diff --git a/graphics/element.lua b/graphics/element.lua
index 40b3f66..bad2a80 100644
--- a/graphics/element.lua
+++ b/graphics/element.lua
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ local element = {}
 ---@field parent? graphics_element
 ---@field id? string element id
 ---@field x? integer 1 if omitted
----@field y? integer 1 if omitted
+---@field y? integer next line if omitted
 ---@field offset_x? integer 0 if omitted
 ---@field offset_y? integer 0 if omitted
 ---@field width? integer parent width if omitted
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ function element.new(args)
         position = { x = 1, y = 1 },
         child_offset = { x = 0, y = 0 },
         bounds = { x1 = 1, y1 = 1, x2 = 1, y2 = 1},
+        next_y = 1,
         children = {},
         mt = {}
     }
@@ -46,84 +47,85 @@ function element.new(args)
         return "graphics.element{" .. self.elem_type .. "} @ " .. tostring(self)
     end
 
-    -- SETUP --
+    ---@class graphics_element
+    local public = {}
 
-    -- get the parent window
-    self.p_window = args.window
-    if self.p_window == nil and args.parent ~= nil then
-        self.p_window = args.parent.window()
-    end
-
-    -- check window
-    assert(self.p_window, "graphics.element{" .. self.elem_type .. "}: no parent window provided")
-
-    -- get frame coordinates/size
-    if args.gframe ~= nil then
-        protected.frame.x = args.gframe.x
-        protected.frame.y = args.gframe.y
-        protected.frame.w = args.gframe.w
-        protected.frame.h = args.gframe.h
-    else
-        local w, h = self.p_window.getSize()
-        protected.frame.x = args.x or 1
-        protected.frame.y = args.y or 1
-        protected.frame.w = args.width or w
-        protected.frame.h = args.height or h
-    end
-
-    -- inner offsets
-    if args.offset_x ~= nil then self.child_offset.x = args.offset_x end
-    if args.offset_y ~= nil then self.child_offset.y = args.offset_y end
-
-    -- adjust window frame if applicable
-    local f = protected.frame
-    local x = f.x
-    local y = f.y
-
-    -- apply offsets
-    if args.parent ~= nil then
-        -- offset x/y
-        local offset_x, offset_y = args.parent.get_offset()
-        x = x + offset_x
-        y = y + offset_y
-
-        -- constrain to parent inner width/height
-        local w, h = self.p_window.getSize()
-        f.w = math.min(f.w, w - ((2 * offset_x) + (f.x - 1)))
-        f.h = math.min(f.h, h - ((2 * offset_y) + (f.y - 1)))
-    end
-
-    -- check frame
-    assert(f.x >= 1, "graphics.element{" .. self.elem_type .. "}: frame x not >= 1")
-    assert(f.y >= 1, "graphics.element{" .. self.elem_type .. "}: frame y not >= 1")
-    assert(f.w >= 1, "graphics.element{" .. self.elem_type .. "}: frame width not >= 1")
-    assert(f.h >= 1, "graphics.element{" .. self.elem_type .. "}: frame height not >= 1")
-
-    -- create window
-    protected.window = window.create(self.p_window, x, y, f.w, f.h, true)
-
-    -- init colors
-    if args.fg_bg ~= nil then
-        protected.fg_bg = args.fg_bg
-    elseif args.parent ~= nil then
-        protected.fg_bg = args.parent.get_fg_bg()
-    end
-
-    -- set colors
-    protected.window.setBackgroundColor(protected.fg_bg.bkg)
-    protected.window.setTextColor(protected.fg_bg.fgd)
-    protected.window.clear()
-
-    -- record position
-    self.position.x, self.position.y = protected.window.getPosition()
-
-    -- calculate bounds
-    self.bounds.x1 = self.position.x
-    self.bounds.x2 = self.position.x + f.w - 1
-    self.bounds.y1 = self.position.y
-    self.bounds.y2 = self.position.y + f.h - 1
+    setmetatable(public, self.mt)
 
+    -------------------------
     -- PROTECTED FUNCTIONS --
+    -------------------------
+
+    -- prepare the template
+    ---@param offset_x integer x offset
+    ---@param offset_y integer y offset
+    ---@param next_y integer next line if no y was provided
+    function protected.prepare_template(offset_x, offset_y, next_y)
+        -- get frame coordinates/size
+        if args.gframe ~= nil then
+            protected.frame.x = args.gframe.x
+            protected.frame.y = args.gframe.y
+            protected.frame.w = args.gframe.w
+            protected.frame.h = args.gframe.h
+        else
+            local w, h = self.p_window.getSize()
+            protected.frame.x = args.x or 1
+            protected.frame.y = args.y or next_y
+            protected.frame.w = args.width or w
+            protected.frame.h = args.height or h
+        end
+
+        -- inner offsets
+        if args.offset_x ~= nil then self.child_offset.x = args.offset_x end
+        if args.offset_y ~= nil then self.child_offset.y = args.offset_y end
+
+        -- adjust window frame if applicable
+        local f = protected.frame
+        local x = f.x
+        local y = f.y
+
+        -- apply offsets
+        if args.parent ~= nil then
+            -- constrain to parent inner width/height
+            local w, h = self.p_window.getSize()
+            f.w = math.min(f.w, w - ((2 * offset_x) + (f.x - 1)))
+            f.h = math.min(f.h, h - ((2 * offset_y) + (f.y - 1)))
+
+            -- offset x/y
+            f.x = x + offset_x
+            f.y = y + offset_y
+        end
+
+        -- check frame
+        assert(f.x >= 1, "graphics.element{" .. self.elem_type .. "}: frame x not >= 1")
+        assert(f.y >= 1, "graphics.element{" .. self.elem_type .. "}: frame y not >= 1")
+        assert(f.w >= 1, "graphics.element{" .. self.elem_type .. "}: frame width not >= 1")
+        assert(f.h >= 1, "graphics.element{" .. self.elem_type .. "}: frame height not >= 1")
+
+        -- create window
+        protected.window = window.create(self.p_window, f.x, f.y, f.w, f.h, true)
+
+        -- init colors
+        if args.fg_bg ~= nil then
+            protected.fg_bg = args.fg_bg
+        elseif args.parent ~= nil then
+            protected.fg_bg = args.parent.get_fg_bg()
+        end
+
+        -- set colors
+        protected.window.setBackgroundColor(protected.fg_bg.bkg)
+        protected.window.setTextColor(protected.fg_bg.fgd)
+        protected.window.clear()
+
+        -- record position
+        self.position.x, self.position.y = protected.window.getPosition()
+
+        -- calculate bounds
+        self.bounds.x1 = self.position.x
+        self.bounds.x2 = self.position.x + f.w - 1
+        self.bounds.y1 = self.position.y
+        self.bounds.y2 = self.position.y + f.h - 1
+    end
 
     -- handle a touch event
     ---@param event table monitor_touch event
@@ -139,43 +141,56 @@ function element.new(args)
         return nil
     end
 
-    ---@class graphics_element
-    local public = {}
-
-    setmetatable(public, self.mt)
-
-    -- get public interface and wrap up element creation
+    -- get public interface
     ---@return graphics_element element, element_id id
-    function protected.complete()
-        if not self.define_completed then
-            self.define_completed = true
+    function protected.get() return public, self.id end
 
-            if args.parent then
-                self.id = args.parent.__add_child(args.id, public)
-            end
+    -----------
+    -- SETUP --
+    -----------
 
-            return public, self.id
-        else
-            assert("graphics.element{" .. self.elem_type .. "}: illegal duplicate call to complete()")
-        end
+    -- get the parent window
+    self.p_window = args.window
+    if self.p_window == nil and args.parent ~= nil then
+        self.p_window = args.parent.window()
     end
 
+    -- check window
+    assert(self.p_window, "graphics.element{" .. self.elem_type .. "}: no parent window provided")
+
+    -- prepare the template
+    if args.parent == nil then
+        protected.prepare_template(0, 0, 1)
+    else
+        self.id = args.parent.__add_child(args.id, protected)
+    end
+
+    ----------------------
     -- PUBLIC FUNCTIONS --
+    ----------------------
 
     -- get the window object
     function public.window() return protected.window end
 
+    -- CHILD ELEMENTS --
+
     -- add a child element
     ---@param key string|nil id
-    ---@param child graphics_element
-    ---@return graphics_element element, integer|string key
+    ---@param child graphics_template
+    ---@return integer|string key
     function public.__add_child(key, child)
+        child.prepare_template(self.child_offset.x, self.child_offset.y, self.next_y)
+
+        self.next_y = child.frame.y + child.frame.h
+
+        local child_element = child.get()
+
         if key == nil then
-            table.insert(self.children, child)
-            return child, #self.children
+            table.insert(self.children, child_element)
+            return #self.children
         else
-            self.children[key] = child
-            return child, key
+            self.children[key] = child_element
+            return key
         end
     end
 
@@ -203,15 +218,16 @@ function element.new(args)
         return nil
     end
 
+    -- AUTO-PLACEMENT --
+
+    -- skip a line for automatically placed elements
+    function public.line_break() self.next_y = self.next_y + 1 end
+
+    -- PROPERTIES --
+
     -- get the foreground/background colors
     function public.get_fg_bg() return protected.fg_bg end
 
-    -- get offset from this element's frame
-    ---@return integer x, integer y
-    function public.get_offset()
-        return self.child_offset.x, self.child_offset.y
-    end
-
     -- get element width
     function public.width()
         return protected.frame.w
@@ -222,6 +238,13 @@ function element.new(args)
         return protected.frame.h
     end
 
+    -- get the control value reading
+    function public.get_value()
+        return protected.get_value()
+    end
+
+    -- FUNCTION CALLBACKS --
+
     -- handle a monitor touch
     ---@param event monitor_touch monitor touch event
     function public.handle_touch(event)
@@ -244,10 +267,7 @@ function element.new(args)
         protected.on_update(...)
     end
 
-    -- get the control value reading
-    function public.get_value()
-        return protected.get_value()
-    end
+    -- VISIBILITY --
 
     -- show the element
     function public.show()
diff --git a/graphics/elements/controls/push_button.lua b/graphics/elements/controls/push_button.lua
index 35e70a6..5e2bf4d 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/controls/push_button.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/controls/push_button.lua
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ local function push_button(args)
         args.callback()
     end
 
-    return e.complete()
+    return e.get()
 end
 
 return push_button
diff --git a/graphics/elements/controls/scram_button.lua b/graphics/elements/controls/scram_button.lua
index e916fbe..bac3045 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/controls/scram_button.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/controls/scram_button.lua
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ local function scram_button(args)
         args.callback()
     end
 
-    return e.complete()
+    return e.get()
 end
 
 return scram_button
diff --git a/graphics/elements/controls/spinbox_numeric.lua b/graphics/elements/controls/spinbox_numeric.lua
index 16237d6..55b80ce 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/controls/spinbox_numeric.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/controls/spinbox_numeric.lua
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ local function spinbox(args)
     ---@return number|integer
     function e.get_value() return value end
 
-    return e.complete()
+    return e.get()
 end
 
 return spinbox
diff --git a/graphics/elements/controls/switch_button.lua b/graphics/elements/controls/switch_button.lua
index aae443c..964eada 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/controls/switch_button.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/controls/switch_button.lua
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ local function switch_button(args)
         args.callback(state)
     end
 
-    return e.complete()
+    return e.get()
 end
 
 return switch_button
diff --git a/graphics/elements/displaybox.lua b/graphics/elements/displaybox.lua
index 218f599..0d7fd47 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/displaybox.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/displaybox.lua
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ local element = require("graphics.element")
 ---@param args displaybox_args
 local function displaybox(args)
     -- create new graphics element base object
-    return element.new(args).complete()
+    return element.new(args).get()
 end
 
 return displaybox
diff --git a/graphics/elements/div.lua b/graphics/elements/div.lua
index 0864b36..59e3a1e 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/div.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/div.lua
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ local element = require("graphics.element")
 ---@return graphics_element element, element_id id
 local function div(args)
     -- create new graphics element base object
-    return element.new(args).complete()
+    return element.new(args).get()
 end
 
 return div
diff --git a/graphics/elements/indicators/data.lua b/graphics/elements/indicators/data.lua
index 1022551..86e248b 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/indicators/data.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/indicators/data.lua
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ local function data(args)
     -- initial value draw
     e.on_update(args.value)
 
-    return e.complete()
+    return e.get()
 end
 
 return data
diff --git a/graphics/elements/indicators/hbar.lua b/graphics/elements/indicators/hbar.lua
index 53862aa..a45eb91 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/indicators/hbar.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/indicators/hbar.lua
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ local function hbar(args)
     -- initialize to 0
     e.on_update(0)
 
-    return e.complete()
+    return e.get()
 end
 
 return hbar
diff --git a/graphics/elements/indicators/icon.lua b/graphics/elements/indicators/icon.lua
index a33711a..cdbcf9e 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/indicators/icon.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/indicators/icon.lua
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ local function icon(args)
     -- initial icon draw
     e.on_update(args.value or 1)
 
-    return e.complete()
+    return e.get()
 end
 
 return icon
diff --git a/graphics/elements/indicators/light.lua b/graphics/elements/indicators/light.lua
index f902bfb..e16a68a 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/indicators/light.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/indicators/light.lua
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ local function indicator_light(args)
     e.on_update(false)
     e.window.write(args.label)
 
-    return e.complete()
+    return e.get()
 end
 
 return indicator_light
diff --git a/graphics/elements/indicators/state.lua b/graphics/elements/indicators/state.lua
index 2311d3d..a3d5854 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/indicators/state.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/indicators/state.lua
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ local function state_indicator(args)
     -- initial draw
     e.on_update(args.value or 1)
 
-    return e.complete()
+    return e.get()
 end
 
 return state_indicator
diff --git a/graphics/elements/indicators/vbar.lua b/graphics/elements/indicators/vbar.lua
index 8b3d9ba..114fb77 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/indicators/vbar.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/indicators/vbar.lua
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ local function vbar(args)
         end
     end
 
-    return e.complete()
+    return e.get()
 end
 
 return vbar
diff --git a/graphics/elements/pipenet.lua b/graphics/elements/pipenet.lua
index 81e7b0a..71ee9fd 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/pipenet.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/pipenet.lua
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ local function pipenet(args)
 
     end
 
-    return e.complete()
+    return e.get()
 end
 
 return pipenet
diff --git a/graphics/elements/rectangle.lua b/graphics/elements/rectangle.lua
index 12dacac..b7ece93 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/rectangle.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/rectangle.lua
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ local function rectangle(args)
         end
     end
 
-    return e.complete()
+    return e.get()
 end
 
 return rectangle
diff --git a/graphics/elements/textbox.lua b/graphics/elements/textbox.lua
index 1d76f4e..14b5591 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/textbox.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/textbox.lua
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ local function textbox(args)
         e.window.write(lines[i])
     end
 
-    return e.complete()
+    return e.get()
 end
 
 return textbox
diff --git a/graphics/elements/tiling.lua b/graphics/elements/tiling.lua
index 9f94d97..4d20025 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/tiling.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/tiling.lua
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ local function tiling(args)
         end
     end
 
-    return e.complete()
+    return e.get()
 end
 
 return tiling