load_config_clicked(self):
+        """Handle click on 'Load Current Config' button."""
+        config = self.client.device_manager._get_redis_device_config()
+        self.device_manager_view.device_table_view.set_device_config(config)
+        self.device_manager_view.ophyd_test.on_device_config_update(config)
+        self.stacked_layout.setCurrentWidget(self.device_manager_view)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    import sys
+
+    from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
+
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    device_manager = DeviceManagerWidget()
+    # config = device_manager.client.device_manager._get_redis_device_config()
+    # device_manager.device_table_view.set_device_config(config)
+    device_manager.show()
+    device_manager.setWindowTitle("Device Manager View")
+    device_manager.resize(1600, 1200)
+    # developer_view.set_stretch(horizontal=[1, 3, 2], vertical=[5, 5]) #can be set during runtime
+    sys.exit(app.exec_())

bec_widgets/examples/jupyter_console/jupyter_console_window.py

@@ -15,7 +15,9 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
 )
 
 from bec_widgets.utils import BECDispatcher
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 from bec_widgets.utils.widget_io import WidgetHierarchy as wh
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.advanced_dock_area.advanced_dock_area import AdvancedDockArea
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock import BECDockArea
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.layout_manager.layout_manager import LayoutManagerWidget
 from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.jupyter_console.jupyter_console import BECJupyterConsole
@@ -44,6 +46,7 @@ class JupyterConsoleWindow(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover:
                     "wh": wh,
                     "dock": self.dock,
                     "im": self.im,
+                    "ads": self.ads,
                     # "mi": self.mi,
                     # "mm": self.mm,
                     # "lm": self.lm,
@@ -55,7 +58,7 @@ class JupyterConsoleWindow(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover:
                     # "btn6": self.btn6,
                     # "pb": self.pb,
                     # "pi": self.pi,
-                    "wf": self.wf,
+                    # "wf": self.wf,
                     # "scatter": self.scatter,
                     # "scatter_mi": self.scatter,
                     # "mwf": self.mwf,
@@ -105,11 +108,12 @@ class JupyterConsoleWindow(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover:
         # self.btn5 = QPushButton("Button 5")
         # self.btn6 = QPushButton("Button 6")
         #
-        fifth_tab = QWidget()
-        fifth_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(fifth_tab)
-        self.wf = Waveform()
-        fifth_tab_layout.addWidget(self.wf)
-        tab_widget.addTab(fifth_tab, "Waveform Next Gen")
+        # fifth_tab = QWidget()
+        # fifth_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(fifth_tab)
+        # self.wf = Waveform()
+        # fifth_tab_layout.addWidget(self.wf)
+        # tab_widget.addTab(fifth_tab, "Waveform Next Gen")
+        # tab_widget.setCurrentIndex(4)
         #
         sixth_tab = QWidget()
         sixth_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(sixth_tab)
@@ -119,14 +123,12 @@ class JupyterConsoleWindow(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover:
         tab_widget.addTab(sixth_tab, "Image Next Gen")
         tab_widget.setCurrentIndex(1)
         #
-        # seventh_tab = QWidget()
-        # seventh_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(seventh_tab)
-        # self.scatter = ScatterWaveform()
-        # self.scatter_mi = self.scatter.main_curve
-        # self.scatter.plot("samx", "samy", "bpm4i")
-        # seventh_tab_layout.addWidget(self.scatter)
-        # tab_widget.addTab(seventh_tab, "Scatter Waveform")
-        # tab_widget.setCurrentIndex(6)
+        seventh_tab = QWidget()
+        seventh_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(seventh_tab)
+        self.ads = AdvancedDockArea(gui_id="ads")
+        seventh_tab_layout.addWidget(self.ads)
+        tab_widget.addTab(seventh_tab, "ADS")
+        tab_widget.setCurrentIndex(2)
         #
         # eighth_tab = QWidget()
         # eighth_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(eighth_tab)
@@ -168,6 +170,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     module_path = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
 
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    apply_theme("dark")
     app.setApplicationName("Jupyter Console")
     app.setApplicationDisplayName("Jupyter Console")
     icon = material_icon("terminal", color=(255, 255, 255, 255), filled=True)

bec_widgets/tests/fake_devices.py

@@ -1,285 +0,0 @@
-from unittest.mock import MagicMock
-
-from bec_lib.device import Device as BECDevice
-from bec_lib.device import Positioner as BECPositioner
-from bec_lib.device import ReadoutPriority
-from bec_lib.devicemanager import DeviceContainer
-
-
-class FakeDevice(BECDevice):
-    """Fake minimal positioner class for testing."""
-
-    def __init__(self, name, enabled=True, readout_priority=ReadoutPriority.MONITORED):
-        super().__init__(name=name)
-        self._enabled = enabled
-        self.signals = {self.name: {"value": 1.0}}
-        self.description = {self.name: {"source": self.name, "dtype": "number", "shape": []}}
-        self._readout_priority = readout_priority
-        self._config = {
-            "readoutPriority": "baseline",
-            "deviceClass": "ophyd.Device",
-            "deviceConfig": {},
-            "deviceTags": {"user device"},
-            "enabled": enabled,
-            "readOnly": False,
-            "name": self.name,
-        }
-
-    @property
-    def readout_priority(self):
-        return self._readout_priority
-
-    @readout_priority.setter
-    def readout_priority(self, value):
-        self._readout_priority = value
-
-    @property
-    def limits(self) -> tuple[float, float]:
-        return self._limits
-
-    @limits.setter
-    def limits(self, value: tuple[float, float]):
-        self._limits = value
-
-    def __contains__(self, item):
-        return item == self.name
-
-    @property
-    def _hints(self):
-        return [self.name]
-
-    def set_value(self, fake_value: float = 1.0) -> None:
-        """
-        Setup fake value for device readout
-        Args:
-            fake_value(float): Desired fake value
-        """
-        self.signals[self.name]["value"] = fake_value
-
-    def describe(self) -> dict:
-        """
-        Get the description of the device
-        Returns:
-            dict: Description of the device
-        """
-        return self.description
-
-
-class FakePositioner(BECPositioner):
-
-    def __init__(
-        self,
-        name,
-        enabled=True,
-        limits=None,
-        read_value=1.0,
-        readout_priority=ReadoutPriority.MONITORED,
-    ):
-        super().__init__(name=name)
-        # self.limits = limits if limits is not None else [0.0, 0.0]
-        self.read_value = read_value
-        self.setpoint_value = read_value
-        self.motor_is_moving_value = 0
-        self._enabled = enabled
-        self._limits = limits
-        self._readout_priority = readout_priority
-        self.signals = {self.name: {"value": 1.0}}
-        self.description = {self.name: {"source": self.name, "dtype": "number", "shape": []}}
-        self._config = {
-            "readoutPriority": "baseline",
-            "deviceClass": "ophyd_devices.SimPositioner",
-            "deviceConfig": {"delay": 1, "tolerance": 0.01, "update_frequency": 400},
-            "deviceTags": {"user motors"},
-            "enabled": enabled,
-            "readOnly": False,
-            "name": self.name,
-        }
-        self._info = {
-            "signals": {
-                "readback": {
-                    "kind_str": "hinted",
-                    "component_name": "readback",
-                    "obj_name": self.name,
-                },  # hinted
-                "setpoint": {
-                    "kind_str": "normal",
-                    "component_name": "setpoint",
-                    "obj_name": f"{self.name}_setpoint",
-                },  # normal
-                "velocity": {
-                    "kind_str": "config",
-                    "component_name": "velocity",
-                    "obj_name": f"{self.name}_velocity",
-                },  # config
-            }
-        }
-        self.signals = {
-            self.name: {"value": self.read_value},
-            f"{self.name}_setpoint": {"value": self.setpoint_value},
-            f"{self.name}_motor_is_moving": {"value": self.motor_is_moving_value},
-        }
-
-    @property
-    def readout_priority(self):
-        return self._readout_priority
-
-    @readout_priority.setter
-    def readout_priority(self, value):
-        self._readout_priority = value
-
-    @property
-    def enabled(self) -> bool:
-        return self._enabled
-
-    @enabled.setter
-    def enabled(self, value: bool):
-        self._enabled = value
-
-    @property
-    def limits(self) -> tuple[float, float]:
-        return self._limits
-
-    @limits.setter
-    def limits(self, value: tuple[float, float]):
-        self._limits = value
-
-    def __contains__(self, item):
-        return item == self.name
-
-    @property
-    def _hints(self):
-        return [self.name]
-
-    def set_value(self, fake_value: float = 1.0) -> None:
-        """
-        Setup fake value for device readout
-        Args:
-            fake_value(float): Desired fake value
-        """
-        self.read_value = fake_value
-
-    def describe(self) -> dict:
-        """
-        Get the description of the device
-        Returns:
-            dict: Description of the device
-        """
-        return self.description
-
-    @property
-    def precision(self):
-        return 3
-
-    def set_read_value(self, value):
-        self.read_value = value
-
-    def read(self, cached=False):
-        return self.signals
-
-    def set_limits(self, limits):
-        self.limits = limits
-
-    def move(self, value, relative=False):
-        """Simulates moving the device to a new position."""
-        if relative:
-            self.read_value += value
-        else:
-            self.read_value = value
-        # Respect the limits
-        self.read_value = max(min(self.read_value, self.limits[1]), self.limits[0])
-
-    @property
-    def readback(self):
-        return MagicMock(get=MagicMock(return_value=self.read_value))
-
-
-class Positioner(FakePositioner):
-    """just placeholder for testing embedded isinstance check in DeviceCombobox"""
-
-    def __init__(self, name="test", limits=None, read_value=1.0, enabled=True):
-        super().__init__(name, limits=limits, read_value=read_value, enabled=enabled)
-
-
-class Device(FakeDevice):
-    """just placeholder for testing embedded isinstance check in DeviceCombobox"""
-
-    def __init__(self, name, enabled=True):
-        super().__init__(name, enabled)
-
-
-class DMMock:
-    def __init__(self):
-        self.devices = DeviceContainer()
-        self.enabled_devices = [device for device in self.devices if device.enabled]
-
-    def add_devices(self, devices: list):
-        """
-        Add devices to the DeviceContainer.
-
-        Args:
-            devices (list): List of device instances to add.
-        """
-        for device in devices:
-            self.devices[device.name] = device
-
-    def get_bec_signals(self, signal_class_name: str):
-        """
-        Emulate DeviceManager.get_bec_signals for unit-tests.
-
-        For “AsyncSignal” we list every device whose readout_priority is
-        ReadoutPriority.ASYNC and build a minimal tuple
-        (device_name, signal_name, signal_info_dict) that matches the real
-        API shape used by Waveform._check_async_signal_found.
-        """
-        signals: list[tuple[str, str, dict]] = []
-        if signal_class_name != "AsyncSignal":
-            return signals
-
-        for device in self.devices.values():
-            if getattr(device, "readout_priority", None) == ReadoutPriority.ASYNC:
-                device_name = device.name
-                signal_name = device.name  # primary signal in our mocks
-                signal_info = {
-                    "component_name": signal_name,
-                    "obj_name": signal_name,
-                    "kind_str": "hinted",
-                    "signal_class": signal_class_name,
-                    "metadata": {
-                        "connected": True,
-                        "precision": None,
-                        "read_access": True,
-                        "timestamp": 0.0,
-                        "write_access": True,
-                    },
-                }
-                signals.append((device_name, signal_name, signal_info))
-        return signals
-
-
-DEVICES = [
-    FakePositioner("samx", limits=[-10, 10], read_value=2.0),
-    FakePositioner("samy", limits=[-5, 5], read_value=3.0),
-    FakePositioner("samz", limits=[-8, 8], read_value=4.0),
-    FakePositioner("aptrx", limits=None, read_value=4.0),
-    FakePositioner("aptry", limits=None, read_value=5.0),
-    FakeDevice("gauss_bpm"),
-    FakeDevice("gauss_adc1"),
-    FakeDevice("gauss_adc2"),
-    FakeDevice("gauss_adc3"),
-    FakeDevice("bpm4i"),
-    FakeDevice("bpm3a"),
-    FakeDevice("bpm3i"),
-    FakeDevice("eiger", readout_priority=ReadoutPriority.ASYNC),
-    FakeDevice("waveform1d"),
-    FakeDevice("async_device", readout_priority=ReadoutPriority.ASYNC),
-    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/tests/utils.py

@@ -1,76 +1,285 @@
-from pytestqt.exceptions import TimeoutError as QtBotTimeoutError
-from qtpy.QtCore import QTimer
-from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock
 
-from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_register import RPCRegister
-from bec_widgets.utils import bec_dispatcher as bec_dispatcher_module
-from bec_widgets.utils import error_popups
+from bec_lib.device import Device as BECDevice
+from bec_lib.device import Positioner as BECPositioner
+from bec_lib.device import ReadoutPriority
+from bec_lib.devicemanager import DeviceContainer
 
 
-class TestableQTimer(QTimer):
-    _instances: list[tuple[QTimer, str]] = []
-    _current_test_name: str = ""
+class FakeDevice(BECDevice):
+    """Fake minimal positioner class for testing."""
 
-    def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
-        super().__init__(*args, **kwargs)
-        TestableQTimer._instances.append((self, TestableQTimer._current_test_name))
+    def __init__(self, name, enabled=True, readout_priority=ReadoutPriority.MONITORED):
+        super().__init__(name=name)
+        self._enabled = enabled
+        self.signals = {self.name: {"value": 1.0}}
+        self.description = {self.name: {"source": self.name, "dtype": "number", "shape": []}}
+        self._readout_priority = readout_priority
+        self._config = {
+            "readoutPriority": "baseline",
+            "deviceClass": "ophyd.Device",
+            "deviceConfig": {},
+            "deviceTags": {"user device"},
+            "enabled": enabled,
+            "readOnly": False,
+            "name": self.name,
+        }
 
-    @classmethod
-    def check_all_stopped(cls, qtbot):
-        def _is_done_or_deleted(t: QTimer):
-            try:
-                return not t.isActive()
-            except RuntimeError as e:
-                return "already deleted" in e.args[0]
+    @property
+    def readout_priority(self):
+        return self._readout_priority
 
-        try:
-            qtbot.waitUntil(lambda: all(_is_done_or_deleted(timer) for timer, _ in cls._instances))
-        except QtBotTimeoutError as exc:
-            active_timers = list(filter(lambda t: t[0].isActive(), cls._instances))
-            (t.stop() for t, _ in cls._instances)
-            raise TimeoutError(f"Failed to stop all timers: {active_timers}") from exc
-        cls._instances = []
+    @readout_priority.setter
+    def readout_priority(self, value):
+        self._readout_priority = value
+
+    @property
+    def limits(self) -> tuple[float, float]:
+        return self._limits
+
+    @limits.setter
+    def limits(self, value: tuple[float, float]):
+        self._limits = value
+
+    def __contains__(self, item):
+        return item == self.name
+
+    @property
+    def _hints(self):
+        return [self.name]
+
+    def set_value(self, fake_value: float = 1.0) -> None:
+        """
+        Setup fake value for device readout
+        Args:
+            fake_value(float): Desired fake value
+        """
+        self.signals[self.name]["value"] = fake_value
+
+    def describe(self) -> dict:
+        """
+        Get the description of the device
+        Returns:
+            dict: Description of the device
+        """
+        return self.description
 
 
-def qapplication_fixture(qtbot, request, testable_qtimer_class):
-    yield
+class FakePositioner(BECPositioner):
 
-    if request.node.stash._storage.get("failed"):
-        print("Test failed, skipping cleanup checks")
-        return
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        name,
+        enabled=True,
+        limits=None,
+        read_value=1.0,
+        readout_priority=ReadoutPriority.MONITORED,
+    ):
+        super().__init__(name=name)
+        # self.limits = limits if limits is not None else [0.0, 0.0]
+        self.read_value = read_value
+        self.setpoint_value = read_value
+        self.motor_is_moving_value = 0
+        self._enabled = enabled
+        self._limits = limits
+        self._readout_priority = readout_priority
+        self.signals = {self.name: {"value": 1.0}}
+        self.description = {self.name: {"source": self.name, "dtype": "number", "shape": []}}
+        self._config = {
+            "readoutPriority": "baseline",
+            "deviceClass": "ophyd_devices.SimPositioner",
+            "deviceConfig": {"delay": 1, "tolerance": 0.01, "update_frequency": 400},
+            "deviceTags": {"user motors"},
+            "enabled": enabled,
+            "readOnly": False,
+            "name": self.name,
+        }
+        self._info = {
+            "signals": {
+                "readback": {
+                    "kind_str": "hinted",
+                    "component_name": "readback",
+                    "obj_name": self.name,
+                },  # hinted
+                "setpoint": {
+                    "kind_str": "normal",
+                    "component_name": "setpoint",
+                    "obj_name": f"{self.name}_setpoint",
+                },  # normal
+                "velocity": {
+                    "kind_str": "config",
+                    "component_name": "velocity",
+                    "obj_name": f"{self.name}_velocity",
+                },  # config
+            }
+        }
+        self.signals = {
+            self.name: {"value": self.read_value},
+            f"{self.name}_setpoint": {"value": self.setpoint_value},
+            f"{self.name}_motor_is_moving": {"value": self.motor_is_moving_value},
+        }
 
-    bec_dispatcher = bec_dispatcher_module.BECDispatcher()
-    bec_dispatcher.stop_cli_server()
+    @property
+    def readout_priority(self):
+        return self._readout_priority
 
-    testable_qtimer_class.check_all_stopped(qtbot)
-    qapp = QApplication.instance()
-    qapp.processEvents()
-    if hasattr(qapp, "os_listener") and qapp.os_listener:
-        qapp.removeEventFilter(qapp.os_listener)
-    try:
-        qtbot.waitUntil(lambda: qapp.topLevelWidgets() == [])
-    except QtBotTimeoutError as exc:
-        raise TimeoutError(f"Failed to close all widgets: {qapp.topLevelWidgets()}") from exc
+    @readout_priority.setter
+    def readout_priority(self, value):
+        self._readout_priority = value
+
+    @property
+    def enabled(self) -> bool:
+        return self._enabled
+
+    @enabled.setter
+    def enabled(self, value: bool):
+        self._enabled = value
+
+    @property
+    def limits(self) -> tuple[float, float]:
+        return self._limits
+
+    @limits.setter
+    def limits(self, value: tuple[float, float]):
+        self._limits = value
+
+    def __contains__(self, item):
+        return item == self.name
+
+    @property
+    def _hints(self):
+        return [self.name]
+
+    def set_value(self, fake_value: float = 1.0) -> None:
+        """
+        Setup fake value for device readout
+        Args:
+            fake_value(float): Desired fake value
+        """
+        self.read_value = fake_value
+
+    def describe(self) -> dict:
+        """
+        Get the description of the device
+        Returns:
+            dict: Description of the device
+        """
+        return self.description
+
+    @property
+    def precision(self):
+        return 3
+
+    def set_read_value(self, value):
+        self.read_value = value
+
+    def read(self):
+        return self.signals
+
+    def set_limits(self, limits):
+        self.limits = limits
+
+    def move(self, value, relative=False):
+        """Simulates moving the device to a new position."""
+        if relative:
+            self.read_value += value
+        else:
+            self.read_value = value
+        # Respect the limits
+        self.read_value = max(min(self.read_value, self.limits[1]), self.limits[0])
+
+    @property
+    def readback(self):
+        return MagicMock(get=MagicMock(return_value=self.read_value))
 
 
-def rpc_register_fixture():
-    try:
-        yield RPCRegister()
-    finally:
-        RPCRegister.reset_singleton()
+class Positioner(FakePositioner):
+    """just placeholder for testing embedded isinstance check in DeviceCombobox"""
+
+    def __init__(self, name="test", limits=None, read_value=1.0, enabled=True):
+        super().__init__(name, limits=limits, read_value=read_value, enabled=enabled)
 
 
-def bec_dispatcher_fixture(threads_check):
-    bec_dispatcher = bec_dispatcher_module.BECDispatcher()
-    try:
-        yield bec_dispatcher
-    finally:
-        bec_dispatcher.disconnect_all()
-        bec_dispatcher.client.shutdown()
-        bec_dispatcher.stop_cli_server()
-        bec_dispatcher_module.BECDispatcher.reset_singleton()
+class Device(FakeDevice):
+    """just placeholder for testing embedded isinstance check in DeviceCombobox"""
+
+    def __init__(self, name, enabled=True):
+        super().__init__(name, enabled)
 
 
-def clean_singleton_fixture():
-    error_popups._popup_utility_instance = None
-    yield
+class DMMock:
+    def __init__(self):
+        self.devices = DeviceContainer()
+        self.enabled_devices = [device for device in self.devices if device.enabled]
+
+    def add_devices(self, devices: list):
+        """
+        Add devices to the DeviceContainer.
+
+        Args:
+            devices (list): List of device instances to add.
+        """
+        for device in devices:
+            self.devices[device.name] = device
+
+    def get_bec_signals(self, signal_class_name: str):
+        """
+        Emulate DeviceManager.get_bec_signals for unit-tests.
+
+        For “AsyncSignal” we list every device whose readout_priority is
+        ReadoutPriority.ASYNC and build a minimal tuple
+        (device_name, signal_name, signal_info_dict) that matches the real
+        API shape used by Waveform._check_async_signal_found.
+        """
+        signals: list[tuple[str, str, dict]] = []
+        if signal_class_name != "AsyncSignal":
+            return signals
+
+        for device in self.devices.values():
+            if getattr(device, "readout_priority", None) == ReadoutPriority.ASYNC:
+                device_name = device.name
+                signal_name = device.name  # primary signal in our mocks
+                signal_info = {
+                    "component_name": signal_name,
+                    "obj_name": signal_name,
+                    "kind_str": "hinted",
+                    "signal_class": signal_class_name,
+                    "metadata": {
+                        "connected": True,
+                        "precision": None,
+                        "read_access": True,
+                        "timestamp": 0.0,
+                        "write_access": True,
+                    },
+                }
+                signals.append((device_name, signal_name, signal_info))
+        return signals
+
+
+DEVICES = [
+    FakePositioner("samx", limits=[-10, 10], read_value=2.0),
+    FakePositioner("samy", limits=[-5, 5], read_value=3.0),
+    FakePositioner("samz", limits=[-8, 8], read_value=4.0),
+    FakePositioner("aptrx", limits=None, read_value=4.0),
+    FakePositioner("aptry", limits=None, read_value=5.0),
+    FakeDevice("gauss_bpm"),
+    FakeDevice("gauss_adc1"),
+    FakeDevice("gauss_adc2"),
+    FakeDevice("gauss_adc3"),
+    FakeDevice("bpm4i"),
+    FakeDevice("bpm3a"),
+    FakeDevice("bpm3i"),
+    FakeDevice("eiger", readout_priority=ReadoutPriority.ASYNC),
+    FakeDevice("waveform1d"),
+    FakeDevice("async_device", readout_priority=ReadoutPriority.ASYNC),
+    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

@@ -77,6 +77,8 @@ class BECConnector:
 
     USER_ACCESS = ["_config_dict", "_get_all_rpc", "_rpc_id"]
     EXIT_HANDLERS = {}
+    widget_removed = Signal()
+    name_established = Signal(str)
 
     def __init__(
         self,
@@ -204,6 +206,10 @@ class BECConnector:
         self._enforce_unique_sibling_name()
         # 2) Register the object for RPC
         self.rpc_register.add_rpc(self)
+        try:
+            self.name_established.emit(self.object_name)
+        except RuntimeError:
+            return
 
     def _enforce_unique_sibling_name(self):
         """
@@ -213,7 +219,7 @@ class BECConnector:
           - If there's a nearest BECConnector parent, only compare with children of that parent.
           - If parent is None (i.e., top-level object), compare with all other top-level BECConnectors.
         """
-        QApplication.sendPostedEvents()
+        QApplication.processEvents()
         parent_bec = WidgetHierarchy._get_becwidget_ancestor(self)
 
         if parent_bec:
@@ -450,6 +456,7 @@ class BECConnector:
         # i.e. Curve Item from Waveform
         else:
             self.rpc_register.remove_rpc(self)
+        self.widget_removed.emit()  # Emit the remove signal to notify listeners (eg docks in QtADS)
 
     def get_config(self, dict_output: bool = True) -> dict | BaseModel:
         """

bec_widgets/utils/bec_widget.py

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 from datetime import datetime
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
-import darkdetect
+import PySide6QtAds as QtAds
 import shiboken6
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from qtpy.QtCore import QObject
@@ -11,9 +11,9 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QFileDialog, QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_register import RPCRegister
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector, ConnectionConfig
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
-from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeConnect, SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.rpc_decorator import rpc_timeout
+from bec_widgets.utils.widget_io import WidgetHierarchy
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
     from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock import BECDock
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ class BECWidget(BECConnector):
     # The icon name is the name of the icon in the icon theme, typically a name taken
     # from fonts.google.com/icons. Override this in subclasses to set the icon name.
     ICON_NAME = "widgets"
-    USER_ACCESS = ["remove"]
+    USER_ACCESS = ["remove", "attach", "detach"]
 
     # pylint: disable=too-many-arguments
     def __init__(
@@ -45,8 +45,7 @@ class BECWidget(BECConnector):
 
         >>> class MyWidget(BECWidget, QWidget):
         >>>     def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None):
-        >>>         super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
-        >>>         QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
+        >>>         super().__init__(parent=parent, client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
 
 
         Args:
@@ -62,15 +61,6 @@ class BECWidget(BECConnector):
         )
         if not isinstance(self, QObject):
             raise RuntimeError(f"{repr(self)} is not a subclass of QWidget")
-        app = QApplication.instance()
-        if not hasattr(app, "theme"):
-            # DO NOT SET THE THEME TO AUTO! Otherwise, the qwebengineview will segfault
-            # Instead, we will set the theme to the system setting on startup
-            if darkdetect.isDark():
-                set_theme("dark")
-            else:
-                set_theme("light")
-
         if theme_update:
             logger.debug(f"Subscribing to theme updates for {self.__class__.__name__}")
             self._connect_to_theme_change()
@@ -78,9 +68,11 @@ class BECWidget(BECConnector):
     def _connect_to_theme_change(self):
         """Connect to the theme change signal."""
         qapp = QApplication.instance()
-        if hasattr(qapp, "theme_signal"):
-            qapp.theme_signal.theme_updated.connect(self._update_theme)
+        if hasattr(qapp, "theme"):
+            SafeConnect(self, qapp.theme.theme_changed, self._update_theme)
 
+    @SafeSlot(str)
+    @SafeSlot()
     def _update_theme(self, theme: str | None = None):
         """Update the theme."""
         if theme is None:
@@ -124,6 +116,26 @@ class BECWidget(BECConnector):
         screenshot.save(file_name)
         logger.info(f"Screenshot saved to {file_name}")
 
+    def attach(self):
+        dock = WidgetHierarchy.find_ancestor(self, QtAds.CDockWidget)
+        if dock is None:
+            return
+
+        if not dock.isFloating():
+            return
+        dock.dockManager().addDockWidget(QtAds.DockWidgetArea.RightDockWidgetArea, dock)
+
+    def detach(self):
+        """
+        Detach the widget from its parent dock widget (if widget is in the dock), making it a floating widget.
+        """
+        dock = WidgetHierarchy.find_ancestor(self, QtAds.CDockWidget)
+        if dock is None:
+            return
+        if dock.isFloating():
+            return
+        dock.setFloating()
+
     def cleanup(self):
         """Cleanup the widget."""
         with RPCRegister.delayed_broadcast():

bec_widgets/utils/colors.py

@@ -3,11 +3,11 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 import re
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Literal
 
-import bec_qthemes
 import numpy as np
 import pyqtgraph as pg
-from bec_qthemes._os_appearance.listener import OSThemeSwitchListener
+from bec_qthemes import apply_theme as apply_theme_global
 from pydantic_core import PydanticCustomError
+from qtpy.QtCore import QEvent, QEventLoop
 from qtpy.QtGui import QColor
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
@@ -23,7 +23,10 @@ def get_theme_name():
 
 
 def get_theme_palette():
-    return bec_qthemes.load_palette(get_theme_name())
+    # FIXME this is legacy code, should be removed in the future
+    app = QApplication.instance()
+    palette = app.palette()
+    return palette
 
 
 def get_accent_colors() -> AccentColors | None:
@@ -36,105 +39,18 @@ def get_accent_colors() -> AccentColors | None:
     return QApplication.instance().theme.accent_colors
 
 
-def _theme_update_callback():
-    """
-    Internal callback function to update the theme based on the system theme.
-    """
-    app = QApplication.instance()
-    # pylint: disable=protected-access
-    app.theme.theme = app.os_listener._theme.lower()
-    app.theme_signal.theme_updated.emit(app.theme.theme)
-    apply_theme(app.os_listener._theme.lower())
-
-
-def set_theme(theme: Literal["dark", "light", "auto"]):
-    """
-    Set the theme for the application.
-
-    Args:
-        theme (Literal["dark", "light", "auto"]): The theme to set. "auto" will automatically switch between dark and light themes based on the system theme.
-    """
-    app = QApplication.instance()
-    bec_qthemes.setup_theme(theme, install_event_filter=False)
-
-    app.theme_signal.theme_updated.emit(theme)
-    apply_theme(theme)
-
-    if theme != "auto":
-        return
-
-    if not hasattr(app, "os_listener") or app.os_listener is None:
-        app.os_listener = OSThemeSwitchListener(_theme_update_callback)
-        app.installEventFilter(app.os_listener)
+def process_all_deferred_deletes(qapp):
+    qapp.sendPostedEvents(None, QEvent.DeferredDelete)
+    qapp.processEvents(QEventLoop.AllEvents)
 
 
 def apply_theme(theme: Literal["dark", "light"]):
     """
-    Apply the theme to all pyqtgraph widgets. Do not use this function directly. Use set_theme instead.
+    Apply the theme via the global theming API. This updates QSS, QPalette, and pyqtgraph globally.
     """
-    app = QApplication.instance()
-    graphic_layouts = [
-        child
-        for top in app.topLevelWidgets()
-        for child in top.findChildren(pg.GraphicsLayoutWidget)
-    ]
-
-    plot_items = [
-        item
-        for gl in graphic_layouts
-        for item in gl.ci.items.keys()  # ci is internal pg.GraphicsLayout that hosts all items
-        if isinstance(item, pg.PlotItem)
-    ]
-
-    histograms = [
-        item
-        for gl in graphic_layouts
-        for item in gl.ci.items.keys()  # ci is internal pg.GraphicsLayout that hosts all items
-        if isinstance(item, pg.HistogramLUTItem)
-    ]
-
-    # Update background color based on the theme
-    if theme == "light":
-        background_color = "#e9ecef"  # Subtle contrast for light mode
-        foreground_color = "#141414"
-        label_color = "#000000"
-        axis_color = "#666666"
-    else:
-        background_color = "#141414"  # Dark mode
-        foreground_color = "#e9ecef"
-        label_color = "#FFFFFF"
-        axis_color = "#CCCCCC"
-
-    # update GraphicsLayoutWidget
-    pg.setConfigOptions(foreground=foreground_color, background=background_color)
-    for pg_widget in graphic_layouts:
-        pg_widget.setBackground(background_color)
-
-    # update PlotItems
-    for plot_item in plot_items:
-        for axis in ["left", "right", "top", "bottom"]:
-            plot_item.getAxis(axis).setPen(pg.mkPen(color=axis_color))
-            plot_item.getAxis(axis).setTextPen(pg.mkPen(color=label_color))
-
-        # Change title color
-        plot_item.titleLabel.setText(plot_item.titleLabel.text, color=label_color)
-
-        # Change legend color
-        if hasattr(plot_item, "legend") and plot_item.legend is not None:
-            plot_item.legend.setLabelTextColor(label_color)
-            # if legend is in plot item and theme is changed, has to be like that because of pg opt logic
-            for sample, label in plot_item.legend.items:
-                label_text = label.text
-                label.setText(label_text, color=label_color)
-
-    # update HistogramLUTItem
-    for histogram in histograms:
-        histogram.axis.setPen(pg.mkPen(color=axis_color))
-        histogram.axis.setTextPen(pg.mkPen(color=label_color))
-
-    # now define stylesheet according to theme and apply it
-    style = bec_qthemes.load_stylesheet(theme)
-    app.setStyleSheet(style)
+    process_all_deferred_deletes(QApplication.instance())
+    apply_theme_global(theme)
+    process_all_deferred_deletes(QApplication.instance())
 
 
 class Colors:

bec_widgets/utils/compact_popup.py

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
     QPushButton,
     QSizePolicy,
     QSpacerItem,
+    QToolButton,
     QVBoxLayout,
     QWidget,
 )
@@ -122,15 +123,14 @@ class CompactPopupWidget(QWidget):
         self.compact_view_widget = QWidget(self)
         self.compact_view_widget.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Fixed)
         QHBoxLayout(self.compact_view_widget)
-        self.compact_view_widget.layout().setSpacing(0)
+        self.compact_view_widget.layout().setSpacing(5)
         self.compact_view_widget.layout().setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
         self.compact_view_widget.layout().addSpacerItem(
             QSpacerItem(0, 0, QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Fixed)
         )
         self.compact_label = QLabel(self.compact_view_widget)
         self.compact_status = LedLabel(self.compact_view_widget)
-        self.compact_show_popup = QPushButton(self.compact_view_widget)
-        self.compact_show_popup.setFlat(True)
+        self.compact_show_popup = QToolButton(self.compact_view_widget)
         self.compact_show_popup.setIcon(
             material_icon(icon_name="expand_content", size=(10, 10), convert_to_pixmap=False)
         )

bec_widgets/utils/crosshair.py

@@ -209,11 +209,8 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
         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]]
-        elif hasattr(self.plot_item, "visible_items"):  # PlotBase general case
-            # Handle visible items in the plot item
-            self.items = self.plot_item.visible_items()
-        else:  # Non PlotBase case
-            # Handle all items
+        else:
+            # Handle all curves
             self.items = self.plot_item.items
 
         # Create or update markers

bec_widgets/utils/error_popups.py

@@ -2,7 +2,9 @@ import functools
 import sys
 import traceback
 
+import shiboken6
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from louie.saferef import safe_ref
 from qtpy.QtCore import Property, QObject, Qt, Signal, Slot
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QMessageBox, QPushButton, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
@@ -90,6 +92,52 @@ def SafeProperty(prop_type, *prop_args, popup_error: bool = False, default=None,
     return decorator
 
 
+def _safe_connect_slot(weak_instance, weak_slot, *connect_args):
+    """Internal function used by SafeConnect to handle weak references to slots."""
+    instance = weak_instance()
+    slot_func = weak_slot()
+
+    # Check if the python object has already been garbage collected
+    if instance is None or slot_func is None:
+        return
+
+    # Check if the python object has already been marked for deletion
+    if getattr(instance, "_destroyed", False):
+        return
+
+    # Check if the C++ object is still valid
+    if not shiboken6.isValid(instance):
+        return
+
+    if connect_args:
+        slot_func(*connect_args)
+    slot_func()
+
+
+def SafeConnect(instance, signal, slot):  # pylint: disable=invalid-name
+    """
+    Method to safely handle Qt signal-slot connections. The python object is only forwarded
+    as a weak reference to avoid stale objects.
+
+    Args:
+        instance: The instance to connect.
+        signal: The signal to connect to.
+        slot: The slot to connect.
+
+    Example:
+        >>> SafeConnect(self, qapp.theme.theme_changed, self._update_theme)
+
+    """
+    weak_instance = safe_ref(instance)
+    weak_slot = safe_ref(slot)
+
+    # Create a partial function that will check weak references before calling the actual slot
+    safe_slot = functools.partial(_safe_connect_slot, weak_instance, weak_slot)
+
+    # Connect the signal to the safe connect slot wrapper
+    return signal.connect(safe_slot)
+
+
 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

bec_widgets/utils/expandable_frame.py

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 from bec_qthemes import material_icon
-from qtpy.QtCore import Signal
+from qtpy.QtCore import QSize, Signal
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
     QApplication,
     QFrame,
@@ -19,7 +19,8 @@ from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
 
 
 class ExpandableGroupFrame(QFrame):
-
+    broadcast_size_hint = Signal(QSize)
+    imminent_deletion = Signal()
     expansion_state_changed = Signal()
 
     EXPANDED_ICON_NAME: str = "collapse_all"
@@ -31,6 +32,7 @@ class ExpandableGroupFrame(QFrame):
         super().__init__(parent=parent)
         self._expanded = expanded
 
+        self._title_text = f"<b>{title}</b>"
         self.setFrameStyle(QFrame.Shape.StyledPanel | QFrame.Shadow.Plain)
         self.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Policy.Minimum, QSizePolicy.Policy.Minimum)
         self._layout = QVBoxLayout()
@@ -49,21 +51,27 @@ class ExpandableGroupFrame(QFrame):
     def _create_title_layout(self, title: str, icon: str):
         self._title_layout = QHBoxLayout()
         self._layout.addLayout(self._title_layout)
+        self._internal_title_layout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self._title_layout.addLayout(self._internal_title_layout)
 
-        self._title = ClickableLabel(f"<b>{title}</b>")
+        self._title = ClickableLabel()
+        self._set_title_text(self._title_text)
         self._title_icon = ClickableLabel()
-        self._title_layout.addWidget(self._title_icon)
-        self._title_layout.addWidget(self._title)
+        self._internal_title_layout.addWidget(self._title_icon)
+        self._internal_title_layout.addWidget(self._title)
         self.icon_name = icon
         self._title.clicked.connect(self.switch_expanded_state)
         self._title_icon.clicked.connect(self.switch_expanded_state)
 
-        self._title_layout.addStretch(1)
+        self._internal_title_layout.addStretch(1)
 
         self._expansion_button = QToolButton()
         self._update_expansion_icon()
         self._title_layout.addWidget(self._expansion_button, stretch=1)
 
+    def get_title_layout(self) -> QHBoxLayout:
+        return self._internal_title_layout
+
     def set_layout(self, layout: QLayout) -> None:
         self._contents.setLayout(layout)
         self._contents.layout().setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)  # type: ignore
@@ -112,6 +120,18 @@ class ExpandableGroupFrame(QFrame):
         else:
             self._title_icon.setVisible(False)
 
+    @SafeProperty(str)
+    def title_text(self):  # type: ignore
+        return self._title_text
+
+    @title_text.setter
+    def title_text(self, title_text: str):
+        self._title_text = title_text
+        self._set_title_text(self._title_text)
+
+    def _set_title_text(self, title_text: str):
+        self._title.setText(title_text)
+
 
 # Application example
 if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover

bec_widgets/utils/forms_from_types/items.py

@@ -4,17 +4,7 @@ import typing
 from abc import abstractmethod
 from decimal import Decimal
 from types import GenericAlias, UnionType
-from typing import (
-    Callable,
-    Final,
-    Generic,
-    Iterable,
-    Literal,
-    NamedTuple,
-    OrderedDict,
-    TypeVar,
-    get_args,
-)
+from typing import Callable, Final, Iterable, Literal, NamedTuple, OrderedDict, get_args
 
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from bec_qthemes import material_icon
@@ -360,13 +350,11 @@ class DictFormItem(DynamicFormItem):
         self._main_widget.replace_data(value)
 
 
-_IW = TypeVar("_IW", bound=int | float | str)
-
-
-class _ItemAndWidgetType(NamedTuple, Generic[_IW]):
-    item: type[_IW]
+class _ItemAndWidgetType(NamedTuple):
+    # TODO: this should be generic but not supported in 3.10
+    item: type[int | float | str]
     widget: type[QWidget]
-    default: _IW
+    default: int | float | str
 
 
 class ListFormItem(DynamicFormItem):

bec_widgets/utils/list_of_expandable_frames.py

@@ -0,0 +1,133 @@
+import re
+from functools import partial
+from re import Pattern
+from typing import Generic, Iterable, NamedTuple, TypeVar
+
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from more_itertools import consume
+from PySide6.QtGui import QFont
+from PySide6.QtWidgets import QListWidgetItem, QWidget
+from qtpy.QtCore import QSize, Qt
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QListWidget
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.utils.expandable_frame import ExpandableGroupFrame
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
+_SORT_KEY_ROLE = 117
+
+_EF = TypeVar("_EF", bound=ExpandableGroupFrame)
+
+
+class ListOfExpandableFrames(QListWidget, Generic[_EF]):
+    def __init__(
+        self, /, parent: QWidget | None = None, item_class: type[_EF] = ExpandableGroupFrame
+    ) -> None:
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        _Items = NamedTuple("_Items", (("item", QListWidgetItem), ("widget", _EF)))
+        self.item_tuple = _Items
+        self._item_class = item_class
+        self._item_dict: dict[str, _Items] = {}
+
+    def __contains__(self, id: str):
+        return id in self._item_dict
+
+    def clear(self) -> None:
+        self._item_dict = {}
+        return super().clear()
+
+    def add_item(self, id: str, *args, **kwargs) -> _EF:
+        """Adds the specified type of widget as an item. args and kwargs are passed to the constructor.
+
+        Args:
+            id (str): the key under which to store the list item in the internal dict
+
+        Returns:
+            The widget created in the addition process
+        """
+
+        def _remove_item(item: QListWidgetItem):
+            self.takeItem(self.row(item))
+            del self._item_dict[id]
+            self.sortItems()
+
+        def _updatesize(item: QListWidgetItem, item_widget: _EF):
+            item_widget.adjustSize()
+            item.setSizeHint(QSize(item_widget.width(), item_widget.height()))
+
+        item = QListWidgetItem(self)
+        item.setData(_SORT_KEY_ROLE, id)  # used for sorting
+
+        item_widget = self._item_class(*args, **kwargs)
+        item_widget.expansion_state_changed.connect(partial(_updatesize, item, item_widget))
+        item_widget.imminent_deletion.connect(partial(_remove_item, item))
+        item_widget.broadcast_size_hint.connect(item.setSizeHint)
+
+        self.addItem(item)
+        self.setItemWidget(item, item_widget)
+        self._item_dict[id] = self.item_tuple(item, item_widget)
+
+        item.setSizeHint(item_widget.sizeHint())
+        return item_widget
+
+    def sort_by_key(self, role=_SORT_KEY_ROLE, order=Qt.SortOrder.AscendingOrder):
+        items = [self.takeItem(0) for i in range(self.count())]
+        items.sort(key=lambda it: it.data(role), reverse=(order == Qt.SortOrder.DescendingOrder))
+
+        for it in items:
+            self.addItem(it)
+            # reattach its custom widget
+            widget = self.itemWidget(it)
+            if widget:
+                self.setItemWidget(it, widget)
+
+    def item_widget_pairs(self):
+        return self._item_dict.values()
+
+    def widgets(self):
+        return (i.widget for i in self._item_dict.values())
+
+    def get_item_widget(self, id: str):
+        if (item := self._item_dict.get(id)) is None:
+            return None
+        return item
+
+    def set_hidden_pattern(self, pattern: Pattern):
+        self.hide_all()
+        self._set_hidden(filter(pattern.search, self._item_dict.keys()), False)
+
+    def set_hidden(self, ids: Iterable[str]):
+        self._set_hidden(ids, True)
+
+    def _set_hidden(self, ids: Iterable[str], hidden: bool):
+        for id in ids:
+            if (_item := self._item_dict.get(id)) is not None:
+                _item.item.setHidden(hidden)
+                _item.widget.setHidden(hidden)
+            else:
+                logger.warning(
+                    f"List {self.__qualname__} does not have an item with ID {id} to hide!"
+                )
+        self.sortItems()
+
+    def hide_all(self):
+        self.set_hidden_state_on_all(True)
+
+    def unhide_all(self):
+        self.set_hidden_state_on_all(False)
+
+    def set_hidden_state_on_all(self, hidden: bool):
+        for _item in self._item_dict.values():
+            _item.item.setHidden(hidden)
+            _item.widget.setHidden(hidden)
+        self.sortItems()
+
+    @SafeSlot(str)
+    def update_filter(self, value: str):
+        if value == "":
+            return self.unhide_all()
+        try:
+            self.set_hidden_pattern(re.compile(value, re.IGNORECASE))
+        except Exception:
+            self.unhide_all()

bec_widgets/utils/round_frame.py

@@ -1,11 +1,12 @@
 import pyqtgraph as pg
-from qtpy.QtCore import Property
+from qtpy.QtCore import Property, Qt
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QFrame, QHBoxLayout, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.visual.dark_mode_button.dark_mode_button import DarkModeButton
 
 
 class RoundedFrame(QFrame):
+    # TODO this should be removed completely in favor of QSS styling, no time now
     """
     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.
@@ -28,6 +29,9 @@ class RoundedFrame(QFrame):
         self.setProperty("skip_settings", True)
         self.setObjectName("roundedFrame")
 
+        # Ensure QSS can paint background/border on this widget
+        self.setAttribute(Qt.WA_StyledBackground, True)
+
         # Create a layout for the frame
         if orientation == "vertical":
             self.layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
@@ -45,22 +49,10 @@ class RoundedFrame(QFrame):
 
         # Automatically apply initial styles to the GraphicalLayoutWidget if applicable
         self.apply_plot_widget_style()
+        self.update_style()
 
     def apply_theme(self, theme: str):
-        """
-        Apply the theme to the frame and its content if theme updates are enabled.
-        """
-        if self.content_widget is not None and isinstance(
-            self.content_widget, pg.GraphicsLayoutWidget
-        ):
-            self.content_widget.setBackground(self.background_color)
-
-        # Update background color based on the theme
-        if theme == "light":
-            self.background_color = "#e9ecef"  # Subtle contrast for light mode
-        else:
-            self.background_color = "#141414"  # Dark mode
-
+        """Deprecated: RoundedFrame no longer handles theme; styling is QSS-driven."""
         self.update_style()
 
     @Property(int)
@@ -77,34 +69,21 @@ class RoundedFrame(QFrame):
         """
         Update the style of the frame based on the background color.
         """
-        if self.background_color:
-            self.setStyleSheet(
-                f"""
+        self.setStyleSheet(
+            f"""
                 QFrame#roundedFrame {{
-                    background-color: {self.background_color}; 
-                    border-radius: {self._radius}; /* Rounded corners */
+                    border-radius: {self._radius}px;
                 }}
             """
-            )
+        )
         self.apply_plot_widget_style()
 
     def apply_plot_widget_style(self, border: str = "none"):
         """
-        Automatically apply background, border, and axis styles to the PlotWidget.
-
-        Args:
-            border (str): Border style (e.g., 'none', '1px solid red').
+        Let QSS/pyqtgraph handle plot styling; avoid overriding here.
         """
         if isinstance(self.content_widget, pg.GraphicsLayoutWidget):
-            # Apply border style via stylesheet
-            self.content_widget.setStyleSheet(
-                f"""
-                GraphicsLayoutWidget {{
-                    border: {border}; /* Explicitly set the border */
-                }}
-            """
-            )
-            self.content_widget.setBackground(self.background_color)
+            self.content_widget.setStyleSheet("")
 
 
 class ExampleApp(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover
@@ -128,24 +107,14 @@ class ExampleApp(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover
         plot_item_2.plot([1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32], pen="r")
         plot2.plot_item = plot_item_2
 
-        # Wrap PlotWidgets in RoundedFrame
-        rounded_plot1 = RoundedFrame(parent=self, content_widget=plot1)
-        rounded_plot2 = RoundedFrame(parent=self, content_widget=plot2)
-
-        # Add to layout
+        # Add to layout (no RoundedFrame wrapper; QSS styles plots)
         layout.addWidget(dark_button)
-        layout.addWidget(rounded_plot1)
-        layout.addWidget(rounded_plot2)
+        layout.addWidget(plot1)
+        layout.addWidget(plot2)
 
         self.setLayout(layout)
 
-        from qtpy.QtCore import QTimer
-
-        def change_theme():
-            rounded_plot1.apply_theme("light")
-            rounded_plot2.apply_theme("dark")
-
-        QTimer.singleShot(100, change_theme)
+        # Theme flip demo removed; global theming applies automatically
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover

bec_widgets/utils/rpc_server.py

@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import functools
-import time
 import traceback
 import types
 from contextlib import contextmanager
@@ -230,8 +229,6 @@ class RPCServer:
         if wait:
             while not self.rpc_register.object_is_registered(connector):
                 QApplication.processEvents()
-                logger.info(f"Waiting for {connector} to be registered...")
-                time.sleep(0.1)
 
         widget_class = getattr(connector, "rpc_widget_class", None)
         if not widget_class:

bec_widgets/utils/serialization.py

@@ -1,25 +1,34 @@
+from typing import Type
+
 from bec_lib.codecs import BECCodec
 from bec_lib.serialization import msgpack
 from qtpy.QtCore import QPointF
 
 
-class QPointFEncoder(BECCodec):
-    obj_type = QPointF
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def encode(obj: QPointF) -> list[float]:
-        """Encode a QPointF object to a list of floats."""
-        return [obj.x(), obj.y()]
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def decode(type_name: str, data: list[float]) -> list[float]:
-        """No-op function since QPointF is encoded as a list of floats."""
-        return data
-
-
 def register_serializer_extension():
     """
     Register the serializer extension for the BECConnector.
     """
     if not msgpack.is_registered(QPointF):
-        msgpack.register(QPointF, QPointFEncoder.encode, QPointFEncoder.decode)
+        msgpack.register_codec(QPointFEncoder)
+
+
+class QPointFEncoder(BECCodec):
+    obj_type: Type = QPointF
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def encode(obj: QPointF) -> str:
+        """
+        Encode a QPointF object to a list of floats. As this is mostly used for sending
+        data to the client, it is not necessary to convert it back to a QPointF object.
+        """
+        if isinstance(obj, QPointF):
+            return [obj.x(), obj.y()]
+        return obj
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def decode(type_name: str, data: list[float]) -> list[float]:
+        """
+        no-op function since QPointF is encoded as a list of floats.
+        """
+        return data

bec_widgets/utils/toolbars/actions.py

@@ -446,6 +446,8 @@ class ExpandableMenuAction(ToolBarAction):
 
     def add_to_toolbar(self, toolbar: QToolBar, target: QWidget):
         button = QToolButton(toolbar)
+        button.setObjectName("toolbarMenuButton")
+        button.setAutoRaise(True)
         if self.icon_path:
             button.setIcon(QIcon(self.icon_path))
         button.setText(self.tooltip)

bec_widgets/utils/toolbars/toolbar.py

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ from qtpy.QtCore import QSize, Qt
 from qtpy.QtGui import QAction, QColor
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QLabel, QMainWindow, QMenu, QToolBar, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import get_theme_name, set_theme
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme, get_theme_name
 from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.actions import MaterialIconAction, ToolBarAction
 from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.bundles import ToolbarBundle, ToolbarComponents
 from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.connections import BundleConnection
@@ -507,7 +507,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
                 self.test_label.setText("FPS Monitor Disabled")
 
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    set_theme("light")
+    apply_theme("light")
     main_window = MainWindow()
     main_window.show()
     sys.exit(app.exec_())

bec_widgets/utils/widget_io.py

@@ -465,13 +465,19 @@ class WidgetHierarchy:
         """
         from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector
 
+        # Guard against deleted/invalid Qt wrappers
         if not shb.isValid(widget):
             return None
-        parent = widget.parent()
+
+        # Retrieve first parent
+        parent = widget.parent() if hasattr(widget, "parent") else None
+        # Walk up, validating each step
         while parent is not None:
+            if not shb.isValid(parent):
+                return None
             if isinstance(parent, BECConnector):
                 return parent
-            parent = parent.parent()
+            parent = parent.parent() if hasattr(parent, "parent") else None
         return None
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -553,6 +559,64 @@ class WidgetHierarchy:
                     WidgetIO.set_value(child, value)
                 WidgetHierarchy.import_config_from_dict(child, widget_config, set_values)
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def get_bec_connectors_from_parent(widget) -> list:
+        """
+        Return all BECConnector instances whose closest BECConnector ancestor is the given widget,
+        including the widget itself if it is a BECConnector.
+        """
+        from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector
+
+        connectors: list[BECConnector] = []
+        if isinstance(widget, BECConnector):
+            connectors.append(widget)
+        for child in widget.findChildren(BECConnector):
+            if WidgetHierarchy._get_becwidget_ancestor(child) is widget:
+                connectors.append(child)
+        return connectors
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def find_ancestor(widget, ancestor_class) -> QWidget | None:
+        """
+        Traverse up the parent chain to find the nearest ancestor matching ancestor_class.
+        ancestor_class may be a class or a class-name string.
+        Returns the matching ancestor, or None if none is found.
+        """
+        # Guard against deleted/invalid Qt wrappers
+        if not shb.isValid(widget):
+            return None
+
+        # If searching for BECConnector specifically, reuse the dedicated helper
+        try:
+            from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector  # local import to avoid cycles
+
+            if ancestor_class is BECConnector or (
+                isinstance(ancestor_class, str) and ancestor_class == "BECConnector"
+            ):
+                return WidgetHierarchy._get_becwidget_ancestor(widget)
+        except Exception:
+            # If import fails, fall back to generic traversal below
+            pass
+
+        # Generic traversal across QObject parent chain
+        parent = getattr(widget, "parent", None)
+        if callable(parent):
+            parent = parent()
+        while parent is not None:
+            if not shb.isValid(parent):
+                return None
+            try:
+                if isinstance(ancestor_class, str):
+                    if parent.__class__.__name__ == ancestor_class:
+                        return parent
+                else:
+                    if isinstance(parent, ancestor_class):
+                        return parent
+            except Exception:
+                pass
+            parent = parent.parent() if hasattr(parent, "parent") else None
+        return None
+
 
 # Example usage
 def hierarchy_example():  # pragma: no cover

bec_widgets/utils/widget_state_manager.py

@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
     QWidget,
 )
 
+from bec_widgets.utils.widget_io import WidgetHierarchy
+
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
 
@@ -29,43 +31,58 @@ class WidgetStateManager:
     def __init__(self, widget):
         self.widget = widget
 
-    def save_state(self, filename: str = None):
+    def save_state(self, filename: str | None = None, settings: QSettings | None = None):
         """
         Save the state of the widget to an INI file.
 
         Args:
             filename(str): The filename to save the state to.
+            settings(QSettings): Optional QSettings object to save the state to.
         """
-        if not filename:
+        if not filename and not settings:
             filename, _ = QFileDialog.getSaveFileName(
                 self.widget, "Save Settings", "", "INI Files (*.ini)"
             )
         if filename:
             settings = QSettings(filename, QSettings.IniFormat)
             self._save_widget_state_qsettings(self.widget, settings)
+        elif settings:
+            # If settings are provided, save the state to the provided QSettings object
+            self._save_widget_state_qsettings(self.widget, settings)
+        else:
+            logger.warning("No filename or settings provided for saving state.")
 
-    def load_state(self, filename: str = None):
+    def load_state(self, filename: str | None = None, settings: QSettings | None = None):
         """
         Load the state of the widget from an INI file.
 
         Args:
             filename(str): The filename to load the state from.
+            settings(QSettings): Optional QSettings object to load the state from.
         """
-        if not filename:
+        if not filename and not settings:
             filename, _ = QFileDialog.getOpenFileName(
                 self.widget, "Load Settings", "", "INI Files (*.ini)"
             )
         if filename:
             settings = QSettings(filename, QSettings.IniFormat)
             self._load_widget_state_qsettings(self.widget, settings)
+        elif settings:
+            # If settings are provided, load the state from the provided QSettings object
+            self._load_widget_state_qsettings(self.widget, settings)
+        else:
+            logger.warning("No filename or settings provided for saving state.")
 
-    def _save_widget_state_qsettings(self, widget: QWidget, settings: QSettings):
+    def _save_widget_state_qsettings(
+        self, widget: QWidget, settings: QSettings, recursive: bool = True
+    ):
         """
         Save the state of the widget to QSettings.
 
         Args:
             widget(QWidget): The widget to save the state for.
             settings(QSettings): The QSettings object to save the state to.
+            recursive(bool): Whether to recursively save the state of child widgets.
         """
         if widget.property("skip_settings") is True:
             return
@@ -88,21 +105,32 @@ class WidgetStateManager:
         settings.endGroup()
 
         # Recursively process children (only if they aren't skipped)
-        for child in widget.children():
+        if not recursive:
+            return
+
+        direct_children = widget.children()
+        bec_connector_children = WidgetHierarchy.get_bec_connectors_from_parent(widget)
+        all_children = list(
+            set(direct_children) | set(bec_connector_children)
+        )  # to avoid duplicates
+        for child in all_children:
             if (
                 child.objectName()
                 and child.property("skip_settings") is not True
                 and not isinstance(child, QLabel)
             ):
-                self._save_widget_state_qsettings(child, settings)
+                self._save_widget_state_qsettings(child, settings, False)
 
-    def _load_widget_state_qsettings(self, widget: QWidget, settings: QSettings):
+    def _load_widget_state_qsettings(
+        self, widget: QWidget, settings: QSettings, recursive: bool = True
+    ):
         """
         Load the state of the widget from QSettings.
 
         Args:
             widget(QWidget): The widget to load the state for.
             settings(QSettings): The QSettings object to load the state from.
+            recursive(bool): Whether to recursively load the state of child widgets.
         """
         if widget.property("skip_settings") is True:
             return
@@ -118,14 +146,21 @@ class WidgetStateManager:
                 widget.setProperty(name, value)
         settings.endGroup()
 
+        if not recursive:
+            return
         # Recursively process children (only if they aren't skipped)
-        for child in widget.children():
+        direct_children = widget.children()
+        bec_connector_children = WidgetHierarchy.get_bec_connectors_from_parent(widget)
+        all_children = list(
+            set(direct_children) | set(bec_connector_children)
+        )  # to avoid duplicates
+        for child in all_children:
             if (
                 child.objectName()
                 and child.property("skip_settings") is not True
                 and not isinstance(child, QLabel)
             ):
-                self._load_widget_state_qsettings(child, settings)
+                self._load_widget_state_qsettings(child, settings, False)
 
     def _get_full_widget_name(self, widget: QWidget):
         """

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/advanced_dock_area/advanced_dock_area.py

@@ -0,0 +1,911 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import os
+from typing import Literal, cast
+
+import PySide6QtAds as QtAds
+from PySide6QtAds import CDockManager, CDockWidget
+from qtpy.QtCore import Signal
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
+    QApplication,
+    QCheckBox,
+    QDialog,
+    QHBoxLayout,
+    QInputDialog,
+    QLabel,
+    QLineEdit,
+    QMessageBox,
+    QPushButton,
+    QSizePolicy,
+    QVBoxLayout,
+    QWidget,
+)
+from shiboken6 import isValid
+
+from bec_widgets import BECWidget, SafeProperty, SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_widget_handler import widget_handler
+from bec_widgets.utils import BECDispatcher
+from bec_widgets.utils.property_editor import PropertyEditor
+from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.actions import (
+    ExpandableMenuAction,
+    MaterialIconAction,
+    WidgetAction,
+)
+from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.bundles import ToolbarBundle
+from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.toolbar import ModularToolBar
+from bec_widgets.utils.widget_state_manager import WidgetStateManager
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.advanced_dock_area.profile_utils import (
+    SETTINGS_KEYS,
+    is_profile_readonly,
+    list_profiles,
+    open_settings,
+    profile_path,
+    read_manifest,
+    set_profile_readonly,
+    write_manifest,
+)
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.advanced_dock_area.toolbar_components.workspace_actions import (
+    WorkspaceConnection,
+    workspace_bundle,
+)
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.main_window import BECMainWindowNoRPC
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box import PositionerBox
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.scan_control import ScanControl
+from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.vscode.vscode import VSCodeEditor
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.heatmap.heatmap import Heatmap
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.image.image import Image
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.motor_map.motor_map import MotorMap
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.multi_waveform.multi_waveform import MultiWaveform
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.scatter_waveform.scatter_waveform import ScatterWaveform
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.waveform import Waveform
+from bec_widgets.widgets.progress.ring_progress_bar import RingProgressBar
+from bec_widgets.widgets.services.bec_queue.bec_queue import BECQueue
+from bec_widgets.widgets.services.bec_status_box.bec_status_box import BECStatusBox
+from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.logpanel import LogPanel
+from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.visual.dark_mode_button.dark_mode_button import DarkModeButton
+
+
+class DockSettingsDialog(QDialog):
+
+    def __init__(self, parent: QWidget, target: QWidget):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self.setWindowTitle("Dock Settings")
+        self.setModal(True)
+        layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
+
+        # Property editor
+        self.prop_editor = PropertyEditor(target, self, show_only_bec=True)
+        layout.addWidget(self.prop_editor)
+
+
+class SaveProfileDialog(QDialog):
+    """Dialog for saving workspace profiles with read-only option."""
+
+    def __init__(self, parent: QWidget, current_name: str = ""):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self.setWindowTitle("Save Workspace Profile")
+        self.setModal(True)
+        self.resize(400, 150)
+        layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
+
+        # Name input
+        name_row = QHBoxLayout()
+        name_row.addWidget(QLabel("Profile Name:"))
+        self.name_edit = QLineEdit(current_name)
+        self.name_edit.setPlaceholderText("Enter profile name...")
+        name_row.addWidget(self.name_edit)
+        layout.addLayout(name_row)
+
+        # Read-only checkbox
+        self.readonly_checkbox = QCheckBox("Mark as read-only (cannot be overwritten or deleted)")
+        layout.addWidget(self.readonly_checkbox)
+
+        # Info label
+        info_label = QLabel("Read-only profiles are protected from modification and deletion.")
+        info_label.setStyleSheet("color: gray; font-size: 10px;")
+        layout.addWidget(info_label)
+
+        # Buttons
+        btn_row = QHBoxLayout()
+        btn_row.addStretch(1)
+        self.save_btn = QPushButton("Save")
+        self.save_btn.setDefault(True)
+        cancel_btn = QPushButton("Cancel")
+        self.save_btn.clicked.connect(self.accept)
+        cancel_btn.clicked.connect(self.reject)
+        btn_row.addWidget(self.save_btn)
+        btn_row.addWidget(cancel_btn)
+        layout.addLayout(btn_row)
+
+        # Enable/disable save button based on name input
+        self.name_edit.textChanged.connect(self._update_save_button)
+        self._update_save_button()
+
+    def _update_save_button(self):
+        """Enable save button only when name is not empty."""
+        self.save_btn.setEnabled(bool(self.name_edit.text().strip()))
+
+    def get_profile_name(self) -> str:
+        """Get the entered profile name."""
+        return self.name_edit.text().strip()
+
+    def is_readonly(self) -> bool:
+        """Check if the profile should be marked as read-only."""
+        return self.readonly_checkbox.isChecked()
+
+
+class AdvancedDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
+    RPC = True
+    PLUGIN = False
+    USER_ACCESS = [
+        "new",
+        "widget_map",
+        "widget_list",
+        "lock_workspace",
+        "attach_all",
+        "delete_all",
+        "mode",
+        "mode.setter",
+    ]
+
+    # Define a signal for mode changes
+    mode_changed = Signal(str)
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        parent=None,
+        mode: str = "developer",
+        default_add_direction: Literal["left", "right", "top", "bottom"] = "right",
+        *args,
+        **kwargs,
+    ):
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, *args, **kwargs)
+
+        # Title (as a top-level QWidget it can have a window title)
+        self.setWindowTitle("Advanced Dock Area")
+
+        # Top-level layout hosting a toolbar and the dock manager
+        self._root_layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
+        self._root_layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        self._root_layout.setSpacing(0)
+
+        # Init Dock Manager
+        self.dock_manager = CDockManager(self)
+        self.dock_manager.setStyleSheet("")
+
+        # Dock manager helper variables
+        self._locked = False  # Lock state of the workspace
+
+        # Initialize mode property first (before toolbar setup)
+        self._mode = "developer"
+        self._default_add_direction = (
+            default_add_direction
+            if default_add_direction in ("left", "right", "top", "bottom")
+            else "right"
+        )
+
+        # Toolbar
+        self.dark_mode_button = DarkModeButton(parent=self, toolbar=True)
+        self._setup_toolbar()
+        self._hook_toolbar()
+
+        # Place toolbar and dock manager into layout
+        self._root_layout.addWidget(self.toolbar)
+        self._root_layout.addWidget(self.dock_manager, 1)
+
+        # Populate and hook the workspace combo
+        self._refresh_workspace_list()
+
+        # State manager
+        self.state_manager = WidgetStateManager(self)
+
+        # Developer mode state
+        self._editable = None
+        # Initialize default editable state based on current lock
+        self._set_editable(True)  # default to editable; will sync toolbar toggle below
+
+        # Sync Developer toggle icon state after initial setup
+        dev_action = self.toolbar.components.get_action("developer_mode").action
+        dev_action.setChecked(self._editable)
+
+        # Apply the requested mode after everything is set up
+        self.mode = mode
+
+    def _make_dock(
+        self,
+        widget: QWidget,
+        *,
+        closable: bool,
+        floatable: bool,
+        movable: bool = True,
+        area: QtAds.DockWidgetArea = QtAds.DockWidgetArea.RightDockWidgetArea,
+        start_floating: bool = False,
+    ) -> CDockWidget:
+        dock = CDockWidget(widget.objectName())
+        dock.setWidget(widget)
+        dock.setFeature(CDockWidget.DockWidgetDeleteOnClose, True)
+        dock.setFeature(CDockWidget.CustomCloseHandling, True)
+        dock.setFeature(CDockWidget.DockWidgetClosable, closable)
+        dock.setFeature(CDockWidget.DockWidgetFloatable, floatable)
+        dock.setFeature(CDockWidget.DockWidgetMovable, movable)
+
+        self._install_dock_settings_action(dock, widget)
+
+        def on_dock_close():
+            widget.close()
+            dock.closeDockWidget()
+            dock.deleteDockWidget()
+
+        def on_widget_destroyed():
+            if not isValid(dock):
+                return
+            dock.closeDockWidget()
+            dock.deleteDockWidget()
+
+        dock.closeRequested.connect(on_dock_close)
+        if hasattr(widget, "widget_removed"):
+            widget.widget_removed.connect(on_widget_destroyed)
+
+        dock.setMinimumSizeHintMode(CDockWidget.eMinimumSizeHintMode.MinimumSizeHintFromDockWidget)
+        self.dock_manager.addDockWidget(area, dock)
+        if start_floating:
+            dock.setFloating()
+        return dock
+
+    def _install_dock_settings_action(self, dock: CDockWidget, widget: QWidget) -> None:
+        action = MaterialIconAction(
+            icon_name="settings", tooltip="Dock settings", filled=True, parent=self
+        ).action
+        action.setToolTip("Dock settings")
+        action.setObjectName("dockSettingsAction")
+        action.triggered.connect(lambda: self._open_dock_settings_dialog(dock, widget))
+        dock.setTitleBarActions([action])
+        dock.setting_action = action
+
+    def _open_dock_settings_dialog(self, dock: CDockWidget, widget: QWidget) -> None:
+        dlg = DockSettingsDialog(self, widget)
+        dlg.resize(600, 600)
+        dlg.exec()
+
+    def _apply_dock_lock(self, locked: bool) -> None:
+        if locked:
+            self.dock_manager.lockDockWidgetFeaturesGlobally()
+        else:
+            self.dock_manager.lockDockWidgetFeaturesGlobally(QtAds.CDockWidget.NoDockWidgetFeatures)
+
+    def _delete_dock(self, dock: CDockWidget) -> None:
+        w = dock.widget()
+        if w and isValid(w):
+            w.close()
+            w.deleteLater()
+        if isValid(dock):
+            dock.closeDockWidget()
+            dock.deleteDockWidget()
+
+    def _area_from_where(self, where: str | None) -> QtAds.DockWidgetArea:
+        """Return ADS DockWidgetArea from a human-friendly direction string.
+        If *where* is None, fall back to instance default.
+        """
+        d = (where or getattr(self, "_default_add_direction", "right") or "right").lower()
+        mapping = {
+            "left": QtAds.DockWidgetArea.LeftDockWidgetArea,
+            "right": QtAds.DockWidgetArea.RightDockWidgetArea,
+            "top": QtAds.DockWidgetArea.TopDockWidgetArea,
+            "bottom": QtAds.DockWidgetArea.BottomDockWidgetArea,
+        }
+        return mapping.get(d, QtAds.DockWidgetArea.RightDockWidgetArea)
+
+    ################################################################################
+    # Toolbar Setup
+    ################################################################################
+
+    def _setup_toolbar(self):
+        self.toolbar = ModularToolBar(parent=self)
+
+        PLOT_ACTIONS = {
+            "waveform": (Waveform.ICON_NAME, "Add Waveform", "Waveform"),
+            "scatter_waveform": (
+                ScatterWaveform.ICON_NAME,
+                "Add Scatter Waveform",
+                "ScatterWaveform",
+            ),
+            "multi_waveform": (MultiWaveform.ICON_NAME, "Add Multi Waveform", "MultiWaveform"),
+            "image": (Image.ICON_NAME, "Add Image", "Image"),
+            "motor_map": (MotorMap.ICON_NAME, "Add Motor Map", "MotorMap"),
+            "heatmap": (Heatmap.ICON_NAME, "Add Heatmap", "Heatmap"),
+        }
+        DEVICE_ACTIONS = {
+            "scan_control": (ScanControl.ICON_NAME, "Add Scan Control", "ScanControl"),
+            "positioner_box": (PositionerBox.ICON_NAME, "Add Device Box", "PositionerBox"),
+        }
+        UTIL_ACTIONS = {
+            "queue": (BECQueue.ICON_NAME, "Add Scan Queue", "BECQueue"),
+            "vs_code": (VSCodeEditor.ICON_NAME, "Add VS Code", "VSCodeEditor"),
+            "status": (BECStatusBox.ICON_NAME, "Add BEC Status Box", "BECStatusBox"),
+            "progress_bar": (
+                RingProgressBar.ICON_NAME,
+                "Add Circular ProgressBar",
+                "RingProgressBar",
+            ),
+            "log_panel": (LogPanel.ICON_NAME, "Add LogPanel - Disabled", "LogPanel"),
+            "sbb_monitor": ("train", "Add SBB Monitor", "SBBMonitor"),
+        }
+
+        # Create expandable menu actions (original behavior)
+        def _build_menu(key: str, label: str, mapping: dict[str, tuple[str, str, str]]):
+            self.toolbar.components.add_safe(
+                key,
+                ExpandableMenuAction(
+                    label=label,
+                    actions={
+                        k: MaterialIconAction(
+                            icon_name=v[0], tooltip=v[1], filled=True, parent=self
+                        )
+                        for k, v in mapping.items()
+                    },
+                ),
+            )
+            b = ToolbarBundle(key, self.toolbar.components)
+            b.add_action(key)
+            self.toolbar.add_bundle(b)
+
+        _build_menu("menu_plots", "Add Plot ", PLOT_ACTIONS)
+        _build_menu("menu_devices", "Add Device Control ", DEVICE_ACTIONS)
+        _build_menu("menu_utils", "Add Utils ", UTIL_ACTIONS)
+
+        # Create flat toolbar bundles for each widget type
+        def _build_flat_bundles(category: str, mapping: dict[str, tuple[str, str, str]]):
+            bundle = ToolbarBundle(f"flat_{category}", self.toolbar.components)
+
+            for action_id, (icon_name, tooltip, widget_type) in mapping.items():
+                # Create individual action for each widget type
+                flat_action_id = f"flat_{action_id}"
+                self.toolbar.components.add_safe(
+                    flat_action_id,
+                    MaterialIconAction(
+                        icon_name=icon_name, tooltip=tooltip, filled=True, parent=self
+                    ),
+                )
+                bundle.add_action(flat_action_id)
+
+            self.toolbar.add_bundle(bundle)
+
+        _build_flat_bundles("plots", PLOT_ACTIONS)
+        _build_flat_bundles("devices", DEVICE_ACTIONS)
+        _build_flat_bundles("utils", UTIL_ACTIONS)
+
+        # Workspace
+        spacer_bundle = ToolbarBundle("spacer_bundle", self.toolbar.components)
+        spacer = QWidget(parent=self.toolbar.components.toolbar)
+        spacer.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Expanding)
+        self.toolbar.components.add_safe("spacer", WidgetAction(widget=spacer, adjust_size=False))
+        spacer_bundle.add_action("spacer")
+        self.toolbar.add_bundle(spacer_bundle)
+
+        self.toolbar.add_bundle(workspace_bundle(self.toolbar.components))
+        self.toolbar.connect_bundle(
+            "workspace", WorkspaceConnection(components=self.toolbar.components, target_widget=self)
+        )
+
+        # Dock actions
+        self.toolbar.components.add_safe(
+            "attach_all",
+            MaterialIconAction(
+                icon_name="zoom_in_map", tooltip="Attach all floating docks", parent=self
+            ),
+        )
+        self.toolbar.components.add_safe(
+            "screenshot",
+            MaterialIconAction(icon_name="photo_camera", tooltip="Take Screenshot", parent=self),
+        )
+        self.toolbar.components.add_safe(
+            "dark_mode", WidgetAction(widget=self.dark_mode_button, adjust_size=False, parent=self)
+        )
+        # Developer mode toggle (moved from menu into toolbar)
+        self.toolbar.components.add_safe(
+            "developer_mode",
+            MaterialIconAction(
+                icon_name="code", tooltip="Developer Mode", checkable=True, parent=self
+            ),
+        )
+        bda = ToolbarBundle("dock_actions", self.toolbar.components)
+        bda.add_action("attach_all")
+        bda.add_action("screenshot")
+        bda.add_action("dark_mode")
+        bda.add_action("developer_mode")
+        self.toolbar.add_bundle(bda)
+
+        # Default bundle configuration (show menus by default)
+        self.toolbar.show_bundles(
+            [
+                "menu_plots",
+                "menu_devices",
+                "menu_utils",
+                "spacer_bundle",
+                "workspace",
+                "dock_actions",
+            ]
+        )
+
+        # Store mappings on self for use in _hook_toolbar
+        self._ACTION_MAPPINGS = {
+            "menu_plots": PLOT_ACTIONS,
+            "menu_devices": DEVICE_ACTIONS,
+            "menu_utils": UTIL_ACTIONS,
+        }
+
+    def _hook_toolbar(self):
+
+        def _connect_menu(menu_key: str):
+            menu = self.toolbar.components.get_action(menu_key)
+            mapping = self._ACTION_MAPPINGS[menu_key]
+            for key, (_, _, widget_type) in mapping.items():
+                act = menu.actions[key].action
+                if widget_type == "LogPanel":
+                    act.setEnabled(False)  # keep disabled per issue #644
+                else:
+                    act.triggered.connect(lambda _, t=widget_type: self.new(widget=t))
+
+        _connect_menu("menu_plots")
+        _connect_menu("menu_devices")
+        _connect_menu("menu_utils")
+
+        # Connect flat toolbar actions
+        def _connect_flat_actions(category: str, mapping: dict[str, tuple[str, str, str]]):
+            for action_id, (_, _, widget_type) in mapping.items():
+                flat_action_id = f"flat_{action_id}"
+                flat_action = self.toolbar.components.get_action(flat_action_id).action
+                if widget_type == "LogPanel":
+                    flat_action.setEnabled(False)  # keep disabled per issue #644
+                else:
+                    flat_action.triggered.connect(lambda _, t=widget_type: self.new(widget=t))
+
+        _connect_flat_actions("plots", self._ACTION_MAPPINGS["menu_plots"])
+        _connect_flat_actions("devices", self._ACTION_MAPPINGS["menu_devices"])
+        _connect_flat_actions("utils", self._ACTION_MAPPINGS["menu_utils"])
+
+        self.toolbar.components.get_action("attach_all").action.triggered.connect(self.attach_all)
+        self.toolbar.components.get_action("screenshot").action.triggered.connect(self.screenshot)
+        # Developer mode toggle
+        self.toolbar.components.get_action("developer_mode").action.toggled.connect(
+            self._on_developer_mode_toggled
+        )
+
+    def _set_editable(self, editable: bool) -> None:
+        self.lock_workspace = not editable
+        self._editable = editable
+
+        # Sync the toolbar lock toggle with current mode
+        lock_action = self.toolbar.components.get_action("lock").action
+        lock_action.setChecked(not editable)
+        lock_action.setVisible(editable)
+
+        attach_all_action = self.toolbar.components.get_action("attach_all").action
+        attach_all_action.setVisible(editable)
+
+        # Show full creation menus only when editable; otherwise keep minimal set
+        if editable:
+            self.toolbar.show_bundles(
+                [
+                    "menu_plots",
+                    "menu_devices",
+                    "menu_utils",
+                    "spacer_bundle",
+                    "workspace",
+                    "dock_actions",
+                ]
+            )
+        else:
+            self.toolbar.show_bundles(["spacer_bundle", "workspace", "dock_actions"])
+
+        # Keep Developer mode UI in sync
+        self.toolbar.components.get_action("developer_mode").action.setChecked(editable)
+
+    def _on_developer_mode_toggled(self, checked: bool) -> None:
+        """Handle developer mode checkbox toggle."""
+        self._set_editable(checked)
+
+    ################################################################################
+    # Adding widgets
+    ################################################################################
+    @SafeSlot(popup_error=True)
+    def new(
+        self,
+        widget: BECWidget | str,
+        closable: bool = True,
+        floatable: bool = True,
+        movable: bool = True,
+        start_floating: bool = False,
+        where: Literal["left", "right", "top", "bottom"] | None = None,
+    ) -> BECWidget:
+        """
+        Create a new widget (or reuse an instance) and add it as a dock.
+
+        Args:
+            widget: Widget instance or a string widget type (factory-created).
+            closable: Whether the dock is closable.
+            floatable: Whether the dock is floatable.
+            movable: Whether the dock is movable.
+            start_floating: Start the dock in a floating state.
+            where: Preferred area to add the dock: "left" | "right" | "top" | "bottom".
+                   If None, uses the instance default passed at construction time.
+        Returns:
+            The widget instance.
+        """
+        target_area = self._area_from_where(where)
+
+        # 1) Instantiate or look up the widget
+        if isinstance(widget, str):
+            widget = cast(BECWidget, widget_handler.create_widget(widget_type=widget, parent=self))
+            widget.name_established.connect(
+                lambda: self._create_dock_with_name(
+                    widget=widget,
+                    closable=closable,
+                    floatable=floatable,
+                    movable=movable,
+                    start_floating=start_floating,
+                    area=target_area,
+                )
+            )
+            return widget
+
+        # If a widget instance is passed, dock it immediately
+        self._create_dock_with_name(
+            widget=widget,
+            closable=closable,
+            floatable=floatable,
+            movable=movable,
+            start_floating=start_floating,
+            area=target_area,
+        )
+        return widget
+
+    def _create_dock_with_name(
+        self,
+        widget: BECWidget,
+        closable: bool = True,
+        floatable: bool = False,
+        movable: bool = True,
+        start_floating: bool = False,
+        area: QtAds.DockWidgetArea | None = None,
+    ):
+        target_area = area or self._area_from_where(None)
+        self._make_dock(
+            widget,
+            closable=closable,
+            floatable=floatable,
+            movable=movable,
+            area=target_area,
+            start_floating=start_floating,
+        )
+        self.dock_manager.setFocus()
+
+    ################################################################################
+    # Dock Management
+    ################################################################################
+
+    def dock_map(self) -> dict[str, CDockWidget]:
+        """
+        Return the dock widgets map as dictionary with names as keys and dock widgets as values.
+
+        Returns:
+            dict: A dictionary mapping widget names to their corresponding dock widgets.
+        """
+        return self.dock_manager.dockWidgetsMap()
+
+    def dock_list(self) -> list[CDockWidget]:
+        """
+        Return the list of dock widgets.
+
+        Returns:
+            list: A list of all dock widgets in the dock area.
+        """
+        return self.dock_manager.dockWidgets()
+
+    def widget_map(self) -> dict[str, QWidget]:
+        """
+        Return a dictionary mapping widget names to their corresponding BECWidget instances.
+
+        Returns:
+            dict: A dictionary mapping widget names to BECWidget instances.
+        """
+        return {dock.objectName(): dock.widget() for dock in self.dock_list()}
+
+    def widget_list(self) -> list[QWidget]:
+        """
+        Return a list of all BECWidget instances in the dock area.
+
+        Returns:
+            list: A list of all BECWidget instances in the dock area.
+        """
+        return [dock.widget() for dock in self.dock_list() if isinstance(dock.widget(), QWidget)]
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def attach_all(self):
+        """
+        Return all floating docks to the dock area, preserving tab groups within each floating container.
+        """
+        for container in self.dock_manager.floatingWidgets():
+            docks = container.dockWidgets()
+            if not docks:
+                continue
+            target = docks[0]
+            self.dock_manager.addDockWidget(QtAds.DockWidgetArea.RightDockWidgetArea, target)
+            for d in docks[1:]:
+                self.dock_manager.addDockWidgetTab(
+                    QtAds.DockWidgetArea.RightDockWidgetArea, d, target
+                )
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def delete_all(self):
+        """Delete all docks and widgets."""
+        for dock in list(self.dock_manager.dockWidgets()):
+            self._delete_dock(dock)
+
+    ################################################################################
+    # Workspace Management
+    ################################################################################
+    @SafeProperty(bool)
+    def lock_workspace(self) -> bool:
+        """
+        Get or set the lock state of the workspace.
+
+        Returns:
+            bool: True if the workspace is locked, False otherwise.
+        """
+        return self._locked
+
+    @lock_workspace.setter
+    def lock_workspace(self, value: bool):
+        """
+        Set the lock state of the workspace. Docks remain resizable, but are not movable or closable.
+
+        Args:
+            value (bool): True to lock the workspace, False to unlock it.
+        """
+        self._locked = value
+        self._apply_dock_lock(value)
+        self.toolbar.components.get_action("save_workspace").action.setVisible(not value)
+        self.toolbar.components.get_action("delete_workspace").action.setVisible(not value)
+        for dock in self.dock_list():
+            dock.setting_action.setVisible(not value)
+
+    @SafeSlot(str)
+    def save_profile(self, name: str | None = None):
+        """
+        Save the current workspace profile.
+
+        Args:
+            name (str | None): The name of the profile. If None, a dialog will prompt for a name.
+        """
+        if not name:
+            # Use the new SaveProfileDialog instead of QInputDialog
+            dialog = SaveProfileDialog(self)
+            if dialog.exec() != QDialog.Accepted:
+                return
+            name = dialog.get_profile_name()
+            readonly = dialog.is_readonly()
+
+            # Check if profile already exists and is read-only
+            if os.path.exists(profile_path(name)) and is_profile_readonly(name):
+                suggested_name = f"{name}_custom"
+                reply = QMessageBox.warning(
+                    self,
+                    "Read-only Profile",
+                    f"The profile '{name}' is marked as read-only and cannot be overwritten.\n\n"
+                    f"Would you like to save it with a different name?\n"
+                    f"Suggested name: '{suggested_name}'",
+                    QMessageBox.Yes | QMessageBox.No,
+                    QMessageBox.Yes,
+                )
+                if reply == QMessageBox.Yes:
+                    # Show dialog again with suggested name pre-filled
+                    dialog = SaveProfileDialog(self, suggested_name)
+                    if dialog.exec() != QDialog.Accepted:
+                        return
+                    name = dialog.get_profile_name()
+                    readonly = dialog.is_readonly()
+
+                    # Check again if the new name is also read-only (recursive protection)
+                    if os.path.exists(profile_path(name)) and is_profile_readonly(name):
+                        return self.save_profile()
+                else:
+                    return
+        else:
+            # If name is provided directly, assume not read-only unless already exists
+            readonly = False
+            if os.path.exists(profile_path(name)) and is_profile_readonly(name):
+                QMessageBox.warning(
+                    self,
+                    "Read-only Profile",
+                    f"The profile '{name}' is marked as read-only and cannot be overwritten.",
+                    QMessageBox.Ok,
+                )
+                return
+
+        # Display saving placeholder
+        workspace_combo = self.toolbar.components.get_action("workspace_combo").widget
+        workspace_combo.blockSignals(True)
+        workspace_combo.insertItem(0, f"{name}-saving")
+        workspace_combo.setCurrentIndex(0)
+        workspace_combo.blockSignals(False)
+
+        # Save the profile
+        settings = open_settings(name)
+        settings.setValue(SETTINGS_KEYS["geom"], self.saveGeometry())
+        settings.setValue(
+            SETTINGS_KEYS["state"], b""
+        )  # No QMainWindow state; placeholder for backward compat
+        settings.setValue(SETTINGS_KEYS["ads_state"], self.dock_manager.saveState())
+        self.dock_manager.addPerspective(name)
+        self.dock_manager.savePerspectives(settings)
+        self.state_manager.save_state(settings=settings)
+        write_manifest(settings, self.dock_list())
+
+        # Set read-only status if specified
+        if readonly:
+            set_profile_readonly(name, readonly)
+
+        settings.sync()
+        self._refresh_workspace_list()
+        workspace_combo.setCurrentText(name)
+
+    def load_profile(self, name: str | None = None):
+        """
+        Load a workspace profile.
+
+        Args:
+            name (str | None): The name of the profile. If None, a dialog will prompt for a name.
+        """
+        # FIXME this has to be tweaked
+        if not name:
+            name, ok = QInputDialog.getText(
+                self, "Load Workspace", "Enter the name of the workspace profile to load:"
+            )
+            if not ok or not name:
+                return
+        settings = open_settings(name)
+
+        for item in read_manifest(settings):
+            obj_name = item["object_name"]
+            widget_class = item["widget_class"]
+            if obj_name not in self.widget_map():
+                w = widget_handler.create_widget(widget_type=widget_class, parent=self)
+                w.setObjectName(obj_name)
+                self._make_dock(
+                    w,
+                    closable=item["closable"],
+                    floatable=item["floatable"],
+                    movable=item["movable"],
+                    area=QtAds.DockWidgetArea.RightDockWidgetArea,
+                )
+
+        geom = settings.value(SETTINGS_KEYS["geom"])
+        if geom:
+            self.restoreGeometry(geom)
+        # No window state for QWidget-based host; keep for backwards compat read
+        # window_state = settings.value(SETTINGS_KEYS["state"])  # ignored
+        dock_state = settings.value(SETTINGS_KEYS["ads_state"])
+        if dock_state:
+            self.dock_manager.restoreState(dock_state)
+        self.dock_manager.loadPerspectives(settings)
+        self.state_manager.load_state(settings=settings)
+        self._set_editable(self._editable)
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def delete_profile(self):
+        """
+        Delete the currently selected workspace profile file and refresh the combo list.
+        """
+        combo = self.toolbar.components.get_action("workspace_combo").widget
+        name = combo.currentText()
+        if not name:
+            return
+
+        # Check if profile is read-only
+        if is_profile_readonly(name):
+            QMessageBox.warning(
+                self,
+                "Read-only Profile",
+                f"The profile '{name}' is marked as read-only and cannot be deleted.\n\n"
+                f"Read-only profiles are protected from modification and deletion.",
+                QMessageBox.Ok,
+            )
+            return
+
+        # Confirm deletion for regular profiles
+        reply = QMessageBox.question(
+            self,
+            "Delete Profile",
+            f"Are you sure you want to delete the profile '{name}'?\n\n"
+            f"This action cannot be undone.",
+            QMessageBox.Yes | QMessageBox.No,
+            QMessageBox.No,
+        )
+        if reply != QMessageBox.Yes:
+            return
+
+        file_path = profile_path(name)
+        try:
+            os.remove(file_path)
+        except FileNotFoundError:
+            return
+        self._refresh_workspace_list()
+
+    def _refresh_workspace_list(self):
+        """
+        Populate the workspace combo box with all saved profile names (without .ini).
+        """
+        combo = self.toolbar.components.get_action("workspace_combo").widget
+        if hasattr(combo, "refresh_profiles"):
+            combo.refresh_profiles()
+        else:
+            # Fallback for regular QComboBox
+            combo.blockSignals(True)
+            combo.clear()
+            combo.addItems(list_profiles())
+            combo.blockSignals(False)
+
+    ################################################################################
+    # Mode Switching
+    ################################################################################
+
+    @SafeProperty(str)
+    def mode(self) -> str:
+        return self._mode
+
+    @mode.setter
+    def mode(self, new_mode: str):
+        if new_mode not in ["plot", "device", "utils", "developer", "user"]:
+            raise ValueError(f"Invalid mode: {new_mode}")
+        self._mode = new_mode
+        self.mode_changed.emit(new_mode)
+
+        # Update toolbar visibility based on mode
+        if new_mode == "user":
+            # User mode: show only essential tools
+            self.toolbar.show_bundles(["spacer_bundle", "workspace", "dock_actions"])
+        elif new_mode == "developer":
+            # Developer mode: show all tools (use menu bundles)
+            self.toolbar.show_bundles(
+                [
+                    "menu_plots",
+                    "menu_devices",
+                    "menu_utils",
+                    "spacer_bundle",
+                    "workspace",
+                    "dock_actions",
+                ]
+            )
+        elif new_mode in ["plot", "device", "utils"]:
+            # Specific modes: show flat toolbar for that category
+            bundle_name = f"flat_{new_mode}s" if new_mode != "utils" else "flat_utils"
+            self.toolbar.show_bundles([bundle_name])
+            # self.toolbar.show_bundles([bundle_name, "spacer_bundle", "workspace", "dock_actions"])
+        else:
+            # Fallback to user mode
+            self.toolbar.show_bundles(["spacer_bundle", "workspace", "dock_actions"])
+
+    def cleanup(self):
+        """
+        Cleanup the dock area.
+        """
+        self.delete_all()
+        self.dark_mode_button.close()
+        self.dark_mode_button.deleteLater()
+        self.toolbar.cleanup()
+        super().cleanup()
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    import sys
+
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    dispatcher = BECDispatcher(gui_id="ads")
+    window = BECMainWindowNoRPC()
+    ads = AdvancedDockArea(mode="developer", root_widget=True)
+    window.setCentralWidget(ads)
+    window.show()
+    window.resize(800, 600)
+
+    sys.exit(app.exec())

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/advanced_dock_area/profile_utils.py

@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+import os
+
+from PySide6QtAds import CDockWidget
+from qtpy.QtCore import QSettings
+
+MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(__file__)))
+_DEFAULT_PROFILES_DIR = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "states", "default")
+_USER_PROFILES_DIR = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "states", "user")
+
+
+def profiles_dir() -> str:
+    path = os.environ.get("BECWIDGETS_PROFILE_DIR", _USER_PROFILES_DIR)
+    os.makedirs(path, exist_ok=True)
+    return path
+
+
+def profile_path(name: str) -> str:
+    return os.path.join(profiles_dir(), f"{name}.ini")
+
+
+SETTINGS_KEYS = {
+    "geom": "mainWindow/Geometry",
+    "state": "mainWindow/State",
+    "ads_state": "mainWindow/DockingState",
+    "manifest": "manifest/widgets",
+    "readonly": "profile/readonly",
+}
+
+
+def list_profiles() -> list[str]:
+    return sorted(os.path.splitext(f)[0] for f in os.listdir(profiles_dir()) if f.endswith(".ini"))
+
+
+def is_profile_readonly(name: str) -> bool:
+    """Check if a profile is marked as read-only."""
+    settings = open_settings(name)
+    return settings.value(SETTINGS_KEYS["readonly"], False, type=bool)
+
+
+def set_profile_readonly(name: str, readonly: bool) -> None:
+    """Set the read-only status of a profile."""
+    settings = open_settings(name)
+    settings.setValue(SETTINGS_KEYS["readonly"], readonly)
+    settings.sync()
+
+
+def open_settings(name: str) -> QSettings:
+    return QSettings(profile_path(name), QSettings.IniFormat)
+
+
+def write_manifest(settings: QSettings, docks: list[CDockWidget]) -> None:
+    settings.beginWriteArray(SETTINGS_KEYS["manifest"], len(docks))
+    for i, dock in enumerate(docks):
+        settings.setArrayIndex(i)
+        w = dock.widget()
+        settings.setValue("object_name", w.objectName())
+        settings.setValue("widget_class", w.__class__.__name__)
+        settings.setValue("closable", getattr(dock, "_default_closable", True))
+        settings.setValue("floatable", getattr(dock, "_default_floatable", True))
+        settings.setValue("movable", getattr(dock, "_default_movable", True))
+    settings.endArray()
+
+
+def read_manifest(settings: QSettings) -> list[dict]:
+    items: list[dict] = []
+    count = settings.beginReadArray(SETTINGS_KEYS["manifest"])
+    for i in range(count):
+        settings.setArrayIndex(i)
+        items.append(
+            {
+                "object_name": settings.value("object_name"),
+                "widget_class": settings.value("widget_class"),
+                "closable": settings.value("closable", type=bool),
+                "floatable": settings.value("floatable", type=bool),
+                "movable": settings.value("movable", type=bool),
+            }
+        )
+    settings.endArray()
+    return items

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

@@ -0,0 +1,183 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from bec_qthemes import material_icon
+from qtpy.QtCore import Qt
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QComboBox, QSizePolicy, QWidget
+
+from bec_widgets import SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.actions import MaterialIconAction, WidgetAction
+from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.bundles import ToolbarBundle, ToolbarComponents
+from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.connections import BundleConnection
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.advanced_dock_area.profile_utils import (
+    is_profile_readonly,
+    list_profiles,
+)
+
+
+class ProfileComboBox(QComboBox):
+    """Custom combobox that displays icons for read-only profiles."""
+
+    def __init__(self, parent=None):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Fixed)
+
+    def refresh_profiles(self):
+        """Refresh the profile list with appropriate icons."""
+
+        current_text = self.currentText()
+        self.blockSignals(True)
+        self.clear()
+
+        lock_icon = material_icon("edit_off", size=(16, 16), convert_to_pixmap=False)
+
+        for profile in list_profiles():
+            if is_profile_readonly(profile):
+                self.addItem(lock_icon, f"{profile}")
+                # Set tooltip for read-only profiles
+                self.setItemData(self.count() - 1, "Read-only profile", Qt.ToolTipRole)
+            else:
+                self.addItem(profile)
+
+        # Restore selection if possible
+        index = self.findText(current_text)
+        if index >= 0:
+            self.setCurrentIndex(index)
+
+        self.blockSignals(False)
+
+
+def workspace_bundle(components: ToolbarComponents) -> ToolbarBundle:
+    """
+    Creates a workspace toolbar bundle for AdvancedDockArea.
+
+    Args:
+        components (ToolbarComponents): The components to be added to the bundle.
+
+    Returns:
+        ToolbarBundle: The workspace toolbar bundle.
+    """
+    # Lock icon action
+    components.add_safe(
+        "lock",
+        MaterialIconAction(
+            icon_name="lock_open_right",
+            tooltip="Lock Workspace",
+            checkable=True,
+            parent=components.toolbar,
+        ),
+    )
+
+    # Workspace combo
+    combo = ProfileComboBox(parent=components.toolbar)
+    components.add_safe("workspace_combo", WidgetAction(widget=combo, adjust_size=False))
+
+    # Save the current workspace icon
+    components.add_safe(
+        "save_workspace",
+        MaterialIconAction(
+            icon_name="save",
+            tooltip="Save Current Workspace",
+            checkable=False,
+            parent=components.toolbar,
+        ),
+    )
+    # Delete workspace icon
+    components.add_safe(
+        "refresh_workspace",
+        MaterialIconAction(
+            icon_name="refresh",
+            tooltip="Refresh Current Workspace",
+            checkable=False,
+            parent=components.toolbar,
+        ),
+    )
+    # Delete workspace icon
+    components.add_safe(
+        "delete_workspace",
+        MaterialIconAction(
+            icon_name="delete",
+            tooltip="Delete Current Workspace",
+            checkable=False,
+            parent=components.toolbar,
+        ),
+    )
+
+    bundle = ToolbarBundle("workspace", components)
+    bundle.add_action("lock")
+    bundle.add_action("workspace_combo")
+    bundle.add_action("save_workspace")
+    bundle.add_action("refresh_workspace")
+    bundle.add_action("delete_workspace")
+    return bundle
+
+
+class WorkspaceConnection(BundleConnection):
+    """
+    Connection class for workspace actions in AdvancedDockArea.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, components: ToolbarComponents, target_widget=None):
+        super().__init__(parent=components.toolbar)
+        self.bundle_name = "workspace"
+        self.components = components
+        self.target_widget = target_widget
+        if not hasattr(self.target_widget, "lock_workspace"):
+            raise AttributeError("Target widget must implement 'lock_workspace'.")
+        self._connected = False
+
+    def connect(self):
+        self._connected = True
+        # Connect the action to the target widget's method
+        self.components.get_action("lock").action.toggled.connect(self._lock_workspace)
+        self.components.get_action("save_workspace").action.triggered.connect(
+            self.target_widget.save_profile
+        )
+        self.components.get_action("workspace_combo").widget.currentTextChanged.connect(
+            self.target_widget.load_profile
+        )
+        self.components.get_action("refresh_workspace").action.triggered.connect(
+            self._refresh_workspace
+        )
+        self.components.get_action("delete_workspace").action.triggered.connect(
+            self.target_widget.delete_profile
+        )
+
+    def disconnect(self):
+        if not self._connected:
+            return
+        # Disconnect the action from the target widget's method
+        self.components.get_action("lock").action.toggled.disconnect(self._lock_workspace)
+        self.components.get_action("save_workspace").action.triggered.disconnect(
+            self.target_widget.save_profile
+        )
+        self.components.get_action("workspace_combo").widget.currentTextChanged.disconnect(
+            self.target_widget.load_profile
+        )
+        self.components.get_action("refresh_workspace").action.triggered.disconnect(
+            self._refresh_workspace
+        )
+        self.components.get_action("delete_workspace").action.triggered.disconnect(
+            self.target_widget.delete_profile
+        )
+        self._connected = False
+
+    @SafeSlot(bool)
+    def _lock_workspace(self, value: bool):
+        """
+        Switches the workspace lock state and change the icon accordingly.
+        """
+        setattr(self.target_widget, "lock_workspace", value)
+        self.components.get_action("lock").action.setChecked(value)
+        icon = material_icon(
+            "lock" if value else "lock_open_right", size=(20, 20), convert_to_pixmap=False
+        )
+        self.components.get_action("lock").action.setIcon(icon)
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def _refresh_workspace(self):
+        """
+        Refreshes the current workspace.
+        """
+        combo = self.components.get_action("workspace_combo").widget
+        current_workspace = combo.currentText()
+        self.target_widget.load_profile(current_workspace)

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/dock/dock_area.py

@@ -616,10 +616,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
 
     import sys
 
-    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 
     app = QApplication([])
-    set_theme("auto")
+    apply_theme("dark")
     dock_area = BECDockArea()
     dock_1 = dock_area.new(name="dock_0", widget="DarkModeButton")
     dock_1.new(widget="DarkModeButton")

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/main_window/main_window.py

@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
 import bec_widgets
 from bec_widgets.utils import UILoader
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme, set_theme
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.widget_io import WidgetHierarchy
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.addons.hover_widget import HoverWidget
@@ -357,7 +357,7 @@ class BECMainWindow(BECWidget, QMainWindow):
 
         ########################################
         # Theme menu
-        theme_menu = menu_bar.addMenu("Theme")
+        theme_menu = menu_bar.addMenu("View")
 
         theme_group = QActionGroup(self)
         light_theme_action = QAction("Light Theme", self, checkable=True)
@@ -374,11 +374,12 @@ class BECMainWindow(BECWidget, QMainWindow):
         dark_theme_action.triggered.connect(lambda: self.change_theme("dark"))
 
         # Set the default theme
-        theme = self.app.theme.theme
-        if theme == "light":
-            light_theme_action.setChecked(True)
-        elif theme == "dark":
-            dark_theme_action.setChecked(True)
+        if hasattr(self.app, "theme") and self.app.theme:
+            theme_name = self.app.theme.theme.lower()
+            if "light" in theme_name:
+                light_theme_action.setChecked(True)
+            elif "dark" in theme_name:
+                dark_theme_action.setChecked(True)
 
         ########################################
         # Help menu
@@ -448,7 +449,7 @@ class BECMainWindow(BECWidget, QMainWindow):
         Args:
             theme(str): Either "light" or "dark".
         """
-        set_theme(theme)  # emits theme_updated and applies palette globally
+        apply_theme(theme)  # emits theme_updated and applies palette globally
 
     def event(self, event):
         if event.type() == QEvent.Type.StatusTip:

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

@@ -38,9 +38,6 @@ class AbortButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
         else:
             self.button = QPushButton()
             self.button.setText("Abort")
-            self.button.setStyleSheet(
-                "background-color:  #666666; color: white; font-weight: bold; font-size: 12px;"
-            )
         self.button.clicked.connect(self.abort_scan)
 
         self.layout.addWidget(self.button)

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

@@ -31,9 +31,7 @@ class StopButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
             self.button = QPushButton()
             self.button.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Policy.Minimum, QSizePolicy.Policy.Fixed)
             self.button.setText("Stop")
-            self.button.setStyleSheet(
-                f"background-color:  #cc181e; color: white; font-weight: bold; font-size: 12px;"
-            )
+            self.button.setProperty("variant", "danger")
         self.button.clicked.connect(self.stop_scan)
 
         self.layout.addWidget(self.button)

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

@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ class PositionerBoxBase(BECWidget, CompactPopupWidget):
         if not self._check_device_is_valid(device):
             return
 
-        data = self.dev[device].read(cached=True)
+        data = self.dev[device].read()
         self._on_device_readback(
             device,
             self._device_ui_components(device),

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

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ from qtpy.QtGui import QDoubleValidator
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QDoubleSpinBox
 
 from bec_widgets.utils import UILoader
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import get_accent_colors, set_theme
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme, get_accent_colors
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box._base import PositionerBoxBase
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box._base.positioner_box_base import (
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ class PositionerBox(PositionerBoxBase):
     PLUGIN = True
     RPC = True
 
-    USER_ACCESS = ["set_positioner", "screenshot"]
+    USER_ACCESS = ["set_positioner", "attach", "detach", "screenshot"]
     device_changed = Signal(str, str)
     # Signal emitted to inform listeners about a position update
     position_update = Signal(float)
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication  # pylint: disable=ungrouped-imports
 
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    set_theme("dark")
+    apply_theme("dark")
     widget = PositionerBox(device="bpm4i")
 
     widget.show()

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

@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ from qtpy.QtGui import QDoubleValidator
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QDoubleSpinBox
 
 from bec_widgets.utils import UILoader
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box._base import PositionerBoxBase
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box._base.positioner_box_base import (
@@ -34,15 +34,7 @@ class PositionerBox2D(PositionerBoxBase):
 
     PLUGIN = True
     RPC = True
-    USER_ACCESS = [
-        "set_positioner_hor",
-        "set_positioner_ver",
-        "screenshot",
-        "enable_controls_hor",
-        "enable_controls_hor.setter",
-        "enable_controls_ver",
-        "enable_controls_ver.setter",
-    ]
+    USER_ACCESS = ["set_positioner_hor", "set_positioner_ver", "attach", "detach", "screenshot"]
 
     device_changed_hor = Signal(str, str)
     device_changed_ver = Signal(str, str)
@@ -71,8 +63,6 @@ class PositionerBox2D(PositionerBoxBase):
         self._limits_hor = None
         self._limits_ver = None
         self._dialog = None
-        self._enable_controls_hor = True
-        self._enable_controls_ver = True
         if self.current_path == "":
             self.current_path = os.path.dirname(__file__)
         self.init_ui()
@@ -291,7 +281,6 @@ class PositionerBox2D(PositionerBoxBase):
             self.on_device_readback_hor,
             self._device_ui_components_hv("horizontal"),
         )
-        self._apply_controls_enabled("horizontal")
 
     @SafeSlot(str, str)
     def on_device_change_ver(self, old_device: str, new_device: str):
@@ -311,7 +300,6 @@ class PositionerBox2D(PositionerBoxBase):
             self.on_device_readback_ver,
             self._device_ui_components_hv("vertical"),
         )
-        self._apply_controls_enabled("vertical")
 
     def _device_ui_components_hv(self, device: DeviceId) -> DeviceUpdateUIComponents:
         if device == "horizontal":
@@ -349,25 +337,6 @@ class PositionerBox2D(PositionerBoxBase):
         if device == self.device_ver:
             return self._device_ui_components_hv("vertical")
 
-    def _apply_controls_enabled(self, axis: DeviceId):
-        state = self._enable_controls_hor if axis == "horizontal" else self._enable_controls_ver
-        if axis == "horizontal":
-            widgets = [
-                self.ui.tweak_increase_hor,
-                self.ui.tweak_decrease_hor,
-                self.ui.step_increase_hor,
-                self.ui.step_decrease_hor,
-            ]
-        else:
-            widgets = [
-                self.ui.tweak_increase_ver,
-                self.ui.tweak_decrease_ver,
-                self.ui.step_increase_ver,
-                self.ui.step_decrease_ver,
-            ]
-        for w in widgets:
-            w.setEnabled(state)
-
     @SafeSlot(dict, dict)
     def on_device_readback_hor(self, msg_content: dict, metadata: dict):
         """Callback for device readback.
@@ -448,26 +417,6 @@ class PositionerBox2D(PositionerBoxBase):
         """Step size for tweak"""
         self.ui.step_size_ver.setValue(val)
 
-    @SafeProperty(bool)
-    def enable_controls_hor(self) -> bool:
-        """Persisted switch for horizontal control buttons (tweak/step)."""
-        return self._enable_controls_hor
-
-    @enable_controls_hor.setter
-    def enable_controls_hor(self, value: bool):
-        self._enable_controls_hor = value
-        self._apply_controls_enabled("horizontal")
-
-    @SafeProperty(bool)
-    def enable_controls_ver(self) -> bool:
-        """Persisted switch for vertical control buttons (tweak/step)."""
-        return self._enable_controls_ver
-
-    @enable_controls_ver.setter
-    def enable_controls_ver(self, value: bool):
-        self._enable_controls_ver = value
-        self._apply_controls_enabled("vertical")
-
     @SafeSlot()
     def on_tweak_inc_hor(self):
         """Tweak device a up"""
@@ -529,7 +478,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication  # pylint: disable=ungrouped-imports
 
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    set_theme("dark")
+    apply_theme("dark")
     widget = PositionerBox2D()
 
     widget.show()

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

@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ class PositionerGroup(BECWidget, QWidget):
 
     PLUGIN = True
     ICON_NAME = "grid_view"
-    USER_ACCESS = ["set_positioners"]
+    USER_ACCESS = ["set_positioners", "attach", "detach", "screenshot"]
 
     # Signal emitted to inform listeners about a position update of the first positioner
     position_update = Signal(float)

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

@@ -147,24 +147,6 @@ class DeviceComboBox(DeviceInputBase, QComboBox):
         dev_name = self.currentText()
         return self.get_device_object(dev_name)
 
-    def paintEvent(self, event: QPaintEvent) -> None:
-        """Extend the paint event to set the border color based on the validity of the input.
-
-        Args:
-            event (PySide6.QtGui.QPaintEvent) : Paint event.
-        """
-        # logger.info(f"Received paint event: {event} in {self.__class__}")
-        super().paintEvent(event)
-
-        if self._is_valid_input is False and self.isEnabled() is True:
-            painter = QPainter(self)
-            pen = QPen()
-            pen.setWidth(2)
-            pen.setColor(self._accent_colors.emergency)
-            painter.setPen(pen)
-            painter.drawRect(self.rect().adjusted(1, 1, -1, -1))
-            painter.end()
-
     @Slot(str)
     def check_validity(self, input_text: str) -> None:
         """
@@ -173,10 +155,12 @@ class DeviceComboBox(DeviceInputBase, QComboBox):
         if self.validate_device(input_text) is True:
             self._is_valid_input = True
             self.device_selected.emit(input_text)
+            self.setStyleSheet("border: 1px solid transparent;")
         else:
             self._is_valid_input = False
             self.device_reset.emit()
-        self.update()
+            if self.isEnabled():
+                self.setStyleSheet("border: 1px solid red;")
 
     def validate_device(self, device: str) -> bool:  # type: ignore[override]
         """
@@ -202,10 +186,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     # pylint: disable=import-outside-toplevel
     from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
-    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 
     app = QApplication([])
-    set_theme("dark")
+    apply_theme("dark")
     widget = QWidget()
     widget.setFixedSize(200, 200)
     layout = QVBoxLayout()

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

@@ -175,13 +175,13 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     # pylint: disable=import-outside-toplevel
     from qtpy.QtWidgets import QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
-    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
     from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_input.signal_combobox.signal_combobox import (
         SignalComboBox,
     )
 
     app = QApplication([])
-    set_theme("dark")
+    apply_theme("dark")
     widget = QWidget()
     widget.setFixedSize(200, 200)
     layout = QVBoxLayout()

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

@@ -179,10 +179,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     # pylint: disable=import-outside-toplevel
     from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
-    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 
     app = QApplication([])
-    set_theme("dark")
+    apply_theme("dark")
     widget = QWidget()
     widget.setFixedSize(200, 200)
     layout = QVBoxLayout()

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

@@ -147,13 +147,13 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     # pylint: disable=import-outside-toplevel
     from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
-    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
     from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_input.device_combobox.device_combobox import (
         DeviceComboBox,
     )
 
     app = QApplication([])
-    set_theme("dark")
+    apply_theme("dark")
     widget = QWidget()
     widget.setFixedSize(200, 200)
     layout = QVBoxLayout()

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

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

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

@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+from typing import Any, Callable, Generator, Iterable, TypeVar
+
+_T = TypeVar("_T")
+_RT = TypeVar("_RT")
+
+
+def yield_only_passing(fn: Callable[[_T], _RT], vals: Iterable[_T]) -> Generator[_RT, Any, None]:
+    for v in vals:
+        try:
+            yield fn(v)
+        except BaseException:
+            pass

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

@@ -0,0 +1,200 @@
+from textwrap import dedent
+from typing import NamedTuple
+
+from bec_qthemes import material_icon
+from qtpy.QtCore import QSize
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QFrame, QHBoxLayout, QLabel, QListWidgetItem, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.expandable_frame import ExpandableGroupFrame
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_manager.components.available_device_resources.available_device_group_ui import (
+    Ui_AvailableDeviceGroup,
+)
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_manager.components.available_device_resources.device_resource_backend import (
+    HashableDevice,
+)
+
+
+def _warning_string(spec: HashableDevice):
+    name_warning = (
+        f"Device defined with multiple names! Please check:\n  {'\n  '.join(spec.names)}\n"
+        if len(spec.names) > 1
+        else ""
+    )
+    source_warning = (
+        f"Device found in multiple source files! Please check:\n  {'\n  '.join(spec._source_files)}"
+        if len(spec._source_files) > 1
+        else ""
+    )
+    return f"{name_warning}{source_warning}"
+
+
+class _DeviceEntryWidget(QFrame):
+
+    def __init__(self, device_spec: HashableDevice, parent=None, **kwargs):
+        super().__init__(parent, **kwargs)
+        self._device_spec = device_spec
+        self.included: bool = False
+
+        self.setFrameShape(QFrame.Shape.StyledPanel)
+        self.setFrameShadow(QFrame.Shadow.Raised)
+
+        self._layout = QVBoxLayout()
+        self._layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        self.setLayout(self._layout)
+
+        self.setup_title_layout(device_spec)
+        self.check_and_display_warning()
+
+        self.setToolTip(self._rich_text())
+
+    def _rich_text(self):
+        return dedent(
+            f"""
+        <b><u><h2> {self._device_spec.name}: </h2></u></b>
+        <table>
+        <tr><td> description: </td><td><i> {self._device_spec.description}  </i></td></tr>
+        <tr><td> config:      </td><td><i> {self._device_spec.deviceConfig} </i></td></tr>
+        <tr><td> enabled:     </td><td><i> {self._device_spec.enabled}      </i></td></tr>
+        <tr><td> read only:   </td><td><i> {self._device_spec.readOnly}     </i></td></tr>
+        </table>
+        """
+        )
+
+    def setup_title_layout(self, device_spec: HashableDevice):
+        self._title_layout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self._title_layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        self._title_container = QWidget(parent=self)
+        self._title_container.setLayout(self._title_layout)
+
+        self._warning_label = QLabel()
+        self._title_layout.addWidget(self._warning_label)
+
+        self.title = QLabel(device_spec.name)
+        self.title.setToolTip(device_spec.name)
+        self.title.setStyleSheet(self.title_style("#FF0000"))
+        self._title_layout.addWidget(self.title)
+
+        self._title_layout.addStretch(1)
+        self._layout.addWidget(self._title_container)
+
+    def check_and_display_warning(self):
+        if len(self._device_spec.names) == 1 and len(self._device_spec._source_files) == 1:
+            self._warning_label.setText("")
+            self._warning_label.setToolTip("")
+        else:
+            self._warning_label.setPixmap(material_icon("warning", size=(12, 12), color="#FFAA00"))
+            self._warning_label.setToolTip(_warning_string(self._device_spec))
+
+    @property
+    def device_hash(self):
+        return hash(self._device_spec)
+
+    def title_style(self, color: str) -> str:
+        return f"QLabel {{ color: {color}; font-weight: bold; font-size: 10pt; }}"
+
+    def setTitle(self, text: str):
+        self.title.setText(text)
+
+    def set_included(self, included: bool):
+        self.included = included
+        self.title.setStyleSheet(self.title_style("#00FF00" if included else "#FF0000"))
+
+
+class _DeviceEntry(NamedTuple):
+    list_item: QListWidgetItem
+    widget: _DeviceEntryWidget
+
+
+class AvailableDeviceGroup(ExpandableGroupFrame, Ui_AvailableDeviceGroup):
+    def __init__(
+        self, parent=None, name: str = "TagGroupTitle", data: set[HashableDevice] = set(), **kwargs
+    ):
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, **kwargs)
+        self.setupUi(self)
+        self.title_text = name  # type: ignore
+        self._devices: dict[str, _DeviceEntry] = {}
+        for device in data:
+            self._add_item(device)
+        self.device_list.sortItems()
+        self.setMinimumSize(self.device_list.sizeHint())
+        self._update_num_included()
+
+        self.add_to_composition_button.clicked.connect(self.test)
+
+    def _add_item(self, device: HashableDevice):
+        item = QListWidgetItem(self.device_list)
+        widget = _DeviceEntryWidget(device, self)
+        item.setSizeHint(QSize(widget.width(), widget.height()))
+        self.device_list.setItemWidget(item, widget)
+        self.device_list.addItem(item)
+        self._devices[device.name] = _DeviceEntry(item, widget)
+
+    def reset_devices_state(self):
+        for dev in self._devices.values():
+            dev.widget.set_included(False)
+        self._update_num_included()
+
+    def set_item_state(self, /, device_hash: int, included: bool):
+        for dev in self._devices.values():
+            if dev.widget.device_hash == device_hash:
+                dev.widget.set_included(included)
+        self._update_num_included()
+
+    def _update_num_included(self):
+        n_included = sum(int(dev.widget.included) for dev in self._devices.values())
+        if n_included == 0:
+            color = "#FF0000"
+        elif n_included == len(self._devices):
+            color = "#00FF00"
+        else:
+            color = "#FFAA00"
+        self.n_included.setText(f"{n_included} / {len(self._devices)}")
+        self.n_included.setStyleSheet(f"QLabel {{ color: {color}; }}")
+
+    def sizeHint(self) -> QSize:
+        if not getattr(self, "device_list", None) or not self.expanded:
+            return super().sizeHint()
+        return QSize(
+            max(150, self.device_list.viewport().width()),
+            self.device_list.sizeHintForRow(0) * self.device_list.count() + 50,
+        )
+
+    def resizeEvent(self, event):
+        super().resizeEvent(event)
+        self.setMinimumHeight(self.sizeHint().height())
+        self.setMaximumHeight(self.sizeHint().height())
+
+    def get_selection(self) -> set[HashableDevice]:
+        selection = self.device_list.selectedItems()
+        widgets = (w.widget for _, w in self._devices.items() if w.list_item in selection)
+        return set(w._device_spec for w in widgets)
+
+    def test(self, *args):
+        print(self.get_selection())
+
+    def __repr__(self) -> str:
+        return f"{self.__class__.__name__}: {self.title_text}"
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    import sys
+
+    from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
+
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    widget = AvailableDeviceGroup(name="Tag group 1")
+    for item in [
+        HashableDevice(
+            **{
+                "name": f"test_device_{i}",
+                "deviceClass": "TestDeviceClass",
+                "readoutPriority": "baseline",
+                "enabled": True,
+            }
+        )
+        for i in range(5)
+    ]:
+        widget._add_item(item)
+    widget._update_num_included()
+    widget.show()
+    sys.exit(app.exec())

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

@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+from functools import partial
+
+from bec_qthemes import material_icon
+from PySide6.QtWidgets import QFrame
+from qtpy.QtCore import QMetaObject
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QLabel, QListWidget, QToolButton, QVBoxLayout
+
+
+class Ui_AvailableDeviceGroup(object):
+    def setupUi(self, AvailableDeviceGroup):
+        if not AvailableDeviceGroup.objectName():
+            AvailableDeviceGroup.setObjectName("AvailableDeviceGroup")
+        AvailableDeviceGroup.setMinimumWidth(150)
+        self.verticalLayout = QVBoxLayout()
+        self.verticalLayout.setObjectName("verticalLayout")
+        AvailableDeviceGroup.set_layout(self.verticalLayout)
+
+        title_layout = AvailableDeviceGroup.get_title_layout()
+
+        self.n_included = QLabel(AvailableDeviceGroup, text="...")
+        self.n_included.setObjectName("n_included")
+        title_layout.addWidget(self.n_included)
+
+        self.delete_tag_button = QToolButton(AvailableDeviceGroup)
+        self.delete_tag_button.setObjectName("delete_tag_button")
+        title_layout.addWidget(self.delete_tag_button)
+
+        self.remove_from_composition_button = QToolButton(AvailableDeviceGroup)
+        self.remove_from_composition_button.setObjectName("remove_from_composition_button")
+        title_layout.addWidget(self.remove_from_composition_button)
+
+        self.add_to_composition_button = QToolButton(AvailableDeviceGroup)
+        self.add_to_composition_button.setObjectName("add_to_composition_button")
+        title_layout.addWidget(self.add_to_composition_button)
+
+        self.remove_all_button = QToolButton(AvailableDeviceGroup)
+        self.remove_all_button.setObjectName("remove_all_from_composition_button")
+        title_layout.addWidget(self.remove_all_button)
+
+        self.add_all_button = QToolButton(AvailableDeviceGroup)
+        self.add_all_button.setObjectName("add_all_to_composition_button")
+        title_layout.addWidget(self.add_all_button)
+
+        self.device_list = QListWidget(AvailableDeviceGroup)
+        self.device_list.setSelectionMode(QListWidget.SelectionMode.ExtendedSelection)
+        self.device_list.setObjectName("device_list")
+        self.device_list.setFrameStyle(0)
+
+        self.verticalLayout.addWidget(self.device_list)
+
+        self.set_icons()
+
+        QMetaObject.connectSlotsByName(AvailableDeviceGroup)
+
+    def set_icons(self):
+        icon = partial(material_icon, size=(15, 15), convert_to_pixmap=False)
+        self.delete_tag_button.setIcon(icon("delete"))
+        self.delete_tag_button.setToolTip("Delete tag group")
+        self.remove_from_composition_button.setIcon(icon("remove"))
+        self.remove_from_composition_button.setToolTip("Remove selected from composition")
+        self.add_to_composition_button.setIcon(icon("add"))
+        self.add_to_composition_button.setToolTip("Add selected to composition")
+        self.remove_all_button.setIcon(icon("chips"))
+        self.remove_all_button.setToolTip("Remove all with this tag from composition")
+        self.add_all_button.setIcon(icon("add_box"))
+        self.add_all_button.setToolTip("Add all with this tag to composition")

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

@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+from random import randint
+from typing import Any, Iterable
+
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_manager.components.available_device_resources._util import (
+    yield_only_passing,
+)
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_manager.components.available_device_resources.available_device_resources_ui import (
+    Ui_availableDeviceResources,
+)
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_manager.components.available_device_resources.device_resource_backend import (
+    HashableDevice,
+    get_backend,
+)
+
+
+class AvailableDeviceResources(BECWidget, QWidget, Ui_availableDeviceResources):
+    def __init__(self, parent=None, **kwargs):
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, **kwargs)
+        self.setupUi(self)
+        self._backend = get_backend()
+        self.grouping_selector.addItem("deviceTags")
+        self.grouping_selector.addItems(self._backend.allowed_sort_keys)
+        self._grouping_selection_changed("deviceTags")
+        self.grouping_selector.currentTextChanged.connect(self._grouping_selection_changed)
+        self.search_box.textChanged.connect(self.device_groups_list.update_filter)
+
+    def refresh_full_list(self, device_groups: dict[str, set[HashableDevice]]):
+        self.device_groups_list.clear()
+        for device_group, devices in device_groups.items():
+            self._add_device_group(device_group, devices)
+        if self.grouping_selector.currentText == "deviceTags":
+            self._add_device_group("Untagged devices", self._backend.untagged_devices)
+        self.device_groups_list.sort_by_key()
+
+    def _add_device_group(self, device_group: str, devices: set[HashableDevice]):
+        self.device_groups_list.add_item(
+            device_group, self.device_groups_list, device_group, devices, expanded=False
+        )
+
+    def _reset_devices_state(self):
+        for device_group in self.device_groups_list.widgets():
+            device_group.reset_devices_state()
+
+    def set_devices_state(self, devices: Iterable[HashableDevice], included: bool):
+        for device in devices:
+            for device_group in self.device_groups_list.widgets():
+                device_group.set_item_state(hash(device), included)
+
+    def resizeEvent(self, event):
+        super().resizeEvent(event)
+        for list_item, device_group_widget in self.device_groups_list.item_widget_pairs():
+            list_item.setSizeHint(device_group_widget.sizeHint())
+
+    @SafeSlot(list)
+    def update_devices_state(self, config_list: list[dict[str, Any]]):
+        self.set_devices_state(yield_only_passing(HashableDevice.model_validate, config_list), True)
+
+    @SafeSlot(str)
+    def _grouping_selection_changed(self, sort_key: str):
+        self.search_box.setText("")
+        if sort_key == "deviceTags":
+            device_groups = self._backend.tag_groups
+        else:
+            device_groups = self._backend.group_by_key(sort_key)
+        self.refresh_full_list(device_groups)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    import sys
+
+    from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
+
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    widget = AvailableDeviceResources()
+    widget.set_devices_state(
+        list(filter(lambda _: randint(0, 1) == 1, widget._backend.all_devices)), True
+    )
+    widget.show()
+    sys.exit(app.exec())

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

@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+from qtpy.QtCore import QMetaObject, Qt
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
+    QAbstractItemView,
+    QComboBox,
+    QHBoxLayout,
+    QLabel,
+    QLineEdit,
+    QListView,
+    QListWidget,
+    QVBoxLayout,
+)
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.list_of_expandable_frames import ListOfExpandableFrames
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_manager.components.available_device_resources.available_device_group import (
+    AvailableDeviceGroup,
+)
+
+
+class Ui_availableDeviceResources(object):
+    def setupUi(self, availableDeviceResources):
+        if not availableDeviceResources.objectName():
+            availableDeviceResources.setObjectName("availableDeviceResources")
+        self.verticalLayout = QVBoxLayout(availableDeviceResources)
+        self.verticalLayout.setObjectName("verticalLayout")
+
+        self.search_layout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.verticalLayout.addLayout(self.search_layout)
+        self.search_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Filter groups: "))
+        self.search_box = QLineEdit()
+        self.search_layout.addWidget(self.search_box)
+        self.search_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Group by: "))
+        self.grouping_selector = QComboBox()
+        self.search_layout.addWidget(self.grouping_selector)
+
+        self.device_groups_list = ListOfExpandableFrames(
+            availableDeviceResources, AvailableDeviceGroup
+        )
+        self.device_groups_list.setObjectName("device_groups_list")
+        self.device_groups_list.setSelectionMode(QAbstractItemView.SelectionMode.NoSelection)
+        self.device_groups_list.setVerticalScrollMode(QAbstractItemView.ScrollMode.ScrollPerPixel)
+        self.device_groups_list.setHorizontalScrollMode(QAbstractItemView.ScrollMode.ScrollPerPixel)
+        self.device_groups_list.setMovement(QListView.Movement.Static)
+        self.device_groups_list.setSpacing(2)
+        self.device_groups_list.setDragDropMode(QListWidget.DragDropMode.DragOnly)
+        self.device_groups_list.setSelectionBehavior(QListWidget.SelectionBehavior.SelectItems)
+        self.device_groups_list.setSelectionMode(QListWidget.SelectionMode.ExtendedSelection)
+        self.device_groups_list.setDragEnabled(True)
+        self.device_groups_list.setAcceptDrops(False)
+        self.device_groups_list.setHorizontalScrollBarPolicy(Qt.ScrollBarPolicy.ScrollBarAlwaysOff)
+        availableDeviceResources.setMinimumWidth(250)
+        availableDeviceResources.resize(250, availableDeviceResources.height())
+
+        self.verticalLayout.addWidget(self.device_groups_list)
+
+        QMetaObject.connectSlotsByName(availableDeviceResources)

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

@@ -0,0 +1,131 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import operator
+import os
+from enum import Enum, auto
+from functools import partial, reduce
+from glob import glob
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Protocol
+
+import bec_lib
+from bec_lib.atlas_models import HashableDevice, HashableDeviceSet
+from bec_lib.bec_yaml_loader import yaml_load
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from bec_lib.plugin_helper import plugin_package_name, plugin_repo_path
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
+_BASE_REPO_PATH = Path(os.path.dirname(bec_lib.__file__)) / "../.."
+
+
+class HashModel(str, Enum):
+    DEFAULT = auto()
+    DEFAULT_DEVICECONFIG = auto()
+    DEFAULT_EPICS = auto()
+
+
+class DeviceResourceBackend(Protocol):
+    @property
+    def tag_groups(self) -> dict[str, set[HashableDevice]]:
+        """A dictionary of all availble devices separated by tag groups. The same device may
+        appear more than once (in different groups)."""
+        ...
+
+    @property
+    def all_devices(self) -> set[HashableDevice]:
+        """A set of all availble devices. The same device may not appear more than once."""
+        ...
+
+    @property
+    def untagged_devices(self) -> set[HashableDevice]:
+        """A set of all untagged devices. The same device may not appear more than once."""
+        ...
+
+    @property
+    def allowed_sort_keys(self) -> set[str]:
+        """A set of all fields which you may group devices by"""
+        ...
+
+    def tags(self) -> set[str]:
+        """Returns a set of all the tags in all available devices."""
+        ...
+
+    def tag_group(self, tag: str) -> set[HashableDevice]:
+        """Returns a set of the devices in the tag group with the given key."""
+        ...
+
+    def group_by_key(self, key: str) -> dict[str, set[HashableDevice]]:
+        """Return a dict of all devices, organised by the specified key, which must be one of
+        the string keys in the Device model."""
+        ...
+
+
+def _devices_from_file(file: str, include_source: bool = True):
+    data = yaml_load(file, process_includes=False)
+    return HashableDeviceSet(
+        HashableDevice.model_validate(
+            dev | {"name": name, "source_files": {file} if include_source else set()}
+        )
+        for name, dev in data.items()
+    )
+
+
+class _ConfigFileBackend(DeviceResourceBackend):
+    def __init__(self) -> None:
+        self._raw_device_set: set[
+            HashableDevice
+        ] = self._get_config_from_backup_files() | self._get_configs_from_plugin_files(
+            Path(plugin_repo_path()) / plugin_package_name() / "device_configs/"
+        )
+        self._device_groups = self._get_tag_groups()
+
+    def _get_config_from_backup_files(self):
+        dir = _BASE_REPO_PATH / "logs/device_configs/recovery_configs"
+        files = glob("*.yaml", root_dir=dir)
+        return reduce(
+            operator.or_,
+            map(partial(_devices_from_file, include_source=False), (str(dir / f) for f in files)),
+        )
+
+    def _get_configs_from_plugin_files(self, dir: Path):
+        files = glob("*.yaml", root_dir=dir, recursive=True)
+        return reduce(operator.or_, map(_devices_from_file, (str(dir / f) for f in files)))
+
+    def _get_tag_groups(self) -> dict[str, set[HashableDevice]]:
+        return {
+            tag: set(filter(lambda dev: tag in dev.deviceTags, self._raw_device_set))
+            for tag in self.tags()
+        }
+
+    @property
+    def tag_groups(self):
+        return self._device_groups
+
+    @property
+    def all_devices(self):
+        return self._raw_device_set
+
+    @property
+    def untagged_devices(self):
+        return {d for d in self._raw_device_set if d.deviceTags == set()}
+
+    @property
+    def allowed_sort_keys(self) -> set[str]:
+        return {n for n, info in HashableDevice.model_fields.items() if info.annotation is str}
+
+    def tags(self) -> set[str]:
+        return reduce(operator.or_, (dev.deviceTags for dev in self._raw_device_set))
+
+    def tag_group(self, tag: str) -> set[HashableDevice]:
+        return self.tag_groups[tag]
+
+    def group_by_key(self, key: str) -> dict[str, set[HashableDevice]]:
+        if key not in self.allowed_sort_keys:
+            raise ValueError(f"Cannot group available devices by model key {key}")
+        group_names: set[str] = {getattr(item, key) for item in self._raw_device_set}
+        return {g: {d for d in self._raw_device_set if getattr(d, key) == g} for g in group_names}
+
+
+def get_backend() -> DeviceResourceBackend:
+    return _ConfigFileBackend()

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

@@ -23,20 +23,14 @@ FUZZY_SEARCH_THRESHOLD = 80
 class DictToolTipDelegate(QtWidgets.QStyledItemDelegate):
     """Delegate that shows all key-value pairs of a rows's data as a YAML-like tooltip."""
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def dict_to_str(d: dict) -> str:
-        """Convert a dictionary to a formatted string."""
-        return json.dumps(d, indent=4)
-
     def helpEvent(self, event, view, option, index):
         """Override to show tooltip when hovering."""
         if event.type() != QtCore.QEvent.ToolTip:
             return super().helpEvent(event, view, option, index)
         model: DeviceFilterProxyModel = index.model()
         model_index = model.mapToSource(index)
-        row_dict = model.sourceModel().row_data(model_index)
-        row_dict.pop("description", None)
-        QtWidgets.QToolTip.showText(event.globalPos(), self.dict_to_str(row_dict), view)
+        row_dict = model.sourceModel().get_row_data(model_index)
+        QtWidgets.QToolTip.showText(event.globalPos(), row_dict["description"], view)
         return True
 
 
@@ -47,10 +41,10 @@ class CenterCheckBoxDelegate(DictToolTipDelegate):
         super().__init__(parent)
         colors = get_accent_colors()
         self._icon_checked = material_icon(
-            "check_box", size=QtCore.QSize(16, 16), color=colors.default
+            "check_box", size=QtCore.QSize(16, 16), color=colors.default, filled=True
         )
         self._icon_unchecked = material_icon(
-            "check_box_outline_blank", size=QtCore.QSize(16, 16), color=colors.default
+            "check_box_outline_blank", size=QtCore.QSize(16, 16), color=colors.default, filled=True
         )
 
     def apply_theme(self, theme: str | None = None):
@@ -121,6 +115,9 @@ class DeviceTableModel(QtCore.QAbstractTableModel):
     Sort logic is implemented directly on the data of the table view.
     """
 
+    device_added = QtCore.Signal(dict)
+    devices_reset = QtCore.Signal(list)
+
     def __init__(self, device_config: list[dict] | None = None, parent=None):
         super().__init__(parent)
         self._device_config = device_config or []
@@ -128,10 +125,9 @@ class DeviceTableModel(QtCore.QAbstractTableModel):
             "name",
             "deviceClass",
             "readoutPriority",
+            "deviceTags",
             "enabled",
             "readOnly",
-            "deviceTags",
-            "description",
         ]
         self._checkable_columns_enabled = {"enabled": True, "readOnly": True}
 
@@ -150,7 +146,7 @@ class DeviceTableModel(QtCore.QAbstractTableModel):
             return self.headers[section]
         return None
 
-    def row_data(self, index: QtCore.QModelIndex) -> dict:
+    def get_row_data(self, index: QtCore.QModelIndex) -> dict:
         """Return the row data for the given index."""
         if not index.isValid():
             return {}
@@ -169,6 +165,8 @@ class DeviceTableModel(QtCore.QAbstractTableModel):
                 return bool(value)
             if key == "deviceTags":
                 return ", ".join(str(tag) for tag in value) if value else ""
+            if key == "deviceClass":
+                return str(value).split(".")[-1]
             return str(value) if value is not None else ""
         if role == QtCore.Qt.CheckStateRole and key in ("enabled", "readOnly"):
             return QtCore.Qt.Checked if value else QtCore.Qt.Unchecked
@@ -255,6 +253,7 @@ class DeviceTableModel(QtCore.QAbstractTableModel):
         self.beginResetModel()
         self._device_config = list(device_config)
         self.endResetModel()
+        self.devices_reset.emit(self._device_config)
 
     @SafeSlot(dict)
     def add_device(self, device: dict):
@@ -436,6 +435,8 @@ class DeviceFilterProxyModel(QtCore.QSortFilterProxyModel):
 class DeviceTableView(BECWidget, QtWidgets.QWidget):
     """Device Table View for the device manager."""
 
+    selected_device = QtCore.Signal(dict)
+
     RPC = False
     PLUGIN = False
     devices_removed = QtCore.Signal(list)
@@ -508,10 +509,9 @@ class DeviceTableView(BECWidget, QtWidgets.QWidget):
         self.table.setItemDelegateForColumn(0, self.tool_tip_delegate)  # name
         self.table.setItemDelegateForColumn(1, self.tool_tip_delegate)  # deviceClass
         self.table.setItemDelegateForColumn(2, self.tool_tip_delegate)  # readoutPriority
-        self.table.setItemDelegateForColumn(3, self.checkbox_delegate)  # enabled
-        self.table.setItemDelegateForColumn(4, self.checkbox_delegate)  # readOnly
-        self.table.setItemDelegateForColumn(5, self.wrap_delegate)  # deviceTags
-        self.table.setItemDelegateForColumn(6, self.wrap_delegate)  # description
+        self.table.setItemDelegateForColumn(3, self.wrap_delegate)  # deviceTags
+        self.table.setItemDelegateForColumn(4, self.checkbox_delegate)  # enabled
+        self.table.setItemDelegateForColumn(5, self.checkbox_delegate)  # readOnly
 
         # Column resize policies
         # TODO maybe we need here a flexible header options as deviceClass
@@ -520,13 +520,12 @@ class DeviceTableView(BECWidget, QtWidgets.QWidget):
         header.setSectionResizeMode(0, QtWidgets.QHeaderView.ResizeToContents)  # name
         header.setSectionResizeMode(1, QtWidgets.QHeaderView.ResizeToContents)  # deviceClass
         header.setSectionResizeMode(2, QtWidgets.QHeaderView.ResizeToContents)  # readoutPriority
-        header.setSectionResizeMode(3, QtWidgets.QHeaderView.Fixed)  # enabled
-        header.setSectionResizeMode(4, QtWidgets.QHeaderView.Fixed)  # readOnly
-        # TODO maybe better stretch...
-        header.setSectionResizeMode(5, QtWidgets.QHeaderView.ResizeToContents)  # deviceTags
-        header.setSectionResizeMode(6, QtWidgets.QHeaderView.Stretch)  # description
-        self.table.setColumnWidth(3, 82)
-        self.table.setColumnWidth(4, 82)
+        header.setSectionResizeMode(3, QtWidgets.QHeaderView.Stretch)  # deviceTags
+        header.setSectionResizeMode(4, QtWidgets.QHeaderView.Fixed)  # enabled
+        header.setSectionResizeMode(5, QtWidgets.QHeaderView.Fixed)  # readOnly
+
+        self.table.setColumnWidth(3, 70)
+        self.table.setColumnWidth(4, 70)
 
         # Ensure column widths stay fixed
         header.setMinimumSectionSize(70)
@@ -538,6 +537,8 @@ class DeviceTableView(BECWidget, QtWidgets.QWidget):
         # Selection behavior
         self.table.setSelectionBehavior(QtWidgets.QAbstractItemView.SelectRows)
         self.table.setSelectionMode(QtWidgets.QAbstractItemView.ExtendedSelection)
+        # Connect to selection model to get selection changes
+        self.table.selectionModel().selectionChanged.connect(self._on_selection_changed)
         self.table.horizontalHeader().setHighlightSections(False)
 
         # QtCore.QTimer.singleShot(0, lambda: header.sectionResized.emit(0, 0, 0))
@@ -566,6 +567,45 @@ class DeviceTableView(BECWidget, QtWidgets.QWidget):
             height = delegate.sizeHint(option, index).height()
             self.table.setRowHeight(row, height)
 
+    @SafeSlot(QtCore.QItemSelection, QtCore.QItemSelection)
+    def _on_selection_changed(
+        self, selected: QtCore.QItemSelection, deselected: QtCore.QItemSelection
+    ) -> None:
+        """
+        Handle selection changes in the device table.
+
+        Args:
+            selected (QtCore.QItemSelection): The selected items.
+            deselected (QtCore.QItemSelection): The deselected items.
+        """
+        # TODO also hook up logic if a config update is propagated from somewhere!
+        # selected_indexes = selected.indexes()
+        selected_indexes = self.table.selectionModel().selectedIndexes()
+        if not selected_indexes:
+            return
+
+        source_indexes = [self.proxy.mapToSource(idx) for idx in selected_indexes]
+        source_rows = {idx.row() for idx in source_indexes}
+        # Ignore if multiple are selected
+        if len(source_rows) > 1:
+            self.selected_device.emit({})
+            return
+
+        # Get the single row
+        (row,) = source_rows
+        source_index = self.model.index(row, 0)  # pick column 0 or whichever
+        device = self.model.get_row_data(source_index)
+        self.selected_device.emit(device)
+
+    @SafeSlot(QtCore.QModelIndex)
+    def _on_row_selected(self, index: QtCore.QModelIndex):
+        """Handle row selection in the device table."""
+        if not index.isValid():
+            return
+        source_index = self.proxy.mapToSource(index)
+        device = self.model.get_device_at_index(source_index)
+        self.selected_device.emit(device)
+
     ######################################
     ##### Ext.  Slot API #################
     ######################################

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

@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+"""Module with a config view for the device manager."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import yaml
+from qtpy import QtCore, QtWidgets
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.monaco.monaco_widget import MonacoWidget
+
+
+class DMConfigView(BECWidget, QtWidgets.QWidget):
+    def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None):
+        super().__init__(client=client, parent=parent)
+        self.stacked_layout = QtWidgets.QStackedLayout()
+        self.stacked_layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        self.stacked_layout.setSpacing(0)
+        self.setLayout(self.stacked_layout)
+
+        # Monaco widget
+        self.monaco_editor = MonacoWidget()
+        self._customize_monaco()
+        self.stacked_layout.addWidget(self.monaco_editor)
+
+        self._overlay_widget = QtWidgets.QLabel(text="Select single device to show config")
+        self._customize_overlay()
+        self.stacked_layout.addWidget(self._overlay_widget)
+        self.stacked_layout.setCurrentWidget(self._overlay_widget)
+
+    def _customize_monaco(self):
+
+        self.monaco_editor.set_language("yaml")
+        self.monaco_editor.set_vim_mode_enabled(False)
+        self.monaco_editor.set_minimap_enabled(False)
+        # self.monaco_editor.setFixedHeight(600)
+        self.monaco_editor.set_readonly(True)
+
+    def _customize_overlay(self):
+        self._overlay_widget.setAlignment(QtCore.Qt.AlignmentFlag.AlignCenter)
+        self._overlay_widget.setStyleSheet(
+            "background: qlineargradient(x1:0, y1:0, x2:0, y2:1,stop:0 #ffffff, stop:1 #e0e0e0);"
+        )
+        self._overlay_widget.setAutoFillBackground(True)
+        self._overlay_widget.setSizePolicy(
+            QtWidgets.QSizePolicy.Policy.Expanding, QtWidgets.QSizePolicy.Policy.Expanding
+        )
+
+    @SafeSlot(dict)
+    def on_select_config(self, device: dict):
+        """Handle selection of a device from the device table."""
+        if not device:
+            text = ""
+            self.stacked_layout.setCurrentWidget(self._overlay_widget)
+        else:
+            text = yaml.dump(device, default_flow_style=False)
+            self.stacked_layout.setCurrentWidget(self.monaco_editor)
+        self.monaco_editor.set_readonly(False)  # Enable editing
+        self.monaco_editor.set_text(text)
+        self.monaco_editor.set_readonly(True)  # Disable editing again
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    import sys
+
+    from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
+
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    config_view = DMConfigView()
+    config_view.show()
+    sys.exit(app.exec_())

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

@@ -0,0 +1,333 @@
+"""Module to run a static test for the current config and see if it is valid."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import enum
+
+import bec_lib
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from bec_qthemes import material_icon
+from qtpy import QtCore, QtGui, QtWidgets
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import get_accent_colors
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.web_console.web_console import WebConsole
+
+READY_TO_TEST = False
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
+try:
+    import bec_server
+    import ophyd_devices
+
+    READY_TO_TEST = True
+except ImportError:
+    logger.warning(f"Optional dependencies not available: {ImportError}")
+    ophyd_devices = None
+    bec_server = None
+
+
+class ValidationStatus(int, enum.Enum):
+    """Validation status for device configurations."""
+
+    UNKNOWN = 0  # colors.default
+    ERROR = 1  # colors.emergency
+    VALID = 2  # colors.highlight
+    CANT_CONNECT = 3  # colors.warning
+    CONNECTED = 4  # colors.success
+
+
+class DeviceValidationListItem(QtWidgets.QWidget):
+    """Custom list item widget showing device name and validation status."""
+
+    status_changed = QtCore.Signal(int)  # Signal emitted when status changes -> ValidationStatus
+    # Signal emitted when device was validated with name, success, msg
+    device_validated = QtCore.Signal(str, str)
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        device_config: dict[str, dict],
+        status: ValidationStatus,
+        status_icons: dict[ValidationStatus, QtGui.QPixmap],
+        validate_icon: QtGui.QPixmap,
+        parent=None,
+        static_device_test=None,
+    ):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        if len(device_config.keys()) > 1:
+            logger.warning(
+                f"Multiple devices found for config: {list(device_config.keys())}, using first one"
+            )
+        self._static_device_test = static_device_test
+        self.device_name = list(device_config.keys())[0]
+        self.device_config = device_config
+        self.status: ValidationStatus = status
+        colors = get_accent_colors()
+        self._status_icon = status_icons
+        self._validate_icon = validate_icon
+        self._setup_ui()
+        self._update_status_indicator()
+
+    def _setup_ui(self):
+        """Setup the UI for the list item."""
+        layout = QtWidgets.QHBoxLayout(self)
+        layout.setContentsMargins(4, 4, 4, 4)
+
+        # Device name label
+        self.name_label = QtWidgets.QLabel(self.device_name)
+        self.name_label.setStyleSheet("font-weight: bold;")
+        layout.addWidget(self.name_label)
+
+        # Make sure status is on the right
+        layout.addStretch()
+        self.request_validation_button = QtWidgets.QPushButton("Validate")
+        self.request_validation_button.setIcon(self._validate_icon)
+        if self._static_device_test is None:
+            self.request_validation_button.setDisabled(True)
+        else:
+            self.request_validation_button.clicked.connect(self.on_request_validation)
+            # self.request_validation_button.setVisible(False) -> Hide it??
+        layout.addWidget(self.request_validation_button)
+        # Status indicator
+        self.status_indicator = QtWidgets.QLabel()
+        self._update_status_indicator()
+        layout.addWidget(self.status_indicator)
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def on_request_validation(self):
+        """Handle validate button click."""
+        if self._static_device_test is None:
+            logger.warning("Static device test not available.")
+            return
+        self._static_device_test.config = self.device_config
+        # TODO logic if connect is allowed
+        ret = self._static_device_test.run_with_list_output(connect=False)[0]
+        if ret.success:
+            self.set_status(ValidationStatus.VALID)
+        else:
+            self.set_status(ValidationStatus.ERROR)
+        self.device_validated.emit(ret.name, ret.message)
+
+    def _update_status_indicator(self):
+        """Update the status indicator color based on validation status."""
+        self.status_indicator.setPixmap(self._status_icon[self.status])
+
+    def set_status(self, status: ValidationStatus):
+        """Update the validation status."""
+        self.status = status
+        self._update_status_indicator()
+        self.status_changed.emit(self.status)
+
+    def get_status(self) -> ValidationStatus:
+        """Get the current validation status."""
+        return self.status
+
+
+class DeviceManagerOphydTest(BECWidget, QtWidgets.QWidget):
+
+    config_changed = QtCore.Signal(
+        dict, dict
+    )  # Signal emitted when the device config changed, new_config, old_config
+
+    def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None):
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, client=client)
+        if not READY_TO_TEST:
+            self._set_disabled()
+            static_device_test = None
+        else:
+            from ophyd_devices.utils.static_device_test import StaticDeviceTest
+
+            static_device_test = StaticDeviceTest(config_dict={})
+        self._static_device_test = static_device_test
+        self._device_config: dict[str, dict] = {}
+        self._main_layout = QtWidgets.QVBoxLayout(self)
+        self._main_layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        self._main_layout.setSpacing(4)
+
+        # Setup icons
+        colors = get_accent_colors()
+        self._validate_icon = material_icon(
+            icon_name="play_arrow", color=colors.default, filled=True
+        )
+        self._status_icons = {
+            ValidationStatus.UNKNOWN: material_icon(
+                icon_name="circle", size=(12, 12), color=colors.default, filled=True
+            ),
+            ValidationStatus.ERROR: material_icon(
+                icon_name="circle", size=(12, 12), color=colors.emergency, filled=True
+            ),
+            ValidationStatus.VALID: material_icon(
+                icon_name="circle", size=(12, 12), color=colors.highlight, filled=True
+            ),
+            ValidationStatus.CANT_CONNECT: material_icon(
+                icon_name="circle", size=(12, 12), color=colors.warning, filled=True
+            ),
+            ValidationStatus.CONNECTED: material_icon(
+                icon_name="circle", size=(12, 12), color=colors.success, filled=True
+            ),
+        }
+
+        self.setLayout(self._main_layout)
+
+        # splitter
+        self.splitter = QtWidgets.QSplitter(QtCore.Qt.Orientation.Vertical)
+        self._main_layout.addWidget(self.splitter)
+
+        # Add custom list
+        self.setup_device_validation_list()
+
+        # Setup text box
+        self.setup_text_box()
+
+        # Connect signals
+        self.config_changed.connect(self.on_config_updated)
+
+    @SafeSlot(list)
+    def on_device_config_update(self, config: list[dict]):
+        old_cfg = self._device_config
+        self._device_config = self._compile_device_config_list(config)
+        self.config_changed.emit(self._device_config, old_cfg)
+
+    def _compile_device_config_list(self, config: list[dict]) -> dict[str, dict]:
+        return {dev["name"]: {k: v for k, v in dev.items() if k != "name"} for dev in config}
+
+    @SafeSlot(dict, dict)
+    def on_config_updated(self, new_config: dict, old_config: dict):
+        """Handle config updates and refresh the validation list."""
+        # Find differences for potential re-validation
+        diffs = self._find_diffs(new_config, old_config)
+        # Check diff first
+        for diff in diffs:
+            if not diff:
+                continue
+            if len(diff) > 1:
+                logger.warning(f"Multiple devices found in diff: {diff}, using first one")
+            name = list(diff.keys())[0]
+            if name in self.client.device_manager.devices:
+                status = ValidationStatus.CONNECTED
+            else:
+                status = ValidationStatus.UNKNOWN
+            if self.get_device_status(diff) is None:
+                self.add_device(diff, status)
+            else:
+                self.update_device_status(diff, status)
+
+    def _find_diffs(self, new_config: dict, old_config: dict) -> list[dict]:
+        """
+        Return list of keys/paths where d1 and d2 differ. This goes recursively through the dictionary.
+
+        Args:
+            new_config: The first dictionary to compare.
+            old_config: The second dictionary to compare.
+        """
+        diffs = []
+        keys = set(new_config.keys()) | set(old_config.keys())
+        for k in keys:
+            if k not in old_config:  # New device
+                diffs.append({k: new_config[k]})
+                continue
+            if k not in new_config:  # Removed device
+                diffs.append({k: old_config[k]})
+                continue
+            # Compare device config if exists in both
+            v1, v2 = old_config[k], new_config[k]
+            if isinstance(v1, dict) and isinstance(v2, dict):
+                if self._find_diffs(v2, v1):  # recurse: something inside changed
+                    diffs.append({k: new_config[k]})
+            elif v1 != v2:
+                diffs.append({k: new_config[k]})
+        return diffs
+
+    def setup_device_validation_list(self):
+        """Setup the device validation list."""
+        # Create the custom validation list widget
+        self.validation_list = QtWidgets.QListWidget()
+        self.validation_list.setSelectionMode(QtWidgets.QAbstractItemView.SingleSelection)
+        self.splitter.addWidget(self.validation_list)
+        # self._main_layout.addWidget(self.validation_list)
+
+    def setup_text_box(self):
+        """Setup the text box for device validation messages."""
+        self.validation_text_box = QtWidgets.QTextEdit()
+        self.validation_text_box.setReadOnly(True)
+        self.splitter.addWidget(self.validation_text_box)
+        # self._main_layout.addWidget(self.validation_text_box)
+
+    @SafeSlot(str, str)
+    def on_device_validated(self, device_name: str, message: str):
+        """Handle device validation results."""
+        text = f"Device {device_name} was validated. Message: {message}"
+        self.validation_text_box.setText(text)
+
+    def _set_disabled(self) -> None:
+        """Disable the full view"""
+        self.setDisabled(True)
+
+    def add_device(
+        self, device_config: dict[str, dict], status: ValidationStatus = ValidationStatus.UNKNOWN
+    ):
+        """Add a device to the validation list."""
+        # Create the custom widget
+        item_widget = DeviceValidationListItem(
+            device_config=device_config,
+            status=status,
+            status_icons=self._status_icons,
+            validate_icon=self._validate_icon,
+            static_device_test=self._static_device_test,
+        )
+
+        # Create a list widget item
+        list_item = QtWidgets.QListWidgetItem()
+        list_item.setSizeHint(item_widget.sizeHint())
+
+        # Add item to list and set custom widget
+        self.validation_list.addItem(list_item)
+        self.validation_list.setItemWidget(list_item, item_widget)
+        item_widget.device_validated.connect(self.on_device_validated)
+
+    def update_device_status(self, device_config: dict[str, dict], status: ValidationStatus):
+        """Update the validation status for a specific device."""
+        for i in range(self.validation_list.count()):
+            item = self.validation_list.item(i)
+            widget = self.validation_list.itemWidget(item)
+            if (
+                isinstance(widget, DeviceValidationListItem)
+                and widget.device_config == device_config
+            ):
+                widget.set_status(status)
+                break
+
+    def clear_devices(self):
+        """Clear all devices from the list."""
+        self.validation_list.clear()
+
+    def get_device_status(self, device_config: dict[str, dict]) -> ValidationStatus | None:
+        """Get the validation status for a specific device."""
+        for i in range(self.validation_list.count()):
+            item = self.validation_list.item(i)
+            widget = self.validation_list.itemWidget(item)
+            if (
+                isinstance(widget, DeviceValidationListItem)
+                and widget.device_config == device_config
+            ):
+                return widget.get_status()
+        return None
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    import sys
+
+    # pylint: disable=ungrouped-imports
+    from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
+
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    device_manager_ophyd_test = DeviceManagerOphydTest()
+    cfg = device_manager_ophyd_test.client.device_manager._get_redis_device_config()
+    cfg.append({"name": "Wrong_Device", "type": "test"})
+    device_manager_ophyd_test.on_device_config_update(cfg)
+    device_manager_ophyd_test.show()
+    device_manager_ophyd_test.setWindowTitle("Device Manager Ophyd Test")
+    device_manager_ophyd_test.resize(800, 600)
+    sys.exit(app.exec_())

bec_widgets/widgets/control/scan_control/scan_control.py

@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
 
 from bec_widgets.utils import ConnectionConfig
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import get_accent_colors
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme, get_accent_colors
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.buttons.stop_button.stop_button import StopButton
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.scan_control.scan_group_box import ScanGroupBox
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ class ScanControl(BECWidget, QWidget):
     Widget to submit new scans to the queue.
     """
 
-    USER_ACCESS = ["remove", "screenshot"]
+    USER_ACCESS = ["attach", "detach", "screenshot"]
     PLUGIN = True
     ICON_NAME = "tune"
     ARG_BOX_POSITION: int = 2
@@ -136,13 +136,8 @@ class ScanControl(BECWidget, QWidget):
         self.scan_control_group.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Preferred, QSizePolicy.Fixed)
         self.button_layout = QHBoxLayout(self.scan_control_group)
         self.button_run_scan = QPushButton("Start", self.scan_control_group)
-        self.button_run_scan.setStyleSheet(
-            f"background-color: {palette.success.name()}; color: white"
-        )
+        self.button_run_scan.setProperty("variant", "success")
         self.button_stop_scan = StopButton(parent=self.scan_control_group)
-        self.button_stop_scan.setStyleSheet(
-            f"background-color: {palette.emergency.name()}; color: white"
-        )
         self.button_layout.addWidget(self.button_run_scan)
         self.button_layout.addWidget(self.button_stop_scan)
         self.layout.addWidget(self.scan_control_group)
@@ -547,12 +542,10 @@ class ScanControl(BECWidget, QWidget):
 
 # Application example
 if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
-    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
-
     app = QApplication([])
     scan_control = ScanControl()
 
-    set_theme("auto")
+    apply_theme("dark")
     window = scan_control
     window.show()
     app.exec()

bec_widgets/widgets/dap/dap_combo_box/dap_combo_box.py

@@ -175,10 +175,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     # pylint: disable=import-outside-toplevel
     from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
-    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 
     app = QApplication([])
-    set_theme("dark")
+    apply_theme("dark")
     widget = QWidget()
     widget.setFixedSize(200, 200)
     layout = QVBoxLayout()

bec_widgets/widgets/editors/dict_backed_table.py

@@ -249,10 +249,10 @@ class DictBackedTable(QWidget):
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
-    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 
     app = QApplication([])
-    set_theme("dark")
+    apply_theme("dark")
 
     window = DictBackedTable(None, [["key1", "value1"], ["key2", "value2"], ["key3", "value3"]])
     window.show()

bec_widgets/widgets/editors/monaco/monaco_widget.py

@@ -32,6 +32,9 @@ class MonacoWidget(BECWidget, QWidget):
         "set_vim_mode_enabled",
         "set_lsp_header",
         "get_lsp_header",
+        "attach",
+        "detach",
+        "screenshot",
     ]
 
     def __init__(self, parent=None, config=None, client=None, gui_id=None, **kwargs):

bec_widgets/widgets/editors/scan_metadata/scan_metadata.py

@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
 
     from bec_lib.metadata_schema import BasicScanMetadata
 
-    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 
     class ExampleSchema1(BasicScanMetadata):
         abc: int = Field(gt=0, lt=2000, description="Heating temperature abc", title="A B C")
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
         layout.addWidget(selection)
         layout.addWidget(scan_metadata)
 
-        set_theme("dark")
+        apply_theme("dark")
         window = w
         window.show()
         app.exec()

bec_widgets/widgets/editors/website/website.py

@@ -21,7 +21,16 @@ class WebsiteWidget(BECWidget, QWidget):
 
     PLUGIN = True
     ICON_NAME = "travel_explore"
-    USER_ACCESS = ["set_url", "get_url", "reload", "back", "forward"]
+    USER_ACCESS = [
+        "set_url",
+        "get_url",
+        "reload",
+        "back",
+        "forward",
+        "attach",
+        "detach",
+        "screenshot",
+    ]
 
     def __init__(
         self, parent=None, url: str = None, config=None, client=None, gui_id=None, **kwargs

bec_widgets/widgets/games/minesweeper.py

@@ -407,10 +407,10 @@ class Minesweeper(BECWidget, QWidget):
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
-    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 
     app = QApplication([])
-    set_theme("light")
+    apply_theme("light")
     widget = Minesweeper()
     widget.show()
 

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/heatmap/heatmap.py

@@ -115,6 +115,8 @@ class Heatmap(ImageBase):
         "auto_range_y.setter",
         "minimal_crosshair_precision",
         "minimal_crosshair_precision.setter",
+        "attach",
+        "detach",
         "screenshot",
         # ImageView Specific Settings
         "color_map",

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/image/image.py

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 from collections import defaultdict
-from typing import Literal, Sequence
+from typing import Literal
 
 import numpy as np
 from bec_lib import bec_logger
@@ -91,6 +91,8 @@ class Image(ImageBase):
         "auto_range_y.setter",
         "minimal_crosshair_precision",
         "minimal_crosshair_precision.setter",
+        "attach",
+        "detach",
         "screenshot",
         # ImageView Specific Settings
         "color_map",
@@ -307,7 +309,7 @@ class Image(ImageBase):
         Set the image source and update the image.
 
         Args:
-            monitor(str|tuple|None): The name of the monitor to use for the image, or a tuple of (device, signal) for preview signals. If None or empty string, the current monitor will be disconnected.
+            monitor(str): The name of the monitor to use for the image.
             monitor_type(str): The type of monitor to use. Options are "1d", "2d", or "auto".
             color_map(str): The color map to use for the image.
             color_bar(str): The type of color bar to use. Options are "simple" or "full".
@@ -322,13 +324,10 @@ class Image(ImageBase):
         if monitor is None or monitor == "":
             logger.warning(f"No monitor specified, cannot set image, old monitor is unsubscribed")
             return None
-
-        if isinstance(monitor, str):
-            self.entry_validator.validate_monitor(monitor)
-        elif isinstance(monitor, Sequence):
+        if isinstance(monitor, tuple):
             self.entry_validator.validate_monitor(monitor[0])
         else:
-            raise ValueError(f"Invalid monitor type: {type(monitor)}")
+            self.entry_validator.validate_monitor(monitor)
 
         self.set_image_update(monitor=monitor, type=monitor_type)
         if color_map is not None:
@@ -350,7 +349,7 @@ class Image(ImageBase):
         if config.monitor is not None:
             for combo in (self.device_combo_box, self.dim_combo_box):
                 combo.blockSignals(True)
-            if isinstance(config.monitor, (list, tuple)):
+            if isinstance(config.monitor, tuple):
                 self.device_combo_box.setCurrentText(f"{config.monitor[0]}_{config.monitor[1]}")
             else:
                 self.device_combo_box.setCurrentText(config.monitor)
@@ -455,7 +454,7 @@ class Image(ImageBase):
         """
 
         # TODO consider moving connecting and disconnecting logic to Image itself if multiple images
-        if isinstance(monitor, (list, tuple)):
+        if isinstance(monitor, tuple):
             device = self.dev[monitor[0]]
             signal = monitor[1]
             if len(monitor) == 3:
@@ -523,7 +522,7 @@ class Image(ImageBase):
         Args:
             monitor(str|tuple): The name of the monitor to disconnect, or a tuple of (device, signal) for preview signals.
         """
-        if isinstance(monitor, (list, tuple)):
+        if isinstance(monitor, tuple):
             if self.subscriptions["main"].source == "device_monitor_1d":
                 self.bec_dispatcher.disconnect_slot(
                     self.on_image_update_1d, MessageEndpoints.device_preview(monitor[0], monitor[1])

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

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import math
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Literal
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 from bec_lib import bec_logger
 from bec_qthemes import material_icon
@@ -73,16 +73,11 @@ class ROIPropertyTree(BECWidget, QWidget):
     - Children: type, line-width (spin box), coordinates (auto-updating).
 
     Args:
-        parent (QWidget, optional): Parent widget. Defaults to None.
         image_widget (Image): The main Image widget that displays the ImageItem.
             Provides ``plot_item`` and owns an ROIController already.
         controller (ROIController, optional): Optionally pass an external controller.
             If None, the manager uses ``image_widget.roi_controller``.
-        compact (bool, optional): If True, use a compact mode with no tree view,
-            only a toolbar with draw actions. Defaults to False.
-        compact_orientation (str, optional): Orientation of the toolbar in compact mode.
-            Either "vertical" or "horizontal". Defaults to "vertical".
-        compact_color (str, optional): Color of the single active ROI in compact mode.
+        parent (QWidget, optional): Parent widget. Defaults to None.
     """
 
     PLUGIN = False
@@ -97,18 +92,11 @@ class ROIPropertyTree(BECWidget, QWidget):
         parent: QWidget = None,
         image_widget: Image,
         controller: ROIController | None = None,
-        compact: bool = False,
-        compact_orientation: Literal["vertical", "horizontal"] = "vertical",
-        compact_color: str = "#f0f0f0",
     ):
 
         super().__init__(
             parent=parent, config=ConnectionConfig(widget_class=self.__class__.__name__)
         )
-        self.compact = compact
-        self.compact_orient = compact_orientation
-        self.compact_color = compact_color
-        self.single_active_roi: BaseROI | None = None
 
         if controller is None:
             # Use the controller already belonging to the Image widget
@@ -124,29 +112,22 @@ class ROIPropertyTree(BECWidget, QWidget):
 
         self.layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
         self._init_toolbar()
-        if not self.compact:
-            self._init_tree()
-        else:
-            self.tree = None
+        self._init_tree()
 
         # connect controller
         self.controller.roiAdded.connect(self._on_roi_added)
         self.controller.roiRemoved.connect(self._on_roi_removed)
-        if not self.compact:
-            self.controller.cleared.connect(self.tree.clear)
+        self.controller.cleared.connect(self.tree.clear)
 
         # initial load
         for r in self.controller.rois:
             self._on_roi_added(r)
 
-        if not self.compact:
-            self.tree.collapseAll()
+        self.tree.collapseAll()
 
     # --------------------------------------------------------------------- UI
     def _init_toolbar(self):
-        tb = self.toolbar = ModularToolBar(
-            self, orientation=self.compact_orient if self.compact else "horizontal"
-        )
+        tb = self.toolbar = ModularToolBar(self, orientation="horizontal")
         self._draw_actions: dict[str, MaterialIconAction] = {}
         # --- ROI draw actions (toggleable) ---
 
@@ -176,29 +157,6 @@ class ROIPropertyTree(BECWidget, QWidget):
         for mode, act in self._draw_actions.items():
             act.action.toggled.connect(lambda on, m=mode: self._on_draw_action_toggled(m, on))
 
-        if self.compact:
-            tb.components.add_safe(
-                "compact_delete",
-                MaterialIconAction("delete", "Delete Current Roi", checkable=False, parent=self),
-            )
-            bundle.add_action("compact_delete")
-            tb.components.get_action("compact_delete").action.triggered.connect(
-                lambda _: (
-                    self.controller.remove_roi(self.single_active_roi)
-                    if self.single_active_roi is not None
-                    else None
-                )
-            )
-            tb.show_bundles(["roi_draw"])
-            self.layout.addWidget(tb)
-
-            # ROI drawing state (needed even in compact mode)
-            self._roi_draw_mode = None
-            self._roi_start_pos = None
-            self._temp_roi = None
-            self.plot.scene().installEventFilter(self)
-            return
-
         # Expand/Collapse toggle
         self.expand_toggle = MaterialIconAction(
             "unfold_more", "Expand/Collapse", checkable=True, parent=self  # icon when collapsed
@@ -369,21 +327,13 @@ class ROIPropertyTree(BECWidget, QWidget):
             self._set_roi_draw_mode(None)
             # register via controller
             self.controller.add_roi(final_roi)
-            if self.compact:
-                final_roi.line_color = self.compact_color
             return True
         return super().eventFilter(obj, event)
 
     # --------------------------------------------------------- controller slots
     def _on_roi_added(self, roi: BaseROI):
-        if self.compact:
-            roi.line_color = self.compact_color
-            if self.single_active_roi is not None and self.single_active_roi is not roi:
-                self.controller.remove_roi(self.single_active_roi)
-            self.single_active_roi = roi
-            return
         # check the global setting from the toolbar
-        if hasattr(self, "lock_all_action") and self.lock_all_action.action.isChecked():
+        if self.lock_all_action.action.isChecked():
             roi.movable = False
         # parent row with blank action column, name in ROI column
         parent = QTreeWidgetItem(self.tree, ["", "", ""])
@@ -474,10 +424,6 @@ class ROIPropertyTree(BECWidget, QWidget):
         roi.movable = not roi.movable
 
     def _on_roi_removed(self, roi: BaseROI):
-        if self.compact:
-            if self.single_active_roi is roi:
-                self.single_active_roi = None
-            return
         item = self.roi_items.pop(roi, None)
         if item:
             idx = self.tree.indexOfTopLevelItem(item)
@@ -503,9 +449,8 @@ class ROIPropertyTree(BECWidget, QWidget):
         self.controller.remove_roi(roi)
 
     def cleanup(self):
-        if hasattr(self, "cmap"):
-            self.cmap.close()
-            self.cmap.deleteLater()
+        self.cmap.close()
+        self.cmap.deleteLater()
         if self.controller and hasattr(self.controller, "rois"):
             for roi in self.controller.rois:  # disconnect all signals from ROIs
                 try:
@@ -546,8 +491,8 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     # Add the image widget on the left
     ml.addWidget(image_widget)
 
-    # ROI manager linked to that image with compact mode
-    mgr = ROIPropertyTree(parent=image_widget, image_widget=image_widget, compact=True)
+    # ROI manager linked to that image
+    mgr = ROIPropertyTree(parent=image_widget, image_widget=image_widget)
     mgr.setFixedWidth(350)
     ml.addWidget(mgr)
 

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/motor_map/motor_map.py

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ from qtpy.QtGui import QColor
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QHBoxLayout, QMainWindow, QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils import Colors, ConnectionConfig
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.settings_dialog import SettingsDialog
 from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.toolbar import MaterialIconAction
@@ -128,6 +128,8 @@ class MotorMap(PlotBase):
         "y_log.setter",
         "legend_label_size",
         "legend_label_size.setter",
+        "attach",
+        "detach",
         "screenshot",
         # motor_map specific
         "color",
@@ -765,7 +767,7 @@ class MotorMap(PlotBase):
             float: Motor initial position.
         """
         entry = self.entry_validator.validate_signal(name, None)
-        init_position = round(float(self.dev[name].read(cached=True)[entry]["value"]), precision)
+        init_position = round(float(self.dev[name].read()[entry]["value"]), precision)
         return init_position
 
     def _sync_motor_map_selection_toolbar(self):
@@ -828,7 +830,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    set_theme("dark")
+    apply_theme("dark")
     widget = DemoApp()
     widget.show()
     widget.resize(1400, 600)

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/multi_waveform/multi_waveform.py

@@ -96,6 +96,8 @@ class MultiWaveform(PlotBase):
         "legend_label_size.setter",
         "minimal_crosshair_precision",
         "minimal_crosshair_precision.setter",
+        "attach",
+        "detach",
         "screenshot",
         # MultiWaveform Specific RPC Access
         "highlighted_index",

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/plot_base.py

@@ -109,7 +109,6 @@ class PlotBase(BECWidget, QWidget):
         self.plot_widget.ci.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
         self.plot_item = pg.PlotItem(viewBox=BECViewBox(enableMenu=True))
         self.plot_widget.addItem(self.plot_item)
-        self.plot_item.visible_items = lambda: self.visible_items
         self.side_panel = SidePanel(self, orientation="left", panel_max_width=280)
 
         # PlotItem Addons
@@ -135,7 +134,7 @@ class PlotBase(BECWidget, QWidget):
         self._init_ui()
 
         self._connect_to_theme_change()
-        self._update_theme()
+        self._update_theme(None)
 
     def apply_theme(self, theme: str):
         self.round_plot_widget.apply_theme(theme)
@@ -143,6 +142,8 @@ class PlotBase(BECWidget, QWidget):
     def _init_ui(self):
         self.layout.addWidget(self.layout_manager)
         self.round_plot_widget = RoundedFrame(parent=self, content_widget=self.plot_widget)
+        self.round_plot_widget.setProperty("variant", "plot_background")
+        self.round_plot_widget.setProperty("frameless", True)
 
         self.layout_manager.add_widget(self.round_plot_widget)
         self.layout_manager.add_widget_relative(self.fps_label, self.round_plot_widget, "top")
@@ -894,20 +895,15 @@ class PlotBase(BECWidget, QWidget):
             return
         self._apply_autorange_only_visible_curves()
 
-    @property
-    def visible_items(self):
-        crosshair_items = []
-        if self.crosshair:
-            crosshair_items = [
-                self.crosshair.v_line,
-                self.crosshair.h_line,
-                self.crosshair.coord_label,
-            ]
-        return [
-            item
-            for item in self.plot_item.items
-            if item.isVisible() and item not in crosshair_items
-        ]
+    def _fetch_visible_curves(self):
+        """
+        Fetch all visible curves from the plot item.
+        """
+        visible_curves = []
+        for curve in self.plot_item.curves:
+            if curve.isVisible():
+                visible_curves.append(curve)
+        return visible_curves
 
     def _apply_autorange_only_visible_curves(self):
         """
@@ -916,9 +912,8 @@ class PlotBase(BECWidget, QWidget):
         Args:
             curves (list): List of curves to apply autorange to.
         """
-        visible_items = self.visible_items
-
-        self.plot_item.autoRange(items=visible_items if visible_items else None)
+        visible_curves = self._fetch_visible_curves()
+        self.plot_item.autoRange(items=visible_curves if visible_curves else None)
 
     @SafeProperty(int, doc="The font size of the legend font.")
     def legend_label_size(self) -> int:

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/roi/image_roi.py

@@ -174,8 +174,6 @@ class BaseROI(BECConnector):
         self.remove_scale_handles()  # remove any existing handles from pyqtgraph.RectROI
         if movable:
             self.add_scale_handle()  # add custom scale handles
-        if hasattr(self, "sigRemoveRequested"):
-            self.sigRemoveRequested.connect(self.remove)
 
     def set_parent(self, parent: Image):
         """
@@ -558,8 +556,8 @@ class RectangularROI(BaseROI, pg.RectROI):
 
     def get_coordinates(self, typed: bool | None = None) -> dict | tuple:
         """
-        Returns the coordinates of a rectangle's corners, rectangle center and dimensions.
-        Supports returning them as either a dictionary with descriptive keys or a tuple of coordinates.
+        Returns the coordinates of a rectangle's corners. Supports returning them
+        as either a dictionary with descriptive keys or a tuple of coordinates.
 
         Args:
             typed (bool | None): If True, returns coordinates as a dictionary with
@@ -567,17 +565,13 @@ class RectangularROI(BaseROI, pg.RectROI):
                 the value of `self.description`.
 
         Returns:
-            dict | tuple: The rectangle's corner coordinates, rectangle center and dimensions, where the format
+            dict | tuple: The rectangle's corner coordinates, where the format
                 depends on the `typed` parameter.
         """
         if typed is None:
             typed = self.description
 
         x_left, y_bottom, x_right, y_top = self._normalized_edges()
-        width = x_right - x_left
-        height = y_top - y_bottom
-        cx = x_left + width / 2
-        cy = y_bottom + height / 2
 
         if typed:
             return {
@@ -585,19 +579,8 @@ class RectangularROI(BaseROI, pg.RectROI):
                 "bottom_right": (x_right, y_bottom),
                 "top_left": (x_left, y_top),
                 "top_right": (x_right, y_top),
-                "center_x": cx,
-                "center_y": cy,
-                "width": width,
-                "height": height,
             }
-        return (
-            (x_left, y_bottom),
-            (x_right, y_bottom),
-            (x_left, y_top),
-            (x_right, y_top),
-            (cx, cy),
-            (width, height),
-        )
+        return (x_left, y_bottom), (x_right, y_bottom), (x_left, y_top), (x_right, y_top)
 
     def _lookup_scene_image(self):
         """

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/scatter_waveform/scatter_waveform.py

@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ from qtpy.QtCore import QTimer, Signal
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QHBoxLayout, QMainWindow, QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils import Colors, ConnectionConfig
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.settings_dialog import SettingsDialog
 from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.toolbar import MaterialIconAction
@@ -84,6 +83,8 @@ class ScatterWaveform(PlotBase):
         "legend_label_size.setter",
         "minimal_crosshair_precision",
         "minimal_crosshair_precision.setter",
+        "attach",
+        "detach",
         "screenshot",
         # Scatter Waveform Specific RPC Access
         "main_curve",
@@ -544,8 +545,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
 
     from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
+
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    set_theme("dark")
+    apply_theme("dark")
     widget = DemoApp()
     widget.show()
     widget.resize(1400, 600)

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/waveform/curve.py

@@ -42,15 +42,10 @@ class CurveConfig(ConnectionConfig):
     pen_style: Literal["solid", "dash", "dot", "dashdot"] | None = Field(
         "solid", description="The style of the pen of the curve."
     )
-    source: Literal["device", "dap", "custom", "history"] = Field(
+    source: Literal["device", "dap", "custom"] = Field(
         "custom", description="The source of the curve."
     )
     signal: DeviceSignal | None = Field(None, description="The signal of the curve.")
-    scan_id: str | None = Field(None, description="Scan ID to be used when `source` is 'history'.")
-    scan_number: int | None = Field(
-        None, description="Scan index to be used when `source` is 'history'."
-    )
-    current_x_mode: str | None = Field(None, description="The current x mode of the history curve.")
     parent_label: str | None = Field(
         None, description="The label of the parent plot, only relevant for dap curves."
     )
@@ -204,7 +199,7 @@ class Curve(BECConnector, pg.PlotDataItem):
         Raises:
             ValueError: If the source is not custom.
         """
-        if self.config.source in ["custom", "history"]:
+        if self.config.source == "custom":
             self.setData(x, y)
         else:
             raise ValueError(f"Source {self.config.source} do not allow custom data setting.")

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

@@ -5,35 +5,9 @@ from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from bec_qthemes._icon.material_icons import material_icon
-from qtpy.QtGui import QValidator
-
-
-class ScanIndexValidator(QValidator):
-    """Validator to allow only 'live' or integer scan numbers from an allowed set."""
-
-    def __init__(self, allowed_scans: set[int] | None = None, parent=None):
-        super().__init__(parent)
-        self.allowed_scans = allowed_scans or set()
-
-    def validate(self, input_str: str, pos: int):
-        # Accept empty or 'live'
-        if input_str == "" or input_str == "live":
-            return QValidator.State.Acceptable, input_str, pos
-        # Allow partial editing of "live"
-        if "live".startswith(input_str):
-            return QValidator.State.Intermediate, input_str, pos
-        # Accept integer only if present in the allowed set
-        if input_str.isdigit():
-            try:
-                num = int(input_str)
-            except ValueError:
-                return QValidator.State.Invalid, input_str, pos
-            if num in self.allowed_scans:
-                return QValidator.State.Acceptable, input_str, pos
-        return QValidator.State.Invalid, input_str, pos
-
-
+from qtpy.QtCore import Qt
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
+    QApplication,
     QComboBox,
     QHBoxLayout,
     QHeaderView,
@@ -97,6 +71,7 @@ class CurveRow(QTreeWidgetItem):
             # A top-level device row.
             super().__init__(tree)
 
+        self.app = QApplication.instance()
         self.tree = tree
         self.parent_item = parent_item
         self.curve_tree = tree.parent()  # The CurveTree widget
@@ -118,60 +93,8 @@ class CurveRow(QTreeWidgetItem):
         # Create columns 1..2, depending on source
         self._init_source_ui()
         # Create columns 3..6 (color, style, width, symbol)
-        self._init_scan_index_ui()
         self._init_style_controls()
 
-    def _init_scan_index_ui(self):
-        """Create the Scan # editable combobox in column 3."""
-        if self.source not in ("device", "history"):
-            return
-        self.scan_index_combo = QComboBox()
-        self.scan_index_combo.setEditable(True)
-        # Populate 'live' and all available history scan indices
-        self.scan_index_combo.addItem("live", None)
-
-        scan_number_list = []
-        scan_id_list = []
-        try:
-            history = getattr(self.curve_tree.client, "history", None)
-            if history is not None:
-                scan_number_list = getattr(history, "_scan_numbers", []) or []
-                scan_id_list = getattr(history, "_scan_ids", []) or []
-        except Exception as e:
-            logger.error(f"Cannot fetch scan numbers from BEC client: {e}")
-            # If scan numbers cannot be fetched, only provide 'live' option
-            scan_number_list = []
-            scan_id_list = []
-
-        # Restrict input to 'live' or valid scan numbers
-        allowed = set()
-        try:
-            allowed = set(int(n) for n in scan_number_list if isinstance(n, (int, str)))
-        except Exception:
-            allowed = set()
-        validator = ScanIndexValidator(allowed, self.scan_index_combo)
-        self.scan_index_combo.lineEdit().setValidator(validator)
-
-        # Add items: show scan numbers, store scan IDs as item data
-        if scan_number_list and scan_id_list and len(scan_number_list) == len(scan_id_list):
-            for num, sid in zip(scan_number_list, scan_id_list):
-                self.scan_index_combo.addItem(str(num), sid)
-        else:
-            logger.error("Scan number and ID lists are mismatched or empty.")
-
-        # Select current based on existing config
-        selected = False
-        if getattr(self.config, "scan_id", None):  # scan_id matching only
-            for i in range(self.scan_index_combo.count()):
-                if self.scan_index_combo.itemData(i) == self.config.scan_id:
-                    self.scan_index_combo.setCurrentIndex(i)
-                    selected = True
-                    break
-        if not selected:
-            self.scan_index_combo.setCurrentText("live")
-
-        self.tree.setItemWidget(self, 3, self.scan_index_combo)
-
     def _init_actions(self):
         """Create the actions widget in column 0, including a delete button and maybe 'Add DAP'."""
         self.actions_widget = QWidget()
@@ -193,8 +116,17 @@ class CurveRow(QTreeWidgetItem):
         actions_layout.addWidget(self.delete_button)
 
         # If device row, add "Add DAP" button
-        if self.source in ("device", "history"):
-            self.add_dap_button = QPushButton("DAP")
+        if self.source == "device":
+            self.add_dap_button = QToolButton()
+            analysis_icon = material_icon(
+                "monitoring",
+                size=(20, 20),
+                convert_to_pixmap=False,
+                filled=False,
+                color=self.app.theme.colors["FG"].toTuple(),
+            )
+            self.add_dap_button.setIcon(analysis_icon)
+            self.add_dap_button.setToolTip("Add DAP")
             self.add_dap_button.clicked.connect(lambda: self.add_dap_row())
             actions_layout.addWidget(self.add_dap_button)
 
@@ -202,7 +134,7 @@ class CurveRow(QTreeWidgetItem):
 
     def _init_source_ui(self):
         """Create columns 1 and 2. For device rows, we have device/entry edits; for dap rows, label/model combo."""
-        if self.source in ("device", "history"):
+        if self.source == "device":
             # Device row: columns 1..2 are device line edits
             self.device_edit = DeviceComboBox(parent=self.tree)
             self.device_edit.insertItem(0, "")
@@ -231,6 +163,7 @@ class CurveRow(QTreeWidgetItem):
 
             self.tree.setItemWidget(self, 1, self.device_edit)
             self.tree.setItemWidget(self, 2, self.entry_edit)
+
         else:
             # DAP row: column1= "Model" label, column2= DapComboBox
             self.label_widget = QLabel("Model")
@@ -249,31 +182,31 @@ class CurveRow(QTreeWidgetItem):
             self.tree.setItemWidget(self, 2, self.dap_combo)
 
     def _init_style_controls(self):
-        """Create columns 4..7: color button, style combo, width spin, symbol spin."""
-        # Color in col 4
+        """Create columns 3..6: color button, style combo, width spin, symbol spin."""
+        # Color in col 3
         self.color_button = ColorButtonNative(color=self.config.color)
         self.color_button.color_changed.connect(self._on_color_changed)
-        self.tree.setItemWidget(self, 4, self.color_button)
+        self.tree.setItemWidget(self, 3, self.color_button)
 
-        # Style in col 5
+        # Style in col 4
         self.style_combo = QComboBox()
         self.style_combo.addItems(["solid", "dash", "dot", "dashdot"])
         idx = self.style_combo.findText(self.config.pen_style)
         if idx >= 0:
             self.style_combo.setCurrentIndex(idx)
-        self.tree.setItemWidget(self, 5, self.style_combo)
+        self.tree.setItemWidget(self, 4, self.style_combo)
 
-        # Pen width in col 6
+        # Pen width in col 5
         self.width_spin = QSpinBox()
         self.width_spin.setRange(1, 20)
         self.width_spin.setValue(self.config.pen_width)
-        self.tree.setItemWidget(self, 6, self.width_spin)
+        self.tree.setItemWidget(self, 5, self.width_spin)
 
-        # Symbol size in col 7
+        # Symbol size in col 6
         self.symbol_spin = QSpinBox()
         self.symbol_spin.setRange(1, 20)
         self.symbol_spin.setValue(self.config.symbol_size)
-        self.tree.setItemWidget(self, 7, self.symbol_spin)
+        self.tree.setItemWidget(self, 6, self.symbol_spin)
 
     @SafeSlot(str, verify_sender=True)
     def _on_color_changed(self, new_color: str):
@@ -287,8 +220,8 @@ class CurveRow(QTreeWidgetItem):
         self.config.symbol_color = new_color
 
     def add_dap_row(self):
-        """Create a new DAP row as a child. Only valid if source is 'device' or 'history'."""
-        if self.source not in ("device", "history"):
+        """Create a new DAP row as a child. Only valid if source='device'."""
+        if self.source != "device":
             return
         curve_tree = self.tree.parent()
         parent_label = self.config.label
@@ -366,7 +299,7 @@ class CurveRow(QTreeWidgetItem):
         Returns:
             dict: The serialized config based on the GUI state.
         """
-        if self.source in ("device", "history"):
+        if self.source == "device":
             # Gather device name/entry
             device_name = ""
             device_entry = ""
@@ -387,23 +320,8 @@ class CurveRow(QTreeWidgetItem):
                     )
 
             self.config.signal = DeviceSignal(name=device_name, entry=device_entry)
-            scan_combo_text = self.scan_index_combo.currentText()
-            if scan_combo_text == "live" or scan_combo_text == "":
-                self.config.scan_number = None
-                self.config.scan_id = None
-                self.config.source = "device"
-                self.config.label = f"{device_name}-{device_entry}"
-            if scan_combo_text.isdigit():
-                try:
-                    scan_num = int(scan_combo_text)
-                except ValueError:
-                    scan_num = None
-                self.config.scan_number = scan_num
-                self.config.scan_id = self.scan_index_combo.currentData()
-                self.config.source = "history"
-                # Label history curves with scan number suffix
-                if scan_num is not None:
-                    self.config.label = f"{device_name}-{device_entry}-scan-{scan_num}"
+            self.config.source = "device"
+            self.config.label = f"{device_name}-{device_entry}"
         else:
             # DAP logic
             parent_conf_dict = {}
@@ -536,12 +454,10 @@ class CurveTree(BECWidget, QWidget):
         self.toolbar.show_bundles(["curve_tree"])
 
     def _init_tree(self):
-        """Initialize the QTreeWidget with 8 columns and compact widths."""
+        """Initialize the QTreeWidget with 7 columns and compact widths."""
         self.tree = QTreeWidget()
-        self.tree.setColumnCount(8)
-        self.tree.setHeaderLabels(
-            ["Actions", "Name", "Entry", "Scan #", "Color", "Style", "Width", "Symbol"]
-        )
+        self.tree.setColumnCount(7)
+        self.tree.setHeaderLabels(["Actions", "Name", "Entry", "Color", "Style", "Width", "Symbol"])
 
         header = self.tree.header()
         for idx in range(self.tree.columnCount()):
@@ -551,10 +467,10 @@ class CurveTree(BECWidget, QWidget):
                 header.setSectionResizeMode(idx, QHeaderView.Fixed)
         header.setStretchLastSection(False)
         self.tree.setColumnWidth(0, 90)
-        self.tree.setColumnWidth(4, 70)
-        self.tree.setColumnWidth(5, 80)
+        self.tree.setColumnWidth(3, 70)
+        self.tree.setColumnWidth(4, 80)
+        self.tree.setColumnWidth(5, 50)
         self.tree.setColumnWidth(6, 50)
-        self.tree.setColumnWidth(7, 50)
 
         self.layout.addWidget(self.tree)
 
@@ -678,9 +594,9 @@ class CurveTree(BECWidget, QWidget):
         self.tree.clear()
         self.all_items = []
 
-        top_curves = [c for c in self.waveform.curves if c.config.source in ("device", "history")]
+        device_curves = [c for c in self.waveform.curves if c.config.source == "device"]
         dap_curves = [c for c in self.waveform.curves if c.config.source == "dap"]
-        for dev in top_curves:
+        for dev in device_curves:
             dr = CurveRow(self.tree, parent_item=None, config=dev.config, device_manager=self.dev)
             for dap in dap_curves:
                 if dap.config.parent_label == dev.config.label:

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/waveform/waveform.py

@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ import numpy as np
 import pyqtgraph as pg
 from bec_lib import bec_logger, messages
 from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
-from bec_lib.scan_data_container import ScanDataContainer
 from pydantic import Field, ValidationError, field_validator
 from qtpy.QtCore import Qt, QTimer, Signal
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
@@ -26,7 +25,7 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
 
 from bec_widgets.utils import ConnectionConfig
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_signal_proxy import BECSignalProxy
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import Colors, set_theme
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import Colors, apply_theme
 from bec_widgets.utils.container_utils import WidgetContainerUtils
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.settings_dialog import SettingsDialog
@@ -36,9 +35,6 @@ from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.plot_base import PlotBase
 from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.curve import Curve, CurveConfig, DeviceSignal
 from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.settings.curve_settings.curve_setting import CurveSetting
 from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.utils.roi_manager import WaveformROIManager
-from bec_widgets.widgets.services.scan_history_browser.scan_history_browser import (
-    ScanHistoryBrowser,
-)
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
@@ -67,6 +63,10 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
     RPC = True
     ICON_NAME = "show_chart"
     USER_ACCESS = [
+        # BECWidget Base Class
+        "attach",
+        "detach",
+        "screenshot",
         # General PlotBase Settings
         "_config_dict",
         "enable_toolbar",
@@ -109,7 +109,6 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
         "legend_label_size.setter",
         "minimal_crosshair_precision",
         "minimal_crosshair_precision.setter",
-        "screenshot",
         # Waveform Specific RPC Access
         "curves",
         "x_mode",
@@ -167,7 +166,6 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
         # Curve data
         self._sync_curves = []
         self._async_curves = []
-        self._history_curves = []
         self._slice_index = None
         self._dap_curves = []
         self._mode = None
@@ -184,14 +182,12 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
             "readout_priority": None,
             "label_suffix": "",
         }
-        self._current_x_device: tuple[str, str] | None = None
 
         # Specific GUI elements
         self._init_roi_manager()
         self.dap_summary = None
         self.dap_summary_dialog = None
-        self.scan_history_dialog = None
-        self._add_waveform_specific_popup()
+        self._add_fit_parameters_popup()
         self._enable_roi_toolbar_action(False)  # default state where are no dap curves
         self._init_curve_dialog()
         self.curve_settings_dialog = None
@@ -259,7 +255,7 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
         super().add_side_menus()
         self._add_dap_summary_side_menu()
 
-    def _add_waveform_specific_popup(self):
+    def _add_fit_parameters_popup(self):
         """
         Add popups to the Waveform widget.
         """
@@ -269,24 +265,11 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
                 icon_name="monitoring", tooltip="Open Fit Parameters", checkable=True, parent=self
             ),
         )
-        self.toolbar.components.add_safe(
-            "scan_history",
-            MaterialIconAction(
-                icon_name="manage_search",
-                tooltip="Open Scan History browser",
-                checkable=True,
-                parent=self,
-            ),
-        )
         self.toolbar.get_bundle("axis_popup").add_action("fit_params")
-        self.toolbar.get_bundle("axis_popup").add_action("scan_history")
 
         self.toolbar.components.get_action("fit_params").action.triggered.connect(
             self.show_dap_summary_popup
         )
-        self.toolbar.components.get_action("scan_history").action.triggered.connect(
-            self.show_scan_history_popup
-        )
 
     @SafeSlot()
     def _reset_view(self):
@@ -434,47 +417,6 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
             self.toolbar.components.get_action("roi_linear").action.setChecked(False)
             self._roi_manager.toggle_roi(False)
 
-    ################################################################################
-    # Scan History browser popup
-    # TODO this is so far quick implementation just as popup, we should make scan history also standalone widget later
-    def show_scan_history_popup(self):
-        """
-        Show the scan history popup.
-        """
-        scan_history_action = self.toolbar.components.get_action("scan_history").action
-        if self.scan_history_dialog is None or not self.scan_history_dialog.isVisible():
-            self.scan_history_widget = ScanHistoryBrowser(parent=self)
-            self.scan_history_dialog = QDialog(modal=False)
-            self.scan_history_dialog.setWindowTitle(f"{self.object_name} - Scan History Browser")
-            self.scan_history_dialog.layout = QVBoxLayout(self.scan_history_dialog)
-            self.scan_history_dialog.layout.addWidget(self.scan_history_widget)
-            self.scan_history_widget.scan_history_device_viewer.request_history_plot.connect(
-                lambda scan_id, device_name, signal_name: self.plot(
-                    y_name=device_name, y_entry=signal_name, scan_id=scan_id
-                )
-            )
-            self.scan_history_dialog.finished.connect(self._scan_history_closed)
-            self.scan_history_dialog.show()
-            self.scan_history_dialog.resize(780, 320)
-            scan_history_action.setChecked(True)
-        else:
-            # If already open, bring it to the front
-            self.scan_history_dialog.raise_()
-            self.scan_history_dialog.activateWindow()
-            scan_history_action.setChecked(True)  # keep it toggle
-
-    def _scan_history_closed(self):
-        """
-        Slot for when the scan history dialog is closed.
-        """
-        if self.scan_history_dialog is None:
-            return
-        self.scan_history_widget.close()
-        self.scan_history_widget.deleteLater()
-        self.scan_history_dialog.deleteLater()
-        self.scan_history_dialog = None
-        self.toolbar.components.get_action("scan_history").action.setChecked(False)
-
     ################################################################################
     # Dap Summary
 
@@ -564,11 +506,7 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
         self.x_axis_mode["name"] = value
         if value not in ["timestamp", "index", "auto"]:
             self.x_axis_mode["entry"] = self.entry_validator.validate_signal(value, None)
-            self._current_x_device = (value, self.x_axis_mode["entry"])
         self._switch_x_axis_item(mode=value)
-        self._current_x_device = None
-        self._refresh_history_curves()
-        self._update_curve_visibility()
         self.async_signal_update.emit()
         self.sync_signal_update.emit()
         self.plot_item.enableAutoRange(x=True)
@@ -596,8 +534,6 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
             return
         self.x_axis_mode["entry"] = self.entry_validator.validate_signal(self.x_mode, value)
         self._switch_x_axis_item(mode="device")
-        self._refresh_history_curves()
-        self._update_curve_visibility()
         self.async_signal_update.emit()
         self.sync_signal_update.emit()
         self.plot_item.enableAutoRange(x=True)
@@ -738,8 +674,6 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
         color: str | None = None,
         label: str | None = None,
         dap: str | None = None,
-        scan_id: str | None = None,
-        scan_number: int | None = None,
         **kwargs,
     ) -> Curve:
         """
@@ -762,10 +696,6 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
             dap(str): The dap model to use for the curve, only available for sync devices.
             If not specified, none will be added.
             Use the same string as is the name of the LMFit model.
-            scan_id(str):  Optional scan ID. When provided, the curve is treated as a **history** curve and
-                the y‑data (and optional x‑data) are fetched from that historical scan. Such curves are
-                never cleared by live‑scan resets.
-            scan_number(int): Optional scan index. When provided, the curve is treated as a **history** curve and
 
         Returns:
             Curve: The curve object.
@@ -835,8 +765,6 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
             label=label,
             color=color,
             source=source,
-            scan_id=scan_id,
-            scan_number=scan_number,
             **kwargs,
         )
 
@@ -844,9 +772,6 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
         if source == "device":
             config.signal = DeviceSignal(name=y_name, entry=y_entry)
 
-        if scan_id is not None or scan_number is not None:
-            config.source = "history"
-
         # CREATE THE CURVE
         curve = self._add_curve(config=config, x_data=x_data, y_data=y_data)
 
@@ -885,7 +810,7 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
         device_curve = self._find_curve_by_label(device_label)
         if not device_curve:
             raise ValueError(f"No existing curve found with label '{device_label}'.")
-        if device_curve.config.source not in ("device", "history"):
+        if device_curve.config.source != "device":
             raise ValueError(
                 f"Curve '{device_label}' is not a device curve. Only device curves can have DAP."
             )
@@ -894,7 +819,7 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
         dev_entry = device_curve.config.signal.entry
 
         # 2) Build a label for the new DAP curve
-        dap_label = f"{device_label}-{dap_name}"
+        dap_label = f"{dev_name}-{dev_entry}-{dap_name}"
 
         # 3) Possibly raise if the DAP curve already exists
         if self._check_curve_id(dap_label):
@@ -947,23 +872,7 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
             ValueError: If a duplicate curve label/config is found, or if
                         custom data is missing for `source='custom'`.
         """
-        scan_item: ScanDataContainer | None = None
-        if config.source == "history":
-            scan_item = self.get_history_scan_item(
-                scan_id=config.scan_id, scan_index=config.scan_number
-            )
-            if scan_item is None:
-                raise ValueError(
-                    f"Could not find scan item for history curve '{config.label}' with scan_id='{config.scan_id}' and scan_number='{config.scan_number}'."
-                )
-
-            config.scan_id = scan_item.metadata["bec"]["scan_id"]
-            config.scan_number = scan_item.metadata["bec"]["scan_number"]
-
         label = config.label
-        if config.source == "history":
-            label = f"{config.signal.name}-{config.signal.entry}-scan-{config.scan_number}"
-            config.label = label
         if not label:
             # Fallback label
             label = WidgetContainerUtils.generate_unique_name(
@@ -985,7 +894,7 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
                 raise ValueError("For 'custom' curves, x_data and y_data must be provided.")
 
         # Actually create the Curve item
-        curve = self._add_curve_object(name=label, config=config, scan_item=scan_item)
+        curve = self._add_curve_object(name=label, config=config)
 
         # If custom => set initial data
         if config.source == "custom" and x_data is not None and y_data is not None:
@@ -1002,8 +911,6 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
             self.setup_dap_for_scan()
             self.roi_enable.emit(True)  # Enable the ROI toolbar action
             self.request_dap()  # Request DAP update directly without blocking proxy
-        if config.source == "history":
-            self._history_curves.append(curve)
 
         QTimer.singleShot(
             150, self.auto_range
@@ -1011,182 +918,22 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
 
         return curve
 
-    def _add_curve_object(
-        self, name: str, config: CurveConfig, scan_item: ScanDataContainer | None = None
-    ) -> Curve | None:
+    def _add_curve_object(self, name: str, config: CurveConfig) -> Curve:
         """
         Low-level creation of the PlotDataItem (Curve) from a `CurveConfig`.
 
         Args:
             name (str): The name/label of the curve.
             config (CurveConfig): Configuration model describing the curve.
-            scan_item (ScanDataContainer | None): Optional scan item for history curves.
 
         Returns:
             Curve: The newly created curve object, added to the plot.
         """
         curve = Curve(config=config, name=name, parent_item=self)
         self.plot_item.addItem(curve)
-        if scan_item is not None:
-            self._fetch_history_data_for_curve(curve, scan_item)
         self._categorise_device_curves()
-        curve.visibleChanged.connect(self._refresh_crosshair_markers)
-        curve.visibleChanged.connect(self.auto_range)
         return curve
 
-    def _fetch_history_data_for_curve(
-        self, curve: Curve, scan_item: ScanDataContainer
-    ) -> Curve | None:
-        # Check if the data are already set
-        device = curve.config.signal.name
-        entry = curve.config.signal.entry
-
-        all_devices_used = getattr(
-            getattr(scan_item, "_msg", None), "stored_data_info", None
-        ) or getattr(scan_item, "stored_data_info", None)
-        if all_devices_used is None:
-            curve.remove()
-            raise ValueError(
-                f"No stored data info found in scan item ID:{curve.config.scan_id} for curve '{curve.name()}'. "
-                f"Upgrade BEC to the latest version."
-            )
-
-        # 1. get y data
-        x_data, y_data = None, None
-        if device not in all_devices_used:
-            raise ValueError(f"Device '{device}' not found in scan item ID:{curve.config.scan_id}.")
-        if entry not in all_devices_used[device]:
-            raise ValueError(
-                f"Entry '{entry}' not found in device '{device}' in scan item ID:{curve.config.scan_id}."
-            )
-        y_shape = all_devices_used.get(device).get(entry).shape[0]
-
-        # Determine X-axis data
-        if self.x_axis_mode["name"] == "index":
-            x_data = np.arange(y_shape)
-            curve.config.current_x_mode = "index"
-            self._update_x_label_suffix(" (index)")
-        elif self.x_axis_mode["name"] == "timestamp":
-            y_device = scan_item.devices.get(device)
-            x_data = y_device.get(entry).read().get("timestamp")
-            curve.config.current_x_mode = "timestamp"
-            self._update_x_label_suffix(" (timestamp)")
-        elif self.x_axis_mode["name"] not in ("index", "timestamp", "auto"):  # Custom device mode
-            if self.x_axis_mode["name"] not in all_devices_used:
-                logger.warning(
-                    f"Custom device '{self.x_axis_mode['name']}' not found in scan item of history curve '{curve.name()}'; scan ID: {curve.config.scan_id}."
-                )
-                curve.setVisible(False)
-                return
-            x_entry_custom = self.x_axis_mode.get("entry")
-            if x_entry_custom is None:
-                x_entry_custom = self.entry_validator.validate_signal(
-                    self.x_axis_mode["name"], None
-                )
-            if x_entry_custom not in all_devices_used[self.x_axis_mode["name"]]:
-                logger.warning(
-                    f"Custom entry '{x_entry_custom}' for device '{self.x_axis_mode['name']}' not found in scan item of history curve '{curve.name()}'; scan ID: {curve.config.scan_id}."
-                )
-                curve.setVisible(False)
-                return
-            x_shape = (
-                scan_item._msg.stored_data_info.get(self.x_axis_mode["name"])
-                .get(x_entry_custom)
-                .shape[0]
-            )
-            if x_shape != y_shape:
-                logger.warning(
-                    f"Shape mismatch for x data '{x_shape}' and y data '{y_shape}' in history curve '{curve.name()}'; scan ID: {curve.config.scan_id}."
-                )
-                curve.setVisible(False)
-                return
-            x_device = scan_item.devices.get(self.x_axis_mode["name"])
-            x_data = x_device.get(x_entry_custom).read().get("value")
-            curve.config.current_x_mode = self.x_axis_mode["name"]
-            self._update_x_label_suffix(f" (custom: {self.x_axis_mode['name']}-{x_entry_custom})")
-        elif self.x_axis_mode["name"] == "auto":
-            if (
-                self._current_x_device is None
-            ):  # Scenario where no x device is set yet, because there was no live scan done in this widget yet
-                # If no current x device, use the first motor from scan item
-                scan_motors = self._ensure_str_list(
-                    scan_item.metadata.get("bec").get("scan_report_devices")
-                )
-                if not scan_motors:  # scan was done without reported motor from whatever reason
-                    x_data = np.arange(y_shape)  # Fallback to index
-                    y_data = scan_item.devices.get(device).get(entry).read().get("value")
-                    curve.set_data(x=x_data, y=y_data)
-                    self._update_x_label_suffix(" (auto: index)")
-                    return curve
-                x_entry = self.entry_validator.validate_signal(scan_motors[0], None)
-                if x_entry not in all_devices_used.get(scan_motors[0], {}):
-                    logger.warning(
-                        f"Auto x entry '{x_entry}' for device '{scan_motors[0]}' not found in scan item of history curve '{curve.name()}'; scan ID: {curve.config.scan_id}."
-                    )
-                    curve.setVisible(False)
-                    return
-                if y_shape != all_devices_used.get(scan_motors[0]).get(x_entry, {}).shape[0]:
-                    logger.warning(
-                        f"Shape mismatch for x data '{all_devices_used.get(scan_motors[0]).get(x_entry, {}).get('shape', [0])[0]}' and y data '{y_shape}' in history curve '{curve.name()}'; scan ID: {curve.config.scan_id}."
-                    )
-                    curve.setVisible(False)
-                    return
-                x_data = scan_item.devices.get(scan_motors[0]).get(x_entry).read().get("value")
-                self._current_x_device = (scan_motors[0], x_entry)
-                self._update_x_label_suffix(f" (auto: {scan_motors[0]}-{x_entry})")
-                curve.config.current_x_mode = "auto"
-                self._update_x_label_suffix(f" (auto: {scan_motors[0]}-{x_entry})")
-            else:  # Scan in auto mode was done and live scan already set the current x device
-                if self._current_x_device[0] not in all_devices_used:
-                    logger.warning(
-                        f"Auto x data for device '{self._current_x_device[0]}' "
-                        f"and entry '{self._current_x_device[1]}'"
-                        f" not found in scan item of the history curve {curve.name()}."
-                    )
-                    curve.setVisible(False)
-                    return
-                x_device = scan_item.devices.get(self._current_x_device[0])
-                x_data = x_device.get(self._current_x_device[1]).read().get("value")
-                curve.config.current_x_mode = "auto"
-                self._update_x_label_suffix(
-                    f" (auto: {self._current_x_device[0]}-{self._current_x_device[1]})"
-                )
-        if x_data is None:
-            logger.warning(
-                f"X data for curve '{curve.name()}' could not be determined. "
-                f"Check if the x_mode '{self.x_axis_mode['name']}' is valid for the scan item."
-            )
-            curve.setVisible(False)
-            return
-        if y_data is None:
-            y_data = scan_item.devices.get(device).get(entry).read().get("value")
-            if y_data is None:
-                logger.warning(
-                    f"Y data for curve '{curve.name()}' could not be determined. "
-                    f"Check if the device '{device}' and entry '{entry}' are valid for the scan item."
-                )
-                curve.setVisible(False)
-                return
-        curve.set_data(x=x_data, y=y_data)
-        return curve
-
-    def _refresh_history_curves(self):
-        for curve in self._history_curves:
-            scan_item = self.get_history_scan_item(
-                scan_id=curve.config.scan_id, scan_index=curve.config.scan_number
-            )
-            if scan_item is not None:
-                self._fetch_history_data_for_curve(curve, scan_item)
-            else:
-                logger.warning(f"Scan item for curve {curve.name()} not found.")
-
-    def _refresh_crosshair_markers(self):
-        """
-        Refresh the crosshair markers when a curve visibility changes.
-        """
-        if self.crosshair is not None:
-            self.crosshair.clear_markers()
-
     def _generate_color_from_palette(self) -> str:
         """
         Generate a color for the next new curve, based on the current number of curves.
@@ -1214,42 +961,7 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
         Clear all data from the plot widget, but keep the curve references.
         """
         for c in self.curves:
-            if c.config.source != "history":
-                c.clear_data()
-
-    # X-axis compatibility helpers
-    def _is_curve_compatible(self, curve: Curve) -> bool:
-        """
-        Return True when *curve* can be shown with the current x-axis mode.
-
-        - ‘index’, ‘timestamp’ are always compatible.
-        - For history curves we check whether the requested motor
-          (self.x_axis_mode["name"]) exists in the cached
-          history_data_buffer["x"] dictionary.
-        - DAP is done by checking if the parent curve is visible.
-        - Device curves are fetched by update sync/async curves, which solves the compatibility there.
-        """
-        mode = self.x_axis_mode.get("name", "index")
-        if mode in ("index", "timestamp"):  # always compatible - wild west mode
-            return True
-        if curve.config.source == "history":
-            scan_item = self.get_history_scan_item(
-                scan_id=curve.config.scan_id, scan_index=curve.config.scan_number
-            )
-            curve = self._fetch_history_data_for_curve(curve, scan_item)
-            if curve is None:
-                return False
-        if curve.config.source == "dap":
-            parent_curve = self._find_curve_by_label(curve.config.parent_label)
-            if parent_curve.isVisible():
-                return True
-            return False  # DAP curve is not compatible if parent curve is not visible
-        return True
-
-    def _update_curve_visibility(self) -> None:
-        """Show or hide curves according to `_is_curve_compatible`."""
-        for c in self.curves:
-            c.setVisible(self._is_curve_compatible(c))
+            c.clear_data()
 
     def clear_all(self):
         """
@@ -1406,13 +1118,12 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
             self.reset()
             self.new_scan.emit()
             self.new_scan_id.emit(current_scan_id)
-            self.auto_range_x = True
-            self.auto_range_y = True
+            self.auto_range(True)
             self.old_scan_id = self.scan_id
             self.scan_id = current_scan_id
             self.scan_item = self.queue.scan_storage.find_scan_by_ID(self.scan_id)  # live scan
             self._slice_index = None  # Reset the slice index
-            self._update_curve_visibility()
+
             self._mode = self._categorise_device_curves()
 
             # First trigger to sync and async data
@@ -1490,7 +1201,7 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
                 device_data = entry_obj.read()["value"] if entry_obj else None
             x_data = self._get_x_data(device_name, device_entry)
             if x_data is not None:
-                if np.isscalar(x_data):
+                if len(x_data) == 1:
                     self.clear_data()
                     return
             if device_data is not None and x_data is not None:
@@ -1898,7 +1609,6 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
                 entry_obj = data.get(x_name, {}).get(x_entry)
                 x_data = entry_obj.read()["value"] if entry_obj else [0]
             new_suffix = f" (custom: {x_name}-{x_entry})"
-            self._current_x_device = (x_name, x_entry)
 
         # 2 User wants timestamp
         if self.x_axis_mode["name"] == "timestamp":
@@ -1913,13 +1623,11 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
                 timestamps = entry_obj.read()["timestamp"] if entry_obj else [0]
             x_data = timestamps
             new_suffix = " (timestamp)"
-            self._current_x_device = None
 
         # 3 User wants index
         if self.x_axis_mode["name"] == "index":
             x_data = None
             new_suffix = " (index)"
-            self._current_x_device = None
 
         # 4 Best effort automatic mode
         if self.x_axis_mode["name"] is None or self.x_axis_mode["name"] == "auto":
@@ -1927,7 +1635,6 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
             if len(self._async_curves) > 0:
                 x_data = None
                 new_suffix = " (auto: index)"
-                self._current_x_device = None
             # 4.2 If there are sync curves, use the first device from the scan report
             else:
                 try:
@@ -1950,7 +1657,6 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
                         entry_obj = data.get(x_name, {}).get(x_entry)
                         x_data = entry_obj.read()["value"] if entry_obj else None
                     new_suffix = f" (auto: {x_name}-{x_entry})"
-                self._current_x_device = (x_name, x_entry)
         self._update_x_label_suffix(new_suffix)
         return x_data
 
@@ -2053,83 +1759,49 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
         logger.info(f"Scan {self.scan_id} => mode={self._mode}")
         return mode
 
-    def get_history_scan_item(
-        self, scan_index: int = None, scan_id: str = None
-    ) -> ScanDataContainer | None:
-        """
-        Get scan item from history based on scan_id or scan_index.
-        If both are provided, scan_id takes precedence and the resolved scan_number
-        will be read from the fetched item.
-
-        Args:
-            scan_id (str, optional): ScanID of the scan to fetch. Defaults to None.
-            scan_index (int, optional): Index (scan number) of the scan to fetch. Defaults to None.
-
-        Returns:
-            ScanDataContainer | None: The fetched scan item or None if no item was found.
-        """
-        if scan_index is not None and scan_id is not None:
-            scan_index = None  # Prefer scan_id when both are given
-
-        if scan_index is None and scan_id is None:
-            logger.warning("Neither scan_id or scan_number was provided, fetching the latest scan")
-            scan_index = -1
-
-        if scan_index is None:
-            return self.client.history.get_by_scan_id(scan_id)
-
-        if scan_index == -1:
-            scan_item = self.client.queue.scan_storage.current_scan
-            if scan_item is not None:
-                if scan_item.status_message is None:
-                    logger.warning(f"Scan item with {scan_item.scan_id} has no status message.")
-                    return None
-                return scan_item
-
-        if len(self.client.history) == 0:
-            logger.info("No scans executed so far. Cannot fetch scan history.")
-            return None
-
-        # check if scan_index is negative, then fetch it just from the list from the end
-        if int(scan_index) < 0:
-            return self.client.history[scan_index]
-        scan_item = self.client.history.get_by_scan_number(scan_index)
-        if scan_item is None:
-            logger.warning(f"Scan with scan_number {scan_index} not found in history.")
-            return None
-        if isinstance(scan_item, list):
-            if len(scan_item) > 1:
-                logger.warning(
-                    f"Multiple scans found with scan_number {scan_index}. Returning the latest one."
-                )
-            scan_item = scan_item[-1]
-        return scan_item
-
     @SafeSlot(int)
     @SafeSlot(str)
     @SafeSlot()
     def update_with_scan_history(self, scan_index: int = None, scan_id: str = None):
         """
         Update the scan curves with the data from the scan storage.
-        If both arguments are provided, scan_id takes precedence and scan_index is ignored.
+        Provide only one of scan_id or scan_index.
 
         Args:
             scan_id(str, optional): ScanID of the scan to be updated. Defaults to None.
-            scan_index(int, optional): Index (scan number) of the scan to be updated. Defaults to None.
+            scan_index(int, optional): Index of the scan to be updated. Defaults to None.
         """
-        self.scan_item = self.get_history_scan_item(scan_index=scan_index, scan_id=scan_id)
+        if scan_index is not None and scan_id is not None:
+            raise ValueError("Only one of scan_id or scan_index can be provided.")
 
-        if self.scan_item is None:
+        if scan_index is None and scan_id is None:
+            logger.warning(f"Neither scan_id or scan_number was provided, fetching the latest scan")
+            scan_index = -1
+
+        if scan_index is None:
+            self.scan_id = scan_id
+            self.scan_item = self.client.history.get_by_scan_id(scan_id)
+            self._emit_signal_update()
             return
 
-        if scan_id is not None:
-            self.scan_id = scan_id
-        else:
-            # If scan_number was used, set the scan_id from the fetched item
-            if hasattr(self.scan_item, "metadata"):
-                self.scan_id = self.scan_item.metadata["bec"]["scan_id"]
-            else:
-                self.scan_id = self.scan_item.scan_id
+        if scan_index == -1:
+            scan_item = self.client.queue.scan_storage.current_scan
+            if scan_item is not None:
+                if scan_item.status_message is None:
+                    logger.warning(f"Scan item with {scan_item.scan_id} has no status message.")
+                    return
+                self.scan_item = scan_item
+                self.scan_id = scan_item.scan_id
+                self._emit_signal_update()
+                return
+
+        if len(self.client.history) == 0:
+            logger.info("No scans executed so far. Skipping scan history update.")
+            return
+
+        self.scan_item = self.client.history[scan_index]
+        metadata = self.scan_item.metadata
+        self.scan_id = metadata["bec"]["scan_id"]
 
         self._emit_signal_update()
 
@@ -2360,9 +2032,6 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
         if self.dap_summary_dialog is not None:
             self.dap_summary_dialog.reject()
             self.dap_summary_dialog = None
-        if self.scan_history_dialog is not None:
-            self.scan_history_dialog.reject()
-            self.scan_history_dialog = None
         super().cleanup()
 
 
@@ -2390,7 +2059,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     import sys
 
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    set_theme("dark")
+    apply_theme("dark")
     widget = DemoApp()
     widget.show()
     widget.resize(1400, 600)

bec_widgets/widgets/progress/ring_progress_bar/ring.py

@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@ from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector, ConnectionConfig
 
 
 class ProgressbarConnections(BaseModel):
-    slot: Literal["on_scan_progress", "on_device_readback", None] = None
-    endpoint: EndpointInfo | str | None = None
+    slot: Literal["on_scan_progress", "on_device_readback"] = None
+    endpoint: EndpointInfo | str = None
     model_config: dict = {"validate_assignment": True}
 
     @field_validator("endpoint")
@@ -222,10 +222,9 @@ class Ring(BECConnector, QObject):
             device(str): Device name for the device readback mode, only used when mode is "device"
         """
         if mode == "manual":
-            if self.config.connections.slot is not None:
-                self.bec_dispatcher.disconnect_slot(
-                    getattr(self, self.config.connections.slot), self.config.connections.endpoint
-                )
+            self.bec_dispatcher.disconnect_slot(
+                getattr(self, self.config.connections.slot), self.config.connections.endpoint
+            )
             self.config.connections.slot = None
             self.config.connections.endpoint = None
         elif mode == "scan":

bec_widgets/widgets/progress/ring_progress_bar/ring_progress_bar.py

@@ -22,9 +22,13 @@ class RingProgressBarConfig(ConnectionConfig):
     color_map: Optional[str] = Field(
         "plasma", description="Color scheme for the progress bars.", validate_default=True
     )
-    min_number_of_bars: int = Field(1, description="Minimum number of progress bars to display.")
-    max_number_of_bars: int = Field(10, description="Maximum number of progress bars to display.")
-    num_bars: int = Field(1, description="Number of progress bars to display.")
+    min_number_of_bars: int | None = Field(
+        1, description="Minimum number of progress bars to display."
+    )
+    max_number_of_bars: int | None = Field(
+        10, description="Maximum number of progress bars to display."
+    )
+    num_bars: int | None = Field(1, description="Number of progress bars to display.")
     gap: int | None = Field(20, description="Gap between progress bars.")
     auto_updates: bool | None = Field(
         True, description="Enable or disable updates based on scan queue status."
@@ -92,6 +96,9 @@ class RingProgressBar(BECWidget, QWidget):
         "set_diameter",
         "reset_diameter",
         "enable_auto_updates",
+        "attach",
+        "detach",
+        "screenshot",
     ]
 
     def __init__(
@@ -238,7 +245,7 @@ class RingProgressBar(BECWidget, QWidget):
         for i, ring in enumerate(self._rings):
             ring.config.index = i
 
-    def set_precision(self, precision: int, bar_index: int | None = None):
+    def set_precision(self, precision: int, bar_index: int = None):
         """
         Set the precision for the progress bars. If bar_index is not provide, the precision will be set for all progress bars.
 
@@ -267,9 +274,9 @@ class RingProgressBar(BECWidget, QWidget):
             min_values(int|float | list[float]): Minimum value(s) for the progress bars. If multiple progress bars are displayed, provide a list of minimum values for each progress bar.
             max_values(int|float | list[float]): Maximum value(s) for the progress bars. If multiple progress bars are displayed, provide a list of maximum values for each progress bar.
         """
-        if isinstance(min_values, (int, float)):
+        if isinstance(min_values, int) or isinstance(min_values, float):
             min_values = [min_values]
-        if isinstance(max_values, (int, float)):
+        if isinstance(max_values, int) or isinstance(max_values, float):
             max_values = [max_values]
         min_values = self._adjust_list_to_bars(min_values)
         max_values = self._adjust_list_to_bars(max_values)
@@ -437,10 +444,14 @@ class RingProgressBar(BECWidget, QWidget):
         Returns:
             Ring: Ring object.
         """
+        found_ring = None
         for ring in self._rings:
             if ring.config.index == index:
-                return ring
-        raise ValueError(f"Ring with index {index} not found.")
+                found_ring = ring
+                break
+        if found_ring is None:
+            raise ValueError(f"Ring with index {index} not found.")
+        return found_ring
 
     def enable_auto_updates(self, enable: bool = True):
         """
@@ -477,30 +488,29 @@ class RingProgressBar(BECWidget, QWidget):
         primary_queue = msg.get("queue").get("primary")
         info = primary_queue.get("info", None)
 
-        if not info:
-            return
-        active_request_block = info[0].get("active_request_block", None)
-        if not active_request_block:
-            return
-        report_instructions = active_request_block.get("report_instructions", None)
-        if not report_instructions:
-            return
+        if info:
+            active_request_block = info[0].get("active_request_block", None)
+            if active_request_block:
+                report_instructions = active_request_block.get("report_instructions", None)
+                if report_instructions:
+                    instruction_type = list(report_instructions[0].keys())[0]
+                    if instruction_type == "scan_progress":
+                        self._hook_scan_progress(ring_index=0)
+                    elif instruction_type == "readback":
+                        devices = report_instructions[0].get("readback").get("devices")
+                        start = report_instructions[0].get("readback").get("start")
+                        end = report_instructions[0].get("readback").get("end")
+                        if self.config.num_bars != len(devices):
+                            self.set_number_of_bars(len(devices))
+                        for index, device in enumerate(devices):
+                            self._hook_readback(index, device, start[index], end[index])
+                    else:
+                        logger.error(f"{instruction_type} not supported yet.")
 
-        instruction_type = list(report_instructions[0].keys())[0]
-        if instruction_type == "scan_progress":
-            self._hook_scan_progress(ring_index=0)
-        elif instruction_type == "readback":
-            devices = report_instructions[0].get("readback").get("devices")
-            start = report_instructions[0].get("readback").get("start")
-            end = report_instructions[0].get("readback").get("end")
-            if self.config.num_bars != len(devices):
-                self.set_number_of_bars(len(devices))
-            for index, device in enumerate(devices):
-                self._hook_readback(index, device, start[index], end[index])
-        else:
-            logger.error(f"{instruction_type} not supported yet.")
+                    # elif instruction_type == "device_progress":
+                    #     print("hook device_progress")
 
-    def _hook_scan_progress(self, ring_index: int | None = None):
+    def _hook_scan_progress(self, ring_index: int = None):
         """
         Hook the scan progress to the progress bars.
 
@@ -514,7 +524,8 @@ class RingProgressBar(BECWidget, QWidget):
 
         if ring.config.connections.slot == "on_scan_progress":
             return
-        ring.set_connections("on_scan_progress", MessageEndpoints.scan_progress())
+        else:
+            ring.set_connections("on_scan_progress", MessageEndpoints.scan_progress())
 
     def _hook_readback(self, bar_index: int, device: str, min: float | int, max: float | int):
         """
@@ -568,8 +579,6 @@ class RingProgressBar(BECWidget, QWidget):
         return bar_index
 
     def paintEvent(self, event):
-        if not self._rings:
-            return
         painter = QtGui.QPainter(self)
         painter.setRenderHint(QtGui.QPainter.Antialiasing)
         size = min(self.width(), self.height())
@@ -622,8 +631,9 @@ class RingProgressBar(BECWidget, QWidget):
             return QSize(10, 10)
         ring_widths = [self.config.rings[i].line_width for i in range(self.config.num_bars)]
         total_width = sum(ring_widths) + self.config.gap * (self.config.num_bars - 1)
-        diameter = max(total_width * 2, 50)
-
+        diameter = total_width * 2
+        if diameter < 50:
+            diameter = 50
         return QSize(diameter, diameter)
 
     def sizeHint(self):

bec_widgets/widgets/services/bec_queue/bec_queue.py

@@ -242,8 +242,15 @@ class BECQueue(BECWidget, CompactPopupWidget):
         abort_button.button.setIcon(
             material_icon("cancel", color="#cc181e", filled=True, convert_to_pixmap=False)
         )
-        abort_button.button.setStyleSheet("background-color:  rgba(0,0,0,0) ")
-        abort_button.button.setFlat(True)
+        abort_button.setStyleSheet(
+            """
+            QPushButton {
+                background-color: transparent;
+                border: none;
+            }
+            """
+        )
+
         return abort_button
 
     def delete_selected_row(self):

bec_widgets/widgets/services/bec_status_box/bec_status_box.py

@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ class BECStatusBox(BECWidget, CompactPopupWidget):
 
     PLUGIN = True
     CORE_SERVICES = ["DeviceServer", "ScanServer", "SciHub", "ScanBundler", "FileWriterManager"]
-    USER_ACCESS = ["get_server_state", "remove"]
+    USER_ACCESS = ["get_server_state", "remove", "attach", "detach", "screenshot"]
 
     service_update = Signal(BECServiceInfoContainer)
     bec_core_state = Signal(str)
@@ -315,10 +315,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
 
     from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
-    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    set_theme("dark")
+    apply_theme("dark")
     main_window = BECStatusBox()
     main_window.show()
     sys.exit(app.exec())

bec_widgets/widgets/services/device_browser/device_browser.py

@@ -11,19 +11,13 @@ from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from bec_lib.messages import ConfigAction, ScanStatusMessage
 from bec_qthemes import material_icon
 from pyqtgraph import SignalProxy
-from qtpy.QtCore import QSize, QThreadPool, Signal
-from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
-    QFileDialog,
-    QListWidget,
-    QListWidgetItem,
-    QToolButton,
-    QVBoxLayout,
-    QWidget,
-)
+from qtpy.QtCore import QThreadPool, Signal
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QFileDialog, QListWidget, QToolButton, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_register import RPCRegister
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.utils.list_of_expandable_frames import ListOfExpandableFrames
 from bec_widgets.utils.ui_loader import UILoader
 from bec_widgets.widgets.services.device_browser.device_item import DeviceItem
 from bec_widgets.widgets.services.device_browser.device_item.device_config_dialog import (
@@ -59,7 +53,8 @@ class DeviceBrowser(BECWidget, QWidget):
         self._q_threadpool = QThreadPool()
         self.ui = None
         self.init_ui()
-        self.dev_list: QListWidget = self.ui.device_list
+        self.dev_list = ListOfExpandableFrames(self, DeviceItem)
+        self.ui.verticalLayout.addWidget(self.dev_list)
         self.dev_list.setVerticalScrollMode(QListWidget.ScrollMode.ScrollPerPixel)
         self.proxy_device_update = SignalProxy(
             self.ui.filter_input.textChanged, rateLimit=500, slot=self.update_device_list
@@ -132,25 +127,15 @@ class DeviceBrowser(BECWidget, QWidget):
 
     def init_device_list(self):
         self.dev_list.clear()
-        self._device_items: dict[str, QListWidgetItem] = {}
 
         with RPCRegister.delayed_broadcast():
             for device, device_obj in self.dev.items():
                 self._add_item_to_list(device, device_obj)
 
     def _add_item_to_list(self, device: str, device_obj):
-        def _updatesize(item: QListWidgetItem, device_item: DeviceItem):
-            device_item.adjustSize()
-            item.setSizeHint(QSize(device_item.width(), device_item.height()))
-            logger.debug(f"Adjusting {item} size to {device_item.width(), device_item.height()}")
 
-        def _remove_item(item: QListWidgetItem):
-            self.dev_list.takeItem(self.dev_list.row(item))
-            del self._device_items[device]
-            self.dev_list.sortItems()
-
-        item = QListWidgetItem(self.dev_list)
-        device_item = DeviceItem(
+        device_item = self.dev_list.add_item(
+            id=device,
             parent=self,
             device=device,
             devices=self.dev,
@@ -158,18 +143,11 @@ class DeviceBrowser(BECWidget, QWidget):
             config_helper=self._config_helper,
             q_threadpool=self._q_threadpool,
         )
-        device_item.expansion_state_changed.connect(partial(_updatesize, item, device_item))
-        device_item.imminent_deletion.connect(partial(_remove_item, item))
+
         self.editing_enabled.connect(device_item.set_editable)
         self.device_update.connect(device_item.config_update)
         tooltip = self.dev[device]._config.get("description", "")
         device_item.setToolTip(tooltip)
-        device_item.broadcast_size_hint.connect(item.setSizeHint)
-        item.setSizeHint(device_item.sizeHint())
-
-        self.dev_list.setItemWidget(item, device_item)
-        self.dev_list.addItem(item)
-        self._device_items[device] = item
 
     @SafeSlot(dict, dict)
     def scan_status_changed(self, scan_info: dict, _: dict):
@@ -198,20 +176,11 @@ class DeviceBrowser(BECWidget, QWidget):
 
         Either way, the function will filter the devices based on the filter input text and update the device list.
         """
-        filter_text = self.ui.filter_input.text()
         for device in self.dev:
-            if device not in self._device_items:
+            if device not in self.dev_list:
                 # it is possible the device has just been added to the config
                 self._add_item_to_list(device, self.dev[device])
-        try:
-            self.regex = re.compile(filter_text, re.IGNORECASE)
-        except re.error:
-            self.regex = None  # Invalid regex, disable filtering
-            for device in self.dev:
-                self._device_items[device].setHidden(False)
-            return
-        for device in self.dev:
-            self._device_items[device].setHidden(not self.regex.search(device))
+        self.dev_list.update_filter(self.ui.filter_input.text())
 
     @SafeSlot()
     def _load_from_file(self):
@@ -240,10 +209,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
 
     from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
-    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    set_theme("light")
+    apply_theme("light")
     widget = DeviceBrowser()
     widget.show()
     sys.exit(app.exec_())

bec_widgets/widgets/services/device_browser/device_browser.ui

@@ -1,93 +1,90 @@
 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
 <ui version="4.0">
- <class>Form</class>
- <widget class="QWidget" name="Form">
-  <property name="geometry">
-   <rect>
-    <x>0</x>
-    <y>0</y>
-    <width>406</width>
-    <height>500</height>
-   </rect>
-  </property>
-  <property name="windowTitle">
-   <string>Form</string>
-  </property>
-  <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout">
-   <item>
-    <widget class="QGroupBox" name="browser_group_box">
-     <property name="title">
-      <string>Device Browser</string>
-     </property>
-     <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout_2">
-      <item>
-       <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="filter_layout">
-        <item>
-         <widget class="QLineEdit" name="filter_input">
-          <property name="placeholderText">
-           <string>Filter</string>
-          </property>
-         </widget>
-        </item>
-        <item>
-         <widget class="QGroupBox" name="button_box">
-          <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout">
-           <property name="leftMargin">
-            <number>0</number>
-           </property>
-           <property name="topMargin">
-            <number>0</number>
-           </property>
-           <property name="rightMargin">
-            <number>0</number>
-           </property>
-           <property name="bottomMargin">
-            <number>0</number>
-           </property>
-           <item>
-            <widget class="QToolButton" name="add_button">
-             <property name="text">
-              <string>...</string>
-             </property>
-            </widget>
-           </item>
-           <item>
-            <widget class="QToolButton" name="save_button">
-             <property name="text">
-              <string>...</string>
-             </property>
-            </widget>
-           </item>
-           <item>
-            <widget class="QToolButton" name="import_button">
-             <property name="text">
-              <string>...</string>
-             </property>
-            </widget>
-           </item>
-          </layout>
-         </widget>
-        </item>
-       </layout>
-      </item>
-      <item>
-       <widget class="QLabel" name="scan_running_warning">
-        <property name="styleSheet">
-         <string notr="true"/>
+    <class>Form</class>
+    <widget class="QWidget" name="Form">
+        <property name="geometry">
+            <rect>
+                <x>0</x>
+                <y>0</y>
+                <width>406</width>
+                <height>500</height>
+            </rect>
         </property>
-        <property name="text">
-         <string>warning</string>
+        <property name="windowTitle">
+            <string>Form</string>
         </property>
-       </widget>
-      </item>
-      <item>
-       <widget class="QListWidget" name="device_list"/>
-      </item>
-     </layout>
+        <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout">
+            <item>
+                <widget class="QGroupBox" name="browser_group_box">
+                    <property name="title">
+                        <string>Device Browser</string>
+                    </property>
+                    <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout_2">
+                        <item>
+                            <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="filter_layout">
+                                <item>
+                                    <widget class="QLineEdit" name="filter_input">
+                                        <property name="placeholderText">
+                                            <string>Filter</string>
+                                        </property>
+                                    </widget>
+                                </item>
+                                <item>
+                                    <widget class="QGroupBox" name="button_box">
+                                        <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout">
+                                            <property name="leftMargin">
+                                                <number>0</number>
+                                            </property>
+                                            <property name="topMargin">
+                                                <number>0</number>
+                                            </property>
+                                            <property name="rightMargin">
+                                                <number>0</number>
+                                            </property>
+                                            <property name="bottomMargin">
+                                                <number>0</number>
+                                            </property>
+                                            <item>
+                                                <widget class="QToolButton" name="add_button">
+                                                    <property name="text">
+                                                        <string>...</string>
+                                                    </property>
+                                                </widget>
+                                            </item>
+                                            <item>
+                                                <widget class="QToolButton" name="save_button">
+                                                    <property name="text">
+                                                        <string>...</string>
+                                                    </property>
+                                                </widget>
+                                            </item>
+                                            <item>
+                                                <widget class="QToolButton" name="import_button">
+                                                    <property name="text">
+                                                        <string>...</string>
+                                                    </property>
+                                                </widget>
+                                            </item>
+                                        </layout>
+                                    </widget>
+                                </item>
+                            </layout>
+                        </item>
+                        <item>
+                            <widget class="QLabel" name="scan_running_warning">
+                                <property name="styleSheet">
+                                    <string notr="true" />
+                                </property>
+                                <property name="text">
+                                    <string>warning</string>
+                                </property>
+                            </widget>
+                        </item>
+                    </layout>
+                </widget>
+            </item>
+        </layout>
     </widget>
-   </item>
-  </layout>
- </widget>
- <resources/>
- <connections/>
-</ui>
+    <resources />
+    <connections />
+</ui>

bec_widgets/widgets/services/device_browser/device_item/device_config_dialog.py

@@ -262,12 +262,12 @@ def main():  # pragma: no cover
 
     from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QLineEdit, QPushButton, QWidget
 
-    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 
     dialog = None
 
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    set_theme("light")
+    apply_theme("light")
     widget = QWidget()
     widget.setLayout(QVBoxLayout())
 

bec_widgets/widgets/services/device_browser/device_item/device_item.py

@@ -35,9 +35,6 @@ logger = bec_logger.logger
 
 
 class DeviceItem(ExpandableGroupFrame):
-    broadcast_size_hint = Signal(QSize)
-    imminent_deletion = Signal()
-
     RPC = False
 
     def __init__(

bec_widgets/widgets/services/device_browser/device_item/device_signal_display.py

@@ -38,8 +38,8 @@ class SignalDisplay(BECWidget, QWidget):
     @SafeSlot()
     def _refresh(self):
         if (dev := self.dev.get(self.device)) is not None:
-            dev.read(cached=True)
-            dev.read_configuration(cached=True)
+            dev.read()
+            dev.read_configuration()
 
     def _add_refresh_button(self):
         button_holder = QWidget()
@@ -110,10 +110,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
 
     from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
-    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    set_theme("light")
+    apply_theme("light")
     widget = SignalDisplay(device="samx")
     widget.show()
     sys.exit(app.exec_())

bec_widgets/widgets/utility/logpanel/logpanel.py

@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
 )
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import get_theme_palette, set_theme
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme, get_theme_palette
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.text_box.text_box import TextBox
 from bec_widgets.widgets.services.bec_status_box.bec_status_box import BECServiceStatusMixin
@@ -544,7 +544,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication  # pylint: disable=ungrouped-imports
 
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    set_theme("dark")
+    apply_theme("dark")
     widget = LogPanel()
 
     widget.show()

bec_widgets/widgets/utility/signal_label/signal_label.py

@@ -273,9 +273,7 @@ class SignalLabel(BECWidget, QWidget):
         if not isinstance(self._device_obj, Device | Signal):
             self._value, self._units = "__", ""
             return
-        reading = (self._device_obj.read(cached=True) or {}) | (
-            self._device_obj.read_configuration(cached=True) or {}
-        )
+        reading = (self._device_obj.read() or {}) | (self._device_obj.read_configuration() or {})
         value = reading.get(self._signal_key, {}).get("value")
         if value is None:
             self._value, self._units = "__", ""

bec_widgets/widgets/utility/spinner/spinner.py

@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ class SpinnerWidget(QWidget):
 
     def paintEvent(self, event):
         painter = QPainter(self)
-        painter.setRenderHint(QPainter.Antialiasing)
+        painter.setRenderHint(QPainter.RenderHint.Antialiasing)
         size = min(self.width(), self.height())
         rect = QRect(0, 0, size, size)
 
@@ -63,14 +63,14 @@ class SpinnerWidget(QWidget):
         rect.adjust(line_width, line_width, -line_width, -line_width)
 
         # Background arc
-        painter.setPen(QPen(background_color, line_width, Qt.SolidLine))
+        painter.setPen(QPen(background_color, line_width, Qt.PenStyle.SolidLine))
         adjusted_rect = QRect(rect.left(), rect.top(), rect.width(), rect.height())
         painter.drawArc(adjusted_rect, 0, 360 * 16)
 
         if self._started:
             # Foreground arc
-            pen = QPen(color, line_width, Qt.SolidLine)
-            pen.setCapStyle(Qt.RoundCap)
+            pen = QPen(color, line_width, Qt.PenStyle.SolidLine)
+            pen.setCapStyle(Qt.PenCapStyle.RoundCap)
             painter.setPen(pen)
             proportion = 1 / 4
             angle_span = int(proportion * 360 * 16)

bec_widgets/widgets/utility/visual/dark_mode_button/dark_mode_button.py

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ from qtpy.QtCore import Property, Qt, Slot
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QHBoxLayout, QPushButton, QToolButton, QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 
 
 class DarkModeButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ class DarkModeButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
         """
         self.dark_mode_enabled = not self.dark_mode_enabled
         self.update_mode_button()
-        set_theme("dark" if self.dark_mode_enabled else "light")
+        apply_theme("dark" if self.dark_mode_enabled else "light")
 
     def update_mode_button(self):
         icon = material_icon(
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ class DarkModeButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
 if __name__ == "__main__":
 
     app = QApplication([])
-    set_theme("auto")
+    apply_theme("dark")
     w = DarkModeButton()
     w.show()
 

docs/api_reference/api_reference.md

@@ -1,11 +1,12 @@
 (api_reference)=
 # API Reference
 
-This page contains the auto-generated API documentation for all modules, classes, and functions in the BEC Widgets package.
+```{eval-rst}
+.. autosummary::
+   :toctree: _autosummary
+   :template: custom-module-template.rst
+   :recursive:
 
-```{toctree}
-:maxdepth: 2
-:caption: API Documentation
+   bec_widgets
 
-../autoapi/bec_widgets/index
 ```

docs/conf.py

@@ -32,15 +32,16 @@ def get_version():
 release = get_version()
 
 extensions = [
+    "sphinx.ext.autodoc",
+    "sphinx.ext.autosummary",
     # "sphinx.ext.coverage",
+    "sphinx.ext.viewcode",
     "sphinx.ext.napoleon",
     "sphinx_toolbox.collapse",
     "sphinx_copybutton",
     "myst_parser",
     "sphinx_design",
     "sphinx_inline_tabs",
-    "autoapi.extension",
-    "sphinx.ext.viewcode",
 ]
 
 myst_enable_extensions = [
@@ -59,15 +60,7 @@ myst_enable_extensions = [
     "tasklist",
 ]
 
-# AutoAPI configuration
-autoapi_dirs = ["../bec_widgets"]
-autoapi_type = "python"
-autoapi_generate_api_docs = True
-autoapi_add_toctree_entry = False  # We'll control the toctree manually
-autoapi_keep_files = False
-autoapi_python_class_content = "both"  # Include both class docstring and __init__
-autoapi_member_order = "groupwise"
-
+autosummary_generate = True  # Turn on sphinx.ext.autosummary
 add_module_names = False  # Remove namespaces from class/method signatures
 autodoc_inherit_docstrings = True  # If no docstring, inherit from base class
 set_type_checking_flag = True  # Enable 'expensive' imports for sphinx_autodoc_typehints
@@ -87,30 +80,3 @@ html_theme = "pydata_sphinx_theme"
 html_static_path = ["_static"]
 html_css_files = ["custom.css"]
 html_logo = "../bec_widgets/assets/app_icons/bec_widgets_icon.png"
-
-
-def skip_submodules(app, what, name, obj, skip, options):
-    if what == "module":
-        if not name.startswith("bec_widgets"):
-            skip = True
-        # print(f"Checking module: {name}")
-        if "bec_widgets.widgets" in name:
-            widget = name.split(".")[-2]
-            submodule = name.split(".")[-1]
-            if submodule in [f"register_{widget}", f"{widget}_plugin"]:
-                # print(f"Skipping submodule: {name}")
-                skip = True
-    elif what in ["data", "attribute"]:
-        obj_name = name.split(".")[-1]
-        if obj_name.startswith("_") or obj_name in ["__all__", "logger", "bec_logger", "app"]:
-            skip = True
-
-    elif what == "class":
-        class_name = name.split(".")[-1]
-        if class_name.startswith("Demo"):
-            skip = True
-    return skip
-
-
-def setup(app):
-    app.connect("autoapi-skip-member", skip_submodules)

docs/developer/introduction/concepts.md

@@ -10,5 +10,5 @@ We offer up to three different options for composing larger GUIs from these modu
 ## Client-Server Architecture
 
 BEC Widgets is built on top of the [BEC](https://bec.readthedocs.io/en/latest/) package, which provides the backend for beamline experiment control. BEC Widgets is a client of BEC, meaning it can interact with the backend through a client-server architecture. To make full usage of the available features of BEC, we recommend to check the documentation about [data access](https://bec.readthedocs.io/en/latest/developer/data_access/data_access.html) in which the messaging and event system of BEC is described.
-In the context of BEC Widgets, the {py:class}`~bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher.BECDispatcher` connects to this messaging and event system, allowing you to link your Qt [`Slots`](https://www.pythonguis.com/tutorials/pyside6-signals-slots-events/) to messages and event received from BEC.
+In the context of BEC Widgets, the [`BECDispatcher`](/api_reference/_autosummary/bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher.BECDispatcher) connects to this messaging and event system, allowing you to link your Qt [`Slots`](https://www.pythonguis.com/tutorials/pyside6-signals-slots-events/) to messages and event received from BEC.
 

docs/developer/introduction/contributing.md

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ Therefore, we recommend that you install BEC first following the [developer inst
 If you already have a BEC environment set up, you can install BEC Widgets in editable mode into your BEC Python environment.
 
 **Prerequisites**
-1. **Python Version:** BEC Widgets requires Python version 3.11 or higher. Verify your Python version to ensure compatibility.
+1. **Python Version:** BEC Widgets requires Python version 3.10 or higher. Verify your Python version to ensure compatibility.
 2. **BEC Installation:** BEC Widgets works in conjunction with BEC. While BEC is a dependency and will be installed automatically, you can find more information about BEC and its installation process in the [BEC documentation](https://beamline-experiment-control.readthedocs.io/en/latest/).
 3. **Qt Distributions:** BEC Widgets supports [PySide6](https://doc.qt.io/qtforpython-6/quickstart.html) and [PyQt6](https://www.riverbankcomputing.com/static/Docs/PyQt6/introduction.html). We use [qtpy](https://pypi.org/project/QtPy/) to abstract the underlying QT distribution.
 

docs/requirements.txt

@@ -7,5 +7,4 @@ sphinx-copybutton
 sphinx-inline-tabs
 myst-parser
 sphinx-design
-sphinx-autoapi
 tomli

docs/user/api_reference/api_reference.md

@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
 (user.api_reference)=
 # User API Reference
 
-This section contains the API documentation for the main user-facing modules and classes.
+```{eval-rst}
+.. autosummary::
+   :toctree: _autosummary
+   :template: custom-module-template.rst
 
-```{toctree}
-:maxdepth: 2
+    bec_widgets.cli.client
 
-../../autoapi/bec_widgets/cli/index
 ```

docs/user/getting_started/installation.md

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 Before installing BEC Widgets, please ensure the following requirements are met:
 
-1. **Python Version:** BEC Widgets requires Python version 3.11 or higher. Verify your Python version to ensure compatibility.
+1. **Python Version:** BEC Widgets requires Python version 3.10 or higher. Verify your Python version to ensure compatibility.
 2. **BEC Installation:** BEC Widgets works in conjunction with BEC. While BEC is a dependency and will be installed automatically, you can find more information about BEC and its installation process in the [BEC documentation](https://beamline-experiment-control.readthedocs.io/en/latest/).
 
 **Standard Installation**