diff --git a/src/sirocco/core.py b/src/sirocco/core.py
index b7e85a1..9d73f28 100644
--- a/src/sirocco/core.py
+++ b/src/sirocco/core.py
@@ -2,9 +2,7 @@
 
 import logging
 from dataclasses import dataclass, field
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Generic, Literal, Self, TypeVar
-
-from termcolor import colored
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Generic, Self, TypeVar
 
 from sirocco.parsing._yaml_data_models import (
     ConfigCycleTask,
@@ -30,23 +28,13 @@
 TimeSeriesObject = TypeVar("TimeSeriesObject")
 
 
-class NodeStr:
+class BaseNode:
+    name: str
     color: str
 
-    def _str_pretty_(self) -> str:
-        repr_str = colored(self.name, self.color, attrs=["bold"])
-        if self.date is not None:
-            repr_str += colored(f" [{self.date}]", self.color)
-        return repr_str
-
-    def __str__(self) -> str:
-        if self.date is None:
-            return self.name
-        return f"{self.name} [{self.date}]"
-
 
 @dataclass
-class Task(NodeStr):
+class Task(BaseNode):
     name: str
     workflow: Workflow
     outputs: list[Data] = field(default_factory=list)
@@ -72,7 +60,11 @@ class Task(NodeStr):
     # use classmethod instead of custom init
     @classmethod
     def from_config(
-        cls, config: ConfigTask, task_ref: ConfigCycleTask, workflow: Workflow, date: datetime | None = None
+        cls,
+        config: ConfigTask,
+        task_ref: ConfigCycleTask,
+        workflow: Workflow,
+        date: datetime | None = None,
     ) -> Self:
         inputs: list[Data] = []
         for input_spec in task_ref.inputs:
@@ -103,7 +95,7 @@ def link_wait_on_tasks(self):
 
 
 @dataclass(kw_only=True)
-class Data(NodeStr):
+class Data(BaseNode):
     """Internal representation of a data node"""
 
     color: str = "light_blue"
@@ -125,7 +117,7 @@ def from_config(cls, config: DataBaseModel, *, date: datetime | None = None):
 
 
 @dataclass(kw_only=True)
-class Cycle(NodeStr):
+class Cycle(BaseNode):
     """Internal reprenstation of a cycle"""
 
     color: str = "light_green"
@@ -299,50 +291,6 @@ def cycle_dates(self, cycle_config: ConfigCycle) -> Iterator[datetime]:
             while (date := date + cycle_config.period) < cycle_config.end_date:
                 yield date
 
-    def _str_from_method(self, method_name: Literal["__str__", "_str_pretty_"]) -> str:
-        str_method = getattr(NodeStr, method_name)
-        ind = ""
-        lines = []
-        lines.append(f"{ind}cycles:")
-        ind += "  "
-        for cycle in self.cycles.values():
-            lines.append(f"{ind}- {str_method(cycle)}:")
-            ind += "    "
-            lines.append(f"{ind}tasks:")
-            ind += "  "
-            for task in cycle.tasks:
-                lines.append(f"{ind}- {str_method(task)}:")
-                ind += "    "
-                if task.inputs:
-                    lines.append(f"{ind}input:")
-                    ind += "  "
-                    lines.extend(f"{ind}- {str_method(data)}" for data in task.inputs)
-                    ind = ind[:-2]
-                if task.outputs:
-                    lines.append(f"{ind}output:")
-                    ind += "  "
-                    lines.extend(f"{ind}- {str_method(data)}" for data in task.outputs)
-                    ind = ind[:-2]
-                if task.wait_on:
-                    lines.append(f"{ind}wait on:")
-                    ind += "  "
-                    lines.extend(f"{ind}- {str_method(wait_task)}" for wait_task in task.wait_on)
-                    ind = ind[:-2]
-                ind = ind[:-4]
-            ind = ind[:-4]
-            ind = ind[:-2]
-        ind = ind[:-2]
-        return "\n".join(lines)
-
-    def __str__(self):
-        return self._str_from_method("__str__")
-
-    def _str_pretty_(self):
-        return self._str_from_method("_str_pretty_")
-
-    def _repr_pretty_(self, p, cycle):
-        p.text(self._str_pretty_() if not cycle else "...")
-
     @classmethod
     def from_yaml(cls, config_path: str):
         return cls(load_workflow_config(config_path))
diff --git a/src/sirocco/pretty_print.py b/src/sirocco/pretty_print.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b21c2c4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/sirocco/pretty_print.py
@@ -0,0 +1,140 @@
+import dataclasses
+import functools
+import textwrap
+from typing import Any
+
+from termcolor import colored
+
+from . import core
+
+
+@dataclasses.dataclass
+class PrettyPrinter:
+    """
+    Pretty print unrolled workflow graph elements in a reproducable and human readable format.
+
+    This can be used to compare workflow graphs by their string representation.
+    Colored output can be enabled by setting ".colors" to True, this will use terminal control characters,
+    which makes it less suited for uses other than human viewing.
+    """
+
+    indentation: int = 2  # how many spaces to indent block content by
+    colors: bool = False  # True for color output (term control chars)
+
+    def indent(self, string: str) -> str:
+        """Indent by the amount set on the instance"""
+        return textwrap.indent(string, prefix=" " * self.indentation)
+
+    def as_block(self, header: str, body: str) -> str:
+        """
+        Format as a block with a header line and indented lines of block body text.
+
+        Example:
+
+        >>> print(PrettyPrinter().as_block("header", "foo\nbar"))
+        header:
+          foo
+          bar
+        """
+        return f"{header}:\n{self.indent(body)}"
+
+    def as_item(self, content: str) -> str:
+        """
+        Format as an item in an unordered list.
+
+        Works for single lines as well as multi line (block) content.
+
+        Example:
+
+        >>> print(PrettyPrinter().as_item("foo"))
+        - foo
+
+        >>> pp = PrettyPrinter()
+        >>> print(pp.as_item(pp.as_block("header", "multiple\nlines\nof text")))
+        - header:
+            multiple
+            lines
+            of text
+        """
+        if not str:
+            return "- "
+        lines = content.splitlines()
+        if len(lines) == 1:
+            return f"- {content}"
+        header = lines[0]
+        body = textwrap.indent("\n".join(lines[1:]), prefix="  ")
+        return f"- {header}\n{body}"
+
+    @functools.singledispatchmethod
+    def format(self, obj: Any):
+        """
+        Dispatch formatting based on node type.
+
+        Default implementation simply calls str()
+        """
+        return str(obj)
+
+    @format.register
+    def format_basic(self, obj: core.BaseNode) -> str:
+        """
+        Default formatting for BaseNode.
+
+        Can also be used explicitly to get a single line representation of any node.
+
+        Example:
+
+        >>> from datetime import datetime
+        >>> print(
+        ...     PrettyPrinter().format_basic(
+        ...         Task(name=foo, date=datetime(1000, 1, 1).date(), workflow=None)
+        ...     )
+        ... )
+        foo [1000-01-01]
+        """
+        name = obj.name
+        date = f"[{obj.date}]" if obj.date else None
+        if self.colors:
+            name = colored(name, obj.color, attrs=["bold"])
+            date = colored(date, obj.color) if date else None
+        return f"{name} {date}" if date else name
+
+    @format.register
+    def format_workflow(self, obj: core.Workflow) -> str:
+        cycles = "\n".join(self.format(cycle) for cycle in obj.cycles.values())
+        return self.as_block("cycles", cycles)
+
+    @format.register
+    def format_cycle(self, obj: core.Cycle) -> str:
+        tasks = self.as_block("tasks", "\n".join(self.format(task) for task in obj.tasks))
+        return self.as_item(self.as_block(self.format_basic(obj), tasks))
+
+    @format.register
+    def format_task(self, obj: core.Task) -> str:
+        sections = []
+        if obj.inputs:
+            sections.append(
+                self.as_block(
+                    "input",
+                    "\n".join(self.as_item(self.format_basic(inp)) for inp in obj.inputs),
+                )
+            )
+        if obj.outputs:
+            sections.append(
+                self.as_block(
+                    "output",
+                    "\n".join(self.as_item(self.format_basic(output)) for output in obj.outputs),
+                )
+            )
+        if obj.wait_on:
+            sections.append(
+                self.as_block(
+                    "wait on",
+                    "\n".join(self.as_item(self.format_basic(waiton)) for waiton in obj.wait_on),
+                )
+            )
+        return self.as_item(
+            self.as_block(
+                self.format_basic(obj),
+                "\n".join(sections),
+            )
+        )
diff --git a/tests/files/configs/test_config_large.new.txt b/tests/files/configs/test_config_large.new.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1e8ac73
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/files/configs/test_config_large.new.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,433 @@
+cycles:
+  - init:
+    tasks:
+      - extpar:
+        inputs:
+        - obs_data
+      outputs:
+        - extpar_file
+  - icon_bimonthly [2025-01-01 00:00:00]:
+    tasks:
+      - preproc [2025-01-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - grid_file
+        - extpar_file
+        - ERA5
+      outputs:
+        - icon_input [2025-01-01 00:00:00]
+    - icon [2025-01-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - grid_file
+        - icon_input [2025-01-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - stream_1 [2025-01-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2025-01-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_restart [2025-01-01 00:00:00]
+    - postproc_1 [2025-01-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - stream_1 [2025-01-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - postout_1 [2025-01-01 00:00:00]
+    - store_and_clean_1 [2025-01-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - postout_1 [2025-01-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_1 [2025-01-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_input [2025-01-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - stored_data_1 [2025-01-01 00:00:00]
+  - icon_bimonthly [2025-03-01 00:00:00]:
+    tasks:
+      - preproc [2025-03-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - grid_file
+        - extpar_file
+        - ERA5
+      outputs:
+        - icon_input [2025-03-01 00:00:00]
+    - icon [2025-03-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - grid_file
+        - icon_input [2025-03-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_restart [2025-01-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - stream_1 [2025-03-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2025-03-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_restart [2025-03-01 00:00:00]
+    - postproc_1 [2025-03-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - stream_1 [2025-03-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - postout_1 [2025-03-01 00:00:00]
+    - store_and_clean_1 [2025-03-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - postout_1 [2025-03-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_1 [2025-03-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_input [2025-03-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - stored_data_1 [2025-03-01 00:00:00]
+  - icon_bimonthly [2025-05-01 00:00:00]:
+    tasks:
+      - preproc [2025-05-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - grid_file
+        - extpar_file
+        - ERA5
+      outputs:
+        - icon_input [2025-05-01 00:00:00]
+      wait on:
+        - icon [2025-01-01 00:00:00]
+    - icon [2025-05-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - grid_file
+        - icon_input [2025-05-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_restart [2025-03-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - stream_1 [2025-05-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2025-05-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_restart [2025-05-01 00:00:00]
+    - postproc_1 [2025-05-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - stream_1 [2025-05-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - postout_1 [2025-05-01 00:00:00]
+    - store_and_clean_1 [2025-05-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - postout_1 [2025-05-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_1 [2025-05-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_input [2025-05-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - stored_data_1 [2025-05-01 00:00:00]
+  - icon_bimonthly [2025-07-01 00:00:00]:
+    tasks:
+      - preproc [2025-07-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - grid_file
+        - extpar_file
+        - ERA5
+      outputs:
+        - icon_input [2025-07-01 00:00:00]
+      wait on:
+        - icon [2025-03-01 00:00:00]
+    - icon [2025-07-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - grid_file
+        - icon_input [2025-07-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_restart [2025-05-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - stream_1 [2025-07-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2025-07-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_restart [2025-07-01 00:00:00]
+    - postproc_1 [2025-07-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - stream_1 [2025-07-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - postout_1 [2025-07-01 00:00:00]
+    - store_and_clean_1 [2025-07-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - postout_1 [2025-07-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_1 [2025-07-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_input [2025-07-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - stored_data_1 [2025-07-01 00:00:00]
+  - icon_bimonthly [2025-09-01 00:00:00]:
+    tasks:
+      - preproc [2025-09-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - grid_file
+        - extpar_file
+        - ERA5
+      outputs:
+        - icon_input [2025-09-01 00:00:00]
+      wait on:
+        - icon [2025-05-01 00:00:00]
+    - icon [2025-09-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - grid_file
+        - icon_input [2025-09-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_restart [2025-07-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - stream_1 [2025-09-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2025-09-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_restart [2025-09-01 00:00:00]
+    - postproc_1 [2025-09-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - stream_1 [2025-09-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - postout_1 [2025-09-01 00:00:00]
+    - store_and_clean_1 [2025-09-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - postout_1 [2025-09-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_1 [2025-09-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_input [2025-09-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - stored_data_1 [2025-09-01 00:00:00]
+  - icon_bimonthly [2025-11-01 00:00:00]:
+    tasks:
+      - preproc [2025-11-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - grid_file
+        - extpar_file
+        - ERA5
+      outputs:
+        - icon_input [2025-11-01 00:00:00]
+      wait on:
+        - icon [2025-07-01 00:00:00]
+    - icon [2025-11-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - grid_file
+        - icon_input [2025-11-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_restart [2025-09-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - stream_1 [2025-11-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2025-11-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_restart [2025-11-01 00:00:00]
+    - postproc_1 [2025-11-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - stream_1 [2025-11-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - postout_1 [2025-11-01 00:00:00]
+    - store_and_clean_1 [2025-11-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - postout_1 [2025-11-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_1 [2025-11-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_input [2025-11-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - stored_data_1 [2025-11-01 00:00:00]
+  - icon_bimonthly [2026-01-01 00:00:00]:
+    tasks:
+      - preproc [2026-01-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - grid_file
+        - extpar_file
+        - ERA5
+      outputs:
+        - icon_input [2026-01-01 00:00:00]
+      wait on:
+        - icon [2025-09-01 00:00:00]
+    - icon [2026-01-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - grid_file
+        - icon_input [2026-01-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_restart [2025-11-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - stream_1 [2026-01-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2026-01-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_restart [2026-01-01 00:00:00]
+    - postproc_1 [2026-01-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - stream_1 [2026-01-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - postout_1 [2026-01-01 00:00:00]
+    - store_and_clean_1 [2026-01-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - postout_1 [2026-01-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_1 [2026-01-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_input [2026-01-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - stored_data_1 [2026-01-01 00:00:00]
+  - icon_bimonthly [2026-03-01 00:00:00]:
+    tasks:
+      - preproc [2026-03-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - grid_file
+        - extpar_file
+        - ERA5
+      outputs:
+        - icon_input [2026-03-01 00:00:00]
+      wait on:
+        - icon [2025-11-01 00:00:00]
+    - icon [2026-03-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - grid_file
+        - icon_input [2026-03-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_restart [2026-01-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - stream_1 [2026-03-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2026-03-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_restart [2026-03-01 00:00:00]
+    - postproc_1 [2026-03-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - stream_1 [2026-03-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - postout_1 [2026-03-01 00:00:00]
+    - store_and_clean_1 [2026-03-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - postout_1 [2026-03-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_1 [2026-03-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_input [2026-03-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - stored_data_1 [2026-03-01 00:00:00]
+  - icon_bimonthly [2026-05-01 00:00:00]:
+    tasks:
+      - preproc [2026-05-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - grid_file
+        - extpar_file
+        - ERA5
+      outputs:
+        - icon_input [2026-05-01 00:00:00]
+      wait on:
+        - icon [2026-01-01 00:00:00]
+    - icon [2026-05-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - grid_file
+        - icon_input [2026-05-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_restart [2026-03-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - stream_1 [2026-05-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2026-05-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_restart [2026-05-01 00:00:00]
+    - postproc_1 [2026-05-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - stream_1 [2026-05-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - postout_1 [2026-05-01 00:00:00]
+    - store_and_clean_1 [2026-05-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - postout_1 [2026-05-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_1 [2026-05-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_input [2026-05-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - stored_data_1 [2026-05-01 00:00:00]
+  - icon_bimonthly [2026-07-01 00:00:00]:
+    tasks:
+      - preproc [2026-07-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - grid_file
+        - extpar_file
+        - ERA5
+      outputs:
+        - icon_input [2026-07-01 00:00:00]
+      wait on:
+        - icon [2026-03-01 00:00:00]
+    - icon [2026-07-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - grid_file
+        - icon_input [2026-07-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_restart [2026-05-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - stream_1 [2026-07-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2026-07-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_restart [2026-07-01 00:00:00]
+    - postproc_1 [2026-07-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - stream_1 [2026-07-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - postout_1 [2026-07-01 00:00:00]
+    - store_and_clean_1 [2026-07-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - postout_1 [2026-07-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_1 [2026-07-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_input [2026-07-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - stored_data_1 [2026-07-01 00:00:00]
+  - icon_bimonthly [2026-09-01 00:00:00]:
+    tasks:
+      - preproc [2026-09-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - grid_file
+        - extpar_file
+        - ERA5
+      outputs:
+        - icon_input [2026-09-01 00:00:00]
+      wait on:
+        - icon [2026-05-01 00:00:00]
+    - icon [2026-09-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - grid_file
+        - icon_input [2026-09-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_restart [2026-07-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - stream_1 [2026-09-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2026-09-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_restart [2026-09-01 00:00:00]
+    - postproc_1 [2026-09-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - stream_1 [2026-09-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - postout_1 [2026-09-01 00:00:00]
+    - store_and_clean_1 [2026-09-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - postout_1 [2026-09-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_1 [2026-09-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_input [2026-09-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - stored_data_1 [2026-09-01 00:00:00]
+  - icon_bimonthly [2026-11-01 00:00:00]:
+    tasks:
+      - preproc [2026-11-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - grid_file
+        - extpar_file
+        - ERA5
+      outputs:
+        - icon_input [2026-11-01 00:00:00]
+      wait on:
+        - icon [2026-07-01 00:00:00]
+    - icon [2026-11-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - grid_file
+        - icon_input [2026-11-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_restart [2026-09-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - stream_1 [2026-11-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2026-11-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_restart [2026-11-01 00:00:00]
+    - postproc_1 [2026-11-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - stream_1 [2026-11-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - postout_1 [2026-11-01 00:00:00]
+    - store_and_clean_1 [2026-11-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - postout_1 [2026-11-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_1 [2026-11-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_input [2026-11-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - stored_data_1 [2026-11-01 00:00:00]
+  - yearly [2025-01-01 00:00:00]:
+    tasks:
+      - postproc_2 [2025-01-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - stream_2 [2025-01-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2025-03-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2025-05-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2025-07-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2025-09-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2025-11-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - postout_2 [2025-01-01 00:00:00]
+    - store_and_clean_2 [2025-01-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - postout_2 [2025-01-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2025-01-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2025-03-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2025-05-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2025-07-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2025-09-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2025-11-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - stored_data_2 [2025-01-01 00:00:00]
+  - yearly [2026-01-01 00:00:00]:
+    tasks:
+      - postproc_2 [2026-01-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - stream_2 [2026-01-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2026-03-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2026-05-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2026-07-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2026-09-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2026-11-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - postout_2 [2026-01-01 00:00:00]
+    - store_and_clean_2 [2026-01-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - postout_2 [2026-01-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2026-01-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2026-03-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2026-05-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2026-07-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2026-09-01 00:00:00]
+        - stream_2 [2026-11-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - stored_data_2 [2026-01-01 00:00:00]
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/files/configs/test_config_small.new.txt b/tests/files/configs/test_config_small.new.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..046f8c6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/files/configs/test_config_small.new.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+cycles:
+  - bimonthly_tasks [2026-01-01 00:00:00]:
+    tasks:
+      - icon [2026-01-01 00:00:00]:
+        outputs:
+        - icon_output [2026-01-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_restart [2026-01-01 00:00:00]
+  - bimonthly_tasks [2026-03-01 00:00:00]:
+    tasks:
+      - icon [2026-03-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - icon_restart [2026-01-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - icon_output [2026-03-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_restart [2026-03-01 00:00:00]
+  - bimonthly_tasks [2026-05-01 00:00:00]:
+    tasks:
+      - icon [2026-05-01 00:00:00]:
+        inputs:
+        - icon_restart [2026-03-01 00:00:00]
+      outputs:
+        - icon_output [2026-05-01 00:00:00]
+        - icon_restart [2026-05-01 00:00:00]
+  - lastly:
+    tasks:
+      - cleanup:
+        wait on:
+        - icon [2026-05-01 00:00:00]
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/test_wc_workflow.py b/tests/test_wc_workflow.py
index 9d20e6b..0ef0062 100644
--- a/tests/test_wc_workflow.py
+++ b/tests/test_wc_workflow.py
@@ -3,31 +3,42 @@
 import pytest
 
 from sirocco.core import Workflow
+from sirocco.pretty_print import PrettyPrinter
 
 
 @pytest.fixture
-def config_file_small():
-    return "files/configs/"
+def pprinter():
+    return PrettyPrinter()
 
 
-config_test_files = ["tests/files/configs/test_config_small.yml", "tests/files/configs/test_config_large.yml"]
+config_test_files = [
+    "tests/files/configs/test_config_small.yml",
+    "tests/files/configs/test_config_large.yml",
+]
 
 
-@pytest.mark.parametrize("config_file", config_test_files)
-def test_parse_config_file(config_file):
-    config_path = Path(config_file)
-    reference_str = (config_path.parent / ".." / "data" / config_path.name).with_suffix(".txt").read_text()
-    test_str = str(Workflow.from_yaml(config_file))
-    if test_str != reference_str:
-        new_path = Path(config_file).with_suffix(".new.txt")
-        new_path.write_text(test_str)
-        msg = f"Workflow graph doesn't match serialized data. New graph string dumped to {new_path}."
-        raise ValueError(msg)
+@pytest.fixture(params=config_test_files)
+def config_case(request):
+    config_path = Path(request.param)
+    return (
+        config_path,
+        (config_path.parent.parent / "data" / config_path.name).with_suffix(".txt"),
+    )
+
+
+def test_parse_config_file(config_case, pprinter):
+    config_path, reference_path = config_case
+    reference_str = reference_path.read_text()
+    test_str = pprinter.format(Workflow.from_yaml(config_path))
+    assert test_str == reference_str
+    # if test_str != reference_str:
+    #     new_path = Path(config_path).with_suffix(".new.txt")
+    #     new_path.write_text(test_str)
+    #     msg = f"Workflow graph doesn't match serialized data. New graph string dumped to {new_path}."
+    #     raise ValueError(msg)
 
 
 @pytest.mark.skip(reason="don't run it each time, uncomment to regenerate serilaized data")
-@pytest.mark.parametrize("config_file", config_test_files)
-def test_serialize_workflow(config_file):
-    config_path = Path(config_file)
-    reference_path = (config_path.parent / ".." / "data" / config_path.name).with_suffix(".txt")
-    reference_path.write_text(str(Workflow.from_yaml(config_file)))
+def test_serialize_workflow(config_case):
+    config_path, reference_path = config_case
+    reference_path.write_text(pprinter.format(Workflow.from_yaml(config_path)))