diff --git a/pylib/anki/_backend/rsbridge.pyi b/pylib/anki/_backend/rsbridge.pyi
index 57068a376..126678bc9 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/_backend/rsbridge.pyi
+++ b/pylib/anki/_backend/rsbridge.pyi
@@ -1,10 +1,7 @@
-from typing import Any
-
-def buildhash(*args, **kwargs) -> Any: ...
-def open_backend(*args, **kwargs) -> Any: ...
+def buildhash() -> str: ...
+def open_backend(data: bytes) -> Backend: ...
 
 class Backend:
     @classmethod
-    def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs) -> None: ...
-    def command(self, *args, **kwargs) -> Any: ...
-    def db_command(self, *args, **kwargs) -> Any: ...
+    def command(self, method: int, data: bytes) -> bytes: ...
+    def db_command(self, data: bytes) -> bytes: ...
diff --git a/pylib/anki/consts.py b/pylib/anki/consts.py
index 18c134ea2..1e472bdf4 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/consts.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/consts.py
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ REVLOG_RESCHED = 4
 ##########################################################################
 
 
-def _tr(col: Optional[anki.collection.Collection]):
+def _tr(col: Optional[anki.collection.Collection]) -> Any:
     if col:
         return col.tr
     else:
diff --git a/pylib/anki/db.py b/pylib/anki/db.py
index 348a52d7f..eebc5be67 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/db.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/db.py
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ class DB:
         del d["_db"]
         return f"{super().__repr__()} {pprint.pformat(d, width=300)}"
 
-    def execute(self, sql: str, *a, **ka) -> Cursor:
+    def execute(self, sql: str, *a: Any, **ka: Any) -> Cursor:
         s = sql.strip().lower()
         # mark modified?
         for stmt in "insert", "update", "delete":
@@ -76,36 +76,36 @@ class DB:
     def rollback(self) -> None:
         self._db.rollback()
 
-    def scalar(self, *a, **kw) -> Any:
+    def scalar(self, *a: Any, **kw: Any) -> Any:
         res = self.execute(*a, **kw).fetchone()
         if res:
             return res[0]
         return None
 
-    def all(self, *a, **kw) -> List:
+    def all(self, *a: Any, **kw: Any) -> List:
         return self.execute(*a, **kw).fetchall()
 
-    def first(self, *a, **kw) -> Any:
+    def first(self, *a: Any, **kw: Any) -> Any:
         c = self.execute(*a, **kw)
         res = c.fetchone()
         c.close()
         return res
 
-    def list(self, *a, **kw) -> List:
+    def list(self, *a: Any, **kw: Any) -> List:
         return [x[0] for x in self.execute(*a, **kw)]
 
     def close(self) -> None:
         self._db.text_factory = None
         self._db.close()
 
-    def set_progress_handler(self, *args) -> None:
+    def set_progress_handler(self, *args: Any) -> None:
         self._db.set_progress_handler(*args)
 
     def __enter__(self) -> "DB":
         self._db.execute("begin")
         return self
 
-    def __exit__(self, exc_type, *args) -> None:
+    def __exit__(self, *args: Any) -> None:
         self._db.close()
 
     def totalChanges(self) -> Any:
diff --git a/pylib/anki/dbproxy.py b/pylib/anki/dbproxy.py
index 7ec126e04..1bb4f9d95 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/dbproxy.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/dbproxy.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import re
+from re import Match
 from typing import Any, Dict, Iterable, List, Optional, Sequence, Tuple, Union
 
 import anki
@@ -43,7 +44,11 @@ class DBProxy:
     ################
 
     def _query(
-        self, sql: str, *args: ValueForDB, first_row_only: bool = False, **kwargs
+        self,
+        sql: str,
+        *args: ValueForDB,
+        first_row_only: bool = False,
+        **kwargs: ValueForDB,
     ) -> List[Row]:
         # mark modified?
         s = sql.strip().lower()
@@ -57,20 +62,22 @@ class DBProxy:
     # Query shortcuts
     ###################
 
-    def all(self, sql: str, *args: ValueForDB, **kwargs) -> List[Row]:
-        return self._query(sql, *args, **kwargs)
+    def all(self, sql: str, *args: ValueForDB, **kwargs: ValueForDB) -> List[Row]:
+        return self._query(sql, *args, first_row_only=False, **kwargs)
 
-    def list(self, sql: str, *args: ValueForDB, **kwargs) -> List[ValueFromDB]:
-        return [x[0] for x in self._query(sql, *args, **kwargs)]
+    def list(
+        self, sql: str, *args: ValueForDB, **kwargs: ValueForDB
+    ) -> List[ValueFromDB]:
+        return [x[0] for x in self._query(sql, *args, first_row_only=False, **kwargs)]
 
-    def first(self, sql: str, *args: ValueForDB, **kwargs) -> Optional[Row]:
+    def first(self, sql: str, *args: ValueForDB, **kwargs: ValueForDB) -> Optional[Row]:
         rows = self._query(sql, *args, first_row_only=True, **kwargs)
         if rows:
             return rows[0]
         else:
             return None
 
-    def scalar(self, sql: str, *args: ValueForDB, **kwargs) -> ValueFromDB:
+    def scalar(self, sql: str, *args: ValueForDB, **kwargs: ValueForDB) -> ValueFromDB:
         rows = self._query(sql, *args, first_row_only=True, **kwargs)
         if rows:
             return rows[0][0]
@@ -109,7 +116,7 @@ def emulate_named_args(
         n = len(args2)
         arg_num[key] = n
     # update refs
-    def repl(m):
+    def repl(m: Match) -> str:
         arg = m.group(1)
         return f"?{arg_num[arg]}"
 
diff --git a/pylib/anki/errors.py b/pylib/anki/errors.py
index bed39fab0..955d6009f 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/errors.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/errors.py
@@ -3,8 +3,6 @@
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-from typing import Any
-
 import anki._backend.backend_pb2 as _pb
 
 # fixme: notfounderror etc need to be in rsbackend.py
@@ -88,17 +86,15 @@ def backend_exception_to_pylib(err: _pb.BackendError) -> Exception:
         return StringError(err.localized)
 
 
+# FIXME: this is only used with "abortSchemaMod", but currently some
+# add-ons depend on it
 class AnkiError(Exception):
-    def __init__(self, type, **data) -> None:
+    def __init__(self, type: str) -> None:
         super().__init__()
         self.type = type
-        self.data = data
 
-    def __str__(self) -> Any:
-        m = self.type
-        if self.data:
-            m += ": %s" % repr(self.data)
-        return m
+    def __str__(self) -> str:
+        return self.type
 
 
 class DeckRenameError(Exception):
@@ -106,5 +102,5 @@ class DeckRenameError(Exception):
         super().__init__()
         self.description = description
 
-    def __str__(self):
+    def __str__(self) -> str:
         return "Couldn't rename deck: " + self.description
diff --git a/pylib/anki/httpclient.py b/pylib/anki/httpclient.py
index 55842918a..b169fc2d2 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/httpclient.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/httpclient.py
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@
 Wrapper for requests that adds a callback for tracking upload/download progress.
 """
 
+from __future__ import annotations
+
 import io
 import os
 from typing import Any, Callable, Dict, Optional
@@ -28,24 +30,23 @@ class HttpClient:
         self.progress_hook = progress_hook
         self.session = requests.Session()
 
-    def __enter__(self):
+    def __enter__(self) -> HttpClient:
         return self
 
-    def __exit__(self, *args):
+    def __exit__(self, *args: Any) -> None:
         self.close()
 
-    def close(self):
+    def close(self) -> None:
         if self.session:
             self.session.close()
             self.session = None
 
-    def __del__(self):
+    def __del__(self) -> None:
         self.close()
 
-    def post(self, url: str, data: Any, headers: Optional[Dict[str, str]]) -> Response:
-        data = _MonitoringFile(
-            data, hook=self.progress_hook
-        )  # pytype: disable=wrong-arg-types
+    def post(
+        self, url: str, data: bytes, headers: Optional[Dict[str, str]]
+    ) -> Response:
         headers["User-Agent"] = self._agentName()
         return self.session.post(
             url,
@@ -56,7 +57,7 @@ class HttpClient:
             verify=self.verify,
         )  # pytype: disable=wrong-arg-types
 
-    def get(self, url, headers=None) -> Response:
+    def get(self, url: str, headers: Dict[str, str] = None) -> Response:
         if headers is None:
             headers = {}
         headers["User-Agent"] = self._agentName()
@@ -64,7 +65,7 @@ class HttpClient:
             url, stream=True, headers=headers, timeout=self.timeout, verify=self.verify
         )
 
-    def streamContent(self, resp) -> bytes:
+    def streamContent(self, resp: Response) -> bytes:
         resp.raise_for_status()
 
         buf = io.BytesIO()
@@ -87,15 +88,3 @@ if os.environ.get("ANKI_NOVERIFYSSL"):
     import warnings
 
     warnings.filterwarnings("ignore")
-
-
-class _MonitoringFile(io.BufferedReader):
-    def __init__(self, raw: io.RawIOBase, hook: Optional[ProgressCallback]):
-        io.BufferedReader.__init__(self, raw)
-        self.hook = hook
-
-    def read(self, size=-1) -> bytes:
-        data = io.BufferedReader.read(self, HTTP_BUF_SIZE)
-        if self.hook:
-            self.hook(len(data), 0)
-        return data
diff --git a/pylib/anki/lang.py b/pylib/anki/lang.py
index 2cc2eb8ed..6be31bbfd 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/lang.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/lang.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 import locale
 import re
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Optional, Tuple
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, Optional, Tuple
 
 import anki
 import anki._backend.backend_pb2 as _pb
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ def ngettext(single: str, plural: str, n: int) -> str:
     return plural
 
 
-def tr_legacyglobal(*args, **kwargs) -> str:
+def tr_legacyglobal(*args: Any, **kwargs: Any) -> str:
     "Should use col.tr() instead."
     if current_i18n:
         return current_i18n.translate(*args, **kwargs)
diff --git a/pylib/anki/tags.py b/pylib/anki/tags.py
index 2699cfdab..e64e9d434 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/tags.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/tags.py
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ class TagManager:
     #############################################################
 
     def register(
-        self, tags: Collection[str], usn: Optional[int] = None, clear=False
+        self, tags: Collection[str], usn: Optional[int] = None, clear: bool = False
     ) -> None:
         print("tags.register() is deprecated and no longer works")
 
@@ -56,10 +56,10 @@ class TagManager:
         "Clear unused tags and add any missing tags from notes to the tag list."
         self.clear_unused_tags()
 
-    def clear_unused_tags(self):
+    def clear_unused_tags(self) -> None:
         self.col._backend.clear_unused_tags()
 
-    def byDeck(self, did, children=False) -> List[str]:
+    def byDeck(self, did: int, children: bool = False) -> List[str]:
         basequery = "select n.tags from cards c, notes n WHERE c.nid = n.id"
         if not children:
             query = basequery + " AND c.did=?"
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ class TagManager:
         res = self.col.db.list(query)
         return list(set(self.split(" ".join(res))))
 
-    def set_collapsed(self, tag: str, collapsed: bool):
+    def set_collapsed(self, tag: str, collapsed: bool) -> None:
         "Set browser collapse state for tag, registering the tag if missing."
         self.col._backend.set_tag_collapsed(name=tag, collapsed=collapsed)
 
@@ -139,9 +139,9 @@ class TagManager:
     def remFromStr(self, deltags: str, tags: str) -> str:
         "Delete tags if they exist."
 
-        def wildcard(pat, str):
+        def wildcard(pat: str, repl: str):
             pat = re.escape(pat).replace("\\*", ".*")
-            return re.match("^" + pat + "$", str, re.IGNORECASE)
+            return re.match("^" + pat + "$", repl, re.IGNORECASE)
 
         currentTags = self.split(tags)
         for tag in self.split(deltags):
diff --git a/pylib/anki/utils.py b/pylib/anki/utils.py
index d8d3975ab..fa3e21c0d 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/utils.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/utils.py
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 # some add-ons expect json to be in the utils module
 import json  # pylint: disable=unused-import
-import locale
 import os
 import platform
 import random
@@ -20,7 +19,7 @@ import traceback
 from contextlib import contextmanager
 from hashlib import sha1
 from html.entities import name2codepoint
-from typing import Iterable, Iterator, List, Optional, Union
+from typing import Any, Iterable, Iterator, List, Match, Optional, Union
 
 from anki.dbproxy import DBProxy
 
@@ -46,22 +45,6 @@ def intTime(scale: int = 1) -> int:
     return int(time.time() * scale)
 
 
-# Locale
-##############################################################################
-
-
-def fmtPercentage(float_value, point=1) -> str:
-    "Return float with percentage sign"
-    fmt = "%" + "0.%(b)df" % {"b": point}
-    return locale.format_string(fmt, float_value) + "%"
-
-
-def fmtFloat(float_value, point=1) -> str:
-    "Return a string with decimal separator according to current locale"
-    fmt = "%" + "0.%(b)df" % {"b": point}
-    return locale.format_string(fmt, float_value)
-
-
 # HTML
 ##############################################################################
 reComment = re.compile("(?s)<!--.*?-->")
@@ -114,7 +97,7 @@ def entsToTxt(html: str) -> str:
     # replace it first
     html = html.replace("&nbsp;", " ")
 
-    def fixup(m):
+    def fixup(m: Match) -> str:
         text = m.group(0)
         if text[:2] == "&#":
             # character reference
@@ -140,14 +123,6 @@ def entsToTxt(html: str) -> str:
 ##############################################################################
 
 
-def hexifyID(id) -> str:
-    return "%x" % int(id)
-
-
-def dehexifyID(id) -> int:
-    return int(id, 16)
-
-
 def ids2str(ids: Iterable[Union[int, str]]) -> str:
     """Given a list of integers, return a string '(int1,int2,...)'."""
     return "(%s)" % ",".join(str(i) for i in ids)
@@ -195,23 +170,6 @@ def guid64() -> str:
     return base91(random.randint(0, 2 ** 64 - 1))
 
 
-# increment a guid by one, for note type conflicts
-def incGuid(guid) -> str:
-    return _incGuid(guid[::-1])[::-1]
-
-
-def _incGuid(guid) -> str:
-    s = string
-    table = s.ascii_letters + s.digits + _base91_extra_chars
-    idx = table.index(guid[0])
-    if idx + 1 == len(table):
-        # overflow
-        guid = table[0] + _incGuid(guid[1:])
-    else:
-        guid = table[idx + 1] + guid[1:]
-    return guid
-
-
 # Fields
 ##############################################################################
 
@@ -250,7 +208,7 @@ def tmpdir() -> str:
     global _tmpdir
     if not _tmpdir:
 
-        def cleanup():
+        def cleanup() -> None:
             if os.path.exists(_tmpdir):
                 shutil.rmtree(_tmpdir)
 
@@ -294,7 +252,7 @@ def noBundledLibs() -> Iterator[None]:
         os.environ["LD_LIBRARY_PATH"] = oldlpath
 
 
-def call(argv: List[str], wait: bool = True, **kwargs) -> int:
+def call(argv: List[str], wait: bool = True, **kwargs: Any) -> int:
     "Execute a command. If WAIT, return exit code."
     # ensure we don't open a separate window for forking process on windows
     if isWin:
@@ -338,7 +296,7 @@ devMode = os.getenv("ANKIDEV", "")
 invalidFilenameChars = ':*?"<>|'
 
 
-def invalidFilename(str, dirsep=True) -> Optional[str]:
+def invalidFilename(str: str, dirsep: bool = True) -> Optional[str]:
     for c in invalidFilenameChars:
         if c in str:
             return c
@@ -384,7 +342,7 @@ class TimedLog:
     def __init__(self) -> None:
         self._last = time.time()
 
-    def log(self, s) -> None:
+    def log(self, s: str) -> None:
         path, num, fn, y = traceback.extract_stack(limit=2)[0]
         sys.stderr.write(
             "%5dms: %s(): %s\n" % ((time.time() - self._last) * 1000, fn, s)