refactor: Extract MODEL from PFM into ObjectState (MVC separation)

[trissim]

ObjectState Extraction: MVC Separation + Redux DevTools Time-Travel

Executive Summary

65+ commits extracting MODEL from ParameterFormManager (PFM) into standalone ObjectState class, achieving proper MVC separation. The PFM is now a pure VIEW layer (1209 → 621 lines, 49% reduction). Total net deletion: ~700 lines including LiveContextService (364 lines), ~255 lines of dead code in lazy_factory.py, and ~258 lines in dual_axis_resolver.py.

Major Features:

• Git-like DAG time-travel with branching and auto-branch on diverge
• Redux DevTools-style snapshot browser with branch management
• Per-field dirty/sig-diff styling in list items via StyledTextLayout
• AbstractTableBrowser ABC - generic searchable table widget (<100 lines per subclass)
• Visual flash animations when resolved config values change
• Game engine flash architecture with O(1) per-window rendering
• 73% reduction in placeholder refreshes (569 → 152)
• Scope-based visual feedback system with CIELAB perceptual colors
• WindowManager singleton-per-scope for all scoped windows
• Dual SAVED/LIVE thread-local pattern for GlobalPipelineConfig
• Reactive dirty tracking with on_dirty_changed callbacks and field-level queries
• Declarative keyboard shortcuts with application-level event filter

---

Git-like DAG Time-Travel System

Core Architecture

Implements proper git-like DAG (Directed Acyclic Graph) model for time-travel debugging. Snapshots are NEVER deleted - branches are just pointers into the DAG. Auto-branching preserves alternate timelines when diverging from the past.

          ┌──→ [auto-branch HEAD]
          │
[1] → [2] → [3] → [4] → [main HEAD]
          ↑
     current_head (when time-traveling to #2)

New edit while at #2:
[1] → [2] → [3] → [4] → [auto-xxx HEAD]
          │
          └──→ [5] → [main HEAD] (new)

Data Structures (snapshot_model.py, NEW)

@dataclass(frozen=True)
class StateSnapshot:
    """Immutable snapshot of single ObjectState data."""
    saved_resolved: Dict[str, Any]
    live_resolved: Dict[str, Any]
    parameters: Dict[str, Any]
    provenance: Dict[str, Any]

@dataclass(frozen=True)
class Snapshot:
    """Immutable snapshot of ALL ObjectStates (like git commit)."""
    id: str  # UUID
    timestamp: float
    label: str
    triggering_scope: str
    parent_id: Optional[str]  # Forms DAG edges
    all_states: Dict[str, StateSnapshot]

@dataclass
class Timeline:
    """Named branch pointing to head snapshot."""
    name: str
    head_id: str
    base_id: str
    created_at: float
    description: str

ObjectStateRegistry DAG API

# Storage (replaces linear list)
_snapshots: Dict[str, Snapshot]  # id → Snapshot (NEVER deleted)
_timelines: Dict[str, Timeline]  # name → Timeline (branches)
_current_branch: str = "main"
_current_head: Optional[str]     # None = at branch head (live)

# Navigation
get_branch_history() → List[Snapshot]  # [oldest, ..., newest]
time_travel_to_snapshot(snapshot_id)
time_travel_to(index)  # Wrapper for UI sliders
time_travel_back() / time_travel_forward() / time_travel_to_head()

# Branch operations
create_branch(name, description) → Timeline
switch_branch(name)  # Switch and restore head state
delete_branch(name)  # Cannot delete "main"
list_branches() → Dict[str, Timeline]

Time-Travel Widget (status bar)

• Slider: Scrub through history (0 = oldest, max = head)
• Back/Forward/HEAD buttons: Step through history
• Branch dropdown: Switch between branches (auto-sizes to content)
• "Saves only" checkbox: Skip to save points only
• Browse button: Opens full SnapshotBrowserWindow
• Event-based updates: No polling timer

Declarative Shortcuts (NEW)

@dataclass(frozen=True)
class ShortcutConfig:
    time_travel_back: Shortcut = Shortcut("Ctrl+Z", ...)
    time_travel_forward: Shortcut = Shortcut("Ctrl+Y", ...)
    time_travel_to_head: Shortcut = Shortcut("Ctrl+Shift+Y", ...)

• Application-level event filter intercepts Ctrl+Z/Y
• Time-travel takes priority over widget undo/redo

---

AbstractTableBrowser ABC (NEW)

Generic ABC for searchable table views with <100 lines per subclass.

class AbstractTableBrowser(QWidget, ABC):
    @abstractmethod
    def get_columns(self) -> List[ColumnDef]: ...

    @abstractmethod
    def get_row_data(self, item: Any) -> Dict[str, Any]: ...

Browser	Columns	Used By
FunctionTableBrowser	Name, Module, Backend, Contract, Tags	FunctionSelectorDialog
ImageTableBrowser	Dynamic (set_metadata_keys())	ImageBrowserWidget
SnapshotTableBrowser	Index, Time, Label, States	SnapshotBrowserWindow

---

Per-Field Styling System

Structured Text Rendering

@dataclass(frozen=True)
class Segment:
    text: str
    field_path: Optional[str] = None  # None=no styling, ''=root

@dataclass
class StyledTextLayout:
    name: Segment
    first_line_segments: List[Segment]
    preview_segments: List[Segment]
    multiline: bool = False

Visual Semantics

• Underline = field differs from signature default (explicitly set)
• Asterisk (*) = resolved value differs from saved (dirty/unsaved)
• Asterisks are NEVER underlined

---

Core: ObjectState with Flat Storage + ObjectStateRegistry

Files: openhcs/config_framework/object_state.py (~1200 lines)

ObjectStateRegistry (Singleton)
├── _states: Dict[str, ObjectState]       # Keyed by scope_id
├── _token: int                           # Global change token
├── _snapshots: Dict[str, Snapshot]       # DAG storage (NEW)
├── _timelines: Dict[str, Timeline]       # Branch pointers (NEW)
├── register(state) / unregister(state)
├── get_by_scope(scope_id) → ObjectState
├── get_token() / increment_token()
├── get_ancestor_objects(scope_id, use_saved) → List[Any]
├── unregister_scope_and_descendants(scope_id) → int
├── time_travel_to_snapshot(id) / get_branch_history()  # (NEW)
└── create_branch() / switch_branch() / delete_branch()  # (NEW)

ObjectState (per config object) - FLAT STORAGE
├── object_instance: Any                  # Backing object
├── parameters: Dict[str, Any]            # FLAT dotted paths
├── _path_to_type: Dict[str, type]        # MRO container types
├── _live_resolved / _saved_resolved: Dict
├── _on_resolved_changed_callbacks: List
├── _on_dirty_changed_callbacks: List
└── Methods: update_parameter(), to_object(), get_dirty_fields(), etc.

Deleted: LiveContextService (364 lines → 0)

LiveContextService	→ ObjectStateRegistry
_token: int	_token: int (class-level)
increment_token()	increment_token()
collect() + merge_ancestor_values()	get_ancestor_objects(scope_id, use_saved)

---

Reactive Dirty Tracking System

ObjectState Callbacks

• on_dirty_changed() / off_dirty_changed(): Subscribe to dirty↔clean transitions
• get_dirty_fields(): Returns field paths where _live_resolved != _saved_resolved
• is_field_dirty(field_name): Check single field

UI Components

• LabelWithHelp: set_dirty_indicator() for asterisk (*) prefix
• ParameterFormManager: Subscribes to on_dirty_changed for reactive updates
• ConfigHierarchyTreeHelper: _path_to_item mapping for tree item styling
• AbstractManagerWidget: Subscribes for list item updates

---

Scope-Based Visual Feedback System

CIELAB Perceptual Colors

• L* values: 30 (dark), 55 (mid), 80 (light) - perceptually equidistant
• tint_color_perceptual() replaces simple RGB scaling

Color Strategy

• IndexBasedStrategy: 12-color primary palette
• Orchestrators (plates): BASE color by hash
• Steps: Inherit base, vary by tint + pattern (3 tints × 4 patterns = 12 combos)

Files Added

• scope_visual_config.py, scope_color_strategy.py, scope_color_utils.py, scope_color_service.py, scoped_border_mixin.py

---

WindowManager Singleton-Per-Scope

class WindowManager:
    _windows: Dict[str, QWidget]  # scope_key → window
    show_or_focus(scope_key, factory) → QWidget
    register(scope_key, window)
    is_open(scope_key) → bool

Windows Migrated: ConfigWindow, DualEditorWindow, PlateViewerWindow, MetadataViewerDialog

---

Dual SAVED/LIVE Thread-Local Pattern

Problem: Single thread-local updated on every keystroke caused timing issues.

Solution: Two separate contexts:

• SAVED: What compiler sees (updated on Save)
• LIVE: What UI sees (updated on keystroke)

# global_config.py
set_saved_global_config() / get_saved_global_config()
set_live_global_config() / get_live_global_config()

# compiler.py uses use_live_global=False

---

Click-to-Source Provenance Navigation

• ProvenanceLabel: Click navigates to source config window and flashes the field
• UI-Hidden Type Handling: Finds visible subclass when source has _ui_hidden=True

---

Final Architecture

Core: ObjectState with Flat Storage + ObjectStateRegistry

Files:

• openhcs/config_framework/object_state.py (2507 lines - contains both ObjectStateRegistry + ObjectState)
• openhcs/config_framework/snapshot_model.py (137 lines - Snapshot/Timeline dataclasses)
• openhcs/pyqt_gui/widgets/shared/parameter_form_manager.py (1049 lines - down from 1209)

ObjectStateRegistry (Singleton) - Class-level on ObjectState
├── _states: Dict[str, ObjectState]                      # Keyed by scope_id
├── _token: int                                          # Global change token
├── _change_callbacks: List[Callable]                    # Cross-window refresh listeners
├── _on_register_callbacks: List[Callable]               # Registration event listeners
├── _on_unregister_callbacks: List[Callable]             # Unregistration event listeners
├── _on_time_travel_complete_callbacks: List[Callable]   # Time-travel completion listeners
├── _on_history_changed_callbacks: List[Callable]        # History change listeners (UI sync)
│
├── # DAG Time-Travel Storage (NEW)
├── _snapshots: Dict[str, Snapshot]                      # id → Snapshot (NEVER deleted)
├── _timelines: Dict[str, Timeline]                      # name → Timeline (branches)
├── _current_timeline: str = "main"                      # Active branch name
├── _current_head: Optional[str]                         # None = at head (live), else = time-traveling
│
├── # Core Methods
├── register(state) / unregister(state)
├── get_by_scope(scope_id) → ObjectState
├── get_all() → List[ObjectState]
├── get_token() / increment_token()
├── get_ancestor_objects(scope_id, use_saved=False) → List[Any]
├── unregister_scope_and_descendants(scope_id) → int
│
├── # Time-Travel Methods (NEW)
├── record_snapshot(label, triggering_scope)             # Add to DAG, auto-branch on diverge
├── time_travel_to_snapshot(id) → bool                   # Restore all states from snapshot
├── time_travel_back() / time_travel_forward() → bool    # Navigate within branch
├── time_travel_to_head() → bool                         # Return to live state
├── get_branch_history(branch_name) → List[Snapshot]     # [oldest..newest]
├── get_current_history_index() → int                    # -1 if at head
├── is_time_traveling() → bool                           # True if viewing historical state
│
├── # Branch Methods (NEW)
├── create_branch(name) → Timeline
├── switch_branch(name) → bool
├── delete_branch(name)
├── list_branches() → List[Dict]
├── get_current_branch() → str
│
└── # Persistence Methods (NEW)
    ├── export_history_to_dict() → Dict
    ├── import_history_from_dict(data)
    ├── save_history_to_file(filepath)
    └── load_history_from_file(filepath)

ObjectState (per config object) - FLAT STORAGE
├── object_instance: Any                  # Backing object (dataclass, callable)
├── parameters: Dict[str, Any]            # FLAT dotted paths: {'config.well_filter': ...}
├── _path_to_type: Dict[str, type]        # Maps paths to container types for MRO
├── _cached_object: Optional[Any]         # Lazy-reconstructed full nested object
├── _excluded_params: Dict[str, Any]      # Required params (e.g., FunctionStep.func)
├── _exclude_param_names: List[str]       # Names to exclude on restore_saved()
├── _saved_parameters: Dict[str, Any]     # Snapshot for restore diff
├── scope_id: str                         # Hierarchical: "plate::step_N::func_M"
├── _parent_state: ObjectState            # For context derivation
├── _signature_defaults: Dict             # For reset functionality
├── _live_resolved: Dict                  # Cached resolved values (live ancestor context)
├── _saved_resolved: Dict                 # Baseline at save time (saved ancestor context)
├── _live_provenance: Dict[str, Tuple]    # Maps path → (source_scope_id, source_type)
├── _dirty_fields: Set[str]               # Materialized diff: live != saved
├── _signature_diff_fields: Set[str]      # Materialized diff: params != defaults
├── _invalid_fields: Set[str]             # Fields needing partial recompute
├── _in_reset: bool                       # Flag for batch reset operations
├── _block_cross_window_updates: bool     # Flag to prevent recursive updates
│
├── # Callback Lists
├── _on_resolved_changed_callbacks: List  # Resolved value changes
├── _on_saved_resolved_changed_callbacks: List  # Saved baseline changes
├── _on_parameters_changed_callbacks: List # Parameter changes (label styling)
├── _on_dirty_changed_callbacks: List     # Dirty state transitions
│
└── Methods:
    ├── # Parameter Management
    ├── update_parameter(name, value)     # Enforces cache invalidation invariant
    ├── reset_parameter(name)
    ├── get_resolved_value(name) → Any
    ├── get_current_values() → Dict
    ├── to_object() → Any                 # BOUNDARY: reconstruct nested dataclass
    ├── find_path_for_type(type) → str
    ├── resolve_for_type(type) → Dict
    │
    ├── # Dirty Tracking
    ├── save_baseline() / is_dirty()
    ├── mark_saved()
    ├── get_dirty_fields() → Set[str]
    ├── is_field_dirty(field_name) → bool
    ├── get_dirty_sections() → Set[str]
    │
    └── # Callbacks
        ├── on_resolved_changed(callback) / off_resolved_changed(callback)
        ├── on_saved_resolved_changed(callback) / off_saved_resolved_changed(callback)
        ├── on_parameters_changed(callback) / off_parameters_changed(callback)
        └── on_dirty_changed(callback) / off_dirty_changed(callback)

---

Before/After: Class Structure

ObjectState Storage

classDiagram
    class ObjectState_Before {
        +parameters: Dict[str, Any]
        +nested_states: Dict[str, ObjectState]
        Note: Hierarchical - each nested config
        Note: has its own ObjectState
    }

    class ObjectState_After {
        +parameters: Dict[str, Any]
        +_path_to_type: Dict[str, type]
        +_cached_object: Optional[Any]
        +_saved_parameters: Dict[str, Any]
        +_live_resolved: Dict
        +_saved_resolved: Dict
        +_on_resolved_changed_callbacks: List
        +_on_saved_resolved_changed_callbacks: List
        +_on_parameters_changed_callbacks: List
        +_on_dirty_changed_callbacks: List
        +to_object() Any
        +find_path_for_type(type) str
        +resolve_for_type(type) Dict
        +on_resolved_changed(callback)
        +on_saved_resolved_changed(callback)
        +on_parameters_changed(callback)
        +on_dirty_changed(callback)
        +get_dirty_fields() Set~str~
        +is_field_dirty(name) bool
        Note: FLAT - dotted paths like
        Note: 'config.well_filter_mode'
    }

    class NestedObjectState {
        <<DELETED>>
        +parameters: Dict
        +nested_states: Dict
    }

    ObjectState_Before --> NestedObjectState : nested_states['config']
    NestedObjectState --> NestedObjectState : nested_states['sub']

    ObjectState_After --> ObjectState_After : NO nesting - flat paths

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ParameterFormManager (PFM)

classDiagram
    class PFM_Before {
        -object_instance: Any
        -field_id: str
        -context_obj: Any
        -scope_id: str
        -parameters: Dict
        -param_defaults: Dict
        -_user_set_fields: Set
        -reset_fields: Set
        -saved_parameters: Dict
        -saved_user_set_fields: Set
        -saved_reset_fields: Set
        -widgets: Dict
        -nested_managers: Dict
        +get_current_values()
        +get_user_modified_values()
        +_get_reset_value()
        +create_widget()
        1209 lines
    }

    class PFM_After {
        -state: ObjectState
        -config: FormManagerConfig
        -widgets: Dict
        -labels: Dict
        -nested_managers: Dict
        +parameters: property → scoped view
        +scope_id: property → state.scope_id
        +field_prefix: str
        1049 lines
    }

    class FormManagerConfig {
        +field_prefix: str
        +parent_manager: PFM
        Note: field_prefix scopes nested PFMs
        Note: to subset of flat parameters
    }

    class ObjectState {
        +object_instance: Any
        +parameters: Dict~str, Any~
        +_path_to_type: Dict~str, type~
        +scope_id: str
        +_signature_defaults: Dict
        +_live_resolved: Dict
        +_saved_resolved: Dict
        +_saved_parameters: Dict
        +_dirty_fields: Set~str~
        +_live_provenance: Dict
        +_on_resolved_changed_callbacks: List
        +_on_dirty_changed_callbacks: List
        +update_parameter()
        +reset_parameter()
        +get_resolved_value()
        +to_object()
        +get_dirty_fields()
        +is_field_dirty()
        Note: Part of object_state.py
        Note: 2507 lines total file
    }

    PFM_After --> ObjectState : delegates MODEL
    PFM_After --> FormManagerConfig : scoping via field_prefix

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System Architecture

classDiagram
    class ObjectStateRegistry {
        <<Singleton - class-level on ObjectState>>
        -_states: Dict~str, ObjectState~
        -_token: int
        -_change_callbacks: List
        -_on_register_callbacks: List
        -_on_unregister_callbacks: List
        -_on_time_travel_complete_callbacks: List
        -_on_history_changed_callbacks: List
        -_snapshots: Dict~str, Snapshot~
        -_timelines: Dict~str, Timeline~
        -_current_timeline: str
        -_current_head: Optional~str~
        +register(state)
        +unregister(state)
        +get_by_scope(scope_id) ObjectState
        +get_all() List~ObjectState~
        +get_token() int
        +increment_token()
        +connect_listener(callback)
        +get_ancestor_objects(scope_id, use_saved) List~Any~
        +unregister_scope_and_descendants(scope_id) int
        +record_snapshot(label, scope)
        +time_travel_to_snapshot(id)
        +time_travel_back() / time_travel_forward()
        +time_travel_to_head()
        +get_branch_history(name) List~Snapshot~
        +create_branch(name) / switch_branch(name)
        +delete_branch(name) / list_branches()
        +export_history_to_dict() / import_history_from_dict()
    }

    class LiveContextService {
        <<DELETED - 364 lines>>
        Functionality moved to
        ObjectStateRegistry
    }

    class ObjectState {
        +parameters: Dict~str, Any~
        +_path_to_type: Dict~str, type~
        +_live_resolved: Dict
        +_saved_resolved: Dict
        +_dirty_fields: Set~str~
        +_live_provenance: Dict
        +_on_resolved_changed_callbacks: List
        +_on_dirty_changed_callbacks: List
        +to_object() Any
        +resolve_for_type(type) Dict
        +on_resolved_changed(callback)
        +off_resolved_changed(callback)
        +on_dirty_changed(callback)
        +off_dirty_changed(callback)
        +get_dirty_fields() Set~str~
        +is_field_dirty(name) bool
    }

    class PFM {
        +state: ObjectState
        +config: FormManagerConfig
        +field_prefix: str
        +parameters: property
    }

    class AbstractManagerWidget {
        +_flash_subscriptions: Dict
        +_dirty_subscriptions: Dict
        +_flash_start_times: Dict~str, float~
        +_format_list_item() str
        +_format_item_content() str
        +_get_dirty_marker() str
        +_subscribe_flash_for_item()
        +queue_flash()
        +get_flash_color_for_key()
        Note: ABC handles dirty markers
        Note: AND flash animations via FlashMixin
    }

    class FlashMixin {
        +_flash_start_times: Dict~str, float~
        +_flash_registrations: List
        +queue_flash(key)
        +queue_flash_local(key)
        +get_flash_color_for_key(key)
        +compute_flash_color_at_time()
        +reregister_flash_elements()
        Note: GAME ENGINE architecture
        Note: O(1) per window via overlay
    }

    class _GlobalFlashCoordinator {
        <<Singleton>>
        +_mixins: Set~VisualUpdateMixin~
        +_timer: QTimer
        +register(mixin)
        +unregister(mixin)
        +_on_global_tick()
        Note: ONE 60fps timer for ALL windows
    }

    class WindowFlashOverlay {
        +_elements: Dict~str, List~FlashElement~~
        +paintEvent()
        Note: Renders ALL flash rectangles
        Note: in ONE paintEvent per window
    }

    class WindowManager {
        <<Singleton>>
        +_windows: Dict~str, QWidget~
        +show_or_focus()
        +register()
        +unregister()
        +is_open()
        Note: ONE window per scope
    }

    ObjectStateRegistry --> ObjectState : manages
    PFM --> ObjectState : references (shared)
    PFM --> PFM : nested via field_prefix
    AbstractManagerWidget --> ObjectStateRegistry : dirty marker + flash lookup
    AbstractManagerWidget --> ObjectState : flash + dirty subscriptions
    AbstractManagerWidget --|> FlashMixin : inherits
    PFM --|> FlashMixin : inherits (groupbox flash)
    FlashMixin --> _GlobalFlashCoordinator : registers with
    FlashMixin --> WindowFlashOverlay : uses

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---

Game Engine Flash Architecture

Problem

O(n) complexity per tick: N groupboxes = N color computations + N dict updates.

Solution: Paint-Time Color Computation

BEFORE: Timer tick → compute N colors → store in dict → N repaints
AFTER:  Timer tick → prune expired → ONE overlay.update() per window

Key Components

Component	Role
_GlobalFlashCoordinator	ONE 60fps timer for ALL windows
WindowFlashOverlay	Renders ALL flash rectangles in ONE paintEvent
FlashMixin	Stores only _flash_start_times, computes color during paint

Performance Metrics

Metric	Before	After	Improvement
Placeholder refreshes	569	152	73% ↓
LazyDtypeConfig refreshes	107	22	79% ↓
Flash timer per window	N	1	O(n) → O(1)

Additional Caches

• MRO Resolution Cache, Extract All Configs Cache, Scope ID Cache
• Groupbox Lookup Cache, Child Widget Caching, Geometry Cache Pre-computation

---

Bug Fixes (Critical)

Bug 1: Sibling Inheritance with Concrete Defaults

Problem: Fields with non-None static defaults failed to inherit from siblings.
Root Cause: dataclasses.replace() triggers lazy __getattribute__, baking resolved values.
Fix: New replace_raw() utility using object.__getattribute__ to bypass lazy resolution.

Bug 2: Nested Config Save Inheritance

Problem: Saving GlobalPipelineConfig with path_planning_config.well_filter_mode=None saved as INCLUDE.
Fix: get_current_values() reconstructs nested dataclass instances from flat parameters (preserves None).

Bug 3: Reset Value Incorrect

Problem: Resetting well_filter showed 4 instead of None.
Fix: Added _signature_defaults populated via UnifiedParameterAnalyzer(use_signature_defaults=True).

Bug 4: Cache Loading Resolution

Problem: Loading GlobalPipelineConfig from cache resolved None values to concrete values.
Fix: Use object.__getattribute__() in _migrate_dataclass() to get raw values.

Bug 5: Placeholder Staleness

Problem: GlobalPipelineConfig placeholders were 1 input behind.
Fix: ObjectStateRegistry._normalize_scope_id() treats None and "" as equivalent.

Bug 6: False Dirty Detection

Problem: Setting well_filter_mode from None (resolves to INCLUDE) to explicit INCLUDE showed as dirty.
Root Cause: Container entries stored in both parameters and _saved_resolved.
Fix: Skip container entries from resolved snapshots - only compare leaf fields.

Bug 7: func Field Reappearing

Problem: After closing DualEditorWindow and reopening, func field appeared in step editor.
Fix: Store _exclude_param_names in __init__ and pass to _extract_all_parameters_flat() in restore_saved().

Bug 8: Close-Window Stale Caches

Problem: Closing ConfigWindow without saving left stale values in descendant caches.
Fix: BaseFormDialog.closeEvent() now calls restore_saved() + increment_token().

Bug 9: Dual-Axis Saved Resolution

Problem: New ObjectStates created while ancestors have unsaved edits showed incorrect dirty state.
Fix: New use_saved parameter propagated through get_ancestor_objects() and _compute_resolved_snapshot().

Bug 10: Function Container Type Crash

Problem: Steps with function primitive parameters crashed with TypeError: function() missing required argument.
Fix: Skip non-dataclass container types in lazy resolution.

Bug 11: GroupBy.NONE vs None Semantic

Problem: FuncStepContractValidator set group_by=None, which means "inherit from parent".
Fix: Use GroupBy.NONE (explicit "no grouping") instead of None.

Bug 12: to_object() Missing Primitive Fields

Problem: to_object() only updated nested dataclass fields, losing primitive field edits.
Fix: Collect ALL top-level fields from parameters (primitives AND nested dataclasses).

Bug 13: Window Close Flash

Problem: Closing a window with unsaved changes didn't flash the list item.
Fix: Added callback emission after reverting values in ObjectState.restore_saved().

Bug 14: Step Editor Tree Flash

Problem: Step editor's config hierarchy tree didn't flash when values changed.
Fix: Added flash_manager parameter and register_repaint_callback() to StepParameterEditorWidget.

Bug 15: Cross-Scope Callback Propagation

Problem: Editing parent config didn't flash descendant list items.
Fix: Fire callbacks immediately after invalidating fields in _invalidate_field_in_matching_states().

Bug 16: Stale Subscriptions After Plate Switch

Problem: Switching plates while having a window open broke flashing completely.
Fix: Always call _cleanup_flash_subscriptions() at the start of EVERY list update.

Bug 17: Cross-Window Flash Contamination

Problem: Flashing 'step_0' in plate1 window also flashed 'step_0' in plate2 window.
Fix: Added _get_scoped_flash_key() that prepends scope_id to all flash keys.

Bug 18: ObjectState Registration Race

Problem: Opening StepParameterEditor before ObjectState was registered caused crashes.
Fix: Move _register_step_state() call BEFORE opening StepParameterEditor.

Bug 19: WindowFlashOverlay Memory Leak

Problem: Flash operations get progressively slower with each window open/close cycle.
Fix: Call cleanup_window() in BaseFormDialog.accept/reject/closeEvent.

Bug 20: Duplicate Element Registrations

Problem: Rectangle count grows indefinitely on each list update.
Fix: Added source_id field to FlashElement for deduplication by (key, source_id) pairs.

Bug 21: ObjectState Callbacks Never Unregistered

Problem: Closed windows still receive ObjectState change notifications.
Fix: Added state.off_resolved_changed() call to unregister_from_cross_window_updates().

Bug 22: Flash Only When Values Actually Change

Problem: Fields flashed even when resolved values didn't actually change.
Fix: Call _ensure_live_resolved(notify=True) immediately after invalidation.

Bug 23: Timer Running Forever

Problem: Global flash timer never stopped.
Fix: Always prune expired animations, repaint only when visible.

Bug 24: None Filtering Breaking Inheritance

Problem: Resetting a field to None didn't trigger inheritance from parent.
Fix: Removed None filtering in 9+ locations. None means "inherit from parent context".

Bug 25: List Items Not Flashing on Save

Problem: Saving parent config didn't flash child list items.
Fix: Added on_saved_resolved_changed() callback system for saved baseline changes.

Bug 26: Plate Deletion Resurrection

Problem: Deleted plates resurrected when re-added with same path.
Fix: Extended _perform_delete() to clean up both plate_configs and plate_pipelines dicts.

Bug 27: Cascade Deletion Missing

Problem: Deleting plates left orphaned step/function ObjectStates.
Fix: Added unregister_scope_and_descendants() for cascade deletion.

Bug 28: Step Editor Code Mode Crash

Problem: Clicking 'Code' button failed with AbstractStep.__init__() got unexpected keyword argument.
Fix: Use self.state.to_object() to properly reconstruct nested dataclass structure.

Bug 29: to_object() Leaf Field Confusion

Problem: Leaf fields on root object incorrectly treated as nested dataclasses.
Fix: Check field_type != root_type to distinguish leaf from nested.

Bug 30: Scope Styling Lost on Pane Add/Move

Problem: Adding/reordering function panes lost scope styling.
Fix: Added _scope_color_scheme storage, _reorder_function_panes(), and async callback registration.

Bug 31: Flash Fails on Window Reopen via Navigation

Problem: Flash failed with "NOT IN overlay._elements" after closing and reopening window.
Root Cause: Window overlay cleaned on close, but widgets didn't re-register with new overlay.
Fix: Track _flash_registrations list, add reregister_flash_elements() method, call in show() if overlay was cleaned.

New Features

Callback Systems

Callback	Purpose
on_resolved_changed()	Flash when resolved values change
on_saved_resolved_changed()	Flash list items when parent saves
on_parameters_changed()	Update label underline styling
on_dirty_changed()	Update asterisk (*) dirty markers

Label Underline Styling

• Underline = field value differs from signature default
• Auto-updates on parameter changes

Label Dirty Indicator

• Asterisk (*) prefix = resolved value differs from saved baseline
• Auto-updates on dirty state transitions

Animation Phases

• 'in': 100ms fade-in with OutQuad easing
• 'hold': 50ms at max flash color
• 'out': 350ms fade-out with InOutCubic easing

---

Dead Code Deleted

lazy_factory.py (~255 lines)

Deleted	Reason
CONTEXT_PROVIDERS registry	Never read
ContextProviderMeta class	Never used as metaclass
ContextProvider class	frame.f_locals manipulation is broken
InheritAsNoneMeta class (~70 lines)	Never used
_try_global_context_value()	Defined but never called

dual_axis_resolver.py (~258 lines)

Deleted	Reason
resolve_field_inheritance_old()	Legacy implementation
_is_related_config_type()	Replaced by _normalize_to_base()
_find_blocking_class_in_mro()	Obsolete with type normalization

LiveContextService (364 lines)

ENTIRE FILE DELETED - All functionality moved to ObjectStateRegistry.

---

Line Count Summary

File	Before	After	Delta
parameter_form_manager.py	1209	1049	-160
lazy_factory.py	1309	1119	-190
dual_axis_resolver.py	382	124	-258
live_context_service.py	364	0	-364
object_state.py	0	2507	+2507
snapshot_model.py	0	137	+137
flash_mixin.py	0	~600	+600
scope_color_*.py (4 files)	0	~400	+400
abstract_table_browser.py	0	274	+274
time_travel_widget.py	0	~350	+350
snapshot_browser_window.py	0	214	+214
Net			~+3500

---

Testing Notes

Core Functionality

• Sibling Inheritance: Set WellFilterConfig.well_filter_mode=EXCLUDE at pipeline level, verify PathPlanningConfig inherits it
• Flat Storage: Open step editor, verify nested config fields display correctly
• Reset: Reset any field, verify it returns to signature default (None for lazy fields)
• Cache Load: Close app, reopen, verify lazy fields show placeholders (not resolved values)
• Cross-Window: Edit field in one window, verify other windows update
• Persistence: Open step, close, reopen - verify state persists without editor

Dirty Tracking

• False Dirty: Set explicit value equal to resolved default - should NOT show dirty marker
• func Exclusion: Open step editor, close, reopen - func should NOT appear in step tab
• Close-Window Refresh: Edit value in config window, close without saving - other windows should show original value
• Dirty Markers: Both PlateManager and PipelineEditor items should show * when dirty
• Reactive Dirty Labels: Edit a field - label should immediately show * prefix; save - * should disappear
• Reactive Dirty Tree Items: Edit a field - corresponding tree item should immediately show *; save - * should disappear
• Dirty Indicator on Form Open: Open a config window that already has dirty fields - labels should show * immediately

Flash Animations

• Flash Animation: Edit value in ConfigWindow - affected PlateManager/PipelineEditor items should briefly flash
• Fast Typing Flash: Type rapidly - flash should stay visible until animation completes after last keystroke
• Groupbox Flash: Edit value in form - affected groupbox should flash
• Tree Item Flash: Click tree item - both groupbox and tree item should flash together
• Window Close Flash: Close window with unsaved changes - same-level list item should flash
• Cross-Scope Flash: Edit pipeline config - all step list items should flash
• Plate Switch Flash: Switch plates, edit value - flashing should still work correctly
• Flash on Window Reopen: Open GlobalPipelineConfig via provenance label click, close, reopen via same label - flash should work on second open

Scope & Performance

• Performance: Open multiple windows, type rapidly - should feel responsive (73% fewer placeholder refreshes)
• Scope Colors: Different plates have different border colors
• Step Index Colors: Steps 0, 1, 2 have different border patterns/tints
• Window Singleton: Opening same step twice focuses existing window
• Code Mode: Click 'Code' in step editor - should open code editor without crash
• Function Pane Styling: Add/move function panes - styling should persist

Time-Travel (NEW)

• Slider Navigation: Use slider to scrub through history, verify state restores correctly
• Branch Creation: Make edit while time-traveling, verify auto-branch is created
• Branch Switch: Switch between branches, verify state restores correctly
• Snapshot Browser: Open browser, verify all snapshots listed with correct metadata
• Ctrl+Z/Y: Use keyboard shortcuts, verify time-travel works

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Pull request overview

This PR implements Phase 1-7 of the ObjectState extraction plan, separating the MODEL layer from ParameterFormManager to achieve proper MVC architecture. The core change extracts configuration state management into a new ObjectState class that persists independently of UI widgets, with lifecycle tied to domain objects (steps, orchestrators) rather than UI dialogs.

Key changes:

• New ObjectState and ObjectStateRegistry classes provide persistent state management
• ParameterFormManager refactored to delegate MODEL concerns to ObjectState
• Lifecycle owners (PipelineEditor, PlateManager, App) now register ObjectStates when objects are created

Reviewed changes

Copilot reviewed 23 out of 23 changed files in this pull request and generated 7 comments.

Show a summary per file

File	Description
openhcs/config_framework/object_state.py	New ObjectState MODEL class and registry singleton extracted from PFM
openhcs/pyqt_gui/widgets/shared/parameter_form_manager.py	Refactored to accept ObjectState and delegate MODEL to it; maintains backward compatibility
openhcs/pyqt_gui/widgets/pipeline_editor.py	Registers/unregisters step ObjectStates on add/delete; uses registry for state lookup
openhcs/pyqt_gui/widgets/plate_manager.py	Registers PipelineConfig ObjectState when orchestrator initialized
openhcs/pyqt_gui/app.py	Registers GlobalPipelineConfig ObjectState at app startup
openhcs/pyqt_gui/widgets/step_parameter_editor.py	Looks up step ObjectState from registry with fallback creation
openhcs/pyqt_gui/widgets/function_pane.py	Creates local ObjectState for function parameters (not registered)
openhcs/pyqt_gui/widgets/image_browser.py	Creates local ObjectStates for napari/fiji configs (not registered)
openhcs/pyqt_gui/windows/*.py	Updated standalone tools to create local ObjectStates
openhcs/pyqt_gui/dialogs/metadata_viewer_dialog.py	Creates local ObjectStates for metadata viewing
openhcs/introspection/signature_analyzer.py	Defensive fix for None docstring_info.parameters
plans/object_state_extraction/*.md	Documentation of architecture and implementation plan

Comments suppressed due to low confidence (2)

openhcs/pyqt_gui/widgets/shared/parameter_form_manager.py:670

• The nested ObjectState is created at lines 633-639 but is never added to self.state.nested_states. The code only stores the nested PFM in self.nested_managers (line 670), but the ObjectState's nested_states dictionary (defined in object_state.py line 226) is never populated. This breaks the nested state hierarchy that ObjectState is supposed to manage.

Either:

1. Add self.state.nested_states[param_name] = nested_state after creating the nested state
2. Or remove the nested_states attribute from ObjectState if PFM is still responsible for managing the nested manager hierarchy

        nested_state = ObjectState(
            object_instance=object_instance,
            field_id=field_path,
            scope_id=None,  # Inherits from parent_state
            context_obj=self.context_obj,
            parent_state=self.state,  # Link to parent state
        )

        # DELEGATE TO NEW CONSTRUCTOR: Use simplified constructor with FormManagerConfig
        # Nested managers use parent manager's scope_id for cross-window grouping
        nested_config = FormManagerConfig(
            parent=self,
            parent_manager=self,  # Pass parent manager so setup_ui() can detect nested configs
            color_scheme=self.config.color_scheme,
        )
        nested_manager = ParameterFormManager(
            state=nested_state,
            config=nested_config
        )

        # Inherit lazy/global editing context from parent so resets behave correctly in nested forms
        # CRITICAL FIX: Nested forms must inherit is_global_config_editing from parent
        # This ensures GLOBAL_STATIC_DEFAULTS layer is applied to nested forms when editing GlobalPipelineConfig
        # Without this, reset fields show stale loaded values instead of static defaults
        try:
            nested_manager.config.is_lazy_dataclass = self.config.is_lazy_dataclass
            nested_manager.config.is_global_config_editing = self.config.is_global_config_editing
        except Exception:
            pass

        # DISPATCHER ARCHITECTURE: No signal connection needed here.
        # The FieldChangeDispatcher handles all nested changes:
        # - Sibling refresh via isinstance() check
        # - Cross-window via full path construction
        # - Parent doesn't need to listen to nested changes

        # Store nested manager
        self.nested_managers[param_name] = nested_manager

openhcs/pyqt_gui/widgets/pipeline_editor.py:893

• [nitpick] After deleting steps in _perform_delete (line 886-888), the code calls _normalize_step_scope_tokens() at line 893. This method calls _register_step_state(step) for each remaining step (line 659), which will re-register ObjectStates for all surviving steps. However, the registration check at line 668-670 prevents duplicate registrations. This is correct but could be more efficient - consider documenting this re-registration pattern or separating the token normalization from the registration logic to avoid unnecessary lookup checks on every delete operation.

        # Unregister ObjectStates for deleted steps
        for step in items:
            self._unregister_step_state(step)

        # Build set of steps to delete (by identity, not equality)
        steps_to_delete = set(id(step) for step in items)
        self.pipeline_steps = [s for s in self.pipeline_steps if id(s) not in steps_to_delete]
        self._normalize_step_scope_tokens()

---

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[Copilot]

The plan document indicates Phase 1 is "✅ COMPLETE" and mentions Phase 8 should "Replace LiveContextService with ObjectStateRegistry". However, based on the PR description, Phase 8 is marked as "⬜ Phase 8: LiveContextService uses ObjectStateRegistry for discovery". The implementation appears to be at Phase 7 (completed Phases 1-7), not a complete replacement of LiveContextService.

The checklist in lines 293-294 shows Phase 1 as "⬜" (incomplete), which contradicts the status note at line 60 that says "✅ COMPLETE". Please update the checklist to accurately reflect that Phases 1-7 are complete.

Suggested change

	| `get_user_modified_values()` | Delegate to `state.get_user_modified_values()` |
	| `get_current_values()` | Delegate to `state.get_current_values()` |
	| Parameter extraction logic | ObjectState does this on creation |
	**Simplified PFM (final form):**
	```python
	4. ✅ Phase 1: Add ObjectState creation points
	5. ✅ Phase 2-3: Update PFM constructor + properties
	6. ✅ Phase 4: Update FieldChangeDispatcher
	7. ✅ Phase 5: Update placeholder resolution
	8. ✅ Phase 6: Nested ObjectState creation
	9. ✅ Phase 7: Update callers

[Copilot]

[nitpick] The plan document states "Phase 8: Replace LiveContextService with ObjectStateRegistry" but the implementation notes show this is not a replacement, rather an integration where LiveContextService uses ObjectStateRegistry for discovery. The wording should be updated to "Phase 8: LiveContextService uses ObjectStateRegistry for discovery" to match the actual implementation approach described in the PR summary and in line 230-233.

Suggested change

	def __init__(self, pipeline_config, ...):
	#### Phase 8: LiveContextService uses ObjectStateRegistry for discovery

[Copilot]

[nitpick] PFM now binds to state.reset_fields and state._user_set_fields by reference (lines 295-296), but also initializes its own flags _block_cross_window_updates and _in_reset at line 299. This creates a dual-state situation where some flags are in ObjectState and some are in PFM. Consider moving all flags to ObjectState for consistency, or document clearly why these specific flags remain PFM-specific.

Suggested change

	)
	self._initial_load_complete = False
	# _block_cross_window_updates and _in_reset are now managed in ObjectState for consistency.

[Copilot]

[nitpick] The title "Phase 1: ObjectState Creation Points (new code)" has been manually corrected from the original plan. Line 60 in the file shows "#### Phase 1: ObjectState Creation Points ✅ COMPLETE" but this header at line 60 says "(new code)" which is inconsistent. The status note should match - either add the completion marker or remove "new code" since this phase is marked complete in the description.

Suggested change

	#### Phase 1: ObjectState Creation Points ✅ COMPLETE
	#### Phase 1: ObjectState Creation Points ✅ COMPLETE

[Copilot]

[nitpick] The update_parameter method has an early return at line 257 if the parameter is not in self.parameters, but this silently ignores updates to unknown parameters. Consider logging a warning when this happens to help with debugging, especially during the migration period where parameter names might be mismatched between ObjectState and callers.

Suggested change

	return ParameterTypeUtils.get_optional_inner_type(param_type)
	if param_name not in self.parameters:
	logger.warning(
	"Attempted to update unknown parameter '%s' in ObjectState (field_id=%r, available=%r). Ignoring.",
	param_name, self.field_id, list(self.parameters.keys())
	)

[Copilot]

The fallback ObjectState creation at lines 120-128 is only for backward compatibility, but it doesn't register the state with ObjectStateRegistry.register(). This means if the state isn't found in the registry, the locally created state will not be visible to LiveContextService or other components that query the registry. Consider either:

1. Registering the fallback state with the registry
2. Logging a warning that the state wasn't pre-registered (indicates a bug in the lifecycle management)
3. Removing the fallback entirely once the migration is complete

The same issue exists in other files where fallback ObjectState creation happens without registration.

Suggested change

	scope_id=self.scope_id,
	ObjectStateRegistry.register(state)