Release note added.

Some bug solved.

.gitignore

@@ -34,6 +34,16 @@ MANIFEST
 # Sphinx documentation
 docs/_build/
 
+# MkDocs generated site
+site/
+
+# pytest
+.pytest_cache/
+
+# Coverage
+.coverage
+htmlcov/
+
 # Environments
 .env
 .venv

README.md

@@ -1,5 +1,49 @@
 # pyapp-engine
 
+# Development
+
+## Installation
+
+```bash
+pip install -e ".[dev,docs]"
+```
+
+## Running the tests
+
+```bash
+pytest
+```
+
+Coverage report is displayed automatically in the terminal. Other formats:
+
+```bash
+pytest --cov-report=html    # htmlcov/index.html  (browsable)
+pytest --cov-report=xml     # coverage.xml        (CI tools)
+pytest --cov-report=term    # terminal summary only
+```
+
+Reports can be combined:
+
+```bash
+pytest --cov-report=term-missing --cov-report=html
+```
+
+## Documentation
+
+Preview locally:
+
+```bash
+mkdocs serve
+# available at http://127.0.0.1:8000
+```
+
+Build the static site:
+
+```bash
+mkdocs build
+# output in site/
+```
+
 # License
 
 The pyapp-engine module was written by François Dausseur fdausseur@free.fr.

VERSION

@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.4
+0.7

docs/api.md

@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+# API Reference
+
+## AppEngine
+
+::: appengine.AppEngine
+
+---
+
+## Commands
+
+::: appengine.Commands
+
+---
+
+## CommandsLoader
+
+::: appengine.CommandsLoader
+
+---
+
+## Errors
+
+::: appengine.AEErrs
+
+::: appengine.AppEngineException

docs/getting-started.md

@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+# Getting started
+
+## Project structure
+
+```
+my_project/
+├── main.py
+├── config.ini
+└── modules/
+    ├── cmds_foo.py
+    └── cmds_bar.py
+```
+
+## Configuration file
+
+```ini
+[general]
+default = foo          # default module (used when no module is specified)
+# methods_prefix = cmd_   # optional: override command method prefix
+# modules_prefix = cmds_  # optional: override module file prefix
+
+[foo]
+alias = f              # optional: short name for the module
+my_setting = value     # any key accessible via self.config.get("my_setting")
+
+[bar]
+# ...
+```
+
+## Writing a module
+
+```python
+from appengine import Commands, AppEngineException, AEErrs
+
+class Foo(Commands):
+    # Set to True to run this module in a background thread
+    threaded = False
+
+    # Declare dependencies on other modules
+    # dependencies = ["bar"]          # list form  → self.bar = cmods["bar"]
+    # dependencies = {"b": "bar"}     # dict form  → self.b   = cmods["bar"]
+
+    def cmd_add(self, a: float, b: float):
+        """Add two numbers.
+
+        Args:
+            a: First operand.
+            b: Second operand.
+
+        Returns:
+            float: The sum of *a* and *b*.
+        """
+        return float(a) + float(b)
+
+    def cmd_fail(self):
+        """Demonstrate structured error reporting."""
+        raise AppEngineException(AEErrs.INVALID_PARAMS, "Nothing to do here")
+
+    def free(self):
+        # Close connections, files, etc.
+        pass
+```
+
+## Threaded module
+
+```python
+import time
+from appengine import Commands
+
+class Worker(Commands):
+    threaded = True   # will be started as a Thread
+
+    def run(self):
+        while not self.stopped:
+            self.info("tick")
+            time.sleep(1)
+
+    def free(self):
+        self.info("worker cleaned up")
+```
+
+## Dispatching commands
+
+Commands are dispatched via `execute_command(module, method, *args)`:
+
+```python
+success, result = my_commands_instance.execute_command("foo", "add", 1, 2)
+```
+
+### Built-in help
+
+| Call | Result |
+|------|--------|
+| `execute_command("", "help")` | List of all modules |
+| `execute_command("", "help", "foo")` | List of commands in `foo` |
+| `execute_command("", "help", "foo.add")` | Docstring of `foo.add` |
+
+## Error handling
+
+Commands return `(success: bool, result)`.  
+On error, `result` is a tuple `(error_code: int, message: str)`.
+
+Error codes follow the JSON-RPC convention (see `AEErrs`).

docs/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+# pyappengine
+
+A Python framework for building **modular, command-based applications** with dynamic module loading, thread-safe command dispatch, and structured lifecycle management.
+
+## Features
+
+- **Dynamic module loading** — drop a `cmds_*.py` file in your module directory, it's loaded automatically
+- **Thread-safe command dispatch** — shared lock across all modules
+- **Threaded modules** — opt-in background thread execution per module
+- **Inter-module dependencies** — declarative dependency injection between modules
+- **Built-in help system** — introspects docstrings at runtime
+- **INI configuration** — per-module config sections
+- **Graceful shutdown** — SIGINT handler + global stop event
+
+## Installation
+
+```bash
+pip install pyappengine
+```
+
+## Quick start
+
+**1. Create your application entry point:**
+
+```python
+from appengine import AppEngine
+
+app = AppEngine(
+    "my_app",
+    conf_file="config.ini",
+    log_file="my_app.log",
+    debug=True,
+)
+app.exec(modpath="./modules")
+```
+
+**2. Create a module** — save as `modules/cmds_hello.py`:
+
+```python
+from appengine import Commands
+
+class Hello(Commands):
+    def cmd_greet(self, name: str):
+        """Greet someone.
+
+        Args:
+            name: The person to greet.
+
+        Returns:
+            str: A greeting string.
+        """
+        return f"Hello, {name}!"
+```
+
+**3. Create a minimal config** — `config.ini`:
+
+```ini
+[general]
+default = hello
+```
+
+## License
+
+Released under the [CeCILL-C](https://cecill.info/licences/Licence_CeCILL-C_V1-en.html) license.  
+Author: François Dausseur — fdausseur@free.fr

mkdocs.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+site_name: pyappengine
+site_description: Python Application Engine — modular command-based application framework
+site_author: François Dausseur
+repo_url: https://git.beafrancois.fr/Foue-opensource/pyappengine
+repo_name: pyappengine
+
+theme:
+  name: material
+  palette:
+    - scheme: default
+      primary: indigo
+      accent: indigo
+      toggle:
+        icon: material/brightness-7
+        name: Switch to dark mode
+    - scheme: slate
+      primary: indigo
+      accent: indigo
+      toggle:
+        icon: material/brightness-4
+        name: Switch to light mode
+  features:
+    - navigation.sections
+    - navigation.top
+    - search.suggest
+    - content.code.copy
+
+plugins:
+  - search
+  - mkdocstrings:
+      handlers:
+        python:
+          options:
+            show_source: true
+            show_root_heading: true
+            docstring_style: google
+            members_order: source
+
+nav:
+  - Home: index.md
+  - Getting started: getting-started.md
+  - API Reference: api.md
+
+markdown_extensions:
+  - admonition
+  - pymdownx.highlight:
+      anchor_linenums: true
+  - pymdownx.superfences
+  - pymdownx.inlinehilite
+  - toc:
+      permalink: true

pyproject.toml

@@ -18,8 +18,24 @@ classifiers = [
 dependencies = [ ]
 dynamic = ["version"]
 
+[project.optional-dependencies]
+docs = [
+    "mkdocs>=1.5",
+    "mkdocs-material>=9.0",
+    "mkdocstrings[python]>=0.24",
+]
+dev = [
+    "pytest>=8.0",
+    "pytest-cov>=5.0",
+]
+
+[tool.pytest.ini_options]
+testpaths = ["tests"]
+pythonpath = ["src", "tests"]
+addopts = "--cov=appengine --cov-report=term-missing"
+
 [project.urls]
-"Homepage" = "https://git.beafrancois.fr/Foue/pyappengine"
+"Homepage" = "https://git.beafrancois.fr/Foue-opensource/pyappengine"
 
 [tool.setuptools.dynamic]
 version = {file = ["VERSION"]}

release_note.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+Release notes — pyappengine 0.7
+================================
+
+
+Documentation
+-------------
+- Added full API reference (Google-style docstrings on all public classes and
+  methods: AppEngine, CommandsLoader, Commands, AEErrs, AppEngineException).
+- Set up MkDocs with Material theme and mkdocstrings for auto-generated
+  documentation site.
+- Added docs/index.md (overview and quick-start example).
+- Added docs/getting-started.md (project structure, module authoring guide,
+  dependency declaration, help system, error handling).
+- Added docs/api.md (API reference page, auto-generated from docstrings).
+
+
+Tests
+-----
+- Added test suite based on pytest and pytest-cov (88% → 91% coverage).
+- tests/conftest.py: shared fixtures and SampleModule helper class.
+- tests/test_errors.py: tests for is_number, AEErrs, AppEngineException.
+- tests/test_commands.py: tests for Commands (val_to_print, logging, stop,
+  help, list_modules, execute_command, dispatch).
+- tests/test_commands_loader.py: tests for dynamic module loading, nickname
+  override, config section injection, dependency injection (list and dict
+  forms), threaded module lifecycle.
+- tests/test_app_engine.py: tests for AppEngine init, config parsing, log
+  setup, stop mechanism.
+
+
+Bug fixes
+---------
+- AEErrs.__str__: ERROR_MESSAGES was keyed by enum members but looked up by
+  integer value (.value). Fixed to look up by enum member.
+- execute_command: after resolving an underscore/hyphen module alias, the
+  original (non-aliased) name was still used for dispatch, causing a KeyError.
+  Fixed to use the resolved alias.
+- execute_command: when parsing "help <module>" (no function name), args were
+  not cleared before dispatch. This caused cmd_help() to receive the module
+  name as an argument and return "No command with this name". Fixed to clear
+  args and kwargs after resolving the module name.
+
+
+Project / packaging
+-------------------
+- pyproject.toml: added optional dependency groups [docs] and [dev].
+- pyproject.toml: added [tool.pytest.ini_options] (testpaths, pythonpath,
+  default coverage options).
+- .gitignore: added site/, .coverage, htmlcov/, .pytest_cache/.
+- README.md: added Development section (installation, running tests, coverage
+  reports, documentation preview and build).

src/appengine/__init__.py

@@ -1,4 +1,18 @@
 #!/usr/bin/python3
+"""pyappengine — Python Application Engine.
+
+A framework for building modular, command-based Python applications
+with dynamic module loading, thread-safe command dispatch, and
+structured lifecycle management.
+
+Typical usage:
+    ```python
+    from appengine import AppEngine
+
+    app = AppEngine("my_app", conf_file="config.ini", debug=True)
+    app.exec(modpath="./modules")
+    ```
+"""
 
 import os
 import sys
@@ -16,6 +30,14 @@ from threading import Thread, Event
 
 
 def is_number(s):
+    """Check whether a string represents a numeric value.
+
+    Args:
+        s (str): The string to test.
+
+    Returns:
+        bool: ``True`` if *s* can be parsed as a float, ``False`` otherwise.
+    """
     try:
         float(s)
         return True
@@ -25,6 +47,16 @@ def is_number(s):
 
 
 class AEErrs(Enum):
+    """JSON-RPC-inspired error codes used throughout the engine.
+
+    Attributes:
+        PARSE_ERROR: Invalid JSON received (-32700).
+        INVALID_REQUEST: Request is not a valid object (-32600).
+        METH_NOT_FOUND: Method does not exist or is not available (-32601).
+        INVALID_PARAMS: Invalid method parameters (-32602).
+        INTERNAL_ERROR: Generic internal error (-32000).
+    """
+
     PARSE_ERROR = -32700
     INVALID_REQUEST = -32600
     METH_NOT_FOUND = -32601
@@ -32,7 +64,7 @@ class AEErrs(Enum):
     INTERNAL_ERROR = -32000
 
     def __str__(self) -> str:
-        return ERROR_MESSAGES[self.value]
+        return ERROR_MESSAGES[self]
 
 ERROR_MESSAGES = {
     AEErrs.PARSE_ERROR: """Invalid JSON was received by the server.
@@ -45,14 +77,88 @@ ERROR_MESSAGES = {
 
 
 class AppEngineException(Exception):
+    """Exception raised by command modules to signal a structured error.
+
+    Wraps an :class:`AEErrs` code so that the engine can return a
+    machine-readable ``(code, message)`` pair to the caller.
+
+    Args:
+        error (AEErrs): The error type.
+        mesg (str, optional): Custom message. Defaults to the standard
+            message associated with *error*.
+
+    Attributes:
+        value (int): Numeric error code (from :class:`AEErrs`).
+        mesg (str): Human-readable error message.
+
+    Example:
+        ```python
+        raise AppEngineException(AEErrs.INVALID_PARAMS, "Expected an integer")
+        ```
+    """
+
     def __init__(self, error: AEErrs, mesg=None) -> None:
         if mesg is None:
             self.mesg = str(error)
+        else:
+            self.mesg = mesg
         super().__init__(self.mesg)
         self.value = error.value
 
 
 class Commands(Thread):
+    """Base class for all command modules.
+
+    Subclass ``Commands`` to create a module. Any method whose name starts
+    with :attr:`prefcmd` (default ``"cmd_"``) is automatically exposed as a
+    callable command and listed by the built-in ``help`` system.
+
+    A module can optionally run as a background thread by setting
+    ``self.threaded = True`` in ``__init__``. When threaded, the module's
+    ``run()`` method will be executed in a dedicated thread managed by
+    :class:`CommandsLoader`.
+
+    Inter-module dependencies can be declared via a ``dependencies``
+    attribute (see :meth:`CommandsLoader._load_dependencies`).
+
+    Class Attributes:
+        defmod (str | None): Name of the default module, set by
+            :class:`CommandsLoader` from the ``[general]`` config section.
+        prefcmd (str): Prefix for command methods. Defaults to ``"cmd_"``.
+
+    Attributes:
+        threaded (bool): If ``True``, the module runs as a thread.
+            Defaults to ``False``.
+        cmods (dict): Shared dictionary of all loaded modules
+            (``{name: Commands}``), injected by :class:`CommandsLoader`.
+        config (ConfigParser | None): Configuration section for this module.
+        log (logging.Logger): Logger instance shared across all modules.
+        nickname (str | None): Module alias read from ``config["alias"]``.
+        stopped (bool): Set to ``True`` by :meth:`stop`.
+        stop_all_event (threading.Event | None): Global stop event,
+            injected by :class:`CommandsLoader`.
+
+    Example:
+        ```python
+        from appengine import Commands
+
+        class MyModule(Commands):
+            threaded = False
+
+            def cmd_greet(self, name: str):
+                \"\"\"Greet someone.
+
+                Args:
+                    name: The person to greet.
+
+                Returns:
+                    str: A greeting string.
+                \"\"\"
+                return f"Hello, {name}!"
+        ```
+        Save the file as ``cmds_my_module.py`` in your ``modpath``.
+    """
+
     defmod = None
     prefcmd = "cmd_"
 
@@ -69,6 +175,15 @@ class Commands(Thread):
             self.nickname = self.config.get("alias")
 
     def val_to_print(self, val, dig=1):
+        """Format a value as a printable string.
+
+        Args:
+            val (str | float | Any): The value to format.
+            dig (int): Number of decimal places for float values. Defaults to 1.
+
+        Returns:
+            str: The formatted string representation of *val*.
+        """
         if isinstance(val, str):
             return val
         if isinstance(val, float):
@@ -78,39 +193,73 @@ class Commands(Thread):
             return str(val)
 
     def info(self, msg):
+        """Log an informational message.
+
+        Args:
+            msg (str): Message to log.
+        """
         if self.log:
             self.log.info(msg)
         else:
             print("info:    " + msg)
 
     def debug(self, msg):
+        """Log a debug message.
+
+        Args:
+            msg (str): Message to log.
+        """
         if self.log:
             self.log.debug(msg)
         else:
             print("debug:   " + msg)
 
     def warning(self, msg):
+        """Log a warning message.
+
+        Args:
+            msg (str): Message to log.
+        """
         if self.log:
             self.log.warning(msg)
         else:
             print("warning: " + msg)
 
     def error(self, msg):
+        """Log an error message.
+
+        Args:
+            msg (str): Message to log.
+        """
         if self.log:
             self.log.error(msg)
         else:
             print("error:   " + msg)
 
     def stop(self):
+        """Signal the module to stop.
+
+        Sets :attr:`stopped` to ``True``. Threaded subclasses should check
+        this flag in their ``run()`` loop to exit gracefully.
+        """
         self.stopped = True
 
     def free(self):
-        """ Virtual method used to clean resources for threaded Commands
+        """Release resources held by this module.
-        when they are stopped.
+
+        This is a no-op by default. Override it in subclasses to close
+        connections, files, or other resources when the application exits.
+        Called by :meth:`CommandsLoader.free` for every loaded module.
         """
         pass
 
     def list_modules(self):
+        """Return a formatted list of all loaded modules.
+
+        Returns:
+            tuple[bool, str]: ``(True, listing)`` where *listing* is a
+            newline-separated string of module names.
+        """
         success = True
         ret = "List of modules:\n"
         for module in self.cmods.keys():
@@ -118,6 +267,16 @@ class Commands(Thread):
         return success, ret.strip()
 
     def help_module(self, module, *args):
+        """Return the help text for a given module or one of its commands.
+
+        Args:
+            module (str): Name of the target module.
+            *args: If provided, the first element is the command name whose
+                docstring should be returned.
+
+        Returns:
+            str: Help text, or an error message if the module is not found.
+        """
         if module in self.cmods.keys():
             if len(args) > 0:
                 return self.cmods[module].cmd_help(args[0])
@@ -127,6 +286,23 @@ class Commands(Thread):
             return "No module with this name"
 
     def _execute_command(self, method: str, *args, **kwargs) -> tuple:
+        """Execute a command on this module in a thread-safe manner.
+
+        Looks up the method ``<prefcmd><method>`` on ``self``, acquires the
+        shared lock, calls it, and returns the result. Handles
+        :class:`AppEngineException` and bare exceptions gracefully.
+
+        Args:
+            method (str): Command name (without the ``cmd_`` prefix).
+            *args: Positional arguments forwarded to the command method.
+            **kwargs: Keyword arguments forwarded to the command method.
+
+        Returns:
+            tuple[bool, Any]: ``(success, result)`` where *success* is
+            ``False`` if the method was not found or raised an error, and
+            *result* is either the command return value or an
+            ``(error_code, message)`` tuple.
+        """
         success = False
         ret = (AEErrs.INTERNAL_ERROR.value, "function not found")
         if hasattr(self, self.prefcmd + method) and inspect.ismethod(
@@ -169,12 +345,53 @@ class Commands(Thread):
         return success, ret
 
     def execute_command(self, module: str, method: str, *args, **kwargs):
+        """Dispatch a command to the appropriate module.
+
+        Handles the special ``help`` command (with no module prefix) and
+        resolves underscore/hyphen aliases for module names before
+        delegating to :meth:`_execute_command`.
+
+        Args:
+            module (str): Target module name. Pass an empty string ``""``
+                to use :attr:`defmod`, or for the built-in ``help`` routing.
+            method (str): Command name (without the ``cmd_`` prefix).
+            *args: Positional arguments forwarded to the command.
+            **kwargs: Keyword arguments forwarded to the command.
+
+        Returns:
+            tuple[bool, Any]: ``(success, result)`` from
+            :meth:`_execute_command`, or ``(False, (error_code, message))``
+            if the module is not found.
+        """
         # isolate the module called
         success = False
 
         if module == "":
             if method == 'help':
-                return self.list_modules()
+                # No argument was given to the help function
+                if len(args) == 0 and len(kwargs) == 0:
+                    msg  = "Type 'help <module>' to have the list of module's functions.\n"
+                    msg += "Type 'help <module>.<function>' to documentation of a specific function.\n"
+                    success, ret = self.list_modules()
+                    return success, msg + ret
+                else:
+                    # 1 argument has been provided
+                    if len(args) > 0:
+                        arg = args[0]
+                    else:
+                        arg = list(kwargs.keys())[0]
+                    spl = arg.split(".", 1)
+
+                    # help <module>
+                    if len(spl) == 1:
+                        module = arg
+                        args = []
+                        kwargs = {}
+                    # help <module>.<method>
+                    else:
+                        module = spl[0]
+                        args = [spl[1]]
+                        kwargs = {}
             else:
                 module = self.defmod
 
@@ -184,18 +401,31 @@ class Commands(Thread):
                 ret = 'module "{}" not found'.format(module)
                 self.log.error(ret)
                 return success, (AEErrs.INVALID_REQUEST.value, ret)
+            module = m
 
         return self.cmods[module]._execute_command(method, *args, **kwargs)
 
     def stop_all(self):
+        """Trigger a global application stop.
+
+        Sets the shared :attr:`stop_all_event`, which signals
+        :class:`AppEngine` to initiate an orderly shutdown of all modules.
+        """
         if self.stop_all_event is not None:
             self.stop_all_event.set()
 
     def cmd_help(self, *args, **kwargs):
-        """Help of module commands.
+        """List available commands or show the docstring of a specific one.
-        Params:
+
-            - if No param:  list of commands
+        Args:
-            - otherwise:    help of the first arg"""
+            *args: If empty, all command names are listed. If one argument
+                is given, it is treated as a command name and its docstring
+                is returned.
+
+        Returns:
+            str: A newline-separated list of command names, or the
+            docstring of the requested command.
+        """
 
         ret = ""
 
@@ -222,6 +452,30 @@ class Commands(Thread):
 
 
 class CommandsLoader:
+    """Discover, load, and manage the lifecycle of command modules.
+
+    Scans *modpath* for Python files whose names match
+    ``<modules_prefix><name>.py`` (default prefix: ``"cmds_"``),
+    imports each one, and instantiates the first :class:`Commands`
+    subclass found.
+
+    All modules share the same :class:`threading.Lock` and
+    :class:`threading.Event` (stop signal) injected by :class:`AppEngine`.
+
+    Args:
+        stop_event (threading.Event): Event used to signal a global stop.
+        config (ConfigParser): Full application configuration.
+        log (logging.Handler): Logger shared across all modules.
+        modpath (str): Directory to scan for module files.
+
+    Note:
+        The ``[general]`` config section may override engine defaults:
+
+        - ``default``: name of the default module.
+        - ``methods_prefix``: prefix for command methods (default ``"cmd_"``).
+        - ``modules_prefix``: prefix for module files (default ``"cmds_"``).
+    """
+
     def __init__(self, stop_event: Event, config: ConfigParser, log: logging.Handler, modpath: str):
         self.config = config
         self.modpath = modpath
@@ -241,6 +495,12 @@ class CommandsLoader:
         self._set_cmods()
 
     def _load_commands(self):
+        """Scan *modpath* and load all matching module files.
+
+        Populates :attr:`cmods` with successfully instantiated modules.
+        Each module is keyed by its ``nickname`` (from config) or by its
+        filename stem stripped of the module prefix.
+        """
         cmds = {}
         with os.scandir(self.modpath) as it:
             for entry in it:
@@ -265,6 +525,19 @@ class CommandsLoader:
         self.cmods = cmds
 
     def _load_module(self, name: str):
+        """Import a module file and instantiate its :class:`Commands` subclass.
+
+        Args:
+            name (str): Module filename stem (without ``.py``).
+
+        Returns:
+            Commands | None: The instantiated module object, or ``None`` if
+            no valid :class:`Commands` subclass could be instantiated.
+
+        Raises:
+            Exception: If the Python file cannot be imported at all
+                (e.g. missing dependency).
+        """
         try:
             module = import_module(name)
         except ModuleNotFoundError:
@@ -278,7 +551,11 @@ class CommandsLoader:
         obj = None
         for n, c in members:
             if issubclass(c, Commands) and (n != "Commands"):
-                obj = c(conf, self.log)
+                try:
+                    obj = c(conf, self.log)
+                except:
+                    self.log.error(f"The object '{c.__name__}' could not be instantiated.")
+                    continue
                 obj.log = self.log
                 obj.lock = self.lock
                 obj.stop_all_event = self.stop_event
@@ -287,15 +564,41 @@ class CommandsLoader:
         return obj
 
     def _set_cmods(self):
+        """Inject the shared ``cmods`` dict into every loaded module.
+
+        This allows any module to call commands on any other module via
+        :meth:`Commands.execute_command`.
+        """
         for k, v in self.cmods.items():
             v.cmods = self.cmods
 
     def _load_dependencies(self):
+        """Resolve and inject inter-module dependencies.
+
+        For each module that declares a ``dependencies`` attribute, the
+        corresponding module objects are looked up in :attr:`cmods` and set
+        as attributes on the dependent module.
+
+        ``dependencies`` can be:
+
+        - A **list** of module names: each name becomes both the attribute
+          name and the key in ``cmods``.
+        - A **dict** ``{attr_name: module_name}``: allows renaming the
+          injected attribute.
+
+        Logs an error for any dependency that cannot be satisfied.
+        """
         for k, v in self.cmods.items():
             if hasattr(v, "dependencies"):
-                for p in v.dependencies:
+                deps = v.dependencies
-                    if p in self.cmods.keys():
+                # dependencies can be a list or dictionary
-                        setattr(v, p, self.cmods[p])
+                if isinstance(v.dependencies, list):
+                    deps = {}
+                    for d in v.dependencies:
+                        deps[d] = d
+                for p, pv in deps.items():
+                    if pv in self.cmods.keys():
+                        setattr(v, p, self.cmods[pv])
                     else:
                         self.log.error(
                             'Dependency "{}" of module "{}" could not be satisfied'.format(
@@ -304,28 +607,75 @@ class CommandsLoader:
                         )
 
     def start(self):
+        """Resolve dependencies and start all threaded modules.
+
+        Must be called before :meth:`join`. Non-threaded modules are not
+        started here — they are invoked on demand via
+        :meth:`Commands.execute_command`.
+        """
         self._load_dependencies()
         for k, v in self.cmods.items():
             if v.threaded:
                 v.start()
 
     def stop(self):
+        """Signal all threaded modules to stop.
+
+        Calls :meth:`Commands.stop` on each module whose ``threaded``
+        attribute is ``True``.
+        """
         for k, v in self.cmods.items():
             if v.threaded:
                 v.stop()
 
     def join(self):
+        """Wait for all threaded modules to finish.
+
+        Blocks until every module started as a thread has exited its
+        ``run()`` method.
+        """
         for k, v in self.cmods.items():
             if v.threaded:
                 v.join()
 
     def free(self):
+        """Release resources for all loaded modules.
+
+        Calls :meth:`Commands.free` on every module regardless of whether
+        it is threaded.
+        """
         for k, v in self.cmods.items():
-            if v.threaded:
+            v.free()
-                v.free()
 
 
 class AppEngine:
+    """Main entry point for a pyappengine application.
+
+    Handles configuration loading, logging setup, signal handling, and
+    the full module lifecycle (load → start → run → stop → free).
+
+    Args:
+        app_name (str): Application name, also used as the logger name.
+        conf_file (str): Path to an INI configuration file. Optional.
+        log_file (str): Path to the log file. If empty, logs go to stderr.
+            Relative paths are resolved from the current working directory.
+        debug (bool): If ``True``, sets the log level to ``DEBUG``.
+            Defaults to ``False`` (``WARNING`` level).
+
+    Example:
+        ```python
+        from appengine import AppEngine
+
+        app = AppEngine(
+            "my_app",
+            conf_file="config.ini",
+            log_file="my_app.log",
+            debug=False,
+        )
+        app.exec(modpath="./modules")
+        ```
+    """
+
     def __init__(
         self,
         app_name: str,
@@ -350,16 +700,41 @@ class AppEngine:
         self.stop_thread.start()
 
     def signal_handler(self, sig, frame):
+        """Handle SIGINT (Ctrl+C) by initiating a clean shutdown.
+
+        Args:
+            sig: Signal number (unused).
+            frame: Current stack frame (unused).
+        """
         print("\nExiting.")
         self.stop()
 
     def parse_config(self, cf: str):
+        """Load an INI configuration file.
+
+        Args:
+            cf (str): Path to the configuration file.
+
+        Raises:
+            Exception: If the file does not exist or is not a regular file.
+        """
         if os.path.exists(cf) and os.path.isfile(cf):
             self.conf.read(cf)
         else:
             raise Exception("Configuration file not found")
 
     def def_log(self, log_file: str):
+        """Configure the application logger.
+
+        Creates a :class:`logging.Logger` named after :attr:`app_name`.
+        If *log_file* is provided and the parent directory is writable,
+        a :class:`logging.FileHandler` is added. Otherwise logs go to
+        the default stream handler (stderr).
+
+        Args:
+            log_file (str): Destination log file path. Empty string disables
+                file logging.
+        """
         self.log = logging.getLogger(self.app_name)
         if log_file != "":
             fname = log_file
@@ -377,14 +752,37 @@ class AppEngine:
                 self.log.error('No write permissions: "{}"'.format(fname))
 
     def exec(self, modpath: str = ""):
+        """Load modules and run the application until stopped.
+
+        Creates a :class:`CommandsLoader`, starts all threaded modules,
+        then blocks until they all finish. Calls :meth:`CommandsLoader.free`
+        on exit.
+
+        Args:
+            modpath (str): Directory containing the module files
+                (``cmds_*.py``).
+        """
         self.cl = CommandsLoader(self.stop_event, self.conf, self.log, modpath)
         self.cl.start()
         self.cl.join()
         self.cl.free()
 
     def wait_stop(self, evnt):
+        """Wait for the stop event and then halt all modules.
+
+        Runs in a dedicated background thread started in ``__init__``.
+        Blocks on *evnt* and calls :meth:`CommandsLoader.stop` once it fires.
+
+        Args:
+            evnt (threading.Event): The event to wait on.
+        """
         evnt.wait()
         self.cl.stop()
 
     def stop(self):
-        self.stop_event.set()
+        """Stop the application.
+
+        Sets the internal stop event, which unblocks :meth:`wait_stop`
+        and triggers an orderly shutdown of all modules.
+        """
+        self.stop_event.set()

tests/conftest.py

@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+import sys
+import logging
+import pytest
+from configparser import ConfigParser
+from threading import Lock, Event
+
+from appengine import Commands, AppEngineException, AEErrs
+
+
+class SampleModule(Commands):
+    """Concrete Commands subclass used across tests."""
+
+    def cmd_add(self, a, b):
+        """Add two numbers.
+
+        Args:
+            a: First number.
+            b: Second number.
+
+        Returns:
+            float: Sum of a and b.
+        """
+        return float(a) + float(b)
+
+    def cmd_raise_ae(self):
+        """Raise an AppEngineException."""
+        raise AppEngineException(AEErrs.INVALID_PARAMS, "test error")
+
+    def cmd_raise_generic(self):
+        """Raise a generic exception."""
+        raise RuntimeError("boom")
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def log():
+    return logging.getLogger("test")
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def sample_module(log):
+    m = SampleModule(None, log)
+    m.lock = Lock()
+    m.cmods = {}
+    return m
+
+
+@pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
+def clean_imported_modules():
+    """Remove dynamically imported cmds_* modules after each test."""
+    yield
+    to_remove = [k for k in sys.modules if k.startswith("cmds_")]
+    for k in to_remove:
+        del sys.modules[k]

tests/test_app_engine.py

@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+import logging
+import pytest
+from unittest.mock import Mock
+
+from appengine import AppEngine
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def app():
+    ae = AppEngine("test_app")
+    ae.cl = Mock()  # prevent NoneType error in wait_stop before exec() is called
+    yield ae
+    ae.stop()
+    ae.stop_thread.join(timeout=2)
+
+
+class TestInit:
+    def test_creates_logger(self, app):
+        assert isinstance(app.log, logging.Logger)
+
+    def test_log_level_warning_by_default(self, app):
+        assert app.log.level == logging.WARNING
+
+    def test_log_level_debug_when_requested(self):
+        ae = AppEngine("test_debug", debug=True)
+        ae.cl = Mock()
+        assert ae.log.level == logging.DEBUG
+        ae.stop()
+        ae.stop_thread.join(timeout=2)
+
+    def test_stop_thread_is_alive(self, app):
+        assert app.stop_thread.is_alive()
+
+
+class TestParseConfig:
+    def test_valid_config_file(self, tmp_path):
+        cf = tmp_path / "config.ini"
+        cf.write_text("[general]\ndefault = mymod\n")
+        ae = AppEngine("test_cfg")
+        ae.cl = Mock()
+        ae.parse_config(str(cf))
+        assert ae.conf["general"]["default"] == "mymod"
+        ae.stop()
+        ae.stop_thread.join(timeout=2)
+
+    def test_missing_config_raises(self, app):
+        with pytest.raises(Exception, match="not found"):
+            app.parse_config("/nonexistent/config.ini")
+
+
+class TestDefLog:
+    def test_valid_log_file_adds_file_handler(self, tmp_path):
+        log_file = str(tmp_path / "test.log")
+        ae = AppEngine("test_logfile", log_file=log_file)
+        ae.cl = Mock()
+        assert any(isinstance(h, logging.FileHandler) for h in ae.log.handlers)
+        ae.stop()
+        ae.stop_thread.join(timeout=2)
+        for h in ae.log.handlers:
+            h.close()
+
+
+class TestStop:
+    def test_stop_sets_event(self, app):
+        assert not app.stop_event.is_set()
+        app.stop()
+        assert app.stop_event.is_set()
+
+    def test_stop_thread_exits_after_stop(self, app):
+        app.stop()
+        app.stop_thread.join(timeout=2)
+        assert not app.stop_thread.is_alive()

tests/test_commands.py

@@ -0,0 +1,174 @@
+import logging
+import pytest
+from threading import Event, Lock
+
+from appengine import Commands, AEErrs, AppEngineException
+from conftest import SampleModule
+
+
+class TestValToPrint:
+    def test_string_passthrough(self, sample_module):
+        assert sample_module.val_to_print("hello") == "hello"
+
+    def test_float_default_one_decimal(self, sample_module):
+        assert sample_module.val_to_print(3.14159) == "3.1"
+
+    def test_float_custom_decimals(self, sample_module):
+        assert sample_module.val_to_print(3.14159, dig=3) == "3.142"
+
+    def test_integer_as_string(self, sample_module):
+        assert sample_module.val_to_print(42) == "42"
+
+
+class TestLogging:
+    def _bare_module(self):
+        m = SampleModule(None, None)
+        m.lock = Lock()
+        return m
+
+    def test_info_falls_back_to_print(self, capsys):
+        self._bare_module().info("hello")
+        assert "hello" in capsys.readouterr().out
+
+    def test_debug_falls_back_to_print(self, capsys):
+        self._bare_module().debug("dbg")
+        assert "dbg" in capsys.readouterr().out
+
+    def test_warning_falls_back_to_print(self, capsys):
+        self._bare_module().warning("warn")
+        assert "warn" in capsys.readouterr().out
+
+    def test_error_falls_back_to_print(self, capsys):
+        self._bare_module().error("err")
+        assert "err" in capsys.readouterr().out
+
+    def test_info_uses_logger(self, sample_module, caplog):
+        with caplog.at_level(logging.INFO, logger="test"):
+            sample_module.info("via logger")
+        assert "via logger" in caplog.text
+
+
+class TestStop:
+    def test_initial_state(self, sample_module):
+        assert sample_module.stopped is False
+
+    def test_stop_sets_flag(self, sample_module):
+        sample_module.stop()
+        assert sample_module.stopped is True
+
+    def test_stop_all_without_event(self, sample_module):
+        sample_module.stop_all_event = None
+        sample_module.stop_all()  # must not raise
+
+    def test_stop_all_sets_event(self, sample_module):
+        event = Event()
+        sample_module.stop_all_event = event
+        sample_module.stop_all()
+        assert event.is_set()
+
+
+class TestFree:
+    def test_free_is_noop(self, sample_module):
+        sample_module.free()  # must not raise
+
+
+class TestCmdHelp:
+    def test_no_args_lists_commands(self, sample_module):
+        result = sample_module.cmd_help()
+        assert "add" in result
+        assert "raise_ae" in result
+        assert "raise_generic" in result
+
+    def test_known_command_returns_docstring(self, sample_module):
+        result = sample_module.cmd_help("add")
+        assert "Add two numbers" in result
+
+    def test_undocumented_command(self, log):
+        class NoDoc(Commands):
+            def cmd_nodoc(self):
+                pass
+
+        m = NoDoc(None, log)
+        m.lock = Lock()
+        assert "No documentation" in m.cmd_help("nodoc")
+
+    def test_unknown_command(self, sample_module):
+        assert "No command with this name" in sample_module.cmd_help("nonexistent")
+
+
+class TestListModules:
+    def test_empty_cmods(self, sample_module):
+        sample_module.cmods = {}
+        success, result = sample_module.list_modules()
+        assert success is True
+        assert "List of modules" in result
+
+    def test_with_modules(self, sample_module):
+        sample_module.cmods = {"foo": None, "bar": None}
+        _, result = sample_module.list_modules()
+        assert "foo" in result
+        assert "bar" in result
+
+
+class TestExecuteCommand:
+    def test_success(self, sample_module):
+        success, result = sample_module._execute_command("add", 1, 2)
+        assert success is True
+        assert result == 3.0
+
+    def test_method_not_found(self, sample_module):
+        success, _ = sample_module._execute_command("nonexistent")
+        assert success is False
+
+    def test_wrong_params(self, sample_module):
+        success, result = sample_module._execute_command("add")  # missing a, b
+        assert success is False
+        assert result[0] == AEErrs.INVALID_PARAMS.value
+
+    def test_app_engine_exception(self, sample_module):
+        success, result = sample_module._execute_command("raise_ae")
+        assert success is False
+        assert result[0] == AEErrs.INVALID_PARAMS.value
+        assert result[1] == "test error"
+
+    def test_generic_exception(self, sample_module):
+        success, result = sample_module._execute_command("raise_generic")
+        assert success is False
+        assert result[0] == AEErrs.INTERNAL_ERROR.value
+
+
+class TestDispatch:
+    def test_module_not_found(self, sample_module):
+        success, result = sample_module.execute_command("nonexistent", "add", 1, 2)
+        assert success is False
+        assert result[0] == AEErrs.INVALID_REQUEST.value
+
+    def test_underscore_hyphen_alias(self, sample_module):
+        sample_module.cmods = {"my-mod": sample_module}
+        success, _ = sample_module.execute_command("my_mod", "add", 1, 2)
+        assert success is True
+
+    def test_help_no_args_lists_modules(self, sample_module):
+        sample_module.cmods = {"sample": sample_module}
+        success, result = sample_module.execute_command("", "help")
+        assert success is True
+        assert "sample" in result
+
+    def test_help_with_module(self, sample_module):
+        sample_module.cmods = {"sample": sample_module}
+        success, result = sample_module.execute_command("", "help", "sample")
+        assert success is True
+        assert "add" in result
+
+    def test_help_module_dot_function(self, sample_module):
+        sample_module.cmods = {"sample": sample_module}
+        success, result = sample_module.execute_command("", "help", "sample.add")
+        assert success is True
+        assert "Add two numbers" in result
+
+    def test_no_module_uses_defmod(self, sample_module):
+        Commands.defmod = "sample"
+        sample_module.cmods = {"sample": sample_module}
+        success, result = sample_module.execute_command("", "add", 1, 2)
+        assert success is True
+        assert result == 3.0

tests/test_commands_loader.py

@@ -0,0 +1,179 @@
+import pytest
+import logging
+from configparser import ConfigParser
+from threading import Event
+
+from appengine import CommandsLoader
+
+
+SIMPLE_MODULE = """\
+from appengine import Commands
+
+class {classname}(Commands):
+    def cmd_hello(self):
+        \"\"\"Say hello.\"\"\"
+        return "hello"
+"""
+
+THREADED_MODULE = """\
+from appengine import Commands
+
+class {classname}(Commands):
+    def __init__(self, config, log):
+        super().__init__(config, log)
+        self.threaded = True
+
+    def run(self):
+        while not self.stopped:
+            pass
+
+    def cmd_ping(self):
+        return "pong"
+"""
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def log():
+    return logging.getLogger("test_loader")
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def basic_config():
+    config = ConfigParser()
+    config["general"] = {}
+    return config
+
+
+def make_loader(tmp_path, config, log):
+    stop_event = Event()
+    loader = CommandsLoader(stop_event, config, log, str(tmp_path))
+    return loader, stop_event
+
+
+class TestLoadCommands:
+    def test_loads_matching_file(self, tmp_path, basic_config, log):
+        (tmp_path / "cmds_hello.py").write_text(SIMPLE_MODULE.format(classname="Hello"))
+        loader, _ = make_loader(tmp_path, basic_config, log)
+        assert "hello" in loader.cmods
+
+    def test_ignores_non_prefixed_files(self, tmp_path, basic_config, log):
+        (tmp_path / "not_a_module.py").write_text(SIMPLE_MODULE.format(classname="NotA"))
+        loader, _ = make_loader(tmp_path, basic_config, log)
+        assert len(loader.cmods) == 0
+
+    def test_nickname_overrides_filename(self, tmp_path, log):
+        (tmp_path / "cmds_mymod.py").write_text("""\
+from appengine import Commands
+
+class MyMod(Commands):
+    def __init__(self, config, log):
+        super().__init__(config, log)
+        self.nickname = "custom"
+""")
+        config = ConfigParser()
+        config["general"] = {}
+        loader, _ = make_loader(tmp_path, config, log)
+        assert "custom" in loader.cmods
+
+    def test_loads_multiple_modules(self, tmp_path, basic_config, log):
+        (tmp_path / "cmds_alpha.py").write_text(SIMPLE_MODULE.format(classname="Alpha"))
+        (tmp_path / "cmds_beta.py").write_text(SIMPLE_MODULE.format(classname="Beta"))
+        loader, _ = make_loader(tmp_path, basic_config, log)
+        assert "alpha" in loader.cmods
+        assert "beta" in loader.cmods
+
+    def test_module_config_section_passed(self, tmp_path, log):
+        (tmp_path / "cmds_configured.py").write_text("""\
+from appengine import Commands
+
+class Configured(Commands):
+    def cmd_get_setting(self):
+        return self.config.get("my_key")
+""")
+        config = ConfigParser()
+        config["general"] = {}
+        config["configured"] = {"my_key": "my_value"}
+        loader, _ = make_loader(tmp_path, config, log)
+        assert loader.cmods["configured"].config["my_key"] == "my_value"
+
+
+class TestSetCmods:
+    def test_cmods_shared_across_all_modules(self, tmp_path, basic_config, log):
+        (tmp_path / "cmds_a.py").write_text(SIMPLE_MODULE.format(classname="A"))
+        (tmp_path / "cmds_b.py").write_text(SIMPLE_MODULE.format(classname="B"))
+        loader, _ = make_loader(tmp_path, basic_config, log)
+        for v in loader.cmods.values():
+            assert set(v.cmods.keys()) == {"a", "b"}
+
+
+class TestLoadDependencies:
+    def test_list_dependency_injected(self, tmp_path, log):
+        (tmp_path / "cmds_provider.py").write_text(SIMPLE_MODULE.format(classname="Provider"))
+        (tmp_path / "cmds_consumer.py").write_text("""\
+from appengine import Commands
+
+class Consumer(Commands):
+    dependencies = ["provider"]
+
+    def cmd_test(self):
+        return "ok"
+""")
+        config = ConfigParser()
+        config["general"] = {}
+        loader, _ = make_loader(tmp_path, config, log)
+        loader._load_dependencies()
+        assert hasattr(loader.cmods["consumer"], "provider")
+        assert loader.cmods["consumer"].provider is loader.cmods["provider"]
+
+    def test_dict_dependency_injected(self, tmp_path, log):
+        (tmp_path / "cmds_svc.py").write_text(SIMPLE_MODULE.format(classname="Svc"))
+        (tmp_path / "cmds_client.py").write_text("""\
+from appengine import Commands
+
+class Client(Commands):
+    dependencies = {"my_svc": "svc"}
+
+    def cmd_test(self):
+        return "ok"
+""")
+        config = ConfigParser()
+        config["general"] = {}
+        loader, _ = make_loader(tmp_path, config, log)
+        loader._load_dependencies()
+        assert hasattr(loader.cmods["client"], "my_svc")
+        assert loader.cmods["client"].my_svc is loader.cmods["svc"]
+
+    def test_missing_dependency_logs_error(self, tmp_path, log, caplog):
+        (tmp_path / "cmds_orphan.py").write_text("""\
+from appengine import Commands
+
+class Orphan(Commands):
+    dependencies = ["nonexistent"]
+
+    def cmd_test(self):
+        return "ok"
+""")
+        config = ConfigParser()
+        config["general"] = {}
+        loader, _ = make_loader(tmp_path, config, log)
+        with caplog.at_level(logging.ERROR, logger="test_loader"):
+            loader._load_dependencies()
+        assert "nonexistent" in caplog.text
+
+
+class TestLifecycle:
+    def test_start_and_stop_threaded_module(self, tmp_path, log):
+        (tmp_path / "cmds_worker.py").write_text(THREADED_MODULE.format(classname="Worker"))
+        config = ConfigParser()
+        config["general"] = {}
+        loader, stop_event = make_loader(tmp_path, config, log)
+        loader.start()
+        assert loader.cmods["worker"].is_alive()
+        loader.stop()
+        loader.join()
+        assert not loader.cmods["worker"].is_alive()
+
+    def test_free_does_not_raise(self, tmp_path, basic_config, log):
+        (tmp_path / "cmds_simple.py").write_text(SIMPLE_MODULE.format(classname="Simple"))
+        loader, _ = make_loader(tmp_path, basic_config, log)
+        loader.free()  # must not raise

tests/test_errors.py

@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+import pytest
+from appengine import AEErrs, AppEngineException, is_number
+
+
+class TestIsNumber:
+    def test_integer_string(self):
+        assert is_number("42") is True
+
+    def test_float_string(self):
+        assert is_number("3.14") is True
+
+    def test_negative_string(self):
+        assert is_number("-1.5") is True
+
+    def test_non_numeric_string(self):
+        assert is_number("hello") is False
+
+    def test_empty_string(self):
+        assert is_number("") is False
+
+
+class TestAEErrs:
+    def test_parse_error_value(self):
+        assert AEErrs.PARSE_ERROR.value == -32700
+
+    def test_invalid_request_value(self):
+        assert AEErrs.INVALID_REQUEST.value == -32600
+
+    def test_meth_not_found_value(self):
+        assert AEErrs.METH_NOT_FOUND.value == -32601
+
+    def test_invalid_params_value(self):
+        assert AEErrs.INVALID_PARAMS.value == -32602
+
+    def test_internal_error_value(self):
+        assert AEErrs.INTERNAL_ERROR.value == -32000
+
+    def test_str_parse_error(self):
+        assert "Invalid JSON" in str(AEErrs.PARSE_ERROR)
+
+    def test_str_invalid_request(self):
+        assert "not a valid object" in str(AEErrs.INVALID_REQUEST)
+
+
+class TestAppEngineException:
+    def test_default_message(self):
+        exc = AppEngineException(AEErrs.INTERNAL_ERROR)
+        assert exc.value == AEErrs.INTERNAL_ERROR.value
+        assert "Internal error" in exc.mesg
+
+    def test_custom_message(self):
+        exc = AppEngineException(AEErrs.INVALID_PARAMS, "bad param")
+        assert exc.value == AEErrs.INVALID_PARAMS.value
+        assert exc.mesg == "bad param"
+
+    def test_inherits_exception(self):
+        assert isinstance(AppEngineException(AEErrs.INTERNAL_ERROR), Exception)
+
+    def test_raise_and_catch(self):
+        with pytest.raises(AppEngineException) as exc_info:
+            raise AppEngineException(AEErrs.METH_NOT_FOUND, "not found")
+        assert exc_info.value.value == AEErrs.METH_NOT_FOUND.value