diff --git a/pylib/anki/_backend/__init__.py b/pylib/anki/_backend/__init__.py
index 18cb0ca5e..981a5c5f5 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/_backend/__init__.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/_backend/__init__.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ from . import rsbridge
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from anki.lang import FormatTimeSpanContextValue, TRValue
 
+# pylint: disable=c-extension-no-member
 assert rsbridge.buildhash() == anki.buildinfo.buildhash
 
 
diff --git a/pylib/anki/_backend/genbackend.py b/pylib/anki/_backend/genbackend.py
index 75d566d45..55ce2b76a 100755
--- a/pylib/anki/_backend/genbackend.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/_backend/genbackend.py
@@ -33,7 +33,9 @@ LABEL_REQUIRED = 2
 LABEL_REPEATED = 3
 
 # messages we don't want to unroll in codegen
-SKIP_UNROLL_INPUT = {"TranslateString"}
+SKIP_UNROLL_INPUT = {"TranslateString", "SetPreferences"}
+SKIP_UNROLL_OUTPUT = {"GetPreferences"}
+
 SKIP_DECODE = {"Graphs", "GetGraphPreferences"}
 
 
@@ -114,6 +116,7 @@ def render_method(method, idx):
     if (
         len(method.output_type.fields) == 1
         and method.output_type.fields[0].type != TYPE_ENUM
+        and method.name not in SKIP_UNROLL_OUTPUT
     ):
         # unwrap single return arg
         f = method.output_type.fields[0]
diff --git a/pylib/anki/collection.py b/pylib/anki/collection.py
index ec49f8bda..8cc135703 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/collection.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/collection.py
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ from anki.models import ModelManager
 from anki.notes import Note
 from anki.sched import Scheduler as V1Scheduler
 from anki.schedv2 import Scheduler as V2Scheduler
+from anki.sync import SyncAuth, SyncOutput, SyncStatus
 from anki.tags import TagManager
 from anki.utils import (
     devMode,
@@ -53,6 +54,7 @@ EmptyCardsReport = _pb.EmptyCardsReport
 NoteWithEmptyCards = _pb.NoteWithEmptyCards
 GraphPreferences = _pb.GraphPreferences
 BuiltinSortKind = _pb.SortOrder.Builtin.Kind  # pylint: disable=no-member
+Preferences = _pb.Preferences
 
 # pylint: disable=no-member
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
@@ -819,6 +821,44 @@ table.review-log {{ {revlog_style} }}
             intTime(),
         )
 
+    ##########################################################################
+
+    def set_wants_abort(self) -> None:
+        self.backend.set_wants_abort()
+
+    def i18n_resources(self) -> bytes:
+        return self.backend.i18n_resources()
+
+    def abort_media_sync(self) -> None:
+        self.backend.abort_media_sync()
+
+    def abort_sync(self) -> None:
+        self.backend.abort_sync()
+
+    def full_upload(self, auth: SyncAuth) -> None:
+        self.backend.full_upload(auth)
+
+    def full_download(self, auth: SyncAuth) -> None:
+        self.backend.full_download(auth)
+
+    def sync_login(self, username: str, password: str) -> SyncAuth:
+        return self.backend.sync_login(username=username, password=password)
+
+    def sync_collection(self, auth: SyncAuth) -> SyncOutput:
+        return self.backend.sync_collection(auth)
+
+    def sync_media(self, auth: SyncAuth) -> None:
+        self.backend.sync_media(auth)
+
+    def sync_status(self, auth: SyncAuth) -> SyncStatus:
+        return self.backend.sync_status(auth)
+
+    def get_preferences(self) -> Preferences:
+        return self.backend.get_preferences()
+
+    def set_preferences(self, prefs: Preferences):
+        self.backend.set_preferences(prefs)
+
 
 class ProgressKind(enum.Enum):
     NoProgress = 0
diff --git a/pylib/anki/media.py b/pylib/anki/media.py
index c31789237..4721f1efb 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/media.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/media.py
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ import anki
 import anki._backend.backend_pb2 as _pb
 from anki.consts import *
 from anki.latex import render_latex, render_latex_returning_errors
+from anki.sound import SoundOrVideoTag
+from anki.template import av_tags_to_native
 from anki.utils import intTime
 
 
@@ -98,6 +100,24 @@ class MediaManager:
         except FileNotFoundError:
             pass
 
+    def empty_trash(self) -> None:
+        self.col.backend.empty_trash()
+
+    def restore_trash(self) -> None:
+        self.col.backend.restore_trash()
+
+    def strip_av_tags(self, text: str) -> str:
+        return self.col.backend.strip_av_tags(text)
+
+    def _extract_filenames(self, text: str) -> List[str]:
+        "This only exists do support a legacy function; do not use."
+        out = self.col.backend.extract_av_tags(text=text, question_side=True)
+        return [
+            x.filename
+            for x in av_tags_to_native(out.av_tags)
+            if isinstance(x, SoundOrVideoTag)
+        ]
+
     # File manipulation
     ##########################################################################
 
diff --git a/pylib/anki/tags.py b/pylib/anki/tags.py
index bfcd8c9a5..d07101aee 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/tags.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/tags.py
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ class TagManager:
             nids=nids, tags=tags, replacement=replacement, regex=regex
         )
 
-    def rename_tag(self, old: str, new: str) -> int:
+    def rename(self, old: str, new: str) -> int:
         "Rename provided tag, returning number of changed notes."
         nids = self.col.find_notes(anki.collection.SearchTerm(tag=old))
         if not nids:
@@ -100,6 +100,9 @@ class TagManager:
         escaped_name = re.sub(r"[*_\\]", r"\\\g<0>", old)
         return self.bulk_update(nids, escaped_name, new, False)
 
+    def remove(self, tag: str) -> None:
+        self.col.backend.clear_tag(tag)
+
     # legacy routines
 
     def bulkAdd(self, ids: List[int], tags: str, add: bool = True) -> None:
diff --git a/qt/aqt/legacy.py b/qt/aqt/legacy.py
index a2403685f..50729eb12 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/legacy.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/legacy.py
@@ -10,8 +10,6 @@ from typing import List
 
 import anki
 import aqt
-from anki.sound import SoundOrVideoTag
-from anki.template import av_tags_to_native
 from aqt.theme import theme_manager
 
 # Routines removed from pylib/
@@ -25,21 +23,16 @@ def bodyClass(col, card) -> str:
 
 def allSounds(text) -> List:
     print("allSounds() deprecated")
-    out = aqt.mw.col.backend.extract_av_tags(text=text, question_side=True)
-    return [
-        x.filename
-        for x in av_tags_to_native(out.av_tags)
-        if isinstance(x, SoundOrVideoTag)
-    ]
+    return aqt.mw.col.media._extract_filenames(text)
 
 
 def stripSounds(text) -> str:
     print("stripSounds() deprecated")
-    return aqt.mw.col.backend.strip_av_tags(text)
+    return aqt.mw.col.media.strip_av_tags(text)
 
 
 def fmtTimeSpan(time, pad=0, point=0, short=False, inTime=False, unit=99):
-    print("fmtTimeSpan() has become col.backend.format_time_span()")
+    print("fmtTimeSpan() has become col.format_timespan()")
     return aqt.mw.col.format_timespan(time)
 
 
diff --git a/qt/aqt/mediacheck.py b/qt/aqt/mediacheck.py
index 79a560632..0f844a643 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/mediacheck.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/mediacheck.py
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ class MediaChecker:
 
         try:
             if self.progress_dialog.wantCancel:
-                self.mw.col.backend.set_wants_abort()
+                self.mw.col.set_wants_abort()
         except AttributeError:
             # dialog may not be active
             pass
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ class MediaChecker:
         self._set_progress_enabled(True)
 
         def empty_trash():
-            self.mw.col.backend.empty_trash()
+            self.mw.col.media.empty_trash()
 
         def on_done(fut: Future):
             self.mw.progress.finish()
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ class MediaChecker:
         self._set_progress_enabled(True)
 
         def restore_trash():
-            self.mw.col.backend.restore_trash()
+            self.mw.col.media.restore_trash()
 
         def on_done(fut: Future):
             self.mw.progress.finish()
diff --git a/qt/aqt/mediasrv.py b/qt/aqt/mediasrv.py
index 1da2565ae..6609a5a7c 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/mediasrv.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/mediasrv.py
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@ post_handlers = {
     "graphPreferences": graph_preferences,
     "setGraphPreferences": set_graph_preferences,
     # pylint: disable=unnecessary-lambda
-    "i18nResources": lambda: aqt.mw.col.backend.i18n_resources(),
+    "i18nResources": lambda: aqt.mw.col.i18n_resources(),
     "congratsInfo": congrats_info,
 }
 
diff --git a/qt/aqt/mediasync.py b/qt/aqt/mediasync.py
index 3e60a3e9e..ba5cd95d4 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/mediasync.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/mediasync.py
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ class MediaSyncer:
         gui_hooks.media_sync_did_start_or_stop(True)
 
         def run() -> None:
-            self.mw.col.backend.sync_media(auth)
+            self.mw.col.sync_media(auth)
 
         self.mw.taskman.run_in_background(run, self._on_finished)
 
@@ -107,8 +107,8 @@ class MediaSyncer:
         if not self.is_syncing():
             return
         self._log_and_notify(tr(TR.SYNC_MEDIA_ABORTING))
-        self.mw.col.backend.set_wants_abort()
-        self.mw.col.backend.abort_media_sync()
+        self.mw.col.set_wants_abort()
+        self.mw.col.abort_media_sync()
 
     def is_syncing(self) -> bool:
         return self._syncing
diff --git a/qt/aqt/preferences.py b/qt/aqt/preferences.py
index 8ed2ac384..1248696d8 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/preferences.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/preferences.py
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ class Preferences(QDialog):
             self.form.buttonBox.helpRequested, lambda: openHelp(HelpPage.PREFERENCES)
         )
         self.silentlyClose = True
-        self.prefs = self.mw.col.backend.get_preferences()
+        self.prefs = self.mw.col.get_preferences()
         self.setupLang()
         self.setupCollection()
         self.setupNetwork()
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ class Preferences(QDialog):
 
         f.useCurrent.setCurrentIndex(int(not qc.get("addToCur", True)))
 
-        s = self.prefs
+        s = self.prefs.sched
         f.lrnCutoff.setValue(int(s.learn_ahead_secs / 60.0))
         f.timeLimit.setValue(int(s.time_limit_secs / 60.0))
         f.showEstimates.setChecked(s.show_intervals_on_buttons)
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ class Preferences(QDialog):
         qc = d.conf
         qc["addToCur"] = not f.useCurrent.currentIndex()
 
-        s = self.prefs
+        s = self.prefs.sched
         s.show_remaining_due_counts = f.showProgress.isChecked()
         s.show_intervals_on_buttons = f.showEstimates.isChecked()
         s.new_review_mix = f.newSpread.currentIndex()
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ class Preferences(QDialog):
 
         # if moving this, make sure scheduler change is moved to Rust or
         # happens afterwards
-        self.mw.col.backend.set_preferences(self.prefs)
+        self.mw.col.set_preferences(self.prefs)
 
         self._updateSchedVer(f.newSched.isChecked())
         d.setMod()
diff --git a/qt/aqt/sidebar.py b/qt/aqt/sidebar.py
index c1c3749ad..d3c3e1ee5 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/sidebar.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/sidebar.py
@@ -691,8 +691,8 @@ class SidebarTreeView(QTreeView):
         old_name = item.full_name
 
         def do_remove():
-            self.mw.col.backend.clear_tag(old_name)
-            self.col.tags.rename_tag(old_name, "")
+            self.mw.col.tags.remove(old_name)
+            self.col.tags.rename(old_name, "")
 
         def on_done(fut: Future):
             self.mw.requireReset(reason=ResetReason.BrowserRemoveTags, context=self)
@@ -714,8 +714,8 @@ class SidebarTreeView(QTreeView):
             return
 
         def do_rename():
-            self.mw.col.backend.clear_tag(old_name)
-            return self.col.tags.rename_tag(old_name, new_name)
+            self.mw.col.tags.remove(old_name)
+            return self.col.tags.rename(old_name, new_name)
 
         def on_done(fut: Future):
             self.mw.requireReset(reason=ResetReason.BrowserAddTags, context=self)
diff --git a/qt/aqt/sync.py b/qt/aqt/sync.py
index c71ae132c..695fe8d02 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/sync.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/sync.py
@@ -54,9 +54,7 @@ def get_sync_status(mw: aqt.main.AnkiQt, callback: Callable[[SyncStatus], None])
             return
         callback(out)
 
-    mw.taskman.run_in_background(
-        lambda: mw.col.backend.sync_status(auth), on_future_done
-    )
+    mw.taskman.run_in_background(lambda: mw.col.sync_status(auth), on_future_done)
 
 
 def handle_sync_error(mw: aqt.main.AnkiQt, err: Exception):
@@ -82,7 +80,7 @@ def on_normal_sync_timer(mw: aqt.main.AnkiQt) -> None:
     mw.progress.set_title(progress.val.stage)
 
     if mw.progress.want_cancel():
-        mw.col.backend.abort_sync()
+        mw.col.abort_sync()
 
 
 def sync_collection(mw: aqt.main.AnkiQt, on_done: Callable[[], None]) -> None:
@@ -116,7 +114,7 @@ def sync_collection(mw: aqt.main.AnkiQt, on_done: Callable[[], None]) -> None:
 
     mw.col.save(trx=False)
     mw.taskman.with_progress(
-        lambda: mw.col.backend.sync_collection(auth),
+        lambda: mw.col.sync_collection(auth),
         on_future_done,
         label=tr(TR.SYNC_CHECKING),
         immediate=True,
@@ -167,7 +165,7 @@ def on_full_sync_timer(mw: aqt.main.AnkiQt) -> None:
     )
 
     if mw.progress.want_cancel():
-        mw.col.backend.abort_sync()
+        mw.col.abort_sync()
 
 
 def full_download(mw: aqt.main.AnkiQt, on_done: Callable[[], None]) -> None:
@@ -192,7 +190,7 @@ def full_download(mw: aqt.main.AnkiQt, on_done: Callable[[], None]) -> None:
         return on_done()
 
     mw.taskman.with_progress(
-        lambda: mw.col.backend.full_download(mw.pm.sync_auth()),
+        lambda: mw.col.full_download(mw.pm.sync_auth()),
         on_future_done,
         label=tr(TR.SYNC_DOWNLOADING_FROM_ANKIWEB),
     )
@@ -221,7 +219,7 @@ def full_upload(mw: aqt.main.AnkiQt, on_done: Callable[[], None]) -> None:
         return on_done()
 
     mw.taskman.with_progress(
-        lambda: mw.col.backend.full_upload(mw.pm.sync_auth()),
+        lambda: mw.col.full_upload(mw.pm.sync_auth()),
         on_future_done,
         label=tr(TR.SYNC_UPLOADING_TO_ANKIWEB),
     )
@@ -258,7 +256,7 @@ def sync_login(
         on_success()
 
     mw.taskman.with_progress(
-        lambda: mw.col.backend.sync_login(username=username, password=password),
+        lambda: mw.col.sync_login(username=username, password=password),
         on_future_done,
     )