diff --git a/src/pyFAI/app/average.py b/src/pyFAI/app/average.py
index f275b7995..9bafa99d8 100755
--- a/src/pyFAI/app/average.py
+++ b/src/pyFAI/app/average.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
 __contact__ = "Jerome.Kieffer@ESRF.eu"
 __license__ = "MIT"
 __copyright__ = "European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble, France"
-__date__ = "21/01/2020"
+__date__ = "27/09/2024"
 __status__ = "production"
 
 import os
@@ -47,10 +47,9 @@
 except ImportError:
     logger.debug("Unable to load hdf5plugin, backtrace:", exc_info=True)
 
-import pyFAI.utils.shell
-from pyFAI.utils import logging_utils
-import pyFAI.utils.stringutil
-from pyFAI import average
+from ..utils import logging_utils, stringutil, shell
+from .. import average
+from .. import version as pyFAI_version, date as pyFAI_date
 
 
 def parse_algorithms(options):
@@ -199,9 +198,13 @@ def show_info(self):
             self.__bar.display()
 
 
-def main():
+def main(args=None):
+    """start the program
+
+    :param args: list of arguments, i.e sys.argv[1:]
+    """
     usage = "pyFAI-average [options] [options] -o output.edf file1.edf file2.edf ..."
-    version = "pyFAI-average version %s from %s" % (pyFAI.version, pyFAI.date)
+    version = "pyFAI-average version %s from %s" % (pyFAI_version, pyFAI_date)
     description = """
     This tool can be used to average out a set of dark current images using
     mean or median filter (along the image stack). One can also reject outliers
@@ -248,7 +251,7 @@ def main():
     parser.add_argument("args", metavar='FILE', type=str, nargs='+',
                         help="Files to be processed")
 
-    options = parser.parse_args()
+    options = parser.parse_args(args)
 
     # logging
     if options.verbose is True:
diff --git a/src/pyFAI/app/benchmark.py b/src/pyFAI/app/benchmark.py
index f98ec18c6..86aca2e91 100755
--- a/src/pyFAI/app/benchmark.py
+++ b/src/pyFAI/app/benchmark.py
@@ -32,9 +32,10 @@
 __contact__ = "Jerome.Kieffer@ESRF.eu"
 __license__ = "MIT"
 __copyright__ = "European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble, France"
-__date__ = "28/05/2024"
+__date__ = "27/09/2024"
 __status__ = "development"
 
+from argparse import ArgumentParser
 import logging
 try:
     logging.basicConfig(level=logging.WARNING, force=True)
@@ -52,16 +53,15 @@
     rconsole.spawn_server()
 except ImportError:
     logger.debug("No socket opened for debugging. Please install rfoo")
-import pyFAI.benchmark
+from .. import benchmark, version as pyFAI_version, date as pyFAI_date
 
 
-def main():
-    from argparse import ArgumentParser
+def main(args=None):
     description = """Benchmark for Azimuthal integration
     """
     epilog = """  """
     usage = """benchmark [options] """
-    version = "pyFAI benchmark version " + pyFAI.version
+    version = f"pyFAI benchmark version {pyFAI_version}"
     parser = ArgumentParser(usage=usage, description=description, epilog=epilog)
     parser.add_argument("-v", "--version", action='version', version=version)
     parser.add_argument("-d", "--debug",
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ def main():
                         action="store_true", dest="all", default=False,
                         help="Benchmark using all available methods and devices")
 
-    options = parser.parse_args()
+    options = parser.parse_args(args)
     if options.debug:
         pyFAI.logger.setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
 
diff --git a/src/pyFAI/app/detector2nexus.py b/src/pyFAI/app/detector2nexus.py
index 243f9d679..3e6672824 100755
--- a/src/pyFAI/app/detector2nexus.py
+++ b/src/pyFAI/app/detector2nexus.py
@@ -28,17 +28,14 @@
 #  THE SOFTWARE.
 
 """Converts a detector description into a NeXus detector usable by other pyFAI utilities"""
-__author__ = "Jerome Kieffer"
+__author__ = "Jérôme Kieffer"
 __contact__ = "Jerome.Kieffer@ESRF.eu"
 __license__ = "MIT"
 __copyright__ = "European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble, France"
-__date__ = "21/05/2024"
+__date__ = "27/09/2024"
 __status__ = "development"
 
 import sys
-import numpy
-import fabio
-import pyFAI
 from argparse import ArgumentParser
 import logging
 logging.basicConfig(level=logging.INFO)
@@ -48,11 +45,14 @@
     import hdf5plugin  # noqa
 except ImportError:
     logger.debug("Unable to load hdf5plugin, backtrace:", exc_info=True)
+import numpy
+import fabio
+from .. import version as pyFAI_version, date as pyFAI_date
+from ..detectors import detector_factory
 
-
-def main():
+def main(args=None):
     usage = "detector2nexus [options] [options] -o nxs.h5"
-    version = "detector2nexus version %s from %s" % (pyFAI.version, pyFAI.date)
+    version = "detector2nexus version %s from %s" % (pyFAI_version, pyFAI_date)
     description = """
     Convert a complex detector definition (multiple modules, possibly in 3D)
     into a single NeXus detector definition together with the mask (and much more in the future)
@@ -94,19 +94,22 @@ def main():
     # parser.add_argument("args", metavar='FILE', type=str, nargs='+',
     #                     help="Files to be processed")
 
-    argv = sys.argv
+    if args is None:
+        argv = sys.argv[1:]
+    else:
+        argv = args
     # hidden backward compatibility for -dx and -dy
     # A short option only expect a single char
     argv = ["-" + a if a.startswith("-dx") else a for a in argv]
     argv = ["-" + a if a.startswith("-dy") else a for a in argv]
-    options = parser.parse_args(args=argv[1:])
+    options = parser.parse_args(args=argv)
 
     if options.verbose:
         logger.setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
     else:
         logger.setLevel(logging.INFO)
 
-    detector = pyFAI.detector_factory(options.detector)
+    detector = detector_factory(options.detector)
     if options.output:
         output = options.output
     else:
diff --git a/src/pyFAI/app/diff_map.py b/src/pyFAI/app/diff_map.py
index 975fbbb59..50d7a09fe 100755
--- a/src/pyFAI/app/diff_map.py
+++ b/src/pyFAI/app/diff_map.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
 __contact__ = "Jerome.Kieffer@ESRF.eu"
 __license__ = "MIT"
 __copyright__ = "European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble, France"
-__date__ = "14/03/2024"
+__date__ = "27/09/2024"
 __satus__ = "Production"
 
 import sys
@@ -46,18 +46,18 @@
 except ImportError:
     logger.debug("Unable to load hdf5plugin, backtrace:", exc_info=True)
 
-from pyFAI.diffmap import DiffMap
+from ..diffmap import DiffMap
 
 
-def main():
+def main(args=None):
 
     dt = DiffMap()
-    options, config = dt.parse(with_config=True)
+    options, config = dt.parse(args, with_config=True)
 
     if options.gui:
         from silx.gui import qt
-        from pyFAI.gui.diffmap_widget import DiffMapWidget
-        from pyFAI.gui.ApplicationContext import ApplicationContext
+        from ..gui.diffmap_widget import DiffMapWidget
+        from ..gui.ApplicationContext import ApplicationContext
         settings = qt.QSettings(qt.QSettings.IniFormat,
                             qt.QSettings.UserScope,
                             "pyfai",
diff --git a/src/pyFAI/app/diff_tomo.py b/src/pyFAI/app/diff_tomo.py
index 55125bae1..16131cfd9 100755
--- a/src/pyFAI/app/diff_tomo.py
+++ b/src/pyFAI/app/diff_tomo.py
@@ -29,15 +29,17 @@
 
 """CLI interface for diffraction tomography data reduction"""
 
-__author__ = "Jerome Kieffer"
+__author__ = "Jérôme Kieffer"
 __contact__ = "Jerome.Kieffer@ESRF.eu"
 __license__ = "MIT"
 __copyright__ = "European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble, France"
-__date__ = "08/01/2021"
+__date__ = "27/09/2024"
 __satus__ = "Production"
 
 import os
 import glob
+from argparse import ArgumentParser
+from urllib.parse import urlparse
 import logging
 logging.basicConfig(level=logging.INFO)
 logging.captureWarnings(True)
@@ -47,11 +49,8 @@
 except ImportError:
     logger.debug("Unable to load hdf5plugin, backtrace:", exc_info=True)
 
-from pyFAI import version as PyFAI_VERSION
-from pyFAI import date as PyFAI_DATE
-from pyFAI.diffmap import DiffMap
-from argparse import ArgumentParser
-from urllib.parse import urlparse
+from .. import version as PyFAI_VERSION, date as PyFAI_DATE
+from ..diffmap import DiffMap
 
 
 class DiffTomo(DiffMap):
@@ -74,7 +73,7 @@ def __init__(self, nTrans=1, nRot=1, nDiff=1000):
         self.slow_motor_name = "rotation"
         self.fast_motor_name = "translation"
 
-    def parse(self, with_config=False):
+    def parse(self, args=None, with_config=False):
         """
         parse options from command line
         """
@@ -137,7 +136,7 @@ def parse(self, with_config=False):
         parser.add_argument("-S", "--stats", dest="stats", action="store_true",
                             help="show statistics at the end", default=False)
 
-        options = parser.parse_args()
+        options = parser.parse_args(args)
         args = options.args
 
         if options.verbose:
@@ -202,9 +201,9 @@ def parse(self, with_config=False):
         return options
 
 
-def main():
+def main(args=None):
     dt = DiffTomo()
-    dt.parse()
+    dt.parse(args)
     dt.setup_ai()
     dt.makeHDF5()
     dt.process()
diff --git a/src/pyFAI/app/eiger_mask.py b/src/pyFAI/app/eiger_mask.py
index b639e0d91..785349d7b 100755
--- a/src/pyFAI/app/eiger_mask.py
+++ b/src/pyFAI/app/eiger_mask.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
 __contact__ = "Jerome.Kieffer@ESRF.eu"
 __license__ = "MIT"
 __copyright__ = "European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble, France"
-__date__ = "05/09/2023"
+__date__ = "27/09/2024"
 __satus__ = "development"
 
 import os
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@
     logger.debug("Unable to load hdf5plugin, backtrace:", exc_info=True)
 
 import fabio
-import pyFAI
+from .. import version as pyFAI_version, date as pyFAI_date
 
 try:
     import h5py
@@ -72,9 +72,9 @@ def extract_mask(infile):
     return detectorSpecific["pixel_mask"].value
 
 
-def main():
+def main(args=None):
     description = "A tool to extract the mask from an Eiger detector file."
-    version = "eiger-mask version %s from %s" % (pyFAI.version, pyFAI.date)
+    version = f"eiger-mask version {pyFAI_version} from {pyFAI_date}"
     epilog = None
     if h5py is None:
         epilog = "Python h5py module is missing. It has to be installed to use this application"
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ def main():
     parser.add_argument("-V", "--version", action='version', version=version)
     parser.add_argument('input_file', help='Input file. Must be an HDF5 file.')
     parser.add_argument('output_file', nargs="?", help='Output file. It can be an msk, tif, or an edf file.')
-    options = parser.parse_args()
+    options = parser.parse_args(args)
 
     if h5py is None:
         logger.error("Python h5py module is expected to use this script")
diff --git a/src/pyFAI/app/integrate.py b/src/pyFAI/app/integrate.py
index f2dca2851..9d2f291bf 100755
--- a/src/pyFAI/app/integrate.py
+++ b/src/pyFAI/app/integrate.py
@@ -29,11 +29,11 @@
 
 """GUI tool for configuring azimuthal integration on series of files."""
 
-__author__ = "Jerome Kieffer"
+__author__ = "Jérôme Kieffer"
 __contact__ = "Jerome.Kieffer@ESRF.eu"
 __license__ = "MIT"
 __copyright__ = "European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble, France"
-__date__ = "13/03/2023"
+__date__ = "27/09/2024"
 __satus__ = "production"
 
 import sys
@@ -54,14 +54,11 @@
 
 import fabio
 
-import pyFAI.utils
-import pyFAI.worker
-import pyFAI.io
-from pyFAI.io import DefaultAiWriter
-from pyFAI.io import HDF5Writer
-from pyFAI.utils.shell import ProgressBar
-from pyFAI.utils import logging_utils
-from pyFAI.utils import header_utils
+from .. import utils, worker, io, version as pyFAI_version, date as pyFAI_date
+from ..io import DefaultAiWriter, HDF5Writer
+from ..utils.shell import ProgressBar
+from ..utils import logging_utils, header_utils
+from ..worker import Worker
 
 try:
     from rfoo.utils import rconsole
@@ -73,12 +70,12 @@
 
 def integrate_gui(options, args):
     from silx.gui import qt
-    from pyFAI.gui.IntegrationDialog import IntegrationDialog
-    from pyFAI.gui.IntegrationDialog import IntegrationProcess
+    from ..gui.IntegrationDialog import IntegrationDialog
+    from ..gui.IntegrationDialog import IntegrationProcess
 
     app = qt.QApplication([])
 
-    from pyFAI.gui.ApplicationContext import ApplicationContext
+    from ..gui.ApplicationContext import ApplicationContext
     settings = qt.QSettings(qt.QSettings.IniFormat,
                             qt.QSettings.UserScope,
                             "pyfai",
@@ -473,7 +470,7 @@ def frames(self):
             next_id += 1
 
 
-class MultiFileWriter(pyFAI.io.Writer):
+class MultiFileWriter(io.Writer):
     """Broadcast writing to differnet files for each frames"""
 
     def __init__(self, output_path, mode=HDF5Writer.MODE_ERROR):
@@ -611,7 +608,7 @@ def process(input_data, output, config, monitor_name, observer, write_mode=HDF5W
         # Create a null observer to avoid to deal with None
         observer = IntegrationObserver()
 
-    worker = pyFAI.worker.Worker()
+    worker = Worker()
     worker_config = config.copy()
 
     json_monitor_name = worker_config.pop("monitor_name", None)
@@ -772,7 +769,7 @@ def _main(args):
     :rtype: int
     """
     usage = "pyFAI-integrate [options] file1.edf file2.edf ..."
-    version = "pyFAI-integrate version %s from %s" % (pyFAI.version, pyFAI.date)
+    version = "pyFAI-integrate version %s from %s" % (pyFAI_version, pyFAI_date)
     description = """
     PyFAI-integrate is a graphical interface (based on Python/Qt4) to perform azimuthal integration
 on a set of files. It exposes most of the important options available within pyFAI and allows you
@@ -863,8 +860,7 @@ def _main(args):
     return result
 
 
-def main():
-    args = sys.argv[1:]
+def main(args=None):
     result = _main(args)
     sys.exit(result)
 
diff --git a/src/pyFAI/app/peakfinder.py b/src/pyFAI/app/peakfinder.py
index 85b14d5ad..bc3f330ba 100644
--- a/src/pyFAI/app/peakfinder.py
+++ b/src/pyFAI/app/peakfinder.py
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@
 __contact__ = "Jerome.Kieffer@ESRF.eu"
 __license__ = "MIT"
 __copyright__ = "European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble, France"
-__date__ = "21/05/2024"
+__date__ = "27/09/2024"
 __status__ = "production"
 
 import os
@@ -54,6 +54,8 @@
 import gc
 from collections import OrderedDict, namedtuple
 import numexpr
+from threading import Thread, Semaphore, Event
+from queue import Queue, Empty
 import logging
 logging.basicConfig(level=logging.INFO)
 logging.captureWarnings(True)
@@ -75,8 +77,6 @@
     from ..opencl.peak_finder import OCL_PeakFinder
 from ..utils.shell import ProgressBar
 from ..io.spots import save_spots_nexus, save_spots_cxi
-from threading import Thread, Semaphore, Event
-from queue import Queue, Empty
 
 # Define few constants:
 EXIT_SUCCESS = 0
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ def expand_args(args):
     return new
 
 
-def parse():
+def parse(args=None):
     epilog = "Current status of the program: " + __status__
     parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(prog="peakfinder",
                                      description=__doc__,
@@ -334,7 +334,7 @@ def parse():
     group.add_argument("--device-type", type=str, default="all",
                        help="device type like `cpu` or `gpu` or `acc`. Can help to select the proper device.")
     try:
-        args = parser.parse_args()
+        args = parser.parse_args(args)
 
         if args.debug:
             logger.setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
@@ -491,8 +491,8 @@ def process(options):
     return EXIT_ARGUMENT_FAILURE if abort.is_set() else EXIT_SUCCESS
 
 
-def main():
-    options = parse()
+def main(args=None):
+    options = parse(args)
     if options == EXIT_ARGUMENT_FAILURE:
         sys.exit(EXIT_ARGUMENT_FAILURE)
     res = process(options)
diff --git a/src/pyFAI/app/pilx.py b/src/pyFAI/app/pilx.py
index 1c273fd32..8b161dff0 100755
--- a/src/pyFAI/app/pilx.py
+++ b/src/pyFAI/app/pilx.py
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
 __contact__ = "loic.huder@ESRF.eu"
 __license__ = "MIT"
 __copyright__ = "European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble, France"
-__date__ = "12/03/2024"
+__date__ = "27/09/2024"
 __status__ = "development"
 
 from silx.gui import qt
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@
 from ..gui.pilx.MainWindow import MainWindow
 
 
-def main():
+def main(args=None):
     parser = argparse.ArgumentParser()
     parser.add_argument("filename")
     parser.add_argument("-d", "--data", dest="data_path",
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ def main():
                         help="inner path to the Nexus process with the integrated Data",
                         default="/entry_0000/pyFAI",)
 
-    options = parser.parse_args(sys.argv[1:])
+    options = parser.parse_args(args)
 
     app = qt.QApplication([])
     window = MainWindow()
diff --git a/src/pyFAI/app/saxs.py b/src/pyFAI/app/saxs.py
index 47ebaec88..fc59415e1 100755
--- a/src/pyFAI/app/saxs.py
+++ b/src/pyFAI/app/saxs.py
@@ -28,11 +28,11 @@
 #  THE SOFTWARE.
 #
 """Integrate 2D images into SAXS patterns. Also used in PDF measurements"""
-__author__ = "Jerome Kieffer, Picca Frédéric-Emmanuel"
+__author__ = "Jérôme Kieffer, Picca Frédéric-Emmanuel"
 __contact__ = "Jerome.Kieffer@ESRF.eu"
 __license__ = "MIT"
 __copyright__ = "European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble, France"
-__date__ = "21/05/2024"
+__date__ = "27/09/2024"
 __status__ = "production"
 
 import os
@@ -49,17 +49,16 @@
     logger.debug("Unable to load hdf5plugin, backtrace:", exc_info=True)
 
 import fabio
-from pyFAI import date, version as pyFAI_version
-from pyFAI import units
-from pyFAI import utils
-from pyFAI.method_registry import IntegrationMethod
-from pyFAI.azimuthalIntegrator import AzimuthalIntegrator
+
+from .. import date as pyFAI_date, version as pyFAI_version, units, utils
+from ..method_registry import IntegrationMethod
+from ..azimuthalIntegrator import AzimuthalIntegrator
 hc = units.hc
 
 
-def main():
+def main(args=None):
     usage = "pyFAI-saxs [options] -n 1000 -p ponifile file1.edf file2.edf ..."
-    version = "PyFAI-saxs version %s from %s " % (pyFAI_version, date)
+    version = "PyFAI-saxs version %s from %s " % (pyFAI_version, pyFAI_date)
     description = """Azimuthal integration for SAXS users."""
     epilog = """pyFAI-saxs is the SAXS script of pyFAI that allows data
     reduction (azimuthal integration) for Small Angle Scattering with output
@@ -115,7 +114,7 @@ def main():
                         type=str, default=None,
                         help="Integration method ")
 
-    options = parser.parse_args()
+    options = parser.parse_args(args)
     if len(options.args) < 1:
         logger.error("incorrect number of arguments")
     to_process = utils.expand_args(options.args)
diff --git a/src/pyFAI/app/sparsify.py b/src/pyFAI/app/sparsify.py
index 6b185298f..45ce3e7c3 100644
--- a/src/pyFAI/app/sparsify.py
+++ b/src/pyFAI/app/sparsify.py
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@
 __contact__ = "Jerome.Kieffer@ESRF.eu"
 __license__ = "MIT"
 __copyright__ = "European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble, France"
-__date__ = "21/05/2024"
+__date__ = "27/09/2024"
 __status__ = "production"
 
 import os
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ def expand_args(args):
     return new
 
 
-def parse():
+def parse(args=None):
     epilog = "Current status of the program: " + __status__
     parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(prog="spasify-Bragg",
                                      description=__doc__,
@@ -336,12 +336,12 @@ def parse():
     group.add_argument("--device-type", type=str, default="all",
                        help="device type like `cpu` or `gpu` or `acc`. Can help to select the proper device.")
     try:
-        args = parser.parse_args()
+        arguments = parser.parse_args(args=args)
 
-        if args.debug:
+        if arguments.debug:
             logger.setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
 
-        if len(args.IMAGE) == 0:
+        if len(arguments.IMAGE) == 0:
             raise argparse.ArgumentError(None, "No input file specified.")
         if ocl is None:
             raise RuntimeError("sparsify-Brgg requires _really_ a valide OpenCL environment. Please install pyopencl !")
@@ -352,9 +352,9 @@ def parse():
         return EXIT_ARGUMENT_FAILURE
     else:
         # the upper case IMAGE is used for the --help auto-documentation
-        args.images = expand_args(args.IMAGE)
-        args.images.sort()
-        return args
+        arguments.images = expand_args(arguments.IMAGE)
+        arguments.images.sort()
+        return arguments
 
 
 def process(options):
@@ -488,8 +488,8 @@ def process(options):
     return EXIT_ARGUMENT_FAILURE if abort.is_set() else EXIT_SUCCESS
 
 
-def main():
-    options = parse()
+def main(args=None):
+    options = parse(args)
     if options == EXIT_ARGUMENT_FAILURE:
         sys.exit(EXIT_ARGUMENT_FAILURE)
     res = process(options)
diff --git a/src/pyFAI/app/waxs.py b/src/pyFAI/app/waxs.py
index 2a812cc43..4ad3e4b19 100755
--- a/src/pyFAI/app/waxs.py
+++ b/src/pyFAI/app/waxs.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
 __contact__ = "Jerome.Kieffer@ESRF.eu"
 __license__ = "MIT"
 __copyright__ = "European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble, France"
-__date__ = "21/05/2024"
+__date__ = "27/09/2024"
 __status__ = "production"
 
 import os
@@ -50,18 +50,16 @@
     logger.debug("Unable to load hdf5plugin, backtrace:", exc_info=True)
 import fabio
 
-from pyFAI import date, version as pyFAI_version
-from pyFAI import units
-from pyFAI import utils
-from pyFAI.average import average_dark
-from pyFAI.azimuthalIntegrator import AzimuthalIntegrator
-from pyFAI.method_registry import IntegrationMethod
+from .. import date as pyFAI_date, version as pyFAI_version, units, utils
+from ..average import average_dark
+from ..azimuthalIntegrator import AzimuthalIntegrator
+from ..method_registry import IntegrationMethod
 hc = units.hc
 
 
-def main():
+def main(args=None):
     usage = "pyFAI-waxs [options] -p ponifile file1.edf file2.edf ..."
-    version = "pyFAI-waxs version %s from %s" % (pyFAI_version, date)
+    version = "pyFAI-waxs version %s from %s" % (pyFAI_version, pyFAI_date)
     description = "Azimuthal integration for powder diffraction."
     epilog = """pyFAI-waxs is the script of pyFAI that allows data reduction
     (azimuthal integration) for Wide Angle Scattering to produce X-Ray Powder
@@ -128,7 +126,7 @@ def main():
                         default=False, action="store_true",
                         help="Perform 2D integration in addition to 1D")
 
-    options = parser.parse_args()
+    options = parser.parse_args(args)
     if len(options.args) < 1:
         logger.error("incorrect number of arguments")
 
diff --git a/src/pyFAI/diffmap.py b/src/pyFAI/diffmap.py
index b423ef447..c0df58a6f 100644
--- a/src/pyFAI/diffmap.py
+++ b/src/pyFAI/diffmap.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
 __contact__ = "Jerome.Kieffer@ESRF.eu"
 __license__ = "MIT"
 __copyright__ = "European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble, France"
-__date__ = "16/09/2024"
+__date__ = "27/09/2024"
 __status__ = "development"
 __docformat__ = 'restructuredtext'
 
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ def parse(self, sysargv=None, with_config=False):
         Parse options from command line in order to setup the object.
         Does not configure the worker, please use
 
-        :param sysargv: list of arguments passed on the command line (mostly for debug/test)
+        :param sysargv: list of arguments passed on the command line (mostly for debug/test), first element removed
         :param with_config: parse also the config (as another dict) and return (options, config)
         :return: options, a dictionary able to setup a DiffMapWidget
         """
diff --git a/src/pyFAI/test/test_scripts.py b/src/pyFAI/test/test_scripts.py
index a06890391..cc1b4add4 100644
--- a/src/pyFAI/test/test_scripts.py
+++ b/src/pyFAI/test/test_scripts.py
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
 __contact__ = "valentin.valls@esrf.fr"
 __license__ = "MIT"
 __copyright__ = "European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble, France"
-__date__ = "16/10/2020"
+__date__ = "27/09/2024"
 
 import sys
 import unittest
@@ -78,14 +78,11 @@ def executeCommandLine(self, command_line, env):
             _logger.debug("%s", err)
         self.assertEqual(p.returncode, 0)
 
-    def executeAppHelp(self, script_name, module_name):
-        script = UtilsTest.script_path(script_name, module_name)
+    def executeAppHelp(self, script_name, module_name, function="main", help="--help"):
+        script = f"import {module_name}; {module_name}.{function}(['{help}'])"
         env = UtilsTest.get_test_env()
-        if script.endswith(".exe"):
-            command_line = [script]
-        else:
-            command_line = [sys.executable, script]
-        command_line.append("--help")
+        command_line = [sys.executable, "-c", script]
+        print(command_line)
         self.executeCommandLine(command_line, env)
 
     def testDetector2Nexus(self):
@@ -109,9 +106,18 @@ def testPyfaiBenchmark(self):
     def testPyfaiIntegrate(self):
         self.executeAppHelp("pyFAI-integrate", "pyFAI.app.integrate")
 
+    def testPeakfinder(self):
+        self.executeAppHelp("peakfinder", "pyFAI.app.peakfinder")
+
+    def testPilx(self):
+        self.executeAppHelp("pyFAI-diffmap-view", "pyFAI.app.pilx")
+
     def testPyfaiSaxs(self):
         self.executeAppHelp("pyFAI-saxs", "pyFAI.app.saxs")
 
+    def testSparsify(self):
+        self.executeAppHelp("sparsify-Bragg", "pyFAI.app.sparsify")
+
     def testPyfaiWaxs(self):
         self.executeAppHelp("pyFAI-waxs", "pyFAI.app.waxs")