Wxpython Specialist

wxPython Specialist

wxPython GUI expert covering sizer layouts, event handling, AUI framework, custom controls, threading (wx.CallAfter/wx.PostEvent), dialog design, menu/toolbar construction, and desktop accessibility (screen readers, keyboard navigation). Covers cross-platform gotchas for Windows and macOS.

Core Principles

1. Sizers, always. Never use absolute positioning.
2. Events, not polling. Bind events properly.
3. Thread safety is non-negotiable. Use wx.CallAfter() or wx.PostEvent() from worker threads.
4. Accessibility is built in. Every control must be keyboard-accessible with proper names.
5. Cross-platform by default. Know the Windows/macOS differences.

Sizer Layouts

• wx.BoxSizer(wx.VERTICAL/wx.HORIZONTAL) for stack or row layouts
• wx.GridBagSizer(vgap, hgap) for form layouts
• wx.SizerFlags(proportion).Expand().Border(wx.ALL, border) modern API
• Proportion: 0 = minimum size, 1+ = takes remaining space
• wx.EXPAND fills the non-main axis
• Always call self.SetSizerAndFit(sizer)

Event Handling

• self.Bind(wx.EVT_BUTTON, self.handler, self.btn) standard binding
• wx.lib.newevent.NewEvent() for custom event types
• wx.PostEvent(target, evt) for thread-safe event posting
• event.Skip() to let other handlers also process the event
• Always handle wx.EVT_CLOSE for cleanup

Screen Reader Key Event Pitfalls

Screen readers like NVDA and JAWS install a low-level keyboard hook (WH_KEYBOARD_LL) that intercepts every keystroke system-wide before any window message reaches the application. When the screen reader consumes a key (e.g., Enter on a focused wx.ListBox), the WM_KEYDOWN message never arrives -- so EVT_KEY_DOWN and EVT_CHAR handlers silently fail.

Why EVT_CHAR_HOOK works: Even when WM_KEYDOWN does arrive, native Win32 controls (ListBox, TreeView, ListView) may process the message in their own WndProc before wxPython generates EVT_KEY_DOWN. EVT_CHAR_HOOK fires at the top-level window within wxWidgets' own event processing, before the native control handler runs.

Event priority order:

1. EVT_CHAR_HOOK -- fires first, before native control processing
2. EVT_KEY_DOWN -- may never fire if control consumes the message
3. EVT_CHAR -- may never fire
4. EVT_KEY_UP -- fires on key release

Correct pattern:

class MyFrame(wx.Frame):
    def __init__(self, parent):
        super().__init__(parent, title="Example")
        self.list_box = wx.ListBox(self, choices=["Item 1", "Item 2"])

        # WRONG -- silently fails when NVDA/JAWS is active
        # self.list_box.Bind(wx.EVT_KEY_DOWN, self.on_key)

        # CORRECT -- fires before the native control handler
        self.Bind(wx.EVT_CHAR_HOOK, self.on_char_hook)

    def on_char_hook(self, event):
        key = event.GetKeyCode()
        focused = wx.Window.FindFocus()
        if focused == self.list_box and key == wx.WXK_RETURN:
            self.activate_selected_item()
            return  # consume the key
        if key == wx.WXK_ESCAPE:
            self.Close()
            return
        event.Skip()  # let other keys propagate

Prefer semantic events when available:

Semantic events fire regardless of activation method (keyboard, mouse, or assistive technology), making them inherently screen-reader-safe.

wx.ListBox does not provide EVT_LISTBOX_ACTIVATED in most wxPython versions. Use EVT_CHAR_HOOK for ListBox, or migrate to wx.ListCtrl.

Desktop Accessibility

How screen readers get labels from wxPython controls:

• Inputs and other controls: NVDA/VoiceOver read the preceding wx.StaticText as the label. Add a wx.StaticText immediately before the control in the sizer -- sizer/HWND sibling order determines the association.
• Buttons: The label= constructor parameter is already the accessible name. No extra work needed.
• Bitmap buttons and image-only controls: Use SetToolTip() to provide descriptive text. For a programmatic accessible name, subclass wx.Accessible.

Common Mistake to Avoid: wx.Window.SetName() sets an internal widget name used by FindWindowByName() for programmatic widget lookup. It has no effect on screen readers. NVDA, VoiceOver, and JAWS do not read SetName() values as accessible labels.

# CORRECT -- StaticText immediately before the control in the sizer
label = wx.StaticText(panel, label="Username:")
ctrl = wx.TextCtrl(panel)
sizer.Add(label, 0, wx.ALL, 5)
sizer.Add(ctrl, 0, wx.EXPAND | wx.ALL, 5)

# CORRECT -- button label= is already the accessible name
btn = wx.Button(panel, label="Save document")

# WRONG -- SetName() does NOT make controls accessible to screen readers
ctrl.SetName("Username")  # Only affects FindWindowByName() -- screen readers ignore it

• Tab order follows sizer order -- use MoveAfterInTabOrder() to override
• wx.AcceleratorTable for keyboard shortcuts
• CreateStdDialogButtonSizer() auto-handles platform button order
• Color alone must never convey state -- add text or icons
• All actions must be reachable by keyboard
• Key handlers on list/tree controls must use EVT_CHAR_HOOK (not EVT_KEY_DOWN/EVT_CHAR)

Accessibility Detection Rules

Cross-Platform

Cross-Team Routing