Experimental Physics and
Industrial Control System

"Kasemir, Kay via Tech-talk" <tech-talk at aps.anl.gov> · Mon, 25 Jan 2021 21:43:31 +0000

> I can open it from the Window->Open Layout menu, but I was wondering if 
> there is a way to open a layout from a command line parameter.  I would 
> like to create a wrapper that starts phoebus with the alarm layout.

Right now there is no "-open_layout" type command line option, but you can do the following:

Create the layout that you want, for example with alarm tree to the left, alarm table at the bottom, both of those panes 'locked' so they remain open, and another larger empty section where displays etc. will be opened.
Exit phoebus.
That layout will be stored in a file named "memento" in the "user" location, which defaults to $HOME/.phoebus.
(You can change that 'phoebus.user' location, see https://control-system-studio.readthedocs.io/en/latest/locations.html)

If you now start phoebus again, it uses that $HOME/.phoebus/memento for its initial layout.
You can make that file read-only, so when you move things around and exit phoebus, it won't replace the memento, and on the next start you'll be back with your alarm layout.

Another idea if you want for all users to be able to start with that layout: Copy that "memento" file into some other location, say /usr/share/phoebus/alarm.memento.
Create a "/usr/local/bin/phoebus_alarm.sh" script that starts phoebus as usual but with the following additions:

cp /usr/share/phoebus/alarm.memento $HOME/.phoebus/memento
... start phoebus as usual

So if people start Phoebus the usual way, it'll start with the last-saved layout, but when you use that special start script, the last-saved layout will be set to your alarm layout.

-Kay

Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System

Experimental Physics and
Industrial Control System