hack to identify protobuf tables

Signed-off-by: Jeff Carr <jcarr@wit.com>

.gitignore

@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+*.swp
+go.sum
+go.mod
+*.pb.go

LICENSE

@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+Copyright (c) 2009 The Go Authors. All rights reserved.
+
+Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are
+met:
+
+   * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+   * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above
+copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer
+in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the
+distribution.
+   * Neither the name of Google Inc. nor the names of its
+contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from
+this software without specific prior written permission.
+
+THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
+"AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR
+A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT
+OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
+SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
+DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY
+THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
+(INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
+OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

Makefile

@@ -1,11 +1,22 @@
-redomod:
+redo: proto goimports vet
+
+vet:
+	@GO111MODULE=off go vet
+	@echo this go library builds okay
+
+redomod: goimports
 	rm -f go.*
 	GO111MODULE= go mod init
 	GO111MODULE= go mod tidy
 
-download:
-	go get -v go.wit.com/toolkits/debian
-	go get -v go.wit.com/toolkits/tree
-	go get -v go.wit.com/toolkits/nogui
-	go get -v go.wit.com/toolkits/gogui
-	go get -v go.wit.com/toolkits/andlabs
+goimports:
+	goimports -w *.go
+
+proto: toolkitConfig.pb.go
+
+toolkitConfig.pb.go: toolkitConfig.proto
+	autogenpb --proto toolkitConfig.proto
+
+clean:
+	rm -f go.* *.pb.go
+	go-mod-clean --purge

action.go

@@ -0,0 +1,166 @@
+// Although most code from WIT.COM Inc is under the GPL
+// This code is more generic because it must be able
+// to be used in any GUI plugin
+
+package tree
+
+import (
+	"go.wit.com/lib/protobuf/guipb"
+	"go.wit.com/log"
+	"go.wit.com/widget"
+)
+
+// everything from the application goes through here
+func (me *TreeInfo) doAction(a widget.Action) {
+	if a.ActionType == widget.ToolkitInit {
+		log.Log(TREE, "tree.doAction() trapped ToolkitInit finally!")
+		a.WidgetType = widget.Root
+		n := addNode(&a)
+		me.Add(n)
+		log.Log(TREE, "tree.doAction() init() me.treeRoot")
+		if me.ToolkitInit == nil {
+			log.Log(TREE, "tree.doAction() ToolkitInit() was called before plugin had a chance to initialize")
+			log.Log(TREE, "tree.doAction() TODO: fix channel to pause")
+			return
+		}
+		log.Log(TREE, "tree.doAction() doing ToolkitInit()")
+		me.ToolkitInit()
+		return
+	}
+	if a.TablePB != nil {
+		log.Log(TREE, "tree: got a TablePB")
+		me.doTable(a)
+		return
+	}
+	if a.WidgetId == 0 {
+		if treeRoot == nil {
+			log.Log(TREE, "tree.doAction() yes, treeRoot is nil. add here")
+		}
+	}
+	n := treeRoot.FindWidgetId(a.WidgetId)
+	switch a.ActionType {
+	case widget.Add:
+		if n == nil {
+			n := me.AddNode(&a)
+			me.Add(n)
+			return
+		}
+		if a.WidgetId == 0 {
+			// this is ok. This is the binary tree base and it's already initialized. This happens on startup
+			return
+		}
+		// this shouldn't really happen. It's good to print a warning so the plugin code can be debugged
+		log.Log(TREEWARN, "attempting to re-add widget", a.WidgetId, a.WidgetType, a.ActionType)
+		return
+	}
+	if n == nil {
+		// log.Log(TREEWARN, "tree.FindWidgetId() n == nil", a.WidgetId, a.WidgetType, a.ActionType)
+		// log.Log(TREEWARN, "tree.FindWidgetId() n == nil", a.State.CurrentS)
+		// log.Log(TREEWARN, "tree.FindWidgetId() n == nil. A bug in your application?")
+		log.Log(TREEWARN, "tree.doAction() bug in gui. trying to do action", a.ActionType, "before widget init() wId =", a.WidgetId)
+		if a.WidgetId == 0 {
+			log.Log(TREEWARN, "tree.doAction() bug in gui. on wId zero. is treeRoot nil?")
+			if treeRoot == nil {
+				log.Log(TREEWARN, "tree.doAction() yes, treeRoot is nil")
+			}
+		}
+		return
+	}
+
+	switch a.ActionType {
+	case widget.SetText:
+		log.Log(TREE, "tree.SetText() a.State.CurrentS =", a.State.CurrentS)
+		log.Log(TREE, "tree.SetText() a.State.DefaultS =", a.State.DefaultS)
+		log.Log(TREE, "tree.SetText() a.State.NewString =", a.State.NewString)
+		switch n.WidgetType {
+		case widget.Dropdown:
+			me.SetText(n, a.State.NewString)
+		case widget.Combobox:
+			me.SetText(n, a.State.NewString)
+		case widget.Textbox:
+			me.SetText(n, a.State.NewString)
+		case widget.Window:
+			me.SetTitle(n, a.State.Label)
+		default:
+			// buttons, checkboxes, groups, etc
+			me.SetLabel(n, a.State.Label)
+		}
+	case widget.AddText:
+		switch n.WidgetType {
+		case widget.Dropdown:
+			n.ddStrings = append(n.ddStrings, a.State.NewString)
+			me.AddText(n, a.State.NewString)
+		case widget.Combobox:
+			n.ddStrings = append(n.ddStrings, a.State.NewString)
+			me.AddText(n, a.State.NewString)
+		default:
+			log.Log(TREEWARN, "AddText() not supported on widget", n.WidgetType, n.String())
+		}
+	case widget.Checked:
+		switch n.WidgetType {
+		case widget.Checkbox:
+			if me.SetChecked == nil {
+				log.Log(TREEWARN, "SetChecked() == nil in toolkit", me.PluginName)
+			} else {
+				me.SetChecked(n, a.State.Checked)
+			}
+		default:
+			log.Log(TREEWARN, "SetChecked() not supported on widget", n.WidgetType, n.String())
+		}
+	case widget.Show:
+		if n.WidgetType == widget.Table {
+			t, err := loadTable(&a)
+			if err != nil {
+				log.Info("unmarshal data failed", err)
+				return
+			}
+			if t == nil {
+				log.Info("unmarshal data failed table == nil")
+			} else {
+				me.ShowTable(nil)
+			}
+		} else {
+			n.State.Hidden = false
+			me.Show(n)
+		}
+	case widget.Hide:
+		n.State.Hidden = true
+		me.Hide(n)
+		log.Info("tree: doing hide here on", a.WidgetId, n.WidgetType)
+	case widget.Enable:
+		n.State.Enable = true
+		me.Enable(n)
+	case widget.Disable:
+		n.State.Enable = false
+		me.Disable(n)
+	case widget.Delete:
+		if me.Hide == nil {
+			log.Info("toolkit doesn't know how to Hide() widgets")
+		} else {
+			me.Hide(n)
+		}
+		me.DeleteNode(n)
+		// now remove the child from the parent
+	default:
+		log.Log(TREEWARN, "tree.Action() unknown action", a.ActionType, "on wId", a.WidgetId)
+		// me.NodeAction(n, a.ActionType)
+	}
+}
+
+func loadTable(a *widget.Action) (*guipb.Tables, error) {
+	var t *guipb.Tables
+	err := t.Unmarshal(a.TablePB)
+	/*
+		test := NewRepos()
+		if test.Uuid != all.Uuid {
+			log.Log(WARN, "uuids do not match", test.Uuid, all.Uuid)
+			deleteProtobufFile(cfgname)
+		}
+		if test.Version != all.Version {
+			log.Log(WARN, "versions do not match", test.Version, all.Version)
+			deleteProtobufFile(cfgname)
+		}
+	*/
+	// log.Log(INFO, cfgname, "protobuf versions and uuid match", all.Uuid, all.Version)
+	return t, err
+}

addNode.go

@@ -1,62 +1,82 @@
 package tree
 
 import (
-	"errors"
-
 	"go.wit.com/log"
 	"go.wit.com/widget"
 )
 
-// this is in common.go, do not move it
 func (me *TreeInfo) AddNode(a *widget.Action) *Node {
+	if me.TryLock() {
+		defer me.Unlock()
+	} else {
+		log.Log(TREE, "mutex lock was already held before AddNode()")
+	}
+	return addNode(a)
+}
+
+func addNode(a *widget.Action) *Node {
 	n := new(Node)
 	n.WidgetType = a.WidgetType
 	n.WidgetId = a.WidgetId
 	n.ParentId = a.ParentId
 
 	n.State = a.State
-	n.Strings = make(map[string]int)
+	n.State.Enable = a.State.Enable
+	// n.Strings = make(map[string]int)
+	// slices.Reverse(lines)
+	// dropdown strings
+	n.ddStrings = make([]string, 0)
+	for _, s := range a.State.Strings {
+		n.ddStrings = append(n.ddStrings, s)
+	}
 
 	if a.WidgetType == widget.Root {
-		log.Info("AddNode() Root")
+		log.Log(TREE, "AddNode() Root")
 		n.Parent = n
-		me.treeRoot = n
+		treeRoot = n
 		return n
 	}
 
-	if me.treeRoot.FindWidgetId(a.WidgetId) != nil {
-		log.Warn("AddNode() WidgetId already exists", a.WidgetId)
-		log.Warn("probably this is a Show() / Hide() issue")
-		log.Warn("TODO: figure out what to do here")
-		return me.treeRoot.FindWidgetId(a.WidgetId)
+	if treeRoot.FindWidgetId(a.WidgetId) != nil {
+		// ignore these errors for now
+		log.Log(TREE, "AddNode() WidgetId already exists", a.WidgetId)
+		log.Log(TREE, "TODO: figure out what to do here probably this is a Show() / Hide() issue")
+		return treeRoot.FindWidgetId(a.WidgetId)
 	}
 
 	// add this new widget on the binary tree
-	p := me.treeRoot.FindWidgetId(a.ParentId)
+	p := treeRoot.FindWidgetId(a.ParentId)
 	n.Parent = p
 	if n.Parent == nil {
-		log.Error(errors.New("tree.AddNode() ERROR n.Parent == nil"), a.WidgetId, a.ParentId, a.ActionType)
-		log.Warn("AddNode() ERROR n.Parent == nil", a.WidgetId, a.ParentId, a.ActionType)
-		log.Warn("AddNode() ERROR n.Parent == nil", a.WidgetId, a.ParentId, a.WidgetType)
+		log.Log(TREEWARN, "AddNode() ERROR n.Parent == nil n =", n.WidgetId, n.WidgetType, n.GetProgName())
+		log.Log(TREEWARN, "AddNode() ERROR n.Parent == nil a =", a.WidgetId, a.WidgetType, a.State.ProgName)
+		log.Log(TREEWARN, "AddNode() ERROR n.Parent == nil a.pid =", a.ParentId)
 		return n
 	}
-	log.Warn("AddNode() Adding to parent =", p.ParentId, p.WidgetType, p.GetProgName())
-	log.Warn("AddNode() Adding     child =", n.ParentId, n.WidgetType, n.GetProgName())
+	log.Log(TREE, "AddNode() Adding to parent =", p.ParentId, p.WidgetType, p.GetProgName())
+	log.Log(TREE, "AddNode() Adding     child =", n.ParentId, n.WidgetType, n.GetProgName())
 	p.children = append(p.children, n)
 	return n
 }
 
-func (n *Node) DeleteNode() {
+func (me *TreeInfo) DeleteNode(n *Node) {
+	log.Log(TREE, "DeleteNode() before lock n =", n.WidgetId, n.GetProgName())
+	if me.TryLock() {
+		defer me.Unlock()
+	} else {
+		log.Info("TREE: mutex lock was already held before DeleteNode()")
+	}
 	p := n.Parent
+	log.Log(TREE, "DeleteNode() parent =", p.WidgetId, p.GetProgName())
 	for i, child := range p.children {
-		log.Warn("parent has child:", i, child.WidgetId, child.GetProgName())
+		log.Log(TREE, "parent has child:", i, child.WidgetId, child.GetProgName())
 		if n == child {
-			log.Warn("Found child ==", i, child.WidgetId, child.GetProgName())
-			log.Warn("Found n ==", i, n.WidgetId, n.GetProgName())
+			log.Log(TREE, "Found child ==", i, child.WidgetId, child.GetProgName())
+			log.Log(TREE, "Found n ==", i, n.WidgetId, n.GetProgName())
 			p.children = append(p.children[:i], p.children[i+1:]...)
 		}
 	}
 	for i, child := range p.children {
-		log.Warn("parent now has child:", i, child.WidgetId, child.GetProgName())
+		log.Log(TREE, "parent now has child:", i, child.WidgetId, child.GetProgName())
 	}
 }

common.go

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package tree
 
 import (
+	"go.wit.com/log"
 	"go.wit.com/widget"
 )
 
@@ -8,27 +9,83 @@ func (n *Node) GetProgName() string {
 	return n.State.ProgName
 }
 
+/*
 func (n *Node) GetValue() any {
 	return n.State.Value
 }
+*/
 
 func (n *Node) Bool() bool {
-	return widget.GetBool(n.State.Value)
+	return false // widget.GetBool(n.State.Value)
+}
+
+func (n *Node) CurrentS() string {
+	return n.State.CurrentS
+}
+
+func (n *Node) Strings() []string {
+	return n.ddStrings
 }
 
 func (n *Node) String() string {
-	return widget.GetString(n.State.Value)
+	switch n.WidgetType {
+	case widget.Button:
+		return n.State.Label
+	case widget.Window:
+		return n.State.Label
+	case widget.Checkbox:
+		return n.State.Label
+	case widget.Group:
+		return n.State.Label
+	case widget.Label:
+		return n.State.Label
+	case widget.Dropdown:
+		return n.State.CurrentS
+	case widget.Combobox:
+		return n.State.CurrentS
+	}
+	log.Log(TREE, "do not know how to do String() on widget type", n.WidgetType)
+	return ""
+}
+
+func (n *Node) ProgName() string {
+	return n.State.ProgName
+}
+
+func (n *Node) Hidden() bool {
+	/*
+		if n.Parent == nil {
+			return n.Hidden()
+		}
+		if n.Parent.WidgetId == 0 {
+			return n.Hidden()
+		}
+		if n.Parent.Hidden() {
+			return true
+		}
+	*/
+	return n.State.Hidden
+}
+
+func (n *Node) IsEnabled() bool {
+	return n.State.Enable
 }
 
 /* avoid this function name as confusing
-func (n *Node) GetText() string {
+func (n *Node) GetText() string { // BAD
 	return widget.GetString(n.State.Value)
 }
 */
 
-func (n *Node) SetValue(a any) {
+/*
+func (n *Node) SetValue(a any) { // BAD
 	n.State.Value = a
 }
+*/
+
+func (n *Node) SetCurrentS(s string) {
+	n.State.CurrentS = s
+}
 
 func (n *Node) GetLabel() string {
 	return n.State.Label

date.go

@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+package tree
+
+import (
+	"time"
+)
+
+// TODO; let the user choose the date format
+func MakeDatestamp(t time.Time) string {
+	/*
+		// Get system locale from the environment
+		locale := os.Getenv("LANG")
+		if locale == "" {
+			locale = "en_US" // Default to English (US) if not set
+		}
+
+		// Parse the language tag
+		tag, err := language.Parse(locale)
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Fatalf("Invalid locale: %v", err)
+		}
+
+		// Create a date formatter
+		formatter := date.NewFormatter(date.OrderDefault, catalog.NewBuilder())
+
+		// Get the current timestamp
+		now := time.Now()
+
+		// Format the date based on the locale
+		p := message.NewPrinter(tag)
+		formattedDate := formatter.Format(tag, now)
+
+		// Print the formatted date
+		fmt.Println("Formatted Date:", formattedDate)
+
+		// Alternative: Use predefined time formats
+		fmt.Println("Localized Date (fallback):", p.Sprintf("%v", now.Format(time.RFC1123)))
+	*/
+	return t.Format(time.RFC1123)
+}

debug.go

@@ -1,10 +1,16 @@
 package tree
 
 import (
+	"fmt"
+
 	"go.wit.com/log"
 	"go.wit.com/widget"
 )
 
+func ShowButtons() {
+	treeRoot.ShowButtons()
+}
+
 func (n *Node) ShowButtons() {
 	if n.WidgetType == widget.Button {
 		n.DumpWidget("Button:")
@@ -16,16 +22,37 @@ func (n *Node) ShowButtons() {
 }
 
 func (n *Node) DumpWidget(pad string) {
-	log.Warn("node:", pad, n.WidgetId, ",", n.WidgetType, ",", n.GetProgName())
+	s := n.GetProgName()
+	if s == "" {
+		s = n.CurrentS()
+	}
+	if s == "" {
+		s = n.String()
+	}
+	if s == "" {
+		s = n.ProgName()
+	}
+	if s == "" {
+		s = n.GetLabel()
+	}
+	if s == "" {
+		s = n.State.NewString
+	}
+	end := fmt.Sprintf("%d,%-9s .%s.", n.WidgetId, n.WidgetType, s)
+	log.Log(TREEWARN, "node:", pad, end)
 }
 
 var depth int = 0
 
+func ListWidgets() {
+	treeRoot.ListWidgets()
+}
+
 func (n *Node) ListWidgets() {
 	if n == nil {
-		log.Warn("ERRRORRRR: n == nil in ListWidgets()")
-		log.Warn("ERRRORRRR: n == nil in ListWidgets()")
-		log.Warn("ERRRORRRR: n == nil in ListWidgets()")
+		log.Log(TREEWARN, "ERRRORRRR: n == nil in ListWidgets()")
+		log.Log(TREEWARN, "ERRRORRRR: n == nil in ListWidgets()")
+		log.Log(TREEWARN, "ERRRORRRR: n == nil in ListWidgets()")
 		return
 	}
 

event.go

@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ import (
 
 func (me *TreeInfo) SendEnableDebugger() {
 	if me.callback == nil {
-		log.Warn("SendUserEvent() toolkit panic() callback == nil")
+		log.Log(TREEWARN, "SendEnableDebugger() callback == nil")
 		return
 	}
 	var a widget.Action
@@ -30,62 +30,75 @@ func (me *TreeInfo) SendEnableDebugger() {
 
 func (me *TreeInfo) SendToolkitLoad(s string) {
 	if me.callback == nil {
-		log.Warn("SendUserEvent() toolkit load callback == nil")
+		log.Log(TREEWARN, "SendToolkitLoad() callback == nil")
 		return
 	}
+	log.Log(TREEWARN, "SendToolkitLoad() START: toolkit load", s)
 	var a widget.Action
 	a.ActionType = widget.ToolkitLoad
-	a.ProgName = me.PluginName
 	a.Value = s
-	log.Warn("SendUserEvent() START: toolkit load", s)
+	a.ProgName = me.PluginName
 	me.callback <- a
-	log.Warn("SendUserEvent() END:   toolkit load", s)
+	log.Log(TREEWARN, "SendToolkitLoad() END:   toolkit load", s)
 	return
 }
 
 func (me *TreeInfo) SendToolkitPanic() {
 	if me.callback == nil {
-		log.Warn("SendUserEvent() toolkit panic() callback == nil")
+		log.Log(TREEWARN, "SendToolkitPanic() callback == nil")
 		return
 	}
+	log.Log(TREEWARN, "SendToolkitPanic() START")
 	var a widget.Action
 	a.ActionType = widget.ToolkitPanic
 	a.ProgName = me.PluginName
-	log.Info("SendUserEvent() START: toolkit panic()")
 	me.callback <- a
-	log.Info("SendUserEvent() END:   toolkit panic()")
+	log.Log(TREEWARN, "SendToolkitPanic() END")
 	return
 }
 
 func (me *TreeInfo) SendWindowCloseEvent(n *Node) {
 	if me.callback == nil {
-		log.Warn("SendUserEvent() callback == nil", n.WidgetId)
+		log.Log(TREEWARN, "SendWindowClose() callback == nil", n.WidgetId)
 		return
 	}
+	log.Log(TREE, "SendWindowClose() START: user closed the window", n.GetProgName())
 	var a widget.Action
 	a.WidgetId = n.WidgetId
 	a.ActionType = widget.CloseWindow
-	log.Info("SendUserEvent() START: user closed the window", n.GetProgName())
+	a.ProgName = me.PluginName
 	me.callback <- a
-	log.Info("SendUserEvent() END:   user closed the window", n.GetProgName())
+	log.Log(TREE, "SendWindowClose() END:   user closed the window", n.GetProgName())
 	return
 }
 
+// this name is better, but I can't use it
+// is multiple toolkit support worth this sacrifice?
+// func (n *Node) SendWidgetEvent() {
+// }
+
+// The user clicked on something. Or typed something
+func (me *TreeInfo) SendWidgetEvent(n *Node) {
+	me.SendUserEvent(n)
+}
+
+func (me *TreeInfo) SendFromUser(n *Node) {
+	me.SendUserEvent(n)
+}
+
 // Other goroutines must use this to access the GUI
 func (me *TreeInfo) SendUserEvent(n *Node) {
 	if me.callback == nil {
-		log.Warn("SendUserEvent() callback == nil", n.WidgetId)
+		log.Log(TREEWARN, "SendUserEvent() callback == nil", n.WidgetId)
 		return
 	}
+	log.Log(TREE, "SendUserEvent() START: send a user event to the callback channel")
 	var a widget.Action
 	a.WidgetId = n.WidgetId
-	a.Value = n.State.Value
+	a.State = n.State
 	a.ActionType = widget.User
-	if n.WidgetType == widget.Checkbox {
-		log.Info("SendUserEvent() checkbox going to send:", a.Value)
-	}
-	log.Info("SendUserEvent() START: send a user event to the callback channel")
+	a.ProgName = me.PluginName
 	me.callback <- a
-	log.Info("SendUserEvent() END:   sent a user event to the callback channel")
+	log.Log(TREE, "SendUserEvent() END:   sent a user event to the callback channel")
 	return
 }

find.go

@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+package tree
+
+import "log"
+
+// find things in the tree
+// also verify parent <-> child mappings aren't a lie
+
+// searches the binary tree for a WidgetId
+func FindWidgetId(id int) *Node {
+	return treeRoot.FindWidgetId(id)
+}
+
+func FindWidgetById(id int) *Node {
+	return treeRoot.FindWidgetId(id)
+}
+
+// searches the binary tree for a WidgetId
+func (n *Node) FindWidgetId(id int) *Node {
+	if n == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	if n.WidgetId == id {
+		return n
+	}
+
+	for _, child := range n.children {
+		newN := child.FindWidgetId(id)
+		if newN != nil {
+			return newN
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// used for debugging the 'gui' package
+// to make sure things are valid
+// fixes any errors along the way
+func (me *Node) VerifyParentId() bool {
+	return me.verifyParentId(0)
+}
+
+func (n *Node) verifyParentId(parentId int) bool {
+	if n == nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	var ok bool = true
+
+	if n.ParentId != parentId {
+		log.Printf("fixed widgetId %d from %d to %d", n.WidgetId, n.ParentId, parentId)
+		n.ParentId = parentId
+		ok = false
+	}
+
+	for _, child := range n.children {
+		if child.verifyParentId(n.WidgetId) {
+			// everything is ok
+		} else {
+			ok = false
+		}
+	}
+	return ok
+}

flags.go

@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+package tree
+
+import (
+	"go.wit.com/log"
+)
+
+var TREE *log.LogFlag
+var TREEWARN *log.LogFlag
+
+func init() {
+	full := "go.wit.com/gui"
+	short := "tree"
+	TREE = log.NewFlag("TREE", false, full, short, "treeRoot info")
+	TREEWARN = log.NewFlag("TREEWARN", true, full, short, "treeRoot warnings")
+}

go.mod

@@ -1,10 +0,0 @@
-module go.wit.com/toolkits/tree
-
-go 1.21.4
-
-require (
-	go.wit.com/log v0.5.6
-	go.wit.com/widget v1.1.6
-)
-
-require go.wit.com/dev/davecgh/spew v1.1.4 // indirect

go.sum

@@ -1,6 +0,0 @@
-go.wit.com/dev/davecgh/spew v1.1.4 h1:C9hj/rjlUpdK+E6aroyLjCbS5MFcyNUOuP1ICLWdNek=
-go.wit.com/dev/davecgh/spew v1.1.4/go.mod h1:sihvWmnQ/09FWplnEmozt90CCVqBtGuPXM811tgfhFA=
-go.wit.com/log v0.5.6 h1:rDC3ju95zfEads4f1Zm+QMkqjZ39CsYAT/UmQQs7VP4=
-go.wit.com/log v0.5.6/go.mod h1:BaJBfHFqcJSJLXGQ9RHi3XVhPgsStxSMZRlaRxW4kAo=
-go.wit.com/widget v1.1.6 h1:av2miF5vlohMfARA/QGPTPfgW/ADup1c+oeAOKgroPY=
-go.wit.com/widget v1.1.6/go.mod h1:I8tnD3x3ECbB/CRNnLCdC+uoyk7rK0AEkzK1bQYSqoQ=

init.go

@@ -1,7 +1,13 @@
+// Although most code from WIT.COM Inc is under the GPL
+// This code is more generic because it must be able
+// to be used in any GUI plugin
+
 package tree
 
 import (
-	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"runtime/debug"
 	"sync"
 
 	"go.wit.com/log"
@@ -13,35 +19,29 @@ var muAction sync.Mutex
 func (me *TreeInfo) catchActionChannel() {
 	defer func() {
 		if r := recover(); r != nil {
-			log.Warn(me.PluginName, "tree YAHOOOO Recovered in simpleStdin()", r)
+			log.Log(TREEWARN, "YAHOOOO. Recovered in tree.catchActionChannel()", r)
+			log.Log(TREEWARN, "YAHOOOO. Recovered in tree.catchActionChannel() Plugin:", me.PluginName)
 			me.SendToolkitPanic()
-			panic(-1)
+			debug.PrintStack()
+			me.ToolkitClose()
+			if me.PluginName == "nocui" {
+				os.Exit(-1)
+			}
 		}
 	}()
-	log.Info("catchActionChannel() START")
+	log.Log(TREE, "catchActionChannel() START")
 	for {
-		log.Info("catchActionChannel() for loop")
+		log.Log(TREE, "catchActionChannel() for loop")
 		select {
 		case a := <-me.pluginChan:
 			log.Verbose("catchActionChannel() on ", a.WidgetId, a.WidgetType, a.ProgName)
-			// log.Warn("catchActionChannel() STUFF", a.WidgetId, a.ActionType, a.WidgetType)
-			/*
-			if a.WidgetType == widget.Dropdown {
-				log.Warn("Found dropdown", a.WidgetId, a.ActionType, a.WidgetType)
-				for i, s := range a.State.Strings {
-					log.Warn("a.State.Strings =", i, s)
-				}
-			}
-			*/
 			muAction.Lock()
-			// send this to the toolkit
-			if me.ActionFromChannel == nil {
-				log.Error(errors.New("toolkit ActionFromChannel == nil"), a.WidgetId, a.ActionType, a.WidgetType)
-			} else {
-				me.ActionFromChannel(a)
-			}
+			me.WaitOK()
+			// time.Sleep(10 * time.Millisecond)
+			me.Lock()
+			me.doAction(a)
+			me.Unlock()
 			muAction.Unlock()
-			// log.Info("catchActionChannel() STUFF END", a.WidgetId, a.ActionType, a.WidgetType)
 		}
 	}
 }
@@ -49,9 +49,49 @@ func (me *TreeInfo) catchActionChannel() {
 func New() *TreeInfo {
 	me := new(TreeInfo)
 	me.pluginChan = make(chan widget.Action, 1)
+	me.frozenChan = make(chan widget.Action, 1)
+	me.config = configLoad()
 
-	log.Info("Init() start channel reciever")
+	log.Log(TREE, "Init() start channel reciever")
 	go me.catchActionChannel()
-	log.Info("Init() END")
+	log.Log(TREE, "Init() END")
 	return me
 }
+
+func (t *TreeInfo) ConfigFind(n string) (string, error) {
+	all := t.config.All() // get the list of repos
+	for all.Scan() {
+		r := all.Next()
+		if t.PluginName != r.Plugin {
+			continue
+		}
+		if n == r.Name {
+			return r.Value, nil
+		}
+		// log.Info("toolkit config no-match on", r.Plugin, r.Name, r.Value, n)
+	}
+	return "", fmt.Errorf("toolkit config %s not found", n)
+}
+
+func (t *TreeInfo) ConfigSave(o *ToolkitConfig) {
+	t.configInsert(o)
+	t.config.configSave()
+}
+
+// update the config option value (or append if new record)
+func (t *TreeInfo) configInsert(newr *ToolkitConfig) {
+	all := t.config.All() // get the list of repos
+	for all.Scan() {
+		r := all.Next()
+		if t.PluginName != r.Plugin {
+			// option isn't for this plugin
+			continue
+		}
+		if newr.Name == r.Name {
+			// found the record!
+			r.Value = newr.Value
+			return
+		}
+	}
+	t.config.Append(newr)
+}

json.go

@@ -51,10 +51,10 @@ func (n *Node) Json() []string {
 	case widget.Window:
 		tmp := fmt.Sprint("{ WidgetType :", n.WidgetType, "}")
 		all = append(all, tmp)
-		log.Warn(tmp)
+		log.Log(TREEWARN, tmp)
 		return all
 	default:
-		log.Info("doUserEvent() type =", n.WidgetType)
+		log.Log(TREE, "doUserEvent() type =", n.WidgetType)
 	}
 	return all
 }

plugin.go

@@ -6,32 +6,35 @@ package tree
 	There are some helper functions that are probably going to be
 	the same everywhere. Mostly due to handling the binary tree structure
 	and the channel communication
-
-	For now, it's just a symlink to the 'master' version in
-	./toolkit/nocui/common.go
 */
 
 import (
+	"os"
+	"time"
+
+	"go.wit.com/log"
 	"go.wit.com/widget"
 )
 
-// searches the binary tree for a WidgetId
-func (n *Node) FindWidgetId(id int) *Node {
-	if n == nil {
-		return nil
-	}
+func (me *TreeInfo) InitOK() {
+	me.ok = true
+}
 
-	if n.WidgetId == id {
-		return n
-	}
-
-	for _, child := range n.children {
-		newN := child.FindWidgetId(id)
-		if newN != nil {
-			return newN
+// this hack is to wait for the application to send something
+// before trying to do anything. todo: rethink this someday
+func (me *TreeInfo) WaitOK() {
+	for {
+		if me == nil {
+			log.Info("WaitOK lied. me == nil but returned anyway")
+			log.Info("WaitOK lied. me == nil but returned anyway")
+			log.Info("WaitOK lied. me == nil but returned anyway")
+			os.Exit(-1)
 		}
+		if me.ok {
+			return
+		}
+		time.Sleep(10 * time.Millisecond)
 	}
-	return nil
 }
 
 // Other goroutines must use this to access the GUI
@@ -45,6 +48,13 @@ func (me *TreeInfo) Callback(guiCallback chan widget.Action) {
 	me.callback = guiCallback
 }
 
+// this is the function that receives things from the application
 func (me *TreeInfo) PluginChannel() chan widget.Action {
+	me.WaitOK()
 	return me.pluginChan
 }
+
+// this is the function that receives things from the application
+func (me *TreeInfo) FrozenChannel() chan widget.Action {
+	return me.frozenChan
+}

structs.go

@@ -1,35 +1,47 @@
 package tree
 
 /*
-	These code should be common to all gui plugins
-
 	There are some helper functions that are probably going to be
 	the same everywhere. Mostly due to handling the binary tree structure
 	and the channel communication
-
-	For now, it's just a symlink to the 'master' version in
-	./toolkit/nocui/common.go
 */
 
 import (
-	// "go.wit.com/log"
+	"sync"
+
+	"go.wit.com/lib/protobuf/guipb"
 	"go.wit.com/widget"
 )
 
-// var me *TreeInfo
+// TODO: use protocol buffers
+
+// this is the root node of the binary tree
+// There is only one of these per application
+var treeRoot *Node
 
 type TreeInfo struct {
-	// this is the channel we send user events like
-	// mouse clicks or keyboard events back to the program
-	callback chan widget.Action
-
-	// this is the channel we get requests to make widgets
-	pluginChan chan widget.Action
-
-	treeRoot          *Node
-	NodeI             interface{}
-	ActionFromChannel func(widget.Action)
-	PluginName        string
+	sync.Mutex                        // a lock around the tree to serialize access
+	ok            bool                // indicates the plugin actually initialized
+	PluginName    string              // used to identify the plugin
+	config        *ToolkitConfigs     // protobuf of plugin settings
+	callback      chan widget.Action  // mouse clicks or keyboard events back to the program
+	pluginChan    chan widget.Action  // this is the channel we get requests to make widgets
+	frozenChan    chan widget.Action  // expirement to get fyne to work
+	Add           func(*Node)         // add a new widget
+	AddText       func(*Node, string) // add a string to a dropdown widget
+	SetText       func(*Node, string) // set the text of a widget
+	SetTitle      func(*Node, string) // update the title of a window or tab
+	SetLabel      func(*Node, string) // update the "label" (aka "Name") for a widget
+	SetChecked    func(*Node, bool)   // set the state of a checkbox
+	ToolkitInit   func()              // init the plugin
+	ToolkitClose  func()              // shutdown and unload the plugin
+	Show          func(*Node)         // show a widget
+	Hide          func(*Node)         // hide a widget
+	Enable        func(*Node)         // enable a widget
+	Disable       func(*Node)         // disable a widget
+	ShowTable     func(*guipb.Table)  // attempt at sending a whole table
+	currentTables []*guipb.Table      // track the list of tables?
+	Root          *guipb.Tree         // this is the future of this system
 }
 
 type Node struct {
@@ -42,7 +54,7 @@ type Node struct {
 
 	State widget.State
 
-	Strings map[string]int
+	ddStrings []string
 
 	// the internal plugin toolkit structure
 	// in the gtk plugin, it has gtk things like margin & border settings

table.go

@@ -0,0 +1,352 @@
+// Although most code from WIT.COM Inc is under the GPL
+// This code is more generic because it must be able
+// to be used in any GUI plugin
+
+package tree
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"time"
+
+	"go.wit.com/lib/gui/shell"
+	"go.wit.com/lib/protobuf/guipb"
+	"go.wit.com/log"
+	"go.wit.com/widget"
+	"google.golang.org/protobuf/proto"
+	"google.golang.org/protobuf/types/known/anypb"
+	"google.golang.org/protobuf/types/known/timestamppb"
+)
+
+func (me *TreeInfo) doTable(a widget.Action) {
+	if a.TablePB == nil {
+		log.Log(TREE, "tree: action didn't have a Table PB")
+		return
+	}
+	pb := guipb.NewTables()
+	if err := pb.Unmarshal(a.TablePB); err != nil {
+		log.Info("unmarshal error", err, "data len =", len(a.TablePB))
+		return
+	}
+	log.Info("tree.doTables() start. # of tables:", len(pb.Tables))
+	for t := range pb.IterAll() {
+		// for i, o := range t.Order {
+		// 	log.Info("got order:", t.Title, i, o)
+		// }
+		// dumpTable(t)
+		// me.ShowTable(t)
+		// log.Info("TREE FOUND TABLE UUID", t.Uuid)
+		for i, ot := range me.currentTables {
+			// log.Info("TREE already has UUID", i, ot.Uuid)
+			if t.Uuid == ot.Uuid {
+				log.Log(TREE, "TREE found UUID! update table here", i, ot.Uuid)
+				if ot.Grid == nil {
+					log.Log(TREE, "TREE found UUID! ot.grid.Id = nil. need to find grid id here")
+					return
+				} else {
+					log.Log(TREE, "TREE found UUID! grid.Id =", ot.Grid.Id)
+					t.Grid = ot.Grid
+				}
+				if t.Grid == nil {
+					log.Log(TREE, "TREE found UUID! grid.Id = nil. need to find grid id here")
+					return
+				}
+				log.Log(TREE, "TREE found UUID! update table here", i, ot.Uuid, "grid.Id =", t.Grid.Id)
+				me.updateTable(t)
+				return
+			}
+		}
+
+		me.currentTables = append(me.currentTables, t)
+		if t.Grid == nil {
+			log.Log(TREEWARN, "new table error: grid.Id = nil need to set grid id here")
+		} else {
+			// log.Info("NEW TREE: grid.Id =", t.Grid.Id)
+		}
+		me.makeTable(t)
+	}
+}
+
+func (grid *Node) makeGridLabel(pb *guipb.Widget, w int, h int) *Node {
+	a := new(widget.Action)
+	a.WidgetType = widget.Label
+	a.WidgetId = int(pb.Id)
+	a.ParentId = grid.WidgetId
+	a.State.Enable = true
+	a.State.Label = pb.Name
+	a.State.AtW = w
+	a.State.AtH = h
+	a.State.GridOffset.X = w
+	a.State.GridOffset.Y = h
+	// log.Info("makeGridLabel()", a.State)
+	return addNode(a)
+}
+
+func (grid *Node) makeGridButton(pb *guipb.Widget, w int, h int) *Node {
+	a := new(widget.Action)
+	a.WidgetType = widget.Button
+	a.WidgetId = int(pb.Id)
+	a.ParentId = grid.WidgetId
+	a.State.Enable = true
+	a.State.Label = pb.Name
+	a.State.AtW = w
+	a.State.AtH = h
+	a.State.GridOffset.X = w
+	a.State.GridOffset.Y = h
+	// log.Info("makeGridLabel()", a.State)
+	return addNode(a)
+}
+
+func (me *TreeInfo) updateTable(t *guipb.Table) {
+	grid := FindWidgetId(int(t.Grid.Id))
+	if grid == nil {
+		log.Info("tree: updateTable() failed to make grid")
+		return
+	}
+	// delete the existing table
+	me.DeleteNode(grid)
+
+	// remake the table
+	me.Add(grid)
+	var h int = 0
+	var w int = 0
+	for _, name := range t.Order {
+		// log.Info("got order:", t.Title, name)
+		if me.addTableRow(t, grid, name, w) {
+			// log.Info("tree:row() COLUMN GOOD", t.Title, name, w, h)
+		} else {
+			log.Info("tree:row() COLOMN FAIL", t.Title, name, w, h)
+		}
+
+		w += 1
+	}
+}
+
+/*
+func (me *TreeInfo) updateRow(t *guipb.Table, name string) {
+	for _, r := range t.StringRows {
+		if name == r.Header.Name {
+			// debugging code
+			// id := r.Header.Id
+			// n := treeRoot.FindWidgetId(int(id))
+			// if n == nil {
+			// 	log.Info("could not find widget id", id)
+			// }
+			log.Info("tree.updateRow(string)", r.Header, "len =", len(r.Widgets))
+			// if r.Header.Name == "Hostname" {
+			// }
+			// log.Info("tree.updateRow() found Hostnames", r.Vals)
+			for i, v := range r.Vals {
+				// log.Info("tree: Hostname Widget", i, v, w.Name)
+				w := r.Widgets[i]
+				if v != w.Name {
+					log.Info("tree: need to update:", i, v, "vs", w.Name, w.Id)
+					n := treeRoot.FindWidgetId(int(w.Id))
+					if n == nil {
+						log.Info("tree.TableUpdate() err n == nil ", w.Id, w.Name)
+						continue
+					}
+					me.SetText(n, v)
+				}
+				if r.Header.Name == "CurrentBranchName" {
+					log.Info("tree: check:", i, v, "vs", w.Name, w.Id)
+				}
+			}
+			return
+		}
+	}
+
+	for _, r := range t.TimeRows {
+		if name != r.Header.Name {
+			continue
+		}
+		log.Info("tree.updateRow(time)", r.Header, "len =", len(r.Widgets))
+		for i, _ := range r.Vals {
+			// log.Info("tree: Hostname Widget", i, v, w.Name)
+			w := r.Widgets[i]
+			n := treeRoot.FindWidgetId(int(w.Id))
+			if n == nil {
+				log.Info("tree.TableUpdate() err n == nil ", w.Id, w.Name)
+				continue
+			}
+			msg, err := anypb.UnmarshalNew(w.Val, proto.UnmarshalOptions{})
+			if err != nil {
+				log.Fatalf("failed to unmarshal: %v", err)
+			}
+
+			switch v := msg.(type) {
+			case *timestamppb.Timestamp:
+				me.SetText(n, shell.FormatDuration(time.Since(v.AsTime())))
+			default:
+				me.SetText(n, fmt.Sprintf("%v", v))
+			}
+		}
+		return
+	}
+}
+*/
+
+func (me *TreeInfo) makeTable(t *guipb.Table) {
+	var grid *Node
+	if t.Parent != nil {
+		a := new(widget.Action)
+		a.WidgetType = widget.Grid
+		a.WidgetId = int(t.Grid.Id)
+		a.ParentId = int(t.Parent.Id)
+		a.State.Enable = true
+		grid = addNode(a)
+	}
+	if grid == nil {
+		log.Log(TREEWARN, "tree: makeTable() failed to make grid")
+		return
+	}
+	me.Add(grid)
+	grid.State.ProgName = "TableGridPB"
+	// log.Info("tree: makeTable() finished add win & grid")
+	var h int = 0
+	var w int = 0
+	for _, name := range t.Order {
+		// log.Info("got order:", t.Title, name)
+		if me.addTableRow(t, grid, name, w) {
+			// log.Info("tree:row() COLUMN GOOD", t.Title, name, w, h)
+		} else {
+			log.Log(TREEWARN, "tree:row() COLOMN FAIL", t.Title, name, w, h)
+		}
+
+		w += 1
+	}
+}
+
+func (me *TreeInfo) addTableRow(t *guipb.Table, grid *Node, name string, w int) bool {
+	var h int = 0
+	for _, r := range t.StringRows {
+		if name != r.Header.Name {
+			// log.Info("skip string row:", r.Header.Name, "!=", name)
+			continue
+		}
+		// log.Info("tree: Add()ing to grid here", r.Header.Id, r.Header.Name, w, h)
+		head := grid.makeGridLabel(r.Header, w, h)
+		me.Add(head)
+		h += 1
+		for _, v := range r.Widgets {
+			// log.Info("tree: Add()ing to grid here", v.Id, v.Name, w, h)
+			lab := grid.makeGridLabel(v, w, h)
+			me.Add(lab)
+			h += 1
+		}
+		return true
+	}
+
+	for _, r := range t.ButtonRows {
+		if name != r.Header.Name {
+			// log.Info("skip string row:", r.Header.Name, "!=", name)
+			continue
+		}
+		// log.Info("tree: Add()ing to grid here", r.Header.Id, r.Header.Name, w, h)
+		head := grid.makeGridLabel(r.Header, w, h)
+		me.Add(head)
+		h += 1
+		for _, v := range r.Widgets {
+			// log.Info("tree: Add()ing to grid here", v.Id, v.Name, w, h)
+			lab := grid.makeGridButton(v, w, h)
+			me.Add(lab)
+			h += 1
+		}
+		return true
+	}
+
+	for _, r := range t.IntRows {
+		if name != r.Header.Name {
+			// log.Info("skip sint row:", r.Header.Name, "!=", name)
+			continue
+		}
+		// log.Info("tree: Add()ing to grid here", r.Header.Id, r.Header.Name, w, h)
+		head := grid.makeGridLabel(r.Header, w, h)
+		me.Add(head)
+		h += 1
+		for _, v := range r.Widgets {
+			v.Name = fmt.Sprintf("%d", v.Size)
+			// log.Info("tree: Add()ing to grid here", v.Id, v.Name, w, h)
+			lab := grid.makeGridLabel(v, w, h)
+			me.Add(lab)
+			h += 1
+		}
+		return true
+	}
+
+	for _, r := range t.TimeRows {
+		if name != r.Header.Name {
+			// log.Info("skip sint row:", r.Header.Name, "!=", name)
+			continue
+		}
+		// log.Info("tree: Add()ing to grid here", r.Header.Id, r.Header.Name, w, h)
+		head := grid.makeGridLabel(r.Header, w, h)
+		me.Add(head)
+		h += 1
+		for _, widg := range r.Widgets {
+			msg, err := anypb.UnmarshalNew(widg.Val, proto.UnmarshalOptions{})
+			if err != nil {
+				log.Fatalf("failed to unmarshal: %v", err)
+			}
+
+			switch v := msg.(type) {
+			case *timestamppb.Timestamp:
+				// fmt.Println("Unpacked Timestamp:", shell.FormatDuration(time.Since(v.AsTime())))
+				widg.Name = shell.FormatDuration(time.Since(v.AsTime()))
+			default:
+				fmt.Println("Unknown type:", v)
+				widg.Name = fmt.Sprintf("%v", v)
+			}
+
+			// log.Info("tree: Add()ing to grid here", widg.Id, widg.Name, w, h)
+			lab := grid.makeGridLabel(widg, w, h)
+			me.Add(lab)
+			h += 1
+		}
+		return true
+	}
+
+	return false
+}
+
+// returns true if widget is in a table
+func (n *Node) InTable() bool {
+	// log.Info("InTable() parent id =", n.ParentId)
+	grid := FindWidgetById(int(n.ParentId))
+	if grid != nil {
+		if grid.WidgetType == widget.Grid {
+			if grid.State.ProgName == "TableGridPB" {
+				// this is a protobuf table
+				return true
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	return false
+}
+
+func dumpTable(t *guipb.Table) {
+	for i, o := range t.Order {
+		log.Info("got order:", t.Title, i, o)
+	}
+	for i, r := range t.StringRows {
+		log.Info("got string row:", t.Title, i, r.Header.Name, r.Vals)
+		for _, v := range r.Widgets {
+			log.Info("tree: got string widget:", v.Id, v.Name)
+		}
+	}
+	for i, r := range t.IntRows {
+		log.Info("got int row:", t.Title, i, r.Header.Name, r.Vals)
+		for _, v := range r.Widgets {
+			log.Info("tree: got int widget:", v.Id, v.Size)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+type TreeTable struct {
+	PB *guipb.Table
+	/*
+		hostnames []string
+		columns   []*gui.NodeColumn
+		order     []*gui.NodeColumn
+	*/
+}

toolkitConfig.proto

@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+// Copyright 2025 WIT.COM Inc Licensed GPL 3.0
+
+syntax = "proto3";
+
+package forgepb;
+
+import "google/protobuf/timestamp.proto"; // Import the well-known type for Timestamp
+
+message ToolkitConfig {                                   //
+        string                   plugin             = 1;  // 'gocui', 'andlabs', etc `autogenpb:unique`
+        string                   name               = 2;  // variable name 'fullscreen' `autogenpb:unique`
+        string                   value              = 3;  // value "true"
+}
+
+message ToolkitConfigs {                                  // `autogenpb:marshal` `autogenpb:nomutex`
+        string                   uuid               = 1;  // `autogenpb:uuid:d7886d47-a3b9-43b9-b0f6-17074a9844e6`
+        string                   version            = 2;  // `autogenpb:version:v0.0.1`
+        repeated ToolkitConfig   ToolkitConfigs     = 3;
+}

toolkitConfig.save.go

@@ -0,0 +1,116 @@
+// Copyright 2025 WIT.COM Inc Licensed GPL 3.0
+
+package tree
+
+// functions to import and export the protobuf
+// data to and from config files
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+
+	"go.wit.com/log"
+)
+
+// load the ~/.config/forge/ files
+func configLoad() *ToolkitConfigs {
+	if os.Getenv("FORGE_CONFIG") == "" {
+		homeDir, _ := os.UserHomeDir()
+		fullpath := filepath.Join(homeDir, ".config/forge")
+		os.Setenv("FORGE_CONFIG", fullpath)
+	}
+
+	c, err := loadText()
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Info("gui toolkit configLoad() error", err)
+	}
+	if c != nil {
+		return c
+	}
+
+	// first time user. make a template config file
+	c = sampleConfig()
+	return c
+}
+
+// makes a sample config (and saves it)
+func sampleConfig() *ToolkitConfigs {
+	all := NewToolkitConfigs()
+	new1 := new(ToolkitConfig)
+	new1.Plugin = "tree"
+	new1.Name = "test"
+	new1.Value = "apple"
+	all.Append(new1)
+
+	all.configSave()
+
+	fmt.Println("first time user. adding an example config file with", len(all.ToolkitConfigs), "repos")
+	return all
+}
+
+// write to ~/.config/forge/ unless ENV{FORGE_CONFIG} is set
+func (c *ToolkitConfigs) configSave() error {
+	s := c.FormatTEXT()
+	configWrite("toolkit.text", []byte(s))
+	return nil
+}
+
+func loadText() (*ToolkitConfigs, error) {
+	// this lets the user hand edit the config
+	data, err := loadFile("toolkit.text")
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if data == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("toolkit.text data was nil")
+	}
+	if len(data) == 0 {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("toolkit.text was empty")
+	}
+
+	c := new(ToolkitConfigs)
+
+	// attempt to marshal toolkit.text
+	if err := c.UnmarshalTEXT(data); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	log.Log(TREE, "ConfigLoad()", len(c.ToolkitConfigs), "entries in ~/.config/forge")
+	return c, nil
+}
+
+func loadFile(filename string) ([]byte, error) {
+	fullname := filepath.Join(os.Getenv("FORGE_CONFIG"), filename)
+	data, err := os.ReadFile(fullname)
+	if errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
+		// if file does not exist, just return nil. this
+		// will cause ConfigLoad() to try the next config file like "toolkit.text"
+		// because the user might want to edit the .config by hand
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		// log.Info("open config file :", err)
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return data, nil
+}
+
+func configWrite(filename string, data []byte) error {
+	fullname := filepath.Join(os.Getenv("FORGE_CONFIG"), filename)
+
+	cfgfile, err := os.OpenFile(fullname, os.O_RDWR|os.O_CREATE|os.O_TRUNC, 0644)
+	defer cfgfile.Close()
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Warn("open config file :", err)
+		return err
+	}
+	if filename == "toolkit.text" {
+		// add header
+		cfgfile.Write([]byte("\n"))
+		cfgfile.Write([]byte("# you can customize your GUI toolkit user settings here\n"))
+		cfgfile.Write([]byte("\n"))
+	}
+	cfgfile.Write(data)
+	return nil
+}