diff --git a/pylib/anki/decks.py b/pylib/anki/decks.py
index c2c704de4..1f93e38b1 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/decks.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/decks.py
@@ -24,20 +24,9 @@ DeckNameID = _pb.DeckNameID
 defaultDeck = 0
 defaultDynamicDeck = 1
 
-NonFilteredDeck = Dict[str, Any]
-FilteredDeck = Dict[str, Any]
-
-"""Any kind of deck """
-Deck = Union[NonFilteredDeck, FilteredDeck]
-
-"""Configuration of standard deck, as seen from the deck picker's gear."""
-Config = Dict[str, Any]
-
-"""Configurationf of some deck, filtered deck for filtered deck, config for standard deck"""
-DeckConfig = Union[FilteredDeck, Config]
-
-""" New/lrn/rev conf, from deck config"""
-QueueConfig = Dict[str, Any]
+# type aliases until we can move away from dicts
+DeckDict = Dict[str, Any]
+DeckConfigDict = Dict[str, Any]
 
 DeckID = NewType("DeckID", int)
 
@@ -87,7 +76,7 @@ class DeckManager:
         self.col = col.weakref()
         self.decks = DecksDictProxy(col)
 
-    def save(self, g: Union[Deck, Config] = None) -> None:
+    def save(self, g: Union[DeckDict, DeckConfigDict] = None) -> None:
         "Can be called with either a deck or a deck configuration."
         if not g:
             print("col.decks.save() should be passed the changed deck")
@@ -121,7 +110,7 @@ class DeckManager:
             deck["name"] = name
             return self.add_deck_legacy(deck)
 
-    def add_deck_legacy(self, deck: Deck) -> OpChangesWithID:
+    def add_deck_legacy(self, deck: DeckDict) -> OpChangesWithID:
         "Add a deck created with new_deck_legacy(). Must have id of 0."
         assert deck["id"] == 0
         return self.col._backend.add_deck_legacy(to_json_bytes(deck))
@@ -169,7 +158,7 @@ class DeckManager:
         except NotFoundError:
             return None
 
-    def get_legacy(self, did: int) -> Optional[Deck]:
+    def get_legacy(self, did: int) -> Optional[DeckDict]:
         try:
             return from_json_bytes(self.col._backend.get_deck_legacy(did))
         except NotFoundError:
@@ -178,10 +167,10 @@ class DeckManager:
     def have(self, id: int) -> bool:
         return not self.get_legacy(int(id))
 
-    def get_all_legacy(self) -> List[Deck]:
+    def get_all_legacy(self) -> List[DeckDict]:
         return list(from_json_bytes(self.col._backend.get_all_decks_legacy()).values())
 
-    def new_deck_legacy(self, filtered: bool) -> Deck:
+    def new_deck_legacy(self, filtered: bool) -> DeckDict:
         return from_json_bytes(self.col._backend.new_deck_legacy(filtered))
 
     def deck_tree(self) -> DeckTreeNode:
@@ -199,7 +188,7 @@ class DeckManager:
                 return match
         return None
 
-    def all(self) -> List[Deck]:
+    def all(self) -> List[DeckDict]:
         "All decks. Expensive; prefer all_names_and_ids()"
         return self.get_all_legacy()
 
@@ -245,7 +234,7 @@ class DeckManager:
         )
         return count
 
-    def get(self, did: Union[int, str], default: bool = True) -> Optional[Deck]:
+    def get(self, did: Union[int, str], default: bool = True) -> Optional[DeckDict]:
         if not did:
             if default:
                 return self.get_legacy(1)
@@ -260,20 +249,20 @@ class DeckManager:
         else:
             return None
 
-    def byName(self, name: str) -> Optional[Deck]:
+    def byName(self, name: str) -> Optional[DeckDict]:
         """Get deck with NAME, ignoring case."""
         id = self.id_for_name(name)
         if id:
             return self.get_legacy(id)
         return None
 
-    def update(self, g: Deck, preserve_usn: bool = True) -> None:
+    def update(self, g: DeckDict, preserve_usn: bool = True) -> None:
         "Add or update an existing deck. Used for syncing and merging."
         g["id"] = self.col._backend.add_or_update_deck_legacy(
             deck=to_json_bytes(g), preserve_usn_and_mtime=preserve_usn
         )
 
-    def rename(self, deck: Union[Deck, DeckID], new_name: str) -> OpChanges:
+    def rename(self, deck: Union[DeckDict, DeckID], new_name: str) -> OpChanges:
         "Rename deck prefix to NAME if not exists. Updates children."
         if isinstance(deck, int):
             deck_id = deck
@@ -306,11 +295,11 @@ class DeckManager:
     # Deck configurations
     #############################################################
 
-    def all_config(self) -> List[Config]:
+    def all_config(self) -> List[DeckConfigDict]:
         "A list of all deck config."
         return list(from_json_bytes(self.col._backend.all_deck_config_legacy()))
 
-    def confForDid(self, did: int) -> DeckConfig:
+    def confForDid(self, did: int) -> DeckConfigDict:
         deck = self.get(did, default=False)
         assert deck
         if "conf" in deck:
@@ -324,20 +313,20 @@ class DeckManager:
         # dynamic decks have embedded conf
         return deck
 
-    def get_config(self, conf_id: int) -> Optional[DeckConfig]:
+    def get_config(self, conf_id: int) -> Optional[DeckConfigDict]:
         try:
             return from_json_bytes(self.col._backend.get_deck_config_legacy(conf_id))
         except NotFoundError:
             return None
 
-    def update_config(self, conf: DeckConfig, preserve_usn: bool = False) -> None:
+    def update_config(self, conf: DeckConfigDict, preserve_usn: bool = False) -> None:
         conf["id"] = self.col._backend.add_or_update_deck_config_legacy(
             config=to_json_bytes(conf), preserve_usn_and_mtime=preserve_usn
         )
 
     def add_config(
-        self, name: str, clone_from: Optional[DeckConfig] = None
-    ) -> DeckConfig:
+        self, name: str, clone_from: Optional[DeckConfigDict] = None
+    ) -> DeckConfigDict:
         if clone_from is not None:
             conf = copy.deepcopy(clone_from)
             conf["id"] = 0
@@ -348,7 +337,7 @@ class DeckManager:
         return conf
 
     def add_config_returning_id(
-        self, name: str, clone_from: Optional[DeckConfig] = None
+        self, name: str, clone_from: Optional[DeckConfigDict] = None
     ) -> int:
         return self.add_config(name, clone_from)["id"]
 
@@ -364,18 +353,18 @@ class DeckManager:
                 self.save(g)
         self.col._backend.remove_deck_config(id)
 
-    def setConf(self, grp: DeckConfig, id: int) -> None:
+    def setConf(self, grp: DeckConfigDict, id: int) -> None:
         grp["conf"] = id
         self.save(grp)
 
-    def didsForConf(self, conf: DeckConfig) -> List[int]:
+    def didsForConf(self, conf: DeckConfigDict) -> List[int]:
         dids = []
         for deck in self.all():
             if "conf" in deck and deck["conf"] == conf["id"]:
                 dids.append(deck["id"])
         return dids
 
-    def restoreToDefault(self, conf: DeckConfig) -> None:
+    def restoreToDefault(self, conf: DeckConfigDict) -> None:
         oldOrder = conf["new"]["order"]
         new = from_json_bytes(self.col._backend.new_deck_config_legacy())
         new["id"] = conf["id"]
@@ -437,7 +426,7 @@ class DeckManager:
         "The currently selected did."
         return DeckID(int(self.col.conf["curDeck"]))
 
-    def current(self) -> Deck:
+    def current(self) -> DeckDict:
         return self.get(self.selected())
 
     def select(self, did: int) -> None:
@@ -481,7 +470,7 @@ class DeckManager:
         return None
 
     @classmethod
-    def key(cls, deck: Deck) -> List[str]:
+    def key(cls, deck: DeckDict) -> List[str]:
         return cls.path(deck["name"])
 
     def children(self, did: int) -> List[Tuple[str, int]]:
@@ -534,8 +523,8 @@ class DeckManager:
         return childMap
 
     def parents(
-        self, did: int, nameMap: Optional[Dict[str, Deck]] = None
-    ) -> List[Deck]:
+        self, did: int, nameMap: Optional[Dict[str, DeckDict]] = None
+    ) -> List[DeckDict]:
         "All parents of did."
         # get parent and grandparent names
         parents_names: List[str] = []
@@ -544,7 +533,7 @@ class DeckManager:
                 parents_names.append(part)
             else:
                 parents_names.append(f"{parents_names[-1]}::{part}")
-        parents: List[Deck] = []
+        parents: List[DeckDict] = []
         # convert to objects
         for parent_name in parents_names:
             if nameMap:
@@ -554,13 +543,13 @@ class DeckManager:
             parents.append(deck)
         return parents
 
-    def parentsByName(self, name: str) -> List[Deck]:
+    def parentsByName(self, name: str) -> List[DeckDict]:
         "All existing parents of name"
         if "::" not in name:
             return []
         names = self.immediate_parent_path(name)
         head = []
-        parents: List[Deck] = []
+        parents: List[DeckDict] = []
 
         while names:
             head.append(names.pop(0))
@@ -570,7 +559,7 @@ class DeckManager:
 
         return parents
 
-    def nameMap(self) -> Dict[str, Deck]:
+    def nameMap(self) -> Dict[str, DeckDict]:
         return {d["name"]: d for d in self.all()}
 
     # Dynamic decks
diff --git a/pylib/anki/scheduler/base.py b/pylib/anki/scheduler/base.py
index 82201c7ad..8177f7d1d 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/scheduler/base.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/scheduler/base.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ SchedTimingToday = _pb.SchedTimingTodayOut
 from typing import List, Optional, Sequence
 
 from anki.consts import CARD_TYPE_NEW, NEW_CARDS_RANDOM, QUEUE_TYPE_NEW, QUEUE_TYPE_REV
-from anki.decks import DeckConfig, DeckTreeNode
+from anki.decks import DeckConfigDict, DeckTreeNode
 from anki.notes import Note
 from anki.utils import ids2str, intTime
 
@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@ select id from cards where did in %s and queue = {QUEUE_TYPE_REV} and due <= ? l
     def orderCards(self, did: int) -> None:
         self.col._backend.sort_deck(deck_id=did, randomize=False)
 
-    def resortConf(self, conf: DeckConfig) -> None:
+    def resortConf(self, conf: DeckConfigDict) -> None:
         for did in self.col.decks.didsForConf(conf):
             if conf["new"]["order"] == 0:
                 self.randomizeCards(did)
diff --git a/pylib/anki/scheduler/legacy.py b/pylib/anki/scheduler/legacy.py
index a00ad1d0b..db13bd715 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/scheduler/legacy.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/scheduler/legacy.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ from typing import List, Optional, Tuple
 
 from anki.cards import Card
 from anki.consts import CARD_TYPE_RELEARNING, QUEUE_TYPE_DAY_LEARN_RELEARN
-from anki.decks import DeckConfig
+from anki.decks import DeckConfigDict
 from anki.scheduler.base import SchedulerBase, UnburyCurrentDeck
 from anki.utils import from_json_bytes, ids2str
 
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ due = (case when odue>0 then odue else due end), odue = 0, odid = 0, usn = ? whe
 
     # legacy in v3 but used by unit tests; redefined in v2/v1
 
-    def _cardConf(self, card: Card) -> DeckConfig:
+    def _cardConf(self, card: Card) -> DeckConfigDict:
         return self.col.decks.confForDid(card.did)
 
     def _fuzzIvlRange(self, ivl: int) -> Tuple[int, int]:
diff --git a/pylib/anki/scheduler/v1.py b/pylib/anki/scheduler/v1.py
index ba8ed282d..6aec92fab 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/scheduler/v1.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/scheduler/v1.py
@@ -12,9 +12,9 @@ import anki
 from anki import hooks
 from anki.cards import Card
 from anki.consts import *
-from anki.decks import QueueConfig
 from anki.utils import ids2str, intTime
 
+from .v2 import QueueConfig
 from .v2 import Scheduler as V2
 
 # queue types: 0=new/cram, 1=lrn, 2=rev, 3=day lrn, -1=suspended, -2=buried
diff --git a/pylib/anki/scheduler/v2.py b/pylib/anki/scheduler/v2.py
index 2c124add6..b0ec0467c 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/scheduler/v2.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/scheduler/v2.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ import anki._backend.backend_pb2 as _pb
 from anki import hooks
 from anki.cards import Card
 from anki.consts import *
-from anki.decks import Deck, DeckConfig, QueueConfig
+from anki.decks import DeckConfigDict, DeckDict
 from anki.lang import FormatTimeSpan
 from anki.scheduler.legacy import SchedulerBaseWithLegacy
 from anki.utils import ids2str, intTime
@@ -21,6 +21,9 @@ from anki.utils import ids2str, intTime
 CountsForDeckToday = _pb.CountsForDeckTodayOut
 SchedTimingToday = _pb.SchedTimingTodayOut
 
+# legacy type alias
+QueueConfig = Dict[str, Any]
+
 # card types: 0=new, 1=lrn, 2=rev, 3=relrn
 # queue types: 0=new, 1=(re)lrn, 2=rev, 3=day (re)lrn,
 #   4=preview, -1=suspended, -2=sibling buried, -3=manually buried
@@ -207,7 +210,7 @@ class Scheduler(SchedulerBaseWithLegacy):
             return None
 
     def _deckNewLimit(
-        self, did: int, fn: Optional[Callable[[Deck], int]] = None
+        self, did: int, fn: Optional[Callable[[DeckDict], int]] = None
     ) -> int:
         if not fn:
             fn = self._deckNewLimitSingle
@@ -235,7 +238,7 @@ select count() from
             lim,
         )
 
-    def _deckNewLimitSingle(self, g: DeckConfig) -> int:
+    def _deckNewLimitSingle(self, g: DeckConfigDict) -> int:
         "Limit for deck without parent limits."
         if g["dyn"]:
             return self.dynReportLimit
@@ -490,7 +493,7 @@ limit ?"""
         if card.odue:
             card.odue = 0
 
-    def _cardConf(self, card: Card) -> DeckConfig:
+    def _cardConf(self, card: Card) -> DeckConfigDict:
         return self.col.decks.confForDid(card.did)
 
     def _deckLimit(self) -> str:
diff --git a/pylib/tools/genhooks.py b/pylib/tools/genhooks.py
index 2997c0af2..a4d32c2ec 100644
--- a/pylib/tools/genhooks.py
+++ b/pylib/tools/genhooks.py
@@ -76,21 +76,23 @@ hooks = [
     ),
     Hook(
         name="scheduler_new_limit_for_single_deck",
-        args=["count: int", "deck: anki.decks.Deck"],
+        args=["count: int", "deck: anki.decks.DeckDict"],
         return_type="int",
         doc="""Allows changing the number of new card for this deck (without
         considering descendants).""",
     ),
     Hook(
         name="scheduler_review_limit_for_single_deck",
-        args=["count: int", "deck: anki.decks.Deck"],
+        args=["count: int", "deck: anki.decks.DeckDict"],
         return_type="int",
         doc="""Allows changing the number of rev card for this deck (without
         considering descendants).""",
     ),
     # obsolete
     Hook(
-        name="deck_added", args=["deck: anki.decks.Deck"], doc="Obsolete, do not use."
+        name="deck_added",
+        args=["deck: anki.decks.DeckDict"],
+        doc="Obsolete, do not use.",
     ),
     Hook(
         name="note_type_added",
diff --git a/qt/aqt/deckconf.py b/qt/aqt/deckconf.py
index 449886017..428bb6a98 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/deckconf.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/deckconf.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ from PyQt5.QtWidgets import QLineEdit
 
 import aqt
 from anki.consts import NEW_CARDS_RANDOM
-from anki.decks import DeckConfig
+from anki.decks import DeckConfigDict
 from anki.lang import without_unicode_isolation
 from aqt import gui_hooks
 from aqt.qt import *
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ class DeckConf(QDialog):
 
     def setupConfs(self) -> None:
         qconnect(self.form.dconf.currentIndexChanged, self.onConfChange)
-        self.conf: Optional[DeckConfig] = None
+        self.conf: Optional[DeckConfigDict] = None
         self.loadConfs()
 
     def loadConfs(self) -> None:
diff --git a/qt/aqt/filtered_deck.py b/qt/aqt/filtered_deck.py
index 58b01c04f..dc6b815f4 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/filtered_deck.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/filtered_deck.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ from typing import Callable, List, Optional, Tuple
 
 import aqt
 from anki.collection import SearchNode
-from anki.decks import Deck
+from anki.decks import DeckDict
 from anki.errors import DeckIsFilteredError, InvalidInput
 from anki.lang import without_unicode_isolation
 from aqt import AnkiQt, colors, gui_hooks
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ class FilteredDeckConfigDialog(QDialog):
         mw: AnkiQt,
         search: Optional[str] = None,
         search_2: Optional[str] = None,
-        deck: Optional[Deck] = None,
+        deck: Optional[DeckDict] = None,
     ) -> None:
         """If 'deck' is an existing filtered deck, load and modify its settings.
         Otherwise, build a new one and derive settings from the current deck.
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ class FilteredDeckConfigDialog(QDialog):
         _mw: AnkiQt,
         search: Optional[str] = None,
         search_2: Optional[str] = None,
-        _deck: Optional[Deck] = None,
+        _deck: Optional[DeckDict] = None,
     ) -> None:
         self.set_custom_searches(search, search_2)
 
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ class FilteredDeckConfigDialog(QDialog):
             not self.form.resched.isChecked() and self.col.schedVer() > 1
         )
 
-    def loadConf(self, deck: Optional[Deck] = None) -> None:
+    def loadConf(self, deck: Optional[DeckDict] = None) -> None:
         f = self.form
         d = deck or self.deck
 
diff --git a/qt/aqt/main.py b/qt/aqt/main.py
index fd64fb22b..7de881ce7 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/main.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/main.py
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ from anki.collection import (
     UndoResult,
     UndoStatus,
 )
-from anki.decks import Deck
+from anki.decks import DeckDict
 from anki.hooks import runHook
 from anki.sound import AVTag, SoundOrVideoTag
 from anki.types import assert_exhaustive
@@ -695,7 +695,7 @@ class AnkiQt(QMainWindow):
         self.maybe_check_for_addon_updates()
         self.deckBrowser.show()
 
-    def _selectedDeck(self) -> Optional[Deck]:
+    def _selectedDeck(self) -> Optional[DeckDict]:
         did = self.col.decks.selected()
         if not self.col.decks.name_if_exists(did):
             showInfo(tr(TR.QT_MISC_PLEASE_SELECT_A_DECK))
@@ -1319,7 +1319,7 @@ title="%s" %s>%s</button>""" % (
     def onEditCurrent(self) -> None:
         aqt.dialogs.open("EditCurrent", self)
 
-    def onDeckConf(self, deck: Optional[Deck] = None) -> None:
+    def onDeckConf(self, deck: Optional[DeckDict] = None) -> None:
         import aqt.deckconf
 
         if not deck:
diff --git a/qt/tools/genhooks_gui.py b/qt/tools/genhooks_gui.py
index 8487e8a2e..0bd26f060 100644
--- a/qt/tools/genhooks_gui.py
+++ b/qt/tools/genhooks_gui.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ from typing import Any, Callable, List, Sequence, Tuple, Optional, Union
 import anki
 import aqt
 from anki.cards import Card
-from anki.decks import Deck, DeckConfig
+from anki.decks import DeckDict, DeckConfigDict
 from anki.hooks import runFilter, runHook
 from anki.models import NoteType
 from aqt.qt import QDialog, QEvent, QMenu, QWidget
@@ -229,20 +229,28 @@ hooks = [
     ),
     Hook(
         name="deck_conf_did_load_config",
-        args=["deck_conf: aqt.deckconf.DeckConf", "deck: Deck", "config: DeckConfig"],
+        args=[
+            "deck_conf: aqt.deckconf.DeckConf",
+            "deck: DeckDict",
+            "config: DeckConfigDict",
+        ],
         doc="Called once widget state has been set from deck config",
     ),
     Hook(
         name="deck_conf_will_save_config",
-        args=["deck_conf: aqt.deckconf.DeckConf", "deck: Deck", "config: DeckConfig"],
+        args=[
+            "deck_conf: aqt.deckconf.DeckConf",
+            "deck: DeckDict",
+            "config: DeckConfigDict",
+        ],
         doc="Called before widget state is saved to config",
     ),
     Hook(
         name="deck_conf_did_add_config",
         args=[
             "deck_conf: aqt.deckconf.DeckConf",
-            "deck: Deck",
-            "config: DeckConfig",
+            "deck: DeckDict",
+            "config: DeckConfigDict",
             "new_name: str",
             "new_conf_id: int",
         ],
@@ -259,15 +267,19 @@ hooks = [
     ),
     Hook(
         name="deck_conf_will_remove_config",
-        args=["deck_conf: aqt.deckconf.DeckConf", "deck: Deck", "config: DeckConfig"],
+        args=[
+            "deck_conf: aqt.deckconf.DeckConf",
+            "deck: DeckDict",
+            "config: DeckConfigDict",
+        ],
         doc="Called before current config group is removed",
     ),
     Hook(
         name="deck_conf_will_rename_config",
         args=[
             "deck_conf: aqt.deckconf.DeckConf",
-            "deck: Deck",
-            "config: DeckConfig",
+            "deck: DeckDict",
+            "config: DeckConfigDict",
             "new_name: str",
         ],
         doc="Called before config group is renamed",