piker/brokers/binance/feed.py

@@ -275,9 +275,15 @@ async def open_history_client(
                     f'{times}'
                 )
 
+            # XXX, debug any case where the latest 1m bar we get is
+            # already another "sample's-step-old"..
             if end_dt is None:
                 inow: int = round(time.time())
-                if (inow - times[-1]) > 60:
+                if (
+                    _time_step := (inow - times[-1])
+                    >
+                    timeframe * 2
+                ):
                     await tractor.pause()
 
             start_dt = from_timestamp(times[0])

piker/brokers/ib/_util.py

@@ -250,7 +250,9 @@ async def vnc_click_hack(
         'connection': 'r'
     }[reset_type]
 
-    with tractor.devx.open_crash_handler():
+    with tractor.devx.open_crash_handler(
+        ignore={TimeoutError,},
+    ):
         client = await AsyncVNCClient.connect(
             VNCConfig(
                 host=host,
@@ -331,7 +333,14 @@ def i3ipc_xdotool_manual_click_hack() -> None:
 
     '''
     focussed, matches = i3ipc_fin_wins_titled()
-    orig_win_id = focussed.window
+    try:
+        orig_win_id = focussed.window
+    except AttributeError:
+        # XXX if .window cucks we prolly aren't intending to
+        # use this and/or just woke up from suspend..
+        log.exception('xdotool invalid usage ya ??\n')
+        return
+
     try:
         for name, con in matches:
             print(f'Resetting data feed for {name}')

piker/brokers/ib/api.py

@@ -1187,7 +1187,7 @@ async def load_aio_clients(
     # the API TCP in `ib_insync` connection can be flaky af so instead
     # retry a few times to get the client going..
     connect_retries: int = 3,
-    connect_timeout: float = 10,
+    connect_timeout: float = 30,  # in case a remote-host
     disconnect_on_exit: bool = True,
 
 ) -> dict[str, Client]:

piker/brokers/ib/feed.py

@@ -178,8 +178,8 @@ async def open_history_client(
 
         async def get_hist(
             timeframe: float,
-            end_dt: datetime | None = None,
-            start_dt: datetime | None = None,
+            end_dt: datetime|None = None,
+            start_dt: datetime|None = None,
 
         ) -> tuple[np.ndarray, str]:
 
@@ -262,7 +262,38 @@ async def open_history_client(
             vlm = bars_array['volume']
             vlm[vlm < 0] = 0
 
-            return bars_array, first_dt, last_dt
+            # XXX, if a start-limit was passed ensure we only
+            # return history that far back!
+            if (
+                start_dt
+                and
+                first_dt < start_dt
+            ):
+                trimmed_bars = bars_array[
+                    bars_array['time'] >= start_dt.timestamp()
+                ]
+                if (
+                    trimmed_first_dt := from_timestamp(trimmed_bars['time'][0])
+                    !=
+                    start_dt
+                ):
+                    # TODO! rm this once we're more confident it never hits!
+                    breakpoint()
+                    raise RuntimeError(
+                        f'OHLC-bars array start is gt `start_dt` limit !!\n'
+                        f'start_dt: {start_dt}\n'
+                        f'first_dt: {first_dt}\n'
+                        f'trimmed_first_dt: {trimmed_first_dt}\n'
+                    )
+
+                # XXX, overwrite with start_dt-limited frame
+                bars_array = trimmed_bars
+
+            return (
+                bars_array,
+                first_dt,
+                last_dt,
+            )
 
         # TODO: it seems like we can do async queries for ohlc
         # but getting the order right still isn't working and I'm not
@@ -397,7 +428,7 @@ async def get_bars(
 
     # blank to start which tells ib to look up the latest datum
     end_dt: str = '',
-    start_dt: str | None = '',
+    start_dt: str|None = '',
 
     # TODO: make this more dynamic based on measured frame rx latency?
     # how long before we trigger a feed reset (seconds)
@@ -451,6 +482,8 @@ async def get_bars(
                     dt_duration,
                 ) = await proxy.bars(
                     fqme=fqme,
+                    # XXX TODO! lol we're not using this..
+                    # start_dt=start_dt,
                     end_dt=end_dt,
                     sample_period_s=timeframe,
 
@@ -1082,6 +1115,7 @@ async def stream_quotes(
 
         con: Contract = details.contract
         first_ticker: Ticker|None = None
+        first_quote: dict[str, Any] = {}
 
         timeout: float = 1.6
         with trio.move_on_after(timeout) as quote_cs:
@@ -1134,15 +1168,14 @@ async def stream_quotes(
                 first_quote,
             ))
 
-            # it's not really live but this will unblock
-            # the brokerd feed task to tell the ui to update?
-            feed_is_live.set()
-
             # block and let data history backfill code run.
             # XXX obvi given the venue is closed, we never expect feed
             # to come up; a taskc should be the only way to
             # terminate this task.
             await trio.sleep_forever()
+            #
+            # ^^XXX^^TODO! INSTEAD impl a `trio.sleep()` for the
+            # duration until the venue opens!!
 
         # ?TODO, we could instead spawn a task that waits on a feed
         # to start and let it wait indefinitely..instead of this
@@ -1166,6 +1199,9 @@ async def stream_quotes(
             'Rxed init quote:\n'
             f'{pformat(first_quote)}'
         )
+        # signal `.data.feed` layer that mkt quotes are LIVE
+        feed_is_live.set()
+
         cs: trio.CancelScope|None = None
         startup: bool = True
         iter_quotes: trio.abc.Channel
@@ -1213,55 +1249,12 @@ async def stream_quotes(
                     tn.start_soon(reset_on_feed)
 
                     async with aclosing(iter_quotes):
-                        # if syminfo.get('no_vlm', False):
-                        if not init_msg.shm_write_opts['has_vlm']:
-
-                            # generally speaking these feeds don't
-                            # include vlm data.
-                            atype: str = mkt.dst.atype
-                            log.info(
-                                f'No-vlm {mkt.fqme}@{atype}, skipping quote poll'
-                            )
-
-                        else:
-                            # wait for real volume on feed (trading might be
-                            # closed)
-                            while True:
-                                ticker = await iter_quotes.receive()
-
-                                # for a real volume contract we rait for
-                                # the first "real" trade to take place
-                                if (
-                                    # not calc_price
-                                    # and not ticker.rtTime
-                                    False
-                                    # not ticker.rtTime
-                                ):
-                                    # spin consuming tickers until we
-                                    # get a real market datum
-                                    log.debug(f"New unsent ticker: {ticker}")
-                                    continue
-
-                                else:
-                                    log.debug("Received first volume tick")
-                                    # ugh, clear ticks since we've
-                                    # consumed them (ahem, ib_insync is
-                                    # truly stateful trash)
-                                    # ticker.ticks = []
-
-                                    # XXX: this works because we don't use
-                                    # ``aclosing()`` above?
-                                    break
-
-                            quote = normalize(ticker)
-                            log.debug(f"First ticker received {quote}")
-
                         # tell data-layer spawner-caller that live
                         # quotes are now active desptie not having
                         # necessarily received a first vlm/clearing
                         # tick.
                         ticker = await iter_quotes.receive()
-                        feed_is_live.set()
+                        quote = normalize(ticker)
                         fqme: str = quote['fqme']
                         await send_chan.send({fqme: quote})
 

piker/data/_sampling.py

@@ -80,20 +80,20 @@ class Sampler:
     This non-instantiated type is meant to be a singleton within
     a `samplerd` actor-service spawned once by the user wishing to
     time-step-sample (real-time) quote feeds, see
-    ``.service.maybe_open_samplerd()`` and the below
-    ``register_with_sampler()``.
+    `.service.maybe_open_samplerd()` and the below
+    `register_with_sampler()`.
 
     '''
-    service_nursery: None | trio.Nursery = None
+    service_nursery: None|trio.Nursery = None
 
-    # TODO: we could stick these in a composed type to avoid
-    # angering the "i hate module scoped variables crowd" (yawn).
+    # TODO: we could stick these in a composed type to avoid angering
+    # the "i hate module scoped variables crowd" (yawn).
     ohlcv_shms: dict[float, list[ShmArray]] = {}
 
     # holds one-task-per-sample-period tasks which are spawned as-needed by
     # data feed requests with a given detected time step usually from
     # history loading.
-    incr_task_cs: trio.CancelScope | None = None
+    incr_task_cs: trio.CancelScope|None = None
 
     bcast_errors: tuple[Exception] = (
         trio.BrokenResourceError,
@@ -249,8 +249,8 @@ class Sampler:
     async def broadcast(
         self,
         period_s: float,
-        time_stamp: float | None = None,
-        info: dict | None = None,
+        time_stamp: float|None = None,
+        info: dict|None = None,
 
     ) -> None:
         '''
@@ -315,7 +315,7 @@ class Sampler:
     @classmethod
     async def broadcast_all(
         self,
-        info: dict | None = None,
+        info: dict|None = None,
     ) -> None:
 
         # NOTE: take a copy of subs since removals can happen
@@ -332,12 +332,12 @@ class Sampler:
 async def register_with_sampler(
     ctx: Context,
     period_s: float,
-    shms_by_period: dict[float, dict] | None = None,
+    shms_by_period: dict[float, dict]|None = None,
 
     open_index_stream: bool = True,  # open a 2way stream for sample step msgs?
     sub_for_broadcasts: bool = True,  # sampler side to send step updates?
 
-) -> None:
+) -> set[int]:
 
     get_console_log(tractor.current_actor().loglevel)
     incr_was_started: bool = False
@@ -364,7 +364,12 @@ async def register_with_sampler(
 
             # insert the base 1s period (for OHLC style sampling) into
             # the increment buffer set to update and shift every second.
-            if shms_by_period is not None:
+            if (
+                shms_by_period is not None
+                # and
+                # feed_is_live.is_set()
+                # ^TODO? pass it in instead?
+            ):
                 from ._sharedmem import (
                     attach_shm_array,
                     _Token,
@@ -378,12 +383,17 @@ async def register_with_sampler(
                         readonly=False,
                     )
                     shms_by_period[period] = shm
-                    Sampler.ohlcv_shms.setdefault(period, []).append(shm)
+                    Sampler.ohlcv_shms.setdefault(
+                        period,
+                        [],
+                    ).append(shm)
 
                 assert Sampler.ohlcv_shms
 
             # unblock caller
-            await ctx.started(set(Sampler.ohlcv_shms.keys()))
+            await ctx.started(
+                set(Sampler.ohlcv_shms.keys())
+            )
 
             if open_index_stream:
                 try:
@@ -429,7 +439,7 @@ async def register_with_sampler(
 
 async def spawn_samplerd(
 
-    loglevel: str | None = None,
+    loglevel: str|None = None,
     **extra_tractor_kwargs
 
 ) -> bool:
@@ -475,7 +485,7 @@ async def spawn_samplerd(
 @acm
 async def maybe_open_samplerd(
 
-    loglevel: str | None = None,
+    loglevel: str|None = None,
     **pikerd_kwargs,
 
 ) -> tractor.Portal:  # noqa
@@ -500,11 +510,11 @@ async def maybe_open_samplerd(
 @acm
 async def open_sample_stream(
     period_s: float,
-    shms_by_period: dict[float, dict] | None = None,
+    shms_by_period: dict[float, dict]|None = None,
     open_index_stream: bool = True,
     sub_for_broadcasts: bool = True,
 
-    cache_key: str | None = None,
+    cache_key: str|None = None,
     allow_new_sampler: bool = True,
 
     ensure_is_active: bool = False,
@@ -535,6 +545,8 @@ async def open_sample_stream(
     #         yield bistream
     # else:
 
+    ctx: tractor.Context
+    shm_periods: set[int]  # in `int`-seconds
     async with (
         # XXX: this should be singleton on a host,
         # a lone broker-daemon per provider should be
@@ -549,10 +561,10 @@ async def open_sample_stream(
                 'open_index_stream': open_index_stream,
                 'sub_for_broadcasts': sub_for_broadcasts,
             },
-        ) as (ctx, first)
+        ) as (ctx, shm_periods)
     ):
         if ensure_is_active:
-            assert len(first) > 1
+            assert len(shm_periods) > 1
 
         async with (
             ctx.open_stream(

piker/data/_sharedmem.py

@@ -520,9 +520,12 @@ def open_shm_array(
 
     # "unlink" created shm on process teardown by
     # pushing teardown calls onto actor context stack
-    stack = tractor.current_actor().lifetime_stack
-    stack.callback(shmarr.close)
-    stack.callback(shmarr.destroy)
+    stack = tractor.current_actor(
+        err_on_no_runtime=False,
+    ).lifetime_stack
+    if stack:
+        stack.callback(shmarr.close)
+        stack.callback(shmarr.destroy)
 
     return shmarr
 
@@ -607,7 +610,10 @@ def attach_shm_array(
         _known_tokens[key] = token
 
     # "close" attached shm on actor teardown
-    tractor.current_actor().lifetime_stack.callback(sha.close)
+    if (actor := tractor.current_actor(
+        err_on_no_runtime=False,
+    )):
+        actor.lifetime_stack.callback(sha.close)
 
     return sha
 

piker/storage/__init__.py

@@ -43,7 +43,6 @@ from typing import (
 
 import numpy as np
 
-
 from .. import config
 from ..service import (
     check_for_service,
@@ -152,7 +151,10 @@ class StorageConnectionError(ConnectionError):
 
     '''
 
-def get_storagemod(name: str) -> ModuleType:
+def get_storagemod(
+    name: str,
+
+) -> ModuleType:
     mod: ModuleType = import_module(
         '.' + name,
         'piker.storage',
@@ -165,9 +167,12 @@ def get_storagemod(name: str) -> ModuleType:
 
 @acm
 async def open_storage_client(
-    backend: str | None = None,
+    backend: str|None = None,
 
-) -> tuple[ModuleType, StorageClient]:
+) -> tuple[
+    ModuleType,
+    StorageClient,
+]:
     '''
     Load the ``StorageClient`` for named backend.
 
@@ -267,7 +272,10 @@ async def open_tsdb_client(
     from ..data.feed import maybe_open_feed
 
     async with (
-        open_storage_client() as (_, storage),
+        open_storage_client() as (
+            _,
+            storage,
+        ),
 
         maybe_open_feed(
             [fqme],
@@ -275,7 +283,7 @@ async def open_tsdb_client(
 
         ) as feed,
     ):
-        profiler(f'opened feed for {fqme}')
+        profiler(f'opened feed for {fqme!r}')
 
         # to_append = feed.hist_shm.array
         # to_prepend = None

piker/storage/cli.py

@@ -19,16 +19,10 @@ Storage middle-ware CLIs.
 
 """
 from __future__ import annotations
-# from datetime import datetime
-# from contextlib import (
-#     AsyncExitStack,
-# )
 from pathlib import Path
-from math import copysign
 import time
 from types import ModuleType
 from typing import (
-    Any,
     TYPE_CHECKING,
 )
 
@@ -47,7 +41,6 @@ from piker.data import (
     ShmArray,
 )
 from piker import tsp
-from piker.data._formatters import BGM
 from . import log
 from . import (
     __tsdbs__,
@@ -242,122 +235,12 @@ def anal(
     trio.run(main)
 
 
-async def markup_gaps(
-    fqme: str,
-    timeframe: float,
-    actl: AnnotCtl,
-    wdts: pl.DataFrame,
-    gaps: pl.DataFrame,
-
-) -> dict[int, dict]:
-    '''
-    Remote annotate time-gaps in a dt-fielded ts (normally OHLC)
-    with rectangles.
-
-    '''
-    aids: dict[int] = {}
-    for i in range(gaps.height):
-
-        row: pl.DataFrame = gaps[i]
-
-        # the gap's RIGHT-most bar's OPEN value
-        # at that time (sample) step.
-        iend: int = row['index'][0]
-        # dt: datetime = row['dt'][0]
-        # dt_prev: datetime = row['dt_prev'][0]
-        # dt_end_t: float = dt.timestamp()
-
-
-        # TODO: can we eventually remove this
-        # once we figure out why the epoch cols
-        # don't match?
-        # TODO: FIX HOW/WHY these aren't matching
-        # and are instead off by 4hours (EST
-        # vs. UTC?!?!)
-        # end_t: float = row['time']
-        # assert (
-        #     dt.timestamp()
-        #     ==
-        #     end_t
-        # )
-
-        # the gap's LEFT-most bar's CLOSE value
-        # at that time (sample) step.
-        prev_r: pl.DataFrame = wdts.filter(
-            pl.col('index') == iend - 1
-        )
-        # XXX: probably a gap in the (newly sorted or de-duplicated)
-        # dt-df, so we might need to re-index first..
-        if prev_r.is_empty():
-            await tractor.pause()
-
-        istart: int = prev_r['index'][0]
-        # dt_start_t: float = dt_prev.timestamp()
-
-        # start_t: float = prev_r['time']
-        # assert (
-        #     dt_start_t
-        #     ==
-        #     start_t
-        # )
-
-        # TODO: implement px-col width measure
-        # and ensure at least as many px-cols
-        # shown per rect as configured by user.
-        # gap_w: float = abs((iend - istart))
-        # if gap_w < 6:
-        #     margin: float = 6
-        #     iend += margin
-        #     istart -= margin
-
-        rect_gap: float = BGM*3/8
-        opn: float = row['open'][0]
-        ro: tuple[float, float] = (
-            # dt_end_t,
-            iend + rect_gap + 1,
-            opn,
-        )
-        cls: float = prev_r['close'][0]
-        lc: tuple[float, float] = (
-            # dt_start_t,
-            istart - rect_gap, # + 1 ,
-            cls,
-        )
-
-        color: str = 'dad_blue'
-        diff: float = cls - opn
-        sgn: float = copysign(1, diff)
-        color: str = {
-            -1: 'buy_green',
-            1: 'sell_red',
-        }[sgn]
-
-        rect_kwargs: dict[str, Any] = dict(
-            fqme=fqme,
-            timeframe=timeframe,
-            start_pos=lc,
-            end_pos=ro,
-            color=color,
-        )
-
-        aid: int = await actl.add_rect(**rect_kwargs)
-        assert aid
-        aids[aid] = rect_kwargs
-
-    # tell chart to redraw all its
-    # graphics view layers Bo
-    await actl.redraw(
-        fqme=fqme,
-        timeframe=timeframe,
-    )
-    return aids
-
-
 @store.command()
 def ldshm(
     fqme: str,
     write_parquet: bool = True,
     reload_parquet_to_shm: bool = True,
+    pdb: bool = False,  # --pdb passed?
 
 ) -> None:
     '''
@@ -377,7 +260,7 @@ def ldshm(
             open_piker_runtime(
                 'polars_boi',
                 enable_modules=['piker.data._sharedmem'],
-                debug_mode=True,
+                debug_mode=pdb,
             ),
             open_storage_client() as (
                 mod,
@@ -397,17 +280,19 @@ def ldshm(
 
                 times: np.ndarray = shm.array['time']
                 d1: float = float(times[-1] - times[-2])
-                d2: float = float(times[-2] - times[-3])
-                med: float = np.median(np.diff(times))
-                if (
-                    d1 < 1.
-                    and d2 < 1.
-                    and med < 1.
-                ):
-                    raise ValueError(
-                        f'Something is wrong with time period for {shm}:\n{times}'
-                    )
-
+                d2: float = 0
+                # XXX, take a median sample rate if sufficient data
+                if times.size > 2:
+                    d2: float = float(times[-2] - times[-3])
+                    med: float = np.median(np.diff(times))
+                    if (
+                        d1 < 1.
+                        and d2 < 1.
+                        and med < 1.
+                    ):
+                        raise ValueError(
+                            f'Something is wrong with time period for {shm}:\n{times}'
+                        )
                 period_s: float = float(max(d1, d2, med))
 
                 null_segs: tuple = tsp.get_null_segs(
@@ -417,7 +302,9 @@ def ldshm(
 
                 # TODO: call null-seg fixer somehow?
                 if null_segs:
-                    await tractor.pause()
+
+                    if tractor._state.is_debug_mode():
+                        await tractor.pause()
                 #     async with (
                 #         trio.open_nursery() as tn,
                 #         mod.open_history_client(
@@ -441,11 +328,37 @@ def ldshm(
                     wdts,
                     deduped,
                     diff,
-                ) = tsp.dedupe(
+                    valid_races,
+                    dq_issues,
+                ) = tsp.dedupe_ohlcv_smart(
                     shm_df,
-                    period=period_s,
                 )
 
+                # Report duplicate analysis
+                if diff > 0:
+                    log.info(
+                        f'Removed {diff} duplicate timestamp(s)\n'
+                    )
+                    if valid_races is not None:
+                        identical: int = (
+                            valid_races
+                            .filter(pl.col('identical_bars'))
+                            .height
+                        )
+                        monotonic: int = valid_races.height - identical
+                        log.info(
+                            f'Valid race conditions: {valid_races.height}\n'
+                            f'  - Identical bars: {identical}\n'
+                            f'  - Volume monotonic: {monotonic}\n'
+                        )
+
+                    if dq_issues is not None:
+                        log.warning(
+                            f'DATA QUALITY ISSUES from provider: '
+                            f'{dq_issues.height} timestamp(s)\n'
+                            f'{dq_issues}\n'
+                        )
+
                 # detect gaps from in expected (uniform OHLC) sample period
                 step_gaps: pl.DataFrame = tsp.detect_time_gaps(
                     deduped,
@@ -460,7 +373,8 @@ def ldshm(
 
                     # TODO: actually pull the exact duration
                     # expected for each venue operational period?
-                    gap_dt_unit='days',
+                    # gap_dt_unit='day',
+                    gap_dt_unit='day',
                     gap_thresh=1,
                 )
 
@@ -471,8 +385,11 @@ def ldshm(
                 if (
                     not venue_gaps.is_empty()
                     or (
-                        period_s < 60
-                        and not step_gaps.is_empty()
+                        not step_gaps.is_empty()
+                        # XXX, i presume i put this bc i was guarding
+                        # for ib venue gaps?
+                        # and
+                        # period_s < 60
                     )
                 ):
                     # write repaired ts to parquet-file?
@@ -521,7 +438,7 @@ def ldshm(
                     do_markup_gaps: bool = True
                     if do_markup_gaps:
                         new_df: pl.DataFrame = tsp.np2pl(new)
-                        aids: dict = await markup_gaps(
+                        aids: dict = await tsp._annotate.markup_gaps(
                             fqme,
                             period_s,
                             actl,
@@ -530,12 +447,23 @@ def ldshm(
                         )
                         # last chance manual overwrites in REPL
                         # await tractor.pause()
-                        assert aids
+                        if not aids:
+                            log.warning(
+                                f'No gaps were found !?\n'
+                                f'fqme: {fqme!r}\n'
+                                f'timeframe: {period_s!r}\n'
+                                f"WELL THAT'S GOOD NOOZ!\n"
+                            )
                         tf2aids[period_s] = aids
 
                 else:
-                    # allow interaction even when no ts problems.
-                    assert not diff
+                    # No significant gaps to handle, but may have had
+                    # duplicates removed (valid race conditions are ok)
+                    if diff > 0 and dq_issues is not None:
+                        log.warning(
+                            'Found duplicates with data quality issues '
+                            'but no significant time gaps!\n'
+                        )
 
             await tractor.pause()
             log.info('Exiting TSP shm anal-izer!')

piker/tsp/_anal.py

@@ -275,6 +275,18 @@ def get_null_segs(
         # diff of abs index steps between each zeroed row
         absi_zdiff: np.ndarray = np.diff(absi_zeros)
 
+        if zero_t.size < 2:
+            try:
+                breakpoint()
+            except RuntimeError:
+                # XXX, if greenback not active from
+                # piker store ldshm cmd..
+                log.exception(
+                    "Can't debug single-sample null!\n"
+                )
+
+            return None
+
         # scan for all frame-indices where the
         # zeroed-row-abs-index-step-diff is greater then the
         # expected increment of 1.
@@ -434,8 +446,8 @@ def get_null_segs(
 
 def iter_null_segs(
     timeframe: float,
-    frame: Frame | None = None,
-    null_segs: tuple | None = None,
+    frame: Frame|None = None,
+    null_segs: tuple|None = None,
 
 ) -> Generator[
     tuple[
@@ -487,7 +499,8 @@ def iter_null_segs(
         start_dt = None
         if (
             absi_start is not None
-            and start_t != 0
+            and
+            start_t != 0
         ):
             fi_start: int = absi_start - absi_first
             start_row: Seq = frame[fi_start]
@@ -501,8 +514,8 @@ def iter_null_segs(
         yield (
             absi_start, absi_end,  # abs indices
             fi_start, fi_end,  # relative "frame" indices
-            start_t, end_t,
-            start_dt, end_dt,
+            start_t, end_t,  # epoch times
+            start_dt, end_dt,  # dts
         )
 
 
@@ -578,11 +591,22 @@ def detect_time_gaps(
     # NOTE: this flag is to indicate that on this (sampling) time
     # scale we expect to only be filtering against larger venue
     # closures-scale time gaps.
+    #
+    # Map to total_ method since `dt_diff` is a duration type,
+    # not datetime - modern polars requires `total_*` methods
+    # for duration types (e.g. `total_days()` not `day()`)
+    # Ensure plural form for polars API (e.g. 'day' -> 'days')
+    unit_plural: str = (
+        gap_dt_unit
+        if gap_dt_unit.endswith('s')
+        else f'{gap_dt_unit}s'
+    )
+    duration_method: str = f'total_{unit_plural}'
     return step_gaps.filter(
         # Second by an arbitrary dt-unit step size
         getattr(
             pl.col('dt_diff').dt,
-            gap_dt_unit,
+            duration_method,
         )().abs() > gap_thresh
     )
 

piker/tsp/_annotate.py

@@ -0,0 +1,306 @@
+# piker: trading gear for hackers
+# Copyright (C) 2018-present  Tyler Goodlet (in stewardship of pikers)
+
+# This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 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 Affero General Public License for more details.
+
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+# along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+"""
+Time-series (remote) annotation APIs.
+
+"""
+from __future__ import annotations
+from math import copysign
+from typing import (
+    Any,
+    TYPE_CHECKING,
+)
+
+import polars as pl
+import tractor
+
+from piker.data._formatters import BGM
+from piker.storage import log
+from piker.ui._style import get_fonts
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from piker.ui._remote_ctl import AnnotCtl
+
+
+def humanize_duration(
+    seconds: float,
+) -> str:
+    '''
+    Convert duration in seconds to short human-readable form.
+
+    Uses smallest appropriate time unit:
+    - d: days
+    - h: hours
+    - m: minutes
+    - s: seconds
+
+    Examples:
+    - 86400 -> "1d"
+    - 28800 -> "8h"
+    - 180 -> "3m"
+    - 45 -> "45s"
+
+    '''
+    abs_secs: float = abs(seconds)
+
+    if abs_secs >= 86400:
+        days: float = abs_secs / 86400
+        if days >= 10 or days == int(days):
+            return f'{int(days)}d'
+        return f'{days:.1f}d'
+
+    elif abs_secs >= 3600:
+        hours: float = abs_secs / 3600
+        if hours >= 10 or hours == int(hours):
+            return f'{int(hours)}h'
+        return f'{hours:.1f}h'
+
+    elif abs_secs >= 60:
+        mins: float = abs_secs / 60
+        if mins >= 10 or mins == int(mins):
+            return f'{int(mins)}m'
+        return f'{mins:.1f}m'
+
+    else:
+        if abs_secs >= 10 or abs_secs == int(abs_secs):
+            return f'{int(abs_secs)}s'
+        return f'{abs_secs:.1f}s'
+
+
+async def markup_gaps(
+    fqme: str,
+    timeframe: float,
+    actl: AnnotCtl,
+    wdts: pl.DataFrame,
+    gaps: pl.DataFrame,
+
+    # XXX, switch on to see txt showing a "humanized" label of each
+    # gap's duration.
+    show_txt: bool = False,
+
+) -> dict[int, dict]:
+    '''
+    Remote annotate time-gaps in a dt-fielded ts (normally OHLC)
+    with rectangles.
+
+    '''
+    # XXX: force chart redraw FIRST to ensure PlotItem coordinate
+    # system is properly initialized before we position annotations!
+    # Without this, annotations may be misaligned on first creation
+    # due to Qt/pyqtgraph initialization race conditions.
+    await actl.redraw(
+        fqme=fqme,
+        timeframe=timeframe,
+    )
+
+    aids: dict[int] = {}
+    for i in range(gaps.height):
+        row: pl.DataFrame = gaps[i]
+
+        # the gap's RIGHT-most bar's OPEN value
+        # at that time (sample) step.
+        iend: int = row['index'][0]
+
+        # dt: datetime = row['dt'][0]
+        # dt_prev: datetime = row['dt_prev'][0]
+        # dt_end_t: float = dt.timestamp()
+
+
+        # TODO: can we eventually remove this
+        # once we figure out why the epoch cols
+        # don't match?
+        # TODO: FIX HOW/WHY these aren't matching
+        # and are instead off by 4hours (EST
+        # vs. UTC?!?!)
+        # end_t: float = row['time']
+        # assert (
+        #     dt.timestamp()
+        #     ==
+        #     end_t
+        # )
+
+        # the gap's LEFT-most bar's CLOSE value
+        # at that time (sample) step.
+        prev_r: pl.DataFrame = wdts.filter(
+            pl.col('index') == iend - 1
+        )
+        # XXX: probably a gap in the (newly sorted or de-duplicated)
+        # dt-df, so we might need to re-index first..
+        dt: pl.Series = row['dt']
+        dt_prev: pl.Series = row['dt_prev']
+        if prev_r.is_empty():
+
+            # XXX, filter out any special ignore cases,
+            # - UNIX-epoch stamped datums
+            # - first row
+            if (
+                dt_prev.dt.epoch()[0] == 0
+                or
+                dt.dt.epoch()[0] == 0
+            ):
+                log.warning('Skipping row with UNIX epoch timestamp ??')
+                continue
+
+            if wdts[0]['index'][0] == iend:  # first row
+                log.warning('Skipping first-row (has no previous obvi) !!')
+                continue
+
+            # XXX, if the previous-row by shm-index is missing,
+            # meaning there is a missing sample (set), get the prior
+            # row by df index and attempt to use it?
+            i_wdts: pl.DataFrame = wdts.with_row_index(name='i')
+            i_row: int = i_wdts.filter(pl.col('index') == iend)['i'][0]
+            prev_row_by_i = wdts[i_row]
+            prev_r: pl.DataFrame = prev_row_by_i
+
+            # debug any missing pre-row
+            if tractor._state.is_debug_mode():
+                await tractor.pause()
+
+        istart: int = prev_r['index'][0]
+        # TODO: implement px-col width measure
+        # and ensure at least as many px-cols
+        # shown per rect as configured by user.
+        # gap_w: float = abs((iend - istart))
+        # if gap_w < 6:
+        #     margin: float = 6
+        #     iend += margin
+        #     istart -= margin
+
+        opn: float = row['open'][0]
+        cls: float = prev_r['close'][0]
+
+        # get gap duration for humanized label
+        gap_dur_s: float = row['s_diff'][0]
+        gap_label: str = humanize_duration(gap_dur_s)
+
+        # XXX: get timestamps for server-side index lookup
+        start_time: float = prev_r['time'][0]
+        end_time: float = row['time'][0]
+
+        # BGM=0.16 is the normal diff from overlap between bars, SO
+        # just go slightly "in" from that "between them".
+        from_idx: int = BGM - .06  # = .10
+        lc: tuple[float, float] = (
+            istart + 1 - from_idx,
+            cls,
+        )
+        ro: tuple[float, float] = (
+            iend + from_idx,
+            opn,
+        )
+
+        diff: float = cls - opn
+        sgn: float = copysign(1, diff)
+        up_gap: bool = sgn == -1
+        down_gap: bool = sgn == 1
+        flat: bool = sgn == 0
+
+        color: str = 'dad_blue'
+        # TODO? mks more sense to have up/down coloring?
+        # color: str = {
+        #     -1: 'lilypad_green',  # up-gap
+        #     1: 'wine',  # down-gap
+        # }[sgn]
+
+        rect_kwargs: dict[str, Any] = dict(
+            fqme=fqme,
+            timeframe=timeframe,
+            start_pos=lc,
+            end_pos=ro,
+            color=color,
+            start_time=start_time,
+            end_time=end_time,
+        )
+
+        # add up/down rects
+        aid: int|None = await actl.add_rect(**rect_kwargs)
+        if aid is None:
+            log.error(
+                f'Failed to add rect for,\n'
+                f'{rect_kwargs!r}\n'
+                f'\n'
+                f'Skipping to next gap!\n'
+            )
+            continue
+
+        assert aid
+        aids[aid] = rect_kwargs
+        direction: str = (
+            'down' if down_gap
+            else 'up'
+        )
+        # TODO! mk this a `msgspec.Struct` which we deserialize
+        # on the server side!
+        # XXX: send timestamp for server-side index lookup
+        # to ensure alignment with current shm state
+        gap_time: float = row['time'][0]
+        arrow_kwargs: dict[str, Any] = dict(
+            fqme=fqme,
+            timeframe=timeframe,
+            x=iend,  # fallback if timestamp lookup fails
+            y=cls,
+            time=gap_time,  # for server-side index lookup
+            color=color,
+            alpha=169,
+            pointing=direction,
+            # TODO: expose these as params to markup_gaps()?
+            headLen=10,
+            headWidth=2.222,
+            pxMode=True,
+        )
+
+        aid: int = await actl.add_arrow(
+            **arrow_kwargs
+        )
+
+        # add duration label to RHS of arrow
+        if up_gap:
+            anchor = (0, 0)
+            # ^XXX? i dun get dese dims.. XD
+        elif down_gap:
+            anchor = (0, 1)  # XXX y, x?
+        else:  # no-gap?
+            assert flat
+            anchor = (0, 0)  # up from bottom
+
+        # use a slightly smaller font for gap label txt.
+        font, small_font = get_fonts()
+        font_size: int = small_font.px_size - 1
+        assert isinstance(font_size, int)
+
+        if show_txt:
+            text_aid: int = await actl.add_text(
+                fqme=fqme,
+                timeframe=timeframe,
+                text=gap_label,
+                x=iend + 1,  # fallback if timestamp lookup fails
+                y=cls,
+                time=gap_time,  # server-side index lookup
+                color=color,
+                anchor=anchor,
+                font_size=font_size,
+            )
+            aids[text_aid] = {'text': gap_label}
+
+    # tell chart to redraw all its
+    # graphics view layers Bo
+    await actl.redraw(
+        fqme=fqme,
+        timeframe=timeframe,
+    )
+    return aids

piker/tsp/_dedupe_smart.py

@@ -0,0 +1,206 @@
+'''
+Smart OHLCV deduplication with data quality validation.
+
+Handles concurrent write conflicts by keeping the most complete bar
+(highest volume) while detecting data quality anomalies.
+
+'''
+import polars as pl
+
+from ._anal import with_dts
+
+
+def dedupe_ohlcv_smart(
+    src_df: pl.DataFrame,
+    time_col: str = 'time',
+    volume_col: str = 'volume',
+    sort: bool = True,
+
+) -> tuple[
+    pl.DataFrame,  # with dts
+    pl.DataFrame,  # deduped (keeping higher volume bars)
+    int,  # count of dupes removed
+    pl.DataFrame|None,  # valid race conditions
+    pl.DataFrame|None,  # data quality violations
+]:
+    '''
+    Smart OHLCV deduplication keeping most complete bars.
+
+    For duplicate timestamps, keeps bar with highest volume under
+    the assumption that higher volume indicates more complete/final
+    data from backfill vs partial live updates.
+
+    Returns
+    -------
+    Tuple of:
+    - wdts: original dataframe with datetime columns added
+    - deduped: deduplicated frame keeping highest-volume bars
+    - diff: number of duplicate rows removed
+    - valid_races: duplicates meeting expected race condition pattern
+      (volume monotonic, OHLC ranges valid)
+    - data_quality_issues: duplicates violating expected relationships
+      indicating provider data problems
+
+    '''
+    wdts: pl.DataFrame = with_dts(src_df)
+
+    # Find duplicate timestamps
+    dupes: pl.DataFrame = wdts.filter(
+        pl.col(time_col).is_duplicated()
+    )
+
+    if dupes.is_empty():
+        # No duplicates, return as-is
+        return (wdts, wdts, 0, None, None)
+
+    # Analyze duplicate groups for validation
+    dupe_analysis: pl.DataFrame = (
+        dupes
+        .sort([time_col, 'index'])
+        .group_by(time_col, maintain_order=True)
+        .agg([
+            pl.col('index').alias('indices'),
+            pl.col('volume').alias('volumes'),
+            pl.col('high').alias('highs'),
+            pl.col('low').alias('lows'),
+            pl.col('open').alias('opens'),
+            pl.col('close').alias('closes'),
+            pl.col('dt').first().alias('dt'),
+            pl.len().alias('count'),
+        ])
+    )
+
+    # Validate OHLCV monotonicity for each duplicate group
+    def check_ohlcv_validity(row) -> dict[str, bool]:
+        '''
+        Check if duplicate bars follow expected race condition pattern.
+
+        For a valid live-update → backfill race:
+        - volume should be monotonically increasing
+        - high should be monotonically non-decreasing
+        - low should be monotonically non-increasing
+        - open should be identical (fixed at bar start)
+
+        Returns dict of violation flags.
+
+        '''
+        vols: list = row['volumes']
+        highs: list = row['highs']
+        lows: list = row['lows']
+        opens: list = row['opens']
+
+        violations: dict[str, bool] = {
+            'volume_non_monotonic': False,
+            'high_decreased': False,
+            'low_increased': False,
+            'open_mismatch': False,
+            'identical_bars': False,
+        }
+
+        # Check if all bars are identical (pure duplicate)
+        if (
+            len(set(vols)) == 1
+            and len(set(highs)) == 1
+            and len(set(lows)) == 1
+            and len(set(opens)) == 1
+        ):
+            violations['identical_bars'] = True
+            return violations
+
+        # Check volume monotonicity
+        for i in range(1, len(vols)):
+            if vols[i] < vols[i-1]:
+                violations['volume_non_monotonic'] = True
+                break
+
+        # Check high monotonicity (can only increase or stay same)
+        for i in range(1, len(highs)):
+            if highs[i] < highs[i-1]:
+                violations['high_decreased'] = True
+                break
+
+        # Check low monotonicity (can only decrease or stay same)
+        for i in range(1, len(lows)):
+            if lows[i] > lows[i-1]:
+                violations['low_increased'] = True
+                break
+
+        # Check open consistency (should be fixed)
+        if len(set(opens)) > 1:
+            violations['open_mismatch'] = True
+
+        return violations
+
+    # Apply validation
+    dupe_analysis = dupe_analysis.with_columns([
+        pl.struct(['volumes', 'highs', 'lows', 'opens'])
+        .map_elements(
+            check_ohlcv_validity,
+            return_dtype=pl.Struct([
+                pl.Field('volume_non_monotonic', pl.Boolean),
+                pl.Field('high_decreased', pl.Boolean),
+                pl.Field('low_increased', pl.Boolean),
+                pl.Field('open_mismatch', pl.Boolean),
+                pl.Field('identical_bars', pl.Boolean),
+            ])
+        )
+        .alias('validity')
+    ])
+
+    # Unnest validity struct
+    dupe_analysis = dupe_analysis.unnest('validity')
+
+    # Separate valid races from data quality issues
+    valid_races: pl.DataFrame|None = (
+        dupe_analysis
+        .filter(
+            # Valid if no violations OR just identical bars
+            ~pl.col('volume_non_monotonic')
+            & ~pl.col('high_decreased')
+            & ~pl.col('low_increased')
+            & ~pl.col('open_mismatch')
+        )
+    )
+    if valid_races.is_empty():
+        valid_races = None
+
+    data_quality_issues: pl.DataFrame|None = (
+        dupe_analysis
+        .filter(
+            # Issues if any non-identical violation exists
+            (
+                pl.col('volume_non_monotonic')
+                | pl.col('high_decreased')
+                | pl.col('low_increased')
+                | pl.col('open_mismatch')
+            )
+            & ~pl.col('identical_bars')
+        )
+    )
+    if data_quality_issues.is_empty():
+        data_quality_issues = None
+
+    # Deduplicate: keep highest volume bar for each timestamp
+    deduped: pl.DataFrame = (
+        wdts
+        .sort([time_col, volume_col])
+        .unique(
+            subset=[time_col],
+            keep='last',
+            maintain_order=False,
+        )
+    )
+
+    # Re-sort by time or index
+    if sort:
+        deduped = deduped.sort(by=time_col)
+
+    diff: int = wdts.height - deduped.height
+
+    return (
+        wdts,
+        deduped,
+        diff,
+        valid_races,
+        data_quality_issues,
+    )

piker/ui/_editors.py

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ Higher level annotation editors.
 from __future__ import annotations
 from collections import defaultdict
 from typing import (
+    Literal,
     Sequence,
     TYPE_CHECKING,
 )
@@ -71,9 +72,18 @@ log = get_logger(__name__)
 
 
 class ArrowEditor(Struct):
+    '''
+    Annotate a chart-view with arrows most often used for indicating,
+    - order txns/clears,
+    - positions directions,
+    - general points-of-interest like nooz events.
 
+    '''
     godw: GodWidget = None  # type: ignore # noqa
-    _arrows: dict[str, list[pg.ArrowItem]] = {}
+    _arrows: dict[
+        str,
+        list[pg.ArrowItem]
+    ] = {}
 
     def add(
         self,
@@ -81,8 +91,19 @@ class ArrowEditor(Struct):
         uid: str,
         x: float,
         y: float,
-        color: str = 'default',
-        pointing: str | None = None,
+        color: str|None = None,
+        pointing: Literal[
+            'up',
+            'down',
+            None,
+        ] = None,
+        alpha: int = 255,
+        zval: float = 1e9,
+        headLen: float|None = None,
+        headWidth: float|None = None,
+        tailLen: float|None = None,
+        tailWidth: float|None = None,
+        pxMode: bool = True,
 
     ) -> pg.ArrowItem:
         '''
@@ -98,29 +119,83 @@ class ArrowEditor(Struct):
         # scale arrow sizing to dpi-aware font
         size = _font.font.pixelSize() * 0.8
 
+        # allow caller override of head dimensions
+        if headLen is None:
+            headLen = size
+        if headWidth is None:
+            headWidth = size/2
+        # tail params default to None (no tail)
+        if tailWidth is None:
+            tailWidth = 3
+
+        color = color or 'default'
+        color = QColor(hcolor(color))
+        color.setAlpha(alpha)
+        pen = fn.mkPen(color, width=1)
+        brush = fn.mkBrush(color)
         arrow = pg.ArrowItem(
             angle=angle,
             baseAngle=0,
-            headLen=size,
-            headWidth=size/2,
-            tailLen=None,
-            pxMode=True,
-
+            headLen=headLen,
+            headWidth=headWidth,
+            tailLen=tailLen,
+            tailWidth=tailWidth,
+            pxMode=pxMode,
             # coloring
-            pen=pg.mkPen(hcolor('papas_special')),
-            brush=pg.mkBrush(hcolor(color)),
+            pen=pen,
+            brush=brush,
         )
+        arrow.setZValue(zval)
         arrow.setPos(x, y)
-        self._arrows.setdefault(uid, []).append(arrow)
+        plot.addItem(arrow)  # render to view
 
-        # render to view
-        plot.addItem(arrow)
+        # register for removal
+        arrow._uid = uid
+        self._arrows.setdefault(
+            uid, []
+        ).append(arrow)
 
         return arrow
 
-    def remove(self, arrow) -> bool:
+    def remove(
+        self,
+        arrow: pg.ArrowItem,
+    ) -> None:
+        '''
+        Remove a *single arrow* from all chart views to which it was
+        added.
+
+        '''
+        uid: str = arrow._uid
+        arrows: list[pg.ArrowItem] = self._arrows[uid]
+        log.info(
+            f'Removing arrow from views\n'
+            f'uid: {uid!r}\n'
+            f'{arrow!r}\n'
+        )
         for linked in self.godw.iter_linked():
-            linked.chart.plotItem.removeItem(arrow)
+            if not (chart := linked.chart):
+                continue
+
+            chart.plotItem.removeItem(arrow)
+        try:
+            arrows.remove(arrow)
+        except ValueError:
+            log.warning(
+                f'Arrow was already removed?\n'
+                f'uid: {uid!r}\n'
+                f'{arrow!r}\n'
+            )
+
+    def remove_all(self) -> set[pg.ArrowItem]:
+        '''
+        Remove all arrows added by this editor from all
+        chart-views.
+
+        '''
+        for uid, arrows in self._arrows.items():
+            for arrow in arrows:
+                self.remove(arrow)
 
 
 class LineEditor(Struct):
@@ -266,6 +341,9 @@ class LineEditor(Struct):
 
         return lines
 
+    # compat with ArrowEditor
+    remove = remove_line
+
 
 def as_point(
     pair: Sequence[float, float] | QPointF,
@@ -298,7 +376,7 @@ class SelectRect(QtWidgets.QGraphicsRectItem):
     def __init__(
         self,
         viewbox: ViewBox,
-        color: str | None = None,
+        color: str|None = None,
     ) -> None:
         super().__init__(0, 0, 1, 1)
 
@@ -614,3 +692,6 @@ class SelectRect(QtWidgets.QGraphicsRectItem):
 
         ):
             scen.removeItem(self._label_proxy)
+
+    # compat with ArrowEditor
+    remove = delete

piker/ui/_remote_ctl.py

@@ -27,10 +27,12 @@ from contextlib import (
 from functools import partial
 from pprint import pformat
 from typing import (
-    # Any,
     AsyncContextManager,
+    Literal,
 )
+from uuid import uuid4
 
+import pyqtgraph as pg
 import tractor
 import trio
 from tractor import trionics
@@ -47,12 +49,16 @@ from piker.brokers import SymbolNotFound
 from piker.ui.qt import (
     QGraphicsItem,
 )
+from PyQt6.QtGui import QFont
 from ._display import DisplayState
 from ._interaction import ChartView
-from ._editors import SelectRect
+from ._editors import (
+    SelectRect,
+    ArrowEditor,
+)
 from ._chart import ChartPlotWidget
 from ._dataviz import Viz
-
+from ._style import hcolor
 
 log = get_logger(__name__)
 
@@ -83,8 +89,40 @@ _ctxs: IpcCtxTable = {}
 # the "annotations server" which actually renders to a Qt canvas).
 # type AnnotsTable = dict[int, QGraphicsItem]
 AnnotsTable = dict[int, QGraphicsItem]
+EditorsTable = dict[int, ArrowEditor]
 
 _annots: AnnotsTable  = {}
+_editors: EditorsTable = {}
+
+def rm_annot(
+    annot: ArrowEditor|SelectRect|pg.TextItem
+) -> bool:
+    global _editors
+    match annot:
+        case pg.ArrowItem():
+            editor = _editors[annot._uid]
+            editor.remove(annot)
+            # ^TODO? only remove each arrow or all?
+            # if editor._arrows:
+            #     editor.remove_all()
+            # else:
+            #     log.warning(
+            #         f'Annot already removed!\n'
+            #         f'{annot!r}\n'
+            #     )
+            return True
+
+        case SelectRect():
+            annot.delete()
+            return True
+
+        case pg.TextItem():
+            scene = annot.scene()
+            if scene:
+                scene.removeItem(annot)
+            return True
+
+    return False
 
 
 async def serve_rc_annots(
@@ -95,6 +133,12 @@ async def serve_rc_annots(
     annots: AnnotsTable,
 
 ) -> None:
+    '''
+    A small viz(ualization) server for remote ctl of chart
+    annotations.
+
+    '''
+    global _editors
     async for msg in annot_req_stream:
         match msg:
             case {
@@ -104,14 +148,77 @@ async def serve_rc_annots(
                 'meth': str(meth),
                 'kwargs': dict(kwargs),
             }:
-
                 ds: DisplayState = _dss[fqme]
-                chart: ChartPlotWidget = {
-                    60: ds.hist_chart,
-                    1: ds.chart,
-                }[timeframe]
+                try:
+                    chart: ChartPlotWidget = {
+                        60: ds.hist_chart,
+                        1: ds.chart,
+                    }[timeframe]
+                except KeyError:
+                    msg: str = (
+                        f'No chart for timeframe={timeframe}s, '
+                        f'skipping rect annotation'
+                    )
+                    log.exeception(msg)
+                    await annot_req_stream.send({'error': msg})
+                    continue
+
                 cv: ChartView = chart.cv
 
+                # NEW: if timestamps provided, lookup current indices
+                # from shm to ensure alignment with current buffer
+                # state
+                start_time = kwargs.pop('start_time', None)
+                end_time = kwargs.pop('end_time', None)
+                if (
+                    start_time is not None
+                    and end_time is not None
+                ):
+                    viz: Viz = chart.get_viz(fqme)
+                    shm = viz.shm
+                    arr = shm.array
+
+                    # lookup start index
+                    start_matches = arr[arr['time'] == start_time]
+                    if len(start_matches) == 0:
+                        msg: str = (
+                            f'No shm entry for start_time={start_time}, '
+                            f'skipping rect'
+                        )
+                        log.error(msg)
+                        await annot_req_stream.send({'error': msg})
+                        continue
+
+                    # lookup end index
+                    end_matches = arr[arr['time'] == end_time]
+                    if len(end_matches) == 0:
+                        msg: str = (
+                            f'No shm entry for end_time={end_time}, '
+                            f'skipping rect'
+                        )
+                        log.error(msg)
+                        await annot_req_stream.send({'error': msg})
+                        continue
+
+                    # get close price from start bar, open from end
+                    # bar
+                    start_idx = float(start_matches[0]['index'])
+                    end_idx = float(end_matches[0]['index'])
+                    start_close = float(start_matches[0]['close'])
+                    end_open = float(end_matches[0]['open'])
+
+                    # reconstruct start_pos and end_pos with
+                    # looked-up indices
+                    from_idx: float = 0.16 - 0.06  # BGM offset
+                    kwargs['start_pos'] = (
+                        start_idx + 1 - from_idx,
+                        start_close,
+                    )
+                    kwargs['end_pos'] = (
+                        end_idx + from_idx,
+                        end_open,
+                    )
+
                 # annot type lookup from cmd
                 rect = SelectRect(
                     viewbox=cv,
@@ -130,21 +237,207 @@ async def serve_rc_annots(
                 # delegate generically to the requested method
                 getattr(rect, meth)(**kwargs)
                 rect.show()
+
+                # XXX: store absolute coords for repositioning
+                # during viz redraws (eg backfill updates)
+                rect._meth = meth
+                rect._kwargs = kwargs
+
                 aid: int = id(rect)
                 annots[aid] = rect
                 aids: set[int] = ctxs[ipc_key][1]
                 aids.add(aid)
                 await annot_req_stream.send(aid)
 
+            case {
+                'cmd': 'ArrowEditor',
+                'fqme': fqme,
+                'timeframe': timeframe,
+                'meth': 'add'|'remove' as meth,
+                'kwargs': {
+                    'x': float(x),
+                    'y': float(y),
+                    'pointing': pointing,
+                    'color': color,
+                    'aid': str()|None as aid,
+                    'alpha': int(alpha),
+                    'headLen': int()|float()|None as headLen,
+                    'headWidth': int()|float()|None as headWidth,
+                    'tailLen': int()|float()|None as tailLen,
+                    'tailWidth': int()|float()|None as tailWidth,
+                    'pxMode': bool(pxMode),
+                    'time': int()|float()|None as timestamp,
+                },
+                # ?TODO? split based on method fn-sigs?
+                # 'pointing',
+            }:
+                ds: DisplayState = _dss[fqme]
+                try:
+                    chart: ChartPlotWidget = {
+                        60: ds.hist_chart,
+                        1: ds.chart,
+                    }[timeframe]
+                except KeyError:
+                    log.warning(
+                        f'No chart for timeframe={timeframe}s, '
+                        f'skipping arrow annotation'
+                    )
+                    # return -1 to indicate failure
+                    await annot_req_stream.send(-1)
+                    continue
+                cv: ChartView = chart.cv
+                godw = chart.linked.godwidget
+
+                # NEW: if timestamp provided, lookup current index
+                # from shm to ensure alignment with current buffer
+                # state
+                if timestamp is not None:
+                    viz: Viz = chart.get_viz(fqme)
+                    shm = viz.shm
+                    arr = shm.array
+                    # find index where time matches timestamp
+                    matches = arr[arr['time'] == timestamp]
+                    if len(matches) == 0:
+                        log.error(
+                            f'No shm entry for timestamp={timestamp}, '
+                            f'skipping arrow annotation'
+                        )
+                        await annot_req_stream.send(-1)
+                        continue
+                    # use the matched row's index as x
+                    x = float(matches[0]['index'])
+
+                arrows = ArrowEditor(godw=godw)
+                # `.add/.remove()` API
+                if meth != 'add':
+                    # await tractor.pause()
+                    raise ValueError(
+                        f'Invalid arrow-edit request ?\n'
+                        f'{msg!r}\n'
+                    )
+
+                aid: str = str(uuid4())
+                arrow: pg.ArrowItem = arrows.add(
+                    plot=chart.plotItem,
+                    uid=aid,
+                    x=x,
+                    y=y,
+                    pointing=pointing,
+                    color=color,
+                    alpha=alpha,
+                    headLen=headLen,
+                    headWidth=headWidth,
+                    tailLen=tailLen,
+                    tailWidth=tailWidth,
+                    pxMode=pxMode,
+                )
+                # XXX: store absolute coords for repositioning
+                # during viz redraws (eg backfill updates)
+                arrow._abs_x = x
+                arrow._abs_y = y
+
+                annots[aid] = arrow
+                _editors[aid] = arrows
+                aids: set[int] = ctxs[ipc_key][1]
+                aids.add(aid)
+                await annot_req_stream.send(aid)
+
+            case {
+                'cmd': 'TextItem',
+                'fqme': fqme,
+                'timeframe': timeframe,
+                'kwargs': {
+                    'text': str(text),
+                    'x': int()|float() as x,
+                    'y': int()|float() as y,
+                    'color': color,
+                    'anchor': list(anchor),
+                    'font_size': int()|None as font_size,
+                    'time': int()|float()|None as timestamp,
+                },
+            }:
+                ds: DisplayState = _dss[fqme]
+                try:
+                    chart: ChartPlotWidget = {
+                        60: ds.hist_chart,
+                        1: ds.chart,
+                    }[timeframe]
+                except KeyError:
+                    log.warning(
+                        f'No chart for timeframe={timeframe}s, '
+                        f'skipping text annotation'
+                    )
+                    await annot_req_stream.send(-1)
+                    continue
+
+                # NEW: if timestamp provided, lookup current index
+                # from shm to ensure alignment with current buffer
+                # state
+                if timestamp is not None:
+                    viz: Viz = chart.get_viz(fqme)
+                    shm = viz.shm
+                    arr = shm.array
+                    # find index where time matches timestamp
+                    matches = arr[arr['time'] == timestamp]
+                    if len(matches) == 0:
+                        log.error(
+                            f'No shm entry for timestamp={timestamp}, '
+                            f'skipping text annotation'
+                        )
+                        await annot_req_stream.send(-1)
+                        continue
+                    # use the matched row's index as x, +1 for text
+                    # offset
+                    x = float(matches[0]['index']) + 1
+
+                # convert named color to hex
+                color_hex: str = hcolor(color)
+
+                # create text item
+                text_item: pg.TextItem = pg.TextItem(
+                    text=text,
+                    color=color_hex,
+                    anchor=anchor,
+
+                    # ?TODO, pin to github:main for this?
+                    # legacy, can have scaling ish?
+                    # ensureInBounds=True,
+                )
+
+                # apply font size (default to DpiAwareFont if not
+                # provided)
+                if font_size is None:
+                    from ._style import get_fonts
+                    font, font_small = get_fonts()
+                    font_size =  font_small.px_size - 1
+
+                qfont: QFont = text_item.textItem.font()
+                qfont.setPixelSize(font_size)
+                text_item.setFont(qfont)
+
+                text_item.setPos(x, y)
+                chart.plotItem.addItem(text_item)
+
+                # XXX: store absolute coords for repositioning
+                # during viz redraws (eg backfill updates)
+                text_item._abs_x = x
+                text_item._abs_y = y
+
+                aid: str = str(uuid4())
+                annots[aid] = text_item
+                aids: set[int] = ctxs[ipc_key][1]
+                aids.add(aid)
+                await annot_req_stream.send(aid)
+
             case {
                 'cmd': 'remove',
-                'aid': int(aid),
+                'aid': int(aid)|str(aid),
             }:
                 # NOTE: this is normally entered on
                 # a client's annotation de-alloc normally
                 # prior to detach or modify.
                 annot: QGraphicsItem = annots[aid]
-                annot.delete()
+                assert rm_annot(annot)
 
                 # respond to client indicating annot
                 # was indeed deleted.
@@ -175,6 +468,38 @@ async def serve_rc_annots(
                 )
                 viz.reset_graphics()
 
+                # XXX: reposition all annotations to ensure they
+                # stay aligned with viz data after reset (eg during
+                # backfill when abs-index range changes)
+                n_repositioned: int = 0
+                for aid, annot in annots.items():
+                    # arrows and text items use abs x,y coords
+                    if (
+                        hasattr(annot, '_abs_x')
+                        and
+                        hasattr(annot, '_abs_y')
+                    ):
+                        annot.setPos(
+                            annot._abs_x,
+                            annot._abs_y,
+                        )
+                        n_repositioned += 1
+
+                    # rects use method + kwargs
+                    elif (
+                        hasattr(annot, '_meth')
+                        and
+                        hasattr(annot, '_kwargs')
+                    ):
+                        getattr(annot, annot._meth)(**annot._kwargs)
+                        n_repositioned += 1
+
+                if n_repositioned:
+                    log.info(
+                        f'Repositioned {n_repositioned} annotation(s) '
+                        f'after viz redraw'
+                    )
+
             case _:
                 log.error(
                     'Unknown remote annotation cmd:\n'
@@ -188,6 +513,12 @@ async def remote_annotate(
 ) -> None:
 
     global _dss, _ctxs
+    if not _dss:
+        raise RuntimeError(
+            'Race condition on chart-init state ??\n'
+            'Anoter actor is trying to annoate this chart '
+            'before it has fully spawned.\n'
+        )
     assert _dss
 
     _ctxs[ctx.cid] = (ctx, set())
@@ -212,7 +543,7 @@ async def remote_annotate(
             assert _ctx is ctx
             for aid in aids:
                 annot: QGraphicsItem = _annots[aid]
-                annot.delete()
+                assert rm_annot(annot)
 
 
 class AnnotCtl(Struct):
@@ -257,36 +588,47 @@ class AnnotCtl(Struct):
 
         from_acm: bool = False,
 
-    ) -> int:
+        # NEW: optional timestamps for server-side index lookup
+        start_time: float|None = None,
+        end_time: float|None = None,
+
+    ) -> int|None:
         '''
         Add a `SelectRect` annotation to the target view, return
         the instances `id(obj)` from the remote UI actor.
 
         '''
         ipc: MsgStream = self._get_ipc(fqme)
-        await ipc.send({
-            'fqme': fqme,
-            'cmd': 'SelectRect',
-            'timeframe': timeframe,
-            # 'meth': str(meth),
-            'meth': 'set_view_pos' if domain == 'view' else 'set_scene_pos',
-            'kwargs': {
-                'start_pos': tuple(start_pos),
-                'end_pos': tuple(end_pos),
-                'color': color,
-                'update_label': False,
-            },
-        })
-        aid: int = await ipc.receive()
-        self._ipcs[aid] = ipc
-        if not from_acm:
-            self._annot_stack.push_async_callback(
-                partial(
-                    self.remove,
-                    aid,
+        with trio.fail_after(3):
+            await ipc.send({
+                'fqme': fqme,
+                'cmd': 'SelectRect',
+                'timeframe': timeframe,
+                # 'meth': str(meth),
+                'meth': 'set_view_pos' if domain == 'view' else 'set_scene_pos',
+                'kwargs': {
+                    'start_pos': tuple(start_pos),
+                    'end_pos': tuple(end_pos),
+                    'color': color,
+                    'update_label': False,
+                    'start_time': start_time,
+                    'end_time': end_time,
+                },
+            })
+            aid: int|dict = await ipc.receive()
+            match aid:
+                case {'error': str(msg)}:
+                    log.error(msg)
+                    return None
+            self._ipcs[aid] = ipc
+            if not from_acm:
+                self._annot_stack.push_async_callback(
+                    partial(
+                        self.remove,
+                        aid,
+                    )
                 )
-            )
-        return aid
+            return aid
 
     async def remove(
         self,
@@ -334,20 +676,130 @@ class AnnotCtl(Struct):
             'timeframe': timeframe,
         })
 
-    # TODO: do we even need this?
-    # async def modify(
-    #     self,
-    #     aid: int,  # annotation id
-    #     meth: str,  # far end graphics object method to invoke
-    #     params: dict[str, Any],  # far end `meth(**kwargs)`
-    # ) -> bool:
-    #     '''
-    #     Modify an existing (remote) annotation's graphics
-    #     paramters, thus changing it's appearance / state in real
-    #     time.
+    async def add_arrow(
+        self,
+        fqme: str,
+        timeframe: float,
+        x: float,
+        y: float,
+        pointing: Literal[
+            'up',
+            'down',
+        ],
+        # TODO: a `Literal['view', 'scene']` for this?
+        # domain: str = 'view',  # or 'scene'
+        color: str = 'dad_blue',
+        alpha: int = 116,
+        headLen: float|None = None,
+        headWidth: float|None = None,
+        tailLen: float|None = None,
+        tailWidth: float|None = None,
+        pxMode: bool = True,
 
-    #     '''
-    #     raise NotImplementedError
+        from_acm: bool = False,
+
+        # NEW: optional timestamp for server-side index lookup
+        time: float|None = None,
+
+    ) -> int|None:
+        '''
+        Add a `SelectRect` annotation to the target view, return
+        the instances `id(obj)` from the remote UI actor.
+
+        '''
+        ipc: MsgStream = self._get_ipc(fqme)
+        with trio.fail_after(3):
+            await ipc.send({
+                'fqme': fqme,
+                'cmd': 'ArrowEditor',
+                'timeframe': timeframe,
+                # 'meth': str(meth),
+                'meth': 'add',
+                'kwargs': {
+                    'x': float(x),
+                    'y': float(y),
+                    'color': color,
+                    'pointing': pointing,  # up|down
+                    'alpha': alpha,
+                    'aid': None,
+                    'headLen': headLen,
+                    'headWidth': headWidth,
+                    'tailLen': tailLen,
+                    'tailWidth': tailWidth,
+                    'pxMode': pxMode,
+                    'time': time,  # for server-side index lookup
+                },
+            })
+            aid: int|dict = await ipc.receive()
+            match aid:
+                case {'error': str(msg)}:
+                    log.error(msg)
+                    return None
+
+            self._ipcs[aid] = ipc
+            if not from_acm:
+                self._annot_stack.push_async_callback(
+                    partial(
+                        self.remove,
+                        aid,
+                    )
+                )
+            return aid
+
+    async def add_text(
+        self,
+        fqme: str,
+        timeframe: float,
+        text: str,
+        x: float,
+        y: float,
+        color: str|tuple = 'dad_blue',
+        anchor: tuple[float, float] = (0, 1),
+        font_size: int|None = None,
+
+        from_acm: bool = False,
+
+        # NEW: optional timestamp for server-side index lookup
+        time: float|None = None,
+
+    ) -> int|None:
+        '''
+        Add a `pg.TextItem` annotation to the target view.
+
+        anchor: (x, y) where (0,0) is upper-left, (1,1) is lower-right
+        font_size: pixel size for font, defaults to `_font.font.pixelSize()`
+
+        '''
+        ipc: MsgStream = self._get_ipc(fqme)
+        with trio.fail_after(3):
+            await ipc.send({
+                'fqme': fqme,
+                'cmd': 'TextItem',
+                'timeframe': timeframe,
+                'kwargs': {
+                    'text': text,
+                    'x': float(x),
+                    'y': float(y),
+                    'color': color,
+                    'anchor': tuple(anchor),
+                    'font_size': font_size,
+                    'time': time,  # for server-side index lookup
+                },
+            })
+            aid: int|dict = await ipc.receive()
+            match aid:
+                case {'error': str(msg)}:
+                    log.error(msg)
+                    return None
+            self._ipcs[aid] = ipc
+            if not from_acm:
+                self._annot_stack.push_async_callback(
+                    partial(
+                        self.remove,
+                        aid,
+                    )
+                )
+            return aid
 
 
 @acm
@@ -374,7 +826,9 @@ async def open_annot_ctl(
         # TODO: print the current discoverable actor UID set
         # here as well?
         if not maybe_portals:
-            raise RuntimeError('No chart UI actors found in service domain?')
+            raise RuntimeError(
+                'No chart actors found in service domain?'
+            )
 
         for portal in maybe_portals:
             ctx_mngrs.append(

piker/ui/_style.py

@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ class DpiAwareFont:
     ) -> None:
 
         self._font_size_calc_key: str = _font_size_key
-        self._font_size: int | None = None
+        self._font_size: int|None = None
 
         # Read preferred font size from main config file if it exists
         conf, path = config.load('conf', touch_if_dne=True)
@@ -107,7 +107,22 @@ class DpiAwareFont:
 
     @property
     def px_size(self) -> int:
-        return self._qfont.pixelSize()
+        size: int = self._qfont.pixelSize()
+
+        # XXX, when no Qt app has been spawned this will always be
+        # invalid..
+        # SO, just return any conf.toml value.
+        if size == -1:
+            if (conf_size := self._font_size) is None:
+                raise ValueError(
+                    f'No valid `{type(_font).__name__}.px_size` set?\n'
+                    f'\n'
+                    f'-> `ui.font_size` is NOT set in `conf.toml`\n'
+                    f'-> no Qt app is active ??\n'
+                )
+            return conf_size
+
+        return size
 
     def configure_to_dpi(self, screen: QtGui.QScreen | None = None):
         '''
@@ -221,6 +236,20 @@ def _config_fonts_to_screen() -> None:
     _font_small.configure_to_dpi()
 
 
+def get_fonts() -> tuple[
+    DpiAwareFont,
+    DpiAwareFont,
+]:
+    '''
+    Get the singleton font pair (of instances) from which all other
+    UI/UX should be "scaled around".
+
+    See `DpiAwareFont` for (internal) deats.
+
+    '''
+    return _font, _font_small
+
+
 # TODO: re-compute font size when main widget switches screens?
 # https://forum.qt.io/topic/54136/how-do-i-get-the-qscreen-my-widget-is-on-qapplication-desktop-screen-returns-a-qwidget-and-qobject_cast-qscreen-returns-null/3
 

pyproject.toml

@@ -98,6 +98,7 @@ python-downloads = 'manual'
 # https://docs.astral.sh/uv/concepts/projects/dependencies/#default-groups
 default-groups = [
   'uis',
+  'repl',
 ]
 # ------ tool.uv ------
 
@@ -116,7 +117,6 @@ uis = [
 dev = [
   # https://docs.astral.sh/uv/concepts/projects/dependencies/#development-dependencies
   "cython >=3.0.0, <4.0.0",
-
   # nested deps-groups
   # https://docs.astral.sh/uv/concepts/projects/dependencies/#nesting-groups
   {include-group = 'uis'},
@@ -130,10 +130,14 @@ repl = [
     "greenback >=1.1.1, <2.0.0",
 
   # @goodboy's preferred console toolz
-  "xonsh",
+  "xonsh>=0.22.2",
     "prompt-toolkit ==3.0.40",
     "pyperclip>=1.9.0",
 
+  # for @claude's `snippets/claude_debug_helper.py` it uses to do
+  # "offline" debug/crash REPL-in alongside a dev.
+  "pexpect>=4.9.0",
+
   # ?TODO, new stuff to consider..
   # "visidata"  # console numerics
   # "xxh"  # for remote `xonsh`-ing
@@ -191,6 +195,11 @@ pyqtgraph = { git = "https://github.com/pikers/pyqtgraph.git" }
 tomlkit = { git = "https://github.com/pikers/tomlkit.git", branch ="piker_pin" }
 pyvnc = { git = "https://github.com/regulad/pyvnc.git" }
 
+# to get fancy next-cmd/suggestion feats prior to 0.22.2 B)
+# https://github.com/xonsh/xonsh/pull/6037
+# https://github.com/xonsh/xonsh/pull/6048
+# xonsh = { git = 'https://github.com/xonsh/xonsh.git', branch = 'main' }
+
 # XXX since, we're like, always hacking new shite all-the-time. Bp
 tractor = { git = "https://github.com/goodboy/tractor.git", branch ="piker_pin" }
 # tractor = { git = "https://pikers.dev/goodboy/tractor", branch = "piker_pin" }

snippets/claude_debug_helper.py

@@ -0,0 +1,256 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
+'''
+Programmatic debugging helper for `pdbp` REPL human-like
+interaction but built to allow `claude` to interact with 
+crashes and `tractor.pause()` breakpoints along side a human dev.
+
+Originally written by `clauded` during a backfiller inspection
+session with @goodboy trying to resolve duplicate/gappy ohlcv ts
+issues discovered while testing the new `nativedb` tsdb.
+
+Allows `claude` to run `pdb` commands and capture output in an "offline"
+manner but generating similar output as if it was iteracting with
+the debug REPL.
+
+The use of `pexpect` is heavily based on tractor's REPL UX test
+suite(s), namely various `tests/devx/test_debugger.py` patterns.
+
+'''
+import sys
+import os
+import time
+
+import pexpect
+from pexpect.exceptions import (
+    TIMEOUT,
+    EOF,
+)
+
+
+PROMPT: str = r'\(Pdb\+\)'
+
+
+def expect(
+    child: pexpect.spawn,
+    patt: str,
+    **kwargs,
+) -> None:
+    '''
+    Expect wrapper that prints last console data before failing.
+
+    '''
+    try:
+        child.expect(
+            patt,
+            **kwargs,
+        )
+    except TIMEOUT:
+        before: str = (
+            str(child.before.decode())
+            if isinstance(child.before, bytes)
+            else str(child.before)
+        )
+        print(
+            f'TIMEOUT waiting for pattern: {patt}\n'
+            f'Last seen output:\n{before}'
+        )
+        raise
+
+
+def run_pdb_commands(
+    commands: list[str],
+    initial_cmd: str = 'piker store ldshm xmrusdt.usdtm.perp.binance',
+    timeout: int = 30,
+    print_output: bool = True,
+) -> dict[str, str]:
+    '''
+    Spawn piker process, wait for pdb prompt, execute commands.
+
+    Returns dict mapping command -> output.
+
+    '''
+    results: dict[str, str] = {}
+
+    # Disable colored output for easier parsing
+    os.environ['PYTHON_COLORS'] = '0'
+
+    # Spawn the process
+    if print_output:
+        print(f'Spawning: {initial_cmd}')
+
+    child: pexpect.spawn = pexpect.spawn(
+        initial_cmd,
+        timeout=timeout,
+        encoding='utf-8',
+        echo=False,
+    )
+
+    # Wait for pdb prompt
+    try:
+        expect(child, PROMPT, timeout=timeout)
+        if print_output:
+            print('Reached pdb prompt!')
+
+        # Execute each command
+        for cmd in commands:
+            if print_output:
+                print(f'\n>>> {cmd}')
+
+            child.sendline(cmd)
+            time.sleep(0.1)
+
+            # Wait for next prompt
+            expect(child, PROMPT, timeout=timeout)
+
+            # Capture output (everything before the prompt)
+            output: str = (
+                str(child.before.decode())
+                if isinstance(child.before, bytes)
+                else str(child.before)
+            )
+            results[cmd] = output
+
+            if print_output:
+                print(output)
+
+        # Quit debugger gracefully
+        child.sendline('quit')
+        try:
+            child.expect(EOF, timeout=5)
+        except (TIMEOUT, EOF):
+            pass
+
+    except TIMEOUT as e:
+        print(f'Timeout: {e}')
+        if child.before:
+            before: str = (
+                str(child.before.decode())
+                if isinstance(child.before, bytes)
+                else str(child.before)
+            )
+            print(f'Buffer:\n{before}')
+        results['_error'] = str(e)
+
+    finally:
+        if child.isalive():
+            child.close(force=True)
+
+    return results
+
+
+class InteractivePdbSession:
+    '''
+    Interactive pdb session manager for incremental debugging.
+
+    '''
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        cmd: str = 'piker store ldshm xmrusdt.usdtm.perp.binance',
+        timeout: int = 30,
+    ):
+        self.cmd: str = cmd
+        self.timeout: int = timeout
+        self.child: pexpect.spawn|None = None
+        self.history: list[tuple[str, str]] = []
+
+    def start(self) -> None:
+        '''
+        Start the piker process and wait for first prompt.
+
+        '''
+        os.environ['PYTHON_COLORS'] = '0'
+
+        print(f'Starting: {self.cmd}')
+        self.child = pexpect.spawn(
+            self.cmd,
+            timeout=self.timeout,
+            encoding='utf-8',
+            echo=False,
+        )
+
+        # Wait for initial prompt
+        expect(self.child, PROMPT, timeout=self.timeout)
+        print('Ready at pdb prompt!')
+
+    def run(
+        self,
+        cmd: str,
+        print_output: bool = True,
+    ) -> str:
+        '''
+        Execute a single pdb command and return output.
+
+        '''
+        if not self.child or not self.child.isalive():
+            raise RuntimeError('Session not started or dead')
+
+        if print_output:
+            print(f'\n>>> {cmd}')
+
+        self.child.sendline(cmd)
+        time.sleep(0.1)
+
+        # Wait for next prompt
+        expect(self.child, PROMPT, timeout=self.timeout)
+
+        output: str = (
+            str(self.child.before.decode())
+            if isinstance(self.child.before, bytes)
+            else str(self.child.before)
+        )
+        self.history.append((cmd, output))
+
+        if print_output:
+            print(output)
+
+        return output
+
+    def quit(self) -> None:
+        '''
+        Exit the debugger and cleanup.
+
+        '''
+        if self.child and self.child.isalive():
+            self.child.sendline('quit')
+            try:
+                self.child.expect(EOF, timeout=5)
+            except (TIMEOUT, EOF):
+                pass
+            self.child.close(force=True)
+
+    def __enter__(self):
+        self.start()
+        return self
+
+    def __exit__(self, *args):
+        self.quit()
+
+
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+    # Example inspection commands
+    inspect_cmds: list[str] = [
+        'locals().keys()',
+        'type(deduped)',
+        'deduped.shape',
+        (
+            'step_gaps.shape '
+            'if "step_gaps" in locals() '
+            'else "N/A"'
+        ),
+        (
+            'venue_gaps.shape '
+            'if "venue_gaps" in locals() '
+            'else "N/A"'
+        ),
+    ]
+
+    # Allow commands from CLI args
+    if len(sys.argv) > 1:
+        inspect_cmds = sys.argv[1:]
+
+    # Interactive session example
+    with InteractivePdbSession() as session:
+        for cmd in inspect_cmds:
+            session.run(cmd)
+
+    print('\n=== Session Complete ===')

uv.lock

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 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "pexpect"
+version = "4.9.0"
+source = { registry = "https://pypi.org/simple" }
+dependencies = [
+    { name = "ptyprocess" },
+]
+sdist = { url = "https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/42/92/cc564bf6381ff43ce1f4d06852fc19a2f11d180f23dc32d9588bee2f149d/pexpect-4.9.0.tar.gz", hash = "sha256:ee7d41123f3c9911050ea2c2dac107568dc43b2d3b0c7557a33212c398ead30f", size = 166450, upload-time = "2023-11-25T09:07:26.339Z" }
+wheels = [
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+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "piker"
 version = "0.1.0a0.dev0"
@@ -1047,6 +1059,7 @@ dev = [
     { name = "greenback" },
     { name = "i3ipc" },
     { name = "pdbp" },
+    { name = "pexpect" },
     { name = "prompt-toolkit" },
     { name = "pyperclip" },
     { name = "pyqt6" },
@@ -1062,6 +1075,7 @@ lint = [
 repl = [
     { name = "greenback" },
     { name = "pdbp" },
+    { name = "pexpect" },
     { name = "prompt-toolkit" },
     { name = "pyperclip" },
     { name = "xonsh" },
@@ -1116,6 +1130,7 @@ dev = [
     { name = "greenback", specifier = ">=1.1.1,<2.0.0" },
     { name = "i3ipc", specifier = ">=2.2.1" },
     { name = "pdbp", specifier = ">=1.8.2,<2.0.0" },
+    { name = "pexpect", specifier = ">=4.9.0" },
     { name = "prompt-toolkit", specifier = "==3.0.40" },
     { name = "pyperclip", specifier = ">=1.9.0" },
     { name = "pyqt6", specifier = ">=6.7.0,<7.0.0" },
@@ -1123,15 +1138,16 @@ dev = [
     { name = "pytest" },
     { name = "qdarkstyle", specifier = ">=3.0.2,<4.0.0" },
     { name = "rapidfuzz", specifier = ">=3.2.0,<4.0.0" },
-    { name = "xonsh" },
+    { name = "xonsh", specifier = ">=0.22.2" },
 ]
 lint = [{ name = "ruff", specifier = ">=0.9.6" }]
 repl = [
     { name = "greenback", specifier = ">=1.1.1,<2.0.0" },
     { name = "pdbp", specifier = ">=1.8.2,<2.0.0" },
+    { name = "pexpect", specifier = ">=4.9.0" },
     { name = "prompt-toolkit", specifier = "==3.0.40" },
     { name = "pyperclip", specifier = ">=1.9.0" },
-    { name = "xonsh" },
+    { name = "xonsh", specifier = ">=0.22.2" },
 ]
 testing = [{ name = "pytest" }]
 uis = [
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 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "ptyprocess"
+version = "0.7.0"
+source = { registry = "https://pypi.org/simple" }
+sdist = { url = "https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/20/e5/16ff212c1e452235a90aeb09066144d0c5a6a8c0834397e03f5224495c4e/ptyprocess-0.7.0.tar.gz", hash = "sha256:5c5d0a3b48ceee0b48485e0c26037c0acd7d29765ca3fbb5cb3831d347423220", size = 70762, upload-time = "2020-12-28T15:15:30.155Z" }
+wheels = [
+    { url = "https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/22/a6/858897256d0deac81a172289110f31629fc4cee19b6f01283303e18c8db3/ptyprocess-0.7.0-py2.py3-none-any.whl", hash = "sha256:4b41f3967fce3af57cc7e94b888626c18bf37a083e3651ca8feeb66d492fef35", size = 13993, upload-time = "2020-12-28T15:15:28.35Z" },
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "pyarrow"
 version = "22.0.0"
@@ -1843,7 +1868,7 @@ source = { git = "https://github.com/pikers/tomlkit.git?branch=piker_pin#8e0239a
 [[package]]
 name = "tractor"
 version = "0.1.0a6.dev0"
-source = { git = "https://github.com/goodboy/tractor.git?branch=piker_pin#e232d9dd06f41b8dca997f0647f2083d27cc34f2" }
+source = { git = "https://github.com/goodboy/tractor.git?branch=piker_pin#36307c59175a1d04fecc77ef2c28f5c943b5f3d1" }
 dependencies = [
     { name = "bidict" },
     { name = "cffi" },
@@ -2095,13 +2120,13 @@ wheels = [
 
 [[package]]
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+version = "0.22.4"
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