GESTALT

Generating EPICS Screens Through Assembling Layout Templates

Gestalt is a Python tool that generates EPICS control system GUI screens from YAML layout files. Write your screen once, then generate output for caQtDM, CSS-Phoebus, or PyDM.

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What it looks like

A short YAML layout:

#include widgets.yml

Form: !Form
    title: "$(P) Status"

Header: !Apply:ScreenHeader { title: "Device Status" }

Controls: !VFlow
    geometry: 0x35 x 0x0
    padding: 5
    children:
        - !Apply:PVReadWrite
            label: "Setpoint:"
            entry-pv: "$(P)$(R)Setpoint"
            read-pv:  "$(P)$(R)Setpoint:RBV"
            units: "mm"

        - !Apply:PVReadWrite
            label: "Speed:"
            menu-pv:  "$(P)$(R)Speed"
            read-pv:  "$(P)$(R)Speed:RBV"

Run gestalt to produce a .ui file for caQtDM, a .bob file for Phoebus, or either format for PyDM – all from the same layout.

python gestalt.py --to ui --output status.ui layout.yml
python gestalt.py --to bob --output status.bob layout.yml

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Documentation

Learn Quick start tutorial and guided screen-building walkthrough.

Concepts Core concepts, macro resolution, and architecture.

Guides Installation, command-line usage, custom templates, and build integration.

Reference Complete reference for all node types and built-in templates.