bump to 0.2: declarative test item parameters

Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

.gitignore

@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ dist
 /.vscode
 .venv/
 .flatpak-builder/
+package/flatpak/repo/
+package/flatpak/*.flatpak
 crash.tx*
 report_test.tx*
 *.autosave
@@ -24,6 +26,7 @@ package/appimage/*.AppImage
 package/appimage/src
 package/appimage/*.py
 AppDir
+*.squashfs
 doc/manual/doxygen
 doc/manual/sphinx/build/*
 doc/manual/sphinx/source/_build/*

CONTRIBUTING.md

@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ For existing files, keep the header that is already there.
 3. Commit with a clear message (one logical change per commit).
 4. Make sure the validation suite still passes:
    ```
-   ./run.sh -b -l mon_log.log -- test/validation/main.tum
+   ./run.sh -b -- test/validation/main.tum
    ```
 5. Open a pull request against `main`.
 
@@ -56,6 +56,105 @@ For existing files, keep the header that is already there.
 - Add or update tests in `test/validation/` for new test items or behaviours
 - Update `CLAUDE.md` and the Sphinx manual for user-visible changes
 
+## Development
+
+### Debugging in VSCode
+
+The recommended workflow:
+
+1. Add a debug configuration to `.vscode/launch.json`:
+   ```json
+   {
+       "configurations": [
+           {
+               "name": "Python : testium",
+               "type": "python",
+               "request": "launch",
+               "program": "${workspaceFolder}/src/testium",
+               "console": "integratedTerminal",
+               "args": ["-g"],
+               "justMyCode": true
+           }
+       ]
+   }
+   ```
+2. Install `debugpy` in the venv: `python -m pip install debugpy`.
+3. Open the *Run and Debug* tab and press play. testium starts; load and
+   run a `.tum` file. Set breakpoints where you want to investigate.
+
+### Qt GUI modification
+
+UI files (`*.ui`) are edited in **Qt Creator**. After editing, regenerate
+the corresponding Python and resource files:
+
+```sh
+scripts/qt_generate.sh
+```
+
+Icons come from <https://github.com/free-icons/free-icons>.
+
+### Sphinx documentation
+
+```sh
+pip install sphinx linuxdoc
+doc/manual/sphinx/build_doc.sh
+```
+
+PDF generation requires `texlive`:
+
+```sh
+sudo apt install texlive-full
+```
+
+### Validation suite
+
+Batch mode (CI-friendly, headless):
+
+```sh
+./run.sh -b -- test/validation/main.tum
+```
+
+GUI mode (loads the suite, click *Run* to execute and inspect the tree):
+
+```sh
+./run.sh test/validation/main.tum
+```
+
+GUI run-and-close (executes the suite, then closes):
+
+```sh
+./run.sh -r -- test/validation/main.tum
+```
+
+Subset run via the `items` define (works in any mode):
+
+```sh
+./run.sh -b -d "items=['parallel','common']" -- test/validation/main.tum
+```
+
+### Cross-distribution check
+
+`package/deb/test_distro.sh` spins up a Docker/Podman container of the
+target image, installs the expected system Python deps via apt (with
+pip fallback for what is missing), installs the testium wheel and runs
+the validation suite end-to-end. Currently green on `debian:bookworm`,
+`debian:trixie`, `ubuntu:24.04`.
+
+```sh
+./package/deb/test_distro.sh debian:trixie
+```
+
+## Release procedure
+
+1. Update `release_note.txt`.
+2. Bump the version in `src/VERSION`.
+3. Make sure the documentation is up to date — rebuild with
+   `doc/manual/sphinx/build_doc.sh` if needed.
+4. Push and tag the commit with the new version.
+5. Build the binary release: `package/pyinstaller/build.sh`.
+6. Run the validation suite against each generated binary.
+7. Confirm all validation results are green before publishing.
+
 ## Reporting security issues
 
 Please do **not** report security vulnerabilities through public GitHub

DESIGN.md

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# Testium — Claude Context
+# Testium — Design Context
 
 ## What is testium
 
@@ -114,11 +114,20 @@ To add a new API call usable from subprocesses:
 ### 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`).
+- `python_bin()` / `lua_bin()` : resolve and cache. The cache is keyed by `(name, override)` so that a later change to `gd[python_bin]` (typically when a `param.yaml` sets the key) triggers a re-resolution on the next lookup instead of returning the stale auto-discovered path. 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.
 
+#### Override-timing contract (`apply_overrides`)
+`bins.python_bin()` is called for the **first** time inside `eval_process_init()` (the long-lived inline-`<| … |>` subprocess), which happens **before** the YAML param files are loaded. To make `-d python_bin=…` and the GUI `python_bin` preference take effect for `eval_proc` itself, `process.py:run()` applies them to gd **before** `eval_process_init()` via the `apply_overrides()` helper extracted from `update_global()`. The post-load `update_global()` call then re-applies the same overrides (after `prepare_global()` clears gd), keeping the gd value in sync with the cached resolution.
+
+| Override source | `eval_proc` | `py_func` / `cycle` / `post_exec` |
+|---|---|---|
+| `-d python_bin=…` (CLI) | ✅ | ✅ |
+| GUI `python_bin` preference | ✅ | ✅ |
+| `python_bin: …` in `param.yaml` | ❌ (eval_proc already started) | ✅ (cache re-resolves on key change) |
+
 ## Key files
 
 | Path | Role |
@@ -183,6 +192,8 @@ 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.
 
+The interpreter and entry point used to spawn the sub-instance are picked automatically by `_testium_launch_cmd()` based on how the parent was started (AppImage → `$APPIMAGE`; Flatpak → `flatpak run`; PyInstaller → the frozen binary; source/wheel → `[sys.executable, abspath(sys.argv[0])]`). The user cannot override either via the YAML — selecting a different testium binary or Python from a sub-test was removed because it was either ill-defined (bundle modes have no separable Python) or could mismatch the parent's environment in surprising ways.
+
 ### 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.
 
@@ -201,17 +212,38 @@ A real-world test plugin lives at `test/validation/fake_exporter/` (CSV exporter
 
 ## Packaging
 
-Three distribution channels coexist, sharing the single `src/testium/` package:
+Four distribution channels coexist, all sharing the single `src/testium/` package and the single `src/requirements.txt` dependency list:
 
-| 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.) |
+| Channel | Where | Build | Notes |
+|---------|-------|-------|-------|
+| Wheel (`pip install`) | `src/pyproject.toml` | `python -m build` | Vanilla Python package; entry point `testium = "testium:main"`. |
+| PyInstaller binary | `package/pyinstaller/` | `build.sh` | 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/` | `build.sh` (uses `flatpak-builder`) | KDE 6.10 runtime. The bundled Python runs only the main process; `py_func` / `lua_func` MUST run under the **host** interpreter (no Python/Lua bundled). Produces a distributable `.flatpak` bundle. |
+| AppImage | `package/appimage/` | `build.sh` (Debian Bookworm container via Podman/Docker) | Bundles Python 3.11 for the main process; `py_func` / `lua_func` MUST run under the **host** interpreter. Build runs in a container so it works on Arch / any non-Debian host. |
 
 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.
 
+### Host-only py_func / lua_func in sandboxed bundles (Flatpak, AppImage)
+
+The bundled Python (Flatpak's runtime python, AppImage's `python3.11`) is reserved for the **main process only**. Subprocesses (`py_func`, `lua_func`, `git`) must use the host's interpreters and tools so user-installed modules (pyserial, junit_xml, …) are visible. This is enforced by `interpreter/utils/bins.py`:
+
+- `_in_flatpak()` (checks `/.flatpak-info`) and `_in_appimage()` (checks `APPIMAGE` env var) detect the sandbox.
+- `_which(name)` probes only host bin dirs in those modes:
+  - Flatpak: `/run/host/usr/{local/,}bin`, `/run/host/bin` (host mounted via `--filesystem=host-os`).
+  - AppImage: `/usr/local/bin`, `/usr/bin`, `/bin` (we are directly on the host filesystem).
+  - If the host has no python3/lua, `ensure()` raises `ETUMRuntimeError` at test load with the candidate list — no silent fallback to a bundled interpreter.
+- User overrides (`python_bin`/`lua_bin` in globdict): bare names are resolved through `_which()` (host-only), absolute paths are accepted as-is.
+- `apply_host_libs(env)` is called by `py_process.py` / `lua_process.py` on the env passed to Popen:
+  - Flatpak: prepends host lib dirs to `LD_LIBRARY_PATH` so the dynamic linker finds host `.so`'s.
+  - AppImage: strips `$APPDIR`-prefixed entries from `LD_LIBRARY_PATH` / `PYTHONPATH` / `PATH` and drops `PYTHONHOME`, so the host Python doesn't try to load the bundled stdlib/site-packages.
+- `apply_host_lua_paths(env)` (Flatpak only) prepends `/run/host/usr/{lib,share}/lua/X.Y` to `LUA_PATH` / `LUA_CPATH` so `cjson`, `socket`, etc. resolve. Must be called **after** user `lua_env` overrides so host paths win. AppImage relies on host Lua's compiled-in defaults.
+- `py_process.py` additionally pops `PYTHONUSERBASE` (set to `/var/data/python` by the Flatpak runtime, which would hide `~/.local/lib/...`).
+
+### Version reporting (`interpreter/utils/version.py`)
+
+Both Flatpak and AppImage export `TESTIUM_VERSION` from a launcher (Flatpak: launcher script in `org.testium.Testium.yaml`; AppImage: `runtime.env` in `AppImageBuilder.yml`). `get_testium_version()` checks `/.flatpak-info` / `APPIMAGE` and reads `TESTIUM_VERSION` rather than relying on package metadata or repo introspection.
+
 ## Recent fixes / notable changes
 - 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.
@@ -238,12 +270,18 @@ The `.deb` work-in-progress lives in `package/deb/`:
 - `unittest` item: renamed from `unittest_file`.
 - GUI test tree: check and fold state preserved across same-file reloads.
 - Licence: EUPL-1.2.
+- Interpreter override timing: `apply_overrides()` extracted from `update_global()` and called by `process.py:run()` before `eval_process_init()`, so `-d python_bin=…` / GUI prefs reach `bins.python_bin()` on its first lookup. `bins._resolve()` cache is now keyed by `(name, override)` so later `param.yaml` changes are picked up by subsequently constructed engines.
 
 ## Validation tests
-Located in `test/validation/`. Run with `-b` flag:
+Located in `test/validation/`. Two entry points:
 ```
-./run.sh -b -l mon_log.log -- test/validation/main.tum
+./test/validation/run.sh        # wrapper — uses a dedicated venv (see below)
+./run.sh -b -- test/validation/main.tum   # direct — testium's own python is used for test execution
 ```
+The `run.sh` / `run.bat` wrappers create a dedicated Python venv at `${TMPDIR:-/tmp}/testium-validation-venv` (Linux) or `%TEMP%\testium-validation-venv` (Windows), with `--system-site-packages` + `pip install junit-xml`, and run the suite with `-d python_bin=…` so every test-execution subprocess (eval_proc, py_func, cycle, post_exec) runs inside the venv. testium itself keeps running in the project's own environment. `clean` as the first argument recreates the venv.
+
+The `venv` item (`test/validation/items/venv/`) asserts that the override actually took effect: `python_bin` is set, `sys.executable` matches it, `sys.prefix == dirname(dirname(python_bin))`, and `sys.prefix != sys.base_prefix` (the last marker catches the case where `python_bin` happens to be a system interpreter, which path-equality alone would miss because the venv's `bin/python3` is a symlink to the host). Both `eval_proc` (inline `<| … |>`) and `py_func` paths are exercised.
+
 Parallel item tests: `test/validation/items/parallel/test.tum`
 
 ## Dependencies

README.md

@@ -1,185 +1,122 @@
-# Documentation
+# testium
 
-[See here](doc/manual/testium_manual.pdf).
+testium is a YAML-driven test sequencer for hardware-in-the-loop and
+integration testing. A test campaign is described in a `.tum` file as a tree
+of items (checks, console interactions, Python/Lua functions, parallel blocks,
+dialogs, …); testium executes the tree, captures results, and produces
+reports in several formats.
 
-# License
+## Documentation
 
-Copyright (c) 2025-2026 François Dausseur.
+* [Quick start](doc/quick_start.md) — install and run your first test in
+  five minutes.
+* [Tutorial](doc/tutorial.md) — guided walk-through of the most common
+  test items with a runnable example.
+* [User manual (PDF)](doc/manual/testium_manual.pdf) — full reference.
+* [`doc/examples/`](doc/examples/) — runnable `.tum` snippets.
+
+## Pre-built releases
+
+Pre-built artifacts are published at
+<https://git.beafrancois.fr/v-and-v/testium/releases>:
+
+* **Python wheel** (`testium-<version>-py3-none-any.whl`) — install with
+  `pip install testium-*.whl`. Lighter than the binary; pulls Python
+  dependencies from PyPI on install.
+* **Self-contained Linux binary** (`testium`, built with PyInstaller) —
+  runnable directly, no Python installation required on the host. Lua
+  support still needs a system `lua` interpreter and the `lua-socket` /
+  `lua-cjson` modules.
+* **Flatpak bundle** (`testium.flatpak`) — install with:
+
+  ```sh
+  # Add Flathub (once, to fetch the KDE/PySide runtimes)
+  flatpak remote-add --user --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
+
+  # Install the bundle
+  flatpak install --user testium.flatpak
+  ```
+
+  After installation testium appears in the desktop application menu and the
+  `testium` command is available in the terminal (requires `~/.local/bin` in
+  `PATH`, which most modern distributions provide by default).
+
+## Quick start
+
+From a checkout of the repository:
+
+| OS | Command |
+|----|---------|
+| Linux | `./run.sh` |
+| Windows (cmd) | `run.bat` |
+| Windows (PowerShell) | `run.ps1` |
+
+The wrapper creates a Python virtual environment on first run and starts
+testium in GUI mode. Add `-b path/to/test.tum` to run a test in batch mode.
+
+## Manual installation
+
+If the wrapper script does not fit your environment, set up testium manually:
+
+```sh
+python3 -m venv .venv
+source .venv/bin/activate
+pip install -r src/requirements.txt
+```
+
+Required Python packages (see `src/requirements.txt`):
+`pyside6`, `pyserial`, `pyyaml`, `pexpect`, `gitpython`, `jinja2`, `colorama`,
+`matplotlib`, `junit-xml`, `lxml`.
+
+For tests using `lua_func` items, install Lua (>= 5.1) plus the `socket` and
+`cjson` modules. On Debian/Ubuntu:
+
+```sh
+sudo apt install lua5.4 lua-socket lua-cjson
+```
+
+Run testium:
+
+```sh
+python3 src/testium               # GUI
+python3 src/testium -b mytest.tum # batch
+```
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### `wl_proxy_marshal_flags` symbol error
+
+```
+testium: symbol lookup error: ... undefined symbol: wl_proxy_marshal_flags
+```
+
+Force the X11 Qt backend:
+
+```sh
+export QT_QPA_PLATFORM=xcb
+testium
+```
+
+### `xcb plugin missing`
+
+```
+qt.qpa.plugin: Could not load the Qt platform plugin "xcb"
+```
+
+Install the missing system libraries:
+
+```sh
+sudo apt install libxcb-cursor0 libicu-dev libxcb-cursor-dev
+```
+
+## License
+
+Copyright © 2025-2026 François Dausseur.
 
 testium is distributed under the **European Union Public Licence v. 1.2
-(EUPL-1.2)** — see the [LICENSE](LICENSE) file for the full text.
+(EUPL-1.2)** — see [`LICENSE`](LICENSE) for the full text. SPDX:
+`EUPL-1.2`.
 
-SPDX identifier: `EUPL-1.2`
-
-Contributions are accepted under the same licence (inbound = outbound). See
-[CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) for details.
-
-# run testium
-
-From the root path, on windows `cmd`:
-
-    run.bat
-
-On windows powershell:
-
-    run.ps1
-
-On linux:
-
-    ./run.sh
-
-The virtual environment is created if needed and *testium* is started.
-
-# Manual setup
-
-A python virtual environment should be created:
-
-    python3 -m venv <testium_venv>
-
-## Requirements
-
-In the virtual environment, the following modules must be installed:
-
-* pyside6
-* pyserial
-* pyyaml
-* pexpect
-* gitpython
-* jinja2
-* colorama
-* matplotlib
-* junit-xml
-* lxml
-
-A `requirements.txt` file is also available in the git repository in the path `testium/src/`.
-
-
-## run testium
-
-from the testium path, execute
-
-    python3 -m src/testium
-
-# Doc generation
-
-## Install sphinx
-
-    pip install sphinx linuxdoc
-
-## Generate the doc
-
-Execute
-
-    doc/manual/sphinx/./build_doc.sh
-
-This command works if texlive package has been installed on the system. It can be done by invoking the following command.
-
-    sudo apt install texlive-full
-
-# QT GUI
-
-## QT GUI modification
-
-Open the ".ui" file with `qtcreator` and modify the gui. Then regenerate the python code.
-
-On linux, a helper script has been created:
-    scripts/./qt_generate.sh
-
-# Debugging
-
-In order to debug testium or your python script executed within testium.
-
-## In VSCODE
-
-This is the prefered method :
-
-1. Create a debug configuration like the following:
-
-```
-    "configurations": [
-        {
-            "name": "Python : testium",
-            "type": "python",
-            "request": "launch",
-            "program": "${workspaceFolder}/src/testium",
-            "console": "integratedTerminal",
-            "args": ["-g"],
-            "justMyCode": true
-        },
-    ]
-```
-
-2. Install debugpy module in python
-
-   python -m pip install debugpy
-3. Then get to the "RUN AND DEBUG" tab and press the play button.
-4. A testium window will pops up ; start execution of your tum.
-5. Do not forget to put breakpoints where you want to investigate.
-
-## Icons
-
-Icons are coming from the following site: https://github.com/free-icons/free-icons.git
-
-# testium Release
-
-## Pre-requisite
-
-A `python` virtual environment must have been set as described above.
-
-### Install pyinstaller
-
-Install `pyinstaller` package using pip.
-
-## Generate the binary package
-
-The procedure for a binary release is as follows:
-
-1. update the `release_note.txt` file
-2. modify the version in `src/VERSION` file
-3. be sure that the documentation is up to date, and if not execute `doc/manual/sphinx/build_doc.sh` script
-4. push modifications and create a tag with the new version on the git repository
-5. generate an executable file by calling `package/pyinstaller/./build.sh`
-6. run the complete validation test for each generated binary
-7. check that all the validation results are OK
-
-# Troubleshooting
-
-## The testium exe crashes `wl_proxy_marshal_flags`
-
-### Error message
-
-    /testium: symbol lookup error: /tmp/_MEIOhDCPF/libQt6WaylandClient.so.6: undefined symbol: wl_proxy_marshal_flags
-
-### Solution
-
-Set the appropriate environment variable
-
-    export QT_QPA_PLATFORM=xcb
-    testium
-
-## xcb plugin missing
-
-### Error message
-
-    qt.qpa.plugin: Could not load the Qt platform plugin "xcb" in "" even though it was found.
-
-### Solution
-
-A package is missing
-
-    sudo apt install libxcb-cursor0
-    sudo apt-get install libicu-dev
-    sudo apt-get install libxcb-cursor-dev
-
-## The testium appimage crashes when opening a file
-
-This is usually because wayland is defined as the default X server.
-
-To change it :
-
-* Disable Wayland by uncommenting WaylandEnable=false in the `/etc/gdm3/daemon.conf`
-* Add `QT_QPA_PLATFORM=xcb` in `/etc/environment`
-* After a reboot, check that the environment variable value returns `x11`:
-
-  $ echo $XDG_SESSION_TYPE
-  x11
+Contributions are accepted under the same licence (inbound = outbound).
+See [`CONTRIBUTING.md`](CONTRIBUTING.md) for development setup, debugging
+workflow, and the release procedure.

build_all.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,164 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Build every distribution channel of testium, in order:
+#   1. Manual PDF         -> dist/testium-manual-<v>.pdf
+#   2. Wheel              -> dist/testium-<v>-py3-none-any.whl   (PEP 427 name)
+#   3. PyInstaller binary -> dist/testium-<v>
+#   4. Flatpak bundle     -> dist/testium-<v>.flatpak
+#   5. AppImage           -> dist/Testium-<v>-x86_64.AppImage    (original name)
+# release_note.txt is copied to dist/ up front (with a warning if it has no
+# entry for the current version).
+#
+# By default, a step is skipped if its artifact already exists in dist/.
+# Pass --clean to remove existing dist/ artifacts and rebuild everything.
+#
+# All artifacts are collected (copied) under <repo>/dist/. Original outputs in
+# src/dist/, package/*/dist/, doc/manual/ are left in place. Wheel and AppImage
+# keep their original names (which already contain the version); manual,
+# pyinstaller and flatpak are renamed to testium(-manual)-<version>(.suff).
+#
+# Re-uses scripts/build_env.sh and scripts/set_env.sh — the same pair invoked
+# by run.sh — so the venv at test/tmp/.venv stays the single source of Python
+# dependencies. `build`, `pyinstaller`, `sphinx` and `linuxdoc` are installed
+# into that venv on demand if not already there. Flatpak and AppImage build in
+# their own container/sandbox; their build.sh scripts have their own toolchain
+# checks.
+
+set -e
+
+CLEAN=0
+for arg in "$@"; do
+    case "$arg" in
+        --clean|-c) CLEAN=1 ;;
+        *) echo "Unknown option: $arg" >&2; exit 1 ;;
+    esac
+done
+
+SCRIPT_DIR=$(realpath "$(dirname "$0")")
+VERSION=$(cat "$SCRIPT_DIR/src/VERSION")
+DIST_DIR="$SCRIPT_DIR/dist"
+mkdir -p "$DIST_DIR"
+
+if [ "$CLEAN" -eq 1 ]; then
+    echo "-- clean: removing existing dist artifacts for version $VERSION"
+    rm -f "$DIST_DIR/testium-manual-${VERSION}.pdf"
+    rm -f "$DIST_DIR"/testium-${VERSION}-*.whl
+    rm -f "$DIST_DIR/testium-${VERSION}"
+    rm -f "$DIST_DIR/testium-${VERSION}.flatpak"
+    rm -f "$DIST_DIR"/Testium-${VERSION}-*.AppImage
+fi
+
+# Release note: copy it to dist/ and warn (but don't fail) if it has no entry
+# for the current version.
+RELEASE_NOTE_SRC="$SCRIPT_DIR/release_note.txt"
+RELEASE_NOTE="$DIST_DIR/release_note.txt"
+cp -f "$RELEASE_NOTE_SRC" "$RELEASE_NOTE"
+if ! grep -qE "^version $VERSION([^.0-9]|$)" "$RELEASE_NOTE_SRC"; then
+    echo "WARNING: release_note.txt has no entry for version $VERSION." >&2
+fi
+
+export PY_VENV_NAME=".venv"
+export PY_VENV_DIR="$SCRIPT_DIR/test/tmp/$PY_VENV_NAME"
+export REQ_PATH="$SCRIPT_DIR/src/requirements.txt"
+
+bash "$SCRIPT_DIR/scripts/build_env.sh"
+source "$SCRIPT_DIR/scripts/set_env.sh"
+
+step() {
+    echo
+    echo "================================================================"
+    echo "  $1"
+    echo "================================================================"
+}
+
+skip() { echo "  (already built — skipping)"; }
+
+# 1. Manual PDF
+MANUAL="$DIST_DIR/testium-manual-${VERSION}.pdf"
+step "1/5  Manual PDF (version $VERSION)"
+if [ ! -f "$MANUAL" ]; then
+    python -m pip install --quiet --upgrade sphinx linuxdoc
+    bash "$SCRIPT_DIR/doc/manual/sphinx/build_doc.sh"
+    cp -f "$SCRIPT_DIR/doc/manual/testium_manual.pdf" "$MANUAL"
+else
+    skip
+fi
+
+# 2. Wheel — PEP 427 name kept (already contains version)
+step "2/5  Wheel (version $VERSION)"
+WHEEL=$(ls -1t "$DIST_DIR"/testium-${VERSION}-*.whl 2>/dev/null | head -1)
+if [ -z "$WHEEL" ]; then
+    python -m pip install --quiet --upgrade build
+    (
+        cd "$SCRIPT_DIR/src"
+        rm -rf dist build *.egg-info
+        python -m build --wheel
+    )
+    WHEEL_SRC=$(ls -1t "$SCRIPT_DIR/src/dist"/*.whl | head -1)
+    WHEEL="$DIST_DIR/$(basename "$WHEEL_SRC")"
+    cp -f "$WHEEL_SRC" "$WHEEL"
+else
+    skip
+fi
+
+# 3. PyInstaller binary
+PYI_BIN="$DIST_DIR/testium-${VERSION}"
+step "3/5  PyInstaller binary (version $VERSION)"
+if [ ! -f "$PYI_BIN" ]; then
+    python -m pip install --quiet --upgrade pyinstaller
+    bash "$SCRIPT_DIR/package/pyinstaller/build.sh"
+    cp -f "$SCRIPT_DIR/package/pyinstaller/dist/testium" "$PYI_BIN"
+else
+    skip
+fi
+
+# 4. Flatpak bundle
+FLATPAK_BUNDLE="$DIST_DIR/testium-${VERSION}.flatpak"
+step "4/5  Flatpak bundle (version $VERSION)"
+if [ ! -f "$FLATPAK_BUNDLE" ]; then
+    FLATPAK_DEPS=(
+        "org.kde.Platform//6.10"
+        "org.kde.Sdk//6.10"
+        "io.qt.PySide.BaseApp//6.10"
+    )
+    if ! flatpak remotes --user | grep -q "^flathub"; then
+        echo "  Adding Flathub remote"
+        flatpak remote-add --user --if-not-exists flathub https://dl.flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
+    fi
+    for dep in "${FLATPAK_DEPS[@]}"; do
+        if ! flatpak info --user "$dep" &>/dev/null && ! flatpak info --system "$dep" &>/dev/null; then
+            echo "  Installing Flatpak dependency: $dep"
+            flatpak install --user --noninteractive flathub "$dep"
+        fi
+    done
+    (
+        cd "$SCRIPT_DIR/package/flatpak"
+        bash build.sh
+    )
+    cp -f "$SCRIPT_DIR/package/flatpak/testium.flatpak" "$FLATPAK_BUNDLE"
+else
+    skip
+fi
+
+# 5. AppImage
+step "5/5  AppImage (version $VERSION)"
+APPIMAGE=$(ls -1t "$DIST_DIR"/Testium-${VERSION}-*.AppImage 2>/dev/null | head -1)
+if [ -z "$APPIMAGE" ]; then
+    (
+        cd "$SCRIPT_DIR/package/appimage"
+        bash build.sh
+    )
+    APPIMAGE_SRC=$(ls -1t "$SCRIPT_DIR/package/appimage"/*.AppImage 2>/dev/null | head -1)
+    APPIMAGE="$DIST_DIR/$(basename "$APPIMAGE_SRC")"
+    cp -f "$APPIMAGE_SRC" "$APPIMAGE"
+    chmod +x "$APPIMAGE"
+else
+    skip
+fi
+
+step "All packages built"
+printf "  manual       : %s\n" "$MANUAL"
+printf "  wheel        : %s\n" "$WHEEL"
+printf "  pyinstaller  : %s\n" "$PYI_BIN"
+printf "  flatpak      : %s\n" "$FLATPAK_BUNDLE"
+printf "  appimage     : %s\n" "$APPIMAGE"
+printf "  release_note : %s\n" "$RELEASE_NOTE"

doc/examples/example_simple.tum

@@ -20,6 +20,22 @@ main:
           param:
               - 123
 
+      - py_func:
+          name: python long wait
+          doc: The purpose of this step is to try the tasks "stop" interruption
+          file: utils.py
+          func_name: long_wait
+          param:
+              - 10
+
+      - lua_func:
+          name: lua long wait
+          doc: The purpose of this step is to try the tasks "stop" interruption
+          file: lua_func.lua
+          func_name: long_wait
+          param:
+              - 10
+
       - sleep:
           name: sleep item
           dialog: true

doc/examples/lua_func.lua

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 tm = require("tm")
+socket = require("socket")
 
 local module = {}
 
@@ -7,4 +8,8 @@ function module.func_to_be_executed(param)
     return param
 end
 
+function module.long_wait(sec)
+    socket.sleep(sec)
+end
+
 return module

doc/examples/param.yaml

@@ -17,18 +17,3 @@ plot_log_path: /tmp/testium_plot/$(testrun_date)/$(testrun_time)/
 python_path_Windows: C:\Users\François\Applications\Python313\python.exe
 python_path_Linux: $(home)/tmp/tum_venv/bin/python3
 
-# lua_bin_Windows: C:\Lua\5.1
-# lua_bin_Linux: /usr/bin/lua
-
-LUA_PATH_Linux: /usr/share/lua/5.4/?.lua;/usr/local/share/lua/5.4/?.lua;/usr/local/share/lua/5.4/?/init.lua;/usr/share/lua/5.4/?/init.lua;/usr/local/lib/lua/5.4/?.lua;/usr/local/lib/lua/5.4/?/init.lua;/usr/lib/lua/5.4/?.lua;/usr/lib/lua/5.4/?/init.lua;./?.lua;./?/init.lua;/home/francois/.luarocks/share/lua/5.4/?.lua;/home/francois/.luarocks/share/lua/5.4/?/init.lua
-LUA_CPATH_Linux: /usr/local/lib/lua/5.4/?.so;/usr/lib/lua/5.4/?.so;/usr/local/lib/lua/5.4/loadall.so;/usr/lib/lua/5.4/loadall.so;./?.so;/home/francois/.luarocks/lib/lua/5.4/?.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))

doc/examples/utils.py

@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+from time import sleep
+
 def dummy_exit(useless1, useless2):
     return True
 
@@ -11,3 +13,6 @@ def funcToBeExecuted (bla):
 def funcToBeExecuted2 (bla):
     print(bla)
     return blo
+
+def long_wait (sec):
+    sleep(sec)

doc/quick_start.md

@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+# Quick start
+
+Five minutes from zero to a passing test.
+
+## Install
+
+From a checkout of the repository:
+
+```sh
+./run.sh --version    # Linux
+run.bat               # Windows cmd
+```
+
+The wrapper creates a Python virtual environment on first run and verifies
+testium starts. If you prefer a manual install, see the README.
+
+## Your first test
+
+Create `hello.tum`:
+
+```yaml
+main:
+    name: hello world
+    steps:
+        - check:
+            name: 1 + 1 makes 2
+            values:
+                - <| 1 + 1 == 2 |>
+```
+
+Run it in batch mode:
+
+```sh
+./run.sh -b -- hello.tum
+```
+
+You should see something like:
+
+```
+-----> step "1 + 1 makes 2" started
+Check passed
+<----- step "1 + 1 makes 2" finished: PASS
+Test run success.
+```
+
+Replace `==` with `!=` and re-run — the step now ends with **FAIL** and
+the process exits with code 1.
+
+## Open it in the GUI
+
+```sh
+./run.sh hello.tum
+```
+
+The test tree appears in the left panel; click *Run test* in the toolbar.
+Each item turns green or red live as it executes. Use `F1` on a selected
+item to open its detail panel.
+
+## Where to go next
+
+* [`doc/tutorial.md`](tutorial.md) — a guided walk-through of the most
+  common test items (`py_func`, `let`, `group`, `condition`, `report`).
+* [`doc/examples/`](examples/) — runnable `.tum` snippets covering one
+  feature each.
+* [`doc/manual/testium_manual.pdf`](manual/testium_manual.pdf) —
+  full reference manual.

doc/tutorial.md

@@ -0,0 +1,223 @@
+# Tutorial — testing a small Python utility
+
+This walk-through builds, step by step, a testium campaign that exercises
+a small Python module. Each section adds one feature; you can follow
+along by editing a single `.tum` file and re-running it.
+
+If you have not yet run testium, start with [`quick_start.md`](quick_start.md).
+
+## The code under test
+
+Create `calc.py` next to your `.tum` file:
+
+```python
+def add(a, b):
+    return a + b
+
+def divide(a, b):
+    return a / b
+```
+
+## Step 1 — a static check
+
+The simplest item is `check`: it evaluates an expression and the test
+passes iff the expression is truthy. Create `tutorial.tum`:
+
+```yaml
+main:
+    name: calc.py campaign
+    steps:
+        - check:
+            name: addition is correct
+            values:
+                - <| 2 + 3 == 5 |>
+```
+
+The `<| ... |>` markers turn the body into a Python expression evaluated
+at run time. Run it:
+
+```sh
+./run.sh -b -- tutorial.tum
+```
+
+## Step 2 — call your code with `py_func`
+
+`check` only sees Python literals; to exercise `calc.py` we need a
+`py_func` item. Replace the step:
+
+```yaml
+        - py_func:
+            name: add 2 and 3
+            file: calc.py
+            func_name: add
+            param: [2, 3]
+            expected_result: 5
+```
+
+`expected_result` makes the item PASS only when the function returns
+exactly that value.
+
+The result is also stored in the global dict under `pfn_<name>`
+(here `pfn_add 2 and 3`).
+
+Anywhere in a `.tum`, `$(key)` is replaced at runtime by the value
+stored in the global dict under `key`. A subsequent step can read the
+result back with `$(pfn_<name>)`:
+
+```yaml
+        - check:
+            name: result was 5
+            values:
+                - <| $(pfn_add 2 and 3) == 5 |>
+```
+
+## Step 3 — group several checks
+
+Wrap the steps in a `group` to keep them visually together and let
+testium report a per-group status:
+
+```yaml
+main:
+    name: calc.py campaign
+    steps:
+        - group:
+            name: add
+            steps:
+                - py_func:
+                    name: 2 + 3
+                    file: calc.py
+                    func_name: add
+                    param: [2, 3]
+                    expected_result: 5
+                - py_func:
+                    name: -1 + 1
+                    file: calc.py
+                    func_name: add
+                    param: [-1, 1]
+                    expected_result: 0
+        - group:
+            name: divide
+            steps:
+                - py_func:
+                    name: 6 / 2
+                    file: calc.py
+                    func_name: divide
+                    param: [6, 2]
+                    expected_result: 3.0
+```
+
+A group fails as soon as one of its steps fails (set
+`stop_on_failure: false` to keep going).
+
+## Step 4 — define a variable with `let`
+
+Avoid hard-coding the same number twice with a variable:
+
+```yaml
+        - let:
+            name: define numerator
+            values:
+                - num: 6
+        - py_func:
+            name: divide num by 2
+            file: calc.py
+            func_name: divide
+            param:
+                - $(num)
+                - 2
+            expected_result: 3.0
+```
+
+`$(num)` expands to the global dict entry — when the stored value is a
+number it is substituted as a number, no need to wrap it in `<| ... |>`.
+
+## Step 5 — conditional execution
+
+Skip a step when a condition is false:
+
+```yaml
+        - py_func:
+            name: divide by zero only on linux
+            condition: <| "$(os)" == "Linux" |>
+            file: calc.py
+            func_name: divide
+            param: [1, 0]
+```
+
+Items skipped this way report `SKIP` and do not affect the overall
+result.
+
+## Step 6 — generate a report
+
+Add a `report` block at the root of the file:
+
+```yaml
+main:
+    name: calc.py campaign
+    steps:
+        # ... your steps here ...
+
+report:
+    enabled: true
+    log_stored: true
+    export:
+        - junit:
+            path: ./reports
+            file_name: calc.xml
+        - html:
+            path: ./reports
+            file_name: calc.html
+```
+
+The `path` directory must exist before the test runs — testium does not
+create it. Create it once:
+
+```sh
+mkdir -p reports
+```
+
+Re-run the test — `./reports/calc.xml` (CI-friendly) and
+`./reports/calc.html` (human-friendly) are produced. Set
+`log_stored: true` to include each item's captured stdout.
+
+## Step 7 — share state between calls
+
+By default each `py_func` runs in its own short-lived subprocess.
+To keep state across calls, use `context_id`:
+
+```yaml
+        - py_func:
+            name: open
+            file: calc.py
+            func_name: open_resource
+            context_id: my_ctx
+        - py_func:
+            name: use
+            file: calc.py
+            func_name: use_resource
+            context_id: my_ctx
+```
+
+Both steps share the same persistent Python interpreter, so `calc.py`
+can store any object in module-level globals or in `tm.setgd()`.
+
+To share data without `context_id`, write it to the testium global dict
+via the JSON-RPC bridge:
+
+```python
+import py_func.tm as tm
+
+def producer():
+    tm.setgd("computed", 42)
+
+def consumer():
+    return tm.gd("computed")
+```
+
+## Where to go next
+
+* [`doc/examples/`](examples/) — one runnable `.tum` per feature
+  (cycles, dialogs, console, plots, parallel, run-of-tum, …).
+* [`doc/manual/testium_manual.pdf`](manual/testium_manual.pdf) — full
+  reference manual covering every test item, every attribute and the
+  YAML syntax extensions.

package/appimage/AppImageBuilder.yml

@@ -24,9 +24,8 @@ AppDir:
 
     runtime:
         env:
-            SEQUENCER_REV: '{{APP_VERSION}}'
+            TESTIUM_VERSION: '{{APP_VERSION}}'
             PYTHONPATH: $APPDIR/usr/lib/python3.11/site-packages:$APPDIR/usr/lib/python3.11
-            QT_QPA_PLATFORM: xcb
 
         path_mappings:
             - /usr/share/matplotlib/mpl-data/matplotlibrc:$APPDIR/etc/matplotlibrc
@@ -69,12 +68,13 @@ AppDir:
 
         # Set python 3.11 as default
         ln -fs python3.11 $TARGET_APPDIR/usr/bin/python3
-        # Install pip
-        if [ ! -f "get-pip.py" ]; then curl https://bootstrap.pypa.io/get-pip.py -o get-pip.py; fi
+
+        # Bootstrap pip into the AppDir Python
+        if [ ! -f "get-pip.py" ]; then curl -sS https://bootstrap.pypa.io/get-pip.py -o get-pip.py; fi
         python3.11 get-pip.py --break-system-packages
 
         # Install application dependencies in AppDir
-        python3.11 -m pip install --break-system-packages --upgrade --isolated --no-input --ignore-installed --prefix=$TARGET_APPDIR/usr -r requirements.txt
+        python3.11 -m pip install --break-system-packages --upgrade --isolated --no-input --ignore-installed --prefix=$TARGET_APPDIR/usr -r ../../src/requirements.txt
 
         export PIP_CONFIG_FILE=$HOME/.pip/pip.conf
         python3.11 -m pip install --break-system-packages --upgrade --isolated --no-input --ignore-installed --prefix=$TARGET_APPDIR/usr ../../src/dist/testium-{{APP_VERSION}}-py3-none-any.whl

package/appimage/build.sh

@@ -1,12 +1,54 @@
-#!/usr/bin/bash
+#!/bin/bash
+# Build the testium AppImage inside a Debian container (Podman or Docker).
+# The resulting .AppImage file is written to this directory.
 
-export APP_VERSION=$(<../../src/VERSION)
+set -e
 
-appimage-builder --recipe AppImageBuilder.yml
+REPO_ROOT="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")/../.." && pwd)"
+APP_VERSION="$(<"$REPO_ROOT/src/VERSION")"
 
-RESULT=$?
-if [ -n "$1" ] && [ "$1" = "install" ]; then
-    if [ $RESULT -eq 0 ]; then
-        install -v "testium-${APP_VERSION}-x86_64.AppImage" "${HOME}/.local/bin/testium"
-    fi
+if command -v podman &>/dev/null; then
+    RUNTIME=podman
+elif command -v docker &>/dev/null; then
+    RUNTIME=docker
+else
+    echo "Error: neither podman nor docker found." >&2
+    exit 1
+fi
+echo "Using $RUNTIME — building testium $APP_VERSION AppImage..."
+
+# APPIMAGE_EXTRACT_AND_RUN=1 lets appimagetool run without FUSE in the container.
+$RUNTIME run --rm \
+    --privileged \
+    -e APPIMAGE_EXTRACT_AND_RUN=1 \
+    -v "$REPO_ROOT:/work" \
+    -w /work/package/appimage \
+    debian:bookworm bash -c "
+        set -e
+        export DEBIAN_FRONTEND=noninteractive
+
+        apt-get update -qq
+        apt-get install -y -qq \
+            python3 python3-pip python3-venv python3-build \
+            dpkg-dev fakeroot squashfs-tools wget curl file binutils \
+            libglib2.0-0 patchelf zsync > /dev/null
+
+        # Build the wheel
+        cd /work/src
+        python3 -m build --wheel --outdir dist/ > /dev/null
+        cd /work/package/appimage
+
+        # Install appimage-builder
+        pip3 install appimage-builder --quiet --break-system-packages
+
+        # Run the build
+        export APP_VERSION=$APP_VERSION
+        appimage-builder --recipe AppImageBuilder.yml --skip-test
+    "
+
+APPIMAGE_FILE=$(ls -1t Testium-*-x86_64.AppImage 2>/dev/null | head -1)
+echo "Done: ${APPIMAGE_FILE}"
+
+if [ "${1}" = "install" ] && [ -n "${APPIMAGE_FILE}" ]; then
+    install -v "${APPIMAGE_FILE}" "${HOME}/.local/bin/testium"
 fi

package/appimage/requirements.txt

@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-tables
-pandas
-scapy

package/flatpak/build.sh

@@ -5,4 +5,22 @@
 # flatpak install flathub org.kde.Sdk//6.10
 # flatpak install flathub io.qt.PySide.BaseApp//6.10
 
-flatpak-builder --user --verbose --force-clean --install build org.testium.Testium.yaml
+set -e
+
+# Build + install local
+flatpak-builder --user --verbose --force-clean --install --repo=repo build org.testium.Testium.yaml
+
+# Génère le bundle distribuable
+flatpak build-bundle repo testium.flatpak org.testium.Testium
+echo "Bundle généré : $(pwd)/testium.flatpak"
+
+# Crée ~/.local/bin/testium pour pouvoir taper "testium" en console
+WRAPPER="$HOME/.local/bin/testium"
+mkdir -p "$HOME/.local/bin"
+cat > "$WRAPPER" <<'EOF'
+#!/bin/sh
+exec flatpak run org.testium.Testium "$@"
+EOF
+chmod +x "$WRAPPER"
+echo "Wrapper installé : $WRAPPER"
+echo "Assurez-vous que ~/.local/bin est dans votre PATH."

package/flatpak/org.testium.Testium-mime.xml

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
+<mime-info xmlns="http://www.freedesktop.org/standards/shared-mime-info">
+  <mime-type type="application/x-testium">
+    <comment>Testium test script</comment>
+    <glob pattern="*.tum"/>
+  </mime-type>
+</mime-info>

package/flatpak/org.testium.Testium.desktop

@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+[Desktop Entry]
+Name=Testium
+GenericName=Test Sequencer
+Comment=YAML-based test sequencer and runner
+Exec=testium %f
+Icon=org.testium.Testium
+Type=Application
+Categories=Development;
+MimeType=application/x-testium;
+StartupNotify=true

package/flatpak/org.testium.Testium.yaml

@@ -13,7 +13,14 @@ finish-args:
   - --socket=wayland
   - --device=dri
   - --share=network
-  - --filesystem=home # Optionnel : si votre testium doit lire des fichiers utilisateurs
+  - --filesystem=home
+  - --filesystem=/tmp
+  - --filesystem=host-os
+  # Allow flatpak-spawn --host to launch host binaries (Python, Lua, git…)
+  # outside the sandbox. Required because the sandbox glibc/ABI is
+  # incompatible with arbitrary host shared libraries — we route py_func and
+  # lua_func through the host instead.
+  - --talk-name=org.freedesktop.Flatpak
 
 build-options:
   build-args:
@@ -41,18 +48,41 @@ modules:
     sources:
       - type: dir
         path: ../../src
+      - type: file
+        path: org.testium.Testium.desktop
+      - type: file
+        path: org.testium.Testium-mime.xml
+      - type: file
+        path: ../../package/testium.png
     build-commands:
-      # On installe le code source dans /app/lib/testium
+      # Code source
       - mkdir -p /app/lib
-      - cp -r . /app/lib/
+      - cp -r testium /app/lib/
+      - cp VERSION /app/lib/testium/VERSION
 
-      # Création du launcher exécutable
+      # Launcher exécutable
       - mkdir -p /app/bin
       - |
         cat <<EOF > /app/bin/testium
         #!/bin/sh
-        # On ajoute le code source et l'extension PySide6 au PYTHONPATH
+        export TESTIUM_VERSION="\$(cat /app/lib/testium/VERSION 2>/dev/null || echo unknown)"
         export PYTHONPATH="/app/lib/testium:/usr/lib/sdk/pyside6/lib/python3.13/site-packages:\$PYTHONPATH"
-        exec python3 /app/lib/testium "\$@"
+        # Expose host binaries (git, python3, lua, …) for subprocess lookups.
+        # PATH is appended (not prepended) so the main process keeps the sandbox python3.
+        export PATH="\$PATH:/run/host/usr/local/bin:/run/host/usr/bin:/run/host/bin"
+        export GIT_PYTHON_GIT_EXECUTABLE="/run/host/usr/bin/git"
+        exec /usr/bin/python3 /app/lib/testium "\$@"
         EOF
       - chmod +x /app/bin/testium
+
+      # Icône
+      - mkdir -p /app/share/icons/hicolor/256x256/apps
+      - cp testium.png /app/share/icons/hicolor/256x256/apps/org.testium.Testium.png
+
+      # Entrée menu
+      - mkdir -p /app/share/applications
+      - cp org.testium.Testium.desktop /app/share/applications/
+
+      # Type MIME pour .tum
+      - mkdir -p /app/share/mime/packages
+      - cp org.testium.Testium-mime.xml /app/share/mime/packages/

release_note.txt

@@ -1,3 +1,55 @@
+version 0.2
+==============
+- Test items: each item type now declares its accepted parameters
+  (``PARAMS = ParamSet(...)``). Typos in a ``.tum`` are surfaced as a
+  WARN listing the accepted names instead of being silently ignored;
+  missing required parameters error out at load time with the source
+  ``.tum`` file as context. No change to valid existing tests.
+
+version 0.1.3
+==============
+- Stop interrupts engaged blocking steps (console, py_func, lua_func,
+  json_rpc, sleep) within ~200 ms instead of waiting for the step
+  to finish.
+- GUI Start / Stop / Pause flow simplified.
+- lua_func: a function returning nil is no longer reported as a failure.
+- ``-d python_bin=...`` and the GUI ``python_bin`` preference now reach
+  the eval subprocess (used to be silently ignored). ``param.yaml`` can
+  also override ``python_bin`` for py_func / cycle / post_exec.
+- Validation suite: ``test/validation/run.sh`` (and ``run.bat``)
+  runs the suite inside a dedicated venv in the system temp dir.
+- build_all.sh: ``release_note.txt`` and the user manual copied into
+  ``dist/``; warning if the file has no entry for the version being built.
+- Flatpak: every GUI file/directory dialog (open test, save report, log
+  path, default report/log dirs, python/lua interpreter pickers) now
+  bypasses the XDG document portal — the v0.1.2 fix was only on the
+  "open test" dialog.
+- Flatpak: py_func / lua_func / run sub-instance now execute on the host
+  via flatpak-spawn, lifting the previous glibc/ABI incompatibility that
+  prevented user-configured host Python or Lua interpreters from being
+  reached from the sandbox.
+- Validation suite: single entry point with ``--mode source|wheel|
+  pyinstaller|flatpak|appimage`` to validate any packaging channel
+  against the same item set; reports are stamped per mode.
+- GUI: the "Run tum" test item now uses the testium logo.
+
+version 0.1.2
+==============
+- Flatpak: opening a test from the GUI now correctly finds its companion
+  files (param.yaml, .py scripts, ...).
+
+version 0.1.1
+==============
+- New install channels: Flatpak bundle and AppImage. The AppImage runs
+  on any distribution (built inside a Debian container).
+- About dialog: version is now correct in Flatpak and AppImage builds
+  (used to display "unknown").
+- GUI dialogs no longer hang on pure-Wayland sessions.
+- Plot "last values" API: more tolerant timeout on loaded machines.
+- run item: `testium_path` and `python_bin` parameters removed —
+  sub-instances are launched in the same packaging mode as the parent.
+- License: EUPL-1.2.
+
 version 0.1
 ==============
 - Start of the project

scripts/build_env.sh

@@ -20,6 +20,12 @@ if [ "$?" -ne 0 ]; then
     echo "venv must be installed on the host distribution."
     exit -1
 fi
+# Check if venv is installed
+python3 -c "import ensurepip"
+if [ "$?" -ne 0 ]; then
+    echo "ensurepip must be installed on the host distribution."
+    exit -1
+fi
 
 # Install the virtual environment if needed
 if [ ! -d "$PY_VENV_DIR" ]; then

src/LICENSE

@@ -0,0 +1,315 @@
+Copyright (c) 2025-2026 François Dausseur
+
+Licensed under the EUPL
+
+
+                       EUROPEAN UNION PUBLIC LICENCE v. 1.2
+                       EUPL © the European Union 2007, 2016
+
+This European Union Public Licence (the 'EUPL') applies to the Work (as
+defined below) which is provided under the terms of this Licence. Any use of
+the Work, other than as authorised under this Licence is prohibited (to the
+extent such use is covered by a right of the copyright holder of the Work).
+
+The Work is provided under the terms of this Licence when the Licensor (as
+defined below) has placed the following notice immediately following the
+copyright notice for the Work:
+
+        Licensed under the EUPL
+
+or has expressed by any other means his willingness to license under the EUPL.
+
+
+1. Definitions
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+(becoming Licensor) cannot offer or impose any additional terms or conditions
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+
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+
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+remain in full compliance with the Licence.
+
+
+13. Miscellaneous
+
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+agreement between the Parties as to the Work.
+
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+law, this will not affect the validity or enforceability of the Licence as a
+whole. Such provision will be construed or reformed so as necessary to make
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+
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+Licence. New versions of the Licence will be published with a unique version
+number.
+
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+have identical value. Parties can take advantage of the linguistic version of
+their choice.
+
+
+14. Jurisdiction
+
+Without prejudice to specific agreement between parties,
+
+- any litigation resulting from the interpretation of this License, arising
+  between the European Union institutions, bodies, offices or agencies, as a
+  Licensor, and any Licensee, will be subject to the jurisdiction of the
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+  Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
+
+- any litigation arising between other parties and resulting from the
+  interpretation of this License, will be subject to the exclusive
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+  its primary business.
+
+
+15. Applicable Law
+
+Without prejudice to specific agreement between parties,
+
+- this Licence shall be governed by the law of the European Union Member
+  State where the Licensor has his seat, resides or has his registered
+  office,
+
+- this licence shall be governed by Belgian law if the Licensor has no seat,
+  residence or registered office inside a European Union Member State.
+
+
+                                  Appendix
+
+
+'Compatible Licences' according to Article 5 EUPL are:
+
+- GNU General Public License (GPL) v. 2, v. 3
+- GNU Affero General Public License (AGPL) v. 3
+- Open Software License (OSL) v. 2.1, v. 3.0
+- Eclipse Public License (EPL) v. 1.0
+- CeCILL v. 2.0, v. 2.1
+- Mozilla Public Licence (MPL) v. 2
+- GNU Lesser General Public Licence (LGPL) v. 2.1, v. 3
+- Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike v. 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0) for
+  works other than software
+- European Union Public Licence (EUPL) v. 1.1, v. 1.2
+- Québec Free and Open-Source Licence — Reciprocity (LiLiQ-R) or Strong
+  Reciprocity (LiLiQ-R+).
+
+The European Commission may update this Appendix to later versions of the
+above licences without producing a new version of the EUPL, as long as they
+provide the rights granted in Article 2 of this Licence and protect the
+covered Source Code from exclusive appropriation.
+
+All other changes or additions to this Appendix require the production of a
+new EUPL version.

src/VERSION

@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.1
+0.2

src/testium/api/console.py

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import threading
 from telnetlib3 import Telnet, DO, WILL, WONT, TTYPE, IAC, SB, SE, theNULL
 
 TIMEOUT_NULL = 0.000001
+STOP_POLL_INTERVAL = 0.2
 
 
 class BytesStore(object):
@@ -123,12 +124,14 @@ A {classname}.close() is missing somewhere in your code !'.format(classname=type
         #    c = ''
         return c
 
-    def read_until(self, match, timeout=None, return_data=False, mute=False):
+    def read_until(self, match, timeout=None, return_data=False, mute=False, should_stop=None):
         """
         read until the string 'match is found
             If timeout is not set (None), this function runs indefinitely
             If timeout is set to zero, this function returns immediately
             If mute is set to True the characters read from the console will not be displayed
+            If should_stop is a callable, it is polled between reads (every STOP_POLL_INTERVAL
+            at most) and the loop exits early — like a timeout — when it returns True.
 
             If function fails (because of a timeout) it will return a 'status' integer set to -1
             otherwise it will return 0.
@@ -139,13 +142,6 @@ A {classname}.close() is missing somewhere in your code !'.format(classname=type
         status = -1
         if not match:
             raise ValueError('match parameter can not be empty')
-        # replace all '\r' by '\n' as any '\r' read will undergo the same replacement
-        # match = match.replace('\r\n', '\n')
-        # match = match.replace('\r', '')
-
-        # update the console timeout in conformity with what is required.
-
-        self.set_read_timeout(timeout)
 
         if timeout is None:
             timeout = 1000000
@@ -159,6 +155,7 @@ A {classname}.close() is missing somewhere in your code !'.format(classname=type
         # buffer is empty
         # Otherwise we are waiting for the timeout to rise
         if timeout < TIMEOUT_NULL:
+            self.set_read_timeout(0)
             data = self.readchar(0)
 
             while (status < 0) and ((data is not None) and (data != b'')):
@@ -191,39 +188,45 @@ A {classname}.close() is missing somewhere in your code !'.format(classname=type
 
         # Timeout different than zero
         else:
+            # Poll in short chunks so a stop request is honored within
+            # STOP_POLL_INTERVAL, regardless of the per-protocol blocking
+            # behavior of readchar().
+            self.set_read_timeout(STOP_POLL_INTERVAL)
 
             time_is_out = threading.Event()
             timer = threading.Timer(timeout, lambda: time_is_out.set())
             timer.start()
 
-            # We are waiting for the timeout to rise
+            try:
+                while (status < 0) and (not time_is_out.is_set()):
+                    if should_stop is not None and should_stop():
+                        break
 
-            while (status < 0) and (not time_is_out.isSet()):
-
-                data = self.readchar(timeout)
-                if data is not None:
-                    data = self._compute_char(data)
-                    if data != '':
-                        if not mute:
-                            self.string_buffer += data
-                        read_data += data
-
-                        search_deque.append(data)
-                        if search_deque == match_deque:
-                            timer.cancel()
-                            status = 0
-                            if (not mute) and (data != '\n'):
-                                self.string_buffer += '\n'
-
-                        if data == '\n' or (status >= 0):
-                            # the datas are written line by line for display optimisation in GUI mode
+                    data = self.readchar(STOP_POLL_INTERVAL)
+                    if data is not None:
+                        data = self._compute_char(data)
+                        if data != '':
                             if not mute:
-                                self.string_buffer = self.string_buffer.replace('\r\n', '\n')
-                                self.string_buffer = self.string_buffer.replace('\r', '')
-                                self.stream.write(self.string_buffer)
+                                self.string_buffer += data
+                            read_data += data
 
-                            date_str = str(datetime.now()).split('.')[0].split(' ')[1]
-                            self.string_buffer = '[{} {}]'.format(date_str, self.name)
+                            search_deque.append(data)
+                            if search_deque == match_deque:
+                                status = 0
+                                if (not mute) and (data != '\n'):
+                                    self.string_buffer += '\n'
+
+                            if data == '\n' or (status >= 0):
+                                # the datas are written line by line for display optimisation in GUI mode
+                                if not mute:
+                                    self.string_buffer = self.string_buffer.replace('\r\n', '\n')
+                                    self.string_buffer = self.string_buffer.replace('\r', '')
+                                    self.stream.write(self.string_buffer)
+
+                                date_str = str(datetime.now()).split('.')[0].split(' ')[1]
+                                self.string_buffer = '[{} {}]'.format(date_str, self.name)
+            finally:
+                timer.cancel()
 
         if return_data:
             return status, read_data

src/testium/api/runtime_plot.py

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import sys
 import os
+import queue
 import multiprocessing as mp
 from threading import Timer
 from time import sleep, monotonic
@@ -367,7 +368,7 @@ class RuntimePlot:
             self.msg_queue_in.get()
         self.msg_queue_out.put({"command": "last_values"})
         try:
-            res = self.msg_queue_in.get(timeout=1)
-        except:
+            res = self.msg_queue_in.get(timeout=5)
+        except queue.Empty:
             raise ETUMRuntimeError(f"Impossible to retrieve the last values of the \"{self.name}\" plot")
         return res

src/testium/interpreter/process.py

@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ from interpreter.utils.test_init import (
     env_init,
     prepare_global,
     update_global,
+    apply_overrides,
     set_standard_gd_keys,
     test_run_init,
     test_run_header,
@@ -210,6 +211,19 @@ class TestProcess(Process):
 
                 env_init()
 
+                # Apply GUI defaults and CLI defines to the global dict
+                # *before* eval_proc starts: bins.python_bin() reads
+                # ``python_bin`` from gd on its very first call (during
+                # eval_process_init) and caches the result. Without this,
+                # ``-d python_bin=...`` and the GUI ``python_bin`` preference
+                # would only take effect for items spawned *after* the cache
+                # was already populated with the auto-discovered interpreter,
+                # i.e. they would silently be ignored for eval_proc itself.
+                # _load_initial_params re-applies the same overrides after
+                # ``prepare_global()`` clears gd, so the gd value stays in
+                # sync with the cached path.
+                apply_overrides(self.__defs, self.__gui_defaults)
+
                 # Creation of the python evaluation process for loading of the complete test
                 eval_proc = eval_process_init(api_request, 10, test_dir)
                 eval_proc.start()

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/dialog_env.py

@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@ import os
 def setup():
     """Configure the Qt environment for dialog subprocess usage."""
     if sys.platform.startswith('linux'):
-        # On Linux/Wayland, force X11 (via XWayland) to avoid crashes
-        # when Qt is initialized inside a multiprocessing subprocess.
-        os.environ['QT_QPA_PLATFORM'] = 'xcb'
+        if os.environ.get('DISPLAY'):
+            # X11 available: force xcb to avoid crashes in multiprocessing subprocesses.
+            os.environ['QT_QPA_PLATFORM'] = 'xcb'
+        elif os.environ.get('WAYLAND_DISPLAY'):
+            os.environ['QT_QPA_PLATFORM'] = 'wayland'

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item.py

@@ -5,6 +5,9 @@ from copy import deepcopy
 from interpreter.test_items.test_result import TestResult, TestValue
 import api.testium as tm
 from interpreter.utils.params import TestItemParams
+from interpreter.utils.param_decl import (
+    Param, ParamSet, LIST, BLOCK, unknown_keys, missing_required,
+)
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst_type
 from interpreter.utils.eval import eval_to_boolean, evaluate, post_evaluate
 from runtime.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError, item_load_context
@@ -13,6 +16,32 @@ LOG_TEST_STOP = '<----- step "{}" finished'
 LOG_TEST_START = '-----> step "{}" started'
 
 
+# Parameters accepted by every test item, regardless of its type. Subclasses
+# concatenate their own ``PARAMS`` to this set; the merged result drives
+# unknown-param warnings and (later) the LSP schema export.
+COMMON_PARAMS = ParamSet(
+    Param("name",            doc="Display name shown in the GUI tree and reports."),
+    Param("doc",             doc="Free-form documentation; surfaced in tooltips."),
+    Param("skipped",         doc="If truthy, the step is skipped (static expression, "
+                                 "evaluated at load time)."),
+    Param("key",             doc="Report key used to classify the result "
+                                 "(typically <test>_PASS or <test>_FAIL)."),
+    Param("stop_on_failure", doc="If true, abort the surrounding container on failure."),
+    Param("execute_on_stop", doc="If true, run this step even when its container "
+                                 "is being stopped (cleanup)."),
+    Param("process_result",  doc="Post-evaluation expression applied to the test result."),
+    Param("store_result",    doc="Global-dict key in which to store the test result."),
+    Param("expected_result", doc="Expected outcome; the step is failed if it doesn't match."),
+    Param("no_fail",         doc="If truthy, never report a FAILURE for this step."),
+    Param("report",          doc="Per-step reporting override."),
+    Param("condition",       doc="Optional gating expression evaluated before each "
+                                 "run; false ⇒ the step is skipped."),
+    Param("steps",  kind=LIST, doc="Children (for container items)."),
+    Param("seq_filename",    doc="(internal) source .tum file of this step; injected "
+                                 "by the loader."),
+)
+
+
 class TestItem:
     pass
 
@@ -20,52 +49,64 @@ class TestItem:
 def test_run(f):
     @wraps(f)
     def wrapper(self):
-        if not self.skipped:
-            if self.enabled:
-                self.run_test_init()
-                # Conditional execution
-                raw_condition = self._prms.getParam(
-                    "condition", default=None, processed=False
-                )
-                if raw_condition is None:
-                    condition = True
-                else:
-                    c = self._prms.expanse(raw_condition)
-                    if isinstance(c, bool):
-                        condition = c
-                    else:
-                        condition = False
-                        c = False
-
-                    if raw_condition == c:
-                        msg = f'"{c}"'
-                    else:
-                        msg = f'"{raw_condition}" --> "{c}"'
-
-                # Do we have to skip the test because of a true condition ?
-                if condition:
-                    if not raw_condition is None:
-                        msg = "condition met: " + msg
-                        self.result.reported = {"input_condition": msg}
-                        print(msg)
-                    # Test preparation
-                    self.run_before_test()
-                    # Test execution
-                    f(self)
-                else:
-                    msg = "condition not met: " + msg
-                    self.result.set(TestValue.NORUN, msg)
-                    self.result.reported = {"input_condition": msg}
-                self.run_test_end()
-            else:
-                self.result.set(TestValue.NORUN, "test disabled")
-                print("Test is disabled.")
-        else:
+        if self.skipped:
             self.result.set(TestValue.NORUN, "test skipped")
             print("Test is skipped.")
+            return self.result
+        
+        if not self.enabled:
+            self.result.set(TestValue.NORUN, "test disabled")
+            print("Test is disabled.")
+            return self.result
+
+        self.run_test_init()
+
+        while self._is_paused:
+            sleep(0.2)
+            if self.isStopped() :
+                self.result.set(TestValue.NORUN, "test stopped")
+                print("Test is Stopped.")
+                self._is_stopped = False    # Restore state for next run
+                return self.result
+
+        # Conditional execution
+        raw_condition = self._prms.getParam(
+            "condition", default=None, processed=False
+        )
+        if raw_condition is None:
+            condition = True
+        else:
+            c = self._prms.expanse(raw_condition)
+            if isinstance(c, bool):
+                condition = c
+            else:
+                condition = False
+                c = False
+
+            if raw_condition == c:
+                msg = f'"{c}"'
+            else:
+                msg = f'"{raw_condition}" --> "{c}"'
+
+        # Do we have to skip the test because of a true condition ?
+        if condition:
+            if not raw_condition is None:
+                msg = "condition met: " + msg
+                self.result.reported = {"input_condition": msg}
+                print(msg)
+            # Test preparation
+            self.run_before_test()
+            # Test execution
+            f(self)
+        else:
+            msg = "condition not met: " + msg
+            self.result.set(TestValue.NORUN, msg)
+            self.result.reported = {"input_condition": msg}
+        self.run_test_end()
 
         return self.result
 
+
     return wrapper
 
 
@@ -85,6 +126,11 @@ def test_data(item: TestItem, child: dict) -> dict:
 
 
 class TestItem:
+    # Subclasses override with their own ParamSet to opt into the declarative
+    # validation. While ``PARAMS`` is empty / unset, the base class skips the
+    # unknown-param check for this item type — keeps the migration incremental.
+    PARAMS = None
+
     def __init__(
         self, dict_item: dict = None, parent: TestItem = None, status_queue=None, filename = ""
     ):
@@ -122,6 +168,13 @@ class TestItem:
             # creation of the params object
             self._prms = TestItemParams(dict_item, parent)
 
+            # Declarative-params validation. Only kicks in when the concrete
+            # subclass declares ``PARAMS`` — items not yet migrated stay
+            # silent. Warnings (not errors) during the migration window so
+            # existing .tum files don't break suddenly; will be flipped to
+            # errors once every item has migrated.
+            self._validate_declared_params(dict_item)
+
             # getting parameters for the test item
             try:
                 self._name = self._prms.getParam("name", default="", processed=True)
@@ -178,6 +231,36 @@ class TestItem:
 
         self.result = TestResult(self, TestValue.FAILURE, "Failure by default")
 
+    def _validate_declared_params(self, dict_item):
+        """Warn on unknown / missing-required params, if PARAMS is declared.
+
+        The check is opt-in per subclass: it only runs when the concrete
+        class sets a non-empty ``PARAMS`` attribute. Items not yet migrated
+        produce no diagnostics — preserving the historical "silently accept
+        anything" behavior until they get their declaration.
+        """
+        if not self.PARAMS:
+            return
+        # ``self._type`` is the parent root type at this point (subclasses set
+        # it after super().__init__), so use the class name as a stable label
+        # in diagnostics. ``self._name`` was preset to the type name by every
+        # subclass before super() ran, which gives a useful prefix.
+        label = f"{type(self).__name__} '{self._name}'"
+        declared = COMMON_PARAMS + self.PARAMS
+        unknown = unknown_keys(declared, dict_item)
+        if unknown:
+            accepted = ", ".join(sorted(declared.names()))
+            for k in unknown:
+                tm.print_warn(
+                    f"{label}: unknown parameter '{k}'. Accepted: {accepted}."
+                )
+        missing = missing_required(declared, dict_item)
+        for k in missing:
+            raise ETUMSyntaxError(
+                f"{label}: required parameter '{k}' is missing.",
+                self._seq_filename,
+            )
+
     def _filter_dict_item(self, dict_item):
         # Stores the content of the step to be displayed
         # in the GUI
@@ -255,8 +338,6 @@ class TestItem:
         self._sendStatusStarted()
         if self._is_breakpoint:
             self._is_paused = True
-            while self._is_paused:
-                sleep(0.2)
 
         if self.is_container:
             self.report.incLevel()
@@ -274,9 +355,6 @@ class TestItem:
         if self.is_container:
             self.report.decLevel()
 
-        while self._is_paused:
-            sleep(0.2)
-
         # Post evaluation of the test result
         self.process_result()
         # expected_result treatment
@@ -311,6 +389,7 @@ class TestItem:
         self.report.addTest(self, self.result, rk)
         self._sendStatusFinished()
         
+
     def process_result(self):
         if self._post_eval is None:
             return

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_check.py

@@ -5,11 +5,22 @@ from runtime.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError, item_load_context
 import api.testium as tm
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
 from interpreter.utils.eval import evaluate
+from interpreter.utils.param_decl import Param, ParamSet, LIST
 
 class TestItemCheckValue(TestItem):
     """check item usage.
     check usage:{check: {name: check my func output, steps: ['$(pfn_echo) < 5']}}
     """
+
+    PARAMS = ParamSet(
+        Param("values", kind=LIST, required=True,
+              doc="List of expressions to evaluate. Each is expanded then "
+                  "evaluated; non-truthy results fail the check."),
+        # 'steps' is intentionally not redeclared here — it's the deprecated
+        # alias of 'values' and is already accepted by COMMON_PARAMS for
+        # container items. A runtime warning is emitted when 'steps' is used.
+    )
+
     def __init__(self, dict_item, parent = None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
         self._name = cst.TYPE_CHECK.item_name
         super().__init__(dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_choices_dialog.py

@@ -2,11 +2,25 @@ from interpreter.test_items.test_item import test_run
 from interpreter.test_items.test_result import TestValue
 from interpreter.test_items.test_item_dialog_base import TestItemDialogBase, _is_text_mode, _is_interactive
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
+from interpreter.utils.param_decl import Param, ParamSet, BLOCK
 from runtime.tum_except import item_load_context
 import api.testium as tm
 
 
 class TestItemChoicesDialog(TestItemDialogBase):
+
+    PARAMS = ParamSet(
+        Param("question", required=True,
+              doc="Prompt shown above the list of choices."),
+        Param("choices", kind=BLOCK, required=True,
+              doc="Tree of choices: either a list of strings, or a nested "
+                  "mapping {label: subchoices, ...} to build a multi-level menu."),
+        Param("icon", default=None,
+              doc="Default icon name shown next to each choice."),
+        Param("auto_result", default=None,
+              doc="Batch-mode selection (path or label). None ⇒ FAILURE."),
+    )
+
     def __init__(self, dict_item, parent=None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
         self._name = cst.TYPE_CHOICES_DLG.item_name
         super().__init__(dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_console.py

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ from interpreter.test_items.test_item import test_run
 from interpreter.test_items.item_actions import TestItemActions
 from interpreter.test_items.item_actions.action import TestItemAction
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
+from interpreter.utils.param_decl import Param, ParamSet
 from interpreter.test_items.test_result import TestResult, TestValue
 
 
@@ -21,6 +22,38 @@ class TestItemConsoleAction(TestItemAction):
 
 
 class TestItemConsoleOpen(TestItemConsoleAction):
+
+    PARAMS = ParamSet(
+        Param("protocol", required=True,
+              doc="Transport: 'telnet', 'ssh', 'rawtcp', 'serial' or 'terminal'."),
+        Param("write_delay", default=0,
+              doc="Inter-character write delay in ms (slow devices)."),
+        Param("log", doc="Path to a log file capturing the console traffic."),
+        Param("overwrite_log", default=True,
+              doc="If true, truncate the log file at open; else append."),
+        # telnet
+        Param("telnet_host", doc="Hostname/IP for the telnet target."),
+        Param("telnet_port", default=69, doc="TCP port for telnet."),
+        # ssh
+        Param("ssh_host", doc="Hostname/IP for the SSH target."),
+        Param("ssh_user", doc="SSH login user."),
+        Param("ssh_pwd",  doc="SSH password (if key-based auth is not used)."),
+        # rawtcp
+        Param("tcp_host", doc="Hostname/IP for a raw-TCP connection."),
+        Param("tcp_port", doc="TCP port for a raw-TCP connection."),
+        # serial
+        Param("serial_port",     doc="Serial device path (e.g. /dev/ttyUSB0 or COM3)."),
+        Param("serial_baudrate", doc="Serial baudrate."),
+        Param("buffered", default=True,
+              doc="If true, the serial console buffers received bytes between reads."),
+        # terminal
+        Param("terminal_path",
+              doc="Working directory for the local terminal protocol."),
+        Param("shell",
+              doc="Shell command used for the local terminal protocol "
+                  "(default: 'cmd.exe' on Windows, '/usr/bin/env bash' elsewhere)."),
+    )
+
     def __init__(
         self, action_name, dict_item, parent=None, status_queue=None, filename=""
     ):
@@ -283,6 +316,17 @@ class TestItemConsoleWriteLn(TestItemConsoleAction):
 
 
 class TestItemConsoleReadUntil(TestItemConsoleAction):
+
+    PARAMS = ParamSet(
+        Param("expected", required=True,
+              doc="Regex matched against incoming console output until found "
+                  "or until timeout."),
+        Param("timeout", default=-1,
+              doc="Seconds before giving up. Negative means infinite."),
+        Param("mute", default=False,
+              doc="If true, don't echo received bytes to testium's stdout/log."),
+    )
+
     def __init__(
         self, action_name, dict_item, parent=None, status_queue=None, filename=""
     ):
@@ -307,11 +351,17 @@ class TestItemConsoleReadUntil(TestItemConsoleAction):
 
         try:
             status, data = cons.read_until(
-                ru, timeout=read_timeout, return_data=True, mute=mute
+                ru, timeout=read_timeout, return_data=True, mute=mute,
+                should_stop=self.isStopped,
             )
             if status == 0:
                 self.result.set(TestValue.SUCCESS)
                 self.result.value = data
+            elif self.isStopped():
+                self.result.set(
+                    result=TestValue.FAILURE,
+                    message="Console read aborted on stop request",
+                )
             else:
                 self.result.set(result=TestValue.FAILURE, message="No matching text")
             if mute:
@@ -330,6 +380,14 @@ class TestItemConsoleReadUntil(TestItemConsoleAction):
 
 
 class TestItemConsole(TestItemActions):
+
+    PARAMS = ParamSet(
+        Param("console_name", required=True,
+              doc="Identifier of the console — used by every nested action to "
+                  "reach back the same transport. Multiple consoles can coexist "
+                  "as long as their names differ."),
+    )
+
     def __init__(self, dict_item, parent=None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
         super().__init__(
             cst.TYPE_CONSOLE, dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_cycle.py

@@ -8,9 +8,36 @@ from interpreter.test_items.test_result import TestResult, TestValue
 import api.testium as tm
 from interpreter.utils.params import TestItemParams
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
+from interpreter.utils.param_decl import Param, ParamSet, BLOCK
+
+
+# Sub-block validation: 'cycle' accepts an 'exit_condition:' mapping whose
+# own params are reported here so unknown keys inside it can be flagged
+# during a future Block-aware diagnostic pass. For now the parent only
+# declares that 'exit_condition' is an accepted top-level key.
+EXIT_CONDITION_PARAMS = ParamSet(
+    Param("time",      doc="HH:MM time of day after which the loop exits."),
+    Param("value",     doc="Expression; when truthy the loop exits."),
+    Param("file",      doc="Python file containing the exit-condition function."),
+    Param("func_name", doc="Function name in 'file' returning the exit value."),
+    Param("param",     doc="Arguments passed to the exit function."),
+    Param("eval", default="",
+          doc="Post-evaluation expression applied to the function's return."),
+)
 
 
 class TestItemCycle(TestItem):
+
+    PARAMS = ParamSet(
+        Param("iterator",
+              doc="Iterable (or string expanding to one) driving the loop. "
+                  "The current value is exposed as $(loop_param)."),
+        Param("exit_condition", kind=BLOCK,
+              doc="Optional block stopping the loop early: combine 'time', "
+                  "'value', or a 'file'+'func_name' pair (with optional "
+                  "'param' and 'eval')."),
+    )
+
     def __init__(self, dict_cycle, parent=None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
         self._name = cst.TYPE_CYCLE.item_name
         super().__init__(dict_cycle, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_git.py

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 from interpreter.test_items.test_item import (TestItem, test_run)
 from interpreter.test_items.test_result import (TestValue)
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
+from interpreter.utils.param_decl import Param, ParamSet, LIST
 from runtime.tum_except import ETUMParamError, ETUMSyntaxError
 import interpreter.utils.version as git
 
@@ -8,6 +9,13 @@ class TestItemGit(TestItem):
     """
     This item expect only one parameter which is a string or list of string being the path to the git folder
     """
+
+    PARAMS = ParamSet(
+        Param("repo", kind=LIST, required=True,
+              doc="Path to a git checkout, or list of such paths. Each is "
+                  "reported with its current version (tag + dirty state)."),
+    )
+
     def __init__(self, dict_item, parent = None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
         self._name = cst.TYPE_GIT.item_name
         super().__init__(dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_group.py

@@ -1,10 +1,17 @@
 from interpreter.test_items.test_item import (TestItem, test_run)
 from interpreter.test_items.test_result import (TestResult, TestValue)
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
+from interpreter.utils.param_decl import ParamSet
 from runtime.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError
 import api.testium as tm
 
 class TestItemGroup(TestItem):
+
+    # 'group' has no item-specific parameters; 'steps' is handled by COMMON_PARAMS.
+    # Declaring an empty ParamSet still opts in to unknown-param validation
+    # (e.g. typo 'stop_on_failures').
+    PARAMS = ParamSet()
+
     def __init__(self, dict_cycle, parent = None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
         self._name = cst.TYPE_GROUP.item_name
         super().__init__(dict_cycle, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_image_dialog.py

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ from interpreter.test_items.test_item import test_run
 from interpreter.test_items.test_result import TestValue
 from interpreter.test_items.test_item_dialog_base import TestItemDialogBase, _is_text_mode, _is_interactive
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
+from interpreter.utils.param_decl import Param, ParamSet
 from runtime.tum_except import item_load_context
 import api.testium as tm
 
@@ -12,6 +13,17 @@ class TestItemImageDialog(TestItemDialogBase):
     """dialog_image item usage.
     dialog_image name: Nice image, question: could you press the red button, filename: img.jpg
     """
+
+    PARAMS = ParamSet(
+        Param("question", required=True,
+              doc="Prompt shown above the image."),
+        Param("filename", required=True,
+              doc="Path to the image file (relative to the test directory or absolute)."),
+        Param("auto_result", default=None,
+              doc="Outcome used in batch/non-interactive mode. Truthy ⇒ SUCCESS, "
+                  "None ⇒ FAILURE."),
+    )
+
     def __init__(self, dict_item, parent=None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
         self._name = cst.TYPE_IMAGE_DLG.item_name
         super().__init__(dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_json_rpc/__init__.py

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ from interpreter.test_items.item_actions.action import TestItemAction
 
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
 from interpreter.utils.eval import evaluate
+from interpreter.utils.param_decl import Param, ParamSet, BLOCK
 
 from interpreter.test_items.test_item_json_rpc.jsonrpc_adapters import (
     JrpcAdapter,
@@ -76,6 +77,20 @@ class TestItemJSRPCActionClose(TestItemAction):
 
 class TestItemJSRPCActionQuery(TestItemAction):
 
+    PARAMS = ParamSet(
+        Param("method", required=True,
+              doc="JSON-RPC method name to call."),
+        Param("params",
+              doc="Parameters payload (list, dict or scalar) sent to the method."),
+        Param("id", default="rand",
+              doc="JSON-RPC request id. 'rand' (default) ⇒ a random integer is used."),
+        Param("no_wait", default=False,
+              doc="If true, send the request without waiting for a response."),
+        Param("timeout", default=None,
+              doc="Seconds to wait for a response. None ⇒ inherits the transport "
+                  "default."),
+    )
+
     def __init__(
         self, action_name, dict_item, parent=None, status_queue=None, filename=""
     ):
@@ -105,6 +120,7 @@ class TestItemJSRPCActionQuery(TestItemAction):
             jrpc_id = randint(1, (2**32) - 1)
         send_only = self._prms.expanse(self._send_only)
         timeout = self._prms.expanse(self._timeout)
+        self.token.set_should_stop(self.isStopped)
         try:
             success, result = self.token.query(
                 meth, obj, jrpc_id, send_only, timeout=timeout
@@ -128,6 +144,13 @@ class TestItemJSRPCActionQuery(TestItemAction):
 
 class TestItemJSRPCActionReceive(TestItemAction):
 
+    PARAMS = ParamSet(
+        Param("id", required=True,
+              doc="JSON-RPC request id whose response we expect."),
+        Param("timeout", default=None,
+              doc="Seconds to wait for the response. None ⇒ transport default."),
+    )
+
     def __init__(
         self, action_name, dict_item, parent=None, status_queue=None, filename=""
     ):
@@ -146,6 +169,7 @@ class TestItemJSRPCActionReceive(TestItemAction):
     def execute(self):
         timeout = self._prms.expanse(self._timeout)
         jrpc_id = self._prms.expanse(self._jrpc_id)
+        self.token.set_should_stop(self.isStopped)
 
         try:
             success, result = self.token.receive(jrpc_id, timeout)
@@ -170,6 +194,22 @@ class TestItemJSON_RPC(TestItemActions):
     This item TBD
     """
 
+    PARAMS = ParamSet(
+        Param("console", kind=BLOCK,
+              doc="Console-transport block: {console_name, …}. Either 'console' "
+                  "or 'udp' must be set."),
+        Param("udp", kind=BLOCK,
+              doc="UDP-transport block: {host, port, …}. Either 'console' or "
+                  "'udp' must be set."),
+        Param("version", default="1.0",
+              doc="JSON-RPC protocol version ('1.0' or '2.0')."),
+        Param("timeout", required=True,
+              doc="Default seconds to wait for a JSON-RPC response across all "
+                  "child query/receive actions."),
+        Param("mute", default=False,
+              doc="If true, don't echo wire traffic to the log."),
+    )
+
     def __init__(
         self, dict_item: dict, parent: TestItem = None, status_queue=None, filename=""
     ):

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_json_rpc/jsonrpc_adapters.py

@@ -2,10 +2,11 @@ import json
 import socket
 import re
 import struct
+import time
 
 from runtime.tum_except import ETUMRuntimeError
 import api.testium as tm
-from api.console import Console
+from api.console import Console, STOP_POLL_INTERVAL
 
 
 def is_ip_address(address):
@@ -45,9 +46,16 @@ class JrpcAdapter:
         self._jrpc_version = version
         self._mute = mute
         self._timeout = timeout
+        # Optional callable polled by _receive() implementations to abort
+        # waits early when the test is being stopped. Set by the test item
+        # action before each query/receive call.
+        self._should_stop = None
         if not (version == "1.0" or version == "2.0"):
             raise ETUMRuntimeError("Invalid JSONRPC version passed.")
 
+    def set_should_stop(self, cb):
+        self._should_stop = cb
+
     @property
     def timeout(self):
         return self._timeout
@@ -249,32 +257,38 @@ class JrpcUdpAdapter(JrpcAdapter):
             print(f"  | sent to @{self._server}:{self._snd_port}")
 
     def _receive(self, timeout: float) -> str:
+        # Poll in short chunks so a stop request is honored within
+        # STOP_POLL_INTERVAL.
+        self.sock.settimeout(STOP_POLL_INTERVAL)
+        deadline = time.monotonic() + float(timeout)
+        data = None
+        addr = None
+        while True:
+            if self._should_stop is not None and self._should_stop():
+                raise ETUMRuntimeError("JSONRPC udp receive aborted on stop request.")
+            try:
+                data, addr = self.sock.recvfrom(self._bufsize)
+                break
+            except socket.timeout:
+                if time.monotonic() >= deadline:
+                    raise ETUMRuntimeError(
+                        "JSONRPC udp answer took too long. Try to increase the timeout."
+                    )
 
-        # configures the reception timeout
-        self.sock.settimeout(timeout)
-
-        # Receives the answer from the server
-        try:
-            data, addr = self.sock.recvfrom(self._bufsize)
-
-            # In case of buffer overload we chose to complain
-            if len(data) >= self._bufsize:
-                raise ETUMRuntimeError(
-                    "JSONRPC udp answer size overflow. Try to increase the bufsize"
-                )
-
-            # Converts binary to string
-            res = data.decode()
-
-            # Don't log if mute
-            if not self._mute:
-                print(f"  | UDP answer: '{res}'")
-                print(f"  | received from @{addr[0]}:{addr[1]}")
-
-        except socket.timeout:
+        # In case of buffer overload we chose to complain
+        if len(data) >= self._bufsize:
             raise ETUMRuntimeError(
-                "JSONRPC udp answer took too long. Try to increase the timeout."
+                "JSONRPC udp answer size overflow. Try to increase the bufsize"
             )
+
+        # Converts binary to string
+        res = data.decode()
+
+        # Don't log if mute
+        if not self._mute:
+            print(f"  | UDP answer: '{res}'")
+            print(f"  | received from @{addr[0]}:{addr[1]}")
+
         return res
 
     def _build_query(self, method: str, obj, jrpc_id: int):
@@ -339,11 +353,16 @@ class JrpcConsoleAdapter(JrpcAdapter):
 
     def _receive(self, timeout: float) -> str:
         status, data = self._cons.read_until(
-            self._endswith, timeout, return_data=True, mute=self._mute
+            self._endswith, timeout, return_data=True, mute=self._mute,
+            should_stop=self._should_stop,
         )
 
         # if we did not receive anything, we complain
         if not status == 0:
+            if self._should_stop is not None and self._should_stop():
+                raise ETUMRuntimeError(
+                    f"JSONRPC console receive aborted on stop request."
+                )
             raise ETUMRuntimeError(
                 f"The '{self._cons.name}' console did not answer in the requested time."
             )

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_let.py

@@ -8,12 +8,20 @@ from interpreter.test_items.test_result import (TestResult, TestValue)
 from runtime.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError, item_load_context
 import api.testium as tm
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
+from interpreter.utils.param_decl import Param, ParamSet, LIST
 
 class TestItemLet(TestItem):
     """let item usage.
     let values: {variable1: a, variable2: /dev/ttyUSB0, variable3: 115200}
     let eval: {conditional_exec: "random.randint(1, 4)"}
     """
+
+    PARAMS = ParamSet(
+        Param("values", kind=LIST, required=True,
+              doc="Mapping (or list of single-pair mappings) of global-dict "
+                  "key → value to set. Values are expanded at execution time."),
+    )
+
     def __init__(self, dict_item, parent = None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
         self._name = cst.TYPE_LET.item_name
         super().__init__(dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_lua_func.py

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import api.testium as tm
 from interpreter.utils.lua_func_exec import LuaFuncExecEngine
 from interpreter.utils.api_srv import api_request
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
+from interpreter.utils.param_decl import Param, ParamSet, LIST
 
 _LUA_FUNC_CONTEXTS_KEY = "_lua_func_contexts"
 
@@ -21,6 +22,21 @@ class TestItemLuaFunc(TestItem):
     Optional: context_id: <id>  — share a persistent process with other lua_func items using the same id.
     """
 
+    PARAMS = ParamSet(
+        Param("file", required=True,
+              doc="Path to the .lua file containing the function."),
+        Param("func_name", required=True,
+              doc="Name of the function to call in the file."),
+        Param("param", kind=LIST,
+              doc="Arguments passed to the function. Each entry is expanded "
+                  "before the call. Special tokens $(loop_param) / $(loop_index) "
+                  "resolve from the surrounding cycle."),
+        Param("context_id", default=None,
+              doc="If set, the lua_func subprocess is kept alive and reused by "
+                  "every other lua_func item with the same context_id — enables "
+                  "shared in-memory state between successive calls."),
+    )
+
     def __init__(self, dict_item, parent=None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
         self._name = cst.TYPE_LUA_FUNCTION.item_name
         super().__init__(dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)
@@ -45,6 +61,18 @@ class TestItemLuaFunc(TestItem):
             tm.setgd(_LUA_FUNC_CONTEXTS_KEY, contexts)
         return contexts[ctx_id], True
 
+    def stop(self):
+        super().stop()
+        # Tear down the worker so any in-flight func_call returns promptly.
+        # join() clears _rpc/_process so a subsequent item reusing the same
+        # context_id can restart the engine cleanly.
+        try:
+            engine, _ = self._get_engine()
+            engine.stop()
+            engine.join()
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+
     @test_run
     def execute(self):
         self.result.set(
@@ -96,9 +124,15 @@ Is the lua environnment well defined in the "LUA_PATH" and "LUA_CPATH" variables
 
             return
 
+        except ConnectionAbortedError:
+            self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, "lua_func aborted on stop request")
+            print("lua_func aborted on stop request.")
         except:
             traceback.print_exception(*sys.exc_info())
-            self.result.set(
-                TestValue.FAILURE,
-                'Unrecoverable "lua_func" item error from {}'.format(self.func_name),
-            )
+            if self.isStopped():
+                self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, "lua_func aborted on stop request")
+            else:
+                self.result.set(
+                    TestValue.FAILURE,
+                    'Unrecoverable "lua_func" item error from {}'.format(self.func_name),
+                )

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_msg_dialog.py

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ from interpreter.test_items.test_item import test_run
 from interpreter.test_items.test_result import TestValue
 from interpreter.test_items.test_item_dialog_base import TestItemDialogBase, _is_text_mode, _is_interactive
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
+from interpreter.utils.param_decl import Param, ParamSet
 from runtime.tum_except import item_load_context
 
 
@@ -12,6 +13,15 @@ class TestItemMsgDialog(TestItemDialogBase):
     """dialog_message item usage.
     dialog_message name: Nice message, question: Open the door and press OK
     """
+
+    PARAMS = ParamSet(
+        Param("question", required=True,
+              doc="Message body shown to the user. Multi-line strings are supported."),
+        Param("auto_result", default=None,
+              doc="Outcome used in batch/non-interactive mode instead of waiting "
+                  "for the user. Truthy ⇒ SUCCESS, None ⇒ FAILURE."),
+    )
+
     def __init__(self, dict_item, parent=None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
         self._name = cst.TYPE_MESSAGE_DLG.item_name
         super().__init__(dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_note_dialog.py

@@ -2,11 +2,23 @@ from interpreter.test_items.test_item import test_run
 from interpreter.test_items.test_result import TestValue
 from interpreter.test_items.test_item_dialog_base import TestItemDialogBase, _is_text_mode, _is_interactive
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
+from interpreter.utils.param_decl import Param, ParamSet
 from runtime.tum_except import item_load_context
 import api.testium as tm
 
 
 class TestItemNoteDialog(TestItemDialogBase):
+
+    PARAMS = ParamSet(
+        Param("question", required=True,
+              doc="Prompt shown above the note input field."),
+        Param("auto_result", default=None,
+              doc="Batch-mode outcome: None ⇒ FAILURE, 'cancel' ⇒ cancelled, "
+                  "any other truthy ⇒ SUCCESS with auto_value."),
+        Param("auto_value", default=None,
+              doc="Note text used in batch mode when auto_result is set."),
+    )
+
     def __init__(self, dict_item, parent=None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
         self._name = cst.TYPE_NOTE_DLG.item_name
         super().__init__(dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_parallel.py

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ from interpreter.test_items.test_item import test_run
 from interpreter.test_items.test_result import TestResult, TestValue
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
 from interpreter.utils.eval import eval_to_boolean
+from interpreter.utils.param_decl import Param, ParamSet, LIST, BLOCK, Enum
 from runtime.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError
 from runtime.string_queue import StringQueue
 from runtime.stdout_redirect import stdio_redir
@@ -15,6 +16,12 @@ class TestItemParallelBranch(TestItemContainer):
     """One branch of a parallel item. Runs its children sequentially,
     optionally waiting for a condition before starting."""
 
+    PARAMS = ParamSet(
+        Param("wait_for", kind=BLOCK,
+              doc="Optional block {condition, timeout} that defers the branch "
+                  "start until the condition is truthy (or the timeout elapses)."),
+    )
+
     def __init__(self, dict_item, parent=None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
         super().__init__(cst.TYPE_PARALLEL_BRANCH, dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)
         self._wait_condition = None
@@ -87,6 +94,15 @@ class TestItemParallel(TestItemContainer):
                   - ...
     """
 
+    PARAMS = ParamSet(
+        Param("branches", kind=LIST, required=True,
+              doc="List of branch blocks (each branch holds its own 'steps' "
+                  "and optional 'wait_for')."),
+        Param("sync", kind=Enum("all", "any"), default="all",
+              doc="'all' (default) waits for every branch; 'any' returns as "
+                  "soon as the first branch completes."),
+    )
+
     def __init__(self, dict_item, parent=None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
         branches = dict_item.get("branches", [])
         if not branches:

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_py_func.py

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import api.testium as tm
 from interpreter.utils.py_func_exec import PyFuncExecEngine
 from interpreter.utils.api_srv import api_request
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
+from interpreter.utils.param_decl import Param, ParamSet, LIST
 
 _PY_FUNC_CONTEXTS_KEY = "_py_func_contexts"
 
@@ -21,6 +22,21 @@ class TestItemPyFunc(TestItem):
     Optional: context_id: <id>  — share a persistent process with other py_func items using the same id.
     """
 
+    PARAMS = ParamSet(
+        Param("file", required=True,
+              doc="Path to the .py file containing the function."),
+        Param("func_name", required=True,
+              doc="Name of the function to call in the file."),
+        Param("param", kind=LIST,
+              doc="Arguments passed to the function. Each entry is expanded "
+                  "before the call. Special tokens $(loop_param) / $(loop_index) "
+                  "resolve from the surrounding cycle."),
+        Param("context_id", default=None,
+              doc="If set, the py_func subprocess is kept alive and reused by "
+                  "every other py_func item with the same context_id — enables "
+                  "shared in-memory state between successive calls."),
+    )
+
     def __init__(self, dict_item, parent=None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
         self._name = cst.TYPE_PY_FUNCTION.item_name
         super().__init__(dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)
@@ -45,6 +61,18 @@ class TestItemPyFunc(TestItem):
             tm.setgd(_PY_FUNC_CONTEXTS_KEY, contexts)
         return contexts[ctx_id], True
 
+    def stop(self):
+        super().stop()
+        # Tear down the worker so any in-flight func_call returns promptly.
+        # join() clears _rpc/_process so a subsequent item reusing the same
+        # context_id can restart the engine cleanly.
+        try:
+            engine, _ = self._get_engine()
+            engine.stop()
+            engine.join()
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+
     @test_run
     def execute(self):
         self.result.set(
@@ -94,9 +122,15 @@ python_bin = {tm.gd("python_bin", "no python path defined")}"""
 
             return
 
+        except ConnectionAbortedError:
+            self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, "py_func aborted on stop request")
+            print("py_func aborted on stop request.")
         except:
             traceback.print_exception(*sys.exc_info())
-            self.result.set(
-                TestValue.FAILURE,
-                'Unrecoverable "py_func" item error from {}'.format(self.func_name),
-            )
+            if self.isStopped():
+                self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, "py_func aborted on stop request")
+            else:
+                self.result.set(
+                    TestValue.FAILURE,
+                    'Unrecoverable "py_func" item error from {}'.format(self.func_name),
+                )

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_question_dialog.py

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ from interpreter.test_items.test_item import test_run
 from interpreter.test_items.test_result import TestValue
 from interpreter.test_items.test_item_dialog_base import TestItemDialogBase, _is_text_mode, _is_interactive
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
+from interpreter.utils.param_decl import Param, ParamSet
 from runtime.tum_except import item_load_context
 
 
@@ -9,6 +10,14 @@ class TestItemQuestionDialog(TestItemDialogBase):
     """dialog_question item usage.
     dialog_question name: Nice question, question: "If OK, press OK, If not, press cancel"
     """
+
+    PARAMS = ParamSet(
+        Param("question", required=True,
+              doc="Yes/No prompt presented to the user."),
+        Param("auto_result", default=None,
+              doc="Batch-mode answer ('yes'/'no' or truthy/falsy). None ⇒ FAILURE."),
+    )
+
     def __init__(self, dict_item, parent=None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
         self._name = cst.TYPE_QUESTION_DLG.item_name
         super().__init__(dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_report.py

@@ -3,9 +3,17 @@ from interpreter.test_items.test_item import (TestItem, test_run)
 from interpreter.test_items.test_result import (TestValue)
 from runtime.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
+from interpreter.utils.param_decl import Param, ParamSet, LIST
 from interpreter.test_report.test_report import Export
 
 class TestItemReport(TestItem):
+
+    PARAMS = ParamSet(
+        Param("export", kind=LIST, required=True,
+              doc="List of exporters to run (junit, sqlite, …). Each entry is a "
+                  "mapping describing the exporter type and its parameters."),
+    )
+
     def __init__(self, dict_item, parent = None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
         self._name = cst.TYPE_REPORT.item_name
         super().__init__(dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_run.py

@@ -10,9 +10,42 @@ from interpreter.test_items.test_item import (TestItem, test_run)
 from interpreter.test_items.test_result import (TestValue)
 import api.testium as tm
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
+from interpreter.utils.param_decl import Param, ParamSet
 from runtime.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError, ETUMRuntimeError, item_load_context
 
 
+def _testium_launch_cmd():
+    """Command prefix to launch a fresh testium instance, runtime-aware.
+
+    AppImage / Flatpak / PyInstaller / wheel / source all need a different
+    entry point than just the path to __main__.py (which may be a .py inside
+    a read-only bundle, or unreachable from the sub-instance's cwd).
+    """
+    # AppImage: the env var holds the path to the .AppImage file itself.
+    appimage = os.environ.get("APPIMAGE")
+    if appimage:
+        return [appimage]
+    # Flatpak: re-launch via the Flatpak app id, but on the host side —
+    # the `flatpak` CLI cannot run inside our sandbox (no D-Bus access to the
+    # host Flatpak service, and the host binary would need host libs that are
+    # ABI-incompatible with the sandbox runtime). flatpak-spawn proxies the
+    # call to the host via org.freedesktop.Flatpak (allowed by --talk-name in
+    # the manifest).
+    if os.path.isfile("/.flatpak-info"):
+        return ["flatpak-spawn", "--host",
+                "flatpak", "run", "org.testium.Testium"]
+    # PyInstaller frozen exe: sys.executable is the binary itself.
+    if getattr(sys, "frozen", False):
+        return [sys.executable]
+    # Source / wheel: re-use the same Python with the same entry point that
+    # launched this instance, made absolute so cwd changes in the sub-instance
+    # don't break the lookup. argv[0] is either:
+    #  - the package directory (source: `python3 src/testium ...`)
+    #  - the console_scripts wrapper (wheel: `/usr/bin/testium`)
+    # Both are runnable as `python <argv0>`.
+    return [sys.executable, os.path.abspath(sys.argv[0])]
+
+
 def nowInBetween(start, end):
     """
     Check wether current time is within boundaries
@@ -25,6 +58,25 @@ def nowInBetween(start, end):
 
 
 class TestItemRun(TestItem):
+
+    PARAMS = ParamSet(
+        Param("tum", required=True,
+              doc="Path to the .tum file launched in a fresh testium instance."),
+        Param("param_file", default="",
+              doc="Optional path to a param.yaml passed to the sub-instance."),
+        Param("log_file", default="",
+              doc="Path where the sub-instance writes its log."),
+        Param("report_file", default="",
+              doc="Path where the sub-instance writes its report."),
+        Param("start_time",
+              doc="HH:MM time of day after which the sub-instance may run."),
+        Param("end_time",
+              doc="HH:MM time of day after which the sub-instance no longer runs."),
+        Param("wait_for_exec",
+              doc="If true, block until the time window opens. Requires both "
+                  "start_time and end_time."),
+    )
+
     def __init__(self, dict_item, parent = None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
         self._name = cst.TYPE_RUN.item_name
         super().__init__(dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)
@@ -33,8 +85,6 @@ class TestItemRun(TestItem):
         with item_load_context(self.cmd(), self.name(), self.seqFilename()):
             self.tum_file = self._prms.getParam('tum', required=True)
             self.param_file = self._prms.getParam('param_file', default='')
-            self.python_bin = self._prms.getParam('python_bin', default='')
-            self.testium_path = self._prms.getParam('testium_path', default='')
             self.log_path = self._prms.getParam('log_file', default='')
             self.report_path = self._prms.getParam('report_file', default='')
             self.start_time = self._prms.getParam('start_time')
@@ -52,18 +102,9 @@ class TestItemRun(TestItem):
                     '"{}" file could not be found'.format(file_path))
             self.tum_file = file_path
             pf = self._prms.expanse(self.param_file)
-            pp = self._prms.expanse(self.python_bin)
-            sp = self._prms.expanse(self.testium_path)
             lp = self._prms.expanse(self.log_path)
             rp = self._prms.expanse(self.report_path)
-            cmd = []
-            if sp == '':
-                sp = sys.argv[0]
-            if pp != '':
-                cmd.append(pp)
-            elif not os.path.isfile(sp) or not os.access(sp, os.X_OK):
-                cmd.append(sys.executable)
-            cmd.append(sp)
+            cmd = _testium_launch_cmd()
             if tm.text_mode():
                 cmd.append("-b")
             else:

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_runtime_plot.py

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ from interpreter.test_items.item_actions import TestItemActions
 from interpreter.test_items.item_actions.action import TestItemAction
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
 from interpreter.utils.eval import evaluate
+from interpreter.utils.param_decl import Param, ParamSet, LIST
 
 
 class TestItemPlotAction(TestItemAction):
@@ -21,6 +22,12 @@ class TestItemPlotAction(TestItemAction):
 
 
 class TestItemPlotActionOpen(TestItemPlotAction):
+
+    PARAMS = ParamSet(
+        Param("log_path", default=None,
+              doc="Optional file to which the plot data are appended."),
+    )
+
     def __init__(
         self, action_name, dict_item, parent=None, status_queue=None, filename=""
     ):
@@ -57,6 +64,15 @@ class TestItemPlotActionOpen(TestItemPlotAction):
 
 
 class TestItemPlotActionClose(TestItemPlotAction):
+
+    PARAMS = ParamSet(
+        Param("wait_dialog_exit", default=False,
+              doc="If true, the close action blocks until the user closes the "
+                  "plot window (or timeout)."),
+        Param("timeout", default=-1,
+              doc="Seconds to wait when wait_dialog_exit is true. Negative ⇒ infinite."),
+    )
+
     def __init__(
         self, action_name, dict_item, parent=None, status_queue=None, filename=""
     ):
@@ -96,6 +112,20 @@ class TestItemPlotActionClose(TestItemPlotAction):
 
 
 class TestItemPlotActionPeriodic(TestItemPlotAction):
+
+    PARAMS = ParamSet(
+        Param("period", required=True,
+              doc="Seconds between two calls of the periodic function."),
+        Param("file", required=True,
+              doc="Path to the .py file holding the periodic function."),
+        Param("func_name", required=True,
+              doc="Name of the periodic function."),
+        Param("param", kind=LIST,
+              doc="Arguments passed to the periodic function on each call."),
+        Param("eval", default="",
+              doc="Post-evaluation applied to the function's return value."),
+    )
+
     def __init__(
         self, action_name, dict_item, parent=None, status_queue=None, filename=""
     ):
@@ -169,6 +199,13 @@ class TestItemPlotActionAdd(TestItemPlotAction):
 
 
 class TestItemPlotActionLastValues(TestItemPlotAction):
+
+    PARAMS = ParamSet(
+        Param("name", kind=LIST,
+              doc="List of plot variable names whose last sample is returned. "
+                  "Result is stored in $(plv_<plot_name>) as a dict."),
+    )
+
     def __init__(self, action_name, dict_item, parent=None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
         super().__init__(
             action_name, cst.TYPE_GRAPH_ACTION, dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename
@@ -219,6 +256,13 @@ class TestItemPlotActionExport(TestItemPlotAction):
 
 
 class TestItemPlot(TestItemActions):
+
+    PARAMS = ParamSet(
+        Param("plot_name", required=True,
+              doc="Identifier of the plot window — referenced by every nested "
+                  "action and by $(plv_<plot_name>) for last-values output."),
+    )
+
     def __init__(self, dict_item, parent=None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
         super().__init__(
             cst.TYPE_GRAPH, dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_sleep.py

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import api.testium as tm
 from interpreter.test_items.test_item import (TestItem, test_run)
 from interpreter.test_items.test_result import (TestValue)
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
+from interpreter.utils.param_decl import Param, ParamSet
 from runtime.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError, ETUMRuntimeError, item_load_context
 
 class TestItemSleep(TestItem):
@@ -14,6 +15,15 @@ class TestItemSleep(TestItem):
     sleep timeout: 10
     """
 
+    PARAMS = ParamSet(
+        Param("timeout", required=True,
+              doc="Duration to sleep. Number of seconds, or a string "
+                  "like '1d 2h 30m 15s'."),
+        Param("dialog", default=False,
+              doc="If true, show a cancel dialog (GUI mode) or an interactive "
+                  "Ctrl+C-able countdown (text mode)."),
+    )
+
     def __init__(self, dict_item, parent = None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
         self._name = cst.TYPE_SLEEP.item_name
         super().__init__(dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)
@@ -80,4 +90,7 @@ class TestItemSleep(TestItem):
             end_time = _time.time() + float(timeout)
             while _time.time() < end_time and not self._is_stopped:
                 sleep(min(0.05, end_time - _time.time()))
-            self.result.set(TestValue.SUCCESS, 'Sleep %s sec' % (str(timeout)))
+            if self._is_stopped:
+                self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, 'Sleep aborted on stop request')
+            else:
+                self.result.set(TestValue.SUCCESS, 'Sleep %s sec' % (str(timeout)))

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_tested_references.py

@@ -2,11 +2,23 @@ from interpreter.test_items.test_item import test_run
 from interpreter.test_items.test_result import TestValue
 from interpreter.test_items.test_item_dialog_base import TestItemDialogBase, _is_text_mode, _is_interactive
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
+from interpreter.utils.param_decl import Param, ParamSet, LIST
 from runtime.tum_except import item_load_context
 import api.testium as tm
 
 
 class TestItemTestedRefsDialog(TestItemDialogBase):
+
+    PARAMS = ParamSet(
+        Param("question", required=True,
+              doc="Prompt asking the operator to enter the tested references."),
+        Param("reference", kind=LIST,
+              doc="Pre-filled list of references shown in the dialog."),
+        Param("auto_result", default=None,
+              doc="Batch-mode outcome: None ⇒ FAILURE, truthy ⇒ SUCCESS with "
+                  "the pre-filled references."),
+    )
+
     def __init__(self, dict_item, parent=None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
         self._name = cst.TYPE_REFERENCE_DLG.item_name
         super().__init__(dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_unittest.py

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ from interpreter.test_items.test_item import (TestItem, test_run, LOG_TEST_STOP,
 from interpreter.test_items.test_result import (TestResult, TestValue)
 from interpreter.test_items.test_item import test_data
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
+from interpreter.utils.param_decl import Param, ParamSet, LIST
 from runtime.stdout_redirect import stdio_redir
 
 class UnittestResult(TextTestResult):
@@ -95,6 +96,15 @@ class TestItemUnittestElement(TestItem):
 
 
 class TestItemUnittestFile(TestItem):
+
+    PARAMS = ParamSet(
+        Param("test_file", required=True,
+              doc="Path to the Python unittest file (TestCase subclass)."),
+        Param("test_method", kind=LIST,
+              doc="Optional list of method names to restrict the run to. "
+                  "When empty, every test_* method in the file is run."),
+    )
+
     def __init__(self, dict_item, parent = None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
         self._name = cst.TYPE_UNITTEST.item_name
         super().__init__(dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_value_dialog.py

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ from interpreter.test_items.test_item import test_run
 from interpreter.test_items.test_result import TestValue
 from interpreter.test_items.test_item_dialog_base import TestItemDialogBase, _is_text_mode, _is_interactive
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
+from interpreter.utils.param_decl import Param, ParamSet
 from runtime.tum_except import item_load_context
 import api.testium as tm
 
@@ -10,6 +11,19 @@ class TestItemValueDialog(TestItemDialogBase):
     """dialog_value item usage.
     dialog_value name: Enter value, question: "Which value did you measure?"
     """
+
+    PARAMS = ParamSet(
+        Param("question", required=True,
+              doc="Prompt shown above the value input field."),
+        Param("default", default="",
+              doc="Pre-filled value of the input field."),
+        Param("auto_result", default=None,
+              doc="Batch-mode outcome: None ⇒ FAILURE, 'cancel' ⇒ cancelled, "
+                  "any other truthy ⇒ SUCCESS with auto_value."),
+        Param("auto_value", default=None,
+              doc="Value used in batch mode when auto_result is set."),
+    )
+
     def __init__(self, dict_item, parent=None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
         self._name = cst.TYPE_VALUE_DLG.item_name
         super().__init__(dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)

src/testium/interpreter/utils/bins.py

@@ -17,8 +17,11 @@ Public API
 ``reset()``             : clear the cache (mostly useful for tests)
 """
 
+import atexit
+import os
 import shutil
 import subprocess
+import tempfile
 
 import api.testium as tm
 from interpreter.utils.paths import sys_app_path_lin, sys_app_path_win
@@ -30,23 +33,235 @@ from runtime.tum_except import ETUMRuntimeError
 _PYTHON_CANDIDATES = ["python3", "python"]
 _LUA_CANDIDATES = ["lua", "lua5.5", "lua5.4", "lua5.3", "lua5.2", "lua5.1"]
 
+# Inside an AppImage, AppRun prepends $APPDIR/usr/bin to PATH and exports a
+# bundle-local PYTHONHOME / PYTHONPATH / LD_LIBRARY_PATH. We want py_func and
+# lua_func to run under the *host* interpreter (not the bundled one), so we
+# probe standard host bin dirs directly and scrub APPDIR-prefixed entries from
+# the env passed to host subprocesses.
+_APPIMAGE_HOST_DIRS = [
+    "/usr/local/bin",
+    "/usr/bin",
+    "/bin",
+]
+
+
+def _in_flatpak():
+    return os.path.isfile("/.flatpak-info")
+
+
+def _in_appimage():
+    return "APPIMAGE" in os.environ
+
+
+def apply_host_libs(env):
+    """Strip bundle-local entries from *env* so a host binary can run cleanly.
+
+    Only meaningful for AppImage: removes $APPDIR-prefixed entries from
+    LD_LIBRARY_PATH / PYTHONPATH / PATH and drops PYTHONHOME, so the host
+    interpreter doesn't try to load the bundled (incompatible) Python
+    lib/site-packages. Flatpak is handled via flatpak-spawn --host instead
+    (see flatpak_host_spawn), so the sandbox env is irrelevant there.
+    """
+    if not _in_appimage():
+        return
+    appdir = os.environ.get("APPDIR", "")
+    if appdir:
+        for var, sep in (("LD_LIBRARY_PATH", ":"),
+                         ("PYTHONPATH", os.pathsep),
+                         ("PATH", os.pathsep)):
+            cur = env.get(var, "")
+            if not cur:
+                continue
+            cleaned = sep.join(
+                p for p in cur.split(sep)
+                if p and not p.startswith(appdir)
+            )
+            if cleaned:
+                env[var] = cleaned
+            else:
+                env.pop(var, None)
+    env.pop("PYTHONHOME", None)
+
+
+# ---------- Flatpak: spawn on host outside the sandbox -----------------------
+#
+# Inside a Flatpak the sandbox glibc is incompatible with host shared libraries,
+# so we can't run host Python/Lua under the sandbox runtime — `LD_LIBRARY_PATH`
+# tricks hit a `_dl_call_libc_early_init` assertion. The supported way out is
+# `flatpak-spawn --host`, which talks to the session-bus Flatpak D-Bus service
+# (org.freedesktop.Flatpak.Development) and asks it to spawn a process in the
+# host execution environment instead of inside our sandbox. The manifest must
+# grant `--talk-name=org.freedesktop.Flatpak` for the D-Bus call to be allowed.
+#
+# The host process can't see our /app/ contents (sandbox-only), so when we
+# spawn host Python/Lua to run `py_func` / `lua_func`, the cwd must be a
+# directory both sides can reach. /tmp is shared (--filesystem=/tmp), so we
+# stage the testium package there once per process and reuse it for every
+# spawn. In source mode (testium under $HOME) the host already sees the
+# original path, so we skip the copy.
+
+_staged_testium_path = None
+
+
+def _get_host_testium_path():
+    """Return a path to the testium package that the host can read.
+
+    - Source / wheel / PyInstaller install under $HOME → return testium_path()
+      as-is (host sees the same path via --filesystem=home).
+    - Flatpak bundle (testium under /app/) → stage a copy under /tmp on first
+      call and reuse it for the rest of the process.
+    """
+    global _staged_testium_path
+    if _staged_testium_path is not None:
+        return _staged_testium_path
+
+    # Imported lazily to avoid a circular import (paths.py -> api.testium).
+    from interpreter.utils.paths import testium_path
+    tp = testium_path()
+
+    if not tp.startswith("/app/"):
+        _staged_testium_path = tp
+        return tp
+
+    staged = tempfile.mkdtemp(prefix="testium_host_", dir="/tmp")
+    # copytree refuses to write into an existing dir unless dirs_exist_ok=True.
+    # mkdtemp creates the dir, so we copy *into* it.
+    for entry in os.listdir(tp):
+        src = os.path.join(tp, entry)
+        dst = os.path.join(staged, entry)
+        if os.path.isdir(src):
+            shutil.copytree(src, dst, symlinks=True)
+        else:
+            shutil.copy2(src, dst, follow_symlinks=False)
+    _staged_testium_path = staged
+    atexit.register(shutil.rmtree, staged, ignore_errors=True)
+    return staged
+
+
+_FORWARDED_ENV_KEYS = (
+    "HOME", "USER", "LOGNAME", "TMPDIR",
+    "XDG_RUNTIME_DIR", "XDG_DATA_HOME", "XDG_CONFIG_HOME", "XDG_CACHE_HOME",
+    "DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS", "DISPLAY", "WAYLAND_DISPLAY",
+    "LANG", "LC_ALL",
+)
+
+
+def flatpak_host_spawn(interp_bin, cmd_args, host_cwd, extra_env=None):
+    """Build a flatpak-spawn --host command vector.
+
+    Args:
+        interp_bin: absolute path to the host interpreter (e.g. /usr/bin/python3).
+        cmd_args: list of arguments passed to the interpreter.
+        host_cwd: working directory on the host (must be reachable from host).
+        extra_env: optional {name: value} of env vars to set on the host side
+                   in addition to the default forwarded set. Values of ""
+                   unset the variable on the host.
+
+    Returns a list suitable for subprocess.Popen.
+    """
+    spawn = ["flatpak-spawn", "--host", f"--directory={host_cwd}"]
+    forwarded = {}
+    for key in _FORWARDED_ENV_KEYS:
+        val = os.environ.get(key)
+        if val:
+            forwarded[key] = val
+    if extra_env:
+        forwarded.update(extra_env)
+    for k, v in forwarded.items():
+        if v == "":
+            spawn.append(f"--unset-env={k}")
+        else:
+            spawn.append(f"--env={k}={v}")
+    spawn.append(interp_bin)
+    spawn.extend(cmd_args)
+    return spawn
+
+
+def _which_host_flatpak(name):
+    """Resolve a binary name (or absolute path) on the host via flatpak-spawn.
+
+    We can't probe /run/host/... because (a) only host-os is mounted there,
+    not arbitrary paths like /scratch, and (b) returning a /run/host path
+    would be useless — the host-side spawn sees a different filesystem and
+    needs the host-native path anyway.
+    """
+    if os.path.isabs(name):
+        cmd = flatpak_host_spawn("/bin/sh", ["-c", f'test -x "{name}"'],
+                                 host_cwd="/tmp")
+        try:
+            r = subprocess.run(cmd, capture_output=True, timeout=10)
+        except (FileNotFoundError, PermissionError, subprocess.TimeoutExpired):
+            return ""
+        return name if r.returncode == 0 else ""
+    cmd = flatpak_host_spawn("/bin/sh", ["-c", f'command -v "{name}"'],
+                             host_cwd="/tmp")
+    try:
+        r = subprocess.run(cmd, capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=10)
+    except (FileNotFoundError, PermissionError, subprocess.TimeoutExpired):
+        return ""
+    if r.returncode != 0:
+        return ""
+    return r.stdout.strip()
+
 
 def _which(name):
-    func = sys_app_path_win if tm.OS() == "Windows" else sys_app_path_lin
-    return func(name)
+    if tm.OS() == "Windows":
+        return sys_app_path_win(name)
+    if _in_flatpak():
+        return _which_host_flatpak(name)
+    if _in_appimage():
+        for d in _APPIMAGE_HOST_DIRS:
+            p = os.path.join(d, name)
+            if os.path.isfile(p) and os.access(p, os.X_OK):
+                return p
+        return ""
+    return sys_app_path_lin(name)
 
 
-def _python_version(path):
-    cmd = [path, "-c", "import sys; print(sys.version_info[:3])"]
+def _probe_env():
+    """Subprocess env for probing host binaries.
+
+    In AppImage we still need to scrub APPDIR-prefixed entries; in Flatpak we
+    delegate execution to the host via flatpak-spawn so the sandbox env doesn't
+    matter, but apply_host_libs is a no-op cost.
+    """
+    env = os.environ.copy()
+    apply_host_libs(env)
+    return env
+
+
+def _run_probe(cmd):
+    """Run a probe command, dispatching through flatpak-spawn --host in Flatpak.
+
+    Returns (stdout, stderr) as str, or None on failure.
+    """
+    if _in_flatpak():
+        spawn = flatpak_host_spawn(cmd[0], cmd[1:], host_cwd="/tmp")
+        try:
+            r = subprocess.run(
+                spawn, capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=10,
+            )
+        except (FileNotFoundError, PermissionError, subprocess.TimeoutExpired):
+            return None
+        if r.returncode != 0:
+            return None
+        return r.stdout, r.stderr
     try:
         r = subprocess.run(
             cmd, capture_output=True, text=True,
-            encoding=tm.sys_encoding(), timeout=10,
+            encoding=tm.sys_encoding(), timeout=10, env=_probe_env(),
         )
     except (FileNotFoundError, PermissionError, subprocess.TimeoutExpired):
         return None
+    return r.stdout, r.stderr
+
+
+def _python_version(path):
+    out = _run_probe([path, "-c", "import sys; print(sys.version_info[:3])"])
+    if out is None:
+        return None
     try:
-        return eval(r.stdout)
+        return eval(out[0])
     except Exception:
         return None
 
@@ -57,14 +272,11 @@ def _is_python3(path):
 
 
 def _lua_version(path):
-    try:
-        r = subprocess.run(
-            [path, "-v"], capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=10,
-        )
-    except (FileNotFoundError, PermissionError, subprocess.TimeoutExpired):
+    out = _run_probe([path, "-v"])
+    if out is None:
         return None
     # On Windows the version banner goes to stderr.
-    line = r.stdout or r.stderr
+    line = out[0] or out[1]
     try:
         major, minor, _patch = line.split(" ")[1].split(".")
         return (int(major), int(minor))
@@ -85,20 +297,39 @@ _SPECS = {
     "lua":    ("Lua 5.1+",  "lua_bin",    _LUA_CANDIDATES,    _is_lua51),
 }
 
+# Cached per (name, override) so that runtime changes to gd[gd_key] —
+# e.g. ``python_bin`` set from a YAML config file loaded *after*
+# eval_proc has already resolved its own interpreter — are picked up by
+# the next lookup instead of returning the stale, auto-discovered path.
+# Long-lived subprocesses (eval_proc) keep whatever they captured at
+# construction time, but every new PyProcessBase / FuncExecEngine spawned
+# afterwards sees the current override.
 _resolved = {}
 
 
 def _resolve(name):
-    if name in _resolved:
-        return _resolved[name]
-
     display, gd_key, candidates, validator = _SPECS[name]
     override = tm.gd(gd_key, "") or ""
 
+    cached = _resolved.get(name)
+    if cached is not None and cached[0] == override:
+        return cached[1]
+
     path = ""
     if override:
-        if shutil.which(override) and validator(override):
-            path = override
+        # Absolute path: accept as-is (user knows exactly what they want).
+        # Bare name: resolve via _which() so the override stays host-only in
+        # Flatpak/AppImage instead of silently picking the bundled interpreter.
+        # In Flatpak we always defer to _which() so even absolute paths are
+        # checked from the host's perspective (the sandbox can't see e.g.
+        # /scratch/... paths that the user may have configured).
+        if os.path.isabs(override) and not _in_flatpak():
+            resolved = override if (os.path.isfile(override)
+                                    and os.access(override, os.X_OK)) else ""
+        else:
+            resolved = _which(override)
+        if resolved and validator(resolved):
+            path = resolved
         else:
             tm.print_warn(
                 f"Configured {display} interpreter '{override}' is not usable; "
@@ -114,7 +345,7 @@ def _resolve(name):
                 path = p
                 break
 
-    _resolved[name] = path
+    _resolved[name] = (override, path)
     return path
 
 

src/testium/interpreter/utils/lua_process.py

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ from runtime.jrpc import JsonRpcClient
 from interpreter.utils.paths import subproc_path
 from runtime.tum_except import ETUMRuntimeError
 from interpreter.utils import bins
+from interpreter.utils.proc_drain import drain_to_log
 
 
 class LuaProcessBase:
@@ -46,9 +47,16 @@ class LuaProcessBase:
         if self._process is not None:
             raise ETUMRuntimeError("The function subprocess has already been started.")
 
-        func_proc_path = os.path.realpath(
-            os.path.join(subproc_path(), "lua_func")
-        )
+        # In Flatpak the host can't see /app/lib/testium/lua_func, so use a
+        # staged copy under /tmp (shared between sandbox and host).
+        if bins._in_flatpak():
+            func_proc_path = os.path.join(
+                bins._get_host_testium_path(), "lua_func"
+            )
+        else:
+            func_proc_path = os.path.realpath(
+                os.path.join(subproc_path(), "lua_func")
+            )
 
         # POpen config
         CUST_ENV = {
@@ -59,6 +67,7 @@ class LuaProcessBase:
 
         lua_env = tm.gd("lua_env", {})
         env = os.environ.copy()
+        bins.apply_host_libs(env)
         if not isinstance(lua_env, dict):
             raise ETUMRuntimeError(f"The 'lua_env' global value should be a dictionary. But it is '{lua_env}'.")
 
@@ -76,8 +85,7 @@ class LuaProcessBase:
         sock.close()
 
         # POpen params
-        params = [
-            self._lbin,
+        cmd_args = [
             "main.lua",
             "--timeout",
             f"{self._timeout}",
@@ -88,15 +96,36 @@ class LuaProcessBase:
         ]
 
         if tm.debug_enabled() and tm.gd("debug_rpc", False):
-            params.append("--verbose")
+            cmd_args.append("--verbose")
+
+        if bins._in_flatpak():
+            # Run on the host outside the sandbox: avoids glibc ABI mismatches
+            # between the Flatpak runtime and host shared libraries.
+            host_env = {
+                k: env[k] for k in ("LUA_PATH", "LUA_CPATH", "PATH")
+                if k in env and env[k]
+            }
+            params = bins.flatpak_host_spawn(
+                self._lbin, cmd_args, host_cwd=func_proc_path,
+                extra_env=host_env,
+            )
+            popen_kwargs = {}
+        else:
+            params = [self._lbin, *cmd_args]
+            popen_kwargs = {"env": env, "cwd": func_proc_path}
 
         self._process = subprocess.Popen(
-            params, env=env, cwd=func_proc_path,
+            params,
             stdin=subprocess.DEVNULL,
-            stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL,
-            stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL,
+            stdout=subprocess.PIPE,
+            stderr=subprocess.PIPE,
             restore_signals=False,
+            **popen_kwargs,
         )
+        # Route subprocess stdout/stderr (lua require failures, syntax
+        # errors, anything written to fd 1/2 before the in-script
+        # remote_print is set up) into the parent's log.
+        drain_to_log(self._process, prefix="[lua_func] ")
 
         self._rpc = JsonRpcClient(
             "localhost", self._port, req_handler=self._req_handler
@@ -139,4 +168,12 @@ class LuaProcessBase:
         """
         if self._rpc is not None:
             self._rpc.stop()
+        # Force-kill the worker if it's still running. Needed when user code
+        # in the worker is stuck and won't notice the parent closing the RPC
+        # socket on its own.
+        if self._process is not None and self._process.poll() is None:
+            try:
+                self._process.terminate()
+            except Exception:
+                pass
 

src/testium/interpreter/utils/param_decl.py

@@ -0,0 +1,175 @@
+"""Declarative description of a test item's accepted parameters.
+
+Each ``TestItem`` subclass declares its parameter surface as a class
+attribute::
+
+    class TestItemFoo(TestItem):
+        PARAMS = ParamSet(
+            Param("bar",      required=True,  doc="The bar value."),
+            Param("baz",      default=0,      doc="Optional baz."),
+            Param("modes",    kind=LIST,      doc="Iterable of modes."),
+            Param("strategy", kind=ENUM("a", "b"), doc="..."),
+            Param("opts",     kind=BLOCK,     doc="Sub-block."),
+        )
+
+The base ``TestItem.__init__`` consumes both ``COMMON_PARAMS`` (defined
+in ``test_item.py``) and the subclass ``PARAMS`` to:
+
+* warn on any key in the user's YAML that isn't declared anywhere
+  (catches typos like ``param_filee``);
+* expose a machine-readable schema for documentation generation and,
+  eventually, an LSP server.
+
+The descriptor is **purely about shape and naming**. Type coercion and
+runtime checking of expanded values remain the responsibility of each
+item's ``execute()`` method — most parameters are expressions
+(``$(...)`` / ``<| ... |>``) whose effective type is only known after
+expansion, so a static type would be misleading.
+
+Validation of *values* (e.g. ``start_time`` must match HH:MM) can be
+attached per-param via ``validate=lambda v: ...`` and is applied at
+execution time on the expanded value, not at load time.
+"""
+
+from dataclasses import dataclass, field
+from typing import Any, Callable, Optional, Union
+
+
+# ---------- Parameter "kinds" -------------------------------------------------
+#
+# These describe the YAML *shape* expected for a parameter, not its
+# semantic type. They drive the LSP completion (do we suggest a single
+# value, a list, a sub-block, an enum picker?) and the unknown-param
+# diagnostic; nothing more.
+
+SCALAR = "scalar"  # single value (string, number, bool, expression, ...)
+LIST = "list"      # YAML list — the historical ``getParamAll`` case
+BLOCK = "block"    # nested dict — e.g. ``cycle.exit:``
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class Enum:
+    """Closed enumeration of acceptable scalar values."""
+    values: tuple
+
+    def __init__(self, *values):
+        # frozen=True forbids assignment; bypass via object.__setattr__.
+        object.__setattr__(self, "values", tuple(values))
+
+    def __repr__(self):
+        return f"Enum({', '.join(repr(v) for v in self.values)})"
+
+
+Kind = Union[str, Enum]
+
+
+# ---------- The descriptor ----------------------------------------------------
+
+_MISSING = object()
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class Param:
+    """Declarative description of one accepted parameter.
+
+    Attributes
+    ----------
+    name : str
+        The YAML key.
+    kind : ``SCALAR`` (default) | ``LIST`` | ``BLOCK`` | ``Enum(...)``
+        The YAML shape expected.
+    required : bool
+        If True, missing the parameter is a load-time error.
+    default : Any
+        Default value when the parameter is absent. ``_MISSING`` when no
+        default was set (used to distinguish "absent" from "None").
+    doc : str
+        Free-form description used for hover / generated documentation.
+    validate : Optional[Callable[[Any], bool]]
+        Optional post-expansion validator, evaluated at ``execute()``
+        time on the effective (expanded) value. Returning ``False``
+        raises a clear error pointing at the param.
+    """
+    name: str
+    kind: Kind = SCALAR
+    required: bool = False
+    default: Any = _MISSING
+    doc: str = ""
+    validate: Optional[Callable[[Any], bool]] = None
+
+    def has_default(self):
+        return self.default is not _MISSING
+
+    def to_schema(self):
+        """Return a dict suitable for JSON Schema generation."""
+        s = {"name": self.name, "required": self.required, "doc": self.doc}
+        if isinstance(self.kind, Enum):
+            s["kind"] = "enum"
+            s["enum"] = list(self.kind.values)
+        else:
+            s["kind"] = self.kind
+        if self.has_default():
+            s["default"] = self.default
+        return s
+
+
+class ParamSet:
+    """Ordered, name-indexed collection of ``Param`` descriptors.
+
+    Supports concatenation (``COMMON_PARAMS + SUBCLASS_PARAMS``) to
+    merge the common surface with each item's own params. Later
+    declarations override earlier ones (so a subclass can tighten a
+    common param's docstring without redeclaring everything).
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, *params):
+        self._params = {}
+        for p in params:
+            self.add(p)
+
+    def add(self, param):
+        if not isinstance(param, Param):
+            raise TypeError(f"ParamSet only accepts Param instances, got {type(param).__name__}")
+        self._params[param.name] = param
+
+    def __iter__(self):
+        return iter(self._params.values())
+
+    def __contains__(self, name):
+        return name in self._params
+
+    def __getitem__(self, name):
+        return self._params[name]
+
+    def names(self):
+        return tuple(self._params.keys())
+
+    def __add__(self, other):
+        if not isinstance(other, ParamSet):
+            return NotImplemented
+        merged = ParamSet()
+        merged._params = {**self._params, **other._params}
+        return merged
+
+    def to_schema(self):
+        return [p.to_schema() for p in self._params.values()]
+
+
+# ---------- Validation primitives --------------------------------------------
+
+def unknown_keys(declared, user_dict):
+    """Return the user-provided keys that are not declared in *declared*.
+
+    *declared* is a ``ParamSet``; *user_dict* is the raw YAML mapping
+    for the item. Unknown keys catch typos and obsolete parameters.
+    """
+    if not isinstance(user_dict, dict):
+        return ()
+    return tuple(k for k in user_dict.keys() if k not in declared)
+
+
+def missing_required(declared, user_dict):
+    """Return the names of declared required params absent from *user_dict*."""
+    if not isinstance(user_dict, dict):
+        return tuple(p.name for p in declared if p.required)
+    return tuple(p.name for p in declared if p.required and p.name not in user_dict)

src/testium/interpreter/utils/proc_drain.py

@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+"""Drain a subprocess stdout/stderr into testium's print pipeline.
+
+Captured lines go through the parent's stdio_redir, so they reach the
+test log AND the live output (terminal in batch mode, GUI text panel
+in -r mode). This is essential for diagnosing early-startup errors
+of py_func / lua_func subprocesses (missing modules, unhandled
+exceptions before the in-process redirection kicks in, lua
+``require`` failures, anything written to fd 1/2 directly).
+"""
+import threading
+
+
+def _drain_pipe(pipe, prefix):
+    try:
+        for raw in iter(pipe.readline, b""):
+            line = raw.decode("utf-8", errors="replace").rstrip("\r\n")
+            if not line:
+                continue
+            if prefix:
+                print(f"{prefix}{line}")
+            else:
+                print(line)
+    finally:
+        try:
+            pipe.close()
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+
+
+def drain_to_log(process, prefix=""):
+    """Spawn daemon threads that read ``process.stdout`` and
+    ``process.stderr`` line by line and print each line through the
+    parent's stdout (so it reaches the log + live output).
+
+    Each thread exits cleanly when the subprocess closes the
+    corresponding pipe (i.e. when it exits). Daemon flag ensures they
+    do not block testium exit.
+    """
+    threads = []
+    for pipe in (process.stdout, process.stderr):
+        if pipe is None:
+            continue
+        t = threading.Thread(
+            target=_drain_pipe, args=(pipe, prefix), daemon=True,
+        )
+        t.start()
+        threads.append(t)
+    return threads

src/testium/interpreter/utils/py_process.py

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import api.testium as tm
 from runtime.tum_except import ETUMRuntimeError
 from interpreter.utils.paths import testium_path, subproc_path
 from interpreter.utils import bins
+from interpreter.utils.proc_drain import drain_to_log
 
 
 class PyProcessBase:
@@ -41,6 +42,10 @@ class PyProcessBase:
             raise ETUMRuntimeError(f"The 'py_env' global value should be a dictionary. But it is '{py_env}'.")
 
         env = os.environ.copy()
+        bins.apply_host_libs(env)
+        # PYTHONUSERBASE is set by the Flatpak runtime to isolate sandbox
+        # user packages; remove it so the host Python finds ~/.local packages.
+        env.pop("PYTHONUSERBASE", None)
         for k, v in self.CUST_ENV.items():
             e = py_env.get(k, "")
             if e != "":
@@ -56,14 +61,18 @@ class PyProcessBase:
         if sock is not None:
             sock.close()
 
-        # Add the path of the subprocess (root sources of testium)
-        tstium_path = os.path.realpath(testium_path())
-        func_proc_path = os.path.realpath(subproc_path())
+        # In Flatpak the host can't see /app/lib/testium, so use a staged copy
+        # under /tmp (shared between sandbox and host) for both cwd and as the
+        # root in PYTHONPATH. Outside Flatpak the original paths are used.
+        if bins._in_flatpak():
+            tstium_path = bins._get_host_testium_path()
+            func_proc_path = tstium_path
+        else:
+            tstium_path = os.path.realpath(testium_path())
+            func_proc_path = os.path.realpath(subproc_path())
         env["PYTHONPATH"] = tstium_path + os.pathsep + self._ppath + os.pathsep + env.get("PYTHONPATH", "")
 
-        params = [
-            self._pbin,
-            # "-m",
+        cmd_args = [
             "py_func",
             "-p",
             f"{self._port}",
@@ -72,15 +81,37 @@ class PyProcessBase:
         ]
 
         if tm.debug_enabled() and tm.gd("debug_rpc", False):
-            params.append("-v")
+            cmd_args.append("-v")
+
+        if bins._in_flatpak():
+            # Run on the host outside the sandbox: avoids glibc ABI mismatches
+            # between the Flatpak runtime and host shared libraries.
+            host_env = {
+                k: env[k] for k in ("PYTHONPATH", "PATH")
+                if k in env and env[k]
+            }
+            params = bins.flatpak_host_spawn(
+                self._pbin, cmd_args, host_cwd=func_proc_path,
+                extra_env=host_env,
+            )
+            popen_kwargs = {}
+        else:
+            params = [self._pbin, *cmd_args]
+            popen_kwargs = {"env": env, "cwd": func_proc_path}
 
         self._process = subprocess.Popen(
-            params, env=env, cwd=func_proc_path,
+            params,
             stdin=subprocess.DEVNULL,
-            stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL,
-            stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL,
+            stdout=subprocess.PIPE,
+            stderr=subprocess.PIPE,
             restore_signals=False,
+            **popen_kwargs,
         )
+        # Route subprocess stdout/stderr (early-startup errors,
+        # unhandled exceptions, anything written to fd 1/2 before the
+        # in-process JSON-RPC stdio_redir kicks in) into the parent's
+        # log.
+        drain_to_log(self._process, prefix="[py_func] ")
 
         self._rpc = JsonRpcClient(
             "localhost", self._port, req_handler=self._req_handler
@@ -113,3 +144,11 @@ class PyProcessBase:
     def stop(self):
         if self._rpc is not None:
             self._rpc.stop()
+        # Force-kill the worker if it's still running. Needed when user code
+        # in the worker is stuck (e.g. sleep, blocking I/O) and won't notice
+        # the parent closing the RPC socket on its own.
+        if self._process is not None and self._process.poll() is None:
+            try:
+                self._process.terminate()
+            except Exception:
+                pass

src/testium/interpreter/utils/test_init.py

@@ -165,11 +165,14 @@ def env_init():
     _constants_init()
 
 
-def update_global(config_files, defines, gui_defaults, silent=False):
-    """Global dict updated with the content of the config file and a dict provided.
-    this function returns the resulting dict.
+def apply_overrides(defines, gui_defaults):
+    """Push GUI defaults then CLI defines into the global dict.
+
+    Extracted from update_global so it can be called *before* eval_proc
+    starts: interpreter overrides (python_bin, lua_bin) must be visible
+    to bins.python_bin() on its first lookup, which happens during
+    eval_process_init.
     """
-    # GUI preferences applied first
     for k, v in gui_defaults.items():
         try:
             val = ast.literal_eval(v)
@@ -177,7 +180,6 @@ def update_global(config_files, defines, gui_defaults, silent=False):
             val = v
         tm.setgd(k, val)
 
-    # Then command line defines
     for k, v in defines.items():
         try:
             val = ast.literal_eval(v)
@@ -185,6 +187,14 @@ def update_global(config_files, defines, gui_defaults, silent=False):
             val = v
         tm.setgd(k, val)
 
+
+def update_global(config_files, defines, gui_defaults, silent=False):
+    """Global dict updated with the content of the config file and a dict provided.
+    this function returns the resulting dict.
+    """
+    # GUI preferences applied first, then command line defines
+    apply_overrides(defines, gui_defaults)
+
     # Then the configuration files
     # load global dic before test item
     _feed_gd_with_params(config_files, silent)

src/testium/interpreter/utils/version.py

@@ -31,39 +31,47 @@ def get_version(path :str)-> str:
         return "Warning git not supported in your settings, version of {} unknown".format(path)
 
 def get_testium_version():
-    # case where we're executing from an Appimage
-    if 'APPIMAGE' in os.environ:
-        ver = 'unknown'
-        if 'SEQUENCER_REV' in os.environ:
-            ver = os.getenv('SEQUENCER_REV')
-        return (ver + " (binary release)")
+    # Flatpak bundle
+    if os.path.isfile('/.flatpak-info'):
+        ver = os.environ.get('TESTIUM_VERSION', '').strip()
+        return (ver if ver else 'unknown') + " (flatpak release)"
 
-    # case where we're executing from pyinstaller exe
+    # AppImage
+    if 'APPIMAGE' in os.environ:
+        ver = os.environ.get('TESTIUM_VERSION', '').strip()
+        return (ver if ver else 'unknown') + " (binary release)"
+
+    # PyInstaller frozen exe
     if getattr(sys, 'frozen', False):
         file_path = os.path.join(sys._MEIPASS, "VERSION")
-        with open(file_path, 'r') as file:
-            ver = file.read()
-        return (ver + " (binary release)")
+        try:
+            with open(file_path, 'r') as f:
+                ver = f.read().strip()
+            return ver + " (binary release)"
+        except OSError:
+            return "unknown (binary release)"
 
-    # Executed from sources
-    try:
-        if prefs.settings.git_supported:
+    # Source checkout: prefer git revision when available
+    if prefs.settings.git_supported:
+        try:
             git = import_module("git")
-            path = tm.get_main_dir()
-            try:
-                return repo_rev(path)
-            except git.InvalidGitRepositoryError:
-                pkg_rec = import_module("pkg_resources")
-                try:
-                    ret = pkg_rec.get_distribution("testium").version
-                    _cached_versions.update({path: ret})
-                    return str(ret) + " (wheel release)"
-                except:
-                    return "Warning : testium not versioned"
-        else:
-            return "Warning git not supported in your settings, version of testium is unknown."
-    except:
-        return ("Unknown")
+            return repo_rev(tm.get_main_dir())
+        except Exception:
+            # Not a git repo (typical pip install): fall through.
+            pass
+
+    # Pip-installed wheel: use the package metadata baked from VERSION
+    try:
+        from importlib.metadata import version as _pkg_version
+        from importlib.metadata import PackageNotFoundError
+        try:
+            return _pkg_version("testium") + " (wheel release)"
+        except PackageNotFoundError:
+            pass
+    except ImportError:
+        pass
+
+    return "unknown"
 
 def get_modifications(path : str)-> str:
 

src/testium/lua_func/json-rpc.lua

@@ -41,8 +41,7 @@ end
 --- INTERNAL: Handle requests from the client
 function JSONRPC:_handle_request(req)
     local method = self.methods[req.method]
-    local ok, ret
-    local res, err
+    local ok, ret, err
     if not method then
         if req.id then self:_send_error(req.id, string.format("Method '%s' not registered in lua server")) end
         return
@@ -52,15 +51,18 @@ function JSONRPC:_handle_request(req)
 
     -- Only send response if it's not a Notification (notifications have no ID)
     if req.id then
-        if ok then
-            res = ret
-            if res == nil then
-                self:_send_error(req.id, tostring(err))
-            else
-                self:_send({ jsonrpc = "2.0", result = { returned_value = res }, id = req.id })
-            end
-        else
+        if not ok then
+            -- pcall trapped a runtime error in the method itself.
+            self:_send_error(req.id, tostring(ret))
+        elseif err ~= nil then
+            -- Method ran but signaled a logical error via its 2nd return.
             self:_send_error(req.id, tostring(err))
+        else
+            -- Success. A user function returning nothing yields ret==nil;
+            -- encode it as JSON null so "returned_value" stays present.
+            local val = ret
+            if val == nil then val = json.null end
+            self:_send({ jsonrpc = "2.0", result = { returned_value = val }, id = req.id })
         end
     end
 end

src/testium/main_win/file_dialog.py

@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+"""Helpers for Qt file/directory dialogs.
+
+In Flatpak the native QFileDialog goes through the XDG document portal,
+which returns ``/run/user/UID/doc/.../<file>`` and only exposes the
+selected file — sibling files (param.yaml, scripts, recent paths in
+preferences, ...) are unreachable. Forcing Qt's own non-native dialog
+makes it walk the real filesystem mounted via ``--filesystem=home``
+and return a regular path.
+"""
+
+import os
+
+from PySide6.QtWidgets import QFileDialog
+
+
+def options():
+    """Default ``QFileDialog`` options for the current runtime."""
+    opts = QFileDialog.Options()
+    if os.path.isfile("/.flatpak-info"):
+        opts |= QFileDialog.Option.DontUseNativeDialog
+    return opts

src/testium/main_win/preference_win/preference_win.py

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ from PySide6.QtWidgets import QDialog, QFileDialog
 from PySide6.QtGui import QFont
 
 from main_win.preference_win.preference_core_win import Ui_preferenceWindow
+from main_win import file_dialog
 
 import interpreter.utils.settings as prefs
 
@@ -193,6 +194,7 @@ class PrefWindow(QDialog):
             self,
             caption="Select the default report directory",
             dir=self.ui.editDefaultReportPath.text(),
+            options=file_dialog.options(),
         )
         if path:
             self.ui.editDefaultReportPath.setText(path)
@@ -203,6 +205,7 @@ class PrefWindow(QDialog):
             self,
             caption="Select the default log directory",
             dir=self.ui.editDefaultLogPath.text(),
+            options=file_dialog.options(),
         )
         if path:
             self.ui.editDefaultLogPath.setText(path)
@@ -213,6 +216,7 @@ class PrefWindow(QDialog):
             self,
             caption="Select the python interpreter",
             dir=self.ui.editPythonPath.text(),
+            options=file_dialog.options(),
         )
         if path:
             self.ui.editPythonPath.setText(path)
@@ -220,7 +224,10 @@ class PrefWindow(QDialog):
     @Slot()
     def on_butLuaPath_pressed(self):
         path, _ = QFileDialog.getOpenFileName(
-            self, caption="Select the lua interpreter", dir=self.ui.editLuaPath.text()
+            self,
+            caption="Select the lua interpreter",
+            dir=self.ui.editLuaPath.text(),
+            options=file_dialog.options(),
         )
         if path:
             self.ui.editLuaPath.setText(path)

src/testium/main_win/test_file_manager.py

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ from PySide6.QtWidgets import QApplication, QFileDialog, QProgressDialog
 from interpreter.process import TestProcess
 from interpreter.utils.test_ctrl import TestSetController
 from main_win.test_controller_service import TestControllerService
+from main_win import file_dialog
 import interpreter.utils.settings as prefs
 from runtime.tum_except import ETUMFileError, ETUMRuntimeError
 
@@ -213,7 +214,8 @@ class TestFileManager:
         if w.testFile is not None:
             d = os.path.dirname(w.testFile)
         file_name, _ = QFileDialog.getOpenFileName(
-            w, "Open the test file", d, "testium file (*.tum);;All Files (*)"
+            w, "Open the test file", d,
+            "testium file (*.tum);;All Files (*)", options=file_dialog.options()
         )
         if file_name:
             self.reload(file_name)

src/testium/main_win/test_runner.py

@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ class TestRunner:
             w.actionOpenTest.setDisabled(True)
             w.actionExit.setDisabled(True)
             icon = QtGui.QIcon()
-            icon.addPixmap(QtGui.QPixmap(icon_prefix() + "/pause.png"), QtGui.QIcon.Normal, QtGui.QIcon.Off)
+            icon.addPixmap(QtGui.QPixmap(icon_prefix() + "/pause2.png"), QtGui.QIcon.Normal, QtGui.QIcon.On)
             w.actionStart_test.setIcon(icon)
             w.actionStart_test.setText("Pause test")
             w.actionPreferences.setDisabled(True)

src/testium/main_win/testium_win.py

@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ from interpreter.utils.icons import icon_prefix
 
 from main_win.test_run.outlog import OutLog
 from main_win.test_run.test_run import ThreadTestStatus
+from main_win import file_dialog
 import interpreter.utils.settings as prefs
 from runtime.stdout_redirect import stdio_redir
 import api.testium as tm
@@ -484,7 +485,8 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow, Ui_MainWindow):
         else:
             initialPath = None
         fileName, _ = QFileDialog.getSaveFileName(
-            self, "Path to Log file", initialPath, "Log Files (*.log);;All Files (*)"
+            self, "Path to Log file", initialPath, "Log Files (*.log);;All Files (*)",
+            options=file_dialog.options(),
         )
         if fileName:
             shutil.copy(self.logFileName, fileName)
@@ -525,7 +527,8 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow, Ui_MainWindow):
         else:
             initialPath = None
         fileName, _ = QFileDialog.getSaveFileName(
-            self, "Path to log file", initialPath, "Log Files (*.log);;All Files (*)"
+            self, "Path to log file", initialPath, "Log Files (*.log);;All Files (*)",
+            options=file_dialog.options(),
         )
         if fileName:
             self.editLogFilePath.setText(fileName)

src/testium/py_func/__main__.py

@@ -8,14 +8,18 @@ def exception_handler(typ_exc, value, trbk):
     print(f"Critical failure : '{value}'.")
     tb = traceback.format_exception(typ_exc, value, trbk)
     print("".join(tb))
+    print(f"  python    : {sys.executable}")
+    print(f"  sys.path  : {sys.path}")
 
 sys.excepthook = exception_handler
 
-p = Path(__file__)
-p = p.parent / ".."
-p = p.resolve()
-
-sys.path.append(p)
+# Make the parent directory of py_func/ (= the testium package dir, which also
+# contains runtime/, lua_func/, …) the first entry on sys.path so `from py_func
+# import main` and `from runtime…` resolve regardless of cwd or how this script
+# was invoked. str() because some importers don't play well with PathLike entries.
+_pkg_parent = str((Path(__file__).resolve().parent / "..").resolve())
+if _pkg_parent not in sys.path:
+    sys.path.insert(0, _pkg_parent)
 
 from py_func import main
 

src/testium/runtime/jrpc.py

@@ -200,6 +200,7 @@ class JsonRpcConnection:
 
         Raises:
             TimeoutError: If no response is received within `timeout`.
+            ConnectionAbortedError: If stop() was called while waiting.
         """
 
         req_id = next(self.id_gen)
@@ -214,7 +215,12 @@ class JsonRpcConnection:
             self.pending.pop(req_id, None)
             raise TimeoutError("Timeout JSON-RPC")
 
-        return self.pending.pop(req_id)["response"]
+        entry = self.pending.pop(req_id)
+        if entry["response"] is None:
+            # Woken by stop() (or by a malformed dispatch) rather than by a
+            # real response — abort the call so callers don't block further.
+            raise ConnectionAbortedError("JSON-RPC client stopped")
+        return entry["response"]
 
     def print_info(self, msg):
         if self.dbg_out is not None:
@@ -223,6 +229,10 @@ class JsonRpcConnection:
     def stop(self):
         if self.running:
             self.running = False
+        # Wake any in-flight call() so it doesn't sit on its (default 1h)
+        # timeout. The response stays None and call() raises ConnectionAbortedError.
+        for entry in list(self.pending.values()):
+            entry["event"].set()
 
     def join(self):
         self.recv_thread.join()

test/validation/README.md

@@ -1,10 +1,76 @@
 # Validation
 
-This directory contains the necessary material to run the testium validation.
+This directory contains the testium validation suite. A single set of
+items (`items/`), fixtures and post-processing (`post_execution.py`) is
+re-used across every packaging channel.
 
-Here is the documentation on how to configure the validation, run it and check that the
-results are correct.
+## Running the suite
 
-# Tests
+```sh
+./test/validation/run.sh                       # default mode = source
+./test/validation/run.sh --mode wheel
+./test/validation/run.sh --mode pyinstaller
+./test/validation/run.sh --mode flatpak
+./test/validation/run.sh --mode appimage
+```
 
-TBD
+On Windows (only `source`, `wheel`, `pyinstaller` are supported):
+
+```bat
+test\validation\run.bat --mode pyinstaller
+```
+
+Pass `clean` as the **first** argument to recreate the validation venv
+from scratch (useful after a system Python upgrade):
+
+```sh
+./test/validation/run.sh clean --mode flatpak
+```
+
+Any extra arguments after the mode flag are forwarded to testium.
+
+## Modes
+
+| Mode          | What it launches                                            | Prerequisite                                                     |
+|---------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------|
+| `source`      | `python3 src/testium` via the project's `run.sh`            | none — works straight out of the repo                            |
+| `wheel`       | `python -m testium` inside a dedicated wheel venv           | `./build_all.sh` produced `dist/testium-<v>-py3-none-any.whl`    |
+| `pyinstaller` | `dist/testium-<v>` (frozen binary)                          | `./build_all.sh` produced the PyInstaller binary                 |
+| `flatpak`     | `flatpak run --command=testium org.testium.Testium`         | the Flatpak bundle is installed (`flatpak install --user dist/testium-<v>.flatpak`) |
+| `appimage`    | `dist/Testium-<v>-x86_64.AppImage`                          | `./build_all.sh` produced the AppImage                           |
+
+Each mode writes its results to a distinct report file
+(`validation-<mode>.sqlite` / `validation-<mode>-<item>.xml`), so you
+can run several modes in a row without clobbering previous reports.
+
+## How `python_bin` is pinned
+
+Every test-execution subprocess (inline `<| ... |>` evaluation,
+`py_func`, `cycle`, `post_execution`, …) is routed through a dedicated
+venv at `${TMPDIR:-/tmp}/testium-validation-venv`. The venv is created
+with `--system-site-packages` so existing system packages stay visible,
+then `junit-xml` is pip-installed for `post_execution.py`.
+
+This is a **host** venv. In every mode (including Flatpak) the
+test-execution subprocesses end up running on the host — directly for
+source/wheel/pyinstaller/appimage, and via `flatpak-spawn --host` for
+Flatpak — so the same venv works across modes. The wheel mode
+additionally creates a separate `testium-wheel-venv-<v>` to hold the
+installed wheel; that one is only used to launch testium itself.
+
+## What is checked
+
+The `venv` item under `items/venv/` asserts that the validation venv is
+actually being used:
+
+* `python_bin` is set in the global dict.
+* The eval subprocess (used for `<| ... |>` expressions) has
+  `sys.executable == python_bin`, `sys.prefix == dirname(dirname(python_bin))`,
+  and `sys.prefix != sys.base_prefix` (i.e. is actually inside a venv).
+* A `py_func` subprocess passes the same three checks.
+
+These checks use `abspath`/`normpath` rather than `realpath` on
+purpose: the venv's `bin/python3` is a symlink to the host interpreter,
+so `realpath` would map both venv and non-venv interpreters to the same
+target. `sys.prefix != sys.base_prefix` is the venv-specific marker
+that distinguishes the two cases.

test/validation/items/lua_func/lua_func.lua

@@ -49,4 +49,12 @@ function module.test_delgd()
     return 0
 end
 
+function module.return_nothing()
+    -- Returns no value: ret is nil but no error.
+end
+
+function module.return_explicit_nil()
+    return nil
+end
+
 return module

test/validation/items/lua_func/test.tum

@@ -186,6 +186,18 @@
     file: $(test_path)$(psep)lua_func.lua
     func_name: test_delgd
 
+- lua_func:
+    name: function returning nothing should succeed
+    key: $(test)_PASS
+    file: $(test_path)$(psep)lua_func.lua
+    func_name: return_nothing
+
+- lua_func:
+    name: function returning explicit nil should succeed
+    key: $(test)_PASS
+    file: $(test_path)$(psep)lua_func.lua
+    func_name: return_explicit_nil
+
 - group:
     name: context_id tests
     steps:

test/validation/items/py_func/py_func.py

@@ -54,3 +54,10 @@ def test_delgd():
     tm.delgd("_py_delgd_test")
     assert tm.gd("_py_delgd_test", None) is None
     return 0
+
+def return_nothing():
+    # Falls off the end: implicit None return, no error.
+    pass
+
+def return_explicit_none():
+    return None

test/validation/items/py_func/test.tum

@@ -196,6 +196,18 @@
     file: $(test_path)$(psep)py_func.py
     func_name: test_delgd
 
+- py_func:
+    name: function returning nothing should succeed
+    key: $(test)_PASS
+    file: $(test_path)$(psep)py_func.py
+    func_name: return_nothing
+
+- py_func:
+    name: function returning explicit None should succeed
+    key: $(test)_PASS
+    file: $(test_path)$(psep)py_func.py
+    func_name: return_explicit_none
+
 - group:
     name: context_id tests
     steps:

test/validation/items/venv/param.yaml

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+no_param: Null

test/validation/items/venv/test.tum

@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+# venv test: assert that the dedicated validation venv is the python
+# being used for every test-execution subprocess (eval_proc / py_func /
+# cycle / ...). The venv path is pinned by ``-d python_bin=...`` in
+# test/validation/run.sh (or run.bat).
+#
+# We use ``abspath``/``normpath`` rather than ``realpath`` on purpose:
+# the venv's ``bin/python3`` is a symlink to the host python, so
+# realpath would map every venv interpreter to the same system path and
+# the comparison would silently pass even *without* a venv.
+# ``sys.prefix != sys.base_prefix`` is the venv-specific marker that
+# catches that case.
+
+- check:
+    name: python_bin is set in the global dict
+    key: $(test)_PASS
+    values:
+        - <| bool(r"$(python_bin)") |>
+
+- check:
+    name: eval_proc subprocess runs in the validation venv
+    key: $(test)_PASS
+    values:
+        - <| os.path.normpath(os.path.abspath(sys.executable)) == os.path.normpath(os.path.abspath(r"$(python_bin)")) |>
+
+- check:
+    name: eval_proc sys.prefix matches python_bin venv root
+    key: $(test)_PASS
+    values:
+        - <| os.path.normpath(os.path.abspath(sys.prefix)) == os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.normpath(os.path.abspath(r"$(python_bin)")))) |>
+
+- check:
+    name: eval_proc is actually inside a venv (sys.prefix != sys.base_prefix)
+    key: $(test)_PASS
+    values:
+        - <| os.path.normpath(os.path.abspath(sys.prefix)) != os.path.normpath(os.path.abspath(sys.base_prefix)) |>
+
+- py_func:
+    name: py_func subprocess runs in the validation venv
+    key: $(test)_PASS
+    file: $(test_path)$(psep)verify_venv.py
+    func_name: check_sys_executable
+
+- py_func:
+    name: py_func sys.prefix matches python_bin venv root
+    key: $(test)_PASS
+    file: $(test_path)$(psep)verify_venv.py
+    func_name: check_sys_prefix_in_venv
+
+- py_func:
+    name: py_func is actually inside a venv
+    key: $(test)_PASS
+    file: $(test_path)$(psep)verify_venv.py
+    func_name: check_is_venv

test/validation/items/venv/verify_venv.py

@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+import os
+import sys
+
+import py_func.tm as tm
+
+
+def _norm(p):
+    # normpath + normcase, without resolving symlinks. realpath() would
+    # follow the venv's ``python3`` symlink to ``/usr/bin/python3.X`` and
+    # defeat the comparison.
+    return os.path.normcase(os.path.normpath(os.path.abspath(p)))
+
+
+def _venv_dir():
+    # python_bin is at ``<venv>/(bin|Scripts)/python*`` so the venv root
+    # is two levels above the executable.
+    exe = tm.gd("python_bin", "")
+    if not exe:
+        return ""
+    return os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(_norm(exe)))
+
+
+def check_sys_executable():
+    """py_func subprocess: sys.executable must match the configured python_bin."""
+    expected = _norm(tm.gd("python_bin", ""))
+    actual = _norm(sys.executable)
+    if expected and actual == expected:
+        return True
+    return (
+        -1,
+        f"sys.executable={actual!r} differs from python_bin={expected!r}",
+    )
+
+
+def check_sys_prefix_in_venv():
+    """py_func subprocess: sys.prefix must match the venv root derived
+    from python_bin (two levels up from the executable)."""
+    venv = _venv_dir()
+    if not venv:
+        return (-1, "python_bin is not set in the global dict")
+    actual = _norm(sys.prefix)
+    if actual == venv:
+        return True
+    return (
+        -1,
+        f"sys.prefix={actual!r} is not the validation venv {venv!r}",
+    )
+
+
+def check_is_venv():
+    """py_func subprocess: confirm we are inside a venv, i.e. sys.prefix
+    differs from sys.base_prefix. This catches the case where python_bin
+    happens to be a system interpreter and the path-based check would
+    pass trivially."""
+    actual = _norm(sys.prefix)
+    base = _norm(sys.base_prefix)
+    if actual != base:
+        return True
+    return (
+        -1,
+        f"sys.prefix == sys.base_prefix == {actual!r}: not running in a venv",
+    )

test/validation/run.bat

@@ -0,0 +1,131 @@
+@echo off
+SETLOCAL EnableExtensions EnableDelayedExpansion
+
+REM Runs the testium validation suite against any installable channel of
+REM testium on Windows (source, wheel, pyinstaller).
+REM
+REM Usage:
+REM   test\validation\run.bat [clean] [--mode MODE] [extra testium args]
+REM
+REM   clean       remove the validation venv before recreating it
+REM               (must be the first argument; useful after a Python upgrade)
+REM
+REM   --mode MODE which testium build to validate. One of:
+REM                   source       (default) project's run.bat (src\testium)
+REM                   wheel        dist\testium-<v>-py3-none-any.whl
+REM                   pyinstaller  dist\testium-<v>.exe (or dist\testium-<v>)
+REM
+REM Every test-execution subprocess runs in a dedicated host venv under
+REM %TEMP%\testium-validation-venv (created with --system-site-packages,
+REM then junit-xml is pip-installed for post_execution.py).
+REM
+REM The report file is suffixed with the mode so consecutive runs in
+REM different modes don't overwrite each other.
+
+SET "SCRIPT_DIR=%~dp0"
+IF "%SCRIPT_DIR:~-1%"=="\" SET "SCRIPT_DIR=%SCRIPT_DIR:~0,-1%"
+SET "PROJECT_DIR=%SCRIPT_DIR%\..\.."
+SET /P VERSION=<"%PROJECT_DIR%\src\VERSION"
+
+REM ---------- arg parsing ----------------------------------------------------
+
+SET "MODE=source"
+SET "CLEAN=0"
+IF /I "%~1"=="clean" (
+    SET "CLEAN=1"
+    SHIFT
+)
+
+SET "EXTRA="
+:PARSE_ARGS
+IF "%~1"=="" GOTO ARGS_DONE
+IF /I "%~1"=="--mode" (
+    SET "MODE=%~2"
+    SHIFT
+    SHIFT
+    GOTO PARSE_ARGS
+)
+SET "EXTRA=!EXTRA! "%~1""
+SHIFT
+GOTO PARSE_ARGS
+:ARGS_DONE
+
+REM ---------- locate host python ---------------------------------------------
+
+SET "PYTHON_EXE="
+py --version >nul 2>&1
+IF %ERRORLEVEL% EQU 0 (
+    SET "PYTHON_EXE=py"
+    GOTO PYTHON_FOUND
+)
+python --version >nul 2>&1
+IF %ERRORLEVEL% EQU 0 (
+    SET "PYTHON_EXE=python"
+    GOTO PYTHON_FOUND
+)
+echo ERROR: Python could not be found on this system.
+exit /b 1
+:PYTHON_FOUND
+
+REM ---------- validation venv -------------------------------------------------
+
+SET "VENV_DIR=%TEMP%\testium-validation-venv"
+IF "%CLEAN%"=="1" IF EXIST "%VENV_DIR%" rmdir /s /q "%VENV_DIR%"
+
+IF NOT EXIST "%VENV_DIR%" (
+    echo Creating validation venv at %VENV_DIR%
+    %PYTHON_EXE% -m venv --system-site-packages "%VENV_DIR%"
+    IF !ERRORLEVEL! NEQ 0 (
+        echo ERROR while creating the validation venv.
+        exit /b 1
+    )
+    call "%VENV_DIR%\Scripts\pip" install --quiet --upgrade pip
+    call "%VENV_DIR%\Scripts\pip" install --quiet junit-xml
+)
+SET "VENV_PYTHON=%VENV_DIR%\Scripts\python.exe"
+
+REM ---------- shared "tail" forwarded to every launcher -----------------------
+REM Reports are stamped with the mode so successive runs don't clobber each other.
+
+SET "TAIL=-b -d "python_bin=%VENV_PYTHON%" -d "validation_report_file=validation-%MODE%" -- "%SCRIPT_DIR%\main.tum"%EXTRA%"
+
+REM ---------- per-mode launcher ----------------------------------------------
+
+echo -- validation mode: %MODE%
+
+IF /I "%MODE%"=="source"      GOTO MODE_SOURCE
+IF /I "%MODE%"=="wheel"       GOTO MODE_WHEEL
+IF /I "%MODE%"=="pyinstaller" GOTO MODE_PYI
+echo ERROR: unknown --mode '%MODE%'. Expected: source ^| wheel ^| pyinstaller.
+exit /b 1
+
+:MODE_SOURCE
+call "%PROJECT_DIR%\run.bat" %TAIL%
+exit /b %ERRORLEVEL%
+
+:MODE_WHEEL
+SET "WHEEL=%PROJECT_DIR%\dist\testium-%VERSION%-py3-none-any.whl"
+IF NOT EXIST "%WHEEL%" (
+    echo ERROR: wheel not found at %WHEEL% -- run build_all.sh first.
+    exit /b 1
+)
+SET "WHEEL_VENV=%TEMP%\testium-wheel-venv-%VERSION%"
+IF "%CLEAN%"=="1" IF EXIST "%WHEEL_VENV%" rmdir /s /q "%WHEEL_VENV%"
+IF NOT EXIST "%WHEEL_VENV%" (
+    echo Creating wheel venv at %WHEEL_VENV%
+    %PYTHON_EXE% -m venv --system-site-packages "%WHEEL_VENV%"
+    call "%WHEEL_VENV%\Scripts\pip" install --quiet --upgrade pip
+    call "%WHEEL_VENV%\Scripts\pip" install --quiet "%WHEEL%"
+)
+"%WHEEL_VENV%\Scripts\python.exe" -m testium %TAIL%
+exit /b %ERRORLEVEL%
+
+:MODE_PYI
+SET "PYI_BIN=%PROJECT_DIR%\dist\testium-%VERSION%.exe"
+IF NOT EXIST "%PYI_BIN%" SET "PYI_BIN=%PROJECT_DIR%\dist\testium-%VERSION%"
+IF NOT EXIST "%PYI_BIN%" (
+    echo ERROR: PyInstaller binary not found in %PROJECT_DIR%\dist -- run build_all.sh first.
+    exit /b 1
+)
+"%PYI_BIN%" %TAIL%
+exit /b %ERRORLEVEL%

test/validation/run.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,143 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Runs the testium validation suite against any installable channel of
+# testium (source, wheel, pyinstaller, flatpak, appimage).
+#
+# Usage:
+#   ./test/validation/run.sh [clean] [--mode MODE] [extra testium args]
+#
+#   clean           remove the validation venv before recreating it
+#                   (must be the first argument; useful after a Python upgrade)
+#
+#   --mode MODE     which testium build to validate. One of:
+#                       source       (default) src/testium via project run.sh
+#                       wheel        dist/testium-<v>-py3-none-any.whl
+#                       pyinstaller  dist/testium-<v>
+#                       flatpak      installed org.testium.Testium
+#                       appimage     dist/Testium-<v>-*.AppImage
+#
+# Every test-execution subprocess (inline <| ... |>, py_func, cycle,
+# post_execution, ...) runs in a dedicated host venv under
+# /tmp/testium-validation-venv. That venv is shared across modes —
+# even Flatpak reaches it via flatpak-spawn --host. The validation venv
+# is created with --system-site-packages so existing system packages
+# (PySide6, lxml, ...) stay visible, then junit-xml is pip-installed
+# for post_execution.py.
+#
+# The report file is suffixed with the mode (e.g. validation-flatpak.sqlite)
+# so consecutive runs in different modes don't overwrite each other.
+
+set -e
+
+SCRIPT_PATH="$(readlink -f "$0")"
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(realpath "$(dirname "$SCRIPT_PATH")")"
+PROJECT_DIR="$(realpath "$SCRIPT_DIR/../..")"
+VERSION="$(cat "$PROJECT_DIR/src/VERSION")"
+
+# ---------- arg parsing -------------------------------------------------------
+
+MODE=source
+
+if [ "${1:-}" = "clean" ]; then
+    CLEAN=1
+    shift
+else
+    CLEAN=0
+fi
+
+EXTRA=()
+while [ $# -gt 0 ]; do
+    case "$1" in
+        --mode)
+            MODE="$2"
+            shift 2
+            ;;
+        --mode=*)
+            MODE="${1#--mode=}"
+            shift
+            ;;
+        *)
+            EXTRA+=("$1")
+            shift
+            ;;
+    esac
+done
+
+# ---------- validation venv ---------------------------------------------------
+
+VENV_DIR="${TMPDIR:-/tmp}/testium-validation-venv"
+if [ "$CLEAN" -eq 1 ]; then
+    rm -rf "$VENV_DIR"
+fi
+
+if [ ! -d "$VENV_DIR" ]; then
+    echo "Creating validation venv at $VENV_DIR"
+    python3 -m venv --system-site-packages "$VENV_DIR"
+    "$VENV_DIR/bin/pip" install --quiet --upgrade pip
+    "$VENV_DIR/bin/pip" install --quiet junit-xml
+fi
+VENV_PYTHON="$VENV_DIR/bin/python3"
+
+# ---------- per-mode launcher -------------------------------------------------
+
+case "$MODE" in
+    source)
+        CMD=("$PROJECT_DIR/run.sh")
+        ;;
+    wheel)
+        WHEEL="$PROJECT_DIR/dist/testium-${VERSION}-py3-none-any.whl"
+        if [ ! -f "$WHEEL" ]; then
+            echo "ERROR: wheel not found at $WHEEL — run ./build_all.sh first." >&2
+            exit 1
+        fi
+        WHEEL_VENV="${TMPDIR:-/tmp}/testium-wheel-venv-${VERSION}"
+        if [ "$CLEAN" -eq 1 ]; then
+            rm -rf "$WHEEL_VENV"
+        fi
+        if [ ! -d "$WHEEL_VENV" ]; then
+            echo "Creating wheel venv at $WHEEL_VENV"
+            python3 -m venv --system-site-packages "$WHEEL_VENV"
+            "$WHEEL_VENV/bin/pip" install --quiet --upgrade pip
+            "$WHEEL_VENV/bin/pip" install --quiet "$WHEEL"
+        fi
+        CMD=("$WHEEL_VENV/bin/python" -m testium)
+        ;;
+    pyinstaller)
+        PYI_BIN="$PROJECT_DIR/dist/testium-${VERSION}"
+        if [ ! -x "$PYI_BIN" ]; then
+            echo "ERROR: PyInstaller binary not found at $PYI_BIN — run ./build_all.sh first." >&2
+            exit 1
+        fi
+        CMD=("$PYI_BIN")
+        ;;
+    flatpak)
+        if ! flatpak info --user org.testium.Testium &>/dev/null \
+           && ! flatpak info --system org.testium.Testium &>/dev/null; then
+            echo "ERROR: org.testium.Testium is not installed." >&2
+            echo "       flatpak install --user $PROJECT_DIR/dist/testium-${VERSION}.flatpak" >&2
+            exit 1
+        fi
+        CMD=(flatpak run --command=testium org.testium.Testium)
+        ;;
+    appimage)
+        APPIMAGE=$(ls -1t "$PROJECT_DIR/dist"/Testium-"${VERSION}"-*.AppImage 2>/dev/null | head -1)
+        if [ -z "$APPIMAGE" ] || [ ! -x "$APPIMAGE" ]; then
+            echo "ERROR: no AppImage for version $VERSION under $PROJECT_DIR/dist — run ./build_all.sh first." >&2
+            exit 1
+        fi
+        CMD=("$APPIMAGE")
+        ;;
+    *)
+        echo "ERROR: unknown --mode '$MODE'. Expected: source|wheel|pyinstaller|flatpak|appimage." >&2
+        exit 1
+        ;;
+esac
+
+# ---------- launch ------------------------------------------------------------
+
+echo "-- validation mode: $MODE"
+echo "-- launch: ${CMD[*]}"
+
+exec "${CMD[@]}" -b \
+    -d "python_bin=$VENV_PYTHON" \
+    -d "validation_report_file=validation-$MODE" \
+    -- "$SCRIPT_DIR/main.tum" "${EXTRA[@]}"