WIP ignore duplicate plugin files

Automatically generated by python-semantic-release

.gitlab-ci.yml

@@ -5,9 +5,16 @@ image: $CI_DEPENDENCY_PROXY_GROUP_IMAGE_PREFIX/python:3.11
 #commands to run in the Docker container before starting each job.
 variables:
   DOCKER_TLS_CERTDIR: ""
-  BEC_CORE_BRANCH: "main"
-  OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH: "main"
+  BEC_CORE_BRANCH:
+    description: bec branch
+    value: main
+  OPHYD_DEVICES_BRANCH:
+    description: ophyd_devices branch
+    value: main
   CHILD_PIPELINE_BRANCH: $CI_DEFAULT_BRANCH
+  CHECK_PKG_VERSIONS:
+    description: Whether to run additional tests against min/max/random selection of dependencies. Set to 1 for running. 
+    value: 0
 
 workflow:
   rules:
@@ -27,8 +34,9 @@ include:
     inputs:
       stage: test
       path: "."
-      pytest_args: "-v --random-order tests/"
-      exclude_packages: ""
+      pytest_args: "-v,--random-order,tests/unit_tests"
+      ignore_dep_group: "pyqt6"
+      pip_args: ".[dev,pyside6]"
 
 # different stages in the pipeline
 stages:
@@ -53,6 +61,7 @@ stages:
   - pip install -e ./ophyd_devices
   - pip install -e ./bec/bec_lib[dev]
   - pip install -e ./bec/bec_ipython_client
+  - pip install -e ./bec/pytest_bec_e2e
 
 .install-os-packages: &install-os-packages
   - apt-get update
@@ -69,9 +78,9 @@ formatter:
   stage: Formatter
   needs: []
   script:
-    - pip install black isort
-    - isort --check --diff ./
-    - black --check --diff --color ./
+    - pip install bec_lib[dev]
+    - isort --check --diff --line-length=100 --profile=black --multi-line=3 --trailing-comma ./
+    - black --check --diff --color --line-length=100 --skip-magic-trailing-comma ./
   rules:
     - if: $CI_PROJECT_PATH == "bec/bec_widgets"
 
@@ -139,7 +148,7 @@ tests:
     - *clone-repos
     - *install-os-packages
     - *install-repos
-    - pip install -e .[dev,pyqt6]
+    - pip install -e .[dev,pyside6]
     - coverage run --source=./bec_widgets -m pytest -v --junitxml=report.xml --maxfail=2 --random-order --full-trace ./tests/unit_tests
     - coverage report
     - coverage xml
@@ -163,7 +172,6 @@ test-matrix:
           - "3.12"
         QT_PCKG:
           - "pyside6"
-          - "pyqt6"
 
   stage: AdditionalTests
   needs: []
@@ -178,7 +186,6 @@ test-matrix:
     - *install-repos
     - pip install -e .[dev,$QT_PCKG]
     - pytest -v --maxfail=2 --junitxml=report.xml --random-order ./tests/unit_tests
-  allow_failure: true
 
 end-2-end-conda:
   stage: End2End
@@ -190,7 +197,13 @@ end-2-end-conda:
   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
@@ -203,9 +216,8 @@ end-2-end-conda:
     - cd ../
     - pip install -e ./ophyd_devices
 
-    - pip install -e .[dev,pyqt6]
-    - cd ./tests/end-2-end
-    - pytest -v --start-servers --flush-redis --random-order
+    - pip install -e .[dev,pyside6]
+    - pytest -v --files-path ./ --start-servers --flush-redis --random-order  ./tests/end-2-end
 
   artifacts:
     when: on_failure
@@ -220,6 +232,7 @@ 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

README.md

@@ -1,12 +1,17 @@
 # BEC Widgets
 
+**⚠️ Important Notice:**
+
+🚨 **PyQt6 is no longer supported** due to incompatibilities with Qt Designer. Please use **PySide6** instead. 🚨
+
 BEC Widgets is a GUI framework designed for interaction with [BEC (Beamline Experiment Control)](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec).
+
 ## Installation
 
 Use the package manager [pip](https://pip.pypa.io/en/stable/) to install BEC Widgets:
 
 ```bash
-pip install bec_widgets PyQt6
+pip install bec_widgets[pyside6]
 ```
 
 For development purposes, you can clone the repository and install the package locally in editable mode:
@@ -14,22 +19,12 @@ For development purposes, you can clone the repository and install the package l
 ```bash
 git clone https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec-widgets
 cd bec_widgets
-pip install -e .[dev,pyqt6]
+pip install -e .[dev,pyside6]
 ```
 
-BEC Widgets currently supports both Pyside6 and PyQt6, however, no default distribution is specified. As a result, users must install one of the supported
-Python Qt distributions manually.
+BEC Widgets now **only supports PySide6**. Users must manually install PySide6 as no default Qt distribution is
+specified.
 
-To select a specific Python Qt distribution, install the package with an additional tag:
-
-```bash
-pip install bec_widgets[pyqt6]
-```
-or 
-
-```bash
-pip install bec_widgets[pyside6]
-```
 ## Documentation
 
 Documentation of BEC Widgets can be found [here](https://bec-widgets.readthedocs.io/en/latest/). The documentation of the BEC can be found [here](https://bec.readthedocs.io/en/latest/).
@@ -39,7 +34,7 @@ Documentation of BEC Widgets can be found [here](https://bec-widgets.readthedocs
 All commits should use the Angular commit scheme:
 
 > #### <a name="commit-header"></a>Angular Commit Message Header
-> 
+>
 > ```
 > <type>(<scope>): <short summary>
 >   │       │             │
@@ -53,13 +48,13 @@ All commits should use the Angular commit scheme:
 >   │
 >   └─⫸ Commit Type: build|ci|docs|feat|fix|perf|refactor|test
 > ```
-> 
+>
 > The `<type>` and `<summary>` fields are mandatory, the `(<scope>)` field is optional.
 
 > ##### Type
-> 
+>
 > Must be one of the following:
-> 
+>
 > * **build**: Changes that affect the build system or external dependencies (example scopes: gulp, broccoli, npm)
 > * **ci**: Changes to our CI configuration files and scripts (examples: CircleCi, SauceLabs)
 > * **docs**: Documentation only changes
@@ -71,4 +66,5 @@ All commits should use the Angular commit scheme:
 
 ## License
 
-[BSD-3-Clause](https://choosealicense.com/licenses/bsd-3-clause/)
+[BSD-3-Clause](https://choosealicense.com/licenses/bsd-3-clause/)
+

bec_widgets/__init__.py

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

bec_widgets/applications/alignment/alignment_1d/alignment_1d.py

@@ -0,0 +1,199 @@
+""" 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.utils import UILoader
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher import BECDispatcher
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import get_accent_colors
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot as Slot
+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
+
+
+# FIXME BECWaveFormWidget is gone, this app will not work until adapted to new Waveform
+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

@@ -0,0 +1,615 @@
+<?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

@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+"""
+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/assets/status_icons/error.svg

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-</svg>

bec_widgets/assets/status_icons/not_connected.svg

@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="48px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="48px" fill="#EA3323">
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-</svg>

bec_widgets/assets/status_icons/refresh.svg

@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="48px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="48px" fill="#FFFF55">
-    <path d="M478.3-145.87q-138.65 0-236.39-97.74-97.74-97.74-97.74-236.25t97.74-236.68q97.74-98.16 236.39-98.16 88.4 0 155.45 35.76 67.04 35.76 115.86 98.9V-814.7h66.78v274.92H540.91V-606h165.74q-38.56-57.74-95.3-93.33-56.74-35.58-133.05-35.58-106.88 0-180.89 73.98-74.02 73.99-74.02 180.83 0 106.84 74.02 180.93 74.02 74.08 180.91 74.08 80.16 0 147.74-46.08 67.59-46.09 95.16-121.83H803q-29.56 110.65-119.67 178.89-90.1 68.24-205.03 68.24Z"/>
-</svg>

bec_widgets/assets/status_icons/running.svg

@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="48px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="48px" fill="#75FB4C">
-    <path d="m419.87-289.52 289.22-289.22-57.31-56.87L419.87-403.7 304.96-518.61l-56.31 56.87 171.22 172.22Zm60.21 223.65q-85.47 0-161.01-32.39-75.53-32.4-131.97-88.84-56.44-56.44-88.84-131.89-32.39-75.46-32.39-160.93 0-86.47 32.39-162.01 32.4-75.53 88.75-131.5t131.85-88.62q75.5-32.65 161.01-32.65 86.52 0 162.12 32.61 75.61 32.6 131.53 88.5 55.93 55.89 88.55 131.45Q894.7-566.58 894.7-480q0 85.55-32.65 161.07-32.65 75.53-88.62 131.9-55.97 56.37-131.42 88.77-75.46 32.39-161.93 32.39Z"/>
-</svg>

bec_widgets/assets/status_icons/warning.svg

@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="48px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="48px" fill="#F19E39">
-    <path d="M27.56-112.65 480-894.7l452.44 782.05H27.56Zm456.62-125.48q13.15 0 22.61-9.64 9.47-9.65 9.47-22.8t-9.64-22.33q-9.65-9.19-22.8-9.19t-22.61 9.36q-9.47 9.36-9.47 22.51 0 13.15 9.64 22.62 9.65 9.47 22.8 9.47ZM454-348h60v-219.48h-60V-348Z"/>
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bec_widgets/assets/toolbar_icons/add.svg

@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="48px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="48px" fill="#FFFFFF">
-    <path d="M440.39-440.39H185.87v-79.22h254.52V-774.7h79.22v255.09H774.7v79.22H519.61v254.52h-79.22v-254.52Z"/>
-</svg>

bec_widgets/assets/toolbar_icons/attach_all.svg

@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="48px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="48px" fill="#FFFFFF">
-    <path d="m145.26-88.13-57.13-57.13 137.39-137.39H105.87v-79.22h256v256h-79.22v-119.65L145.26-88.13Zm669.48 0L677.91-225.52v119.65h-79.78v-256H854.7v79.22H734.48l137.39 137.39-57.13 57.13Zm-708.87-510v-79.78h119.65L88.13-814.74l57.13-57.13 137.39 137.39V-854.7h79.22v256.57h-256Zm492.26 0V-854.7h79.78v120.22l137.83-138.39 57.13 57.13-138.39 137.83H854.7v79.78H598.13Z"/>
-</svg>

bec_widgets/assets/toolbar_icons/auto_range.svg

@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="48px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="48px" fill="#FFFFFF">
-    <path d="M114.02-114.02v-308.13h68.13v192.02l547.72-547.72H537.85v-68.37h308.37v308.37h-68.37v-192.02L230.13-182.15h192.02v68.13H114.02Z"/>
-</svg>

bec_widgets/assets/toolbar_icons/compare.svg

@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="48px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="48px" fill="#FFFFFF">
-    <path d="m311.5-154.02-47.74-47.74 116.94-116.7H74.02v-68.37H380.7L263.76-503.76l47.74-47.74 198.98 198.74L311.5-154.02Zm337-254.72L449.76-607.48 648.5-806.22l47.74 47.74-116.7 116.94h306.68v68.37H579.54l116.7 116.69-47.74 47.74Z"/>
-</svg>

bec_widgets/assets/toolbar_icons/connection.svg

@@ -1,4 +0,0 @@
-<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="48px" viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="48px" fill="#FFFFFF">
-    <path d="M0 0h24v24H0V0z" fill="none"/>
-    <path d="M17 7h-4v2h4c1.65 0 3 1.35 3 3s-1.35 3-3 3h-4v2h4c2.76 0 5-2.24 5-5s-2.24-5-5-5zm-6 8H7c-1.65 0-3-1.35-3-3s1.35-3 3-3h4V7H7c-2.76 0-5 2.24-5 5s2.24 5 5 5h4v-2zm-3-4h8v2H8z"/>
-</svg>

bec_widgets/assets/toolbar_icons/device_line_edit.svg

@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="48px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="48px" fill="#FFFFFF">
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-</svg>

bec_widgets/assets/toolbar_icons/drag_pan_mode.svg

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bec_widgets/assets/toolbar_icons/export.svg

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bec_widgets/assets/toolbar_icons/fft.svg

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bec_widgets/assets/toolbar_icons/history.svg

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bec_widgets/assets/toolbar_icons/image.svg

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bec_widgets/assets/toolbar_icons/import.svg

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bec_widgets/assets/toolbar_icons/line_axis.svg

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bec_widgets/assets/toolbar_icons/motor_map.svg

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bec_widgets/assets/toolbar_icons/positioner_box.svg

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bec_widgets/assets/toolbar_icons/rectangle_mode.svg

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bec_widgets/assets/toolbar_icons/ring_progress.svg

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-    <path d="M435-72.11q-49.67-7-95.99-25.36-46.31-18.36-86.55-49.55l49.21-49.74q31.76 24 65.29 37.26 33.52 13.26 68.04 19.02v68.37Zm90 0v-68.37q109.28-21.24 181.07-102.9 71.78-81.66 71.78-197.71 0-124.37-84.11-210.87t-208.72-86.5h-18.8L540.67-664l-49.74 49.74L332.2-773l158.73-158.74 49.74 49.26-75.41 75.65h19.28q75.48 0 141.34 28.72t114.98 78.56q49.12 49.83 77.24 116.29 28.12 66.46 28.12 142.17 0 142.39-90.8 245.07Q664.63-93.35 525-72.11ZM189.46-209.78q-28.96-38.72-47.82-86.3-18.86-47.57-25.62-100.01h68.89q5 37.76 18.38 72.17 13.38 34.4 36.14 64.16l-49.97 49.98Zm-73.44-276.31q6.52-50.71 25-97.29 18.48-46.58 48.44-87.77l50.21 48.26q-22.76 33-36.14 67.52-13.38 34.52-18.62 69.28h-68.89Z"/>
-</svg>

bec_widgets/assets/toolbar_icons/rotate_right.svg

@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="48px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="48px" fill="#FFFFFF">
-    <path d="M527-72.11v-68.37q34.52-5.76 68.04-19.02 33.53-13.26 65.29-37.26l49.21 49.74q-40.24 31.19-86.55 49.55Q576.67-79.11 527-72.11Zm-90 0Q297.37-93.35 206.7-196.02q-90.68-102.68-90.68-245.07 0-75.71 28-142.17t77.12-116.29q49.12-49.84 114.98-78.56 65.86-28.72 141.34-28.72h19.28l-75.41-75.65 49.74-49.26L629.8-773 471.07-614.26 421.33-664l74.69-74.46h-19.04q-124.61 0-208.72 86.5t-84.11 210.87q0 116.05 71.78 197.71 71.79 81.66 181.07 102.9v68.37Zm335.54-137.67-49.97-49.98q22.76-29.76 36.14-64.16 13.38-34.41 18.38-72.17h69.13q-7 52.44-25.86 100.01-18.86 47.58-47.82 86.3Zm73.68-276.31h-69.13q-5.24-34.76-18.62-69.28t-36.14-67.52l50.21-48.26q29.96 41.19 48.44 87.77 18.48 46.58 25.24 97.29Z"/>
-</svg>

bec_widgets/assets/toolbar_icons/save.svg

@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="48px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="48px" fill="#FFFFFF">
-    <path d="M854.7-689.22v504.13q0 32.51-23.53 55.87-23.52 23.35-56.26 23.35H185.09q-32.51 0-55.87-23.35-23.35-23.36-23.35-55.87v-589.82q0-32.74 23.35-56.26 23.36-23.53 55.87-23.53h504.13L854.7-689.22Zm-79.79 35.48L653.74-774.91H185.09v589.82h589.82v-468.65ZM479.76-250.09q43.24 0 73.74-30.26 30.5-30.27 30.5-73.5 0-43.24-30.26-73.74-30.27-30.5-73.5-30.5-43.24 0-73.74 30.27-30.5 30.26-30.5 73.5 0 43.23 30.26 73.73 30.27 30.5 73.5 30.5ZM238.09-578.91h358v-143h-358v143Zm-53-74.83v468.65-589.82 121.17Z"/>
-</svg>

bec_widgets/assets/toolbar_icons/save_state.svg

@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="48px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="48px" fill="#FFFFFF">
-    <path d="M185.87-98.52v-681.39q0-32.74 23.35-56.26 23.36-23.53 55.87-23.53h429.82q32.74 0 56.26 23.53 23.53 23.52 23.53 56.26v681.39L480-224.17 185.87-98.52Zm79.22-120.39L480-309.18l214.91 90.27v-561H265.09v561Zm0-561h429.82-429.82Z"/>
-</svg>

bec_widgets/assets/toolbar_icons/scan_control.svg

@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="48px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="48px" fill="#FFFFFF">
-    <path d="M185.09-105.87q-32.93 0-56.08-23.14-23.14-23.15-23.14-56.08v-589.82q0-33.16 23.14-56.47 23.15-23.32 56.08-23.32h589.82q33.16 0 56.47 23.32 23.32 23.31 23.32 56.47v589.82q0 32.93-23.32 56.08-23.31 23.14-56.47 23.14H185.09Zm439.21-79.22h71l79.61-79.61v-40.39H744.3l-120 120ZM281-389.48l141-140 90 90L725.52-654 679-700.52l-167 167-90-90L234.48-436 281-389.48Zm-95.91 204.39h34.56l120-120h-71l-83.56 83.57v36.43Zm350.91 0 120-120h-71l-120 120h71Zm-159.87 0 120-120h-71l-120 120h71Z"/>
-</svg>

bec_widgets/assets/toolbar_icons/settings.svg

@@ -1,4 +0,0 @@
-<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="48px" viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="48px" fill="#FFFFFF">
-    <path d="M0 0h24v24H0V0z" fill="none"/>
-    <path d="M19.43 12.98c.04-.32.07-.64.07-.98 0-.34-.03-.66-.07-.98l2.11-1.65c.19-.15.24-.42.12-.64l-2-3.46c-.09-.16-.26-.25-.44-.25-.06 0-.12.01-.17.03l-2.49 1c-.52-.4-1.08-.73-1.69-.98l-.38-2.65C14.46 2.18 14.25 2 14 2h-4c-.25 0-.46.18-.49.42l-.38 2.65c-.61.25-1.17.59-1.69.98l-2.49-1c-.06-.02-.12-.03-.18-.03-.17 0-.34.09-.43.25l-2 3.46c-.13.22-.07.49.12.64l2.11 1.65c-.04.32-.07.65-.07.98 0 .33.03.66.07.98l-2.11 1.65c-.19.15-.24.42-.12.64l2 3.46c.09.16.26.25.44.25.06 0 .12-.01.17-.03l2.49-1c.52.4 1.08.73 1.69.98l.38 2.65c.03.24.24.42.49.42h4c.25 0 .46-.18.49-.42l.38-2.65c.61-.25 1.17-.59 1.69-.98l2.49 1c.06.02.12.03.18.03.17 0 .34-.09.43-.25l2-3.46c.12-.22.07-.49-.12-.64l-2.11-1.65zm-1.98-1.71c.04.31.05.52.05.73 0 .21-.02.43-.05.73l-.14 1.13.89.7 1.08.84-.7 1.21-1.27-.51-1.04-.42-.9.68c-.43.32-.84.56-1.25.73l-1.06.43-.16 1.13-.2 1.35h-1.4l-.19-1.35-.16-1.13-1.06-.43c-.43-.18-.83-.41-1.23-.71l-.91-.7-1.06.43-1.27.51-.7-1.21 1.08-.84.89-.7-.14-1.13c-.03-.31-.05-.54-.05-.74s.02-.43.05-.73l.14-1.13-.89-.7-1.08-.84.7-1.21 1.27.51 1.04.42.9-.68c.43-.32.84-.56 1.25-.73l1.06-.43.16-1.13.2-1.35h1.39l.19 1.35.16 1.13 1.06.43c.43.18.83.41 1.23.71l.91.7 1.06-.43 1.27-.51.7 1.21-1.07.85-.89.7.14 1.13zM12 8c-2.21 0-4 1.79-4 4s1.79 4 4 4 4-1.79 4-4-1.79-4-4-4zm0 6c-1.1 0-2-.9-2-2s.9-2 2-2 2 .9 2 2-.9 2-2 2z"/>
-</svg>

bec_widgets/assets/toolbar_icons/status.svg

@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="48px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="48px" fill="#FFFFFF">
-    <path d="M286.83-277h60v-205h-60v205Zm326.91 0h60v-420h-60v420ZM450-277h60v-118h-60v118Zm0-205h60v-60h-60v60ZM185.09-105.87q-32.51 0-55.87-23.35-23.35-23.36-23.35-55.87v-589.82q0-32.74 23.35-56.26 23.36-23.53 55.87-23.53h589.82q32.74 0 56.26 23.53 23.53 23.52 23.53 56.26v589.82q0 32.51-23.53 55.87-23.52 23.35-56.26 23.35H185.09Z"/>
-</svg>

bec_widgets/assets/toolbar_icons/terminal.svg

@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="48px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="48px" fill="#FFFFFF">
-    <path d="M145.09-145.87q-32.51 0-55.87-23.35-23.35-23.36-23.35-55.87v-509.82q0-32.74 23.35-56.26 23.36-23.53 55.87-23.53h669.82q32.74 0 56.26 23.53 23.53 23.52 23.53 56.26v509.82q0 32.51-23.53 55.87-23.52 23.35-56.26 23.35H145.09Zm0-79.22h669.82v-425.82H145.09v425.82ZM300-292l-42-42 103-104-104-104 43-42 146 146-146 146Zm190 4v-60h220v60H490Z"/>
-</svg>

bec_widgets/assets/toolbar_icons/transform.svg

@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="48px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="48px" fill="#FFFFFF">
-    <path d="M636.17-32.59 480.35-188.41l45.82-46.07 77.13 77.37v-137.32H356.93q-28.1 0-46.8-18.55-18.7-18.54-18.7-46.95V-600.3H74.02v-65.27h217.41v-137.32l-77.36 77.37-45.59-45.83 155.59-155.82 156.06 155.82-46.06 45.83-77.14-77.37v442.96h529.29v65.5H669.04v137.32l77.13-77.37L792-188.41 636.17-32.59ZM603.3-419.93V-600.3H416.93v-65.27H603.3q28.37 0 47.06 18.56 18.68 18.55 18.68 46.71v180.37H603.3Z"/>
-</svg>

bec_widgets/assets/toolbar_icons/waveform.svg

@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="48px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="48px" fill="#FFFFFF">
-    <path d="M126-206.43 66.43-266 380-579.57 539.43-419.7l298-335 56.14 54.57-352.44 399.26L380-460.43l-254 254Z"/>
-</svg>

bec_widgets/cli/__init__.py

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

bec_widgets/cli/auto_updates.py

@@ -1,184 +1,169 @@
-from __future__ import annotations
-
-import threading
-from queue import Queue
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
-
-from pydantic import BaseModel
-
-if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from .client import BECDockArea, BECFigure
-
-
-class ScanInfo(BaseModel):
-    scan_id: str
-    scan_number: int
-    scan_name: str
-    scan_report_devices: list
-    monitored_devices: list
-    status: str
-    model_config: dict = {"validate_assignment": True}
-
-
-class AutoUpdates:
-    create_default_dock: bool = False
-    enabled: bool = False
-    dock_name: str = None
-
-    def __init__(self, gui: BECDockArea):
-        self.gui = gui
-        self.msg_queue = Queue()
-        self.auto_update_thread = None
-        self._shutdown_sentinel = object()
-        self.start()
-
-    def start(self):
-        """
-        Start the auto update thread.
-        """
-        self.auto_update_thread = threading.Thread(target=self.process_queue)
-        self.auto_update_thread.start()
-
-    def start_default_dock(self):
-        """
-        Create a default dock for the auto updates.
-        """
-        dock = self.gui.add_dock("default_figure")
-        dock.add_widget("BECFigure")
-        self.dock_name = "default_figure"
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def get_scan_info(msg) -> ScanInfo:
-        """
-        Update the script with the given data.
-        """
-        info = msg.info
-        status = msg.status
-        scan_id = msg.scan_id
-        scan_number = info.get("scan_number", 0)
-        scan_name = info.get("scan_name", "Unknown")
-        scan_report_devices = info.get("scan_report_devices", [])
-        monitored_devices = info.get("readout_priority", {}).get("monitored", [])
-        monitored_devices = [dev for dev in monitored_devices if dev not in scan_report_devices]
-        return ScanInfo(
-            scan_id=scan_id,
-            scan_number=scan_number,
-            scan_name=scan_name,
-            scan_report_devices=scan_report_devices,
-            monitored_devices=monitored_devices,
-            status=status,
-        )
-
-    def get_default_figure(self) -> BECFigure | None:
-        """
-        Get the default figure from the GUI.
-        """
-        dock = self.gui.panels.get(self.dock_name, [])
-        if not dock:
-            return None
-        widgets = dock.widget_list
-        if not widgets:
-            return None
-        return widgets[0]
-
-    def run(self, msg):
-        """
-        Run the update function if enabled.
-        """
-        if not self.enabled:
-            return
-        if msg.status != "open":
-            return
-        info = self.get_scan_info(msg)
-        self.handler(info)
-
-    def process_queue(self):
-        """
-        Process the message queue.
-        """
-        while True:
-            msg = self.msg_queue.get()
-            if msg is self._shutdown_sentinel:
-                break
-            self.run(msg)
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def get_selected_device(monitored_devices, selected_device):
-        """
-        Get the selected device for the plot. If no device is selected, the first
-        device in the monitored devices list is selected.
-        """
-        if selected_device:
-            return selected_device
-        if len(monitored_devices) > 0:
-            sel_device = monitored_devices[0]
-            return sel_device
-        return None
-
-    def handler(self, info: ScanInfo) -> None:
-        """
-        Default update function.
-        """
-        if info.scan_name == "line_scan" and info.scan_report_devices:
-            self.simple_line_scan(info)
-            return
-        if info.scan_name == "grid_scan" and info.scan_report_devices:
-            self.simple_grid_scan(info)
-            return
-        if info.scan_report_devices:
-            self.best_effort(info)
-            return
-
-    def simple_line_scan(self, info: ScanInfo) -> None:
-        """
-        Simple line scan.
-        """
-        fig = self.get_default_figure()
-        if not fig:
-            return
-        dev_x = info.scan_report_devices[0]
-        dev_y = self.get_selected_device(info.monitored_devices, self.gui.selected_device)
-        if not dev_y:
-            return
-        fig.clear_all()
-        plt = fig.plot(x_name=dev_x, y_name=dev_y, label=f"Scan {info.scan_number} - {dev_y}")
-        plt.set(title=f"Scan {info.scan_number}", x_label=dev_x, y_label=dev_y)
-
-    def simple_grid_scan(self, info: ScanInfo) -> None:
-        """
-        Simple grid scan.
-        """
-        fig = self.get_default_figure()
-        if not fig:
-            return
-        dev_x = info.scan_report_devices[0]
-        dev_y = info.scan_report_devices[1]
-        dev_z = self.get_selected_device(info.monitored_devices, self.gui.selected_device)
-        fig.clear_all()
-        plt = fig.plot(
-            x_name=dev_x, y_name=dev_y, z_name=dev_z, label=f"Scan {info.scan_number} - {dev_z}"
-        )
-        plt.set(title=f"Scan {info.scan_number}", x_label=dev_x, y_label=dev_y)
-
-    def best_effort(self, info: ScanInfo) -> None:
-        """
-        Best effort scan.
-        """
-        fig = self.get_default_figure()
-        if not fig:
-            return
-        dev_x = info.scan_report_devices[0]
-        dev_y = self.get_selected_device(info.monitored_devices, self.gui.selected_device)
-        if not dev_y:
-            return
-        fig.clear_all()
-        plt = fig.plot(x_name=dev_x, y_name=dev_y, label=f"Scan {info.scan_number} - {dev_y}")
-        plt.set(title=f"Scan {info.scan_number}", x_label=dev_x, y_label=dev_y)
-
-    def shutdown(self):
-        """
-        Shutdown the auto update thread.
-        """
-        self.msg_queue.put(self._shutdown_sentinel)
-        if self.auto_update_thread:
-            self.auto_update_thread.join()
+# TODO autoupdate disabled
+# 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.new(self.dock_name)
+#         self._default_dock.new("BECFigure")
+#         self._default_fig = self._default_dock.elements_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

@@ -1,65 +1,47 @@
+"""Client utilities for the BEC GUI."""
+
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-import importlib
-import importlib.metadata as imd
 import json
 import os
 import select
 import subprocess
 import threading
 import time
-import uuid
-from functools import wraps
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
+from contextlib import contextmanager
+from threading import Lock
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any
 
-from bec_lib.client import BECClient
 from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
-from bec_lib.utils.import_utils import isinstance_based_on_class_name, lazy_import, lazy_import_from
+from bec_lib.utils.import_utils import lazy_import, lazy_import_from
+from rich.console import Console
+from rich.table import Table
 
 import bec_widgets.cli.client as client
-from bec_widgets.cli.auto_updates import AutoUpdates
+from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_base import RPCBase, RPCReference
 
-if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from bec_lib.device import DeviceBase
-
-messages = lazy_import("bec_lib.messages")
-# from bec_lib.connector import MessageObject
-MessageObject = lazy_import_from("bec_lib.connector", ("MessageObject",))
-BECDispatcher = lazy_import_from("bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher", ("BECDispatcher",))
+if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
+    from bec_lib.redis_connector import StreamMessage
+else:
+    StreamMessage = lazy_import_from("bec_lib.redis_connector", ("StreamMessage",))
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
+IGNORE_WIDGETS = ["BECDockArea", "BECDock"]
 
-def rpc_call(func):
+# pylint: disable=redefined-outer-scope
+
+
+def _filter_output(output: str) -> str:
     """
-    A decorator for calling a function on the server.
-
-    Args:
-        func: The function to call.
-
-    Returns:
-        The result of the function call.
+    Filter out the output from the process.
     """
-
-    @wraps(func)
-    def wrapper(self, *args, **kwargs):
-        # we could rely on a strict type check here, but this is more flexible
-        # moreover, it would anyway crash for objects...
-        out = []
-        for arg in args:
-            if hasattr(arg, "name"):
-                arg = arg.name
-            out.append(arg)
-        args = tuple(out)
-        for key, val in kwargs.items():
-            if hasattr(val, "name"):
-                kwargs[key] = val.name
-        if not self.gui_is_alive():
-            raise RuntimeError("GUI is not alive")
-        return self._run_rpc(func.__name__, *args, **kwargs)
-
-    return wrapper
+    if "IMKClient" in output:
+        # only relevant on macOS
+        # see https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255761734?sortBy=rank
+        return ""
+    return output
 
 
 def _get_output(process, logger) -> None:
@@ -75,15 +57,18 @@ def _get_output(process, logger) -> None:
                 if stream in readylist:
                     buf.append(stream.read(4096))
                 output, _, remaining = "".join(buf).rpartition("\n")
+                output = _filter_output(output)
                 if output:
                     log_func[stream](output)
                     buf.clear()
                     buf.append(remaining)
     except Exception as e:
-        print(f"Error reading process output: {str(e)}")
+        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: type, gui_class_id: str, config: dict | str, logger=None
+) -> tuple[subprocess.Popen[str], threading.Thread | None]:
     """
     Start the plot in a new process.
 
@@ -92,11 +77,20 @@ def _start_plot_process(gui_id: str, gui_class: type, config: dict | str, logger
     process will not be captured.
     """
     # pylint: disable=subprocess-run-check
-    command = ["bec-gui-server", "--id", gui_id, "--gui_class", gui_class.__name__]
+    command = [
+        "bec-gui-server",
+        "--id",
+        gui_id,
+        "--gui_class",
+        gui_class.__name__,
+        "--gui_class_id",
+        gui_class_id,
+        "--hide",
+    ]
     if config:
         if isinstance(config, dict):
             config = json.dumps(config)
-        command.extend(["--config", config])
+        command.extend(["--config", str(config)])
 
     env_dict = os.environ.copy()
     env_dict["PYTHONUNBUFFERED"] = "1"
@@ -126,214 +120,449 @@ def _start_plot_process(gui_id: str, gui_class: type, config: dict | str, logger
     return process, process_output_processing_thread
 
 
-class BECGuiClientMixin:
+class RepeatTimer(threading.Timer):
+    """RepeatTimer class."""
+
+    def run(self):
+        while not self.finished.wait(self.interval):
+            self.function(*self.args, **self.kwargs)
+
+
+# pylint: disable=protected-access
+@contextmanager
+def wait_for_server(client: BECGuiClient):
+    """Context manager to wait for the server to start."""
+    timeout = client._startup_timeout
+    if not timeout:
+        if client._gui_is_alive():
+            # there is hope, let's wait a bit
+            timeout = 1
+        else:
+            raise RuntimeError("GUI is not alive")
+    try:
+        if client._gui_started_event.wait(timeout=timeout):
+            client._gui_started_timer.cancel()
+            client._gui_started_timer.join()
+        else:
+            raise TimeoutError("Could not connect to GUI server")
+    finally:
+        # after initial waiting period, do not wait so much any more
+        # (only relevant if GUI didn't start)
+        client._startup_timeout = 0
+    yield
+
+
+class WidgetNameSpace:
+    def __repr__(self):
+        console = Console()
+        table = Table(title="Available widgets for BEC CLI usage")
+        table.add_column("Widget Name", justify="left", style="magenta")
+        table.add_column("Description", justify="left")
+        for attr, value in self.__dict__.items():
+            docs = value.__doc__
+            docs = docs if docs else "No description available"
+            table.add_row(attr, docs)
+        console.print(table)
+        return ""
+
+
+class AvailableWidgetsNamespace:
+    """Namespace for available widgets in the BEC GUI."""
+
+    def __init__(self):
+        for widget in client.Widgets:
+            name = widget.value
+            if name in IGNORE_WIDGETS:
+                continue
+            setattr(self, name, name)
+
+    def __repr__(self):
+        console = Console()
+        table = Table(title="Available widgets for BEC CLI usage")
+        table.add_column("Widget Name", justify="left", style="magenta")
+        table.add_column("Description", justify="left")
+        for attr_name, _ in self.__dict__.items():
+            docs = getattr(client, attr_name).__doc__
+            docs = docs if docs else "No description available"
+            table.add_row(attr_name, docs if len(docs.strip()) > 0 else "No description available")
+        console.print(table)
+        return ""
+
+
+class BECGuiClient(RPCBase):
+    """BEC GUI client class. Container for GUI applications within Python."""
+
     def __init__(self, **kwargs) -> None:
         super().__init__(**kwargs)
+        self._lock = Lock()
+        self._default_dock_name = "bec"
+        self._auto_updates_enabled = True
+        self._auto_updates = None
+        self._killed = False
+        self._top_level: dict[str, client.BECDockArea] = {}
+        self._startup_timeout = 0
+        self._gui_started_timer = None
+        self._gui_started_event = threading.Event()
         self._process = None
         self._process_output_processing_thread = None
-        self.auto_updates = self._get_update_script()
-        self._target_endpoint = MessageEndpoints.scan_status()
-        self._selected_device = None
+        self._exposed_widgets = []
+        self._server_registry = {}
+        self._ipython_registry = {}
+        self.available_widgets = AvailableWidgetsNamespace()
 
-    def _get_update_script(self) -> AutoUpdates | None:
-        eps = imd.entry_points(group="bec.widgets.auto_updates")
-        for ep in eps:
-            if ep.name == "plugin_widgets_update":
-                try:
-                    spec = importlib.util.find_spec(ep.module)
-                    # if the module is not found, we skip it
-                    if spec is None:
-                        continue
-                    return ep.load()(gui=self)
-                except Exception as e:
-                    print(f"Error loading auto update script from plugin: {str(e)}")
-        return None
+    ####################
+    #### Client API ####
+    ####################
 
-    @property
-    def selected_device(self):
-        """
-        Selected device for the plot.
-        """
-        return self._selected_device
-
-    @selected_device.setter
-    def selected_device(self, device: str | DeviceBase):
-        if isinstance_based_on_class_name(device, "bec_lib.device.DeviceBase"):
-            self._selected_device = device.name
-        elif isinstance(device, str):
-            self._selected_device = device
-        else:
-            raise ValueError("Device must be a string or a device object")
-
-    def _start_update_script(self) -> None:
+    def connect_to_gui_server(self, gui_id: str) -> None:
+        """Connect to a GUI server"""
+        # Unregister the old callback
+        self._client.connector.unregister(
+            MessageEndpoints.gui_registry_state(self._gui_id), cb=self._handle_registry_update
+        )
+        self._gui_id = gui_id
+        # Get the registry state
+        msgs = self._client.connector.xread(
+            MessageEndpoints.gui_registry_state(self._gui_id), count=1
+        )
+        if msgs:
+            self._handle_registry_update(msgs[0])
+        # Register the new callback
         self._client.connector.register(
-            self._target_endpoint, cb=self._handle_msg_update, parent=self
+            MessageEndpoints.gui_registry_state(self._gui_id), cb=self._handle_registry_update
         )
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def _handle_msg_update(msg: MessageObject, parent: BECGuiClientMixin) -> None:
-        if parent.auto_updates is not None:
-            # pylint: disable=protected-access
-            parent._update_script_msg_parser(msg.value)
+    @property
+    def windows(self) -> dict:
+        """Dictionary with dock areas in the GUI."""
+        return self._top_level
 
-    def _update_script_msg_parser(self, msg: messages.BECMessage) -> None:
-        if isinstance(msg, messages.ScanStatusMessage):
-            if not self.gui_is_alive():
-                return
-            self.auto_updates.msg_queue.put(msg)
+    @property
+    def window_list(self) -> list:
+        """List with dock areas in the GUI."""
+        return list(self._top_level.values())
 
-    def show(self) -> None:
-        """
-        Show the figure.
-        """
-        if self._process is None or self._process.poll() is not None:
-            self._start_update_script()
-            self._process, self._process_output_processing_thread = _start_plot_process(
-                self._gui_id, self.__class__, self._client._service_config.config
-            )
-        while not self.gui_is_alive():
-            print("Waiting for GUI to start...")
-            time.sleep(1)
+    def start(self, wait: bool = False) -> None:
+        """Start the GUI server."""
+        return self._start(wait=wait)
 
-    def close(self) -> None:
+    def show(self):
+        """Show the GUI window."""
+        if self._check_if_server_is_alive():
+            return self._show_all()
+        return self.start(wait=True)
+
+    def hide(self):
+        """Hide the GUI window."""
+        return self._hide_all()
+
+    def new(
+        self,
+        name: str | None = None,
+        wait: bool = True,
+        geometry: tuple[int, int, int, int] | None = None,
+    ) -> client.BECDockArea:
+        """Create a new top-level dock area.
+
+        Args:
+            name(str, optional): The name of the dock area. Defaults to None.
+            wait(bool, optional): Whether to wait for the server to start. Defaults to True.
+            geometry(tuple[int, int, int, int] | None): The geometry of the dock area (pos_x, pos_y, w, h)
+        Returns:
+            client.BECDockArea: The new dock area.
         """
-        Close the gui window.
+        if not self._check_if_server_is_alive():
+            self.start(wait=True)
+        if wait:
+            with wait_for_server(self):
+                rpc_client = RPCBase(gui_id=f"{self._gui_id}:window", parent=self)
+                widget = rpc_client._run_rpc(
+                    "new_dock_area", name, geometry
+                )  # pylint: disable=protected-access
+                return widget
+        rpc_client = RPCBase(gui_id=f"{self._gui_id}:window", parent=self)
+        widget = rpc_client._run_rpc(
+            "new_dock_area", name, geometry
+        )  # pylint: disable=protected-access
+        return widget
+
+    def delete(self, name: str) -> None:
+        """Delete a dock area.
+
+        Args:
+            name(str): The name of the dock area.
         """
+        widget = self.windows.get(name)
+        if widget is None:
+            raise ValueError(f"Dock area {name} not found.")
+        widget._run_rpc("close")  # pylint: disable=protected-access
+
+    def delete_all(self) -> None:
+        """Delete all dock areas."""
+        for widget_name in self.windows:
+            self.delete(widget_name)
+
+    def kill_server(self) -> None:
+        """Kill the GUI server."""
+        # Unregister the registry state
+        self._killed = True
+
+        if self._gui_started_timer is not None:
+            self._gui_started_timer.cancel()
+            self._gui_started_timer.join()
+
         if self._process is None:
             return
 
-        self._client.shutdown()
         if self._process:
+            logger.success("Stopping GUI...")
             self._process.terminate()
             if self._process_output_processing_thread:
                 self._process_output_processing_thread.join()
             self._process.wait()
             self._process = None
-        if self.auto_updates is not None:
-            self.auto_updates.shutdown()
 
-
-class RPCResponseTimeoutError(Exception):
-    """Exception raised when an RPC response is not received within the expected time."""
-
-    def __init__(self, request_id, timeout):
-        super().__init__(
-            f"RPC response not received within {timeout} seconds for request ID {request_id}"
+        # Unregister the registry state
+        self._client.connector.unregister(
+            MessageEndpoints.gui_registry_state(self._gui_id), cb=self._handle_registry_update
         )
+        # Remove all reference from top level
+        self._top_level.clear()
+        self._server_registry.clear()
 
+    def close(self):
+        """Deprecated. Use kill_server() instead."""
+        # FIXME, deprecated in favor of kill, will be removed in the future
+        self.kill_server()
 
-class RPCBase:
-    def __init__(self, gui_id: str = None, config: dict = None, parent=None) -> None:
-        self._client = BECClient()  # BECClient is a singleton; here, we simply get the instance
-        self._config = config if config is not None else {}
-        self._gui_id = gui_id if gui_id is not None else str(uuid.uuid4())
-        self._parent = parent
-        self._msg_wait_event = threading.Event()
-        self._rpc_response = None
-        super().__init__()
-        # print(f"RPCBase: {self._gui_id}")
+    #########################
+    #### Private methods ####
+    #########################
 
-    def __repr__(self):
-        type_ = type(self)
-        qualname = type_.__qualname__
-        return f"<{qualname} object at {hex(id(self))}>"
+    def _check_if_server_is_alive(self):
+        """Checks if the process is alive"""
+        if self._process is None:
+            return False
+        if self._process.poll() is not None:
+            return False
+        return True
 
-    @property
-    def _root(self):
+    def _gui_post_startup(self):
+        timeout = 60
+        # Wait for 'bec' gui to be registered, this may take some time
+        # After 60s timeout. Should this raise an exception on timeout?
+        while time.time() < time.time() + timeout:
+            if len(list(self._server_registry.keys())) == 0:
+                time.sleep(0.1)
+            else:
+                break
+        self._do_show_all()
+        self._gui_started_event.set()
+
+    def _start_server(self, wait: bool = False) -> None:
         """
-        Get the root widget. This is the BECFigure widget that holds
-        the anchor gui_id.
+        Start the GUI server, and execute callback when it is launched
         """
-        parent = self
-        # pylint: disable=protected-access
-        while parent._parent is not None:
-            parent = parent._parent
-        return parent
-
-    def _run_rpc(self, method, *args, wait_for_rpc_response=True, timeout=3, **kwargs):
-        """
-        Run the RPC call.
-
-        Args:
-            method: The method to call.
-            args: The arguments to pass to the method.
-            wait_for_rpc_response: Whether to wait for the RPC response.
-            kwargs: The keyword arguments to pass to the method.
-
-        Returns:
-            The result of the RPC call.
-        """
-        request_id = str(uuid.uuid4())
-        rpc_msg = messages.GUIInstructionMessage(
-            action=method,
-            parameter={"args": args, "kwargs": kwargs, "gui_id": self._gui_id},
-            metadata={"request_id": request_id},
-        )
-
-        # pylint: disable=protected-access
-        receiver = self._root._gui_id
-        if wait_for_rpc_response:
-            self._rpc_response = None
-            self._msg_wait_event.clear()
-            self._client.connector.register(
-                MessageEndpoints.gui_instruction_response(request_id),
-                cb=self._on_rpc_response,
-                parent=self,
+        if self._process is None or self._process.poll() is not None:
+            logger.success("GUI starting...")
+            self._startup_timeout = 5
+            self._gui_started_event.clear()
+            self._process, self._process_output_processing_thread = _start_plot_process(
+                self._gui_id,
+                self.__class__,
+                gui_class_id=self._default_dock_name,
+                config=self._client._service_config.config,  # pylint: disable=protected-access
+                logger=logger,
             )
 
-        self._client.connector.set_and_publish(MessageEndpoints.gui_instructions(receiver), rpc_msg)
+            def gui_started_callback(callback):
+                try:
+                    if callable(callback):
+                        callback()
+                finally:
+                    threading.current_thread().cancel()
 
-        if wait_for_rpc_response:
-            try:
-                finished = self._msg_wait_event.wait(10)
-                if not finished:
-                    raise RPCResponseTimeoutError(request_id, timeout)
-            finally:
-                self._msg_wait_event.clear()
-                self._client.connector.unregister(
-                    MessageEndpoints.gui_instruction_response(request_id), cb=self._on_rpc_response
-                )
-            # get class name
-            if not self._rpc_response.accepted:
-                raise ValueError(self._rpc_response.message["error"])
-            msg_result = self._rpc_response.message.get("result")
-            self._rpc_response = None
-            return self._create_widget_from_msg_result(msg_result)
+            self._gui_started_timer = RepeatTimer(
+                0.5, lambda: self._gui_is_alive() and gui_started_callback(self._gui_post_startup)
+            )
+            self._gui_started_timer.start()
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def _on_rpc_response(msg: MessageObject, parent: RPCBase) -> None:
-        msg = msg.value
-        parent._msg_wait_event.set()
-        parent._rpc_response = msg
+        if wait:
+            self._gui_started_event.wait()
 
-    def _create_widget_from_msg_result(self, msg_result):
-        if msg_result is None:
-            return None
-        if isinstance(msg_result, list):
-            return [self._create_widget_from_msg_result(res) for res in msg_result]
-        if isinstance(msg_result, dict):
-            if "__rpc__" not in msg_result:
-                return {
-                    key: self._create_widget_from_msg_result(val) for key, val in msg_result.items()
-                }
-            cls = msg_result.pop("widget_class", None)
-            msg_result.pop("__rpc__", None)
+    def _dump(self):
+        rpc_client = RPCBase(gui_id=f"{self._gui_id}:window", parent=self)
+        return rpc_client._run_rpc("_dump")
 
-            if not cls:
-                return msg_result
+    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
+        )
+        return self._start_server(wait=wait)
 
-            cls = getattr(client, cls)
-            # print(msg_result)
-            return cls(parent=self, **msg_result)
-        return msg_result
+    def _handle_registry_update(self, msg: StreamMessage) -> None:
+        # This was causing a deadlock during shutdown, not sure why.
+        # with self._lock:
+        self._server_registry = msg["data"].state
+        self._update_dynamic_namespace()
 
-    def gui_is_alive(self):
+    def _do_show_all(self):
+        rpc_client = RPCBase(gui_id=f"{self._gui_id}:window", 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}:window", 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):
+        """Update the dynamic name space"""
+        # Clear the top level
+        self._top_level.clear()
+        # First we update the name space based on the new registry state
+        self._add_registry_to_namespace()
+        # Then we clear the ipython registry from old objects
+        self._cleanup_ipython_registry()
+
+    def _cleanup_ipython_registry(self):
+        """Cleanup the ipython registry"""
+        names_in_registry = list(self._ipython_registry.keys())
+        names_in_server_state = list(self._server_registry.keys())
+        remove_ids = list(set(names_in_registry) - set(names_in_server_state))
+        for widget_id in remove_ids:
+            self._ipython_registry.pop(widget_id)
+        self._cleanup_rpc_references_on_rpc_base(remove_ids)
+        # Clear the exposed widgets
+        self._exposed_widgets.clear()  # No longer needed I think
+
+    def _cleanup_rpc_references_on_rpc_base(self, remove_ids: list[str]) -> None:
+        """Cleanup the rpc references on the RPCBase object"""
+        if not remove_ids:
+            return
+        for widget in self._ipython_registry.values():
+            to_delete = []
+            for attr_name, gui_id in widget._rpc_references.items():
+                if gui_id in remove_ids:
+                    to_delete.append(attr_name)
+            for attr_name in to_delete:
+                if hasattr(widget, attr_name):
+                    delattr(widget, attr_name)
+                if attr_name.startswith("elements."):
+                    delattr(widget.elements, attr_name.split(".")[1])
+                widget._rpc_references.pop(attr_name)
+
+    def _set_dynamic_attributes(self, obj: object, name: str, value: Any) -> None:
+        """Add an object to the namespace"""
+        setattr(obj, name, value)
+
+    def _update_rpc_references(self, widget: RPCBase, name: str, gui_id: str) -> None:
+        """Update the RPC references"""
+        widget._rpc_references[name] = gui_id
+
+    def _add_registry_to_namespace(self) -> None:
+        """Add registry to namespace"""
+        # Add dock areas
+        dock_area_states = [
+            state
+            for state in self._server_registry.values()
+            if state["widget_class"] == "BECDockArea"
+        ]
+        for state in dock_area_states:
+            dock_area_ref = self._add_widget(state, self)
+            dock_area = self._ipython_registry.get(dock_area_ref._gui_id)
+            if not hasattr(dock_area, "elements"):
+                self._set_dynamic_attributes(dock_area, "elements", WidgetNameSpace())
+            self._set_dynamic_attributes(self, dock_area.widget_name, dock_area_ref)
+            # Keep track of rpc references on RPCBase object
+            self._update_rpc_references(self, dock_area.widget_name, dock_area_ref._gui_id)
+            # Add dock_area to the top level
+            self._top_level[dock_area_ref.widget_name] = dock_area_ref
+            self._exposed_widgets.append(dock_area_ref._gui_id)
+
+            # Add docks
+            dock_states = [
+                state
+                for state in self._server_registry.values()
+                if state["config"].get("parent_id", "") == dock_area_ref._gui_id
+            ]
+            for state in dock_states:
+                dock_ref = self._add_widget(state, dock_area)
+                dock = self._ipython_registry.get(dock_ref._gui_id)
+                self._set_dynamic_attributes(dock_area, dock_ref.widget_name, dock_ref)
+                # Keep track of rpc references on RPCBase object
+                self._update_rpc_references(dock_area, dock_ref.widget_name, dock_ref._gui_id)
+                # Keep track of exposed docks
+                self._exposed_widgets.append(dock_ref._gui_id)
+
+                # Add widgets
+                widget_states = [
+                    state
+                    for state in self._server_registry.values()
+                    if state["config"].get("parent_id", "") == dock_ref._gui_id
+                ]
+                for state in widget_states:
+                    widget_ref = self._add_widget(state, dock)
+                    self._set_dynamic_attributes(dock, widget_ref.widget_name, widget_ref)
+                    self._set_dynamic_attributes(
+                        dock_area.elements, widget_ref.widget_name, widget_ref
+                    )
+                    # Keep track of rpc references on RPCBase object
+                    self._update_rpc_references(
+                        dock_area, f"elements.{widget_ref.widget_name}", widget_ref._gui_id
+                    )
+                    self._update_rpc_references(dock, widget_ref.widget_name, widget_ref._gui_id)
+                    # Keep track of exposed widgets
+                    self._exposed_widgets.append(widget_ref._gui_id)
+
+    def _add_widget(self, state: dict, parent: object) -> RPCReference:
+        """Add a widget to the namespace
+
+        Args:
+            state (dict): The state of the widget from the _server_registry.
+            parent (object): The parent object.
         """
-        Check if the GUI is alive.
-        """
-        heart = self._client.connector.get(MessageEndpoints.gui_heartbeat(self._root._gui_id))
-        if heart is None:
-            return False
-        if heart.status == messages.BECStatus.RUNNING:
-            return True
-        return False
+        name = state["name"]
+        gui_id = state["gui_id"]
+        try:
+            widget_class = getattr(client, state["widget_class"])
+        except AttributeError as e:
+            raise AttributeError(
+                f"Failed to find user widget {state['widget_class']} in the client - did you run bw-generate-cli to generate the plugin files?"
+            ) from e
+        obj = self._ipython_registry.get(gui_id)
+        if obj is None:
+            widget = widget_class(gui_id=gui_id, name=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

@@ -2,15 +2,21 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import argparse
+import importlib
 import inspect
 import os
 import sys
+from pathlib import Path
 
 import black
 import isort
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from qtpy.QtCore import Property as QtProperty
 
-from bec_widgets.utils.generate_designer_plugin import DesignerPluginGenerator
-from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import BECClassContainer, get_rpc_classes
+from bec_widgets.utils.generate_designer_plugin import DesignerPluginGenerator, plugin_filenames
+from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import BECClassContainer, get_custom_classes
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
 
 if sys.version_info >= (3, 11):
     from typing import get_overloads
@@ -28,12 +34,25 @@ else:
 
 
 class ClientGenerator:
-    def __init__(self):
-        self.header = """# This file was automatically generated by generate_cli.py\n
-import enum
-from typing import Literal, Optional, overload
+    def __init__(self, base=False):
+        self._base = base
+        base_imports = (
+            """import enum
+import inspect
+from typing import Literal, Optional
+"""
+            if self._base
+            else "\n"
+        )
+        self.header = f"""# This file was automatically generated by generate_cli.py\n
+from __future__ import annotations
+{base_imports}
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 
-from bec_widgets.cli.client_utils import RPCBase, rpc_call, BECGuiClientMixin
+from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_base import RPCBase, rpc_call
+{"from bec_widgets.utils.bec_plugin_helper import get_all_plugin_widgets, get_plugin_client_module" if self._base else ""}
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
 
 # pylint: skip-file"""
 
@@ -41,18 +60,26 @@ from bec_widgets.cli.client_utils import RPCBase, rpc_call, BECGuiClientMixin
 
     def generate_client(self, class_container: BECClassContainer):
         """
-        Generate the client for the published classes.
+        Generate the client for the published classes, skipping any classes
+        that have `RPC = False`.
 
         Args:
             class_container: The class container with the classes to generate the client for.
         """
-        rpc_top_level_classes = class_container.rpc_top_level_classes
+        # Filter out classes that explicitly have RPC=False
+        rpc_top_level_classes = [
+            cls for cls in class_container.rpc_top_level_classes if getattr(cls, "RPC", True)
+        ]
         rpc_top_level_classes.sort(key=lambda x: x.__name__)
-        connector_classes = class_container.connector_classes
+
+        connector_classes = [
+            cls for cls in class_container.connector_classes if getattr(cls, "RPC", True)
+        ]
         connector_classes.sort(key=lambda x: x.__name__)
 
         self.write_client_enum(rpc_top_level_classes)
         for cls in connector_classes:
+            logger.debug(f"generating RPC client class for {cls.__name__}")
             self.content += "\n\n"
             self.generate_content_for_class(cls)
 
@@ -60,14 +87,48 @@ from bec_widgets.cli.client_utils import RPCBase, rpc_call, BECGuiClientMixin
         """
         Write the client enum to the content.
         """
+        if self._base:
+            self.content += """
+class _WidgetsEnumType(str, enum.Enum):
+    \"\"\" Enum for the available widgets, to be generated programatically  \"\"\"
+    ...
+    """
+
         self.content += """
-class Widgets(str, enum.Enum):
-    \"\"\"
-    Enum for the available widgets.
-    \"\"\"
+
+_Widgets = {
     """
         for cls in published_classes:
-            self.content += f'{cls.__name__} = "{cls.__name__}"\n    '
+            self.content += f'"{cls.__name__}": "{cls.__name__}",\n    '
+
+        self.content += """}
+"""
+        if self._base:
+            self.content += """
+
+_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
+
+"""
 
     def generate_content_for_class(self, cls):
         """
@@ -79,22 +140,52 @@ class Widgets(str, enum.Enum):
 
         class_name = cls.__name__
 
-        # Generate the content
-        if cls.__name__ == "BECDockArea":
+        if class_name == "BECDockArea":
             self.content += f"""
-class {class_name}(RPCBase, BECGuiClientMixin):"""
+class {class_name}(RPCBase):"""
         else:
             self.content += f"""
 class {class_name}(RPCBase):"""
+
+        if cls.__doc__:
+            # We only want the first line of the docstring
+            # But skip the first line if it's a blank line
+            first_line = cls.__doc__.split("\n")[0]
+            if first_line:
+                class_docs = first_line
+            else:
+                class_docs = cls.__doc__.split("\n")[1]
+            self.content += f"""
+    \"\"\"{class_docs}\"\"\"
+    """
         if not cls.USER_ACCESS:
             self.content += """...
     """
+
         for method in cls.USER_ACCESS:
-            obj = getattr(cls, method)
-            if isinstance(obj, property):
-                self.content += """
+            is_property_setter = False
+            obj = getattr(cls, method, None)
+            if obj is None:
+                obj = getattr(cls, method.split(".setter")[0], None)
+                is_property_setter = True
+                method = method.split(".setter")[0]
+            if obj is None:
+                raise AttributeError(
+                    f"Method {method} not found in class {cls.__name__}. "
+                    f"Please check the USER_ACCESS list."
+                )
+
+            if isinstance(obj, (property, QtProperty)):
+                # for the cli, we can map qt properties to regular properties
+                if is_property_setter:
+                    self.content += f"""
+    @{method}.setter
+    @rpc_call"""
+                else:
+                    self.content += """
     @property
     @rpc_call"""
+
                 sig = str(inspect.signature(obj.fget))
                 doc = inspect.getdoc(obj.fget)
             else:
@@ -149,41 +240,61 @@ def main():
     """
 
     parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="Auto-generate the client for RPC widgets")
-    parser.add_argument("--core", action="store_true", help="Whether to generate the core client")
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--target",
+        action="store",
+        type=str,
+        help="Which package to generate plugin files for. Should be installed in the local environment (example: my_plugin_repo)",
+    )
 
     args = parser.parse_args()
+    if args.target is None:
+        logger.error(
+            "You must provide a target - for safety, the default of running this on bec_widgets core has been removed. To generate the client for bec_widgets, run bw-generate-cli --target bec_widgets"
+        )
+        return
 
-    if args.core:
-        current_path = os.path.dirname(__file__)
-        client_path = os.path.join(current_path, "client.py")
+    logger.info(f"BEC Widget code generation tool started with args: {args}")
 
-        rpc_classes = get_rpc_classes("bec_widgets")
+    client_subdir = "cli" if args.target == "bec_widgets" else "widgets"
+    module_name = "bec_widgets" if args.target == "bec_widgets" else f"{args.target}.bec_widgets"
 
-        generator = ClientGenerator()
-        generator.generate_client(rpc_classes)
-        generator.write(client_path)
+    try:
+        module = importlib.import_module(module_name)
+        assert module.__file__ is not None
+        module_file = Path(module.__file__)
+        module_dir = module_file.parent if module_file.is_file() else module_file
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"Failed to load module {module_name} for code generation: {e}")
+        return
 
-        for cls in rpc_classes.plugins:
-            plugin = DesignerPluginGenerator(cls)
-            if not hasattr(plugin, "info"):
-                continue
+    client_path = module_dir / client_subdir / "client.py"
 
-            # if the class directory already has a register, plugin and pyproject file, skip
-            if os.path.exists(
-                os.path.join(plugin.info.base_path, f"register_{plugin.info.plugin_name_snake}.py")
-            ):
-                continue
-            if os.path.exists(
-                os.path.join(plugin.info.base_path, f"{plugin.info.plugin_name_snake}_plugin.py")
-            ):
-                continue
-            if os.path.exists(
-                os.path.join(plugin.info.base_path, f"{plugin.info.plugin_name_snake}.pyproject")
-            ):
-                continue
-            plugin.run()
+    rpc_classes = get_custom_classes(module_name)
+    logger.info(f"Obtained classes with RPC objects: {rpc_classes!r}")
+
+    generator = ClientGenerator(base=module_name == "bec_widgets")
+    logger.info(f"Generating client file at {client_path}")
+    generator.generate_client(rpc_classes)
+    generator.write(str(client_path))
+
+    for cls in rpc_classes.plugins:
+        logger.info(f"Writing bec-designer plugin files for {cls.__name__}...")
+        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"]
     main()

bec_widgets/cli/rpc/rpc_base.py

@@ -0,0 +1,260 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import inspect
+import threading
+import uuid
+from functools import wraps
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any
+
+from bec_lib.client import BECClient
+from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
+from bec_lib.utils.import_utils import lazy_import, lazy_import_from
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
+    from bec_lib import messages
+    from bec_lib.connector import MessageObject
+
+    import bec_widgets.cli.client as client
+else:
+    client = lazy_import("bec_widgets.cli.client")  # avoid circular import
+    messages = lazy_import("bec_lib.messages")
+    MessageObject = lazy_import_from("bec_lib.connector", ("MessageObject",))
+
+# pylint: disable=protected-access
+
+
+def rpc_call(func):
+    """
+    A decorator for calling a function on the server.
+
+    Args:
+        func: The function to call.
+
+    Returns:
+        The result of the function call.
+    """
+
+    @wraps(func)
+    def wrapper(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        # we could rely on a strict type check here, but this is more flexible
+        # moreover, it would anyway crash for objects...
+        caller_frame = inspect.currentframe().f_back
+        while caller_frame:
+            if "jedi" in caller_frame.f_globals:
+                # Jedi module is present, likely tab completion
+                # Do not run the RPC call
+                return None  # func(*args, **kwargs)
+            caller_frame = caller_frame.f_back
+
+        out = []
+        for arg in args:
+            if hasattr(arg, "name"):
+                arg = arg.name
+            out.append(arg)
+        args = tuple(out)
+        for key, val in kwargs.items():
+            if hasattr(val, "name"):
+                kwargs[key] = val.name
+        if not self._root._gui_is_alive():
+            raise RuntimeError("GUI is not alive")
+        return self._run_rpc(func.__name__, *args, **kwargs)
+
+    return wrapper
+
+
+class RPCResponseTimeoutError(Exception):
+    """Exception raised when an RPC response is not received within the expected time."""
+
+    def __init__(self, request_id, timeout):
+        super().__init__(
+            f"RPC response not received within {timeout} seconds for request ID {request_id}"
+        )
+
+
+class DeletedWidgetError(Exception): ...
+
+
+def check_for_deleted_widget(func):
+    @wraps(func)
+    def wrapper(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        if self._gui_id not in self._registry:
+            raise DeletedWidgetError(f"Widget with gui_id {self._gui_id} has been deleted")
+        return func(self, *args, **kwargs)
+
+    return wrapper
+
+
+class RPCReference:
+    def __init__(self, registry: dict, gui_id: str) -> None:
+        self._registry = registry
+        self._gui_id = gui_id
+
+    @check_for_deleted_widget
+    def __getattr__(self, name):
+        if name in ["_registry", "_gui_id"]:
+            return super().__getattribute__(name)
+        return self._registry[self._gui_id].__getattribute__(name)
+
+    @check_for_deleted_widget
+    def __getitem__(self, key):
+        return self._registry[self._gui_id].__getitem__(key)
+
+    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__()
+
+
+class RPCBase:
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        gui_id: str | None = None,
+        config: dict | None = None,
+        name: str | None = None,
+        parent=None,
+    ) -> None:
+        self._client = BECClient()  # BECClient is a singleton; here, we simply get the instance
+        self._config = config if config is not None else {}
+        self._gui_id = gui_id if gui_id is not None else str(uuid.uuid4())[:5]
+        self._name = name if name is not None else str(uuid.uuid4())[:5]
+        self._parent = parent
+        self._msg_wait_event = threading.Event()
+        self._rpc_response = None
+        super().__init__()
+        self._rpc_references: dict[str, str] = {}
+
+    def __repr__(self):
+        type_ = type(self)
+        qualname = type_.__qualname__
+        return f"<{qualname} with name: {self.widget_name}>"
+
+    def remove(self):
+        """
+        Remove the widget.
+        """
+        self._run_rpc("remove")
+
+    @property
+    def widget_name(self):
+        """
+        Get the widget name.
+        """
+        return self._name
+
+    @property
+    def _root(self):
+        """
+        Get the root widget. This is the BECFigure widget that holds
+        the anchor gui_id.
+        """
+        parent = self
+        # pylint: disable=protected-access
+        while parent._parent is not None:
+            parent = parent._parent
+        return parent
+
+    def _run_rpc(self, method, *args, wait_for_rpc_response=True, timeout=3, **kwargs) -> Any:
+        """
+        Run the RPC call.
+
+        Args:
+            method: The method to call.
+            args: The arguments to pass to the method.
+            wait_for_rpc_response: Whether to wait for the RPC response.
+            kwargs: The keyword arguments to pass to the method.
+
+        Returns:
+            The result of the RPC call.
+        """
+        request_id = str(uuid.uuid4())
+        rpc_msg = messages.GUIInstructionMessage(
+            action=method,
+            parameter={"args": args, "kwargs": kwargs, "gui_id": self._gui_id},
+            metadata={"request_id": request_id},
+        )
+        # pylint: disable=protected-access
+        receiver = self._root._gui_id
+        if wait_for_rpc_response:
+            self._rpc_response = None
+            self._msg_wait_event.clear()
+            self._client.connector.register(
+                MessageEndpoints.gui_instruction_response(request_id),
+                cb=self._on_rpc_response,
+                parent=self,
+            )
+
+        self._client.connector.set_and_publish(MessageEndpoints.gui_instructions(receiver), rpc_msg)
+
+        if wait_for_rpc_response:
+            try:
+                finished = self._msg_wait_event.wait(timeout)
+                if not finished:
+                    raise RPCResponseTimeoutError(request_id, timeout)
+            finally:
+                self._msg_wait_event.clear()
+                self._client.connector.unregister(
+                    MessageEndpoints.gui_instruction_response(request_id), cb=self._on_rpc_response
+                )
+            # get class name
+            if not self._rpc_response.accepted:
+                raise ValueError(self._rpc_response.message["error"])
+            msg_result = self._rpc_response.message.get("result")
+            self._rpc_response = None
+            return self._create_widget_from_msg_result(msg_result)
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _on_rpc_response(msg: MessageObject, parent: RPCBase) -> None:
+        msg = msg.value
+        parent._msg_wait_event.set()
+        parent._rpc_response = msg
+
+    def _create_widget_from_msg_result(self, msg_result):
+        if msg_result is None:
+            return None
+        if isinstance(msg_result, list):
+            return [self._create_widget_from_msg_result(res) for res in msg_result]
+        if isinstance(msg_result, dict):
+            if "__rpc__" not in msg_result:
+                return {
+                    key: self._create_widget_from_msg_result(val) for key, val in msg_result.items()
+                }
+            cls = msg_result.pop("widget_class", None)
+            msg_result.pop("__rpc__", None)
+
+            if not cls:
+                return msg_result
+
+            cls = getattr(client, cls)
+            # The namespace of the object will be updated dynamically on the client side
+            # Therefor 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
+            obj = RPCReference(self._root._ipython_registry, ret._gui_id)
+            return obj
+            # return ret
+        return msg_result
+
+    def _gui_is_alive(self):
+        """
+        Check if the GUI is alive.
+        """
+        heart = self._client.connector.get(MessageEndpoints.gui_heartbeat(self._root._gui_id))
+        if heart is None:
+            return False
+        if heart.status == messages.BECStatus.RUNNING:
+            return True
+        return False

bec_widgets/cli/rpc/rpc_register.py

@@ -0,0 +1,176 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from functools import wraps
+from threading import Lock, RLock
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Callable
+from weakref import WeakValueDictionary
+
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from qtpy.QtCore import QObject
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
+    from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector
+    from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock.dock import BECDock
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock.dock_area import BECDockArea
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
+
+def broadcast_update(func):
+    """
+    Decorator to broadcast updates to the RPCRegister whenever a new RPC object is added or removed.
+    If class attribute _skip_broadcast is set to True, the broadcast will be skipped
+    """
+
+    @wraps(func)
+    def wrapper(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        result = func(self, *args, **kwargs)
+        self.broadcast()
+        return result
+
+    return wrapper
+
+
+class RPCRegister:
+    """
+    A singleton class that keeps track of all the RPC objects registered in the system for CLI usage.
+    """
+
+    _instance = None
+    _initialized = False
+
+    def __new__(cls, *args, **kwargs):
+        if cls._instance is None:
+            cls._instance = super(RPCRegister, cls).__new__(cls)
+            cls._initialized = False
+        return cls._instance
+
+    def __init__(self):
+        if self._initialized:
+            return
+        self._rpc_register = WeakValueDictionary()
+        self._broadcast_on_hold = RPCRegisterBroadcast(self)
+        self._lock = RLock()
+        self._skip_broadcast = False
+        self._initialized = True
+        self.callbacks = []
+
+    @classmethod
+    def delayed_broadcast(cls):
+        """
+        Delay the broadcast of the update to all the callbacks.
+        """
+        register = cls()
+        return register._broadcast_on_hold
+
+    @broadcast_update
+    def add_rpc(self, rpc: QObject):
+        """
+        Add an RPC object to the register.
+
+        Args:
+            rpc(QObject): The RPC object to be added to the register.
+        """
+        if not hasattr(rpc, "gui_id"):
+            raise ValueError("RPC object must have a 'gui_id' attribute.")
+        self._rpc_register[rpc.gui_id] = rpc
+
+    @broadcast_update
+    def remove_rpc(self, rpc: str):
+        """
+        Remove an RPC object from the register.
+
+        Args:
+            rpc(str): The RPC object to be removed from the register.
+        """
+        if not hasattr(rpc, "gui_id"):
+            raise ValueError(f"RPC object {rpc} must have a 'gui_id' attribute.")
+        self._rpc_register.pop(rpc.gui_id, None)
+
+    def get_rpc_by_id(self, gui_id: str) -> QObject | None:
+        """
+        Get an RPC object by its ID.
+
+        Args:
+            gui_id(str): The ID of the RPC object to be retrieved.
+
+        Returns:
+            QObject | None: The RPC object with the given ID or None
+        """
+        rpc_object = self._rpc_register.get(gui_id, None)
+        return rpc_object
+
+    def list_all_connections(self) -> dict:
+        """
+        List all the registered RPC objects.
+
+        Returns:
+            dict: A dictionary containing all the registered RPC objects.
+        """
+        with self._lock:
+            connections = dict(self._rpc_register)
+        return connections
+
+    def get_names_of_rpc_by_class_type(
+        self, cls: BECWidget | BECConnector | BECDock | 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._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 add_callback(self, callback: Callable[[dict], None]):
+        """
+        Add a callback that will be called whenever the registry is updated.
+
+        Args:
+            callback(Callable[[dict], None]): The callback to be added. It should accept a dictionary of all the
+            registered RPC objects as an argument.
+        """
+        self.callbacks.append(callback)
+
+    @classmethod
+    def reset_singleton(cls):
+        """
+        Reset the singleton instance.
+        """
+        cls._instance = None
+        cls._initialized = False
+
+
+class RPCRegisterBroadcast:
+    """Context manager for RPCRegister broadcast."""
+
+    def __init__(self, rpc_register: RPCRegister) -> None:
+        self.rpc_register = rpc_register
+        self._call_depth = 0
+
+    def __enter__(self):
+        """Enter the context manager"""
+        self._call_depth += 1  # Needed for nested calls
+        self.rpc_register._skip_broadcast = True
+        return self.rpc_register
+
+    def __exit__(self, *exc):
+        """Exit the context manager"""
+        self._call_depth -= 1  # Remove nested calls
+        if self._call_depth == 0:  # Last one to exit is repsonsible for broadcasting
+            self.rpc_register._skip_broadcast = False
+        self.rpc_register.broadcast()

bec_widgets/cli/rpc/rpc_widget_handler.py

@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from bec_widgets.cli.client_utils import IGNORE_WIDGETS
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_plugin_helper import get_all_plugin_widgets
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import get_custom_classes
+
+
+class RPCWidgetHandler:
+    """Handler class for creating widgets from RPC messages."""
+
+    def __init__(self):
+        self._widget_classes = None
+
+    @property
+    def widget_classes(self) -> dict[str, type[BECWidget]]:
+        """
+        Get the available widget classes.
+
+        Returns:
+            dict: The available widget classes.
+        """
+        if self._widget_classes is None:
+            self.update_available_widgets()
+        return self._widget_classes  # type: ignore
+
+    def update_available_widgets(self):
+        """
+        Update the available widgets.
+
+        Returns:
+            None
+        """
+        clss = get_custom_classes("bec_widgets")
+        self._widget_classes = get_all_plugin_widgets() | {
+            cls.__name__: cls for cls in clss.widgets if cls.__name__ not in IGNORE_WIDGETS
+        }
+
+    def create_widget(self, widget_type, name: str | None = None, **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(BECWidget): The created widget.
+        """
+        widget_class = self.widget_classes.get(widget_type)  # type: ignore
+        if widget_class:
+            return widget_class(name=name, **kwargs)
+        raise ValueError(f"Unknown widget type: {widget_type}")
+
+
+widget_handler = RPCWidgetHandler()

bec_widgets/cli/rpc_register.py

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

bec_widgets/cli/rpc_wigdet_handler.py

@@ -1,53 +0,0 @@
-from bec_widgets.utils import BECConnector
-
-
-class RPCWidgetHandler:
-    """Handler class for creating widgets from RPC messages."""
-
-    def __init__(self):
-        self._widget_classes = None
-
-    @property
-    def widget_classes(self):
-        """
-        Get the available widget classes.
-
-        Returns:
-            dict: The available widget classes.
-        """
-        if self._widget_classes is None:
-            self.update_available_widgets()
-        return self._widget_classes
-
-    def update_available_widgets(self):
-        """
-        Update the available widgets.
-
-        Returns:
-            None
-        """
-        from bec_widgets.utils.plugin_utils import get_rpc_classes
-
-        clss = get_rpc_classes("bec_widgets")
-        self._widget_classes = {cls.__name__: cls for cls in clss.top_level_classes}
-
-    def create_widget(self, widget_type, **kwargs) -> BECConnector:
-        """
-        Create a widget from an RPC message.
-
-        Args:
-            widget_type(str): The type of the widget.
-            **kwargs: The keyword arguments for the widget.
-
-        Returns:
-            widget(BECConnector): The created widget.
-        """
-        if self._widget_classes is None:
-            self.update_available_widgets()
-        widget_class = self._widget_classes.get(widget_type)
-        if widget_class:
-            return widget_class(**kwargs)
-        raise ValueError(f"Unknown widget type: {widget_type}")
-
-
-widget_handler = RPCWidgetHandler()

bec_widgets/cli/server.py

@@ -1,29 +1,55 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-import inspect
+import functools
 import json
 import signal
 import sys
-from contextlib import redirect_stderr, redirect_stdout
+import traceback
+import types
+from contextlib import contextmanager, redirect_stderr, redirect_stdout
 from typing import Union
 
 from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from bec_lib.service_config import ServiceConfig
 from bec_lib.utils.import_utils import lazy_import
-from qtpy.QtCore import QTimer
+from qtpy.QtCore import Qt, QTimer
+from redis.exceptions import RedisError
 
-from bec_widgets.cli.rpc_register import RPCRegister
+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.bec_dispatcher import QtRedisConnector
-from bec_widgets.widgets.dock.dock_area import BECDockArea
-from bec_widgets.widgets.figure import BECFigure
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import ErrorPopupUtility
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock import BECDockArea
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.main_window import BECMainWindow
 
 messages = lazy_import("bec_lib.messages")
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
 
+@contextmanager
+def rpc_exception_hook(err_func):
+    """This context replaces the popup message box for error display with a specific hook"""
+    # get error popup utility singleton
+    popup = ErrorPopupUtility()
+    # save current setting
+    old_exception_hook = popup.custom_exception_hook
+
+    # install err_func, if it is a callable
+    # 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 BECWidgetsCLIServer:
 
     def __init__(
@@ -32,16 +58,17 @@ class BECWidgetsCLIServer:
         dispatcher: BECDispatcher = None,
         client=None,
         config=None,
-        gui_class: Union[BECFigure, BECDockArea] = BECFigure,
+        gui_class: type[BECDockArea] = BECDockArea,
+        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
-        self.gui = gui_class(gui_id=self.gui_id)
+        # register broadcast callback
         self.rpc_register = RPCRegister()
-        self.rpc_register.add_rpc(self.gui)
+        self.rpc_register.add_callback(self.broadcast_registry_update)
 
         self.dispatcher.connect_slot(
             self.on_rpc_update, MessageEndpoints.gui_instructions(self.gui_id)
@@ -53,20 +80,27 @@ class BECWidgetsCLIServer:
         self._heartbeat_timer.start(200)
 
         self.status = messages.BECStatus.RUNNING
+        with RPCRegister.delayed_broadcast():
+            self.gui = gui_class(parent=None, name=gui_class_id, gui_id=gui_class_id)
+        logger.success(f"Server started with gui_id: {self.gui_id}")
+        # Create initial object -> BECFigure or BECDockArea
 
     def on_rpc_update(self, msg: dict, metadata: dict):
         request_id = metadata.get("request_id")
-        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:
-            print(e)
-            self.send_response(request_id, False, {"error": str(e)})
-        else:
-            self.send_response(request_id, True, {"result": res})
+        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: {traceback.format_exc()}")
+                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(
@@ -83,47 +117,72 @@ class BECWidgetsCLIServer:
         return obj
 
     def run_rpc(self, obj, method, args, kwargs):
-        method_obj = getattr(obj, method)
-        # check if the method accepts args and kwargs
-        if not callable(method_obj):
-            res = method_obj
-        else:
-            sig = inspect.signature(method_obj)
-            if sig.parameters:
-                res = method_obj(*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()
+                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
+            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):
+            config = obj.config.model_dump()
+            config["parent_id"] = obj.parent_id  # add parent_id to config
             return {
                 "gui_id": obj.gui_id,
+                "name": (
+                    obj._name if hasattr(obj, "_name") else obj.__class__.__name__
+                ),  # pylint: disable=protected-access
                 "widget_class": obj.__class__.__name__,
-                "config": obj.config.model_dump(),
+                "config": config,
                 "__rpc__": True,
             }
         return obj
 
     def emit_heartbeat(self):
-        self.client.connector.set(
-            MessageEndpoints.gui_heartbeat(self.gui_id),
-            messages.StatusMessage(name=self.gui_id, status=self.status, info={}),
-            expire=10,
+        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):
+        """
+        Broadcast the updated registry to all clients.
+        """
+
+        # We only need to broadcast the dock areas
+        data = {key: self.serialize_object(val) for key, val in connections.items()}
+        self.client.connector.xadd(
+            MessageEndpoints.gui_registry_state(self.gui_id),
+            msg_dict={"data": messages.GUIRegistryStateMessage(state=data)},
+            max_size=1,  # only single message in stream
         )
 
     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()
-        self.gui.close()
+        logger.info("Succeded in shutting down gui")
         self.client.shutdown()
 
 
@@ -137,14 +196,17 @@ class SimpleFileLikeFromLogOutputFunc:
 
     def flush(self):
         lines, _, remaining = "".join(self._buffer).rpartition("\n")
-        self._log_func(lines)
+        if lines:
+            self._log_func(lines)
         self._buffer = [remaining]
 
     def close(self):
         return
 
 
-def _start_server(gui_id: str, gui_class: Union[BECFigure, BECDockArea], config: str | None = None):
+def _start_server(
+    gui_id: str, gui_class: BECDockArea, gui_class_id: str = "bec", config: str | None = None
+):
     if config:
         try:
             config = json.loads(config)
@@ -155,13 +217,15 @@ def _start_server(gui_id: str, gui_class: Union[BECFigure, BECDockArea], config:
         # if no config is provided, use the default config
         service_config = ServiceConfig()
 
-    bec_logger.configure(
-        service_config.redis,
-        QtRedisConnector,
-        service_name="BECWidgetsCLIServer",
-        service_config=service_config.service_config,
+    # 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, gui_class_id=gui_class_id
     )
-    server = BECWidgetsCLIServer(gui_id=gui_id, config=service_config, gui_class=gui_class)
     return server
 
 
@@ -171,36 +235,50 @@ def main():
 
     from qtpy.QtCore import QSize
     from qtpy.QtGui import QIcon
-    from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QMainWindow
+    from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
     import bec_widgets
 
     parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="BEC Widgets CLI Server")
-    parser.add_argument("--id", type=str, help="The id of the server")
+    parser.add_argument("--id", type=str, default="test", help="The id of the server")
     parser.add_argument(
         "--gui_class",
         type=str,
         help="Name of the gui class to be rendered. Possible values: \n- BECFigure\n- BECDockArea",
     )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--gui_class_id",
+        type=str,
+        default="bec",
+        help="The id of the gui class that is added to the QApplication",
+    )
     parser.add_argument("--config", type=str, help="Config file or config string.")
+    parser.add_argument("--hide", action="store_true", help="Hide on startup")
 
     args = parser.parse_args()
 
-    if args.gui_class == "BECFigure":
-        gui_class = BECFigure
-    elif args.gui_class == "BECDockArea":
+    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
     else:
         print(
             "Please specify a valid gui_class to run. Use -h for help."
             "\n Starting with default gui_class BECFigure."
         )
-        gui_class = BECFigure
+        gui_class = BECDockArea
 
-    with redirect_stdout(SimpleFileLikeFromLogOutputFunc(logger.debug)):
+    with redirect_stdout(SimpleFileLikeFromLogOutputFunc(logger.info)):
         with redirect_stderr(SimpleFileLikeFromLogOutputFunc(logger.error)):
             app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-            app.setApplicationName("BEC Figure")
+            # set close on last window, only if not under control of client ;
+            # indeed, Qt considers a hidden window a closed window, so if all windows
+            # are hidden by default it exits
+            app.setQuitOnLastWindowClosed(not args.hide)
             module_path = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
             icon = QIcon()
             icon.addFile(
@@ -208,30 +286,40 @@ def main():
                 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
 
-            win = QMainWindow()
-            win.setWindowTitle("BEC Widgets")
+            # args.id = "abff6"
+            server = _start_server(args.id, gui_class, args.gui_class_id, args.config)
 
-            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")
 
+            RPCRegister().add_rpc(win)
             gui = server.gui
             win.setCentralWidget(gui)
-            win.resize(800, 600)
-            win.show()
+            if not args.hide:
+                win.show()
 
             app.aboutToQuit.connect(server.shutdown)
 
             def sigint_handler(*args):
                 # display message, for people to let it terminate gracefully
                 print("Caught SIGINT, exiting")
+                # Widgets should be all closed.
+                with RPCRegister.delayed_broadcast():
+                    for widget in QApplication.instance().topLevelWidgets():
+                        widget.close()
                 app.quit()
 
+            # gui.bec.close()
+            # win.shutdown()
             signal.signal(signal.SIGINT, sigint_handler)
             signal.signal(signal.SIGTERM, sigint_handler)
 
             sys.exit(app.exec())
 
 
-if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
-    sys.argv = ["bec_widgets.cli.server", "--id", "test", "--gui_class", "BECDockArea"]
+if __name__ == "__main__":
     main()

bec_widgets/examples/general_app/general_app.py

@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ def main():  # pragma: no cover
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
     icon = QIcon()
     icon.addFile(
-        os.path.join(MODULE_PATH, "assets", "app_icons", "BEC-Dark.png"), size=QSize(48, 48)
+        os.path.join(MODULE_PATH, "assets", "app_icons", "BEC-General-App.png"), size=QSize(48, 48)
     )
     app.setWindowIcon(icon)
     main_window = BECGeneralApp()

bec_widgets/examples/jupyter_console/jupyter_console_window.py

@@ -2,12 +2,12 @@ import os
 
 import numpy as np
 import pyqtgraph as pg
-from qtpy.QtCore import QSize
-from qtpy.QtGui import QIcon
+from bec_qthemes import material_icon
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
     QApplication,
     QGroupBox,
     QHBoxLayout,
+    QPushButton,
     QSplitter,
     QTabWidget,
     QVBoxLayout,
@@ -15,10 +15,16 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
 )
 
 from bec_widgets.utils import BECDispatcher
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
-from bec_widgets.widgets.dock.dock_area import BECDockArea
-from bec_widgets.widgets.figure import BECFigure
-from bec_widgets.widgets.jupyter_console.jupyter_console import BECJupyterConsole
+from bec_widgets.utils.widget_io import WidgetHierarchy as wh
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock import BECDockArea
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.layout_manager.layout_manager import LayoutManagerWidget
+from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.jupyter_console.jupyter_console import BECJupyterConsole
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.image.image import Image
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.motor_map.motor_map import MotorMap
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.multi_waveform.multi_waveform import MultiWaveform
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.plot_base import PlotBase
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.scatter_waveform.scatter_waveform import ScatterWaveform
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.waveform import Waveform
 
 
 class JupyterConsoleWindow(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover:
@@ -35,26 +41,24 @@ class JupyterConsoleWindow(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover:
                 {
                     "np": np,
                     "pg": pg,
-                    "fig": self.figure,
+                    "wh": wh,
                     "dock": self.dock,
-                    "w1": self.w1,
-                    "w2": self.w2,
-                    "w3": self.w3,
-                    "w4": self.w4,
-                    "w5": self.w5,
-                    "w6": self.w6,
-                    "w7": self.w7,
-                    "w8": self.w8,
-                    "w9": self.w9,
-                    "w10": self.w10,
-                    "d0": self.d0,
-                    "d1": self.d1,
-                    "d2": self.d2,
-                    "wave": self.wf,
-                    # "bar": self.bar,
-                    # "cm": self.colormap,
                     "im": self.im,
+                    "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,
                 }
             )
 
@@ -73,117 +77,85 @@ class JupyterConsoleWindow(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover:
         first_tab_layout.addWidget(self.dock)
         tab_widget.addTab(first_tab, "Dock Area")
 
-        second_tab = QWidget()
-        second_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(second_tab)
-        self.figure = BECFigure(parent=self, gui_id="figure")
-        second_tab_layout.addWidget(self.figure)
-        tab_widget.addTab(second_tab, "BEC Figure")
+        third_tab = QWidget()
+        third_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(third_tab)
+        self.lm = LayoutManagerWidget()
+        third_tab_layout.addWidget(self.lm)
+        tab_widget.addTab(third_tab, "Layout Manager Widget")
+
+        fourth_tab = QWidget()
+        fourth_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(fourth_tab)
+        self.pb = PlotBase()
+        self.pi = self.pb.plot_item
+        fourth_tab_layout.addWidget(self.pb)
+        tab_widget.addTab(fourth_tab, "PlotBase")
+
+        tab_widget.setCurrentIndex(3)
 
         group_box = QGroupBox("Jupyter Console", splitter)
         group_box_layout = QVBoxLayout(group_box)
         self.console = BECJupyterConsole(inprocess=True)
         group_box_layout.addWidget(self.console)
 
-        # add stuff to figure
-        self._init_figure()
+        # 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")
 
-        # init dock for testing
-        self._init_dock()
+        fifth_tab = QWidget()
+        fifth_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(fifth_tab)
+        self.wf = Waveform()
+        fifth_tab_layout.addWidget(self.wf)
+        tab_widget.addTab(fifth_tab, "Waveform Next Gen")
+        tab_widget.setCurrentIndex(4)
+
+        sixth_tab = QWidget()
+        sixth_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(sixth_tab)
+        self.im = Image()
+        self.mi = self.im.main_image
+        sixth_tab_layout.addWidget(self.im)
+        tab_widget.addTab(sixth_tab, "Image Next Gen")
+        tab_widget.setCurrentIndex(5)
+
+        seventh_tab = QWidget()
+        seventh_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(seventh_tab)
+        self.scatter = ScatterWaveform()
+        self.scatter_mi = self.scatter.main_curve
+        self.scatter.plot("samx", "samy", "bpm4i")
+        seventh_tab_layout.addWidget(self.scatter)
+        tab_widget.addTab(seventh_tab, "Scatter Waveform")
+        tab_widget.setCurrentIndex(6)
+
+        eighth_tab = QWidget()
+        eighth_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(eighth_tab)
+        self.mm = MotorMap()
+        eighth_tab_layout.addWidget(self.mm)
+        tab_widget.addTab(eighth_tab, "Motor Map")
+        tab_widget.setCurrentIndex(7)
+
+        ninth_tab = QWidget()
+        ninth_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(ninth_tab)
+        self.mwf = MultiWaveform()
+        ninth_tab_layout.addWidget(self.mwf)
+        tab_widget.addTab(ninth_tab, "MultiWaveform")
+        tab_widget.setCurrentIndex(8)
+
+        # add stuff to the new Waveform widget
+        self._init_waveform()
 
         self.setWindowTitle("Jupyter Console Window")
 
-    def _init_figure(self):
-        self.w1 = self.figure.plot(
-            x_name="samx",
-            y_name="bpm4i",
-            # title="Standard Plot with sync device, custom labels - w1",
-            # x_label="Motor Position",
-            # y_label="Intensity (A.U.)",
-            row=0,
-            col=0,
-        )
-        self.w1.set(
-            title="Standard Plot with sync device, custom labels - w1",
-            x_label="Motor Position",
-            y_label="Intensity (A.U.)",
-        )
-        self.w2 = self.figure.motor_map("samx", "samy", row=0, col=1)
-        self.w3 = self.figure.image(
-            "eiger", color_map="viridis", vrange=(0, 100), title="Eiger Image - w3", row=0, col=2
-        )
-        self.w4 = self.figure.plot(
-            x_name="samx",
-            y_name="samy",
-            z_name="bpm4i",
-            color_map_z="magma",
-            new=True,
-            title="2D scatter plot - w4",
-            row=0,
-            col=3,
-        )
-        self.w5 = self.figure.plot(
-            y_name="bpm4i",
-            new=True,
-            title="Best Effort Plot - w5",
-            dap="GaussianModel",
-            row=1,
-            col=0,
-        )
-        self.w6 = self.figure.plot(
-            x_name="timestamp", y_name="bpm4i", new=True, title="Timestamp Plot - w6", row=1, col=1
-        )
-        self.w7 = self.figure.plot(
-            x_name="index", y_name="bpm4i", new=True, title="Index Plot - w7", row=1, col=2
-        )
-        self.w8 = self.figure.plot(
-            y_name="monitor_async", new=True, title="Async Plot - Best Effort - w8", row=2, col=0
-        )
-        self.w9 = self.figure.plot(
-            x_name="timestamp",
-            y_name="monitor_async",
-            new=True,
-            title="Async Plot - timestamp - w9",
-            row=2,
-            col=1,
-        )
-        self.w10 = self.figure.plot(
-            x_name="index",
-            y_name="monitor_async",
-            new=True,
-            title="Async Plot - index - w10",
-            row=2,
-            col=2,
-        )
-
-    def _init_dock(self):
-
-        self.d0 = self.dock.add_dock(name="dock_0")
-        self.mm = self.d0.add_widget("BECMotorMapWidget")
-        self.mm.change_motors("samx", "samy")
-
-        self.d1 = self.dock.add_dock(name="dock_1", position="right")
-        self.im = self.d1.add_widget("BECImageWidget")
-        self.im.image("eiger")
-
-        self.d2 = self.dock.add_dock(name="dock_2", position="bottom")
-        self.wf = self.d2.add_widget("BECWaveformWidget", row=0, col=0)
-        self.wf.plot(x_name="samx", y_name="bpm3a")
-        self.wf.plot(x_name="samx", y_name="bpm4i", dap="GaussianModel")
-        # self.bar = self.d2.add_widget("RingProgressBar", row=0, col=1)
-        # self.bar.set_diameter(200)
-
-        # self.d3 = self.dock.add_dock(name="dock_3", position="bottom")
-        # self.colormap = pg.GradientWidget()
-        # self.d3.add_widget(self.colormap, row=0, col=0)
-
-        self.dock.save_state()
+    def _init_waveform(self):
+        self.wf.plot(y_name="bpm4i", y_entry="bpm4i", dap="GaussianModel")
+        self.wf.plot(y_name="bpm3a", y_entry="bpm3a", dap="GaussianModel")
 
     def closeEvent(self, event):
         """Override to handle things when main window is closed."""
         self.dock.cleanup()
         self.dock.close()
-        self.figure.cleanup()
-        self.figure.close()
         self.console.close()
 
         super().closeEvent(event)
@@ -199,11 +171,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
     app.setApplicationName("Jupyter Console")
     app.setApplicationDisplayName("Jupyter Console")
-    apply_theme("dark")
-    icon = QIcon()
-    icon.addFile(
-        os.path.join(module_path, "assets", "app_icons", "terminal_icon.png"), size=QSize(48, 48)
-    )
+    icon = material_icon("terminal", color=(255, 255, 255, 255), filled=True)
     app.setWindowIcon(icon)
 
     bec_dispatcher = BECDispatcher()
@@ -212,6 +180,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
 
     win = JupyterConsoleWindow()
     win.show()
+    win.resize(1500, 800)
 
     app.aboutToQuit.connect(win.close)
     sys.exit(app.exec_())

bec_widgets/examples/plugin_example_pyside/tictactoe.py

@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@ class TicTacToe(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover
         super().__init__(parent)
         self._state = DEFAULT_STATE
         self._turn_number = 0
-        print("TicTac HERE !!!!!!")
 
     def minimumSizeHint(self):
         return QSize(200, 200)

bec_widgets/examples/plugin_example_pyside/tictactoetaskmenu.py

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

bec_widgets/qt_utils/toolbar.py

@@ -1,221 +0,0 @@
-# pylint: disable=no-name-in-module
-import os
-from abc import ABC, abstractmethod
-from collections import defaultdict
-
-from bec_qthemes._icon.material_icons import material_icon
-from qtpy.QtCore import QSize
-from qtpy.QtGui import QAction, QIcon
-from qtpy.QtWidgets import QHBoxLayout, QLabel, QMenu, QToolBar, QToolButton, QWidget
-
-import bec_widgets
-
-MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
-
-
-class ToolBarAction(ABC):
-    """
-    Abstract base class for toolbar actions.
-
-    Args:
-        icon_path (str, optional): The name of the icon file from `assets/toolbar_icons`. Defaults to None.
-        tooltip (bool, optional): The tooltip for the action. Defaults to None.
-        checkable (bool, optional): Whether the action is checkable. Defaults to False.
-    """
-
-    def __init__(self, icon_path: str = None, tooltip: str = None, checkable: bool = False):
-        self.icon_path = (
-            os.path.join(MODULE_PATH, "assets", "toolbar_icons", icon_path) if icon_path else None
-        )
-        self.tooltip = tooltip
-        self.checkable = checkable
-        self.action = None
-
-    @abstractmethod
-    def add_to_toolbar(self, toolbar: QToolBar, target: QWidget):
-        """Adds an action or widget to a toolbar.
-
-        Args:
-            toolbar (QToolBar): The toolbar to add the action or widget to.
-            target (QWidget): The target widget for the action.
-        """
-
-
-class SeparatorAction(ToolBarAction):
-    """Separator action for the toolbar."""
-
-    def add_to_toolbar(self, toolbar: QToolBar, target: QWidget):
-        self.separator = QToolButton()
-        self.separator.setFixedSize(2, 22)
-        toolbar.addWidget(self.separator)
-
-
-class IconAction(ToolBarAction):
-    """
-    Action with an icon for the toolbar.
-
-    Args:
-        icon_path (str): The path to the icon file.
-        tooltip (str): The tooltip for the action.
-        checkable (bool, optional): Whether the action is checkable. Defaults to False.
-    """
-
-    def __init__(self, icon_path: str = None, tooltip: str = None, checkable: bool = False):
-        super().__init__(icon_path, tooltip, checkable)
-
-    def add_to_toolbar(self, toolbar: QToolBar, target: QWidget):
-        icon = QIcon()
-        icon.addFile(self.icon_path, size=QSize(20, 20))
-        self.action = QAction(icon, self.tooltip, target)
-        self.action.setCheckable(self.checkable)
-        toolbar.addAction(self.action)
-
-
-class MaterialIconAction:
-    """
-    Action with a Material icon for the toolbar.
-
-    Args:
-        icon_path (str, optional): The name of the Material icon. Defaults to None.
-        tooltip (bool, optional): The tooltip for the action. Defaults to None.
-        checkable (bool, optional): Whether the action is checkable. Defaults to False.
-        filled (bool, optional): Whether the icon is filled. Defaults to False.
-    """
-
-    def __init__(
-        self,
-        icon_name: str = None,
-        tooltip: str = None,
-        checkable: bool = False,
-        filled: bool = False,
-    ):
-        self.icon_name = icon_name
-        self.tooltip = tooltip
-        self.checkable = checkable
-        self.action = None
-        self.filled = filled
-
-    def add_to_toolbar(self, toolbar: QToolBar, target: QWidget):
-        icon = self.get_icon()
-        self.action = QAction(icon, self.tooltip, target)
-        self.action.setCheckable(self.checkable)
-        toolbar.addAction(self.action)
-
-    def get_icon(self):
-
-        icon = material_icon(
-            self.icon_name, size=(20, 20), convert_to_pixmap=False, filled=self.filled
-        )
-        return icon
-
-
-class DeviceSelectionAction(ToolBarAction):
-    """
-    Action for selecting a device in a combobox.
-
-    Args:
-        label (str): The label for the combobox.
-        device_combobox (DeviceComboBox): The combobox for selecting the device.
-
-    """
-
-    def __init__(self, label: str, device_combobox):
-        super().__init__()
-        self.label = label
-        self.device_combobox = device_combobox
-        self.device_combobox.currentIndexChanged.connect(lambda: self.set_combobox_style("#ffa700"))
-
-    def add_to_toolbar(self, toolbar, target):
-        widget = QWidget()
-        layout = QHBoxLayout(widget)
-        label = QLabel(f"{self.label}")
-        layout.addWidget(label)
-        layout.addWidget(self.device_combobox)
-        toolbar.addWidget(widget)
-
-    def set_combobox_style(self, color: str):
-        self.device_combobox.setStyleSheet(f"QComboBox {{ background-color: {color}; }}")
-
-
-class ExpandableMenuAction(ToolBarAction):
-    """
-    Action for an expandable menu in the toolbar.
-
-    Args:
-        label (str): The label for the menu.
-        actions (dict): A dictionary of actions to populate the menu.
-        icon_path (str, optional): The path to the icon file. Defaults to None.
-
-    """
-
-    def __init__(self, label: str, actions: dict, icon_path: str = None):
-        super().__init__(icon_path, label)
-        self.actions = actions
-        self.widgets = defaultdict(dict)
-
-    def add_to_toolbar(self, toolbar: QToolBar, target: QWidget):
-        button = QToolButton(toolbar)
-        if self.icon_path:
-            button.setIcon(QIcon(self.icon_path))
-        button.setText(self.tooltip)
-        button.setPopupMode(QToolButton.InstantPopup)
-        button.setStyleSheet(
-            """
-                   QToolButton {
-                       font-size: 14px;
-                   }
-                   QMenu {
-                       font-size: 14px;
-                   }
-               """
-        )
-        menu = QMenu(button)
-        for action_id, action in self.actions.items():
-            sub_action = QAction(action.tooltip, target)
-            if hasattr(action, "icon_path"):
-                icon = QIcon()
-                icon.addFile(action.icon_path, size=QSize(20, 20))
-                sub_action.setIcon(icon)
-            elif hasattr(action, "get_icon"):
-                sub_action.setIcon(action.get_icon())
-            sub_action.setCheckable(action.checkable)
-            menu.addAction(sub_action)
-            self.widgets[action_id] = sub_action
-        button.setMenu(menu)
-        toolbar.addWidget(button)
-
-
-class ModularToolBar(QToolBar):
-    """Modular toolbar with optional automatic initialization.
-    Args:
-        parent (QWidget, optional): The parent widget of the toolbar. Defaults to None.
-        actions (list[ToolBarAction], optional): A list of action creators to populate the toolbar. Defaults to None.
-        target_widget (QWidget, optional): The widget that the actions will target. Defaults to None.
-    """
-
-    def __init__(self, parent=None, actions: dict | None = None, target_widget=None):
-        super().__init__(parent)
-
-        self.widgets = defaultdict(dict)
-        self.set_background_color()
-
-        if actions is not None and target_widget is not None:
-            self.populate_toolbar(actions, target_widget)
-
-    def populate_toolbar(self, actions: dict, target_widget):
-        """Populates the toolbar with a set of actions.
-
-        Args:
-            actions (list[ToolBarAction]): A list of action creators to populate the toolbar.
-            target_widget (QWidget): The widget that the actions will target.
-        """
-        self.clear()
-        for action_id, action in actions.items():
-            action.add_to_toolbar(self, target_widget)
-            self.widgets[action_id] = action
-
-    def set_background_color(self):
-        self.setIconSize(QSize(20, 20))
-        self.setMovable(False)
-        self.setFloatable(False)
-        self.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)

bec_widgets/tests/utils.py

@@ -0,0 +1,234 @@
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock
+
+from bec_lib.device import Device as BECDevice
+from bec_lib.device import Positioner as BECPositioner
+from bec_lib.device import ReadoutPriority
+from bec_lib.devicemanager import DeviceContainer
+
+
+class FakeDevice(BECDevice):
+    """Fake minimal positioner class for testing."""
+
+    def __init__(self, name, enabled=True, readout_priority=ReadoutPriority.MONITORED):
+        super().__init__(name=name)
+        self._enabled = enabled
+        self.signals = {self.name: {"value": 1.0}}
+        self.description = {self.name: {"source": self.name, "dtype": "number", "shape": []}}
+        self._readout_priority = readout_priority
+        self._config = {
+            "readoutPriority": "baseline",
+            "deviceClass": "ophyd.Device",
+            "deviceConfig": {},
+            "deviceTags": ["user device"],
+            "enabled": enabled,
+            "readOnly": False,
+            "name": self.name,
+        }
+
+    @property
+    def readout_priority(self):
+        return self._readout_priority
+
+    @readout_priority.setter
+    def readout_priority(self, value):
+        self._readout_priority = value
+
+    @property
+    def limits(self) -> tuple[float, float]:
+        return self._limits
+
+    @limits.setter
+    def limits(self, value: tuple[float, float]):
+        self._limits = value
+
+    def __contains__(self, item):
+        return item == self.name
+
+    @property
+    def _hints(self):
+        return [self.name]
+
+    def set_value(self, fake_value: float = 1.0) -> None:
+        """
+        Setup fake value for device readout
+        Args:
+            fake_value(float): Desired fake value
+        """
+        self.signals[self.name]["value"] = fake_value
+
+    def describe(self) -> dict:
+        """
+        Get the description of the device
+        Returns:
+            dict: Description of the device
+        """
+        return self.description
+
+
+class FakePositioner(BECPositioner):
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        name,
+        enabled=True,
+        limits=None,
+        read_value=1.0,
+        readout_priority=ReadoutPriority.MONITORED,
+    ):
+        super().__init__(name=name)
+        # self.limits = limits if limits is not None else [0.0, 0.0]
+        self.read_value = read_value
+        self.setpoint_value = read_value
+        self.motor_is_moving_value = 0
+        self._enabled = enabled
+        self._limits = limits
+        self._readout_priority = readout_priority
+        self.signals = {self.name: {"value": 1.0}}
+        self.description = {self.name: {"source": self.name, "dtype": "number", "shape": []}}
+        self._config = {
+            "readoutPriority": "baseline",
+            "deviceClass": "ophyd_devices.SimPositioner",
+            "deviceConfig": {"delay": 1, "tolerance": 0.01, "update_frequency": 400},
+            "deviceTags": ["user motors"],
+            "enabled": enabled,
+            "readOnly": False,
+            "name": self.name,
+        }
+        self._info = {
+            "signals": {
+                "readback": {"kind_str": "5"},  # hinted
+                "setpoint": {"kind_str": "1"},  # normal
+                "velocity": {"kind_str": "2"},  # config
+            }
+        }
+        self.signals = {
+            self.name: {"value": self.read_value},
+            f"{self.name}_setpoint": {"value": self.setpoint_value},
+            f"{self.name}_motor_is_moving": {"value": self.motor_is_moving_value},
+        }
+
+    @property
+    def readout_priority(self):
+        return self._readout_priority
+
+    @readout_priority.setter
+    def readout_priority(self, value):
+        self._readout_priority = value
+
+    @property
+    def enabled(self) -> bool:
+        return self._enabled
+
+    @enabled.setter
+    def enabled(self, value: bool):
+        self._enabled = value
+
+    @property
+    def limits(self) -> tuple[float, float]:
+        return self._limits
+
+    @limits.setter
+    def limits(self, value: tuple[float, float]):
+        self._limits = value
+
+    def __contains__(self, item):
+        return item == self.name
+
+    @property
+    def _hints(self):
+        return [self.name]
+
+    def set_value(self, fake_value: float = 1.0) -> None:
+        """
+        Setup fake value for device readout
+        Args:
+            fake_value(float): Desired fake value
+        """
+        self.read_value = fake_value
+
+    def describe(self) -> dict:
+        """
+        Get the description of the device
+        Returns:
+            dict: Description of the device
+        """
+        return self.description
+
+    @property
+    def precision(self):
+        return 3
+
+    def set_read_value(self, value):
+        self.read_value = value
+
+    def read(self):
+        return self.signals
+
+    def set_limits(self, limits):
+        self.limits = limits
+
+    def move(self, value, relative=False):
+        """Simulates moving the device to a new position."""
+        if relative:
+            self.read_value += value
+        else:
+            self.read_value = value
+        # Respect the limits
+        self.read_value = max(min(self.read_value, self.limits[1]), self.limits[0])
+
+    @property
+    def readback(self):
+        return MagicMock(get=MagicMock(return_value=self.read_value))
+
+
+class Positioner(FakePositioner):
+    """just placeholder for testing embedded isinstance check in DeviceCombobox"""
+
+    def __init__(self, name="test", limits=None, read_value=1.0):
+        super().__init__(name, limits, read_value)
+
+
+class Device(FakeDevice):
+    """just placeholder for testing embedded isinstance check in DeviceCombobox"""
+
+    def __init__(self, name, enabled=True):
+        super().__init__(name, enabled)
+
+
+class DMMock:
+    def __init__(self):
+        self.devices = DeviceContainer()
+        self.enabled_devices = [device for device in self.devices if device.enabled]
+
+    def add_devives(self, devices: list):
+        for device in devices:
+            self.devices[device.name] = device
+
+
+DEVICES = [
+    FakePositioner("samx", limits=[-10, 10], read_value=2.0),
+    FakePositioner("samy", limits=[-5, 5], read_value=3.0),
+    FakePositioner("samz", limits=[-8, 8], read_value=4.0),
+    FakePositioner("aptrx", limits=None, read_value=4.0),
+    FakePositioner("aptry", limits=None, read_value=5.0),
+    FakeDevice("gauss_bpm"),
+    FakeDevice("gauss_adc1"),
+    FakeDevice("gauss_adc2"),
+    FakeDevice("gauss_adc3"),
+    FakeDevice("bpm4i"),
+    FakeDevice("bpm3a"),
+    FakeDevice("bpm3i"),
+    FakeDevice("eiger", readout_priority=ReadoutPriority.ASYNC),
+    FakeDevice("waveform1d"),
+    FakeDevice("async_device", readout_priority=ReadoutPriority.ASYNC),
+    Positioner("test", limits=[-10, 10], read_value=2.0),
+    Device("test_device"),
+]
+
+
+def check_remote_data_size(widget, plot_name, num_elements):
+    """
+    Check if the remote data has the correct number of elements.
+    Used in the qtbot.waitUntil function.
+    """
+    return len(widget.get_all_data()[plot_name]["x"]) == num_elements

bec_widgets/utils/bec_connector.py

@@ -4,19 +4,26 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 import os
 import time
 import uuid
-from typing import Optional
+from datetime import datetime
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Optional
 
-import yaml
+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.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
-from bec_widgets.cli.rpc_register import RPCRegister
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import ErrorPopupUtility
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot as pyqtSlot
+from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_register import RPCRegister
+from bec_widgets.utils.container_utils import WidgetContainerUtils
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import ErrorPopupUtility
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot as pyqtSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.yaml_dialog import load_yaml, load_yaml_gui, save_yaml, save_yaml_gui
 
+if TYPE_CHECKING:  # pragma: no cover
+    from bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher import BECDispatcher
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock import BECDock
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
 BECDispatcher = lazy_import_from("bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher", ("BECDispatcher",))
 
 
@@ -35,8 +42,7 @@ 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
 
 
@@ -68,22 +74,31 @@ class Worker(QRunnable):
 class BECConnector:
     """Connection mixin class to handle BEC client and device manager"""
 
-    USER_ACCESS = ["_config_dict", "_get_all_rpc"]
+    USER_ACCESS = ["_config_dict", "_get_all_rpc", "_rpc_id"]
     EXIT_HANDLERS = {}
 
-    def __init__(self, client=None, config: ConnectionConfig = None, gui_id: str = None):
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        client=None,
+        config: ConnectionConfig | None = None,
+        gui_id: str | None = None,
+        name: str | None = None,
+        parent_dock: BECDock | None = None,
+        parent_id: str | None = None,
+    ):
         # 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
 
         if not self.client in BECConnector.EXIT_HANDLERS:
             # register function to clean connections at exit;
             # the function depends on BECClient, and BECDispatcher
             @pyqtSlot()
             def terminate(client=self.client, dispatcher=self.bec_dispatcher):
-                print("Disconnecting", repr(dispatcher))
+                logger.info("Disconnecting", repr(dispatcher))
                 dispatcher.disconnect_all()
-                print("Shutting down BEC Client", repr(client))
+                logger.info("Shutting down BEC Client", repr(client))
                 client.shutdown()
 
             BECConnector.EXIT_HANDLERS[self.client] = terminate
@@ -93,21 +108,26 @@ class BECConnector:
             self.config = config
             self.config.widget_class = self.__class__.__name__
         else:
-            print(
+            logger.debug(
                 f"No initial config found for {self.__class__.__name__}.\n"
                 f"Initializing with default config."
             )
             self.config = ConnectionConfig(widget_class=self.__class__.__name__)
 
+        self.parent_id = parent_id
+        # 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
-
-        # register widget to rpc register
-        # be careful: when registering, and the object is not a BECWidget,
-        # cleanup has to called manually since there is no 'closeEvent'
+            self.gui_id: str = self.config.gui_id  # type: ignore
+        if name is None:
+            name = self.__class__.__name__
+        else:
+            if not WidgetContainerUtils.has_name_valid_chars(name):
+                raise ValueError(f"Name {name} contains invalid characters.")
+        self._name = name if name else self.__class__.__name__
         self.rpc_register = RPCRegister()
         self.rpc_register.add_rpc(self)
 
@@ -115,6 +135,8 @@ class BECConnector:
         self.error_utility = ErrorPopupUtility()
 
         self._thread_pool = QThreadPool.globalInstance()
+        # Store references to running workers so they're not garbage collected prematurely.
+        self._workers = []
 
     def submit_task(self, fn, *args, on_complete: pyqtSlot = None, **kwargs) -> Worker:
         """
@@ -143,11 +165,14 @@ class BECConnector:
             >>> def on_complete():
             >>>     print("Task complete")
             >>> self.submit_task(my_function, 1, 2, on_complete=on_complete)
-
         """
         worker = Worker(fn, *args, **kwargs)
         if on_complete:
             worker.signals.completed.connect(on_complete)
+        # Keep a reference to the worker so it is not garbage collected.
+        self._workers.append(worker)
+        # When the worker is done, remove it from our list.
+        worker.signals.completed.connect(lambda: self._workers.remove(worker))
         self._thread_pool.start(worker)
         return worker
 
@@ -179,37 +204,39 @@ class BECConnector:
     @_config_dict.setter
     def _config_dict(self, config: BaseModel) -> None:
         """
-        Get the configuration of the widget.
+        Set the configuration of the widget.
 
-        Returns:
-            dict: The configuration of the widget.
+        Args:
+            config (BaseModel): The new configuration model.
         """
         self.config = config
 
+    # FIXME some thoughts are required to decide how thhis should work with rpc registry
     def apply_config(self, config: dict, generate_new_id: bool = True) -> None:
         """
         Apply the configuration to the widget.
 
         Args:
-            config(dict): Configuration settings.
-            generate_new_id(bool): If True, generate a new GUI ID for the widget.
+            config (dict): Configuration settings.
+            generate_new_id (bool): If True, generate a new GUI ID for the widget.
         """
         self.config = ConnectionConfig(**config)
         if generate_new_id is True:
             gui_id = str(uuid.uuid4())
             self.rpc_register.remove_rpc(self)
-            self.set_gui_id(gui_id)
+            self._set_gui_id(gui_id)
             self.rpc_register.add_rpc(self)
         else:
             self.gui_id = self.config.gui_id
 
+    # FIXME some thoughts are required to decide how thhis should work with rpc registry
     def load_config(self, path: str | None = None, gui: bool = False):
         """
         Load the configuration of the widget from YAML.
 
         Args:
-            path(str): Path to the configuration file for non-GUI dialog mode.
-            gui(bool): If True, use the GUI dialog to load the configuration file.
+            path (str | None): Path to the configuration file for non-GUI dialog mode.
+            gui (bool): If True, use the GUI dialog to load the configuration file.
         """
         if gui is True:
             config = load_yaml_gui(self)
@@ -228,8 +255,8 @@ class BECConnector:
         Save the configuration of the widget to YAML.
 
         Args:
-            path(str): Path to save the configuration file for non-GUI dialog mode.
-            gui(bool): If True, use the GUI dialog to save the configuration file.
+            path (str | None): Path to save the configuration file for non-GUI dialog mode.
+            gui (bool): If True, use the GUI dialog to save the configuration file.
         """
         if gui is True:
             save_yaml_gui(self, self._config_dict)
@@ -237,16 +264,15 @@ class BECConnector:
             if path is None:
                 path = os.getcwd()
             file_path = os.path.join(path, f"{self.__class__.__name__}_config.yaml")
-
             save_yaml(file_path, self._config_dict)
 
-    @pyqtSlot(str)
-    def set_gui_id(self, gui_id: str) -> None:
+    # @pyqtSlot(str)
+    def _set_gui_id(self, gui_id: str) -> None:
         """
         Set the GUI ID for the widget.
 
         Args:
-            gui_id(str): GUI ID
+            gui_id (str): GUI ID.
         """
         self.config.gui_id = gui_id
         self.gui_id = gui_id
@@ -267,7 +293,7 @@ class BECConnector:
         """Update the client and device manager from BEC and create object for BEC shortcuts.
 
         Args:
-            client: BEC client
+            client: BEC client.
         """
         self.client = client
         self.get_bec_shortcuts()
@@ -278,25 +304,72 @@ class BECConnector:
         Update the configuration for the widget.
 
         Args:
-            config(ConnectionConfig): Configuration settings.
+            config (ConnectionConfig | dict): Configuration settings.
         """
+        gui_id = getattr(config, "gui_id", None)
         if isinstance(config, dict):
             config = ConnectionConfig(**config)
-            # TODO add error handler
-
         self.config = config
+        if gui_id and config.gui_id != gui_id:  # Recreating config should not overwrite the gui_id
+            self.config.gui_id = gui_id
+
+    def remove(self):
+        """Cleanup the BECConnector"""
+        # If the widget is attached to a dock, remove it from the dock.
+        if self._parent_dock is not None:
+            self._parent_dock.delete(self._name)
+        # If the widget is from Qt, trigger its close method.
+        elif hasattr(self, "close"):
+            self.close()
+        # If the widget is neither from a Dock nor from Qt, remove it from the RPC registry.
+        # i.e. Curve Item from Waveform
+        else:
+            self.rpc_register.remove_rpc(self)
 
     def get_config(self, dict_output: bool = True) -> dict | BaseModel:
         """
         Get the configuration of the widget.
 
         Args:
-            dict_output(bool): If True, return the configuration as a dictionary. If False, return the configuration as a pydantic model.
+            dict_output (bool): If True, return the configuration as a dictionary.
+                                If False, return the configuration as a pydantic model.
 
         Returns:
-            dict: The configuration of the plot widget.
+            dict | BaseModel: The configuration of the widget.
         """
         if dict_output:
             return self.config.model_dump()
         else:
             return self.config
+
+
+# --- Example usage of BECConnector: running a simple task ---
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    import sys
+
+    # Create a QApplication instance (required for QThreadPool)
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+
+    connector = BECConnector()
+
+    def print_numbers():
+        """
+        Task function that prints numbers 1 to 10 with a 0.5 second delay between each.
+        """
+        for i in range(1, 11):
+            print(i)
+            time.sleep(0.5)
+
+    def task_complete():
+        """
+        Called when the task is complete.
+        """
+        print("Task complete")
+        # Exit the application after the task completes.
+        app.quit()
+
+    # Submit the task using the connector's submit_task method.
+    connector.submit_task(print_numbers, on_complete=task_complete)
+
+    # Start the Qt event loop.
+    sys.exit(app.exec_())

bec_widgets/utils/bec_designer.py

@@ -1,4 +1,8 @@
+import ast
 import importlib.metadata
+import importlib.util
+import inspect
+import itertools
 import json
 import os
 import site
@@ -6,9 +10,14 @@ import sys
 import sysconfig
 from pathlib import Path
 
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from bec_qthemes import material_icon
 from qtpy import PYSIDE6
 from qtpy.QtGui import QIcon
+from zmq import PLAIN
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_plugin_helper import user_widget_plugin
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
 
 if PYSIDE6:
     from PySide6.scripts.pyside_tool import (
@@ -22,6 +31,8 @@ if PYSIDE6:
 
 import bec_widgets
 
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
 
 def designer_material_icon(icon_name: str) -> QIcon:
     """
@@ -93,17 +104,24 @@ def patch_designer():  # pragma: no cover
             _extend_path_var("PATH", os.fspath(Path(sys._base_executable).parent), True)
     else:
         if sys.platform == "linux":
-            suffix = f"{sys.abiflags}.so"
             env_var = "LD_PRELOAD"
+            current_pid = os.getpid()
+            with open(f"/proc/{current_pid}/maps", "rt") as f:
+                for line in f:
+                    if "libpython" in line:
+                        lib_path = line.split()[-1]
+                        os.environ[env_var] = lib_path
+                        break
+
         elif sys.platform == "darwin":
             suffix = ".dylib"
             env_var = "DYLD_INSERT_LIBRARIES"
+            version = f"{major_version}.{minor_version}"
+            library_name = f"libpython{version}{suffix}"
+            lib_path = str(Path(sysconfig.get_config_var("LIBDIR")) / library_name)
+            os.environ[env_var] = lib_path
         else:
             raise RuntimeError(f"Unsupported platform: {sys.platform}")
-        version = f"{major_version}.{minor_version}"
-        library_name = f"libpython{version}{suffix}"
-        lib_path = str(Path(sysconfig.get_config_var("LIBDIR")) / library_name)
-        os.environ[env_var] = lib_path
 
         if is_pyenv_python() or is_virtual_env():
             # append all editable packages to the PYTHONPATH
@@ -113,14 +131,43 @@ def patch_designer():  # pragma: no cover
     qt_tool_wrapper(ui_tool_binary("designer"), sys.argv[1:])
 
 
-def find_plugin_paths(base_path: Path):
+def _plugin_classes_for_python_file(file: Path):
+    logger.debug(f"getting plugin classes for {file}")
+    if not str(file).endswith(".py"):
+        raise ValueError("Please pass a python file")
+    spec = importlib.util.spec_from_file_location("_temp", file)
+    mod = importlib.util.module_from_spec(spec)
+    sys.modules["_temp"] = mod
+    spec.loader.exec_module(mod)
+
+    plugin_widgets = list(
+        mem[0]
+        for mem in inspect.getmembers(mod, inspect.isclass)
+        if issubclass(mem[1], BECWidget) and hasattr(mem[1], "PLUGIN") and mem[1].PLUGIN is True
+    )
+    logger.debug(f"Found: {plugin_widgets}")
+    return plugin_widgets
+
+
+def _plugin_classes_for_pyproject(path: Path):
+    if not str(path).endswith(".pyproject"):
+        raise ValueError("Please pass the path of the designer pyproject file")
+    with open(path) as pyproject:
+        plugin_filenames = ast.literal_eval(pyproject.read())["files"]
+    plugin_files = (path.parent / file for file in plugin_filenames)
+    return itertools.chain(*(_plugin_classes_for_python_file(f) for f in plugin_files))
+
+
+def find_plugin_paths(base_path: Path) -> dict[str, list[str]]:
     """
-    Recursively find all directories containing a .pyproject file.
+    Recursively find all directories containing a .pyproject file. Returns a dictionary with keys of
+    such paths, and values of the names of the classes contained in them if those classes are
+    desginer plugins.
     """
-    plugin_paths = []
-    for path in base_path.rglob("*.pyproject"):
-        plugin_paths.append(str(path.parent))
-    return plugin_paths
+    return {
+        str(path.parent): list(_plugin_classes_for_pyproject(path))
+        for path in base_path.rglob("*.pyproject")
+    }
 
 
 def set_plugin_environment_variable(plugin_paths):
@@ -137,14 +184,33 @@ def set_plugin_environment_variable(plugin_paths):
     os.environ["PYSIDE_DESIGNER_PLUGINS"] = os.pathsep.join(current_paths)
 
 
+def _extend_plugin_paths(plugin_paths: dict[str, list[str]], plugin_repo_dir: Path):
+    plugin_plugin_paths = find_plugin_paths(plugin_repo_dir)
+    builtin_plugin_names = list(itertools.chain(*plugin_paths.values()))
+    for plugin_file, plugin_classes in plugin_plugin_paths.items():
+        logger.info(f"{plugin_classes} {builtin_plugin_names}")
+        if any(name in builtin_plugin_names for name in plugin_classes):
+            logger.warning(
+                f"Ignoring plugin {plugin_file} because it contains widgets {plugin_classes} which include duplicates of built-in widgets!"
+            )
+        else:
+            plugin_paths[plugin_file] = plugin_classes
+
+
 # Patch the designer function
 def main():  # 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)
-    set_plugin_environment_variable(plugin_paths)
+
+    if (plugin_repo := user_widget_plugin()) and isinstance(plugin_repo.__file__, str):
+        plugin_repo_dir = Path(os.path.dirname(plugin_repo.__file__)).resolve()
+        _extend_plugin_paths(plugin_paths, plugin_repo_dir)
+
+    set_plugin_environment_variable(plugin_paths.keys())
 
     patch_designer()
 

bec_widgets/utils/bec_dispatcher.py

@@ -6,11 +6,14 @@ from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Union
 
 import redis
 from bec_lib.client import BECClient
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from bec_lib.redis_connector import MessageObject, RedisConnector
 from bec_lib.service_config import ServiceConfig
 from qtpy.QtCore import QObject
 from qtpy.QtCore import Signal as pyqtSignal
 
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from bec_lib.endpoints import EndpointInfo
 
@@ -65,11 +68,6 @@ class QtRedisConnector(RedisConnector):
             cb(msg.content, msg.metadata)
 
 
-class BECClientWithoutLoggerInit(BECClient):
-    def _initialize_logger(self):
-        return
-
-
 class BECDispatcher:
     """Utility class to keep track of slots connected to a particular redis connector"""
 
@@ -94,24 +92,22 @@ class BECDispatcher:
                 if not isinstance(config, ServiceConfig):
                     # config is supposed to be a path
                     config = ServiceConfig(config)
-                self.client = BECClientWithoutLoggerInit(
-                    config=config, connector_cls=QtRedisConnector
-                )  # , forced=True)
-            else:
-                self.client = BECClientWithoutLoggerInit(
-                    connector_cls=QtRedisConnector
-                )  # , forced=True)
+            self.client = BECClient(
+                config=config, connector_cls=QtRedisConnector, name="BECWidgets"
+            )
         else:
             if self.client.started:
                 # have to reinitialize client to use proper connector
+                logger.info("Shutting down BECClient to switch to QtRedisConnector")
                 self.client.shutdown()
             self.client._BECClient__init_params["connector_cls"] = QtRedisConnector
 
         try:
             self.client.start()
         except redis.exceptions.ConnectionError:
-            print("Could not connect to Redis, skipping start of BECClient.")
+            logger.warning("Could not connect to Redis, skipping start of BECClient.")
 
+        logger.success("Initialized BECDispatcher")
         self._initialized = True
 
     @classmethod

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

@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+""" 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 
+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.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+
+
+class BECSignalProxy(SignalProxy):
+    """
+    Thin wrapper around the SignalProxy class to allow signal calls to be blocked,
+    but arguments still being stored.
+
+    Args:
+        *args: Arguments to pass to the SignalProxy class.
+        rateLimit (int): The rateLimit of the proxy.
+        timeout (float): The number of seconds after which the proxy automatically
+                         unblocks if still blocked. Default is 10.0 seconds.
+        **kwargs: Keyword arguments to pass to the SignalProxy class.
+
+    Example:
+        >>> proxy = BECSignalProxy(signal, rate_limit=25, slot=callback)
+    """
+
+    is_blocked = Signal(bool)
+
+    def __init__(self, *args, rateLimit=25, timeout=10.0, **kwargs):
+        super().__init__(*args, rateLimit=rateLimit, **kwargs)
+        self._blocking = False
+        self.old_args = None
+        self.new_args = None
+
+        # Store timeout value (in seconds)
+        self._timeout = timeout
+
+        # Create a single-shot timer for auto-unblocking
+        self._timer = QTimer()
+        self._timer.setSingleShot(True)
+        self._timer.timeout.connect(self._timeout_unblock)
+
+    @property
+    def blocked(self):
+        """Returns if the proxy is blocked"""
+        return self._blocking
+
+    @blocked.setter
+    def blocked(self, value: bool):
+        self._blocking = value
+        self.is_blocked.emit(value)
+
+    def signalReceived(self, *args):
+        """Receive signal, store the args and call signalReceived from the parent class if not blocked"""
+        self.new_args = args
+        if self.blocked is True:
+            return
+        self.blocked = True
+        self.old_args = args
+        super().signalReceived(*args)
+
+        self._timer.start(int(self._timeout * 1000))
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def unblock_proxy(self):
+        """Unblock the proxy, and call the signalReceived method in case there was an update of the args."""
+        if self.blocked:
+            self._timer.stop()
+            self.blocked = False
+            if self.new_args != self.old_args:
+                self.signalReceived(*self.new_args)
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def _timeout_unblock(self):
+        """
+        Internal method called by the QTimer upon timeout. Unblocks the proxy
+        automatically if it is still blocked.
+        """
+        if self.blocked:
+            self.unblock_proxy()
+
+    def cleanup(self):
+        """
+        Cleanup the proxy by stopping the timer and disconnecting the timeout signal.
+        """
+        self._timer.stop()
+        self._timer.timeout.disconnect(self._timeout_unblock)
+        self._timer.deleteLater()

bec_widgets/utils/bec_widget.py

@@ -1,23 +1,117 @@
-from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
+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 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
 
 
 class BECWidget(BECConnector):
     """Mixin class for all BEC widgets, to handle cleanup"""
 
-    def __init__(self, client=None, config: ConnectionConfig = None, gui_id: str = None):
+    # 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 = None,
+        theme_update: bool = False,
+        name: str | None = None,
+        parent_dock: BECDock | None = None,
+        parent_id: str | None = None,
+        **kwargs,
+    ):
+        """
+        Base class for all BEC widgets. This class should be used as a mixin class for all BEC widgets, e.g.:
+
+
+        >>> class MyWidget(BECWidget, QWidget):
+        >>>     def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None):
+        >>>         super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
+        >>>         QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
+
+
+        Args:
+            client(BECClient, optional): The BEC client.
+            config(ConnectionConfig, optional): The connection configuration.
+            gui_id(str, optional): The GUI ID.
+            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, config, gui_id)
+
+        super().__init__(
+            client=client,
+            config=config,
+            gui_id=gui_id,
+            name=name,
+            parent_dock=parent_dock,
+            parent_id=parent_id,
+        )
+        app = QApplication.instance()
+        if not hasattr(app, "theme"):
+            # DO NOT SET THE THEME TO AUTO! Otherwise, the qwebengineview will segfault
+            # Instead, we will set the theme to the system setting on startup
+            if darkdetect.isDark():
+                set_theme("dark")
+            else:
+                set_theme("light")
+
+        if theme_update:
+            logger.debug(f"Subscribing to theme updates for {self.__class__.__name__}")
+            self._connect_to_theme_change()
+
+    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)
+
+    def _update_theme(self, theme: str | None = None):
+        """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)
+
+    @Slot(str)
+    def apply_theme(self, theme: str):
+        """
+        Apply the theme to the widget.
+
+        Args:
+            theme(str, optional): The theme to be applied.
+        """
 
     def cleanup(self):
         """Cleanup the widget."""
-        pass
+        with RPCRegister.delayed_broadcast():
+            # All widgets need to call super().cleanup() in their cleanup method
+            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()
         finally:
-            super().closeEvent(event)
+            super().closeEvent(event)  # pylint: disable=no-member

bec_widgets/utils/collapsible_panel_manager.py

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

bec_widgets/utils/colors.py

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
-import itertools
+from __future__ import annotations
+
 import re
-from typing import Literal
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Literal
 
 import bec_qthemes
 import numpy as np
@@ -10,15 +11,39 @@ from pydantic_core import PydanticCustomError
 from qtpy.QtGui import QColor
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from bec_qthemes._main import AccentColors
+
 
 def get_theme_palette():
     if QApplication.instance() is None or not hasattr(QApplication.instance(), "theme"):
         theme = "dark"
     else:
-        theme = QApplication.instance().theme["theme"]
+        theme = QApplication.instance().theme.theme
     return bec_qthemes.load_palette(theme)
 
 
+def get_accent_colors() -> AccentColors | None:
+    """
+    Get the accent colors for the current theme. These colors are extensions of the color palette
+    and are used to highlight specific elements in the UI.
+    """
+    if QApplication.instance() is None or not hasattr(QApplication.instance(), "theme"):
+        return None
+    return QApplication.instance().theme.accent_colors
+
+
+def _theme_update_callback():
+    """
+    Internal callback function to update the theme based on the system theme.
+    """
+    app = QApplication.instance()
+    # pylint: disable=protected-access
+    app.theme.theme = app.os_listener._theme.lower()
+    app.theme_signal.theme_updated.emit(app.theme.theme)
+    apply_theme(app.os_listener._theme.lower())
+
+
 def set_theme(theme: Literal["dark", "light", "auto"]):
     """
     Set the theme for the application.
@@ -27,30 +52,82 @@ def set_theme(theme: Literal["dark", "light", "auto"]):
         theme (Literal["dark", "light", "auto"]): The theme to set. "auto" will automatically switch between dark and light themes based on the system theme.
     """
     app = QApplication.instance()
-    bec_qthemes.setup_theme(theme)
-    pg.setConfigOption("background", "w" if app.theme["theme"] == "light" else "k")
+    bec_qthemes.setup_theme(theme, install_event_filter=False)
+
+    app.theme_signal.theme_updated.emit(theme)
+    apply_theme(theme)
 
-    # pylint: disable=protected-access
     if theme != "auto":
         return
 
-    def callback():
-        app.theme["theme"] = listener._theme.lower()
-        apply_theme(listener._theme.lower())
-
-    listener = OSThemeSwitchListener(callback)
-
-    app.installEventFilter(listener)
+    if not hasattr(app, "os_listener") or app.os_listener is None:
+        app.os_listener = OSThemeSwitchListener(_theme_update_callback)
+        app.installEventFilter(app.os_listener)
 
 
 def apply_theme(theme: Literal["dark", "light"]):
+    """
+    Apply the theme to all pyqtgraph widgets. Do not use this function directly. Use set_theme instead.
+    """
     app = QApplication.instance()
-    # go through all pyqtgraph widgets and set background
-    children = itertools.chain.from_iterable(
-        top.findChildren(pg.GraphicsLayoutWidget) for top in app.topLevelWidgets()
-    )
-    for pg_widget in children:
-        pg_widget.setBackground("k" if theme == "dark" else "w")
+    graphic_layouts = [
+        child
+        for top in app.topLevelWidgets()
+        for child in top.findChildren(pg.GraphicsLayoutWidget)
+    ]
+
+    plot_items = [
+        item
+        for gl in graphic_layouts
+        for item in gl.ci.items.keys()  # ci is internal pg.GraphicsLayout that hosts all items
+        if isinstance(item, pg.PlotItem)
+    ]
+
+    histograms = [
+        item
+        for gl in graphic_layouts
+        for item in gl.ci.items.keys()  # ci is internal pg.GraphicsLayout that hosts all items
+        if isinstance(item, pg.HistogramLUTItem)
+    ]
+
+    # Update background color based on the theme
+    if theme == "light":
+        background_color = "#e9ecef"  # Subtle contrast for light mode
+        foreground_color = "#141414"
+        label_color = "#000000"
+        axis_color = "#666666"
+    else:
+        background_color = "#141414"  # Dark mode
+        foreground_color = "#e9ecef"
+        label_color = "#FFFFFF"
+        axis_color = "#CCCCCC"
+
+    # update GraphicsLayoutWidget
+    pg.setConfigOptions(foreground=foreground_color, background=background_color)
+    for pg_widget in graphic_layouts:
+        pg_widget.setBackground(background_color)
+
+    # update PlotItems
+    for plot_item in plot_items:
+        for axis in ["left", "right", "top", "bottom"]:
+            plot_item.getAxis(axis).setPen(pg.mkPen(color=axis_color))
+            plot_item.getAxis(axis).setTextPen(pg.mkPen(color=label_color))
+
+        # Change title color
+        plot_item.titleLabel.setText(plot_item.titleLabel.text, color=label_color)
+
+        # Change legend color
+        if hasattr(plot_item, "legend") and plot_item.legend is not None:
+            plot_item.legend.setLabelTextColor(label_color)
+            # if legend is in plot item and theme is changed, has to be like that because of pg opt logic
+            for sample, label in plot_item.legend.items:
+                label_text = label.text
+                label.setText(label_text, color=label_color)
+
+    # update HistogramLUTItem
+    for histogram in histograms:
+        histogram.axis.setPen(pg.mkPen(color=axis_color))
+        histogram.axis.setTextPen(pg.mkPen(color=label_color))
 
     # now define stylesheet according to theme and apply it
     style = bec_qthemes.load_stylesheet(theme)
@@ -78,9 +155,98 @@ class Colors:
             angles.append(angle)
         return angles
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def set_theme_offset(theme: Literal["light", "dark"] | None = None, offset=0.2) -> tuple:
+        """
+        Set the theme offset to avoid colors too close to white or black with light or dark theme respectively for pyqtgraph plot background.
+
+        Args:
+            theme(str): The theme to be applied.
+            offset(float): Offset to avoid colors too close to white or black with light or dark theme respectively for pyqtgraph plot background.
+
+        Returns:
+            tuple: Tuple of min_pos and max_pos.
+
+        Raises:
+            ValueError: If theme_offset is not between 0 and 1.
+        """
+
+        if offset < 0 or offset > 1:
+            raise ValueError("theme_offset must be between 0 and 1")
+
+        if theme is None:
+            app = QApplication.instance()
+            if hasattr(app, "theme"):
+                theme = app.theme.theme
+
+        if theme == "light":
+            min_pos = 0.0
+            max_pos = 1 - offset
+        else:
+            min_pos = 0.0 + offset
+            max_pos = 1.0
+
+        return min_pos, max_pos
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def evenly_spaced_colors(
+        colormap: str,
+        num: int,
+        format: Literal["QColor", "HEX", "RGB"] = "QColor",
+        theme_offset=0.2,
+        theme: Literal["light", "dark"] | None = None,
+    ) -> list:
+        """
+        Extract `num` colors from the specified colormap, evenly spaced along its range,
+        and return them in the specified format.
+
+        Args:
+            colormap (str): Name of the colormap.
+            num (int): Number of requested colors.
+            format (Literal["QColor","HEX","RGB"]): The format of the returned colors ('RGB', 'HEX', 'QColor').
+            theme_offset (float): Has to be between 0-1. Offset to avoid colors too close to white or black with light or dark theme respectively for pyqtgraph plot background.
+            theme (Literal['light', 'dark'] | None): The theme to be applied. Overrides the QApplication theme if specified.
+
+        Returns:
+            list: List of colors in the specified format.
+
+        Raises:
+            ValueError: If theme_offset is not between 0 and 1.
+        """
+        if theme_offset < 0 or theme_offset > 1:
+            raise ValueError("theme_offset must be between 0 and 1")
+
+        cmap = pg.colormap.get(colormap)
+        min_pos, max_pos = Colors.set_theme_offset(theme, theme_offset)
+
+        # Generate positions that are evenly spaced within the acceptable range
+        if num == 1:
+            positions = np.array([(min_pos + max_pos) / 2])
+        else:
+            positions = np.linspace(min_pos, max_pos, num)
+
+        # Sample colors from the colormap at the calculated positions
+        colors = cmap.map(positions, mode="float")
+        color_list = []
+
+        for color in colors:
+            if format.upper() == "HEX":
+                color_list.append(QColor.fromRgbF(*color).name())
+            elif format.upper() == "RGB":
+                color_list.append(tuple((np.array(color) * 255).astype(int)))
+            elif format.upper() == "QCOLOR":
+                color_list.append(QColor.fromRgbF(*color))
+            else:
+                raise ValueError("Unsupported format. Please choose 'RGB', 'HEX', or 'QColor'.")
+        return color_list
+
     @staticmethod
     def golden_angle_color(
-        colormap: str, num: int, format: Literal["QColor", "HEX", "RGB"] = "QColor"
+        colormap: str,
+        num: int,
+        format: Literal["QColor", "HEX", "RGB"] = "QColor",
+        theme_offset=0.2,
+        theme: Literal["dark", "light"] | None = None,
     ) -> list:
         """
         Extract num colors from the specified colormap following golden angle distribution and return them in the specified format.
@@ -89,33 +255,39 @@ class Colors:
             colormap (str): Name of the colormap.
             num (int): Number of requested colors.
             format (Literal["QColor","HEX","RGB"]): The format of the returned colors ('RGB', 'HEX', 'QColor').
+            theme_offset (float): Has to be between 0-1. Offset to avoid colors too close to white or black with light or dark theme respectively for pyqtgraph plot background.
 
         Returns:
             list: List of colors in the specified format.
 
         Raises:
-            ValueError: If the number of requested colors is greater than the number of colors in the colormap.
+            ValueError: If theme_offset is not between 0 and 1.
         """
+
         cmap = pg.colormap.get(colormap)
-        cmap_colors = cmap.getColors(mode="float")
-        if num > len(cmap_colors):
-            raise ValueError(
-                f"Number of colors requested ({num}) is greater than the number of colors in the colormap ({len(cmap_colors)})"
-            )
-        angles = Colors.golden_ratio(len(cmap_colors))
-        color_selection = np.round(np.interp(angles, (-np.pi, np.pi), (0, len(cmap_colors))))
-        colors = []
-        for ii in color_selection[:num]:
-            color = cmap_colors[int(ii)]
+        phi = (1 + np.sqrt(5)) / 2  # Golden ratio
+        golden_angle_conjugate = 1 - (1 / phi)  # Approximately 0.38196601125
+
+        min_pos, max_pos = Colors.set_theme_offset(theme, theme_offset)
+
+        # Generate positions within the acceptable range
+        positions = np.mod(np.arange(num) * golden_angle_conjugate, 1)
+        positions = min_pos + positions * (max_pos - min_pos)
+
+        # Sample colors from the colormap at the calculated positions
+        colors = cmap.map(positions, mode="float")
+        color_list = []
+
+        for color in colors:
             if format.upper() == "HEX":
-                colors.append(QColor.fromRgbF(*color).name())
+                color_list.append(QColor.fromRgbF(*color).name())
             elif format.upper() == "RGB":
-                colors.append(tuple((np.array(color) * 255).astype(int)))
+                color_list.append(tuple((np.array(color) * 255).astype(int)))
             elif format.upper() == "QCOLOR":
-                colors.append(QColor.fromRgbF(*color))
+                color_list.append(QColor.fromRgbF(*color))
             else:
                 raise ValueError("Unsupported format. Please choose 'RGB', 'HEX', or 'QColor'.")
-        return colors
+        return color_list
 
     @staticmethod
     def hex_to_rgba(hex_color: str, alpha=255) -> tuple:
@@ -344,7 +516,7 @@ class Colors:
             return color
 
     @staticmethod
-    def validate_color_map(color_map: str) -> str:
+    def validate_color_map(color_map: str, return_error: bool = True) -> str | bool:
         """
         Validate the colormap input if it is supported by pyqtgraph. Can be used in any pydantic model as a field validator. If validation fails it prints all available colormaps from pyqtgraph instance.
 
@@ -352,13 +524,24 @@ class Colors:
             color_map(str): The colormap to be validated.
 
         Returns:
-            str: The validated colormap.
+            str: The validated colormap, if colormap is valid.
+            bool: False, if colormap is invalid.
+
+        Raises:
+            PydanticCustomError: If colormap is invalid.
         """
-        available_colormaps = pg.colormap.listMaps()
+        available_pg_maps = pg.colormap.listMaps()
+        available_mpl_maps = pg.colormap.listMaps("matplotlib")
+        available_mpl_colorcet = pg.colormap.listMaps("colorcet")
+
+        available_colormaps = available_pg_maps + available_mpl_maps + available_mpl_colorcet
         if color_map not in available_colormaps:
-            raise PydanticCustomError(
-                "unsupported colormap",
-                f"Colormap '{color_map}' not found in the current installation of pyqtgraph. Choose on the following: {available_colormaps}.",
-                {"wrong_value": color_map},
-            )
+            if return_error:
+                raise PydanticCustomError(
+                    "unsupported colormap",
+                    f"Colormap '{color_map}' not found in the current installation of pyqtgraph. Choose on the following: {available_colormaps}.",
+                    {"wrong_value": color_map},
+                )
+            else:
+                return False
         return color_map

bec_widgets/utils/compact_popup.py

@@ -0,0 +1,268 @@
+import time
+from types import SimpleNamespace
+
+from bec_qthemes import material_icon
+from qtpy.QtCore import Property, Qt, Signal
+from qtpy.QtGui import QColor
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
+    QDialog,
+    QHBoxLayout,
+    QLabel,
+    QPushButton,
+    QSizePolicy,
+    QSpacerItem,
+    QVBoxLayout,
+    QWidget,
+)
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import get_accent_colors
+
+
+class LedLabel(QLabel):
+    success_led = "color: white;border-radius: 10;background-color: qlineargradient(spread:pad, x1:0.145, y1:0.16, x2:1, y2:1, stop:0 %s, stop:1 %s);"
+    emergency_led = "color: white;border-radius: 10;background-color: qlineargradient(spread:pad, x1:0.145, y1:0.16, x2:0.92, y2:0.988636, stop:0 %s, stop:1 %s);"
+    warning_led = "color: white;border-radius: 10;background-color: qlineargradient(spread:pad, x1:0.232, y1:0.272, x2:0.98, y2:0.959773, stop:0 %s, stop:1 %s);"
+    default_led = "color: white;border-radius: 10;background-color: qlineargradient(spread:pad, x1:0.04, y1:0.0565909, x2:0.799, y2:0.795, stop:0 %s, stop:1 %s);"
+
+    def __init__(self, parent=None):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+
+        self.palette = get_accent_colors()
+        if self.palette is None:
+            # no theme!
+            self.palette = SimpleNamespace(
+                default=QColor("blue"),
+                success=QColor("green"),
+                warning=QColor("orange"),
+                emergency=QColor("red"),
+            )
+        self.setState("default")
+        self.setFixedSize(20, 20)
+
+    def setState(self, state: str):
+        match state:
+            case "success":
+                r, g, b, a = self.palette.success.getRgb()
+                self.setStyleSheet(
+                    LedLabel.success_led
+                    % (
+                        f"rgba({r},{g},{b},{a})",
+                        f"rgba({int(r*0.8)},{int(g*0.8)},{int(b*0.8)},{a})",
+                    )
+                )
+            case "default":
+                r, g, b, a = self.palette.default.getRgb()
+                self.setStyleSheet(
+                    LedLabel.default_led
+                    % (
+                        f"rgba({r},{g},{b},{a})",
+                        f"rgba({int(r*0.8)},{int(g*0.8)},{int(b*0.8)},{a})",
+                    )
+                )
+            case "warning":
+                r, g, b, a = self.palette.warning.getRgb()
+                self.setStyleSheet(
+                    LedLabel.warning_led
+                    % (
+                        f"rgba({r},{g},{b},{a})",
+                        f"rgba({int(r*0.8)},{int(g*0.8)},{int(b*0.8)},{a})",
+                    )
+                )
+            case "emergency":
+                r, g, b, a = self.palette.emergency.getRgb()
+                self.setStyleSheet(
+                    LedLabel.emergency_led
+                    % (
+                        f"rgba({r},{g},{b},{a})",
+                        f"rgba({int(r*0.8)},{int(g*0.8)},{int(b*0.8)},{a})",
+                    )
+                )
+            case unknown_state:
+                raise ValueError(
+                    f"Unknown state {repr(unknown_state)}, must be one of default, success, warning or emergency"
+                )
+
+
+class PopupDialog(QDialog):
+    def __init__(self, content_widget):
+        self.parent = content_widget.parent()
+        self.content_widget = content_widget
+
+        super().__init__(self.parent)
+
+        self.setAttribute(Qt.WA_DeleteOnClose)
+
+        self.content_widget.setParent(self)
+        QVBoxLayout(self)
+        self.layout().addWidget(self.content_widget)
+        self.content_widget.setVisible(True)
+
+    def closeEvent(self, event):
+        self.content_widget.setVisible(False)
+        self.content_widget.setParent(self.parent)
+        self.done(True)
+
+
+class CompactPopupWidget(QWidget):
+    """Container widget, that can display its content or have a compact form,
+    in this case clicking on a small button pops the contained widget up.
+
+    In the compact form, a LED-like indicator shows a status indicator.
+    """
+
+    expand = Signal(bool)
+
+    def __init__(self, parent=None, layout=QVBoxLayout):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+
+        self._popup_window = None
+        self._expand_popup = True
+
+        QVBoxLayout(self)
+        self.compact_view_widget = QWidget(self)
+        self.compact_view_widget.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Fixed)
+        QHBoxLayout(self.compact_view_widget)
+        self.compact_view_widget.layout().setSpacing(0)
+        self.compact_view_widget.layout().setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        self.compact_view_widget.layout().addSpacerItem(
+            QSpacerItem(0, 0, QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Fixed)
+        )
+        self.compact_label = QLabel(self.compact_view_widget)
+        self.compact_status = LedLabel(self.compact_view_widget)
+        self.compact_show_popup = QPushButton(self.compact_view_widget)
+        self.compact_show_popup.setFlat(True)
+        self.compact_show_popup.setIcon(
+            material_icon(icon_name="expand_content", size=(10, 10), convert_to_pixmap=False)
+        )
+        self.compact_view_widget.layout().addWidget(self.compact_label)
+        self.compact_view_widget.layout().addWidget(self.compact_status)
+        self.compact_view_widget.layout().addWidget(self.compact_show_popup)
+        self.compact_view_widget.setVisible(False)
+        self.layout().addWidget(self.compact_view_widget)
+        self.container = QWidget(self)
+        self.layout().addWidget(self.container)
+        self.container.setVisible(True)
+        layout(self.container)
+        self.layout = self.container.layout()
+
+        self.compact_show_popup.clicked.connect(self.show_popup)
+
+    def set_global_state(self, state: str):
+        """Set the LED-indicator state
+
+        The LED indicator represents the 'global' state. State can be one of the
+        following: "default", "success", "warning", "emergency"
+        """
+        self.compact_status.setState(state)
+
+    def show_popup(self):
+        """Display the contained widgets in a popup dialog"""
+        if self._expand_popup:
+            # show popup
+            self._popup_window = PopupDialog(self.container)
+            self._popup_window.show()
+            self._popup_window.finished.connect(lambda: self.expand.emit(False))
+            self.expand.emit(True)
+        else:
+            if self.compact_view:
+                # expand in place
+                self.compact_view = False
+                self.compact_view_widget.setVisible(True)
+                self.compact_label.setVisible(False)
+                self.compact_status.setVisible(False)
+                self.compact_show_popup.setIcon(
+                    material_icon(
+                        icon_name="collapse_content", size=(10, 10), convert_to_pixmap=False
+                    )
+                )
+                self.expand.emit(True)
+            else:
+                # back to compact form
+                self.compact_label.setVisible(True)
+                self.compact_status.setVisible(True)
+                self.compact_show_popup.setIcon(
+                    material_icon(
+                        icon_name="expand_content", size=(10, 10), convert_to_pixmap=False
+                    )
+                )
+                self.compact_view = True
+                self.expand.emit(False)
+
+    def setSizePolicy(self, size_policy1, size_policy2=None):
+        # setting size policy on the compact popup widget will set
+        # the policy for the container, and for itself
+        if size_policy2 is None:
+            # assuming first form: setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy)
+            self.container.setSizePolicy(size_policy1)
+            QWidget.setSizePolicy(self, size_policy1)
+        else:
+            self.container.setSizePolicy(size_policy1, size_policy2)
+            QWidget.setSizePolicy(self, size_policy1, size_policy2)
+
+    def addWidget(self, widget):
+        """Add a widget to the popup container
+
+        The popup container corresponds to the "full view" (not compact)
+        The widget is reparented to the container, and added to the container layout
+        """
+        widget.setParent(self.container)
+        self.container.layout().addWidget(widget)
+
+    @Property(bool)
+    def compact_view(self):
+        return self.compact_label.isVisible()
+
+    @compact_view.setter
+    def compact_view(self, set_compact: bool):
+        """Sets the compact form
+
+        If set_compact is True, the compact view is displayed ; otherwise,
+        the full view is displayed. This is handled by toggling visibility of
+        the container widget or the compact view widget.
+        """
+        if set_compact:
+            self.compact_view_widget.setVisible(True)
+            self.container.setVisible(False)
+            QWidget.setSizePolicy(self, QSizePolicy.Fixed, QSizePolicy.Fixed)
+        else:
+            self.compact_view_widget.setVisible(False)
+            self.container.setVisible(True)
+            QWidget.setSizePolicy(self, self.container.sizePolicy())
+        if self.parentWidget():
+            self.parentWidget().adjustSize()
+        else:
+            self.adjustSize()
+
+    @Property(str)
+    def label(self):
+        return self.compact_label.text()
+
+    @label.setter
+    def label(self, compact_label_text: str):
+        """Set the label text associated to the compact view"""
+        self.compact_label.setText(compact_label_text)
+
+    @Property(str)
+    def tooltip(self):
+        return self.compact_label.toolTip()
+
+    @tooltip.setter
+    def tooltip(self, tooltip: str):
+        """Set the tooltip text associated to the compact view"""
+        self.compact_label.setToolTip(tooltip)
+        self.compact_status.setToolTip(tooltip)
+
+    @Property(bool)
+    def expand_popup(self):
+        return self._expand_popup
+
+    @expand_popup.setter
+    def expand_popup(self, popup: bool):
+        self._expand_popup = popup
+
+    def closeEvent(self, event):
+        # Called by Qt, on closing - since the children widgets can be
+        # BECWidgets, it is good to explicitely call 'close' on them,
+        # to ensure proper resources cleanup
+        for child in self.container.findChildren(QWidget, options=Qt.FindDirectChildrenOnly):
+            child.close()

bec_widgets/utils/container_utils.py

@@ -1,30 +1,55 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import itertools
-from typing import Type
+from typing import Literal, Type
 
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QWidget
 
+from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_register import RPCRegister
+
 
 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(

bec_widgets/utils/crosshair.py

@@ -1,20 +1,38 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
 from collections import defaultdict
+from typing import Any
 
 import numpy as np
 import pyqtgraph as pg
+from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, Qt, Signal, Slot
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
-# from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, pyqtSignal
-from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, Qt
-from qtpy.QtCore import Signal as pyqtSignal
+
+class CrosshairScatterItem(pg.ScatterPlotItem):
+    def setDownsampling(self, ds=None, auto=None, method=None):
+        pass
+
+    def setClipToView(self, state):
+        pass
+
+    def setAlpha(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        pass
 
 
 class Crosshair(QObject):
+    # QT Position of mouse cursor
+    positionChanged = Signal(tuple)
+    positionClicked = Signal(tuple)
+    # Plain crosshair position signals mapped to real coordinates
+    crosshairChanged = Signal(tuple)
+    crosshairClicked = Signal(tuple)
     # Signal for 1D plot
-    coordinatesChanged1D = pyqtSignal(tuple)
-    coordinatesClicked1D = pyqtSignal(tuple)
+    coordinatesChanged1D = Signal(tuple)
+    coordinatesClicked1D = Signal(tuple)
     # Signal for 2D plot
-    coordinatesChanged2D = pyqtSignal(tuple)
-    coordinatesClicked2D = pyqtSignal(tuple)
+    coordinatesChanged2D = Signal(tuple)
+    coordinatesClicked2D = Signal(tuple)
 
     def __init__(self, plot_item: pg.PlotItem, precision: int = 3, parent=None):
         """
@@ -35,78 +53,176 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
         self.v_line.skip_auto_range = True
         self.h_line = pg.InfiniteLine(angle=0, movable=False)
         self.h_line.skip_auto_range = True
+        # Add custom attribute to identify crosshair lines
+        self.v_line.is_crosshair = True
+        self.h_line.is_crosshair = True
         self.plot_item.addItem(self.v_line, ignoreBounds=True)
         self.plot_item.addItem(self.h_line, ignoreBounds=True)
+
+        # Initialize highlighted curve in a case of multiple curves
+        self.highlighted_curve_index = None
+
+        # Add TextItem to display coordinates
+        self.coord_label = pg.TextItem("", anchor=(1, 1), fill=(0, 0, 0, 100))
+        self.coord_label.setVisible(False)  # Hide initially
+        self.coord_label.skip_auto_range = True
+        self.plot_item.addItem(self.coord_label)
+
+        # Signals to connect
         self.proxy = pg.SignalProxy(
             self.plot_item.scene().sigMouseMoved, rateLimit=60, slot=self.mouse_moved
         )
+        self.positionChanged.connect(self.update_coord_label)
         self.plot_item.scene().sigMouseClicked.connect(self.mouse_clicked)
 
+        # Connect signals from pyqtgraph right click menu
         self.plot_item.ctrl.derivativeCheck.checkStateChanged.connect(self.check_derivatives)
         self.plot_item.ctrl.logXCheck.checkStateChanged.connect(self.check_log)
         self.plot_item.ctrl.logYCheck.checkStateChanged.connect(self.check_log)
+        self.plot_item.ctrl.downsampleSpin.valueChanged.connect(self.clear_markers)
 
         # Initialize markers
+        self.items = []
         self.marker_moved_1d = {}
         self.marker_clicked_1d = {}
         self.marker_2d = None
         self.update_markers()
+        self.check_log()
+        self.check_derivatives()
+
+        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)
+            self._update_theme()
+
+    @Slot(str)
+    def _update_theme(self, theme: str | None = None):
+        """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."""
+        if theme == "dark":
+            text_color = "w"
+            label_bg_color = (50, 50, 50, 150)
+        elif theme == "light":
+            text_color = "k"
+            label_bg_color = (240, 240, 240, 150)
+        else:
+            text_color = "w"
+            label_bg_color = (50, 50, 50, 150)
+
+        self.coord_label.setColor(text_color)
+        self.coord_label.fill = pg.mkBrush(label_bg_color)
+        self.coord_label.border = pg.mkPen(None)
+
+    @Slot(int)
+    def update_highlighted_curve(self, curve_index: int):
+        """
+        Update the highlighted curve in the case of multiple curves in a plot item.
+
+        Args:
+            curve_index(int): The index of curve to highlight
+        """
+        self.highlighted_curve_index = curve_index
+        self.clear_markers()
+        self.update_markers()
 
     def update_markers(self):
         """Update the markers for the crosshair, creating new ones if necessary."""
 
-        # Create new markers
-        for item in self.plot_item.items:
+        if self.highlighted_curve_index is not None and hasattr(self.plot_item, "visible_curves"):
+            # Focus on the highlighted curve only
+            self.items = [self.plot_item.visible_curves[self.highlighted_curve_index]]
+        else:
+            # Handle all curves
+            self.items = self.plot_item.items
+
+        # Create or update markers
+        for item in self.items:
             if isinstance(item, pg.PlotDataItem):  # 1D plot
-                if item.name() in self.marker_moved_1d:
-                    continue
                 pen = item.opts["pen"]
                 color = pen.color() if hasattr(pen, "color") else pg.mkColor(pen)
-                marker_moved = pg.ScatterPlotItem(
-                    size=10, pen=pg.mkPen(color), brush=pg.mkBrush(None)
-                )
-                marker_moved.skip_auto_range = True
-                self.marker_moved_1d[item.name()] = marker_moved
-                self.plot_item.addItem(marker_moved)
-
-                # Create glowing effect markers for clicked events
-                for size, alpha in [(18, 64), (14, 128), (10, 255)]:
-                    marker_clicked = pg.ScatterPlotItem(
-                        size=size,
-                        pen=pg.mkPen(None),
-                        brush=pg.mkBrush(color.red(), color.green(), color.blue(), alpha),
+                name = item.name() or str(id(item))
+                if name in self.marker_moved_1d:
+                    # Update existing markers
+                    marker_moved = self.marker_moved_1d[name]
+                    marker_moved.setPen(pg.mkPen(color))
+                    # Update clicked markers' brushes
+                    for marker_clicked in self.marker_clicked_1d[name]:
+                        alpha = marker_clicked.opts["brush"].color().alpha()
+                        marker_clicked.setBrush(
+                            pg.mkBrush(color.red(), color.green(), color.blue(), alpha)
+                        )
+                    # Update z-values
+                    marker_moved.setZValue(item.zValue() + 1)
+                    for marker_clicked in self.marker_clicked_1d[name]:
+                        marker_clicked.setZValue(item.zValue() + 1)
+                else:
+                    # Create new markers
+                    marker_moved = CrosshairScatterItem(
+                        size=10, pen=pg.mkPen(color), brush=pg.mkBrush(None)
                     )
-                    marker_clicked.skip_auto_range = True
-                    self.marker_clicked_1d[item.name()] = marker_clicked
-                    self.plot_item.addItem(marker_clicked)
+                    marker_moved.skip_auto_range = True
+                    marker_moved.is_crosshair = True
+                    self.marker_moved_1d[name] = marker_moved
+                    self.plot_item.addItem(marker_moved)
+                    # Set marker z-value higher than the curve
+                    marker_moved.setZValue(item.zValue() + 1)
 
+                    # Create glowing effect markers for clicked events
+                    marker_clicked_list = []
+                    for size, alpha in [(18, 64), (14, 128), (10, 255)]:
+                        marker_clicked = CrosshairScatterItem(
+                            size=size,
+                            pen=pg.mkPen(None),
+                            brush=pg.mkBrush(color.red(), color.green(), color.blue(), alpha),
+                        )
+                        marker_clicked.skip_auto_range = True
+                        marker_clicked.is_crosshair = True
+                        self.plot_item.addItem(marker_clicked)
+                        marker_clicked.setZValue(item.zValue() + 1)
+                        marker_clicked_list.append(marker_clicked)
+                    self.marker_clicked_1d[name] = marker_clicked_list
             elif isinstance(item, pg.ImageItem):  # 2D plot
                 if self.marker_2d is not None:
                     continue
                 self.marker_2d = pg.ROI(
                     [0, 0], size=[1, 1], pen=pg.mkPen("r", width=2), movable=False
                 )
+                self.marker_2d.skip_auto_range = True
                 self.plot_item.addItem(self.marker_2d)
 
-    def snap_to_data(self, x, y) -> tuple[defaultdict[list], defaultdict[list]]:
+    def snap_to_data(
+        self, x: float, y: float
+    ) -> tuple[None, None] | tuple[defaultdict[Any, list], defaultdict[Any, list]]:
         """
         Finds the nearest data points to the given x and y coordinates.
 
         Args:
-            x: The x-coordinate of the mouse cursor
-            y: The y-coordinate of the mouse cursor
+            x(float): The x-coordinate of the mouse cursor
+            y(float): The y-coordinate of the mouse cursor
 
         Returns:
             tuple: x and y values snapped to the nearest data
         """
         y_values = defaultdict(list)
         x_values = defaultdict(list)
-        image_2d = None
 
         # Iterate through items in the plot
-        for item in self.plot_item.items:
+        for item in self.items:
             if isinstance(item, pg.PlotDataItem):  # 1D plot
-                name = item.name()
+                name = item.name() or str(id(item))
                 plot_data = item._getDisplayDataset()
                 if plot_data is None:
                     continue
@@ -125,9 +241,9 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
                     y_values[name] = closest_y
                     x_values[name] = closest_x
             elif isinstance(item, pg.ImageItem):  # 2D plot
-                name = item.config.monitor
+                name = item.config.monitor or str(id(item))
                 image_2d = item.image
-                # clip the x and y values to the image dimensions to avoid out of bounds errors
+                # Clip the x and y values to the image dimensions to avoid out of bounds errors
                 y_values[name] = int(np.clip(y, 0, image_2d.shape[1] - 1))
                 x_values[name] = int(np.clip(x, 0, image_2d.shape[0] - 1))
 
@@ -140,21 +256,34 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
 
         return None, None
 
-    def closest_x_y_value(self, input_value: float, list_x: list, list_y: list) -> tuple:
+    def closest_x_y_value(self, input_x: float, list_x: list, list_y: list) -> tuple:
         """
         Find the closest x and y value to the input value.
 
         Args:
-            input_value (float): Input value
+            input_x (float): Input value
             list_x (list): List of x values
             list_y (list): List of y values
 
         Returns:
             tuple: Closest x and y value
         """
-        arr = np.asarray(list_x)
-        i = (np.abs(arr - input_value)).argmin()
-        return list_x[i], list_y[i]
+        # Convert lists to NumPy arrays
+        arr_x = np.asarray(list_x)
+
+        # Get the indices where x is not NaN
+        valid_indices = ~np.isnan(arr_x)
+
+        # Filter x array to exclude NaN values
+        filtered_x = arr_x[valid_indices]
+
+        # Find the index of the closest value in the filtered x array
+        closest_index = np.abs(filtered_x - input_x).argmin()
+
+        # Map back to the original index in the list_x and list_y arrays
+        original_index = np.where(valid_indices)[0][closest_index]
+
+        return list_x[original_index], list_y[original_index]
 
     def mouse_moved(self, event):
         """Handles the mouse moved event, updating the crosshair position and emitting signals.
@@ -166,14 +295,13 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
         self.update_markers()
         if self.plot_item.vb.sceneBoundingRect().contains(pos):
             mouse_point = self.plot_item.vb.mapSceneToView(pos)
-            self.v_line.setPos(mouse_point.x())
-            self.h_line.setPos(mouse_point.y())
-
             x, y = mouse_point.x(), mouse_point.y()
-            if self.is_log_x:
-                x = 10**x
-            if self.is_log_y:
-                y = 10**y
+            self.v_line.setPos(x)
+            self.h_line.setPos(y)
+            scaled_x, scaled_y = self.scale_emitted_coordinates(mouse_point.x(), mouse_point.y())
+            self.crosshairChanged.emit((scaled_x, scaled_y))
+            self.positionChanged.emit((x, y))
+
             x_snap_values, y_snap_values = self.snap_to_data(x, y)
             if x_snap_values is None or y_snap_values is None:
                 return
@@ -183,17 +311,22 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
                 # not sure how we got here, but just to be safe...
                 return
 
-            for item in self.plot_item.items:
+            for item in self.items:
                 if isinstance(item, pg.PlotDataItem):
-                    name = item.name()
+                    name = item.name() or str(id(item))
                     x, y = x_snap_values[name], y_snap_values[name]
                     if x is None or y is None:
                         continue
                     self.marker_moved_1d[name].setData([x], [y])
-                    coordinate_to_emit = (name, round(x, self.precision), round(y, self.precision))
+                    x_snapped_scaled, y_snapped_scaled = self.scale_emitted_coordinates(x, y)
+                    coordinate_to_emit = (
+                        name,
+                        round(x_snapped_scaled, self.precision),
+                        round(y_snapped_scaled, self.precision),
+                    )
                     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
@@ -217,11 +350,10 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
         if self.plot_item.vb.sceneBoundingRect().contains(event._scenePos):
             mouse_point = self.plot_item.vb.mapSceneToView(event._scenePos)
             x, y = mouse_point.x(), mouse_point.y()
+            scaled_x, scaled_y = self.scale_emitted_coordinates(mouse_point.x(), mouse_point.y())
+            self.crosshairClicked.emit((scaled_x, scaled_y))
+            self.positionClicked.emit((x, y))
 
-            if self.is_log_x:
-                x = 10**x
-            if self.is_log_y:
-                y = 10**y
             x_snap_values, y_snap_values = self.snap_to_data(x, y)
 
             if x_snap_values is None or y_snap_values is None:
@@ -232,17 +364,23 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
                 # not sure how we got here, but just to be safe...
                 return
 
-            for item in self.plot_item.items:
+            for item in self.items:
                 if isinstance(item, pg.PlotDataItem):
-                    name = item.name()
+                    name = item.name() or str(id(item))
                     x, y = x_snap_values[name], y_snap_values[name]
                     if x is None or y is None:
                         continue
-                    self.marker_clicked_1d[name].setData([x], [y])
-                    coordinate_to_emit = (name, round(x, self.precision), round(y, self.precision))
+                    for marker_clicked in self.marker_clicked_1d[name]:
+                        marker_clicked.setData([x], [y])
+                    x_snapped_scaled, y_snapped_scaled = self.scale_emitted_coordinates(x, y)
+                    coordinate_to_emit = (
+                        name,
+                        round(x_snapped_scaled, self.precision),
+                        round(y_snapped_scaled, self.precision),
+                    )
                     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
@@ -255,14 +393,55 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
     def clear_markers(self):
         """Clears the markers from the plot."""
         for marker in self.marker_moved_1d.values():
-            marker.clear()
-        for marker in self.marker_clicked_1d.values():
-            marker.clear()
+            self.plot_item.removeItem(marker)
+        for markers in self.marker_clicked_1d.values():
+            for marker in markers:
+                self.plot_item.removeItem(marker)
+        self.marker_moved_1d.clear()
+        self.marker_clicked_1d.clear()
+
+    def scale_emitted_coordinates(self, x, y):
+        """Scales the emitted coordinates if the axes are in log scale.
+
+        Args:
+            x (float): The x-coordinate
+            y (float): The y-coordinate
+
+        Returns:
+            tuple: The scaled x and y coordinates
+        """
+        if self.is_log_x:
+            x = 10**x
+        if self.is_log_y:
+            y = 10**y
+        return x, y
+
+    def update_coord_label(self, pos: tuple):
+        """Updates the coordinate label based on the crosshair position and axis scales.
+
+        Args:
+            pos (tuple): The (x, y) position of the crosshair.
+        """
+        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
+                ix = int(np.clip(x, 0, image.shape[0] - 1))
+                iy = int(np.clip(y, 0, image.shape[1] - 1))
+                intensity = image[ix, iy]
+                text += f"\nIntensity: {intensity:.{self.precision}g}"
+                break
+        # Update coordinate label
+        self.coord_label.setText(text)
+        self.coord_label.setPos(x, y)
+        self.coord_label.setVisible(True)
 
     def check_log(self):
         """Checks if the x or y axis is in log scale and updates the internal state accordingly."""
-        self.is_log_x = self.plot_item.ctrl.logXCheck.isChecked()
-        self.is_log_y = self.plot_item.ctrl.logYCheck.isChecked()
+        self.is_log_x = self.plot_item.axes["bottom"]["item"].logMode
+        self.is_log_y = self.plot_item.axes["left"]["item"].logMode
         self.clear_markers()
 
     def check_derivatives(self):
@@ -271,6 +450,11 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
         self.clear_markers()
 
     def cleanup(self):
-        self.v_line.deleteLater()
-        self.h_line.deleteLater()
+        if self.marker_2d is not None:
+            self.plot_item.removeItem(self.marker_2d)
+            self.marker_2d = None
+        self.plot_item.removeItem(self.v_line)
+        self.plot_item.removeItem(self.h_line)
+        self.plot_item.removeItem(self.coord_label)
+
         self.clear_markers()

bec_widgets/utils/entry_validator.py

@@ -22,7 +22,9 @@ class EntryValidator:
         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")
+            raise ValueError(
+                f"Entry '{entry}' not found in device '{name}' signals. Available signals: {description.keys()}"
+            )
 
         return entry
 

bec_widgets/utils/error_popups.py

@@ -2,9 +2,93 @@ import functools
 import sys
 import traceback
 
-from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, Qt, Signal, Slot
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from qtpy.QtCore import Property, QObject, Qt, Signal, Slot
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QMessageBox, QPushButton, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
+
+def SafeProperty(prop_type, *prop_args, popup_error: bool = False, default=None, **prop_kwargs):
+    """
+    Decorator to create a Qt Property with safe getter and setter so that
+    Qt Designer won't crash if an exception occurs in either method.
+
+    Args:
+        prop_type: The property type (e.g., str, bool, int, custom classes, etc.)
+        popup_error (bool): If True, show a popup for any error; otherwise, ignore or log silently.
+        default: Any default/fallback value to return if the getter raises an exception.
+        *prop_args, **prop_kwargs: Passed along to the underlying Qt Property constructor.
+
+    Usage:
+        @SafeProperty(int, default=-1)
+        def some_value(self) -> int:
+            # your getter logic
+            return ...   # if an exception is raised, returns -1
+
+        @some_value.setter
+        def some_value(self, val: int):
+            # your setter logic
+            ...
+    """
+
+    def decorator(py_getter):
+        """Decorator for the user's property getter function."""
+
+        @functools.wraps(py_getter)
+        def safe_getter(self_):
+            try:
+                return py_getter(self_)
+            except Exception:
+                # Identify which property function triggered error
+                prop_name = f"{py_getter.__module__}.{py_getter.__qualname__}"
+                error_msg = traceback.format_exc()
+
+                if popup_error:
+                    ErrorPopupUtility().custom_exception_hook(*sys.exc_info(), popup_error=True)
+                logger.error(f"SafeProperty error in GETTER of '{prop_name}':\n{error_msg}")
+                return default
+
+        class PropertyWrapper:
+            """
+            Intermediate wrapper used so that the user can optionally chain .setter(...).
+            """
+
+            def __init__(self, getter_func):
+                # We store only our safe_getter in the wrapper
+                self.getter_func = safe_getter
+
+            def setter(self, setter_func):
+                """Wraps the user-defined setter to handle errors safely."""
+
+                @functools.wraps(setter_func)
+                def safe_setter(self_, value):
+                    try:
+                        return setter_func(self_, value)
+                    except Exception:
+                        prop_name = f"{setter_func.__module__}.{setter_func.__qualname__}"
+                        error_msg = traceback.format_exc()
+
+                        if popup_error:
+                            ErrorPopupUtility().custom_exception_hook(
+                                *sys.exc_info(), popup_error=True
+                            )
+                        logger.error(f"SafeProperty error in SETTER of '{prop_name}':\n{error_msg}")
+                        return
+
+                # Return the full read/write Property
+                return Property(prop_type, self.getter_func, safe_setter, *prop_args, **prop_kwargs)
+
+            def __call__(self):
+                """
+                If user never calls `.setter(...)`, produce a read-only property.
+                """
+                return Property(prop_type, self.getter_func, None, *prop_args, **prop_kwargs)
+
+        return PropertyWrapper(py_getter)
+
+    return decorator
+
 
 def SafeSlot(*slot_args, **slot_kwargs):  # pylint: disable=invalid-name
     """Function with args, acting like a decorator, applying "error_managed" decorator + Qt Slot
@@ -22,7 +106,13 @@ def SafeSlot(*slot_args, **slot_kwargs):  # pylint: disable=invalid-name
             try:
                 return method(*args, **kwargs)
             except Exception:
-                ErrorPopupUtility().custom_exception_hook(*sys.exc_info(), popup_error=popup_error)
+                slot_name = f"{method.__module__}.{method.__qualname__}"
+                error_msg = traceback.format_exc()
+                if popup_error:
+                    ErrorPopupUtility().custom_exception_hook(
+                        *sys.exc_info(), popup_error=popup_error
+                    )
+                logger.error(f"SafeSlot error in slot '{slot_name}':\n{error_msg}")
 
         return wrapper
 
@@ -91,6 +181,12 @@ class _ErrorPopupUtility(QObject):
         msg.setMinimumHeight(400)
         msg.exec_()
 
+    def show_property_error(self, title, message, widget):
+        """
+        Show a property-specific error message.
+        """
+        self.error_occurred.emit(title, message, widget)
+
     def format_traceback(self, traceback_message: str) -> str:
         """
         Format the traceback message to be displayed in the error popup by adding indentation to each line.
@@ -127,12 +223,14 @@ class _ErrorPopupUtility(QObject):
             error_message = " ".join(captured_message)
         return error_message
 
+    def get_error_message(self, exctype, value, tb):
+        return "".join(traceback.format_exception(exctype, value, tb))
+
     def custom_exception_hook(self, exctype, value, tb, popup_error=False):
         if popup_error or self.enable_error_popup:
-            error_message = traceback.format_exception(exctype, value, tb)
             self.error_occurred.emit(
                 "Method error" if popup_error else "Application Error",
-                "".join(error_message),
+                self.get_error_message(exctype, value, tb),
                 self.parent(),
             )
         else:

bec_widgets/utils/expandable_frame.py

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

bec_widgets/utils/filter_io.py

@@ -0,0 +1,156 @@
+"""Module for handling filter I/O operations in BEC Widgets for input fields.
+These operations include filtering device/signal names and/or device types.
+"""
+
+from abc import ABC, abstractmethod
+
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from qtpy.QtCore import QStringListModel
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QComboBox, QCompleter, QLineEdit
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
+
+class WidgetFilterHandler(ABC):
+    """Abstract base class for widget filter handlers"""
+
+    @abstractmethod
+    def set_selection(self, widget, selection: list) -> None:
+        """Set the filtered_selection for the widget
+
+        Args:
+            selection (list): Filtered selection of items
+        """
+
+    @abstractmethod
+    def check_input(self, widget, text: str) -> bool:
+        """Check if the input text is in the filtered selection
+
+        Args:
+            widget: Widget instance
+            text (str): Input text
+
+        Returns:
+            bool: True if the input text is in the filtered selection
+        """
+
+
+class LineEditFilterHandler(WidgetFilterHandler):
+    """Handler for QLineEdit widget"""
+
+    def set_selection(self, widget: QLineEdit, selection: list) -> None:
+        """Set the selection for the widget to the completer model
+
+        Args:
+            widget (QLineEdit): The QLineEdit widget
+            selection (list): Filtered selection of items
+        """
+        if not isinstance(widget.completer, QCompleter):
+            completer = QCompleter(widget)
+            widget.setCompleter(completer)
+        widget.completer.setModel(QStringListModel(selection, widget))
+
+    def check_input(self, widget: QLineEdit, text: str) -> bool:
+        """Check if the input text is in the filtered selection
+
+        Args:
+            widget (QLineEdit): The QLineEdit widget
+            text (str): Input text
+
+        Returns:
+            bool: True if the input text is in the filtered selection
+        """
+        model = widget.completer.model()
+        model_data = [model.data(model.index(i)) for i in range(model.rowCount())]
+        return text in model_data
+
+
+class ComboBoxFilterHandler(WidgetFilterHandler):
+    """Handler for QComboBox widget"""
+
+    def set_selection(self, widget: QComboBox, selection: list) -> None:
+        """Set the selection for the widget to the completer model
+
+        Args:
+            widget (QComboBox): The QComboBox widget
+            selection (list): Filtered selection of items
+        """
+        widget.clear()
+        widget.addItems(selection)
+
+    def check_input(self, widget: QComboBox, text: str) -> bool:
+        """Check if the input text is in the filtered selection
+
+        Args:
+            widget (QComboBox): The QComboBox widget
+            text (str): Input text
+
+        Returns:
+            bool: True if the input text is in the filtered selection
+        """
+        return text in [widget.itemText(i) for i in range(widget.count())]
+
+
+class FilterIO:
+    """Public interface to set filters for input widgets.
+    It supports the list of widgets stored in class attribute _handlers.
+    """
+
+    _handlers = {QLineEdit: LineEditFilterHandler, QComboBox: ComboBoxFilterHandler}
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def set_selection(widget, selection: list, ignore_errors=True):
+        """
+        Retrieve value from the widget instance.
+
+        Args:
+            widget: Widget instance.
+            selection(list): List of filtered selection items.
+            ignore_errors(bool, optional): Whether to ignore if no handler is found.
+        """
+        handler_class = FilterIO._find_handler(widget)
+        if handler_class:
+            return handler_class().set_selection(widget=widget, selection=selection)
+        if not ignore_errors:
+            raise ValueError(
+                f"No matching handler for widget type: {type(widget)} in handler list {FilterIO._handlers}"
+            )
+        return None
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def check_input(widget, text: str, ignore_errors=True):
+        """
+        Check if the input text is in the filtered selection.
+
+        Args:
+            widget: Widget instance.
+            text(str): Input text.
+            ignore_errors(bool, optional): Whether to ignore if no handler is found.
+
+        Returns:
+            bool: True if the input text is in the filtered selection.
+        """
+        handler_class = FilterIO._find_handler(widget)
+        if handler_class:
+            return handler_class().check_input(widget=widget, text=text)
+        if not ignore_errors:
+            raise ValueError(
+                f"No matching handler for widget type: {type(widget)} in handler list {FilterIO._handlers}"
+            )
+        return None
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _find_handler(widget):
+        """
+        Find the appropriate handler for the widget by checking its base classes.
+
+        Args:
+            widget: Widget instance.
+
+        Returns:
+            handler_class: The handler class if found, otherwise None.
+        """
+        for base in type(widget).__mro__:
+            if base in FilterIO._handlers:
+                return FilterIO._handlers[base]
+        return None

bec_widgets/utils/fps_counter.py

@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+"""
+This module provides a utility class for counting and reporting frames per second (FPS) in a PyQtGraph application.
+
+Classes:
+    FPSCounter: A class that monitors the paint events of a `ViewBox` to calculate and emit FPS values.
+
+Usage:
+    The `FPSCounter` class can be used to monitor the rendering performance of a `ViewBox` in a PyQtGraph application.
+    It connects to the `ViewBox`'s paint event and calculates the FPS over a specified interval, emitting the FPS value
+    at regular intervals.
+
+Example:
+    from qtpy import QtWidgets, QtCore
+    import pyqtgraph as pg
+    from fps_counter import FPSCounter
+
+    app = pg.mkQApp("FPS Counter Example")
+    win = pg.GraphicsLayoutWidget()
+    win.show()
+
+    vb = pg.ViewBox()
+    plot_item = pg.PlotItem(viewBox=vb)
+    win.addItem(plot_item)
+
+    fps_counter = FPSCounter(vb)
+    fps_counter.sigFpsUpdate.connect(lambda fps: print(f"FPS: {fps:.2f}"))
+
+    sys.exit(app.exec_())
+"""
+
+from time import perf_counter
+
+import pyqtgraph as pg
+from qtpy import QtCore
+
+
+class FPSCounter(QtCore.QObject):
+    """
+    A utility class for counting and reporting frames per second (FPS).
+
+    This class connects to a `ViewBox`'s paint event to count the number of
+    frames rendered and calculates the FPS over a specified interval. It emits
+    a signal with the FPS value at regular intervals.
+
+    Attributes:
+        sigFpsUpdate (QtCore.Signal): Signal emitted with the FPS value.
+        view_box (pg.ViewBox): The `ViewBox` instance to monitor.
+    """
+
+    sigFpsUpdate = QtCore.Signal(float)
+
+    def __init__(self, view_box):
+        super().__init__()
+        self.view_box = view_box
+        self.view_box.sigPaint.connect(self.increment_count)
+        self.count = 0
+        self.last_update = perf_counter()
+        self.timer = QtCore.QTimer()
+        self.timer.timeout.connect(self.calculate_fps)
+        self.timer.start(1000)
+
+    def increment_count(self):
+        """
+        Increment the frame count when the `ViewBox` is painted.
+        """
+        self.count += 1
+
+    def calculate_fps(self):
+        """
+        Calculate the frames per second (FPS) based on the number of frames
+        """
+        now = perf_counter()
+        elapsed = now - self.last_update
+        fps = self.count / elapsed if elapsed > 0 else 0.0
+        self.last_update = now
+        self.count = 0
+        self.sigFpsUpdate.emit(fps)
+
+    def cleanup(self):
+        """
+        Clean up the FPS counter by stopping the timer and disconnecting the signal.
+        """
+        self.timer.stop()
+        self.timer.timeout.disconnect(self.calculate_fps)

bec_widgets/utils/generate_designer_plugin.py

@@ -1,12 +1,23 @@
 import inspect
 import os
 import re
+from typing import NamedTuple
 
 from qtpy.QtCore import QObject
 
 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
@@ -53,11 +64,15 @@ 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.")
@@ -112,26 +127,18 @@ class DesignerPluginGenerator:
                 f"Widget class {self.widget.__name__} must call the super constructor with parent."
             )
 
+    def _write_file(self, name: str, contents: str):
+        with open(os.path.join(self.info.base_path, name), "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+            f.write(contents)
+
+    def _format(self, name: str):
+        return self.templates[name].format(**self.info.__dict__)
+
     def _write_templates(self):
-        self._write_register()
-        self._write_plugin()
-        self._write_pyproject()
-
-    def _write_register(self):
-        file_path = os.path.join(self.info.base_path, f"register_{self.info.plugin_name_snake}.py")
-        with open(file_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-            f.write(self.templates["register"].format(**self.info.__dict__))
-
-    def _write_plugin(self):
-        file_path = os.path.join(self.info.base_path, f"{self.info.plugin_name_snake}_plugin.py")
-        with open(file_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-            f.write(self.templates["plugin"].format(**self.info.__dict__))
-
-    def _write_pyproject(self):
-        file_path = os.path.join(self.info.base_path, f"{self.info.plugin_name_snake}.pyproject")
-        out = {"files": [f"{self.info.plugin_class.__module__.split('.')[-1]}.py"]}
-        with open(file_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-            f.write(str(out))
+        self._write_file(self.filenames.register, self._format("register"))
+        self._write_file(self.filenames.plugin, self._format("plugin"))
+        pyproj = str({"files": [f"{self.info.plugin_class.__module__.split('.')[-1]}.py"]})
+        self._write_file(self.filenames.pyproj, pyproj)
 
     def _load_templates(self):
         for file in os.listdir(self.template_path):
@@ -143,7 +150,7 @@ class DesignerPluginGenerator:
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     # from bec_widgets.widgets.bec_queue.bec_queue import BECQueue
-    from bec_widgets.widgets.spinner.spinner import SpinnerWidget
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.spinner import SpinnerWidget
 
     generator = DesignerPluginGenerator(SpinnerWidget)
     generator.run(validate=False)

bec_widgets/utils/linear_region_selector.py

@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+""" Module for a thin wrapper (LinearRegionWrapper) around the LinearRegionItem in pyqtgraph.
+The class is mainly designed for usage with the BECWaveform and 1D plots. """
+
+import pyqtgraph as pg
+from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, Signal, Slot
+from qtpy.QtGui import QColor
+
+
+class LinearRegionWrapper(QObject):
+    """Wrapper class for the LinearRegionItem in pyqtgraph for 1D plots (BECWaveform)
+
+    Args:
+        plot_item (pg.PlotItem): The plot item to add the region selector to.
+        parent (QObject): The parent object.
+        color (QColor): The color of the region selector.
+        hover_color (QColor): The color of the region selector when the mouse is over it.
+    """
+
+    # Signal with the region tuble (start, end)
+    region_changed = Signal(tuple)
+
+    def __init__(
+        self, plot_item: pg.PlotItem, color: QColor = None, hover_color: QColor = None, parent=None
+    ):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self.is_log_x = None
+        self._edge_width = 2
+        self.plot_item = plot_item
+        self.linear_region_selector = pg.LinearRegionItem()
+        self.proxy = None
+        self.change_roi_color((color, hover_color))
+        self.plot_item.ctrl.logXCheck.checkStateChanged.connect(self.check_log)
+        self.plot_item.ctrl.logYCheck.checkStateChanged.connect(self.check_log)
+
+    # Slot for changing the color of the region selector (edge and fill)
+    @Slot(tuple)
+    def change_roi_color(self, colors: tuple[QColor | str | tuple, QColor | str | tuple]):
+        """Change the color and hover color of the region selector.
+        Hover color means the color when the mouse is over the region.
+
+        Args:
+            colors (tuple): Tuple with the color and hover color
+        """
+        color, hover_color = colors
+        if color is not None:
+            self.linear_region_selector.setBrush(pg.mkBrush(color))
+        if hover_color is not None:
+            self.linear_region_selector.setHoverBrush(pg.mkBrush(hover_color))
+
+    @Slot()
+    def add_region_selector(self):
+        """Add the region selector to the plot item"""
+        self.plot_item.addItem(self.linear_region_selector)
+        # Use proxy to limit the update rate of the region change signal to 10Hz
+        self.proxy = pg.SignalProxy(
+            self.linear_region_selector.sigRegionChanged,
+            rateLimit=10,
+            slot=self._region_change_proxy,
+        )
+
+    @Slot()
+    def remove_region_selector(self):
+        """Remove the region selector from the plot item"""
+        self.proxy.disconnect()
+        self.proxy = None
+        self.plot_item.removeItem(self.linear_region_selector)
+
+    def _region_change_proxy(self):
+        """Emit the region change signal. If the plot is in log mode, convert the region to log."""
+        x_low, x_high = self.linear_region_selector.getRegion()
+        if self.is_log_x:
+            x_low = 10**x_low
+            x_high = 10**x_high
+        self.region_changed.emit((x_low, x_high))
+
+    @Slot()
+    def check_log(self):
+        """Check if the plot is in log mode."""
+        self.is_log_x = self.plot_item.ctrl.logXCheck.isChecked()
+        self.is_log_y = self.plot_item.ctrl.logYCheck.isChecked()
+
+    def cleanup(self):
+        """Cleanup the widget."""
+        self.remove_region_selector()

bec_widgets/utils/ophyd_kind_util.py

@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+from enum import IntFlag
+
+try:
+
+    from enum import KEEP
+
+    class IFBase(IntFlag, boundary=KEEP): ...
+
+except ImportError:
+
+    IFBase = IntFlag
+
+
+class Kind(IFBase):
+    """
+    This is used in the .kind attribute of all OphydObj (Signals, Devices).
+
+    A Device examines its components' .kind atttribute to decide whether to
+    traverse it in read(), read_configuration(), or neither. Additionally, if
+    decides whether to include its name in `hints['fields']`.
+    """
+
+    omitted = 0b000
+    normal = 0b001
+    config = 0b010
+    hinted = 0b101  # Notice that bool(hinted & normal) is True.

bec_widgets/utils/palette_viewer.py

@@ -0,0 +1,183 @@
+from qtpy.QtCore import Qt
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
+    QApplication,
+    QFrame,
+    QGridLayout,
+    QHBoxLayout,
+    QLabel,
+    QScrollArea,
+    QSizePolicy,
+    QVBoxLayout,
+    QWidget,
+)
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import get_accent_colors, get_theme_palette
+from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.visual.dark_mode_button.dark_mode_button import DarkModeButton
+
+
+class PaletteViewer(BECWidget, QWidget):
+    """
+    This class is a widget that displays current palette colors.
+    """
+
+    ICON_NAME = "palette"
+
+    def __init__(self, *args, parent=None, **kwargs):
+        super().__init__(*args, theme_update=True, **kwargs)
+        QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
+        self.setFixedSize(400, 600)
+        layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
+        dark_mode_button = DarkModeButton(self)
+        layout.addWidget(dark_mode_button)
+
+        # Create a scroll area to hold the color boxes
+        scroll_area = QScrollArea(self)
+        scroll_area.setWidgetResizable(True)
+        scroll_area.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Expanding)
+
+        # Create a frame to hold the color boxes
+        self.frame = QFrame(self)
+        self.frame_layout = QGridLayout(self.frame)
+        self.frame_layout.setSpacing(0)
+        self.frame_layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+
+        scroll_area.setWidget(self.frame)
+        layout.addWidget(scroll_area)
+
+        self.setLayout(layout)
+
+        self.update_palette()
+
+    def apply_theme(self, theme) -> None:
+        """
+        Apply the theme to the widget.
+
+        Args:
+            theme (str): The theme to apply.
+        """
+        self.update_palette()
+
+    def clear_palette(self) -> None:
+        """
+        Clear the palette colors from the frame.
+        Recursively removes all widgets and layouts in the frame layout.
+        """
+        # Iterate over all items in the layout in reverse to safely remove them
+        for i in reversed(range(self.frame_layout.count())):
+            item = self.frame_layout.itemAt(i)
+
+            # If the item is a layout, clear its contents
+            if isinstance(item, QHBoxLayout):
+                # Recursively remove all widgets from the layout
+                for j in reversed(range(item.count())):
+                    widget = item.itemAt(j).widget()
+                    if widget:
+                        item.removeWidget(widget)
+                        widget.deleteLater()
+                self.frame_layout.removeItem(item)
+
+            # If the item is a widget, remove and delete it
+            elif item.widget():
+                widget = item.widget()
+                self.frame_layout.removeWidget(widget)
+                widget.deleteLater()
+
+    def update_palette(self) -> None:
+        """
+        Update the palette colors in the frame.
+        """
+        self.clear_palette()
+        palette_label = QLabel("Palette Colors (e.g. palette.windowText().color())")
+        palette_label.setStyleSheet("font-weight: bold;")
+        self.frame_layout.addWidget(palette_label, 0, 0)
+
+        palette = get_theme_palette()
+        # Add the palette colors (roles) to the frame
+        palette_roles = [
+            palette.windowText,
+            palette.toolTipText,
+            palette.placeholderText,
+            palette.text,
+            palette.buttonText,
+            palette.highlight,
+            palette.link,
+            palette.light,
+            palette.midlight,
+            palette.mid,
+            palette.shadow,
+            palette.button,
+            palette.brightText,
+            palette.toolTipBase,
+            palette.alternateBase,
+            palette.dark,
+            palette.base,
+            palette.window,
+            palette.highlightedText,
+            palette.linkVisited,
+        ]
+
+        offset = 1
+        for i, pal in enumerate(palette_roles):
+            i += offset
+            color = pal().color()
+            label_layout = QHBoxLayout()
+            color_label = QLabel(f"{pal().color().name()} ({pal.__name__})")
+            background_label = self.background_label_with_clipboard(color)
+            label_layout.addWidget(color_label)
+            label_layout.addWidget(background_label)
+            self.frame_layout.addLayout(label_layout, i, 0)
+
+        # add a horizontal spacer
+        spacer = QLabel()
+        spacer.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Minimum)
+        self.frame_layout.addWidget(spacer, i + 1, 0)
+
+        accent_colors_label = QLabel("Accent Colors (e.g. accent_colors.default)")
+        accent_colors_label.setStyleSheet("font-weight: bold;")
+        self.frame_layout.addWidget(accent_colors_label, i + 2, 0)
+
+        accent_colors = get_accent_colors()
+        items = [
+            (accent_colors.default, "default"),
+            (accent_colors.success, "success"),
+            (accent_colors.warning, "warning"),
+            (accent_colors.emergency, "emergency"),
+            (accent_colors.highlight, "highlight"),
+        ]
+
+        offset = len(palette_roles) + 2
+        for i, (color, name) in enumerate(items):
+            i += offset
+            label_layout = QHBoxLayout()
+            color_label = QLabel(f"{color.name()} ({name})")
+            background_label = self.background_label_with_clipboard(color)
+            label_layout.addWidget(color_label)
+            label_layout.addWidget(background_label)
+            self.frame_layout.addLayout(label_layout, i + 2, 0)
+
+    def background_label_with_clipboard(self, color) -> QLabel:
+        """
+        Create a label with a background color that copies the color to the clipboard when clicked.
+
+        Args:
+            color (QColor): The color to display in the background.
+
+        Returns:
+            QLabel: The label with the background color.
+        """
+        button = QLabel()
+        button.setStyleSheet(f"QLabel {{ background-color: {color.name()}; }}")
+        button.setToolTip("Click to copy color to clipboard")
+        button.setCursor(Qt.PointingHandCursor)
+        button.mousePressEvent = lambda event: QApplication.clipboard().setText(color.name())
+        return button
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    import sys
+
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    viewer = PaletteViewer()
+    viewer.show()
+    sys.exit(app.exec_())

bec_widgets/utils/plot_indicator_items.py

@@ -0,0 +1,244 @@
+"""Module to create an arrow item for a pyqtgraph plot"""
+
+import numpy as np
+import pyqtgraph as pg
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, QPointF, Signal, Slot
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import get_accent_colors
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
+
+class BECIndicatorItem(QObject):
+
+    def __init__(self, plot_item: pg.PlotItem = None, parent=None):
+        super().__init__(parent=parent)
+        self.accent_colors = get_accent_colors()
+        self.plot_item = plot_item
+        self._item_on_plot = False
+        self._pos = None
+        self.is_log_x = False
+        self.is_log_y = False
+
+    @property
+    def item_on_plot(self) -> bool:
+        """Returns if the item is on the plot"""
+        return self._item_on_plot
+
+    @item_on_plot.setter
+    def item_on_plot(self, value: bool) -> None:
+        self._item_on_plot = value
+
+    def add_to_plot(self) -> None:
+        """Add the item to the plot"""
+        raise NotImplementedError("Method add_to_plot not implemented")
+
+    def remove_from_plot(self) -> None:
+        """Remove the item from the plot"""
+        raise NotImplementedError("Method remove_from_plot not implemented")
+
+    def set_position(self, pos) -> None:
+        """This method should implement the logic to set the position of the
+        item on the plot. Depending on the child class, the position can be
+        a tuple (x,y) or a single value, i.e. x position where y position is fixed.
+        """
+        raise NotImplementedError("Method set_position not implemented")
+
+    def check_log(self):
+        """Checks if the x or y axis is in log scale and updates the internal state accordingly."""
+        self.is_log_x = self.plot_item.ctrl.logXCheck.isChecked()
+        self.is_log_y = self.plot_item.ctrl.logYCheck.isChecked()
+        self.set_position(self._pos)
+
+
+class BECTickItem(BECIndicatorItem):
+    """Class to create a tick item which can be added to a pyqtgraph plot.
+    The tick item will be added to the layout of the plot item and can be used to indicate
+    a position"""
+
+    position_changed = Signal(float)
+    position_changed_str = Signal(str)
+
+    def __init__(self, plot_item: pg.PlotItem = None, parent=None):
+        super().__init__(plot_item=plot_item, parent=parent)
+        self.tick_item = pg.TickSliderItem(
+            parent=parent, allowAdd=False, allowRemove=False, orientation="bottom"
+        )
+        self.tick_item.skip_auto_range = True
+        self.tick = None
+        self._pos = 0.0
+        self._range = [0, 1]
+
+    @Slot(float)
+    def set_position(self, pos: float) -> None:
+        """Set the x position of the tick item
+
+        Args:
+            pos (float): The position of the tick item.
+        """
+        if self.is_log_x is True:
+            pos = pos if pos > 0 else 1e-10
+            pos = np.log10(pos)
+        self._pos = pos
+        view_box = self.plot_item.getViewBox()  # Ensure you're accessing the correct view box
+        view_range = view_box.viewRange()[0]
+        self.update_range(self.plot_item.vb, view_range)
+        self.position_changed.emit(pos)
+        self.position_changed_str.emit(str(pos))
+
+    @Slot()
+    def update_range(self, _, view_range: tuple[float, float]) -> None:
+        """Update the range of the tick item
+
+        Args:
+            vb (pg.ViewBox): The view box.
+            viewRange (tuple): The view range.
+        """
+        if self._pos < view_range[0] or self._pos > view_range[1]:
+            self.tick_item.setVisible(False)
+        else:
+            self.tick_item.setVisible(True)
+
+        if self.tick_item.isVisible():
+            origin = self.tick_item.tickSize / 2.0
+            length = self.tick_item.length
+
+            length_with_padding = length + self.tick_item.tickSize + 2
+
+            self._range = view_range
+            tick_with_padding = (self._pos - view_range[0]) / (view_range[1] - view_range[0])
+            tick_value = (tick_with_padding * length_with_padding - origin) / length
+            self.tick_item.setTickValue(self.tick, tick_value)
+
+    def add_to_plot(self):
+        """Add the tick item to the view box or plot item."""
+        if self.plot_item is None:
+            return
+
+        self.plot_item.layout.addItem(self.tick_item, 2, 1)
+        self.tick_item.setOrientation("top")
+        self.tick = self.tick_item.addTick(0, movable=False, color=self.accent_colors.highlight)
+        self.update_tick_pos_y()
+        self.plot_item.vb.sigXRangeChanged.connect(self.update_range)
+        self.plot_item.ctrl.logXCheck.checkStateChanged.connect(self.check_log)
+        self.plot_item.ctrl.logYCheck.checkStateChanged.connect(self.check_log)
+        self.plot_item.vb.geometryChanged.connect(self.update_tick_pos_y)
+        self.item_on_plot = True
+
+    @Slot()
+    def update_tick_pos_y(self):
+        """Update tick position, while respecting the tick_item coordinates"""
+        pos = self.tick.pos()
+        pos = self.tick_item.mapToParent(pos)
+        new_pos = self.plot_item.vb.geometry().bottom()
+        new_pos = self.tick_item.mapFromParent(QPointF(pos.x(), new_pos))
+        self.tick.setPos(new_pos)
+
+    def remove_from_plot(self):
+        """Remove the tick item from the view box or plot item."""
+        if self.plot_item is not None and self.item_on_plot is True:
+            self.plot_item.vb.sigXRangeChanged.disconnect(self.update_range)
+            self.plot_item.ctrl.logXCheck.checkStateChanged.disconnect(self.check_log)
+            self.plot_item.ctrl.logYCheck.checkStateChanged.disconnect(self.check_log)
+            if self.plot_item.layout is not None:
+                self.plot_item.layout.removeItem(self.tick_item)
+        self.item_on_plot = False
+
+    def cleanup(self) -> None:
+        """Cleanup the item"""
+        self.remove_from_plot()
+        self.tick_item = None
+
+
+class BECArrowItem(BECIndicatorItem):
+    """Class to create an arrow item which can be added to a pyqtgraph plot.
+    It can be either added directly to a view box or a plot item.
+    To add the arrow item to a view box or plot item, use the add_to_plot method.
+
+    Args:
+        view_box (pg.ViewBox | pg.PlotItem): The view box or plot item to which the arrow item should be added.
+        parent (QObject): The parent object.
+
+    Signals:
+        position_changed (tuple[float, float]): Signal emitted when the position of the arrow item has changed.
+        position_changed_str (tuple[str, str]): Signal emitted when the position of the arrow item has changed.
+    """
+
+    # Signal to emit if the position of the arrow item has changed
+    position_changed = Signal(tuple)
+    position_changed_str = Signal(tuple)
+
+    def __init__(self, plot_item: pg.PlotItem = None, parent=None):
+        super().__init__(plot_item=plot_item, parent=parent)
+        self.arrow_item = pg.ArrowItem()
+        self.arrow_item.skip_auto_range = True
+        self._pos = (0, 0)
+        self.arrow_item.setVisible(False)
+
+    @Slot(dict)
+    def set_style(self, style: dict) -> None:
+        """Set the style of the arrow item
+
+        Args:
+            style (dict): The style of the arrow item. Dictionary with key,
+                          value pairs which are accepted from the pg.ArrowItem.setStyle method.
+        """
+        self.arrow_item.setStyle(**style)
+
+    @Slot(tuple)
+    def set_position(self, pos: tuple[float, float]) -> None:
+        """Set the position of the arrow item
+
+        Args:
+            pos (tuple): The position of the arrow item as a tuple (x, y).
+        """
+        self._pos = pos
+        pos_x = pos[0]
+        pos_y = pos[1]
+        if self.is_log_x is True:
+            pos_x = np.log10(pos_x) if pos_x > 0 else 1e-10
+            view_box = self.plot_item.getViewBox()  # Ensure you're accessing the correct view box
+            view_range = view_box.viewRange()[0]
+            # Avoid values outside the view range in the negative direction. Otherwise, there is
+            # a buggy behaviour of the arrow item and it appears at the wrong position.
+            if pos_x < view_range[0]:
+                pos_x = view_range[0]
+        if self.is_log_y is True:
+            pos_y = np.log10(pos_y) if pos_y > 0 else 1e-10
+
+        self.arrow_item.setPos(pos_x, pos_y)
+        self.position_changed.emit(self._pos)
+        self.position_changed_str.emit((str(self._pos[0]), str(self._pos[1])))
+
+    def add_to_plot(self):
+        """Add the arrow item to the view box or plot item."""
+        if not self.arrow_item:
+            logger.warning(f"Arrow item was already destroyed, cannot be created")
+            return
+
+        self.arrow_item.setStyle(
+            angle=-90,
+            pen=pg.mkPen(self.accent_colors.emergency, width=1),
+            brush=pg.mkBrush(self.accent_colors.highlight),
+            headLen=20,
+        )
+        self.arrow_item.setVisible(True)
+        if self.plot_item is not None:
+            self.plot_item.addItem(self.arrow_item)
+            self.plot_item.ctrl.logXCheck.checkStateChanged.connect(self.check_log)
+            self.plot_item.ctrl.logYCheck.checkStateChanged.connect(self.check_log)
+            self.item_on_plot = True
+
+    def remove_from_plot(self):
+        """Remove the arrow item from the view box or plot item."""
+        if self.plot_item is not None and self.item_on_plot is True:
+            self.plot_item.ctrl.logXCheck.checkStateChanged.disconnect(self.check_log)
+            self.plot_item.ctrl.logYCheck.checkStateChanged.disconnect(self.check_log)
+            self.plot_item.removeItem(self.arrow_item)
+        self.item_on_plot = False
+
+    def cleanup(self) -> None:
+        """Cleanup the item"""
+        self.remove_from_plot()
+        self.arrow_item = None

bec_widgets/utils/plugin_templates/plugin.template

@@ -2,8 +2,8 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
 
 from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
-from qtpy.QtGui import QIcon
 
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
 {widget_import}
 
 DOM_XML = """
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ class {plugin_name_pascal}Plugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no
         return ""
 
     def icon(self):
-        return QIcon()
+        return designer_material_icon({plugin_name_pascal}.ICON_NAME)
 
     def includeFile(self):
         return "{plugin_name_snake}"

bec_widgets/utils/plugin_utils.py

@@ -53,12 +53,15 @@ class BECClassInfo:
     obj: type
     is_connector: bool = False
     is_widget: bool = False
-    is_top_level: bool = False
+    is_plugin: bool = False
 
 
 class BECClassContainer:
     def __init__(self):
-        self._collection = []
+        self._collection: list[BECClassInfo] = []
+
+    def __repr__(self):
+        return str(list(cl.name for cl in self.collection))
 
     def add_class(self, class_info: BECClassInfo):
         """
@@ -88,14 +91,14 @@ class BECClassContainer:
         """
         Get all top-level classes.
         """
-        return [info.obj for info in self.collection if info.is_top_level]
+        return [info.obj for info in self.collection if info.is_plugin]
 
     @property
     def plugins(self):
         """
         Get all plugins. These are all classes that are on the top level and are widgets.
         """
-        return [info.obj for info in self.collection if info.is_widget and info.is_top_level]
+        return [info.obj for info in self.collection if info.is_widget and info.is_plugin]
 
     @property
     def widgets(self):
@@ -109,10 +112,17 @@ class BECClassContainer:
         """
         Get all top-level classes that are RPC-enabled. These are all classes that users can choose from.
         """
-        return [info.obj for info in self.collection if info.is_top_level and info.is_connector]
+        return [info.obj for info in self.collection if info.is_plugin and info.is_connector]
+
+    @property
+    def classes(self):
+        """
+        Get all classes.
+        """
+        return [info.obj for info in self.collection]
 
 
-def get_rpc_classes(repo_name: str) -> BECClassContainer:
+def get_custom_classes(repo_name: str) -> BECClassContainer:
     """
     Get all RPC-enabled classes in the specified repository.
 
@@ -153,6 +163,8 @@ def get_rpc_classes(repo_name: str) -> BECClassContainer:
                         issubclass(obj, QWidget) or issubclass(obj, QGraphicsWidget)
                     ):
                         class_info.is_top_level = True
+                    if hasattr(obj, "PLUGIN") and obj.PLUGIN:
+                        class_info.is_plugin = True
                     collection.add_class(class_info)
 
     return collection