2.24.0

Automatically generated by python-semantic-release

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -1,6 +1,69 @@
 # CHANGELOG
 
 
+## v2.24.0 (2025-07-15)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- Hide validity LED, show message as tooltip
+  ([`530797a`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/530797a5568957dde9f47f417310f5c4d2493906))
+
+- Validate some config data
+  ([`c660e51`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/c660e5141f191a782c224ee1b83536793639eecb))
+
+- **device_browser**: Un-nest exception
+  ([`8b2d605`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/8b2d6052e808f8b4063e5f45c40e4460524f044e))
+
+### Documentation
+
+- Docstring for config dialog
+  ([`1925e6a`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/1925e6ac7f98875eb5980637ae3293e22b459e28))
+
+### Features
+
+- (#495) add devices through browser
+  ([`170be0c`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/170be0c7d3bb1f6e5f2305958909ef68cd987fbd))
+
+- **#495**: Add validation against existing device names
+  ([`900153b`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/900153bc0b8cec7bad82e23b3772c66e84900a17))
+
+- **device_browser**: Connect update to item refresh
+  ([`130cc24`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/130cc24b351684358558ab81c0111f10f9abb11f))
+
+- **device_browser**: Device deletion from config
+  ([`8dc7265`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/8dc72656ef46ae7be886f9da59beb768f5381b4f))
+
+
+## v2.23.0 (2025-07-11)
+
+### Features
+
+- **widget_finder**: Widget to fetch any other widget by class from currently running app
+  ([`a9fce17`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/a9fce175b720ad85a5cefcab99d79fbcb971ff4a))
+
+- **widget_io**: Utility function to find widget in the app by class
+  ([`783d042`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/783d042e8c469774fc8407921462a99c96f6d408))
+
+
+## v2.22.2 (2025-07-11)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **plot_base**: Autorange takes into account only visible curves
+  ([`7643986`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/76439866c1fd09cb7d9d48dfccdc7b1943bfbc0f))
+
+
+## v2.22.1 (2025-07-11)
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- **crosshair**: Crosshair mouse_moved can be set manually
+  ([`63a8da6`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/63a8da680d263a50102aacf463ec6f6252562f9d))
+
+- **heatmap**: Fix pixel size calculation for arbitrary shapes
+  ([`6c49425`](https://github.com/bec-project/bec_widgets/commit/6c494258f82059a2472f43bb8287390ce1aba704))
+
+
 ## v2.22.0 (2025-07-10)
 
 ### Bug Fixes

bec_widgets/cli/client.py

@@ -4554,6 +4554,15 @@ class Waveform(RPCBase):
         Set auto range for the y-axis.
         """
 
+    @rpc_call
+    def auto_range(self, value: "bool" = True):
+        """
+        On demand apply autorange to the plot item based on the visible curves.
+
+        Args:
+            value(bool): If True, apply autorange to the visible curves.
+        """
+
     @property
     @rpc_call
     def x_log(self) -> "bool":

bec_widgets/utils/crosshair.py

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ from typing import Any
 import numpy as np
 import pyqtgraph as pg
 from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, QPointF, Qt, Signal
-from qtpy.QtGui import QTransform
+from qtpy.QtGui import QCursor, QTransform
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
@@ -282,6 +282,34 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
                 self.marker_2d_col.skip_auto_range = True
                 self.plot_item.addItem(self.marker_2d_col)
 
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def update_markers_on_image_change(self):
+        """
+        Update markers when the image changes, e.g. when the
+        image shape or transformation changes.
+        """
+        for item in self.items:
+            if not isinstance(item, pg.ImageItem):
+                continue
+            if self.marker_2d_row is not None:
+                self.marker_2d_row.setSize([item.image.shape[0], 1])
+                self.marker_2d_row.setTransform(item.image_transform)
+            if self.marker_2d_col is not None:
+                self.marker_2d_col.setSize([1, item.image.shape[1]])
+                self.marker_2d_col.setTransform(item.image_transform)
+            # Get the current mouse position
+            views = self.plot_item.vb.scene().views()
+            if not views:
+                return
+            view = views[0]
+            global_pos = QCursor.pos()
+            view_pos = view.mapFromGlobal(global_pos)
+            scene_pos = view.mapToScene(view_pos)
+
+            if self.plot_item.vb.sceneBoundingRect().contains(scene_pos):
+                plot_pt = self.plot_item.vb.mapSceneToView(scene_pos)
+                self.mouse_moved(manual_pos=(plot_pt.x(), plot_pt.y()))
+
     def snap_to_data(
         self, x: float, y: float
     ) -> tuple[None, None] | tuple[defaultdict[Any, list], defaultdict[Any, list]]:
@@ -382,67 +410,74 @@ class Crosshair(QObject):
 
         return list_x[original_index], list_y[original_index]
 
-    def mouse_moved(self, event):
-        """Handles the mouse moved event, updating the crosshair position and emitting signals.
+    @SafeSlot(object, tuple)
+    def mouse_moved(self, event=None, manual_pos=None):
+        """
+        Handles the mouse moved event, updating the crosshair position and emitting signals.
 
         Args:
-            event: The mouse moved event
+            event(object): The mouse moved event, which contains the scene position.
+            manual_pos(tuple, optional): A tuple containing the (x, y) coordinates to manually set the crosshair position.
         """
-        pos = event[0]
+        # Determine target (x, y) in *plot* coordinates
+        if manual_pos is not None:
+            x, y = manual_pos
+        else:
+            if event is None:
+                return  # nothing to do
+            scene_pos = event[0]  # SignalProxy bundle
+            if not self.plot_item.vb.sceneBoundingRect().contains(scene_pos):
+                return
+            view_pos = self.plot_item.vb.mapSceneToView(scene_pos)
+            x, y = view_pos.x(), view_pos.y()
+
+        # Update cross‑hair visuals
+        self.v_line.setPos(x)
+        self.h_line.setPos(y)
+
         self.update_markers()
-        if self.plot_item.vb.sceneBoundingRect().contains(pos):
-            mouse_point = self.plot_item.vb.mapSceneToView(pos)
-            x, y = mouse_point.x(), mouse_point.y()
-            self.v_line.setPos(x)
-            self.h_line.setPos(y)
-            scaled_x, scaled_y = self.scale_emitted_coordinates(mouse_point.x(), mouse_point.y())
-            self.crosshairChanged.emit((scaled_x, scaled_y))
-            self.positionChanged.emit((x, y))
+        scaled_x, scaled_y = self.scale_emitted_coordinates(x, y)
+        self.crosshairChanged.emit((scaled_x, scaled_y))
+        self.positionChanged.emit((x, y))
 
-            x_snap_values, y_snap_values = self.snap_to_data(x, y)
-            if x_snap_values is None or y_snap_values is None:
-                return
-            if all(v is None for v in x_snap_values.values()) or all(
-                v is None for v in y_snap_values.values()
-            ):
-                # not sure how we got here, but just to be safe...
-                return
+        snap_x_vals, snap_y_vals = self.snap_to_data(x, y)
+        if snap_x_vals is None or snap_y_vals is None:
+            return
+        if all(v is None for v in snap_x_vals.values()) or all(
+            v is None for v in snap_y_vals.values()
+        ):
+            return
 
-            precision = self._current_precision()
-            for item in self.items:
-                if isinstance(item, pg.PlotDataItem):
-                    name = item.name() or str(id(item))
-                    x, y = x_snap_values[name], y_snap_values[name]
-                    if x is None or y is None:
-                        continue
-                    self.marker_moved_1d[name].setData([x], [y])
-                    x_snapped_scaled, y_snapped_scaled = self.scale_emitted_coordinates(x, y)
-                    coordinate_to_emit = (
-                        name,
-                        round(x_snapped_scaled, precision),
-                        round(y_snapped_scaled, precision),
-                    )
-                    self.coordinatesChanged1D.emit(coordinate_to_emit)
-                elif isinstance(item, pg.ImageItem):
-                    name = item.objectName() or str(id(item))
-                    x, y = x_snap_values[name], y_snap_values[name]
-                    if x is None or y is None:
-                        continue
+        precision = self._current_precision()
 
-                    # Compute offsets that respect the image's transform so the ROIs
-                    if isinstance(item, ImageItem) and item.image_transform is not None:
-                        row, col = self._get_transformed_position(x, y, item.image_transform)
-
-                        self.marker_2d_row.setPos(row)
-                        self.marker_2d_col.setPos(col)
-                    else:
-                        self.marker_2d_row.setPos([0, y])
-                        self.marker_2d_col.setPos([x, 0])
-
-                    coordinate_to_emit = (name, x, y)
-                    self.coordinatesChanged2D.emit(coordinate_to_emit)
-                else:
+        for item in self.items:
+            if isinstance(item, pg.PlotDataItem):
+                name = item.name() or str(id(item))
+                sx, sy = snap_x_vals[name], snap_y_vals[name]
+                if sx is None or sy is None:
                     continue
+                self.marker_moved_1d[name].setData([sx], [sy])
+                sx_s, sy_s = self.scale_emitted_coordinates(sx, sy)
+                self.coordinatesChanged1D.emit(
+                    (name, round(sx_s, precision), round(sy_s, precision))
+                )
+
+            elif isinstance(item, pg.ImageItem):
+                name = item.objectName() or str(id(item))
+                px, py = snap_x_vals[name], snap_y_vals[name]
+                if px is None or py is None:
+                    continue
+
+                # Respect image transforms
+                if isinstance(item, ImageItem) and item.image_transform is not None:
+                    row, col = self._get_transformed_position(px, py, item.image_transform)
+                    self.marker_2d_row.setPos(row)
+                    self.marker_2d_col.setPos(col)
+                else:
+                    self.marker_2d_row.setPos([0, py])
+                    self.marker_2d_col.setPos([px, 0])
+
+                self.coordinatesChanged2D.emit((name, px, py))
 
     def mouse_clicked(self, event):
         """Handles the mouse clicked event, updating the crosshair position and emitting signals.

bec_widgets/utils/forms_from_types/forms.py

@@ -171,8 +171,9 @@ class TypedForm(BECWidget, QWidget):
 
 
 class PydanticModelForm(TypedForm):
-    metadata_updated = Signal(dict)
-    metadata_cleared = Signal(NoneType)
+    form_data_updated = Signal(dict)
+    form_data_cleared = Signal(NoneType)
+    validity_proc = Signal(bool)
 
     def __init__(
         self,
@@ -204,7 +205,7 @@ class PydanticModelForm(TypedForm):
 
         self._validity = CompactPopupWidget()
         self._validity.compact_view = True  # type: ignore
-        self._validity.label = "Metadata validity"  # type: ignore
+        self._validity.label = "Validity"  # type: ignore
         self._validity.compact_show_popup.setIcon(
             material_icon(icon_name="info", size=(10, 10), convert_to_pixmap=False)
         )
@@ -264,16 +265,18 @@ class PydanticModelForm(TypedForm):
     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."""
+        Otherwise, emits on form_data_cleared and returns false."""
         try:
             metadata_dict = self.get_form_data()
             self._md_schema.model_validate(metadata_dict)
             self._validity.set_global_state("success")
             self._validity_message.setText("No errors!")
-            self.metadata_updated.emit(metadata_dict)
+            self.form_data_updated.emit(metadata_dict)
+            self.validity_proc.emit(True)
             return True
         except ValidationError as e:
             self._validity.set_global_state("emergency")
             self._validity_message.setText(str(e))
-            self.metadata_cleared.emit(None)
+            self.form_data_cleared.emit(None)
+            self.validity_proc.emit(False)
             return False

bec_widgets/utils/forms_from_types/items.py

@@ -390,17 +390,29 @@ class ListFormItem(DynamicFormItem):
 
     def _add_buttons(self):
         self._button_holder = QWidget()
+        self._button_holder.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Minimum, QSizePolicy.Minimum)
         self._buttons = QVBoxLayout()
+        self._buttons.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
         self._button_holder.setLayout(self._buttons)
         self._layout.addWidget(self._button_holder)
+
+        self._add_remove_button_holder = QWidget()
+        self._add_remove_button_layout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self._add_remove_button_layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        self._add_remove_button_holder.setLayout(self._add_remove_button_layout)
+
         self._add_button = QPushButton("+")
+        self._add_button.setMinimumHeight(15)
         self._add_button.setToolTip("add a new row")
         self._remove_button = QPushButton("-")
+        self._remove_button.setMinimumHeight(15)
         self._remove_button.setToolTip("delete the focused row (if any)")
         self._add_button.clicked.connect(self._add_row)
         self._remove_button.clicked.connect(self._delete_row)
-        self._buttons.addWidget(self._add_button)
-        self._buttons.addWidget(self._remove_button)
+
+        self._buttons.addWidget(self._add_remove_button_holder)
+        self._add_remove_button_layout.addWidget(self._add_button)
+        self._add_remove_button_layout.addWidget(self._remove_button)
 
     def _set_pretty_display(self):
         super()._set_pretty_display()

bec_widgets/utils/widget_io.py

@@ -264,6 +264,48 @@ class WidgetIO:
                 return WidgetIO._handlers[base]
         return None
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def find_widgets(widget_class: QWidget | str, recursive: bool = True) -> list[QWidget]:
+        """
+        Return widgets matching the given class (or class-name string).
+
+        Args:
+            widget_class: Either a QWidget subclass or its class-name as a string.
+            recursive: If True (default), traverse all top-level widgets and their children;
+                       if False, scan app.allWidgets() for a flat list.
+
+        Returns:
+            List of QWidget instances matching the class or class-name.
+        """
+        app = QApplication.instance()
+        if app is None:
+            raise RuntimeError("No QApplication instance found.")
+
+        # Match by class-name string
+        if isinstance(widget_class, str):
+            name = widget_class
+            if recursive:
+                result: list[QWidget] = []
+                for top in app.topLevelWidgets():
+                    if top.__class__.__name__ == name:
+                        result.append(top)
+                    result.extend(
+                        w for w in top.findChildren(QWidget) if w.__class__.__name__ == name
+                    )
+                return result
+            return [w for w in app.allWidgets() if w.__class__.__name__ == name]
+
+        # Match by actual class
+        if recursive:
+            result: list[QWidget] = []
+            for top in app.topLevelWidgets():
+                if isinstance(top, widget_class):
+                    result.append(top)
+                result.extend(top.findChildren(widget_class))
+            return result
+
+        return [w for w in app.allWidgets() if isinstance(w, widget_class)]
+
 
 ################## for exporting and importing widget hierarchies ##################
 

bec_widgets/widgets/control/scan_control/scan_control.py

@@ -169,8 +169,8 @@ class ScanControl(BECWidget, QWidget):
         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.form_data_updated.connect(self.update_scan_metadata)
+        self._metadata_form.form_data_cleared.connect(self.update_scan_metadata)
         self._metadata_form.validate_form()
 
     def populate_scans(self):

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/heatmap/heatmap.py

@@ -431,6 +431,8 @@ class Heatmap(ImageBase):
         if self._color_bar is not None:
             self._color_bar.blockSignals(False)
         self.image_updated.emit()
+        if self.crosshair is not None:
+            self.crosshair.update_markers_on_image_change()
 
     def get_image_data(
         self,
@@ -457,14 +459,19 @@ class Heatmap(ImageBase):
             return None, None
 
         if msg.scan_name == "grid_scan":
-            return self.get_grid_scan_image(z_data, msg)
-        if msg.scan_type == "step" and msg.info["positions"]:
-            if len(z_data) < 4:
-                # LinearNDInterpolator requires at least 4 points to interpolate
-                return None, None
-            return self.get_step_scan_image(x_data, y_data, z_data, msg)
-        logger.warning(f"Scan type {msg.scan_name} not supported.")
-        return None, None
+            # We only support the grid scan mode if both scanning motors
+            # are configured in the heatmap config.
+            device_x = self._image_config.x_device.entry
+            device_y = self._image_config.y_device.entry
+            if (
+                device_x in msg.request_inputs["arg_bundle"]
+                and device_y in msg.request_inputs["arg_bundle"]
+            ):
+                return self.get_grid_scan_image(z_data, msg)
+        if len(z_data) < 4:
+            # LinearNDInterpolator requires at least 4 points to interpolate
+            return None, None
+        return self.get_step_scan_image(x_data, y_data, z_data, msg)
 
     def get_grid_scan_image(
         self, z_data: list[float], msg: messages.ScanStatusMessage
@@ -560,17 +567,16 @@ class Heatmap(ImageBase):
         Returns:
             tuple[np.ndarray, QTransform]: The image data and the QTransform.
         """
-
-        grid_x, grid_y, transform = self.get_image_grid(msg.scan_id)
+        xy_data = np.column_stack((x_data, y_data))
+        grid_x, grid_y, transform = self.get_image_grid(xy_data)
 
         # Interpolate the z data onto the grid
-        interp = LinearNDInterpolator(np.column_stack((x_data, y_data)), z_data)
+        interp = LinearNDInterpolator(xy_data, z_data)
         grid_z = interp(grid_x, grid_y)
 
         return grid_z, transform
 
-    @functools.lru_cache(maxsize=2)
-    def get_image_grid(self, _scan_id) -> tuple[np.ndarray, np.ndarray, QTransform]:
+    def get_image_grid(self, positions) -> tuple[np.ndarray, np.ndarray, QTransform]:
         """
         LRU-cached calculation of the grid for the image. The lru cache is indexed by the scan_id
         to avoid recalculating the grid for the same scan.
@@ -581,8 +587,6 @@ class Heatmap(ImageBase):
         Returns:
             tuple[np.ndarray, np.ndarray, QTransform]: The grid x and y coordinates and the QTransform.
         """
-        msg = self.status_message
-        positions = np.asarray(msg.info["positions"])
 
         width, height = self.estimate_image_resolution(positions)
 
@@ -608,7 +612,8 @@ class Heatmap(ImageBase):
 
         return grid_x, grid_y, transform
 
-    def estimate_image_resolution(self, coords: np.ndarray) -> tuple[int, int]:
+    @staticmethod
+    def estimate_image_resolution(coords: np.ndarray) -> tuple[int, int]:
         """
         Estimate the number of pixels needed for the image based on the coordinates.
 

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/plot_base.py

@@ -881,6 +881,38 @@ class PlotBase(BECWidget, QWidget):
         """
         self.plot_item.enableAutoRange(y=value)
 
+    def auto_range(self, value: bool = True):
+        """
+        On demand apply autorange to the plot item based on the visible curves.
+
+        Args:
+            value(bool): If True, apply autorange to the visible curves.
+        """
+        if not value:
+            self.plot_item.enableAutoRange(x=False, y=False)
+            return
+        self._apply_autorange_only_visible_curves()
+
+    def _fetch_visible_curves(self):
+        """
+        Fetch all visible curves from the plot item.
+        """
+        visible_curves = []
+        for curve in self.plot_item.curves:
+            if curve.isVisible():
+                visible_curves.append(curve)
+        return visible_curves
+
+    def _apply_autorange_only_visible_curves(self):
+        """
+        Apply autorange to the plot item based on the provided curves.
+
+        Args:
+            curves (list): List of curves to apply autorange to.
+        """
+        visible_curves = self._fetch_visible_curves()
+        self.plot_item.autoRange(items=visible_curves if visible_curves else None)
+
     @SafeProperty(int, doc="The font size of the legend font.")
     def legend_label_size(self) -> int:
         """

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/toolbar_components/mouse_interactions.py

@@ -165,5 +165,4 @@ class MouseInteractionConnection(BundleConnection):
         Enable autorange on the plot widget.
         """
         if self.target_widget:
-            self.target_widget.auto_range_x = True
-            self.target_widget.auto_range_y = True
+            self.target_widget.auto_range()

bec_widgets/widgets/plots/waveform/waveform.py

@@ -96,6 +96,7 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
         "auto_range_x.setter",
         "auto_range_y",
         "auto_range_y.setter",
+        "auto_range",
         "x_log",
         "x_log.setter",
         "y_log",
@@ -1109,8 +1110,7 @@ class Waveform(PlotBase):
             self.reset()
             self.new_scan.emit()
             self.new_scan_id.emit(current_scan_id)
-            self.auto_range_x = True
-            self.auto_range_y = True
+            self.auto_range(True)
             self.old_scan_id = self.scan_id
             self.scan_id = current_scan_id
             self.scan_item = self.queue.scan_storage.find_scan_by_ID(self.scan_id)  # live scan

bec_widgets/widgets/services/device_browser/device_browser.py

@@ -3,10 +3,12 @@ import re
 from functools import partial
 
 from bec_lib.callback_handler import EventType
+from bec_lib.config_helper import ConfigHelper
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
 from bec_lib.messages import ConfigAction
+from bec_qthemes import material_icon
 from pyqtgraph import SignalProxy
-from qtpy.QtCore import QSize, Signal
+from qtpy.QtCore import QSize, QThreadPool, Signal
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QListWidget, QListWidgetItem, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_register import RPCRegister
@@ -14,6 +16,9 @@ from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.ui_loader import UILoader
 from bec_widgets.widgets.services.device_browser.device_item import DeviceItem
+from bec_widgets.widgets.services.device_browser.device_item.device_config_dialog import (
+    DeviceConfigDialog,
+)
 from bec_widgets.widgets.services.device_browser.util import map_device_type_to_icon
 
 logger = bec_logger.logger
@@ -24,7 +29,8 @@ class DeviceBrowser(BECWidget, QWidget):
     DeviceBrowser is a widget that displays all available devices in the current BEC session.
     """
 
-    device_update: Signal = Signal()
+    devices_changed: Signal = Signal()
+    device_update: Signal = Signal(str, dict)
     PLUGIN = True
     ICON_NAME = "lists"
 
@@ -38,6 +44,8 @@ class DeviceBrowser(BECWidget, QWidget):
     ) -> None:
         super().__init__(parent=parent, client=client, gui_id=gui_id, config=config, **kwargs)
         self.get_bec_shortcuts()
+        self._config_helper = ConfigHelper(self.client.connector, self.client._service_name)
+        self._q_threadpool = QThreadPool()
         self.ui = None
         self.ini_ui()
         self.dev_list: QListWidget = self.ui.device_list
@@ -48,7 +56,9 @@ class DeviceBrowser(BECWidget, QWidget):
         self.bec_dispatcher.client.callbacks.register(
             EventType.DEVICE_UPDATE, self.on_device_update
         )
-        self.device_update.connect(self.update_device_list)
+        self.devices_changed.connect(self.update_device_list)
+        self.ui.add_button.clicked.connect(self._create_add_dialog)
+        self.ui.add_button.setIcon(material_icon("add", size=(20, 20), convert_to_pixmap=False))
 
         self.init_device_list()
         self.update_device_list()
@@ -63,6 +73,10 @@ class DeviceBrowser(BECWidget, QWidget):
         layout.addWidget(self.ui)
         self.setLayout(layout)
 
+    def _create_add_dialog(self):
+        dialog = DeviceConfigDialog(parent=self, device=None, action="add")
+        dialog.open()
+
     def on_device_update(self, action: ConfigAction, content: dict) -> None:
         """
         Callback for device update events. Triggers the device_update signal.
@@ -72,35 +86,49 @@ class DeviceBrowser(BECWidget, QWidget):
             content (dict): The content of the config update.
         """
         if action in ["add", "remove", "reload"]:
-            self.device_update.emit()
+            self.devices_changed.emit()
+        if action in ["update", "reload"]:
+            self.device_update.emit(action, content)
 
     def init_device_list(self):
         self.dev_list.clear()
         self._device_items: dict[str, QListWidgetItem] = {}
 
+        with RPCRegister.delayed_broadcast():
+            for device, device_obj in self.dev.items():
+                self._add_item_to_list(device, device_obj)
+
+    def _add_item_to_list(self, device: str, device_obj):
         def _updatesize(item: QListWidgetItem, device_item: DeviceItem):
             device_item.adjustSize()
             item.setSizeHint(QSize(device_item.width(), device_item.height()))
             logger.debug(f"Adjusting {item} size to {device_item.width(), device_item.height()}")
 
-        with RPCRegister.delayed_broadcast():
-            for device, device_obj in self.dev.items():
-                item = QListWidgetItem(self.dev_list)
-                device_item = DeviceItem(
-                    parent=self,
-                    device=device,
-                    devices=self.dev,
-                    icon=map_device_type_to_icon(device_obj),
-                )
-                device_item.expansion_state_changed.connect(partial(_updatesize, item, device_item))
-                tooltip = self.dev[device]._config.get("description", "")
-                device_item.setToolTip(tooltip)
-                device_item.broadcast_size_hint.connect(item.setSizeHint)
-                item.setSizeHint(device_item.sizeHint())
+        def _remove_item(item: QListWidgetItem):
+            self.dev_list.takeItem(self.dev_list.row(item))
+            del self._device_items[device]
+            self.dev_list.sortItems()
 
-                self.dev_list.setItemWidget(item, device_item)
-                self.dev_list.addItem(item)
-                self._device_items[device] = item
+        item = QListWidgetItem(self.dev_list)
+        device_item = DeviceItem(
+            parent=self,
+            device=device,
+            devices=self.dev,
+            icon=map_device_type_to_icon(device_obj),
+            config_helper=self._config_helper,
+            q_threadpool=self._q_threadpool,
+        )
+        device_item.expansion_state_changed.connect(partial(_updatesize, item, device_item))
+        device_item.imminent_deletion.connect(partial(_remove_item, item))
+        self.device_update.connect(device_item.config_update)
+        tooltip = self.dev[device]._config.get("description", "")
+        device_item.setToolTip(tooltip)
+        device_item.broadcast_size_hint.connect(item.setSizeHint)
+        item.setSizeHint(device_item.sizeHint())
+
+        self.dev_list.setItemWidget(item, device_item)
+        self.dev_list.addItem(item)
+        self._device_items[device] = item
 
     @SafeSlot()
     def reset_device_list(self) -> None:
@@ -119,6 +147,10 @@ class DeviceBrowser(BECWidget, QWidget):
         Either way, the function will filter the devices based on the filter input text and update the device list.
         """
         filter_text = self.ui.filter_input.text()
+        for device in self.dev:
+            if device not in self._device_items:
+                # it is possible the device has just been added to the config
+                self._add_item_to_list(device, self.dev[device])
         try:
             self.regex = re.compile(filter_text, re.IGNORECASE)
         except re.error:

bec_widgets/widgets/services/device_browser/device_browser.ui

@@ -29,6 +29,31 @@
           </property>
          </widget>
         </item>
+        <item>
+         <widget class="QGroupBox" name="button_box">
+          <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout">
+           <property name="leftMargin">
+            <number>0</number>
+           </property>
+           <property name="topMargin">
+            <number>0</number>
+           </property>
+           <property name="rightMargin">
+            <number>0</number>
+           </property>
+           <property name="bottomMargin">
+            <number>0</number>
+           </property>
+           <item>
+            <widget class="QToolButton" name="add_button">
+             <property name="text">
+              <string>...</string>
+             </property>
+            </widget>
+           </item>
+          </layout>
+         </widget>
+        </item>
        </layout>
       </item>
       <item>

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

@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+from bec_lib.config_helper import ConfigHelper
+from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from bec_lib.messages import ConfigAction
+from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, QRunnable, Signal
+
+from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+
+logger = bec_logger.logger
+
+
+class _CommSignals(QObject):
+    error = Signal(Exception)
+    done = Signal()
+
+
+class CommunicateConfigAction(QRunnable):
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        config_helper: ConfigHelper,
+        device: str | None,
+        config: dict | None,
+        action: ConfigAction,
+    ) -> None:
+        super().__init__()
+        self.config_helper = config_helper
+        self.device = device
+        self.config = config
+        self.action = action
+        self.signals = _CommSignals()
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def run(self):
+        try:
+            if self.action in ["add", "update", "remove"]:
+                if (dev_name := self.device or self.config.get("name")) is None:
+                    raise ValueError(
+                        "Must be updating a device or be supplied a name for a new device"
+                    )
+                req_args = {
+                    "action": self.action,
+                    "config": {dev_name: self.config},
+                    "wait_for_response": False,
+                }
+                timeout = (
+                    self.config_helper.suggested_timeout_s(self.config)
+                    if self.config is not None
+                    else 20
+                )
+                RID = self.config_helper.send_config_request(**req_args)
+                logger.info("Waiting for config reply")
+                reply = self.config_helper.wait_for_config_reply(RID, timeout=timeout)
+                self.config_helper.handle_update_reply(reply, RID, timeout)
+                logger.info("Done updating config!")
+            else:
+                raise ValueError(f"action {self.action} is not supported")
+        except Exception as e:
+            self.signals.error.emit(e)
+        else:
+            self.signals.done.emit()

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

@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
 from ast import literal_eval
+from typing import Literal
 
 from bec_lib.atlas_models import Device as DeviceConfigModel
 from bec_lib.config_helper import CONF as DEVICE_CONF_KEYS
 from bec_lib.config_helper import ConfigHelper
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
-from qtpy.QtCore import QObject, QRunnable, QSize, Qt, QThreadPool, Signal
+from pydantic import ValidationError, field_validator
+from qtpy.QtCore import QSize, Qt, QThreadPool, Signal
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
     QApplication,
     QDialog,
@@ -17,6 +19,9 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
+from bec_widgets.widgets.services.device_browser.device_item.config_communicator import (
+    CommunicateConfigAction,
+)
 from bec_widgets.widgets.services.device_browser.device_item.device_config_form import (
     DeviceConfigForm,
 )
@@ -25,35 +30,13 @@ from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.spinner.spinner import SpinnerWidget
 logger = bec_logger.logger
 
 
-class _CommSignals(QObject):
-    error = Signal(Exception)
-    done = Signal()
-
-
-class _CommunicateUpdate(QRunnable):
-
-    def __init__(self, config_helper: ConfigHelper, device: str, config: dict) -> None:
-        super().__init__()
-        self.config_helper = config_helper
-        self.device = device
-        self.config = config
-        self.signals = _CommSignals()
-
-    @SafeSlot()
-    def run(self):
-        try:
-            timeout = self.config_helper.suggested_timeout_s(self.config)
-            RID = self.config_helper.send_config_request(
-                action="update", config={self.device: self.config}, wait_for_response=False
-            )
-            logger.info("Waiting for config reply")
-            reply = self.config_helper.wait_for_config_reply(RID, timeout=timeout)
-            self.config_helper.handle_update_reply(reply, RID, timeout)
-            logger.info("Done updating config!")
-        except Exception as e:
-            self.signals.error.emit(e)
-        finally:
-            self.signals.done.emit()
+def _try_literal_eval(value: str):
+    if value == "":
+        return ""
+    try:
+        return literal_eval(value)
+    except SyntaxError as e:
+        raise ValueError(f"Entered config value {value} is not a valid python value!") from e
 
 
 class DeviceConfigDialog(BECWidget, QDialog):
@@ -62,17 +45,31 @@ class DeviceConfigDialog(BECWidget, QDialog):
 
     def __init__(
         self,
+        *,
         parent=None,
         device: str | None = None,
         config_helper: ConfigHelper | None = None,
+        action: Literal["update", "add"] = "update",
+        threadpool: QThreadPool | None = None,
         **kwargs,
     ):
+        """A dialog to edit the configuration of a device in BEC. Generated from the pydantic model
+        for device specification in bec_lib.atlas_models.
+
+        Args:
+            parent (QObject): the parent QObject
+            device (str | None): the name of the device. used with the "update" action to prefill the dialog and validate entries.
+            config_helper (ConfigHelper | None): a ConfigHelper object for communication with Redis, will be created if necessary.
+            action (Literal["update", "add"]): the action which the form should perform on application or acceptance.
+        """
+        self._initial_config = {}
         super().__init__(parent=parent, **kwargs)
         self._config_helper = config_helper or ConfigHelper(
             self.client.connector, self.client._service_name
         )
-        self.threadpool = QThreadPool()
         self._device = device
+        self._action = action
+        self._q_threadpool = threadpool or QThreadPool()
         self.setWindowTitle(f"Edit config for: {device}")
         self._container = QStackedLayout()
         self._container.setStackingMode(QStackedLayout.StackAll)
@@ -85,13 +82,37 @@ class DeviceConfigDialog(BECWidget, QDialog):
         user_warning.setWordWrap(True)
         user_warning.setStyleSheet("QLabel { color: red; }")
         self._layout.addWidget(user_warning)
+        self.get_bec_shortcuts()
         self._add_form()
+        if self._action == "update":
+            self._form._validity.setVisible(False)
+        else:
+            self._set_schema_to_check_devices()
+            # TODO: replace when https://github.com/bec-project/bec/issues/528 https://github.com/bec-project/bec/issues/547 are resolved
+            # self._form._validity.setVisible(True)
+            self._form.validity_proc.connect(self.enable_buttons_for_validity)
         self._add_overlay()
         self._add_buttons()
 
         self.setLayout(self._container)
+        self._form.validate_form()
         self._overlay_widget.setVisible(False)
 
+    def _set_schema_to_check_devices(self):
+        class _NameValidatedConfigModel(DeviceConfigModel):
+            @field_validator("name")
+            @staticmethod
+            def _validate_name(value: str, *_):
+                if not value.isidentifier():
+                    raise ValueError(
+                        f"Invalid device name: {value}. Device names must be valid Python identifiers."
+                    )
+                if value in self.dev:
+                    raise ValueError(f"A device with name {value} already exists!")
+                return value
+
+        self._form.set_schema(_NameValidatedConfigModel)
+
     def _add_form(self):
         self._form_widget = QWidget()
         self._form_widget.setLayout(self._layout)
@@ -99,11 +120,15 @@ class DeviceConfigDialog(BECWidget, QDialog):
         self._layout.addWidget(self._form)
 
         for row in self._form.enumerate_form_widgets():
-            if row.label.property("_model_field_name") in DEVICE_CONF_KEYS.NON_UPDATABLE:
+            if (
+                row.label.property("_model_field_name") in DEVICE_CONF_KEYS.NON_UPDATABLE
+                and self._action == "update"
+            ):
                 row.widget._set_pretty_display()
 
-        self._fetch_config()
-        self._fill_form()
+        if self._action == "update" and self._device in self.dev:
+            self._fetch_config()
+            self._fill_form()
         self._container.addWidget(self._form_widget)
 
     def _add_overlay(self):
@@ -120,16 +145,15 @@ class DeviceConfigDialog(BECWidget, QDialog):
         self._container.addWidget(self._overlay_widget)
 
     def _add_buttons(self):
-        button_box = QDialogButtonBox(
+        self.button_box = QDialogButtonBox(
             QDialogButtonBox.Apply | QDialogButtonBox.Ok | QDialogButtonBox.Cancel
         )
-        button_box.button(QDialogButtonBox.Apply).clicked.connect(self.apply)
-        button_box.accepted.connect(self.accept)
-        button_box.rejected.connect(self.reject)
-        self._layout.addWidget(button_box)
+        self.button_box.button(QDialogButtonBox.Apply).clicked.connect(self.apply)
+        self.button_box.accepted.connect(self.accept)
+        self.button_box.rejected.connect(self.reject)
+        self._layout.addWidget(self.button_box)
 
     def _fetch_config(self):
-        self._initial_config = {}
         if (
             self.client.device_manager is not None
             and self._device in self.client.device_manager.devices
@@ -148,56 +172,70 @@ class DeviceConfigDialog(BECWidget, QDialog):
             # TODO: special cased in some parts of device manager but not others, should
             # be removed in config update as with below issue
             diff["deviceConfig"].pop("device_access", None)
-            # TODO: replace when https://github.com/bec-project/bec/issues/528 is resolved
+            # TODO: replace when https://github.com/bec-project/bec/issues/528 https://github.com/bec-project/bec/issues/547 are resolved
             diff["deviceConfig"] = {
-                k: literal_eval(str(v)) for k, v in diff["deviceConfig"].items()
+                k: _try_literal_eval(str(v)) for k, v in diff["deviceConfig"].items() if k != ""
             }
         return diff
 
-    @SafeSlot()
+    @SafeSlot(bool)
+    def enable_buttons_for_validity(self, valid: bool):
+        # TODO: replace when https://github.com/bec-project/bec/issues/528 https://github.com/bec-project/bec/issues/547 are resolved
+        for button in [
+            self.button_box.button(b) for b in [QDialogButtonBox.Apply, QDialogButtonBox.Ok]
+        ]:
+            button.setEnabled(valid)
+            button.setToolTip(self._form._validity_message.text())
+
+    @SafeSlot(popup_error=True)
     def apply(self):
-        self._process_update_action()
+        self._process_action()
         self.applied.emit()
 
-    @SafeSlot()
+    @SafeSlot(popup_error=True)
     def accept(self):
-        self._process_update_action()
+        self._process_action()
         return super().accept()
 
-    def _process_update_action(self):
+    def _process_action(self):
         updated_config = self.updated_config()
-        if (device_name := updated_config.get("name")) == "":
-            logger.warning("Can't create a device with no name!")
-        elif set(updated_config.keys()) & set(DEVICE_CONF_KEYS.NON_UPDATABLE):
-            logger.info(
-                f"Removing old device {self._device} and adding new device {device_name or self._device} with modified config: {updated_config}"
-            )
+        if self._action == "add":
+            if (name := updated_config.get("name")) in self.dev:
+                raise ValueError(
+                    f"Can't create a new device with the same name as already existing device {name}!"
+                )
+            self._proc_device_config_change(updated_config)
         else:
-            self._update_device_config(updated_config)
+            if updated_config == {}:
+                logger.info("No changes made to device config")
+                return
+            self._proc_device_config_change(updated_config)
 
-    def _update_device_config(self, config: dict):
-        if self._device is None:
-            return
-        if config == {}:
-            logger.info("No changes made to device config")
-            return
+    def _proc_device_config_change(self, config: dict):
         logger.info(f"Sending request to update device config: {config}")
 
         self._start_waiting_display()
-        communicate_update = _CommunicateUpdate(self._config_helper, self._device, config)
+        communicate_update = CommunicateConfigAction(
+            self._config_helper, self._device, config, self._action
+        )
         communicate_update.signals.error.connect(self.update_error)
         communicate_update.signals.done.connect(self.update_done)
-        self.threadpool.start(communicate_update)
+        self._q_threadpool.start(communicate_update)
 
     @SafeSlot()
     def update_done(self):
         self._stop_waiting_display()
-        self._fetch_config()
-        self._fill_form()
+        if self._action == "update":
+            self._fetch_config()
+            self._fill_form()
 
     @SafeSlot(Exception, popup_error=True)
     def update_error(self, e: Exception):
-        raise RuntimeError("Failed to update device configuration") from e
+        self._stop_waiting_display()
+        if self._action == "update":
+            self._fetch_config()
+            self._fill_form()
+        raise e
 
     def _start_waiting_display(self):
         self._overlay_widget.setVisible(True)
@@ -238,7 +276,8 @@ def main():  # pragma: no cover
     def _show_dialog(*_):
         nonlocal dialog
         if dialog is None:
-            dialog = DeviceConfigDialog(device=device.text())
+            kwargs = {"device": dev} if (dev := device.text()) else {"action": "add"}
+            dialog = DeviceConfigDialog(**kwargs)
             dialog.accepted.connect(accept)
             dialog.rejected.connect(_destroy_dialog)
             dialog.open()

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

@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ class DeviceConfigForm(PydanticModelForm):
         if theme is None:
             theme = get_theme_name()
         self.setStyleSheet(styles.pretty_display_theme(theme))
+        self._validity.setVisible(False)
 
     def get_form_data(self):
         """Get the entered metadata as a dict."""
@@ -54,7 +55,9 @@ class DeviceConfigForm(PydanticModelForm):
             qapp.theme_signal.theme_updated.connect(self.set_pretty_display_theme)  # type: ignore
 
     def set_schema(self, schema: type[BaseModel]):
-        raise TypeError("This class doesn't support changing the schema")
+        if not issubclass(schema, DeviceConfigModel):
+            raise TypeError("This class doesn't support changing the schema")
+        super().set_schema(schema)
 
     def set_data(self, data: DeviceConfigModel):  # type: ignore # This class locks the type
         super().set_data(data)

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

@@ -3,15 +3,20 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 from bec_lib.atlas_models import Device as DeviceConfigModel
+from bec_lib.config_helper import ConfigHelper
 from bec_lib.devicemanager import DeviceContainer
 from bec_lib.logger import bec_logger
+from bec_lib.messages import ConfigAction
 from bec_qthemes import material_icon
-from qtpy.QtCore import QMimeData, QSize, Qt, Signal
+from qtpy.QtCore import QMimeData, QSize, Qt, QThreadPool, Signal
 from qtpy.QtGui import QDrag
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QHBoxLayout, QTabWidget, QToolButton, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.expandable_frame import ExpandableGroupFrame
+from bec_widgets.widgets.services.device_browser.device_item.config_communicator import (
+    CommunicateConfigAction,
+)
 from bec_widgets.widgets.services.device_browser.device_item.device_config_dialog import (
     DeviceConfigDialog,
 )
@@ -31,10 +36,20 @@ logger = bec_logger.logger
 
 class DeviceItem(ExpandableGroupFrame):
     broadcast_size_hint = Signal(QSize)
+    imminent_deletion = Signal()
 
     RPC = False
 
-    def __init__(self, parent, device: str, devices: DeviceContainer, icon: str = "") -> None:
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        *,
+        parent,
+        device: str,
+        devices: DeviceContainer,
+        icon: str = "",
+        config_helper: ConfigHelper,
+        q_threadpool: QThreadPool | None = None,
+    ) -> None:
         super().__init__(parent, title=device, expanded=False, icon=icon)
         self.dev = devices
         self._drag_pos = None
@@ -48,35 +63,64 @@ class DeviceItem(ExpandableGroupFrame):
         self._tab_widget.setDocumentMode(True)
         self._layout.addWidget(self._tab_widget)
 
-        self.set_layout(self._layout)
-
-        self._form_page = QWidget()
+        self._form_page = QWidget(parent=self)
         self._form_page_layout = QVBoxLayout()
         self._form_page.setLayout(self._form_page_layout)
 
-        self._signal_page = QWidget()
+        self._signal_page = QWidget(parent=self)
         self._signal_page_layout = QVBoxLayout()
         self._signal_page.setLayout(self._signal_page_layout)
 
         self._tab_widget.addTab(self._form_page, "Configuration")
         self._tab_widget.addTab(self._signal_page, "Signals")
+        self._config_helper = config_helper
+        self._q_threadpool = q_threadpool or QThreadPool()
+
+        self.set_layout(self._layout)
         self.adjustSize()
 
     def _create_title_layout(self, title: str, icon: str):
         super()._create_title_layout(title, icon)
+
         self.edit_button = QToolButton()
-        self.edit_button.setIcon(
-            material_icon(icon_name="edit", size=(10, 10), convert_to_pixmap=False)
-        )
+        self.edit_button.setIcon(material_icon(icon_name="edit", size=(15, 15)))
         self._title_layout.insertWidget(self._title_layout.count() - 1, self.edit_button)
         self.edit_button.clicked.connect(self._create_edit_dialog)
 
+        self.delete_button = QToolButton()
+        self.delete_button.setIcon(material_icon(icon_name="delete", size=(15, 15)))
+        self._title_layout.insertWidget(self._title_layout.count() - 1, self.delete_button)
+        self.delete_button.clicked.connect(self._delete_device)
+
+    @SafeSlot()
     def _create_edit_dialog(self):
-        dialog = DeviceConfigDialog(parent=self, device=self.device)
+        dialog = DeviceConfigDialog(
+            parent=self,
+            device=self.device,
+            config_helper=self._config_helper,
+            threadpool=self._q_threadpool,
+        )
         dialog.accepted.connect(self._reload_config)
         dialog.applied.connect(self._reload_config)
         dialog.open()
 
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def _delete_device(self):
+        self.expanded = False
+        deleter = CommunicateConfigAction(self._config_helper, self.device, None, "remove")
+        deleter.signals.error.connect(self._deletion_error)
+        deleter.signals.done.connect(self._deletion_done)
+        self._q_threadpool.start(deleter)
+
+    @SafeSlot(Exception, popup_error=True)
+    def _deletion_error(self, e: Exception):
+        raise e
+
+    @SafeSlot()
+    def _deletion_done(self):
+        self.imminent_deletion.emit()
+        self.deleteLater()
+
     @SafeSlot()
     def switch_expanded_state(self):
         if not self.expanded and not self._expanded_first_time:
@@ -96,6 +140,11 @@ class DeviceItem(ExpandableGroupFrame):
         self.adjustSize()
         self.broadcast_size_hint.emit(self.sizeHint())
 
+    @SafeSlot(str, dict)
+    def config_update(self, action: ConfigAction, content: dict) -> None:
+        if self.device in content:
+            self._reload_config()
+
     @SafeSlot(popup_error=True)
     def _reload_config(self, *_):
         self.set_display_config(self.dev[self.device]._config)
@@ -157,7 +206,12 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
         "deviceTags": {"tag1", "tag2", "tag3"},
         "userParameter": {"some_setting": "some_ value"},
     }
-    item = DeviceItem(widget, "Device", {"Device": MagicMock(enabled=True, _config=mock_config)})
+    item = DeviceItem(
+        parent=widget,
+        device="Device",
+        devices={"Device": MagicMock(enabled=True, _config=mock_config)},  # type: ignore
+        config_helper=ConfigHelper(MagicMock()),
+    )
     layout.addWidget(DarkModeButton())
     layout.addWidget(item)
     widget.show()

bec_widgets/widgets/utility/widget_finder/widget_finder.py

@@ -0,0 +1,244 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from bec_qthemes import material_icon
+from qtpy.QtCore import QPropertyAnimation, QRect, QSequentialAnimationGroup, Qt, QTimer
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
+    QApplication,
+    QComboBox,
+    QFrame,
+    QGridLayout,
+    QGroupBox,
+    QPushButton,
+    QSizePolicy,
+    QToolButton,
+    QVBoxLayout,
+    QWidget,
+)
+
+from bec_widgets import SafeProperty
+from bec_widgets.utils.widget_io import WidgetIO
+from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.main_window import BECMainWindow
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.image.image import Image
+from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.waveform.waveform import Waveform
+
+
+class WidgetFinderComboBox(QComboBox):
+
+    def __init__(self, parent=None, widget_class: type[QWidget] | str | None = None):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self.widget_class = widget_class
+        self.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Minimum, QSizePolicy.Fixed)
+        self.setMinimumWidth(200)
+        # find button inside combobox
+        self.find_button = QToolButton(self)
+        self.find_button.setIcon(material_icon("frame_inspect"))
+        self.find_button.setCursor(Qt.PointingHandCursor)
+        self.find_button.setFocusPolicy(Qt.NoFocus)
+        self.find_button.setToolTip("Highlight selected widget")
+        self.find_button.setStyleSheet("QToolButton { border: none; padding: 0px; }")
+        self.find_button.clicked.connect(self.inspect_widget)
+
+        # refresh button inside combobox
+        self.refresh_button = QToolButton(self)
+        self.refresh_button.setIcon(material_icon("refresh"))
+        self.refresh_button.setCursor(Qt.PointingHandCursor)
+        self.refresh_button.setFocusPolicy(Qt.NoFocus)
+        self.refresh_button.setToolTip("Refresh widget list")
+        self.refresh_button.setStyleSheet("QToolButton { border: none; padding: 0px; }")
+        self.refresh_button.clicked.connect(self.refresh_list)
+
+        # Purple Highlighter
+        self.highlighter = None
+
+        # refresh items - delay to fetch widgets after UI is ready in next event loop
+        QTimer.singleShot(0, self.refresh_list)
+
+    def _init_highlighter(self):
+        """
+        Initialize the highlighter frame that will be used to highlight the inspected widget.
+        """
+        self.highlighter = QFrame(self, Qt.Tool | Qt.FramelessWindowHint | Qt.WindowStaysOnTopHint)
+        self.highlighter.setAttribute(Qt.WA_TransparentForMouseEvents)
+        self.highlighter.setStyleSheet(
+            "border: 2px solid #FF00FF; border-radius: 6px; background: transparent;"
+        )
+
+    def resizeEvent(self, event):
+        super().resizeEvent(event)
+        btn_size = 16
+        arrow_width = 24
+        x = self.width() - arrow_width - btn_size - 2
+        y = (self.height() - btn_size) // 2 - 2
+        # position find_button first
+        self.find_button.setFixedSize(btn_size, btn_size)
+        self.find_button.move(x, y)
+        # position refresh_button to the left of find_button
+        refresh_x = x - btn_size - 2
+        self.refresh_button.setFixedSize(btn_size, btn_size)
+        self.refresh_button.move(refresh_x, y)
+
+    def refresh_list(self):
+        """
+        Refresh the list of widgets in the combobox based on the specified widget class.
+        """
+        self.clear()
+        if self.widget_class is None:
+            return
+        widgets = WidgetIO.find_widgets(self.widget_class, recursive=True)
+        # Build display names with counts for duplicates
+        name_counts: dict[str, int] = {}
+        for w in widgets:
+            base_name = w.objectName() or w.__class__.__name__
+            count = name_counts.get(base_name, 0) + 1
+            name_counts[base_name] = count
+            display_name = base_name if count == 1 else f"{base_name} ({count})"
+            self.addItem(display_name, w)
+
+    def showPopup(self):
+        """
+        Refresh list each time the popup opens to reflect dynamic widget changes.
+        """
+        self.refresh_list()
+        super().showPopup()
+
+    def inspect_widget(self):
+        """
+        Inspect the currently selected widget in the combobox.
+        """
+        target = self.currentData()
+        if not target:
+            return
+        # ensure highlighter exists, avoid calling methods on deleted C++ object
+        if not getattr(self, "highlighter", None):
+            self._init_highlighter()
+        else:
+            self.highlighter.hide()
+        # draw new
+        geom = target.frameGeometry()
+        pos = target.mapToGlobal(target.rect().topLeft())
+        self.highlighter.setGeometry(pos.x(), pos.y(), geom.width(), geom.height())
+        self.highlighter.show()
+        # Pulse and fade animation to draw attention
+        start_rect = QRect(pos.x() - 5, pos.y() - 5, geom.width() + 10, geom.height() + 10)
+        pulse = QPropertyAnimation(self.highlighter, b"geometry")
+        pulse.setDuration(300)
+        pulse.setStartValue(start_rect)
+        pulse.setEndValue(QRect(pos.x(), pos.y(), geom.width(), geom.height()))
+
+        fade = QPropertyAnimation(self.highlighter, b"windowOpacity")
+        fade.setDuration(2000)
+        fade.setStartValue(1.0)
+        fade.setEndValue(0.0)
+        fade.finished.connect(self.highlighter.hide)
+
+        group = QSequentialAnimationGroup(self)
+        group.addAnimation(pulse)
+        group.addAnimation(fade)
+        group.start()
+
+    @SafeProperty(str)
+    def widget_class_name(self) -> str:
+        """
+        Get or set the target widget class by name.
+        """
+        return (
+            self.widget_class if isinstance(self.widget_class, str) else self.widget_class.__name__
+        )
+
+    @widget_class_name.setter
+    def widget_class_name(self, name: str):
+        self.widget_class = name
+        self.refresh_list()
+
+    @property
+    def selected_widget(self):
+        """
+        The currently selected QWidget instance (or None if not found).
+        """
+        try:
+            return self.currentData()
+        except Exception:
+            return None
+
+    def cleanup(self):
+        """
+        Clean up the highlighter frame when the combobox is deleted.
+        """
+        if self.highlighter:
+            self.highlighter.close()
+            self.highlighter.deleteLater()
+            self.highlighter = None
+
+    def closeEvent(self, event):
+        """
+        Override closeEvent to clean up the highlighter frame.
+        """
+        self.cleanup()
+        event.accept()
+
+
+class InspectorMainWindow(BECMainWindow):  # pragma: no cover
+    """
+    A main window that includes a widget finder combobox to inspect widgets.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, parent=None):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self.setWindowTitle("Widget Inspector")
+        self.setMinimumSize(800, 600)
+
+        self.central_widget = QWidget(self)
+        self.setCentralWidget(self.central_widget)
+
+        self.central_widget.layout = QGridLayout(self.central_widget)
+
+        # Inspector box
+        self.group_box_inspector = QGroupBox(self.central_widget)
+        self.group_box_inspector.setTitle("Inspector")
+        self.group_box_inspector.layout = QVBoxLayout(self.group_box_inspector)
+        self.inspector_combobox = WidgetFinderComboBox(self.group_box_inspector, Waveform)
+        self.switch_combobox = QComboBox(self.group_box_inspector)
+        self.switch_combobox.addItems(["Waveform", "Image", "QPushButton"])
+        self.switch_combobox.setToolTip("Switch the widget class to inspect")
+        self.switch_combobox.currentTextChanged.connect(
+            lambda text: setattr(self.inspector_combobox, "widget_class_name", text)
+        )
+        self.group_box_inspector.layout.addWidget(self.inspector_combobox)
+        self.group_box_inspector.layout.addWidget(self.switch_combobox)
+
+        # Some bec widgets to inspect
+        self.wf1 = Waveform(self.central_widget)
+        self.wf2 = Waveform(self.central_widget)
+
+        self.im1 = Image(self.central_widget)
+        self.im2 = Image(self.central_widget)
+
+        # Some normal widgets to inspect
+        self.group_box_widgets = QGroupBox(self.central_widget)
+        self.group_box_widgets.setTitle("Widgets ")
+        self.group_box_widgets.layout = QVBoxLayout(self.group_box_widgets)
+        self.btn1 = QPushButton("Button 1", self.group_box_widgets)
+        self.btn1.setObjectName("btn1")
+        self.btn2 = QPushButton("Button 2", self.group_box_widgets)
+        self.btn2.setObjectName("btn1")  # Same object name to test duplicate handling
+        self.btn3 = QPushButton("Button 3", self.group_box_widgets)
+        self.btn3.setObjectName("btn3")
+        self.group_box_widgets.layout.addWidget(self.btn1)
+        self.group_box_widgets.layout.addWidget(self.btn2)
+        self.group_box_widgets.layout.addWidget(self.btn3)
+
+        self.central_widget.layout.addWidget(self.group_box_inspector, 0, 0)
+        self.central_widget.layout.addWidget(self.group_box_widgets, 1, 0)
+        self.central_widget.layout.addWidget(self.wf1, 0, 1)
+        self.central_widget.layout.addWidget(self.wf2, 1, 1)
+        self.central_widget.layout.addWidget(self.im1, 0, 2)
+        self.central_widget.layout.addWidget(self.im2, 1, 2)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
+    import sys
+
+    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    main_window = InspectorMainWindow()
+    main_window.show()
+    sys.exit(app.exec())

pyproject.toml

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ build-backend = "hatchling.build"
 
 [project]
 name = "bec_widgets"
-version = "2.22.0"
+version = "2.24.0"
 description = "BEC Widgets"
 requires-python = ">=3.10"
 classifiers = [

tests/unit_tests/test_config_communicator.py

@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+from unittest.mock import ANY, MagicMock
+
+from bec_lib.config_helper import ConfigHelper
+
+from bec_widgets.widgets.services.device_browser.device_item.config_communicator import (
+    CommunicateConfigAction,
+)
+
+
+def test_must_have_a_name(qtbot):
+    error_occurred = False
+
+    def oops():
+        nonlocal error_occurred
+        error_occurred = True
+
+    c = CommunicateConfigAction(ConfigHelper(MagicMock()), device=None, config={}, action="add")
+    c.signals.error.connect(oops)
+    c.run()
+    qtbot.waitUntil(lambda: error_occurred, timeout=100)
+
+
+def test_wait_for_reply_on_RID():
+    ch = MagicMock(spec=ConfigHelper)
+    ch.send_config_request.return_value = "abcde"
+    cca = CommunicateConfigAction(config_helper=ch, device="samx", config={}, action="update")
+    cca.run()
+    ch.wait_for_config_reply.assert_called_with("abcde", timeout=ANY)

tests/unit_tests/test_device_browser.py

@@ -132,3 +132,13 @@ def test_device_item_double_click_event(device_browser, qtbot):
     device_item: QListWidgetItem = device_browser.ui.device_list.itemAt(0, 0)
     widget: DeviceItem = device_browser.ui.device_list.itemWidget(device_item)
     qtbot.mouseDClick(widget, Qt.LeftButton)
+
+
+def test_device_deletion(device_browser, qtbot):
+    device_item: QListWidgetItem = device_browser.ui.device_list.itemAt(0, 0)
+    widget: DeviceItem = device_browser.ui.device_list.itemWidget(device_item)
+    widget._config_helper = mock.MagicMock()
+
+    assert widget.device in device_browser._device_items
+    qtbot.mouseClick(widget.delete_button, Qt.LeftButton)
+    qtbot.waitUntil(lambda: widget.device not in device_browser._device_items, timeout=10000)

tests/unit_tests/test_device_config_form_dialog.py

@@ -2,9 +2,12 @@ from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch
 
 import pytest
 from bec_lib.atlas_models import Device as DeviceConfigModel
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QDialogButtonBox, QPushButton
 
+from bec_widgets.utils.forms_from_types.items import StrFormItem
 from bec_widgets.widgets.services.device_browser.device_item.device_config_dialog import (
     DeviceConfigDialog,
+    _try_literal_eval,
 )
 
 _BASIC_CONFIG = {
@@ -16,83 +19,123 @@ _BASIC_CONFIG = {
 
 
 @pytest.fixture
-def dialog(qtbot):
-    """Fixture to create a DeviceConfigDialog instance."""
+def mock_client():
     mock_device = MagicMock(_config=DeviceConfigModel.model_validate(_BASIC_CONFIG).model_dump())
     mock_client = MagicMock()
     mock_client.device_manager.devices = {"test_device": mock_device}
-    dialog = DeviceConfigDialog(device="test_device", config_helper=MagicMock(), client=mock_client)
-    qtbot.addWidget(dialog)
-    return dialog
+    return mock_client
 
 
-def test_initialization(dialog):
-    assert dialog._device == "test_device"
-    assert dialog._container.count() == 2
+@pytest.fixture
+def update_dialog(mock_client, qtbot):
+    """Fixture to create a DeviceConfigDialog instance."""
+    update_dialog = DeviceConfigDialog(
+        device="test_device", config_helper=MagicMock(), client=mock_client
+    )
+    qtbot.addWidget(update_dialog)
+    return update_dialog
 
 
-def test_fill_form(dialog):
-    with patch.object(dialog._form, "set_data") as mock_set_data:
-        dialog._fill_form()
+@pytest.fixture
+def add_dialog(mock_client, qtbot):
+    """Fixture to create a DeviceConfigDialog instance."""
+    add_dialog = DeviceConfigDialog(
+        device=None, config_helper=MagicMock(), client=mock_client, action="add"
+    )
+    qtbot.addWidget(add_dialog)
+    return add_dialog
+
+
+def test_initialization(update_dialog):
+    assert update_dialog._device == "test_device"
+    assert update_dialog._container.count() == 2
+
+
+def test_fill_form(update_dialog):
+    with patch.object(update_dialog._form, "set_data") as mock_set_data:
+        update_dialog._fill_form()
         mock_set_data.assert_called_once_with(DeviceConfigModel.model_validate(_BASIC_CONFIG))
 
 
-def test_updated_config(dialog):
+def test_updated_config(update_dialog):
     """Test that updated_config returns the correct changes."""
-    dialog._initial_config = {"key1": "value1", "key2": "value2"}
+    update_dialog._initial_config = {"key1": "value1", "key2": "value2"}
     with patch.object(
-        dialog._form, "get_form_data", return_value={"key1": "value1", "key2": "new_value"}
+        update_dialog._form, "get_form_data", return_value={"key1": "value1", "key2": "new_value"}
     ):
-        updated = dialog.updated_config()
+        updated = update_dialog.updated_config()
         assert updated == {"key2": "new_value"}
 
 
-def test_apply(dialog):
-    with patch.object(dialog, "_process_update_action") as mock_process_update:
-        dialog.apply()
+def test_apply(update_dialog):
+    with patch.object(update_dialog, "_process_action") as mock_process_update:
+        update_dialog.apply()
         mock_process_update.assert_called_once()
 
 
-def test_accept(dialog):
+def test_accept(update_dialog):
     with (
-        patch.object(dialog, "_process_update_action") as mock_process_update,
+        patch.object(update_dialog, "_process_action") as mock_process_update,
         patch("qtpy.QtWidgets.QDialog.accept") as mock_parent_accept,
     ):
-        dialog.accept()
+        update_dialog.accept()
         mock_process_update.assert_called_once()
         mock_parent_accept.assert_called_once()
 
 
-def test_waiting_display(dialog, qtbot):
+def test_waiting_display(update_dialog, qtbot):
     with (
-        patch.object(dialog._spinner, "start") as mock_spinner_start,
-        patch.object(dialog._spinner, "stop") as mock_spinner_stop,
+        patch.object(update_dialog._spinner, "start") as mock_spinner_start,
+        patch.object(update_dialog._spinner, "stop") as mock_spinner_stop,
     ):
-        dialog.show()
-        dialog._start_waiting_display()
-        qtbot.waitUntil(dialog._overlay_widget.isVisible, timeout=100)
+        update_dialog.show()
+        update_dialog._start_waiting_display()
+        qtbot.waitUntil(update_dialog._overlay_widget.isVisible, timeout=100)
         mock_spinner_start.assert_called_once()
         mock_spinner_stop.assert_not_called()
-        dialog._stop_waiting_display()
-        qtbot.waitUntil(lambda: not dialog._overlay_widget.isVisible(), timeout=100)
+        update_dialog._stop_waiting_display()
+        qtbot.waitUntil(lambda: not update_dialog._overlay_widget.isVisible(), timeout=100)
         mock_spinner_stop.assert_called_once()
 
 
-def test_update_cycle(dialog, qtbot):
+def test_update_cycle(update_dialog, qtbot):
     update = {"enabled": False, "readoutPriority": "baseline", "deviceTags": {"tag"}}
 
     def _mock_send(action="update", config=None, wait_for_response=True, timeout_s=None):
-        dialog.client.device_manager.devices["test_device"]._config = config["test_device"]  # type: ignore
+        update_dialog.client.device_manager.devices["test_device"]._config = config["test_device"]  # type: ignore
 
-    dialog._config_helper.send_config_request = MagicMock(side_effect=_mock_send)
-    for item in dialog._form.enumerate_form_widgets():
+    update_dialog._config_helper.send_config_request = MagicMock(side_effect=_mock_send)
+    for item in update_dialog._form.enumerate_form_widgets():
         if (val := update.get(item.label.property("_model_field_name"))) is not None:
             item.widget.setValue(val)
 
-    assert dialog.updated_config() == update
-    dialog.apply()
-    qtbot.waitUntil(lambda: dialog._config_helper.send_config_request.call_count == 1, timeout=100)
+    assert update_dialog.updated_config() == update
+    update_dialog.apply()
+    qtbot.waitUntil(
+        lambda: update_dialog._config_helper.send_config_request.call_count == 1, timeout=100
+    )
 
-    dialog._config_helper.send_config_request.assert_called_with(
+    update_dialog._config_helper.send_config_request.assert_called_with(
         action="update", config={"test_device": update}, wait_for_response=False
     )
+
+
+def test_add_form_init_without_name(add_dialog, qtbot):
+    assert (name_widget := add_dialog._form.widget_dict.get("name")) is not None
+    assert isinstance(name_widget, StrFormItem)
+    assert name_widget.getValue() is None
+
+
+def test_add_form_validates_and_disables_on_init(add_dialog, qtbot):
+    assert (ok_button := add_dialog.button_box.button(QDialogButtonBox.Ok)) is not None
+    assert isinstance(ok_button, QPushButton)
+    assert not ok_button.isEnabled()
+
+
+def test_try_literal_eval():
+    assert _try_literal_eval("") == ""
+    assert _try_literal_eval("[1, 2, 3]") == [1, 2, 3]
+    assert _try_literal_eval('"[,,]"') == "[,,]"
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError) as e:
+        _try_literal_eval("[,,]")
+        assert e.match("Entered config value [,,]")

tests/unit_tests/test_heatmap_widget.py

@@ -62,8 +62,15 @@ def test_heatmap_get_image_data_missing_data(heatmap_widget):
 
 def test_heatmap_get_image_data_grid_scan(heatmap_widget):
     scan_msg = messages.ScanStatusMessage(
-        scan_id="123", status="open", scan_name="grid_scan", metadata={}, info={}
+        scan_id="123",
+        status="open",
+        scan_name="grid_scan",
+        metadata={},
+        info={},
+        request_inputs={"arg_bundle": ["samx", -5, 5, 10, "samy", -5, 5, 10], "kwargs": {}},
     )
+    heatmap_widget.plot(x_name="samx", y_name="samy", z_name="bpm4i")
+
     heatmap_widget.status_message = scan_msg
     with mock.patch.object(heatmap_widget, "get_grid_scan_image") as mock_get_grid_scan_image:
         heatmap_widget.get_image_data(x_data=[1, 2], y_data=[3, 4], z_data=[5, 6])

tests/unit_tests/test_plot_base_next_gen.py

@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+import numpy as np
+
 from bec_widgets.widgets.plots.plot_base import PlotBase, UIMode
 
 from .client_mocks import mocked_client
@@ -126,6 +128,31 @@ def test_auto_range_x_y(qtbot, mocked_client):
     assert pb.plot_item.vb.state["autoRange"][1] is False
 
 
+def test_autorange_respects_visibility(qtbot, mocked_client):
+    """
+    Autorange must consider only the curves whose .isVisible() flag is True.
+    """
+
+    pb = create_widget(qtbot, PlotBase, client=mocked_client)
+
+    x = np.arange(10)
+    small = pb.plot_item.plot(x, x, pen=(255, 0, 0))  # 0‒9
+    medium = pb.plot_item.plot(x, x * 10, pen=(0, 255, 0))  # 0‒90
+    large = pb.plot_item.plot(x, x * 100, pen=(0, 0, 255))  # 0‒900
+
+    pb.auto_range(True)
+    qtbot.wait(200)
+    yspan_full = pb.plot_item.vb.viewRange()[1]
+    assert yspan_full[1] > 800, "Autorange must include the largest visible curve."
+
+    # Hide the largest curve, recompute autorange, and expect the span to shrink.
+    large.setVisible(False)
+    pb.auto_range(True)
+    qtbot.wait(200)
+    yspan_reduced = pb.plot_item.vb.viewRange()[1]
+    assert yspan_reduced[1] < 200, "Hidden curves must be excluded from autorange."
+
+
 def test_x_log_y_log(qtbot, mocked_client):
     """
     Test toggling log scale on x and y axes.

tests/unit_tests/test_widget_finder.py

@@ -0,0 +1,117 @@
+import pytest
+from qtpy.QtCore import QPoint, QSize, Qt
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QLabel, QPushButton, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
+
+from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.widget_finder.widget_finder import WidgetFinderComboBox
+from tests.unit_tests.conftest import create_widget
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def finder_fixture(qtbot):
+    central_widget = QWidget()
+    central_widget.layout = QVBoxLayout(central_widget)
+
+    # Create some buttons and a label under parent
+    btn1 = QPushButton("Button1", central_widget)
+    btn1.setObjectName("btn1")
+    btn2 = QPushButton("Button2", central_widget)
+    btn2.setObjectName("btn2")
+    lbl1 = QLabel("Label1", central_widget)
+    lbl1.setObjectName("lbl1")
+
+    # Instantiate finder to look for QPushButton
+    finder = WidgetFinderComboBox(central_widget, QPushButton)
+
+    # Add buttons and label to the layout
+    central_widget.layout.addWidget(btn1)
+    central_widget.layout.addWidget(btn2)
+    central_widget.layout.addWidget(lbl1)
+    central_widget.layout.addWidget(finder)
+
+    qtbot.addWidget(central_widget)
+    qtbot.waitExposed(central_widget)
+
+    return finder, central_widget, btn1, btn2, lbl1
+
+
+def test_initial_list_contains_buttons_only(qtbot, finder_fixture):
+    finder, parent, btn1, btn2, lbl1 = finder_fixture
+    items = [finder.itemText(i) for i in range(finder.count())]
+    assert "btn1" in items
+    assert "btn2" in items
+    assert "lbl1" not in items
+
+
+def test_refresh_and_show_popup_update_list(finder_fixture, qtbot):
+    finder, parent, btn1, btn2, lbl1 = finder_fixture
+
+    # Dynamically add a third button
+    btn3 = QPushButton("Button3", parent)
+    btn3.setObjectName("btn3")
+
+    # Manual refresh
+    qtbot.mouseClick(finder.refresh_button, Qt.LeftButton)
+    items = [finder.itemText(i) for i in range(finder.count())]
+    assert "btn3" in items
+
+    # And via showPopup
+    btn4 = QPushButton("Button4", parent)
+    btn4.setObjectName("btn4")
+    finder.showPopup()
+    items = [finder.itemText(i) for i in range(finder.count())]
+    assert "btn4" in items
+
+
+def test_selected_widget_and_widget_class_name_setter(finder_fixture, qtbot):
+    finder, parent, btn1, btn2, lbl1 = finder_fixture
+
+    # Select btn2
+    idx = finder.findText("btn2")
+    finder.setCurrentIndex(idx)
+    qtbot.wait(200)  # allow refresh_list to run
+    selected_widget = finder.selected_widget
+    assert selected_widget == btn2
+
+    # Now switch to QLabel via the property setter
+    finder.widget_class_name = "QLabel"
+    qtbot.wait(200)  # allow refresh_list to run
+    items = [finder.itemText(i) for i in range(finder.count())]
+    assert "lbl1" in items
+    assert "btn1" not in items
+
+
+def test_inspect_widget_highlights_button(qtbot, finder_fixture):
+    finder, parent, btn1, btn2, lbl1 = finder_fixture
+
+    # Select btn1 and inspect
+    idx = finder.findText("btn1")
+    finder.setCurrentIndex(idx)
+    finder.inspect_widget()
+    qtbot.wait(100)  # allow highlighter to show
+
+    highlighter = finder.highlighter
+    assert highlighter.isVisible()
+    qtbot.wait(500)  # wait ≥ pulse duration
+    # Highlighter should match the target widget size
+    expected_size = btn1.frameGeometry().size()
+    assert highlighter.geometry().size() == expected_size
+
+
+def test_inspect_widget_highlights_label(qtbot, finder_fixture):
+    finder, parent, btn1, btn2, lbl1 = finder_fixture
+
+    # Switch to QLabel and inspect lbl1
+    finder.widget_class_name = "QLabel"
+    qtbot.wait(50)  # allow refresh
+    idx = finder.findText("lbl1")
+    finder.setCurrentIndex(idx)
+    finder.inspect_widget()
+    qtbot.wait(100)  # allow highlighter to show
+
+    highlighter = finder.highlighter
+    assert highlighter.isVisible()
+
+    qtbot.wait(500)  # wait ≥ pulse duration
+    # Highlighter should match the target widget size
+    expected_size = lbl1.frameGeometry().size()
+    assert highlighter.geometry().size() == expected_size

tests/unit_tests/test_widget_io.py

@@ -190,3 +190,23 @@ def test_widget_io_signal(qtbot, example_widget):
     toggle.checked = False
     qtbot.waitUntil(lambda: len(changes) > 4)
     assert changes[-1][1] == False
+
+
+def test_find_widgets(example_widget):
+    # Test find_widgets by class type
+    line_edits = WidgetIO.find_widgets(QLineEdit)
+    assert len(line_edits) == 2  # one LineEdit and one in the SpinBox
+    assert isinstance(line_edits[0], QLineEdit)
+
+    # Test find_widgets by class-name string
+    combo_boxes = WidgetIO.find_widgets("QComboBox")
+    assert len(combo_boxes) == 1
+    assert isinstance(combo_boxes[0], QComboBox)
+
+    # Test non-recursive search returns the same widgets
+    combo_boxes_flat = WidgetIO.find_widgets(QComboBox, recursive=False)
+    assert combo_boxes_flat == combo_boxes
+
+    # Test search for non-existent widget returns empty list
+    non_exist = WidgetIO.find_widgets("NonExistentWidget")
+    assert non_exist == []