adding-pane

name	adding-pane
description	Step-by-step guide for adding a new visualization pane type to Visdom (client, server, frontend, tests)

Skill: Adding a New Pane Type

When to Use

Use this skill when adding a new visualization type (e.g., a new chart, widget, or media pane) to Visdom.

Core Workflow

1. Python Client (py/visdom/__init__.py):

   • Add a new method to the Visdom class with @pytorch_wrap
   • Format data as {"data": [{"type": "my_type", "content": ...}], ...}
   • Call self._send(msg) to POST to /events

2. Server (py/visdom/utils/server_utils.py):

   • Add a new elif ptype == "my_type": branch in the window() function (around line 202)
   • Define what fields are stored in the window dict

3. Frontend (js/panes/):

   • Create MyPane.js following the pattern in TextPane.js or ImagePane.js
   • Use forwardRef + React.memo pattern from Pane.js

4. Registration (js/settings.js):

   • Add my_type: MyPane to the PANES object
   • Add default size to PANE_SIZE: my_type: [width, height]

5. Type stubs (py/visdom/__init__.pyi):

   • Add the method signature for type checking

6. Demo (example/components/):

   • Create a demo script exercising the new pane type
   • Import it in example/demo.py

7. Tests (cypress/integration/):

   • Add a Cypress test file for the new pane type

Guardrails

• Always use the @pytorch_wrap decorator on new client methods
• Follow the forwardRef + React.memo pattern for pane components
• Import and register new panes in js/settings.js
• Never manually edit compiled files in py/visdom/static/