2.7.1

Automatically generated by python-semantic-release

.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+name: Bug report
+description: File a bug report.
+title: "[BUG]: "
+labels: ["bug"]
+
+body:
+  - type: markdown
+    attributes:
+      value: |
+        Bug report:
+  - type: textarea
+    id: description
+    attributes:
+      label: Provide a brief description of the bug.
+  - type: textarea
+    id: expected
+    attributes:
+      label: Describe what you expected to happen and what actually happened.
+  - type: textarea
+    id: reproduction
+    attributes:
+      label: Outline the steps that lead to the bug's occurrence. Be specific and provide a clear sequence of actions.
+  - type: input
+    id: version
+    attributes:
+      label: bec_widgets version
+      description: which version of BEC widgets was running?
+  - type: input
+    id: bec-version
+    attributes:
+      label: bec core version
+      description: which version of BEC core was running?
+  - type: textarea
+    id: extra
+    attributes:
+      label: Any extra info / data? e.g. log output...
+  - type: input
+    id: issues
+    attributes:
+      label: Related issues
+      description: please tag any related issues

.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/documentation_update.md

@@ -1,3 +1,13 @@
+---
+name: Documentation update request
+about: Suggest an update to the docs
+title: '[DOCS]: '
+type: documentation
+label: documentation
+assignees: ''
+
+---
+
 ## Documentation Section
 
 [Specify the section or page of the documentation that needs updating]

.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md

@@ -1,3 +1,13 @@
+---
+name: Feature request
+about: Suggest an idea for this project
+title: '[FEAT]: '
+type: feature
+label: feature
+assignees: ''
+
+---
+
 ## Feature Summary
 
 [Provide a brief and clear summary of the new feature you are requesting]
@@ -37,4 +47,3 @@
 ## Additional Information
 
 [Provide any additional information that might be relevant to the feature request, such as user feedback, market trends, or similar features in other products]
-

.github/actions/bw_install/action.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+name: "BEC Widgets Install"
+description: "Install BEC Widgets and related os dependencies"
+inputs:
+  BEC_WIDGETS_BRANCH: # id of input
+    required: false
+    default: "main"
+    description: "Branch of BEC Widgets to install"
+  BEC_CORE_BRANCH: # id of input
+    required: false
+    default: "main"
+    description: "Branch of BEC Core to install"
+  OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH: # id of input
+    required: false
+    default: "main"
+    description: "Branch of Ophyd Devices to install"
+  PYTHON_VERSION: # id of input
+    required: false
+    default: "3.11"
+    description: "Python version to use"
+
+runs:
+  using: "composite"
+  steps:
+    - name: Setup Python
+      uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      with:
+        python-version: ${{ inputs.PYTHON_VERSION }}
+
+    - name: Checkout BEC Core
+      uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      with:
+        repository: bec-project/bec
+        ref: ${{ inputs.BEC_CORE_BRANCH }}
+        path: ./bec
+
+    - name: Checkout Ophyd Devices
+      uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      with:
+        repository: bec-project/ophyd_devices
+        ref: ${{ inputs.OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH }}
+        path: ./ophyd_devices
+
+    - name: Checkout BEC Widgets
+      uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      with:
+        repository: bec-project/bec_widgets
+        ref: ${{ inputs.BEC_WIDGETS_BRANCH }}
+        path: ./bec_widgets
+
+    - name: Install dependencies
+      shell: bash
+      run: |
+        sudo apt-get update
+        sudo apt-get install -y libgl1 libegl1 x11-utils libxkbcommon-x11-0 libdbus-1-3 xvfb
+        sudo apt-get -y install libnss3 libxdamage1 libasound2t64 libatomic1 libxcursor1
+
+    - name: Install Python dependencies
+      shell: bash
+      run: |
+        pip install uv
+        uv pip install --system -e ./ophyd_devices
+        uv pip install --system -e ./bec/bec_lib[dev]
+        uv pip install --system -e ./bec/bec_ipython_client
+        uv pip install --system -e ./bec_widgets[dev,pyside6]

.github/pull_request_template.md

@@ -1,19 +1,24 @@
 ## Description
 
-[Provide a brief description of the changes introduced by this merge request.]
+[Provide a brief description of the changes introduced by this pull request.]
 
 ## Related Issues
 
-[Cite any related issues or feature requests that are addressed or resolved by this merge request. Use the gitlab syntax for linking issues, for example, `fixes #123` or `closes #123`.]
+[Cite any related issues or feature requests that are addressed or resolved by this pull request. Link the associated issue, for example, with `fixes #123` or `closes #123`.]
 
 ## Type of Change
 
 - Change 1
 - Change 2
 
+## How to test
+
+- Run unit tests
+- Open [widget] in designer and play around with the properties
+
 ## Potential side effects
 
-[Describe any potential side effects or risks of merging this MR.]
+[Describe any potential side effects or risks of merging this PR.]
 
 ## Screenshots / GIFs (if applicable)
 

.github/scripts/pr_issue_sync/pr_issue_sync.py

@@ -0,0 +1,342 @@
+import functools
+import os
+from typing import Literal
+
+import requests
+from github import Github
+from pydantic import BaseModel
+
+
+class GHConfig(BaseModel):
+    token: str
+    organization: str
+    repository: str
+    project_number: int
+    graphql_url: str
+    rest_url: str
+    headers: dict
+
+
+class ProjectItemHandler:
+    """
+    A class to handle GitHub project items.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, gh_config: GHConfig):
+        self.gh_config = gh_config
+        self.gh = Github(gh_config.token)
+        self.repo = self.gh.get_repo(f"{gh_config.organization}/{gh_config.repository}")
+        self.project_node_id = self.get_project_node_id()
+
+    def set_issue_status(
+        self,
+        status: Literal[
+            "Selected for Development",
+            "Weekly Backlog",
+            "In Development",
+            "Ready For Review",
+            "On Hold",
+            "Done",
+        ],
+        issue_number: int | None = None,
+        issue_node_id: str | None = None,
+    ):
+        """
+        Set the status field of a GitHub issue in the project.
+
+        Args:
+            status (str): The status to set. Must be one of the predefined statuses.
+            issue_number (int, optional): The issue number. If not provided, issue_node_id must be provided.
+            issue_node_id (str, optional): The issue node ID. If not provided, issue_number must be provided.
+        """
+        if not issue_number and not issue_node_id:
+            raise ValueError("Either issue_number or issue_node_id must be provided.")
+        if issue_number and issue_node_id:
+            raise ValueError("Only one of issue_number or issue_node_id must be provided.")
+        if issue_number is not None:
+            issue = self.repo.get_issue(issue_number)
+            issue_id = self.get_issue_info(issue.node_id)[0]["id"]
+        else:
+            issue_id = issue_node_id
+        field_id, option_id = self.get_status_field_id(field_name=status)
+        self.set_field_option(issue_id, field_id, option_id)
+
+    def run_graphql(self, query: str, variables: dict) -> dict:
+        """
+        Execute a GraphQL query against the GitHub API.
+
+        Args:
+            query (str): The GraphQL query to execute.
+            variables (dict): The variables to pass to the query.
+
+        Returns:
+            dict: The response from the GitHub API.
+        """
+        response = requests.post(
+            self.gh_config.graphql_url,
+            json={"query": query, "variables": variables},
+            headers=self.gh_config.headers,
+            timeout=10,
+        )
+        if response.status_code != 200:
+            raise Exception(
+                f"Query failed with status code {response.status_code}: {response.text}"
+            )
+        return response.json()
+
+    def get_project_node_id(self):
+        """
+        Retrieve the project node ID from the GitHub API.
+        """
+        query = """
+      query($owner: String!, $number: Int!) {
+        organization(login: $owner) {
+          projectV2(number: $number) {
+            id
+          }
+        }
+      }
+      """
+        variables = {"owner": self.gh_config.organization, "number": self.gh_config.project_number}
+        resp = self.run_graphql(query, variables)
+        return resp["data"]["organization"]["projectV2"]["id"]
+
+    def get_issue_info(self, issue_node_id: str):
+        """
+        Get the project-related information for a given issue node ID.
+
+        Args:
+            issue_node_id (str): The node ID of the issue. Please note that this is not the issue number and typically starts with "I".
+
+        Returns:
+            list[dict]: A list of project items associated with the issue.
+        """
+        query = """
+        query($issueId: ID!) {
+          node(id: $issueId) {
+            ... on Issue {
+              projectItems(first: 10) {
+                nodes {
+                  project {
+                    id
+                    title
+                  }
+                  id
+                  fieldValues(first: 20) {
+                    nodes {
+                      ... on ProjectV2ItemFieldSingleSelectValue {
+                        name
+                        field {
+                          ... on ProjectV2SingleSelectField {
+                            name
+                          }
+                        }
+                      }
+                    }
+                  }
+                }
+              }
+            }
+          }
+        }
+        """
+        variables = {"issueId": issue_node_id}
+        resp = self.run_graphql(query, variables)
+        return resp["data"]["node"]["projectItems"]["nodes"]
+
+    def get_status_field_id(
+        self,
+        field_name: Literal[
+            "Selected for Development",
+            "Weekly Backlog",
+            "In Development",
+            "Ready For Review",
+            "On Hold",
+            "Done",
+        ],
+    ) -> tuple[str, str]:
+        """
+        Get the status field ID and option ID for the given field name in the project.
+
+        Args:
+            field_name (str): The name of the field to retrieve.
+                Must be one of the predefined statuses.
+
+        Returns:
+            tuple[str, str]: A tuple containing the field ID and option ID.
+        """
+        field_id = None
+        option_id = None
+        project_fields = self.get_project_fields()
+        for field in project_fields:
+            if field["name"] != "Status":
+                continue
+            field_id = field["id"]
+            for option in field["options"]:
+                if option["name"] == field_name:
+                    option_id = option["id"]
+                    break
+        if not field_id or not option_id:
+            raise ValueError(f"Field '{field_name}' not found in project fields.")
+
+        return field_id, option_id
+
+    def set_field_option(self, item_id, field_id, option_id):
+        """
+        Set the option of a project item for a single-select field.
+
+        Args:
+            item_id (str): The ID of the project item to update.
+            field_id (str): The ID of the field to update.
+            option_id (str): The ID of the option to set.
+        """
+
+        mutation = """
+        mutation($projectId: ID!, $itemId: ID!, $fieldId: ID!, $optionId: String!) {
+          updateProjectV2ItemFieldValue(
+            input: {
+              projectId: $projectId
+              itemId: $itemId
+              fieldId: $fieldId
+              value: { singleSelectOptionId: $optionId }
+            }
+          ) {
+            projectV2Item {
+              id
+            }
+          }
+        }
+        """
+        variables = {
+            "projectId": self.project_node_id,
+            "itemId": item_id,
+            "fieldId": field_id,
+            "optionId": option_id,
+        }
+        return self.run_graphql(mutation, variables)
+
+    @functools.lru_cache(maxsize=1)
+    def get_project_fields(self) -> list[dict]:
+        """
+        Get the available fields in the project.
+        This method caches the result to avoid multiple API calls.
+
+        Returns:
+            list[dict]: A list of fields in the project.
+        """
+
+        query = """
+    query($projectId: ID!) {
+      node(id: $projectId) {
+        ... on ProjectV2 {
+          fields(first: 50) {
+            nodes {
+              ... on ProjectV2SingleSelectField {
+                id
+                name
+                options {
+                  id
+                  name
+                }
+              }
+            }
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    }
+    """
+        variables = {"projectId": self.project_node_id}
+        resp = self.run_graphql(query, variables)
+        return list(filter(bool, resp["data"]["node"]["fields"]["nodes"]))
+
+    def get_pull_request_linked_issues(self, pr_number: int) -> list[dict]:
+        """
+        Get the linked issues of a pull request.
+
+        Args:
+            pr_number (int): The pull request number.
+
+        Returns:
+            list[dict]: A list of linked issues.
+        """
+        query = """
+    query($number: Int!, $owner: String!, $repo: String!) {
+      repository(owner: $owner, name: $repo) {
+        pullRequest(number: $number) {
+          id
+          closingIssuesReferences(first: 50) {
+            edges {
+              node {
+                id
+                body
+                number
+                title
+              }
+            }
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    }
+    """
+        variables = {
+            "number": pr_number,
+            "owner": self.gh_config.organization,
+            "repo": self.gh_config.repository,
+        }
+        resp = self.run_graphql(query, variables)
+        edges = resp["data"]["repository"]["pullRequest"]["closingIssuesReferences"]["edges"]
+        return [edge["node"] for edge in edges if edge.get("node")]
+
+
+def main():
+    # GitHub settings
+    token = os.getenv("TOKEN")
+    org = os.getenv("ORG")
+    repo = os.getenv("REPO")
+    project_number = os.getenv("PROJECT_NUMBER")
+    pr_number = os.getenv("PR_NUMBER")
+
+    if not token:
+        raise ValueError("GitHub token is not set. Please set the TOKEN environment variable.")
+    if not org:
+        raise ValueError("GitHub organization is not set. Please set the ORG environment variable.")
+    if not repo:
+        raise ValueError("GitHub repository is not set. Please set the REPO environment variable.")
+    if not project_number:
+        raise ValueError(
+            "GitHub project number is not set. Please set the PROJECT_NUMBER environment variable."
+        )
+    if not pr_number:
+        raise ValueError(
+            "Pull request number is not set. Please set the PR_NUMBER environment variable."
+        )
+
+    project_number = int(project_number)
+    pr_number = int(pr_number)
+
+    gh_config = GHConfig(
+        token=token,
+        organization=org,
+        repository=repo,
+        project_number=project_number,
+        graphql_url="https://api.github.com/graphql",
+        rest_url=f"https://api.github.com/repos/{org}/{repo}/issues",
+        headers={"Authorization": f"Bearer {token}", "Accept": "application/vnd.github+json"},
+    )
+    project_item_handler = ProjectItemHandler(gh_config=gh_config)
+
+    # Get PR info
+    pr = project_item_handler.repo.get_pull(pr_number)
+
+    # Get the linked issues of the pull request
+    linked_issues = project_item_handler.get_pull_request_linked_issues(pr_number=pr_number)
+    print(f"Linked issues: {linked_issues}")
+
+    target_status = "In Development" if pr.draft else "Ready For Review"
+    print(f"Target status: {target_status}")
+    for issue in linked_issues:
+        project_item_handler.set_issue_status(issue_number=issue["number"], status=target_status)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()

.github/scripts/pr_issue_sync/requirements.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+pydantic
+pygithub

.github/workflows/check_pr.yml

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

.github/workflows/ci.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+name: Full CI
+on: 
+  push:
+  pull_request:
+  workflow_dispatch:
+    inputs:
+      BEC_WIDGETS_BRANCH:
+        description: 'Branch of BEC Widgets to install'
+        required: false
+        type: string
+      BEC_CORE_BRANCH:
+        description: 'Branch of BEC Core to install'
+        required: false
+        type: string
+      OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH:
+        description: 'Branch of Ophyd Devices to install'
+        required: false
+        type: string
+
+permissions:
+  pull-requests: write
+
+jobs:
+  check_pr_status:
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/check_pr.yml
+
+  formatter:
+    needs: check_pr_status
+    if: needs.check_pr_status.outputs.branch-pr == ''
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/formatter.yml
+
+  unit-test:
+    needs: [check_pr_status, formatter]
+    if: needs.check_pr_status.outputs.branch-pr == ''
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/pytest.yml
+    with:
+      BEC_WIDGETS_BRANCH: ${{ inputs.BEC_WIDGETS_BRANCH || github.head_ref }}
+      BEC_CORE_BRANCH: ${{ inputs.BEC_CORE_BRANCH || 'main' }}
+      OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH: ${{ inputs.OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH || 'main' }}
+    secrets:
+      CODECOV_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.CODECOV_TOKEN }}
+
+  unit-test-matrix:
+    needs: [check_pr_status, formatter]
+    if: needs.check_pr_status.outputs.branch-pr == ''
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/pytest-matrix.yml
+    with:
+      BEC_WIDGETS_BRANCH: ${{ inputs.BEC_WIDGETS_BRANCH || github.head_ref || github.sha}}
+      BEC_CORE_BRANCH: ${{ inputs.BEC_CORE_BRANCH || 'main' }}
+      OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH: ${{ inputs.OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH || 'main' }}
+
+  generate-cli-test:
+    needs: [check_pr_status, formatter]
+    if: needs.check_pr_status.outputs.branch-pr == ''
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/generate-cli-check.yml
+
+  end2end-test:
+    needs: [check_pr_status, formatter]
+    if: needs.check_pr_status.outputs.branch-pr == ''
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/end2end-conda.yml

.github/workflows/end2end-conda.yml

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

.github/workflows/formatter.yml

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

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

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

.github/workflows/pytest-matrix.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+name: Run Pytest with different Python versions
+on: 
+  workflow_call:
+    inputs:
+      pr_number:
+        description: 'Pull request number'
+        required: false
+        type: number
+      BEC_CORE_BRANCH:
+        description: 'Branch of BEC Core to install'
+        required: false
+        default: 'main'
+        type: string
+      OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH:
+        description: 'Branch of Ophyd Devices to install'
+        required: false
+        default: 'main'
+        type: string
+      BEC_WIDGETS_BRANCH:
+        description: 'Branch of BEC Widgets to install'
+        required: false
+        default: 'main'
+        type: string
+
+jobs:
+  pytest-matrix:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    strategy:
+      matrix:
+        python-version: ["3.10", "3.11", "3.12"]
+
+    env:
+      BEC_WIDGETS_BRANCH: main  # Set the branch you want for bec_widgets
+      BEC_CORE_BRANCH: main        # Set the branch you want for bec
+      OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH: main   # Set the branch you want for ophyd_devices
+      PROJECT_PATH: ${{ github.repository }}
+      QTWEBENGINE_DISABLE_SANDBOX: 1
+      QT_QPA_PLATFORM: "offscreen"
+
+    steps:
+
+      - name: Checkout BEC Widgets
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        with:
+          repository: bec-project/bec_widgets
+          ref: ${{ inputs.BEC_WIDGETS_BRANCH }}
+
+      - name: Install BEC Widgets and dependencies
+        uses: ./.github/actions/bw_install
+        with:
+          BEC_WIDGETS_BRANCH: ${{ inputs.BEC_WIDGETS_BRANCH }}
+          BEC_CORE_BRANCH: ${{ inputs.BEC_CORE_BRANCH }}
+          OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH: ${{ inputs.OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH }}
+          PYTHON_VERSION: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
+
+      - name: Run Pytest
+        run: |
+          pip install pytest pytest-random-order
+          pytest -v --maxfail=2 --junitxml=report.xml --random-order ./tests/unit_tests

.github/workflows/pytest.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+name: Run Pytest with Coverage
+on: 
+  workflow_call:
+    inputs:
+      pr_number:
+        description: 'Pull request number'
+        required: false
+        type: number
+      BEC_CORE_BRANCH:
+        description: 'Branch of BEC Core to install'
+        required: false
+        default: 'main'
+        type: string
+      OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH:
+        description: 'Branch of Ophyd Devices to install'
+        required: false
+        default: 'main'
+        type: string
+      BEC_WIDGETS_BRANCH:
+        description: 'Branch of BEC Widgets to install'
+        required: false
+        default: 'main'
+        type: string
+    secrets:
+      CODECOV_TOKEN:
+        required: true
+
+
+
+permissions:
+  pull-requests: write
+
+jobs:
+  pytest:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+
+    env:
+      QTWEBENGINE_DISABLE_SANDBOX: 1
+      QT_QPA_PLATFORM: "offscreen"
+
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout BEC Widgets
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        with:
+          repository: bec-project/bec_widgets
+          ref: ${{ inputs.BEC_WIDGETS_BRANCH }}
+
+      - name: Install BEC Widgets and dependencies
+        uses: ./.github/actions/bw_install
+        with:
+          BEC_WIDGETS_BRANCH: ${{ inputs.BEC_WIDGETS_BRANCH }}
+          BEC_CORE_BRANCH: ${{ inputs.BEC_CORE_BRANCH }}
+          OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH: ${{ inputs.OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH }}
+          PYTHON_VERSION: 3.11
+
+      - name: Run Pytest with Coverage
+        id: coverage
+        run: pytest --random-order --cov=bec_widgets --cov-config=pyproject.toml --cov-branch --cov-report=xml --no-cov-on-fail tests/unit_tests/
+
+      - name: Upload coverage to Codecov
+        uses: codecov/codecov-action@v5
+        with:
+          token: ${{ secrets.CODECOV_TOKEN }}
+          slug: bec-project/bec_widgets

.github/workflows/semantic_release.yml

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

.github/workflows/sync-issues-pr.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+name: Sync PR to Project
+
+on:
+  pull_request:
+    types: [opened, edited, ready_for_review, converted_to_draft, reopened, synchronize]
+
+jobs:
+  sync-project:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+
+    permissions:
+      issues: write
+      pull-requests: read
+      contents: read
+
+    env:
+        PROJECT_NUMBER: 3 # BEC Project
+        ORG: 'bec-project'
+        REPO: 'bec_widgets'
+        TOKEN: ${{ secrets.ADD_ISSUE_TO_PROJECT }}
+        PR_NUMBER: ${{ github.event.pull_request.number }}
+
+    steps:
+      - name: Set up python environment
+        uses: actions/setup-python@v4
+        with:
+          python-version: 3.11
+
+      - name: Checkout repo
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        with:
+          repository: ${{ github.repository }}
+          ref: ${{ github.event.pull_request.head.ref }}
+
+      - name: Install dependencies
+        run: |
+          pip install -r ./.github/scripts/pr_issue_sync/requirements.txt
+      - name: Sync PR to Project
+        run: |
+          python ./.github/scripts/pr_issue_sync/pr_issue_sync.py

.gitignore

@@ -64,6 +64,9 @@ coverage.xml
 .pytest_cache/
 cover/
 
+# Output from end2end testing
+tests/reference_failures/
+
 # Translations
 *.mo
 *.pot

.gitlab-ci.yml

@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ variables:
     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. 
+    description: Whether to run additional tests against min/max/random selection of dependencies. Set to 1 for running.
     value: 0
 
 workflow:
@@ -35,8 +35,7 @@ include:
       stage: test
       path: "."
       pytest_args: "-v,--random-order,tests/unit_tests"
-      ignore_dep_group: "pyqt6"
-      pip_args: ".[dev,pyside6]"
+      pip_args: ".[dev]"
 
 # different stages in the pipeline
 stages:
@@ -78,7 +77,7 @@ formatter:
   stage: Formatter
   needs: []
   script:
-    - pip install bec_lib[dev]
+    - 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:
@@ -89,7 +88,7 @@ pylint:
   needs: []
   before_script:
     - pip install pylint pylint-exit anybadge
-    - pip install -e .[dev,pyqt6]
+    - pip install -e .[dev]
   script:
     - mkdir ./pylint
     - pylint ./bec_widgets --output-format=text --output=./pylint/pylint.log | tee ./pylint/pylint.log || pylint-exit $?
@@ -163,6 +162,20 @@ tests:
       - tests/reference_failures/
     when: always
 
+generate-client-check:
+  stage: test
+  needs: []
+  variables:
+    QT_QPA_PLATFORM: "offscreen"
+  script:
+    - *clone-repos
+    - *install-os-packages
+    - *install-repos
+    - pip install -e .[dev,pyside6]
+    - bw-generate-cli --target bec_widgets
+    # if there are changes in the generated files, fail the job
+    - git diff --exit-code
+
 test-matrix:
   parallel:
     matrix:
@@ -190,14 +203,20 @@ test-matrix:
 end-2-end-conda:
   stage: End2End
   needs: []
-  image: continuumio/miniconda3
+  image: continuumio/miniconda3:25.1.1-2
   allow_failure: false
   variables:
     QT_QPA_PLATFORM: "offscreen"
   script:
     - *clone-repos
     - *install-os-packages
-    - conda config --prepend channels conda-forge
+    - conda config --show-sources
+    - conda config --add channels conda-forge
+    - conda config --system --remove channels https://repo.anaconda.com/pkgs/main
+    - conda config --system --remove channels https://repo.anaconda.com/pkgs/r
+    - conda config --remove channels https://repo.anaconda.com/pkgs/main
+    - conda config --remove channels https://repo.anaconda.com/pkgs/r
+    - conda config --show-sources
     - conda config --set channel_priority strict
     - conda config --set always_yes yes --set changeps1 no
     - conda create -q -n test-environment python=3.11
@@ -211,8 +230,7 @@ end-2-end-conda:
     - pip install -e ./ophyd_devices
 
     - pip install -e .[dev,pyside6]
-    - cd ./tests/end-2-end
-    - pytest -v --start-servers --flush-redis --random-order
+    - pytest -v --files-path ./ --start-servers --random-order  ./tests/end-2-end
 
   artifacts:
     when: on_failure
@@ -227,6 +245,7 @@ end-2-end-conda:
     - if: '$CI_PIPELINE_SOURCE == "parent_pipeline"'
     - if: '$CI_MERGE_REQUEST_TARGET_BRANCH_NAME == "main"'
     - if: '$CI_MERGE_REQUEST_TARGET_BRANCH_NAME == "production"'
+    - if: "$CI_MERGE_REQUEST_TARGET_BRANCH_NAME =~ /^pre_release.*$/"
 
 semver:
   stage: Deploy

.gitlab/issue_templates/bug_report_template.md

@@ -1,17 +0,0 @@
-## Bug report
-
-## Summary
-
-[Provide a brief description of the bug.]
-
-## Expected Behavior vs Actual Behavior
-
-[Describe what you expected to happen and what actually happened.]
-
-## Steps to Reproduce
-
-[Outline the steps that lead to the bug's occurrence. Be specific and provide a clear sequence of actions.]
-
-## Related Issues
-
-[Paste links to any related issues or feature requests.]

.readthedocs.yaml

@@ -7,13 +7,13 @@ version: 2
 
 # Set the version of Python and other tools you might need
 build:
-  os: ubuntu-20.04
+  os: ubuntu-22.04
   tools:
-    python: "3.10"
+    python: "3.11"
 
 # Build documentation in the docs/ directory with Sphinx
 sphinx:
-   configuration: docs/conf.py
+  configuration: docs/conf.py
 
 # If using Sphinx, optionally build your docs in additional formats such as PDF
 # formats:
@@ -21,5 +21,7 @@ sphinx:
 
 # Optionally declare the Python requirements required to build your docs
 python:
-   install:
-   - requirements: docs/requirements.txt
+  install:
+    - requirements: docs/requirements.txt
+    - method: pip
+      path: .[dev]

LICENSE

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

README.md

@@ -1,5 +1,16 @@
 # BEC Widgets
 
+
+[![CI](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/actions/workflows/ci.yml/badge.svg)](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/actions/workflows/ci.yml)
+[![badge](https://img.shields.io/pypi/v/bec-widgets)](https://pypi.org/project/bec-widgets/)
+[![License](https://img.shields.io/github/license/bec-project/bec_widgets)](./LICENSE)
+[![Code style: black](https://img.shields.io/badge/code%20style-black-000000.svg)](https://github.com/psf/black)
+[![Python](https://img.shields.io/badge/python-3.10%20%7C%203.11%20%7C%203.12-blue?logo=python&logoColor=white)](https://www.python.org)
+[![PySide6](https://img.shields.io/badge/PySide6-blue?logo=qt&logoColor=white)](https://doc.qt.io/qtforpython/)
+[![Conventional Commits](https://img.shields.io/badge/conventional%20commits-1.0.0-yellow?logo=conventionalcommits&logoColor=white)](https://conventionalcommits.org)
+[![codecov](https://codecov.io/gh/bec-project/bec_widgets/graph/badge.svg?token=0Z9IQRJKMY)](https://codecov.io/gh/bec-project/bec_widgets)
+
+
 **⚠️ Important Notice:**
 
 🚨 **PyQt6 is no longer supported** due to incompatibilities with Qt Designer. Please use **PySide6** instead. 🚨

bec_widgets/__init__.py

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

bec_widgets/applications/alignment/alignment_1d/alignment_1d.py

@@ -1,198 +0,0 @@
-""" This module contains the GUI for the 1D alignment application.
-It is a preliminary version of the GUI, which will be added to the main branch and steadily updated to be improved.
-"""
-
-import os
-from typing import Optional
-
-from bec_lib.device import Signal as BECSignal
-from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
-from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
-from qtpy.QtCore import QSize
-from qtpy.QtGui import QIcon
-from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
-
-import bec_widgets
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot as Slot
-from bec_widgets.utils import UILoader
-from bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher import BECDispatcher
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import get_accent_colors
-from bec_widgets.widgets.control.buttons.stop_button.stop_button import StopButton
-from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_group.positioner_group import (
-    PositionerGroup,
-)
-from bec_widgets.widgets.dap.lmfit_dialog.lmfit_dialog import LMFitDialog
-from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.waveform_widget import BECWaveformWidget
-from bec_widgets.widgets.progress.bec_progressbar.bec_progressbar import BECProgressBar
-
-MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
-logger = bec_logger.logger
-
-
-class Alignment1D:
-    """Alignment GUI to perform 1D scans"""
-
-    def __init__(self, client=None, gui_id: Optional[str] = None) -> None:
-        """Initialization
-
-        Args:
-            config: Configuration of the application.
-            client: BEC client object.
-            gui_id: GUI ID.
-        """
-        self.bec_dispatcher = BECDispatcher(client=client)
-        self.client = self.bec_dispatcher.client if client is None else client
-        QApplication.instance().aboutToQuit.connect(self.close)
-        self.dev = self.client.device_manager.devices
-
-        self._accent_colors = get_accent_colors()
-        self.ui_file = "alignment_1d.ui"
-        self.ui = None
-        self.progress_bar = None
-        self.waveform = None
-        self.init_ui()
-
-    def init_ui(self):
-        """Initialise the UI from QT Designer file"""
-        current_path = os.path.dirname(__file__)
-        self.ui = UILoader(None).loader(os.path.join(current_path, self.ui_file))
-        # Customize the plotting widget
-        self.waveform = self.ui.findChild(BECWaveformWidget, "bec_waveform_widget")
-        self._customise_bec_waveform_widget()
-        # Setup comboboxes for motor and signal selection
-        # FIXME after changing the filtering in the combobox
-        self._setup_signal_combobox()
-        # Setup motor indicator
-        self._setup_motor_indicator()
-        # Setup progress bar
-        self._setup_progress_bar()
-        # Add actions buttons
-        self._customise_buttons()
-        # Hook scaninfo updates
-        self.bec_dispatcher.connect_slot(self.scan_status_callback, MessageEndpoints.scan_status())
-
-    def show(self):
-        return self.ui.show()
-
-    ##############################
-    ############ SLOTS ###########
-    ##############################
-
-    @Slot(dict, dict)
-    def scan_status_callback(self, content: dict, _) -> None:
-        """This slot allows to enable/disable the UI critical components when a scan is running"""
-        if content["status"] in ["open"]:
-            self.enable_ui(False)
-        elif content["status"] in ["aborted", "halted", "closed"]:
-            self.enable_ui(True)
-
-    @Slot(tuple)
-    def move_to_center(self, move_request: tuple) -> None:
-        """Move the selected motor to the center"""
-        motor = self.ui.device_combobox.currentText()
-        if move_request[0] in ["center", "center1", "center2"]:
-            pos = move_request[1]
-        self.dev.get(motor).move(float(pos), relative=False)
-
-    @Slot()
-    def reset_progress_bar(self) -> None:
-        """Reset the progress bar"""
-        self.progress_bar.set_value(0)
-        self.progress_bar.set_minimum(0)
-
-    @Slot(dict, dict)
-    def update_progress_bar(self, content: dict, _) -> None:
-        """Hook to update the progress bar
-
-        Args:
-            content: Content of the scan progress message.
-            metadata: Metadata of the message.
-        """
-        if content["max_value"] == 0:
-            self.progress_bar.set_value(0)
-            return
-        self.progress_bar.set_maximum(content["max_value"])
-        self.progress_bar.set_value(content["value"])
-
-    @Slot()
-    def clear_queue(self) -> None:
-        """Clear the scan queue"""
-        self.queue.request_queue_reset()
-
-    ##############################
-    ######## END OF SLOTS ########
-    ##############################
-
-    def enable_ui(self, enable: bool) -> None:
-        """Enable or disable the UI components"""
-        # Enable/disable motor and signal selection
-        self.ui.device_combobox_2.setEnabled(enable)
-        # Enable/disable DAP selection
-        self.ui.dap_combo_box.setEnabled(enable)
-        # Enable/disable Scan Button
-        # self.ui.scan_button.setEnabled(enable)
-        # Disable move to buttons in LMFitDialog
-        self.ui.findChild(LMFitDialog).set_actions_enabled(enable)
-
-    def _customise_buttons(self) -> None:
-        """Add action buttons for the Action Control.
-        In addition, we are adding a callback to also clear the queue to the stop button
-        to ensure that upon clicking the button, no scans from another client may be queued
-        which would be confusing without the queue widget.
-        """
-        fit_dialog = self.ui.findChild(LMFitDialog)
-        fit_dialog.active_action_list = ["center", "center1", "center2"]
-        fit_dialog.move_action.connect(self.move_to_center)
-        stop_button = self.ui.findChild(StopButton)
-        stop_button.button.setText("Stop and Clear Queue")
-        stop_button.button.clicked.connect(self.clear_queue)
-
-    def _customise_bec_waveform_widget(self) -> None:
-        """Customise the BEC Waveform Widget, i.e. clear the toolbar"""
-        self.waveform.toolbar.clear()
-
-    def _setup_motor_indicator(self) -> None:
-        """Setup the arrow item"""
-        self.waveform.waveform.tick_item.add_to_plot()
-        positioner_box = self.ui.findChild(PositionerGroup)
-        positioner_box.position_update.connect(self.waveform.waveform.tick_item.set_position)
-        self.waveform.waveform.tick_item.set_position(0)
-
-    def _setup_signal_combobox(self) -> None:
-        """Setup signal selection"""
-        # FIXME after changing the filtering in the combobox
-        signals = [name for name in self.dev if isinstance(self.dev.get(name), BECSignal)]
-        self.ui.device_combobox_2.setCurrentText(signals[0])
-        self.ui.device_combobox_2.set_device_filter("Signal")
-
-    def _setup_progress_bar(self) -> None:
-        """Setup progress bar"""
-        # FIXME once the BECScanProgressBar is implemented
-        self.progress_bar = self.ui.findChild(BECProgressBar, "bec_progress_bar")
-        self.progress_bar.set_value(0)
-        self.ui.bec_waveform_widget.new_scan.connect(self.reset_progress_bar)
-        self.bec_dispatcher.connect_slot(self.update_progress_bar, MessageEndpoints.scan_progress())
-
-    def close(self):
-        logger.info("Disconnecting", repr(self.bec_dispatcher))
-        self.bec_dispatcher.disconnect_all()
-        logger.info("Shutting down BEC Client", repr(self.client))
-        self.client.shutdown()
-
-
-def main():
-    import sys
-
-    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    icon = QIcon()
-    icon.addFile(
-        os.path.join(MODULE_PATH, "assets", "app_icons", "alignment_1d.png"), size=QSize(48, 48)
-    )
-    app.setWindowIcon(icon)
-    window = Alignment1D()
-    window.show()
-    sys.exit(app.exec_())
-
-
-if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
-    main()

bec_widgets/applications/alignment/alignment_1d/alignment_1d.ui

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

bec_widgets/applications/bec_app.py

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

bec_widgets/applications/bw_launch.py

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

bec_widgets/applications/launch_window.py

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

bec_widgets/cli/__init__.py

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

bec_widgets/cli/auto_updates.py

@@ -1,168 +0,0 @@
-from __future__ import annotations
-
-import threading
-from queue import Queue
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
-
-from pydantic import BaseModel
-
-if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from .client import BECDockArea, BECFigure
-
-
-class ScanInfo(BaseModel):
-    scan_id: str
-    scan_number: int
-    scan_name: str
-    scan_report_devices: list
-    monitored_devices: list
-    status: str
-    model_config: dict = {"validate_assignment": True}
-
-
-class AutoUpdates:
-    create_default_dock: bool = False
-    enabled: bool = False
-    dock_name: str = None
-
-    def __init__(self, gui: BECDockArea):
-        self.gui = gui
-        self._default_dock = None
-        self._default_fig = None
-
-    def start_default_dock(self):
-        """
-        Create a default dock for the auto updates.
-        """
-        self.dock_name = "default_figure"
-        self._default_dock = self.gui.add_dock(self.dock_name)
-        self._default_dock.add_widget("BECFigure")
-        self._default_fig = self._default_dock.widget_list[0]
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def get_scan_info(msg) -> ScanInfo:
-        """
-        Update the script with the given data.
-        """
-        info = msg.info
-        status = msg.status
-        scan_id = msg.scan_id
-        scan_number = info.get("scan_number", 0)
-        scan_name = info.get("scan_name", "Unknown")
-        scan_report_devices = info.get("scan_report_devices", [])
-        monitored_devices = info.get("readout_priority", {}).get("monitored", [])
-        monitored_devices = [dev for dev in monitored_devices if dev not in scan_report_devices]
-        return ScanInfo(
-            scan_id=scan_id,
-            scan_number=scan_number,
-            scan_name=scan_name,
-            scan_report_devices=scan_report_devices,
-            monitored_devices=monitored_devices,
-            status=status,
-        )
-
-    def get_default_figure(self) -> BECFigure | None:
-        """
-        Get the default figure from the GUI.
-        """
-        return self._default_fig
-
-    def do_update(self, msg):
-        """
-        Run the update function if enabled.
-        """
-        if not self.enabled:
-            return
-        if msg.status != "open":
-            return
-        info = self.get_scan_info(msg)
-        return self.handler(info)
-
-    def get_selected_device(self, monitored_devices, selected_device):
-        """
-        Get the selected device for the plot. If no device is selected, the first
-        device in the monitored devices list is selected.
-        """
-        if selected_device:
-            return selected_device
-        if len(monitored_devices) > 0:
-            sel_device = monitored_devices[0]
-            return sel_device
-        return None
-
-    def handler(self, info: ScanInfo) -> None:
-        """
-        Default update function.
-        """
-        if info.scan_name == "line_scan" and info.scan_report_devices:
-            return self.simple_line_scan(info)
-        if info.scan_name == "grid_scan" and info.scan_report_devices:
-            return self.simple_grid_scan(info)
-        if info.scan_report_devices:
-            return self.best_effort(info)
-
-    def simple_line_scan(self, info: ScanInfo) -> None:
-        """
-        Simple line scan.
-        """
-        fig = self.get_default_figure()
-        if not fig:
-            return
-        dev_x = info.scan_report_devices[0]
-        selected_device = yield self.gui.selected_device
-        dev_y = self.get_selected_device(info.monitored_devices, selected_device)
-        if not dev_y:
-            return
-        yield fig.clear_all()
-        yield fig.plot(
-            x_name=dev_x,
-            y_name=dev_y,
-            label=f"Scan {info.scan_number} - {dev_y}",
-            title=f"Scan {info.scan_number}",
-            x_label=dev_x,
-            y_label=dev_y,
-        )
-
-    def simple_grid_scan(self, info: ScanInfo) -> None:
-        """
-        Simple grid scan.
-        """
-        fig = self.get_default_figure()
-        if not fig:
-            return
-        dev_x = info.scan_report_devices[0]
-        dev_y = info.scan_report_devices[1]
-        selected_device = yield self.gui.selected_device
-        dev_z = self.get_selected_device(info.monitored_devices, selected_device)
-        yield fig.clear_all()
-        yield fig.plot(
-            x_name=dev_x,
-            y_name=dev_y,
-            z_name=dev_z,
-            label=f"Scan {info.scan_number} - {dev_z}",
-            title=f"Scan {info.scan_number}",
-            x_label=dev_x,
-            y_label=dev_y,
-        )
-
-    def best_effort(self, info: ScanInfo) -> None:
-        """
-        Best effort scan.
-        """
-        fig = self.get_default_figure()
-        if not fig:
-            return
-        dev_x = info.scan_report_devices[0]
-        selected_device = yield self.gui.selected_device
-        dev_y = self.get_selected_device(info.monitored_devices, selected_device)
-        if not dev_y:
-            return
-        yield fig.clear_all()
-        yield fig.plot(
-            x_name=dev_x,
-            y_name=dev_y,
-            label=f"Scan {info.scan_number} - {dev_y}",
-            title=f"Scan {info.scan_number}",
-            x_label=dev_x,
-            y_label=dev_y,
-        )

bec_widgets/cli/client_utils.py

@@ -1,38 +1,43 @@
+"""Client utilities for the BEC GUI."""
+
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-import importlib
-import importlib.metadata as imd
 import json
 import os
 import select
 import subprocess
 import threading
+import time
 from contextlib import contextmanager
-from dataclasses import dataclass
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
+from threading import Lock
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Literal, TypeAlias, cast
 
 from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
-from bec_lib.utils.import_utils import isinstance_based_on_class_name, lazy_import, lazy_import_from
+from bec_lib.utils.import_utils import lazy_import_from
+from rich.console import Console
+from rich.table import Table
 
 import bec_widgets.cli.client as client
-from bec_widgets.cli.auto_updates import AutoUpdates
-from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_base import RPCBase
+from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_base import RPCBase, RPCReference
+from bec_widgets.utils.serialization import register_serializer_extension
 
-if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from bec_lib import messages
-    from bec_lib.connector import MessageObject
-    from bec_lib.device import DeviceBase
-
-    from bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher import BECDispatcher
+if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
+    from bec_lib.messages import GUIRegistryStateMessage
 else:
-    messages = lazy_import("bec_lib.messages")
-    # from bec_lib.connector import MessageObject
-    MessageObject = lazy_import_from("bec_lib.connector", ("MessageObject",))
-    BECDispatcher = lazy_import_from("bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher", ("BECDispatcher",))
+    GUIRegistryStateMessage = lazy_import_from("bec_lib.messages", "GUIRegistryStateMessage")
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
+IGNORE_WIDGETS = ["LaunchWindow"]
+
+RegistryState: TypeAlias = dict[
+    Literal["gui_id", "name", "widget_class", "config", "__rpc__", "container_proxy"],
+    str | bool | dict,
+]
+
+# pylint: disable=redefined-outer-scope
+
 
 def _filter_output(output: str) -> str:
     """
@@ -67,7 +72,13 @@ def _get_output(process, logger) -> None:
         logger.error(f"Error reading process output: {str(e)}")
 
 
-def _start_plot_process(gui_id: str, gui_class: type, config: dict | str, logger=None) -> None:
+def _start_plot_process(
+    gui_id: str,
+    gui_class_id: str,
+    config: dict | str,
+    gui_class: str = "dock_area",
+    logger=None,  # FIXME change gui_class back to "launcher" later
+) -> tuple[subprocess.Popen[str], threading.Thread | None]:
     """
     Start the plot in a new process.
 
@@ -76,7 +87,16 @@ def _start_plot_process(gui_id: str, gui_class: type, config: dict | str, logger
     process will not be captured.
     """
     # pylint: disable=subprocess-run-check
-    command = ["bec-gui-server", "--id", gui_id, "--gui_class", gui_class.__name__, "--hide"]
+    command = [
+        "bec-gui-server",
+        "--id",
+        gui_id,
+        "--gui_class",
+        gui_class,
+        "--gui_class_id",
+        gui_class_id,
+        "--hide",
+    ]
     if config:
         if isinstance(config, dict):
             config = json.dumps(config)
@@ -111,16 +131,20 @@ def _start_plot_process(gui_id: str, gui_class: type, config: dict | str, logger
 
 
 class RepeatTimer(threading.Timer):
+    """RepeatTimer class."""
+
     def run(self):
         while not self.finished.wait(self.interval):
             self.function(*self.args, **self.kwargs)
 
 
+# pylint: disable=protected-access
 @contextmanager
-def wait_for_server(client):
+def wait_for_server(client: BECGuiClient):
+    """Context manager to wait for the server to start."""
     timeout = client._startup_timeout
     if not timeout:
-        if client.gui_is_alive():
+        if client._gui_is_alive():
             # there is hope, let's wait a bit
             timeout = 1
         else:
@@ -138,210 +162,167 @@ def wait_for_server(client):
     yield
 
 
-### ----------------------------
-### NOTE
-### it is far easier to extend the 'delete' method on the client side,
-### to know when the client is deleted, rather than listening to server
-### to get notified. However, 'generate_cli.py' cannot add extra stuff
-### in the generated client module. So, here a class with the same name
-### is created, and client module is patched.
-class BECDockArea(client.BECDockArea):
-    def delete(self):
-        if self is BECGuiClient._top_level["main"].widget:
-            raise RuntimeError("Cannot delete main window")
-        super().delete()
-        try:
-            del BECGuiClient._top_level[self._gui_id]
-        except KeyError:
-            # if a dock area is not at top level
-            pass
+class WidgetNameSpace:
+    def __repr__(self):
+        console = Console()
+        table = Table(title="Available widgets for BEC CLI usage")
+        table.add_column("Widget Name", justify="left", style="magenta")
+        table.add_column("Description", justify="left")
+        for attr, value in self.__dict__.items():
+            docs = value.__doc__
+            docs = docs if docs else "No description available"
+            table.add_row(attr, docs)
+        console.print(table)
+        return ""
 
 
-client.BECDockArea = BECDockArea
-### ----------------------------
+class AvailableWidgetsNamespace:
+    """Namespace for available widgets in the BEC GUI."""
 
+    def __init__(self):
+        for widget in client.Widgets:
+            name = widget.value
+            if name in IGNORE_WIDGETS:
+                continue
+            setattr(self, name, name)
 
-@dataclass
-class WidgetDesc:
-    title: str
-    widget: BECDockArea
+    def __repr__(self):
+        console = Console()
+        table = Table(title="Available widgets for BEC CLI usage")
+        table.add_column("Widget Name", justify="left", style="magenta")
+        table.add_column("Description", justify="left")
+        for attr_name, _ in self.__dict__.items():
+            docs = getattr(client, attr_name).__doc__
+            docs = docs if docs else "No description available"
+            table.add_row(attr_name, docs if len(docs.strip()) > 0 else "No description available")
+        console.print(table)
+        return ""
 
 
 class BECGuiClient(RPCBase):
-    _top_level = {}
+    """BEC GUI client class. Container for GUI applications within Python."""
 
     def __init__(self, **kwargs) -> None:
         super().__init__(**kwargs)
-        self._auto_updates_enabled = True
-        self._auto_updates = None
+        self._lock = Lock()
+        self._anchor_widget = "launcher"
+        self._killed = False
+        self._top_level: dict[str, RPCReference] = {}
         self._startup_timeout = 0
         self._gui_started_timer = None
         self._gui_started_event = threading.Event()
         self._process = None
         self._process_output_processing_thread = None
+        self._server_registry: dict[str, RegistryState] = {}
+        self._ipython_registry: dict[str, RPCReference] = {}
+        self.available_widgets = AvailableWidgetsNamespace()
+        register_serializer_extension()
+
+    ####################
+    #### Client API ####
+    ####################
 
     @property
-    def windows(self):
-        return self._top_level
+    def launcher(self) -> RPCBase:
+        """The launcher object."""
+        return RPCBase(gui_id=f"{self._gui_id}:launcher", parent=self, object_name="launcher")
 
-    @property
-    def auto_updates(self):
-        if self._auto_updates_enabled:
-            with wait_for_server(self):
-                return self._auto_updates
-
-    def _get_update_script(self) -> AutoUpdates | None:
-        eps = imd.entry_points(group="bec.widgets.auto_updates")
-        for ep in eps:
-            if ep.name == "plugin_widgets_update":
-                try:
-                    spec = importlib.util.find_spec(ep.module)
-                    # if the module is not found, we skip it
-                    if spec is None:
-                        continue
-                    return ep.load()(gui=self._top_level["main"].widget)
-                except Exception as e:
-                    logger.error(f"Error loading auto update script from plugin: {str(e)}")
-        return None
-
-    @property
-    def selected_device(self):
-        """
-        Selected device for the plot.
-        """
-        auto_update_config_ep = MessageEndpoints.gui_auto_update_config(self._gui_id)
-        auto_update_config = self._client.connector.get(auto_update_config_ep)
-        if auto_update_config:
-            return auto_update_config.selected_device
-        return None
-
-    @selected_device.setter
-    def selected_device(self, device: str | DeviceBase):
-        if isinstance_based_on_class_name(device, "bec_lib.device.DeviceBase"):
-            self._client.connector.set_and_publish(
-                MessageEndpoints.gui_auto_update_config(self._gui_id),
-                messages.GUIAutoUpdateConfigMessage(selected_device=device.name),
-            )
-        elif isinstance(device, str):
-            self._client.connector.set_and_publish(
-                MessageEndpoints.gui_auto_update_config(self._gui_id),
-                messages.GUIAutoUpdateConfigMessage(selected_device=device),
-            )
-        else:
-            raise ValueError("Device must be a string or a device object")
-
-    def _start_update_script(self) -> None:
-        self._client.connector.register(MessageEndpoints.scan_status(), cb=self._handle_msg_update)
-
-    def _handle_msg_update(self, msg: MessageObject) -> None:
-        if self.auto_updates is not None:
-            # pylint: disable=protected-access
-            return self._update_script_msg_parser(msg.value)
-
-    def _update_script_msg_parser(self, msg: messages.BECMessage) -> None:
-        if isinstance(msg, messages.ScanStatusMessage):
-            if not self.gui_is_alive():
-                return
-            if self._auto_updates_enabled:
-                return self.auto_updates.do_update(msg)
-
-    def _gui_post_startup(self):
-        self._top_level["main"] = WidgetDesc(
-            title="BEC Widgets", widget=BECDockArea(gui_id=self._gui_id)
+    def connect_to_gui_server(self, gui_id: str) -> None:
+        """Connect to a GUI server"""
+        # Unregister the old callback
+        self._client.connector.unregister(
+            MessageEndpoints.gui_registry_state(self._gui_id), cb=self._handle_registry_update
         )
-        if self._auto_updates_enabled:
-            if self._auto_updates is None:
-                auto_updates = self._get_update_script()
-                if auto_updates is None:
-                    AutoUpdates.create_default_dock = True
-                    AutoUpdates.enabled = True
-                    auto_updates = AutoUpdates(self._top_level["main"].widget)
-                if auto_updates.create_default_dock:
-                    auto_updates.start_default_dock()
-                self._start_update_script()
-                self._auto_updates = auto_updates
-        self._do_show_all()
-        self._gui_started_event.set()
+        self._gui_id = gui_id
 
-    def start_server(self, wait=False) -> None:
-        """
-        Start the GUI server, and execute callback when it is launched
-        """
-        if self._process is None or self._process.poll() is not None:
-            logger.success("GUI starting...")
-            self._startup_timeout = 5
-            self._gui_started_event.clear()
-            self._process, self._process_output_processing_thread = _start_plot_process(
-                self._gui_id, self.__class__, self._client._service_config.config, logger=logger
-            )
+        # reset the namespace
+        self._update_dynamic_namespace({})
+        self._server_registry = {}
+        self._top_level = {}
+        self._ipython_registry = {}
 
-            def gui_started_callback(callback):
-                try:
-                    if callable(callback):
-                        callback()
-                finally:
-                    threading.current_thread().cancel()
+        # Register the new callback
+        self._client.connector.register(
+            MessageEndpoints.gui_registry_state(self._gui_id),
+            cb=self._handle_registry_update,
+            parent=self,
+            from_start=True,
+        )
 
-            self._gui_started_timer = RepeatTimer(
-                0.5, lambda: self.gui_is_alive() and gui_started_callback(self._gui_post_startup)
-            )
-            self._gui_started_timer.start()
+    @property
+    def windows(self) -> dict:
+        """Dictionary with dock areas in the GUI."""
+        return {widget.object_name: widget for widget in self._top_level.values()}
 
-        if wait:
-            self._gui_started_event.wait()
+    @property
+    def window_list(self) -> list:
+        """List with dock areas in the GUI."""
+        return list(self._top_level.values())
 
-    def _dump(self):
-        rpc_client = RPCBase(gui_id=f"{self._gui_id}:window", parent=self)
-        return rpc_client._run_rpc("_dump")
-
-    def start(self):
-        return self.start_server()
-
-    def _do_show_all(self):
-        rpc_client = RPCBase(gui_id=f"{self._gui_id}:window", parent=self)
-        rpc_client._run_rpc("show")
-        for window in self._top_level.values():
-            window.widget.show()
-
-    def show_all(self):
-        with wait_for_server(self):
-            return self._do_show_all()
-
-    def hide_all(self):
-        with wait_for_server(self):
-            rpc_client = RPCBase(gui_id=f"{self._gui_id}:window", parent=self)
-            rpc_client._run_rpc("hide")
-            for window in self._top_level.values():
-                window.widget.hide()
+    def start(self, wait: bool = False) -> None:
+        """Start the GUI server."""
+        return self._start(wait=wait)
 
     def show(self):
-        if self._process is not None:
-            return self.show_all()
-        # backward compatibility: show() was also starting server
-        return self.start_server(wait=True)
+        """Show the GUI window."""
+        if self._check_if_server_is_alive():
+            return self._show_all()
+        return self.start(wait=True)
 
     def hide(self):
-        return self.hide_all()
+        """Hide the GUI window."""
+        return self._hide_all()
 
-    @property
-    def main(self):
-        """Return client to main dock area (in main window)"""
-        with wait_for_server(self):
-            return self._top_level["main"].widget
+    def new(
+        self,
+        name: str | None = None,
+        wait: bool = True,
+        geometry: tuple[int, int, int, int] | None = None,
+        launch_script: str = "dock_area",
+        **kwargs,
+    ) -> client.BECDockArea:
+        """Create a new top-level dock area.
 
-    def new(self, title):
-        """Ask main window to create a new top-level dock area"""
-        with wait_for_server(self):
-            rpc_client = RPCBase(gui_id=f"{self._gui_id}:window", parent=self)
-            widget = rpc_client._run_rpc("new_dock_area", title)
-            self._top_level[widget._gui_id] = WidgetDesc(title=title, widget=widget)
-            return widget
-
-    def close(self) -> None:
+        Args:
+            name(str, optional): The name of the dock area. Defaults to None.
+            wait(bool, optional): Whether to wait for the server to start. Defaults to True.
+            geometry(tuple[int, int, int, int] | None): The geometry of the dock area (pos_x, pos_y, w, h)
+        Returns:
+            client.BECDockArea: The new dock area.
         """
-        Close the gui window.
+        if not self._check_if_server_is_alive():
+            self.start(wait=True)
+        if wait:
+            with wait_for_server(self):
+                widget = self.launcher._run_rpc(
+                    "launch", launch_script=launch_script, name=name, geometry=geometry, **kwargs
+                )  # pylint: disable=protected-access
+                return widget
+        widget = self.launcher._run_rpc(
+            "launch", launch_script=launch_script, name=name, geometry=geometry, **kwargs
+        )  # pylint: disable=protected-access
+        return widget
+
+    def delete(self, name: str) -> None:
+        """Delete a dock area.
+
+        Args:
+            name(str): The name of the dock area.
         """
-        self._top_level.clear()
+        widget = self.windows.get(name)
+        if widget is None:
+            raise ValueError(f"Dock area {name} not found.")
+        widget._run_rpc("close")  # pylint: disable=protected-access
+
+    def delete_all(self) -> None:
+        """Delete all dock areas."""
+        for widget_name in self.windows:
+            self.delete(widget_name)
+
+    def kill_server(self) -> None:
+        """Kill the GUI server."""
+        # Unregister the registry state
+        self._killed = True
 
         if self._gui_started_timer is not None:
             self._gui_started_timer.cancel()
@@ -357,3 +338,194 @@ class BECGuiClient(RPCBase):
                 self._process_output_processing_thread.join()
             self._process.wait()
             self._process = None
+
+        # Unregister the registry state
+        self._client.connector.unregister(
+            MessageEndpoints.gui_registry_state(self._gui_id), cb=self._handle_registry_update
+        )
+        # Remove all reference from top level
+        self._top_level.clear()
+        self._server_registry.clear()
+
+    def close(self):
+        """Deprecated. Use kill_server() instead."""
+        # FIXME, deprecated in favor of kill, will be removed in the future
+        self.kill_server()
+
+    #########################
+    #### Private methods ####
+    #########################
+
+    def _check_if_server_is_alive(self):
+        """Checks if the process is alive"""
+        if self._process is None:
+            return False
+        if self._process.poll() is not None:
+            return False
+        return True
+
+    def _gui_post_startup(self):
+        timeout = 60
+        # Wait for 'bec' gui to be registered, this may take some time
+        # After 60s timeout. Should this raise an exception on timeout?
+        while time.time() < time.time() + timeout:
+            if len(list(self._server_registry.keys())) < 2 or not hasattr(
+                self, self._anchor_widget
+            ):
+                time.sleep(0.1)
+            else:
+                break
+
+        self._gui_started_event.set()
+
+    def _start_server(self, wait: bool = False) -> None:
+        """
+        Start the GUI server, and execute callback when it is launched
+        """
+        if self._process is None or self._process.poll() is not None:
+            logger.success("GUI starting...")
+            self._startup_timeout = 5
+            self._gui_started_event.clear()
+            self._process, self._process_output_processing_thread = _start_plot_process(
+                self._gui_id,
+                gui_class_id="bec",
+                config=self._client._service_config.config,  # pylint: disable=protected-access
+                logger=logger,
+            )
+
+            def gui_started_callback(callback):
+                try:
+                    if callable(callback):
+                        callback()
+                finally:
+                    threading.current_thread().cancel()  # type: ignore
+
+            self._gui_started_timer = RepeatTimer(
+                0.5, lambda: self._gui_is_alive() and gui_started_callback(self._gui_post_startup)
+            )
+            self._gui_started_timer.start()
+
+        if wait:
+            self._gui_started_event.wait()
+
+    def _start(self, wait: bool = False) -> None:
+        self._killed = False
+        self._client.connector.register(
+            MessageEndpoints.gui_registry_state(self._gui_id),
+            cb=self._handle_registry_update,
+            parent=self,
+        )
+        return self._start_server(wait=wait)
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _handle_registry_update(
+        msg: dict[str, GUIRegistryStateMessage], parent: BECGuiClient
+    ) -> None:
+        # This was causing a deadlock during shutdown, not sure why.
+        # with self._lock:
+        self = parent
+        self._server_registry = cast(dict[str, RegistryState], msg["data"].state)
+        self._update_dynamic_namespace(self._server_registry)
+
+    def _do_show_all(self):
+        rpc_client = RPCBase(gui_id=f"{self._gui_id}:launcher", parent=self)
+        rpc_client._run_rpc("show")  # pylint: disable=protected-access
+        for window in self._top_level.values():
+            window.show()
+
+    def _show_all(self):
+        with wait_for_server(self):
+            return self._do_show_all()
+
+    def _hide_all(self):
+        with wait_for_server(self):
+            rpc_client = RPCBase(gui_id=f"{self._gui_id}: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):
+        """
+        Update the dynamic name space with the given server registry.
+        Setting the server registry to an empty dictionary will remove all widgets from the namespace.
+
+        Args:
+            server_registry (dict): The server registry
+        """
+        top_level_widgets: dict[str, RPCReference] = {}
+        for gui_id, state in server_registry.items():
+            widget = self._add_widget(state, self)
+            if widget is None:
+                # ignore widgets that are not supported
+                continue
+            # get all top-level widgets. These are widgets that have no parent
+            if not state["config"].get("parent_id"):
+                top_level_widgets[gui_id] = widget
+
+        remove_from_registry = []
+        for gui_id, widget in self._ipython_registry.items():
+            if gui_id not in server_registry:
+                remove_from_registry.append(gui_id)
+        for gui_id in remove_from_registry:
+            self._ipython_registry.pop(gui_id)
+
+        removed_widgets = [
+            widget.object_name for widget in self._top_level.values() if widget._is_deleted()
+        ]
+
+        for widget_name in removed_widgets:
+            # the check is not strictly necessary, but better safe
+            # than sorry; who knows what the user has done
+            if hasattr(self, widget_name):
+                delattr(self, widget_name)
+
+        for gui_id, widget_ref in top_level_widgets.items():
+            setattr(self, widget_ref.object_name, widget_ref)
+
+        self._top_level = top_level_widgets
+
+        for widget in self._ipython_registry.values():
+            widget._refresh_references()
+
+    def _add_widget(self, state: dict, parent: object) -> RPCReference | None:
+        """Add a widget to the namespace
+
+        Args:
+            state (dict): The state of the widget from the _server_registry.
+            parent (object): The parent object.
+        """
+        object_name = state["object_name"]
+        gui_id = state["gui_id"]
+        if state["widget_class"] in IGNORE_WIDGETS:
+            return
+        widget_class = getattr(client, state["widget_class"], None)
+        if widget_class is None:
+            return
+        obj = self._ipython_registry.get(gui_id)
+        if obj is None:
+            widget = widget_class(gui_id=gui_id, object_name=object_name, parent=parent)
+            self._ipython_registry[gui_id] = widget
+        else:
+            widget = obj
+        obj = RPCReference(registry=self._ipython_registry, gui_id=gui_id)
+        return obj
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    from bec_lib.client import BECClient
+    from bec_lib.service_config import ServiceConfig
+
+    try:
+        config = ServiceConfig()
+        bec_client = BECClient(config)
+        bec_client.start()
+
+        # Test the client_utils.py module
+        gui = BECGuiClient()
+
+        gui.start(wait=True)
+        gui.new().new(widget="Waveform")
+        time.sleep(10)
+    finally:
+        gui.kill_server()

bec_widgets/cli/generate_cli.py

@@ -2,17 +2,22 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import argparse
+import importlib
 import inspect
 import os
 import sys
+from pathlib import Path
 
 import black
 import isort
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from qtpy.QtCore import Property as QtProperty
 
-from bec_widgets.utils.generate_designer_plugin import DesignerPluginGenerator
+from bec_widgets.utils.generate_designer_plugin import DesignerPluginGenerator, plugin_filenames
 from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import BECClassContainer, get_custom_classes
 
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
 if sys.version_info >= (3, 11):
     from typing import get_overloads
 else:
@@ -29,13 +34,29 @@ else:
 
 
 class ClientGenerator:
-    def __init__(self):
-        self.header = """# This file was automatically generated by generate_cli.py\n
+    def __init__(self, base=False):
+        self._base = base
+        base_imports = (
+            """import enum
+import inspect
+import traceback
+from functools import reduce
+from operator import add
+from typing import Literal, Optional
+"""
+            if self._base
+            else "\n"
+        )
+        self.header = f"""# This file was automatically generated by generate_cli.py
+# type: ignore \n
 from __future__ import annotations
-import enum
-from typing import Literal, Optional, overload
+{base_imports}
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 
 from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_base import RPCBase, rpc_call
+{"from bec_widgets.utils.bec_plugin_helper import get_all_plugin_widgets, get_plugin_client_module" if self._base else ""}
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
 
 # pylint: skip-file"""
 
@@ -62,6 +83,7 @@ from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_base import RPCBase, rpc_call
 
         self.write_client_enum(rpc_top_level_classes)
         for cls in connector_classes:
+            logger.debug(f"generating RPC client class for {cls.__name__}")
             self.content += "\n\n"
             self.generate_content_for_class(cls)
 
@@ -69,14 +91,50 @@ from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_base import RPCBase, rpc_call
         """
         Write the client enum to the content.
         """
+        if self._base:
+            self.content += """
+class _WidgetsEnumType(str, enum.Enum):
+    \"\"\" Enum for the available widgets, to be generated programatically  \"\"\"
+    ...
+    """
+
         self.content += """
-class Widgets(str, enum.Enum):
-    \"\"\"
-    Enum for the available widgets.
-    \"\"\"
+
+_Widgets = {
     """
         for cls in published_classes:
-            self.content += f'{cls.__name__} = "{cls.__name__}"\n    '
+            self.content += f'"{cls.__name__}": "{cls.__name__}",\n    '
+
+        self.content += """}
+"""
+        if self._base:
+            self.content += """
+
+try:
+    _plugin_widgets = get_all_plugin_widgets()
+    plugin_client = get_plugin_client_module()
+    Widgets = _WidgetsEnumType("Widgets", {name: name for name in _plugin_widgets} | _Widgets)
+
+    if (_overlap := _Widgets.keys() & _plugin_widgets.keys()) != set():
+        for _widget in _overlap:
+            logger.warning(f"Detected duplicate widget {_widget} in plugin repo file: {inspect.getfile(_plugin_widgets[_widget])} !")
+    for plugin_name, plugin_class in inspect.getmembers(plugin_client, inspect.isclass):
+        if issubclass(plugin_class, RPCBase) and plugin_class is not RPCBase:
+            if plugin_name in globals():
+                conflicting_file = (
+                    inspect.getfile(_plugin_widgets[plugin_name])
+                    if plugin_name in _plugin_widgets
+                    else f"{plugin_client}"
+                )
+                logger.warning(
+                    f"Plugin widget {plugin_name} from {conflicting_file} conflicts with a built-in class!"
+                )
+                continue
+            if plugin_name not in _overlap:
+                globals()[plugin_name] = plugin_class
+except ImportError as e:
+    logger.error(f"Failed loading plugins: \\n{reduce(add, traceback.format_exception(e))}")
+"""
 
     def generate_content_for_class(self, cls):
         """
@@ -95,9 +153,21 @@ class {class_name}(RPCBase):"""
             self.content += f"""
 class {class_name}(RPCBase):"""
 
+        if cls.__doc__:
+            # We only want the first line of the docstring
+            # But skip the first line if it's a blank line
+            first_line = cls.__doc__.split("\n")[0]
+            if first_line:
+                class_docs = first_line
+            else:
+                class_docs = cls.__doc__.split("\n")[1]
+            self.content += f"""
+    \"\"\"{class_docs}\"\"\"
+    """
         if not cls.USER_ACCESS:
             self.content += """...
     """
+
         for method in cls.USER_ACCESS:
             is_property_setter = False
             obj = getattr(cls, method, None)
@@ -153,18 +223,18 @@ class {class_name}(RPCBase):"""
         # Combine header and content, then format with black
         full_content = self.header + "\n" + self.content
         try:
-            formatted_content = black.format_str(full_content, mode=black.FileMode(line_length=100))
+            formatted_content = black.format_str(full_content, mode=black.Mode(line_length=100))
         except black.NothingChanged:
             formatted_content = full_content
 
-        isort.Config(
+        config = isort.Config(
             profile="black",
             line_length=100,
             multi_line_output=3,
-            include_trailing_comma=True,
+            include_trailing_comma=False,
             known_first_party=["bec_widgets"],
         )
-        formatted_content = isort.code(formatted_content)
+        formatted_content = isort.code(formatted_content, config=config)
 
         with open(file_name, "w", encoding="utf-8") as file:
             file.write(formatted_content)
@@ -176,41 +246,78 @@ def main():
     """
 
     parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="Auto-generate the client for RPC widgets")
-    parser.add_argument("--core", action="store_true", help="Whether to generate the core client")
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--target",
+        action="store",
+        type=str,
+        help="Which package to generate plugin files for. Should be installed in the local environment (example: my_plugin_repo)",
+    )
 
     args = parser.parse_args()
+    if args.target is None:
+        logger.error(
+            "You must provide a target - for safety, the default of running this on bec_widgets core has been removed. To generate the client for bec_widgets, run `bw-generate-cli --target bec_widgets`"
+        )
+        return
 
-    if args.core:
-        current_path = os.path.dirname(__file__)
-        client_path = os.path.join(current_path, "client.py")
+    logger.info(f"BEC Widget code generation tool started with args: {args}")
 
-        rpc_classes = get_custom_classes("bec_widgets")
+    client_subdir = "cli" if args.target == "bec_widgets" else "widgets"
+    module_name = "bec_widgets" if args.target == "bec_widgets" else f"{args.target}.bec_widgets"
 
-        generator = ClientGenerator()
-        generator.generate_client(rpc_classes)
-        generator.write(client_path)
+    try:
+        module = importlib.import_module(module_name)
+        assert module.__file__ is not None
+        module_file = Path(module.__file__)
+        module_dir = module_file.parent if module_file.is_file() else module_file
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"Failed to load module {module_name} for code generation: {e}")
+        return
 
-        for cls in rpc_classes.plugins:
-            plugin = DesignerPluginGenerator(cls)
-            if not hasattr(plugin, "info"):
-                continue
+    client_path = module_dir / client_subdir / "client.py"
 
-            # if the class directory already has a register, plugin and pyproject file, skip
-            if os.path.exists(
-                os.path.join(plugin.info.base_path, f"register_{plugin.info.plugin_name_snake}.py")
-            ):
-                continue
-            if os.path.exists(
-                os.path.join(plugin.info.base_path, f"{plugin.info.plugin_name_snake}_plugin.py")
-            ):
-                continue
-            if os.path.exists(
-                os.path.join(plugin.info.base_path, f"{plugin.info.plugin_name_snake}.pyproject")
-            ):
-                continue
-            plugin.run()
+    rpc_classes = get_custom_classes(module_name)
+    logger.info(f"Obtained classes with RPC objects: {rpc_classes!r}")
+
+    generator = ClientGenerator(base=module_name == "bec_widgets")
+    logger.info(f"Generating client file at {client_path}")
+    generator.generate_client(rpc_classes)
+    generator.write(str(client_path))
+
+    if module_name != "bec_widgets":
+        non_overwrite_classes = list(clsinfo.name for clsinfo in get_custom_classes("bec_widgets"))
+        logger.info(
+            f"Not writing plugins which would conflict with builtin classes: {non_overwrite_classes}"
+        )
+    else:
+        non_overwrite_classes = []
+
+    for cls in rpc_classes.plugins:
+        logger.info(f"Writing bec-designer plugin files for {cls.__name__}...")
+
+        if cls.__name__ in non_overwrite_classes:
+            logger.error(
+                f"Not writing plugin files for {cls.__name__} because a built-in widget with that name exists"
+            )
+
+        plugin = DesignerPluginGenerator(cls)
+        if not hasattr(plugin, "info"):
+            continue
+
+        def _exists(file: str):
+            return os.path.exists(os.path.join(plugin.info.base_path, file))
+
+        if any(_exists(file) for file in plugin_filenames(plugin.info.plugin_name_snake)):
+            logger.debug(
+                f"Skipping generation of extra plugin files for {plugin.info.plugin_name_snake} - at least one file out of 'plugin.py', 'pyproject', and 'register_{plugin.info.plugin_name_snake}.py' already exists."
+            )
+            continue
+
+        plugin.run()
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
-    sys.argv = ["generate_cli.py", "--core"]
+    import sys
+
+    sys.argv = ["bw-generate-cli", "--target", "bec_widgets"]
     main()

bec_widgets/cli/rpc/rpc_base.py

@@ -1,24 +1,28 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+import inspect
 import threading
 import uuid
 from functools import wraps
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, cast
 
 from bec_lib.client import BECClient
 from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
 from bec_lib.utils.import_utils import lazy_import, lazy_import_from
 
-import bec_widgets.cli.client as client
-
-if TYPE_CHECKING:
+if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
     from bec_lib import messages
     from bec_lib.connector import MessageObject
+
+    import bec_widgets.cli.client as client
+    from bec_widgets.cli.client_utils import BECGuiClient
 else:
+    client = lazy_import("bec_widgets.cli.client")  # avoid circular import
     messages = lazy_import("bec_lib.messages")
-    # from bec_lib.connector import MessageObject
     MessageObject = lazy_import_from("bec_lib.connector", ("MessageObject",))
 
+# pylint: disable=protected-access
+
 
 def rpc_call(func):
     """
@@ -35,6 +39,14 @@ def rpc_call(func):
     def wrapper(self, *args, **kwargs):
         # we could rely on a strict type check here, but this is more flexible
         # moreover, it would anyway crash for objects...
+        caller_frame = inspect.currentframe().f_back  # type: ignore
+        while caller_frame:
+            if "jedi" in caller_frame.f_globals:
+                # Jedi module is present, likely tab completion
+                # Do not run the RPC call
+                return None  # func(*args, **kwargs)
+            caller_frame = caller_frame.f_back
+
         out = []
         for arg in args:
             if hasattr(arg, "name"):
@@ -44,7 +56,7 @@ def rpc_call(func):
         for key, val in kwargs.items():
             if hasattr(val, "name"):
                 kwargs[key] = val.name
-        if not self.gui_is_alive():
+        if not self._root._gui_is_alive():
             raise RuntimeError("GUI is not alive")
         return self._run_rpc(func.__name__, *args, **kwargs)
 
@@ -60,24 +72,96 @@ class RPCResponseTimeoutError(Exception):
         )
 
 
+class DeletedWidgetError(Exception): ...
+
+
+def check_for_deleted_widget(func):
+    @wraps(func)
+    def wrapper(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        if self._gui_id not in self._registry:
+            raise DeletedWidgetError(f"Widget with gui_id {self._gui_id} has been deleted")
+        return func(self, *args, **kwargs)
+
+    return wrapper
+
+
+class RPCReference:
+    def __init__(self, registry: dict, gui_id: str) -> None:
+        self._registry = registry
+        self._gui_id = gui_id
+        self.object_name = self._registry[self._gui_id].object_name
+
+    @check_for_deleted_widget
+    def __getattr__(self, name):
+        if name in ["_registry", "_gui_id", "_is_deleted", "object_name"]:
+            return super().__getattribute__(name)
+        return self._registry[self._gui_id].__getattribute__(name)
+
+    def __setattr__(self, name, value):
+        if name in ["_registry", "_gui_id", "_is_deleted", "object_name"]:
+            return super().__setattr__(name, value)
+        if self._gui_id not in self._registry:
+            raise DeletedWidgetError(f"Widget with gui_id {self._gui_id} has been deleted")
+        self._registry[self._gui_id].__setattr__(name, value)
+
+    def __repr__(self):
+        if self._gui_id not in self._registry:
+            return f"<Deleted widget with gui_id {self._gui_id}>"
+        return self._registry[self._gui_id].__repr__()
+
+    def __str__(self):
+        if self._gui_id not in self._registry:
+            return f"<Deleted widget with gui_id {self._gui_id}>"
+        return self._registry[self._gui_id].__str__()
+
+    def __dir__(self):
+        if self._gui_id not in self._registry:
+            return []
+        return self._registry[self._gui_id].__dir__()
+
+    def _is_deleted(self) -> bool:
+        return self._gui_id not in self._registry
+
+
 class RPCBase:
-    def __init__(self, gui_id: str = None, config: dict = None, parent=None) -> None:
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        gui_id: str | None = None,
+        config: dict | None = None,
+        object_name: str | None = None,
+        parent=None,
+        **kwargs,
+    ) -> None:
         self._client = BECClient()  # BECClient is a singleton; here, we simply get the instance
         self._config = config if config is not None else {}
         self._gui_id = gui_id if gui_id is not None else str(uuid.uuid4())[:5]
+        self.object_name = object_name if object_name is not None else str(uuid.uuid4())[:5]
         self._parent = parent
         self._msg_wait_event = threading.Event()
         self._rpc_response = None
         super().__init__()
-        # print(f"RPCBase: {self._gui_id}")
+        self._rpc_references: dict[str, str] = {}
 
     def __repr__(self):
         type_ = type(self)
         qualname = type_.__qualname__
-        return f"<{qualname} object at {hex(id(self))}>"
+        return f"<{qualname} with name: {self.object_name}>"
+
+    def remove(self):
+        """
+        Remove the widget.
+        """
+        obj = self._root._server_registry.get(self._gui_id)
+        if obj is None:
+            raise ValueError(f"Widget {self._gui_id} not found.")
+        if proxy := obj.get("container_proxy"):
+            assert isinstance(proxy, str)
+            self._run_rpc("remove", gui_id=proxy)
+            return
+        self._run_rpc("remove")
 
     @property
-    def _root(self):
+    def _root(self) -> BECGuiClient:
         """
         Get the root widget. This is the BECFigure widget that holds
         the anchor gui_id.
@@ -86,9 +170,17 @@ class RPCBase:
         # pylint: disable=protected-access
         while parent._parent is not None:
             parent = parent._parent
-        return parent
+        return parent  # type: ignore
 
-    def _run_rpc(self, method, *args, wait_for_rpc_response=True, timeout=3, **kwargs):
+    def _run_rpc(
+        self,
+        method,
+        *args,
+        wait_for_rpc_response=True,
+        timeout=5,
+        gui_id: str | None = None,
+        **kwargs,
+    ) -> Any:
         """
         Run the RPC call.
 
@@ -96,6 +188,8 @@ class RPCBase:
             method: The method to call.
             args: The arguments to pass to the method.
             wait_for_rpc_response: Whether to wait for the RPC response.
+            timeout: The timeout for the RPC response.
+            gui_id: The GUI ID to use for the RPC call. If None, the default GUI ID is used.
             kwargs: The keyword arguments to pass to the method.
 
         Returns:
@@ -104,10 +198,9 @@ class RPCBase:
         request_id = str(uuid.uuid4())
         rpc_msg = messages.GUIInstructionMessage(
             action=method,
-            parameter={"args": args, "kwargs": kwargs, "gui_id": self._gui_id},
+            parameter={"args": args, "kwargs": kwargs, "gui_id": gui_id or self._gui_id},
             metadata={"request_id": request_id},
         )
-
         # pylint: disable=protected-access
         receiver = self._root._gui_id
         if wait_for_rpc_response:
@@ -131,7 +224,11 @@ class RPCBase:
                 self._client.connector.unregister(
                     MessageEndpoints.gui_instruction_response(request_id), cb=self._on_rpc_response
                 )
-            # get class name
+
+            # we can assume that the response is a RequestResponseMessage, updated by
+            # the _on_rpc_response method
+            assert isinstance(self._rpc_response, messages.RequestResponseMessage)
+
             if not self._rpc_response.accepted:
                 raise ValueError(self._rpc_response.message["error"])
             msg_result = self._rpc_response.message.get("result")
@@ -139,10 +236,10 @@ class RPCBase:
             return self._create_widget_from_msg_result(msg_result)
 
     @staticmethod
-    def _on_rpc_response(msg: MessageObject, parent: RPCBase) -> None:
-        msg = msg.value
-        parent._msg_wait_event.set()
+    def _on_rpc_response(msg_obj: MessageObject, parent: RPCBase) -> None:
+        msg = cast(messages.RequestResponseMessage, msg_obj.value)
         parent._rpc_response = msg
+        parent._msg_wait_event.set()
 
     def _create_widget_from_msg_result(self, msg_result):
         if msg_result is None:
@@ -161,11 +258,21 @@ class RPCBase:
                 return msg_result
 
             cls = getattr(client, cls)
-            # print(msg_result)
-            return cls(parent=self, **msg_result)
+            # The namespace of the object will be updated dynamically on the client side
+            # Therefore it is important to check if the object is already in the registry
+            # If yes, we return the reference to the object, otherwise we create a new object
+            # pylint: disable=protected-access
+            if msg_result["gui_id"] in self._root._ipython_registry:
+                return RPCReference(self._root._ipython_registry, msg_result["gui_id"])
+            ret = cls(parent=self, **msg_result)
+            self._root._ipython_registry[ret._gui_id] = ret
+            self._refresh_references()
+            obj = RPCReference(self._root._ipython_registry, ret._gui_id)
+            return obj
+            # return ret
         return msg_result
 
-    def gui_is_alive(self):
+    def _gui_is_alive(self):
         """
         Check if the GUI is alive.
         """
@@ -175,3 +282,27 @@ class RPCBase:
         if heart.status == messages.BECStatus.RUNNING:
             return True
         return False
+
+    def _refresh_references(self):
+        """
+        Refresh the references.
+        """
+        with self._root._lock:
+            references = {}
+            for key, val in self._root._server_registry.items():
+                parent_id = val["config"].get("parent_id")
+                if parent_id == self._gui_id:
+                    references[key] = {
+                        "gui_id": val["config"]["gui_id"],
+                        "object_name": val["object_name"],
+                    }
+            removed_references = set(self._rpc_references.keys()) - set(references.keys())
+            for key in removed_references:
+                delattr(self, self._rpc_references[key]["object_name"])
+            self._rpc_references = references
+            for key, val in references.items():
+                setattr(
+                    self,
+                    val["object_name"],
+                    RPCReference(self._root._ipython_registry, val["gui_id"]),
+                )

bec_widgets/cli/rpc/rpc_register.py

@@ -1,10 +1,36 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-from threading import Lock
+from functools import wraps
+from threading import RLock
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Callable
 from weakref import WeakValueDictionary
 
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from qtpy.QtCore import QObject
 
+if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
+    from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector
+    from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock.dock import BECDock
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock.dock_area import BECDockArea
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
+
+def broadcast_update(func):
+    """
+    Decorator to broadcast updates to the RPCRegister whenever a new RPC object is added or removed.
+    If class attribute _skip_broadcast is set to True, the broadcast will be skipped
+    """
+
+    @wraps(func)
+    def wrapper(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        result = func(self, *args, **kwargs)
+        self.broadcast()
+        return result
+
+    return wrapper
+
 
 class RPCRegister:
     """
@@ -13,7 +39,6 @@ class RPCRegister:
 
     _instance = None
     _initialized = False
-    _lock = Lock()
 
     def __new__(cls, *args, **kwargs):
         if cls._instance is None:
@@ -25,9 +50,22 @@ class RPCRegister:
         if self._initialized:
             return
         self._rpc_register = WeakValueDictionary()
+        self._broadcast_on_hold = RPCRegisterBroadcast(self)
+        self._lock = RLock()
+        self._skip_broadcast = False
         self._initialized = True
+        self.callbacks = []
 
-    def add_rpc(self, rpc: QObject):
+    @classmethod
+    def delayed_broadcast(cls):
+        """
+        Delay the broadcast of the update to all the callbacks.
+        """
+        register = cls()
+        return register._broadcast_on_hold
+
+    @broadcast_update
+    def add_rpc(self, rpc: BECConnector):
         """
         Add an RPC object to the register.
 
@@ -38,7 +76,8 @@ class RPCRegister:
             raise ValueError("RPC object must have a 'gui_id' attribute.")
         self._rpc_register[rpc.gui_id] = rpc
 
-    def remove_rpc(self, rpc: str):
+    @broadcast_update
+    def remove_rpc(self, rpc: BECConnector):
         """
         Remove an RPC object from the register.
 
@@ -49,7 +88,7 @@ class RPCRegister:
             raise ValueError(f"RPC object {rpc} must have a 'gui_id' attribute.")
         self._rpc_register.pop(rpc.gui_id, None)
 
-    def get_rpc_by_id(self, gui_id: str) -> QObject:
+    def get_rpc_by_id(self, gui_id: str) -> QObject | None:
         """
         Get an RPC object by its ID.
 
@@ -57,7 +96,7 @@ class RPCRegister:
             gui_id(str): The ID of the RPC object to be retrieved.
 
         Returns:
-            QObject: The RPC object with the given ID.
+            QObject | None: The RPC object with the given ID or None
         """
         rpc_object = self._rpc_register.get(gui_id, None)
         return rpc_object
@@ -73,6 +112,52 @@ class RPCRegister:
             connections = dict(self._rpc_register)
         return connections
 
+    def get_names_of_rpc_by_class_type(
+        self, cls: type[BECWidget] | type[BECConnector] | type[BECDock] | type[BECDockArea]
+    ) -> list[str]:
+        """Get all the names of the widgets.
+
+        Args:
+            cls(BECWidget | BECConnector): The class of the RPC object to be retrieved.
+        """
+        # This retrieves any rpc objects that are subclass of BECWidget,
+        # i.e. curve and image items are excluded
+        widgets = [rpc for rpc in self._rpc_register.values() if isinstance(rpc, cls)]
+        return [widget.object_name for widget in widgets]
+
+    def broadcast(self):
+        """
+        Broadcast the update to all the callbacks.
+        """
+
+        if self._skip_broadcast:
+            return
+        connections = self.list_all_connections()
+        for callback in self.callbacks:
+            callback(connections)
+
+    def object_is_registered(self, obj: BECConnector) -> bool:
+        """
+        Check if an object is registered in the RPC register.
+
+        Args:
+            obj(QObject): The object to check.
+
+        Returns:
+            bool: True if the object is registered, False otherwise.
+        """
+        return obj.gui_id in self._rpc_register
+
+    def add_callback(self, callback: Callable[[dict], None]):
+        """
+        Add a callback that will be called whenever the registry is updated.
+
+        Args:
+            callback(Callable[[dict], None]): The callback to be added. It should accept a dictionary of all the
+            registered RPC objects as an argument.
+        """
+        self.callbacks.append(callback)
+
     @classmethod
     def reset_singleton(cls):
         """
@@ -80,3 +165,25 @@ class RPCRegister:
         """
         cls._instance = None
         cls._initialized = False
+
+
+class RPCRegisterBroadcast:
+    """Context manager for RPCRegister broadcast."""
+
+    def __init__(self, rpc_register: RPCRegister) -> None:
+        self.rpc_register = rpc_register
+        self._call_depth = 0
+
+    def __enter__(self):
+        """Enter the context manager"""
+        self._call_depth += 1  # Needed for nested calls
+        self.rpc_register._skip_broadcast = True
+        return self.rpc_register
+
+    def __exit__(self, *exc):
+        """Exit the context manager"""
+
+        self._call_depth -= 1  # Remove nested calls
+        if self._call_depth == 0:  # The Last one to exit is responsible for broadcasting
+            self.rpc_register._skip_broadcast = False
+        self.rpc_register.broadcast()

bec_widgets/cli/rpc/rpc_widget_handler.py

@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector
+from bec_widgets.cli.client_utils import IGNORE_WIDGETS
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_plugin_helper import get_all_plugin_widgets
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import get_custom_classes
 
 
 class RPCWidgetHandler:
@@ -10,7 +13,7 @@ class RPCWidgetHandler:
         self._widget_classes = None
 
     @property
-    def widget_classes(self):
+    def widget_classes(self) -> dict[str, type[BECWidget]]:
         """
         Get the available widget classes.
 
@@ -19,7 +22,7 @@ class RPCWidgetHandler:
         """
         if self._widget_classes is None:
             self.update_available_widgets()
-        return self._widget_classes
+        return self._widget_classes  # type: ignore
 
     def update_available_widgets(self):
         """
@@ -28,25 +31,24 @@ class RPCWidgetHandler:
         Returns:
             None
         """
-        from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import get_custom_classes
-
         clss = get_custom_classes("bec_widgets")
-        self._widget_classes = {cls.__name__: cls for cls in clss.widgets}
+        self._widget_classes = get_all_plugin_widgets() | {
+            cls.__name__: cls for cls in clss.widgets if cls.__name__ not in IGNORE_WIDGETS
+        }
 
-    def create_widget(self, widget_type, **kwargs) -> BECConnector:
+    def create_widget(self, widget_type, **kwargs) -> BECWidget:
         """
         Create a widget from an RPC message.
 
         Args:
             widget_type(str): The type of the widget.
+            name (str): The name of the widget.
             **kwargs: The keyword arguments for the widget.
 
         Returns:
-            widget(BECConnector): The created widget.
+            widget(BECWidget): The created widget.
         """
-        if self._widget_classes is None:
-            self.update_available_widgets()
-        widget_class = self._widget_classes.get(widget_type)
+        widget_class = self.widget_classes.get(widget_type)  # type: ignore
         if widget_class:
             return widget_class(**kwargs)
         raise ValueError(f"Unknown widget type: {widget_type}")

bec_widgets/cli/server.py

@@ -1,164 +1,27 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-import functools
+import argparse
 import json
+import os
 import signal
 import sys
-import types
-from contextlib import contextmanager, redirect_stderr, redirect_stdout
-from typing import Union
+from contextlib import redirect_stderr, redirect_stdout
+from typing import cast
 
-from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from bec_lib.service_config import ServiceConfig
-from bec_lib.utils.import_utils import lazy_import
-from qtpy.QtCore import Qt, QTimer
-from redis.exceptions import RedisError
+from qtpy.QtCore import QSize, Qt
+from qtpy.QtGui import QIcon
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
+import bec_widgets
+from bec_widgets.applications.launch_window import LaunchWindow
 from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_register import RPCRegister
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import ErrorPopupUtility
-from bec_widgets.utils import BECDispatcher
-from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector
-from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock import BECDockArea
-from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure import BECFigure
-from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.main_window import BECMainWindow
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher import BECDispatcher
 
-messages = lazy_import("bec_lib.messages")
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
-
-@contextmanager
-def rpc_exception_hook(err_func):
-    """This context replaces the popup message box for error display with a specific hook"""
-    # get error popup utility singleton
-    popup = ErrorPopupUtility()
-    # save current setting
-    old_exception_hook = popup.custom_exception_hook
-
-    # install err_func, if it is a callable
-    def custom_exception_hook(self, exc_type, value, tb, **kwargs):
-        err_func({"error": popup.get_error_message(exc_type, value, tb)})
-
-    popup.custom_exception_hook = types.MethodType(custom_exception_hook, popup)
-
-    try:
-        yield popup
-    finally:
-        # restore state of error popup utility singleton
-        popup.custom_exception_hook = old_exception_hook
-
-
-class BECWidgetsCLIServer:
-
-    def __init__(
-        self,
-        gui_id: str,
-        dispatcher: BECDispatcher = None,
-        client=None,
-        config=None,
-        gui_class: Union[BECFigure, BECDockArea] = BECFigure,
-    ) -> None:
-        self.status = messages.BECStatus.BUSY
-        self.dispatcher = BECDispatcher(config=config) if dispatcher is None else dispatcher
-        self.client = self.dispatcher.client if client is None else client
-        self.client.start()
-        self.gui_id = gui_id
-        self.gui = gui_class(gui_id=self.gui_id)
-        self.rpc_register = RPCRegister()
-        self.rpc_register.add_rpc(self.gui)
-
-        self.dispatcher.connect_slot(
-            self.on_rpc_update, MessageEndpoints.gui_instructions(self.gui_id)
-        )
-
-        # Setup QTimer for heartbeat
-        self._heartbeat_timer = QTimer()
-        self._heartbeat_timer.timeout.connect(self.emit_heartbeat)
-        self._heartbeat_timer.start(200)
-
-        self.status = messages.BECStatus.RUNNING
-        logger.success(f"Server started with gui_id: {self.gui_id}")
-
-    def on_rpc_update(self, msg: dict, metadata: dict):
-        request_id = metadata.get("request_id")
-        logger.debug(f"Received RPC instruction: {msg}, metadata: {metadata}")
-        with rpc_exception_hook(functools.partial(self.send_response, request_id, False)):
-            try:
-                obj = self.get_object_from_config(msg["parameter"])
-                method = msg["action"]
-                args = msg["parameter"].get("args", [])
-                kwargs = msg["parameter"].get("kwargs", {})
-                res = self.run_rpc(obj, method, args, kwargs)
-            except Exception as e:
-                logger.error(f"Error while executing RPC instruction: {e}")
-                self.send_response(request_id, False, {"error": str(e)})
-            else:
-                logger.debug(f"RPC instruction executed successfully: {res}")
-                self.send_response(request_id, True, {"result": res})
-
-    def send_response(self, request_id: str, accepted: bool, msg: dict):
-        self.client.connector.set_and_publish(
-            MessageEndpoints.gui_instruction_response(request_id),
-            messages.RequestResponseMessage(accepted=accepted, message=msg),
-            expire=60,
-        )
-
-    def get_object_from_config(self, config: dict):
-        gui_id = config.get("gui_id")
-        obj = self.rpc_register.get_rpc_by_id(gui_id)
-        if obj is None:
-            raise ValueError(f"Object with gui_id {gui_id} not found")
-        return obj
-
-    def run_rpc(self, obj, method, args, kwargs):
-        logger.debug(f"Running RPC instruction: {method} with args: {args}, kwargs: {kwargs}")
-        method_obj = getattr(obj, method)
-        # check if the method accepts args and kwargs
-        if not callable(method_obj):
-            if not args:
-                res = method_obj
-            else:
-                setattr(obj, method, args[0])
-                res = None
-        else:
-            res = method_obj(*args, **kwargs)
-
-        if isinstance(res, list):
-            res = [self.serialize_object(obj) for obj in res]
-        elif isinstance(res, dict):
-            res = {key: self.serialize_object(val) for key, val in res.items()}
-        else:
-            res = self.serialize_object(res)
-        return res
-
-    def serialize_object(self, obj):
-        if isinstance(obj, BECConnector):
-            return {
-                "gui_id": obj.gui_id,
-                "widget_class": obj.__class__.__name__,
-                "config": obj.config.model_dump(),
-                "__rpc__": True,
-            }
-        return obj
-
-    def emit_heartbeat(self):
-        logger.trace(f"Emitting heartbeat for {self.gui_id}")
-        try:
-            self.client.connector.set(
-                MessageEndpoints.gui_heartbeat(self.gui_id),
-                messages.StatusMessage(name=self.gui_id, status=self.status, info={}),
-                expire=10,
-            )
-        except RedisError as exc:
-            logger.error(f"Error while emitting heartbeat: {exc}")
-
-    def shutdown(self):  # TODO not sure if needed when cleanup is done at level of BECConnector
-        logger.info(f"Shutting down server with gui_id: {self.gui_id}")
-        self.status = messages.BECStatus.IDLE
-        self._heartbeat_timer.stop()
-        self.emit_heartbeat()
-        self.gui.close()
-        self.client.shutdown()
+MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
 
 
 class SimpleFileLikeFromLogOutputFunc:
@@ -175,40 +38,120 @@ class SimpleFileLikeFromLogOutputFunc:
             self._log_func(lines)
         self._buffer = [remaining]
 
+    @property
+    def encoding(self):
+        return "utf-8"
+
     def close(self):
         return
 
 
-def _start_server(gui_id: str, gui_class: Union[BECFigure, BECDockArea], config: str | None = None):
-    if config:
-        try:
-            config = json.loads(config)
-            service_config = ServiceConfig(config=config)
-        except (json.JSONDecodeError, TypeError):
-            service_config = ServiceConfig(config_path=config)
-    else:
-        # if no config is provided, use the default config
-        service_config = ServiceConfig()
+class GUIServer:
+    """
+    This class is used to start the BEC GUI and is the main entry point for launching BEC Widgets in a subprocess.
+    """
 
-    # bec_logger.configure(
-    #     service_config.redis,
-    #     QtRedisConnector,
-    #     service_name="BECWidgetsCLIServer",
-    #     service_config=service_config.service_config,
-    # )
-    server = BECWidgetsCLIServer(gui_id=gui_id, config=service_config, gui_class=gui_class)
-    return server
+    def __init__(self, args):
+        self.config = args.config
+        self.gui_id = args.id
+        self.gui_class = args.gui_class
+        self.gui_class_id = args.gui_class_id
+        self.hide = args.hide
+        self.app: QApplication | None = None
+        self.launcher_window: LaunchWindow | None = None
+        self.dispatcher: BECDispatcher | None = None
+
+    def start(self):
+        """
+        Start the GUI server.
+        """
+        bec_logger.level = bec_logger.LOGLEVEL.INFO
+        if self.hide:
+            # pylint: disable=protected-access
+            bec_logger._stderr_log_level = bec_logger.LOGLEVEL.ERROR
+            bec_logger._update_sinks()
+
+        with redirect_stdout(SimpleFileLikeFromLogOutputFunc(logger.info)):  # type: ignore
+            with redirect_stderr(SimpleFileLikeFromLogOutputFunc(logger.error)):  # type: ignore
+                self._run()
+
+    def _get_service_config(self) -> ServiceConfig:
+        if self.config:
+            try:
+                config = json.loads(self.config)
+                service_config = ServiceConfig(config=config)
+            except (json.JSONDecodeError, TypeError):
+                service_config = ServiceConfig(config_path=config)
+        else:
+            # if no config is provided, use the default config
+            service_config = ServiceConfig()
+        return service_config
+
+    def _run(self):
+        """
+        Run the GUI server.
+        """
+        self.app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+        self.app.setApplicationName("BEC")
+        self.app.gui_id = self.gui_id  # type: ignore
+        self.setup_bec_icon()
+
+        service_config = self._get_service_config()
+        self.dispatcher = BECDispatcher(config=service_config, gui_id=self.gui_id)
+        # self.dispatcher.start_cli_server(gui_id=self.gui_id)
+
+        self.launcher_window = LaunchWindow(gui_id=f"{self.gui_id}:launcher")
+        self.launcher_window.setAttribute(Qt.WA_ShowWithoutActivating)  # type: ignore
+
+        self.app.aboutToQuit.connect(self.shutdown)
+        self.app.setQuitOnLastWindowClosed(False)
+
+        if self.gui_class:
+            # If the server is started with a specific gui class, we launch it.
+            # This will automatically hide the launcher.
+            self.launcher_window.launch(self.gui_class, name=self.gui_class_id)
+
+        def sigint_handler(*args):
+            # display message, for people to let it terminate gracefully
+            print("Caught SIGINT, exiting")
+            # Widgets should be all closed.
+            with RPCRegister.delayed_broadcast():
+                for widget in QApplication.instance().topLevelWidgets():  # type: ignore
+                    widget.close()
+            if self.app:
+                self.app.quit()
+
+        signal.signal(signal.SIGINT, sigint_handler)
+        signal.signal(signal.SIGTERM, sigint_handler)
+
+        sys.exit(self.app.exec())
+
+    def setup_bec_icon(self):
+        """
+        Set the BEC icon for the application
+        """
+        if self.app is None:
+            return
+        icon = QIcon()
+        icon.addFile(
+            os.path.join(MODULE_PATH, "assets", "app_icons", "bec_widgets_icon.png"),
+            size=QSize(48, 48),
+        )
+        self.app.setWindowIcon(icon)
+
+    def shutdown(self):
+        """
+        Shutdown the GUI server.
+        """
+        if self.dispatcher:
+            self.dispatcher.stop_cli_server()
+            self.dispatcher.disconnect_all()
 
 
 def main():
-    import argparse
-    import os
-
-    from qtpy.QtCore import QSize
-    from qtpy.QtGui import QIcon
-    from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
-
-    import bec_widgets
+    """
+    Main entry point for subprocesses that start a GUI server.
+    """
 
     parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="BEC Widgets CLI Server")
     parser.add_argument("--id", type=str, default="test", help="The id of the server")
@@ -217,76 +160,23 @@ def main():
         type=str,
         help="Name of the gui class to be rendered. Possible values: \n- BECFigure\n- BECDockArea",
     )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--gui_class_id",
+        type=str,
+        default="bec",
+        help="The id of the gui class that is added to the QApplication",
+    )
     parser.add_argument("--config", type=str, help="Config file or config string.")
     parser.add_argument("--hide", action="store_true", help="Hide on startup")
 
     args = parser.parse_args()
 
-    bec_logger.level = bec_logger.LOGLEVEL.INFO
-    if args.hide:
-        # pylint: disable=protected-access
-        bec_logger._stderr_log_level = bec_logger.LOGLEVEL.ERROR
-        bec_logger._update_sinks()
-
-    if args.gui_class == "BECDockArea":
-        gui_class = BECDockArea
-    elif args.gui_class == "BECFigure":
-        gui_class = BECFigure
-    else:
-        print(
-            "Please specify a valid gui_class to run. Use -h for help."
-            "\n Starting with default gui_class BECFigure."
-        )
-        gui_class = BECDockArea
-
-    with redirect_stdout(SimpleFileLikeFromLogOutputFunc(logger.info)):
-        with redirect_stderr(SimpleFileLikeFromLogOutputFunc(logger.error)):
-            app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-            # set close on last window, only if not under control of client ;
-            # indeed, Qt considers a hidden window a closed window, so if all windows
-            # are hidden by default it exits
-            app.setQuitOnLastWindowClosed(not args.hide)
-            module_path = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
-            icon = QIcon()
-            icon.addFile(
-                os.path.join(module_path, "assets", "app_icons", "bec_widgets_icon.png"),
-                size=QSize(48, 48),
-            )
-            app.setWindowIcon(icon)
-            # store gui id within QApplication object, to make it available to all widgets
-            app.gui_id = args.id
-
-            server = _start_server(args.id, gui_class, args.config)
-
-            win = BECMainWindow(gui_id=f"{server.gui_id}:window")
-            win.setAttribute(Qt.WA_ShowWithoutActivating)
-            win.setWindowTitle("BEC Widgets")
-
-            RPCRegister().add_rpc(win)
-
-            gui = server.gui
-            win.setCentralWidget(gui)
-            if not args.hide:
-                win.show()
-
-            app.aboutToQuit.connect(server.shutdown)
-
-            def sigint_handler(*args):
-                # display message, for people to let it terminate gracefully
-                print("Caught SIGINT, exiting")
-                # first hide all top level windows
-                # this is to discriminate the cases between "user clicks on [X]"
-                # (which should be filtered, to not close -see BECDockArea-)
-                # or "app is asked to close"
-                for window in app.topLevelWidgets():
-                    window.hide()  # so, we know we can exit because it is hidden
-                app.quit()
-
-            signal.signal(signal.SIGINT, sigint_handler)
-            signal.signal(signal.SIGTERM, sigint_handler)
-
-            sys.exit(app.exec())
+    server = GUIServer(args)
+    server.start()
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
+    # import sys
+
+    # sys.argv = ["bec_widgets", "--gui_class", "MainWindow"]
     main()

bec_widgets/examples/jupyter_console/jupyter_console_window.py

@@ -15,12 +15,16 @@ 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.dock import BECDockArea
-from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure import BECFigure
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.layout_manager.layout_manager import LayoutManagerWidget
 from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.jupyter_console.jupyter_console import BECJupyterConsole
-from bec_widgets.widgets.plots_next_gen.plot_base import PlotBase
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.image.image import Image
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.motor_map.motor_map import MotorMap
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.multi_waveform.multi_waveform import MultiWaveform
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.plot_base import PlotBase
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.scatter_waveform.scatter_waveform import ScatterWaveform
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.waveform import Waveform
 
 
 class JupyterConsoleWindow(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover:
@@ -37,34 +41,24 @@ class JupyterConsoleWindow(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover:
                 {
                     "np": np,
                     "pg": pg,
-                    "fig": self.figure,
+                    "wh": wh,
                     "dock": self.dock,
-                    "w1": self.w1,
-                    "w2": self.w2,
-                    "w3": self.w3,
-                    "w4": self.w4,
-                    "w5": self.w5,
-                    "w6": self.w6,
-                    "w7": self.w7,
-                    "w8": self.w8,
-                    "w9": self.w9,
-                    "w10": self.w10,
-                    "d0": self.d0,
-                    "d1": self.d1,
-                    "d2": self.d2,
-                    "wave": self.wf,
                     "im": self.im,
-                    "mm": self.mm,
-                    "mw": self.mw,
-                    "lm": self.lm,
-                    "btn1": self.btn1,
-                    "btn2": self.btn2,
-                    "btn3": self.btn3,
-                    "btn4": self.btn4,
-                    "btn5": self.btn5,
-                    "btn6": self.btn6,
-                    "pb": self.pb,
-                    "pi": self.pi,
+                    # "mi": self.mi,
+                    # "mm": self.mm,
+                    # "lm": self.lm,
+                    # "btn1": self.btn1,
+                    # "btn2": self.btn2,
+                    # "btn3": self.btn3,
+                    # "btn4": self.btn4,
+                    # "btn5": self.btn5,
+                    # "btn6": self.btn6,
+                    # "pb": self.pb,
+                    # "pi": self.pi,
+                    # "wf": self.wf,
+                    # "scatter": self.scatter,
+                    # "scatter_mi": self.scatter,
+                    # "mwf": self.mwf,
                 }
             )
 
@@ -83,126 +77,85 @@ class JupyterConsoleWindow(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover:
         first_tab_layout.addWidget(self.dock)
         tab_widget.addTab(first_tab, "Dock Area")
 
-        second_tab = QWidget()
-        second_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(second_tab)
-        self.figure = BECFigure(parent=self, gui_id="figure")
-        second_tab_layout.addWidget(self.figure)
-        tab_widget.addTab(second_tab, "BEC Figure")
-
-        third_tab = QWidget()
-        third_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(third_tab)
-        self.lm = LayoutManagerWidget()
-        third_tab_layout.addWidget(self.lm)
-        tab_widget.addTab(third_tab, "Layout Manager Widget")
-
-        fourth_tab = QWidget()
-        fourth_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(fourth_tab)
-        self.pb = PlotBase()
-        self.pi = self.pb.plot_item
-        fourth_tab_layout.addWidget(self.pb)
-        tab_widget.addTab(fourth_tab, "PltoBase")
-
-        tab_widget.setCurrentIndex(3)
-
+        # third_tab = QWidget()
+        # third_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(third_tab)
+        # self.lm = LayoutManagerWidget()
+        # third_tab_layout.addWidget(self.lm)
+        # tab_widget.addTab(third_tab, "Layout Manager Widget")
+        #
+        # fourth_tab = QWidget()
+        # fourth_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(fourth_tab)
+        # self.pb = PlotBase()
+        # self.pi = self.pb.plot_item
+        # fourth_tab_layout.addWidget(self.pb)
+        # tab_widget.addTab(fourth_tab, "PlotBase")
+        #
+        # tab_widget.setCurrentIndex(3)
+        #
         group_box = QGroupBox("Jupyter Console", splitter)
         group_box_layout = QVBoxLayout(group_box)
         self.console = BECJupyterConsole(inprocess=True)
         group_box_layout.addWidget(self.console)
+        #
+        # # Some buttons for layout testing
+        # self.btn1 = QPushButton("Button 1")
+        # self.btn2 = QPushButton("Button 2")
+        # self.btn3 = QPushButton("Button 3")
+        # self.btn4 = QPushButton("Button 4")
+        # self.btn5 = QPushButton("Button 5")
+        # self.btn6 = QPushButton("Button 6")
+        #
+        # fifth_tab = QWidget()
+        # fifth_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(fifth_tab)
+        # self.wf = Waveform()
+        # fifth_tab_layout.addWidget(self.wf)
+        # tab_widget.addTab(fifth_tab, "Waveform Next Gen")
+        # tab_widget.setCurrentIndex(4)
+        #
+        sixth_tab = QWidget()
+        sixth_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(sixth_tab)
+        self.im = Image(popups=True)
+        self.mi = self.im.main_image
+        sixth_tab_layout.addWidget(self.im)
+        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)
+        #
+        # eighth_tab = QWidget()
+        # eighth_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(eighth_tab)
+        # self.mm = MotorMap()
+        # eighth_tab_layout.addWidget(self.mm)
+        # tab_widget.addTab(eighth_tab, "Motor Map")
+        # tab_widget.setCurrentIndex(7)
+        #
+        # ninth_tab = QWidget()
+        # ninth_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(ninth_tab)
+        # self.mwf = MultiWaveform()
+        # ninth_tab_layout.addWidget(self.mwf)
+        # tab_widget.addTab(ninth_tab, "MultiWaveform")
+        # tab_widget.setCurrentIndex(8)
+        #
+        # # add stuff to the new Waveform widget
+        # self._init_waveform()
+        #
+        # self.setWindowTitle("Jupyter Console Window")
 
-        # Some buttons for layout testing
-        self.btn1 = QPushButton("Button 1")
-        self.btn2 = QPushButton("Button 2")
-        self.btn3 = QPushButton("Button 3")
-        self.btn4 = QPushButton("Button 4")
-        self.btn5 = QPushButton("Button 5")
-        self.btn6 = QPushButton("Button 6")
-
-        # add stuff to figure
-        self._init_figure()
-
-        # init dock for testing
-        self._init_dock()
-
-        self.setWindowTitle("Jupyter Console Window")
-
-    def _init_figure(self):
-        self.w1 = self.figure.plot(x_name="samx", y_name="bpm4i", row=0, col=0)
-        self.w1.set(
-            title="Standard Plot with sync device, custom labels - w1",
-            x_label="Motor Position",
-            y_label="Intensity (A.U.)",
-        )
-        self.w2 = self.figure.motor_map("samx", "samy", row=0, col=1)
-        self.w3 = self.figure.image(
-            "eiger", color_map="viridis", vrange=(0, 100), title="Eiger Image - w3", row=0, col=2
-        )
-        self.w4 = self.figure.plot(
-            x_name="samx",
-            y_name="samy",
-            z_name="bpm4i",
-            color_map_z="magma",
-            new=True,
-            title="2D scatter plot - w4",
-            row=0,
-            col=3,
-        )
-        self.w5 = self.figure.plot(
-            y_name="bpm4i",
-            new=True,
-            title="Best Effort Plot - w5",
-            dap="GaussianModel",
-            row=1,
-            col=0,
-        )
-        self.w6 = self.figure.plot(
-            x_name="timestamp", y_name="bpm4i", new=True, title="Timestamp Plot - w6", row=1, col=1
-        )
-        self.w7 = self.figure.plot(
-            x_name="index", y_name="bpm4i", new=True, title="Index Plot - w7", row=1, col=2
-        )
-        self.w8 = self.figure.plot(
-            y_name="monitor_async", new=True, title="Async Plot - Best Effort - w8", row=2, col=0
-        )
-        self.w9 = self.figure.plot(
-            x_name="timestamp",
-            y_name="monitor_async",
-            new=True,
-            title="Async Plot - timestamp - w9",
-            row=2,
-            col=1,
-        )
-        self.w10 = self.figure.plot(
-            x_name="index",
-            y_name="monitor_async",
-            new=True,
-            title="Async Plot - index - w10",
-            row=2,
-            col=2,
-        )
-
-    def _init_dock(self):
-
-        self.d0 = self.dock.add_dock(name="dock_0")
-        self.mm = self.d0.add_widget("BECMotorMapWidget")
-        self.mm.change_motors("samx", "samy")
-
-        self.d1 = self.dock.add_dock(name="dock_1", position="right")
-        self.im = self.d1.add_widget("BECImageWidget")
-        self.im.image("waveform", "1d")
-
-        self.d2 = self.dock.add_dock(name="dock_2", position="bottom")
-        self.wf = self.d2.add_widget("BECFigure", row=0, col=0)
-
-        self.mw = self.wf.multi_waveform(monitor="waveform")  # , config=config)
-
-        self.dock.save_state()
+    def _init_waveform(self):
+        self.wf.plot(y_name="bpm4i", y_entry="bpm4i", dap="GaussianModel")
+        self.wf.plot(y_name="bpm3a", y_entry="bpm3a", dap="GaussianModel")
 
     def closeEvent(self, event):
         """Override to handle things when main window is closed."""
         self.dock.cleanup()
         self.dock.close()
-        self.figure.cleanup()
-        self.figure.close()
         self.console.close()
 
         super().closeEvent(event)
@@ -218,17 +171,16 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
     app.setApplicationName("Jupyter Console")
     app.setApplicationDisplayName("Jupyter Console")
-    apply_theme("dark")
-    icon = material_icon("terminal", color="#434343", filled=True)
+    icon = material_icon("terminal", color=(255, 255, 255, 255), filled=True)
     app.setWindowIcon(icon)
 
-    bec_dispatcher = BECDispatcher()
+    bec_dispatcher = BECDispatcher(gui_id="jupyter_console")
     client = bec_dispatcher.client
     client.start()
 
     win = JupyterConsoleWindow()
     win.show()
-    win.resize(1200, 800)
+    win.resize(1500, 800)
 
     app.aboutToQuit.connect(win.close)
     sys.exit(app.exec_())

bec_widgets/examples/plugin_example_pyside/tictactoetaskmenu.py

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

bec_widgets/tests/utils.py

@@ -96,9 +96,9 @@ class FakePositioner(BECPositioner):
         }
         self._info = {
             "signals": {
-                "readback": {"kind_str": "5"},  # hinted
-                "setpoint": {"kind_str": "1"},  # normal
-                "velocity": {"kind_str": "2"},  # config
+                "readback": {"kind_str": "hinted"},  # hinted
+                "setpoint": {"kind_str": "normal"},  # normal
+                "velocity": {"kind_str": "config"},  # config
             }
         }
         self.signals = {
@@ -200,7 +200,13 @@ class DMMock:
         self.devices = DeviceContainer()
         self.enabled_devices = [device for device in self.devices if device.enabled]
 
-    def add_devives(self, devices: list):
+    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
 

bec_widgets/utils/bec_connector.py

@@ -3,25 +3,29 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 import os
 import time
+import traceback
 import uuid
+from datetime import datetime
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Optional
 
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from bec_lib.utils.import_utils import lazy_import_from
 from pydantic import BaseModel, Field, field_validator
-from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, QRunnable, QThreadPool, Signal
+from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, QRunnable, QThreadPool, QTimer, Signal
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
 from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_register import RPCRegister
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import ErrorPopupUtility
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot as pyqtSlot
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import ErrorPopupUtility, SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.utils.widget_io import WidgetHierarchy
 from bec_widgets.utils.yaml_dialog import load_yaml, load_yaml_gui, save_yaml, save_yaml_gui
 
-if TYPE_CHECKING:
+if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
     from bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher import BECDispatcher
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock import BECDock
+else:
+    BECDispatcher = lazy_import_from("bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher", ("BECDispatcher",))
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
-BECDispatcher = lazy_import_from("bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher", ("BECDispatcher",))
 
 
 class ConnectionConfig(BaseModel):
@@ -39,8 +43,7 @@ class ConnectionConfig(BaseModel):
         """Generate a GUI ID if none is provided."""
         if v is None:
             widget_class = values.data["widget_class"]
-            v = f"{widget_class}_{str(time.time())}"
-            return v
+            v = f"{widget_class}_{datetime.now().strftime('%Y_%m_%d_%H_%M_%S_%f')}"
         return v
 
 
@@ -75,15 +78,52 @@ class BECConnector:
     USER_ACCESS = ["_config_dict", "_get_all_rpc", "_rpc_id"]
     EXIT_HANDLERS = {}
 
-    def __init__(self, client=None, config: ConnectionConfig = None, gui_id: str = None):
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        client=None,
+        config: ConnectionConfig | None = None,
+        gui_id: str | None = None,
+        object_name: str | None = None,
+        parent_dock: BECDock | None = None,  # TODO should go away -> issue created #473
+        root_widget: bool = False,
+        **kwargs,
+    ):
+        """
+        BECConnector mixin class to handle BEC client and device manager.
+
+        Args:
+            client(BECClient, optional): The BEC client.
+            config(ConnectionConfig, optional): The connection configuration with specific gui id.
+            gui_id(str, optional): The GUI ID.
+            object_name(str, optional): The object name.
+            parent_dock(BECDock, optional): The parent dock.# TODO should go away -> issue created #473
+            root_widget(bool, optional): If set to True, the parent_id will be always set to None, thus enforcing that the widget is accessible as a root widget of the BECGuiClient object.
+            **kwargs:
+        """
+        # Extract object_name from kwargs to not pass it to Qt class
+        object_name = object_name or kwargs.pop("objectName", None)
+        # Ensure the parent is always the first argument for QObject
+        parent = kwargs.pop("parent", None)
+        # This initializes the QObject or any qt related class BECConnector has to be used from this line down with QObject, otherwise hierarchy logic will not work
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, **kwargs)
+
+        assert isinstance(
+            self, QObject
+        ), "BECConnector must be used with a QObject or any qt related class."
+
+        # flag to check if the object was destroyed and its cleanup was called
+        self._destroyed = False
+
         # BEC related connections
         self.bec_dispatcher = BECDispatcher(client=client)
         self.client = self.bec_dispatcher.client if client is None else client
+        self._parent_dock = parent_dock  # TODO also remove at some point -> issue created #473
+        self.rpc_register = RPCRegister()
 
         if not self.client in BECConnector.EXIT_HANDLERS:
             # register function to clean connections at exit;
             # the function depends on BECClient, and BECDispatcher
-            @pyqtSlot()
+            @SafeSlot()
             def terminate(client=self.client, dispatcher=self.bec_dispatcher):
                 logger.info("Disconnecting", repr(dispatcher))
                 dispatcher.disconnect_all()
@@ -103,17 +143,26 @@ class BECConnector:
             )
             self.config = ConnectionConfig(widget_class=self.__class__.__name__)
 
+        # If the gui_id is passed, it should be respected. However, this should be revisted since
+        # the gui_id has to be unique, and may no longer be.
         if gui_id:
             self.config.gui_id = gui_id
-            self.gui_id = gui_id
+            self.gui_id: str = gui_id  # Keep namespace in sync
         else:
-            self.gui_id = self.config.gui_id
+            self.gui_id: str = self.config.gui_id  # type: ignore
 
-        # register widget to rpc register
-        # be careful: when registering, and the object is not a BECWidget,
-        # cleanup has to be called manually since there is no 'closeEvent'
-        self.rpc_register = RPCRegister()
-        self.rpc_register.add_rpc(self)
+        if object_name is not None:
+            self.setObjectName(object_name)
+
+        # 1) If no objectName is set, set the initial name
+        if not self.objectName():
+            self.setObjectName(self.__class__.__name__)
+        self.object_name = self.objectName()
+
+        # 2) Enforce unique objectName among siblings with the same BECConnector parent
+        self.setParent(parent)
+        if isinstance(self.parent(), QObject) and hasattr(self, "cleanup"):
+            self.parent().destroyed.connect(self._run_cleanup_on_deleted_parent)
 
         # Error popups
         self.error_utility = ErrorPopupUtility()
@@ -122,7 +171,119 @@ class BECConnector:
         # Store references to running workers so they're not garbage collected prematurely.
         self._workers = []
 
-    def submit_task(self, fn, *args, on_complete: pyqtSlot = None, **kwargs) -> Worker:
+        # If set to True, the parent_id will be always set to None, thus enforcing that the widget is accessible as a root widget of the BECGuiClient object.
+        self.root_widget = root_widget
+
+        QTimer.singleShot(0, self._update_object_name)
+
+    @property
+    def parent_id(self) -> str | None:
+        try:
+            if self.root_widget:
+                return None
+            connector_parent = WidgetHierarchy._get_becwidget_ancestor(self)
+            return connector_parent.gui_id if connector_parent else None
+        except:
+            logger.error(f"Error getting parent_id for {self.__class__.__name__}")
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def _run_cleanup_on_deleted_parent(self) -> None:
+        """
+        Run cleanup on the deleted parent.
+        This method is called when the parent is deleted.
+        """
+        if not hasattr(self, "cleanup"):
+            return
+        try:
+            if not self._destroyed:
+                self.cleanup()
+                self._destroyed = True
+        except Exception:
+            content = traceback.format_exc()
+            logger.info(
+                "Failed to run cleanup on deleted parent. "
+                f"This is not necessarily an error as the parent may be deleted before the child and includes already a cleanup. The following exception was raised:\n{content}"
+            )
+
+    def change_object_name(self, name: str) -> None:
+        """
+        Change the object name of the widget. Unregister old name and register the new one.
+
+        Args:
+            name (str): The new object name.
+        """
+        self.rpc_register.remove_rpc(self)
+        self.setObjectName(name.replace("-", "_").replace(" ", "_"))
+        QTimer.singleShot(0, self._update_object_name)
+
+    def _update_object_name(self) -> None:
+        """
+        Enforce a unique object name among siblings and register the object for RPC.
+        This method is called through a single shot timer kicked off in the constructor.
+        """
+        # 1) Enforce unique objectName among siblings with the same BECConnector parent
+        self._enforce_unique_sibling_name()
+        # 2) Register the object for RPC
+        self.rpc_register.add_rpc(self)
+
+    def _enforce_unique_sibling_name(self):
+        """
+        Enforce that this BECConnector has a unique objectName among its siblings.
+
+        Sibling logic:
+          - If there's a nearest BECConnector parent, only compare with children of that parent.
+          - If parent is None (i.e., top-level object), compare with all other top-level BECConnectors.
+        """
+        QApplication.processEvents()
+        parent_bec = WidgetHierarchy._get_becwidget_ancestor(self)
+
+        if parent_bec:
+            # We have a parent => only compare with siblings under that parent
+            siblings = parent_bec.findChildren(BECConnector)
+        else:
+            # No parent => treat all top-level BECConnectors as siblings
+            # 1) Gather all BECConnectors from QApplication
+            all_widgets = QApplication.allWidgets()
+            all_bec = [w for w in all_widgets if isinstance(w, BECConnector)]
+            # 2) "Top-level" means closest BECConnector parent is None
+            top_level_bec = [
+                w for w in all_bec if WidgetHierarchy._get_becwidget_ancestor(w) is None
+            ]
+            # 3) We are among these top-level siblings
+            siblings = top_level_bec
+
+        # Collect used names among siblings
+        used_names = {sib.objectName() for sib in siblings if sib is not self}
+
+        base_name = self.object_name
+        if base_name not in used_names:
+            # Name is already unique among siblings
+            return
+
+        # Need a suffix to avoid collision
+        counter = 0
+        while True:
+            trial_name = f"{base_name}_{counter}"
+            if trial_name not in used_names:
+                self.setObjectName(trial_name)
+                self.object_name = trial_name
+                break
+            counter += 1
+
+    # pylint: disable=invalid-name
+    def setObjectName(self, name: str) -> None:
+        """
+        Set the object name of the widget.
+
+        Args:
+            name (str): The new object name.
+        """
+        super().setObjectName(name)
+        self.object_name = name
+        if self.rpc_register.object_is_registered(self):
+            self.rpc_register.broadcast()
+
+    def submit_task(self, fn, *args, on_complete: SafeSlot = None, **kwargs) -> Worker:
         """
         Submit a task to run in a separate thread. The task will run the specified
         function with the provided arguments and emit the completed signal when done.
@@ -195,6 +356,7 @@ class BECConnector:
         """
         self.config = config
 
+    # FIXME some thoughts are required to decide how thhis should work with rpc registry
     def apply_config(self, config: dict, generate_new_id: bool = True) -> None:
         """
         Apply the configuration to the widget.
@@ -207,11 +369,12 @@ class BECConnector:
         if generate_new_id is True:
             gui_id = str(uuid.uuid4())
             self.rpc_register.remove_rpc(self)
-            self.set_gui_id(gui_id)
+            self._set_gui_id(gui_id)
             self.rpc_register.add_rpc(self)
         else:
             self.gui_id = self.config.gui_id
 
+    # FIXME some thoughts are required to decide how thhis should work with rpc registry
     def load_config(self, path: str | None = None, gui: bool = False):
         """
         Load the configuration of the widget from YAML.
@@ -248,8 +411,8 @@ class BECConnector:
             file_path = os.path.join(path, f"{self.__class__.__name__}_config.yaml")
             save_yaml(file_path, self._config_dict)
 
-    @pyqtSlot(str)
-    def set_gui_id(self, gui_id: str) -> None:
+    # @SafeSlot(str)
+    def _set_gui_id(self, gui_id: str) -> None:
         """
         Set the GUI ID for the widget.
 
@@ -280,7 +443,7 @@ class BECConnector:
         self.client = client
         self.get_bec_shortcuts()
 
-    @pyqtSlot(ConnectionConfig)  # TODO can be also dict
+    @SafeSlot(ConnectionConfig)  # TODO can be also dict
     def on_config_update(self, config: ConnectionConfig | dict) -> None:
         """
         Update the configuration for the widget.
@@ -288,9 +451,26 @@ class BECConnector:
         Args:
             config (ConnectionConfig | dict): Configuration settings.
         """
+        gui_id = getattr(config, "gui_id", None)
         if isinstance(config, dict):
             config = ConnectionConfig(**config)
         self.config = config
+        if gui_id and config.gui_id != gui_id:  # Recreating config should not overwrite the gui_id
+            self.config.gui_id = gui_id
+
+    def remove(self):
+        """Cleanup the BECConnector"""
+        # If the widget is attached to a dock, remove it from the dock.
+        # TODO this should be handled by dock and dock are not by BECConnector  -> issue created #473
+        if self._parent_dock is not None:
+            self._parent_dock.delete(self.object_name)
+        # If the widget is from Qt, trigger its close method.
+        elif hasattr(self, "close"):
+            self.close()
+        # If the widget is neither from a Dock nor from Qt, remove it from the RPC registry.
+        # i.e. Curve Item from Waveform
+        else:
+            self.rpc_register.remove_rpc(self)
 
     def get_config(self, dict_output: bool = True) -> dict | BaseModel:
         """

bec_widgets/utils/bec_designer.py

@@ -10,13 +10,15 @@ from bec_qthemes import material_icon
 from qtpy import PYSIDE6
 from qtpy.QtGui import QIcon
 
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_plugin_helper import user_widget_plugin
+
 if PYSIDE6:
     from PySide6.scripts.pyside_tool import (
         _extend_path_var,
         init_virtual_env,
-        qt_tool_wrapper,
         is_pyenv_python,
         is_virtual_env,
+        qt_tool_wrapper,
         ui_tool_binary,
     )
 
@@ -76,7 +78,7 @@ def list_editable_packages() -> set[str]:
     return editable_packages
 
 
-def patch_designer():  # pragma: no cover
+def patch_designer(cmd_args: list[str] = []):  # pragma: no cover
     if not PYSIDE6:
         print("PYSIDE6 is not available in the environment. Cannot patch designer.")
         return
@@ -117,7 +119,7 @@ def patch_designer():  # pragma: no cover
             editable_packages = list_editable_packages()
             for pckg in editable_packages:
                 _extend_path_var("PYTHONPATH", pckg, True)
-    qt_tool_wrapper(ui_tool_binary("designer"), sys.argv[1:])
+    qt_tool_wrapper(ui_tool_binary("designer"), cmd_args)
 
 
 def find_plugin_paths(base_path: Path):
@@ -145,15 +147,24 @@ def set_plugin_environment_variable(plugin_paths):
 
 
 # Patch the designer function
-def main():  # pragma: no cover
+def open_designer(cmd_args: list[str] = []):  # pragma: no cover
     if not PYSIDE6:
         print("PYSIDE6 is not available in the environment. Exiting...")
         return
     base_dir = Path(os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)).resolve()
+
     plugin_paths = find_plugin_paths(base_dir)
+    if (plugin_repo := user_widget_plugin()) and isinstance(plugin_repo.__file__, str):
+        plugin_repo_dir = Path(os.path.dirname(plugin_repo.__file__)).resolve()
+        plugin_paths.extend(find_plugin_paths(plugin_repo_dir))
+
     set_plugin_environment_variable(plugin_paths)
 
-    patch_designer()
+    patch_designer(cmd_args)
+
+
+def main():
+    open_designer(sys.argv[1:])
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover

bec_widgets/utils/bec_dispatcher.py

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

bec_widgets/utils/bec_plugin_helper.py

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

bec_widgets/utils/bec_signal_proxy.py

@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
-""" This custom class is a thin wrapper around the SignalProxy class to allow signal calls to be blocked.
+"""This custom class is a thin wrapper around the SignalProxy class to allow signal calls to be blocked.
 Unblocking the proxy needs to be done through the slot unblock_proxy. The most likely use case for this class is
-when the callback function is potentially initiating a slower progress, i.e. requesting a data analysis routine to 
+when the callback function is potentially initiating a slower progress, i.e. requesting a data analysis routine to
 analyse data. Requesting a new fit may lead to request piling up and an overall slow done of performance. This proxy
 will allow you to decide by yourself when to unblock and execute the callback again."""
 
 from pyqtgraph import SignalProxy
 from qtpy.QtCore import QTimer, Signal
 
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 
 
 class BECSignalProxy(SignalProxy):

bec_widgets/utils/bec_widget.py

@@ -1,13 +1,19 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
+
 import darkdetect
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
-from qtpy.QtCore import Slot
-from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QWidget
+from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, Slot
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
+from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_register import RPCRegister
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector, ConnectionConfig
 from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
 
+if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock import BECDock
+
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
 
@@ -17,13 +23,16 @@ class BECWidget(BECConnector):
     # The icon name is the name of the icon in the icon theme, typically a name taken
     # from fonts.google.com/icons. Override this in subclasses to set the icon name.
     ICON_NAME = "widgets"
+    USER_ACCESS = ["remove"]
 
+    # pylint: disable=too-many-arguments
     def __init__(
         self,
         client=None,
         config: ConnectionConfig = None,
-        gui_id: str = None,
+        gui_id: str | None = None,
         theme_update: bool = False,
+        parent_dock: BECDock | None = None,  # TODO should go away -> issue created #473
         **kwargs,
     ):
         """
@@ -43,11 +52,12 @@ class BECWidget(BECConnector):
             theme_update(bool, optional): Whether to subscribe to theme updates. Defaults to False. When set to True, the
                 widget's apply_theme method will be called when the theme changes.
         """
-        if not isinstance(self, QWidget):
-            raise RuntimeError(f"{repr(self)} is not a subclass of QWidget")
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
 
-        # Set the theme to auto if it is not set yet
+        super().__init__(
+            client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, parent_dock=parent_dock, **kwargs
+        )
+        if not isinstance(self, QObject):
+            raise RuntimeError(f"{repr(self)} is not a subclass of QWidget")
         app = QApplication.instance()
         if not hasattr(app, "theme"):
             # DO NOT SET THE THEME TO AUTO! Otherwise, the qwebengineview will segfault
@@ -88,10 +98,16 @@ class BECWidget(BECConnector):
 
     def cleanup(self):
         """Cleanup the widget."""
+        with RPCRegister.delayed_broadcast():
+            # All widgets need to call super().cleanup() in their cleanup method
+            logger.info(f"Registry cleanup for widget {self.__class__.__name__}")
+            self.rpc_register.remove_rpc(self)
 
     def closeEvent(self, event):
-        self.rpc_register.remove_rpc(self)
+        """Wrap the close even to ensure the rpc_register is cleaned up."""
         try:
-            self.cleanup()
+            if not self._destroyed:
+                self.cleanup()
+                self._destroyed = True
         finally:
-            super().closeEvent(event)
+            super().closeEvent(event)  # pylint: disable=no-member

bec_widgets/utils/colors.py

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ from pydantic_core import PydanticCustomError
 from qtpy.QtGui import QColor
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
-if TYPE_CHECKING:
+if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
     from bec_qthemes._main import AccentColors
 
 

bec_widgets/utils/compact_popup.py

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

bec_widgets/utils/container_utils.py

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

bec_widgets/utils/crosshair.py

@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
 from collections import defaultdict
+from typing import Any
 
 import numpy as np
 import pyqtgraph as pg
@@ -82,7 +85,8 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
         self.items = []
         self.marker_moved_1d = {}
         self.marker_clicked_1d = {}
-        self.marker_2d = None
+        self.marker_2d_row = None
+        self.marker_2d_col = None
         self.update_markers()
         self.check_log()
         self.check_derivatives()
@@ -192,20 +196,33 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
                         marker_clicked_list.append(marker_clicked)
                     self.marker_clicked_1d[name] = marker_clicked_list
             elif isinstance(item, pg.ImageItem):  # 2D plot
-                if self.marker_2d is not None:
+                if self.marker_2d_row is not None and self.marker_2d_col is not None:
                     continue
-                self.marker_2d = pg.ROI(
-                    [0, 0], size=[1, 1], pen=pg.mkPen("r", width=2), movable=False
+                # Create horizontal ROI for row highlighting
+                if item.image is None:
+                    continue
+                self.marker_2d_row = pg.ROI(
+                    [0, 0], size=[item.image.shape[0], 1], pen=pg.mkPen("r", width=2), movable=False
                 )
-                self.plot_item.addItem(self.marker_2d)
+                self.marker_2d_row.skip_auto_range = True
+                self.plot_item.addItem(self.marker_2d_row)
 
-    def snap_to_data(self, x, y) -> tuple[defaultdict[list], defaultdict[list]]:
+                # Create vertical ROI for column highlighting
+                self.marker_2d_col = pg.ROI(
+                    [0, 0], size=[1, item.image.shape[1]], pen=pg.mkPen("r", width=2), movable=False
+                )
+                self.marker_2d_col.skip_auto_range = True
+                self.plot_item.addItem(self.marker_2d_col)
+
+    def snap_to_data(
+        self, x: float, y: float
+    ) -> tuple[None, None] | tuple[defaultdict[Any, list], defaultdict[Any, list]]:
         """
         Finds the nearest data points to the given x and y coordinates.
 
         Args:
-            x: The x-coordinate of the mouse cursor
-            y: The y-coordinate of the mouse cursor
+            x(float): The x-coordinate of the mouse cursor
+            y(float): The y-coordinate of the mouse cursor
 
         Returns:
             tuple: x and y values snapped to the nearest data
@@ -235,8 +252,10 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
                     y_values[name] = closest_y
                     x_values[name] = closest_x
             elif isinstance(item, pg.ImageItem):  # 2D plot
-                name = item.config.monitor
+                name = item.config.monitor or str(id(item))
                 image_2d = item.image
+                if image_2d is None:
+                    continue
                 # Clip the x and y values to the image dimensions to avoid out of bounds errors
                 y_values[name] = int(np.clip(y, 0, image_2d.shape[1] - 1))
                 x_values[name] = int(np.clip(x, 0, image_2d.shape[0] - 1))
@@ -320,11 +339,14 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
                     )
                     self.coordinatesChanged1D.emit(coordinate_to_emit)
                 elif isinstance(item, pg.ImageItem):
-                    name = item.config.monitor
+                    name = item.config.monitor or str(id(item))
                     x, y = x_snap_values[name], y_snap_values[name]
                     if x is None or y is None:
                         continue
-                    self.marker_2d.setPos([x, y])
+                    # Set position of horizontal ROI (row)
+                    self.marker_2d_row.setPos([0, y])
+                    # Set position of vertical ROI (column)
+                    self.marker_2d_col.setPos([x, 0])
                     coordinate_to_emit = (name, x, y)
                     self.coordinatesChanged2D.emit(coordinate_to_emit)
                 else:
@@ -374,11 +396,14 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
                     )
                     self.coordinatesClicked1D.emit(coordinate_to_emit)
                 elif isinstance(item, pg.ImageItem):
-                    name = item.config.monitor
+                    name = item.config.monitor or str(id(item))
                     x, y = x_snap_values[name], y_snap_values[name]
                     if x is None or y is None:
                         continue
-                    self.marker_2d.setPos([x, y])
+                    # Set position of horizontal ROI (row)
+                    self.marker_2d_row.setPos([0, y])
+                    # Set position of vertical ROI (column)
+                    self.marker_2d_col.setPos([x, 0])
                     coordinate_to_emit = (name, x, y)
                     self.coordinatesClicked2D.emit(coordinate_to_emit)
                 else:
@@ -418,9 +443,19 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
         """
         x, y = pos
         x_scaled, y_scaled = self.scale_emitted_coordinates(x, y)
-
+        text = f"({x_scaled:.{self.precision}g}, {y_scaled:.{self.precision}g})"
+        for item in self.items:
+            if isinstance(item, pg.ImageItem):
+                image = item.image
+                if image is None:
+                    continue
+                ix = int(np.clip(x, 0, image.shape[0] - 1))
+                iy = int(np.clip(y, 0, image.shape[1] - 1))
+                intensity = image[ix, iy]
+                text += f"\nIntensity: {intensity:.{self.precision}g}"
+                break
         # Update coordinate label
-        self.coord_label.setText(f"({x_scaled:.{self.precision}g}, {y_scaled:.{self.precision}g})")
+        self.coord_label.setText(text)
         self.coord_label.setPos(x, y)
         self.coord_label.setVisible(True)
 
@@ -436,6 +471,12 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
         self.clear_markers()
 
     def cleanup(self):
+        if self.marker_2d_row is not None:
+            self.plot_item.removeItem(self.marker_2d_row)
+            self.marker_2d_row = None
+        if self.marker_2d_col is not None:
+            self.plot_item.removeItem(self.marker_2d_col)
+            self.marker_2d_col = None
         self.plot_item.removeItem(self.v_line)
         self.plot_item.removeItem(self.h_line)
         self.plot_item.removeItem(self.coord_label)

bec_widgets/utils/entry_validator.py

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

bec_widgets/utils/error_popups.py

@@ -96,23 +96,55 @@ def SafeSlot(*slot_args, **slot_kwargs):  # pylint: disable=invalid-name
 
     'popup_error' keyword argument can be passed with boolean value if a dialog should pop up,
     otherwise error display is left to the original exception hook
+    'verify_sender' keyword argument can be passed with boolean value if the sender should be verified
+    before executing the slot. If True, the slot will only execute if the sender is a QObject. This is
+    useful to prevent function calls from already deleted objects.
+    'raise_error' keyword argument can be passed with boolean value if the error should be raised
+    after the error is displayed. This is useful to propagate the error to the caller but should be used
+    with great care to avoid segfaults.
+
+    The keywords above are stored in a container which can be overridden by passing
+    '_override_slot_params' keyword argument with a dictionary containing the keywords to override.
+    This is useful to override the default behavior of the decorator for a specific function call.
+
     """
-    popup_error = bool(slot_kwargs.pop("popup_error", False))
+    _slot_params = {
+        "popup_error": bool(slot_kwargs.pop("popup_error", False)),
+        "verify_sender": bool(slot_kwargs.pop("verify_sender", False)),
+        "raise_error": bool(slot_kwargs.pop("raise_error", False)),
+    }
 
     def error_managed(method):
         @Slot(*slot_args, **slot_kwargs)
         @functools.wraps(method)
         def wrapper(*args, **kwargs):
+
+            _override_slot_params = kwargs.pop("_override_slot_params", {})
+            _slot_params.update(_override_slot_params)
             try:
+                if not _slot_params["verify_sender"] or len(args) == 0:
+                    return method(*args, **kwargs)
+
+                _instance = args[0]
+                if not isinstance(_instance, QObject):
+                    return method(*args, **kwargs)
+                sender = _instance.sender()
+                if sender is None:
+                    logger.info(
+                        f"Sender is None for {method.__module__}.{method.__qualname__}, "
+                        "skipping method call."
+                    )
+                    return
                 return method(*args, **kwargs)
+
             except Exception:
                 slot_name = f"{method.__module__}.{method.__qualname__}"
                 error_msg = traceback.format_exc()
-                if popup_error:
-                    ErrorPopupUtility().custom_exception_hook(
-                        *sys.exc_info(), popup_error=popup_error
-                    )
+                if _slot_params["popup_error"]:
+                    ErrorPopupUtility().custom_exception_hook(*sys.exc_info(), popup_error=True)
                 logger.error(f"SafeSlot error in slot '{slot_name}':\n{error_msg}")
+                if _slot_params["raise_error"]:
+                    raise
 
         return wrapper
 

bec_widgets/utils/expandable_frame.py

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
     QWidget,
 )
 
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
 
 
 class ExpandableGroupFrame(QFrame):
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ class ExpandableGroupFrame(QFrame):
         self._title_layout.addWidget(self._expansion_button)
         self._title_layout.addWidget(self._title)
 
-        self._contents = QWidget()
+        self._contents = QWidget(self)
         self._layout.addWidget(self._contents)
 
         self._expansion_button.clicked.connect(self.switch_expanded_state)

bec_widgets/utils/forms_from_types/forms.py

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

bec_widgets/utils/forms_from_types/items.py

@@ -2,11 +2,13 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 from abc import abstractmethod
 from decimal import Decimal
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Callable, get_args
+from types import UnionType
+from typing import Callable, Protocol
 
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from bec_qthemes import material_icon
-from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
+from pydantic import BaseModel, ConfigDict, Field
+from pydantic.fields import FieldInfo
 from qtpy.QtCore import Signal  # type: ignore
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
     QApplication,
@@ -33,12 +35,22 @@ from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.scan_metadata._util import (
     field_precision,
 )
 
-if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from pydantic.fields import FieldInfo
-
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
 
+class FormItemSpec(BaseModel):
+    """
+    The specification for an item in a dynamically generated form. Uses a pydantic FieldInfo
+    to store most annotation info, since one of the main purposes is to store data for
+    forms genrated from pydantic models, but can also be composed from other sources or by hand.
+    """
+
+    model_config = ConfigDict(arbitrary_types_allowed=True)
+    item_type: type | UnionType
+    name: str
+    info: FieldInfo = FieldInfo()
+
+
 class ClearableBoolEntry(QWidget):
     stateChanged = Signal()
 
@@ -82,21 +94,20 @@ class ClearableBoolEntry(QWidget):
         self._false.setToolTip(tooltip)
 
 
-class MetadataWidget(QWidget):
-
+class DynamicFormItem(QWidget):
     valueChanged = Signal()
 
-    def __init__(self, info: FieldInfo, parent: QWidget | None = None) -> None:
+    def __init__(self, parent: QWidget | None = None, *, spec: FormItemSpec) -> None:
         super().__init__(parent)
-        self._info = info
+        self._spec = spec
         self._layout = QHBoxLayout()
         self._layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
         self._layout.setSizeConstraint(QLayout.SizeConstraint.SetMaximumSize)
-        self._default = field_default(self._info)
-        self._desc = self._info.description
+        self._default = field_default(self._spec.info)
+        self._desc = self._spec.info.description
         self.setLayout(self._layout)
         self._add_main_widget()
-        if clearable_required(info):
+        if clearable_required(spec.info):
             self._add_clear_button()
 
     @abstractmethod
@@ -127,15 +138,15 @@ class MetadataWidget(QWidget):
         self.valueChanged.emit()
 
 
-class StrMetadataField(MetadataWidget):
-    def __init__(self, info: FieldInfo, parent: QWidget | None = None) -> None:
-        super().__init__(info, parent)
+class StrMetadataField(DynamicFormItem):
+    def __init__(self, parent: QWidget | None = None, *, spec: FormItemSpec) -> None:
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, spec=spec)
         self._main_widget.textChanged.connect(self._value_changed)
 
     def _add_main_widget(self) -> None:
         self._main_widget = QLineEdit()
         self._layout.addWidget(self._main_widget)
-        min_length, max_length = field_minlen(self._info), field_maxlen(self._info)
+        min_length, max_length = (field_minlen(self._spec.info), field_maxlen(self._spec.info))
         if max_length:
             self._main_widget.setMaxLength(max_length)
         self._main_widget.setToolTip(
@@ -156,15 +167,15 @@ class StrMetadataField(MetadataWidget):
         self._main_widget.setText(value)
 
 
-class IntMetadataField(MetadataWidget):
-    def __init__(self, info: FieldInfo, parent: QWidget | None = None) -> None:
-        super().__init__(info, parent)
+class IntMetadataField(DynamicFormItem):
+    def __init__(self, parent: QWidget | None = None, *, spec: FormItemSpec) -> None:
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, spec=spec)
         self._main_widget.textChanged.connect(self._value_changed)
 
     def _add_main_widget(self) -> None:
         self._main_widget = QSpinBox()
         self._layout.addWidget(self._main_widget)
-        min_, max_ = field_limits(self._info, int)
+        min_, max_ = field_limits(self._spec.info, int)
         self._main_widget.setMinimum(min_)
         self._main_widget.setMaximum(max_)
         self._main_widget.setToolTip(f"(range {min_} to {max_}){self._describe()}")
@@ -185,18 +196,18 @@ class IntMetadataField(MetadataWidget):
         self._main_widget.setValue(value)
 
 
-class FloatDecimalMetadataField(MetadataWidget):
-    def __init__(self, info: FieldInfo, parent: QWidget | None = None) -> None:
-        super().__init__(info, parent)
+class FloatDecimalMetadataField(DynamicFormItem):
+    def __init__(self, parent: QWidget | None = None, *, spec: FormItemSpec) -> None:
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, spec=spec)
         self._main_widget.textChanged.connect(self._value_changed)
 
     def _add_main_widget(self) -> None:
         self._main_widget = QDoubleSpinBox()
         self._layout.addWidget(self._main_widget)
-        min_, max_ = field_limits(self._info, int)
+        min_, max_ = field_limits(self._spec.info, int)
         self._main_widget.setMinimum(min_)
         self._main_widget.setMaximum(max_)
-        precision = field_precision(self._info)
+        precision = field_precision(self._spec.info)
         if precision:
             self._main_widget.setDecimals(precision)
         minstr = f"{float(min_):.3f}" if abs(min_) <= 1000 else f"{float(min_):.3e}"
@@ -219,13 +230,13 @@ class FloatDecimalMetadataField(MetadataWidget):
         self._main_widget.setValue(value)
 
 
-class BoolMetadataField(MetadataWidget):
-    def __init__(self, info: FieldInfo, parent: QWidget | None = None) -> None:
-        super().__init__(info, parent)
+class BoolMetadataField(DynamicFormItem):
+    def __init__(self, *, parent: QWidget | None = None, spec: FormItemSpec) -> None:
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, spec=spec)
         self._main_widget.stateChanged.connect(self._value_changed)
 
     def _add_main_widget(self) -> None:
-        if clearable_required(self._info):
+        if clearable_required(self._spec.info):
             self._main_widget = ClearableBoolEntry()
         else:
             self._main_widget = QCheckBox()
@@ -240,7 +251,7 @@ class BoolMetadataField(MetadataWidget):
         self._main_widget.setChecked(value)
 
 
-def widget_from_type(annotation: type | None) -> Callable[[FieldInfo], MetadataWidget]:
+def widget_from_type(annotation: type | UnionType | None) -> type[DynamicFormItem]:
     if annotation in [str, str | None]:
         return StrMetadataField
     if annotation in [int, int | None]:

bec_widgets/utils/generate_designer_plugin.py

@@ -1,17 +1,30 @@
 import inspect
 import os
 import re
+from typing import NamedTuple
 
 from qtpy.QtCore import QObject
 
+from bec_widgets.utils.name_utils import pascal_to_snake
+
 EXCLUDED_PLUGINS = ["BECConnector", "BECDockArea", "BECDock", "BECFigure"]
 
 
+class PluginFilenames(NamedTuple):
+    register: str
+    plugin: str
+    pyproj: str
+
+
+def plugin_filenames(name: str) -> PluginFilenames:
+    return PluginFilenames(f"register_{name}.py", f"{name}_plugin.py", f"{name}.pyproject")
+
+
 class DesignerPluginInfo:
     def __init__(self, plugin_class):
         self.plugin_class = plugin_class
         self.plugin_name_pascal = plugin_class.__name__
-        self.plugin_name_snake = self.pascal_to_snake(self.plugin_name_pascal)
+        self.plugin_name_snake = pascal_to_snake(self.plugin_name_pascal)
         self.widget_import = f"from {plugin_class.__module__} import {self.plugin_name_pascal}"
         plugin_module = (
             ".".join(plugin_class.__module__.split(".")[:-1]) + f".{self.plugin_name_snake}_plugin"
@@ -27,21 +40,6 @@ class DesignerPluginInfo:
 
         self.base_path = os.path.dirname(inspect.getfile(plugin_class))
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def pascal_to_snake(name: str) -> str:
-        """
-        Convert PascalCase to snake_case.
-
-        Args:
-            name (str): The name to be converted.
-
-        Returns:
-            str: The converted name.
-        """
-        s1 = re.sub(r"([a-z0-9])([A-Z])", r"\1_\2", name)
-        s2 = re.sub(r"([A-Z]+)([A-Z][a-z])", r"\1_\2", s1)
-        return s2.lower()
-
 
 class DesignerPluginGenerator:
     def __init__(self, widget: type):
@@ -53,11 +51,15 @@ class DesignerPluginGenerator:
             self._excluded = True
             return
 
-        self.templates = {}
+        self.templates: dict[str, str] = {}
         self.template_path = os.path.join(
             os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__)), "plugin_templates"
         )
 
+    @property
+    def filenames(self):
+        return plugin_filenames(self.info.plugin_name_snake)
+
     def run(self, validate=True):
         if self._excluded:
             print(f"Plugin {self.widget.__name__} is excluded from generation.")
@@ -107,31 +109,33 @@ class DesignerPluginGenerator:
                 or bool(init_source.find("super().__init__(parent)") > 0)
             )
 
+        # for the new style classes, we only have one super call. We can therefore check if the
+        # number of __init__ calls is 2 (the class itself and the super class)
+        num_inits = re.findall(r"__init__", init_source)
+        if len(num_inits) == 2 and not super_init_found:
+            super_init_found = bool(
+                init_source.find("super().__init__(parent=parent") > 0
+                or init_source.find("super().__init__(parent,") > 0
+                or init_source.find("super().__init__(parent)") > 0
+            )
+
         if not cls_init_found and not super_init_found:
             raise ValueError(
                 f"Widget class {self.widget.__name__} must call the super constructor with parent."
             )
 
+    def _write_file(self, name: str, contents: str):
+        with open(os.path.join(self.info.base_path, name), "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+            f.write(contents)
+
+    def _format(self, name: str):
+        return self.templates[name].format(**self.info.__dict__)
+
     def _write_templates(self):
-        self._write_register()
-        self._write_plugin()
-        self._write_pyproject()
-
-    def _write_register(self):
-        file_path = os.path.join(self.info.base_path, f"register_{self.info.plugin_name_snake}.py")
-        with open(file_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-            f.write(self.templates["register"].format(**self.info.__dict__))
-
-    def _write_plugin(self):
-        file_path = os.path.join(self.info.base_path, f"{self.info.plugin_name_snake}_plugin.py")
-        with open(file_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-            f.write(self.templates["plugin"].format(**self.info.__dict__))
-
-    def _write_pyproject(self):
-        file_path = os.path.join(self.info.base_path, f"{self.info.plugin_name_snake}.pyproject")
-        out = {"files": [f"{self.info.plugin_class.__module__.split('.')[-1]}.py"]}
-        with open(file_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-            f.write(str(out))
+        self._write_file(self.filenames.register, self._format("register"))
+        self._write_file(self.filenames.plugin, self._format("plugin"))
+        pyproj = str({"files": [f"{self.info.plugin_class.__module__.split('.')[-1]}.py"]})
+        self._write_file(self.filenames.pyproj, pyproj)
 
     def _load_templates(self):
         for file in os.listdir(self.template_path):

bec_widgets/utils/linear_region_selector.py

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

bec_widgets/utils/name_utils.py

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

bec_widgets/utils/palette_viewer.py

@@ -22,10 +22,10 @@ class PaletteViewer(BECWidget, QWidget):
     """
 
     ICON_NAME = "palette"
+    RPC = False
 
     def __init__(self, *args, parent=None, **kwargs):
-        super().__init__(*args, theme_update=True, **kwargs)
-        QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, theme_update=True, **kwargs)
         self.setFixedSize(400, 600)
         layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
         dark_mode_button = DarkModeButton(self)

bec_widgets/utils/plot_indicator_items.py

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

bec_widgets/utils/plugin_utils.py

@@ -1,7 +1,10 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
 import importlib
 import inspect
 import os
 from dataclasses import dataclass
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 from bec_lib.plugin_helper import _get_available_plugins
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QGraphicsWidget, QWidget
@@ -9,6 +12,9 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import QGraphicsWidget, QWidget
 from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
 
+if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.auto_update.auto_updates import AutoUpdates
+
 
 def get_plugin_widgets() -> dict[str, BECConnector]:
     """
@@ -45,6 +51,40 @@ def _filter_plugins(obj):
     return inspect.isclass(obj) and issubclass(obj, BECConnector)
 
 
+def get_plugin_auto_updates() -> dict[str, type[AutoUpdates]]:
+    """
+    Get all available auto update classes from the plugin directory. AutoUpdates must inherit from AutoUpdate and be
+    placed in the plugin repository's bec_widgets/auto_updates directory. The entry point for the auto updates is
+    specified in the respective pyproject.toml file using the following key:
+        [project.entry-points."bec.widgets.auto_updates"]
+        plugin_widgets_update = "<beamline_name>.bec_widgets.auto_updates"
+
+    e.g.
+        [project.entry-points."bec.widgets.auto_updates"]
+        plugin_widgets_update = "pxiii_bec.bec_widgets.auto_updates"
+
+    Returns:
+        dict[str, AutoUpdates]: A dictionary of widget names and their respective classes.
+    """
+    modules = _get_available_plugins("bec.widgets.auto_updates")
+    loaded_plugins = {}
+    for module in modules:
+        mods = inspect.getmembers(module, predicate=_filter_auto_updates)
+        for name, mod_cls in mods:
+            if name in loaded_plugins:
+                print(f"Duplicated auto update {name}.")
+            loaded_plugins[name] = mod_cls
+    return loaded_plugins
+
+
+def _filter_auto_updates(obj):
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.auto_update.auto_updates import AutoUpdates
+
+    return (
+        inspect.isclass(obj) and issubclass(obj, AutoUpdates) and not obj.__name__ == "AutoUpdates"
+    )
+
+
 @dataclass
 class BECClassInfo:
     name: str
@@ -58,7 +98,13 @@ class BECClassInfo:
 
 class BECClassContainer:
     def __init__(self):
-        self._collection = []
+        self._collection: list[BECClassInfo] = []
+
+    def __repr__(self):
+        return str(list(cl.name for cl in self.collection))
+
+    def __iter__(self):
+        return self._collection.__iter__()
 
     def add_class(self, class_info: BECClassInfo):
         """

bec_widgets/utils/round_frame.py

@@ -2,11 +2,10 @@ import pyqtgraph as pg
 from qtpy.QtCore import Property
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QFrame, QHBoxLayout, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
-from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
 from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.visual.dark_mode_button.dark_mode_button import DarkModeButton
 
 
-class RoundedFrame(BECWidget, QFrame):
+class RoundedFrame(QFrame):
     """
     A custom QFrame with rounded corners and optional theme updates.
     The frame can contain any QWidget, however it is mainly designed to wrap PlotWidgets to provide a consistent look and feel with other BEC Widgets.
@@ -17,15 +16,12 @@ class RoundedFrame(BECWidget, QFrame):
         parent=None,
         content_widget: QWidget = None,
         background_color: str = None,
-        theme_update: bool = True,
+        orientation: str = "horizontal",
         radius: int = 10,
-        **kwargs,
     ):
-        super().__init__(**kwargs)
         QFrame.__init__(self, parent)
 
         self.background_color = background_color
-        self.theme_update = theme_update if background_color is None else False
         self._radius = radius
 
         # Apply rounded frame styling
@@ -33,8 +29,12 @@ class RoundedFrame(BECWidget, QFrame):
         self.setObjectName("roundedFrame")
 
         # Create a layout for the frame
-        self.layout = QHBoxLayout(self)
-        self.layout.setContentsMargins(5, 5, 5, 5)  # Set 5px margin
+        if orientation == "vertical":
+            self.layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
+            self.layout.setContentsMargins(5, 5, 5, 5)
+        else:
+            self.layout = QHBoxLayout(self)
+            self.layout.setContentsMargins(5, 5, 5, 5)  # Set 5px margin
 
         # Add the content widget to the layout
         if content_widget:
@@ -46,14 +46,14 @@ class RoundedFrame(BECWidget, QFrame):
         # Automatically apply initial styles to the GraphicalLayoutWidget if applicable
         self.apply_plot_widget_style()
 
-        self._connect_to_theme_change()
-
     def apply_theme(self, theme: str):
         """
         Apply the theme to the frame and its content if theme updates are enabled.
         """
-        if not self.theme_update:
-            return
+        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":
@@ -129,8 +129,8 @@ class ExampleApp(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover
         plot2.plot_item = plot_item_2
 
         # Wrap PlotWidgets in RoundedFrame
-        rounded_plot1 = RoundedFrame(content_widget=plot1, theme_update=True)
-        rounded_plot2 = RoundedFrame(content_widget=plot2, theme_update=True)
+        rounded_plot1 = RoundedFrame(parent=self, content_widget=plot1)
+        rounded_plot2 = RoundedFrame(parent=self, content_widget=plot2)
 
         # Add to layout
         layout.addWidget(dark_button)

bec_widgets/utils/rpc_server.py

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

bec_widgets/utils/serialization.py

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

bec_widgets/utils/settings_dialog.py

@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from PySide6.QtGui import QCloseEvent
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QDialog, QDialogButtonBox, QHBoxLayout, QPushButton, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
 
 
 class SettingWidget(QWidget):
@@ -37,6 +41,15 @@ class SettingWidget(QWidget):
         """
         pass
 
+    def cleanup(self):
+        """
+        Cleanup the settings widget.
+        """
+
+    def closeEvent(self, event: QCloseEvent) -> None:
+        self.cleanup()
+        return super().closeEvent(event)
+
 
 class SettingsDialog(QDialog):
     """
@@ -99,8 +112,17 @@ class SettingsDialog(QDialog):
         Accept the changes made in the settings widget and close the dialog.
         """
         self.widget.accept_changes()
+        self.cleanup()
         super().accept()
 
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def reject(self):
+        """
+        Reject the changes made in the settings widget and close the dialog.
+        """
+        self.cleanup()
+        super().reject()
+
     @SafeSlot()
     def apply_changes(self):
         """
@@ -114,7 +136,10 @@ class SettingsDialog(QDialog):
         """
         self.button_box.close()
         self.button_box.deleteLater()
+        self.widget.close()
+        self.widget.deleteLater()
 
     def closeEvent(self, event):
+        logger.info("Closing settings dialog")
         self.cleanup()
         super().closeEvent(event)

bec_widgets/utils/side_panel.py

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
     QWidget,
 )
 
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.toolbar import MaterialIconAction, ModularToolBar
+from bec_widgets.utils.toolbar import MaterialIconAction, ModularToolBar
 
 
 class SidePanel(QWidget):
@@ -31,16 +31,17 @@ class SidePanel(QWidget):
         panel_max_width: int = 200,
         animation_duration: int = 200,
         animations_enabled: bool = True,
+        show_toolbar: bool = True,
     ):
         super().__init__(parent=parent)
 
         self.setProperty("skip_settings", True)
-        self.setObjectName("SidePanel")
 
         self._orientation = orientation
         self._panel_max_width = panel_max_width
         self._animation_duration = animation_duration
         self._animations_enabled = animations_enabled
+        self._show_toolbar = show_toolbar
 
         self._panel_width = 0
         self._panel_height = 0
@@ -60,7 +61,7 @@ class SidePanel(QWidget):
             self.main_layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
             self.main_layout.setSpacing(0)
 
-            self.toolbar = ModularToolBar(target_widget=self, orientation="vertical")
+            self.toolbar = ModularToolBar(parent=self, target_widget=self, orientation="vertical")
 
             self.container = QWidget()
             self.container.layout = QVBoxLayout(self.container)
@@ -72,13 +73,14 @@ class SidePanel(QWidget):
             self.stack_widget.setMinimumWidth(5)
             self.stack_widget.setMaximumWidth(self._panel_max_width)
 
-            if self._orientation == "left":
-                self.main_layout.addWidget(self.toolbar)
-                self.main_layout.addWidget(self.container)
-            else:
-                self.main_layout.addWidget(self.container)
-                self.main_layout.addWidget(self.toolbar)
+            if self._orientation in ("left", "right"):
+                if self._show_toolbar:
+                    self.main_layout.addWidget(self.toolbar)
 
+                if self._orientation == "left":
+                    self.main_layout.addWidget(self.container)
+                else:
+                    self.main_layout.insertWidget(0, self.container)
             self.container.layout.addWidget(self.stack_widget)
 
             self.menu_anim = QPropertyAnimation(self, b"panel_width")
@@ -90,7 +92,7 @@ class SidePanel(QWidget):
             self.main_layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
             self.main_layout.setSpacing(0)
 
-            self.toolbar = ModularToolBar(target_widget=self, orientation="horizontal")
+            self.toolbar = ModularToolBar(parent=self, target_widget=self, orientation="horizontal")
 
             self.container = QWidget()
             self.container.layout = QVBoxLayout(self.container)
@@ -103,11 +105,13 @@ class SidePanel(QWidget):
             self.stack_widget.setMaximumHeight(self._panel_max_width)
 
             if self._orientation == "top":
-                self.main_layout.addWidget(self.toolbar)
+                if self._show_toolbar:
+                    self.main_layout.addWidget(self.toolbar)
                 self.main_layout.addWidget(self.container)
             else:
                 self.main_layout.addWidget(self.container)
-                self.main_layout.addWidget(self.toolbar)
+                if self._show_toolbar:
+                    self.main_layout.addWidget(self.toolbar)
 
             self.container.layout.addWidget(self.stack_widget)
 
@@ -232,16 +236,26 @@ class SidePanel(QWidget):
             self.stack_widget.setCurrentIndex(idx)
             self.current_index = idx
 
-    def add_menu(self, action_id: str, icon_name: str, tooltip: str, widget: QWidget, title: str):
+    def add_menu(
+        self,
+        widget: QWidget,
+        action_id: str | None = None,
+        icon_name: str | None = None,
+        tooltip: str | None = None,
+        title: str | None = None,
+    ) -> int:
         """
         Add a menu to the side panel.
 
         Args:
-            action_id(str): The ID of the action.
-            icon_name(str): The name of the icon.
-            tooltip(str): The tooltip for the action.
             widget(QWidget): The widget to add to the panel.
-            title(str): The title of the panel.
+            action_id(str | None): The ID of the action. Optional if no toolbar action is needed.
+            icon_name(str | None): The name of the icon. Optional if no toolbar action is needed.
+            tooltip(str | None): The tooltip for the action. Optional if no toolbar action is needed.
+            title(str | None): The title of the panel.
+
+        Returns:
+            int: The index of the added panel, which can be used with show_panel() and switch_to().
         """
         # container_widget: top-level container for the stacked page
         container_widget = QWidget()
@@ -249,9 +263,10 @@ class SidePanel(QWidget):
         container_layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
         container_layout.setSpacing(5)
 
-        title_label = QLabel(f"<b>{title}</b>")
-        title_label.setStyleSheet("font-size: 16px;")
-        container_layout.addWidget(title_label)
+        if title is not None:
+            title_label = QLabel(f"<b>{title}</b>")
+            title_label.setStyleSheet("font-size: 16px;")
+            container_layout.addWidget(title_label)
 
         # Create a QScrollArea for the actual widget to ensure scrolling if the widget inside is too large
         scroll_area = QScrollArea()
@@ -271,32 +286,35 @@ class SidePanel(QWidget):
         index = self.stack_widget.count()
         self.stack_widget.addWidget(container_widget)
 
-        # Add an action to the toolbar
-        action = MaterialIconAction(icon_name=icon_name, tooltip=tooltip, checkable=True)
-        self.toolbar.add_action(action_id, action, target_widget=self)
+        # Add an action to the toolbar if action_id, icon_name, and tooltip are provided
+        if action_id is not None and icon_name is not None and tooltip is not None:
+            action = MaterialIconAction(icon_name=icon_name, tooltip=tooltip, checkable=True)
+            self.toolbar.add_action(action_id, action, target_widget=self)
 
-        def on_action_toggled(checked: bool):
-            if self.switching_actions:
-                return
+            def on_action_toggled(checked: bool):
+                if self.switching_actions:
+                    return
 
-            if checked:
-                if self.current_action and self.current_action != action.action:
-                    self.switching_actions = True
-                    self.current_action.setChecked(False)
-                    self.switching_actions = False
+                if checked:
+                    if self.current_action and self.current_action != action.action:
+                        self.switching_actions = True
+                        self.current_action.setChecked(False)
+                        self.switching_actions = False
 
-                self.current_action = action.action
+                    self.current_action = action.action
 
-                if not self.panel_visible:
-                    self.show_panel(index)
+                    if not self.panel_visible:
+                        self.show_panel(index)
+                    else:
+                        self.switch_to(index)
                 else:
-                    self.switch_to(index)
-            else:
-                if self.current_action == action.action:
-                    self.current_action = None
-                    self.hide_panel()
+                    if self.current_action == action.action:
+                        self.current_action = None
+                        self.hide_panel()
 
-        action.action.toggled.connect(on_action_toggled)
+            action.action.toggled.connect(on_action_toggled)
+
+        return index
 
 
 ############################################
@@ -317,49 +335,64 @@ class ExampleApp(QMainWindow):  # pragma: no cover
         self.side_panel = SidePanel(self, orientation="left", panel_max_width=250)
         self.layout.addWidget(self.side_panel)
 
-        from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.waveform_widget import BECWaveformWidget
+        from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.waveform import Waveform
 
-        self.plot = BECWaveformWidget()
+        self.plot = Waveform()
         self.layout.addWidget(self.plot)
 
         self.add_side_menus()
 
     def add_side_menus(self):
+        # Example 1: With action, icon, and tooltip
         widget1 = QWidget()
         layout1 = QVBoxLayout(widget1)
         for i in range(15):
             layout1.addWidget(QLabel(f"Widget 1 label row {i}"))
         self.side_panel.add_menu(
+            widget=widget1,
             action_id="widget1",
             icon_name="counter_1",
             tooltip="Show Widget 1",
-            widget=widget1,
             title="Widget 1 Panel",
         )
 
+        # Example 2: With action, icon, and tooltip
         widget2 = QWidget()
         layout2 = QVBoxLayout(widget2)
         layout2.addWidget(QLabel("Short widget 2 content"))
         self.side_panel.add_menu(
+            widget=widget2,
             action_id="widget2",
             icon_name="counter_2",
             tooltip="Show Widget 2",
-            widget=widget2,
             title="Widget 2 Panel",
         )
 
+        # Example 3: With action, icon, and tooltip
         widget3 = QWidget()
         layout3 = QVBoxLayout(widget3)
         for i in range(10):
             layout3.addWidget(QLabel(f"Line {i} for Widget 3"))
         self.side_panel.add_menu(
+            widget=widget3,
             action_id="widget3",
             icon_name="counter_3",
             tooltip="Show Widget 3",
-            widget=widget3,
             title="Widget 3 Panel",
         )
 
+        # Example 4: Without action, icon, and tooltip (can only be shown programmatically)
+        widget4 = QWidget()
+        layout4 = QVBoxLayout(widget4)
+        layout4.addWidget(QLabel("This panel has no toolbar button"))
+        layout4.addWidget(QLabel("It can only be shown programmatically"))
+        self.hidden_panel_index = self.side_panel.add_menu(widget=widget4, title="Hidden Panel")
+
+        # Example of how to show the hidden panel programmatically after 3 seconds
+        from qtpy.QtCore import QTimer
+
+        QTimer.singleShot(3000, lambda: self.side_panel.show_panel(self.hidden_panel_index))
+
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)

bec_widgets/utils/toolbar.py

@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ class IconAction(ToolBarAction):
     def add_to_toolbar(self, toolbar: QToolBar, target: QWidget):
         icon = QIcon()
         icon.addFile(self.icon_path, size=QSize(20, 20))
-        self.action = QAction(icon, self.tooltip, target)
+        self.action = QAction(icon=icon, text=self.tooltip, parent=target)
         self.action.setCheckable(self.checkable)
         toolbar.addAction(self.action)
 
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ class QtIconAction(ToolBarAction):
         super().__init__(icon_path=None, tooltip=tooltip, checkable=checkable)
         self.standard_icon = standard_icon
         self.icon = QApplication.style().standardIcon(standard_icon)
-        self.action = QAction(self.icon, self.tooltip, parent)
+        self.action = QAction(icon=self.icon, text=self.tooltip, parent=parent)
         self.action.setCheckable(self.checkable)
 
     def add_to_toolbar(self, toolbar, target):
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ class MaterialIconAction(ToolBarAction):
             filled=self.filled,
             color=self.color,
         )
-        self.action = QAction(self.icon, self.tooltip, parent=parent)
+        self.action = QAction(icon=self.icon, text=self.tooltip, parent=parent)
         self.action.setCheckable(self.checkable)
 
     def add_to_toolbar(self, toolbar: QToolBar, target: QWidget):
@@ -212,12 +212,12 @@ class DeviceSelectionAction(ToolBarAction):
         self.device_combobox.currentIndexChanged.connect(lambda: self.set_combobox_style("#ffa700"))
 
     def add_to_toolbar(self, toolbar, target):
-        widget = QWidget()
+        widget = QWidget(parent=target)
         layout = QHBoxLayout(widget)
         layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
         layout.setSpacing(0)
         if self.label is not None:
-            label = QLabel(f"{self.label}")
+            label = QLabel(text=f"{self.label}", parent=target)
             layout.addWidget(label)
         if self.device_combobox is not None:
             layout.addWidget(self.device_combobox)
@@ -279,31 +279,63 @@ class SwitchableToolBarAction(ToolBarAction):
         self.main_button.setToolTip(default_action.tooltip)
         self.main_button.clicked.connect(self._trigger_current_action)
         menu = QMenu(self.main_button)
-        self.menu_actions = {}
         for key, action_obj in self.actions.items():
-            menu_action = QAction(action_obj.get_icon(), action_obj.tooltip, self.main_button)
+            menu_action = QAction(
+                icon=action_obj.get_icon(), text=action_obj.tooltip, parent=self.main_button
+            )
             menu_action.setIconVisibleInMenu(True)
             menu_action.setCheckable(self.checkable)
             menu_action.setChecked(key == self.current_key)
             menu_action.triggered.connect(lambda checked, k=key: self.set_default_action(k))
             menu.addAction(menu_action)
-            self.menu_actions[key] = menu_action
         self.main_button.setMenu(menu)
         toolbar.addWidget(self.main_button)
 
     def _trigger_current_action(self):
+        """
+        Triggers the current action associated with the main button.
+        """
         action_obj = self.actions[self.current_key]
         action_obj.action.trigger()
 
     def set_default_action(self, key: str):
+        """
+        Sets the default action for the split action.
+
+        Args:
+            key(str): The key of the action to set as default.
+        """
         self.current_key = key
         new_action = self.actions[self.current_key]
         self.main_button.setIcon(new_action.get_icon())
         self.main_button.setToolTip(new_action.tooltip)
         # Update check state of menu items
-        for k, menu_act in self.menu_actions.items():
-            menu_act.setChecked(k == key)
+        for k, menu_act in self.actions.items():
+            menu_act.action.setChecked(False)
         new_action.action.trigger()
+        # Active action chosen from menu is always checked, uncheck through main button
+        if self.checkable:
+            new_action.action.setChecked(True)
+            self.main_button.setChecked(True)
+
+    def block_all_signals(self, block: bool = True):
+        """
+        Blocks or unblocks all signals for the actions in the toolbar.
+
+        Args:
+            block (bool): Whether to block signals. Defaults to True.
+        """
+        self.main_button.blockSignals(block)
+        for action in self.actions.values():
+            action.action.blockSignals(block)
+
+    def set_state_all(self, state: bool):
+        """
+        Uncheck all actions in the toolbar.
+        """
+        for action in self.actions.values():
+            action.action.setChecked(state)
+        self.main_button.setChecked(state)
 
     def get_icon(self) -> QIcon:
         return self.actions[self.current_key].get_icon()
@@ -318,11 +350,18 @@ class WidgetAction(ToolBarAction):
         widget (QWidget): The widget to be added to the toolbar.
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, label: str | None = None, widget: QWidget = None, parent=None):
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        label: str | None = None,
+        widget: QWidget = None,
+        adjust_size: bool = True,
+        parent=None,
+    ):
         super().__init__(icon_path=None, tooltip=label, checkable=False)
         self.label = label
         self.widget = widget
         self.container = None
+        self.adjust_size = adjust_size
 
     def add_to_toolbar(self, toolbar: QToolBar, target: QWidget):
         """
@@ -332,18 +371,18 @@ class WidgetAction(ToolBarAction):
             toolbar (QToolBar): The toolbar to add the widget to.
             target (QWidget): The target widget for the action.
         """
-        self.container = QWidget()
+        self.container = QWidget(parent=target)
         layout = QHBoxLayout(self.container)
         layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
         layout.setSpacing(0)
 
         if self.label is not None:
-            label_widget = QLabel(f"{self.label}")
+            label_widget = QLabel(text=f"{self.label}", parent=target)
             label_widget.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Minimum, QSizePolicy.Fixed)
             label_widget.setAlignment(Qt.AlignVCenter | Qt.AlignRight)
             layout.addWidget(label_widget)
 
-        if isinstance(self.widget, QComboBox):
+        if isinstance(self.widget, QComboBox) and self.adjust_size:
             self.widget.setSizeAdjustPolicy(QComboBox.AdjustToContents)
 
             size_policy = QSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Fixed)
@@ -400,7 +439,7 @@ class ExpandableMenuAction(ToolBarAction):
         )
         menu = QMenu(button)
         for action_id, action in self.actions.items():
-            sub_action = QAction(action.tooltip, target)
+            sub_action = QAction(text=action.tooltip, parent=target)
             sub_action.setIconVisibleInMenu(True)
             if action.icon_path:
                 icon = QIcon()
@@ -484,7 +523,7 @@ class ModularToolBar(QToolBar):
         orientation: Literal["horizontal", "vertical"] = "horizontal",
         background_color: str = "rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)",
     ):
-        super().__init__(parent)
+        super().__init__(parent=parent)
 
         self.widgets = defaultdict(dict)
         self.background_color = background_color
@@ -663,6 +702,85 @@ class ModularToolBar(QToolBar):
         self.bundles[bundle_id].append(action_id)
         self.update_separators()
 
+    def remove_action(self, action_id: str):
+        """
+        Completely remove a single action from the toolbar.
+
+        The method takes care of both standalone actions and actions that are
+        part of an existing bundle.
+
+        Args:
+            action_id (str): Unique identifier for the action.
+        """
+        if action_id not in self.widgets:
+            raise ValueError(f"Action with ID '{action_id}' does not exist.")
+
+        # Identify potential bundle membership
+        parent_bundle = None
+        for b_id, a_ids in self.bundles.items():
+            if action_id in a_ids:
+                parent_bundle = b_id
+                break
+
+        # 1. Remove the QAction from the QToolBar and delete it
+        tool_action = self.widgets.pop(action_id)
+        if hasattr(tool_action, "action") and tool_action.action is not None:
+            self.removeAction(tool_action.action)
+            tool_action.action.deleteLater()
+
+        # 2. Clean bundle bookkeeping if the action belonged to one
+        if parent_bundle:
+            self.bundles[parent_bundle].remove(action_id)
+            # If the bundle becomes empty, get rid of the bundle entry as well
+            if not self.bundles[parent_bundle]:
+                self.remove_bundle(parent_bundle)
+
+        # 3. Remove from the ordering list
+        self.toolbar_items = [
+            item
+            for item in self.toolbar_items
+            if not (item[0] == "action" and item[1] == action_id)
+        ]
+
+        self.update_separators()
+
+    def remove_bundle(self, bundle_id: str):
+        """
+        Remove an entire bundle (and all of its actions) from the toolbar.
+
+        Args:
+            bundle_id (str): Unique identifier for the bundle.
+        """
+        if bundle_id not in self.bundles:
+            raise ValueError(f"Bundle '{bundle_id}' does not exist.")
+
+        # Remove every action belonging to this bundle
+        for action_id in list(self.bundles[bundle_id]):  # copy the list
+            if action_id in self.widgets:
+                tool_action = self.widgets.pop(action_id)
+                if hasattr(tool_action, "action") and tool_action.action is not None:
+                    self.removeAction(tool_action.action)
+                    tool_action.action.deleteLater()
+
+        # Drop the bundle entry
+        self.bundles.pop(bundle_id, None)
+
+        # Remove bundle entry and its preceding separator (if any) from the ordering list
+        cleaned_items = []
+        skip_next_separator = False
+        for item_type, ident in self.toolbar_items:
+            if item_type == "bundle" and ident == bundle_id:
+                # mark to skip one following separator if present
+                skip_next_separator = True
+                continue
+            if skip_next_separator and item_type == "separator":
+                skip_next_separator = False
+                continue
+            cleaned_items.append((item_type, ident))
+        self.toolbar_items = cleaned_items
+
+        self.update_separators()
+
     def contextMenuEvent(self, event):
         """
         Overrides the context menu event to show toolbar actions with checkboxes and icons.
@@ -821,13 +939,13 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):  # pragma: no cover
 
         # For theme testing
 
-        self.dark_button = DarkModeButton(toolbar=True)
+        self.dark_button = DarkModeButton(parent=self, toolbar=True)
         dark_mode_action = WidgetAction(label=None, widget=self.dark_button)
         self.toolbar.add_action("dark_mode", dark_mode_action, self)
 
     def add_bundles(self):
         home_action = MaterialIconAction(
-            icon_name="home", tooltip="Home", checkable=True, parent=self
+            icon_name="home", tooltip="Home", checkable=False, parent=self
         )
         settings_action = MaterialIconAction(
             icon_name="settings", tooltip="Settings", checkable=True, parent=self
@@ -844,6 +962,7 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):  # pragma: no cover
             ],
         )
         self.toolbar.add_bundle(main_actions_bundle, target_widget=self)
+        home_action.action.triggered.connect(lambda: self.switchable_action.set_state_all(False))
 
         search_action = MaterialIconAction(
             icon_name="search", tooltip="Search", checkable=False, parent=self
@@ -897,20 +1016,20 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):  # pragma: no cover
 
     def add_switchable_button_checkable(self):
         action1 = MaterialIconAction(
-            icon_name="counter_1", tooltip="Action 1", checkable=True, parent=self
+            icon_name="hdr_auto", tooltip="Action 1", checkable=True, parent=self
         )
         action2 = MaterialIconAction(
-            icon_name="counter_2", tooltip="Action 2", checkable=True, parent=self
+            icon_name="hdr_auto", tooltip="Action 2", checkable=True, filled=True, parent=self
         )
 
-        switchable_action = SwitchableToolBarAction(
+        self.switchable_action = SwitchableToolBarAction(
             actions={"action1": action1, "action2": action2},
             initial_action="action1",
             tooltip="Switchable Action",
             checkable=True,
             parent=self,
         )
-        self.toolbar.add_action("switchable_action", switchable_action, self)
+        self.toolbar.add_action("switchable_action", self.switchable_action, self)
 
         action1.action.toggled.connect(
             lambda checked: self.test_label.setText(f"Action 1 triggered, checked = {checked}")
@@ -931,16 +1050,20 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):  # pragma: no cover
             actions={"action1": action1, "action2": action2},
             initial_action="action1",
             tooltip="Switchable Action",
-            checkable=True,
+            checkable=False,
             parent=self,
         )
         self.toolbar.add_action("switchable_action_no_toggle", switchable_action, self)
 
         action1.action.triggered.connect(
-            lambda checked: self.test_label.setText(f"Action 1 triggered, checked = {checked}")
+            lambda checked: self.test_label.setText(
+                f"Action 1 (non-checkable) triggered, checked = {checked}"
+            )
         )
         action2.action.triggered.connect(
-            lambda checked: self.test_label.setText(f"Action 2 triggered, checked = {checked}")
+            lambda checked: self.test_label.setText(
+                f"Action 2 (non-checkable) triggered, checked = {checked}"
+            )
         )
         switchable_action.actions["action1"].action.setChecked(True)
 

bec_widgets/utils/ui_loader.py

@@ -1,16 +1,18 @@
-import os
-
-from qtpy import PYQT6, PYSIDE6, QT_VERSION
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from qtpy import PYQT6, PYSIDE6
 from qtpy.QtCore import QFile, QIODevice
 
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_plugin_helper import get_all_plugin_widgets
 from bec_widgets.utils.generate_designer_plugin import DesignerPluginInfo
 from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import get_custom_classes
 
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
 if PYSIDE6:
     from PySide6.QtUiTools import QUiLoader
 
     class CustomUiLoader(QUiLoader):
-        def __init__(self, baseinstance, custom_widgets: dict = None):
+        def __init__(self, baseinstance, custom_widgets: dict | None = None):
             super().__init__(baseinstance)
             self.custom_widgets = custom_widgets or {}
 
@@ -18,10 +20,9 @@ if PYSIDE6:
 
         def createWidget(self, class_name, parent=None, name=""):
             if class_name in self.custom_widgets:
-                widget = self.custom_widgets[class_name](parent)
-                widget.setObjectName(name)
+                widget = self.custom_widgets[class_name](self.baseinstance)
                 return widget
-            return super().createWidget(class_name, parent, name)
+            return super().createWidget(class_name, self.baseinstance, name)
 
 
 class UILoader:
@@ -34,6 +35,9 @@ class UILoader:
 
         self.custom_widgets = {widget.__name__: widget for widget in widgets}
 
+        plugin_widgets = get_all_plugin_widgets()
+        self.custom_widgets.update(plugin_widgets)
+
         if PYSIDE6:
             self.loader = self.load_ui_pyside6
         elif PYQT6:
@@ -51,7 +55,7 @@ class UILoader:
         Returns:
             QWidget: The loaded widget.
         """
-
+        parent = parent or self.parent
         loader = CustomUiLoader(parent, self.custom_widgets)
         file = QFile(ui_file)
         if not file.open(QIODevice.ReadOnly):

bec_widgets/utils/widget_io.py

@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 # pylint: disable=no-name-in-module
+from __future__ import annotations
+
 from abc import ABC, abstractmethod
 
+import shiboken6 as shb
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
     QApplication,
     QCheckBox,
@@ -8,6 +11,7 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
     QDoubleSpinBox,
     QLabel,
     QLineEdit,
+    QSlider,
     QSpinBox,
     QTableWidget,
     QTableWidgetItem,
@@ -104,10 +108,10 @@ class TableWidgetHandler(WidgetHandler):
 class SpinBoxHandler(WidgetHandler):
     """Handler for QSpinBox and QDoubleSpinBox widgets."""
 
-    def get_value(self, widget, **kwargs):
+    def get_value(self, widget: QSpinBox | QDoubleSpinBox, **kwargs):
         return widget.value()
 
-    def set_value(self, widget, value):
+    def set_value(self, widget: QSpinBox | QDoubleSpinBox, value):
         widget.setValue(value)
 
     def connect_change_signal(self, widget: QSpinBox | QDoubleSpinBox, slot):
@@ -117,23 +121,36 @@ class SpinBoxHandler(WidgetHandler):
 class CheckBoxHandler(WidgetHandler):
     """Handler for QCheckBox widgets."""
 
-    def get_value(self, widget, **kwargs):
+    def get_value(self, widget: QCheckBox, **kwargs):
         return widget.isChecked()
 
-    def set_value(self, widget, value):
+    def set_value(self, widget: QCheckBox, value):
         widget.setChecked(value)
 
     def connect_change_signal(self, widget: QCheckBox, slot):
         widget.toggled.connect(lambda val, w=widget: slot(w, val))
 
 
+class SlideHandler(WidgetHandler):
+    """Handler for QCheckBox widgets."""
+
+    def get_value(self, widget: QSlider, **kwargs):
+        return widget.value()
+
+    def set_value(self, widget: QSlider, value):
+        widget.setValue(value)
+
+    def connect_change_signal(self, widget: QSlider, slot):
+        widget.valueChanged.connect(lambda val, w=widget: slot(w, val))
+
+
 class ToggleSwitchHandler(WidgetHandler):
     """Handler for ToggleSwitch widgets."""
 
-    def get_value(self, widget, **kwargs):
+    def get_value(self, widget: ToggleSwitch, **kwargs):
         return widget.checked
 
-    def set_value(self, widget, value):
+    def set_value(self, widget: ToggleSwitch, value):
         widget.checked = value
 
     def connect_change_signal(self, widget: ToggleSwitch, slot):
@@ -143,7 +160,7 @@ class ToggleSwitchHandler(WidgetHandler):
 class LabelHandler(WidgetHandler):
     """Handler for QLabel widgets."""
 
-    def get_value(self, widget, **kwargs):
+    def get_value(self, widget: QLabel, **kwargs):
         return widget.text()
 
     def set_value(self, widget: QLabel, value):
@@ -165,6 +182,7 @@ class WidgetIO:
         QCheckBox: CheckBoxHandler,
         QLabel: LabelHandler,
         ToggleSwitch: ToggleSwitchHandler,
+        QSlider: SlideHandler,
     }
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -258,39 +276,162 @@ class WidgetHierarchy:
         grab_values: bool = False,
         prefix: str = "",
         exclude_internal_widgets: bool = True,
+        only_bec_widgets: bool = False,
+        show_parent: bool = True,
     ) -> None:
         """
         Print the widget hierarchy to the console.
 
         Args:
-            widget: Widget to print the hierarchy of
+            widget: Widget to print the hierarchy of.
             indent(int, optional): Level of indentation.
             grab_values(bool,optional): Whether to grab the values of the widgets.
-            prefix(stc,optional): Custom string prefix for indentation.
+            prefix(str,optional): Custom string prefix for indentation.
             exclude_internal_widgets(bool,optional): Whether to exclude internal widgets (e.g. QComboBox in PyQt6).
+            only_bec_widgets(bool, optional): Whether to print only widgets that are instances of BECWidget.
+            show_parent(bool, optional): Whether to display which BECWidget is the parent of each discovered BECWidget.
         """
-        widget_info = f"{widget.__class__.__name__} ({widget.objectName()})"
-        if grab_values:
-            value = WidgetIO.get_value(widget, ignore_errors=True)
-            value_str = f" [value: {value}]" if value is not None else ""
-            widget_info += value_str
+        from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector
+        from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.waveform import Waveform
 
+        # 1) Filter out widgets that are not BECConnectors (if 'only_bec_widgets' is True)
+        is_bec = isinstance(widget, BECConnector)
+        if only_bec_widgets and not is_bec:
+            return
+
+        # 2) Determine and print the parent's info (closest BECConnector)
+        parent_info = ""
+        if show_parent and is_bec:
+            ancestor = WidgetHierarchy._get_becwidget_ancestor(widget)
+            if ancestor:
+                parent_label = ancestor.objectName() or ancestor.__class__.__name__
+                parent_info = f" parent={parent_label}"
+            else:
+                parent_info = " parent=None"
+
+        widget_info = f"{widget.__class__.__name__} ({widget.objectName()}){parent_info}"
         print(prefix + widget_info)
 
-        children = widget.children()
-        for child in children:
-            if (
-                exclude_internal_widgets
-                and isinstance(widget, QComboBox)
-                and child.__class__.__name__ in ["QFrame", "QBoxLayout", "QListView"]
-            ):
+        # 3) If it's a Waveform, explicitly print the curves
+        if isinstance(widget, Waveform):
+            for curve in widget.curves:
+                curve_prefix = prefix + "  └─ "
+                print(
+                    f"{curve_prefix}{curve.__class__.__name__} ({curve.objectName()}) "
+                    f"parent={widget.objectName()}"
+                )
+
+        # 4) Recursively handle each child if:
+        #    - It's a QWidget
+        #    - It is a BECConnector (or we don't care about filtering)
+        #    - Its closest BECConnector parent is the current widget
+        for child in widget.findChildren(QWidget):
+            if only_bec_widgets and not isinstance(child, BECConnector):
                 continue
-            child_prefix = prefix + "  "
-            arrow = "├─ " if child != children[-1] else "└─ "
+
+            # if WidgetHierarchy._get_becwidget_ancestor(child) == widget:
+            child_prefix = prefix + "  └─ "
             WidgetHierarchy.print_widget_hierarchy(
-                child, indent + 1, grab_values, prefix=child_prefix + arrow
+                child,
+                indent=indent + 1,
+                grab_values=grab_values,
+                prefix=child_prefix,
+                exclude_internal_widgets=exclude_internal_widgets,
+                only_bec_widgets=only_bec_widgets,
+                show_parent=show_parent,
             )
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def print_becconnector_hierarchy_from_app():
+        """
+        Enumerate ALL BECConnector objects in the QApplication.
+        Also detect if a widget is a PlotBase, and add any data items
+        (PlotDataItem-like) that are also BECConnector objects.
+
+        Build a parent->children graph where each child's 'parent'
+        is its closest BECConnector ancestor. Print the entire hierarchy
+        from the root(s).
+
+        The result is a single, consolidated tree for your entire
+        running GUI, including PlotBase data items that are BECConnector.
+        """
+        import sys
+        from collections import defaultdict
+
+        from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
+
+        from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector
+        from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.plot_base import PlotBase
+
+        # 1) Gather ALL QWidget-based BECConnector objects
+        all_qwidgets = QApplication.allWidgets()
+        bec_widgets = set(w for w in all_qwidgets if isinstance(w, BECConnector))
+
+        # 2) Also gather any BECConnector-based data items from PlotBase widgets
+        for w in all_qwidgets:
+            if isinstance(w, PlotBase) and hasattr(w, "plot_item"):
+                plot_item = w.plot_item
+                if hasattr(plot_item, "listDataItems"):
+                    for data_item in plot_item.listDataItems():
+                        if isinstance(data_item, BECConnector):
+                            bec_widgets.add(data_item)
+
+        # 3) Build a map of (closest BECConnector parent) -> list of children
+        parent_map = defaultdict(list)
+        for w in bec_widgets:
+            parent_bec = WidgetHierarchy._get_becwidget_ancestor(w)
+            parent_map[parent_bec].append(w)
+
+        # 4) Define a recursive printer to show each object's children
+        def print_tree(parent, prefix=""):
+            children = parent_map[parent]
+            for i, child in enumerate(children):
+                connector_class = child.__class__.__name__
+                connector_name = child.objectName() or connector_class
+
+                if parent is None:
+                    parent_label = "None"
+                else:
+                    parent_label = parent.objectName() or parent.__class__.__name__
+
+                line = f"{connector_class} ({connector_name}) parent={parent_label}"
+                # Determine tree-branch symbols
+                is_last = i == len(children) - 1
+                branch_str = "└─ " if is_last else "├─ "
+                print(prefix + branch_str + line)
+
+                # Recurse deeper
+                next_prefix = prefix + ("   " if is_last else "│  ")
+                print_tree(child, prefix=next_prefix)
+
+        # 5) Print top-level items (roots) whose BECConnector parent is None
+        roots = parent_map[None]
+        for r_i, root in enumerate(roots):
+            root_class = root.__class__.__name__
+            root_name = root.objectName() or root_class
+            line = f"{root_class} ({root_name}) parent=None"
+            is_last_root = r_i == len(roots) - 1
+            print(line)
+            # Recurse into its children
+            print_tree(root, prefix="   ")
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _get_becwidget_ancestor(widget):
+        """
+        Traverse up the parent chain to find the nearest BECConnector.
+        Returns None if none is found.
+        """
+        from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector
+
+        if not shb.isValid(widget):
+            return None
+        parent = widget.parent()
+        while parent is not None:
+            if isinstance(parent, BECConnector):
+                return parent
+            parent = parent.parent()
+        return None
+
     @staticmethod
     def export_config_to_dict(
         widget: QWidget,

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/auto_update/auto_updates.py

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

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/dock/dock.py

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

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/dock/dock_area.py

@@ -3,36 +3,43 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 from typing import Literal, Optional
 from weakref import WeakValueDictionary
 
-from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from pydantic import Field
 from pyqtgraph.dockarea.DockArea import DockArea
 from qtpy.QtCore import QSize, Qt
 from qtpy.QtGui import QPainter, QPaintEvent
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QSizePolicy, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.toolbar import (
+from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_register import RPCRegister
+from bec_widgets.utils import ConnectionConfig, WidgetContainerUtils
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.utils.name_utils import pascal_to_snake
+from bec_widgets.utils.toolbar import (
     ExpandableMenuAction,
     MaterialIconAction,
     ModularToolBar,
     SeparatorAction,
 )
-from bec_widgets.utils import ConnectionConfig, WidgetContainerUtils
-from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.widget_io import WidgetHierarchy
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock.dock import BECDock, DockConfig
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.main_window import BECMainWindow
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box import PositionerBox
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.scan_control.scan_control import ScanControl
 from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.vscode.vscode import VSCodeEditor
-from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.image.image_widget import BECImageWidget
-from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.motor_map.motor_map_widget import BECMotorMapWidget
-from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.multi_waveform.multi_waveform_widget import BECMultiWaveformWidget
-from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.waveform_widget import BECWaveformWidget
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.image.image import Image
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.motor_map.motor_map import MotorMap
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.multi_waveform.multi_waveform import MultiWaveform
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.scatter_waveform.scatter_waveform import ScatterWaveform
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.waveform import Waveform
 from bec_widgets.widgets.progress.ring_progress_bar.ring_progress_bar import RingProgressBar
 from bec_widgets.widgets.services.bec_queue.bec_queue import BECQueue
 from bec_widgets.widgets.services.bec_status_box.bec_status_box import BECStatusBox
 from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.logpanel.logpanel import LogPanel
 from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.visual.dark_mode_button.dark_mode_button import DarkModeButton
 
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
 
 class DockAreaConfig(ConnectionConfig):
     docks: dict[str, DockConfig] = Field({}, description="The docks in the dock area.")
@@ -42,23 +49,27 @@ class DockAreaConfig(ConnectionConfig):
 
 
 class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
+    """
+    Container for other widgets. Widgets can be added to the dock area and arranged in a grid layout.
+    """
+
     PLUGIN = True
     USER_ACCESS = [
+        "_rpc_id",
         "_config_dict",
-        "selected_device",
-        "panels",
-        "save_state",
-        "remove_dock",
-        "restore_state",
-        "add_dock",
-        "clear_all",
-        "detach_dock",
-        "attach_all",
         "_get_all_rpc",
-        "temp_areas",
+        "new",
         "show",
         "hide",
+        "panels",
+        "panel_list",
         "delete",
+        "delete_all",
+        "remove",
+        "detach_dock",
+        "attach_all",
+        "save_state",
+        "restore_state",
     ]
 
     def __init__(
@@ -67,6 +78,8 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
         config: DockAreaConfig | None = None,
         client=None,
         gui_id: str = None,
+        object_name: str = None,
+        **kwargs,
     ) -> None:
         if config is None:
             config = DockAreaConfig(widget_class=self.__class__.__name__)
@@ -74,37 +87,47 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
             if isinstance(config, dict):
                 config = DockAreaConfig(**config)
             self.config = config
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
-        QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
+        super().__init__(
+            parent=parent,
+            object_name=object_name,
+            client=client,
+            gui_id=gui_id,
+            config=config,
+            **kwargs,
+        )
+        self._parent = parent  # TODO probably not needed
         self.layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
         self.layout.setSpacing(5)
         self.layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
 
         self._instructions_visible = True
 
-        self.dock_area = DockArea()
+        self.dark_mode_button = DarkModeButton(parent=self, toolbar=True)
+        self.dock_area = DockArea(parent=self)
         self.toolbar = ModularToolBar(
+            parent=self,
             actions={
                 "menu_plots": ExpandableMenuAction(
                     label="Add Plot ",
                     actions={
                         "waveform": MaterialIconAction(
-                            icon_name=BECWaveformWidget.ICON_NAME,
-                            tooltip="Add Waveform",
+                            icon_name=Waveform.ICON_NAME, tooltip="Add Waveform", filled=True
+                        ),
+                        "scatter_waveform": MaterialIconAction(
+                            icon_name=ScatterWaveform.ICON_NAME,
+                            tooltip="Add Scatter Waveform",
                             filled=True,
                         ),
                         "multi_waveform": MaterialIconAction(
-                            icon_name=BECMultiWaveformWidget.ICON_NAME,
+                            icon_name=MultiWaveform.ICON_NAME,
                             tooltip="Add Multi Waveform",
                             filled=True,
                         ),
                         "image": MaterialIconAction(
-                            icon_name=BECImageWidget.ICON_NAME, tooltip="Add Image", filled=True
+                            icon_name=Image.ICON_NAME, tooltip="Add Image", filled=True
                         ),
                         "motor_map": MaterialIconAction(
-                            icon_name=BECMotorMapWidget.ICON_NAME,
-                            tooltip="Add Motor Map",
-                            filled=True,
+                            icon_name=MotorMap.ICON_NAME, tooltip="Add Motor Map", filled=True
                         ),
                     },
                 ),
@@ -140,8 +163,11 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
                             tooltip="Add Circular ProgressBar",
                             filled=True,
                         ),
+                        # FIXME temporarily disabled  -> issue #644
                         "log_panel": MaterialIconAction(
-                            icon_name=LogPanel.ICON_NAME, tooltip="Add LogPanel", filled=True
+                            icon_name=LogPanel.ICON_NAME,
+                            tooltip="Add LogPanel - Disabled",
+                            filled=True,
                         ),
                     },
                 ),
@@ -159,10 +185,10 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
 
         self.layout.addWidget(self.toolbar)
         self.layout.addWidget(self.dock_area)
-        self.spacer = QWidget()
+        self.spacer = QWidget(parent=self)
         self.spacer.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Expanding)
         self.toolbar.addWidget(self.spacer)
-        self.toolbar.addWidget(DarkModeButton(toolbar=True))
+        self.toolbar.addWidget(self.dark_mode_button)
         self._hook_toolbar()
 
     def minimumSizeHint(self):
@@ -171,48 +197,61 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
     def _hook_toolbar(self):
         # Menu Plot
         self.toolbar.widgets["menu_plots"].widgets["waveform"].triggered.connect(
-            lambda: self.add_dock(widget="BECWaveformWidget", prefix="waveform")
+            lambda: self._create_widget_from_toolbar(widget_name="Waveform")
+        )
+        self.toolbar.widgets["menu_plots"].widgets["scatter_waveform"].triggered.connect(
+            lambda: self._create_widget_from_toolbar(widget_name="ScatterWaveform")
         )
         self.toolbar.widgets["menu_plots"].widgets["multi_waveform"].triggered.connect(
-            lambda: self.add_dock(widget="BECMultiWaveformWidget", prefix="multi_waveform")
+            lambda: self._create_widget_from_toolbar(widget_name="MultiWaveform")
         )
         self.toolbar.widgets["menu_plots"].widgets["image"].triggered.connect(
-            lambda: self.add_dock(widget="BECImageWidget", prefix="image")
+            lambda: self._create_widget_from_toolbar(widget_name="Image")
         )
         self.toolbar.widgets["menu_plots"].widgets["motor_map"].triggered.connect(
-            lambda: self.add_dock(widget="BECMotorMapWidget", prefix="motor_map")
+            lambda: self._create_widget_from_toolbar(widget_name="MotorMap")
         )
 
         # Menu Devices
         self.toolbar.widgets["menu_devices"].widgets["scan_control"].triggered.connect(
-            lambda: self.add_dock(widget="ScanControl", prefix="scan_control")
+            lambda: self._create_widget_from_toolbar(widget_name="ScanControl")
         )
         self.toolbar.widgets["menu_devices"].widgets["positioner_box"].triggered.connect(
-            lambda: self.add_dock(widget="PositionerBox", prefix="positioner_box")
+            lambda: self._create_widget_from_toolbar(widget_name="PositionerBox")
         )
 
         # Menu Utils
         self.toolbar.widgets["menu_utils"].widgets["queue"].triggered.connect(
-            lambda: self.add_dock(widget="BECQueue", prefix="queue")
+            lambda: self._create_widget_from_toolbar(widget_name="BECQueue")
         )
         self.toolbar.widgets["menu_utils"].widgets["status"].triggered.connect(
-            lambda: self.add_dock(widget="BECStatusBox", prefix="status")
+            lambda: self._create_widget_from_toolbar(widget_name="BECStatusBox")
         )
         self.toolbar.widgets["menu_utils"].widgets["vs_code"].triggered.connect(
-            lambda: self.add_dock(widget="VSCodeEditor", prefix="vs_code")
+            lambda: self._create_widget_from_toolbar(widget_name="VSCodeEditor")
         )
         self.toolbar.widgets["menu_utils"].widgets["progress_bar"].triggered.connect(
-            lambda: self.add_dock(widget="RingProgressBar", prefix="progress_bar")
-        )
-        self.toolbar.widgets["menu_utils"].widgets["log_panel"].triggered.connect(
-            lambda: self.add_dock(widget="LogPanel", prefix="log_panel")
+            lambda: self._create_widget_from_toolbar(widget_name="RingProgressBar")
         )
+        # FIXME temporarily disabled -> issue #644
+        self.toolbar.widgets["menu_utils"].widgets["log_panel"].setEnabled(False)
+        # self.toolbar.widgets["menu_utils"].widgets["log_panel"].triggered.connect(
+        #     lambda: self._create_widget_from_toolbar(widget_name="LogPanel")
+        # )
 
         # Icons
         self.toolbar.widgets["attach_all"].action.triggered.connect(self.attach_all)
         self.toolbar.widgets["save_state"].action.triggered.connect(self.save_state)
         self.toolbar.widgets["restore_state"].action.triggered.connect(self.restore_state)
 
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def _create_widget_from_toolbar(self, widget_name: str) -> None:
+        # Run with RPC broadcast to namespace of all widgets
+        with RPCRegister.delayed_broadcast():
+            name = pascal_to_snake(widget_name)
+            dock_name = WidgetContainerUtils.generate_unique_name(name, self.panels.keys())
+            self.new(name=dock_name, widget=widget_name)
+
     def paintEvent(self, event: QPaintEvent):  # TODO decide if we want any default instructions
         super().paintEvent(event)
         if self._instructions_visible:
@@ -220,20 +259,9 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
             painter.drawText(
                 self.rect(),
                 Qt.AlignCenter,
-                "Add docks using 'add_dock' method from CLI\n or \n Add widget docks using the toolbar",
+                "Add docks using 'new' method from CLI\n or \n Add widget docks using the toolbar",
             )
 
-    @property
-    def selected_device(self) -> str:
-        gui_id = QApplication.instance().gui_id
-        auto_update_config = self.client.connector.get(
-            MessageEndpoints.gui_auto_update_config(gui_id)
-        )
-        try:
-            return auto_update_config.selected_device
-        except AttributeError:
-            return None
-
     @property
     def panels(self) -> dict[str, BECDock]:
         """
@@ -245,7 +273,17 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
 
     @panels.setter
     def panels(self, value: dict[str, BECDock]):
-        self.dock_area.docks = WeakValueDictionary(value)
+        self.dock_area.docks = WeakValueDictionary(value)  # This can not work can it?
+
+    @property
+    def panel_list(self) -> list[BECDock]:
+        """
+        Get the docks in the dock area.
+
+        Returns:
+            list: The docks in the dock area.
+        """
+        return list(self.dock_area.docks.values())
 
     @property
     def temp_areas(self) -> list:
@@ -275,6 +313,8 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
         """
         if state is None:
             state = self.config.docks_state
+        if state is None:
+            return
         self.dock_area.restoreState(state, missing=missing, extra=extra)
 
     @SafeSlot()
@@ -289,36 +329,17 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
         self.config.docks_state = last_state
         return last_state
 
-    def remove_dock(self, name: str):
-        """
-        Remove a dock by name and ensure it is properly closed and cleaned up.
-
-        Args:
-            name(str): The name of the dock to remove.
-        """
-        dock = self.dock_area.docks.pop(name, None)
-        self.config.docks.pop(name, None)
-        if dock:
-            dock.close()
-            dock.deleteLater()
-            if len(self.dock_area.docks) <= 1:
-                for dock in self.dock_area.docks.values():
-                    dock.hide_title_bar()
-
-        else:
-            raise ValueError(f"Dock with name {name} does not exist.")
-
     @SafeSlot(popup_error=True)
-    def add_dock(
+    def new(
         self,
-        name: str = None,
-        position: Literal["bottom", "top", "left", "right", "above", "below"] = None,
+        name: str | None = None,
+        widget: str | QWidget | None = None,
+        widget_name: str | None = None,
+        position: Literal["bottom", "top", "left", "right", "above", "below"] = "bottom",
         relative_to: BECDock | None = None,
         closable: bool = True,
         floating: bool = False,
-        prefix: str = "dock",
-        widget: str | QWidget | None = None,
-        row: int = None,
+        row: int | None = None,
         col: int = 0,
         rowspan: int = 1,
         colspan: int = 1,
@@ -328,12 +349,11 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
 
         Args:
             name(str): The name of the dock to be displayed and for further references. Has to be unique.
+            widget(str|QWidget|None): The widget to be added to the dock. While using RPC, only BEC RPC widgets from RPCWidgetHandler are allowed.
             position(Literal["bottom", "top", "left", "right", "above", "below"]): The position of the dock.
             relative_to(BECDock): The dock to which the new dock should be added relative to.
             closable(bool): Whether the dock is closable.
             floating(bool): Whether the dock is detached after creating.
-            prefix(str): The prefix for the dock name if no name is provided.
-            widget(str|QWidget|None): The widget to be added to the dock. While using RPC, only BEC RPC widgets from RPCWidgetHandler are allowed.
             row(int): The row of the added widget.
             col(int): The column of the added widget.
             rowspan(int): The rowspan of the added widget.
@@ -342,21 +362,30 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
         Returns:
             BECDock: The created dock.
         """
-        if name is None:
-            name = WidgetContainerUtils.generate_unique_widget_id(
-                container=self.dock_area.docks, prefix=prefix
-            )
+        dock_names = [
+            dock.object_name for dock in self.panel_list
+        ]  # pylint: disable=protected-access
+        if name is not None:  # Name is provided
+            if name in dock_names:
+                raise ValueError(
+                    f"Name {name} must be unique for docks, but already exists in DockArea "
+                    f"with name: {self.object_name} and id {self.gui_id}."
+                )
+            WidgetContainerUtils.raise_for_invalid_name(name, container=self)
 
-        if name in set(self.dock_area.docks.keys()):
-            raise ValueError(f"Dock with name {name} already exists.")
+        else:  # Name is not provided
+            name = WidgetContainerUtils.generate_unique_name(name="dock", list_of_names=dock_names)
 
-        if position is None:
-            position = "bottom"
-
-        dock = BECDock(name=name, parent_dock_area=self, closable=closable)
+        dock = BECDock(
+            parent=self,
+            name=name,  # this is dock name pyqtgraph property, this is displayed on label
+            object_name=name,  # this is a real qt object name passed to BECConnector
+            parent_dock_area=self,
+            closable=closable,
+        )
         dock.config.position = position
-        self.config.docks[name] = dock.config
-
+        self.config.docks[dock.name()] = dock.config
+        # The dock.name is equal to the name passed to BECDock
         self.dock_area.addDock(dock=dock, position=position, relativeTo=relative_to)
 
         if len(self.dock_area.docks) <= 1:
@@ -365,10 +394,11 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
             for dock in self.dock_area.docks.values():
                 dock.show_title_bar()
 
-        if widget is not None and isinstance(widget, str):
-            dock.add_widget(widget=widget, row=row, col=col, rowspan=rowspan, colspan=colspan)
-        elif widget is not None and isinstance(widget, QWidget):
-            dock.addWidget(widget, row=row, col=col, rowspan=rowspan, colspan=colspan)
+        if widget is not None:
+            # Check if widget name exists.
+            dock.new(
+                widget=widget, name=widget_name, row=row, col=col, rowspan=rowspan, colspan=colspan
+            )
         if (
             self._instructions_visible
         ):  # TODO still decide how initial instructions should be handled
@@ -406,49 +436,24 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
         Remove a temporary area from the dock area.
         This is a patched method of pyqtgraph's removeTempArea
         """
+        if area not in self.dock_area.tempAreas:
+            # FIXME add some context for the logging, I am not sure which object is passed.
+            # It looks like a pyqtgraph.DockArea
+            logger.info(f"Attempted to remove dock_area, but was not floating.")
+            return
         self.dock_area.tempAreas.remove(area)
         area.window().close()
         area.window().deleteLater()
 
-    def clear_all(self):
-        """
-        Close all docks and remove all temp areas.
-        """
-        self.attach_all()
-        for dock in dict(self.dock_area.docks).values():
-            dock.remove()
-        self.dock_area.docks.clear()
-
     def cleanup(self):
         """
         Cleanup the dock area.
         """
-        self.clear_all()
-        self.toolbar.close()
-        self.toolbar.deleteLater()
-        self.dock_area.close()
-        self.dock_area.deleteLater()
+        self.delete_all()
+        self.dark_mode_button.close()
+        self.dark_mode_button.deleteLater()
         super().cleanup()
 
-    def closeEvent(self, event):
-        if self.parent() is None:
-            # we are at top-level (independent window)
-            if self.isVisible():
-                # we are visible => user clicked on [X]
-                # (when closeEvent is called from shutdown procedure,
-                # everything is hidden first)
-                # so, let's ignore "close", and do hide instead
-                event.ignore()
-                self.setVisible(False)
-
-    def close(self):
-        """
-        Close the dock area and cleanup.
-        Has to be implemented to overwrite pyqtgraph event accept in Container close.
-        """
-        self.cleanup()
-        super().close()
-
     def show(self):
         """Show all windows including floating docks."""
         super().show()
@@ -467,18 +472,65 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
                 continue
             docks.window().hide()
 
-    def delete(self):
-        self.hide()
-        self.deleteLater()
+    def delete_all(self) -> None:
+        """
+        Delete all docks.
+        """
+        self.attach_all()
+        for dock_name in self.panels.keys():
+            self.delete(dock_name)
+
+    def delete(self, dock_name: str):
+        """
+        Delete a dock by name.
+
+        Args:
+            dock_name(str): The name of the dock to delete.
+        """
+        dock = self.dock_area.docks.pop(dock_name, None)
+        self.config.docks.pop(dock_name, None)
+        if dock:
+            dock.close()
+            dock.deleteLater()
+            if len(self.dock_area.docks) <= 1:
+                for dock in self.dock_area.docks.values():
+                    dock.hide_title_bar()
+        else:
+            raise ValueError(f"Dock with name {dock_name} does not exist.")
+        # self._broadcast_update()
+
+    def remove(self) -> None:
+        """
+        Remove the dock area. If the dock area is embedded in a BECMainWindow and
+        is set as the central widget, the main window will be closed.
+        """
+        parent = self.parent()
+        if isinstance(parent, BECMainWindow):
+            central_widget = parent.centralWidget()
+            if central_widget is self:
+                # Closing the parent will also close the dock area
+                parent.close()
+                return
+
+        self.close()
 
 
-if __name__ == "__main__":
-    from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+
+    import sys
 
     from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
 
     app = QApplication([])
     set_theme("auto")
     dock_area = BECDockArea()
+    dock_1 = dock_area.new(name="dock_0", widget="DarkModeButton")
+    dock_1.new(widget="DarkModeButton")
+    # dock_1 = dock_area.new(name="dock_0", widget="Waveform")
+    dock_area.new(widget="DarkModeButton")
     dock_area.show()
+    dock_area.setGeometry(100, 100, 800, 600)
+    app.topLevelWidgets()
+    WidgetHierarchy.print_becconnector_hierarchy_from_app()
     app.exec_()
+    sys.exit(app.exec_())

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/figure/__init__.py

@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-from .figure import BECFigure, FigureConfig

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/figure/figure.py

@@ -1,796 +0,0 @@
-# pylint: disable = no-name-in-module,missing-module-docstring
-from __future__ import annotations
-
-import uuid
-from collections import defaultdict
-from typing import Literal, Optional
-
-import numpy as np
-import pyqtgraph as pg
-from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
-from pydantic import Field, ValidationError, field_validator
-from qtpy.QtCore import Signal as pyqtSignal
-from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
-from typeguard import typechecked
-
-from bec_widgets.utils import ConnectionConfig, WidgetContainerUtils
-from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
-from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure.plots.image.image import BECImageShow, ImageConfig
-from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure.plots.motor_map.motor_map import (
-    BECMotorMap,
-    MotorMapConfig,
-)
-from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure.plots.multi_waveform.multi_waveform import (
-    BECMultiWaveform,
-    BECMultiWaveformConfig,
-)
-from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure.plots.plot_base import BECPlotBase, SubplotConfig
-from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure.plots.waveform.waveform import (
-    BECWaveform,
-    Waveform1DConfig,
-)
-
-logger = bec_logger.logger
-
-
-class FigureConfig(ConnectionConfig):
-    """Configuration for BECFigure. Inheriting from ConnectionConfig widget_class and gui_id"""
-
-    theme: Literal["dark", "light"] = Field("dark", description="The theme of the figure widget.")
-    num_cols: int = Field(1, description="The number of columns in the figure widget.")
-    num_rows: int = Field(1, description="The number of rows in the figure widget.")
-    widgets: dict[str, Waveform1DConfig | ImageConfig | MotorMapConfig | SubplotConfig] = Field(
-        {}, description="The list of widgets to be added to the figure widget."
-    )
-
-    @field_validator("widgets", mode="before")
-    @classmethod
-    def validate_widgets(cls, v):
-        """Validate the widgets configuration."""
-        widget_class_map = {
-            "BECWaveform": Waveform1DConfig,
-            "BECImageShow": ImageConfig,
-            "BECMotorMap": MotorMapConfig,
-        }
-        validated_widgets = {}
-        for key, widget_config in v.items():
-            if "widget_class" not in widget_config:
-                raise ValueError(f"Widget config for {key} does not contain 'widget_class'.")
-            widget_class = widget_config["widget_class"]
-            if widget_class not in widget_class_map:
-                raise ValueError(f"Unknown widget_class '{widget_class}' for widget '{key}'.")
-            config_class = widget_class_map[widget_class]
-            validated_widgets[key] = config_class(**widget_config)
-        return validated_widgets
-
-
-class WidgetHandler:
-    """Factory for creating and configuring BEC widgets for BECFigure."""
-
-    def __init__(self):
-        self.widget_factory = {
-            "BECPlotBase": (BECPlotBase, SubplotConfig),
-            "BECWaveform": (BECWaveform, Waveform1DConfig),
-            "BECImageShow": (BECImageShow, ImageConfig),
-            "BECMotorMap": (BECMotorMap, MotorMapConfig),
-            "BECMultiWaveform": (BECMultiWaveform, BECMultiWaveformConfig),
-        }
-
-    def create_widget(
-        self,
-        widget_type: str,
-        widget_id: str,
-        parent_figure,
-        parent_id: str,
-        config: dict = None,
-        **axis_kwargs,
-    ) -> BECPlotBase:
-        """
-        Create and configure a widget based on its type.
-
-        Args:
-            widget_type (str): The type of the widget to create.
-            widget_id (str): Unique identifier for the widget.
-            parent_id (str): Identifier of the parent figure.
-            config (dict, optional): Additional configuration for the widget.
-            **axis_kwargs: Additional axis properties to set on the widget after creation.
-
-        Returns:
-            BECPlotBase: The created and configured widget instance.
-        """
-        entry = self.widget_factory.get(widget_type)
-        if not entry:
-            raise ValueError(f"Unsupported widget type: {widget_type}")
-
-        widget_class, config_class = entry
-        if config is not None and isinstance(config, config_class):
-            config = config.model_dump()
-        widget_config_dict = {
-            "widget_class": widget_class.__name__,
-            "parent_id": parent_id,
-            "gui_id": widget_id,
-            **(config if config is not None else {}),
-        }
-        widget_config = config_class(**widget_config_dict)
-        widget = widget_class(
-            config=widget_config, parent_figure=parent_figure, client=parent_figure.client
-        )
-
-        if axis_kwargs:
-            widget.set(**axis_kwargs)
-
-        return widget
-
-
-class BECFigure(BECWidget, pg.GraphicsLayoutWidget):
-    USER_ACCESS = [
-        "_rpc_id",
-        "_config_dict",
-        "_get_all_rpc",
-        "axes",
-        "widgets",
-        "plot",
-        "image",
-        "motor_map",
-        "remove",
-        "change_layout",
-        "change_theme",
-        "export",
-        "clear_all",
-        "widget_list",
-    ]
-    subplot_map = {
-        "PlotBase": BECPlotBase,
-        "BECWaveform": BECWaveform,
-        "BECImageShow": BECImageShow,
-        "BECMotorMap": BECMotorMap,
-        "BECMultiWaveform": BECMultiWaveform,
-    }
-    widget_method_map = {
-        "BECWaveform": "plot",
-        "BECImageShow": "image",
-        "BECMotorMap": "motor_map",
-        "BECMultiWaveform": "multi_waveform",
-    }
-
-    clean_signal = pyqtSignal()
-
-    def __init__(
-        self,
-        parent: Optional[QWidget] = None,
-        config: Optional[FigureConfig] = None,
-        client=None,
-        gui_id: Optional[str] = None,
-        **kwargs,
-    ) -> None:
-        if config is None:
-            config = FigureConfig(widget_class=self.__class__.__name__)
-        else:
-            if isinstance(config, dict):
-                config = FigureConfig(**config)
-        super().__init__(client=client, gui_id=gui_id, config=config, **kwargs)
-        pg.GraphicsLayoutWidget.__init__(self, parent)
-
-        self.widget_handler = WidgetHandler()
-
-        # Widget container to reference widgets by 'widget_id'
-        self._widgets = defaultdict(dict)
-
-        # Container to keep track of the grid
-        self.grid = []
-        # Create config and apply it
-        self.apply_config(config)
-
-    def __getitem__(self, key: tuple | str):
-        if isinstance(key, tuple) and len(key) == 2:
-            return self.axes(*key)
-        if isinstance(key, str):
-            widget = self._widgets.get(key)
-            if widget is None:
-                raise KeyError(f"No widget with ID {key}")
-            return self._widgets.get(key)
-        else:
-            raise TypeError(
-                "Key must be a string (widget id) or a tuple of two integers (grid coordinates)"
-            )
-
-    def apply_config(self, config: dict | FigureConfig):  # ,generate_new_id: bool = False):
-        if isinstance(config, dict):
-            try:
-                config = FigureConfig(**config)
-            except ValidationError as e:
-                logger.error(f"Error in applying config: {e}")
-                return
-        self.config = config
-
-        # widget_config has to be reset for not have each widget config twice when added to the figure
-        widget_configs = list(self.config.widgets.values())
-        self.config.widgets = {}
-        for widget_config in widget_configs:
-            getattr(self, self.widget_method_map[widget_config.widget_class])(
-                config=widget_config.model_dump(), row=widget_config.row, col=widget_config.col
-            )
-
-    @property
-    def widget_list(self) -> list[BECPlotBase]:
-        """
-        Access all widget in BECFigure as a list
-        Returns:
-            list[BECPlotBase]: List of all widgets in the figure.
-        """
-        axes = [value for value in self._widgets.values() if isinstance(value, BECPlotBase)]
-        return axes
-
-    @widget_list.setter
-    def widget_list(self, value: list[BECPlotBase]):
-        """
-        Access all widget in BECFigure as a list
-        Returns:
-            list[BECPlotBase]: List of all widgets in the figure.
-        """
-        self._axes = value
-
-    @property
-    def widgets(self) -> dict:
-        """
-        All widgets within the figure with gui ids as keys.
-        Returns:
-            dict: All widgets within the figure.
-        """
-        return self._widgets
-
-    @widgets.setter
-    def widgets(self, value: dict):
-        """
-        All widgets within the figure with gui ids as keys.
-        Returns:
-            dict: All widgets within the figure.
-        """
-        self._widgets = value
-
-    def export(self):
-        """Export the plot widget."""
-        try:
-            plot_item = self.widget_list[0]
-        except Exception as exc:
-            raise ValueError("No plot widget available to export.") from exc
-
-        scene = plot_item.scene()
-        scene.contextMenuItem = plot_item
-        scene.showExportDialog()
-
-    @typechecked
-    def plot(
-        self,
-        arg1: list | np.ndarray | str | None = None,
-        y: list | np.ndarray | None = None,
-        x: list | np.ndarray | None = None,
-        x_name: str | None = None,
-        y_name: str | None = None,
-        z_name: str | None = None,
-        x_entry: str | None = None,
-        y_entry: str | None = None,
-        z_entry: str | None = None,
-        color: str | None = None,
-        color_map_z: str | None = "magma",
-        label: str | None = None,
-        validate: bool = True,
-        new: bool = False,
-        row: int | None = None,
-        col: int | None = None,
-        dap: str | None = None,
-        config: dict | None = None,  # TODO make logic more transparent
-        **axis_kwargs,
-    ) -> BECWaveform:
-        """
-        Add a 1D waveform plot to the figure. Always access the first waveform widget in the figure.
-
-        Args:
-            arg1(list | np.ndarray | str | None): First argument which can be x data, y data, or y_name.
-            y(list | np.ndarray): Custom y data to plot.
-            x(list | np.ndarray): Custom x data to plot.
-            x_name(str): The name of the device for the x-axis.
-            y_name(str): The name of the device for the y-axis.
-            z_name(str): The name of the device for the z-axis.
-            x_entry(str): The name of the entry for the x-axis.
-            y_entry(str): The name of the entry for the y-axis.
-            z_entry(str): The name of the entry for the z-axis.
-            color(str): The color of the curve.
-            color_map_z(str): The color map to use for the z-axis.
-            label(str): The label of the curve.
-            validate(bool): If True, validate the device names and entries.
-            new(bool): If True, create a new plot instead of using the first plot.
-            row(int): The row coordinate of the widget in the figure. If not provided, the next empty row will be used.
-            col(int): The column coordinate of the widget in the figure. If not provided, the next empty column will be used.
-            dap(str): The DAP model to use for the curve.
-            config(dict): Recreates the whole BECWaveform widget from provided configuration.
-            **axis_kwargs: Additional axis properties to set on the widget after creation.
-
-        Returns:
-            BECWaveform: The waveform plot widget.
-        """
-        waveform = self.subplot_factory(
-            widget_type="BECWaveform", config=config, row=row, col=col, new=new, **axis_kwargs
-        )
-        if config is not None:
-            return waveform
-
-        if arg1 is not None or y_name is not None or (y is not None and x is not None):
-            waveform.plot(
-                arg1=arg1,
-                y=y,
-                x=x,
-                x_name=x_name,
-                y_name=y_name,
-                z_name=z_name,
-                x_entry=x_entry,
-                y_entry=y_entry,
-                z_entry=z_entry,
-                color=color,
-                color_map_z=color_map_z,
-                label=label,
-                validate=validate,
-                dap=dap,
-            )
-        return waveform
-
-    def _init_image(
-        self,
-        image,
-        monitor: str = None,
-        monitor_type: Literal["1d", "2d"] = "2d",
-        color_bar: Literal["simple", "full"] = "full",
-        color_map: str = "magma",
-        data: np.ndarray = None,
-        vrange: tuple[float, float] = None,
-    ) -> BECImageShow:
-        """
-        Configure the image based on the provided parameters.
-
-        Args:
-            image (BECImageShow): The image to configure.
-            monitor (str): The name of the monitor to display.
-            color_bar (Literal["simple","full"]): The type of color bar to display.
-            color_map (str): The color map to use for the image.
-            data (np.ndarray): Custom data to display.
-        """
-        if monitor is not None and data is None:
-            image.image(
-                monitor=monitor,
-                monitor_type=monitor_type,
-                color_map=color_map,
-                vrange=vrange,
-                color_bar=color_bar,
-            )
-        elif data is not None and monitor is None:
-            image.add_custom_image(
-                name="custom", data=data, color_map=color_map, vrange=vrange, color_bar=color_bar
-            )
-        elif data is None and monitor is None:
-            # Setting appearance
-            if vrange is not None:
-                image.set_vrange(vmin=vrange[0], vmax=vrange[1])
-            if color_map is not None:
-                image.set_color_map(color_map)
-        else:
-            raise ValueError("Invalid input. Provide either monitor name or custom data.")
-        return image
-
-    def image(
-        self,
-        monitor: str = None,
-        monitor_type: Literal["1d", "2d"] = "2d",
-        color_bar: Literal["simple", "full"] = "full",
-        color_map: str = "magma",
-        data: np.ndarray = None,
-        vrange: tuple[float, float] = None,
-        new: bool = False,
-        row: int | None = None,
-        col: int | None = None,
-        config: dict | None = None,
-        **axis_kwargs,
-    ) -> BECImageShow:
-        """
-        Add an image to the figure. Always access the first image widget in the figure.
-
-        Args:
-            monitor(str): The name of the monitor to display.
-            color_bar(Literal["simple","full"]): The type of color bar to display.
-            color_map(str): The color map to use for the image.
-            data(np.ndarray): Custom data to display.
-            vrange(tuple[float, float]): The range of values to display.
-            new(bool): If True, create a new plot instead of using the first plot.
-            row(int): The row coordinate of the widget in the figure. If not provided, the next empty row will be used.
-            col(int): The column coordinate of the widget in the figure. If not provided, the next empty column will be used.
-            config(dict): Recreates the whole BECImageShow widget from provided configuration.
-            **axis_kwargs: Additional axis properties to set on the widget after creation.
-
-        Returns:
-            BECImageShow: The image widget.
-        """
-
-        image = self.subplot_factory(
-            widget_type="BECImageShow", config=config, row=row, col=col, new=new, **axis_kwargs
-        )
-        if config is not None:
-            return image
-
-        image = self._init_image(
-            image=image,
-            monitor=monitor,
-            monitor_type=monitor_type,
-            color_bar=color_bar,
-            color_map=color_map,
-            data=data,
-            vrange=vrange,
-        )
-        return image
-
-    def motor_map(
-        self,
-        motor_x: str = None,
-        motor_y: str = None,
-        new: bool = False,
-        row: int | None = None,
-        col: int | None = None,
-        config: dict | None = None,
-        **axis_kwargs,
-    ) -> BECMotorMap:
-        """
-        Add a motor map to the figure. Always access the first motor map widget in the figure.
-
-        Args:
-            motor_x(str): The name of the motor for the X axis.
-            motor_y(str): The name of the motor for the Y axis.
-            new(bool): If True, create a new plot instead of using the first plot.
-            row(int): The row coordinate of the widget in the figure. If not provided, the next empty row will be used.
-            col(int): The column coordinate of the widget in the figure. If not provided, the next empty column will be used.
-            config(dict): Recreates the whole BECImageShow widget from provided configuration.
-            **axis_kwargs: Additional axis properties to set on the widget after creation.
-
-        Returns:
-            BECMotorMap: The motor map widget.
-        """
-        motor_map = self.subplot_factory(
-            widget_type="BECMotorMap", config=config, row=row, col=col, new=new, **axis_kwargs
-        )
-        if config is not None:
-            return motor_map
-
-        if motor_x is not None and motor_y is not None:
-            motor_map.change_motors(motor_x, motor_y)
-
-        return motor_map
-
-    def multi_waveform(
-        self,
-        monitor: str = None,
-        new: bool = False,
-        row: int | None = None,
-        col: int | None = None,
-        config: dict | None = None,
-        **axis_kwargs,
-    ):
-        multi_waveform = self.subplot_factory(
-            widget_type="BECMultiWaveform", config=config, row=row, col=col, new=new, **axis_kwargs
-        )
-        if config is not None:
-            return multi_waveform
-        multi_waveform.set_monitor(monitor)
-        return multi_waveform
-
-    def subplot_factory(
-        self,
-        widget_type: Literal[
-            "BECPlotBase", "BECWaveform", "BECImageShow", "BECMotorMap", "BECMultiWaveform"
-        ] = "BECPlotBase",
-        row: int = None,
-        col: int = None,
-        config=None,
-        new: bool = False,
-        **axis_kwargs,
-    ) -> BECPlotBase:
-        # Case 1 - config provided, new plot, possible to define coordinates
-        if config is not None:
-            widget_cls = config["widget_class"]
-            if widget_cls != widget_type:
-                raise ValueError(
-                    f"Widget type '{widget_type}' does not match the provided configuration ({widget_cls})."
-                )
-            widget = self.add_widget(
-                widget_type=widget_type, config=config, row=row, col=col, **axis_kwargs
-            )
-            return widget
-
-        # Case 2 - find first plot or create first plot if no plot available, no config provided, no coordinates
-        if new is False and (row is None or col is None):
-            widget = WidgetContainerUtils.find_first_widget_by_class(
-                self._widgets, self.subplot_map[widget_type], can_fail=True
-            )
-            if widget is not None:
-                if axis_kwargs:
-                    widget.set(**axis_kwargs)
-            else:
-                widget = self.add_widget(widget_type=widget_type, **axis_kwargs)
-            return widget
-
-        # Case 3 - modifying existing plot wit coordinates provided
-        if new is False and (row is not None and col is not None):
-            try:
-                widget = self.axes(row, col)
-            except ValueError:
-                widget = None
-            if widget is not None:
-                if axis_kwargs:
-                    widget.set(**axis_kwargs)
-            else:
-                widget = self.add_widget(widget_type=widget_type, row=row, col=col, **axis_kwargs)
-            return widget
-
-        # Case 4 - no previous plot or new plot, no config provided, possible to define coordinates
-        widget = self.add_widget(widget_type=widget_type, row=row, col=col, **axis_kwargs)
-        return widget
-
-    def add_widget(
-        self,
-        widget_type: Literal[
-            "BECPlotBase", "BECWaveform", "BECImageShow", "BECMotorMap", "BECMultiWaveform"
-        ] = "BECPlotBase",
-        widget_id: str = None,
-        row: int = None,
-        col: int = None,
-        config=None,
-        **axis_kwargs,
-    ) -> BECPlotBase:
-        """
-        Add a widget to the figure at the specified position.
-
-        Args:
-            widget_type(Literal["PlotBase","Waveform1D"]): The type of the widget to add.
-            widget_id(str): The unique identifier of the widget. If not provided, a unique ID will be generated.
-            row(int): The row coordinate of the widget in the figure. If not provided, the next empty row will be used.
-            col(int): The column coordinate of the widget in the figure. If not provided, the next empty column will be used.
-            config(dict): Additional configuration for the widget.
-            **axis_kwargs(dict): Additional axis properties to set on the widget after creation.
-        """
-        if not widget_id:
-            widget_id = str(uuid.uuid4())
-        if widget_id in self._widgets:
-            raise ValueError(f"Widget with ID '{widget_id}' already exists.")
-
-        # Check if position is occupied
-        if row is not None and col is not None:
-            if self.getItem(row, col):
-                raise ValueError(f"Position at row {row} and column {col} is already occupied.")
-        else:
-            row, col = self._find_next_empty_position()
-
-        widget = self.widget_handler.create_widget(
-            widget_type=widget_type,
-            widget_id=widget_id,
-            parent_figure=self,
-            parent_id=self.gui_id,
-            config=config,
-            **axis_kwargs,
-        )
-        widget.set_gui_id(widget_id)
-        widget.config.row = row
-        widget.config.col = col
-
-        # Add widget to the figure
-        self.addItem(widget, row=row, col=col)
-
-        # Update num_cols and num_rows based on the added widget
-        self.config.num_rows = max(self.config.num_rows, row + 1)
-        self.config.num_cols = max(self.config.num_cols, col + 1)
-
-        # Saving config for future referencing
-
-        self.config.widgets[widget_id] = widget.config
-        self._widgets[widget_id] = widget
-
-        # Reflect the grid coordinates
-        self._change_grid(widget_id, row, col)
-
-        return widget
-
-    def remove(
-        self,
-        row: int = None,
-        col: int = None,
-        widget_id: str = None,
-        coordinates: tuple[int, int] = None,
-    ) -> None:
-        """
-        Remove a widget from the figure. Can be removed by its unique identifier or by its coordinates.
-
-        Args:
-            row(int): The row coordinate of the widget to remove.
-            col(int): The column coordinate of the widget to remove.
-            widget_id(str): The unique identifier of the widget to remove.
-            coordinates(tuple[int, int], optional): The coordinates of the widget to remove.
-        """
-        if widget_id:
-            self._remove_by_id(widget_id)
-        elif row is not None and col is not None:
-            self._remove_by_coordinates(row, col)
-        elif coordinates:
-            self._remove_by_coordinates(*coordinates)
-        else:
-            raise ValueError("Must provide either widget_id or coordinates for removal.")
-
-    def change_theme(self, theme: Literal["dark", "light"]) -> None:
-        """
-        Change the theme of the figure widget.
-
-        Args:
-            theme(Literal["dark","light"]): The theme to set for the figure widget.
-        """
-        self.config.theme = theme
-        apply_theme(theme)
-        for plot in self.widget_list:
-            plot.set_x_label(plot.plot_item.getAxis("bottom").label.toPlainText())
-            plot.set_y_label(plot.plot_item.getAxis("left").label.toPlainText())
-            if plot.plot_item.titleLabel.text:
-                plot.set_title(plot.plot_item.titleLabel.text)
-            plot.set_legend_label_size()
-
-    def _remove_by_coordinates(self, row: int, col: int) -> None:
-        """
-        Remove a widget from the figure by its coordinates.
-
-        Args:
-            row(int): The row coordinate of the widget to remove.
-            col(int): The column coordinate of the widget to remove.
-        """
-        widget = self.axes(row, col)
-        if widget:
-            widget_id = widget.config.gui_id
-            if widget_id in self._widgets:
-                self._remove_by_id(widget_id)
-
-    def _remove_by_id(self, widget_id: str) -> None:
-        """
-        Remove a widget from the figure by its unique identifier.
-
-        Args:
-            widget_id(str): The unique identifier of the widget to remove.
-        """
-        if widget_id in self._widgets:
-            widget = self._widgets.pop(widget_id)
-            widget.cleanup_pyqtgraph()
-            widget.cleanup()
-            self.removeItem(widget)
-            self.grid[widget.config.row][widget.config.col] = None
-            self._reindex_grid()
-            if widget_id in self.config.widgets:
-                self.config.widgets.pop(widget_id)
-            widget.deleteLater()
-        else:
-            raise ValueError(f"Widget with ID '{widget_id}' does not exist.")
-
-    def axes(self, row: int, col: int) -> BECPlotBase:
-        """
-        Get widget by its coordinates in the figure.
-
-        Args:
-            row(int): the row coordinate
-            col(int): the column coordinate
-
-        Returns:
-            BECPlotBase: the widget at the given coordinates
-        """
-        widget = self.getItem(row, col)
-        if widget is None:
-            raise ValueError(f"No widget at coordinates ({row}, {col})")
-        return widget
-
-    def _find_next_empty_position(self):
-        """Find the next empty position (new row) in the figure."""
-        row, col = 0, 0
-        while self.getItem(row, col):
-            row += 1
-        return row, col
-
-    def _change_grid(self, widget_id: str, row: int, col: int):
-        """
-        Change the grid to reflect the new position of the widget.
-
-        Args:
-            widget_id(str): The unique identifier of the widget.
-            row(int): The new row coordinate of the widget in the figure.
-            col(int): The new column coordinate of the widget in the figure.
-        """
-        while len(self.grid) <= row:
-            self.grid.append([])
-        row = self.grid[row]
-        while len(row) <= col:
-            row.append(None)
-        row[col] = widget_id
-
-    def _reindex_grid(self):
-        """Reindex the grid to remove empty rows and columns."""
-        new_grid = []
-        for row in self.grid:
-            new_row = [widget for widget in row if widget is not None]
-            if new_row:
-                new_grid.append(new_row)
-        #
-        # Update the config of each object to reflect its new position
-        for row_idx, row in enumerate(new_grid):
-            for col_idx, widget in enumerate(row):
-                self._widgets[widget].config.row, self._widgets[widget].config.col = (
-                    row_idx,
-                    col_idx,
-                )
-
-        self.grid = new_grid
-        self._replot_layout()
-
-    def _replot_layout(self):
-        """Replot the layout based on the current grid configuration."""
-        self.clear()
-        for row_idx, row in enumerate(self.grid):
-            for col_idx, widget in enumerate(row):
-                self.addItem(self._widgets[widget], row=row_idx, col=col_idx)
-
-    def change_layout(self, max_columns=None, max_rows=None):
-        """
-        Reshuffle the layout of the figure to adjust to a new number of max_columns or max_rows.
-        If both max_columns and max_rows are provided, max_rows is ignored.
-
-        Args:
-            max_columns (Optional[int]): The new maximum number of columns in the figure.
-            max_rows (Optional[int]): The new maximum number of rows in the figure.
-        """
-        # Calculate total number of widgets
-        total_widgets = len(self._widgets)
-
-        if max_columns:
-            # Calculate the required number of rows based on max_columns
-            required_rows = (total_widgets + max_columns - 1) // max_columns
-            new_grid = [[None for _ in range(max_columns)] for _ in range(required_rows)]
-        elif max_rows:
-            # Calculate the required number of columns based on max_rows
-            required_columns = (total_widgets + max_rows - 1) // max_rows
-            new_grid = [[None for _ in range(required_columns)] for _ in range(max_rows)]
-        else:
-            # If neither max_columns nor max_rows is specified, just return without changing the layout
-            return
-
-        # Populate the new grid with widgets' IDs
-        current_idx = 0
-        for widget_id in self._widgets:
-            row = current_idx // len(new_grid[0])
-            col = current_idx % len(new_grid[0])
-            new_grid[row][col] = widget_id
-            current_idx += 1
-
-        self.config.num_rows = row
-        self.config.num_cols = col
-
-        # Update widgets' positions and replot them according to the new grid
-        self.grid = new_grid
-        self._reindex_grid()  # This method should be updated to handle reshuffling correctly
-        self._replot_layout()  # Assumes this method re-adds widgets to the layout based on self.grid
-
-    def clear_all(self):
-        """Clear all widgets from the figure and reset to default state"""
-        for widget in list(self._widgets.values()):
-            widget.remove()
-        self._widgets.clear()
-        self.grid = []
-        theme = self.config.theme
-        self.config = FigureConfig(
-            widget_class=self.__class__.__name__, gui_id=self.gui_id, theme=theme
-        )
-
-    def cleanup_pyqtgraph_all_widgets(self):
-        """Clean up the pyqtgraph widget."""
-        for widget in self.widget_list:
-            widget.cleanup_pyqtgraph()
-
-    def cleanup(self):
-        """Close the figure widget."""
-        self.cleanup_pyqtgraph_all_widgets()

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

@@ -1,91 +0,0 @@
-import os
-
-from qtpy.QtWidgets import QVBoxLayout
-
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot as Slot
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.settings_dialog import SettingWidget
-from bec_widgets.utils import UILoader
-from bec_widgets.utils.widget_io import WidgetIO
-
-
-class AxisSettings(SettingWidget):
-    def __init__(self, parent=None, *args, **kwargs):
-        super().__init__(parent=parent, *args, **kwargs)
-
-        current_path = os.path.dirname(__file__)
-        self.ui = UILoader().load_ui(os.path.join(current_path, "axis_settings.ui"), self)
-
-        self.layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
-        self.layout.addWidget(self.ui)
-
-        # Hardcoded values for best appearance
-        self.setMinimumHeight(280)
-        self.setMaximumHeight(280)
-        self.resize(380, 280)
-
-    @Slot(dict)
-    def display_current_settings(self, axis_config: dict):
-
-        if axis_config == {}:
-            return
-
-        # Top Box
-        WidgetIO.set_value(self.ui.plot_title, axis_config["title"])
-        self.ui.switch_outer_axes.checked = axis_config["outer_axes"]
-
-        # X Axis Box
-        WidgetIO.set_value(self.ui.x_label, axis_config["x_label"])
-        WidgetIO.set_value(self.ui.x_scale, axis_config["x_scale"])
-        WidgetIO.set_value(self.ui.x_grid, axis_config["x_grid"])
-        if axis_config["x_lim"] is not None:
-            WidgetIO.check_and_adjust_limits(self.ui.x_min, axis_config["x_lim"][0])
-            WidgetIO.check_and_adjust_limits(self.ui.x_max, axis_config["x_lim"][1])
-            WidgetIO.set_value(self.ui.x_min, axis_config["x_lim"][0])
-            WidgetIO.set_value(self.ui.x_max, axis_config["x_lim"][1])
-        if axis_config["x_lim"] is None:
-            x_range = self.target_widget.fig.widget_list[0].plot_item.viewRange()[0]
-            WidgetIO.set_value(self.ui.x_min, x_range[0])
-            WidgetIO.set_value(self.ui.x_max, x_range[1])
-
-        # Y Axis Box
-        WidgetIO.set_value(self.ui.y_label, axis_config["y_label"])
-        WidgetIO.set_value(self.ui.y_scale, axis_config["y_scale"])
-        WidgetIO.set_value(self.ui.y_grid, axis_config["y_grid"])
-        if axis_config["y_lim"] is not None:
-            WidgetIO.check_and_adjust_limits(self.ui.y_min, axis_config["y_lim"][0])
-            WidgetIO.check_and_adjust_limits(self.ui.y_max, axis_config["y_lim"][1])
-            WidgetIO.set_value(self.ui.y_min, axis_config["y_lim"][0])
-            WidgetIO.set_value(self.ui.y_max, axis_config["y_lim"][1])
-        if axis_config["y_lim"] is None:
-            y_range = self.target_widget.fig.widget_list[0].plot_item.viewRange()[1]
-            WidgetIO.set_value(self.ui.y_min, y_range[0])
-            WidgetIO.set_value(self.ui.y_max, y_range[1])
-
-    @Slot()
-    def accept_changes(self):
-        title = WidgetIO.get_value(self.ui.plot_title)
-        outer_axes = self.ui.switch_outer_axes.checked
-
-        # X Axis
-        x_label = WidgetIO.get_value(self.ui.x_label)
-        x_scale = self.ui.x_scale.currentText()
-        x_grid = WidgetIO.get_value(self.ui.x_grid)
-        x_lim = (WidgetIO.get_value(self.ui.x_min), WidgetIO.get_value(self.ui.x_max))
-
-        # Y Axis
-        y_label = WidgetIO.get_value(self.ui.y_label)
-        y_scale = self.ui.y_scale.currentText()
-        y_grid = WidgetIO.get_value(self.ui.y_grid)
-        y_lim = (WidgetIO.get_value(self.ui.y_min), WidgetIO.get_value(self.ui.y_max))
-
-        self.target_widget.set(
-            title=title,
-            x_label=x_label,
-            x_scale=x_scale,
-            x_lim=x_lim,
-            y_label=y_label,
-            y_scale=y_scale,
-            y_lim=y_lim,
-        )
-        self.target_widget.set_grid(x_grid, y_grid)
-        self.target_widget.set_outer_axes(outer_axes)

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/figure/plots/axis_settings.ui

@@ -1,256 +0,0 @@
-<?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>427</width>
-                <height>270</height>
-            </rect>
-        </property>
-        <property name="minimumSize">
-            <size>
-                <width>0</width>
-                <height>250</height>
-            </size>
-        </property>
-        <property name="maximumSize">
-            <size>
-                <width>16777215</width>
-                <height>278</height>
-            </size>
-        </property>
-        <property name="windowTitle">
-            <string>Form</string>
-        </property>
-        <layout class="QGridLayout" name="gridLayout">
-            <item row="0" column="0" colspan="2">
-                <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout">
-                    <item>
-                        <widget class="QLabel" name="plot_title_label">
-                            <property name="text">
-                                <string>Plot Title</string>
-                            </property>
-                        </widget>
-                    </item>
-                    <item>
-                        <widget class="QLineEdit" name="plot_title"/>
-                    </item>
-                </layout>
-            </item>
-            <item row="1" column="0">
-                <widget class="QLabel" name="label_outer_axes">
-                    <property name="text">
-                        <string>Outer Axes</string>
-                    </property>
-                </widget>
-            </item>
-            <item row="2" column="1">
-                <widget class="QGroupBox" name="y_axis_box">
-                    <property name="title">
-                        <string>Y Axis</string>
-                    </property>
-                    <layout class="QGridLayout" name="gridLayout_5">
-                        <item row="3" column="2">
-                            <widget class="QComboBox" name="y_scale">
-                                <item>
-                                    <property name="text">
-                                        <string>linear</string>
-                                    </property>
-                                </item>
-                                <item>
-                                    <property name="text">
-                                        <string>log</string>
-                                    </property>
-                                </item>
-                            </widget>
-                        </item>
-                        <item row="2" column="2">
-                            <widget class="QDoubleSpinBox" name="y_max">
-                                <property name="alignment">
-                                    <set>Qt::AlignmentFlag::AlignCenter</set>
-                                </property>
-                                <property name="minimum">
-                                    <double>-9999.000000000000000</double>
-                                </property>
-                                <property name="maximum">
-                                    <double>9999.000000000000000</double>
-                                </property>
-                            </widget>
-                        </item>
-                        <item row="1" column="0" colspan="2">
-                            <widget class="QLabel" name="y_min_label">
-                                <property name="text">
-                                    <string>Min</string>
-                                </property>
-                            </widget>
-                        </item>
-                        <item row="1" column="2">
-                            <widget class="QDoubleSpinBox" name="y_min">
-                                <property name="alignment">
-                                    <set>Qt::AlignmentFlag::AlignCenter</set>
-                                </property>
-                                <property name="minimum">
-                                    <double>-9999.000000000000000</double>
-                                </property>
-                                <property name="maximum">
-                                    <double>9999.000000000000000</double>
-                                </property>
-                            </widget>
-                        </item>
-                        <item row="0" column="2">
-                            <widget class="QLineEdit" name="y_label"/>
-                        </item>
-                        <item row="3" column="0">
-                            <widget class="QLabel" name="y_scale_label">
-                                <property name="text">
-                                    <string>Scale</string>
-                                </property>
-                            </widget>
-                        </item>
-                        <item row="0" column="0">
-                            <widget class="QLabel" name="y_label_label">
-                                <property name="text">
-                                    <string>Label</string>
-                                </property>
-                            </widget>
-                        </item>
-                        <item row="2" column="0">
-                            <widget class="QLabel" name="y_max_label">
-                                <property name="text">
-                                    <string>Max</string>
-                                </property>
-                            </widget>
-                        </item>
-                        <item row="4" column="2">
-                            <widget class="QCheckBox" name="y_grid">
-                                <property name="text">
-                                    <string/>
-                                </property>
-                            </widget>
-                        </item>
-                        <item row="4" column="0">
-                            <widget class="QLabel" name="y_grid_label">
-                                <property name="text">
-                                    <string>Grid</string>
-                                </property>
-                            </widget>
-                        </item>
-                    </layout>
-                </widget>
-            </item>
-            <item row="2" column="0">
-                <widget class="QGroupBox" name="x_axis_box">
-                    <property name="title">
-                        <string>X Axis</string>
-                    </property>
-                    <layout class="QGridLayout" name="gridLayout_4">
-                        <item row="3" column="0">
-                            <widget class="QLabel" name="x_scale_label">
-                                <property name="text">
-                                    <string>Scale</string>
-                                </property>
-                            </widget>
-                        </item>
-                        <item row="1" column="2">
-                            <widget class="QDoubleSpinBox" name="x_min">
-                                <property name="alignment">
-                                    <set>Qt::AlignmentFlag::AlignCenter</set>
-                                </property>
-                                <property name="minimum">
-                                    <double>-9999.000000000000000</double>
-                                </property>
-                                <property name="maximum">
-                                    <double>9999.000000000000000</double>
-                                </property>
-                            </widget>
-                        </item>
-                        <item row="1" column="0" colspan="2">
-                            <widget class="QLabel" name="x_min_label">
-                                <property name="text">
-                                    <string>Min</string>
-                                </property>
-                            </widget>
-                        </item>
-                        <item row="2" column="2">
-                            <widget class="QDoubleSpinBox" name="x_max">
-                                <property name="alignment">
-                                    <set>Qt::AlignmentFlag::AlignCenter</set>
-                                </property>
-                                <property name="minimum">
-                                    <double>-9999.000000000000000</double>
-                                </property>
-                                <property name="maximum">
-                                    <double>9999.000000000000000</double>
-                                </property>
-                            </widget>
-                        </item>
-                        <item row="3" column="2">
-                            <widget class="QComboBox" name="x_scale">
-                                <item>
-                                    <property name="text">
-                                        <string>linear</string>
-                                    </property>
-                                </item>
-                                <item>
-                                    <property name="text">
-                                        <string>log</string>
-                                    </property>
-                                </item>
-                            </widget>
-                        </item>
-                        <item row="2" column="0">
-                            <widget class="QLabel" name="x_max_label">
-                                <property name="text">
-                                    <string>Max</string>
-                                </property>
-                            </widget>
-                        </item>
-                        <item row="0" column="2">
-                            <widget class="QLineEdit" name="x_label"/>
-                        </item>
-                        <item row="0" column="0">
-                            <widget class="QLabel" name="x_label_label">
-                                <property name="text">
-                                    <string>Label</string>
-                                </property>
-                            </widget>
-                        </item>
-                        <item row="4" column="2">
-                            <widget class="QCheckBox" name="x_grid">
-                                <property name="text">
-                                    <string/>
-                                </property>
-                            </widget>
-                        </item>
-                        <item row="4" column="0">
-                            <widget class="QLabel" name="x_grid_label">
-                                <property name="text">
-                                    <string>Grid</string>
-                                </property>
-                            </widget>
-                        </item>
-                    </layout>
-                </widget>
-            </item>
-            <item row="1" column="1">
-                <widget class="ToggleSwitch" name="switch_outer_axes">
-                    <property name="checked" stdset="0">
-                        <bool>false</bool>
-                    </property>
-                </widget>
-            </item>
-        </layout>
-    </widget>
-    <customwidgets>
-        <customwidget>
-            <class>ToggleSwitch</class>
-            <extends>QWidget</extends>
-            <header>toggle_switch</header>
-        </customwidget>
-    </customwidgets>
-    <resources/>
-    <connections/>
-</ui>

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

@@ -1,772 +0,0 @@
-from __future__ import annotations
-
-from collections import defaultdict
-from typing import Any, Literal, Optional
-
-import numpy as np
-from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
-from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
-from pydantic import Field, ValidationError
-from qtpy.QtCore import QThread, Slot
-from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
-
-# from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot as Slot
-from bec_widgets.utils import EntryValidator
-from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure.plots.image.image_item import (
-    BECImageItem,
-    ImageItemConfig,
-)
-from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure.plots.image.image_processor import (
-    ImageProcessor,
-    ImageStats,
-    ProcessorWorker,
-)
-from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure.plots.plot_base import BECPlotBase, SubplotConfig
-
-logger = bec_logger.logger
-
-
-class ImageConfig(SubplotConfig):
-    images: dict[str, ImageItemConfig] = Field(
-        {},
-        description="The configuration of the images. The key is the name of the image (source).",
-    )
-
-
-class BECImageShow(BECPlotBase):
-    USER_ACCESS = [
-        "_rpc_id",
-        "_config_dict",
-        "add_image_by_config",
-        "image",
-        "add_custom_image",
-        "set_vrange",
-        "set_color_map",
-        "set_autorange",
-        "set_autorange_mode",
-        "set_monitor",
-        "set_processing",
-        "set_image_properties",
-        "set_fft",
-        "set_log",
-        "set_rotation",
-        "set_transpose",
-        "set",
-        "set_title",
-        "set_x_label",
-        "set_y_label",
-        "set_x_scale",
-        "set_y_scale",
-        "set_x_lim",
-        "set_y_lim",
-        "set_grid",
-        "enable_fps_monitor",
-        "lock_aspect_ratio",
-        "export",
-        "remove",
-        "images",
-    ]
-
-    def __init__(
-        self,
-        parent: Optional[QWidget] = None,
-        parent_figure=None,
-        config: Optional[ImageConfig] = None,
-        client=None,
-        gui_id: Optional[str] = None,
-        single_image: bool = True,
-    ):
-        if config is None:
-            config = ImageConfig(widget_class=self.__class__.__name__)
-        super().__init__(
-            parent=parent, parent_figure=parent_figure, config=config, client=client, gui_id=gui_id
-        )
-        # Get bec shortcuts dev, scans, queue, scan_storage, dap
-        self.single_image = single_image
-        self.image_type = "device_monitor_2d"
-        self.scan_id = None
-        self.get_bec_shortcuts()
-        self.entry_validator = EntryValidator(self.dev)
-        self._images = defaultdict(dict)
-        self.apply_config(self.config)
-        self.processor = ImageProcessor()
-        self.use_threading = False  # TODO WILL be moved to the init method and to figure method
-
-    def _create_thread_worker(self, device: str, image: np.ndarray):
-        thread = QThread()
-        worker = ProcessorWorker(self.processor)
-        worker.moveToThread(thread)
-
-        # Connect signals and slots
-        thread.started.connect(lambda: worker.process_image(device, image))
-        worker.processed.connect(self.update_image)
-        worker.stats.connect(self.update_vrange)
-        worker.finished.connect(thread.quit)
-        worker.finished.connect(thread.wait)
-        worker.finished.connect(worker.deleteLater)
-        thread.finished.connect(thread.deleteLater)
-
-        thread.start()
-
-    def find_image_by_monitor(self, item_id: str) -> BECImageItem:
-        """
-        Find the image item by its gui_id.
-
-        Args:
-            item_id(str): The gui_id of the widget.
-
-        Returns:
-            BECImageItem: The widget with the given gui_id.
-        """
-        for source, images in self._images.items():
-            for key, value in images.items():
-                if key == item_id and isinstance(value, BECImageItem):
-                    return value
-                elif isinstance(value, dict):
-                    result = self.find_image_by_monitor(item_id)
-                    if result is not None:
-                        return result
-
-    def apply_config(self, config: dict | SubplotConfig):
-        """
-        Apply the configuration to the 1D waveform widget.
-
-        Args:
-            config(dict|SubplotConfig): Configuration settings.
-            replot_last_scan(bool, optional): If True, replot the last scan. Defaults to False.
-        """
-        if isinstance(config, dict):
-            try:
-                config = ImageConfig(**config)
-            except ValidationError as e:
-                logger.error(f"Validation error when applying config to BECImageShow: {e}")
-                return
-        self.config = config
-        self.plot_item.clear()
-
-        self.apply_axis_config()
-        self._images = defaultdict(dict)
-
-        for image_id, image_config in config.images.items():
-            self.add_image_by_config(image_config)
-
-    def change_gui_id(self, new_gui_id: str):
-        """
-        Change the GUI ID of the image widget and update the parent_id in all associated curves.
-
-        Args:
-            new_gui_id (str): The new GUI ID to be set for the image widget.
-        """
-        self.gui_id = new_gui_id
-        self.config.gui_id = new_gui_id
-
-        for source, images in self._images.items():
-            for id, image_item in images.items():
-                image_item.config.parent_id = new_gui_id
-
-    def add_image_by_config(self, config: ImageItemConfig | dict) -> BECImageItem:
-        """
-        Add an image to the widget by configuration.
-
-        Args:
-            config(ImageItemConfig|dict): The configuration of the image.
-
-        Returns:
-            BECImageItem: The image object.
-        """
-        if isinstance(config, dict):
-            config = ImageItemConfig(**config)
-            config.parent_id = self.gui_id
-        name = config.monitor if config.monitor is not None else config.gui_id
-        image = self._add_image_object(source=config.source, name=name, config=config)
-        return image
-
-    def get_image_config(self, image_id, dict_output: bool = True) -> ImageItemConfig | dict:
-        """
-        Get the configuration of the image.
-
-        Args:
-            image_id(str): The ID of the image.
-            dict_output(bool): Whether to return the configuration as a dictionary. Defaults to True.
-
-        Returns:
-            ImageItemConfig|dict: The configuration of the image.
-        """
-        for source, images in self._images.items():
-            for id, image in images.items():
-                if id == image_id:
-                    if dict_output:
-                        return image.config.dict()
-                    else:
-                        return image.config  # TODO check if this works
-
-    @property
-    def images(self) -> list[BECImageItem]:
-        """
-        Get the list of images.
-        Returns:
-            list[BECImageItem]: The list of images.
-        """
-        images = []
-        for source, images_dict in self._images.items():
-            for id, image in images_dict.items():
-                images.append(image)
-        return images
-
-    @images.setter
-    def images(self, value: dict[str, dict[str, BECImageItem]]):
-        """
-        Set the images from a dictionary.
-
-        Args:
-            value (dict[str, dict[str, BECImageItem]]): The images to set, organized by source and id.
-        """
-        self._images = value
-
-    def get_image_dict(self) -> dict[str, dict[str, BECImageItem]]:
-        """
-        Get all images.
-
-        Returns:
-            dict[str, dict[str, BECImageItem]]: The dictionary of images.
-        """
-        return self._images
-
-    def image(
-        self,
-        monitor: str,
-        monitor_type: Literal["1d", "2d"] = "2d",
-        color_map: Optional[str] = "magma",
-        color_bar: Optional[Literal["simple", "full"]] = "full",
-        downsample: Optional[bool] = True,
-        opacity: Optional[float] = 1.0,
-        vrange: Optional[tuple[int, int]] = None,
-        # post_processing: Optional[PostProcessingConfig] = None,
-        **kwargs,
-    ) -> BECImageItem:
-        """
-        Add an image to the figure. Always access the first image widget in the figure.
-
-        Args:
-            monitor(str): The name of the monitor to display.
-            monitor_type(Literal["1d","2d"]): The type of monitor to display.
-            color_bar(Literal["simple","full"]): The type of color bar to display.
-            color_map(str): The color map to use for the image.
-            data(np.ndarray): Custom data to display.
-            vrange(tuple[float, float]): The range of values to display.
-
-        Returns:
-            BECImageItem: The image item.
-        """
-        if monitor_type == "1d":
-            image_source = "device_monitor_1d"
-            self.image_type = "device_monitor_1d"
-        elif monitor_type == "2d":
-            image_source = "device_monitor_2d"
-            self.image_type = "device_monitor_2d"
-
-        image_exits = self._check_image_id(monitor, self._images)
-        if image_exits:
-            # raise ValueError(
-            #     f"Monitor with ID '{monitor}' already exists in widget '{self.gui_id}'."
-            # )
-            return
-
-        # monitor = self.entry_validator.validate_monitor(monitor)
-
-        image_config = ImageItemConfig(
-            widget_class="BECImageItem",
-            parent_id=self.gui_id,
-            color_map=color_map,
-            color_bar=color_bar,
-            downsample=downsample,
-            opacity=opacity,
-            vrange=vrange,
-            source=image_source,
-            monitor=monitor,
-            # post_processing=post_processing,
-            **kwargs,
-        )
-
-        image = self._add_image_object(source=image_source, name=monitor, config=image_config)
-        return image
-
-    def add_custom_image(
-        self,
-        name: str,
-        data: Optional[np.ndarray] = None,
-        color_map: Optional[str] = "magma",
-        color_bar: Optional[Literal["simple", "full"]] = "full",
-        downsample: Optional[bool] = True,
-        opacity: Optional[float] = 1.0,
-        vrange: Optional[tuple[int, int]] = None,
-        # post_processing: Optional[PostProcessingConfig] = None,
-        **kwargs,
-    ):
-        image_source = "custom"
-
-        image_exits = self._check_image_id(name, self._images)
-        if image_exits:
-            raise ValueError(f"Monitor with ID '{name}' already exists in widget '{self.gui_id}'.")
-
-        image_config = ImageItemConfig(
-            widget_class="BECImageItem",
-            parent_id=self.gui_id,
-            monitor=name,
-            color_map=color_map,
-            color_bar=color_bar,
-            downsample=downsample,
-            opacity=opacity,
-            vrange=vrange,
-            # post_processing=post_processing,
-            **kwargs,
-        )
-
-        image = self._add_image_object(
-            source=image_source, name=name, config=image_config, data=data
-        )
-        return image
-
-    def apply_setting_to_images(
-        self, setting_method_name: str, args: list, kwargs: dict, image_id: str = None
-    ):
-        """
-        Apply a setting to all images or a specific image by its ID.
-
-        Args:
-            setting_method_name (str): The name of the method to apply (e.g., 'set_color_map').
-            args (list): Positional arguments for the setting method.
-            kwargs (dict): Keyword arguments for the setting method.
-            image_id (str, optional): The ID of the specific image to apply the setting to. If None, applies to all images.
-        """
-        if image_id:
-            image = self.find_image_by_monitor(image_id)
-            if image:
-                getattr(image, setting_method_name)(*args, **kwargs)
-        else:
-            for source, images in self._images.items():
-                for _, image in images.items():
-                    getattr(image, setting_method_name)(*args, **kwargs)
-        self.refresh_image()
-
-    def set_vrange(self, vmin: float, vmax: float, name: str = None):
-        """
-        Set the range of the color bar.
-        If name is not specified, then set vrange for all images.
-
-        Args:
-            vmin(float): Minimum value of the color bar.
-            vmax(float): Maximum value of the color bar.
-            name(str): The name of the image. If None, apply to all images.
-        """
-        self.apply_setting_to_images("set_vrange", args=[vmin, vmax], kwargs={}, image_id=name)
-
-    def set_color_map(self, cmap: str, name: str = None):
-        """
-        Set the color map of the image.
-        If name is not specified, then set color map for all images.
-
-        Args:
-            cmap(str): The color map of the image.
-            name(str): The name of the image. If None, apply to all images.
-        """
-        self.apply_setting_to_images("set_color_map", args=[cmap], kwargs={}, image_id=name)
-
-    def set_autorange(self, enable: bool = False, name: str = None):
-        """
-        Set the autoscale of the image.
-
-        Args:
-            enable(bool): Whether to autoscale the color bar.
-            name(str): The name of the image. If None, apply to all images.
-        """
-        self.apply_setting_to_images("set_autorange", args=[enable], kwargs={}, image_id=name)
-
-    def set_autorange_mode(self, mode: Literal["max", "mean"], name: str = None):
-        """
-        Set the autoscale mode of the image, that decides how the vrange of the color bar is scaled.
-        Choose betwen 'max' -> min/max of the data, 'mean' -> mean +/- fudge_factor*std of the data (fudge_factor~2).
-
-        Args:
-            mode(str): The autoscale mode of the image.
-            name(str): The name of the image. If None, apply to all images.
-        """
-        self.apply_setting_to_images("set_autorange_mode", args=[mode], kwargs={}, image_id=name)
-
-    def set_monitor(self, monitor: str, name: str = None):
-        """
-        Set the monitor of the image.
-        If name is not specified, then set monitor for all images.
-
-        Args:
-            monitor(str): The name of the monitor.
-            name(str): The name of the image. If None, apply to all images.
-        """
-        self.apply_setting_to_images("set_monitor", args=[monitor], kwargs={}, image_id=name)
-
-    def set_processing(self, name: str = None, **kwargs):
-        """
-        Set the post processing of the image.
-        If name is not specified, then set post processing for all images.
-
-        Args:
-            name(str): The name of the image. If None, apply to all images.
-            **kwargs: Keyword arguments for the properties to be set.
-        Possible properties:
-            - fft: bool
-            - log: bool
-            - rot: int
-            - transpose: bool
-        """
-        self.apply_setting_to_images("set", args=[], kwargs=kwargs, image_id=name)
-
-    def set_image_properties(self, name: str = None, **kwargs):
-        """
-        Set the properties of the image.
-
-        Args:
-            name(str): The name of the image. If None, apply to all images.
-            **kwargs: Keyword arguments for the properties to be set.
-        Possible properties:
-            - downsample: bool
-            - color_map: str
-            - monitor: str
-            - opacity: float
-            - vrange: tuple[int,int]
-            - fft: bool
-            - log: bool
-            - rot: int
-            - transpose: bool
-        """
-        self.apply_setting_to_images("set", args=[], kwargs=kwargs, image_id=name)
-
-    def set_fft(self, enable: bool = False, name: str = None):
-        """
-        Set the FFT of the image.
-        If name is not specified, then set FFT for all images.
-
-        Args:
-            enable(bool): Whether to perform FFT on the monitor data.
-            name(str): The name of the image. If None, apply to all images.
-        """
-        self.apply_setting_to_images("set_fft", args=[enable], kwargs={}, image_id=name)
-
-    def set_log(self, enable: bool = False, name: str = None):
-        """
-        Set the log of the image.
-        If name is not specified, then set log for all images.
-
-        Args:
-            enable(bool): Whether to perform log on the monitor data.
-            name(str): The name of the image. If None, apply to all images.
-        """
-        self.apply_setting_to_images("set_log", args=[enable], kwargs={}, image_id=name)
-
-    def set_rotation(self, deg_90: int = 0, name: str = None):
-        """
-        Set the rotation of the image.
-        If name is not specified, then set rotation for all images.
-
-        Args:
-            deg_90(int): The rotation angle of the monitor data before displaying.
-            name(str): The name of the image. If None, apply to all images.
-        """
-        self.apply_setting_to_images("set_rotation", args=[deg_90], kwargs={}, image_id=name)
-
-    def set_transpose(self, enable: bool = False, name: str = None):
-        """
-        Set the transpose of the image.
-        If name is not specified, then set transpose for all images.
-
-        Args:
-            enable(bool): Whether to transpose the monitor data before displaying.
-            name(str): The name of the image. If None, apply to all images.
-        """
-        self.apply_setting_to_images("set_transpose", args=[enable], kwargs={}, image_id=name)
-
-    def toggle_threading(self, use_threading: bool):
-        """
-        Toggle threading for the widgets postprocessing and updating.
-
-        Args:
-            use_threading(bool): Whether to use threading.
-        """
-        self.use_threading = use_threading
-        if self.use_threading is False and self.thread.isRunning():
-            self.cleanup()
-
-    def process_image(self, device: str, image: BECImageItem, data: np.ndarray):
-        """
-        Process the image data.
-
-        Args:
-            device(str): The name of the device - image_id of image.
-            image(np.ndarray): The image data to be processed.
-            data(np.ndarray): The image data to be processed.
-
-        Returns:
-            np.ndarray: The processed image data.
-        """
-        processing_config = image.config.processing
-        self.processor.set_config(processing_config)
-        if self.use_threading:
-            self._create_thread_worker(device, data)
-        else:
-            data = self.processor.process_image(data)
-            self.update_image(device, data)
-            self.update_vrange(device, self.processor.config.stats)
-
-    @Slot(dict, dict)
-    def on_image_update(self, msg: dict, metadata: dict):
-        """
-        Update the image of the device monitor from bec.
-
-        Args:
-            msg(dict): The message from bec.
-            metadata(dict): The metadata of the message.
-        """
-        data = msg["data"]
-        device = msg["device"]
-        if self.image_type == "device_monitor_1d":
-            image = self._images["device_monitor_1d"][device]
-            current_scan_id = metadata.get("scan_id", None)
-            if current_scan_id is None:
-                return
-            if current_scan_id != self.scan_id:
-                self.reset()
-                self.scan_id = current_scan_id
-                image.image_buffer_list = []
-                image.max_len = 0
-            image_buffer = self.adjust_image_buffer(image, data)
-            image.raw_data = image_buffer
-            self.process_image(device, image, image_buffer)
-        elif self.image_type == "device_monitor_2d":
-            image = self._images["device_monitor_2d"][device]
-            image.raw_data = data
-            self.process_image(device, image, data)
-
-    def adjust_image_buffer(self, image: BECImageItem, new_data: np.ndarray) -> np.ndarray:
-        """
-        Adjusts the image buffer to accommodate the new data, ensuring that all rows have the same length.
-
-        Args:
-            image: The image object (used to store buffer list and max_len).
-            new_data (np.ndarray): The new incoming 1D waveform data.
-
-        Returns:
-            np.ndarray: The updated image buffer with adjusted shapes.
-        """
-        new_len = new_data.shape[0]
-        if not hasattr(image, "image_buffer_list"):
-            image.image_buffer_list = []
-            image.max_len = 0
-
-        if new_len > image.max_len:
-            image.max_len = new_len
-            for i in range(len(image.image_buffer_list)):
-                wf = image.image_buffer_list[i]
-                pad_width = image.max_len - wf.shape[0]
-                if pad_width > 0:
-                    image.image_buffer_list[i] = np.pad(
-                        wf, (0, pad_width), mode="constant", constant_values=0
-                    )
-            image.image_buffer_list.append(new_data)
-        else:
-            pad_width = image.max_len - new_len
-            if pad_width > 0:
-                new_data = np.pad(new_data, (0, pad_width), mode="constant", constant_values=0)
-            image.image_buffer_list.append(new_data)
-
-        image_buffer = np.array(image.image_buffer_list)
-        return image_buffer
-
-    @Slot(str, np.ndarray)
-    def update_image(self, device: str, data: np.ndarray):
-        """
-        Update the image of the device monitor.
-
-        Args:
-            device(str): The name of the device.
-            data(np.ndarray): The data to be updated.
-        """
-        image_to_update = self._images[self.image_type][device]
-        image_to_update.updateImage(data, autoLevels=image_to_update.config.autorange)
-
-    @Slot(str, ImageStats)
-    def update_vrange(self, device: str, stats: ImageStats):
-        """
-        Update the scaling of the image.
-
-        Args:
-            stats(ImageStats): The statistics of the image.
-        """
-        image_to_update = self._images[self.image_type][device]
-        if image_to_update.config.autorange:
-            image_to_update.auto_update_vrange(stats)
-
-    def refresh_image(self):
-        """
-        Refresh the image.
-        """
-        for source, images in self._images.items():
-            for image_id, image in images.items():
-                data = image.raw_data
-                self.process_image(image_id, image, data)
-
-    def _connect_device_monitor(self, monitor: str):
-        """
-        Connect to the device monitor.
-
-        Args:
-            monitor(str): The name of the monitor.
-        """
-        image_item = self.find_image_by_monitor(monitor)
-        try:
-            previous_monitor = image_item.config.monitor
-        except AttributeError:
-            previous_monitor = None
-        if previous_monitor and image_item.connected is True:
-            self.bec_dispatcher.disconnect_slot(
-                self.on_image_update, MessageEndpoints.device_monitor_1d(previous_monitor)
-            )
-            self.bec_dispatcher.disconnect_slot(
-                self.on_image_update, MessageEndpoints.device_monitor_2d(previous_monitor)
-            )
-            image_item.connected = False
-        if monitor and image_item.connected is False:
-            self.entry_validator.validate_monitor(monitor)
-            if self.image_type == "device_monitor_1d":
-                self.bec_dispatcher.connect_slot(
-                    self.on_image_update, MessageEndpoints.device_monitor_1d(monitor)
-                )
-            elif self.image_type == "device_monitor_2d":
-                self.bec_dispatcher.connect_slot(
-                    self.on_image_update, MessageEndpoints.device_monitor_2d(monitor)
-                )
-            image_item.set_monitor(monitor)
-            image_item.connected = True
-
-    def _add_image_object(
-        self, source: str, name: str, config: ImageItemConfig, data=None
-    ) -> BECImageItem:
-        config.parent_id = self.gui_id
-        if self.single_image is True and len(self.images) > 0:
-            self.remove_image(0)
-        image = BECImageItem(config=config, parent_image=self)
-        self.plot_item.addItem(image)
-        self._images[source][name] = image
-        self._connect_device_monitor(config.monitor)
-        self.config.images[name] = config
-        if data is not None:
-            image.setImage(data)
-        return image
-
-    def _check_image_id(self, val: Any, dict_to_check: dict) -> bool:
-        """
-        Check if val is in the values of the dict_to_check or in the values of the nested dictionaries.
-
-        Args:
-            val(Any): Value to check.
-            dict_to_check(dict): Dictionary to check.
-
-        Returns:
-            bool: True if val is in the values of the dict_to_check or in the values of the nested dictionaries, False otherwise.
-        """
-        if val in dict_to_check.keys():
-            return True
-        for key in dict_to_check:
-            if isinstance(dict_to_check[key], dict):
-                if self._check_image_id(val, dict_to_check[key]):
-                    return True
-        return False
-
-    def remove_image(self, *identifiers):
-        """
-        Remove an image from the plot widget.
-
-        Args:
-            *identifiers: Identifier of the image to be removed. Can be either an integer (index) or a string (image_id).
-        """
-        for identifier in identifiers:
-            if isinstance(identifier, int):
-                self._remove_image_by_order(identifier)
-            elif isinstance(identifier, str):
-                self._remove_image_by_id(identifier)
-            else:
-                raise ValueError(
-                    "Each identifier must be either an integer (index) or a string (image_id)."
-                )
-
-    def _remove_image_by_id(self, image_id):
-        for source, images in self._images.items():
-            if image_id in images:
-                self._disconnect_monitor(image_id)
-                image = images.pop(image_id)
-                self.removeItem(image.color_bar)
-                self.plot_item.removeItem(image)
-                del self.config.images[image_id]
-                if image in self.images:
-                    self.images.remove(image)
-                return
-        raise KeyError(f"Image with ID '{image_id}' not found.")
-
-    def _remove_image_by_order(self, N):
-        """
-        Remove an image by its order from the plot widget.
-
-        Args:
-            N(int): Order of the image to be removed.
-        """
-        if N < len(self.images):
-            image = self.images[N]
-            image_id = image.config.monitor
-            self._disconnect_monitor(image_id)
-            self.removeItem(image.color_bar)
-            self.plot_item.removeItem(image)
-            del self.config.images[image_id]
-            for source, images in self._images.items():
-                if image_id in images:
-                    del images[image_id]
-                    break
-        else:
-            raise IndexError(f"Image order {N} out of range.")
-
-    def _disconnect_monitor(self, image_id):
-        """
-        Disconnect the monitor from the device.
-
-        Args:
-            image_id(str): The ID of the monitor.
-        """
-        image = self.find_image_by_monitor(image_id)
-        if image:
-            self.bec_dispatcher.disconnect_slot(
-                self.on_image_update, MessageEndpoints.device_monitor_1d(image.config.monitor)
-            )
-            self.bec_dispatcher.disconnect_slot(
-                self.on_image_update, MessageEndpoints.device_monitor_2d(image.config.monitor)
-            )
-
-    def cleanup(self):
-        """
-        Clean up the widget.
-        """
-        for monitor in self._images[self.image_type]:
-            self.bec_dispatcher.disconnect_slot(
-                self.on_image_update, MessageEndpoints.device_monitor_1d(monitor)
-            )
-        self.images.clear()
-
-    def cleanup_pyqtgraph(self):
-        """Cleanup pyqtgraph items."""
-        super().cleanup_pyqtgraph()
-        item = self.plot_item
-        if not item.items:
-            return
-        cbar = item.items[0].color_bar
-        cbar.vb.menu.close()
-        cbar.vb.menu.deleteLater()
-        cbar.gradient.menu.close()
-        cbar.gradient.menu.deleteLater()
-        cbar.gradient.colorDialog.close()
-        cbar.gradient.colorDialog.deleteLater()

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

@@ -1,337 +0,0 @@
-from __future__ import annotations
-
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Literal, Optional
-
-import numpy as np
-import pyqtgraph as pg
-from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
-from pydantic import Field
-
-from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector, ConnectionConfig
-from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure.plots.image.image_processor import (
-    ImageStats,
-    ProcessingConfig,
-)
-
-if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure.plots.image.image import BECImageShow
-
-logger = bec_logger.logger
-
-
-class ImageItemConfig(ConnectionConfig):
-    parent_id: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="The parent plot of the image.")
-    monitor: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="The name of the monitor.")
-    source: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="The source of the curve.")
-    color_map: Optional[str] = Field("magma", description="The color map of the image.")
-    downsample: Optional[bool] = Field(True, description="Whether to downsample the image.")
-    opacity: Optional[float] = Field(1.0, description="The opacity of the image.")
-    vrange: Optional[tuple[float | int, float | int]] = Field(
-        None, description="The range of the color bar. If None, the range is automatically set."
-    )
-    color_bar: Optional[Literal["simple", "full"]] = Field(
-        "simple", description="The type of the color bar."
-    )
-    autorange: Optional[bool] = Field(True, description="Whether to autorange the color bar.")
-    autorange_mode: Optional[Literal["max", "mean"]] = Field(
-        "mean", description="Whether to use the mean of the image for autoscaling."
-    )
-    processing: ProcessingConfig = Field(
-        default_factory=ProcessingConfig, description="The post processing of the image."
-    )
-
-
-class BECImageItem(BECConnector, pg.ImageItem):
-    USER_ACCESS = [
-        "_rpc_id",
-        "_config_dict",
-        "set",
-        "set_fft",
-        "set_log",
-        "set_rotation",
-        "set_transpose",
-        "set_opacity",
-        "set_autorange",
-        "set_autorange_mode",
-        "set_color_map",
-        "set_auto_downsample",
-        "set_monitor",
-        "set_vrange",
-        "get_data",
-    ]
-
-    def __init__(
-        self,
-        config: Optional[ImageItemConfig] = None,
-        gui_id: Optional[str] = None,
-        parent_image: Optional[BECImageShow] = None,
-        **kwargs,
-    ):
-        if config is None:
-            config = ImageItemConfig(widget_class=self.__class__.__name__)
-            self.config = config
-        else:
-            self.config = config
-        super().__init__(config=config, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
-        pg.ImageItem.__init__(self)
-
-        self.parent_image = parent_image
-        self.colorbar_bar = None
-        self._raw_data = None
-
-        self._add_color_bar(
-            self.config.color_bar, self.config.vrange
-        )  # TODO can also support None to not have any colorbar
-        self.apply_config()
-        if kwargs:
-            self.set(**kwargs)
-        self.connected = False
-
-    @property
-    def raw_data(self) -> np.ndarray:
-        return self._raw_data
-
-    @raw_data.setter
-    def raw_data(self, data: np.ndarray):
-        self._raw_data = data
-
-    def apply_config(self):
-        """
-        Apply current configuration.
-        """
-        self.set_color_map(self.config.color_map)
-        self.set_auto_downsample(self.config.downsample)
-        if self.config.vrange is not None:
-            self.set_vrange(vrange=self.config.vrange)
-
-    def set(self, **kwargs):
-        """
-        Set the properties of the image.
-
-        Args:
-            **kwargs: Keyword arguments for the properties to be set.
-
-        Possible properties:
-            - downsample
-            - color_map
-            - monitor
-            - opacity
-            - vrange
-            - fft
-            - log
-            - rot
-            - transpose
-            - autorange_mode
-        """
-        method_map = {
-            "downsample": self.set_auto_downsample,
-            "color_map": self.set_color_map,
-            "monitor": self.set_monitor,
-            "opacity": self.set_opacity,
-            "vrange": self.set_vrange,
-            "fft": self.set_fft,
-            "log": self.set_log,
-            "rot": self.set_rotation,
-            "transpose": self.set_transpose,
-            "autorange_mode": self.set_autorange_mode,
-        }
-        for key, value in kwargs.items():
-            if key in method_map:
-                method_map[key](value)
-            else:
-                logger.warning(f"Warning: '{key}' is not a recognized property.")
-
-    def set_fft(self, enable: bool = False):
-        """
-        Set the FFT of the image.
-
-        Args:
-            enable(bool): Whether to perform FFT on the monitor data.
-        """
-        self.config.processing.fft = enable
-
-    def set_log(self, enable: bool = False):
-        """
-        Set the log of the image.
-
-        Args:
-            enable(bool): Whether to perform log on the monitor data.
-        """
-        self.config.processing.log = enable
-        if enable and self.color_bar and self.config.color_bar == "full":
-            self.color_bar.autoHistogramRange()
-
-    def set_rotation(self, deg_90: int = 0):
-        """
-        Set the rotation of the image.
-
-        Args:
-            deg_90(int): The rotation angle of the monitor data before displaying.
-        """
-        self.config.processing.rotation = deg_90
-
-    def set_transpose(self, enable: bool = False):
-        """
-        Set the transpose of the image.
-
-        Args:
-            enable(bool): Whether to transpose the image.
-        """
-        self.config.processing.transpose = enable
-
-    def set_opacity(self, opacity: float = 1.0):
-        """
-        Set the opacity of the image.
-
-        Args:
-            opacity(float): The opacity of the image.
-        """
-        self.setOpacity(opacity)
-        self.config.opacity = opacity
-
-    def set_autorange(self, autorange: bool = False):
-        """
-        Set the autorange of the color bar.
-
-        Args:
-            autorange(bool): Whether to autorange the color bar.
-        """
-        self.config.autorange = autorange
-        if self.color_bar and autorange:
-            self.color_bar.autoHistogramRange()
-
-    def set_autorange_mode(self, mode: Literal["max", "mean"] = "mean"):
-        """
-        Set the autorange mode to scale the vrange of the color bar. Choose between min/max or mean +/- std.
-
-        Args:
-            mode(Literal["max","mean"]): Max for min/max or mean for mean +/- std.
-        """
-        self.config.autorange_mode = mode
-
-    def set_color_map(self, cmap: str = "magma"):
-        """
-        Set the color map of the image.
-
-        Args:
-            cmap(str): The color map of the image.
-        """
-        self.setColorMap(cmap)
-        if self.color_bar is not None:
-            if self.config.color_bar == "simple":
-                self.color_bar.setColorMap(cmap)
-            elif self.config.color_bar == "full":
-                self.color_bar.gradient.loadPreset(cmap)
-        self.config.color_map = cmap
-
-    def set_auto_downsample(self, auto: bool = True):
-        """
-        Set the auto downsample of the image.
-
-        Args:
-            auto(bool): Whether to downsample the image.
-        """
-        self.setAutoDownsample(auto)
-        self.config.downsample = auto
-
-    def set_monitor(self, monitor: str):
-        """
-        Set the monitor of the image.
-
-        Args:
-            monitor(str): The name of the monitor.
-        """
-        self.config.monitor = monitor
-
-    def auto_update_vrange(self, stats: ImageStats) -> None:
-        """Auto update of the vrange base on the stats of the image.
-
-        Args:
-            stats(ImageStats): The stats of the image.
-        """
-        fumble_factor = 2
-        if self.config.autorange_mode == "mean":
-            vmin = max(stats.mean - fumble_factor * stats.std, 0)
-            vmax = stats.mean + fumble_factor * stats.std
-            self.set_vrange(vmin, vmax, change_autorange=False)
-            return
-        if self.config.autorange_mode == "max":
-            self.set_vrange(max(stats.minimum, 0), stats.maximum, change_autorange=False)
-            return
-
-    def set_vrange(
-        self,
-        vmin: float = None,
-        vmax: float = None,
-        vrange: tuple[float, float] = None,
-        change_autorange: bool = True,
-    ):
-        """
-        Set the range of the color bar.
-
-        Args:
-            vmin(float): Minimum value of the color bar.
-            vmax(float): Maximum value of the color bar.
-        """
-        if vrange is not None:
-            vmin, vmax = vrange
-        self.setLevels([vmin, vmax])
-        self.config.vrange = (vmin, vmax)
-        if change_autorange:
-            self.config.autorange = False
-        if self.color_bar is not None:
-            if self.config.color_bar == "simple":
-                self.color_bar.setLevels(low=vmin, high=vmax)
-            elif self.config.color_bar == "full":
-                # pylint: disable=unexpected-keyword-arg
-                self.color_bar.setLevels(min=vmin, max=vmax)
-                self.color_bar.setHistogramRange(vmin - 0.1 * vmin, vmax + 0.1 * vmax)
-
-    def get_data(self) -> np.ndarray:
-        """
-        Get the data of the image.
-        Returns:
-            np.ndarray: The data of the image.
-        """
-        return self.image
-
-    def _add_color_bar(
-        self, color_bar_style: str = "simple", vrange: Optional[tuple[int, int]] = None
-    ):
-        """
-        Add color bar to the layout.
-
-        Args:
-            style(Literal["simple,full"]): The style of the color bar.
-            vrange(tuple[int,int]): The range of the color bar.
-        """
-        if color_bar_style == "simple":
-            self.color_bar = pg.ColorBarItem(colorMap=self.config.color_map)
-            if vrange is not None:
-                self.color_bar.setLevels(low=vrange[0], high=vrange[1])
-            self.color_bar.setImageItem(self)
-            self.parent_image.addItem(self.color_bar, row=1, col=1)
-            self.config.color_bar = "simple"
-        elif color_bar_style == "full":
-            # Setting histogram
-            self.color_bar = pg.HistogramLUTItem()
-            self.color_bar.setImageItem(self)
-            self.color_bar.gradient.loadPreset(self.config.color_map)
-            if vrange is not None:
-                self.color_bar.setLevels(min=vrange[0], max=vrange[1])
-                self.color_bar.setHistogramRange(
-                    vrange[0] - 0.1 * vrange[0], vrange[1] + 0.1 * vrange[1]
-                )
-
-            # Adding histogram to the layout
-            self.parent_image.addItem(self.color_bar, row=1, col=1)
-
-            # save settings
-            self.config.color_bar = "full"
-        else:
-            raise ValueError("style should be 'simple' or 'full'")
-
-    def remove(self):
-        """Remove the curve from the plot."""
-        self.parent_image.remove_image(self.config.monitor)
-        self.rpc_register.remove_rpc(self)

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

@@ -1,525 +0,0 @@
-from __future__ import annotations
-
-from collections import defaultdict
-from typing import Optional, Union
-
-import numpy as np
-import pyqtgraph as pg
-from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
-from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
-from pydantic import Field, ValidationError, field_validator
-from pydantic_core import PydanticCustomError
-from qtpy import QtCore, QtGui
-from qtpy.QtCore import Signal as pyqtSignal
-from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
-
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot as Slot
-from bec_widgets.utils import Colors, EntryValidator
-from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure.plots.plot_base import BECPlotBase, SubplotConfig
-from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure.plots.waveform.waveform import Signal, SignalData
-
-logger = bec_logger.logger
-
-
-class MotorMapConfig(SubplotConfig):
-    signals: Optional[Signal] = Field(None, description="Signals of the motor map")
-    color: Optional[str | tuple] = Field(
-        (255, 255, 255, 255), description="The color of the last point of current position."
-    )
-    scatter_size: Optional[int] = Field(5, description="Size of the scatter points.")
-    max_points: Optional[int] = Field(5000, description="Maximum number of points to display.")
-    num_dim_points: Optional[int] = Field(
-        100,
-        description="Number of points to dim before the color remains same for older recorded position.",
-    )
-    precision: Optional[int] = Field(2, description="Decimal precision of the motor position.")
-    background_value: Optional[int] = Field(
-        25, description="Background value of the motor map. Has to be between 0 and 255."
-    )
-
-    model_config: dict = {"validate_assignment": True}
-
-    _validate_color = field_validator("color")(Colors.validate_color)
-
-    @field_validator("background_value")
-    def validate_background_value(cls, value):
-        if not 0 <= value <= 255:
-            raise PydanticCustomError(
-                "wrong_value", f"'{value}' hs to be between 0 and 255.", {"wrong_value": value}
-            )
-        return value
-
-
-class BECMotorMap(BECPlotBase):
-    USER_ACCESS = [
-        "_rpc_id",
-        "_config_dict",
-        "change_motors",
-        "set_max_points",
-        "set_precision",
-        "set_num_dim_points",
-        "set_background_value",
-        "set_scatter_size",
-        "get_data",
-        "export",
-        "remove",
-        "reset_history",
-    ]
-
-    # QT Signals
-    update_signal = pyqtSignal()
-
-    def __init__(
-        self,
-        parent: Optional[QWidget] = None,
-        parent_figure=None,
-        config: Optional[MotorMapConfig] = None,
-        client=None,
-        gui_id: Optional[str] = None,
-    ):
-        if config is None:
-            config = MotorMapConfig(widget_class=self.__class__.__name__)
-        super().__init__(
-            parent=parent, parent_figure=parent_figure, config=config, client=client, gui_id=gui_id
-        )
-
-        # Get bec shortcuts dev, scans, queue, scan_storage, dap
-        self.get_bec_shortcuts()
-        self.entry_validator = EntryValidator(self.dev)
-
-        # connect update signal to update plot
-        self.proxy_update_plot = pg.SignalProxy(
-            self.update_signal, rateLimit=25, slot=self._update_plot
-        )
-        self.apply_config(self.config)
-
-    def apply_config(self, config: dict | MotorMapConfig):
-        """
-        Apply the config to the motor map.
-
-        Args:
-            config(dict|MotorMapConfig): Config to be applied.
-        """
-        if isinstance(config, dict):
-            try:
-                config = MotorMapConfig(**config)
-            except ValidationError as e:
-                logger.error(f"Error in applying config: {e}")
-                return
-
-        self.config = config
-        self.plot_item.clear()
-
-        self.motor_x = None
-        self.motor_y = None
-        self.database_buffer = {"x": [], "y": []}
-        self.plot_components = defaultdict(dict)  # container for plot components
-
-        self.apply_axis_config()
-
-        if self.config.signals is not None:
-            self.change_motors(
-                motor_x=self.config.signals.x.name,
-                motor_y=self.config.signals.y.name,
-                motor_x_entry=self.config.signals.x.entry,
-                motor_y_entry=self.config.signals.y.entry,
-            )
-
-    @Slot(str, str, str, str, bool)
-    def change_motors(
-        self,
-        motor_x: str,
-        motor_y: str,
-        motor_x_entry: str = None,
-        motor_y_entry: str = None,
-        validate_bec: bool = True,
-    ) -> None:
-        """
-        Change the active motors for the plot.
-
-        Args:
-            motor_x(str): Motor name for the X axis.
-            motor_y(str): Motor name for the Y axis.
-            motor_x_entry(str): Motor entry for the X axis.
-            motor_y_entry(str): Motor entry for the Y axis.
-            validate_bec(bool, optional): If True, validate the signal with BEC. Defaults to True.
-        """
-        self.plot_item.clear()
-
-        motor_x_entry, motor_y_entry = self._validate_signal_entries(
-            motor_x, motor_y, motor_x_entry, motor_y_entry, validate_bec
-        )
-
-        motor_x_limit = self._get_motor_limit(motor_x)
-        motor_y_limit = self._get_motor_limit(motor_y)
-
-        signal = Signal(
-            source="device_readback",
-            x=SignalData(name=motor_x, entry=motor_x_entry, limits=motor_x_limit),
-            y=SignalData(name=motor_y, entry=motor_y_entry, limits=motor_y_limit),
-        )
-        self.config.signals = signal
-
-        # reconnect the signals
-        self._connect_motor_to_slots()
-
-        self.database_buffer = {"x": [], "y": []}
-
-        # Redraw the motor map
-        self._make_motor_map()
-
-    def get_data(self) -> dict:
-        """
-        Get the data of the motor map.
-
-        Returns:
-            dict: Data of the motor map.
-        """
-        data = {"x": self.database_buffer["x"], "y": self.database_buffer["y"]}
-        return data
-
-    def reset_history(self):
-        """
-        Reset the history of the motor map.
-        """
-        self.database_buffer["x"] = [self.database_buffer["x"][-1]]
-        self.database_buffer["y"] = [self.database_buffer["y"][-1]]
-        self.update_signal.emit()
-
-    def set_color(self, color: str | tuple):
-        """
-        Set color of the motor trace.
-
-        Args:
-            color(str|tuple): Color of the motor trace. Can be HEX(str) or RGBA(tuple).
-        """
-        if isinstance(color, str):
-            color = Colors.validate_color(color)
-            color = Colors.hex_to_rgba(color, 255)
-        self.config.color = color
-        self.update_signal.emit()
-
-    def set_max_points(self, max_points: int) -> None:
-        """
-        Set the maximum number of points to display.
-
-        Args:
-            max_points(int): Maximum number of points to display.
-        """
-        self.config.max_points = max_points
-        self.update_signal.emit()
-
-    def set_precision(self, precision: int) -> None:
-        """
-        Set the decimal precision of the motor position.
-
-        Args:
-            precision(int): Decimal precision of the motor position.
-        """
-        self.config.precision = precision
-        self.update_signal.emit()
-
-    def set_num_dim_points(self, num_dim_points: int) -> None:
-        """
-        Set the number of dim points for the motor map.
-
-        Args:
-            num_dim_points(int): Number of dim points.
-        """
-        self.config.num_dim_points = num_dim_points
-        self.update_signal.emit()
-
-    def set_background_value(self, background_value: int) -> None:
-        """
-        Set the background value of the motor map.
-
-        Args:
-            background_value(int): Background value of the motor map.
-        """
-        self.config.background_value = background_value
-        self._swap_limit_map()
-
-    def set_scatter_size(self, scatter_size: int) -> None:
-        """
-        Set the scatter size of the motor map plot.
-
-        Args:
-            scatter_size(int): Size of the scatter points.
-        """
-        self.config.scatter_size = scatter_size
-        self.update_signal.emit()
-
-    def _disconnect_current_motors(self):
-        """Disconnect the current motors from the slots."""
-        if self.motor_x is not None and self.motor_y is not None:
-            endpoints = [
-                MessageEndpoints.device_readback(self.motor_x),
-                MessageEndpoints.device_readback(self.motor_y),
-            ]
-            self.bec_dispatcher.disconnect_slot(self.on_device_readback, endpoints)
-
-    def _connect_motor_to_slots(self):
-        """Connect motors to slots."""
-        self._disconnect_current_motors()
-
-        self.motor_x = self.config.signals.x.name
-        self.motor_y = self.config.signals.y.name
-
-        endpoints = [
-            MessageEndpoints.device_readback(self.motor_x),
-            MessageEndpoints.device_readback(self.motor_y),
-        ]
-
-        self.bec_dispatcher.connect_slot(self.on_device_readback, endpoints)
-
-    def _swap_limit_map(self):
-        """Swap the limit map."""
-        self.plot_item.removeItem(self.plot_components["limit_map"])
-        if self.config.signals.x.limits is not None and self.config.signals.y.limits is not None:
-            self.plot_components["limit_map"] = self._make_limit_map(
-                self.config.signals.x.limits, self.config.signals.y.limits
-            )
-            self.plot_components["limit_map"].setZValue(-1)
-            self.plot_item.addItem(self.plot_components["limit_map"])
-
-    def _make_motor_map(self):
-        """
-        Create the motor map plot.
-        """
-        # Create limit map
-        motor_x_limit = self.config.signals.x.limits
-        motor_y_limit = self.config.signals.y.limits
-        if motor_x_limit is not None or motor_y_limit is not None:
-            self.plot_components["limit_map"] = self._make_limit_map(motor_x_limit, motor_y_limit)
-            self.plot_item.addItem(self.plot_components["limit_map"])
-            self.plot_components["limit_map"].setZValue(-1)
-
-        # Create scatter plot
-        scatter_size = self.config.scatter_size
-        self.plot_components["scatter"] = pg.ScatterPlotItem(
-            size=scatter_size, brush=pg.mkBrush(255, 255, 255, 255)
-        )
-        self.plot_item.addItem(self.plot_components["scatter"])
-        self.plot_components["scatter"].setZValue(0)
-
-        # Enable Grid
-        self.set_grid(True, True)
-
-        # Add the crosshair for initial motor coordinates
-        initial_position_x = self._get_motor_init_position(
-            self.motor_x, self.config.signals.x.entry, self.config.precision
-        )
-        initial_position_y = self._get_motor_init_position(
-            self.motor_y, self.config.signals.y.entry, self.config.precision
-        )
-
-        self.database_buffer["x"] = [initial_position_x]
-        self.database_buffer["y"] = [initial_position_y]
-
-        self.plot_components["scatter"].setData([initial_position_x], [initial_position_y])
-        self._add_coordinantes_crosshair(initial_position_x, initial_position_y)
-
-        # Set default labels for the plot
-        self.set(x_label=f"Motor X ({self.motor_x})", y_label=f"Motor Y ({self.motor_y})")
-
-        self.update_signal.emit()
-
-    def _add_coordinantes_crosshair(self, x: float, y: float) -> None:
-        """
-        Add crosshair to the plot to highlight the current position.
-
-        Args:
-            x(float): X coordinate.
-            y(float): Y coordinate.
-        """
-
-        # Crosshair to highlight the current position
-        highlight_H = pg.InfiniteLine(
-            angle=0, movable=False, pen=pg.mkPen(color="r", width=1, style=QtCore.Qt.DashLine)
-        )
-        highlight_V = pg.InfiniteLine(
-            angle=90, movable=False, pen=pg.mkPen(color="r", width=1, style=QtCore.Qt.DashLine)
-        )
-
-        # Add crosshair to the curve list for future referencing
-        self.plot_components["highlight_H"] = highlight_H
-        self.plot_components["highlight_V"] = highlight_V
-
-        # Add crosshair to the plot
-        self.plot_item.addItem(highlight_H)
-        self.plot_item.addItem(highlight_V)
-
-        highlight_V.setPos(x)
-        highlight_H.setPos(y)
-
-    def _make_limit_map(self, limits_x: list, limits_y: list) -> pg.ImageItem:
-        """
-        Create a limit map for the motor map plot.
-
-        Args:
-            limits_x(list): Motor limits for the x axis.
-            limits_y(list): Motor limits for the y axis.
-
-        Returns:
-            pg.ImageItem: Limit map.
-        """
-        limit_x_min, limit_x_max = limits_x
-        limit_y_min, limit_y_max = limits_y
-
-        map_width = int(limit_x_max - limit_x_min + 1)
-        map_height = int(limit_y_max - limit_y_min + 1)
-
-        # Create limits map
-        background_value = self.config.background_value
-        limit_map_data = np.full((map_width, map_height), background_value, dtype=np.float32)
-        limit_map = pg.ImageItem()
-        limit_map.setImage(limit_map_data)
-
-        # Translate and scale the image item to match the motor coordinates
-        tr = QtGui.QTransform()
-        tr.translate(limit_x_min, limit_y_min)
-        limit_map.setTransform(tr)
-
-        return limit_map
-
-    def _get_motor_init_position(self, name: str, entry: str, precision: int) -> float:
-        """
-        Get the motor initial position from the config.
-
-        Args:
-            name(str): Motor name.
-            entry(str): Motor entry.
-            precision(int): Decimal precision of the motor position.
-
-        Returns:
-            float: Motor initial position.
-        """
-        init_position = round(float(self.dev[name].read()[entry]["value"]), precision)
-        return init_position
-
-    def _validate_signal_entries(
-        self,
-        x_name: str,
-        y_name: str,
-        x_entry: str | None,
-        y_entry: str | None,
-        validate_bec: bool = True,
-    ) -> tuple[str, str]:
-        """
-        Validate the signal name and entry.
-
-        Args:
-            x_name(str): Name of the x signal.
-            y_name(str): Name of the y signal.
-            x_entry(str|None): Entry of the x signal.
-            y_entry(str|None): Entry of the y signal.
-            validate_bec(bool, optional): If True, validate the signal with BEC. Defaults to True.
-
-        Returns:
-            tuple[str,str]: Validated x and y entries.
-        """
-        if validate_bec:
-            x_entry = self.entry_validator.validate_signal(x_name, x_entry)
-            y_entry = self.entry_validator.validate_signal(y_name, y_entry)
-        else:
-            x_entry = x_name if x_entry is None else x_entry
-            y_entry = y_name if y_entry is None else y_entry
-        return x_entry, y_entry
-
-    def _get_motor_limit(self, motor: str) -> Union[list | None]:  # TODO check if works correctly
-        """
-        Get the motor limit from the config.
-
-        Args:
-            motor(str): Motor name.
-
-        Returns:
-            float: Motor limit.
-        """
-        try:
-            limits = self.dev[motor].limits
-            if limits == [0, 0]:
-                return None
-            return limits
-        except AttributeError:  # TODO maybe not needed, if no limits it returns [0,0]
-            # If the motor doesn't have a 'limits' attribute, return a default value or raise a custom exception
-            logger.error(f"The device '{motor}' does not have defined limits.")
-            return None
-
-    @Slot()
-    def _update_plot(self, _=None):
-        """Update the motor map plot."""
-        # If the number of points exceeds max_points, delete the oldest points
-        if len(self.database_buffer["x"]) > self.config.max_points:
-            self.database_buffer["x"] = self.database_buffer["x"][-self.config.max_points :]
-            self.database_buffer["y"] = self.database_buffer["y"][-self.config.max_points :]
-
-        x = self.database_buffer["x"]
-        y = self.database_buffer["y"]
-
-        # Setup gradient brush for history
-        brushes = [pg.mkBrush(50, 50, 50, 255)] * len(x)
-
-        # RGB color
-        r, g, b, a = self.config.color
-
-        # Calculate the decrement step based on self.num_dim_points
-        num_dim_points = self.config.num_dim_points
-        decrement_step = (255 - 50) / num_dim_points
-
-        for i in range(1, min(num_dim_points + 1, len(x) + 1)):
-            brightness = max(60, 255 - decrement_step * (i - 1))
-            dim_r = int(r * (brightness / 255))
-            dim_g = int(g * (brightness / 255))
-            dim_b = int(b * (brightness / 255))
-            brushes[-i] = pg.mkBrush(dim_r, dim_g, dim_b, a)
-        brushes[-1] = pg.mkBrush(r, g, b, a)  # Newest point is always full brightness
-        scatter_size = self.config.scatter_size
-
-        # Update the scatter plot
-        self.plot_components["scatter"].setData(
-            x=x, y=y, brush=brushes, pen=None, size=scatter_size
-        )
-
-        # Get last know position for crosshair
-        current_x = x[-1]
-        current_y = y[-1]
-
-        # Update the crosshair
-        self.plot_components["highlight_V"].setPos(current_x)
-        self.plot_components["highlight_H"].setPos(current_y)
-
-        # TODO not update title but some label
-        # Update plot title
-        precision = self.config.precision
-        self.set_title(
-            f"Motor position: ({round(float(current_x),precision)}, {round(float(current_y),precision)})"
-        )
-
-    @Slot(dict, dict)
-    def on_device_readback(self, msg: dict, metadata: dict) -> None:
-        """
-        Update the motor map plot with the new motor position.
-
-        Args:
-            msg(dict): Message from the device readback.
-            metadata(dict): Metadata of the message.
-        """
-        if self.motor_x is None or self.motor_y is None:
-            return
-
-        if self.motor_x in msg["signals"]:
-            x = msg["signals"][self.motor_x]["value"]
-            self.database_buffer["x"].append(x)
-            self.database_buffer["y"].append(self.database_buffer["y"][-1])
-
-        elif self.motor_y in msg["signals"]:
-            y = msg["signals"][self.motor_y]["value"]
-            self.database_buffer["y"].append(y)
-            self.database_buffer["x"].append(self.database_buffer["x"][-1])
-
-        self.update_signal.emit()
-
-    def cleanup(self):
-        """Cleanup the widget."""
-        self._disconnect_current_motors()

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

@@ -1,340 +0,0 @@
-from collections import deque
-from typing import Literal, Optional
-
-import pyqtgraph as pg
-from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
-from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
-from pydantic import Field, field_validator
-from pyqtgraph.exporters import MatplotlibExporter
-from qtpy.QtCore import Signal, Slot
-from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
-
-from bec_widgets.utils import Colors
-from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure.plots.plot_base import BECPlotBase, SubplotConfig
-
-logger = bec_logger.logger
-
-
-class BECMultiWaveformConfig(SubplotConfig):
-    color_palette: Optional[str] = Field(
-        "magma", description="The color palette of the figure widget.", validate_default=True
-    )
-    curve_limit: Optional[int] = Field(
-        200, description="The maximum number of curves to display on the plot."
-    )
-    flush_buffer: Optional[bool] = Field(
-        False, description="Flush the buffer of the plot widget when the curve limit is reached."
-    )
-    monitor: Optional[str] = Field(
-        None, description="The monitor to set for the plot widget."
-    )  # TODO validate monitor in bec -> maybe make it as SignalData class for validation purpose
-    curve_width: Optional[int] = Field(1, description="The width of the curve on the plot.")
-    opacity: Optional[int] = Field(50, description="The opacity of the curve on the plot.")
-    highlight_last_curve: Optional[bool] = Field(
-        True, description="Highlight the last curve on the plot."
-    )
-
-    model_config: dict = {"validate_assignment": True}
-    _validate_color_map_z = field_validator("color_palette")(Colors.validate_color_map)
-
-
-class BECMultiWaveform(BECPlotBase):
-    monitor_signal_updated = Signal()
-    highlighted_curve_index_changed = Signal(int)
-    USER_ACCESS = [
-        "_rpc_id",
-        "_config_dict",
-        "curves",
-        "set_monitor",
-        "set_opacity",
-        "set_curve_limit",
-        "set_curve_highlight",
-        "set_colormap",
-        "set",
-        "set_title",
-        "set_x_label",
-        "set_y_label",
-        "set_x_scale",
-        "set_y_scale",
-        "set_x_lim",
-        "set_y_lim",
-        "set_grid",
-        "set_colormap",
-        "enable_fps_monitor",
-        "lock_aspect_ratio",
-        "export",
-        "get_all_data",
-        "remove",
-    ]
-
-    def __init__(
-        self,
-        parent: Optional[QWidget] = None,
-        parent_figure=None,
-        config: Optional[BECMultiWaveformConfig] = None,
-        client=None,
-        gui_id: Optional[str] = None,
-    ):
-        if config is None:
-            config = BECMultiWaveformConfig(widget_class=self.__class__.__name__)
-        super().__init__(
-            parent=parent, parent_figure=parent_figure, config=config, client=client, gui_id=gui_id
-        )
-        self.old_scan_id = None
-        self.scan_id = None
-        self.monitor = None
-        self.connected = False
-        self.current_highlight_index = 0
-        self._curves = deque()
-        self.visible_curves = []
-        self.number_of_visible_curves = 0
-
-        # Get bec shortcuts dev, scans, queue, scan_storage, dap
-        self.get_bec_shortcuts()
-
-    @property
-    def curves(self) -> deque:
-        """
-        Get the curves of the plot widget as a deque.
-        Returns:
-            deque: Deque of curves.
-        """
-        return self._curves
-
-    @curves.setter
-    def curves(self, value: deque):
-        self._curves = value
-
-    @property
-    def highlight_last_curve(self) -> bool:
-        """
-        Get the highlight_last_curve property.
-        Returns:
-            bool: The highlight_last_curve property.
-        """
-        return self.config.highlight_last_curve
-
-    @highlight_last_curve.setter
-    def highlight_last_curve(self, value: bool):
-        self.config.highlight_last_curve = value
-
-    def set_monitor(self, monitor: str):
-        """
-        Set the monitor for the plot widget.
-        Args:
-            monitor (str): The monitor to set.
-        """
-        self.config.monitor = monitor
-        self._connect_monitor()
-
-    def _connect_monitor(self):
-        """
-        Connect the monitor to the plot widget.
-        """
-        try:
-            previous_monitor = self.monitor
-        except AttributeError:
-            previous_monitor = None
-
-        if previous_monitor and self.connected is True:
-            self.bec_dispatcher.disconnect_slot(
-                self.on_monitor_1d_update, MessageEndpoints.device_monitor_1d(previous_monitor)
-            )
-        if self.config.monitor and self.connected is False:
-            self.bec_dispatcher.connect_slot(
-                self.on_monitor_1d_update, MessageEndpoints.device_monitor_1d(self.config.monitor)
-            )
-            self.connected = True
-            self.monitor = self.config.monitor
-
-    @Slot(dict, dict)
-    def on_monitor_1d_update(self, msg: dict, metadata: dict):
-        """
-        Update the plot widget with the monitor data.
-
-        Args:
-            msg(dict): The message data.
-            metadata(dict): The metadata of the message.
-        """
-        data = msg.get("data", None)
-        current_scan_id = metadata.get("scan_id", None)
-
-        if current_scan_id != self.scan_id:
-            self.scan_id = current_scan_id
-            self.clear_curves()
-            self.curves.clear()
-            if self.crosshair:
-                self.crosshair.clear_markers()
-
-        # Always create a new curve and add it
-        curve = pg.PlotDataItem()
-        curve.setData(data)
-        self.plot_item.addItem(curve)
-        self.curves.append(curve)
-
-        # Max Trace and scale colors
-        self.set_curve_limit(self.config.curve_limit, self.config.flush_buffer)
-
-        self.monitor_signal_updated.emit()
-
-    @Slot(int)
-    def set_curve_highlight(self, index: int):
-        """
-        Set the curve highlight based on visible curves.
-
-        Args:
-            index (int): The index of the curve to highlight among visible curves.
-        """
-        self.plot_item.visible_curves = [curve for curve in self.curves if curve.isVisible()]
-        num_visible_curves = len(self.plot_item.visible_curves)
-        self.number_of_visible_curves = num_visible_curves
-
-        if num_visible_curves == 0:
-            return  # No curves to highlight
-
-        if index >= num_visible_curves:
-            index = num_visible_curves - 1
-        elif index < 0:
-            index = num_visible_curves + index
-        self.current_highlight_index = index
-        num_colors = num_visible_curves
-        colors = Colors.evenly_spaced_colors(
-            colormap=self.config.color_palette, num=num_colors, format="HEX"
-        )
-        for i, curve in enumerate(self.plot_item.visible_curves):
-            curve.setPen()
-            if i == self.current_highlight_index:
-                curve.setPen(pg.mkPen(color=colors[i], width=5))
-                curve.setAlpha(alpha=1, auto=False)
-                curve.setZValue(1)
-            else:
-                curve.setPen(pg.mkPen(color=colors[i], width=1))
-                curve.setAlpha(alpha=self.config.opacity / 100, auto=False)
-                curve.setZValue(0)
-
-        self.highlighted_curve_index_changed.emit(self.current_highlight_index)
-
-    @Slot(int)
-    def set_opacity(self, opacity: int):
-        """
-        Set the opacity of the curve on the plot.
-
-        Args:
-            opacity(int): The opacity of the curve. 0-100.
-        """
-        self.config.opacity = max(0, min(100, opacity))
-        self.set_curve_highlight(self.current_highlight_index)
-
-    @Slot(int, bool)
-    def set_curve_limit(self, max_trace: int, flush_buffer: bool = False):
-        """
-        Set the maximum number of traces to display on the plot.
-
-        Args:
-            max_trace (int): The maximum number of traces to display.
-            flush_buffer (bool): Flush the buffer.
-        """
-        self.config.curve_limit = max_trace
-        self.config.flush_buffer = flush_buffer
-
-        if self.config.curve_limit is None:
-            self.scale_colors()
-            return
-
-        if self.config.flush_buffer:
-            # Remove excess curves from the plot and the deque
-            while len(self.curves) > self.config.curve_limit:
-                curve = self.curves.popleft()
-                self.plot_item.removeItem(curve)
-        else:
-            # Hide or show curves based on the new max_trace
-            num_curves_to_show = min(self.config.curve_limit, len(self.curves))
-            for i, curve in enumerate(self.curves):
-                if i < len(self.curves) - num_curves_to_show:
-                    curve.hide()
-                else:
-                    curve.show()
-        self.scale_colors()
-
-    def scale_colors(self):
-        """
-        Scale the colors of the curves based on the current colormap.
-        """
-        if self.config.highlight_last_curve:
-            self.set_curve_highlight(-1)  # Use -1 to highlight the last visible curve
-        else:
-            self.set_curve_highlight(self.current_highlight_index)
-
-    def set_colormap(self, colormap: str):
-        """
-        Set the colormap for the curves.
-
-        Args:
-            colormap(str): Colormap for the curves.
-        """
-        self.config.color_palette = colormap
-        self.set_curve_highlight(self.current_highlight_index)
-
-    def hook_crosshair(self) -> None:
-        super().hook_crosshair()
-        if self.crosshair:
-            self.highlighted_curve_index_changed.connect(self.crosshair.update_highlighted_curve)
-            if self.curves:
-                self.crosshair.update_highlighted_curve(self.current_highlight_index)
-
-    def get_all_data(self, output: Literal["dict", "pandas"] = "dict") -> dict:
-        """
-        Extract all curve data into a dictionary or a pandas DataFrame.
-
-        Args:
-            output (Literal["dict", "pandas"]): Format of the output data.
-
-        Returns:
-            dict | pd.DataFrame: Data of all curves in the specified format.
-        """
-        data = {}
-        try:
-            import pandas as pd
-        except ImportError:
-            pd = None
-            if output == "pandas":
-                logger.warning(
-                    "Pandas is not installed. "
-                    "Please install pandas using 'pip install pandas'."
-                    "Output will be dictionary instead."
-                )
-                output = "dict"
-
-        curve_keys = []
-        curves_list = list(self.curves)
-        for i, curve in enumerate(curves_list):
-            x_data, y_data = curve.getData()
-            if x_data is not None or y_data is not None:
-                key = f"curve_{i}"
-                curve_keys.append(key)
-                if output == "dict":
-                    data[key] = {"x": x_data.tolist(), "y": y_data.tolist()}
-                elif output == "pandas" and pd is not None:
-                    data[key] = pd.DataFrame({"x": x_data, "y": y_data})
-
-        if output == "pandas" and pd is not None:
-            combined_data = pd.concat([data[key] for key in curve_keys], axis=1, keys=curve_keys)
-            return combined_data
-        return data
-
-    def clear_curves(self):
-        """
-        Remove all curves from the plot, excluding crosshair items.
-        """
-        items_to_remove = []
-        for item in self.plot_item.items:
-            if not getattr(item, "is_crosshair", False) and isinstance(item, pg.PlotDataItem):
-                items_to_remove.append(item)
-        for item in items_to_remove:
-            self.plot_item.removeItem(item)
-
-    def export_to_matplotlib(self):
-        """
-        Export current waveform to matplotlib GUI. Available only if matplotlib is installed in the environment.
-        """
-        MatplotlibExporter(self.plot_item).export()

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

@@ -1,505 +0,0 @@
-from __future__ import annotations
-
-from typing import Literal, Optional
-
-import bec_qthemes
-import pyqtgraph as pg
-from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
-from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
-from qtpy.QtCore import Signal, Slot
-from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QWidget
-
-from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector, ConnectionConfig
-from bec_widgets.utils.crosshair import Crosshair
-from bec_widgets.utils.fps_counter import FPSCounter
-from bec_widgets.utils.plot_indicator_items import BECArrowItem, BECTickItem
-
-logger = bec_logger.logger
-
-
-class AxisConfig(BaseModel):
-    title: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="The title of the axes.")
-    title_size: Optional[int] = Field(None, description="The font size of the title.")
-    x_label: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="The label for the x-axis.")
-    x_label_size: Optional[int] = Field(None, description="The font size of the x-axis label.")
-    y_label: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="The label for the y-axis.")
-    y_label_size: Optional[int] = Field(None, description="The font size of the y-axis label.")
-    legend_label_size: Optional[int] = Field(
-        None, description="The font size of the legend labels."
-    )
-    x_scale: Literal["linear", "log"] = Field("linear", description="The scale of the x-axis.")
-    y_scale: Literal["linear", "log"] = Field("linear", description="The scale of the y-axis.")
-    x_lim: Optional[tuple] = Field(None, description="The limits of the x-axis.")
-    y_lim: Optional[tuple] = Field(None, description="The limits of the y-axis.")
-    x_grid: bool = Field(False, description="Show grid on the x-axis.")
-    y_grid: bool = Field(False, description="Show grid on the y-axis.")
-    outer_axes: bool = Field(False, description="Show the outer axes of the plot widget.")
-    model_config: dict = {"validate_assignment": True}
-
-
-class SubplotConfig(ConnectionConfig):
-    parent_id: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="The parent figure of the plot.")
-
-    # Coordinates in the figure
-    row: int = Field(0, description="The row coordinate in the figure.")
-    col: int = Field(0, description="The column coordinate in the figure.")
-
-    # Appearance settings
-    axis: AxisConfig = Field(
-        default_factory=AxisConfig, description="The axis configuration of the plot."
-    )
-
-
-class BECViewBox(pg.ViewBox):
-    sigPaint = Signal()
-
-    def paint(self, painter, opt, widget):
-        super().paint(painter, opt, widget)
-        self.sigPaint.emit()
-
-    def itemBoundsChanged(self, item):
-        self._itemBoundsCache.pop(item, None)
-        if (self.state["autoRange"][0] is not False) or (self.state["autoRange"][1] is not False):
-            # check if the call is coming from a mouse-move event
-            if hasattr(item, "skip_auto_range") and item.skip_auto_range:
-                return
-            self._autoRangeNeedsUpdate = True
-            self.update()
-
-
-class BECPlotBase(BECConnector, pg.GraphicsLayout):
-    crosshair_position_changed = Signal(tuple)
-    crosshair_position_clicked = Signal(tuple)
-    crosshair_coordinates_changed = Signal(tuple)
-    crosshair_coordinates_clicked = Signal(tuple)
-    USER_ACCESS = [
-        "_config_dict",
-        "set",
-        "set_title",
-        "set_x_label",
-        "set_y_label",
-        "set_x_scale",
-        "set_y_scale",
-        "set_x_lim",
-        "set_y_lim",
-        "set_grid",
-        "set_outer_axes",
-        "enable_fps_monitor",
-        "lock_aspect_ratio",
-        "export",
-        "remove",
-        "set_legend_label_size",
-    ]
-
-    def __init__(
-        self,
-        parent: Optional[QWidget] = None,  # TODO decide if needed for this class
-        parent_figure=None,
-        config: Optional[SubplotConfig] = None,
-        client=None,
-        gui_id: Optional[str] = None,
-        **kwargs,
-    ):
-        if config is None:
-            config = SubplotConfig(widget_class=self.__class__.__name__)
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
-        pg.GraphicsLayout.__init__(self, parent)
-
-        self.figure = parent_figure
-
-        self.plot_item = pg.PlotItem(viewBox=BECViewBox(parent=self, enableMenu=True), parent=self)
-        self.addItem(self.plot_item, row=1, col=0)
-
-        self.add_legend()
-        self.crosshair = None
-        self.fps_monitor = None
-        self.fps_label = None
-        self.tick_item = BECTickItem(parent=self, plot_item=self.plot_item)
-        self.arrow_item = BECArrowItem(parent=self, plot_item=self.plot_item)
-        self._connect_to_theme_change()
-
-    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)
-
-    @Slot(str)
-    def _update_theme(self, theme: str):
-        """Update the theme."""
-        if theme is None:
-            qapp = QApplication.instance()
-            if hasattr(qapp, "theme"):
-                theme = qapp.theme.theme
-            else:
-                theme = "dark"
-        self.apply_theme(theme)
-
-    def apply_theme(self, theme: str):
-        """
-        Apply the theme to the plot widget.
-
-        Args:
-            theme(str, optional): The theme to be applied.
-        """
-        palette = bec_qthemes.load_palette(theme)
-        text_pen = pg.mkPen(color=palette.text().color())
-
-        for axis in ["left", "bottom", "right", "top"]:
-            self.plot_item.getAxis(axis).setPen(text_pen)
-            self.plot_item.getAxis(axis).setTextPen(text_pen)
-        if self.plot_item.legend is not None:
-            for sample, label in self.plot_item.legend.items:
-                label.setText(label.text, color=palette.text().color())
-
-    def set(self, **kwargs) -> None:
-        """
-        Set the properties of the plot widget.
-
-        Args:
-            **kwargs: Keyword arguments for the properties to be set.
-
-        Possible properties:
-            - title: str
-            - x_label: str
-            - y_label: str
-            - x_scale: Literal["linear", "log"]
-            - y_scale: Literal["linear", "log"]
-            - x_lim: tuple
-            - y_lim: tuple
-            - legend_label_size: int
-        """
-        # Mapping of keywords to setter methods
-        method_map = {
-            "title": self.set_title,
-            "x_label": self.set_x_label,
-            "y_label": self.set_y_label,
-            "x_scale": self.set_x_scale,
-            "y_scale": self.set_y_scale,
-            "x_lim": self.set_x_lim,
-            "y_lim": self.set_y_lim,
-            "legend_label_size": self.set_legend_label_size,
-        }
-        for key, value in kwargs.items():
-            if key in method_map:
-                method_map[key](value)
-            else:
-                logger.warning(f"Warning: '{key}' is not a recognized property.")
-
-    def apply_axis_config(self):
-        """Apply the axis configuration to the plot widget."""
-        config_mappings = {
-            "title": self.config.axis.title,
-            "x_label": self.config.axis.x_label,
-            "y_label": self.config.axis.y_label,
-            "x_scale": self.config.axis.x_scale,
-            "y_scale": self.config.axis.y_scale,
-            "x_lim": self.config.axis.x_lim,
-            "y_lim": self.config.axis.y_lim,
-        }
-
-        self.set(**{k: v for k, v in config_mappings.items() if v is not None})
-
-    def set_legend_label_size(self, size: int = None):
-        """
-        Set the font size of the legend.
-
-        Args:
-            size(int): Font size of the legend.
-        """
-        if not self.plot_item.legend:
-            return
-        if self.config.axis.legend_label_size or size:
-            if size:
-                self.config.axis.legend_label_size = size
-                scale = (
-                    size / 9
-                )  # 9 is the default font size of the legend, so we always scale it against 9
-                self.plot_item.legend.setScale(scale)
-
-    def get_text_color(self):
-        return "#FFF" if self.figure.config.theme == "dark" else "#000"
-
-    def set_title(self, title: str, size: int = None):
-        """
-        Set the title of the plot widget.
-
-        Args:
-            title(str): Title of the plot widget.
-            size(int): Font size of the title.
-        """
-        if self.config.axis.title_size or size:
-            if size:
-                self.config.axis.title_size = size
-            style = {"color": self.get_text_color(), "size": f"{self.config.axis.title_size}pt"}
-        else:
-            style = {}
-        self.plot_item.setTitle(title, **style)
-        self.config.axis.title = title
-
-    def set_x_label(self, label: str, size: int = None):
-        """
-        Set the label of the x-axis.
-
-        Args:
-            label(str): Label of the x-axis.
-            size(int): Font size of the label.
-        """
-        if self.config.axis.x_label_size or size:
-            if size:
-                self.config.axis.x_label_size = size
-            style = {
-                "color": self.get_text_color(),
-                "font-size": f"{self.config.axis.x_label_size}pt",
-            }
-        else:
-            style = {}
-        self.plot_item.setLabel("bottom", label, **style)
-        self.config.axis.x_label = label
-
-    def set_y_label(self, label: str, size: int = None):
-        """
-        Set the label of the y-axis.
-
-        Args:
-            label(str): Label of the y-axis.
-            size(int): Font size of the label.
-        """
-        if self.config.axis.y_label_size or size:
-            if size:
-                self.config.axis.y_label_size = size
-            color = self.get_text_color()
-            style = {"color": color, "font-size": f"{self.config.axis.y_label_size}pt"}
-        else:
-            style = {}
-        self.plot_item.setLabel("left", label, **style)
-        self.config.axis.y_label = label
-
-    def set_x_scale(self, scale: Literal["linear", "log"] = "linear"):
-        """
-        Set the scale of the x-axis.
-
-        Args:
-            scale(Literal["linear", "log"]): Scale of the x-axis.
-        """
-        self.plot_item.setLogMode(x=(scale == "log"))
-        self.config.axis.x_scale = scale
-
-    def set_y_scale(self, scale: Literal["linear", "log"] = "linear"):
-        """
-        Set the scale of the y-axis.
-
-        Args:
-            scale(Literal["linear", "log"]): Scale of the y-axis.
-        """
-        self.plot_item.setLogMode(y=(scale == "log"))
-        self.config.axis.y_scale = scale
-
-    def set_x_lim(self, *args) -> None:
-        """
-        Set the limits of the x-axis. This method can accept either two separate arguments
-        for the minimum and maximum x-axis values, or a single tuple containing both limits.
-
-        Usage:
-            set_x_lim(x_min, x_max)
-            set_x_lim((x_min, x_max))
-
-        Args:
-            *args: A variable number of arguments. Can be two integers (x_min and x_max)
-                   or a single tuple with two integers.
-        """
-        if len(args) == 1 and isinstance(args[0], tuple):
-            x_min, x_max = args[0]
-        elif len(args) == 2:
-            x_min, x_max = args
-        else:
-            raise ValueError("set_x_lim expects either two separate arguments or a single tuple")
-
-        self.plot_item.setXRange(x_min, x_max)
-        self.config.axis.x_lim = (x_min, x_max)
-
-    def set_y_lim(self, *args) -> None:
-        """
-        Set the limits of the y-axis. This method can accept either two separate arguments
-        for the minimum and maximum y-axis values, or a single tuple containing both limits.
-
-        Usage:
-            set_y_lim(y_min, y_max)
-            set_y_lim((y_min, y_max))
-
-        Args:
-            *args: A variable number of arguments. Can be two integers (y_min and y_max)
-                   or a single tuple with two integers.
-        """
-        if len(args) == 1 and isinstance(args[0], tuple):
-            y_min, y_max = args[0]
-        elif len(args) == 2:
-            y_min, y_max = args
-        else:
-            raise ValueError("set_y_lim expects either two separate arguments or a single tuple")
-
-        self.plot_item.setYRange(y_min, y_max)
-        self.config.axis.y_lim = (y_min, y_max)
-
-    def set_grid(self, x: bool = False, y: bool = False):
-        """
-        Set the grid of the plot widget.
-
-        Args:
-            x(bool): Show grid on the x-axis.
-            y(bool): Show grid on the y-axis.
-        """
-        self.plot_item.showGrid(x, y)
-        self.config.axis.x_grid = x
-        self.config.axis.y_grid = y
-
-    def set_outer_axes(self, show: bool = True):
-        """
-        Set the outer axes of the plot widget.
-
-        Args:
-            show(bool): Show the outer axes.
-        """
-        self.plot_item.showAxis("top", show)
-        self.plot_item.showAxis("right", show)
-        self.config.axis.outer_axes = show
-
-    def add_legend(self):
-        """Add legend to the plot"""
-        self.plot_item.addLegend()
-
-    def lock_aspect_ratio(self, lock):
-        """
-        Lock aspect ratio.
-
-        Args:
-            lock(bool): True to lock, False to unlock.
-        """
-        self.plot_item.setAspectLocked(lock)
-
-    def set_auto_range(self, enabled: bool, axis: str = "xy"):
-        """
-        Set the auto range of the plot widget.
-
-        Args:
-            enabled(bool): If True, enable the auto range.
-            axis(str, optional): The axis to enable the auto range.
-                - "xy": Enable auto range for both x and y axis.
-                - "x": Enable auto range for x axis.
-                - "y": Enable auto range for y axis.
-        """
-        self.plot_item.enableAutoRange(axis, enabled)
-
-    ############################################################
-    ###################### Crosshair ###########################
-    ############################################################
-
-    def hook_crosshair(self) -> None:
-        """Hook the crosshair to all plots."""
-        if self.crosshair is None:
-            self.crosshair = Crosshair(self.plot_item, precision=3)
-            self.crosshair.crosshairChanged.connect(self.crosshair_position_changed)
-            self.crosshair.crosshairClicked.connect(self.crosshair_position_clicked)
-            self.crosshair.coordinatesChanged1D.connect(self.crosshair_coordinates_changed)
-            self.crosshair.coordinatesClicked1D.connect(self.crosshair_coordinates_clicked)
-            self.crosshair.coordinatesChanged2D.connect(self.crosshair_coordinates_changed)
-            self.crosshair.coordinatesClicked2D.connect(self.crosshair_coordinates_clicked)
-
-    def unhook_crosshair(self) -> None:
-        """Unhook the crosshair from all plots."""
-        if self.crosshair is not None:
-            self.crosshair.crosshairChanged.disconnect(self.crosshair_position_changed)
-            self.crosshair.crosshairClicked.disconnect(self.crosshair_position_clicked)
-            self.crosshair.coordinatesChanged1D.disconnect(self.crosshair_coordinates_changed)
-            self.crosshair.coordinatesClicked1D.disconnect(self.crosshair_coordinates_clicked)
-            self.crosshair.coordinatesChanged2D.disconnect(self.crosshair_coordinates_changed)
-            self.crosshair.coordinatesClicked2D.disconnect(self.crosshair_coordinates_clicked)
-            self.crosshair.cleanup()
-            self.crosshair.deleteLater()
-            self.crosshair = None
-
-    def toggle_crosshair(self) -> None:
-        """Toggle the crosshair on all plots."""
-        if self.crosshair is None:
-            return self.hook_crosshair()
-
-        self.unhook_crosshair()
-
-    @Slot()
-    def reset(self) -> None:
-        """Reset the plot widget."""
-        if self.crosshair is not None:
-            self.crosshair.clear_markers()
-            self.crosshair.update_markers()
-
-    ############################################################
-    ##################### FPS Counter ##########################
-    ############################################################
-
-    def update_fps_label(self, fps: float) -> None:
-        """
-        Update the FPS label.
-
-        Args:
-            fps(float): The frames per second.
-        """
-        if self.fps_label:
-            self.fps_label.setText(f"FPS: {fps:.2f}")
-
-    def hook_fps_monitor(self):
-        """Hook the FPS monitor to the plot."""
-        if self.fps_monitor is None:
-            # text_color = self.get_text_color()#TODO later
-            self.fps_monitor = FPSCounter(self.plot_item.vb)  # text_color=text_color)
-            self.fps_label = pg.LabelItem(justify="right")
-            self.addItem(self.fps_label, row=0, col=0)
-
-            self.fps_monitor.sigFpsUpdate.connect(self.update_fps_label)
-
-    def unhook_fps_monitor(self, delete_label=True):
-        """Unhook the FPS monitor from the plot."""
-        if self.fps_monitor is not None:
-            # Remove Monitor
-            self.fps_monitor.cleanup()
-            self.fps_monitor.deleteLater()
-            self.fps_monitor = None
-        if self.fps_label is not None and delete_label:
-            # Remove Label
-            self.removeItem(self.fps_label)
-            self.fps_label.deleteLater()
-            self.fps_label = None
-
-    def enable_fps_monitor(self, enable: bool = True):
-        """
-        Enable the FPS monitor.
-
-        Args:
-            enable(bool): True to enable, False to disable.
-        """
-        if enable and self.fps_monitor is None:
-            self.hook_fps_monitor()
-        elif not enable and self.fps_monitor is not None:
-            self.unhook_fps_monitor()
-
-    def export(self):
-        """Show the Export Dialog of the plot widget."""
-        scene = self.plot_item.scene()
-        scene.contextMenuItem = self.plot_item
-        scene.showExportDialog()
-
-    def remove(self):
-        """Remove the plot widget from the figure."""
-        if self.figure is not None:
-            self.figure.remove(widget_id=self.gui_id)
-
-    def cleanup_pyqtgraph(self):
-        """Cleanup pyqtgraph items."""
-        self.unhook_crosshair()
-        self.unhook_fps_monitor(delete_label=False)
-        self.tick_item.cleanup()
-        self.arrow_item.cleanup()
-        item = self.plot_item
-        item.vb.menu.close()
-        item.vb.menu.deleteLater()
-        item.ctrlMenu.close()
-        item.ctrlMenu.deleteLater()

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/layout_manager/layout_manager.py

@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
 import math
 import sys
 from typing import Dict, Literal, Optional, Set, Tuple, Union
@@ -34,7 +36,6 @@ class LayoutManagerWidget(QWidget):
 
     def __init__(self, parent=None, auto_reindex=True):
         super().__init__(parent)
-        self.setObjectName("LayoutManagerWidget")
         self.layout = QGridLayout(self)
         self.auto_reindex = auto_reindex
 
@@ -52,7 +53,7 @@ class LayoutManagerWidget(QWidget):
         self,
         widget: QWidget | str,
         row: int | None = None,
-        col: Optional[int] = None,
+        col: int | None = None,
         rowspan: int = 1,
         colspan: int = 1,
         shift_existing: bool = True,
@@ -137,6 +138,39 @@ class LayoutManagerWidget(QWidget):
         ref_row, ref_col, ref_rowspan, ref_colspan = self.widget_positions[reference_widget]
 
         # Determine new widget position based on the specified relative position
+
+        # If adding to the left or right with shifting, shift the entire column
+        if (
+            position in ("left", "right")
+            and shift_existing
+            and shift_direction in ("left", "right")
+        ):
+            column = ref_col
+            # Collect all rows in this column and sort for safe shifting
+            rows = sorted(
+                {row for (row, col) in self.position_widgets.keys() if col == column},
+                reverse=(shift_direction == "right"),
+            )
+            # Shift each widget in the column
+            for r in rows:
+                self.shift_widgets(direction=shift_direction, start_row=r, start_col=column)
+            # Update reference widget's position after the column shift
+            ref_row, ref_col, ref_rowspan, ref_colspan = self.widget_positions[reference_widget]
+            new_row = ref_row
+            # Compute insertion column based on relative position
+            if position == "left":
+                new_col = ref_col - ref_colspan
+            else:
+                new_col = ref_col + ref_colspan
+            # Add the new widget without triggering another shift
+            return self.add_widget(
+                widget=widget,
+                row=new_row,
+                col=new_col,
+                rowspan=rowspan,
+                colspan=colspan,
+                shift_existing=False,
+            )
         if position == "left":
             new_row = ref_row
             new_col = ref_col - 1

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

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

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/main_window/main_window.py

@@ -1,41 +1,189 @@
-from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QMainWindow
+import os
 
-from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector
-from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock.dock_area import BECDockArea
+from qtpy.QtCore import QSize
+from qtpy.QtGui import QAction, QActionGroup, QIcon
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QMainWindow, QStyle
+
+import bec_widgets
+from bec_widgets.utils import UILoader
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
+from bec_widgets.utils.container_utils import WidgetContainerUtils
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.utils.widget_io import WidgetHierarchy
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.addons.web_links import BECWebLinksMixin
+
+MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
 
 
-class BECMainWindow(QMainWindow, BECConnector):
-    def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
-        BECConnector.__init__(self, **kwargs)
-        QMainWindow.__init__(self, *args, **kwargs)
+class BECMainWindow(BECWidget, QMainWindow):
+    RPC = False
+    PLUGIN = False
 
-    def _dump(self):
-        """Return a dictionary with informations about the application state, for use in tests"""
-        # TODO: ModularToolBar and something else leak top-level widgets (3 or 4 QMenu + 2 QWidget);
-        # so, a filtering based on title is applied here, but the solution is to not have those widgets
-        # as top-level (so for now, a window with no title does not appear in _dump() result)
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        parent=None,
+        gui_id: str = None,
+        client=None,
+        window_title: str = "BEC",
+        *args,
+        **kwargs,
+    ):
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
 
-        # NOTE: the main window itself is excluded, since we want to dump dock areas
-        info = {
-            tlw.gui_id: {
-                "title": tlw.windowTitle(),
-                "visible": tlw.isVisible(),
-                "class": str(type(tlw)),
-            }
-            for tlw in QApplication.instance().topLevelWidgets()
-            if tlw is not self and tlw.windowTitle()
-        }
-        # Add the main window dock area
-        info[self.centralWidget().gui_id] = {
-            "title": self.windowTitle(),
-            "visible": self.isVisible(),
-            "class": str(type(self.centralWidget())),
-        }
-        return info
+        self.app = QApplication.instance()
+        self.setWindowTitle(window_title)
+        self._init_ui()
+        self._connect_to_theme_change()
 
-    def new_dock_area(self, name):
-        dock_area = BECDockArea()
-        dock_area.resize(dock_area.minimumSizeHint())
-        dock_area.window().setWindowTitle(name)
-        dock_area.show()
-        return dock_area
+    def _init_ui(self):
+
+        # Set the icon
+        self._init_bec_icon()
+
+        # Set Menu and Status bar
+        self._setup_menu_bar()
+
+        # BEC Specific UI
+        self.display_app_id()
+
+    def _init_bec_icon(self):
+        icon = self.app.windowIcon()
+        if icon.isNull():
+            print("No icon is set, setting default icon")
+            icon = QIcon()
+            icon.addFile(
+                os.path.join(MODULE_PATH, "assets", "app_icons", "bec_widgets_icon.png"),
+                size=QSize(48, 48),
+            )
+            self.app.setWindowIcon(icon)
+        else:
+            print("An icon is set")
+
+    def load_ui(self, ui_file):
+        loader = UILoader(self)
+        self.ui = loader.loader(ui_file)
+        self.setCentralWidget(self.ui)
+
+    def display_app_id(self):
+        """
+        Display the app ID in the status bar.
+        """
+        if self.bec_dispatcher.cli_server is None:
+            status_message = "Not connected"
+        else:
+            # Get the server ID from the dispatcher
+            server_id = self.bec_dispatcher.cli_server.gui_id
+            status_message = f"App ID: {server_id}"
+        self.statusBar().showMessage(status_message)
+
+    def _fetch_theme(self) -> str:
+        return self.app.theme.theme
+
+    def _get_launcher_from_qapp(self):
+        """
+        Get the launcher from the QApplication instance.
+        """
+        from bec_widgets.applications.launch_window import LaunchWindow
+
+        qapp = QApplication.instance()
+        widgets = qapp.topLevelWidgets()
+        widgets = [w for w in widgets if isinstance(w, LaunchWindow)]
+        if widgets:
+            return widgets[0]
+        return None
+
+    def _show_launcher(self):
+        """
+        Show the launcher if it exists.
+        """
+        launcher = self._get_launcher_from_qapp()
+        if launcher:
+            launcher.show()
+            launcher.activateWindow()
+            launcher.raise_()
+
+    def _setup_menu_bar(self):
+        """
+        Setup the menu bar for the main window.
+        """
+        menu_bar = self.menuBar()
+
+        ##########################################
+        # Launch menu
+        launch_menu = menu_bar.addMenu("New")
+
+        open_launcher_action = QAction("Open Launcher", self)
+        launch_menu.addAction(open_launcher_action)
+        open_launcher_action.triggered.connect(self._show_launcher)
+
+        ########################################
+        # Theme menu
+        theme_menu = menu_bar.addMenu("Theme")
+
+        theme_group = QActionGroup(self)
+        light_theme_action = QAction("Light Theme", self, checkable=True)
+        dark_theme_action = QAction("Dark Theme", self, checkable=True)
+        theme_group.addAction(light_theme_action)
+        theme_group.addAction(dark_theme_action)
+        theme_group.setExclusive(True)
+
+        theme_menu.addAction(light_theme_action)
+        theme_menu.addAction(dark_theme_action)
+
+        # Connect theme actions
+        light_theme_action.triggered.connect(lambda: self.change_theme("light"))
+        dark_theme_action.triggered.connect(lambda: self.change_theme("dark"))
+
+        # Set the default theme
+        theme = self.app.theme.theme
+        if theme == "light":
+            light_theme_action.setChecked(True)
+        elif theme == "dark":
+            dark_theme_action.setChecked(True)
+
+        ########################################
+        # Help menu
+        help_menu = menu_bar.addMenu("Help")
+
+        help_icon = QApplication.style().standardIcon(QStyle.SP_MessageBoxQuestion)
+        bug_icon = QApplication.style().standardIcon(QStyle.SP_MessageBoxInformation)
+
+        bec_docs = QAction("BEC Docs", self)
+        bec_docs.setIcon(help_icon)
+        widgets_docs = QAction("BEC Widgets Docs", self)
+        widgets_docs.setIcon(help_icon)
+        bug_report = QAction("Bug Report", self)
+        bug_report.setIcon(bug_icon)
+
+        bec_docs.triggered.connect(BECWebLinksMixin.open_bec_docs)
+        widgets_docs.triggered.connect(BECWebLinksMixin.open_bec_widgets_docs)
+        bug_report.triggered.connect(BECWebLinksMixin.open_bec_bug_report)
+
+        help_menu.addAction(bec_docs)
+        help_menu.addAction(widgets_docs)
+        help_menu.addAction(bug_report)
+
+    @SafeSlot(str)
+    def change_theme(self, theme: str):
+        apply_theme(theme)
+
+    def cleanup(self):
+        central_widget = self.centralWidget()
+        central_widget.close()
+        central_widget.deleteLater()
+        if not isinstance(central_widget, BECWidget):
+            # if the central widget is not a BECWidget, we need to call the cleanup method
+            # of all widgets whose parent is the current BECMainWindow
+            children = self.findChildren(BECWidget)
+            for child in children:
+                ancestor = WidgetHierarchy._get_becwidget_ancestor(child)
+                if ancestor is self:
+                    child.cleanup()
+                    child.close()
+                    child.deleteLater()
+        super().cleanup()
+
+
+class UILaunchWindow(BECMainWindow):
+    RPC = True

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

@@ -2,8 +2,8 @@ from bec_qthemes import material_icon
 from qtpy.QtCore import Qt
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QHBoxLayout, QPushButton, QToolButton, QWidget
 
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 
 
 class AbortButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ class AbortButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
 
     PLUGIN = True
     ICON_NAME = "cancel"
+    RPC = True
 
     def __init__(
         self,
@@ -22,9 +23,7 @@ class AbortButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
         scan_id=None,
         **kwargs,
     ):
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
-        QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
-
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, client=client, gui_id=gui_id, config=config, **kwargs)
         self.get_bec_shortcuts()
 
         self.layout = QHBoxLayout(self)

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

@@ -2,8 +2,8 @@ from bec_qthemes import material_icon
 from qtpy.QtCore import Qt
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QHBoxLayout, QMessageBox, QPushButton, QToolButton, QWidget
 
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 
 
 class ResetButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
@@ -11,11 +11,10 @@ class ResetButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
 
     PLUGIN = True
     ICON_NAME = "restart_alt"
+    RPC = True
 
     def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None, toolbar=False, **kwargs):
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
-        QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
-
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, client=client, gui_id=gui_id, config=config, **kwargs)
         self.get_bec_shortcuts()
 
         self.layout = QHBoxLayout(self)

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

@@ -2,8 +2,8 @@ from bec_qthemes import material_icon
 from qtpy.QtCore import Qt
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QHBoxLayout, QPushButton, QToolButton, QWidget
 
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 
 
 class ResumeButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
@@ -11,10 +11,10 @@ class ResumeButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
 
     PLUGIN = True
     ICON_NAME = "resume"
+    RPC = True
 
     def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None, toolbar=False, **kwargs):
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
-        QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, client=client, gui_id=gui_id, config=config, **kwargs)
 
         self.get_bec_shortcuts()
 

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

@@ -2,8 +2,8 @@ from bec_qthemes import material_icon
 from qtpy.QtCore import Qt
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QHBoxLayout, QPushButton, QSizePolicy, QToolButton, QWidget
 
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 
 
 class StopButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
@@ -11,10 +11,10 @@ class StopButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
 
     PLUGIN = True
     ICON_NAME = "dangerous"
+    RPC = True
 
     def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None, toolbar=False, **kwargs):
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
-        QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, client=client, gui_id=gui_id, config=config, **kwargs)
 
         self.get_bec_shortcuts()
 
@@ -54,9 +54,20 @@ class StopButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
 if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     import sys
 
-    from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
+    from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
-    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    w = StopButton()
-    w.show()
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.control.buttons.stop_button.stop_button import StopButton
+
+    class MyGui(QWidget):
+        def __init__(self):
+            super().__init__()
+            self.setLayout(QVBoxLayout())
+            # Create and add the StopButton to the layout
+            self.stop_button = StopButton()
+            self.layout().addWidget(self.stop_button)
+
+    # Example of how this custom GUI might be used:
+    app = QApplication([])
+    my_gui = MyGui()
+    my_gui.show()
     sys.exit(app.exec_())

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

@@ -8,13 +8,26 @@ from bec_widgets.utils.colors import get_accent_colors, get_theme_palette
 
 
 class PositionIndicator(BECWidget, QWidget):
-    USER_ACCESS = ["set_value", "set_range", "vertical", "indicator_width", "rounded_corners"]
+    """
+    Display a position within a defined range, e.g. motor limits.
+    """
+
+    USER_ACCESS = [
+        "set_value",
+        "set_range",
+        "vertical",
+        "vertical.setter",
+        "indicator_width",
+        "indicator_width.setter",
+        "rounded_corners",
+        "rounded_corners.setter",
+    ]
     PLUGIN = True
     ICON_NAME = "horizontal_distribute"
 
     def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None, **kwargs):
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
-        QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, client=client, gui_id=gui_id, config=config, **kwargs)
+
         self.position = 50
         self.min_value = 0
         self.max_value = 100
@@ -205,6 +218,12 @@ class PositionIndicator(BECWidget, QWidget):
     @Slot(int)
     @Slot(float)
     def set_value(self, position: float):
+        """
+        Set the position of the indicator
+
+        Args:
+            position: The new position of the indicator
+        """
         self.position = position
         self.update()
 

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

@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 import uuid
 from abc import abstractmethod
-from ast import Tuple
 from typing import Callable, TypedDict
 
 from bec_lib.device import Positioner
@@ -17,8 +16,8 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
     QVBoxLayout,
 )
 
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.compact_popup import CompactPopupWidget
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.compact_popup import CompactPopupWidget
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.position_indicator.position_indicator import (
     PositionIndicator,
 )
@@ -41,6 +40,7 @@ class DeviceUpdateUIComponents(TypedDict):
     stop: QPushButton
     tweak_increase: QPushButton
     tweak_decrease: QPushButton
+    units: QLabel
 
 
 class PositionerBoxBase(BECWidget, CompactPopupWidget):
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ class PositionerBoxBase(BECWidget, CompactPopupWidget):
 
     current_path = ""
     ICON_NAME = "switch_right"
+    RPC = False
 
     def __init__(self, parent=None, **kwargs):
         """Initialize the PositionerBox widget.
@@ -56,8 +57,7 @@ class PositionerBoxBase(BECWidget, CompactPopupWidget):
             parent: The parent widget.
             device (Positioner): The device to control.
         """
-        super().__init__(**kwargs)
-        CompactPopupWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent, layout=QVBoxLayout)
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, layout=QVBoxLayout, **kwargs)
         self._dialog = None
         self.get_bec_shortcuts()
 
@@ -85,16 +85,33 @@ class PositionerBoxBase(BECWidget, CompactPopupWidget):
         limit_update: Callable[[tuple[float, float]], None],
     ):
         """Init the device view and readback"""
-        if self._check_device_is_valid(device):
-            data = self.dev[device].read()
-            self._on_device_readback(
-                device,
-                self._device_ui_components(device),
-                {"signals": data},
-                {},
-                position_emit,
-                limit_update,
-            )
+        if not self._check_device_is_valid(device):
+            return
+
+        data = self.dev[device].read()
+        self._on_device_readback(
+            device,
+            self._device_ui_components(device),
+            {"signals": data},
+            {},
+            position_emit,
+            limit_update,
+        )
+
+        ui = self._device_ui_components(device)
+        if not ui.get("units"):
+            return
+
+        try:
+            egu = f"[{self.dev[device].egu()}]"
+        except Exception:
+            egu = ""
+
+        if egu:
+            ui["units"].setVisible(True)
+            ui["units"].setText(egu)
+        else:
+            ui["units"].setVisible(False)
 
     def _stop_device(self, device: str):
         """Stop call"""
@@ -140,10 +157,12 @@ class PositionerBoxBase(BECWidget, CompactPopupWidget):
             if setpoint_val is not None:
                 break
 
-        for moving_signal in ["motor_done_move", "motor_is_moving"]:
-            is_moving = signals.get(f"{device}_{moving_signal}", {}).get("value")
-            if is_moving is not None:
-                break
+        if f"{device}_motor_done_move" in signals:
+            is_moving = not signals[f"{device}_motor_done_move"].get("value")
+        elif f"{device}_motor_is_moving" in signals:
+            is_moving = signals[f"{device}_motor_is_moving"].get("value")
+        else:
+            is_moving = None
 
         if is_moving is not None:
             spinner.setVisible(True)