diff --git a/__init__.py b/__init__.py
index 20d3dc8..02faa81 100644
--- a/__init__.py
+++ b/__init__.py
@@ -30,22 +30,7 @@ this code is currently used:
 from servicemanager.base import ServiceManager, ServiceDown, UsageError, get_config
 from servicemanager.nicosman import NicosManager
 from servicemanager.seaman import SeaManager
-
-
-class FrappyManager(ServiceManager):
-    group = 'frappy'
-    services = ('main', 'stick', 'addons')
-    USAGE = """
-    Usage:
-    
-      frappy list [<instance>]
-      frappy start <instance> <service> <cfgfiles>
-      frappy restart <instance> [<service>] [<cfgfiles>]
-      frappy stop <instance> [<service>]
-    
-      <service> is one of main, stick, addons
-      <instance> is one of %s
-    """
+from servicemanager.frappyman import FrappyManager
 
 
 class SewebManager(ServiceManager):
@@ -85,7 +70,7 @@ def run(group, arglist):
         except AttributeError:
             raise UsageError("do not know '%s'" % ' '.join([serv.group, action] + arglist))
     except UsageError as e:
-        print(repr(e))
-        print(serv.usage())
+        serv.usage()
+        print('ERROR:', str(e))
 
 
diff --git a/base.py b/base.py
index ef43ed9..6dbc35c 100644
--- a/base.py
+++ b/base.py
@@ -399,9 +399,8 @@ class ServiceManager:
         try:
             method(*args)
         except TypeError as e:
-            raise
             errtxt = str(e)
-            if ' do_%s(' % action in errtxt and 'argument' in errtxt:
+            if 'do_%s(' % action in errtxt and 'argument' in errtxt:
                 raise UsageError(errtxt)
             raise
 
diff --git a/frappyman.py b/frappyman.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8433033
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frappyman.py
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+#  -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+# *****************************************************************************
+#
+# This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under
+# the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software
+# Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later
+# version.
+#
+# This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT
+# ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS
+# FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License for more
+# details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with
+# this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+# 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111-1307  USA
+#
+# Module authors:
+#   Markus Zolliker <markus.zolliker@psi.ch>
+#
+# *****************************************************************************
+
+#import os
+from servicemanager.base import ServiceManager, ServiceDown, UsageError
+
+
+class FrappyManager(ServiceManager):
+    group = 'frappy'
+    services = ('main', 'stick', 'addons')
+    USAGE = """
+    Usage:
+
+      frappy list [<instance>]
+      frappy start <instance> <service> <cfgfiles>
+      frappy restart <instance> [<service>] [<cfgfiles>]
+      frappy stop <instance> [<service>]
+
+      <service> is one of main, stick, addons
+      <instance> is one of %s
+    """
+
+    def do_gui(self, ins='', service='main'):
+        try:
+            self.check_running(ins, service)
+        except ServiceDown as e:
+            raise UsageError('frappy %s %s is not running' % (ins, service))
+            return
+        except KeyError:
+            if not ins:
+                raise UsageError('missing instance')
+            raise UsageError('unknown instance %s' % ins)
+
+        print('starting frappy gui %s' % ins)
+
+        import mlzlog
+
+        from secop.gui.qt import QApplication
+        from secop.gui.mainwindow import MainWindow
+
+        mlzlog.initLogging('gui', 'info')
+
+        app = QApplication([])
+        win = MainWindow(['localhost:%d' % self.info[ins][service]])
+        win.show()
+
+        return app.exec_()