test: update client and server tests to include token and ACL data parameters

Automatically generated by python-semantic-release

.gitlab-ci.yml

@@ -78,9 +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"
 
@@ -148,7 +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
@@ -172,7 +172,6 @@ test-matrix:
           - "3.12"
         QT_PCKG:
           - "pyside6"
-          - "pyqt6"
 
   stage: AdditionalTests
   needs: []
@@ -211,7 +210,7 @@ end-2-end-conda:
     - cd ../
     - pip install -e ./ophyd_devices
 
-    - pip install -e .[dev,pyqt6]
+    - pip install -e .[dev,pyside6]
     - cd ./tests/end-2-end
     - pytest -v --start-servers --flush-redis --random-order
 

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -1,6 +1,296 @@
 # CHANGELOG
 
 
+## v1.25.0 (2025-03-07)
+
+### Features
+
+- **waveform**: Add slice handling and reset functionality for async updates
+  ([`7cbebbb`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/7cbebbb1f00ea2e2b3678c96b183a877e59c5240))
+
+
+## v1.24.5 (2025-03-06)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- Add support for additional keyword arguments in widget constructors
+  ([`66c6c7f`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/66c6c7fa5075dcd5b6729fa3c2166aa821a6c51d))
+
+
+## v1.24.4 (2025-03-05)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **cli/server**: Handle RedisError during heartbeat emission to properly close the app even if the
+  Redis connection is lost
+  ([`2c506ee`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/2c506ee3c8bcf924c651fddffe4f3f9a2ffd19a4))
+
+
+## v1.24.3 (2025-03-05)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **multi_waveform**: Update on_async_readback to use structured metadata for async updates with
+  "add" instead of "extend"
+  ([`fa91366`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/fa91366dcbb383319dc0a0f26400aa93ee445299))
+
+
+## v1.24.2 (2025-02-27)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **e2e**: Added wait time to flaky e2e
+  ([`46b1a22`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/46b1a228be4ef5eb21ecf6c7020a2cd05d06b61a))
+
+
+## v1.24.1 (2025-02-26)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **plot_base**: Ability to choose between popup or side panel gui mode
+  ([`3aa2f22`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/3aa2f2225fba499b648d191ea27553b6db303c18))
+
+- **toolbar**: Switch Actions for default checked actions fixed
+  ([`6d1106e`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/6d1106e33e1fc3839244b11a601fb71e81a65e61))
+
+### Refactoring
+
+- **axis_settings**: Spinbox migrated to new BECSpinBoxes
+  ([`90a1846`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/90a184643aaaaabaa4feb02d2f406fe2bb9daecc))
+
+- **plot_base**: Toolbar buttons adapted for the Switch actions from toolbar; plot export and mouse
+  modes consolidated into one switch button
+  ([`6f2c240`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/6f2c2401ac99b2b8a9af9af76854669a248b516b))
+
+### Testing
+
+- Extended test coverage for axis settings, plot base and qt toolbar action
+  ([`8679b5f`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/8679b5f08bef8a4a2b6338d9bee4cd70d564f288))
+
+
+## v1.24.0 (2025-02-26)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- Make scan metadata use collapsible frame
+  ([`1c0021f`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/1c0021f98b8e0419dba883b891a6035653c0ba0d))
+
+- Replace add'l md table w/ tree view
+  ([`42665b6`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/42665b69c5cca60a9e5f2d7bd43dbfe5da5a7eb3))
+
+### Code Style
+
+- Isort
+  ([`d32952a`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/d32952a0d590b03007271427bd85f00b88ef0851))
+
+### Features
+
+- Add expandable/collapsible frame
+  ([`5206528`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/5206528feccaf192f3d5872ac785470562b493f9))
+
+- Add metadata widget to scan control
+  ([`7309c1d`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/7309c1dede2ec93bf08f84f13596ce18dfdb1476))
+
+
+## v1.23.1 (2025-02-24)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- Update redis mock for changes in bec
+  ([`6a43554`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/6a43554f3b57045325f57bdd5079d7f91af40bb6))
+
+
+## v1.23.0 (2025-02-24)
+
+### Features
+
+- **bec_spin_box**: Double spin box with setting inside for defining decimals
+  ([`f19d948`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/f19d9485df403cb755315ac1a0ff4402d7a85f77))
+
+
+## v1.22.0 (2025-02-19)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **modular_toolbar**: Add action to an already existing bundle
+  ([`4c4f159`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/4c4f1592c29974bb095c3c8325e93a1383efa289))
+
+- **toolbar**: Qmenu Icons are visible
+  ([`c2c0221`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/c2c022154bddc15d81eb55aad912d8fe1e34c698))
+
+- **toolbar**: Update_separators logic updated, there cannot be two separators next to each other
+  ([`facb8c3`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/facb8c30ffa3b12a97c7c68f8594b0354372ca17))
+
+- **toolbar**: Widget actions are more compact
+  ([`ef36a71`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/ef36a7124d54319c2cd592433c95e4f7513e982e))
+
+### Features
+
+- **toolbar**: Switchabletoolbarbutton
+  ([`333570b`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/333570ba2fe67cb51fdbab17718003dfdb7f7b55))
+
+### Refactoring
+
+- **toolbar**: Added dark mode button for testing appearance for the toolbar example
+  ([`6b08f7c`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/6b08f7cfb2115609a6dc6f681631ecfae23fa899))
+
+### Testing
+
+- **toolbar**: Blocking tests fixed
+  ([`6ae33a2`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/6ae33a23a62eafb7c820e1fde9d6d91ec1796e55))
+
+
+## v1.21.4 (2025-02-19)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **colors**: Pyqtgraph styling updated on the app level
+  ([`ae18279`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/ae182796855719437bdf911c2e969e3f438d6982))
+
+- **plot_base**: Mouse interactions default state fetch to toolbar
+  ([`97c0ed5`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/97c0ed53df21053fef9811c3dea3b79020137030))
+
+### Refactoring
+
+- **plot_base**: Change the PlotWidget to GraphicalLayoutWidget
+  ([`ff8e282`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/ff8e282034f0970b69cf0447fc5f88b4f30bf470))
+
+
+## v1.21.3 (2025-02-19)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **bec_signal_proxy**: Unblock signal timer cleanup added
+  ([`0addef5`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/0addef5f172a7cc1412ac146a6eec2a2caa8ad9c))
+
+
+## v1.21.2 (2025-02-18)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **client_utils**: Autoupdate has correct propagation of BECDockArea to plugin repos
+  ([`056731c`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/056731c9add7d92f7da7fa833343cf65e8f383a8))
+
+
+## v1.21.1 (2025-02-17)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **bec_connector**: Workers stored in reference to not be cleaned up with garbage collector
+  ([`383936f`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/383936ffc2bd7d2e088d3367c76b14efa3d1732c))
+
+
+## v1.21.0 (2025-02-17)
+
+### Features
+
+- Generated form for scan metadata
+  ([`1708bd4`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/1708bd405f86b1353828b01fbf5f98383a19ec2a))
+
+
+## v1.20.0 (2025-02-06)
+
+### Features
+
+- **widget**: Add LogPanel widget
+  ([`b3217b7`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/b3217b7ca5cabe8798f06787de4ae3f3ec1af3b6))
+
+hopefully without segfaults - compared to first implementation: - explicitly set parent of all
+  dialog components - try/except and log for redis new message callback - pass in ServiceStatusMixin
+  and explicitly clean it up
+
+
+## v1.19.2 (2025-02-06)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- Cleanup timer in Minesweeper
+  ([`fc6d7c0`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/fc6d7c0824be841f1bff23c8dd66b203f5798333))
+
+- Mock QTimer, improve timeout message
+  ([`fb05186`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/fb051865d5fe44150a9c3599f13e2473530970bc))
+
+
+## v1.19.1 (2025-02-05)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **macos**: Suppress IMKClient warning on macos
+  ([`5e3289f`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/5e3289f5bdd2af02423b9975749e53c011b8dcfa))
+
+
+## v1.19.0 (2025-01-31)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- Enable type checking for BECDispatcher in BECConnector
+  ([`50a572d`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/50a572dacd5dfc29a9ecf1b567aac6822b632f60))
+
+### Documentation
+
+- Add docs for LogPanel
+  ([`f219c6f`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/f219c6fb573cf42964f6a7c6f4a0b0b9946fb98d))
+
+### Features
+
+- **widget**: Add LogPanel widget
+  ([`f048880`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/f0488802775401319a54a51d05a0ad534292af09))
+
+
+## v1.18.1 (2025-01-30)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **signal_combo_box**: Added missing plugin modules for signal line_edit/combobox
+  ([`db70442`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/db70442cc21247d20e6f6ad78ad0e1d3aca24bf7))
+
+### Documentation
+
+- Add screenshots for device and signal input
+  ([`f0c4efe`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/f0c4efefa03bf36ae57bf1a17f6a1b2e4d32c6c4))
+
+
+## v1.18.0 (2025-01-30)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **generate_cli**: Widgets can be tagged with RPC=False, then they are excluded from client.py for
+  RPC
+  ([`48fc63d`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/48fc63d83e26889843b09b1eb4792612b53200ec))
+
+### Build System
+
+- Pyqt6 support dropped
+  ([`a20935e`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/a20935e8625a9490e6c451a3b4012476e19317e5))
+
+### Continuous Integration
+
+- Fix formatter 2024 versions
+  ([`4f8e683`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/4f8e6835fe2312151dc2b40f0ab9eb50a9173f7c))
+
+### Features
+
+- **plot_base_next_gen**: New type of plot base inherited from QWidget
+  ([`e7c9729`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/e7c97290cd783d19128625567835d7ae9a414989))
+
+
+## v1.17.2 (2025-01-28)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **widget_state_manager**: Skip QLabel saving; skip_setting property widget excluded from INI;
+  stored=False property excluded from INI
+  ([`b2b0450`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/b2b0450bcb07c974e5f8002e084b350599c32d39))
+
+
+## v1.17.1 (2025-01-26)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **bec_signal_proxy**: Timeout for blocking implemented
+  ([`6f2f2aa`](https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/-/commit/6f2f2aa06ae9b50f0451029caa1d8d83890a5b30))
+
+
 ## v1.17.0 (2025-01-23)
 
 ### Bug Fixes

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/cli/client.py

@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ class Widgets(str, enum.Enum):
     DeviceComboBox = "DeviceComboBox"
     DeviceLineEdit = "DeviceLineEdit"
     LMFitDialog = "LMFitDialog"
+    LogPanel = "LogPanel"
     Minesweeper = "Minesweeper"
     PositionIndicator = "PositionIndicator"
     PositionerBox = "PositionerBox"
@@ -3183,6 +3184,26 @@ class LMFitDialog(RPCBase):
         """
 
 
+class LogPanel(RPCBase):
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_plain_text(self, text: str) -> None:
+        """
+        Set the plain text of the widget.
+
+        Args:
+            text (str): The text to set.
+        """
+
+    @rpc_call
+    def set_html_text(self, text: str) -> None:
+        """
+        Set the HTML text of the widget.
+
+        Args:
+            text (str): The text to set.
+        """
+
+
 class Minesweeper(RPCBase): ...
 
 

bec_widgets/cli/client_utils.py

@@ -11,9 +11,11 @@ from contextlib import contextmanager
 from dataclasses import dataclass
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
+import msgpack
 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 cryptography.fernet import Fernet
 
 import bec_widgets.cli.client as client
 from bec_widgets.cli.auto_updates import AutoUpdates
@@ -34,6 +36,17 @@ else:
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
 
+def _filter_output(output: str) -> str:
+    """
+    Filter out the output from the process.
+    """
+    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:
     log_func = {process.stdout: logger.debug, process.stderr: logger.error}
     stream_buffer = {process.stdout: [], process.stderr: []}
@@ -47,6 +60,7 @@ def _get_output(process, logger) -> None:
                 if stream in readylist:
                     buf.append(stream.read(4096))
                 output, _, remaining = "".join(buf).rpartition("\n")
+                output = _filter_output(output)
                 if output:
                     log_func[stream](output)
                     buf.clear()
@@ -55,7 +69,14 @@ def _get_output(process, logger) -> None:
         logger.error(f"Error reading process output: {str(e)}")
 
 
-def _start_plot_process(gui_id: str, gui_class: type, config: dict | str, logger=None) -> None:
+def _start_plot_process(
+    gui_id: str,
+    gui_class: type,
+    config: dict | str,
+    acl_data: bytes | None = None,
+    token: bytes | None = None,
+    logger=None,
+) -> None:
     """
     Start the plot in a new process.
 
@@ -72,6 +93,8 @@ def _start_plot_process(gui_id: str, gui_class: type, config: dict | str, logger
 
     env_dict = os.environ.copy()
     env_dict["PYTHONUNBUFFERED"] = "1"
+    env_dict["BEC_GUI_ACL"] = acl_data or b""
+    env_dict["BEC_GUI_TOKEN"] = token or b""
 
     if logger is None:
         stdout_redirect = subprocess.DEVNULL
@@ -167,6 +190,7 @@ class BECGuiClient(RPCBase):
         self._gui_started_event = threading.Event()
         self._process = None
         self._process_output_processing_thread = None
+        self._fernet = None
 
     @property
     def windows(self):
@@ -187,7 +211,7 @@ class BECGuiClient(RPCBase):
                     # if the module is not found, we skip it
                     if spec is None:
                         continue
-                    return ep.load()(gui=self)
+                    return ep.load()(gui=self._top_level["main"].widget)
                 except Exception as e:
                     logger.error(f"Error loading auto update script from plugin: {str(e)}")
         return None
@@ -251,6 +275,18 @@ class BECGuiClient(RPCBase):
         self._do_show_all()
         self._gui_started_event.set()
 
+    # def _update_gui_acls(self, username: str, password: str | None):
+    #     self._client.connector.send(
+    #         MessageEndpoints.gui_acls(self._gui_id),
+    #         messages.CredentialsMessage(
+    #             credentials={
+    #                 "token": self._fernet.encrypt(
+    #                     msgpack.dumps({"username": username, "password": password})
+    #                 )
+    #             }
+    #         ),
+    #     )
+
     def start_server(self, wait=False) -> None:
         """
         Start the GUI server, and execute callback when it is launched
@@ -259,8 +295,18 @@ class BECGuiClient(RPCBase):
             logger.success("GUI starting...")
             self._startup_timeout = 5
             self._gui_started_event.clear()
+            encr_token = Fernet.generate_key()
+            self._fernet = Fernet(encr_token)
+            conn = self._client.connector._redis_conn.connection_pool.connection_kwargs
+            acl_data = {"username": conn.get("username"), "password": conn.get("password")}
+            acl_data = self._fernet.encrypt(msgpack.dumps(acl_data))
             self._process, self._process_output_processing_thread = _start_plot_process(
-                self._gui_id, self.__class__, self._client._service_config.config, logger=logger
+                self._gui_id,
+                self.__class__,
+                self._client._service_config.config,
+                acl_data=acl_data,
+                token=encr_token,
+                logger=logger,
             )
 
             def gui_started_callback(callback):

bec_widgets/cli/generate_cli.py

@@ -43,14 +43,21 @@ from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_base import RPCBase, rpc_call
 
     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)
@@ -81,13 +88,13 @@ 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):"""
         else:
             self.content += f"""
 class {class_name}(RPCBase):"""
+
         if not cls.USER_ACCESS:
             self.content += """...
     """
@@ -100,8 +107,10 @@ class {class_name}(RPCBase):"""
                 method = method.split(".setter")[0]
             if obj is None:
                 raise AttributeError(
-                    f"Method {method} not found in class {cls.__name__}. Please check the USER_ACCESS list."
+                    f"Method {method} not found in class {cls.__name__}. "
+                    f"Please check the USER_ACCESS list."
                 )
+
             if isinstance(obj, (property, QtProperty)):
                 # for the cli, we can map qt properties to regular properties
                 if is_property_setter:

bec_widgets/cli/server.py

@@ -2,17 +2,21 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 import functools
 import json
+import os
 import signal
 import sys
 import types
 from contextlib import contextmanager, redirect_stderr, redirect_stdout
 from typing import Union
 
+import msgpack
 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 cryptography.fernet import Fernet
 from qtpy.QtCore import Qt, QTimer
+from redis.exceptions import RedisError
 
 from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_register import RPCRegister
 from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import ErrorPopupUtility
@@ -56,7 +60,10 @@ class BECWidgetsCLIServer:
         client=None,
         config=None,
         gui_class: Union[BECFigure, BECDockArea] = BECFigure,
+        token: str = None,
     ) -> None:
+        self._fernet = Fernet(token) if token else None
+        self._init_acls(config)
         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
@@ -66,6 +73,8 @@ class BECWidgetsCLIServer:
         self.rpc_register = RPCRegister()
         self.rpc_register.add_rpc(self.gui)
 
+        # self.dispatcher.connect_slot(self.on_acl_update, MessageEndpoints.gui_acl(self.gui_id))
+
         self.dispatcher.connect_slot(
             self.on_rpc_update, MessageEndpoints.gui_instructions(self.gui_id)
         )
@@ -78,6 +87,13 @@ class BECWidgetsCLIServer:
         self.status = messages.BECStatus.RUNNING
         logger.success(f"Server started with gui_id: {self.gui_id}")
 
+    def _init_acls(self, config: ServiceConfig):
+        acl_data = os.getenv("BEC_GUI_ACL")
+        if not acl_data:
+            return
+        acl_data = msgpack.loads(self._fernet.decrypt(acl_data))
+        config.config["acl"] = acl_data
+
     def on_rpc_update(self, msg: dict, metadata: dict):
         request_id = metadata.get("request_id")
         logger.debug(f"Received RPC instruction: {msg}, metadata: {metadata}")
@@ -95,6 +111,9 @@ class BECWidgetsCLIServer:
                 logger.debug(f"RPC instruction executed successfully: {res}")
                 self.send_response(request_id, True, {"result": res})
 
+    def on_acl_update(self, msg: dict, metadata: dict):
+        logger.debug(f"Received ACL update: {msg}, metadata: {metadata}")
+
     def send_response(self, request_id: str, accepted: bool, msg: dict):
         self.client.connector.set_and_publish(
             MessageEndpoints.gui_instruction_response(request_id),
@@ -142,11 +161,14 @@ class BECWidgetsCLIServer:
 
     def emit_heartbeat(self):
         logger.trace(f"Emitting heartbeat for {self.gui_id}")
-        self.client.connector.set(
-            MessageEndpoints.gui_heartbeat(self.gui_id),
-            messages.StatusMessage(name=self.gui_id, status=self.status, info={}),
-            expire=10,
-        )
+        try:
+            self.client.connector.set(
+                MessageEndpoints.gui_heartbeat(self.gui_id),
+                messages.StatusMessage(name=self.gui_id, status=self.status, info={}),
+                expire=10,
+            )
+        except RedisError as exc:
+            logger.error(f"Error while emitting heartbeat: {exc}")
 
     def shutdown(self):  # TODO not sure if needed when cleanup is done at level of BECConnector
         logger.info(f"Shutting down server with gui_id: {self.gui_id}")
@@ -186,13 +208,10 @@ 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,
-    # )
-    server = BECWidgetsCLIServer(gui_id=gui_id, config=service_config, gui_class=gui_class)
+    token = os.getenv("BEC_GUI_TOKEN")
+    server = BECWidgetsCLIServer(
+        gui_id=gui_id, config=service_config, gui_class=gui_class, token=token
+    )
     return server
 
 

bec_widgets/examples/jupyter_console/jupyter_console_window.py

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock import BECDockArea
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure import BECFigure
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.layout_manager.layout_manager import LayoutManagerWidget
 from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.jupyter_console.jupyter_console import BECJupyterConsole
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots_next_gen.plot_base import PlotBase
 
 
 class JupyterConsoleWindow(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover:
@@ -62,6 +63,8 @@ class JupyterConsoleWindow(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover:
                     "btn4": self.btn4,
                     "btn5": self.btn5,
                     "btn6": self.btn6,
+                    "pb": self.pb,
+                    "pi": self.pi,
                 }
             )
 
@@ -92,6 +95,15 @@ class JupyterConsoleWindow(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover:
         third_tab_layout.addWidget(self.lm)
         tab_widget.addTab(third_tab, "Layout Manager Widget")
 
+        fourth_tab = QWidget()
+        fourth_tab_layout = QVBoxLayout(fourth_tab)
+        self.pb = PlotBase()
+        self.pi = self.pb.plot_item
+        fourth_tab_layout.addWidget(self.pb)
+        tab_widget.addTab(fourth_tab, "PltoBase")
+
+        tab_widget.setCurrentIndex(3)
+
         group_box = QGroupBox("Jupyter Console", splitter)
         group_box_layout = QVBoxLayout(group_box)
         self.console = BECJupyterConsole(inprocess=True)

bec_widgets/qt_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.qt_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/qt_utils/round_frame.py

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import pyqtgraph as pg
 from qtpy.QtCore import Property
-from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QFrame, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QFrame, QHBoxLayout, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
 from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.visual.dark_mode_button.dark_mode_button import DarkModeButton
@@ -29,23 +29,22 @@ class RoundedFrame(BECWidget, QFrame):
         self._radius = radius
 
         # Apply rounded frame styling
+        self.setProperty("skip_settings", True)
         self.setObjectName("roundedFrame")
-        self.update_style()
 
         # Create a layout for the frame
-        layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
-        layout.setContentsMargins(5, 5, 5, 5)  # Set 5px margin
+        self.layout = QHBoxLayout(self)
+        self.layout.setContentsMargins(5, 5, 5, 5)  # Set 5px margin
 
         # Add the content widget to the layout
         if content_widget:
-            layout.addWidget(content_widget)
+            self.layout.addWidget(content_widget)
 
         # Store reference to the content widget
         self.content_widget = content_widget
 
-        # Automatically apply initial styles to the PlotWidget if applicable
-        if isinstance(content_widget, pg.PlotWidget):
-            self.apply_plot_widget_style()
+        # Automatically apply initial styles to the GraphicalLayoutWidget if applicable
+        self.apply_plot_widget_style()
 
         self._connect_to_theme_change()
 
@@ -64,10 +63,6 @@ class RoundedFrame(BECWidget, QFrame):
 
         self.update_style()
 
-        # Update PlotWidget's background color and axis styles if applicable
-        if isinstance(self.content_widget, pg.PlotWidget):
-            self.apply_plot_widget_style()
-
     @Property(int)
     def radius(self):
         """Radius of the rounded corners."""
@@ -91,6 +86,7 @@ class RoundedFrame(BECWidget, QFrame):
                 }}
             """
             )
+        self.apply_plot_widget_style()
 
     def apply_plot_widget_style(self, border: str = "none"):
         """
@@ -99,33 +95,16 @@ class RoundedFrame(BECWidget, QFrame):
         Args:
             border (str): Border style (e.g., 'none', '1px solid red').
         """
-        if isinstance(self.content_widget, pg.PlotWidget):
-            # Sync PlotWidget's background color with the RoundedFrame's background color
-            self.content_widget.setBackground(self.background_color)
-
-            # Calculate contrast-optimized axis and label colors
-            if self.background_color == "#e9ecef":  # Light mode
-                label_color = "#000000"
-                axis_color = "#666666"
-            else:  # Dark mode
-                label_color = "#FFFFFF"
-                axis_color = "#CCCCCC"
-
-            # Apply axis label and tick colors
-            plot_item = self.content_widget.getPlotItem()
-            plot_item.getAxis("left").setPen(pg.mkPen(color=axis_color))
-            plot_item.getAxis("bottom").setPen(pg.mkPen(color=axis_color))
-            plot_item.getAxis("left").setTextPen(pg.mkPen(color=label_color))
-            plot_item.getAxis("bottom").setTextPen(pg.mkPen(color=label_color))
-
+        if isinstance(self.content_widget, pg.GraphicsLayoutWidget):
             # Apply border style via stylesheet
             self.content_widget.setStyleSheet(
                 f"""
-                PlotWidget {{
+                GraphicsLayoutWidget {{
                     border: {border}; /* Explicitly set the border */
                 }}
             """
             )
+            self.content_widget.setBackground(self.background_color)
 
 
 class ExampleApp(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover
@@ -139,26 +118,27 @@ class ExampleApp(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover
         dark_button = DarkModeButton()
 
         # Create PlotWidgets
-        plot1 = pg.PlotWidget()
-        plot1.plot([1, 3, 2, 4, 6, 5], pen="r")
+        plot1 = pg.GraphicsLayoutWidget()
+        plot_item_1 = pg.PlotItem()
+        plot_item_1.plot([1, 3, 2, 4, 6, 5], pen="r")
+        plot1.plot_item = plot_item_1
 
-        plot2 = pg.PlotWidget()
-        plot2.plot([1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32], pen="r")
+        plot2 = pg.GraphicsLayoutWidget()
+        plot_item_2 = pg.PlotItem()
+        plot_item_2.plot([1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32], pen="r")
+        plot2.plot_item = plot_item_2
 
         # Wrap PlotWidgets in RoundedFrame
         rounded_plot1 = RoundedFrame(content_widget=plot1, theme_update=True)
         rounded_plot2 = RoundedFrame(content_widget=plot2, theme_update=True)
-        round = RoundedFrame()
 
         # Add to layout
         layout.addWidget(dark_button)
         layout.addWidget(rounded_plot1)
         layout.addWidget(rounded_plot2)
-        layout.addWidget(round)
 
         self.setLayout(layout)
 
-        # Simulate theme change after 2 seconds
         from qtpy.QtCore import QTimer
 
         def change_theme():

bec_widgets/qt_utils/settings_dialog.py

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QDialog, QDialogButtonBox, QHBoxLayout, QPushButton, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot as Slot
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 
 
 class SettingWidget(QWidget):
@@ -20,14 +20,14 @@ class SettingWidget(QWidget):
     def set_target_widget(self, target_widget: QWidget):
         self.target_widget = target_widget
 
-    @Slot()
+    @SafeSlot()
     def accept_changes(self):
         """
         Accepts the changes made in the settings widget and applies them to the target widget.
         """
         pass
 
-    @Slot(dict)
+    @SafeSlot(dict)
     def display_current_settings(self, config_dict: dict):
         """
         Displays the current settings of the target widget in the settings widget.
@@ -54,12 +54,13 @@ class SettingsDialog(QDialog):
         settings_widget: SettingWidget = None,
         window_title: str = "Settings",
         config: dict = None,
+        modal: bool = False,
         *args,
         **kwargs,
     ):
         super().__init__(parent, *args, **kwargs)
 
-        self.setModal(False)
+        self.setModal(modal)
 
         self.setWindowTitle(window_title)
 
@@ -92,7 +93,7 @@ class SettingsDialog(QDialog):
         ok_button.setDefault(True)
         ok_button.setAutoDefault(True)
 
-    @Slot()
+    @SafeSlot()
     def accept(self):
         """
         Accept the changes made in the settings widget and close the dialog.
@@ -100,7 +101,7 @@ class SettingsDialog(QDialog):
         self.widget.accept_changes()
         super().accept()
 
-    @Slot()
+    @SafeSlot()
     def apply_changes(self):
         """
         Apply the changes made in the settings widget without closing the dialog.

bec_widgets/qt_utils/side_panel.py

@@ -5,18 +5,18 @@ from qtpy.QtCore import Property, QEasingCurve, QPropertyAnimation
 from qtpy.QtGui import QAction
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
     QApplication,
+    QFrame,
     QHBoxLayout,
     QLabel,
     QMainWindow,
+    QScrollArea,
     QSizePolicy,
-    QSpacerItem,
     QStackedWidget,
     QVBoxLayout,
     QWidget,
 )
 
 from bec_widgets.qt_utils.toolbar import MaterialIconAction, ModularToolBar
-from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.waveform_widget import BECWaveformWidget
 
 
 class SidePanel(QWidget):
@@ -34,11 +34,13 @@ class SidePanel(QWidget):
     ):
         super().__init__(parent=parent)
 
+        self.setProperty("skip_settings", True)
+        self.setObjectName("SidePanel")
+
         self._orientation = orientation
         self._panel_max_width = panel_max_width
         self._animation_duration = animation_duration
         self._animations_enabled = animations_enabled
-        self._orientation = orientation
 
         self._panel_width = 0
         self._panel_height = 0
@@ -68,6 +70,7 @@ class SidePanel(QWidget):
             self.stack_widget = QStackedWidget()
             self.stack_widget.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Fixed, QSizePolicy.Expanding)
             self.stack_widget.setMinimumWidth(5)
+            self.stack_widget.setMaximumWidth(self._panel_max_width)
 
             if self._orientation == "left":
                 self.main_layout.addWidget(self.toolbar)
@@ -77,7 +80,10 @@ class SidePanel(QWidget):
                 self.main_layout.addWidget(self.toolbar)
 
             self.container.layout.addWidget(self.stack_widget)
-            self.stack_widget.setMaximumWidth(self._panel_max_width)
+
+            self.menu_anim = QPropertyAnimation(self, b"panel_width")
+            self.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Fixed, QSizePolicy.Expanding)
+            self.panel_width = 0  # start hidden
 
         else:
             self.main_layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
@@ -94,6 +100,7 @@ class SidePanel(QWidget):
             self.stack_widget = QStackedWidget()
             self.stack_widget.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Fixed)
             self.stack_widget.setMinimumHeight(5)
+            self.stack_widget.setMaximumHeight(self._panel_max_width)
 
             if self._orientation == "top":
                 self.main_layout.addWidget(self.toolbar)
@@ -103,74 +110,46 @@ class SidePanel(QWidget):
                 self.main_layout.addWidget(self.toolbar)
 
             self.container.layout.addWidget(self.stack_widget)
-            self.stack_widget.setMaximumHeight(self._panel_max_width)
 
-        if self._orientation in ("left", "right"):
-            self.menu_anim = QPropertyAnimation(self, b"panel_width")
-        else:
             self.menu_anim = QPropertyAnimation(self, b"panel_height")
+            self.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Fixed)
+            self.panel_height = 0  # start hidden
 
         self.menu_anim.setDuration(self._animation_duration)
         self.menu_anim.setEasingCurve(QEasingCurve.InOutQuad)
 
-        if self._orientation in ("left", "right"):
-            self.panel_width = 0
-        else:
-            self.panel_height = 0
-
     @Property(int)
     def panel_width(self):
-        """
-        Get the panel width.
-        """
+        """Get the panel width."""
         return self._panel_width
 
     @panel_width.setter
     def panel_width(self, width: int):
-        """
-        Set the panel width.
-
-        Args:
-            width(int): The width of the panel.
-        """
+        """Set the panel width."""
         self._panel_width = width
         if self._orientation in ("left", "right"):
             self.stack_widget.setFixedWidth(width)
 
     @Property(int)
     def panel_height(self):
-        """
-        Get the panel height.
-        """
+        """Get the panel height."""
         return self._panel_height
 
     @panel_height.setter
     def panel_height(self, height: int):
-        """
-        Set the panel height.
-
-        Args:
-            height(int): The height of the panel.
-        """
+        """Set the panel height."""
         self._panel_height = height
         if self._orientation in ("top", "bottom"):
             self.stack_widget.setFixedHeight(height)
 
     @Property(int)
     def panel_max_width(self):
-        """
-        Get the maximum width of the panel.
-        """
+        """Get the maximum width of the panel."""
         return self._panel_max_width
 
     @panel_max_width.setter
     def panel_max_width(self, size: int):
-        """
-        Set the maximum width of the panel.
-
-        Args:
-            size(int): The maximum width of the panel.
-        """
+        """Set the maximum width of the panel."""
         self._panel_max_width = size
         if self._orientation in ("left", "right"):
             self.stack_widget.setMaximumWidth(self._panel_max_width)
@@ -179,45 +158,28 @@ class SidePanel(QWidget):
 
     @Property(int)
     def animation_duration(self):
-        """
-        Get the duration of the animation.
-        """
+        """Get the duration of the animation."""
         return self._animation_duration
 
     @animation_duration.setter
     def animation_duration(self, duration: int):
-        """
-        Set the duration of the animation.
-
-        Args:
-            duration(int): The duration of the animation.
-        """
+        """Set the duration of the animation."""
         self._animation_duration = duration
         self.menu_anim.setDuration(duration)
 
     @Property(bool)
     def animations_enabled(self):
-        """
-        Get the status of the animations.
-        """
+        """Get the status of the animations."""
         return self._animations_enabled
 
     @animations_enabled.setter
     def animations_enabled(self, enabled: bool):
-        """
-        Set the status of the animations.
-
-        Args:
-            enabled(bool): The status of the animations.
-        """
+        """Set the status of the animations."""
         self._animations_enabled = enabled
 
     def show_panel(self, idx: int):
         """
         Show the side panel with animation and switch to idx.
-
-        Args:
-            idx(int): The index of the panel to show.
         """
         self.stack_widget.setCurrentIndex(idx)
         self.panel_visible = True
@@ -265,9 +227,6 @@ class SidePanel(QWidget):
     def switch_to(self, idx: int):
         """
         Switch to the specified index without animation.
-
-        Args:
-            idx(int): The index of the panel to switch to.
         """
         if self.current_index != idx:
             self.stack_widget.setCurrentIndex(idx)
@@ -284,21 +243,35 @@ class SidePanel(QWidget):
             widget(QWidget): The widget to add to the panel.
             title(str): The title of the panel.
         """
+        # container_widget: top-level container for the stacked page
         container_widget = QWidget()
         container_layout = QVBoxLayout(container_widget)
-        container_widget.setStyleSheet("background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0);")
-        title_label = QLabel(f"<b>{title}</b>")
-        title_label.setStyleSheet("font-size: 16px;")
-        spacer = QSpacerItem(0, 0, QSizePolicy.Minimum, QSizePolicy.Expanding)
-        container_layout.addWidget(title_label)
-        container_layout.addWidget(widget)
-        container_layout.addItem(spacer)
-        container_layout.setContentsMargins(5, 5, 5, 5)
+        container_layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
         container_layout.setSpacing(5)
 
+        title_label = QLabel(f"<b>{title}</b>")
+        title_label.setStyleSheet("font-size: 16px;")
+        container_layout.addWidget(title_label)
+
+        # Create a QScrollArea for the actual widget to ensure scrolling if the widget inside is too large
+        scroll_area = QScrollArea()
+        scroll_area.setFrameShape(QFrame.NoFrame)
+        scroll_area.setWidgetResizable(True)
+        # Let the scroll area expand in both directions if there's room
+        scroll_area.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Expanding)
+        scroll_area.setWidget(widget)
+
+        # Put the scroll area in the container layout
+        container_layout.addWidget(scroll_area)
+
+        # Optionally stretch the scroll area to fill vertical space
+        container_layout.setStretchFactor(scroll_area, 1)
+
+        # Add container_widget to the stacked widget
         index = self.stack_widget.count()
         self.stack_widget.addWidget(container_widget)
 
+        # Add an action to the toolbar
         action = MaterialIconAction(icon_name=icon_name, tooltip=tooltip, checkable=True)
         self.toolbar.add_action(action_id, action, target_widget=self)
 
@@ -326,6 +299,11 @@ class SidePanel(QWidget):
         action.action.toggled.connect(on_action_toggled)
 
 
+############################################
+# DEMO APPLICATION
+############################################
+
+
 class ExampleApp(QMainWindow):  # pragma: no cover
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__()
@@ -333,20 +311,24 @@ class ExampleApp(QMainWindow):  # pragma: no cover
 
         central_widget = QWidget()
         self.setCentralWidget(central_widget)
-
-        self.side_panel = SidePanel(self, orientation="left")
-
         self.layout = QHBoxLayout(central_widget)
 
+        # Create side panel
+        self.side_panel = SidePanel(self, orientation="left", panel_max_width=250)
         self.layout.addWidget(self.side_panel)
+
+        from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.waveform_widget import BECWaveformWidget
+
         self.plot = BECWaveformWidget()
         self.layout.addWidget(self.plot)
+
         self.add_side_menus()
 
     def add_side_menus(self):
         widget1 = QWidget()
-        widget1_layout = QVBoxLayout(widget1)
-        widget1_layout.addWidget(QLabel("This is Widget 1"))
+        layout1 = QVBoxLayout(widget1)
+        for i in range(15):
+            layout1.addWidget(QLabel(f"Widget 1 label row {i}"))
         self.side_panel.add_menu(
             action_id="widget1",
             icon_name="counter_1",
@@ -356,8 +338,8 @@ class ExampleApp(QMainWindow):  # pragma: no cover
         )
 
         widget2 = QWidget()
-        widget2_layout = QVBoxLayout(widget2)
-        widget2_layout.addWidget(QLabel("This is Widget 2"))
+        layout2 = QVBoxLayout(widget2)
+        layout2.addWidget(QLabel("Short widget 2 content"))
         self.side_panel.add_menu(
             action_id="widget2",
             icon_name="counter_2",
@@ -367,8 +349,9 @@ class ExampleApp(QMainWindow):  # pragma: no cover
         )
 
         widget3 = QWidget()
-        widget3_layout = QVBoxLayout(widget3)
-        widget3_layout.addWidget(QLabel("This is Widget 3"))
+        layout3 = QVBoxLayout(widget3)
+        for i in range(10):
+            layout3.addWidget(QLabel(f"Line {i} for Widget 3"))
         self.side_panel.add_menu(
             action_id="widget3",
             icon_name="counter_3",
@@ -381,6 +364,6 @@ class ExampleApp(QMainWindow):  # pragma: no cover
 if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
     window = ExampleApp()
-    window.resize(800, 600)
+    window.resize(1000, 700)
     window.show()
     sys.exit(app.exec())

bec_widgets/qt_utils/toolbar.py

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ from collections import defaultdict
 from typing import Dict, List, Literal, Tuple
 
 from bec_qthemes._icon.material_icons import material_icon
-from qtpy.QtCore import QSize, Qt
+from qtpy.QtCore import QSize, Qt, QTimer
 from qtpy.QtGui import QAction, QColor, QIcon
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
     QApplication,
@@ -18,15 +18,54 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
     QMainWindow,
     QMenu,
     QSizePolicy,
+    QStyle,
     QToolBar,
     QToolButton,
+    QVBoxLayout,
     QWidget,
 )
 
 import bec_widgets
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.visual.dark_mode_button.dark_mode_button import DarkModeButton
 
 MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
 
+# Ensure that icons are shown in menus (especially on macOS)
+QApplication.setAttribute(Qt.AA_DontShowIconsInMenus, False)
+
+
+class LongPressToolButton(QToolButton):
+    def __init__(self, *args, long_press_threshold=500, **kwargs):
+        super().__init__(*args, **kwargs)
+        self.long_press_threshold = long_press_threshold
+        self._long_press_timer = QTimer(self)
+        self._long_press_timer.setSingleShot(True)
+        self._long_press_timer.timeout.connect(self.handleLongPress)
+        self._pressed = False
+        self._longPressed = False
+
+    def mousePressEvent(self, event):
+        self._pressed = True
+        self._longPressed = False
+        self._long_press_timer.start(self.long_press_threshold)
+        super().mousePressEvent(event)
+
+    def mouseReleaseEvent(self, event):
+        self._pressed = False
+        if self._longPressed:
+            self._longPressed = False
+            self._long_press_timer.stop()
+            event.accept()  # Prevent normal click action after a long press
+            return
+        self._long_press_timer.stop()
+        super().mouseReleaseEvent(event)
+
+    def handleLongPress(self):
+        if self._pressed:
+            self._longPressed = True
+            self.showMenu()
+
 
 class ToolBarAction(ABC):
     """
@@ -84,6 +123,21 @@ class IconAction(ToolBarAction):
         toolbar.addAction(self.action)
 
 
+class QtIconAction(ToolBarAction):
+    def __init__(self, standard_icon, tooltip=None, checkable=False, parent=None):
+        super().__init__(icon_path=None, tooltip=tooltip, checkable=checkable)
+        self.standard_icon = standard_icon
+        self.icon = QApplication.style().standardIcon(standard_icon)
+        self.action = QAction(self.icon, self.tooltip, parent)
+        self.action.setCheckable(self.checkable)
+
+    def add_to_toolbar(self, toolbar, target):
+        toolbar.addAction(self.action)
+
+    def get_icon(self):
+        return self.icon
+
+
 class MaterialIconAction(ToolBarAction):
     """
     Action with a Material icon for the toolbar.
@@ -111,7 +165,7 @@ class MaterialIconAction(ToolBarAction):
         self.icon_name = icon_name
         self.filled = filled
         self.color = color
-        # Generate the icon
+        # Generate the icon using the material_icon helper
         self.icon = material_icon(
             self.icon_name,
             size=(20, 20),
@@ -119,7 +173,6 @@ class MaterialIconAction(ToolBarAction):
             filled=self.filled,
             color=self.color,
         )
-        # Immediately create an QAction with the given parent
         self.action = QAction(self.icon, self.tooltip, parent=parent)
         self.action.setCheckable(self.checkable)
 
@@ -152,7 +205,7 @@ class DeviceSelectionAction(ToolBarAction):
         device_combobox (DeviceComboBox): The combobox for selecting the device.
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, label: str, device_combobox):
+    def __init__(self, label: str | None = None, device_combobox=None):
         super().__init__()
         self.label = label
         self.device_combobox = device_combobox
@@ -161,15 +214,101 @@ class DeviceSelectionAction(ToolBarAction):
     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)
+        layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        layout.setSpacing(0)
+        if self.label is not None:
+            label = QLabel(f"{self.label}")
+            layout.addWidget(label)
+        if self.device_combobox is not None:
+            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 SwitchableToolBarAction(ToolBarAction):
+    """
+    A split toolbar action that combines a main action and a drop-down menu for additional actions.
+
+    The main button displays the currently selected action's icon and tooltip. Clicking on the main button
+    triggers that action. Clicking on the drop-down arrow displays a menu with alternative actions. When an
+    alternative action is selected, it becomes the new default and its callback is immediately executed.
+
+    This design mimics the behavior seen in Adobe Photoshop or Affinity Designer toolbars.
+
+    Args:
+        actions (dict): A dictionary mapping a unique key to a ToolBarAction instance.
+        initial_action (str, optional): The key of the initial default action. If not provided, the first action is used.
+        tooltip (str, optional): An optional tooltip for the split action; if provided, it overrides the default action's tooltip.
+        checkable (bool, optional): Whether the action is checkable. Defaults to True.
+        parent (QWidget, optional): Parent widget for the underlying QAction.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        actions: Dict[str, ToolBarAction],
+        initial_action: str = None,
+        tooltip: str = None,
+        checkable: bool = True,
+        default_state_checked: bool = False,
+        parent=None,
+    ):
+        super().__init__(icon_path=None, tooltip=tooltip, checkable=checkable)
+        self.actions = actions
+        self.current_key = initial_action if initial_action is not None else next(iter(actions))
+        self.parent = parent
+        self.checkable = checkable
+        self.default_state_checked = default_state_checked
+        self.main_button = None
+        self.menu_actions: Dict[str, QAction] = {}
+
+    def add_to_toolbar(self, toolbar: QToolBar, target: QWidget):
+        """
+        Adds the split action to the toolbar.
+
+        Args:
+            toolbar (QToolBar): The toolbar to add the action to.
+            target (QWidget): The target widget for the action.
+        """
+        self.main_button = LongPressToolButton(toolbar)
+        self.main_button.setPopupMode(QToolButton.MenuButtonPopup)
+        self.main_button.setCheckable(self.checkable)
+        default_action = self.actions[self.current_key]
+        self.main_button.setIcon(default_action.get_icon())
+        self.main_button.setToolTip(default_action.tooltip)
+        self.main_button.clicked.connect(self._trigger_current_action)
+        menu = QMenu(self.main_button)
+        self.menu_actions = {}
+        for key, action_obj in self.actions.items():
+            menu_action = QAction(action_obj.get_icon(), action_obj.tooltip, self.main_button)
+            menu_action.setIconVisibleInMenu(True)
+            menu_action.setCheckable(self.checkable)
+            menu_action.setChecked(key == self.current_key)
+            menu_action.triggered.connect(lambda checked, k=key: self.set_default_action(k))
+            menu.addAction(menu_action)
+            self.menu_actions[key] = menu_action
+        self.main_button.setMenu(menu)
+        toolbar.addWidget(self.main_button)
+
+    def _trigger_current_action(self):
+        action_obj = self.actions[self.current_key]
+        action_obj.action.trigger()
+
+    def set_default_action(self, key: str):
+        self.current_key = key
+        new_action = self.actions[self.current_key]
+        self.main_button.setIcon(new_action.get_icon())
+        self.main_button.setToolTip(new_action.tooltip)
+        # Update check state of menu items
+        for k, menu_act in self.menu_actions.items():
+            menu_act.setChecked(k == key)
+        new_action.action.trigger()
+
+    def get_icon(self) -> QIcon:
+        return self.actions[self.current_key].get_icon()
+
+
 class WidgetAction(ToolBarAction):
     """
     Action for adding any widget to the toolbar.
@@ -180,15 +319,23 @@ class WidgetAction(ToolBarAction):
     """
 
     def __init__(self, label: str | None = None, widget: QWidget = None, parent=None):
-        super().__init__(parent)
+        super().__init__(icon_path=None, tooltip=label, checkable=False)
         self.label = label
         self.widget = widget
+        self.container = None
 
     def add_to_toolbar(self, toolbar: QToolBar, target: QWidget):
-        container = QWidget()
-        layout = QHBoxLayout(container)
+        """
+        Adds the widget to the toolbar.
+
+        Args:
+            toolbar (QToolBar): The toolbar to add the widget to.
+            target (QWidget): The target widget for the action.
+        """
+        self.container = QWidget()
+        layout = QHBoxLayout(self.container)
         layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
-        layout.setSpacing(5)
+        layout.setSpacing(0)
 
         if self.label is not None:
             label_widget = QLabel(f"{self.label}")
@@ -209,19 +356,12 @@ class WidgetAction(ToolBarAction):
 
         layout.addWidget(self.widget)
 
-        toolbar.addWidget(container)
+        toolbar.addWidget(self.container)
+        # Store the container as the action to allow toggling visibility.
+        self.action = self.container
 
     @staticmethod
     def calculate_minimum_width(combo_box: QComboBox) -> int:
-        """
-        Calculate the minimum width required to display the longest item in the combo box.
-
-        Args:
-            combo_box (QComboBox): The combo box to calculate the width for.
-
-        Returns:
-            int: The calculated minimum width in pixels.
-        """
         font_metrics = combo_box.fontMetrics()
         max_width = max(font_metrics.width(combo_box.itemText(i)) for i in range(combo_box.count()))
         return max_width + 60
@@ -261,12 +401,15 @@ class ExpandableMenuAction(ToolBarAction):
         menu = QMenu(button)
         for action_id, action in self.actions.items():
             sub_action = QAction(action.tooltip, target)
-            if hasattr(action, "icon_path"):
+            sub_action.setIconVisibleInMenu(True)
+            if 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())
+            elif hasattr(action, "get_icon") and callable(action.get_icon):
+                sub_icon = action.get_icon()
+                if sub_icon and not sub_icon.isNull():
+                    sub_action.setIcon(sub_icon)
             sub_action.setCheckable(action.checkable)
             menu.addAction(sub_action)
             self.widgets[action_id] = sub_action
@@ -289,7 +432,6 @@ class ToolbarBundle:
         self.bundle_id = bundle_id
         self._actions: dict[str, ToolBarAction] = {}
 
-        # If you passed in a list of tuples, load them into the dictionary
         if actions is not None:
             for action_id, action in actions:
                 self._actions[action_id] = action
@@ -331,7 +473,7 @@ class ModularToolBar(QToolBar):
         actions (dict, optional): A dictionary of action creators to populate the toolbar. Defaults to None.
         target_widget (QWidget, optional): The widget that the actions will target. Defaults to None.
         orientation (Literal["horizontal", "vertical"], optional): The initial orientation of the toolbar. Defaults to "horizontal".
-        background_color (str, optional): The background color of the toolbar. Defaults to "rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" - transparent background.
+        background_color (str, optional): The background color of the toolbar. Defaults to "rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)".
     """
 
     def __init__(
@@ -378,7 +520,7 @@ class ModularToolBar(QToolBar):
         Sets the background color and other appearance settings.
 
         Args:
-            color(str): The background color of the toolbar.
+            color (str): The background color of the toolbar.
         """
         self.setIconSize(QSize(20, 20))
         self.setMovable(False)
@@ -402,100 +544,133 @@ class ModularToolBar(QToolBar):
 
     def update_material_icon_colors(self, new_color: str | tuple | QColor):
         """
-        Updates the color of all MaterialIconAction icons in the toolbar.
+        Updates the color of all MaterialIconAction icons.
 
         Args:
-            new_color (str | tuple | QColor): The new color for the icons.
+            new_color (str | tuple | QColor): The new color.
         """
         for action in self.widgets.values():
             if isinstance(action, MaterialIconAction):
                 action.color = new_color
-                # Refresh the icon
                 updated_icon = action.get_icon()
                 action.action.setIcon(updated_icon)
 
     def add_action(self, action_id: str, action: ToolBarAction, target_widget: QWidget):
         """
-        Adds a new standalone action to the toolbar dynamically.
+        Adds a new standalone action dynamically.
 
         Args:
-            action_id (str): Unique identifier for the action.
-            action (ToolBarAction): The action to add to the toolbar.
-            target_widget (QWidget): The target widget for the action.
+            action_id (str): Unique identifier.
+            action (ToolBarAction): The action to add.
+            target_widget (QWidget): The target widget.
         """
         if action_id in self.widgets:
             raise ValueError(f"Action with ID '{action_id}' already exists.")
         action.add_to_toolbar(self, target_widget)
         self.widgets[action_id] = action
         self.toolbar_items.append(("action", action_id))
-        self.update_separators()  # Update separators after adding the action
+        self.update_separators()
 
     def hide_action(self, action_id: str):
         """
-        Hides a specific action on the toolbar.
+        Hides a specific action.
 
         Args:
-            action_id (str): Unique identifier for the action to hide.
+            action_id (str): Unique identifier.
         """
         if action_id not in self.widgets:
             raise ValueError(f"Action with ID '{action_id}' does not exist.")
         action = self.widgets[action_id]
-        if hasattr(action, "action") and isinstance(action.action, QAction):
+        if hasattr(action, "action") and action.action is not None:
             action.action.setVisible(False)
-            self.update_separators()  # Update separators after hiding the action
+            self.update_separators()
 
     def show_action(self, action_id: str):
         """
-        Shows a specific action on the toolbar.
+        Shows a specific action.
 
         Args:
-            action_id (str): Unique identifier for the action to show.
+            action_id (str): Unique identifier.
         """
         if action_id not in self.widgets:
             raise ValueError(f"Action with ID '{action_id}' does not exist.")
         action = self.widgets[action_id]
-        if hasattr(action, "action") and isinstance(action.action, QAction):
+        if hasattr(action, "action") and action.action is not None:
             action.action.setVisible(True)
-            self.update_separators()  # Update separators after showing the action
+            self.update_separators()
 
     def add_bundle(self, bundle: ToolbarBundle, target_widget: QWidget):
         """
-        Adds a bundle of actions to the toolbar, separated by a separator.
+        Adds a bundle of actions, separated by a separator.
 
         Args:
-            bundle (ToolbarBundle): The bundle to add.
-            target_widget (QWidget): The target widget for the actions.
+            bundle (ToolbarBundle): The bundle.
+            target_widget (QWidget): The target widget.
         """
         if bundle.bundle_id in self.bundles:
             raise ValueError(f"ToolbarBundle with ID '{bundle.bundle_id}' already exists.")
 
-        # Add a separator before the bundle (but not to first one)
         if self.toolbar_items:
             sep = SeparatorAction()
             sep.add_to_toolbar(self, target_widget)
             self.toolbar_items.append(("separator", None))
 
-        # Add each action in the bundle
         for action_id, action_obj in bundle.actions.items():
             action_obj.add_to_toolbar(self, target_widget)
             self.widgets[action_id] = action_obj
 
-        # Register the bundle
         self.bundles[bundle.bundle_id] = list(bundle.actions.keys())
         self.toolbar_items.append(("bundle", bundle.bundle_id))
+        self.update_separators()
 
-        self.update_separators()  # Update separators after adding the bundle
+    def add_action_to_bundle(self, bundle_id: str, action_id: str, action, target_widget: QWidget):
+        """
+        Dynamically adds an action to an existing bundle.
+
+        Args:
+            bundle_id (str): The bundle ID.
+            action_id (str): Unique identifier.
+            action (ToolBarAction): The action to add.
+            target_widget (QWidget): The target widget.
+        """
+        if bundle_id not in self.bundles:
+            raise ValueError(f"Bundle '{bundle_id}' does not exist.")
+        if action_id in self.widgets:
+            raise ValueError(f"Action with ID '{action_id}' already exists.")
+
+        action.add_to_toolbar(self, target_widget)
+        new_qaction = action.action
+        self.removeAction(new_qaction)
+
+        bundle_action_ids = self.bundles[bundle_id]
+        if bundle_action_ids:
+            last_bundle_action = self.widgets[bundle_action_ids[-1]].action
+            actions_list = self.actions()
+            try:
+                index = actions_list.index(last_bundle_action)
+            except ValueError:
+                self.addAction(new_qaction)
+            else:
+                if index + 1 < len(actions_list):
+                    before_action = actions_list[index + 1]
+                    self.insertAction(before_action, new_qaction)
+                else:
+                    self.addAction(new_qaction)
+        else:
+            self.addAction(new_qaction)
+
+        self.widgets[action_id] = action
+        self.bundles[bundle_id].append(action_id)
+        self.update_separators()
 
     def contextMenuEvent(self, event):
         """
-        Overrides the context menu event to show a list of toolbar actions with checkboxes and icons, including separators.
+        Overrides the context menu event to show toolbar actions with checkboxes and icons.
 
         Args:
-            event(QContextMenuEvent): The context menu event.
+            event (QContextMenuEvent): The context menu event.
         """
         menu = QMenu(self)
-
-        # Iterate through the toolbar items in order
         for item_type, identifier in self.toolbar_items:
             if item_type == "separator":
                 menu.addSeparator()
@@ -503,18 +678,16 @@ class ModularToolBar(QToolBar):
                 self.handle_bundle_context_menu(menu, identifier)
             elif item_type == "action":
                 self.handle_action_context_menu(menu, identifier)
-
-        # Connect the triggered signal after all actions are added
         menu.triggered.connect(self.handle_menu_triggered)
         menu.exec_(event.globalPos())
 
     def handle_bundle_context_menu(self, menu: QMenu, bundle_id: str):
         """
-        Adds a set of bundle actions to the context menu.
+        Adds bundle actions to the context menu.
 
         Args:
-            menu (QMenu): The context menu to which the actions are added.
-            bundle_id (str): The identifier for the bundle.
+            menu (QMenu): The context menu.
+            bundle_id (str): The bundle identifier.
         """
         action_ids = self.bundles.get(bundle_id, [])
         for act_id in action_ids:
@@ -535,7 +708,6 @@ class ModularToolBar(QToolBar):
             # Set the icon if available
             if qaction.icon() and not qaction.icon().isNull():
                 menu_action.setIcon(qaction.icon())
-
             menu.addAction(menu_action)
 
     def handle_action_context_menu(self, menu: QMenu, action_id: str):
@@ -565,73 +737,95 @@ class ModularToolBar(QToolBar):
         menu.addAction(menu_action)
 
     def handle_menu_triggered(self, action):
-        """Handles the toggling of toolbar actions from the context menu."""
+        """
+        Handles the triggered signal from the context menu.
+
+        Args:
+            action: Action triggered.
+        """
         action_id = action.data()
         if action_id:
             self.toggle_action_visibility(action_id, action.isChecked())
 
     def toggle_action_visibility(self, action_id: str, visible: bool):
         """
-        Toggles the visibility of a specific action on the toolbar.
+        Toggles the visibility of a specific action.
 
         Args:
-            action_id(str): Unique identifier for the action to toggle.
-            visible(bool): Whether the action should be visible.
+            action_id (str): Unique identifier.
+            visible (bool): Whether the action should be visible.
         """
         if action_id not in self.widgets:
             return
-
         tool_action = self.widgets[action_id]
-        if hasattr(tool_action, "action") and isinstance(tool_action.action, QAction):
+        if hasattr(tool_action, "action") and tool_action.action is not None:
             tool_action.action.setVisible(visible)
             self.update_separators()
 
     def update_separators(self):
         """
-        Hide separators that are adjacent to another separator or have no actions next to them.
+        Hide separators that are adjacent to another separator or have no non-separator actions between them.
         """
         toolbar_actions = self.actions()
-
+        # First pass: set visibility based on surrounding non-separator actions.
         for i, action in enumerate(toolbar_actions):
             if not action.isSeparator():
                 continue
-            # Find the previous visible action
             prev_visible = None
             for j in range(i - 1, -1, -1):
                 if toolbar_actions[j].isVisible():
                     prev_visible = toolbar_actions[j]
                     break
-
-            # Find the next visible action
             next_visible = None
             for j in range(i + 1, len(toolbar_actions)):
                 if toolbar_actions[j].isVisible():
                     next_visible = toolbar_actions[j]
                     break
-
-            # Determine if the separator should be hidden
-            # Hide if both previous and next visible actions are separators or non-existent
             if (prev_visible is None or prev_visible.isSeparator()) and (
                 next_visible is None or next_visible.isSeparator()
             ):
                 action.setVisible(False)
             else:
                 action.setVisible(True)
+        # Second pass: ensure no two visible separators are adjacent.
+        prev = None
+        for action in toolbar_actions:
+            if action.isVisible() and action.isSeparator():
+                if prev and prev.isSeparator():
+                    action.setVisible(False)
+                else:
+                    prev = action
+            else:
+                if action.isVisible():
+                    prev = action
 
 
 class MainWindow(QMainWindow):  # pragma: no cover
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__()
         self.setWindowTitle("Toolbar / ToolbarBundle Demo")
-
         self.central_widget = QWidget()
         self.setCentralWidget(self.central_widget)
+        self.test_label = QLabel(text="This is a test label.")
+        self.central_widget.layout = QVBoxLayout(self.central_widget)
+        self.central_widget.layout.addWidget(self.test_label)
 
-        # Create a modular toolbar
         self.toolbar = ModularToolBar(parent=self, target_widget=self)
         self.addToolBar(self.toolbar)
 
-        # Example: Add a single bundle
+        self.add_switchable_button_checkable()
+        self.add_switchable_button_non_checkable()
+        self.add_widget_actions()
+        self.add_bundles()
+        self.add_menus()
+
+        # For theme testing
+
+        self.dark_button = DarkModeButton(toolbar=True)
+        dark_mode_action = WidgetAction(label=None, widget=self.dark_button)
+        self.toolbar.add_action("dark_mode", dark_mode_action, self)
+
+    def add_bundles(self):
         home_action = MaterialIconAction(
             icon_name="home", tooltip="Home", checkable=True, parent=self
         )
@@ -651,12 +845,11 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):  # pragma: no cover
         )
         self.toolbar.add_bundle(main_actions_bundle, target_widget=self)
 
-        # Another bundle
         search_action = MaterialIconAction(
-            icon_name="search", tooltip="Search", checkable=True, parent=self
+            icon_name="search", tooltip="Search", checkable=False, parent=self
         )
         help_action = MaterialIconAction(
-            icon_name="help", tooltip="Help", checkable=True, parent=self
+            icon_name="help", tooltip="Help", checkable=False, parent=self
         )
         second_bundle = ToolbarBundle(
             bundle_id="secondary_actions",
@@ -664,9 +857,102 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):  # pragma: no cover
         )
         self.toolbar.add_bundle(second_bundle, target_widget=self)
 
+        new_action = MaterialIconAction(
+            icon_name="counter_1", tooltip="New Action", checkable=True, parent=self
+        )
+        self.toolbar.add_action_to_bundle(
+            "main_actions", "new_action", new_action, target_widget=self
+        )
+
+    def add_menus(self):
+        menu_material_actions = {
+            "mat1": MaterialIconAction(
+                icon_name="home", tooltip="Material Home", checkable=True, parent=self
+            ),
+            "mat2": MaterialIconAction(
+                icon_name="settings", tooltip="Material Settings", checkable=True, parent=self
+            ),
+            "mat3": MaterialIconAction(
+                icon_name="info", tooltip="Material Info", checkable=True, parent=self
+            ),
+        }
+        menu_qt_actions = {
+            "qt1": QtIconAction(
+                standard_icon=QStyle.SP_FileIcon, tooltip="Qt File", checkable=True, parent=self
+            ),
+            "qt2": QtIconAction(
+                standard_icon=QStyle.SP_DirIcon, tooltip="Qt Directory", checkable=True, parent=self
+            ),
+            "qt3": QtIconAction(
+                standard_icon=QStyle.SP_TrashIcon, tooltip="Qt Trash", checkable=True, parent=self
+            ),
+        }
+        expandable_menu_material = ExpandableMenuAction(
+            label="Material Menu", actions=menu_material_actions
+        )
+        expandable_menu_qt = ExpandableMenuAction(label="Qt Menu", actions=menu_qt_actions)
+
+        self.toolbar.add_action("material_menu", expandable_menu_material, self)
+        self.toolbar.add_action("qt_menu", expandable_menu_qt, self)
+
+    def add_switchable_button_checkable(self):
+        action1 = MaterialIconAction(
+            icon_name="counter_1", tooltip="Action 1", checkable=True, parent=self
+        )
+        action2 = MaterialIconAction(
+            icon_name="counter_2", tooltip="Action 2", checkable=True, parent=self
+        )
+
+        switchable_action = SwitchableToolBarAction(
+            actions={"action1": action1, "action2": action2},
+            initial_action="action1",
+            tooltip="Switchable Action",
+            checkable=True,
+            parent=self,
+        )
+        self.toolbar.add_action("switchable_action", switchable_action, self)
+
+        action1.action.toggled.connect(
+            lambda checked: self.test_label.setText(f"Action 1 triggered, checked = {checked}")
+        )
+        action2.action.toggled.connect(
+            lambda checked: self.test_label.setText(f"Action 2 triggered, checked = {checked}")
+        )
+
+    def add_switchable_button_non_checkable(self):
+        action1 = MaterialIconAction(
+            icon_name="counter_1", tooltip="Action 1", checkable=False, parent=self
+        )
+        action2 = MaterialIconAction(
+            icon_name="counter_2", tooltip="Action 2", checkable=False, parent=self
+        )
+
+        switchable_action = SwitchableToolBarAction(
+            actions={"action1": action1, "action2": action2},
+            initial_action="action1",
+            tooltip="Switchable Action",
+            checkable=True,
+            parent=self,
+        )
+        self.toolbar.add_action("switchable_action_no_toggle", switchable_action, self)
+
+        action1.action.triggered.connect(
+            lambda checked: self.test_label.setText(f"Action 1 triggered, checked = {checked}")
+        )
+        action2.action.triggered.connect(
+            lambda checked: self.test_label.setText(f"Action 2 triggered, checked = {checked}")
+        )
+        switchable_action.actions["action1"].action.setChecked(True)
+
+    def add_widget_actions(self):
+        combo = QComboBox()
+        combo.addItems(["Option 1", "Option 2", "Option 3"])
+        self.toolbar.add_action("device_combo", WidgetAction(label="Device:", widget=combo), self)
+
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    set_theme("light")
     main_window = MainWindow()
     main_window.show()
     sys.exit(app.exec_())

bec_widgets/utils/bec_connector.py

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 import os
 import time
 import uuid
-from typing import Optional
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Optional
 
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from bec_lib.utils.import_utils import lazy_import_from
@@ -17,6 +17,9 @@ from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import ErrorPopupUtility
 from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot as pyqtSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.yaml_dialog import load_yaml, load_yaml_gui, save_yaml, save_yaml_gui
 
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher import BECDispatcher
+
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 BECDispatcher = lazy_import_from("bec_widgets.utils.bec_dispatcher", ("BECDispatcher",))
 
@@ -108,7 +111,7 @@ class BECConnector:
 
         # 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'
+        # cleanup has to be called manually since there is no 'closeEvent'
         self.rpc_register = RPCRegister()
         self.rpc_register.add_rpc(self)
 
@@ -116,6 +119,8 @@ 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:
         """
@@ -144,11 +149,14 @@ class BECConnector:
             >>> def on_complete():
             >>>     print("Task complete")
             >>> self.submit_task(my_function, 1, 2, on_complete=on_complete)
-
         """
         worker = Worker(fn, *args, **kwargs)
         if on_complete:
             worker.signals.completed.connect(on_complete)
+        # Keep a reference to the worker so it is not garbage collected.
+        self._workers.append(worker)
+        # When the worker is done, remove it from our list.
+        worker.signals.completed.connect(lambda: self._workers.remove(worker))
         self._thread_pool.start(worker)
         return worker
 
@@ -180,10 +188,10 @@ 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
 
@@ -192,8 +200,8 @@ class BECConnector:
         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:
@@ -209,8 +217,8 @@ class BECConnector:
         Load the configuration of the widget from YAML.
 
         Args:
-            path(str): Path to the configuration file for non-GUI dialog mode.
-            gui(bool): If True, use the GUI dialog to load the configuration file.
+            path (str | None): Path to the configuration file for non-GUI dialog mode.
+            gui (bool): If True, use the GUI dialog to load the configuration file.
         """
         if gui is True:
             config = load_yaml_gui(self)
@@ -229,8 +237,8 @@ class BECConnector:
         Save the configuration of the widget to YAML.
 
         Args:
-            path(str): Path to save the configuration file for non-GUI dialog mode.
-            gui(bool): If True, use the GUI dialog to save the configuration file.
+            path (str | None): Path to save the configuration file for non-GUI dialog mode.
+            gui (bool): If True, use the GUI dialog to save the configuration file.
         """
         if gui is True:
             save_yaml_gui(self, self._config_dict)
@@ -238,7 +246,6 @@ 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)
@@ -247,7 +254,7 @@ class BECConnector:
         Set the GUI ID for the widget.
 
         Args:
-            gui_id(str): GUI ID
+            gui_id (str): GUI ID.
         """
         self.config.gui_id = gui_id
         self.gui_id = gui_id
@@ -268,7 +275,7 @@ 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()
@@ -279,12 +286,10 @@ class BECConnector:
         Update the configuration for the widget.
 
         Args:
-            config(ConnectionConfig): Configuration settings.
+            config (ConnectionConfig | dict): Configuration settings.
         """
         if isinstance(config, dict):
             config = ConnectionConfig(**config)
-            # TODO add error handler
-
         self.config = config
 
     def get_config(self, dict_output: bool = True) -> dict | BaseModel:
@@ -292,12 +297,45 @@ class BECConnector:
         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_signal_proxy.py

@@ -5,28 +5,43 @@ analyse data. Requesting a new fit may lead to request piling up and an overall
 will allow you to decide by yourself when to unblock and execute the callback again."""
 
 from pyqtgraph import SignalProxy
-from qtpy.QtCore import Signal, Slot
+from qtpy.QtCore import QTimer, Signal
+
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 
 
 class BECSignalProxy(SignalProxy):
-    """Thin wrapper around the SignalProxy class to allow signal calls to be blocked, but args still being stored
+    """
+    Thin wrapper around the SignalProxy class to allow signal calls to be blocked,
+    but arguments still being stored.
 
     Args:
-        *args: Arguments to pass to the SignalProxy class
-        rateLimit (int): The rateLimit of the proxy
-        **kwargs: Keyword arguments to pass to the SignalProxy class
+        *args: Arguments to pass to the SignalProxy class.
+        rateLimit (int): The rateLimit of the proxy.
+        timeout (float): The number of seconds after which the proxy automatically
+                         unblocks if still blocked. Default is 10.0 seconds.
+        **kwargs: Keyword arguments to pass to the SignalProxy class.
 
     Example:
-    >>> proxy = BECSignalProxy(signal, rate_limit=25, slot=callback)"""
+        >>> proxy = BECSignalProxy(signal, rate_limit=25, slot=callback)
+    """
 
     is_blocked = Signal(bool)
 
-    def __init__(self, *args, rateLimit=25, **kwargs):
+    def __init__(self, *args, rateLimit=25, timeout=10.0, **kwargs):
         super().__init__(*args, rateLimit=rateLimit, **kwargs)
         self._blocking = False
         self.old_args = None
         self.new_args = None
 
+        # Store timeout value (in seconds)
+        self._timeout = timeout
+
+        # Create a single-shot timer for auto-unblocking
+        self._timer = QTimer()
+        self._timer.setSingleShot(True)
+        self._timer.timeout.connect(self._timeout_unblock)
+
     @property
     def blocked(self):
         """Returns if the proxy is blocked"""
@@ -46,9 +61,30 @@ class BECSignalProxy(SignalProxy):
         self.old_args = args
         super().signalReceived(*args)
 
-    @Slot()
+        self._timer.start(int(self._timeout * 1000))
+
+    @SafeSlot()
     def unblock_proxy(self):
         """Unblock the proxy, and call the signalReceived method in case there was an update of the args."""
-        self.blocked = False
-        if self.new_args != self.old_args:
-            self.signalReceived(*self.new_args)
+        if self.blocked:
+            self._timer.stop()
+            self.blocked = False
+            if self.new_args != self.old_args:
+                self.signalReceived(*self.new_args)
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def _timeout_unblock(self):
+        """
+        Internal method called by the QTimer upon timeout. Unblocks the proxy
+        automatically if it is still blocked.
+        """
+        if self.blocked:
+            self.unblock_proxy()
+
+    def cleanup(self):
+        """
+        Cleanup the proxy by stopping the timer and disconnecting the timeout signal.
+        """
+        self._timer.stop()
+        self._timer.timeout.disconnect(self._timeout_unblock)
+        self._timer.deleteLater()

bec_widgets/utils/bec_widget.py

@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ class BECWidget(BECConnector):
         config: ConnectionConfig = None,
         gui_id: str = None,
         theme_update: bool = False,
+        **kwargs,
     ):
         """
         Base class for all BEC widgets. This class should be used as a mixin class for all BEC widgets, e.g.:
@@ -44,7 +45,7 @@ class BECWidget(BECConnector):
         """
         if not isinstance(self, QWidget):
             raise RuntimeError(f"{repr(self)} is not a subclass of QWidget")
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
+        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
 
         # Set the theme to auto if it is not set yet
         app = QApplication.instance()
@@ -66,7 +67,7 @@ class BECWidget(BECConnector):
         if hasattr(qapp, "theme_signal"):
             qapp.theme_signal.theme_updated.connect(self._update_theme)
 
-    def _update_theme(self, theme: str):
+    def _update_theme(self, theme: str | None = None):
         """Update the theme."""
         if theme is None:
             qapp = QApplication.instance()

bec_widgets/utils/colors.py

@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-import itertools
 import re
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Literal
 
@@ -71,15 +70,64 @@ def apply_theme(theme: Literal["dark", "light"]):
     Apply the theme to all pyqtgraph widgets. Do not use this function directly. Use set_theme instead.
     """
     app = QApplication.instance()
-    # go through all pyqtgraph widgets and set background
-    children = itertools.chain.from_iterable(
-        top.findChildren(pg.GraphicsLayoutWidget) for top in app.topLevelWidgets()
-    )
-    pg.setConfigOptions(
-        foreground="d" if theme == "dark" else "k", background="k" if theme == "dark" else "w"
-    )
-    for pg_widget in children:
-        pg_widget.setBackground("k" if theme == "dark" else "w")
+    graphic_layouts = [
+        child
+        for top in app.topLevelWidgets()
+        for child in top.findChildren(pg.GraphicsLayoutWidget)
+    ]
+
+    plot_items = [
+        item
+        for gl in graphic_layouts
+        for item in gl.ci.items.keys()  # ci is internal pg.GraphicsLayout that hosts all items
+        if isinstance(item, pg.PlotItem)
+    ]
+
+    histograms = [
+        item
+        for gl in graphic_layouts
+        for item in gl.ci.items.keys()  # ci is internal pg.GraphicsLayout that hosts all items
+        if isinstance(item, pg.HistogramLUTItem)
+    ]
+
+    # Update background color based on the theme
+    if theme == "light":
+        background_color = "#e9ecef"  # Subtle contrast for light mode
+        foreground_color = "#141414"
+        label_color = "#000000"
+        axis_color = "#666666"
+    else:
+        background_color = "#141414"  # Dark mode
+        foreground_color = "#e9ecef"
+        label_color = "#FFFFFF"
+        axis_color = "#CCCCCC"
+
+    # update GraphicsLayoutWidget
+    pg.setConfigOptions(foreground=foreground_color, background=background_color)
+    for pg_widget in graphic_layouts:
+        pg_widget.setBackground(background_color)
+
+    # update PlotItems
+    for plot_item in plot_items:
+        for axis in ["left", "right", "top", "bottom"]:
+            plot_item.getAxis(axis).setPen(pg.mkPen(color=axis_color))
+            plot_item.getAxis(axis).setTextPen(pg.mkPen(color=label_color))
+
+        # Change title color
+        plot_item.titleLabel.setText(plot_item.titleLabel.text, color=label_color)
+
+        # Change legend color
+        if hasattr(plot_item, "legend") and plot_item.legend is not None:
+            plot_item.legend.setLabelTextColor(label_color)
+            # if legend is in plot item and theme is changed, has to be like that because of pg opt logic
+            for sample, label in plot_item.legend.items:
+                label_text = label.text
+                label.setText(label_text, color=label_color)
+
+    # update HistogramLUTItem
+    for histogram in histograms:
+        histogram.axis.setPen(pg.mkPen(color=axis_color))
+        histogram.axis.setTextPen(pg.mkPen(color=label_color))
 
     # now define stylesheet according to theme and apply it
     style = bec_qthemes.load_stylesheet(theme)

bec_widgets/utils/widget_state_manager.py

@@ -1,11 +1,13 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+from bec_lib import bec_logger
 from qtpy.QtCore import QSettings
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
     QApplication,
     QCheckBox,
     QFileDialog,
     QHBoxLayout,
+    QLabel,
     QLineEdit,
     QPushButton,
     QSpinBox,
@@ -13,6 +15,8 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
     QWidget,
 )
 
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
 
 class WidgetStateManager:
     """
@@ -27,7 +31,7 @@ class WidgetStateManager:
 
     def save_state(self, filename: str = None):
         """
-        Save the state of the widget to a INI file.
+        Save the state of the widget to an INI file.
 
         Args:
             filename(str): The filename to save the state to.
@@ -42,7 +46,7 @@ class WidgetStateManager:
 
     def load_state(self, filename: str = None):
         """
-        Load the state of the widget from a INI file.
+        Load the state of the widget from an INI file.
 
         Args:
             filename(str): The filename to load the state from.
@@ -63,18 +67,33 @@ class WidgetStateManager:
             widget(QWidget): The widget to save the state for.
             settings(QSettings): The QSettings object to save the state to.
         """
+        if widget.property("skip_settings") is True:
+            return
+
         meta = widget.metaObject()
-        settings.beginGroup(widget.objectName())
+        widget_name = self._get_full_widget_name(widget)
+        settings.beginGroup(widget_name)
         for i in range(meta.propertyCount()):
             prop = meta.property(i)
             name = prop.name()
+            if (
+                name == "objectName"
+                or not prop.isReadable()
+                or not prop.isWritable()
+                or not prop.isStored()  # can be extended to fine filter
+            ):
+                continue
             value = widget.property(name)
             settings.setValue(name, value)
         settings.endGroup()
 
-        # Recursively save child widgets
-        for child in widget.findChildren(QWidget):
-            if child.objectName():
+        # Recursively process children (only if they aren't skipped)
+        for child in widget.children():
+            if (
+                child.objectName()
+                and child.property("skip_settings") is not True
+                and not isinstance(child, QLabel)
+            ):
                 self._save_widget_state_qsettings(child, settings)
 
     def _load_widget_state_qsettings(self, widget: QWidget, settings: QSettings):
@@ -85,8 +104,12 @@ class WidgetStateManager:
             widget(QWidget): The widget to load the state for.
             settings(QSettings): The QSettings object to load the state from.
         """
+        if widget.property("skip_settings") is True:
+            return
+
         meta = widget.metaObject()
-        settings.beginGroup(widget.objectName())
+        widget_name = self._get_full_widget_name(widget)
+        settings.beginGroup(widget_name)
         for i in range(meta.propertyCount()):
             prop = meta.property(i)
             name = prop.name()
@@ -95,13 +118,35 @@ class WidgetStateManager:
                 widget.setProperty(name, value)
         settings.endGroup()
 
-        # Recursively load child widgets
-        for child in widget.findChildren(QWidget):
-            if child.objectName():
+        # Recursively process children (only if they aren't skipped)
+        for child in widget.children():
+            if (
+                child.objectName()
+                and child.property("skip_settings") is not True
+                and not isinstance(child, QLabel)
+            ):
                 self._load_widget_state_qsettings(child, settings)
 
+    def _get_full_widget_name(self, widget: QWidget):
+        """
+        Get the full name of the widget including its parent names.
 
-class ExampleApp(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover
+        Args:
+            widget(QWidget): The widget to get the full name for.
+
+        Returns:
+            str: The full name of the widget.
+        """
+        name = widget.objectName()
+        parent = widget.parent()
+        while parent:
+            obj_name = parent.objectName() or parent.metaObject().className()
+            name = obj_name + "." + name
+            parent = parent.parent()
+        return name
+
+
+class ExampleApp(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover:
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__()
         self.setObjectName("MainWindow")
@@ -126,7 +171,34 @@ class ExampleApp(QWidget):  # pragma: no cover
         self.check_box.setObjectName("MyCheckBox")
         layout.addWidget(self.check_box)
 
-        # Buttons to save and load state
+        # A checkbox that we want to skip
+        self.check_box_skip = QCheckBox("Enable feature - skip save?", self)
+        self.check_box_skip.setProperty("skip_state", True)
+        self.check_box_skip.setObjectName("MyCheckBoxSkip")
+        layout.addWidget(self.check_box_skip)
+
+        #  CREATE A "SIDE PANEL" with nested structure and skip all what is inside
+        self.side_panel = QWidget(self)
+        self.side_panel.setObjectName("SidePanel")
+        self.side_panel.setProperty("skip_settings", True)  # skip the ENTIRE panel
+        layout.addWidget(self.side_panel)
+
+        # Put some sub-widgets inside side_panel
+        panel_layout = QVBoxLayout(self.side_panel)
+        self.panel_label = QLabel("Label in side panel", self.side_panel)
+        self.panel_label.setObjectName("PanelLabel")
+        panel_layout.addWidget(self.panel_label)
+
+        self.panel_edit = QLineEdit(self.side_panel)
+        self.panel_edit.setObjectName("PanelLineEdit")
+        self.panel_edit.setPlaceholderText("I am inside side panel")
+        panel_layout.addWidget(self.panel_edit)
+
+        self.panel_checkbox = QCheckBox("Enable feature in side panel?", self.side_panel)
+        self.panel_checkbox.setObjectName("PanelCheckBox")
+        panel_layout.addWidget(self.panel_checkbox)
+
+        # Save/Load buttons
         button_layout = QHBoxLayout()
         self.save_button = QPushButton("Save State", self)
         self.load_button = QPushButton("Load State", self)

bec_widgets/widgets/__init__.py

@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/dock/dock_area.py

@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.waveform_widget import BECWaveformWidget
 from bec_widgets.widgets.progress.ring_progress_bar.ring_progress_bar import RingProgressBar
 from bec_widgets.widgets.services.bec_queue.bec_queue import BECQueue
 from bec_widgets.widgets.services.bec_status_box.bec_status_box import BECStatusBox
+from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.logpanel.logpanel import LogPanel
 from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.visual.dark_mode_button.dark_mode_button import DarkModeButton
 
 
@@ -139,6 +140,9 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
                             tooltip="Add Circular ProgressBar",
                             filled=True,
                         ),
+                        "log_panel": MaterialIconAction(
+                            icon_name=LogPanel.ICON_NAME, tooltip="Add LogPanel", filled=True
+                        ),
                     },
                 ),
                 "separator_2": SeparatorAction(),
@@ -200,6 +204,9 @@ class BECDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
         self.toolbar.widgets["menu_utils"].widgets["progress_bar"].triggered.connect(
             lambda: self.add_dock(widget="RingProgressBar", prefix="progress_bar")
         )
+        self.toolbar.widgets["menu_utils"].widgets["log_panel"].triggered.connect(
+            lambda: self.add_dock(widget="LogPanel", prefix="log_panel")
+        )
 
         # Icons
         self.toolbar.widgets["attach_all"].action.triggered.connect(self.attach_all)

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/figure/figure.py

@@ -162,13 +162,14 @@ class BECFigure(BECWidget, pg.GraphicsLayoutWidget):
         config: Optional[FigureConfig] = None,
         client=None,
         gui_id: Optional[str] = None,
+        **kwargs,
     ) -> None:
         if config is None:
             config = FigureConfig(widget_class=self.__class__.__name__)
         else:
             if isinstance(config, dict):
                 config = FigureConfig(**config)
-        super().__init__(client=client, gui_id=gui_id)
+        super().__init__(client=client, gui_id=gui_id, config=config, **kwargs)
         pg.GraphicsLayoutWidget.__init__(self, parent)
 
         self.widget_handler = WidgetHandler()
@@ -573,10 +574,7 @@ class BECFigure(BECWidget, pg.GraphicsLayoutWidget):
             config=config,
             **axis_kwargs,
         )
-        # has to be changed manually to ensure unique id, if config is copied from existing widget, the id could be
-        # used otherwise multiple times
         widget.set_gui_id(widget_id)
-
         widget.config.row = row
         widget.config.col = col
 
@@ -588,6 +586,7 @@ class BECFigure(BECWidget, pg.GraphicsLayoutWidget):
         self.config.num_cols = max(self.config.num_cols, col + 1)
 
         # Saving config for future referencing
+
         self.config.widgets[widget_id] = widget.config
         self._widgets[widget_id] = widget
 

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

@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ class BECImageItem(BECConnector, pg.ImageItem):
             self.config = config
         else:
             self.config = config
-        super().__init__(config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
+        super().__init__(config=config, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
         pg.ImageItem.__init__(self)
 
         self.parent_image = parent_image

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

@@ -338,16 +338,3 @@ class BECMultiWaveform(BECPlotBase):
         Export current waveform to matplotlib GUI. Available only if matplotlib is installed in the environment.
         """
         MatplotlibExporter(self.plot_item).export()
-
-
-if __name__ == "__main__":
-    import sys
-
-    from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
-
-    from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.figure import BECFigure
-
-    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    widget = BECFigure()
-    widget.show()
-    sys.exit(app.exec_())

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

@@ -98,10 +98,11 @@ class BECPlotBase(BECConnector, pg.GraphicsLayout):
         config: Optional[SubplotConfig] = None,
         client=None,
         gui_id: Optional[str] = None,
+        **kwargs,
     ):
         if config is None:
             config = SubplotConfig(widget_class=self.__class__.__name__)
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
+        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
         pg.GraphicsLayout.__init__(self, parent)
 
         self.figure = parent_figure

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

@@ -99,11 +99,17 @@ class BECWaveform(BECPlotBase):
         config: Optional[Waveform1DConfig] = None,
         client=None,
         gui_id: Optional[str] = None,
+        **kwargs,
     ):
         if config is None:
             config = Waveform1DConfig(widget_class=self.__class__.__name__)
         super().__init__(
-            parent=parent, parent_figure=parent_figure, config=config, client=client, gui_id=gui_id
+            parent=parent,
+            parent_figure=parent_figure,
+            config=config,
+            client=client,
+            gui_id=gui_id,
+            **kwargs,
         )
 
         self._curves_data = defaultdict(dict)
@@ -120,6 +126,8 @@ class BECWaveform(BECPlotBase):
             "label_suffix": "",
         }
 
+        self._slice_index = None
+
         # Scan segment update proxy
         self.proxy_update_plot = pg.SignalProxy(
             self.scan_signal_update, rateLimit=25, slot=self._update_scan_curves
@@ -1242,16 +1250,24 @@ class BECWaveform(BECPlotBase):
             msg(dict): Message with the async data.
             metadata(dict): Metadata of the message.
         """
-        instruction = metadata.get("async_update")
-        for curve in self._curves_data["async"].values():
-            y_name = curve.config.signals.y.name
+        y_data = None
+        x_data = None
+        instruction = metadata.get("async_update", {}).get("type")
+        max_shape = metadata.get("async_update", {}).get("max_shape", [])
+        all_async_curves = self._curves_data["async"].values()
+        # for curve in self._curves_data["async"].values():
+        for curve in all_async_curves:
             y_entry = curve.config.signals.y.entry
             x_name = self._x_axis_mode["name"]
             for device, async_data in msg["signals"].items():
                 if device == y_entry:
                     data_plot = async_data["value"]
-                    if instruction == "extend":
-                        x_data, y_data = curve.get_data()
+                    if instruction == "add":
+                        if len(max_shape) > 1:
+                            if len(data_plot.shape) > 1:
+                                data_plot = data_plot[-1, :]
+                        else:
+                            x_data, y_data = curve.get_data()
                         if y_data is not None:
                             new_data = np.hstack((y_data, data_plot))
                         else:
@@ -1264,6 +1280,18 @@ class BECWaveform(BECPlotBase):
                             curve.setData(x_data, new_data)
                         else:
                             curve.setData(new_data)
+                    elif instruction == "add_slice":
+                        current_slice_id = metadata.get("async_update", {}).get("index")
+                        data_plot = async_data["value"]
+                        if current_slice_id != self._slice_index:
+                            self._slice_index = current_slice_id
+                            new_data = data_plot
+                        else:
+                            x_data, y_data = curve.get_data()
+                            new_data = np.hstack((y_data, data_plot))
+
+                        curve.setData(new_data)
+
                     elif instruction == "replace":
                         if x_name == "timestamp":
                             x_data = async_data["timestamp"]
@@ -1512,6 +1540,10 @@ class BECWaveform(BECPlotBase):
         for curve_id in curve_ids_to_remove:
             self.remove_curve(curve_id)
 
+    def reset(self):
+        self._slice_index = None
+        super().reset()
+
     def clear_all(self):
         sources = list(self._curves_data.keys())
         for source in sources:

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

@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ class BECCurve(BECConnector, pg.PlotDataItem):
         else:
             self.config = config
             # config.widget_class = self.__class__.__name__
-        super().__init__(config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
+        super().__init__(config=config, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
         pg.PlotDataItem.__init__(self, name=name)
 
         self.parent_item = parent_item

bec_widgets/widgets/containers/layout_manager/layout_manager.py

@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ class LayoutManagerWidget(QWidget):
 
     def __init__(self, parent=None, auto_reindex=True):
         super().__init__(parent)
+        self.setObjectName("LayoutManagerWidget")
         self.layout = QGridLayout(self)
         self.auto_reindex = auto_reindex
 

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

@@ -13,9 +13,16 @@ class AbortButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
     ICON_NAME = "cancel"
 
     def __init__(
-        self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None, toolbar=False, scan_id=None
+        self,
+        parent=None,
+        client=None,
+        config=None,
+        gui_id=None,
+        toolbar=False,
+        scan_id=None,
+        **kwargs,
     ):
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
+        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
         QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
 
         self.get_bec_shortcuts()

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

@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@ class ResetButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
     PLUGIN = True
     ICON_NAME = "restart_alt"
 
-    def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None, toolbar=False):
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
+    def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None, toolbar=False, **kwargs):
+        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
         QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
 
         self.get_bec_shortcuts()

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

@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@ class ResumeButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
     PLUGIN = True
     ICON_NAME = "resume"
 
-    def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None, toolbar=False):
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
+    def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None, toolbar=False, **kwargs):
+        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
         QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
 
         self.get_bec_shortcuts()

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

@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@ class StopButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
     PLUGIN = True
     ICON_NAME = "dangerous"
 
-    def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None, toolbar=False):
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
+    def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None, toolbar=False, **kwargs):
+        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
         QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
 
         self.get_bec_shortcuts()

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

@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@ class PositionIndicator(BECWidget, QWidget):
     PLUGIN = True
     ICON_NAME = "horizontal_distribute"
 
-    def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None):
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
+    def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None, **kwargs):
+        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
         QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
         self.position = 50
         self.min_value = 0

bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_input/base_classes/device_input_base.py

@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ class DeviceInputBase(BECWidget):
         ReadoutPriority.ON_REQUEST: "readout_on_request",
     }
 
-    def __init__(self, client=None, config=None, gui_id: str = None):
+    def __init__(self, client=None, config=None, gui_id: str | None = None, **kwargs):
 
         if config is None:
             config = DeviceInputConfig(widget_class=self.__class__.__name__)
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ class DeviceInputBase(BECWidget):
             if isinstance(config, dict):
                 config = DeviceInputConfig(**config)
             self.config = config
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, theme_update=True)
+        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, theme_update=True, **kwargs)
         self.get_bec_shortcuts()
         self._device_filter = []
         self._readout_filter = []

bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_input/base_classes/device_signal_input_base.py

@@ -35,14 +35,14 @@ class DeviceSignalInputBase(BECWidget):
         Kind.config: "include_config_signals",
     }
 
-    def __init__(self, client=None, config=None, gui_id: str = None):
+    def __init__(self, client=None, config=None, gui_id: str = None, **kwargs):
         if config is None:
             config = DeviceSignalInputBaseConfig(widget_class=self.__class__.__name__)
         else:
             if isinstance(config, dict):
                 config = DeviceSignalInputBaseConfig(**config)
             self.config = config
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
+        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
 
         self._device = None
         self.get_bec_shortcuts()

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

@@ -45,8 +45,9 @@ class DeviceComboBox(DeviceInputBase, QComboBox):
         available_devices: list[str] | None = None,
         default: str | None = None,
         arg_name: str | None = None,
+        **kwargs,
     ):
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
+        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
         QComboBox.__init__(self, parent=parent)
         if arg_name is not None:
             self.config.arg_name = arg_name

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

@@ -48,11 +48,12 @@ class DeviceLineEdit(DeviceInputBase, QLineEdit):
         available_devices: list[str] | None = None,
         default: str | None = None,
         arg_name: str | None = None,
+        **kwargs,
     ):
         self._callback_id = None
         self._is_valid_input = False
         self._accent_colors = get_accent_colors()
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
+        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
         QLineEdit.__init__(self, parent=parent)
         self.completer = QCompleter(self)
         self.setCompleter(self.completer)

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

@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+def main():  # pragma: no cover
+    from qtpy import PYSIDE6
+
+    if not PYSIDE6:
+        print("PYSIDE6 is not available in the environment. Cannot patch designer.")
+        return
+    from PySide6.QtDesigner import QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection
+
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_input.signal_combobox.signal_combo_box_plugin import (
+        SignalComboBoxPlugin,
+    )
+
+    QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection.addCustomWidget(SignalComboBoxPlugin())
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    main()

bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_input/signal_combobox/signal_combo_box.pyproject

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{'files': ['signal_combobox.py']}

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

@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+# Copyright (C) 2022 The Qt Company Ltd.
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
+
+from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
+from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_input.signal_combobox.signal_combobox import SignalComboBox
+
+DOM_XML = """
+<ui language='c++'>
+    <widget class='SignalComboBox' name='signal_combo_box'>
+    </widget>
+</ui>
+"""
+
+
+class SignalComboBoxPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__()
+        self._form_editor = None
+
+    def createWidget(self, parent):
+        t = SignalComboBox(parent)
+        return t
+
+    def domXml(self):
+        return DOM_XML
+
+    def group(self):
+        return "BEC Input Widgets"
+
+    def icon(self):
+        return designer_material_icon(SignalComboBox.ICON_NAME)
+
+    def includeFile(self):
+        return "signal_combo_box"
+
+    def initialize(self, form_editor):
+        self._form_editor = form_editor
+
+    def isContainer(self):
+        return False
+
+    def isInitialized(self):
+        return self._form_editor is not None
+
+    def name(self):
+        return "SignalComboBox"
+
+    def toolTip(self):
+        return "Signal ComboBox Example for BEC Widgets with autocomplete."
+
+    def whatsThis(self):
+        return self.toolTip()

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

@@ -38,8 +38,9 @@ class SignalComboBox(DeviceSignalInputBase, QComboBox):
         signal_filter: str | list[str] | None = None,
         default: str | None = None,
         arg_name: str | None = None,
+        **kwargs,
     ):
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
+        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
         QComboBox.__init__(self, parent=parent)
         if arg_name is not None:
             self.config.arg_name = arg_name

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

@@ -39,9 +39,10 @@ class SignalLineEdit(DeviceSignalInputBase, QLineEdit):
         signal_filter: str | list[str] | None = None,
         default: str | None = None,
         arg_name: str | None = None,
+        **kwargs,
     ):
         self._is_valid_input = False
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
+        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
         QLineEdit.__init__(self, parent=parent)
         self._accent_colors = get_accent_colors()
         self.completer = QCompleter(self)

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

@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ class SignalLineEditPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
         return "SignalLineEdit"
 
     def toolTip(self):
-        return ""
+        return "Signal LineEdit Example for BEC Widgets with autocomplete."
 
     def whatsThis(self):
         return self.toolTip()

bec_widgets/widgets/control/scan_control/scan_control.py

@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 from collections import defaultdict
-from types import SimpleNamespace
+from types import NoneType, SimpleNamespace
 from typing import Optional
 
 from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
 from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
-from qtpy.QtCore import Property, Signal, Slot
+from qtpy.QtCore import Signal
 from qtpy.QtGui import QColor
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
     QApplication,
@@ -18,12 +18,13 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
     QWidget,
 )
 
-from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils import ConnectionConfig
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
 from bec_widgets.utils.colors import get_accent_colors
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.buttons.stop_button.stop_button import StopButton
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.scan_control.scan_group_box import ScanGroupBox
+from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.scan_metadata.scan_metadata import ScanMetadata
 from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.toggle.toggle import ToggleSwitch
 
 
@@ -42,6 +43,7 @@ class ScanControlConfig(ConnectionConfig):
 class ScanControl(BECWidget, QWidget):
     PLUGIN = True
     ICON_NAME = "tune"
+    ARG_BOX_POSITION: int = 2
 
     scan_started = Signal()
     scan_selected = Signal(str)
@@ -56,13 +58,14 @@ class ScanControl(BECWidget, QWidget):
         gui_id: str | None = None,
         allowed_scans: list | None = None,
         default_scan: str | None = None,
+        **kwargs,
     ):
 
         if config is None:
             config = ScanControlConfig(
                 widget_class=self.__class__.__name__, allowed_scans=allowed_scans
             )
-        super().__init__(client=client, gui_id=gui_id, config=config)
+        super().__init__(client=client, gui_id=gui_id, config=config, **kwargs)
         QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
 
         self._hide_add_remove_buttons = False
@@ -83,6 +86,8 @@ class ScanControl(BECWidget, QWidget):
         self.config.default_scan = default_scan
         self.config.allowed_scans = allowed_scans
 
+        self._scan_metadata: dict | None = None
+
         # Create and set main layout
         self._init_UI()
 
@@ -152,6 +157,20 @@ class ScanControl(BECWidget, QWidget):
         # Initialize scan selection
         self.populate_scans()
 
+        # Append metadata form
+        self._add_metadata_form()
+
+        self.layout.addStretch()
+
+    def _add_metadata_form(self):
+        self._metadata_form = ScanMetadata()
+        self.layout.addWidget(self._metadata_form)
+        self._metadata_form.update_with_new_scan(self.comboBox_scan_selection.currentText())
+        self.scan_selected.connect(self._metadata_form.update_with_new_scan)
+        self._metadata_form.metadata_updated.connect(self.update_scan_metadata)
+        self._metadata_form.metadata_cleared.connect(self.update_scan_metadata)
+        self._metadata_form.validate_form()
+
     def populate_scans(self):
         """Populates the scan selection combo box with available scans from BEC session."""
         self.available_scans = self.client.connector.get(
@@ -176,8 +195,9 @@ class ScanControl(BECWidget, QWidget):
         self.request_last_executed_scan_parameters()
         self.restore_scan_parameters(selected_scan_name)
 
-    @Slot()
-    def request_last_executed_scan_parameters(self):
+    @SafeSlot()
+    @SafeSlot(bool)
+    def request_last_executed_scan_parameters(self, *_):
         """
         Requests the last executed scan parameters from BEC and restores them to the scan control widget.
         """
@@ -211,7 +231,7 @@ class ScanControl(BECWidget, QWidget):
         else:
             self.last_scan_found = False
 
-    @Property(str)
+    @SafeProperty(str)
     def current_scan(self):
         """Returns the scan name for the currently selected scan."""
         return self.comboBox_scan_selection.currentText()
@@ -227,7 +247,7 @@ class ScanControl(BECWidget, QWidget):
             return
         self.comboBox_scan_selection.setCurrentText(scan_name)
 
-    @Slot(str)
+    @SafeSlot(str)
     def set_current_scan(self, scan_name: str):
         """Slot for setting the current scan to the given scan name.
 
@@ -236,7 +256,7 @@ class ScanControl(BECWidget, QWidget):
         """
         self.current_scan = scan_name
 
-    @Property(bool)
+    @SafeProperty(bool)
     def hide_arg_box(self):
         """Property to hide the argument box."""
         if self.arg_box is None:
@@ -253,7 +273,7 @@ class ScanControl(BECWidget, QWidget):
         if self.arg_box is not None:
             self.arg_box.setVisible(not hide)
 
-    @Property(bool)
+    @SafeProperty(bool)
     def hide_kwarg_boxes(self):
         """Property to hide the keyword argument boxes."""
         if len(self.kwarg_boxes) == 0:
@@ -274,7 +294,7 @@ class ScanControl(BECWidget, QWidget):
             for box in self.kwarg_boxes:
                 box.setVisible(not hide)
 
-    @Property(bool)
+    @SafeProperty(bool)
     def hide_scan_control_buttons(self):
         """Property to hide the scan control buttons."""
         return not self.button_run_scan.isVisible()
@@ -288,12 +308,40 @@ class ScanControl(BECWidget, QWidget):
         """
         self.show_scan_control_buttons(not hide)
 
-    @Slot(bool)
+    @SafeProperty(bool)
+    def hide_metadata(self):
+        """Property to hide the metadata form."""
+        return not self._metadata_form.isVisible()
+
+    @hide_metadata.setter
+    def hide_metadata(self, hide: bool):
+        """Setter for the hide_metadata property.
+
+        Args:
+            hide(bool): Hide or show the metadata form.
+        """
+        self._metadata_form.setVisible(not hide)
+
+    @SafeProperty(bool)
+    def hide_optional_metadata(self):
+        """Property to hide the optional metadata form."""
+        return self._metadata_form.hide_optional_metadata
+
+    @hide_optional_metadata.setter
+    def hide_optional_metadata(self, hide: bool):
+        """Setter for the hide_optional_metadata property.
+
+        Args:
+            hide(bool): Hide or show the optional metadata form.
+        """
+        self._metadata_form.hide_optional_metadata = hide
+
+    @SafeSlot(bool)
     def show_scan_control_buttons(self, show: bool):
         """Shows or hides the scan control buttons."""
         self.scan_control_group.setVisible(show)
 
-    @Property(bool)
+    @SafeProperty(bool)
     def hide_scan_selection_combobox(self):
         """Property to hide the scan selection combobox."""
         return not self.comboBox_scan_selection.isVisible()
@@ -307,12 +355,12 @@ class ScanControl(BECWidget, QWidget):
         """
         self.show_scan_selection_combobox(not hide)
 
-    @Slot(bool)
+    @SafeSlot(bool)
     def show_scan_selection_combobox(self, show: bool):
         """Shows or hides the scan selection combobox."""
         self.scan_selection_group.setVisible(show)
 
-    @Slot(str)
+    @SafeSlot(str)
     def scan_select(self, scan_name: str):
         """
         Slot for scan selection. Updates the scan control layout based on the selected scan.
@@ -335,7 +383,7 @@ class ScanControl(BECWidget, QWidget):
         self.update()
         self.adjustSize()
 
-    @Property(bool)
+    @SafeProperty(bool)
     def hide_add_remove_buttons(self):
         """Property to hide the add_remove buttons."""
         return self._hide_add_remove_buttons
@@ -358,10 +406,11 @@ class ScanControl(BECWidget, QWidget):
         Args:
             groups(list): List of dictionaries containing the gui_group information.
         """
+        position = self.ARG_BOX_POSITION + (1 if self.arg_box is not None else 0)
         for group in groups:
             box = ScanGroupBox(box_type="kwargs", config=group)
             box.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Preferred, QSizePolicy.Fixed)
-            self.layout.addWidget(box)
+            self.layout.insertWidget(position + len(self.kwarg_boxes), box)
             self.kwarg_boxes.append(box)
 
     def add_arg_group(self, group: dict):
@@ -374,9 +423,9 @@ class ScanControl(BECWidget, QWidget):
         self.arg_box.device_selected.connect(self.emit_device_selected)
         self.arg_box.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Preferred, QSizePolicy.Fixed)
         self.arg_box.hide_add_remove_buttons = self._hide_add_remove_buttons
-        self.layout.addWidget(self.arg_box)
+        self.layout.insertWidget(self.ARG_BOX_POSITION, self.arg_box)
 
-    @Slot(str)
+    @SafeSlot(str)
     def emit_device_selected(self, dev_names):
         """
         Emit the signal to inform about selected device(s)
@@ -454,10 +503,20 @@ class ScanControl(BECWidget, QWidget):
         scan_params = ScanParameterConfig(name=scan_name, args=args, kwargs=kwargs)
         self.config.scans[scan_name] = scan_params
 
+    @SafeSlot(dict)
+    @SafeSlot(NoneType)
+    def update_scan_metadata(self, md: dict | None):
+        self._scan_metadata = md
+        if md is None:
+            self.button_run_scan.setEnabled(False)
+        else:
+            self.button_run_scan.setEnabled(True)
+
     @SafeSlot(popup_error=True)
     def run_scan(self):
         """Starts the selected scan with the given parameters."""
         args, kwargs = self.get_scan_parameters()
+        kwargs["metadata"] = self._scan_metadata
         self.scan_args.emit(args)
         scan_function = getattr(self.scans, self.comboBox_scan_selection.currentText())
         if callable(scan_function):

bec_widgets/widgets/dap/dap_combo_box/dap_combo_box.py

@@ -37,9 +37,14 @@ class DapComboBox(BECWidget, QWidget):
     fit_model_updated = Signal(str)
 
     def __init__(
-        self, parent=None, client=None, gui_id: str | None = None, default_fit: str | None = None
+        self,
+        parent=None,
+        client=None,
+        gui_id: str | None = None,
+        default_fit: str | None = None,
+        **kwargs,
     ):
-        super().__init__(client=client, gui_id=gui_id)
+        super().__init__(client=client, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
         QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
         self.layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
         self.fit_model_combobox = QComboBox(self)

bec_widgets/widgets/dap/lmfit_dialog/lmfit_dialog.py

@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 import os
 
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
-from qtpy.QtCore import Property, Signal, Slot
+from qtpy.QtCore import Signal
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QPushButton, QTreeWidgetItem, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils import UILoader
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
 from bec_widgets.utils.colors import get_accent_colors
@@ -29,6 +30,7 @@ class LMFitDialog(BECWidget, QWidget):
         target_widget=None,
         gui_id: str | None = None,
         ui_file="lmfit_dialog_vertical.ui",
+        **kwargs,
     ):
         """
         Initialises the LMFitDialog widget.
@@ -41,8 +43,10 @@ class LMFitDialog(BECWidget, QWidget):
             gui_id (str): GUI ID.
             ui_file (str): The UI file to be loaded.
         """
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
+        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
         QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
+        self.setProperty("skip_settings", True)
+        self.setObjectName("LMFitDialog")
         self._ui_file = ui_file
         self.target_widget = target_widget
 
@@ -65,7 +69,7 @@ class LMFitDialog(BECWidget, QWidget):
 
     @property
     def enable_actions(self) -> bool:
-        """Property to enable the move to buttons."""
+        """SafeProperty to enable the move to buttons."""
         return self._enable_actions
 
     @enable_actions.setter
@@ -74,37 +78,37 @@ class LMFitDialog(BECWidget, QWidget):
         for button in self.action_buttons.values():
             button.setEnabled(enable)
 
-    @Property(list)
+    @SafeProperty(list)
     def active_action_list(self) -> list[str]:
-        """Property to list the names of the fit parameters for which actions should be enabled."""
+        """SafeProperty to list the names of the fit parameters for which actions should be enabled."""
         return self._active_actions
 
     @active_action_list.setter
     def active_action_list(self, actions: list[str]):
         self._active_actions = actions
 
-    # This slot needed?
-    @Slot(bool)
+    # This SafeSlot needed?
+    @SafeSlot(bool)
     def set_actions_enabled(self, enable: bool) -> bool:
-        """Slot to enable the move to buttons.
+        """SafeSlot to enable the move to buttons.
 
         Args:
             enable (bool): Whether to enable the action buttons.
         """
         self.enable_actions = enable
 
-    @Property(bool)
+    @SafeProperty(bool)
     def always_show_latest(self):
-        """Property to indicate if always the latest DAP update is displayed."""
+        """SafeProperty to indicate if always the latest DAP update is displayed."""
         return self._always_show_latest
 
     @always_show_latest.setter
     def always_show_latest(self, show: bool):
         self._always_show_latest = show
 
-    @Property(bool)
+    @SafeProperty(bool)
     def hide_curve_selection(self):
-        """Property for showing the curve selection."""
+        """SafeProperty for showing the curve selection."""
         return not self.ui.group_curve_selection.isVisible()
 
     @hide_curve_selection.setter
@@ -116,9 +120,9 @@ class LMFitDialog(BECWidget, QWidget):
         """
         self.ui.group_curve_selection.setVisible(not show)
 
-    @Property(bool)
+    @SafeProperty(bool)
     def hide_summary(self) -> bool:
-        """Property for showing the summary."""
+        """SafeProperty for showing the summary."""
         return not self.ui.group_summary.isVisible()
 
     @hide_summary.setter
@@ -130,9 +134,9 @@ class LMFitDialog(BECWidget, QWidget):
         """
         self.ui.group_summary.setVisible(not show)
 
-    @Property(bool)
+    @SafeProperty(bool)
     def hide_parameters(self) -> bool:
-        """Property for showing the parameters."""
+        """SafeProperty for showing the parameters."""
         return not self.ui.group_parameters.isVisible()
 
     @hide_parameters.setter
@@ -146,7 +150,7 @@ class LMFitDialog(BECWidget, QWidget):
 
     @property
     def fit_curve_id(self) -> str:
-        """Property for the currently displayed fit curve_id."""
+        """SafeProperty for the currently displayed fit curve_id."""
         return self._fit_curve_id
 
     @fit_curve_id.setter
@@ -159,7 +163,7 @@ class LMFitDialog(BECWidget, QWidget):
         self._fit_curve_id = curve_id
         self.selected_fit.emit(curve_id)
 
-    @Slot(str)
+    @SafeSlot(str)
     def remove_dap_data(self, curve_id: str):
         """Remove the DAP data for the given curve_id.
 
@@ -169,7 +173,7 @@ class LMFitDialog(BECWidget, QWidget):
         self.summary_data.pop(curve_id, None)
         self.refresh_curve_list()
 
-    @Slot(str)
+    @SafeSlot(str)
     def select_curve(self, curve_id: str):
         """Select active curve_id in the curve list.
 
@@ -178,7 +182,7 @@ class LMFitDialog(BECWidget, QWidget):
         """
         self.fit_curve_id = curve_id
 
-    @Slot(dict, dict)
+    @SafeSlot(dict, dict)
     def update_summary_tree(self, data: dict, metadata: dict):
         """Update the summary tree with the given data.
 

bec_widgets/widgets/editors/scan_metadata/__init__.py

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.scan_metadata.additional_metadata_table import (
+    AdditionalMetadataTable,
+    AdditionalMetadataTableModel,
+)
+from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.scan_metadata.scan_metadata import ScanMetadata
+
+__all__ = ["ScanMetadata", "AdditionalMetadataTable", "AdditionalMetadataTableModel"]

bec_widgets/widgets/editors/scan_metadata/_metadata_widgets.py

@@ -0,0 +1,275 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from abc import abstractmethod
+from decimal import Decimal
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Callable, get_args
+
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from bec_qthemes import material_icon
+from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
+from qtpy.QtCore import Signal  # type: ignore
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
+    QApplication,
+    QButtonGroup,
+    QCheckBox,
+    QDoubleSpinBox,
+    QGridLayout,
+    QHBoxLayout,
+    QLabel,
+    QLayout,
+    QLineEdit,
+    QRadioButton,
+    QSpinBox,
+    QToolButton,
+    QWidget,
+)
+
+from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.scan_metadata._util import (
+    clearable_required,
+    field_default,
+    field_limits,
+    field_maxlen,
+    field_minlen,
+    field_precision,
+)
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from pydantic.fields import FieldInfo
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
+
+class ClearableBoolEntry(QWidget):
+    stateChanged = Signal()
+
+    def __init__(self, parent: QWidget | None = None) -> None:
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self._layout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self._layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        self.setLayout(self._layout)
+        self._layout.setSizeConstraint(QLayout.SizeConstraint.SetFixedSize)
+        self._entry = QButtonGroup()
+        self._true = QRadioButton("true", parent=self)
+        self._false = QRadioButton("false", parent=self)
+        for button in [self._true, self._false]:
+            self._layout.addWidget(button)
+            self._entry.addButton(button)
+            button.toggled.connect(self.stateChanged)
+
+    def clear(self):
+        self._entry.setExclusive(False)
+        self._true.setChecked(False)
+        self._false.setChecked(False)
+        self._entry.setExclusive(True)
+
+    def isChecked(self) -> bool | None:
+        if not self._true.isChecked() and not self._false.isChecked():
+            return None
+        return self._true.isChecked()
+
+    def setChecked(self, value: bool | None):
+        if value is None:
+            self.clear()
+        elif value:
+            self._true.setChecked(True)
+            self._false.setChecked(False)
+        else:
+            self._true.setChecked(False)
+            self._false.setChecked(True)
+
+    def setToolTip(self, tooltip: str):
+        self._true.setToolTip(tooltip)
+        self._false.setToolTip(tooltip)
+
+
+class MetadataWidget(QWidget):
+
+    valueChanged = Signal()
+
+    def __init__(self, info: FieldInfo, parent: QWidget | None = None) -> None:
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self._info = info
+        self._layout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self._layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        self._layout.setSizeConstraint(QLayout.SizeConstraint.SetMaximumSize)
+        self._default = field_default(self._info)
+        self._desc = self._info.description
+        self.setLayout(self._layout)
+        self._add_main_widget()
+        if clearable_required(info):
+            self._add_clear_button()
+
+    @abstractmethod
+    def getValue(self): ...
+
+    @abstractmethod
+    def setValue(self, value): ...
+
+    @abstractmethod
+    def _add_main_widget(self) -> None:
+        """Add the main data entry widget to self._main_widget and appply any
+        constraints from the field info"""
+
+    def _describe(self, pad=" "):
+        return pad + (self._desc if self._desc else "")
+
+    def _add_clear_button(self):
+        self._clear_button = QToolButton()
+        self._clear_button.setIcon(
+            material_icon(icon_name="close", size=(10, 10), convert_to_pixmap=False)
+        )
+        self._layout.addWidget(self._clear_button)
+        # the widget added in _add_main_widget must implement .clear() if value is not required
+        self._clear_button.setToolTip("Clear value or reset to default.")
+        self._clear_button.clicked.connect(self._main_widget.clear)  # type: ignore
+
+    def _value_changed(self, *_, **__):
+        self.valueChanged.emit()
+
+
+class StrMetadataField(MetadataWidget):
+    def __init__(self, info: FieldInfo, parent: QWidget | None = None) -> None:
+        super().__init__(info, parent)
+        self._main_widget.textChanged.connect(self._value_changed)
+
+    def _add_main_widget(self) -> None:
+        self._main_widget = QLineEdit()
+        self._layout.addWidget(self._main_widget)
+        min_length, max_length = field_minlen(self._info), field_maxlen(self._info)
+        if max_length:
+            self._main_widget.setMaxLength(max_length)
+        self._main_widget.setToolTip(
+            f"(length min: {min_length} max: {max_length}){self._describe()}"
+        )
+        if self._default:
+            self._main_widget.setText(self._default)
+            self._add_clear_button()
+
+    def getValue(self):
+        if self._main_widget.text() == "":
+            return self._default
+        return self._main_widget.text()
+
+    def setValue(self, value: str):
+        if value is None:
+            self._main_widget.setText("")
+        self._main_widget.setText(value)
+
+
+class IntMetadataField(MetadataWidget):
+    def __init__(self, info: FieldInfo, parent: QWidget | None = None) -> None:
+        super().__init__(info, parent)
+        self._main_widget.textChanged.connect(self._value_changed)
+
+    def _add_main_widget(self) -> None:
+        self._main_widget = QSpinBox()
+        self._layout.addWidget(self._main_widget)
+        min_, max_ = field_limits(self._info, int)
+        self._main_widget.setMinimum(min_)
+        self._main_widget.setMaximum(max_)
+        self._main_widget.setToolTip(f"(range {min_} to {max_}){self._describe()}")
+        if self._default is not None:
+            self._main_widget.setValue(self._default)
+            self._add_clear_button()
+        else:
+            self._main_widget.clear()
+
+    def getValue(self):
+        if self._main_widget.text() == "":
+            return self._default
+        return self._main_widget.value()
+
+    def setValue(self, value: int):
+        if value is None:
+            self._main_widget.clear()
+        self._main_widget.setValue(value)
+
+
+class FloatDecimalMetadataField(MetadataWidget):
+    def __init__(self, info: FieldInfo, parent: QWidget | None = None) -> None:
+        super().__init__(info, parent)
+        self._main_widget.textChanged.connect(self._value_changed)
+
+    def _add_main_widget(self) -> None:
+        self._main_widget = QDoubleSpinBox()
+        self._layout.addWidget(self._main_widget)
+        min_, max_ = field_limits(self._info, int)
+        self._main_widget.setMinimum(min_)
+        self._main_widget.setMaximum(max_)
+        precision = field_precision(self._info)
+        if precision:
+            self._main_widget.setDecimals(precision)
+        minstr = f"{float(min_):.3f}" if abs(min_) <= 1000 else f"{float(min_):.3e}"
+        maxstr = f"{float(max_):.3f}" if abs(max_) <= 1000 else f"{float(max_):.3e}"
+        self._main_widget.setToolTip(f"(range {minstr} to {maxstr}){self._describe()}")
+        if self._default is not None:
+            self._main_widget.setValue(self._default)
+            self._add_clear_button()
+        else:
+            self._main_widget.clear()
+
+    def getValue(self):
+        if self._main_widget.text() == "":
+            return self._default
+        return self._main_widget.value()
+
+    def setValue(self, value: float):
+        if value is None:
+            self._main_widget.clear()
+        self._main_widget.setValue(value)
+
+
+class BoolMetadataField(MetadataWidget):
+    def __init__(self, info: FieldInfo, parent: QWidget | None = None) -> None:
+        super().__init__(info, parent)
+        self._main_widget.stateChanged.connect(self._value_changed)
+
+    def _add_main_widget(self) -> None:
+        if clearable_required(self._info):
+            self._main_widget = ClearableBoolEntry()
+        else:
+            self._main_widget = QCheckBox()
+        self._layout.addWidget(self._main_widget)
+        self._main_widget.setToolTip(self._describe(""))
+        self._main_widget.setChecked(self._default)  # type: ignore # if there is no default then it will be ClearableBoolEntry and can be set with None
+
+    def getValue(self):
+        return self._main_widget.isChecked()
+
+    def setValue(self, value):
+        self._main_widget.setChecked(value)
+
+
+def widget_from_type(annotation: type | None) -> Callable[[FieldInfo], MetadataWidget]:
+    if annotation in [str, str | None]:
+        return StrMetadataField
+    if annotation in [int, int | None]:
+        return IntMetadataField
+    if annotation in [float, float | None, Decimal, Decimal | None]:
+        return FloatDecimalMetadataField
+    if annotation in [bool, bool | None]:
+        return BoolMetadataField
+    else:
+        logger.warning(f"Type {annotation} is not (yet) supported in metadata form creation.")
+        return StrMetadataField
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+
+    class TestModel(BaseModel):
+        value1: str | None = Field(None)
+        value2: bool | None = Field(None)
+        value3: bool = Field(True)
+        value4: int = Field(123)
+        value5: int | None = Field()
+
+    app = QApplication([])
+    w = QWidget()
+    layout = QGridLayout()
+    w.setLayout(layout)
+    for i, (field_name, info) in enumerate(TestModel.model_fields.items()):
+        layout.addWidget(QLabel(field_name), i, 0)
+        layout.addWidget(widget_from_type(info.annotation)(info), i, 1)
+
+    w.show()
+    app.exec()

bec_widgets/widgets/editors/scan_metadata/_util.py

@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import sys
+from decimal import Decimal
+from math import inf, nextafter
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, TypeVar, get_args
+
+from annotated_types import Ge, Gt, Le, Lt
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from pydantic_core import PydanticUndefined
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from pydantic.fields import FieldInfo
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
+
+_MININT = -2147483648
+_MAXINT = 2147483647
+_MINFLOAT = -sys.float_info.max
+_MAXFLOAT = sys.float_info.max
+
+T = TypeVar("T", int, float, Decimal)
+
+
+def field_limits(info: FieldInfo, type_: type[T]) -> tuple[T, T]:
+    _min = _MININT if type_ is int else _MINFLOAT
+    _max = _MAXINT if type_ is int else _MAXFLOAT
+    for md in info.metadata:
+        if isinstance(md, Ge):
+            _min = type_(md.ge)  # type: ignore
+        if isinstance(md, Gt):
+            _min = type_(md.gt) + 1 if type_ is int else nextafter(type_(md.gt), inf)  # type: ignore
+        if isinstance(md, Lt):
+            _max = type_(md.lt) - 1 if type_ is int else nextafter(type_(md.lt), -inf)  # type: ignore
+        if isinstance(md, Le):
+            _max = type_(md.le)  # type: ignore
+    return _min, _max  # type: ignore
+
+
+def _get_anno(info: FieldInfo, annotation: str, default):
+    for md in info.metadata:
+        if hasattr(md, annotation):
+            return getattr(md, annotation)
+    return default
+
+
+def field_precision(info: FieldInfo):
+    return _get_anno(info, "decimal_places", 307)
+
+
+def field_maxlen(info: FieldInfo):
+    return _get_anno(info, "max_length", None)
+
+
+def field_minlen(info: FieldInfo):
+    return _get_anno(info, "min_length", None)
+
+
+def field_default(info: FieldInfo):
+    if info.default is PydanticUndefined:
+        return
+    return info.default
+
+
+def clearable_required(info: FieldInfo):
+    return type(None) in get_args(info.annotation) or info.is_required()

bec_widgets/widgets/editors/scan_metadata/additional_metadata_table.py

@@ -0,0 +1,149 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from typing import Any
+
+from qtpy.QtCore import QAbstractTableModel, QModelIndex, Qt, Signal  # type: ignore
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
+    QApplication,
+    QHBoxLayout,
+    QPushButton,
+    QSizePolicy,
+    QTreeView,
+    QVBoxLayout,
+    QWidget,
+)
+
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+
+
+class AdditionalMetadataTableModel(QAbstractTableModel):
+    def __init__(self, data):
+        super().__init__()
+        self._data: list[list[str]] = data
+        self._disallowed_keys: list[str] = []
+
+    def headerData(
+        self, section: int, orientation: Qt.Orientation, role: int = Qt.ItemDataRole()
+    ) -> Any:
+        if orientation == Qt.Orientation.Horizontal and role == Qt.ItemDataRole.DisplayRole:
+            return "Key" if section == 0 else "Value"
+        return super().headerData(section, orientation, role)
+
+    def rowCount(self, index: QModelIndex = QModelIndex()):
+        return 0 if index.isValid() else len(self._data)
+
+    def columnCount(self, index: QModelIndex = QModelIndex()):
+        return 0 if index.isValid() else 2
+
+    def data(self, index, role=Qt.ItemDataRole):
+        if index.isValid():
+            if role == Qt.ItemDataRole.DisplayRole or role == Qt.ItemDataRole.EditRole:
+                return str(self._data[index.row()][index.column()])
+
+    def setData(self, index, value, role):
+        if role == Qt.ItemDataRole.EditRole:
+            if value in self._disallowed_keys or value in self._other_keys(index.row()):
+                return False
+            self._data[index.row()][index.column()] = str(value)
+            return True
+        return False
+
+    def update_disallowed_keys(self, keys: list[str]):
+        self._disallowed_keys = keys
+        for i, item in enumerate(self._data):
+            if item[0] in self._disallowed_keys:
+                self._data[i][0] = ""
+                self.dataChanged.emit(self.index(i, 0), self.index(i, 0))
+
+    def _other_keys(self, row: int):
+        return [r[0] for r in self._data[:row] + self._data[row + 1 :]]
+
+    def flags(self, _):
+        return Qt.ItemFlag.ItemIsSelectable | Qt.ItemFlag.ItemIsEnabled | Qt.ItemFlag.ItemIsEditable
+
+    def insertRows(self, row, number, index):
+        """We only support adding one at a time for now"""
+        if row != self.rowCount() or number != 1:
+            return False
+        self.beginInsertRows(QModelIndex(), 0, 0)
+        self._data.append(["", ""])
+        self.endInsertRows()
+        return True
+
+    def removeRows(self, row, number, index):
+        """This can only be consecutive, so instead of trying to be clever, only support removing one at a time"""
+        if number != 1:
+            return False
+        self.beginRemoveRows(QModelIndex(), row, row)
+        del self._data[row]
+        self.endRemoveRows()
+        return True
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def add_row(self):
+        self.insertRow(self.rowCount())
+
+    @SafeSlot(list)
+    def delete_rows(self, rows: list[int]):
+        # delete from the end so indices stay correct
+        for row in sorted(rows, reverse=True):
+            self.removeRows(row, 1, QModelIndex())
+
+    def dump_dict(self):
+        if self._data == [[]]:
+            return {}
+        return dict(self._data)
+
+
+class AdditionalMetadataTable(QWidget):
+
+    delete_rows = Signal(list)
+
+    def __init__(self, initial_data: list[list[str]]):
+        super().__init__()
+
+        self._layout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.setLayout(self._layout)
+        self._table_model = AdditionalMetadataTableModel(initial_data)
+        self._table_view = QTreeView()
+        self._table_view.setModel(self._table_model)
+        self._table_view.setSizePolicy(
+            QSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Policy.Minimum, QSizePolicy.Policy.Minimum)
+        )
+        self._table_view.setAlternatingRowColors(True)
+        self._layout.addWidget(self._table_view)
+
+        self._buttons = QVBoxLayout()
+        self._layout.addLayout(self._buttons)
+        self._add_button = QPushButton("+")
+        self._add_button.setToolTip("add a new row")
+        self._remove_button = QPushButton("-")
+        self._remove_button.setToolTip("delete rows containing any selected cells")
+        self._buttons.addWidget(self._add_button)
+        self._buttons.addWidget(self._remove_button)
+        self._add_button.clicked.connect(self._table_model.add_row)
+        self._remove_button.clicked.connect(self.delete_selected_rows)
+        self.delete_rows.connect(self._table_model.delete_rows)
+
+    def delete_selected_rows(self):
+        cells: list[QModelIndex] = self._table_view.selectionModel().selectedIndexes()
+        row_indices = list({r.row() for r in cells})
+        if row_indices:
+            self.delete_rows.emit(row_indices)
+
+    def dump_dict(self):
+        return self._table_model.dump_dict()
+
+    def update_disallowed_keys(self, keys: list[str]):
+        self._table_model.update_disallowed_keys(keys)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+
+    app = QApplication([])
+    set_theme("dark")
+
+    window = AdditionalMetadataTable([["key1", "value1"], ["key2", "value2"], ["key3", "value3"]])
+    window.show()
+    app.exec()

bec_widgets/widgets/editors/scan_metadata/scan_metadata.py

@@ -0,0 +1,234 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from decimal import Decimal
+from types import NoneType
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
+
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from bec_lib.metadata_schema import get_metadata_schema_for_scan
+from bec_qthemes import material_icon
+from pydantic import Field, ValidationError
+from qtpy.QtCore import Signal  # type: ignore
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
+    QApplication,
+    QComboBox,
+    QGridLayout,
+    QHBoxLayout,
+    QLabel,
+    QLayout,
+    QVBoxLayout,
+    QWidget,
+)
+
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.compact_popup import CompactPopupWidget
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.expandable_frame import ExpandableGroupFrame
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.scan_metadata._metadata_widgets import widget_from_type
+from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.scan_metadata.additional_metadata_table import (
+    AdditionalMetadataTable,
+)
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from pydantic.fields import FieldInfo
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
+
+class ScanMetadata(BECWidget, QWidget):
+    """Dynamically generates a form for inclusion of metadata for a scan. Uses the
+    metadata schema registry supplied in the plugin repo to find pydantic models
+    associated with the scan type. Sets limits for numerical values if specified."""
+
+    metadata_updated = Signal(dict)
+    metadata_cleared = Signal(NoneType)
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        parent=None,
+        client=None,
+        scan_name: str | None = None,
+        initial_extras: list[list[str]] | None = None,
+        **kwargs,
+    ):
+        super().__init__(client=client, **kwargs)
+        QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
+
+        self.set_schema(scan_name)
+
+        self._layout = QVBoxLayout()
+        self._layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        self.setLayout(self._layout)
+
+        self._required_md_box = ExpandableGroupFrame("Scan schema metadata")
+        self._layout.addWidget(self._required_md_box)
+        self._required_md_box_layout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self._required_md_box.set_layout(self._required_md_box_layout)
+
+        self._md_grid = QWidget()
+        self._required_md_box_layout.addWidget(self._md_grid)
+        self._grid_container = QVBoxLayout()
+        self._md_grid.setLayout(self._grid_container)
+        self._new_grid_layout()
+        self._grid_container.addLayout(self._md_grid_layout)
+
+        self._additional_md_box = ExpandableGroupFrame("Additional metadata", expanded=False)
+        self._layout.addWidget(self._additional_md_box)
+        self._additional_md_box_layout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self._additional_md_box.set_layout(self._additional_md_box_layout)
+
+        self._additional_metadata = AdditionalMetadataTable(initial_extras or [])
+        self._additional_md_box_layout.addWidget(self._additional_metadata)
+
+        self._validity = CompactPopupWidget()
+        self._validity.compact_view = True  # type: ignore
+        self._validity.label = "Metadata validity"  # type: ignore
+        self._validity.compact_show_popup.setIcon(
+            material_icon(icon_name="info", size=(10, 10), convert_to_pixmap=False)
+        )
+        self._validity_message = QLabel("Not yet validated")
+        self._validity.addWidget(self._validity_message)
+        self._layout.addWidget(self._validity)
+
+        self.populate()
+
+    @SafeSlot(str)
+    def update_with_new_scan(self, scan_name: str):
+        self.set_schema(scan_name)
+        self.populate()
+        self.validate_form()
+
+    def validate_form(self, *_) -> bool:
+        """validate the currently entered metadata against the pydantic schema.
+        If successful, returns on metadata_emitted and returns true.
+        Otherwise, emits on metadata_cleared and returns false."""
+        try:
+            metadata_dict = self.get_full_model_dict()
+            self._md_schema.model_validate(metadata_dict)
+            self._validity.set_global_state("success")
+            self._validity_message.setText("No errors!")
+            self.metadata_updated.emit(metadata_dict)
+        except ValidationError as e:
+            self._validity.set_global_state("emergency")
+            self._validity_message.setText(str(e))
+            self.metadata_cleared.emit(None)
+
+    def get_full_model_dict(self):
+        """Get the entered metadata as a dict"""
+        return self._additional_metadata.dump_dict() | self._dict_from_grid()
+
+    def set_schema(self, scan_name: str | None = None):
+        self._scan_name = scan_name or ""
+        self._md_schema = get_metadata_schema_for_scan(self._scan_name)
+
+    def populate(self):
+        self._clear_grid()
+        self._populate()
+
+    def _populate(self):
+        self._additional_metadata.update_disallowed_keys(list(self._md_schema.model_fields.keys()))
+        for i, (field_name, info) in enumerate(self._md_schema.model_fields.items()):
+            self._add_griditem(field_name, info, i)
+
+    def _add_griditem(self, field_name: str, info: FieldInfo, row: int):
+        grid = self._md_grid_layout
+        label = QLabel(info.title or field_name)
+        label.setProperty("_model_field_name", field_name)
+        label.setToolTip(info.description or field_name)
+        grid.addWidget(label, row, 0)
+        widget = widget_from_type(info.annotation)(info)
+        widget.valueChanged.connect(self.validate_form)
+        grid.addWidget(widget, row, 1)
+
+    def _dict_from_grid(self) -> dict[str, str | int | float | Decimal | bool]:
+        grid = self._md_grid_layout
+        return {
+            grid.itemAtPosition(i, 0).widget().property("_model_field_name"): grid.itemAtPosition(i, 1).widget().getValue()  # type: ignore # we only add 'MetadataWidget's here
+            for i in range(grid.rowCount())
+        }
+
+    def _clear_grid(self):
+        while self._md_grid_layout.count():
+            item = self._md_grid_layout.takeAt(0)
+            widget = item.widget()
+            if widget is not None:
+                widget.deleteLater()
+        self._md_grid_layout.deleteLater()
+        self._new_grid_layout()
+        self._grid_container.addLayout(self._md_grid_layout)
+        self._md_grid.adjustSize()
+        self.adjustSize()
+
+    def _new_grid_layout(self):
+        self._md_grid_layout = QGridLayout()
+        self._md_grid_layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        self._md_grid_layout.setSizeConstraint(QLayout.SizeConstraint.SetFixedSize)
+
+    @SafeProperty(bool)
+    def hide_optional_metadata(self):  # type: ignore
+        """Property to hide the optional metadata table."""
+        return not self._additional_md_box.isVisible()
+
+    @hide_optional_metadata.setter
+    def hide_optional_metadata(self, hide: bool):
+        """Setter for the hide_optional_metadata property.
+
+        Args:
+            hide(bool): Hide or show the optional metadata table.
+        """
+        self._additional_md_box.setVisible(not hide)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    from unittest.mock import patch
+
+    from bec_lib.metadata_schema import BasicScanMetadata
+
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+
+    class ExampleSchema1(BasicScanMetadata):
+        abc: int = Field(gt=0, lt=2000, description="Heating temperature abc", title="A B C")
+        foo: str = Field(max_length=12, description="Sample database code", default="DEF123")
+        xyz: Decimal = Field(decimal_places=4)
+        baz: bool
+
+    class ExampleSchema2(BasicScanMetadata):
+        checkbox_up_top: bool
+        checkbox_again: bool = Field(
+            title="Checkbox Again", description="this one defaults to True", default=True
+        )
+        different_items: int | None = Field(
+            None, description="This is just one different item...", gt=-100, lt=0
+        )
+        length_limited_string: str = Field(max_length=32)
+        float_with_2dp: Decimal = Field(decimal_places=2)
+
+    class ExampleSchema3(BasicScanMetadata):
+        optional_with_regex: str | None = Field(None, pattern=r"^\d+-\d+$")
+
+    with patch(
+        "bec_lib.metadata_schema._get_metadata_schema_registry",
+        lambda: {"scan1": ExampleSchema1, "scan2": ExampleSchema2, "scan3": ExampleSchema3},
+    ):
+
+        app = QApplication([])
+        w = QWidget()
+        selection = QComboBox()
+        selection.addItems(["grid_scan", "scan1", "scan2", "scan3"])
+
+        layout = QVBoxLayout()
+        w.setLayout(layout)
+
+        scan_metadata = ScanMetadata(
+            scan_name="grid_scan",
+            initial_extras=[["key1", "value1"], ["key2", "value2"], ["key3", "value3"]],
+        )
+        selection.currentTextChanged.connect(scan_metadata.update_with_new_scan)
+
+        layout.addWidget(selection)
+        layout.addWidget(scan_metadata)
+
+        set_theme("dark")
+        window = w
+        window.show()
+        app.exec()

bec_widgets/widgets/editors/text_box/text_box.py

@@ -5,9 +5,9 @@ from html.parser import HTMLParser
 
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from pydantic import Field
-from qtpy.QtCore import Property, Slot
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QTextEdit, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import ConnectionConfig
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
 
@@ -42,14 +42,14 @@ class TextBox(BECWidget, QWidget):
     USER_ACCESS = ["set_plain_text", "set_html_text"]
     ICON_NAME = "chat"
 
-    def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None):
+    def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None, **kwargs):
         if config is None:
             config = TextBoxConfig(widget_class=self.__class__.__name__)
         else:
             if isinstance(config, dict):
                 config = TextBoxConfig(**config)
             self.config = config
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
+        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
         QWidget.__init__(self, parent)
         self.layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
         self.text_box_text_edit = QTextEdit(parent=self)
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ class TextBox(BECWidget, QWidget):
         else:
             self.set_html_text(DEFAULT_TEXT)
 
-    @Slot(str)
+    @SafeSlot(str)
     def set_plain_text(self, text: str) -> None:
         """Set the plain text of the widget.
 
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ class TextBox(BECWidget, QWidget):
         self.config.text = text
         self.config.is_html = False
 
-    @Slot(str)
+    @SafeSlot(str)
     def set_html_text(self, text: str) -> None:
         """Set the HTML text of the widget.
 
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ class TextBox(BECWidget, QWidget):
         self.config.text = text
         self.config.is_html = True
 
-    @Property(str)
+    @SafeProperty(str)
     def plain_text(self) -> str:
         """Get the text of the widget.
 
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ class TextBox(BECWidget, QWidget):
         """
         self.set_plain_text(text)
 
-    @Property(str)
+    @SafeProperty(str)
     def html_text(self) -> str:
         """Get the HTML text of the widget.
 

bec_widgets/widgets/editors/vscode/vscode.py

@@ -45,12 +45,12 @@ class VSCodeEditor(WebsiteWidget):
     USER_ACCESS = []
     ICON_NAME = "developer_mode_tv"
 
-    def __init__(self, parent=None, config=None, client=None, gui_id=None):
+    def __init__(self, parent=None, config=None, client=None, gui_id=None, **kwargs):
 
         self.process = None
         self.port = get_free_port()
         self._url = f"http://{self.host}:{self.port}?tkn={self.token}"
-        super().__init__(parent=parent, config=config, client=client, gui_id=gui_id)
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, config=config, client=client, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
         self.start_server()
         self.bec_dispatcher.connect_slot(self.on_vscode_event, f"vscode-events/{self.gui_id}")
 

bec_widgets/widgets/editors/website/website.py

@@ -23,8 +23,10 @@ class WebsiteWidget(BECWidget, QWidget):
     ICON_NAME = "travel_explore"
     USER_ACCESS = ["set_url", "get_url", "reload", "back", "forward"]
 
-    def __init__(self, parent=None, url: str = None, config=None, client=None, gui_id=None):
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
+    def __init__(
+        self, parent=None, url: str = None, config=None, client=None, gui_id=None, **kwargs
+    ):
+        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
         QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
         layout = QVBoxLayout()
         layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)

bec_widgets/widgets/games/minesweeper.py

@@ -401,6 +401,9 @@ class Minesweeper(BECWidget, QWidget):
     def _set_level_params(self, level: tuple[int, int]):
         self.b_size, self.num_mines = level
 
+    def cleanup(self):
+        self._timer.stop()
+
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/image/image_widget.py

@@ -54,13 +54,14 @@ class BECImageWidget(BECWidget, QWidget):
         config: ImageConfig | dict = None,
         client=None,
         gui_id: str | None = None,
+        **kwargs,
     ) -> None:
         if config is None:
             config = ImageConfig(widget_class=self.__class__.__name__)
         else:
             if isinstance(config, dict):
                 config = ImageConfig(**config)
-        super().__init__(client=client, gui_id=gui_id)
+        super().__init__(client=client, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
         QWidget.__init__(self, parent)
         self.layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
         self.layout.setSpacing(0)

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/motor_map/motor_map_widget.py

@@ -35,13 +35,14 @@ class BECMotorMapWidget(BECWidget, QWidget):
         config: MotorMapConfig | None = None,
         client=None,
         gui_id: str | None = None,
+        **kwargs,
     ) -> None:
         if config is None:
             config = MotorMapConfig(widget_class=self.__class__.__name__)
         else:
             if isinstance(config, dict):
                 config = MotorMapConfig(**config)
-        super().__init__(client=client, gui_id=gui_id)
+        super().__init__(client=client, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
         QWidget.__init__(self, parent)
 
         self.layout = QVBoxLayout(self)

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/multi_waveform/multi_waveform_widget.py

@@ -63,13 +63,14 @@ class BECMultiWaveformWidget(BECWidget, QWidget):
         config: BECMultiWaveformConfig | dict = None,
         client=None,
         gui_id: str | None = None,
+        **kwargs,
     ) -> None:
         if config is None:
             config = BECMultiWaveformConfig(widget_class=self.__class__.__name__)
         else:
             if isinstance(config, dict):
                 config = BECMultiWaveformConfig(**config)
-        super().__init__(client=client, gui_id=gui_id)
+        super().__init__(client=client, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
         QWidget.__init__(self, parent)
 
         self.layout = QVBoxLayout(self)

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/waveform/waveform_widget.py

@@ -86,13 +86,14 @@ class BECWaveformWidget(BECWidget, QWidget):
         config: Waveform1DConfig | dict = None,
         client=None,
         gui_id: str | None = None,
+        **kwargs,
     ) -> None:
         if config is None:
             config = Waveform1DConfig(widget_class=self.__class__.__name__)
         else:
             if isinstance(config, dict):
                 config = Waveform1DConfig(**config)
-        super().__init__(client=client, gui_id=gui_id)
+        super().__init__(client=client, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
         QWidget.__init__(self, parent)
 
         self.layout = QVBoxLayout(self)

bec_widgets/widgets/plots_next_gen/plot_base.py

@@ -0,0 +1,744 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from enum import Enum
+
+import numpy as np
+import pyqtgraph as pg
+from bec_lib import bec_logger
+from qtpy.QtCore import QPoint, QPointF, Qt, Signal
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QHBoxLayout, QLabel, QMainWindow, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
+
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.round_frame import RoundedFrame
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.settings_dialog import SettingsDialog
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.side_panel import SidePanel
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.toolbar import MaterialIconAction, ModularToolBar, ToolbarBundle
+from bec_widgets.utils import ConnectionConfig, Crosshair, EntryValidator
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils.fps_counter import FPSCounter
+from bec_widgets.utils.widget_state_manager import WidgetStateManager
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.layout_manager.layout_manager import LayoutManagerWidget
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots_next_gen.setting_menus.axis_settings import AxisSettings
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots_next_gen.toolbar_bundles.mouse_interactions import (
+    MouseInteractionToolbarBundle,
+)
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots_next_gen.toolbar_bundles.plot_export import PlotExportBundle
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots_next_gen.toolbar_bundles.roi_bundle import ROIBundle
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
+
+class BECViewBox(pg.ViewBox):
+    sigPaint = Signal()
+
+    def paint(self, painter, opt, widget):
+        super().paint(painter, opt, widget)
+        self.sigPaint.emit()
+
+    def itemBoundsChanged(self, item):
+        self._itemBoundsCache.pop(item, None)
+        if (self.state["autoRange"][0] is not False) or (self.state["autoRange"][1] is not False):
+            # check if the call is coming from a mouse-move event
+            if hasattr(item, "skip_auto_range") and item.skip_auto_range:
+                return
+            self._autoRangeNeedsUpdate = True
+            self.update()
+
+
+class UIMode(Enum):
+    NONE = 0
+    POPUP = 1
+    SIDE = 2
+
+
+class PlotBase(BECWidget, QWidget):
+    PLUGIN = False
+    RPC = False
+
+    # Custom Signals
+    property_changed = Signal(str, object)
+    crosshair_position_changed = Signal(tuple)
+    crosshair_position_clicked = Signal(tuple)
+    crosshair_coordinates_changed = Signal(tuple)
+    crosshair_coordinates_clicked = Signal(tuple)
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        parent: QWidget | None = None,
+        config: ConnectionConfig | None = None,
+        client=None,
+        gui_id: str | None = None,
+        popups: bool = False,
+        **kwargs,
+    ) -> None:
+        if config is None:
+            config = ConnectionConfig(widget_class=self.__class__.__name__)
+        super().__init__(client=client, gui_id=gui_id, config=config, **kwargs)
+        QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
+
+        # For PropertyManager identification
+        self.setObjectName("PlotBase")
+        self.get_bec_shortcuts()
+
+        # Layout Management
+        self.layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
+        self.layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        self.layout.setSpacing(0)
+        self.layout_manager = LayoutManagerWidget(parent=self)
+        self.layout_manager.layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        self.layout_manager.layout.setSpacing(0)
+
+        # Property Manager
+        self.state_manager = WidgetStateManager(self)
+
+        # Entry Validator
+        self.entry_validator = EntryValidator(self.dev)
+
+        # Base widgets elements
+        self._ui_mode = UIMode.POPUP if popups else UIMode.SIDE
+        self.axis_settings_dialog = None
+        self.plot_widget = pg.GraphicsLayoutWidget(parent=self)
+        self.plot_item = pg.PlotItem(viewBox=BECViewBox(enableMenu=True))
+        self.plot_widget.addItem(self.plot_item)
+        self.side_panel = SidePanel(self, orientation="left", panel_max_width=280)
+        self.toolbar = ModularToolBar(target_widget=self, orientation="horizontal")
+        self._init_toolbar()
+
+        # PlotItem Addons
+        self.plot_item.addLegend()
+        self.crosshair = None
+        self.fps_monitor = None
+        self.fps_label = QLabel(alignment=Qt.AlignmentFlag.AlignRight)
+        self._user_x_label = ""
+        self._x_label_suffix = ""
+
+        self._init_ui()
+
+        self._connect_to_theme_change()
+        self._update_theme()
+
+    def apply_theme(self, theme: str):
+        self.round_plot_widget.apply_theme(theme)
+
+    def _init_ui(self):
+        self.layout.addWidget(self.layout_manager)
+        self.round_plot_widget = RoundedFrame(content_widget=self.plot_widget, theme_update=True)
+
+        self.layout_manager.add_widget(self.round_plot_widget)
+        self.layout_manager.add_widget_relative(self.fps_label, self.round_plot_widget, "top")
+        self.fps_label.hide()
+        self.layout_manager.add_widget_relative(self.side_panel, self.round_plot_widget, "left")
+        self.layout_manager.add_widget_relative(self.toolbar, self.fps_label, "top")
+
+        self.ui_mode = self._ui_mode  # to initiate the first time
+
+        # PlotItem ViewBox Signals
+        self.plot_item.vb.sigStateChanged.connect(self.viewbox_state_changed)
+
+    def _init_toolbar(self):
+        self.popup_bundle = None
+        self.performance_bundle = ToolbarBundle("performance")
+        self.plot_export_bundle = PlotExportBundle("plot_export", target_widget=self)
+        self.mouse_bundle = MouseInteractionToolbarBundle("mouse_interaction", target_widget=self)
+        # self.state_export_bundle = SaveStateBundle("state_export", target_widget=self) #TODO ATM disabled, cannot be used in DockArea, which is exposed to the user
+        self.roi_bundle = ROIBundle("roi", target_widget=self)
+
+        # Add elements to toolbar
+        self.toolbar.add_bundle(self.plot_export_bundle, target_widget=self)
+        # self.toolbar.add_bundle(self.state_export_bundle, target_widget=self) #TODO ATM disabled, cannot be used in DockArea, which is exposed to the user
+        self.toolbar.add_bundle(self.mouse_bundle, target_widget=self)
+        self.toolbar.add_bundle(self.roi_bundle, target_widget=self)
+
+        self.performance_bundle.add_action(
+            "fps_monitor",
+            MaterialIconAction(
+                icon_name="speed", tooltip="Show FPS Monitor", checkable=True, parent=self
+            ),
+        )
+        self.toolbar.add_bundle(self.performance_bundle, target_widget=self)
+
+        self.toolbar.widgets["fps_monitor"].action.toggled.connect(
+            lambda checked: setattr(self, "enable_fps_monitor", checked)
+        )
+
+        # hide some options by default
+        self.toolbar.toggle_action_visibility("fps_monitor", False)
+
+    def add_side_menus(self):
+        """Adds multiple menus to the side panel."""
+        # Setting Axis Widget
+        try:
+            axis_setting = AxisSettings(target_widget=self)
+            self.side_panel.add_menu(
+                action_id="axis",
+                icon_name="settings",
+                tooltip="Show Axis Settings",
+                widget=axis_setting,
+                title="Axis Settings",
+            )
+        except ValueError:
+            return
+
+    def add_popups(self):
+        """
+        Add popups to the toolbar.
+        """
+        self.popup_bundle = ToolbarBundle("popup_bundle")
+        settings = MaterialIconAction(
+            icon_name="settings", tooltip="Show Axis Settings", checkable=True, parent=self
+        )
+        self.popup_bundle.add_action("axis", settings)
+        self.toolbar.add_bundle(self.popup_bundle, target_widget=self)
+        self.toolbar.widgets["axis"].action.triggered.connect(self.show_axis_settings_popup)
+
+    def show_axis_settings_popup(self):
+        """
+        Show the axis settings dialog.
+        """
+        settings_action = self.toolbar.widgets["axis"].action
+        if self.axis_settings_dialog is None or not self.axis_settings_dialog.isVisible():
+            axis_setting = AxisSettings(target_widget=self, popup=True)
+            self.axis_settings_dialog = SettingsDialog(
+                self, settings_widget=axis_setting, window_title="Axis Settings", modal=False
+            )
+            # When the dialog is closed, update the toolbar icon and clear the reference
+            self.axis_settings_dialog.finished.connect(self._axis_settings_closed)
+            self.axis_settings_dialog.show()
+            settings_action.setChecked(True)
+        else:
+            # If already open, bring it to the front
+            self.axis_settings_dialog.raise_()
+            self.axis_settings_dialog.activateWindow()
+            settings_action.setChecked(True)  # keep it toggled
+
+    def _axis_settings_closed(self):
+        """
+        Slot for when the axis settings dialog is closed.
+        """
+        self.axis_settings_dialog = None
+        self.toolbar.widgets["axis"].action.setChecked(False)
+
+    ################################################################################
+    # Toggle UI Elements
+    ################################################################################
+    @property
+    def ui_mode(self) -> UIMode:
+        return self._ui_mode
+
+    @ui_mode.setter
+    def ui_mode(self, mode: UIMode):
+        if not isinstance(mode, UIMode):
+            raise ValueError("ui_mode must be an instance of UIMode")
+        self._ui_mode = mode
+
+        # First, clear both UI elements:
+        if self.popup_bundle is not None:
+            for action_id in self.toolbar.bundles["popup_bundle"]:
+                self.toolbar.widgets[action_id].action.setVisible(False)
+            if self.axis_settings_dialog is not None and self.axis_settings_dialog.isVisible():
+                self.axis_settings_dialog.close()
+        self.side_panel.hide()
+
+        # Now, apply the new mode:
+        if mode == UIMode.POPUP:
+            if self.popup_bundle is None:
+                self.add_popups()
+            else:
+                for action_id in self.toolbar.bundles["popup_bundle"]:
+                    self.toolbar.widgets[action_id].action.setVisible(True)
+        elif mode == UIMode.SIDE:
+            self.add_side_menus()
+            self.side_panel.show()
+
+    @SafeProperty(bool, doc="Enable popups setting dialogs for the plot widget.")
+    def enable_popups(self):
+        return self.ui_mode == UIMode.POPUP
+
+    @enable_popups.setter
+    def enable_popups(self, value: bool):
+        if value:
+            self.ui_mode = UIMode.POPUP
+        else:
+            if self.ui_mode == UIMode.POPUP:
+                self.ui_mode = UIMode.NONE
+
+    @SafeProperty(bool, doc="Show Side Panel")
+    def enable_side_panel(self) -> bool:
+        return self.ui_mode == UIMode.SIDE
+
+    @enable_side_panel.setter
+    def enable_side_panel(self, value: bool):
+        if value:
+            self.ui_mode = UIMode.SIDE
+        else:
+            if self.ui_mode == UIMode.SIDE:
+                self.ui_mode = UIMode.NONE
+
+    @SafeProperty(bool, doc="Show Toolbar")
+    def enable_toolbar(self) -> bool:
+        return self.toolbar.isVisible()
+
+    @enable_toolbar.setter
+    def enable_toolbar(self, value: bool):
+        if value:
+            # Disable popup mode
+            if self._popups:
+                # Directly update the internal flag to avoid recursion
+                self._popups = False
+            # Hide the popup bundle if it exists and close any open dialogs
+            if self.popup_bundle is not None:
+                for action in self.toolbar.bundles["popup_bundle"].actions:
+                    action.setVisible(False)
+                if self.axis_settings_dialog is not None and self.axis_settings_dialog.isVisible():
+                    self.axis_settings_dialog.close()
+            self.side_panel.show()
+            # Add side menus if not already added
+            self.add_side_menus()
+        else:
+            self.side_panel.hide()
+
+    @SafeProperty(bool, doc="Enable the FPS monitor.")
+    def enable_fps_monitor(self) -> bool:
+        return self.fps_label.isVisible()
+
+    @enable_fps_monitor.setter
+    def enable_fps_monitor(self, value: bool):
+        if value and self.fps_monitor is None:
+            self.hook_fps_monitor()
+        elif not value and self.fps_monitor is not None:
+            self.unhook_fps_monitor()
+
+    ################################################################################
+    # ViewBox State Signals
+    ################################################################################
+
+    def viewbox_state_changed(self):
+        """
+        Emit a signal when the state of the viewbox has changed.
+        Merges the default pyqtgraphs signal states and also CTRL menu toggles.
+        """
+
+        viewbox_state = self.plot_item.vb.getState()
+        # Range Limits
+        x_min, x_max = viewbox_state["targetRange"][0]
+        y_min, y_max = viewbox_state["targetRange"][1]
+        self.property_changed.emit("x_min", x_min)
+        self.property_changed.emit("x_max", x_max)
+        self.property_changed.emit("y_min", y_min)
+        self.property_changed.emit("y_max", y_max)
+
+        # Grid Toggles
+
+    ################################################################################
+    # Plot Properties
+    ################################################################################
+
+    def set(self, **kwargs):
+        """
+        Set the properties of the plot widget.
+
+        Args:
+            **kwargs: Keyword arguments for the properties to be set.
+
+        Possible properties:
+
+        """
+        property_map = {
+            "title": self.title,
+            "x_label": self.x_label,
+            "y_label": self.y_label,
+            "x_limits": self.x_limits,
+            "y_limits": self.y_limits,
+            "x_grid": self.x_grid,
+            "y_grid": self.y_grid,
+            "inner_axes": self.inner_axes,
+            "outer_axes": self.outer_axes,
+            "lock_aspect_ratio": self.lock_aspect_ratio,
+            "auto_range_x": self.auto_range_x,
+            "auto_range_y": self.auto_range_y,
+            "x_log": self.x_log,
+            "y_log": self.y_log,
+            "legend_label_size": self.legend_label_size,
+        }
+
+        for key, value in kwargs.items():
+            if key in property_map:
+                setattr(self, key, value)
+            else:
+                logger.warning(f"Property {key} not found.")
+
+    @SafeProperty(str, doc="The title of the axes.")
+    def title(self) -> str:
+        return self.plot_item.titleLabel.text
+
+    @title.setter
+    def title(self, value: str):
+        self.plot_item.setTitle(value)
+        self.property_changed.emit("title", value)
+
+    @SafeProperty(str, doc="The text of the x label")
+    def x_label(self) -> str:
+        return self._user_x_label
+
+    @x_label.setter
+    def x_label(self, value: str):
+        self._user_x_label = value
+        self._apply_x_label()
+        self.property_changed.emit("x_label", self._user_x_label)
+
+    @property
+    def x_label_suffix(self) -> str:
+        """
+        A read-only (or internal) suffix automatically appended to the user label.
+        Not settable by the user directly from the UI.
+        """
+        return self._x_label_suffix
+
+    def set_x_label_suffix(self, suffix: str):
+        """
+        Public or protected method to update the suffix.
+        The user code or subclass (Waveform) can call this
+        when x_mode changes, but the AxisSettings won't show it.
+        """
+        self._x_label_suffix = suffix
+        self._apply_x_label()
+
+    @property
+    def x_label_combined(self) -> str:
+        """
+        The final label shown on the axis = user portion + suffix.
+        """
+        return self._user_x_label + self._x_label_suffix
+
+    def _apply_x_label(self):
+        """
+        Actually updates the pyqtgraph axis label text to
+        the combined label. Called whenever user label or suffix changes.
+        """
+        final_label = self.x_label_combined
+        self.plot_item.setLabel("bottom", text=final_label)
+
+    @SafeProperty(str, doc="The text of the y label")
+    def y_label(self) -> str:
+        return self.plot_item.getAxis("left").labelText
+
+    @y_label.setter
+    def y_label(self, value: str):
+        self.plot_item.setLabel("left", text=value)
+        self.property_changed.emit("y_label", value)
+
+    def _tuple_to_qpointf(self, tuple: tuple | list):
+        """
+        Helper function to convert a tuple to a QPointF.
+
+        Args:
+            tuple(tuple|list): Tuple or list of two numbers.
+
+        Returns:
+            QPointF: The tuple converted to a QPointF.
+        """
+        if len(tuple) != 2:
+            raise ValueError("Limits must be a tuple or list of two numbers.")
+        min_val, max_val = tuple
+        if not isinstance(min_val, (int, float)) or not isinstance(max_val, (int, float)):
+            raise TypeError("Limits must be numbers.")
+        if min_val > max_val:
+            raise ValueError("Minimum limit cannot be greater than maximum limit.")
+        return QPoint(*tuple)
+
+    ################################################################################
+    # X limits, has to be SaveProperty("QPointF") because of the tuple conversion for designer,
+    # the python properties are used for CLI and API for context dialog settings.
+
+    @SafeProperty("QPointF")
+    def x_limits(self) -> QPointF:
+        current_lim = self.plot_item.vb.viewRange()[0]
+        return QPointF(current_lim[0], current_lim[1])
+
+    @x_limits.setter
+    def x_limits(self, value):
+        if isinstance(value, (tuple, list)):
+            value = self._tuple_to_qpointf(value)
+        self.plot_item.vb.setXRange(value.x(), value.y(), padding=0)
+
+    @property
+    def x_lim(self) -> tuple:
+        return (self.x_limits.x(), self.x_limits.y())
+
+    @x_lim.setter
+    def x_lim(self, value):
+        self.x_limits = value
+
+    @property
+    def x_min(self) -> float:
+        return self.x_limits.x()
+
+    @x_min.setter
+    def x_min(self, value: float):
+        self.x_limits = (value, self.x_lim[1])
+
+    @property
+    def x_max(self) -> float:
+        return self.x_limits.y()
+
+    @x_max.setter
+    def x_max(self, value: float):
+        self.x_limits = (self.x_lim[0], value)
+
+    ################################################################################
+    # Y limits, has to be SaveProperty("QPointF") because of the tuple conversion for designer,
+    # the python properties are used for CLI and API for context dialog settings.
+
+    @SafeProperty("QPointF")
+    def y_limits(self) -> QPointF:
+        current_lim = self.plot_item.vb.viewRange()[1]
+        return QPointF(current_lim[0], current_lim[1])
+
+    @y_limits.setter
+    def y_limits(self, value):
+        if isinstance(value, (tuple, list)):
+            value = self._tuple_to_qpointf(value)
+        self.plot_item.vb.setYRange(value.x(), value.y(), padding=0)
+
+    @property
+    def y_lim(self) -> tuple:
+        return (self.y_limits.x(), self.y_limits.y())
+
+    @y_lim.setter
+    def y_lim(self, value):
+        self.y_limits = value
+
+    @property
+    def y_min(self) -> float:
+        return self.y_limits.x()
+
+    @y_min.setter
+    def y_min(self, value: float):
+        self.y_limits = (value, self.y_lim[1])
+
+    @property
+    def y_max(self) -> float:
+        return self.y_limits.y()
+
+    @y_max.setter
+    def y_max(self, value: float):
+        self.y_limits = (self.y_lim[0], value)
+
+    @SafeProperty(bool, doc="Show grid on the x-axis.")
+    def x_grid(self) -> bool:
+        return self.plot_item.ctrl.xGridCheck.isChecked()
+
+    @x_grid.setter
+    def x_grid(self, value: bool):
+        self.plot_item.showGrid(x=value)
+        self.property_changed.emit("x_grid", value)
+
+    @SafeProperty(bool, doc="Show grid on the y-axis.")
+    def y_grid(self) -> bool:
+        return self.plot_item.ctrl.yGridCheck.isChecked()
+
+    @y_grid.setter
+    def y_grid(self, value: bool):
+        self.plot_item.showGrid(y=value)
+        self.property_changed.emit("y_grid", value)
+
+    @SafeProperty(bool, doc="Set X-axis to log scale if True, linear if False.")
+    def x_log(self) -> bool:
+        return bool(self.plot_item.vb.state.get("logMode", [False, False])[0])
+
+    @x_log.setter
+    def x_log(self, value: bool):
+        self.plot_item.setLogMode(x=value)
+        self.property_changed.emit("x_log", value)
+
+    @SafeProperty(bool, doc="Set Y-axis to log scale if True, linear if False.")
+    def y_log(self) -> bool:
+        return bool(self.plot_item.vb.state.get("logMode", [False, False])[1])
+
+    @y_log.setter
+    def y_log(self, value: bool):
+        self.plot_item.setLogMode(y=value)
+        self.property_changed.emit("y_log", value)
+
+    @SafeProperty(bool, doc="Show the outer axes of the plot widget.")
+    def outer_axes(self) -> bool:
+        return self.plot_item.getAxis("top").isVisible()
+
+    @outer_axes.setter
+    def outer_axes(self, value: bool):
+        self.plot_item.showAxis("top", value)
+        self.plot_item.showAxis("right", value)
+        self.property_changed.emit("outer_axes", value)
+
+    @SafeProperty(bool, doc="Show inner axes of the plot widget.")
+    def inner_axes(self) -> bool:
+        return self.plot_item.getAxis("bottom").isVisible()
+
+    @inner_axes.setter
+    def inner_axes(self, value: bool):
+        self.plot_item.showAxis("bottom", value)
+        self.plot_item.showAxis("left", value)
+        self.property_changed.emit("inner_axes", value)
+
+    @SafeProperty(bool, doc="Lock aspect ratio of the plot widget.")
+    def lock_aspect_ratio(self) -> bool:
+        return bool(self.plot_item.vb.getState()["aspectLocked"])
+
+    @lock_aspect_ratio.setter
+    def lock_aspect_ratio(self, value: bool):
+        self.plot_item.setAspectLocked(value)
+
+    @SafeProperty(bool, doc="Set auto range for the x-axis.")
+    def auto_range_x(self) -> bool:
+        return bool(self.plot_item.vb.getState()["autoRange"][0])
+
+    @auto_range_x.setter
+    def auto_range_x(self, value: bool):
+        self.plot_item.enableAutoRange(x=value)
+
+    @SafeProperty(bool, doc="Set auto range for the y-axis.")
+    def auto_range_y(self) -> bool:
+        return bool(self.plot_item.vb.getState()["autoRange"][1])
+
+    @auto_range_y.setter
+    def auto_range_y(self, value: bool):
+        self.plot_item.enableAutoRange(y=value)
+
+    @SafeProperty(int, doc="The font size of the legend font.")
+    def legend_label_size(self) -> int:
+        if not self.plot_item.legend:
+            return
+        scale = self.plot_item.legend.scale() * 9
+        return scale
+
+    @legend_label_size.setter
+    def legend_label_size(self, value: int):
+        if not self.plot_item.legend:
+            return
+        scale = (
+            value / 9
+        )  # 9 is the default font size of the legend, so we always scale it against 9
+        self.plot_item.legend.setScale(scale)
+
+    ################################################################################
+    # FPS Counter
+    ################################################################################
+
+    def update_fps_label(self, fps: float) -> None:
+        """
+        Update the FPS label.
+
+        Args:
+            fps(float): The frames per second.
+        """
+        if self.fps_label:
+            self.fps_label.setText(f"FPS: {fps:.2f}")
+
+    def hook_fps_monitor(self):
+        """Hook the FPS monitor to the plot."""
+        if self.fps_monitor is None:
+            self.fps_monitor = FPSCounter(self.plot_item.vb)
+            self.fps_label.show()
+
+            self.fps_monitor.sigFpsUpdate.connect(self.update_fps_label)
+            self.update_fps_label(0)
+
+    def unhook_fps_monitor(self, delete_label=True):
+        """Unhook the FPS monitor from the plot."""
+        if self.fps_monitor is not None and delete_label:
+            # Remove Monitor
+            self.fps_monitor.cleanup()
+            self.fps_monitor.deleteLater()
+            self.fps_monitor = None
+        if self.fps_label is not None:
+            # Hide Label
+            self.fps_label.hide()
+
+    ################################################################################
+    # Crosshair
+    ################################################################################
+
+    def hook_crosshair(self) -> None:
+        """Hook the crosshair to all plots."""
+        if self.crosshair is None:
+            self.crosshair = Crosshair(self.plot_item, precision=3)
+            self.crosshair.crosshairChanged.connect(self.crosshair_position_changed)
+            self.crosshair.crosshairClicked.connect(self.crosshair_position_clicked)
+            self.crosshair.coordinatesChanged1D.connect(self.crosshair_coordinates_changed)
+            self.crosshair.coordinatesClicked1D.connect(self.crosshair_coordinates_clicked)
+            self.crosshair.coordinatesChanged2D.connect(self.crosshair_coordinates_changed)
+            self.crosshair.coordinatesClicked2D.connect(self.crosshair_coordinates_clicked)
+
+    def unhook_crosshair(self) -> None:
+        """Unhook the crosshair from all plots."""
+        if self.crosshair is not None:
+            self.crosshair.crosshairChanged.disconnect(self.crosshair_position_changed)
+            self.crosshair.crosshairClicked.disconnect(self.crosshair_position_clicked)
+            self.crosshair.coordinatesChanged1D.disconnect(self.crosshair_coordinates_changed)
+            self.crosshair.coordinatesClicked1D.disconnect(self.crosshair_coordinates_clicked)
+            self.crosshair.coordinatesChanged2D.disconnect(self.crosshair_coordinates_changed)
+            self.crosshair.coordinatesClicked2D.disconnect(self.crosshair_coordinates_clicked)
+            self.crosshair.cleanup()
+            self.crosshair.deleteLater()
+            self.crosshair = None
+
+    def toggle_crosshair(self) -> None:
+        """Toggle the crosshair on all plots."""
+        if self.crosshair is None:
+            return self.hook_crosshair()
+
+        self.unhook_crosshair()
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def reset(self) -> None:
+        """Reset the plot widget."""
+        if self.crosshair is not None:
+            self.crosshair.clear_markers()
+            self.crosshair.update_markers()
+
+    def cleanup(self):
+        self.unhook_crosshair()
+        self.unhook_fps_monitor(delete_label=True)
+        self.cleanup_pyqtgraph()
+        self.rpc_register.remove_rpc(self)
+
+    def cleanup_pyqtgraph(self):
+        """Cleanup pyqtgraph items."""
+        item = self.plot_item
+        item.vb.menu.close()
+        item.vb.menu.deleteLater()
+        item.ctrlMenu.close()
+        item.ctrlMenu.deleteLater()
+
+
+class DemoPlotBase(QMainWindow):  # pragma: no cover:
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__()
+        self.main_widget = QWidget()
+        self.setCentralWidget(self.main_widget)
+        self.main_widget.layout = QHBoxLayout(self.main_widget)
+
+        self.plot_popup = PlotBase(popups=True)
+        self.plot_popup.title = "PlotBase with popups"
+        self.plot_side_panels = PlotBase(popups=False)
+        self.plot_side_panels.title = "PlotBase with side panels"
+
+        self.plot_popup.plot_item.plot(np.random.rand(100), pen=(255, 0, 0))
+        self.plot_side_panels.plot_item.plot(np.random.rand(100), pen=(0, 255, 0))
+
+        self.main_widget.layout.addWidget(self.plot_side_panels)
+        self.main_widget.layout.addWidget(self.plot_popup)
+
+        self.resize(1400, 600)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover:
+    import sys
+
+    from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
+
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    window = DemoPlotBase()
+    window.show()
+
+    sys.exit(app.exec_())

bec_widgets/widgets/plots_next_gen/setting_menus/axis_settings.py

@@ -0,0 +1,150 @@
+import os
+
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QFrame, QScrollArea, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
+
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.settings_dialog import SettingWidget
+from bec_widgets.utils import UILoader
+from bec_widgets.utils.widget_io import WidgetIO
+
+
+class AxisSettings(SettingWidget):
+    def __init__(self, parent=None, target_widget=None, popup=False, *args, **kwargs):
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, *args, **kwargs)
+
+        # This is a settings widget that depends on the target widget
+        # and should mirror what is in the target widget.
+        # Saving settings for this widget could result in recursively setting the target widget.
+        self.setProperty("skip_settings", True)
+        self.setObjectName("AxisSettings")
+        current_path = os.path.dirname(__file__)
+        if popup:
+            form = UILoader().load_ui(
+                os.path.join(current_path, "axis_settings_horizontal.ui"), self
+            )
+        else:
+            form = UILoader().load_ui(os.path.join(current_path, "axis_settings_vertical.ui"), self)
+
+        self.target_widget = target_widget
+        self.popup = popup
+
+        # # Scroll area
+        self.scroll_area = QScrollArea(self)
+        self.scroll_area.setWidgetResizable(True)
+        self.scroll_area.setFrameShape(QFrame.NoFrame)
+        self.scroll_area.setWidget(form)
+
+        self.layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
+        self.layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        self.layout.addWidget(self.scroll_area)
+        # self.layout.addWidget(self.ui)
+        self.ui = form
+
+        if self.target_widget is not None and self.popup is False:
+            self.connect_all_signals()
+            self.target_widget.property_changed.connect(self.update_property)
+
+        if self.popup is True:
+            self.fetch_all_properties()
+
+    def connect_all_signals(self):
+        for widget in [
+            self.ui.title,
+            self.ui.inner_axes,
+            self.ui.outer_axes,
+            self.ui.x_label,
+            self.ui.x_min,
+            self.ui.x_max,
+            self.ui.x_log,
+            self.ui.x_grid,
+            self.ui.y_label,
+            self.ui.y_min,
+            self.ui.y_max,
+            self.ui.y_log,
+            self.ui.y_grid,
+        ]:
+            WidgetIO.connect_widget_change_signal(widget, self.set_property)
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def set_property(self, widget: QWidget, value):
+        """
+        Set property of the target widget based on the widget that emitted the signal.
+        The name of the property has to be the same as the objectName of the widget
+        and compatible with WidgetIO.
+
+        Args:
+            widget(QWidget): The widget that emitted the signal.
+            value(): The value to set the property to.
+        """
+
+        try:  # to avoid crashing when the widget is not found in Designer
+            property_name = widget.objectName()
+            setattr(self.target_widget, property_name, value)
+        except RuntimeError:
+            return
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def update_property(self, property_name: str, value):
+        """
+        Update the value of the widget based on the property name and value.
+        The name of the property has to be the same as the objectName of the widget
+        and compatible with WidgetIO.
+
+        Args:
+            property_name(str): The name of the property to update.
+            value: The value to set the property to.
+        """
+        try:  # to avoid crashing when the widget is not found in Designer
+            widget_to_set = self.ui.findChild(QWidget, property_name)
+        except RuntimeError:
+            return
+        # Block signals to avoid triggering set_property again
+        was_blocked = widget_to_set.blockSignals(True)
+        WidgetIO.set_value(widget_to_set, value)
+        widget_to_set.blockSignals(was_blocked)
+
+    def fetch_all_properties(self):
+        """
+        Fetch all properties from the target widget and update the settings widget.
+        """
+        for widget in [
+            self.ui.title,
+            self.ui.inner_axes,
+            self.ui.outer_axes,
+            self.ui.x_label,
+            self.ui.x_min,
+            self.ui.x_max,
+            self.ui.x_log,
+            self.ui.x_grid,
+            self.ui.y_label,
+            self.ui.y_min,
+            self.ui.y_max,
+            self.ui.y_log,
+            self.ui.y_grid,
+        ]:
+            property_name = widget.objectName()
+            value = getattr(self.target_widget, property_name)
+            WidgetIO.set_value(widget, value)
+
+    def accept_changes(self):
+        """
+        Apply all properties from the settings widget to the target widget.
+        """
+        for widget in [
+            self.ui.title,
+            self.ui.inner_axes,
+            self.ui.outer_axes,
+            self.ui.x_label,
+            self.ui.x_min,
+            self.ui.x_max,
+            self.ui.x_log,
+            self.ui.x_grid,
+            self.ui.y_label,
+            self.ui.y_min,
+            self.ui.y_max,
+            self.ui.y_log,
+            self.ui.y_grid,
+        ]:
+            property_name = widget.objectName()
+            value = WidgetIO.get_value(widget)
+            setattr(self.target_widget, property_name, value)

bec_widgets/widgets/plots_next_gen/setting_menus/axis_settings_horizontal.ui

@@ -0,0 +1,212 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
+<ui version="4.0">
+    <class>Form</class>
+    <widget class="QWidget" name="Form">
+        <property name="geometry">
+            <rect>
+                <x>0</x>
+                <y>0</y>
+                <width>486</width>
+                <height>300</height>
+            </rect>
+        </property>
+        <property name="windowTitle">
+            <string>Form</string>
+        </property>
+        <layout class="QGridLayout" name="gridLayout">
+            <item row="1" column="0">
+                <widget class="QLabel" name="label">
+                    <property name="text">
+                        <string>Inner Axes</string>
+                    </property>
+                </widget>
+            </item>
+            <item row="1" column="1">
+                <widget class="ToggleSwitch" name="inner_axes"/>
+            </item>
+            <item row="1" column="2">
+                <widget class="QLabel" name="label_outer_axes">
+                    <property name="text">
+                        <string>Outer Axes</string>
+                    </property>
+                </widget>
+            </item>
+            <item row="1" column="3">
+                <widget class="ToggleSwitch" name="outer_axes">
+                    <property name="checked" stdset="0">
+                        <bool>false</bool>
+                    </property>
+                </widget>
+            </item>
+            <item row="2" column="0" colspan="2">
+                <widget class="QGroupBox" name="x_axis_box">
+                    <property name="title">
+                        <string>X Axis</string>
+                    </property>
+                    <layout class="QGridLayout" name="gridLayout_4">
+                        <item row="5" column="0">
+                            <widget class="QLabel" name="x_grid_label">
+                                <property name="text">
+                                    <string>Grid</string>
+                                </property>
+                            </widget>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="3" column="2">
+                            <widget class="ToggleSwitch" name="x_log">
+                                <property name="checked" stdset="0">
+                                    <bool>false</bool>
+                                </property>
+                            </widget>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="2" column="0">
+                            <widget class="QLabel" name="x_max_label">
+                                <property name="text">
+                                    <string>Max</string>
+                                </property>
+                            </widget>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="5" column="2">
+                            <widget class="ToggleSwitch" name="x_grid">
+                                <property name="checked" stdset="0">
+                                    <bool>false</bool>
+                                </property>
+                            </widget>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="3" column="0">
+                            <widget class="QLabel" name="x_scale_label">
+                                <property name="text">
+                                    <string>Log</string>
+                                </property>
+                            </widget>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="1" column="0" colspan="2">
+                            <widget class="QLabel" name="x_min_label">
+                                <property name="text">
+                                    <string>Min</string>
+                                </property>
+                            </widget>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="0" column="0">
+                            <widget class="QLabel" name="x_label_label">
+                                <property name="text">
+                                    <string>Label</string>
+                                </property>
+                            </widget>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="0" column="2">
+                            <widget class="QLineEdit" name="x_label"/>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="1" column="2">
+                            <widget class="BECSpinBox" name="x_min"/>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="2" column="2">
+                            <widget class="BECSpinBox" name="x_max"/>
+                        </item>
+                    </layout>
+                </widget>
+            </item>
+            <item row="2" column="2" colspan="2">
+                <widget class="QGroupBox" name="y_axis_box">
+                    <property name="title">
+                        <string>Y Axis</string>
+                    </property>
+                    <layout class="QGridLayout" name="gridLayout_5">
+                        <item row="1" column="0" colspan="2">
+                            <widget class="QLabel" name="y_min_label">
+                                <property name="text">
+                                    <string>Min</string>
+                                </property>
+                            </widget>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="0" column="2">
+                            <widget class="QLineEdit" name="y_label"/>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="3" column="0">
+                            <widget class="QLabel" name="y_scale_label">
+                                <property name="text">
+                                    <string>Log</string>
+                                </property>
+                            </widget>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="0" column="0">
+                            <widget class="QLabel" name="y_label_label">
+                                <property name="text">
+                                    <string>Label</string>
+                                </property>
+                            </widget>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="2" column="0">
+                            <widget class="QLabel" name="y_max_label">
+                                <property name="text">
+                                    <string>Max</string>
+                                </property>
+                            </widget>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="4" column="0">
+                            <widget class="QLabel" name="y_grid_label">
+                                <property name="text">
+                                    <string>Grid</string>
+                                </property>
+                            </widget>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="3" column="2">
+                            <widget class="ToggleSwitch" name="y_log">
+                                <property name="checked" stdset="0">
+                                    <bool>false</bool>
+                                </property>
+                            </widget>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="4" column="2">
+                            <widget class="ToggleSwitch" name="y_grid">
+                                <property name="checked" stdset="0">
+                                    <bool>false</bool>
+                                </property>
+                            </widget>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="1" column="2">
+                            <widget class="BECSpinBox" name="y_min">
+                                <property name="alignment">
+                                    <set>Qt::AlignmentFlag::AlignCenter</set>
+                                </property>
+                                <property name="buttonSymbols">
+                                    <enum>QAbstractSpinBox::ButtonSymbols::UpDownArrows</enum>
+                                </property>
+                            </widget>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="2" column="2">
+                            <widget class="BECSpinBox" name="y_max"/>
+                        </item>
+                    </layout>
+                </widget>
+            </item>
+            <item row="0" column="0" colspan="4">
+                <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout">
+                    <item>
+                        <widget class="QLabel" name="plot_title_label">
+                            <property name="text">
+                                <string>Plot Title</string>
+                            </property>
+                        </widget>
+                    </item>
+                    <item>
+                        <widget class="QLineEdit" name="title"/>
+                    </item>
+                </layout>
+            </item>
+        </layout>
+    </widget>
+    <customwidgets>
+        <customwidget>
+            <class>BECSpinBox</class>
+            <extends>QDoubleSpinBox</extends>
+            <header>bec_spin_box</header>
+        </customwidget>
+        <customwidget>
+            <class>ToggleSwitch</class>
+            <extends>QWidget</extends>
+            <header>toggle_switch</header>
+        </customwidget>
+    </customwidgets>
+    <resources/>
+    <connections/>
+</ui>

bec_widgets/widgets/plots_next_gen/setting_menus/axis_settings_vertical.ui

@@ -0,0 +1,205 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
+<ui version="4.0">
+    <class>Form</class>
+    <widget class="QWidget" name="Form">
+        <property name="geometry">
+            <rect>
+                <x>0</x>
+                <y>0</y>
+                <width>241</width>
+                <height>526</height>
+            </rect>
+        </property>
+        <property name="windowTitle">
+            <string>Form</string>
+        </property>
+        <layout class="QGridLayout" name="gridLayout">
+            <item row="4" column="0" colspan="2">
+                <widget class="QGroupBox" name="x_axis_box">
+                    <property name="title">
+                        <string>X Axis</string>
+                    </property>
+                    <layout class="QGridLayout" name="gridLayout_4">
+                        <item row="3" column="0">
+                            <widget class="QLabel" name="x_scale_label">
+                                <property name="text">
+                                    <string>Log</string>
+                                </property>
+                            </widget>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="0" column="2">
+                            <widget class="QLineEdit" name="x_label"/>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="2" column="0">
+                            <widget class="QLabel" name="x_max_label">
+                                <property name="text">
+                                    <string>Max</string>
+                                </property>
+                            </widget>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="3" column="2">
+                            <widget class="ToggleSwitch" name="x_log">
+                                <property name="checked" stdset="0">
+                                    <bool>false</bool>
+                                </property>
+                            </widget>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="5" column="0">
+                            <widget class="QLabel" name="x_grid_label">
+                                <property name="text">
+                                    <string>Grid</string>
+                                </property>
+                            </widget>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="1" column="0" colspan="2">
+                            <widget class="QLabel" name="x_min_label">
+                                <property name="text">
+                                    <string>Min</string>
+                                </property>
+                            </widget>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="0" column="0">
+                            <widget class="QLabel" name="x_label_label">
+                                <property name="text">
+                                    <string>Label</string>
+                                </property>
+                            </widget>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="5" column="2">
+                            <widget class="ToggleSwitch" name="x_grid">
+                                <property name="checked" stdset="0">
+                                    <bool>false</bool>
+                                </property>
+                            </widget>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="1" column="2">
+                            <widget class="BECSpinBox" name="x_min"/>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="2" column="2">
+                            <widget class="BECSpinBox" name="x_max"/>
+                        </item>
+                    </layout>
+                </widget>
+            </item>
+            <item row="0" column="0" colspan="2">
+                <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout">
+                    <item>
+                        <widget class="QLabel" name="plot_title_label">
+                            <property name="text">
+                                <string>Plot Title</string>
+                            </property>
+                        </widget>
+                    </item>
+                    <item>
+                        <widget class="QLineEdit" name="title"/>
+                    </item>
+                </layout>
+            </item>
+            <item row="2" column="0">
+                <widget class="QLabel" name="label_outer_axes">
+                    <property name="text">
+                        <string>Outer Axes</string>
+                    </property>
+                </widget>
+            </item>
+            <item row="5" column="0" colspan="2">
+                <widget class="QGroupBox" name="y_axis_box">
+                    <property name="title">
+                        <string>Y Axis</string>
+                    </property>
+                    <layout class="QGridLayout" name="gridLayout_5">
+                        <item row="1" column="0" colspan="2">
+                            <widget class="QLabel" name="y_min_label">
+                                <property name="text">
+                                    <string>Min</string>
+                                </property>
+                            </widget>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="0" column="2">
+                            <widget class="QLineEdit" name="y_label"/>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="3" column="0">
+                            <widget class="QLabel" name="y_scale_label">
+                                <property name="text">
+                                    <string>Log</string>
+                                </property>
+                            </widget>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="0" column="0">
+                            <widget class="QLabel" name="y_label_label">
+                                <property name="text">
+                                    <string>Label</string>
+                                </property>
+                            </widget>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="2" column="0">
+                            <widget class="QLabel" name="y_max_label">
+                                <property name="text">
+                                    <string>Max</string>
+                                </property>
+                            </widget>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="4" column="0">
+                            <widget class="QLabel" name="y_grid_label">
+                                <property name="text">
+                                    <string>Grid</string>
+                                </property>
+                            </widget>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="3" column="2">
+                            <widget class="ToggleSwitch" name="y_log">
+                                <property name="checked" stdset="0">
+                                    <bool>false</bool>
+                                </property>
+                            </widget>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="4" column="2">
+                            <widget class="ToggleSwitch" name="y_grid">
+                                <property name="checked" stdset="0">
+                                    <bool>false</bool>
+                                </property>
+                            </widget>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="1" column="2">
+                            <widget class="BECSpinBox" name="y_min"/>
+                        </item>
+                        <item row="2" column="2">
+                            <widget class="BECSpinBox" name="y_max"/>
+                        </item>
+                    </layout>
+                </widget>
+            </item>
+            <item row="2" column="1">
+                <widget class="ToggleSwitch" name="outer_axes">
+                    <property name="checked" stdset="0">
+                        <bool>false</bool>
+                    </property>
+                </widget>
+            </item>
+            <item row="1" column="0">
+                <widget class="QLabel" name="label">
+                    <property name="text">
+                        <string>Inner Axes</string>
+                    </property>
+                </widget>
+            </item>
+            <item row="1" column="1">
+                <widget class="ToggleSwitch" name="inner_axes"/>
+            </item>
+        </layout>
+    </widget>
+    <customwidgets>
+        <customwidget>
+            <class>BECSpinBox</class>
+            <extends>QDoubleSpinBox</extends>
+            <header>bec_spin_box</header>
+        </customwidget>
+        <customwidget>
+            <class>ToggleSwitch</class>
+            <extends>QWidget</extends>
+            <header>toggle_switch</header>
+        </customwidget>
+    </customwidgets>
+    <resources/>
+    <connections/>
+</ui>

bec_widgets/widgets/plots_next_gen/toolbar_bundles/mouse_interactions.py

@@ -0,0 +1,122 @@
+import pyqtgraph as pg
+from qtpy.QtCore import QTimer
+
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.toolbar import MaterialIconAction, SwitchableToolBarAction, ToolbarBundle
+
+
+class MouseInteractionToolbarBundle(ToolbarBundle):
+    """
+    A bundle of actions that are hooked in this constructor itself,
+    so that you can immediately connect the signals and toggle states.
+
+    This bundle is for a toolbar that controls mouse interactions on a plot.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, bundle_id="mouse_interaction", target_widget=None, **kwargs):
+        super().__init__(bundle_id=bundle_id, actions=[], **kwargs)
+        self.target_widget = target_widget
+        self.mouse_mode = None
+
+        # Create each MaterialIconAction with a parent
+        # so the signals can fire even if the toolbar isn't added yet.
+        drag = MaterialIconAction(
+            icon_name="drag_pan",
+            tooltip="Drag Mouse Mode",
+            checkable=True,
+            parent=self.target_widget,  # or any valid parent
+        )
+        rect = MaterialIconAction(
+            icon_name="frame_inspect",
+            tooltip="Rectangle Zoom Mode",
+            checkable=True,
+            parent=self.target_widget,
+        )
+        auto = MaterialIconAction(
+            icon_name="open_in_full",
+            tooltip="Autorange Plot",
+            checkable=False,
+            parent=self.target_widget,
+        )
+        aspect_ratio = MaterialIconAction(
+            icon_name="aspect_ratio",
+            tooltip="Lock image aspect ratio",
+            checkable=True,
+            parent=self.target_widget,
+        )
+
+        self.switch_mouse_action = SwitchableToolBarAction(
+            actions={"drag_mode": drag, "rectangle_mode": rect},
+            initial_action="drag_mode",
+            tooltip="Mouse Modes",
+            checkable=True,
+            parent=self,
+        )
+
+        # Add them to the bundle
+        self.add_action("switch_mouse", self.switch_mouse_action)
+        self.add_action("auto_range", auto)
+        self.add_action("aspect_ratio", aspect_ratio)
+
+        # Immediately connect signals
+        drag.action.toggled.connect(self.enable_mouse_pan_mode)
+        rect.action.toggled.connect(self.enable_mouse_rectangle_mode)
+        auto.action.triggered.connect(self.autorange_plot)
+        aspect_ratio.action.toggled.connect(self.lock_aspect_ratio)
+
+        # Give some time to check the state
+        QTimer.singleShot(10, self.get_viewbox_mode)
+
+    def get_viewbox_mode(self):
+        """
+        Returns the current interaction mode of a PyQtGraph ViewBox and sets the corresponding action.
+        """
+
+        if self.target_widget:
+            viewbox = self.target_widget.plot_item.getViewBox()
+            if viewbox.getState()["mouseMode"] == 3:
+                self.switch_mouse_action.set_default_action("drag_mode")
+                self.switch_mouse_action.main_button.setChecked(True)
+                self.mouse_mode = "PanMode"
+            elif viewbox.getState()["mouseMode"] == 1:
+                self.switch_mouse_action.set_default_action("rectangle_mode")
+                self.switch_mouse_action.main_button.setChecked(True)
+                self.mouse_mode = "RectMode"
+
+    @SafeSlot(bool)
+    def enable_mouse_rectangle_mode(self, checked: bool):
+        """
+        Enable the rectangle zoom mode on the plot widget.
+        """
+        if self.mouse_mode == "RectMode":
+            self.switch_mouse_action.main_button.setChecked(True)
+            return
+        self.actions["switch_mouse"].actions["drag_mode"].action.setChecked(not checked)
+        if self.target_widget and checked:
+            self.target_widget.plot_item.getViewBox().setMouseMode(pg.ViewBox.RectMode)
+
+    @SafeSlot(bool)
+    def enable_mouse_pan_mode(self, checked: bool):
+        """
+        Enable the pan mode on the plot widget.
+        """
+        if self.mouse_mode == "PanMode":
+            self.switch_mouse_action.main_button.setChecked(True)
+            return
+        self.actions["switch_mouse"].actions["rectangle_mode"].action.setChecked(not checked)
+        if self.target_widget and checked:
+            self.target_widget.plot_item.getViewBox().setMouseMode(pg.ViewBox.PanMode)
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def autorange_plot(self):
+        """
+        Enable autorange on the plot widget.
+        """
+        if self.target_widget:
+            self.target_widget.auto_range_x = True
+            self.target_widget.auto_range_y = True
+
+    @SafeSlot(bool)
+    def lock_aspect_ratio(self, checked: bool):
+        if self.target_widget:
+            self.target_widget.lock_aspect_ratio = checked

bec_widgets/widgets/plots_next_gen/toolbar_bundles/plot_export.py

@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+from pyqtgraph.exporters import MatplotlibExporter
+
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot, WarningPopupUtility
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.toolbar import MaterialIconAction, SwitchableToolBarAction, ToolbarBundle
+
+
+class PlotExportBundle(ToolbarBundle):
+    """
+    A bundle of actions that are hooked in this constructor itself,
+    so that you can immediately connect the signals and toggle states.
+
+    This bundle is for a toolbar that controls exporting a plot.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, bundle_id="mouse_interaction", target_widget=None, **kwargs):
+        super().__init__(bundle_id=bundle_id, actions=[], **kwargs)
+        self.target_widget = target_widget
+
+        # Create each MaterialIconAction with a parent
+        # so the signals can fire even if the toolbar isn't added yet.
+        save = MaterialIconAction(
+            icon_name="save", tooltip="Open Export Dialog", parent=self.target_widget
+        )
+        matplotlib = MaterialIconAction(
+            icon_name="photo_library", tooltip="Open Matplotlib Dialog", parent=self.target_widget
+        )
+
+        switch_export_action = SwitchableToolBarAction(
+            actions={"save": save, "matplotlib": matplotlib},
+            initial_action="save",
+            tooltip="Switchable Action",
+            checkable=False,
+            parent=self,
+        )
+
+        # Add them to the bundle
+        self.add_action("export_switch", switch_export_action)
+
+        # Immediately connect signals
+        save.action.triggered.connect(self.export_dialog)
+        matplotlib.action.triggered.connect(self.matplotlib_dialog)
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def export_dialog(self):
+        """
+        Open the export dialog for the plot widget.
+        """
+        if self.target_widget:
+            scene = self.target_widget.plot_item.scene()
+            scene.contextMenuItem = self.target_widget.plot_item
+            scene.showExportDialog()
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def matplotlib_dialog(self):
+        """
+        Export the plot widget to Matplotlib.
+        """
+        if self.target_widget:
+            try:
+                import matplotlib as mpl
+
+                MatplotlibExporter(self.target_widget.plot_item).export()
+            except:
+                warning_util = WarningPopupUtility()
+                warning_util.show_warning(
+                    title="Matplotlib not installed",
+                    message="Matplotlib is required for this feature.",
+                    detailed_text="Please install matplotlib in your Python environment by using 'pip install matplotlib'.",
+                )
+                return

bec_widgets/widgets/plots_next_gen/toolbar_bundles/roi_bundle.py

@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.toolbar import MaterialIconAction, ToolbarBundle
+
+
+class ROIBundle(ToolbarBundle):
+    """
+    A bundle of actions that are hooked in this constructor itself,
+    so that you can immediately connect the signals and toggle states.
+
+    This bundle is for a toolbar that controls crosshair and ROI interaction.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, bundle_id="roi", target_widget=None, **kwargs):
+        super().__init__(bundle_id=bundle_id, actions=[], **kwargs)
+        self.target_widget = target_widget
+
+        # Create each MaterialIconAction with a parent
+        # so the signals can fire even if the toolbar isn't added yet.
+        crosshair = MaterialIconAction(
+            icon_name="point_scan", tooltip="Show Crosshair", checkable=True
+        )
+
+        # Add them to the bundle
+        self.add_action("crosshair", crosshair)
+
+        # Immediately connect signals
+        crosshair.action.toggled.connect(self.target_widget.toggle_crosshair)

bec_widgets/widgets/plots_next_gen/toolbar_bundles/save_state.py

@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.toolbar import MaterialIconAction, ToolbarBundle
+
+
+class SaveStateBundle(ToolbarBundle):
+    """
+    A bundle of actions that are hooked in this constructor itself,
+    so that you can immediately connect the signals and toggle states.
+
+    This bundle is for a toolbar that controls saving the state of the widget.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, bundle_id="mouse_interaction", target_widget=None, **kwargs):
+        super().__init__(bundle_id=bundle_id, actions=[], **kwargs)
+        self.target_widget = target_widget
+
+        # Create each MaterialIconAction with a parent
+        # so the signals can fire even if the toolbar isn't added yet.
+        save_state = MaterialIconAction(
+            icon_name="download", tooltip="Save Widget State", parent=self.target_widget
+        )
+        load_state = MaterialIconAction(
+            icon_name="upload", tooltip="Load Widget State", parent=self.target_widget
+        )
+
+        # Add them to the bundle
+        self.add_action("save", save_state)
+        self.add_action("matplotlib", load_state)
+
+        # Immediately connect signals
+        save_state.action.triggered.connect(self.save_state_dialog)
+        load_state.action.triggered.connect(self.load_state_dialog)
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def save_state_dialog(self):
+        """
+        Open the export dialog to save a state of the widget.
+        """
+        if self.target_widget:
+            self.target_widget.state_manager.save_state()
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def load_state_dialog(self):
+        """
+        Load a saved state of the widget.
+        """
+        if self.target_widget:
+            self.target_widget.state_manager.load_state()

bec_widgets/widgets/progress/bec_progressbar/bec_progressbar.py

@@ -24,8 +24,8 @@ class BECProgressBar(BECWidget, QWidget):
     ]
     ICON_NAME = "page_control"
 
-    def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None):
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
+    def __init__(self, parent=None, client=None, config=None, gui_id=None, **kwargs):
+        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
         QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
 
         accent_colors = get_accent_colors()

bec_widgets/widgets/progress/ring_progress_bar/ring.py

@@ -99,6 +99,7 @@ class Ring(BECConnector):
         config: RingConfig | dict | None = None,
         client=None,
         gui_id: Optional[str] = None,
+        **kwargs,
     ):
         if config is None:
             config = RingConfig(widget_class=self.__class__.__name__)
@@ -107,7 +108,7 @@ class Ring(BECConnector):
             if isinstance(config, dict):
                 config = RingConfig(**config)
             self.config = config
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
+        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
 
         self.parent_progress_widget = parent_progress_widget
         self.color = None

bec_widgets/widgets/progress/ring_progress_bar/ring_progress_bar.py

@@ -101,6 +101,7 @@ class RingProgressBar(BECWidget, QWidget):
         client=None,
         gui_id: str | None = None,
         num_bars: int | None = None,
+        **kwargs,
     ):
         if config is None:
             config = RingProgressBarConfig(widget_class=self.__class__.__name__)
@@ -109,7 +110,7 @@ class RingProgressBar(BECWidget, QWidget):
             if isinstance(config, dict):
                 config = RingProgressBarConfig(**config, widget_class=self.__class__.__name__)
             self.config = config
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
+        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
         QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
 
         self.get_bec_shortcuts()

bec_widgets/widgets/services/bec_queue/bec_queue.py

@@ -42,8 +42,9 @@ class BECQueue(BECWidget, CompactPopupWidget):
         config: ConnectionConfig = None,
         gui_id: str = None,
         refresh_upon_start: bool = True,
+        **kwargs,
     ):
-        super().__init__(client, config, gui_id)
+        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
         CompactPopupWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent, layout=QVBoxLayout)
         self.layout.setSpacing(0)
         self.layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)

bec_widgets/widgets/services/bec_status_box/bec_status_box.py

@@ -87,8 +87,9 @@ class BECStatusBox(BECWidget, CompactPopupWidget):
         client: BECClient = None,
         bec_service_status_mixin: BECServiceStatusMixin = None,
         gui_id: str = None,
+        **kwargs,
     ):
-        super().__init__(client=client, gui_id=gui_id)
+        super().__init__(client=client, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
         CompactPopupWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent, layout=QHBoxLayout)
 
         self.box_name = box_name

bec_widgets/widgets/services/device_browser/device_browser.py

@@ -23,8 +23,9 @@ class DeviceBrowser(BECWidget, QWidget):
         config=None,
         client=None,
         gui_id: Optional[str] = None,
+        **kwargs,
     ) -> None:
-        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id)
+        super().__init__(client=client, config=config, gui_id=gui_id, **kwargs)
         QWidget.__init__(self, parent)
 
         self.get_bec_shortcuts()

bec_widgets/widgets/utility/logpanel/__init__.py

@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.logpanel.logpanel import LogPanel
+
+__ALL__ = ["LogPanel"]

bec_widgets/widgets/utility/logpanel/_util.py

@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+""" Utilities for filtering and formatting in the LogPanel"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import re
+from collections import deque
+from typing import Callable, Iterator
+
+from bec_lib.logger import LogLevel
+from bec_lib.messages import LogMessage
+from qtpy.QtCore import QDateTime
+
+LinesHtmlFormatter = Callable[[deque[LogMessage]], Iterator[str]]
+LineFormatter = Callable[[LogMessage], str]
+LineFilter = Callable[[LogMessage], bool] | None
+
+ANSI_ESCAPE_REGEX = re.compile(r"\x1B(?:[@-Z\\-_]|\[[0-?]*[ -/]*[@-~])")
+
+
+def replace_escapes(s: str):
+    s = ANSI_ESCAPE_REGEX.sub("", s)
+    return s.replace(" ", "&nbsp;").replace("\n", "<br />").replace("\t", "    ")
+
+
+def level_filter(msg: LogMessage, thresh: int):
+    return LogLevel[msg.content["log_type"].upper()].value >= thresh
+
+
+def noop_format(line: LogMessage):
+    _textline = line.log_msg if isinstance(line.log_msg, str) else line.log_msg["text"]
+    return replace_escapes(_textline.strip()) + "<br />"
+
+
+def simple_color_format(line: LogMessage, colors: dict[LogLevel, str]):
+    color = colors.get(LogLevel[line.content["log_type"].upper()]) or colors[LogLevel.INFO]
+    return f'<font color="{color}">{noop_format(line)}</font>'
+
+
+def create_formatter(line_format: LineFormatter, line_filter: LineFilter) -> LinesHtmlFormatter:
+    def _formatter(data: deque[LogMessage]):
+        if line_filter is not None:
+            return (line_format(line) for line in data if line_filter(line))
+        else:
+            return (line_format(line) for line in data)
+
+    return _formatter
+
+
+def log_txt(line):
+    return line.log_msg if isinstance(line.log_msg, str) else line.log_msg["text"]
+
+
+def log_time(line):
+    return QDateTime.fromMSecsSinceEpoch(int(line.log_msg["record"]["time"]["timestamp"] * 1000))
+
+
+def log_svc(line):
+    return line.log_msg["service_name"]

bec_widgets/widgets/utility/logpanel/log_panel.pyproject

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{'files': ['logpanel.py']}

bec_widgets/widgets/utility/logpanel/log_panel_plugin.py

@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+# Copyright (C) 2022 The Qt Company Ltd.
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
+
+from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
+from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.logpanel.logpanel import LogPanel
+
+DOM_XML = """
+<ui language='c++'>
+    <widget class='LogPanel' name='log_panel'>
+    </widget>
+</ui>
+"""
+
+
+class LogPanelPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__()
+        self._form_editor = None
+
+    def createWidget(self, parent):
+        t = LogPanel(parent)
+        return t
+
+    def domXml(self):
+        return DOM_XML
+
+    def group(self):
+        return "BEC Utils"
+
+    def icon(self):
+        return designer_material_icon(LogPanel.ICON_NAME)
+
+    def includeFile(self):
+        return "log_panel"
+
+    def initialize(self, form_editor):
+        self._form_editor = form_editor
+
+    def isContainer(self):
+        return False
+
+    def isInitialized(self):
+        return self._form_editor is not None
+
+    def name(self):
+        return "LogPanel"
+
+    def toolTip(self):
+        return "Displays a log panel"
+
+    def whatsThis(self):
+        return self.toolTip()

bec_widgets/widgets/utility/logpanel/logpanel.py

@@ -0,0 +1,529 @@
+""" Module for a LogPanel widget to display BEC log messages """
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import operator
+import os
+import re
+from collections import deque
+from functools import partial, reduce
+from re import Pattern
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Literal
+
+from bec_lib.client import BECClient
+from bec_lib.connector import ConnectorBase
+from bec_lib.endpoints import MessageEndpoints
+from bec_lib.logger import LogLevel, bec_logger
+from bec_lib.messages import LogMessage, StatusMessage
+from qtpy.QtCore import QDateTime, Qt, Signal  # type: ignore
+from qtpy.QtGui import QFont
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
+    QApplication,
+    QCheckBox,
+    QComboBox,
+    QDateTimeEdit,
+    QDialog,
+    QGridLayout,
+    QHBoxLayout,
+    QLabel,
+    QLineEdit,
+    QPushButton,
+    QScrollArea,
+    QTextEdit,
+    QVBoxLayout,
+    QWidget,
+)
+
+from bec_widgets.qt_utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import get_theme_palette, set_theme
+from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.text_box.text_box import TextBox
+from bec_widgets.widgets.services.bec_status_box.bec_status_box import BECServiceStatusMixin
+from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.logpanel._util import (
+    LineFilter,
+    LineFormatter,
+    LinesHtmlFormatter,
+    create_formatter,
+    level_filter,
+    log_svc,
+    log_time,
+    log_txt,
+    noop_format,
+    simple_color_format,
+)
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from PySide6.QtCore import SignalInstance
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
+MODULE_PATH = os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(__file__)))
+
+# TODO: improve log color handling
+DEFAULT_LOG_COLORS = {
+    LogLevel.INFO: "#FFFFFF",
+    LogLevel.SUCCESS: "#00FF00",
+    LogLevel.WARNING: "#FFCC00",
+    LogLevel.ERROR: "#FF0000",
+    LogLevel.DEBUG: "#0000CC",
+}
+
+
+class BecLogsQueue:
+    """Manages getting logs from BEC Redis and formatting them for display"""
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        conn: ConnectorBase,
+        new_message_signal: SignalInstance,
+        maxlen: int = 1000,
+        line_formatter: LineFormatter = noop_format,
+    ) -> None:
+        self._timestamp_start: QDateTime | None = None
+        self._timestamp_end: QDateTime | None = None
+        self._conn = conn
+        self._new_message_signal: SignalInstance | None = new_message_signal
+        self._max_length = maxlen
+        self._data: deque[LogMessage] = deque([], self._max_length)
+        self._display_queue: deque[str] = deque([], self._max_length)
+        self._log_level: str | None = None
+        self._search_query: Pattern | str | None = None
+        self._selected_services: set[str] | None = None
+        self._set_formatter_and_update_filter(line_formatter)
+        self._conn.register([MessageEndpoints.log()], None, self._process_incoming_log_msg)
+
+    def disconnect(self):
+        self._conn.unregister([MessageEndpoints.log()], None, self._process_incoming_log_msg)
+        self._new_message_signal.disconnect()
+
+    def _process_incoming_log_msg(self, msg: dict):
+        try:
+            _msg: LogMessage = msg["data"]
+            self._data.append(_msg)
+            if self.filter is None or self.filter(_msg):
+                self._display_queue.append(self._line_formatter(_msg))
+                if self._new_message_signal:
+                    self._new_message_signal.emit()
+        except Exception:
+            logger.warning("Error in LogPanel incoming message callback!")
+
+    def _set_formatter_and_update_filter(self, line_formatter: LineFormatter = noop_format):
+        self._line_formatter: LineFormatter = line_formatter
+        self._queue_formatter: LinesHtmlFormatter = create_formatter(
+            self._line_formatter, self.filter
+        )
+
+    def _combine_filters(self, *args: LineFilter):
+        return lambda msg: reduce(operator.and_, [filt(msg) for filt in args if filt is not None])
+
+    def _create_re_filter(self) -> LineFilter:
+        if self._search_query is None:
+            return None
+        elif isinstance(self._search_query, str):
+            return lambda line: self._search_query in log_txt(line)
+        return lambda line: self._search_query.match(log_txt(line)) is not None
+
+    def _create_service_filter(self):
+        return (
+            lambda line: self._selected_services is None or log_svc(line) in self._selected_services
+        )
+
+    def _create_timestamp_filter(self) -> LineFilter:
+        s, e = self._timestamp_start, self._timestamp_end
+        if s is e is None:
+            return lambda msg: True
+
+        def _time_filter(msg):
+            msg_time = log_time(msg)
+            if s is None:
+                return msg_time <= e
+            if e is None:
+                return s <= msg_time
+            return s <= msg_time <= e
+
+        return _time_filter
+
+    @property
+    def filter(self) -> LineFilter:
+        thresh = LogLevel[self._log_level].value if self._log_level is not None else 0
+        return self._combine_filters(
+            partial(level_filter, thresh=thresh),
+            self._create_re_filter(),
+            self._create_timestamp_filter(),
+            self._create_service_filter(),
+        )
+
+    def update_level_filter(self, level: str):
+        if level not in [l.name for l in LogLevel]:
+            logger.error(f"Logging level {level} unrecognized for filter!")
+            return
+        self._log_level = level
+        self._set_formatter_and_update_filter(self._line_formatter)
+
+    def update_search_filter(self, search_query: Pattern | str | None = None):
+        self._search_query = search_query
+        self._set_formatter_and_update_filter(self._line_formatter)
+
+    def update_time_filter(self, start: QDateTime | None, end: QDateTime | None):
+        self._timestamp_start = start
+        self._timestamp_end = end
+        self._set_formatter_and_update_filter(self._line_formatter)
+
+    def update_service_filter(self, services: set[str]):
+        self._selected_services = services
+        self._set_formatter_and_update_filter(self._line_formatter)
+
+    def update_line_formatter(self, line_formatter: LineFormatter):
+        self._set_formatter_and_update_filter(line_formatter)
+
+    def display_all(self) -> str:
+        return "\n".join(self._queue_formatter(self._data.copy()))
+
+    def format_new(self):
+        res = "\n".join(self._display_queue)
+        self._display_queue = deque([], self._max_length)
+        return res
+
+    def clear_logs(self):
+        self._data = deque([])
+        self._display_queue = deque([])
+
+    def fetch_history(self):
+        self._data = deque(
+            item["data"]
+            for item in self._conn.xread(
+                MessageEndpoints.log().endpoint, from_start=True, count=self._max_length
+            )
+        )
+
+    def unique_service_names_from_history(self) -> set[str]:
+        return set(msg.log_msg["service_name"] for msg in self._data)
+
+
+class LogPanelToolbar(QWidget):
+
+    services_selected: pyqtBoundSignal = Signal(set)
+
+    def __init__(self, parent: QWidget | None = None) -> None:
+        super().__init__(parent)
+
+        # in unix time
+        self._timestamp_start: QDateTime | None = None
+        self._timestamp_end: QDateTime | None = None
+
+        self._unique_service_names: set[str] = set()
+        self._services_selected: set[str] | None = None
+
+        self.layout = QHBoxLayout(self)  # type: ignore
+
+        self.service_choice_button = QPushButton("Select services", self)
+        self.layout.addWidget(self.service_choice_button)
+        self.service_choice_button.clicked.connect(self._open_service_filter_dialog)
+
+        self.filter_level_dropdown = self._log_level_box()
+        self.layout.addWidget(self.filter_level_dropdown)
+
+        self.clear_button = QPushButton("Clear all", self)
+        self.layout.addWidget(self.clear_button)
+        self.fetch_button = QPushButton("Fetch history", self)
+        self.layout.addWidget(self.fetch_button)
+
+        self._string_search_box()
+
+        self.timerange_button = QPushButton("Set time range", self)
+        self.layout.addWidget(self.timerange_button)
+
+    @property
+    def time_start(self):
+        return self._timestamp_start
+
+    @property
+    def time_end(self):
+        return self._timestamp_end
+
+    def _string_search_box(self):
+        self.layout.addWidget(QLabel("Search: "))
+        self.search_textbox = QLineEdit()
+        self.layout.addWidget(self.search_textbox)
+        self.layout.addWidget(QLabel("Use regex: "))
+        self.regex_enabled = QCheckBox()
+        self.layout.addWidget(self.regex_enabled)
+        self.update_re_button = QPushButton("Update search", self)
+        self.layout.addWidget(self.update_re_button)
+
+    def _log_level_box(self):
+        box = QComboBox()
+        box.setToolTip("Display logs with equal or greater significance to the selected level.")
+        [box.addItem(l.name) for l in LogLevel]
+        return box
+
+    def _current_ts(self, selection_type: Literal["start", "end"]):
+        if selection_type == "start":
+            return self._timestamp_start
+        elif selection_type == "end":
+            return self._timestamp_end
+        else:
+            raise ValueError(f"timestamps can only be for the start or end, not {selection_type}")
+
+    def _open_datetime_dialog(self):
+        """Open dialog window for timestamp filter selection"""
+        self._dt_dialog = QDialog(self)
+        self._dt_dialog.setWindowTitle("Time range selection")
+        layout = QVBoxLayout()
+        self._dt_dialog.setLayout(layout)
+
+        label_start = QLabel(parent=self._dt_dialog)
+        label_end = QLabel(parent=self._dt_dialog)
+
+        def date_button_set(selection_type: Literal["start", "end"], label: QLabel):
+            dt = self._current_ts(selection_type)
+            _layout = QHBoxLayout()
+            layout.addLayout(_layout)
+            date_button = QPushButton(f"Time {selection_type}", parent=self._dt_dialog)
+            _layout.addWidget(date_button)
+            label.setText(dt.toString() if dt else "not selected")
+            _layout.addWidget(label)
+            date_button.clicked.connect(partial(self._open_cal_dialog, selection_type, label))
+            date_clear_button = QPushButton("clear", parent=self._dt_dialog)
+            date_clear_button.clicked.connect(
+                lambda: (
+                    partial(self._update_time, selection_type)(None),
+                    label.setText("not selected"),
+                )
+            )
+            _layout.addWidget(date_clear_button)
+
+        for v in [("start", label_start), ("end", label_end)]:
+            date_button_set(*v)
+
+        close_button = QPushButton("Close", parent=self._dt_dialog)
+        close_button.clicked.connect(self._dt_dialog.accept)
+        layout.addWidget(close_button)
+
+        self._dt_dialog.exec()
+        self._dt_dialog.deleteLater()
+
+    def _open_cal_dialog(self, selection_type: Literal["start", "end"], label: QLabel):
+        """Open dialog window for timestamp filter selection"""
+        dt = self._current_ts(selection_type) or QDateTime.currentDateTime()
+        label.setText(dt.toString() if dt else "not selected")
+        if selection_type == "start":
+            self._timestamp_start = dt
+        else:
+            self._timestamp_end = dt
+        self._cal_dialog = QDialog(self)
+        self._cal_dialog.setWindowTitle(f"Select time range {selection_type}")
+        layout = QVBoxLayout()
+        self._cal_dialog.setLayout(layout)
+        cal = QDateTimeEdit(parent=self._cal_dialog)
+        cal.setCalendarPopup(True)
+        cal.setDateTime(dt)
+        cal.setDisplayFormat("yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss.zzz")
+        cal.dateTimeChanged.connect(partial(self._update_time, selection_type))
+        layout.addWidget(cal)
+        close_button = QPushButton("Close", parent=self._cal_dialog)
+        close_button.clicked.connect(self._cal_dialog.accept)
+        layout.addWidget(close_button)
+
+        self._cal_dialog.exec()
+        self._cal_dialog.deleteLater()
+
+    def _update_time(self, selection_type: Literal["start", "end"], dt: QDateTime | None):
+        if selection_type == "start":
+            self._timestamp_start = dt
+        else:
+            self._timestamp_end = dt
+
+    @SafeSlot(dict, set)
+    def service_list_update(
+        self, services_info: dict[str, StatusMessage], services_from_history: set[str], *_, **__
+    ):
+        self._unique_service_names = set([s.split("/")[0] for s in services_info.keys()])
+        self._unique_service_names |= services_from_history
+        if self._services_selected is None:
+            self._services_selected = self._unique_service_names
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def _open_service_filter_dialog(self):
+        if len(self._unique_service_names) == 0 or self._services_selected is None:
+            return
+        self._svc_dialog = QDialog(self)
+        self._svc_dialog.setWindowTitle(f"Select services to show logs from")
+        layout = QVBoxLayout()
+        self._svc_dialog.setLayout(layout)
+
+        service_cb_grid = QGridLayout(parent=self._svc_dialog)
+        layout.addLayout(service_cb_grid)
+
+        def check_box(name: str, checked: Qt.CheckState):
+            if checked == Qt.CheckState.Checked:
+                self._services_selected.add(name)
+            else:
+                if name in self._services_selected:
+                    self._services_selected.remove(name)
+            self.services_selected.emit(self._services_selected)
+
+        for i, svc in enumerate(self._unique_service_names):
+            service_cb_grid.addWidget(QLabel(svc, parent=self._svc_dialog), i, 0)
+            cb = QCheckBox(parent=self._svc_dialog)
+            cb.setChecked(svc in self._services_selected)
+            cb.checkStateChanged.connect(partial(check_box, svc))
+            service_cb_grid.addWidget(cb, i, 1)
+
+        close_button = QPushButton("Close", parent=self._svc_dialog)
+        close_button.clicked.connect(self._svc_dialog.accept)
+        layout.addWidget(close_button)
+
+        self._svc_dialog.exec()
+        self._svc_dialog.deleteLater()
+
+
+class LogPanel(TextBox):
+    """Displays a log panel"""
+
+    ICON_NAME = "terminal"
+    _new_messages = Signal()
+    service_list_update = Signal(dict, set)
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        parent=None,
+        client: BECClient | None = None,
+        service_status: BECServiceStatusMixin | None = None,
+        **kwargs,
+    ):
+        """Initialize the LogPanel widget."""
+        super().__init__(parent=parent, client=client, **kwargs)
+        self._update_colors()
+        self._service_status = service_status or BECServiceStatusMixin(self, client=self.client)  # type: ignore
+        self._log_manager = BecLogsQueue(
+            self.client.connector,  # type: ignore
+            new_message_signal=self._new_messages,
+            line_formatter=partial(simple_color_format, colors=self._colors),
+        )
+
+        self.toolbar = LogPanelToolbar(parent=parent)
+        self.toolbar_area = QScrollArea()
+        self.toolbar_area.setVerticalScrollBarPolicy(Qt.ScrollBarPolicy.ScrollBarAlwaysOff)
+        self.toolbar_area.setSizeAdjustPolicy(QScrollArea.SizeAdjustPolicy.AdjustToContents)
+        self.toolbar_area.setFixedHeight(int(self.toolbar.clear_button.height() * 2))
+        self.toolbar_area.setWidget(self.toolbar)
+
+        self.layout.addWidget(self.toolbar_area)
+        self.toolbar.clear_button.clicked.connect(self._on_clear)
+        self.toolbar.fetch_button.clicked.connect(self._on_fetch)
+        self.toolbar.update_re_button.clicked.connect(self._on_re_update)
+        self.toolbar.search_textbox.returnPressed.connect(self._on_re_update)
+        self.toolbar.regex_enabled.checkStateChanged.connect(self._on_re_update)
+        self.toolbar.filter_level_dropdown.currentTextChanged.connect(self._set_level_filter)
+        self._new_messages.connect(self._on_append)
+
+        self.toolbar.timerange_button.clicked.connect(self._choose_datetime)
+        self._service_status.services_update.connect(self._update_service_list)
+        self.service_list_update.connect(self.toolbar.service_list_update)
+        self.toolbar.services_selected.connect(self._update_service_filter)
+
+        self.text_box_text_edit.setFont(QFont("monospace", 12))
+        self.text_box_text_edit.setHtml("")
+        self.text_box_text_edit.setLineWrapMode(QTextEdit.LineWrapMode.NoWrap)
+
+        self._connect_to_theme_change()
+
+    @SafeSlot(set)
+    def _update_service_filter(self, services: set[str]):
+        self._log_manager.update_service_filter(services)
+        self._on_redraw()
+
+    @SafeSlot(dict, dict)
+    def _update_service_list(self, services_info: dict[str, StatusMessage], *_, **__):
+        self.service_list_update.emit(
+            services_info, self._log_manager.unique_service_names_from_history()
+        )
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def _choose_datetime(self):
+        self.toolbar._open_datetime_dialog()
+        self._set_time_filter()
+
+    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._on_redraw)  # type: ignore
+
+    def _update_colors(self):
+        self._colors = DEFAULT_LOG_COLORS.copy()
+        self._colors.update({LogLevel.INFO: get_theme_palette().text().color().name()})
+
+    def _cursor_to_end(self):
+        c = self.text_box_text_edit.textCursor()
+        c.movePosition(c.MoveOperation.End)
+        self.text_box_text_edit.setTextCursor(c)
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    @SafeSlot(str)
+    def _on_redraw(self, *_):
+        self._update_colors()
+        self._log_manager.update_line_formatter(partial(simple_color_format, colors=self._colors))
+        self.set_html_text(self._log_manager.display_all())
+        self._cursor_to_end()
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def _on_append(self):
+        self._cursor_to_end()
+        self.text_box_text_edit.insertHtml(self._log_manager.format_new())
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def _on_clear(self):
+        self._log_manager.clear_logs()
+        self.set_html_text(self._log_manager.display_all())
+        self._cursor_to_end()
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    @SafeSlot(Qt.CheckState)
+    def _on_re_update(self, *_):
+        if self.toolbar.regex_enabled.isChecked():
+            try:
+                search_query = re.compile(self.toolbar.search_textbox.text())
+            except Exception as e:
+                logger.warning(f"Failed to compile search regex with error {e}")
+                search_query = None
+            logger.info(f"Setting LogPanel search regex to {search_query}")
+        else:
+            search_query = self.toolbar.search_textbox.text()
+            logger.info(f'Setting LogPanel search string to "{search_query}"')
+        self._log_manager.update_search_filter(search_query)
+        self.set_html_text(self._log_manager.display_all())
+        self._cursor_to_end()
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def _on_fetch(self):
+        self._log_manager.fetch_history()
+        self.set_html_text(self._log_manager.display_all())
+        self._cursor_to_end()
+
+    @SafeSlot(str)
+    def _set_level_filter(self, level: str):
+        self._log_manager.update_level_filter(level)
+        self._on_redraw()
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def _set_time_filter(self):
+        self._log_manager.update_time_filter(self.toolbar.time_start, self.toolbar.time_end)
+        self._on_redraw()
+
+    def cleanup(self):
+        self._service_status.cleanup()
+        self._log_manager.disconnect()
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    import sys
+
+    from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication  # pylint: disable=ungrouped-imports
+
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    set_theme("dark")
+    widget = LogPanel()
+
+    widget.show()
+    sys.exit(app.exec())

bec_widgets/widgets/utility/logpanel/register_log_panel.py

@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+def main():  # pragma: no cover
+    from qtpy import PYSIDE6
+
+    if not PYSIDE6:
+        print("PYSIDE6 is not available in the environment. Cannot patch designer.")
+        return
+    from PySide6.QtDesigner import QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection
+
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.logpanel.log_panel_plugin import LogPanelPlugin
+
+    QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection.addCustomWidget(LogPanelPlugin())
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    main()

bec_widgets/widgets/utility/spinbox/bec_spin_box.pyproject

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{'files': ['decimal_spinbox.py']}

bec_widgets/widgets/utility/spinbox/bec_spin_box_plugin.py

@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+# Copyright (C) 2022 The Qt Company Ltd.
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Qt-Commercial OR BSD-3-Clause
+
+from qtpy.QtDesigner import QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_designer import designer_material_icon
+from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.spinbox.decimal_spinbox import BECSpinBox
+
+DOM_XML = """
+<ui language='c++'>
+    <widget class='BECSpinBox' name='bec_spin_box'>
+    </widget>
+</ui>
+"""
+
+
+class BECSpinBoxPlugin(QDesignerCustomWidgetInterface):  # pragma: no cover
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__()
+        self._form_editor = None
+
+    def createWidget(self, parent):
+        t = BECSpinBox(parent)
+        return t
+
+    def domXml(self):
+        return DOM_XML
+
+    def group(self):
+        return ""
+
+    def icon(self):
+        return designer_material_icon(BECSpinBox.ICON_NAME)
+
+    def includeFile(self):
+        return "bec_spin_box"
+
+    def initialize(self, form_editor):
+        self._form_editor = form_editor
+
+    def isContainer(self):
+        return False
+
+    def isInitialized(self):
+        return self._form_editor is not None
+
+    def name(self):
+        return "BECSpinBox"
+
+    def toolTip(self):
+        return "BECSpinBox"
+
+    def whatsThis(self):
+        return self.toolTip()

bec_widgets/widgets/utility/spinbox/decimal_spinbox.py

@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+import sys
+
+from bec_qthemes import material_icon
+from qtpy.QtGui import Qt
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
+    QApplication,
+    QDoubleSpinBox,
+    QInputDialog,
+    QSizePolicy,
+    QToolButton,
+    QWidget,
+)
+
+from bec_widgets.utils import ConnectionConfig
+from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
+
+
+class BECSpinBox(BECWidget, QDoubleSpinBox):
+    PLUGIN = True
+    RPC = False
+    ICON_NAME = "123"
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        parent: QWidget | None = None,
+        config: ConnectionConfig | None = None,
+        client=None,
+        gui_id: str | None = None,
+        **kwargs,
+    ) -> None:
+        if config is None:
+            config = ConnectionConfig(widget_class=self.__class__.__name__)
+        super().__init__(client=client, gui_id=gui_id, config=config, **kwargs)
+        QDoubleSpinBox.__init__(self, parent=parent)
+
+        self.setObjectName("BECSpinBox")
+        # Make the widget as compact as possible horizontally.
+        self.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Minimum, QSizePolicy.Fixed)
+        self.setAlignment(Qt.AlignHCenter)
+
+        # Configure default QDoubleSpinBox settings.
+        self.setRange(-2147483647, 2147483647)
+        self.setDecimals(2)
+
+        # Create an embedded settings button.
+        self.setting_button = QToolButton(self)
+        self.setting_button.setIcon(material_icon("settings"))
+        self.setting_button.setToolTip("Set number of decimals")
+        self.setting_button.setCursor(Qt.PointingHandCursor)
+        self.setting_button.setFocusPolicy(Qt.NoFocus)
+        self.setting_button.setStyleSheet("QToolButton { border: none; padding: 0px; }")
+
+        self.setting_button.clicked.connect(self.change_decimals)
+
+        self._button_size = 12
+        self._arrow_width = 20
+
+    def resizeEvent(self, event):
+        super().resizeEvent(event)
+        arrow_width = self._arrow_width
+
+        # Position the settings button inside the spin box, to the left of the arrow buttons.
+        x = self.width() - arrow_width - self._button_size - 2  # 2px margin
+        y = (self.height() - self._button_size) // 2
+        self.setting_button.setFixedSize(self._button_size, self._button_size)
+        self.setting_button.move(x, y)
+
+    def change_decimals(self):
+        """
+        Change the number of decimals in the spin box.
+        """
+        current = self.decimals()
+        new_decimals, ok = QInputDialog.getInt(
+            self, "Set Decimals", "Number of decimals:", current, 0, 10, 1
+        )
+        if ok:
+            self.setDecimals(new_decimals)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    window = BECSpinBox()
+    window.show()
+    sys.exit(app.exec())

bec_widgets/widgets/utility/spinbox/register_bec_spin_box.py

@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+def main():  # pragma: no cover
+    from qtpy import PYSIDE6
+
+    if not PYSIDE6:
+        print("PYSIDE6 is not available in the environment. Cannot patch designer.")
+        return
+    from PySide6.QtDesigner import QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection
+
+    from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.spinbox.bec_spin_box_plugin import BECSpinBoxPlugin
+
+    QPyDesignerCustomWidgetCollection.addCustomWidget(BECSpinBoxPlugin())
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    main()

bec_widgets/widgets/utility/visual/colormap_widget/colormap_widget.py

@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@ class BECColorMapWidget(BECWidget, QWidget):
     USER_ACCESS = ["colormap"]
     PLUGIN = True
 
-    def __init__(self, parent=None, cmap: str = "magma"):
-        super().__init__()
+    def __init__(self, parent=None, cmap: str = "magma", **kwargs):
+        super().__init__(**kwargs)
         QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
 
         # Create the ColorMapButton

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

@@ -20,8 +20,9 @@ class DarkModeButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
         client=None,
         gui_id: str | None = None,
         toolbar: bool = False,
+        **kwargs,
     ) -> None:
-        super().__init__(client=client, gui_id=gui_id, theme_update=True)
+        super().__init__(client=client, gui_id=gui_id, theme_update=True, **kwargs)
         QWidget.__init__(self, parent)
 
         self._dark_mode_enabled = False

docs/user/getting_started/installation.md

@@ -9,25 +9,24 @@ Before installing BEC Widgets, please ensure the following requirements are met:
 
 **Standard Installation**
 
-To install BEC Widgets using the pip package manager, execute the following command in your terminal for getting the default PyQT6 version into your python environment for BEC:
+To install BEC Widgets using the pip package manager, execute the following command in your terminal for getting the
+default PySide6 version into your python environment for BEC:
 
 
-```bash
-pip install 'bec_widgets[pyqt6]'
-```
-
-In case you want to use Pyside6, you can install it by using the following command:
-
 ```bash
 pip install 'bec_widgets[pyside6]'
 ```
 
 **Troubleshooting**
 
-If you encounter issues during installation, particularly with PyQt, try purging the pip cache:
+If you encounter issues during installation, particularly with Qt, try purging the pip cache:
 
 ```bash
 pip cache purge
 ```
 
 This can resolve conflicts or issues with package installations.
+
+```{warning}
+At the moment PyQt6 is no longer officially supported by BEC Widgets due to incompatibilities with Qt Designer. Please use PySide6 instead.
+```

docs/user/widgets/device_input/device_input.md

@@ -21,6 +21,10 @@ The `DeviceComboBox` widget offers a dropdown interface for device selection, pr
 - **Dropdown Selection (ComboBox)**: The `DeviceComboBox` widget displays devices in a dropdown list, making selection straightforward.
 - **QtDesigner Integration**: Both widgets can be added as custom widgets in `QtDesigner` or instantiated directly in code.
 
+## Screenshot
+```{figure} /assets/widget_screenshots/device_inputs.png
+```
+
 ````
 
 ````{tab} Examples

docs/user/widgets/log_panel/log_panel.md

@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+(user.widgets.log_panel)=
+
+# LogPanel widget
+
+The LogPanel widget can be used to view logs:
+
+![LogPanel](./logpanel.png)
+
+It automatically subscribes to log updates. You can fetch the log history with the "Fetch history" button.
+
+## Filtering based on log level
+
+If you select a dropdown box, only logs of that priority level or higher will be displayed:
+
+![LogPanel](./logpanel_level.png)
+
+
+## Filtering based on a search string
+
+If you type in a search string into the box in the toolbar, and hit enter or press the update button, that filter will be applied:
+
+![LogPanel](./logpanel_text.png)
+
+This search uses the [Python regular expression syntax](https://docs.python.org/3/library/re.html) if the checkbox for this option is selected:
+
+![LogPanel](./logpanel_regex.png)
+
+
+## Filtering based on time range
+
+You may filter the logs to those occurring within a given time range.
+
+![LogPanel](./logpanel_timerange.png)
+
+## Filtering based on service
+
+You can select which services to show logs from.
+
+![LogPanel](./logpanel_services.png)

docs/user/widgets/signal_input/signal_input.md

@@ -18,6 +18,11 @@ The `SignalComboBox` widget offers a dropdown interface for choosing a signal fr
 - **Dropdown Selection (SignalComboBox)**: The `SignalComboBox` widget displays the sorted signals of the device 
 - **QtDesigner Integration**: Both widgets can be added as custom widgets in `QtDesigner` or instantiated directly in code.
 
+## Screenshot
+
+```{figure} /assets/widget_screenshots/signal_inputs.png
+```
+
 ````
 
 ````{tab} Examples

pyproject.toml

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ build-backend = "hatchling.build"
 
 [project]
 name = "bec_widgets"
-version = "1.17.0"
+version = "1.25.0"
 description = "BEC Widgets"
 requires-python = ">=3.10"
 classifiers = [
@@ -15,14 +15,16 @@ classifiers = [
 dependencies = [
     "bec_ipython_client>=2.21.4, <=4.0", # needed for jupyter console
     "bec_lib>=2.21.4, <=4.0",
+    "bec_qthemes~=0.7, >=0.7",
     "black~=24.0",                       # needed for bw-generate-cli
     "isort~=5.13, >=5.13.2",             # needed for bw-generate-cli
     "pydantic~=2.0",
     "pyqtgraph~=0.13",
-    "bec_qthemes~=0.7, >=0.7",
+    "PySide6>=6.8",
+    "pyte",                              # needed for vt100 console
     "qtconsole~=5.5, >=5.5.1",           # needed for jupyter console
     "qtpy~=2.4",
-    "pyte",                              # needed for vt100 console
+    "cryptography~=44.0",
 ]
 
 
@@ -37,8 +39,6 @@ dev = [
     "pytest-xvfb~=3.0",
     "pytest~=8.0",
 ]
-pyqt6 = ["PyQt6>=6.7", "PyQt6-WebEngine>=6.7"]
-pyside6 = ["PySide6==6.7.2"]
 
 [project.urls]
 "Bug Tracker" = "https://gitlab.psi.ch/bec/bec_widgets/issues"