diff --git a/include/app.hpp b/include/app.hpp
index 7e1545d6..47ca2dda 100644
--- a/include/app.hpp
+++ b/include/app.hpp
@@ -218,6 +218,16 @@ struct ParamWidget : OpaqueWidget, QuantityWidget {
 	virtual void randomize();
 	void onMouseDown(EventMouseDown &e) override;
 	void onChange(EventChange &e) override;
+
+	template <typename T = ParamWidget>
+	static T *create(Vec pos, Module *module, int paramId, float minValue, float maxValue, float defaultValue) {
+		T *o = Widget::create<T>(pos);
+		o->module = module;
+		o->paramId = paramId;
+		o->setLimits(minValue, maxValue);
+		o->setDefaultValue(defaultValue);
+		return o;
+	}
 };
 
 /** Implements vertical dragging behavior for ParamWidgets */
@@ -351,6 +361,14 @@ struct ModuleLightWidget : MultiLightWidget {
 	Module *module = NULL;
 	int firstLightId;
 	void step() override;
+
+	template <typename T = ModuleLightWidget>
+	static T *create(Vec pos, Module *module, int firstLightId) {
+		T *o = Widget::create<T>(pos);
+		o->module = module;
+		o->firstLightId = firstLightId;
+		return o;
+	}
 };
 
 ////////////////////
@@ -378,6 +396,24 @@ struct Port : OpaqueWidget {
 	void onDragDrop(EventDragDrop &e) override;
 	void onDragEnter(EventDragEnter &e) override;
 	void onDragLeave(EventDragEnter &e) override;
+
+	template <typename T = Port>
+	static T *createInput(Vec pos, Module *module, int portId) {
+		T *o = Widget::create<T>(pos);
+		o->type = INPUT;
+		o->module = module;
+		o->portId = portId;
+		return o;
+	}
+
+	template <typename T = Port>
+	static T *createOutput(Vec pos, Module *module, int portId) {
+		T *o = Widget::create<T>(pos);
+		o->type = OUTPUT;
+		o->module = module;
+		o->portId = portId;
+		return o;
+	}
 };
 
 struct SVGPort : Port, FramebufferWidget {
diff --git a/include/rack.hpp b/include/rack.hpp
index 027e3c50..4364f9fc 100644
--- a/include/rack.hpp
+++ b/include/rack.hpp
@@ -33,15 +33,17 @@ Model *createModel(std::string manufacturer, std::string slug, std::string name,
 	return model;
 }
 
+/** Deprecated, use Widget::create<TScrew>() instead */
 template <class TScrew>
-TScrew *createScrew(Vec pos) {
+DEPRECATED TScrew *createScrew(Vec pos) {
 	TScrew *screw = new TScrew();
 	screw->box.pos = pos;
 	return screw;
 }
 
+/** Deprecated, use ParamWidget::create<TParamWidget>() instead */
 template <class TParamWidget>
-TParamWidget *createParam(Vec pos, Module *module, int paramId, float minValue, float maxValue, float defaultValue) {
+DEPRECATED TParamWidget *createParam(Vec pos, Module *module, int paramId, float minValue, float maxValue, float defaultValue) {
 	TParamWidget *param = new TParamWidget();
 	param->box.pos = pos;
 	param->module = module;
@@ -51,8 +53,9 @@ TParamWidget *createParam(Vec pos, Module *module, int paramId, float minValue,
 	return param;
 }
 
+/** Deprecated, use Port::createInput<TPort>() instead */
 template <class TPort>
-TPort *createInput(Vec pos, Module *module, int inputId) {
+DEPRECATED TPort *createInput(Vec pos, Module *module, int inputId) {
 	TPort *port = new TPort();
 	port->box.pos = pos;
 	port->module = module;
@@ -61,8 +64,9 @@ TPort *createInput(Vec pos, Module *module, int inputId) {
 	return port;
 }
 
+/** Deprecated, use Port::createInput<TPort>() instead */
 template <class TPort>
-TPort *createOutput(Vec pos, Module *module, int outputId) {
+DEPRECATED TPort *createOutput(Vec pos, Module *module, int outputId) {
 	TPort *port = new TPort();
 	port->box.pos = pos;
 	port->module = module;
@@ -71,8 +75,9 @@ TPort *createOutput(Vec pos, Module *module, int outputId) {
 	return port;
 }
 
+/** Deprecated, use ModuleLightWidget::create<TModuleLightWidget>() instead */
 template<class TModuleLightWidget>
-TModuleLightWidget *createLight(Vec pos, Module *module, int firstLightId) {
+DEPRECATED TModuleLightWidget *createLight(Vec pos, Module *module, int firstLightId) {
 	TModuleLightWidget *light = new TModuleLightWidget();
 	light->box.pos = pos;
 	light->module = module;
diff --git a/include/util/math.hpp b/include/util/math.hpp
index 8ec9e068..f4b9f586 100644
--- a/include/util/math.hpp
+++ b/include/util/math.hpp
@@ -271,24 +271,24 @@ inline Vec Vec::clamp(Rect bound) {
 // Deprecated functions
 ////////////////////
 
-inline int DEPRECATED mini(int a, int b) {return min(a, b);}
-inline int DEPRECATED maxi(int a, int b) {return max(a, b);}
-inline int DEPRECATED clampi(int x, int min, int max) {return clamp(x, min, max);}
-inline int DEPRECATED absi(int a) {return abs(a);}
-inline int DEPRECATED eucmodi(int a, int base) {return eucmod(a, base);}
-inline int DEPRECATED log2i(int n) {return log2(n);}
-inline bool DEPRECATED ispow2i(int n) {return ispow2(n);}
-inline float DEPRECATED absf(float x) {return abs(x);}
-inline float DEPRECATED sgnf(float x) {return sgn(x);}
-inline float DEPRECATED eucmodf(float a, float base) {return eucmod(a, base);}
-inline bool DEPRECATED nearf(float a, float b, float epsilon = 1.0e-6f) {return isNear(a, b, epsilon);}
-inline float DEPRECATED clampf(float x, float min, float max) {return clamp(x, min, max);}
-inline float DEPRECATED clamp2f(float x, float min, float max) {return clamp2(x, min, max);}
-inline float DEPRECATED chopf(float x, float eps) {return chop(x, eps);}
-inline float DEPRECATED rescalef(float x, float xMin, float xMax, float yMin, float yMax) {return rescale(x, xMin, xMax, yMin, yMax);}
-inline float DEPRECATED crossf(float a, float b, float frac) {return crossfade(a, b, frac);}
-inline float DEPRECATED interpf(const float *p, float x) {return interpolateLinear(p, x);}
-inline void DEPRECATED cmultf(float *cr, float *ci, float ar, float ai, float br, float bi) {return cmult(cr, ci, ar, ai, br, bi);}
+DEPRECATED inline int mini(int a, int b) {return min(a, b);}
+DEPRECATED inline int maxi(int a, int b) {return max(a, b);}
+DEPRECATED inline int clampi(int x, int min, int max) {return clamp(x, min, max);}
+DEPRECATED inline int absi(int a) {return abs(a);}
+DEPRECATED inline int eucmodi(int a, int base) {return eucmod(a, base);}
+DEPRECATED inline int log2i(int n) {return log2(n);}
+DEPRECATED inline bool ispow2i(int n) {return ispow2(n);}
+DEPRECATED inline float absf(float x) {return abs(x);}
+DEPRECATED inline float sgnf(float x) {return sgn(x);}
+DEPRECATED inline float eucmodf(float a, float base) {return eucmod(a, base);}
+DEPRECATED inline bool nearf(float a, float b, float epsilon = 1.0e-6f) {return isNear(a, b, epsilon);}
+DEPRECATED inline float clampf(float x, float min, float max) {return clamp(x, min, max);}
+DEPRECATED inline float clamp2f(float x, float min, float max) {return clamp2(x, min, max);}
+DEPRECATED inline float chopf(float x, float eps) {return chop(x, eps);}
+DEPRECATED inline float rescalef(float x, float xMin, float xMax, float yMin, float yMax) {return rescale(x, xMin, xMax, yMin, yMax);}
+DEPRECATED inline float crossf(float a, float b, float frac) {return crossfade(a, b, frac);}
+DEPRECATED inline float interpf(const float *p, float x) {return interpolateLinear(p, x);}
+DEPRECATED inline void cmultf(float *cr, float *ci, float ar, float ai, float br, float bi) {return cmult(cr, ci, ar, ai, br, bi);}
 
 
 } // namespace rack
diff --git a/include/widgets.hpp b/include/widgets.hpp
index 50ea9ff5..832eeddd 100644
--- a/include/widgets.hpp
+++ b/include/widgets.hpp
@@ -139,6 +139,18 @@ struct Widget {
 	virtual void onAction(EventAction &e) {}
 	virtual void onChange(EventChange &e) {}
 	virtual void onZoom(EventZoom &e);
+
+	/** Helper function for creating and initializing a Widget with certain arguments (in this case just the position).
+	In this project, you will find this idiom everywhere, as an easier alternative to constructor arguments, for building a Widget (or a subclass) with a one-liner.
+	Example:
+		addChild(Widget::create<SVGWidget>(Vec(0, 0)))
+	*/
+	template <typename T = Widget>
+	static T *create(Vec pos) {
+		T *o = new T();
+		o->box.pos = pos;
+		return o;
+	}
 };
 
 struct TransformWidget : Widget {
diff --git a/src/core/AudioInterface.cpp b/src/core/AudioInterface.cpp
index 994a16bf..e986caeb 100644
--- a/src/core/AudioInterface.cpp
+++ b/src/core/AudioInterface.cpp
@@ -220,10 +220,10 @@ AudioInterfaceWidget::AudioInterfaceWidget() {
 		addChild(panel);
 	}
 
-	addChild(createScrew<ScrewSilver>(Vec(15, 0)));
-	addChild(createScrew<ScrewSilver>(Vec(box.size.x-30, 0)));
-	addChild(createScrew<ScrewSilver>(Vec(15, 365)));
-	addChild(createScrew<ScrewSilver>(Vec(box.size.x-30, 365)));
+	addChild(Widget::create<ScrewSilver>(Vec(15, 0)));
+	addChild(Widget::create<ScrewSilver>(Vec(box.size.x-30, 0)));
+	addChild(Widget::create<ScrewSilver>(Vec(15, 365)));
+	addChild(Widget::create<ScrewSilver>(Vec(box.size.x-30, 365)));
 
 	Vec margin = Vec(5, 2);
 	float labelHeight = 15;
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ AudioInterfaceWidget::AudioInterfaceWidget() {
 	yPos += 5;
 	xPos = 10;
 	for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
-		addInput(createInput<PJ3410Port>(Vec(xPos, yPos), module, AudioInterface::AUDIO_INPUT + i));
+		addInput(Port::createInput<PJ3410Port>(Vec(xPos, yPos), module, AudioInterface::AUDIO_INPUT + i));
 		Label *label = new Label();
 		label->box.pos = Vec(xPos + 4, yPos + 28);
 		label->text = stringf("%d", i + 1);
@@ -254,7 +254,7 @@ AudioInterfaceWidget::AudioInterfaceWidget() {
 	yPos += 5;
 	xPos = 10;
 	for (int i = 4; i < 8; i++) {
-		addInput(createInput<PJ3410Port>(Vec(xPos, yPos), module, AudioInterface::AUDIO_INPUT + i));
+		addInput(Port::createInput<PJ3410Port>(Vec(xPos, yPos), module, AudioInterface::AUDIO_INPUT + i));
 		Label *label = new Label();
 		label->box.pos = Vec(xPos + 4, yPos + 28);
 		label->text = stringf("%d", i + 1);
@@ -275,7 +275,7 @@ AudioInterfaceWidget::AudioInterfaceWidget() {
 	yPos += 5;
 	xPos = 10;
 	for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
-		Port *port = createOutput<PJ3410Port>(Vec(xPos, yPos), module, AudioInterface::AUDIO_OUTPUT + i);
+		Port *port = Port::createOutput<PJ3410Port>(Vec(xPos, yPos), module, AudioInterface::AUDIO_OUTPUT + i);
 		addOutput(port);
 		Label *label = new Label();
 		label->box.pos = Vec(xPos + 4, yPos + 28);
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ AudioInterfaceWidget::AudioInterfaceWidget() {
 	yPos += 5;
 	xPos = 10;
 	for (int i = 4; i < 8; i++) {
-		addOutput(createOutput<PJ3410Port>(Vec(xPos, yPos), module, AudioInterface::AUDIO_OUTPUT + i));
+		addOutput(Port::createOutput<PJ3410Port>(Vec(xPos, yPos), module, AudioInterface::AUDIO_OUTPUT + i));
 		Label *label = new Label();
 		label->box.pos = Vec(xPos + 4, yPos + 28);
 		label->text = stringf("%d", i + 1);
@@ -304,5 +304,5 @@ AudioInterfaceWidget::AudioInterfaceWidget() {
 	addChild(audioWidget);
 
 	// Lights
-	addChild(createLight<SmallLight<GreenLight>>(Vec(40, 20), module, AudioInterface::ACTIVE_LIGHT));
+	addChild(ModuleLightWidget::create<SmallLight<GreenLight>>(Vec(40, 20), module, AudioInterface::ACTIVE_LIGHT));
 }
diff --git a/src/core/Blank.cpp b/src/core/Blank.cpp
index be397c04..ba4c0e49 100644
--- a/src/core/Blank.cpp
+++ b/src/core/Blank.cpp
@@ -72,10 +72,10 @@ BlankWidget::BlankWidget() {
 	addChild(leftHandle);
 	addChild(rightHandle);
 
-	addChild(createScrew<ScrewSilver>(Vec(15, 0)));
-	addChild(createScrew<ScrewSilver>(Vec(15, 365)));
-	topRightScrew = createScrew<ScrewSilver>(Vec(box.size.x - 30, 0));
-	bottomRightScrew = createScrew<ScrewSilver>(Vec(box.size.x - 30, 365));
+	addChild(Widget::create<ScrewSilver>(Vec(15, 0)));
+	addChild(Widget::create<ScrewSilver>(Vec(15, 365)));
+	topRightScrew = Widget::create<ScrewSilver>(Vec(box.size.x - 30, 0));
+	bottomRightScrew = Widget::create<ScrewSilver>(Vec(box.size.x - 30, 365));
 	addChild(topRightScrew);
 	addChild(bottomRightScrew);
 }
diff --git a/src/core/MidiToCV.cpp b/src/core/MidiToCV.cpp
index cd2b8900..c236fc7e 100644
--- a/src/core/MidiToCV.cpp
+++ b/src/core/MidiToCV.cpp
@@ -245,10 +245,10 @@ MidiToCVWidget::MidiToCVWidget() {
 	float yPos = margin;
 	float yGap = 35;
 
-	addChild(createScrew<ScrewSilver>(Vec(15, 0)));
-	addChild(createScrew<ScrewSilver>(Vec(box.size.x - 30, 0)));
-	addChild(createScrew<ScrewSilver>(Vec(15, 365)));
-	addChild(createScrew<ScrewSilver>(Vec(box.size.x - 30, 365)));
+	addChild(Widget::create<ScrewSilver>(Vec(15, 0)));
+	addChild(Widget::create<ScrewSilver>(Vec(box.size.x - 30, 0)));
+	addChild(Widget::create<ScrewSilver>(Vec(15, 365)));
+	addChild(Widget::create<ScrewSilver>(Vec(box.size.x - 30, 365)));
 
 	{
 		Label *label = new Label();
@@ -258,8 +258,8 @@ MidiToCVWidget::MidiToCVWidget() {
 		yPos = labelHeight * 2;
 	}
 
-	addParam(createParam<LEDButton>(Vec(7 * 15, labelHeight), module, MIDIToCVInterface::RESET_PARAM, 0.0, 1.0, 0.0));
-	addChild(createLight<SmallLight<RedLight>>(Vec(7 * 15 + 5, labelHeight + 5), module, MIDIToCVInterface::RESET_LIGHT));
+	addParam(ParamWidget::create<LEDButton>(Vec(7 * 15, labelHeight), module, MIDIToCVInterface::RESET_PARAM, 0.0, 1.0, 0.0));
+	addChild(ModuleLightWidget::create<SmallLight<RedLight>>(Vec(7 * 15 + 5, labelHeight + 5), module, MIDIToCVInterface::RESET_LIGHT));
 
 	std::string labels[MIDIToCVInterface::NUM_OUTPUTS] = {"1V/oct", "Gate", "Velocity", "Mod Wheel", "Pitch Wheel", "Aftertouch"};
 
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ MidiToCVWidget::MidiToCVWidget() {
 		label->text = labels[i];
 		addChild(label);
 
-		addOutput(createOutput<PJ3410Port>(Vec(15 * 6, yPos - 5), module, i));
+		addOutput(Port::createOutput<PJ3410Port>(Vec(15 * 6, yPos - 5), module, i));
 
 		yPos += yGap + margin;
 	}
@@ -279,5 +279,5 @@ MidiToCVWidget::MidiToCVWidget() {
 	addChild(midiWidget);
 
 	// Lights
-	addChild(createLight<SmallLight<GreenLight>>(Vec(40, 20), module, MIDIToCVInterface::ACTIVE_LIGHT));
+	addChild(ModuleLightWidget::create<SmallLight<GreenLight>>(Vec(40, 20), module, MIDIToCVInterface::ACTIVE_LIGHT));
 }