I removed all linux versions of PsychoPy and followed your tutorial. Installed fine, like my solution, but still has $var problem with the text component.
Found the paramsCtrl.py find in /usr/local/lib/python3.9/dist-packages/PsychoPy-2023.1.2-py3.9.egg/psychopy/app/builder/dialogs and commented out lines 75-85 as you suggested. But, still no joy. Same $var error. Any other suggestions?