diff --git a/docs/source/jupyter.rst b/docs/source/jupyter.rst
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9c48301e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/source/jupyter.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+#######################
+ Jupyter notebook usage
+#######################
+
+IDStools command-line tools can also be used directly from Jupyter notebooks.
+Import ``idstools`` once in the notebook kernel to register the IDStools
+commands as IPython line magics:
+
+.. code-block:: python
+
+   import idstools
+
+After that, commands such as ``idsprint`` and ``plotequilibrium`` can be
+called with ``%``:
+
+.. code-block:: python
+
+   %idsprint -u "imas:hdf5?path=/work/imas/shared/imasdb/ITER/3/134174/117#core_profiles/profiles_1d[0]/electrons/temperature" -p
+
+.. code-block:: python
+
+   %plotequilibrium -u "imas:hdf5?path=/work/imas/shared/imasdb/ITER/3/100507/5"
+
+
+******************************
+ Interactive Matplotlib plots
+******************************
+
+For interactive Matplotlib figures in Jupyter, use the ``ipympl`` backend. If
+``ipympl`` is installed in the same Python environment as IDStools, the backend
+can be selected with Matplotlib's notebook magic before plotting:
+
+.. code-block:: python
+
+   %matplotlib widget
+   import idstools
+
+   %idsprint -u "imas:hdf5?path=/work/imas/shared/imasdb/ITER/3/134174/117#core_profiles/profiles_1d[0]/electrons/temperature" -p
+
+Alternatively, the backend can be selected through the IDStools ``--rc``
+option before Matplotlib has been imported in the current kernel:
+
+.. code-block:: python
+
+   import idstools
+
+   %idsprint -u "imas:hdf5?path=/work/imas/shared/imasdb/ITER/3/134174/117#core_profiles/profiles_1d[0]/electrons/temperature" -p --rc "backend='module://ipympl.backend_nbagg'"
+
+.. code-block:: python
+
+   %plotequilibrium -u "imas:hdf5?path=/work/imas/shared/imasdb/ITER/3/100507/5" --rc "backend='module://ipympl.backend_nbagg'"
diff --git a/docs/source/tools.rst b/docs/source/tools.rst
index a90cc39d..1b5a1685 100644
--- a/docs/source/tools.rst
+++ b/docs/source/tools.rst
@@ -12,3 +12,4 @@ Following are the different command line tools available in the
    ids_manipulation_tools
    database_tools
    scenariodb_tools
+   jupyter
diff --git a/idstools/compute/equilibrium.py b/idstools/compute/equilibrium.py
index 941a25c8..5f84d4cb 100644
--- a/idstools/compute/equilibrium.py
+++ b/idstools/compute/equilibrium.py
@@ -1384,7 +1384,7 @@ def get_profiles_1d_quantities(self, time_slice, attributes=None):
             if ids_field.has_value:
                 quantities[attribute] = eval(f"self.ids.time_slice[{time_slice}].profiles_1d.{attribute}")
             else:
-                logger.error(f"self.ids.time_slice[{time_slice}].profiles_1d.{attribute} not found")
+                logger.warning(f"self.ids.time_slice[{time_slice}].profiles_1d.{attribute} not found")
         return quantities
 
     def get_global_quantities(self, time_slice=None, attributes=None):
diff --git a/idstools/scripts/bin/dblist b/idstools/scripts/bin/dblist
index 57d9e72a..d30a9e75 100644
--- a/idstools/scripts/bin/dblist
+++ b/idstools/scripts/bin/dblist
@@ -234,7 +234,15 @@ def print_times(dbs, args, print_times=False, pulse_number=None, run_number=None
                             print(TAB * 4 + " Run: " + extended(str(run), RUN_STR_LEN))
                         available_ids_and_times = get_available_ids_and_times(connection)
                         for idsname, times in available_ids_and_times:
-                            if len(times) == 1 and np.isnan(times[0]):
+                            if times is None:
+                                print(
+                                    TAB * 5
+                                    + extended(idsname, IDSNAME_STR_LEN)
+                                    + ": "
+                                    + extended("N/A", SLICENUM_STR_LEN)
+                                    + " slices ( time unavailable )"
+                                )
+                            elif len(times) == 1 and np.isnan(times[0]):
                                 print(
                                     TAB * 5
                                     + extended(idsname, IDSNAME_STR_LEN)
@@ -311,7 +319,15 @@ def print_times_with_folder(dbs, print_times=False, pulse_number=None, run_numbe
                 continue
             available_ids_and_times = get_available_ids_and_times(connection)
             for idsname, times in available_ids_and_times:
-                if times is not None:
+                if times is None:
+                    print(
+                        TAB * 15
+                        + extended(idsname, IDSNAME_STR_LEN)
+                        + ": "
+                        + extended("N/A", SLICENUM_STR_LEN)
+                        + " slices ( time unavailable )"
+                    )
+                else:
                     if len(times) == 1 and np.isnan(times[0]):
                         print(
                             TAB * 15
diff --git a/idstools/scripts/bin/idsdiff b/idstools/scripts/bin/idsdiff
index a7cb192b..6cec2dcb 100644
--- a/idstools/scripts/bin/idsdiff
+++ b/idstools/scripts/bin/idsdiff
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import sys
 import time
 from io import BytesIO
 
+from idstools.view.common import PlotCanvas
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 import numpy as np
 import rich
@@ -43,8 +44,6 @@ slicing_methods = {
 
 
 def view_plot(ax, field, coordinate, field_name="", coordinate_name="", field_unit="", coordinate_unit="", **kwargs):
-    from idstools.view.common import PlotCanvas
-
     if not isinstance(field, (imas.ids_primitive.IDSNumericArray, np.ndarray)):
         print("Not a numeric array, Please select ids path")
         return
@@ -506,7 +505,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
     )
     parser.add_argument(
         "--save",
-        help="Save figure at default location",
+        help=(
+            "Save the plot to a file instead of opening a window. "
+            "If no plot window is available, it is saved automatically."
+        ),
         action="store_true",
     )
     parser.add_argument(
@@ -702,8 +704,6 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
                             ] = compare_data
 
                         if args.plot and not args.html:
-                            from idstools.view.common import PlotCanvas
-
                             canvas = PlotCanvas(1, 1)
                             canvas.update_style(args.rc)
                             ax = canvas.add_axes(title="", xlabel="", row=0, col=0)
diff --git a/idstools/scripts/bin/idslist b/idstools/scripts/bin/idslist
index 63578322..c5cf7456 100644
--- a/idstools/scripts/bin/idslist
+++ b/idstools/scripts/bin/idslist
@@ -184,8 +184,8 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
                 type = time_array
             elif time_array is None:
                 value = f"{not_applicable}"
-                type = "unknown"
-            table.add_row(ids_name, value, Pretty(type))
+                type = not_applicable
+            table.add_row(ids_name, value, type if isinstance(type, str) else Pretty(type))
         if args.fullarray is True:
             with np.printoptions(threshold=sys.maxsize, linewidth=1024, precision=4):
                 console.print(table)
diff --git a/idstools/scripts/bin/idsprint b/idstools/scripts/bin/idsprint
index a0f65aef..e85df44e 100644
--- a/idstools/scripts/bin/idsprint
+++ b/idstools/scripts/bin/idsprint
@@ -522,7 +522,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
     )
     parser.add_argument(
         "--save",
-        help="Save figure at default location",
+        help=(
+            "Save the plot to a file instead of opening a window. "
+            "If no plot window is available, it is saved automatically."
+        ),
         action="store_true",
     )
     parser.add_argument(
@@ -559,7 +562,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
         table.add_column("SLICES", style="green")
         table.add_column("TIME", style="green")
         for ids_name, time_array in available_ids_and_times:
-            if len(time_array) == 1 and np.isnan(time_array[0]):
+            if time_array is None:
+                value = "N/A"
+                type = "unknown"
+            elif len(time_array) == 1 and np.isnan(time_array[0]):
                 value = f"{question_string}"
                 type = "heterogeneous IDS"
             elif len(time_array) == 1 and time_array[0] == -np.inf:
diff --git a/idstools/scripts/bin/plotcoresources b/idstools/scripts/bin/plotcoresources
index 6e7f268c..6388fc40 100644
--- a/idstools/scripts/bin/plotcoresources
+++ b/idstools/scripts/bin/plotcoresources
@@ -35,7 +35,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
     parser.add_argument("-t", "--time", help="time", required=False, type=float, default=-99.0)
     parser.add_argument(
         "--save",
-        help="Save figure at default location",
+        help=(
+            "Save the plot to a file instead of opening a window. "
+            "If no plot window is available, it is saved automatically."
+        ),
         action="store_true",
     )
     parser.add_argument(
diff --git a/idstools/scripts/bin/plotcoretransport b/idstools/scripts/bin/plotcoretransport
index 7eb2c9da..da0a4c96 100644
--- a/idstools/scripts/bin/plotcoretransport
+++ b/idstools/scripts/bin/plotcoretransport
@@ -64,7 +64,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
     )
     parser.add_argument(
         "--save",
-        help="Save figure at default location",
+        help=(
+            "Save the plot to a file instead of opening a window. "
+            "If no plot window is available, it is saved automatically."
+        ),
         action="store_true",
     )
     parser.add_argument(
diff --git a/idstools/scripts/bin/ploteccomposition b/idstools/scripts/bin/ploteccomposition
index 8b94d9f8..adf983df 100644
--- a/idstools/scripts/bin/ploteccomposition
+++ b/idstools/scripts/bin/ploteccomposition
@@ -52,7 +52,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
     )
     parser.add_argument(
         "--save",
-        help="Save figure at default location",
+        help=(
+            "Save the plot to a file instead of opening a window. "
+            "If no plot window is available, it is saved automatically."
+        ),
         action="store_true",
     )
     parser.add_argument(
diff --git a/idstools/scripts/bin/plotecray b/idstools/scripts/bin/plotecray
index b9968b75..c858fa90 100644
--- a/idstools/scripts/bin/plotecray
+++ b/idstools/scripts/bin/plotecray
@@ -68,7 +68,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
 
     parser.add_argument(
         "--save",
-        help="Save figure at default location",
+        help=(
+            "Save the plot to a file instead of opening a window. "
+            "If no plot window is available, it is saved automatically."
+        ),
         action="store_true",
     )
     parser.add_argument(
diff --git a/idstools/scripts/bin/plotecstrayradiation b/idstools/scripts/bin/plotecstrayradiation
index 8d734f26..7604bfd3 100644
--- a/idstools/scripts/bin/plotecstrayradiation
+++ b/idstools/scripts/bin/plotecstrayradiation
@@ -56,7 +56,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
     )
     parser.add_argument(
         "--save",
-        help="Save figure at default location",
+        help=(
+            "Save the plot to a file instead of opening a window. "
+            "If no plot window is available, it is saved automatically."
+        ),
         action="store_true",
     )
     parser.add_argument(
diff --git a/idstools/scripts/bin/plotedgeprofiles b/idstools/scripts/bin/plotedgeprofiles
index 76656958..f554f9de 100644
--- a/idstools/scripts/bin/plotedgeprofiles
+++ b/idstools/scripts/bin/plotedgeprofiles
@@ -59,7 +59,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
     )
     parser.add_argument(
         "--save",
-        help="Save figure at default location",
+        help=(
+            "Save the plot to a file instead of opening a window. "
+            "If no plot window is available, it is saved automatically."
+        ),
         action="store_true",
     )
     parser.add_argument(
diff --git a/idstools/scripts/bin/plotequicomp b/idstools/scripts/bin/plotequicomp
index 19f5a53d..cea4782d 100644
--- a/idstools/scripts/bin/plotequicomp
+++ b/idstools/scripts/bin/plotequicomp
@@ -10,6 +10,9 @@ try:
 except ImportError:
     import imas
 import numpy as np
+
+# PlotCanvas configures a --rc backend before Matplotlib is imported.
+from idstools.view.common import PROVENANCE_TITLE_STYLE, PlotCanvas
 from matplotlib.animation import FuncAnimation
 from matplotlib.widgets import Slider
 from rich_argparse import RichHelpFormatter
@@ -20,7 +23,6 @@ from idstools.utils.clihelper import (
     rcparam_parser,
 )
 from idstools.utils.idslogger import setup_logger
-from idstools.view.common import PROVENANCE_TITLE_STYLE, PlotCanvas
 from idstools.view.equilibrium import EquilibriumView
 from idstools.view.wall import WallView
 
@@ -58,7 +60,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
 
     parser.add_argument(
         "--save",
-        help="Save figure at default location",
+        help=(
+            "Save the plot to a file instead of opening a window. "
+            "If no plot window is available, it is saved automatically."
+        ),
         action="store_true",
     )
     parser.add_argument(
diff --git a/idstools/scripts/bin/plotequilibrium b/idstools/scripts/bin/plotequilibrium
index d6053d4f..1da27c78 100644
--- a/idstools/scripts/bin/plotequilibrium
+++ b/idstools/scripts/bin/plotequilibrium
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ try:
     import imaspy as imas
 except ImportError:
     import imas
+# PlotCanvas configures a --rc backend before mpl_toolkits imports Matplotlib.
+from idstools.view.common import PlotCanvas
 from mpl_toolkits.axes_grid1.inset_locator import inset_axes
 from rich_argparse import RichHelpFormatter
 
@@ -27,7 +29,6 @@ from idstools.utils.clihelper import (
     rcparam_parser,
 )
 from idstools.utils.idslogger import setup_logger
-from idstools.view.common import PlotCanvas
 from idstools.view.domain.mdplot import plot_machine_description
 from idstools.view.equilibrium import EquilibriumView
 
@@ -86,7 +87,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
     )
     parser.add_argument(
         "--save",
-        help="Save figure at default location",
+        help=(
+            "Save the plot to a file instead of opening a window. "
+            "If no plot window is available, it is saved automatically."
+        ),
         action="store_true",
     )
     parser.add_argument(
diff --git a/idstools/scripts/bin/plothcd b/idstools/scripts/bin/plothcd
index 8b90ec57..d9001d3f 100644
--- a/idstools/scripts/bin/plothcd
+++ b/idstools/scripts/bin/plothcd
@@ -272,7 +272,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
     )
     parser.add_argument(
         "--save",
-        help="Save figure at default location",
+        help=(
+            "Save the plot to a file instead of opening a window. "
+            "If no plot window is available, it is saved automatically."
+        ),
         action="store_true",
     )
     parser.add_argument(
diff --git a/idstools/scripts/bin/plothcddistributions b/idstools/scripts/bin/plothcddistributions
index 5ceeeaa6..a03d0c2e 100644
--- a/idstools/scripts/bin/plothcddistributions
+++ b/idstools/scripts/bin/plothcddistributions
@@ -92,7 +92,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
 
     parser.add_argument(
         "--save",
-        help="Save figure at default location",
+        help=(
+            "Save the plot to a file instead of opening a window. "
+            "If no plot window is available, it is saved automatically."
+        ),
         action="store_true",
     )
     parser.add_argument(
diff --git a/idstools/scripts/bin/plothcdwaves b/idstools/scripts/bin/plothcdwaves
index 5eddd9e3..462123e4 100644
--- a/idstools/scripts/bin/plothcdwaves
+++ b/idstools/scripts/bin/plothcdwaves
@@ -127,7 +127,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
     parser.add_argument("-l", "--hide_legend", help="remove the legend from graphs", action="store_true")
     parser.add_argument(
         "--save",
-        help="Save figure at default location",
+        help=(
+            "Save the plot to a file instead of opening a window. "
+            "If no plot window is available, it is saved automatically."
+        ),
         action="store_true",
     )
     parser.add_argument(
diff --git a/idstools/scripts/bin/plotkineticprofiles b/idstools/scripts/bin/plotkineticprofiles
index 1016cf72..078cae1b 100644
--- a/idstools/scripts/bin/plotkineticprofiles
+++ b/idstools/scripts/bin/plotkineticprofiles
@@ -36,7 +36,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
     )
     parser.add_argument(
         "--save",
-        help="Save figure at default location",
+        help=(
+            "Save the plot to a file instead of opening a window. "
+            "If no plot window is available, it is saved automatically."
+        ),
         action="store_true",
     )
     parser.add_argument(
diff --git a/idstools/scripts/bin/plotmachinedescription b/idstools/scripts/bin/plotmachinedescription
index bf661565..cad8e9eb 100644
--- a/idstools/scripts/bin/plotmachinedescription
+++ b/idstools/scripts/bin/plotmachinedescription
@@ -52,7 +52,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
     )
     parser.add_argument(
         "--save",
-        help="Save figure at default location",
+        help=(
+            "Save the plot to a file instead of opening a window. "
+            "If no plot window is available, it is saved automatically."
+        ),
         action="store_true",
     )
     parser.add_argument(
diff --git a/idstools/scripts/bin/plotneutron b/idstools/scripts/bin/plotneutron
index ec26631f..efc29de4 100644
--- a/idstools/scripts/bin/plotneutron
+++ b/idstools/scripts/bin/plotneutron
@@ -38,7 +38,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
     parser.add_argument("-t", "--time", help="Time", required=False, type=float, default=-99.0)
     parser.add_argument(
         "--save",
-        help="Save figure at default location",
+        help=(
+            "Save the plot to a file instead of opening a window. "
+            "If no plot window is available, it is saved automatically."
+        ),
         action="store_true",
     )
     parser.add_argument(
diff --git a/idstools/scripts/bin/plotpressure b/idstools/scripts/bin/plotpressure
index 2ab2f476..6751a4ef 100644
--- a/idstools/scripts/bin/plotpressure
+++ b/idstools/scripts/bin/plotpressure
@@ -40,7 +40,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
     parser.add_argument("-t", "--time", type=float, help="Time", default=-99)
     parser.add_argument(
         "--save",
-        help="Save figure at default location",
+        help=(
+            "Save the plot to a file instead of opening a window. "
+            "If no plot window is available, it is saved automatically."
+        ),
         action="store_true",
     )
     parser.add_argument(
diff --git a/idstools/scripts/bin/plotrotation b/idstools/scripts/bin/plotrotation
index 819d83ff..43fcbd46 100644
--- a/idstools/scripts/bin/plotrotation
+++ b/idstools/scripts/bin/plotrotation
@@ -36,7 +36,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
     parser.add_argument("-t", "--time", help="Time", required=False, type=float, default=99.0)
     parser.add_argument(
         "--save",
-        help="Save figure at default location",
+        help=(
+            "Save the plot to a file instead of opening a window. "
+            "If no plot window is available, it is saved automatically."
+        ),
         action="store_true",
     )
     parser.add_argument(
diff --git a/idstools/scripts/bin/plotscenario b/idstools/scripts/bin/plotscenario
index 87ce34a3..1b2a2ad2 100644
--- a/idstools/scripts/bin/plotscenario
+++ b/idstools/scripts/bin/plotscenario
@@ -54,7 +54,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
     )
     parser.add_argument(
         "--save",
-        help="Save figure at default location",
+        help=(
+            "Save the plot to a file instead of opening a window. "
+            "If no plot window is available, it is saved automatically."
+        ),
         action="store_true",
     )
     parser.add_argument(
diff --git a/idstools/scripts/bin/plotspectrometry b/idstools/scripts/bin/plotspectrometry
index d5d86d4b..45ff434e 100644
--- a/idstools/scripts/bin/plotspectrometry
+++ b/idstools/scripts/bin/plotspectrometry
@@ -42,7 +42,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
     )
     parser.add_argument(
         "--save",
-        help="Save figure at default location",
+        help=(
+            "Save the plot to a file instead of opening a window. "
+            "If no plot window is available, it is saved automatically."
+        ),
         action="store_true",
     )
     parser.add_argument(
diff --git a/idstools/utils/clihelper.py b/idstools/utils/clihelper.py
index d5c9a438..9df05215 100644
--- a/idstools/utils/clihelper.py
+++ b/idstools/utils/clihelper.py
@@ -1,6 +1,17 @@
 import argparse
+import logging
 import os
 import re
+from datetime import datetime
+
+from idstools.utils.matplotlib_backend import (
+    _configure_backend_from_cli_rc,
+    _is_jupyter,
+)
+
+_configure_backend_from_cli_rc()
+
+logger = logging.getLogger("module")
 
 try:
     import imaspy as imas
@@ -196,38 +207,45 @@ def get_title(imasargs, title="", time_value=None):
 
 
 def get_file_name(imasargs, title="", time_value=None):
-    _file_name = ""
-    if title:
-        _file_name += f"{title}_"
-    if "uri" in imasargs.__dict__ and imasargs.uri:
-        param = get_details_from_uri(imasargs.uri)
-        if param["pathPresent"]:
-            _file_name += f"PATH_{param['path'].replace('/', '_')}_"
-        else:
-            _file_name += f"PULSE_{param['pulse']}_RUN_{param['run']}_"
-    else:
-        _file_name += f"PULSE_{imasargs.pulse}_RUN_{imasargs.run}_"
-    if time_value:
-        _file_name += f"TIME_{time_value:.3f}"
-    _file_name += ".png"
-    return _file_name
+    tool_name = title or "plot"
+    timestamp = datetime.now().strftime("%Y%m%d_%H%M%S")
+    return f"{tool_name}_{timestamp}.png"
+
+
+def _is_interactive_backend(canvas):
+    """Return True for GUI and notebook widget backends."""
+    import matplotlib
+
+    backend = matplotlib.get_backend().lower()
+    if backend in ("widget", "ipympl", "module://ipympl.backend_nbagg"):
+        return True
+    return getattr(canvas.fig.canvas, "required_interactive_framework", None) is not None
 
 
 def show_plot(canvas, imasargs, title="", time_value=None, fname=None, show_kwargs=None):
-    """Save non-interactive canvases automatically, otherwise show the plot."""
-    noninteractive = getattr(canvas.fig.canvas, "required_interactive_framework", None) is None
-    if not imasargs.save and not noninteractive:
+    """Display interactive plots and save non-interactive plots automatically."""
+    noninteractive = not _is_interactive_backend(canvas)
+    if not imasargs.save and (_is_jupyter() or not noninteractive):
         canvas.show(**(show_kwargs or {}))
         return
 
+    automatic_save = noninteractive and not imasargs.save
     if fname is None:
         fname = get_file_name(imasargs, title, time_value)
-    if noninteractive and not imasargs.save:
+    if automatic_save:
         extension = canvas.fig.canvas.get_default_filetype()
         fname = f"{os.path.splitext(fname)[0]}.{extension}"
     if imasargs.directory:
         os.makedirs(imasargs.directory, exist_ok=True)
         fname = os.path.join(imasargs.directory, fname)
+    if automatic_save:
+        import matplotlib
+
+        logger.info(
+            "Non-interactive Matplotlib backend '%s' detected; saving figure to %s",
+            matplotlib.get_backend(),
+            fname,
+        )
     canvas.save(fname)
 
 
diff --git a/idstools/utils/idshelper.py b/idstools/utils/idshelper.py
index c4b0c6e7..e2c41956 100644
--- a/idstools/utils/idshelper.py
+++ b/idstools/utils/idshelper.py
@@ -447,8 +447,12 @@ def get_available_ids_and_times(db_entry_object) -> list:
                     time_array = [-np.inf]
             except Exception as e:
                 logger.debug(f"{e}")
-                time_array = []
-                logger.info(f"ERROR! IDS {_ids_name} : Reading time array fails due to following problem : {e}")
+                time_array = None
+                logger.warning(
+                    "Unable to read the time array for IDS %s: %s",
+                    _ids_name,
+                    e,
+                )
             if occurrence != 0:
                 result.append((f"{_ids_name}/{occurrence}", time_array))
             else:
diff --git a/idstools/utils/matplotlib_backend.py b/idstools/utils/matplotlib_backend.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..0b726b1a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/idstools/utils/matplotlib_backend.py
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+"""Configure Matplotlib before importing Matplotlib itself."""
+
+import ast
+import os
+import sys
+
+
+def _backend_from_cli_rc(argv):
+    """Return a backend requested by a ``--rc backend=...`` option."""
+    for index, argument in enumerate(argv):
+        if argument == "--rc" and index + 1 < len(argv):
+            rc_string = argv[index + 1]
+        elif argument.startswith("--rc="):
+            rc_string = argument.split("=", 1)[1]
+        else:
+            continue
+        for item in rc_string.split(";"):
+            key, separator, value = item.partition("=")
+            if separator and key.strip() == "backend":
+                value = value.strip()
+                try:
+                    value = ast.literal_eval(value)
+                except (SyntaxError, ValueError):
+                    pass
+                return str(value)
+    return None
+
+
+def _configure_backend_from_cli_rc(argv=None):
+    """Set ``MPLBACKEND`` from command-line rcParams before Matplotlib loads."""
+    requested_backend = _backend_from_cli_rc(sys.argv if argv is None else argv)
+    if requested_backend:
+        os.environ["MPLBACKEND"] = requested_backend
+    return requested_backend
+
+
+def _is_jupyter():
+    """Return True if running inside a Jupyter notebook/lab/Colab kernel."""
+    try:
+        from IPython import get_ipython
+
+        shell = get_ipython()
+        if shell is None:
+            return False
+        return shell.__class__.__name__ in ("ZMQInteractiveShell", "Shell")
+    except ImportError:
+        return False
diff --git a/idstools/view/common.py b/idstools/view/common.py
index d38e79ac..67ad60f9 100644
--- a/idstools/view/common.py
+++ b/idstools/view/common.py
@@ -1,73 +1,16 @@
-import ast
 import logging
 import os
 import sys
 
+from idstools.utils.matplotlib_backend import (
+    _configure_backend_from_cli_rc,
+    _is_jupyter,
+)
 
-def _backend_from_cli_rc(argv):
-    """Return a backend requested by a --rc backend=... command-line option."""
-    for index, argument in enumerate(argv):
-        if argument == "--rc" and index + 1 < len(argv):
-            rc_string = argv[index + 1]
-        elif argument.startswith("--rc="):
-            rc_string = argument.split("=", 1)[1]
-        else:
-            continue
-        for item in rc_string.split(";"):
-            key, separator, value = item.partition("=")
-            if separator and key.strip() == "backend":
-                value = value.strip()
-                try:
-                    value = ast.literal_eval(value)
-                except (SyntaxError, ValueError):
-                    pass
-                return str(value)
-    return None
-
-
-_requested_backend = _backend_from_cli_rc(sys.argv)
-if _requested_backend:
-    os.environ["MPLBACKEND"] = _requested_backend
+_configure_backend_from_cli_rc()
 
 import matplotlib  # noqa: E402 - backend env must be set before importing matplotlib
 
-
-def _is_jupyter() -> bool:
-    """Return True if running inside a Jupyter notebook/lab/Colab kernel."""
-    try:
-        from IPython import get_ipython
-
-        shell = get_ipython()
-        if shell is None:
-            return False
-        shell_class = shell.__class__.__name__
-        # ZMQInteractiveShell: Jupyter Notebook/Lab
-        # Shell: Google Colab
-        return shell_class in ("ZMQInteractiveShell", "Shell")
-    except ImportError:
-        return False
-
-
-if not os.environ.get("MPLBACKEND"):
-    if _is_jupyter():
-        if "matplotlib.pyplot" not in sys.modules:
-            try:
-                import ipympl  # noqa: F401 - imported to check availability
-
-                matplotlib.use("widget")
-            except ImportError:
-                matplotlib.use("agg")
-    elif sys.platform.startswith("win") or "DISPLAY" in os.environ:
-
-        try:
-            import tkinter  # noqa: F401 - imported to check availability
-
-            matplotlib.use("TkAgg")
-        except (ImportError, ModuleNotFoundError):
-            matplotlib.use("agg")
-    else:
-        matplotlib.use("agg")
-
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt  # noqa: E402
 
 logger = logging.getLogger("module")
@@ -266,8 +209,8 @@ def show(self, *args, **kwargs):
             None
 
         Notes:
-            Uses the TkAgg backend for window resizing when available.
-            Other backends (agg, Qt) may not support window maximization.
+            Window maximization depends on the backend selected by Matplotlib.
+            Some backends may not support it.
 
         Examples:
             >>> canvas = PlotCanvas()
@@ -281,14 +224,14 @@ def show(self, *args, **kwargs):
                 from IPython.display import display
 
                 display(self.fig)
-                if backend != "module://matplotlib_ipympl.backend_nbagg":
-                    plt.close("all")
+                if backend not in ("widget", "ipympl", "module://ipympl.backend_nbagg"):
+                    plt.close(self.fig)
             except ImportError:
                 pass
             return
         wm = self.get_current_fig_manager()
         try:
-            # Try to maximize the window (only works with TkAgg backend)
+            # Try to maximize the window when the active backend exposes one.
             window = wm.window
             screen_y = window.winfo_screenheight()
             screen_x = window.winfo_screenwidth()