diff --git a/examples/menu.ipynb b/examples/menu.ipynb
index 346813b..d7c5d79 100644
--- a/examples/menu.ipynb
+++ b/examples/menu.ipynb
@@ -110,6 +110,33 @@
     "menu.close()"
    ]
   },
+  {
+   "cell_type": "markdown",
+   "metadata": {},
+   "source": [
+    "### Built in menus\n",
+    "\n",
+    "The built in menus are accessible under `app.main_menu` and can be manipulated in the same way."
+   ]
+  },
+  {
+   "cell_type": "code",
+   "execution_count": null,
+   "metadata": {},
+   "outputs": [],
+   "source": [
+    "app.main_menu.file_menu.add_item(command=\"logconsole:open\")"
+   ]
+  },
+  {
+   "cell_type": "code",
+   "execution_count": null,
+   "metadata": {},
+   "outputs": [],
+   "source": [
+    "t = app.main_menu.file_menu.list_properties(\"commands\")"
+   ]
+  },
   {
    "cell_type": "markdown",
    "metadata": {},
diff --git a/ipylab/commands.py b/ipylab/commands.py
index ed9a0b1..c20b252 100644
--- a/ipylab/commands.py
+++ b/ipylab/commands.py
@@ -8,13 +8,13 @@
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, ClassVar, NotRequired, TypedDict, Unpack
 
 from ipywidgets import TypedTuple
-from traitlets import Bool, Container, Dict, Instance, Tuple, Unicode
 from traitlets import Callable as CallableTrait
+from traitlets import Container, Dict, Instance, Tuple, Unicode
 
 import ipylab
 from ipylab._compat.typing import override
 from ipylab.common import IpylabKwgs, Obj, TaskHooks, TransformType, pack
-from ipylab.connection import Connection
+from ipylab.connection import InfoConnection
 from ipylab.ipylab import Ipylab, IpylabBase, Transform, register
 from ipylab.widgets import Icon
 
@@ -44,12 +44,9 @@ class CommandOptions(TypedDict):
     usage: NotRequired[str]
 
 
-class CommandConnection(Connection):
+class CommandConnection(InfoConnection):
     """An Ipylab command registered in a command registry."""
 
-    auto_dispose = Bool(True).tag(sync=True)
-
-    info = Dict()
     args = Dict()
     python_command = CallableTrait(allow_none=False)
     namespace_name = Unicode("")
@@ -110,11 +107,9 @@ def execute(self, args: dict | None = None, **kwgs: Unpack[IpylabKwgs]):
         return self.commands.execute(self, args, **kwgs)
 
 
-class CommandPalletItemConnection(Connection):
+class CommandPalletItemConnection(InfoConnection):
     """An Ipylab command palette item."""
 
-    auto_dispose = Bool(True).tag(sync=True)
-    info = Dict()
     command = Instance(CommandConnection, ())
 
     @override
@@ -167,7 +162,7 @@ def remove(self, command: CommandConnection, category: str):
 class CommandRegistry(Ipylab):
     _model_name = Unicode("CommandRegistryModel").tag(sync=True)
     ipylab_base = IpylabBase(Obj.IpylabModel, "").tag(sync=True)
-    name = Unicode(APP_COMMANDS_NAME, read_only=True, help="Use the default registry").tag(sync=True)
+    name = Unicode(APP_COMMANDS_NAME, read_only=True).tag(sync=True)
     all_commands = Tuple(read_only=True).tag(sync=True)
     connections: Container[tuple[CommandConnection, ...]] = TypedTuple(trait=Instance(CommandConnection))
 
@@ -202,7 +197,7 @@ async def _do_operation_for_frontend(self, operation: str, payload: dict, buffer
         return await super()._do_operation_for_frontend(operation, payload, buffers)
 
     async def _execute_for_frontend(self, payload: dict, buffers: list):
-        conn = Connection.get_existing_connection(payload["id"], quiet=True)
+        conn = InfoConnection.get_existing_connection(payload["id"], quiet=True)
         if not isinstance(conn, CommandConnection):
             msg = f'Invalid command "{payload["id"]} {conn=}"'
             raise TypeError(msg)
@@ -273,7 +268,7 @@ def add_command(
 
     def remove_command(self, command: str | CommandConnection):
         cid = command.cid if isinstance(command, CommandConnection) else CommandConnection.to_cid(self.name, command)
-        if conn := Connection.get_existing_connection(cid, quiet=True):
+        if conn := InfoConnection.get_existing_connection(cid, quiet=True):
             conn.close()
         return cid
 
diff --git a/ipylab/connection.py b/ipylab/connection.py
index e8d1302..c256a4a 100644
--- a/ipylab/connection.py
+++ b/ipylab/connection.py
@@ -53,7 +53,6 @@ class Connection(Ipylab):
     ipylab_base = None
 
     auto_dispose = Bool(False, read_only=True, help="Dispose of the object in frontend when closed.").tag(sync=True)
-    info: Dict | None = None
 
     def __init_subclass__(cls, **kwargs) -> None:
         cls.prefix = f"{cls._PREFIX}{cls.__name__}{cls._SEP}"
@@ -76,8 +75,6 @@ def __str__(self):
     @property
     @override
     def repr_info(self):
-        if self.info:
-            return {"cid": self.cid, "info": self.info}
         return {"cid": self.cid}
 
     @classmethod
@@ -143,13 +140,25 @@ def get_existing_connection(cls, cid: str, *, quiet=False):
 Connection._CLASS_DEFINITIONS[Connection.prefix.strip(Connection._SEP)] = Connection  # noqa: SLF001
 
 
+class InfoConnection(Connection):
+    "A connection with info and auto_dispose enabled"
+
+    info = Dict(help="info about the item")
+    auto_dispose = Bool(True).tag(sync=True)
+
+    @property
+    @override
+    def repr_info(self):
+        return {"cid": self.cid, "info": self.info}
+
+
 class ShellConnection(Connection):
     "Provides a connection to a widget loaded in the shell"
 
     _model_name = Unicode("ShellConnectionModel").tag(sync=True)
+    auto_dispose = Bool(True).tag(sync=True)
 
     widget = Instance(Widget, allow_none=True, default_value=None, help="The widget that has the view")
-    auto_dispose = Bool(True).tag(sync=True)
 
     def __del__(self):
         """Object disposal"""
diff --git a/ipylab/ipylab.py b/ipylab/ipylab.py
index 5f34c30..e77a622 100644
--- a/ipylab/ipylab.py
+++ b/ipylab/ipylab.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 import traceback
 import uuid
 import weakref
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, TypeVar
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, Generic, TypeVar
 
 from ipywidgets import Widget, register
 from traitlets import Bool, Container, Dict, HasTraits, Instance, Set, TraitError, TraitType, Unicode, default, observe
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@
     from typing import ClassVar, Self, Unpack
 
 
-__all__ = ["Ipylab", "WidgetBase"]
+__all__ = ["Ipylab", "WidgetBase", "Readonly"]
 
 T = TypeVar("T")
 L = TypeVar("L", bound="Ipylab")
@@ -41,6 +41,22 @@ def __init__(self, base: Obj, subpath: str):
         super().__init__((base, subpath))
 
 
+class Readonly(Generic[T]):
+    __slots__ = ["_instances", "_klass", "_kwgs"]
+
+    def __init__(self, klass: type[T], **kwgs):
+        self._klass = klass
+        self._kwgs = kwgs
+        self._instances = weakref.WeakKeyDictionary()
+
+    def __get__(self, obj, objtype=None) -> T:
+        if obj is None:
+            return self  # type: ignore
+        if obj not in self._instances:
+            self._instances[obj] = self._klass(**self._kwgs)
+        return self._instances[obj]
+
+
 class Response(asyncio.Event):
     def set(self, payload, error: Exception | None = None) -> None:
         if getattr(self, "_value", False):
@@ -82,18 +98,19 @@ class Ipylab(WidgetBase):
     _python_class = Unicode().tag(sync=True)
     ipylab_base = IpylabBase(Obj.this, "").tag(sync=True)
     _ready = Bool(read_only=True, help="Set to by frontend when ready").tag(sync=True)
+
     _on_ready_callbacks: Container[set[Callable]] = Set()
 
     _async_widget_base_init_complete = False
     _single_map: ClassVar[dict[Hashable, str]] = {}  # single_key : model_id
     _single_models: ClassVar[dict[str, Self]] = {}  #  model_id   : Widget
-    _ready_event = Instance(asyncio.Event, ())
+    _ready_event = Readonly(asyncio.Event)
     _comm = None
 
     _pending_operations: Dict[str, Response] = Dict()
     _tasks: Container[set[asyncio.Task]] = Set()
     _has_attrs_mappings: Container[set[tuple[HasTraits, str]]] = Set()
-    close_extras: Container[weakref.WeakSet[Widget]] = Instance(weakref.WeakSet, (), help="extra items to close")  # type: ignore
+    close_extras: Readonly[weakref.WeakSet[Widget]] = Readonly(weakref.WeakSet)
     log = Instance(logging.Logger)
 
     @classmethod
@@ -158,9 +175,9 @@ def _observe_comm(self, change: dict):
             for task in self._tasks:
                 task.cancel()
             self._tasks.clear()
-            for item in self.close_extras:
+            for item in list(self.close_extras):
                 item.close()
-            for obj, name in self._has_attrs_mappings:
+            for obj, name in list(self._has_attrs_mappings):
                 if val := getattr(obj, name, None):
                     if val is self:
                         with contextlib.suppress(TraitError):
@@ -276,9 +293,9 @@ def close(self):
         super().close()
 
     async def ready(self):
-        if not ipylab.app._ready:  # noqa: SLF001
+        if not ipylab.app._ready_event._value:  # type: ignore # noqa: SLF001
             await ipylab.app.ready()
-        if not self._ready:
+        if not self._ready_event._value:  # type: ignore  # noqa: SLF001
             await self._ready_event.wait()
 
     def on_ready(self, callback, remove=False):  # noqa: FBT002
diff --git a/ipylab/jupyterfrontend.py b/ipylab/jupyterfrontend.py
index 4630d25..69fa544 100644
--- a/ipylab/jupyterfrontend.py
+++ b/ipylab/jupyterfrontend.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 from ipylab.commands import CommandPalette, CommandRegistry
 from ipylab.common import InsertMode, IpylabKwgs, Obj, pack
 from ipylab.dialog import Dialog
-from ipylab.ipylab import IpylabBase
+from ipylab.ipylab import IpylabBase, Readonly
 from ipylab.launcher import Launcher
 from ipylab.log import IpylabLogHandler, LogLevel
 from ipylab.menu import ContextMenu, MainMenu
@@ -60,15 +60,16 @@ class App(Ipylab):
     vpath = Unicode(read_only=True).tag(sync=True)
     per_kernel_widget_manager_detected = Bool(read_only=True).tag(sync=True)
 
-    shell = Instance(Shell, (), read_only=True)
-    dialog = Instance(Dialog, (), read_only=True)
-    commands = Instance(CommandRegistry, (), read_only=True)
-    command_pallet = Instance(CommandPalette, (), read_only=True)
-    launcher = Instance(Launcher, (), read_only=True)
-    session_manager = Instance(SessionManager, (), read_only=True)
-    main_menu = Instance(MainMenu, (), read_only=True)
-    context_menu = Instance(ContextMenu, (), read_only=True)
-    notification = Instance(NotificationManager, (), read_only=True)
+    shell = Readonly(Shell)
+    dialog = Readonly(Dialog)
+    commands = Readonly(CommandRegistry)
+    command_pallet = Readonly(CommandPalette)
+    launcher = Readonly(Launcher)
+    session_manager = Readonly(SessionManager)
+    main_menu = Readonly(MainMenu)
+    context_menu = Readonly(ContextMenu)
+    notification = Readonly(NotificationManager)
+
     console = Instance(ShellConnection, allow_none=True, read_only=True)
     logging_handler = Instance(logging.Handler, allow_none=True, read_only=True)
 
@@ -114,7 +115,7 @@ def repr_info(self):
 
     @override
     async def ready(self):
-        if not self._ready:
+        if not self._ready_event._value:  # type: ignore # noqa: SLF001
             await self._ready_event.wait()
 
     @override
diff --git a/ipylab/launcher.py b/ipylab/launcher.py
index c9e2f07..7bade81 100644
--- a/ipylab/launcher.py
+++ b/ipylab/launcher.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 
 from ipylab.commands import CommandConnection, CommandPalletItemConnection, CommandRegistry
 from ipylab.common import Obj, TaskHooks
-from ipylab.connection import Connection
+from ipylab.connection import InfoConnection
 from ipylab.ipylab import Ipylab, IpylabBase, Transform
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
@@ -50,6 +50,6 @@ def add(self, cmd: CommandConnection, category: str, *, rank=None, **args) -> Ta
 
     def remove(self, command: CommandConnection, category: str):
         cid = LauncherConnection.to_cid(command, category)
-        if conn := Connection.get_existing_connection(cid, quiet=True):
+        if conn := InfoConnection.get_existing_connection(cid, quiet=True):
             conn.close()
         return cid
diff --git a/ipylab/lib.py b/ipylab/lib.py
index 8b14b02..eee4094 100644
--- a/ipylab/lib.py
+++ b/ipylab/lib.py
@@ -40,8 +40,8 @@ def on_error(obj: Ipylab, source: ErrorSource, error: Exception):
         if not task.done():
             return
         task.result().close()
-    a = NotifyAction(label="📝", caption="Toggle log console", callback=obj.app.toggle_log_console, keep_open=True)
-    objects["error_task"] = obj.app.notification.notify(msg, type=ipylab.NotificationType.error, actions=[a])
+    a = NotifyAction(label="📝", caption="Toggle log console", callback=ipylab.app.toggle_log_console, keep_open=True)
+    objects["error_task"] = ipylab.app.notification.notify(msg, type=ipylab.NotificationType.error, actions=[a])
 
 
 @hookimpl
diff --git a/ipylab/menu.py b/ipylab/menu.py
index 6ee464e..69443fc 100644
--- a/ipylab/menu.py
+++ b/ipylab/menu.py
@@ -6,14 +6,14 @@
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 from ipywidgets import TypedTuple
-from traitlets import Bool, Container, Dict, Instance, Union
+from traitlets import Container, Instance, Union
 
 import ipylab
 from ipylab._compat.typing import override
 from ipylab.commands import APP_COMMANDS_NAME, CommandConnection, CommandRegistry
 from ipylab.common import Obj, pack
-from ipylab.connection import Connection
-from ipylab.ipylab import Ipylab, IpylabBase, Transform
+from ipylab.connection import InfoConnection
+from ipylab.ipylab import Ipylab, IpylabBase, Readonly, Transform
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from asyncio import Task
@@ -25,11 +25,9 @@
 __all__ = ["MenuItemConnection", "MenuConnection", "MainMenu", "ContextMenu"]
 
 
-class MenuItemConnection(Connection):
+class MenuItemConnection(InfoConnection):
     """A connection to an ipylab menu item."""
 
-    auto_dispose = Bool(True).tag(sync=True)
-    info = Dict()
     menu: Instance[RankedMenu] = Instance("ipylab.menu.RankedMenu")
 
 
@@ -96,11 +94,9 @@ async def activate():
         return self.to_task(activate())
 
 
-class MenuConnection(RankedMenu, Connection):
+class MenuConnection(RankedMenu, InfoConnection):
     """A connection to a custom menu"""
 
-    auto_dispose = Bool(True).tag(sync=True)
-    info = Dict()
     commands = Instance(CommandRegistry)
 
 
@@ -132,7 +128,7 @@ def create_menu(self, label: str, rank: int = 500) -> Task[MenuConnection]:
             "add_to_tuple_fwd": [(self, "connections")],
             "close_with_fwd": [self],
         }
-        return ipylab.app.execute_method(
+        return self.execute_method(
             "generateMenu",
             f"{pack(self.commands)}.base",
             options,
@@ -154,13 +150,13 @@ class MainMenu(Menu):
 
     ipylab_base = IpylabBase(Obj.IpylabModel, "mainMenu").tag(sync=True)
 
-    edit_menu = Instance(RankedMenu, kw={"ipylab_base": (Obj.IpylabModel, "menu.editMenu")})
-    file_menu = Instance(RankedMenu, kw={"basename": (Obj.IpylabModel, "menu.fileMenu")})
-    kernel_menu = Instance(RankedMenu, kw={"basename": (Obj.IpylabModel, "menu.kernelMenu")})
-    run_menu = Instance(RankedMenu, kw={"basename": (Obj.IpylabModel, "menu.runMenu")})
-    settings_menu = Instance(RankedMenu, kw={"basename": (Obj.IpylabModel, "menu.settingsMenu")})
-    view_menu = Instance(RankedMenu, kw={"basename": (Obj.IpylabModel, "menu.viewMenu")})
-    tabs_menu = Instance(RankedMenu, kw={"basename": (Obj.IpylabModel, "menu.tabsMenu")})
+    edit_menu = Readonly(RankedMenu, ipylab_base=(Obj.IpylabModel, "mainMenu.editMenu"))
+    file_menu = Readonly(RankedMenu, ipylab_base=(Obj.IpylabModel, "mainMenu.fileMenu"))
+    kernel_menu = Readonly(RankedMenu, ipylab_base=(Obj.IpylabModel, "mainMenu.kernelMenu"))
+    run_menu = Readonly(RankedMenu, ipylab_base=(Obj.IpylabModel, "mainMenu.runMenu"))
+    settings_menu = Readonly(RankedMenu, ipylab_base=(Obj.IpylabModel, "mainMenu.settingsMenu"))
+    view_menu = Readonly(RankedMenu, ipylab_base=(Obj.IpylabModel, "mainMenu.viewMenu"))
+    tabs_menu = Readonly(RankedMenu, ipylab_base=(Obj.IpylabModel, "mainMenu.tabsMenu"))
 
     @classmethod
     @override
diff --git a/ipylab/notification.py b/ipylab/notification.py
index eed30fc..e411952 100644
--- a/ipylab/notification.py
+++ b/ipylab/notification.py
@@ -8,12 +8,13 @@
 
 import traitlets
 from ipywidgets import TypedTuple, register
-from traitlets import Bool, Container, Dict, Instance, Unicode
+from traitlets import Container, Instance, Unicode
 
 import ipylab
-from ipylab import Connection, NotificationType, Transform, pack
+from ipylab import NotificationType, Transform, pack
 from ipylab._compat.typing import override
 from ipylab.common import Obj, TaskHooks, TransformType
+from ipylab.connection import InfoConnection
 from ipylab.ipylab import Ipylab, IpylabBase
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
@@ -33,17 +34,12 @@ class NotifyAction(TypedDict):
     caption: NotRequired[str]
 
 
-class ActionConnection(Connection):
+class ActionConnection(InfoConnection):
     callback = traitlets.Callable()
 
-    info = Dict(help="info about the item")
-    auto_dispose = Bool(True).tag(sync=True)
 
-
-class NotificationConnection(Connection):
-    info = Dict(help="info about the item")
+class NotificationConnection(InfoConnection):
     actions: Container[tuple[ActionConnection, ...]] = TypedTuple(trait=Instance(ActionConnection))
-    auto_dispose = Bool(True).tag(sync=True)
 
     def update(
         self,
@@ -86,7 +82,7 @@ class NotificationManager(Ipylab):
     ipylab_base = IpylabBase(Obj.IpylabModel, "Notification.manager").tag(sync=True)
 
     connections: Container[tuple[NotificationConnection | ActionConnection, ...]] = TypedTuple(
-        trait=Instance(Connection)
+        trait=Instance(InfoConnection)
     )
 
     @override
diff --git a/src/widgets/frontend.ts b/src/widgets/frontend.ts
index 1ac786b..388d8e7 100644
--- a/src/widgets/frontend.ts
+++ b/src/widgets/frontend.ts
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ export class JupyterFrontEndModel extends IpylabModel {
 
   initialize(attributes: any, options: any): void {
     super.initialize(attributes, options);
+    this.kernelId = this.kernel.id;
     this.logger = JFEM.loggerRegistry.getLogger(this.vpath);
     this.logger.stateChanged.connect(this.loggerStateChanged as any, this);
     Private.jfems.set(this.kernel.id, this);
@@ -44,7 +45,7 @@ export class JupyterFrontEndModel extends IpylabModel {
   }
 
   close(comm_closed?: boolean): Promise<void> {
-    Private.jfems.delete(this.kernel.id);
+    Private.jfems.delete(this.kernelId);
     Private.vpathTojfem.delete(this.vpath);
     JFEM.labShell.currentChanged.disconnect(this.updateSessionInfo, this);
     JFEM.labShell.activeChanged.disconnect(this.updateSessionInfo, this);
@@ -57,12 +58,12 @@ export class JupyterFrontEndModel extends IpylabModel {
     let vpath = this.get('vpath');
     if (!vpath) {
       const cs = this.get('current_session');
-      if (cs?.kernel?.id === this.kernel.id) {
+      if (cs?.kernel?.id === this.kernelId) {
         vpath = cs?.path;
       }
       if (!vpath) {
         for (const session of JFEM.sessionManager.running()) {
-          if (session.kernel.id === this.kernel.id) {
+          if (session.kernel.id === this.kernelId) {
             vpath = session.path;
             break;
           }
@@ -171,11 +172,8 @@ export class JupyterFrontEndModel extends IpylabModel {
       const getManager = (KernelWidgetManager as any).getManager;
       const widget_manager: KernelWidgetManager = await getManager(kernel);
       if (!Private.jfems.has(kernel.id)) {
-        // getManager will restore widgets so we only need to do this if ipylab wasn't imported.
-        widget_manager.kernel.requestExecute(
-          { code: `import ipylab;ipylab.App()` },
-          true
-        );
+        const code = 'import ipylab;ipylab.App()';
+        widget_manager.kernel.requestExecute({ code }, true);
       }
     }
     return await new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
@@ -270,7 +268,7 @@ export class JupyterFrontEndModel extends IpylabModel {
     const source = ipylabSettings.vpath;
     JFEM.app.commands.execute('logconsole:open', { source });
   }
-
+  kernelId: string;
   logger: ILogger;
   static loggerRegistry: ILoggerRegistry;
 }