diff --git a/aqt/browser.py b/aqt/browser.py
index 685a8a0de..07db165b7 100644
--- a/aqt/browser.py
+++ b/aqt/browser.py
@@ -1383,7 +1383,7 @@ update cards set usn=?, mod=?, did=? where id in """ + scids,
         frm.fields.addItems(fields)
         self._dupesButton = None
         # links
-        frm.webView.onAnkiLink = self.dupeLinkClicked
+        frm.webView.onBridgeCmd = self.dupeLinkClicked
         def onFin(code):
             saveGeom(d, "findDupes")
         d.finished.connect(onFin)
@@ -1410,7 +1410,7 @@ update cards set usn=?, mod=?, did=? where id in """ + scids,
         t += _("Found %(a)s across %(b)s.") % dict(a=part1, b=part2)
         t += "<p><ol>"
         for val, nids in res:
-            t += '''<li><a href=# onclick="openAnkiLink('%s')">%s</a>: %s</a>''' % (
+            t += '''<li><a href=# onclick="pycmd('%s')">%s</a>: %s</a>''' % (
                 "nid:" + ",".join(str(id) for id in nids),
                 ngettext("%d note", "%d notes", len(nids)) % len(nids),
                 cgi.escape(val))
@@ -1693,11 +1693,11 @@ class BrowserToolbar(Toolbar):
         def borderImg(link, icon, on, title, tooltip=None):
             if on:
                 fmt = '''\
-<a class=hitem title="%s" href=# onclick="openAnkiLink('%s')">\
+<a class=hitem title="%s" href=# onclick="pycmd('%s')">\
 <img valign=bottom style='border: 1px solid #aaa;' src="qrc:/icons/%s.png"> %s</a>'''
             else:
                 fmt = '''\
-<a class=hitem title="%s" href=# onclick="openAnkiLink('%s')"><img style="padding: 1px;" valign=bottom src="qrc:/icons/%s.png"> %s</a>'''
+<a class=hitem title="%s" href=# onclick="pycmd('%s')"><img style="padding: 1px;" valign=bottom src="qrc:/icons/%s.png"> %s</a>'''
             return fmt % (tooltip or title, link, icon, title)
         right = "<div>"
         right += borderImg("add", "add16", False, _("Add"),
diff --git a/aqt/deckbrowser.py b/aqt/deckbrowser.py
index f895f9f50..7f000f411 100644
--- a/aqt/deckbrowser.py
+++ b/aqt/deckbrowser.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ class DeckBrowser(object):
     def show(self):
         clearAudioQueue()
         self.web.resetHandlers()
-        self.web.onAnkiLink = self._linkHandler
+        self.web.onBridgeCmd = self._linkHandler
         self.mw.keyHandler = self._keyHandler
         self._renderPage()
 
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ body { margin: 1em; -webkit-user-select: none; }
         var draggedDeckId = ui.draggable.attr('id');
         var ontoDeckId = $(this).attr('id');
 
-        openAnkiLink("drag:" + draggedDeckId + "," + ontoDeckId);
+        pycmd("drag:" + draggedDeckId + "," + ontoDeckId);
     }
 </script>
 """
@@ -172,9 +172,9 @@ where id > ?""", (self.mw.col.sched.dayCutoff-86400)*1000)
             return ""
         return "<br><div style='width:50%;border: 1px solid #000;padding:5px;'>"+(
             _("You have a lot of decks. Please see %(a)s. %(b)s") % dict(
-                a=("<a href=# onclick='openAnkiLink('lots')>%s</a>" % _(
+                a=("<a href=# onclick='pycmd('lots')>%s</a>" % _(
                     "this page")),
-                b=("<br><small><a href=# onclick='openAnkiLink(\"hidelots\")'>("
+                b=("<br><small><a href=# onclick='pycmd(\"hidelots\")'>("
                    "%s)</a></small>" % (_("hide"))+
                     "</div")))
 
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ where id > ?""", (self.mw.col.sched.dayCutoff-86400)*1000)
         buf = "<tr class='%s' id='%d'>" % (klass, did)
         # deck link
         if children:
-            collapse = "<a class=collapse href=# onclick='openAnkiLink(\"collapse:%d\")'>%s</a>" % (did, prefix)
+            collapse = "<a class=collapse href=# onclick='pycmd(\"collapse:%d\")'>%s</a>" % (did, prefix)
         else:
             collapse = "<span class=collapse></span>"
         if deck['dyn']:
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ where id > ?""", (self.mw.col.sched.dayCutoff-86400)*1000)
         buf += """
 
         <td class=decktd colspan=5>%s%s<a class="deck %s"
-        href=# onclick="openAnkiLink('open:%d')">%s</a></td>"""% (
+        href=# onclick="pycmd('open:%d')">%s</a></td>"""% (
             indent(), collapse, extraclass, did, name)
         # due counts
         def nonzeroColour(cnt, colour):
@@ -243,7 +243,7 @@ where id > ?""", (self.mw.col.sched.dayCutoff-86400)*1000)
             nonzeroColour(due, "#007700"),
             nonzeroColour(new, "#000099"))
         # options
-        buf += ("<td align=center class=opts><a onclick='openAnkiLink(\"opts:%d\");'>"
+        buf += ("<td align=center class=opts><a onclick='pycmd(\"opts:%d\");'>"
         "<img valign=right src='qrc:/icons/gears.png'></a></td></tr>" % did)
         # children
         buf += self._renderDeckTree(children, depth+1)
@@ -347,7 +347,7 @@ where id > ?""", (self.mw.col.sched.dayCutoff-86400)*1000)
             if b[0]:
                 b[0] = _("Shortcut key: %s") % shortcut(b[0])
             buf += """
-<button title='%s' onclick='openAnkiLink(\"%s\");'>%s</button>""" % tuple(b)
+<button title='%s' onclick='pycmd(\"%s\");'>%s</button>""" % tuple(b)
         self.bottom.draw(buf)
         if isMac:
             size = 28
@@ -355,7 +355,7 @@ where id > ?""", (self.mw.col.sched.dayCutoff-86400)*1000)
             size = 36 + self.mw.fontHeightDelta*3
         self.bottom.web.setFixedHeight(size)
         self.bottom.web.resetHandlers()
-        self.bottom.web.onAnkiLink = self._linkHandler
+        self.bottom.web.onBridgeCmd = self._linkHandler
 
     def _onShared(self):
         openLink(aqt.appShared+"decks/")
diff --git a/aqt/main.py b/aqt/main.py
index 2c96d1047..603b1b6fe 100644
--- a/aqt/main.py
+++ b/aqt/main.py
@@ -456,7 +456,7 @@ the manual for information on how to restore from an automatic backup."))
             # we don't have to change the webview, as we have a covering window
             return
         self.web.resetHandlers()
-        self.web.onAnkiLink = lambda url: self.delayedMaybeReset()
+        self.web.onBridgeCmd = lambda url: self.delayedMaybeReset()
         i = _("Waiting for editing to finish.")
         b = self.button("refresh", _("Resume Now"), id="resume")
         self.web.stdHtml("""
@@ -487,7 +487,7 @@ h1 { margin-bottom: 0.2em; }
         else:
             key = ""
         return '''
-<button id="%s" class="%s" onclick="openAnkiLink('%s');return false;"
+<button id="%s" class="%s" onclick="pycmd('%s');return false;"
 title="%s" %s>%s</button>''' % (
             id, class_, link, key, extra, name)
 
diff --git a/aqt/overview.py b/aqt/overview.py
index 88f18951e..1f839ee62 100644
--- a/aqt/overview.py
+++ b/aqt/overview.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ class Overview(object):
     def show(self):
         clearAudioQueue()
         self.web.resetHandlers()
-        self.web.onAnkiLink = self._linkHandler
+        self.web.onBridgeCmd = self._linkHandler
         self.mw.keyHandler = self._keyHandler
         self.refresh()
 
@@ -199,14 +199,14 @@ text-align: center;
             if b[0]:
                 b[0] = _("Shortcut key: %s") % shortcut(b[0])
             buf += """
-<button title="%s" onclick='openAnkiLink("%s")'>%s</button>""" % tuple(b)
+<button title="%s" onclick='pycmd("%s")'>%s</button>""" % tuple(b)
         self.bottom.draw(buf)
         if isMac:
             size = 28
         else:
             size = 36 + self.mw.fontHeightDelta*3
         self.bottom.web.setFixedHeight(size)
-        self.bottom.web.onAnkiLink = self._linkHandler
+        self.bottom.web.onBridgeCmd = self._linkHandler
 
     # Studying more
     ######################################################################
diff --git a/aqt/qt.py b/aqt/qt.py
index 8965bb26e..b8f7d2696 100644
--- a/aqt/qt.py
+++ b/aqt/qt.py
@@ -11,12 +11,7 @@ os.environ["LIBOVERLAY_SCROLLBAR"] = "0"
 
 from anki.utils import isWin, isMac
 
-from PyQt5.QtCore import *
-from PyQt5.QtGui import *
-from PyQt5.QtWidgets import *
-from PyQt5.QtWebEngineWidgets import *
-
-from PyQt5.QtNetwork import QLocalServer, QLocalSocket
+from PyQt5.Qt import *
 
 def debug():
   from PyQt5.QtCore import pyqtRemoveInputHook
diff --git a/aqt/reviewer.py b/aqt/reviewer.py
index 6c0feaf1b..1acba1eb6 100644
--- a/aqt/reviewer.py
+++ b/aqt/reviewer.py
@@ -43,14 +43,14 @@ class Reviewer(object):
         self.mw.col.reset()
         self.web.resetHandlers()
         self.mw.keyHandler = self._keyHandler
-        self.web.onAnkiLink = self._linkHandler
+        self.web.onBridgeCmd = self._linkHandler
         self.web.setKeyHandler(self._catchEsc)
         if isMac:
             self.bottom.web.setFixedHeight(46)
         else:
             self.bottom.web.setFixedHeight(52+self.mw.fontHeightDelta*4)
         self.bottom.web.resetHandlers()
-        self.bottom.web.onAnkiLink = self._linkHandler
+        self.bottom.web.onBridgeCmd = self._linkHandler
         self._reps = None
         self.nextCard()
 
@@ -163,12 +163,12 @@ function _toggleStar (show) {
 
 function _getTypedText () {
     if (typeans) {
-        openAnkiLink("typeans:"+typeans.value);
+        pycmd("typeans:"+typeans.value);
     }
 };
 function _typeAnsPress() {
     if (window.event.keyCode === 13) {
-        openAnkiLink("ans");
+        pycmd("ans");
     }
 }
 </script>
@@ -533,12 +533,12 @@ min-width: 60px; white-space: nowrap;
 <tr>
 <td align=left width=50 valign=top class=stat>
 <br>
-<button title="%(editkey)s" onclick="openAnkiLink('edit');">%(edit)s</button></td>
+<button title="%(editkey)s" onclick="pycmd('edit');">%(edit)s</button></td>
 <td align=center valign=top id=middle>
 </td>
 <td width=50 align=right valign=top class=stat><span id=time class=stattxt>
 </span><br>
-<button onclick="openAnkiLink('more');">%(more)s %(downArrow)s</button>
+<button onclick="pycmd('more');">%(more)s %(downArrow)s</button>
 </td>
 </tr>
 </table>
@@ -596,7 +596,7 @@ function showAnswer(txt) {
             self.bottom.web.setFocus()
         middle = '''
 <span class=stattxt>%s</span><br>
-<button title="%s" id=ansbut onclick='openAnkiLink("ans");'>%s</button>''' % (
+<button title="%s" id=ansbut onclick='pycmd("ans");'>%s</button>''' % (
         self._remaining(), _("Shortcut key: %s") % _("Space"), _("Show Answer"))
         # wrap it in a table so it has the same top margin as the ease buttons
         middle = "<table cellpadding=0><tr><td class=stat2 align=center>%s</td></tr></table>" % middle
@@ -654,7 +654,7 @@ function showAnswer(txt) {
                 extra = ""
             due = self._buttonTime(i)
             return '''
-<td align=center>%s<button %s title="%s" onclick='openAnkiLink("ease%d");'>\
+<td align=center>%s<button %s title="%s" onclick='pycmd("ease%d");'>\
 %s</button></td>''' % (due, extra, _("Shortcut key: %s") % i, i, label)
         buf = "<center><table cellpading=0 cellspacing=0><tr>"
         for ease, label in self._answerButtonList():
diff --git a/aqt/toolbar.py b/aqt/toolbar.py
index d5f8a67b4..069c2ec88 100644
--- a/aqt/toolbar.py
+++ b/aqt/toolbar.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ class Toolbar(object):
         self.mw = mw
         self.web = web
         self.web.resetHandlers()
-        self.web.onAnkiLink = self._linkHandler
+        self.web.onBridgeCmd = self._linkHandler
         self.link_handlers = {
             "decks": self._deckLinkHandler,
             "study": self._studyLinkHandler,
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ class Toolbar(object):
         buf = ""
         for ln, name, title in links:
             buf += '''
-            <a class=hitem title="%s" href=# onclick="openAnkiLink('%s')">%s</a>''' % (
+            <a class=hitem title="%s" href=# onclick="pycmd('%s')">%s</a>''' % (
                 title, ln, name)
             buf += "&nbsp;"*3
         return buf
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ class Toolbar(object):
         buf = ""
         for ln, icon, title in self._rightIconsList():
             buf += '''
-            <a class=hitem title="%s" href=# onclick='openAnkiLink("%s")'><img width="16px" height="16px" src="%s"></a>''' % (
+            <a class=hitem title="%s" href=# onclick='pycmd("%s")'><img width="16px" height="16px" src="%s"></a>''' % (
                 title, ln, icon)
         return buf
 
diff --git a/aqt/webview.py b/aqt/webview.py
index 9ee31df29..c29931a66 100644
--- a/aqt/webview.py
+++ b/aqt/webview.py
@@ -14,16 +14,53 @@ import anki.js
 
 class AnkiWebPage(QWebEnginePage):
 
-    def __init__(self, jsErr, acceptNavReq):
+    def __init__(self, onBridgeCmd):
         QWebEnginePage.__init__(self)
-        self._jsErr = jsErr
-        self._acceptNavReq = acceptNavReq
+        self._onBridgeCmd = onBridgeCmd
+        self._setupBridge()
+
+    def _setupBridge(self):
+        class Bridge(QObject):
+            @pyqtSlot(str)
+            def cmd(self, str):
+                self.onCmd(str)
+
+        self._bridge = Bridge()
+        self._bridge.onCmd = self._onCmd
+
+        self._channel = QWebChannel(self)
+        self._channel.registerObject("py", self._bridge)
+        self.setWebChannel(self._channel)
+
+        js = QFile(':/qtwebchannel/qwebchannel.js')
+        assert js.open(QIODevice.ReadOnly)
+        js = bytes(js.readAll()).decode('utf-8')
+
+        script = QWebEngineScript()
+        script.setSourceCode(js + '''
+            var pycmd;
+            new QWebChannel(qt.webChannelTransport, function(channel) {
+                pycmd = channel.objects.py.cmd;
+                pycmd("domDone");
+            });
+        ''')
+        script.setWorldId(QWebEngineScript.MainWorld)
+        script.setInjectionPoint(QWebEngineScript.DocumentReady)
+        script.setRunsOnSubFrames(False)
+        self.profile().scripts().insert(script)
 
     def javaScriptConsoleMessage(self, lvl, msg, line, srcID):
-        self._jsErr(lvl, msg, line, srcID)
+        sys.stdout.write(
+            (_("JS error on line %(a)d: %(b)s") %
+             dict(a=line, b=msg+"\n")))
 
     def acceptNavigationRequest(self, url, navType, isMainFrame):
-        return self._acceptNavReq(url, navType, isMainFrame)
+        # load all other links in browser
+        openLink(url)
+        return False
+
+    def _onCmd(self, str):
+        self._onBridgeCmd(str)
 
 # Main web view
 ##########################################################################
@@ -33,7 +70,8 @@ class AnkiWebView(QWebEngineView):
     def __init__(self, canFocus=True):
         QWebEngineView.__init__(self)
         self.setObjectName("mainText")
-        self._page = AnkiWebPage(self._jsErr, self._acceptNavReq)
+        self._page = AnkiWebPage(self._onBridgeCmd)
+
         self._loadFinishedCB = None
         self.setPage(self._page)
         self.resetHandlers()
@@ -104,14 +142,6 @@ button {
 %s</style>
 <script>
 %s
-
-openAnkiLink = function(txt) {
-    window.location = "http://anki/"+txt;
-}
-
-document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function(event) {
-    openAnkiLink("domDone");
-  });
 </script>
 %s
 
@@ -133,34 +163,19 @@ document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function(event) {
     def _openLinksExternally(self, url):
         openLink(url)
 
-    def _jsErr(self, lvl, msg, line, srcID):
-        sys.stdout.write(
-            (_("JS error on line %(a)d: %(b)s") %
-              dict(a=line, b=msg+"\n")))
+    def _onBridgeCmd(self, cmd):
+        if cmd == "domDone":
+            self.onLoadFinished()
+        else:
+            self.onBridgeCmd(cmd)
 
-    def _acceptNavReq(self, url, navType, isMainFrame):
-        # is it an anki link?
-        urlstr = url.toString()
-        #print("got url",urlstr)
-        prefix = "http://anki/"
-        if urlstr.startswith(prefix):
-            urlstr = urlstr[len(prefix):]
-            if urlstr == "domDone":
-                self.onLoadFinished()
-            else:
-                self.onAnkiLink(urlstr)
-            return False
-        # load all other links in browser
-        openLink(url)
-        return False
-
-    def defaultOnAnkiLink(self, link):
-        print("unhandled anki link:", link)
+    def defaultOnBridgeCmd(self, cmd):
+        print("unhandled bridge cmd:", cmd)
 
     def defaultOnLoadFinished(self):
         pass
 
     def resetHandlers(self):
         self.setKeyHandler(None)
-        self.onAnkiLink = self.defaultOnAnkiLink
+        self.onBridgeCmd = self.defaultOnBridgeCmd
         self.onLoadFinished = self.defaultOnLoadFinished