diff --git a/pylib/anki/_backend/genbackend.py b/pylib/anki/_backend/genbackend.py
index 02bceda48..7c79a3ebb 100755
--- a/pylib/anki/_backend/genbackend.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/_backend/genbackend.py
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ LABEL_REQUIRED = 2
 LABEL_REPEATED = 3
 
 # messages we don't want to unroll in codegen
-SKIP_UNROLL_INPUT = {"TranslateString", "SetPreferences"}
+SKIP_UNROLL_INPUT = {"TranslateString", "SetPreferences", "UpdateDeckConfigs"}
 SKIP_UNROLL_OUTPUT = {"GetPreferences"}
 
 SKIP_DECODE = {"Graphs", "GetGraphPreferences"}
diff --git a/pylib/anki/decks.py b/pylib/anki/decks.py
index cc5d81bf4..75673f36f 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/decks.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/decks.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ DeckNameId = _pb.DeckNameId
 FilteredDeckConfig = _pb.Deck.Filtered
 DeckCollapseScope = _pb.SetDeckCollapsedIn.Scope
 DeckConfigsForUpdate = _pb.DeckConfigsForUpdate
+UpdateDeckConfigs = _pb.UpdateDeckConfigsIn
 
 # legacy code may pass this in as the type argument to .id()
 defaultDeck = 0
@@ -328,6 +329,9 @@ class DeckManager:
     def get_deck_configs_for_update(self, deck_id: DeckId) -> DeckConfigsForUpdate:
         return self.col._backend.get_deck_configs_for_update(deck_id)
 
+    def update_deck_configs(self, input: UpdateDeckConfigs) -> OpChanges:
+        return self.col._backend.update_deck_configs(input=input)
+
     def all_config(self) -> List[DeckConfigDict]:
         "A list of all deck config."
         return list(from_json_bytes(self.col._backend.all_deck_config_legacy()))
diff --git a/qt/aqt/mediasrv.py b/qt/aqt/mediasrv.py
index 9d7f8f7e7..9d7530afe 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/mediasrv.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/mediasrv.py
@@ -20,8 +20,10 @@ from waitress.server import create_server
 
 import aqt
 from anki import hooks
-from anki.collection import GraphPreferences
+from anki.collection import GraphPreferences, OpChanges
+from anki.decks import UpdateDeckConfigs
 from anki.utils import devMode, from_json_bytes
+from aqt.operations.deck import update_deck_configs
 from aqt.qt import *
 from aqt.utils import aqt_data_folder
 
@@ -283,11 +285,32 @@ def deck_configs_for_update() -> bytes:
     ).SerializeToString()
 
 
+def update_deck_configs_request() -> bytes:
+    # the regular change tracking machinery expects to be started on the main
+    # thread and uses a callback on success, so we need to run this op on
+    # main, and return immediately from the web request
+
+    input = UpdateDeckConfigs()
+    input.ParseFromString(request.data)
+
+    def on_success(changes: OpChanges) -> None:
+        print("done", changes)
+
+    def handle_on_main() -> None:
+        update_deck_configs(parent=aqt.mw, input=input).success(
+            on_success
+        ).run_in_background()
+
+    aqt.mw.taskman.run_on_main(handle_on_main)
+    return b""
+
+
 post_handlers = {
     "graphData": graph_data,
     "graphPreferences": graph_preferences,
     "setGraphPreferences": set_graph_preferences,
     "deckConfigsForUpdate": deck_configs_for_update,
+    "updateDeckConfigs": update_deck_configs_request,
     # pylint: disable=unnecessary-lambda
     "i18nResources": i18n_resources,
     "congratsInfo": congrats_info,
diff --git a/qt/aqt/operations/deck.py b/qt/aqt/operations/deck.py
index a8d69bd89..52e4aa148 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/operations/deck.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/operations/deck.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 from typing import Optional, Sequence
 
 from anki.collection import OpChanges, OpChangesWithCount, OpChangesWithId
-from anki.decks import DeckCollapseScope, DeckId
+from anki.decks import DeckCollapseScope, DeckId, UpdateDeckConfigs
 from aqt import QWidget
 from aqt.operations import CollectionOp
 from aqt.utils import getOnlyText, tooltip, tr
@@ -80,3 +80,9 @@ def set_deck_collapsed(
 
 def set_current_deck(*, parent: QWidget, deck_id: DeckId) -> CollectionOp[OpChanges]:
     return CollectionOp(parent, lambda col: col.decks.set_current(deck_id))
+
+
+def update_deck_configs(
+    *, parent: QWidget, input: UpdateDeckConfigs
+) -> CollectionOp[OpChanges]:
+    return CollectionOp(parent, lambda col: col.decks.update_deck_configs(input))
diff --git a/ts/deckconfig/OptionsDropdown.svelte b/ts/deckconfig/OptionsDropdown.svelte
index 8700d8dc4..155e18142 100644
--- a/ts/deckconfig/OptionsDropdown.svelte
+++ b/ts/deckconfig/OptionsDropdown.svelte
@@ -54,6 +54,10 @@ License: GNU AGPL, version 3 or later; http://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl.html
             }
         }, 100);
     }
+
+    function save(applyToChildDecks: boolean): void {
+        state.save(applyToChildDecks);
+    }
 </script>
 
 <style>
@@ -63,7 +67,10 @@ License: GNU AGPL, version 3 or later; http://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl.html
 </style>
 
 <div class="btn-group">
-    <button type="button" class="btn btn-primary">Save</button>
+    <button
+        type="button"
+        class="btn btn-primary"
+        on:click={() => save(false)}>Save</button>
     <button
         type="button"
         class="btn btn-primary dropdown-toggle dropdown-toggle-split"
@@ -82,6 +89,9 @@ License: GNU AGPL, version 3 or later; http://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl.html
         <li>
             <hr class="dropdown-divider" />
         </li>
-        <li><a class="dropdown-item" href={'#'}>Apply to Child Decks</a></li>
+        <li>
+            <a class="dropdown-item" href={'#'} on:click={() => save(true)}>Save to All
+                Children</a>
+        </li>
     </ul>
 </div>
diff --git a/ts/deckconfig/index.ts b/ts/deckconfig/index.ts
index 6cf9e49bd..4589bec96 100644
--- a/ts/deckconfig/index.ts
+++ b/ts/deckconfig/index.ts
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ export async function deckConfig(
         modules: [ModuleName.SCHEDULING, ModuleName.ACTIONS, ModuleName.DECK_CONFIG],
     });
     const info = await getDeckConfigInfo(deckId);
-    const state = new DeckConfigState(info);
+    const state = new DeckConfigState(deckId, info);
     new DeckConfigPage({
         target,
         props: { state },
diff --git a/ts/deckconfig/lib.test.ts b/ts/deckconfig/lib.test.ts
index 88ca21f4f..0efd39dba 100644
--- a/ts/deckconfig/lib.test.ts
+++ b/ts/deckconfig/lib.test.ts
@@ -92,6 +92,7 @@ const exampleData = {
 
 function startingState(): DeckConfigState {
     return new DeckConfigState(
+        123,
         pb.BackendProto.DeckConfigsForUpdate.fromObject(exampleData)
     );
 }
@@ -198,7 +199,8 @@ test("deck list", () => {
     expect(get(state.currentConfig).newPerDay).toBe(10);
 
     // only the pre-existing deck should be listed for removal
-    expect((state as any).removedConfigs).toStrictEqual([1618570764780]);
+    const out = state.dataForSaving(false);
+    expect(out.removedConfigIds).toStrictEqual([1618570764780]);
 });
 
 test("duplicate name", () => {
@@ -233,3 +235,44 @@ test("parent counts", () => {
     });
     expect(get(state.parentLimits)).toStrictEqual({ newCards: 123, reviews: 200 });
 });
+
+test("saving", () => {
+    let state = startingState();
+    let out = state.dataForSaving(false);
+    expect(out.removedConfigIds).toStrictEqual([]);
+    expect(out.targetDeckId).toBe(123);
+    // in no-changes case, currently selected config should
+    // be returned
+    expect(out.configs.length).toBe(1);
+    expect(out.configs[0].name).toBe("another one");
+    expect(out.applyToChildren).toBe(false);
+
+    // rename, then change current deck
+    state.setCurrentName("zzz");
+    out = state.dataForSaving(true);
+    state.setCurrentIndex(0);
+
+    // renamed deck should be in changes, with current deck as last element
+    out = state.dataForSaving(true);
+    expect(out.configs.map((c) => c.name)).toStrictEqual(["zzz", "Default"]);
+    expect(out.applyToChildren).toBe(true);
+
+    // start again, adding new deck
+    state = startingState();
+    state.addConfig("hello");
+
+    // deleting it should not change removedConfigs
+    state.removeCurrentConfig();
+    out = state.dataForSaving(true);
+    expect(out.removedConfigIds).toStrictEqual([]);
+
+    // select the other non-default deck & remove
+    state.setCurrentIndex(1);
+    state.removeCurrentConfig();
+
+    // should be listed in removedConfigs, and modified should
+    // only contain Default, which is the new current deck
+    out = state.dataForSaving(true);
+    expect(out.removedConfigIds).toStrictEqual([1618570764780]);
+    expect(out.configs.map((c) => c.name)).toStrictEqual(["Default"]);
+});
diff --git a/ts/deckconfig/lib.ts b/ts/deckconfig/lib.ts
index 045dcf11a..d050d7f39 100644
--- a/ts/deckconfig/lib.ts
+++ b/ts/deckconfig/lib.ts
@@ -19,6 +19,14 @@ export async function getDeckConfigInfo(
     );
 }
 
+export async function saveDeckConfig(
+    input: pb.BackendProto.UpdateDeckConfigsIn
+): Promise<void> {
+    const data: Uint8Array = pb.BackendProto.UpdateDeckConfigsIn.encode(input).finish();
+    await postRequest("/_anki/updateDeckConfigs", data);
+    return;
+}
+
 export type DeckConfigId = number;
 
 export interface ConfigWithCount {
@@ -47,6 +55,7 @@ export class DeckConfigState {
     readonly currentDeck: pb.BackendProto.DeckConfigsForUpdate.CurrentDeck;
     readonly defaults: ConfigInner;
 
+    private targetDeckId: number;
     private configs: ConfigWithCount[];
     private selectedIdx: number;
     private configListSetter!: (val: ConfigListEntry[]) => void;
@@ -55,7 +64,8 @@ export class DeckConfigState {
     private removedConfigs: DeckConfigId[] = [];
     private schemaModified: boolean;
 
-    constructor(data: pb.BackendProto.DeckConfigsForUpdate) {
+    constructor(targetDeckId: number, data: pb.BackendProto.DeckConfigsForUpdate) {
+        this.targetDeckId = targetDeckId;
         this.currentDeck = data.currentDeck as pb.BackendProto.DeckConfigsForUpdate.CurrentDeck;
         this.defaults = data.defaults!.config! as ConfigInner;
         this.configs = data.allConfig.map((config) => {
@@ -117,7 +127,6 @@ export class DeckConfigState {
     }
 
     /// Adds a new config, making it current.
-    /// not already a new config.
     addConfig(name: string): void {
         const uniqueName = this.ensureNewNameUnique(name);
         const config = pb.BackendProto.DeckConfig.create({
@@ -144,9 +153,8 @@ export class DeckConfigState {
     removeCurrentConfig(): void {
         const currentId = this.configs[this.selectedIdx].config.id;
         if (currentId === 1) {
-            throw "can't remove default config";
+            throw Error("can't remove default config");
         }
-
         if (currentId !== 0) {
             this.removedConfigs.push(currentId);
             this.schemaModified = true;
@@ -157,6 +165,32 @@ export class DeckConfigState {
         this.updateConfigList();
     }
 
+    dataForSaving(applyToChildren: boolean): pb.BackendProto.UpdateDeckConfigsIn {
+        const modifiedConfigsExcludingCurrent = this.configs
+            .map((c) => c.config)
+            .filter((c, idx) => {
+                return (
+                    idx !== this.selectedIdx &&
+                    (c.id === 0 || this.modifiedConfigs.has(c.id))
+                );
+            });
+        const configs = [
+            ...modifiedConfigsExcludingCurrent,
+            // current must come last, even if unmodified
+            this.configs[this.selectedIdx].config,
+        ];
+        return pb.BackendProto.UpdateDeckConfigsIn.create({
+            targetDeckId: this.targetDeckId,
+            removedConfigIds: this.removedConfigs,
+            configs,
+            applyToChildren,
+        });
+    }
+
+    async save(applyToChildren: boolean): Promise<void> {
+        await saveDeckConfig(this.dataForSaving(applyToChildren));
+    }
+
     private onCurrentConfigChanged(config: ConfigInner): void {
         if (!isEqual(config, this.configs[this.selectedIdx].config.config)) {
             this.configs[this.selectedIdx].config.config = config;