Lightning-AI / Lightning-AI/pytorch-lightning

Cross-validation while still enabling CLI control

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feature lightningcli
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Python
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Description

### Description & Motivation

Related issue:
https://github.com/Lightning-AI/pytorch-lightning/issues/20544

Hi Lightning team,

I saw the discussion in the issue above about supporting cross-validation in LightningCLI. I tried implementing a simple approach where the CLI is used as a reusable training template, and cross-validation is orchestrated outside the CLI.

The idea is to wrap `LightningCLI` inside a function (e.g. `cli_main`) and call it multiple times with different fold indices passed through CLI arguments.

For example:

```python
def cli_main(args):
cli = LightningCLI(
model_class=MyLightningModule,
datamodule_class=KFoldDataModule,
args=args,
run=False,
)
cli.trainer.fit(cli.model, cli.datamodule)

def arg_parse():
pass

other_args, lightning_args = arg_parse()

# cross-validation orchestration
for k in range(5):
cli_main(
lightning_args + [
f"--data.k={k}",
f"--trainer.logger.init_args.version=cv-fold{k}",
]
)
```

In this setup LightningCLI acts as a reusable training template and all configuration is still controlled through CLI arguments.

Since this pattern works quite naturally with the current CLI design and doesn’t require much extra code, I was wondering whether something along these lines could potentially be integrated into LightningCLI in the future.

Curious to hear your thoughts.

### Pitch

_No response_

### Alternatives

_No response_

### Additional context

_No response_

cc @lantiga @mauvilsa

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start by reviewing related issue #20544 and the LightningCLI usage shown in this issue. Evaluate the proposed reusable cli_main pattern, repeated fold arguments, and logger versioning, then define what an integrated cross-validation interface should do and how completion would be validated.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
python
Domain
cli, machine-learning
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Needs clarification
Newbie friendliness
30/100

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