diff --git a/piker/log.py b/piker/log.py
index 56776e1e..7f554f16 100644
--- a/piker/log.py
+++ b/piker/log.py
@@ -18,7 +18,11 @@
 Log like a forester!
 """
 import logging
+import reprlib
 import json
+from typing import (
+    Callable,
+)
 
 import tractor
 from pygments import (
@@ -84,3 +88,27 @@ def colorize_json(
         # likeable styles: algol_nu, tango, monokai
         formatters.TerminalTrueColorFormatter(style=style)
     )
+
+
+def mk_repr(
+    **repr_kws,
+) -> Callable[[str], str]:
+    '''
+    Allocate and deliver a `repr.Repr` instance with provided input
+    settings using the std-lib's `reprlib` mod,
+     * https://docs.python.org/3/library/reprlib.html
+
+    ------ Ex. ------
+    An up to 6-layer-nested `dict` as multi-line:
+    - https://stackoverflow.com/a/79102479
+    - https://docs.python.org/3/library/reprlib.html#reprlib.Repr.maxlevel
+
+    '''
+    def_kws: dict[str, int] = dict(
+        indent=2,
+        maxlevel=6,  # recursion levels
+        maxstring=66,  # match editor line-len limit
+    )
+    def_kws |= repr_kws
+    reprr = reprlib.Repr(**def_kws)
+    return reprr.repr