lua and python bin detection rationalized: bins.py module created.

Added some api accessible from python and lua sub_processes. Now the tests only access to py_func.tm instead of direct api.testium module access. Corrected some f"xxx" to allow working with old python (bookworm). Changed param.yaml of the test to allow lua to work in all situations. Various other small fixes for frozen app, wheel. Tested in all situations, and OK. Ready for tag ! Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.7 <noreply@anthropic.com>
2026-05-03 10:16:56 +02:00
parent 077e1a97c1
commit d3c5bd01e5
30 changed files with 585 additions and 312 deletions
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -92,11 +92,33 @@ All dialog items (`dialog_image`, `dialog_question`, `dialog_references`, `dialo
 - Per-item log capture (`stdio_redir.read()`) is naturally race-free thanks to per-thread buffers (see `StdoutProxy`).

 ### Thread-aware stdout (`StdoutProxy`)
-`src/lib/stdout_redirect.py` — when `log_stored: True`, `intercept()` installs a `StdoutProxy` as `sys.stdout`/`sys.stderr` instead of a single shared `StringQueue`. The proxy:
+`src/testium/runtime/stdout_redirect.py` — when `log_stored: True`, `intercept()` installs a `StdoutProxy` as `sys.stdout`/`sys.stderr` instead of a single shared `StringQueue`. The proxy:
 - Holds one `StringQueue` per thread (registered via `register_thread(buffer=...)`). The main thread uses a default buffer; each parallel branch's thread registers its own at start and unregisters at end. `stdio_redir.read()` reads the calling thread's buffer → `addTest()` of an item running in branch X reads X's clean, non-interleaved output.
 - For the live stream (terminal in batch / GUI panel), prefixes every line emitted from a branch's thread with `[<branch_name>] ` so concurrent branches stay readable.
 - Exposes `write` / `writeln` / `flush` (Python 3.14's `unittest` calls `stream.writeln()` directly without `_WritelnDecorator`).

+### Subprocess API contract (py_func / lua_func)
+
+User test scripts running inside a `py_func` or `lua_func` subprocess **must** use the JSON-RPC bridge to interact with testium state:
+
+- Python: `import py_func.tm as tm` — auto-generates wrappers for every function in `runtime/api.py:SUPPORTED_API`. `tm.gd`/`tm.setgd`/`tm.delgd` go through JSON-RPC to the parent.
+- Lua: `local tm = require("tm")` — same idea on the Lua side.
+
+`api.testium` is the *main-process* implementation; it is **not** exposed to subprocesses by design (not bundled in PyInstaller, not on the subprocess `PYTHONPATH` in pip-installed mode either when isolation is preserved). An import attempt from a subprocess script is a code smell and is detected by `test/validation/items/isolation/`.
+
+To add a new API call usable from subprocesses:
+1. Add the function to `api/testium.py`
+2. Add its name to `SUPPORTED_API` in `runtime/api.py`
+3. It is auto-exposed via JSON-RPC by `interpreter/utils/api_srv.py` and auto-wrapped by `py_func/tm.py:_make_api`
+
+### External interpreter resolution (`bins.py`)
+`src/testium/interpreter/utils/bins.py` — single source of truth for the paths to the external Python and Lua interpreters used by subprocesses.
+
+- `python_bin()` / `lua_bin()` : resolve once, cache in memory. User can override via the `python_bin` / `lua_bin` global dict keys (typically populated from the YAML config). Falls back to discovery on PATH (candidates: `python3`/`python` and `lua`/`lua5.5`/`lua5.4`/`lua5.3`/`lua5.2`/`lua5.1`).
+- `ensure(*names)` : called by `TestSet._validate_runtime_deps()` at test load. Always requires `python` (the eval engine always runs); requires `lua` only if a `lua_func` item is in the tree. Fails fast with a clear error citing tried candidates and override key.
+
+Engines (`PyProcessBase`, `LuaProcessBase`, `EvalExecEngine`) call `bins.python_bin()`/`bins.lua_bin()` themselves — call sites never pass an explicit binary path.
+
 ## Key files

 | Path | Role |
@@ -161,23 +183,61 @@ Icons are assigned once when the test file is loaded (not updated live on theme

 The sub-test's own pass/fail result is intentionally not propagated.

+### Report exporters & plugins
+`src/testium/interpreter/test_report/test_report.py` — `_EXPORTER_REGISTRY` dict maps a format name (cmd key in the YAML `report.export`) to a lazy loader. Built-ins: `text`, `json`, `junit` (needs `junit_xml`), `html` (needs `lxml`). `sqlite` is the storage layer, no-op as an export.
+
+Third-party plugins are discovered at module import via `importlib.metadata.entry_points(group="testium.exporters")` — installing a wheel that declares such an entry point is enough, no testium config change needed:
+```toml
+[project.entry-points."testium.exporters"]
+my_format = "my_pkg:MyExporter"
+```
+Exporter contract: `__init__(self, name, con, path, pats, keys, no_header=False)` — the class does its work in `__init__` and writes to `path`.
+
+Behaviour on errors:
+- Unknown format → info line `[report] Export skipped: format "X" not found. Available: ...`, run continues.
+- Optional dependency missing → same info line with a pip-install hint, run continues.
+
+A real-world test plugin lives at `test/validation/fake_exporter/` (CSV exporter, auto-installed by `scripts/build_env.sh` and exercised by `test/validation/items/report_plugin/`).
+
+## Packaging
+
+Three distribution channels coexist, sharing the single `src/testium/` package:
+
+| Channel | Where | Notes |
+|---------|-------|-------|
+| Wheel (`pip install`) | `src/pyproject.toml` | Vanilla Python package; entry point `testium = "testium:main"` |
+| PyInstaller binary | `package/pyinstaller/` | Single ~130 MB binary. `py_func`, `runtime`, `lua_func` bundled at `_MEIPASS` root so the **host** Python can find them when launched as `python3 py_func`. `api`/`interpreter` are **not** exposed (subprocess isolation). |
+| Flatpak | `package/flatpak/` | (Existing recipe, not actively maintained in current refactor wave.) |
+
+The `.deb` work-in-progress lives in `package/deb/`:
+- `test_distro.sh debian:bookworm | debian:trixie | ubuntu:24.04` spins up a Docker/Podman container, reports system package availability, falls back to pip for what's missing (`pyside6` on bookworm/ubuntu, `telnetlib3`, `junit_xml`), runs the validation suite. Currently green on the three targets.
+
 ## Recent fixes / notable changes
- `parallel` item: new item with `sync: all|any`, `wait_for`, daemon threads, `_stop_branch_recursively()`. Each branch thread registers a per-thread stdout buffer with `stdio_redir.register_thread(...)` so its log capture and live-output prefix work in isolation.
- `parallel_branch` icon: distinct single-arrow icon (`parallel_branch.png`) separate from the parallel container's three-arrow icon.
- `parallel` F1 panel: `steps` stripped from each branch dict so the panel shows per-branch attributes without duplicating the tree.
- `test_item_container.py`: new `TestItemContainer` base class extracted from Group/Cycle patterns
- `test_item_sleep.py`: interruptible loop (checks `self._is_stopped`) instead of blocking `time.sleep()` so `sync: any` can stop slow branches quickly
- `stdout_redirect.py`: rewrote `intercept()` to install a `StdoutProxy` (thread-aware: per-thread capture buffers + branch-prefixed live output). Adds `writeln()` for Python 3.14 unittest compatibility.
- `test_report.py`: `check_same_thread=False` + lock around the SQLite `INSERT` for parallel branch concurrency. Log capture itself is race-free thanks to per-thread buffers.
+- Restructure: single `src/testium/` Python package (was 4 sibling top-levels: `testium`, `lib`, `py_func`, `lua_func`). `lib/` → `runtime/`, `libs/` → `api/`. `pip install` now produces a clean `site-packages/testium/` with no top-level pollution; `.lua` files travel via `package_data`.
+- `bins.py`: centralised resolution + cache of external `python3` / `lua` binaries. Replaces the scattered `tm.gd("python_bin")`/`tm.gd("lua_bin")` dance and the duplicated discovery logic in `py_process.py`/`lua_process.py`. Validates at test load via `TestSet._validate_runtime_deps()` so missing interpreters fail fast.
+- Subprocess API contract: user scripts in `py_func`/`lua_func` use the JSON-RPC bridge (`py_func.tm` / Lua `tm`) — never `api.testium` / `interpreter.*` directly. `SUPPORTED_API` extended with `OS`, `get_main_dir`, `init_timestamp`, `timestamp`, `timestamp_as_sec` so subprocess scripts have the same surface as main-process code.
+- Report exporter plugin registry (`test_report.py`): `_EXPORTER_REGISTRY` + `entry_points("testium.exporters")` discovery. Missing format → info line, run continues.
+- About dialog rework: `QVBoxLayout` (resizable), version + dirty/branch info in a `QLabel` (auto-sized), copyright + clickable EUPL-1.2 link.
+- `test_ctrl.control()`: drain stale responses (left over from polled `loaded()` after `clear()` race) instead of failing on a wrong cmd key — fixes a "Unexpected return error in test set controller" seen in GUI mode after a fast reload.
+- `lua_process.py`: stderr no longer DEVNULL'd so actual Lua errors (missing `cjson`/`socket`) surface instead of "Connection refused".
+- `run_post_exec`: failure message uses `print_warn` (was `print_debug` — silent in non-debug runs).
+- Python 3.11 compat: replaced PEP 701 nested-quote f-strings (e.g. `f"... {d["k"]} ..."`) with single-quote inner strings or string concatenation.
+- `parallel` item: new item with `sync: all|any`, `wait_for`, daemon threads, `_stop_branch_recursively()`. Each branch thread registers a per-thread stdout buffer.
+- `parallel_branch` icon: distinct single-arrow icon (`parallel_branch.png`).
+- `parallel` F1 panel: `steps` stripped from each branch dict.
+- `test_item_container.py`: shared base class extracted from Group/Cycle.
+- `test_item_sleep.py`: interruptible loop so `sync: any` can stop slow branches quickly.
+- `stdout_redirect.py`: `StdoutProxy` (thread-aware buffers + branch-prefixed live output, `writeln()` for Python 3.14 unittest).
+- `test_report.py`: thread-safe SQLite INSERT for parallel branch concurrency.
 - `terminal.py`: deleted — `-m`/`--terminal` mode removed.
- `batch.py`: premature loop exit when `gd_update` messages (no `"id"` key) were mistaken for the "finished" signal — fix: `"id" in m and m["id"] is None`
- `batch.py`: `control("loaded")` deadlock if `TestProcess` crashed before `cmd_th` started — fix: daemon thread + `threading.Event` + `is_alive()` polling
- `termlog.py`: `COLOR_DEFAULT = Fore.WHITE` invisible on light terminals; added auto-detection + light palette. Also fixed `write()` residue accumulation bug (`s[pos:]` → `s[pos+1:]`).
- Dialog items: `auto_result`/`auto_value` now used in non-interactive text mode; dialogs without `auto_result` FAIL immediately in batch mode.
- `run` item: renamed `tum_fime` → `tum`; removed `stdout=PIPE` (caused deadlock with `multiprocessing` spawn); result simplified to PASS on any completed subprocess.
- `unittest` item: renamed from `unittest_file` (cmd key, display name, Python constant `TYPE_UNITTEST_FILE` → `TYPE_UNITTEST`).
- GUI test tree: check and fold state preserved across same-file reloads (`test_file_manager.py`).
- Licence: EUPL-1.2 (`LICENSE`, `CONTRIBUTING.md`, `pyproject.toml`).
+- `batch.py`: premature finish bug on `gd_update` (no `"id"` key) — fix uses `"id" in m and m["id"] is None`.
+- `batch.py`: `control("loaded")` deadlock on TestProcess crash — fix uses daemon thread + `threading.Event` + `is_alive()` polling.
+- `termlog.py`: light/dark terminal auto-detection (`COLORFGBG`, OSC 11) + write residue bug.
+- Dialog items: `auto_result`/`auto_value` for non-interactive text mode; dialogs without `auto_result` FAIL immediately in batch.
+- `run` item: renamed `tum_fime` → `tum`; removed `stdout=PIPE` deadlock; PASS on any completed subprocess.
+- `unittest` item: renamed from `unittest_file`.
+- GUI test tree: check and fold state preserved across same-file reloads.
+- Licence: EUPL-1.2.

 ## Validation tests
 Located in `test/validation/`. Run with `-b` flag:
--- a/doc/examples/dummy/post_execution.py
+++ b/doc/examples/dummy/post_execution.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@

-import api.testium as tm
+import py_func.tm as tm

 def post_exec():
    print('Success !!!!')
--- a/doc/manual/sphinx/source/helper_lib.rst
+++ b/doc/manual/sphinx/source/helper_lib.rst
@@ -4,7 +4,12 @@ Python helper library
 ======================

 A python library including helper function for python modules called from
-testium.
+testium ``py_func`` items.
+
+User scripts run inside the ``py_func`` subprocess and interact with testium
+through a JSON-RPC bridge — the ``py_func.tm`` module. They must **not**
+import ``api.testium`` or ``interpreter.*`` directly: those are main-process
+modules and may not even be reachable in a packaged build (PyInstaller, .deb).

 To include the support of this library in a python script, the following
 line must be included in the script header:
@@ -18,58 +23,38 @@ line must be included in the script header:

 Global variables helper functions
 ----------------------------------
-To manage values in the global variables dataset, the following testium library API
-must be used:
+To manage values in the global variables dataset:

 .. automodule:: py_func.tm
   :members: gd, setgd, delgd
   :undoc-members:
   :no-index:

-Console helper functions
------------------------
-
-Every opened console instance is added to a list with the
-key ``console_instances`` of the global variables.
-
-The instance is removed from the list on close step of the ``console`` test item.
-
-To manage consoles from within ``py_func`` python functions,
-the following testium library API can be used:
-
-.. automodule:: libs.testium
-   :members: add_console, remove_console, console
-   :undoc-members:
-   :no-index:
-
 Plot helper functions
 ------------------------

-Every opened plot window instance is added to a list with the
-key ``plot_instances`` of the global variables.
+Add values to a running plot or read the last value from it:

-The instance is removed from the list on close step of the ``plot`` test item.
-
-To manage plots from within ``py_func`` python functions,
-the following testium library API can be used:
-
-.. automodule:: libs.testium
-   :members: add_plot, remove_plot, plot, add_plot_values, last_plot_value
+.. automodule:: py_func.tm
+   :members: add_plot_values, last_plot_value
   :undoc-members:
   :no-index:

+Console and plot **lifecycle** management (``add_console``, ``remove_console``,
+``console``, ``add_plot``, ``remove_plot``, ``plot``) is performed by the
+``console`` and ``plot`` test items themselves — not from user ``py_func``
+scripts. Use those test items to open/close consoles and plots.
+
 Other helper functions
 ------------------------

-.. automodule:: libs.testium
-   :members: OS, get_main_dir, timestamp, timestamp_as_sec
+.. automodule:: py_func.tm
+   :members: OS, get_main_dir, init_timestamp, timestamp, timestamp_as_sec, text_mode
   :undoc-members:
   :no-index:

 Debug mode
 ------------------------

-.. automodule:: libs.testium
-   :members: debug_enabled, enable_debug, print_debug, print_info, print_warn
-   :undoc-members:
-   :no-index:
+The ``test_debug`` global variable controls debug-only output. Read or write
+it via ``tm.gd("test_debug")`` / ``tm.setgd("test_debug", True)``.
--- a/doc/manual/sphinx/source/reports.rst
+++ b/doc/manual/sphinx/source/reports.rst
@@ -6,18 +6,25 @@ Reports
 If a report is required (in addition to the log), the ``report`` YAML element
 must be added at the root of the TUM main test file.

-The ``report`` YAML element has the following form:
+The ``report`` element accepts a single export or a list of them under the
+``export`` key. Each export entry uses the format name as its key:

 .. code-block:: yaml
-    :caption: reports global settings
+    :caption: reports global settings — multiple exports

    report:
        enabled: True
-        file_name: $(test_name).rep
+        log_stored: True
+        export:
+            - sqlite:
                path: $(home)/reports
-        pattern: "Console%"
-        export: junit
-        log_stored: False
+                file_name: $(test_name).db
+            - junit:
+                path: $(home)/reports
+                file_name: $(test_name).xml
+            - html:
+                path: $(home)/reports
+                file_name: $(test_name).html

 .. table:: report attributes
    :widths: 20, 30, 50
@@ -27,21 +34,93 @@ The ``report`` YAML element has the following form:
    +-----------------+-----------------------+-------------------------------------------+
    | ``enabled``     | ``True``              | Report activated                          |
    +-----------------+-----------------------+-------------------------------------------+
-    | ``file_name``   | /                     | Report file name                          |
+    | ``log_stored``  | ``False``             | When ``True``, captures stdout per test   |
+    |                 |                       | item so exports (html, json) can include  |
+    |                 |                       | the log of each item.                     |
    +-----------------+-----------------------+-------------------------------------------+
-    | ``path``        | ``$(report_path)``    | Report storage path By default, it uses   |
-    |                 |                       | the default one set in the                |
-    |                 |                       | preferences.                              |
+    | ``export``      | /                     | One export entry or a list of them. Each  |
+    |                 |                       | entry's key is the format name (see       |
+    |                 |                       | below).                                   |
    +-----------------+-----------------------+-------------------------------------------+
-    | ``pattern``     | /                     | The pattern in SQL wildachars syntax      |
-    |                 |                       | to be applied on test names to            |
-    |                 |                       | selected reported tests.                  |
+
+Each export entry supports the following sub-attributes:
+
+.. table:: export attributes
+    :widths: 20, 30, 50
+
    +-----------------+-----------------------+-------------------------------------------+
-    | ``export``      | /                     | The type of export. For exemple junit.    |
-    |                 |                       | By default, the sqlite format is          |
-    |                 |                       | used to generate reports.                 |
+    | Attribute       | default value         | Description                               |
    +-----------------+-----------------------+-------------------------------------------+
-    | ``log_stored``  | /                     | Defines if the output log of each         |
-    |                 |                       | test is accessible to generate the        |
-    |                 |                       | report export.                            |
+    | ``path``        | ``$(report_path)``    | Output directory.                         |
    +-----------------+-----------------------+-------------------------------------------+
+    | ``file_name``   | /                     | Output file name. May include             |
+    |                 |                       | ``$(...)`` global-dict expansions.        |
+    +-----------------+-----------------------+-------------------------------------------+
+    | ``pattern``     | /                     | One or more SQL ``LIKE`` patterns         |
+    |                 |                       | applied on the test ``name``.             |
+    +-----------------+-----------------------+-------------------------------------------+
+    | ``key``         | /                     | One or more SQL ``LIKE`` patterns         |
+    |                 |                       | applied on the test ``key``               |
+    |                 |                       | (the per-item ``key`` attribute).         |
+    +-----------------+-----------------------+-------------------------------------------+
+
+Built-in formats
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+* ``sqlite`` — raw SQLite database (storage layer; selecting it persists the run).
+* ``text``   — simple indented text dump of the test tree.
+* ``json``   — full report as JSON: ``{"header": {...}, "tests": [...]}``.
+* ``junit``  — JUnit XML (requires the ``junit_xml`` Python package).
+* ``html``   — single HTML page with header, results table and per-item logs (requires ``lxml``).
+
+If a format is unknown or its optional dependency is missing, the export is
+skipped with an ``[report] Export skipped: ...`` info line on stdout — the
+test run is **not** interrupted.
+
+.. _sec_reports_plugins:
+
+Custom export formats (plugins)
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+A third-party Python package can register additional export formats via the
+``testium.exporters`` setuptools entry point group. Once installed in the same
+Python environment as testium, the format is auto-detected at startup and can
+be referenced from the YAML by its declared name.
+
+Plugin contract — a class with this constructor signature:
+
+.. code-block:: python
+    :caption: minimal exporter contract
+
+    class MyExporter:
+        def __init__(self, name, con, path, pats, keys, no_header=False):
+            # name      : str  — report name
+            # con       : sqlite3.Connection (read) — tables: header, tests
+            # path      : str  — output file path (already expansed)
+            # pats      : list[str] — LIKE filters on test_name (may be empty)
+            # keys      : list[str] — LIKE filters on report_key (may be empty)
+            # no_header : bool — skip header section (set by the inline
+            #             `report` test item)
+            ...  # do the work in __init__ and write to `path`
+
+Tables and columns of the SQLite report:
+
+* ``header(key TEXT, value TEXT)`` — keys: ``report_version``, ``test_file``,
+  ``test_name``, ``test_result``, ``test_revision``, ``testium_version``,
+  ``testrun_date``, ``testrun_time``, ``test_duration``.
+* ``tests`` — 12 columns: ``timestamp_start``, ``test_id``, ``parent_id``,
+  ``level``, ``test_name``, ``test_type``, ``report_key``, ``result``
+  (``PASS``/``FAIL``/``SKIP``), ``message``, ``duration`` (ms),
+  ``log`` (captured stdout when ``log_stored: True``), ``data`` (JSON of
+  values reported via ``self.reportValue(...)``).
+
+Declaration in the plugin's ``pyproject.toml``:
+
+.. code-block:: toml
+    :caption: registering an exporter via entry-points
+
+    [project.entry-points."testium.exporters"]
+    my_format = "my_pkg:MyExporter"
+
+The plugin is then usable in any ``.tum`` report block as ``my_format:`` —
+no testium configuration change required.
--- a/doc/manual/sphinx/source/test_items/py_func_test_item.rst
+++ b/doc/manual/sphinx/source/test_items/py_func_test_item.rst
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ class ``py_func`` item

 This is the normal way of calling some custom python code.

-A class must be defined and derived from ``FunctionItem`` from the ``libs.testium`` module.
+A class must be defined and derived from ``FunctionItem`` from the ``py_func.tm`` module.

 From this class it is possible to define some custom reported values with the following API

--- a/doc/manual/testium_manual.pdf
+++ b/doc/manual/testium_manual.pdf
--- a/package/deb/test_distro.sh
+++ b/package/deb/test_distro.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,141 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# test_distro.sh — verify testium runs on a target Debian/Ubuntu distrib.
+#
+# Spins up a Docker container of the requested image, checks which expected
+# system Python packages are available (apt), installs them, installs the
+# testium wheel, and runs a smoke test that exercises batch mode + py_func
+# subprocess.
+#
+# Usage:
+#   ./test_distro.sh debian:bookworm
+#   ./test_distro.sh debian:trixie
+#   ./test_distro.sh ubuntu:24.04
+
+set -euo pipefail
+
+IMAGE="${1:?Usage: $0 <image>  e.g. debian:bookworm | debian:trixie | ubuntu:24.04}"
+ROOT=$(realpath "$(dirname "$0")/../..")
+
+# Container runtime: prefer docker if available, fall back to podman
+if command -v docker >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    CTR=docker
+elif command -v podman >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    CTR=podman
+else
+    echo "ERROR: neither docker nor podman is installed" >&2
+    exit 1
+fi
+echo "[host] Using $CTR"
+
+# --- Build the wheel on the host if it does not already exist
+WHEEL_DIR="$ROOT/src/dist"
+PYTHON_HOST="$ROOT/test/tmp/.venv/bin/python3"
+[ -x "$PYTHON_HOST" ] || PYTHON_HOST=python3
+if ! ls "$WHEEL_DIR"/testium-*.whl >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    echo "[host] Building wheel..."
+    (cd "$ROOT/src" && "$PYTHON_HOST" -m build --wheel >/dev/null)
+fi
+WHEEL=$(ls "$WHEEL_DIR"/testium-*.whl | head -1)
+WHEEL_NAME=$(basename "$WHEEL")
+echo "[host] Using $WHEEL_NAME"
+
+# Expected system Python packages on the target distrib
+APT_PACKAGES=(
+    python3
+    python3-pip
+    python3-setuptools
+    python3-pyside6.qtwidgets
+    python3-yaml
+    python3-jinja2
+    python3-colorama
+    python3-git
+    python3-pexpect
+    python3-matplotlib
+    python3-lxml
+    python3-serial
+    python3-telnetlib3
+    lua5.4
+    lua-cjson
+    lua-socket
+    git
+)
+
+echo "=== Testing on $IMAGE ==="
+
+$CTR run --rm \
+    -v "$ROOT:/testium:ro" \
+    -e WHEEL_NAME="$WHEEL_NAME" \
+    -e PACKAGES="${APT_PACKAGES[*]}" \
+    "$IMAGE" \
+    bash -c '
+        set -e
+        export DEBIAN_FRONTEND=noninteractive
+        apt-get update -qq
+
+        # 1. Availability check
+        echo
+        echo "--- System package availability ---"
+        AVAILABLE=()
+        MISSING=()
+        for pkg in $PACKAGES; do
+            if apt-cache show "$pkg" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+                AVAILABLE+=("$pkg")
+                echo "  OK     $pkg"
+            else
+                MISSING+=("$pkg")
+                echo "  MISSING $pkg"
+            fi
+        done
+        echo
+
+        # 2. Install available packages
+        echo "--- Installing system packages ---"
+        apt-get install -qq -y --no-install-recommends "${AVAILABLE[@]}" ca-certificates >/dev/null
+
+        # 3. Map missing apt packages to their PyPI equivalents and pip-install
+        #    them as a fallback (kept minimal so the run is still a "system"
+        #    install for the most part)
+        declare -A PIP_FALLBACK=(
+            [python3-pyside6.qtwidgets]=pyside6
+            [python3-telnetlib3]=telnetlib3
+        )
+        # junit_xml has no Debian package — install it via pip so the
+        # validation post_execution.py can import it.
+        EXTRA_PIP=(junit-xml)
+        PIP_PKGS=()
+        for m in "${MISSING[@]}"; do
+            fallback="${PIP_FALLBACK[$m]:-}"
+            if [ -n "$fallback" ]; then
+                PIP_PKGS+=("$fallback")
+            fi
+        done
+        PIP_PKGS+=("${EXTRA_PIP[@]}")
+        if [ ${#PIP_PKGS[@]} -gt 0 ]; then
+            echo "--- Installing missing deps via pip: ${PIP_PKGS[*]} ---"
+            pip install --break-system-packages "${PIP_PKGS[@]}" >/dev/null
+        fi
+
+        # 4. Install testium wheel
+        echo "--- Installing testium wheel ---"
+        pip install --break-system-packages --no-deps "/testium/src/dist/$WHEEL_NAME" >/dev/null
+
+        # 5. Install the fake_exporter plugin (needed by the report_plugin
+        #    validation test which exercises entry-points discovery).
+        #    Copy it first because /testium is mounted read-only and the
+        #    setuptools backend touches its build dir.
+        echo "--- Installing testium-fake-exporter (test plugin) ---"
+        cp -r /testium/test/validation/fake_exporter /tmp/fake_exporter
+        pip install --break-system-packages /tmp/fake_exporter >/dev/null
+
+        # 6. Run the full validation suite. Outputs are streamed live so
+        #    progress is visible — the suite takes a couple of minutes.
+        #    Reports go to /tmp/testium-validation since /testium is RO.
+        echo "--- Running validation suite ---"
+        mkdir -p /tmp/testium-validation
+        cd /testium
+        testium -b -o \
+            -d "validation_report_path=/tmp/testium-validation/" \
+            -- test/validation/main.tum
+    '
+
+echo "=== $IMAGE: PASS ==="
--- a/package/pyinstaller/testium.spec
+++ b/package/pyinstaller/testium.spec
@@ -1,4 +1,13 @@
 # -*- mode: python ; coding: utf-8 -*-
+import os
+
+# junit_xml is imported by post_exec scripts running under the *host* Python,
+# not the frozen interpreter — so bundling it via hiddenimports alone is not
+# enough. We also drop its source files at the _MEIPASS root so the host
+# python3 finds them via the PYTHONPATH that py_process.py sets to
+# tstium_path (= _MEIPASS when frozen).
+import junit_xml as _junit_xml
+JUNIT_XML_DIR = os.path.dirname(_junit_xml.__file__)

 a = Analysis(
    ['../../src/testium/__main__.py'],
@@ -9,10 +18,18 @@ a = Analysis(
    # py_func subprocess is launched with the *host* Python (not the
    # frozen interpreter): it needs the source files on disk to find them
    # via cwd=subproc_path() and `python3 py_func` + `from runtime.*`.
+    # py_func/, lua_func/ and runtime/ are bundled at the _MEIPASS root
+    # because the py_func subprocess is launched with the *host* Python
+    # (not the frozen interpreter): it needs the source files on disk to
+    # find them via cwd=subproc_path() and `python3 py_func` +
+    # `from runtime.*`. api/ and interpreter/ are intentionally NOT
+    # exposed: user py_func scripts must go through py_func.tm
+    # (JSON-RPC bridge) for any testium API call.
    datas=[('../../src/VERSION', '.'),
           ('../../src/testium/lua_func', 'lua_func'),
           ('../../src/testium/py_func', 'py_func'),
-           ('../../src/testium/runtime', 'runtime')],
+           ('../../src/testium/runtime', 'runtime'),
+           (JUNIT_XML_DIR, 'junit_xml')],
    hiddenimports=["git",
                   "interpreter",
                   "main_win",
--- a/src/testium/api/runtime_plot.py
+++ b/src/testium/api/runtime_plot.py
@@ -270,7 +270,7 @@ class RuntimePlotPeriodic(PeriodicTimer):
        self.func_name = func_name
        self.args = args
        self.post_eval = post_eval
-        self.proc = PyFuncExecEngine(tm.gd("python_bin", ""), api_request, 10)
+        self.proc = PyFuncExecEngine(api_request, 10)
        self.proc.start()
        if not self.proc.wait_ready(10):
            raise ETUMRuntimeError(
--- a/src/testium/interpreter/process.py
+++ b/src/testium/interpreter/process.py
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ class TestProcess(Process):
                env_init()

                # Creation of the python evaluation process for loading of the complete test
-                eval_proc = eval_process_init("", api_request, 10, test_dir)
+                eval_proc = eval_process_init(api_request, 10, test_dir)
                eval_proc.start()
                tm.print_debug(f"python bin is: '{eval_proc.python_bin}'.")
                if not eval_proc.wait_ready(10):
--- a/src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_cycle.py
+++ b/src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_cycle.py
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ then considered as 'False'""")
                        else:
                            pl = [self._currentLoop]

-                        proc = PyFuncExecEngine(tm.gd("python_bin", ""), api_request, 10)
+                        proc = PyFuncExecEngine(api_request, 10)
                        proc.start()
                        if not proc.wait_ready(10):
                            raise ETUMRuntimeError(
--- a/src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_lua_func.py
+++ b/src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_lua_func.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ class TestItemLuaFunc(TestItem):
            self.func_name = self._prms.getParam("func_name", required=True)
            self.params = self._prms.getParamAll("param")
            self._context_id = self._prms.getParam("context_id", default=None, processed=False)
-        self._lua_func_proc = LuaFuncExecEngine(tm.gd("lua_bin", ""), api_request, 10)
+        self._lua_func_proc = LuaFuncExecEngine(api_request, 10)

    def _get_engine(self):
        """Return (engine, persistent). If context_id is set, use a shared persistent engine."""
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ class TestItemLuaFunc(TestItem):
        ctx_id = self._prms.expanse(self._context_id)
        contexts = tm.gd(_LUA_FUNC_CONTEXTS_KEY, {})
        if ctx_id not in contexts:
-            contexts[ctx_id] = LuaFuncExecEngine(tm.gd("lua_bin", ""), api_request, 10)
+            contexts[ctx_id] = LuaFuncExecEngine(api_request, 10)
            tm.setgd(_LUA_FUNC_CONTEXTS_KEY, contexts)
        return contexts[ctx_id], True

--- a/src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_py_func.py
+++ b/src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_py_func.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ class TestItemPyFunc(TestItem):
            self.func_name = self._prms.getParam("func_name", required=True)
            self.params = self._prms.getParamAll("param")
            self._context_id = self._prms.getParam("context_id", default=None, processed=False)
-        self._py_func_proc = PyFuncExecEngine(tm.gd("python_bin", ""), api_request, 10)
+        self._py_func_proc = PyFuncExecEngine(api_request, 10)

    def _get_engine(self):
        """Return (engine, persistent). If context_id is set, use a shared persistent engine."""
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ class TestItemPyFunc(TestItem):
        ctx_id = self._prms.expanse(self._context_id)
        contexts = tm.gd(_PY_FUNC_CONTEXTS_KEY, {})
        if ctx_id not in contexts:
-            contexts[ctx_id] = PyFuncExecEngine(tm.gd("python_bin", ""), api_request, 10)
+            contexts[ctx_id] = PyFuncExecEngine(api_request, 10)
            tm.setgd(_PY_FUNC_CONTEXTS_KEY, contexts)
        return contexts[ctx_id], True

--- a/src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_runtime_plot.py
+++ b/src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_runtime_plot.py
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ class TestItemPlotActionOpen(TestItemPlotAction):
        try:
            gname = self._prms.expanse(self.token)
            lpath = self._prms.expanse(self._log_path)
+            runtime_plot = importlib.import_module("api.runtime_plot")
            gr = runtime_plot.RuntimePlot(gname, lpath)
            tm.add_plot(gr)

@@ -233,6 +234,3 @@ class TestItemPlot(TestItemActions):
        )

        self.actions_token = self._prms.getParam("plot_name", required=True)
-
-        global runtime_plot
-        runtime_plot = importlib.import_module("api.runtime_plot")
--- a/src/testium/interpreter/test_report/test_report.py
+++ b/src/testium/interpreter/test_report/test_report.py
@@ -58,7 +58,6 @@ def _discover_plugins():
            try:
                cls = ep.load()
                _EXPORTER_REGISTRY[ep.name] = lambda c=cls: c
-                print(f'[testium] Loaded report exporter plugin: "{ep.name}"')
            except Exception as e:
                print(f'[testium] Failed to load report exporter plugin "{ep.name}": {e}')
    except Exception:
--- a/src/testium/interpreter/test_set.py
+++ b/src/testium/interpreter/test_set.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import interpreter.utils.settings as prefs
 from interpreter.test_report.test_report import TestReport
 from interpreter.utils.py_func_exec import PyFuncExecEngine
 from interpreter.utils.api_srv import api_request
+from interpreter.utils import bins
 from runtime.tum_except import ETUMRuntimeError
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst_type
 import interpreter.utils.constants as cst
@@ -49,6 +50,28 @@ class TestSet:
        self._tree = self.__loadTestTree(tum_fime)
        self.dict_report = self._testdict.get("report", None)
        self.set_post_exec()
+        self._validate_runtime_deps()
+
+    def _validate_runtime_deps(self):
+        """Resolve external interpreters needed by this test tree and fail
+        early with a clear message if any is missing.
+
+        Python is always required (the eval engine always runs). Lua is
+        only required when at least one ``lua_func`` item is present.
+        """
+        needed = ["python"]
+        if self.__has_item_type(self._rootItem, cst_type.TYPE_LUA_FUNCTION):
+            needed.append("lua")
+        bins.ensure(*needed)
+
+    def __has_item_type(self, parent, item_type):
+        for i in range(parent.childCount()):
+            child = parent.child(i)
+            if child.type() == item_type.item_name:
+                return True
+            if self.__has_item_type(child, item_type):
+                return True
+        return False

    def execute(self):
        self._report = TestReport(self.dict_report)
@@ -352,7 +375,7 @@ class TestSet:
            tm.print_debug(f'  No file: "{post_exec_file}".')
            return

-        proc = PyFuncExecEngine(tm.gd("python_bin", ""), api_request, 10)
+        proc = PyFuncExecEngine(api_request, 10)
        # start the process for executing external python
        proc.start()
        try:
@@ -367,13 +390,13 @@ class TestSet:
                # tests backup is done here
                succ, res = proc.func_call(post_exec_file, "post_exec", [])
                if not succ == TestValue.SUCCESS:
-                    tm.print_debug(
+                    tm.print_warn(
                        f"Test success but the \"post_exec\" function failed: {res}"
                    )
            else:
                succ, res = proc.func_call(post_exec_file, "post_exec_fail", [])
                if not succ == TestValue.SUCCESS:
-                    tm.print_debug(
+                    tm.print_warn(
                        f"Test failed but the \"post_exec_fail\" function failed: {res}"
                    )
        finally:
--- a/src/testium/interpreter/utils/bins.py
+++ b/src/testium/interpreter/utils/bins.py
@@ -0,0 +1,151 @@
+"""Centralised resolution of external interpreter paths (Python, Lua).
+
+The user can override the path through the global dict via the keys
+``python_bin`` and ``lua_bin`` (typically populated from a YAML config).
+When unset, the system PATH is searched for known candidates.
+
+Resolution is cached in memory: each interpreter is resolved at most
+once per testium process. Subsequent calls return the cached value.
+
+Public API
+----------
+``python_bin()``        : resolved python3 path (or "" if missing)
+``lua_bin()``           : resolved lua >= 5.1 path (or "" if missing)
+``ensure(*names)``      : resolve every name and raise a clear error if
+                          any is missing — meant for early validation at
+                          test load time
+``reset()``             : clear the cache (mostly useful for tests)
+"""
+
+import shutil
+import subprocess
+
+import api.testium as tm
+from interpreter.utils.paths import sys_app_path_lin, sys_app_path_win
+from runtime.tum_except import ETUMRuntimeError
+
+
+# ---------- Discovery primitives ---------------------------------------------
+
+_PYTHON_CANDIDATES = ["python3", "python"]
+_LUA_CANDIDATES = ["lua", "lua5.5", "lua5.4", "lua5.3", "lua5.2", "lua5.1"]
+
+
+def _which(name):
+    func = sys_app_path_win if tm.OS() == "Windows" else sys_app_path_lin
+    return func(name)
+
+
+def _python_version(path):
+    cmd = [path, "-c", "import sys; print(sys.version_info[:3])"]
+    try:
+        r = subprocess.run(
+            cmd, capture_output=True, text=True,
+            encoding=tm.sys_encoding(), timeout=10,
+        )
+    except (FileNotFoundError, PermissionError, subprocess.TimeoutExpired):
+        return None
+    try:
+        return eval(r.stdout)
+    except Exception:
+        return None
+
+
+def _is_python3(path):
+    v = _python_version(path)
+    return v is not None and v[0] == 3
+
+
+def _lua_version(path):
+    try:
+        r = subprocess.run(
+            [path, "-v"], capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=10,
+        )
+    except (FileNotFoundError, PermissionError, subprocess.TimeoutExpired):
+        return None
+    # On Windows the version banner goes to stderr.
+    line = r.stdout or r.stderr
+    try:
+        major, minor, _patch = line.split(" ")[1].split(".")
+        return (int(major), int(minor))
+    except (IndexError, ValueError):
+        return None
+
+
+def _is_lua51(path):
+    v = _lua_version(path)
+    return v is not None and v >= (5, 1)
+
+
+# ---------- Resolver ---------------------------------------------------------
+
+# (display name, globdict override key, candidate list, validator)
+_SPECS = {
+    "python": ("Python 3", "python_bin", _PYTHON_CANDIDATES, _is_python3),
+    "lua":    ("Lua 5.1+",  "lua_bin",    _LUA_CANDIDATES,    _is_lua51),
+}
+
+_resolved = {}
+
+
+def _resolve(name):
+    if name in _resolved:
+        return _resolved[name]
+
+    display, gd_key, candidates, validator = _SPECS[name]
+    override = tm.gd(gd_key, "") or ""
+
+    path = ""
+    if override:
+        if shutil.which(override) and validator(override):
+            path = override
+        else:
+            tm.print_warn(
+                f"Configured {display} interpreter '{override}' is not usable; "
+                f"falling back to discovery."
+            )
+
+    if not path:
+        for c in candidates:
+            p = _which(c)
+            if not p:
+                continue
+            if validator(p):
+                path = p
+                break
+
+    _resolved[name] = path
+    return path
+
+
+def python_bin():
+    return _resolve("python")
+
+
+def lua_bin():
+    return _resolve("lua")
+
+
+def ensure(*names):
+    """Resolve each of the given names; raise if any is missing.
+
+    Meant to be called at test load with the set of interpreters the
+    test tree actually needs, so the user gets a clear error before
+    execution starts instead of deep inside an engine spawn.
+    """
+    missing = []
+    for n in names:
+        if not _resolve(n):
+            display, gd_key, candidates, _ = _SPECS[n]
+            missing.append(
+                f"  - {display}: tried {candidates} on PATH, none usable. "
+                f"Set '{gd_key}' in the YAML config to override."
+            )
+    if missing:
+        raise ETUMRuntimeError(
+            "Required external interpreter(s) not found:\n" + "\n".join(missing)
+        )
+
+
+def reset():
+    _resolved.clear()
--- a/src/testium/interpreter/utils/lua_func_exec.py
+++ b/src/testium/interpreter/utils/lua_func_exec.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ class LuaFuncExecEngine(LuaProcessBase):

            # In case an error was encountered in the called function
            elif "error" in answer:
-                msg = f"{answer["error"]}"
+                msg = f"{answer['error']}"
                return TestValue.FAILURE, msg

            else:
--- a/src/testium/interpreter/utils/lua_process.py
+++ b/src/testium/interpreter/utils/lua_process.py
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 import os
 import sys
-import shutil
 import subprocess
 import socket

@@ -8,85 +7,7 @@ import api.testium as tm
 from runtime.jrpc import JsonRpcClient
 from interpreter.utils.paths import subproc_path
 from runtime.tum_except import ETUMRuntimeError
-from interpreter.utils.paths import sys_app_path_lin, sys_app_path_win
-
-def _lua_version(path: str):
-    cmd = f'"{path}" -v'
-    try:
-        result = subprocess.run(
-            cmd,
-            shell=True,
-            capture_output=True,
-            text=True,
-            encoding=tm.sys_encoding(),
-            timeout=10,
-        )
-        # Under windows, the output is on stderr
-        data = result.stdout or result.stderr
-    except (FileNotFoundError, PermissionError, subprocess.TimeoutExpired) as e:
-        data = ""
-    try:
-        vers = ((data.split(" "))[1]).split(".")
-        if len(vers) != 3:
-            vers = (0, 0, 0)
-    except:
-        vers = (0, 0, 0)
-    return tuple(vers)
-
-
-def _is_lua51(lua_bin):
-    res = False
-    v = _lua_version(lua_bin)
-    if (v[0] == "5") and (v[1] >= "1"):
-        res = True
-    return res
-
-
-def _sys_lua_bin():
-    sys_lua_bin = tm.gd("_sys_lua_bin", "")
-    if sys_lua_bin != "":
-        return sys_lua_bin
-
-    cur_os = tm.OS()
-    if cur_os == "Windows":
-        func = sys_app_path_win
-    else:
-        func = sys_app_path_lin
-
-    sys_lua_bin = func("lua")
-    if (sys_lua_bin != "") and not _is_lua51(sys_lua_bin):
-        tm.print_debug(f"'{sys_lua_bin}' not a lua 5.1 min.")
-        sys_lua_bin = ""
-
-    tm.print_debug(f"lua bin is: '{sys_lua_bin}'.")
-    tm.setgd("_sys_lua_bin", sys_lua_bin)
-    return sys_lua_bin
-
-
-def _is_lua_interpreter(path: str, timeout=2) -> bool:
-    """
-    Checks if the given path points to a valid Lua interpreter.
-
-    Args:
-        path (str): Path to the executable to check.
-        timeout (int, optional): Timeout for the subprocess in seconds. Defaults to 2.
-
-    Returns:
-        bool: True if the path is a Lua interpreter, False otherwise.
-    """
-    try:
-        result = subprocess.run(
-            [path, "-v"],
-            stdout=subprocess.PIPE,
-            stderr=subprocess.PIPE,
-            text=True,
-            timeout=timeout,
-        )
-        return (result.returncode == 0) and (
-            (result.stdout.startswith("Lua") or result.stderr.startswith("Lua"))
-        )
-    except (FileNotFoundError, PermissionError, subprocess.TimeoutExpired):
-        return False
+from interpreter.utils import bins


 class LuaProcessBase:
@@ -96,35 +17,15 @@ class LuaProcessBase:
        "LUA_CPATH": {"replace": True},
    }

-    def __init__(self, lua_bin="", request_handler=None, timeout=10):
-        """
-        Initializes the Lua function execution engine.
-
-        Args:
-            lua_bin (str, optional): Path to the Lua interpreter. Defaults to system path.
-            request_handler: Handler for JSON-RPC requests.
-            timeout (int, optional): Timeout for operations in seconds. Defaults to 10.
+    def __init__(self, request_handler=None, timeout=10):
+        """Initializes the Lua function execution engine.

        Raises:
-            ETUMRuntimeError: If the Lua path is invalid or no interpreter is found.
+            ETUMRuntimeError: If no Lua >= 5.1 interpreter is found.
        """
-        if lua_bin != "":
-            if shutil.which(lua_bin) is None:
-                raise ETUMRuntimeError(
-                    f"The passed lua path is not pointing to an executable: '{lua_bin}'"
-                )
-
-            if not _is_lua_interpreter(lua_bin):
-                raise ETUMRuntimeError(
-                    f"The passed executable is not a lua interpreter: '{lua_bin}'"
-                )
-        else:
-            lua_bin = _sys_lua_bin()
-            if lua_bin == "":
-                raise ETUMRuntimeError(f"No valid lua interpreter found")
-            tm.setgd("lua_bin", lua_bin)
-
-        self._lbin = lua_bin
+        self._lbin = bins.lua_bin()
+        if not self._lbin:
+            raise ETUMRuntimeError("No valid Lua 5.1+ interpreter found")
        self._req_handler = request_handler
        self._process = None
        self._port = 0
--- a/src/testium/interpreter/utils/py_eval.py
+++ b/src/testium/interpreter/utils/py_eval.py
@@ -6,9 +6,9 @@ import api.testium as tm
 eval_process = None


-def eval_process_init(python_bin, request_handler, timeout, python_path):
+def eval_process_init(request_handler, timeout, python_path):
    global eval_process
-    eval_process = EvalExecEngine(python_bin, request_handler, timeout, python_path)
+    eval_process = EvalExecEngine(request_handler, timeout, python_path)
    return eval_process


--- a/src/testium/interpreter/utils/py_func_exec.py
+++ b/src/testium/interpreter/utils/py_func_exec.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ class PyFuncExecEngine(PyProcessBase):

            # In case an error was encountered in the called function
            elif "error" in answer:
-                msg = f"{answer["error"]}"
+                msg = f"{answer['error']}"
                return TestValue.FAILURE, msg

            else:
--- a/src/testium/interpreter/utils/py_process.py
+++ b/src/testium/interpreter/utils/py_process.py
@@ -1,77 +1,12 @@
 import os
-import shutil
 import sys
 import subprocess
 import socket
 from runtime.jrpc import JsonRpcClient
 import api.testium as tm
-from interpreter.utils.paths import sys_app_path_lin, sys_app_path_win
 from runtime.tum_except import ETUMRuntimeError
 from interpreter.utils.paths import testium_path, subproc_path
-
-
-def _python_version(path: str):
-    cmd = f'"{path}" -c "import sys; print(sys.version_info[:3])"'
-    try:
-        result = subprocess.run(
-            cmd,
-            shell=True,
-            capture_output=True,
-            text=True,
-            encoding=tm.sys_encoding(),
-            timeout=10,
-        )
-        data = result.stdout
-    except (FileNotFoundError, PermissionError, subprocess.TimeoutExpired) as e:
-        tm.print_debug(str(e))
-        data = ""
-    return eval(data)
-
-
-def _is_python3(python_bin):
-    try:
-        v = _python_version(python_bin)
-        if v[0] == 3:
-            res = True
-    except:
-        res = False
-
-    return res
-
-
-def _is_python_interpreter(path: str, timeout=2) -> bool:
-    try:
-        result = subprocess.run(
-            [path, "-c", "import sys; print(sys.executable)"],
-            stdout=subprocess.PIPE,
-            stderr=subprocess.PIPE,
-            text=True,
-            timeout=timeout,
-        )
-        return result.returncode == 0
-    except (FileNotFoundError, PermissionError, subprocess.TimeoutExpired):
-        return False
-
-
-def _sys_python_bin():
-    sys_python_bin = ""
-
-    cur_os = tm.OS()
-    if cur_os == "Windows":
-        func = sys_app_path_win
-    else:
-        func = sys_app_path_lin
-
-    exe = ["python3", "python"]
-    for e in exe:
-        sys_python_bin = func(e)
-        if sys_python_bin == "":
-            continue
-        if _is_python3(sys_python_bin):
-            break
-        sys_python_bin = ""
-
-    return sys_python_bin
+from interpreter.utils import bins


 class PyProcessBase:
@@ -80,29 +15,10 @@ class PyProcessBase:
        "PYTHONPATH": {"replace": True},
    }

-    def __init__(self, python_bin="", request_handler=None, timeout=10, python_path=""):
-        self._pbin = python_bin
-        if (self._pbin is not None) and (self._pbin != ""):
-
-            if shutil.which(self._pbin) is None:
-                raise ETUMRuntimeError(
-                    f"The passed python path is not pointing to an executable: '{self._pbin}'"
-                )
-
-            if not _is_python_interpreter(self._pbin):
-                raise ETUMRuntimeError(
-                    f"The passed executable is not a python interpreter: '{self._pbin}'"
-                )
-
-        else:
-            self._pbin = tm.gd("_cached_python_bin", "")
-            if self._pbin == "":
-                self._pbin = _sys_python_bin()
-                tm.setgd("_cached_python_bin", self._pbin)
-
-            if self._pbin == "":
-                raise ETUMRuntimeError(f"No valid python interpreter found")
-
+    def __init__(self, request_handler=None, timeout=10, python_path=""):
+        self._pbin = bins.python_bin()
+        if not self._pbin:
+            raise ETUMRuntimeError("No valid Python 3 interpreter found")
        self._ppath = python_path
        self._req_handler = request_handler
        self._process = None
--- a/src/testium/interpreter/utils/test_ctrl.py
+++ b/src/testium/interpreter/utils/test_ctrl.py
@@ -25,12 +25,17 @@ class TestSetController:
        if "timeout" in args:
            timeout = args.pop("timeout")
        self._test_ctrl.put({cmd: args})
+        # Drain stale responses (left over from earlier polled commands that
+        # we had given up on waiting). They can land in the queue after our
+        # clear() because the TestProcess may have pulled their request
+        # before the clear, processed them, and pushed the response after.
+        while True:
            res = self._test_resp.get(block, timeout)
            if isinstance(res, tuple):
                raise ETUMRuntimeError(f"Test set command '{cmd}' failed: '{res[1]}'")
-        if isinstance(res, dict) and not cmd in res.keys():
-            raise ETUMRuntimeError(f"Unexpected return error in test set controller")
+            if isinstance(res, dict) and cmd in res.keys():
                return res[cmd]
+            # Anything else is a stale response — discard and keep waiting.

    def clear(self):
        while True:
--- a/src/testium/py_func/handle.py
+++ b/src/testium/py_func/handle.py
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ class FuncHandler(JsonRpcSrv):
                except Exception as e:
                    tb = traceback.format_exc()
                    return {
-                        "error": f"bad jrpc req handler 'func_call' arguments ({"\n".join(tb.splitlines())}). To be reported to testium support team."
+                        "error": "bad jrpc req handler 'func_call' arguments (" + "\n".join(tb.splitlines()) + "). To be reported to testium support team."
                    }
            if method == "eval":
                try:
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ class FuncHandler(JsonRpcSrv):
                except Exception as e:
                    tb = traceback.format_exc()
                    return {
-                        "error": f"bad jrpc req handler 'eval' arguments ({"\n".join(tb.splitlines())}). To be reported to testium support team."
+                        "error": "bad jrpc req handler 'eval' arguments (" + "\n".join(tb.splitlines()) + "). To be reported to testium support team."
                    }
            else:
                return {
--- a/src/testium/py_func/tm.py
+++ b/src/testium/py_func/tm.py
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ def _make_api(name):
            if "result" in res:
                ret_val = res["result"]
            elif "error" in res:
-                raise ETUMRuntimeError(f"api call to 'tm.{name}' failed with error '{res["error"]}'")
+                raise ETUMRuntimeError(f"api call to 'tm.{name}' failed with error '{res['error']}'")
            else:
                raise ETUMRuntimeError("api call failure in jrpc client to be reported to testium support team.")
            return ret_val
--- a/src/testium/runtime/api.py
+++ b/src/testium/runtime/api.py
@@ -6,5 +6,10 @@ SUPPORTED_API = [
    "add_plot_values",
    "last_plot_value",
    "text_mode",
+    "OS",
+    "get_main_dir",
+    "init_timestamp",
+    "timestamp",
+    "timestamp_as_sec",
 ]

--- a/src/testium/runtime/jrpc.py
+++ b/src/testium/runtime/jrpc.py
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ class JsonRpcConnection:
                self.pending[msg["id"]]["response"] = msg
                self.pending[msg["id"]]["event"].set()
            else:
-                self.print_info(f"msg id '{msg["id"]}' inconsistency")
+                self.print_info(f"msg id '{msg['id']}' inconsistency")

    # ---------- Handler ----------
    def _handle_request(self, meth, params, rid=None):
--- a/test/validation/items/common/helper_lib.py
+++ b/test/validation/items/common/helper_lib.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import api.testium as libtm
+import py_func.tm as libtm


 def check_os(expected_os):
--- a/test/validation/items/parallel/parallel.py
+++ b/test/validation/items/parallel/parallel.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import time
-import api.testium as tm
+import py_func.tm as tm


 def sleep_func(duration):
--- a/test/validation/param.yaml
+++ b/test/validation/param.yaml
@@ -30,17 +30,10 @@ linux_prompt: "$ "
 inc_no_template: "inc no template"
 inc_with_template: "inc with template"

-lua_rev: 5.5
-
-LUA_PATH_Linux: /usr/share/lua/$(lua_rev)/?.lua;/usr/local/share/lua/$(lua_rev)/?.lua;/usr/local/share/lua/$(lua_rev)/?/init.lua;/usr/share/lua/$(lua_rev)/?/init.lua;/usr/local/lib/lua/$(lua_rev)/?.lua;/usr/local/lib/lua/$(lua_rev)/?/init.lua;/usr/lib/lua/$(lua_rev)/?.lua;/usr/lib/lua/$(lua_rev)/?/init.lua;./?.lua;./?/init.lua;/home/francois/.luarocks/share/lua/$(lua_rev)/?.lua;/home/francois/.luarocks/share/lua/$(lua_rev)/?/init.lua
-LUA_CPATH_Linux: /usr/local/lib/lua/$(lua_rev)/?.so;/usr/lib/lua/$(lua_rev)/?.so;/usr/local/lib/lua/$(lua_rev)/loadall.so;/usr/lib/lua/$(lua_rev)/loadall.so;./?.so;/home/francois/.luarocks/lib/lua/$(lua_rev)/?.so
-PATH_Linux:
-
-LUA_PATH_Windows: ;.\?.lua;C:\Lua\5.1\lua\?.lua;C:\Lua\5.1\lua\?\init.lua;C:\Lua\5.1\?.lua;C:\Lua\5.1\?\init.lua;C:\Lua\5.1\lua\?.luac
-LUA_CPATH_Windows: .\?.dll;C:\Lua\5.1\?.dll;C:\Lua\5.1\loadall.dll;C:\Lua\5.1\clibs\?.dll;C:\Lua\5.1\clibs\loadall.dll;.\?51.dll;C:\Lua\5.1\?51.dll;C:\Lua\5.1\clibs\?51.dll
-PATH_Windows: ""
-
-lua_env:
-  PATH: $(PATH_$(os))
-  LUA_PATH: $(LUA_PATH_$(os))
-  LUA_CPATH: $(LUA_CPATH_$(os))
+# LUA_PATH / LUA_CPATH are intentionally NOT set: the lua interpreter's
+# compiled-in defaults already point to the version-matching directories
+# (/usr/share/lua/X.Y, /usr/lib/.../lua/X.Y) where the system packages
+# lua-cjson and lua-socket install their files. Hard-coding a `lua_rev`
+# here would break as soon as the host's lua differs from that value
+# (which is exactly what happened on Debian Bookworm with lua5.5
+# vs. lua-cjson built for lua5.4).