diff --git a/proto/backend.proto b/proto/backend.proto
index 66bcebf25..ad16f6bed 100644
--- a/proto/backend.proto
+++ b/proto/backend.proto
@@ -47,6 +47,8 @@ message BackendInput {
         Empty restore_trash = 35;
         OpenCollectionIn open_collection = 36;
         Empty close_collection = 37;
+        int64 get_card = 38;
+        Card update_card = 39;
     }
 }
 
@@ -77,6 +79,8 @@ message BackendOutput {
         Empty restore_trash = 35;
         Empty open_collection = 36;
         Empty close_collection = 37;
+        GetCardOut get_card = 38;
+        Empty update_card = 39;
 
         BackendError error = 2047;
     }
@@ -367,3 +371,28 @@ enum BuiltinSortKind {
     CARD_DECK = 11;
     CARD_TEMPLATE = 12;
 }
+
+message GetCardOut {
+    Card card = 1;
+}
+
+message Card {
+    int64 id = 1;
+    int64 nid = 2;
+    int64 did = 3;
+    uint32 ord = 4;
+    int64 mtime = 5;
+    sint32 usn = 6;
+    uint32 ctype = 7;
+    sint32 queue = 8;
+    sint32 due = 9;
+    uint32 ivl = 10;
+    uint32 factor = 11;
+    uint32 reps = 12;
+    uint32 lapses = 13;
+    uint32 left = 14;
+    sint32 odue = 15;
+    int64 odid = 16;
+    uint32 flags = 17;
+    string data = 18;
+}
diff --git a/pylib/anki/cards.py b/pylib/anki/cards.py
index f8ac57314..d3887410c 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/cards.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/cards.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ from anki import hooks
 from anki.consts import *
 from anki.models import NoteType, Template
 from anki.notes import Note
+from anki.rsbackend import BackendCard
 from anki.sound import AVTag
 from anki.utils import intTime, joinFields, timestampID
 
@@ -33,9 +34,7 @@ class Card:
     lastIvl: int
     ord: int
 
-    def __init__(
-        self, col: anki.collection._Collection, id: Optional[int] = None
-    ) -> None:
+    def __init__(self, col: anki.storage._Collection, id: Optional[int] = None) -> None:
         self.col = col.weakref()
         self.timerStarted = None
         self._render_output: Optional[anki.template.TemplateRenderOutput] = None
@@ -61,68 +60,59 @@ class Card:
             self.data = ""
 
     def load(self) -> None:
-        (
-            self.id,
-            self.nid,
-            self.did,
-            self.ord,
-            self.mod,
-            self.usn,
-            self.type,
-            self.queue,
-            self.due,
-            self.ivl,
-            self.factor,
-            self.reps,
-            self.lapses,
-            self.left,
-            self.odue,
-            self.odid,
-            self.flags,
-            self.data,
-        ) = self.col.db.first("select * from cards where id = ?", self.id)
         self._render_output = None
         self._note = None
+        c = self.col.backend.get_card(self.id)
+        assert c
+        self.nid = c.nid
+        self.did = c.did
+        self.ord = c.ord
+        self.mod = c.mtime
+        self.usn = c.usn
+        self.type = c.ctype
+        self.queue = c.queue
+        self.due = c.due
+        self.ivl = c.ivl
+        self.factor = c.factor
+        self.reps = c.reps
+        self.lapses = c.lapses
+        self.left = c.left
+        self.odue = c.odue
+        self.odid = c.odid
+        self.flags = c.flags
+        self.data = c.data
 
-    def _preFlush(self) -> None:
-        hooks.card_will_flush(self)
-        self.mod = intTime()
-        self.usn = self.col.usn()
-        # bug check
+    def _bugcheck(self) -> None:
         if (
             self.queue == QUEUE_TYPE_REV
             and self.odue
             and not self.col.decks.isDyn(self.did)
         ):
             hooks.card_odue_was_invalid()
-        assert self.due < 4294967296
 
     def flush(self) -> None:
-        self._preFlush()
-        self.col.db.execute(
-            """
-insert or replace into cards values
-(?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)""",
-            self.id,
-            self.nid,
-            self.did,
-            self.ord,
-            self.mod,
-            self.usn,
-            self.type,
-            self.queue,
-            self.due,
-            self.ivl,
-            self.factor,
-            self.reps,
-            self.lapses,
-            self.left,
-            self.odue,
-            self.odid,
-            self.flags,
-            self.data,
+        self._bugcheck()
+        hooks.card_will_flush(self)
+        # mtime & usn are set by backend
+        card = BackendCard(
+            id=self.id,
+            nid=self.nid,
+            did=self.did,
+            ord=self.ord,
+            ctype=self.type,
+            queue=self.queue,
+            due=self.due,
+            ivl=self.ivl,
+            factor=self.factor,
+            reps=self.reps,
+            lapses=self.lapses,
+            left=self.left,
+            odue=self.odue,
+            odid=self.odid,
+            flags=self.flags,
+            data=self.data,
         )
-        self.col.log(self)
+        self.col.backend.update_card(card)
 
     def question(self, reload: bool = False, browser: bool = False) -> str:
         return self.css() + self.render_output(reload, browser).question_text
diff --git a/pylib/anki/collection.py b/pylib/anki/collection.py
index fedd21f76..026ccb886 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/collection.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/collection.py
@@ -956,7 +956,7 @@ and type=0""",
         )
         rowcount = self.db.scalar("select changes()")
         if rowcount:
-            problems.append(
+            syncable_problems.append(
                 "Found %d new cards with a due number >= 1,000,000 - consider repositioning them in the Browse screen."
                 % rowcount
             )
diff --git a/pylib/anki/rsbackend.py b/pylib/anki/rsbackend.py
index 630d74368..8a98b9be4 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/rsbackend.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/rsbackend.py
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ assert ankirspy.buildhash() == anki.buildinfo.buildhash
 
 SchedTimingToday = pb.SchedTimingTodayOut
 BuiltinSortKind = pb.BuiltinSortKind
+BackendCard = pb.Card
 
 try:
     import orjson
@@ -480,6 +481,12 @@ class RustBackend:
             pb.BackendInput(search_notes=pb.SearchNotesIn(search=search))
         ).search_notes.note_ids
 
+    def get_card(self, cid: int) -> Optional[pb.Card]:
+        return self._run_command(pb.BackendInput(get_card=cid)).get_card.card
+
+    def update_card(self, card: BackendCard) -> None:
+        self._run_command(pb.BackendInput(update_card=card))
+
 
 def translate_string_in(
     key: TR, **kwargs: Union[str, int, float]
diff --git a/pylib/anki/sched.py b/pylib/anki/sched.py
index 0c59773bc..0e9c07967 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/sched.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/sched.py
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ limit %d"""
                 resched = self._resched(card)
                 if "mult" in conf and resched:
                     # review that's lapsed
-                    card.ivl = max(1, conf["minInt"], card.ivl * conf["mult"])
+                    card.ivl = max(1, conf["minInt"], int(card.ivl * conf["mult"]))
                 else:
                     # new card; no ivl adjustment
                     pass
diff --git a/pylib/anki/stats.py b/pylib/anki/stats.py
index 69ab0c415..59ed68ea8 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/stats.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/stats.py
@@ -40,14 +40,15 @@ class CardStats:
             self.addLine(_("First Review"), self.date(first / 1000))
             self.addLine(_("Latest Review"), self.date(last / 1000))
         if c.type in (CARD_TYPE_LRN, CARD_TYPE_REV):
+            next: Optional[str] = None
             if c.odid or c.queue < QUEUE_TYPE_NEW:
-                next = None
+                pass
             else:
                 if c.queue in (QUEUE_TYPE_REV, QUEUE_TYPE_DAY_LEARN_RELEARN):
-                    next = time.time() + ((c.due - self.col.sched.today) * 86400)
+                    n = time.time() + ((c.due - self.col.sched.today) * 86400)
                 else:
-                    next = c.due
-                next = self.date(next)
+                    n = c.due
+                next = self.date(n)
             if next:
                 self.addLine(self.col.tr(TR.STATISTICS_DUE_DATE), next)
             if c.queue == QUEUE_TYPE_REV:
diff --git a/pylib/tests/test_models.py b/pylib/tests/test_models.py
index 8f6ceecee..ebcc3d0fa 100644
--- a/pylib/tests/test_models.py
+++ b/pylib/tests/test_models.py
@@ -318,7 +318,7 @@ def test_modelChange():
     try:
         c1.load()
         assert 0
-    except TypeError:
+    except AssertionError:
         pass
     # but we have two cards, as a new one was generated
     assert len(f.cards()) == 2
diff --git a/pylib/tests/test_schedv2.py b/pylib/tests/test_schedv2.py
index 1feb94f4c..cd98b1968 100644
--- a/pylib/tests/test_schedv2.py
+++ b/pylib/tests/test_schedv2.py
@@ -968,7 +968,7 @@ def test_timing():
     c2 = d.sched.getCard()
     assert c2.queue == QUEUE_TYPE_REV
     # if the failed card becomes due, it should show first
-    c.due = time.time() - 1
+    c.due = intTime() - 1
     c.flush()
     d.reset()
     c = d.sched.getCard()
diff --git a/qt/aqt/main.py b/qt/aqt/main.py
index 7e84f59aa..3f605db6f 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/main.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/main.py
@@ -442,7 +442,7 @@ close the profile or restart Anki."""
 
     def loadCollection(self) -> bool:
         try:
-            return self._loadCollection()
+            self._loadCollection()
         except Exception as e:
             showWarning(
                 tr(TR.ERRORS_UNABLE_OPEN_COLLECTION) + "\n" + traceback.format_exc()
@@ -460,15 +460,22 @@ close the profile or restart Anki."""
             self.showProfileManager()
             return False
 
-    def _loadCollection(self) -> bool:
+        # make sure we don't get into an inconsistent state if an add-on
+        # has broken the deck browser or the did_load hook
+        try:
+            self.maybeEnableUndo()
+            gui_hooks.collection_did_load(self.col)
+            self.moveToState("deckBrowser")
+        except Exception as e:
+            # dump error to stderr so it gets picked up by errors.py
+            traceback.print_exc()
+
+        return True
+
+    def _loadCollection(self):
         cpath = self.pm.collectionPath()
         self.col = Collection(cpath, backend=self.backend)
-
         self.setEnabled(True)
-        self.maybeEnableUndo()
-        gui_hooks.collection_did_load(self.col)
-        self.moveToState("deckBrowser")
-        return True
 
     def reopen(self):
         cpath = self.pm.collectionPath()
@@ -1241,7 +1248,10 @@ and if the problem comes up again, please ask on the support site."""
     ##########################################################################
 
     def onSchemaMod(self, arg):
-        return askUser(
+        progress_shown = self.progress.busy()
+        if progress_shown:
+            self.progress.finish()
+        ret = askUser(
             _(
                 """\
 The requested change will require a full upload of the database when \
@@ -1250,6 +1260,9 @@ waiting on another device that haven't been synchronized here yet, they \
 will be lost. Continue?"""
             )
         )
+        if progress_shown:
+            self.progress.start()
+        return ret
 
     # Advanced features
     ##########################################################################
diff --git a/rslib/src/backend/mod.rs b/rslib/src/backend/mod.rs
index 0240d8e9d..81a71c266 100644
--- a/rslib/src/backend/mod.rs
+++ b/rslib/src/backend/mod.rs
@@ -4,8 +4,11 @@
 use crate::backend::dbproxy::db_command_bytes;
 use crate::backend_proto::backend_input::Value;
 use crate::backend_proto::{BuiltinSortKind, Empty, RenderedTemplateReplacement, SyncMediaIn};
+use crate::card::{Card, CardID};
+use crate::card::{CardQueue, CardType};
 use crate::collection::{open_collection, Collection};
 use crate::config::SortKind;
+use crate::decks::DeckID;
 use crate::err::{AnkiError, NetworkErrorKind, Result, SyncErrorKind};
 use crate::i18n::{tr_args, FString, I18n};
 use crate::latex::{extract_latex, extract_latex_expanding_clozes, ExtractedLatex};
@@ -13,6 +16,7 @@ use crate::log::{default_logger, Logger};
 use crate::media::check::MediaChecker;
 use crate::media::sync::MediaSyncProgress;
 use crate::media::MediaManager;
+use crate::notes::NoteID;
 use crate::sched::cutoff::{local_minutes_west_for_stamp, sched_timing_today};
 use crate::sched::timespan::{answer_button_time, learning_congrats, studied_today, time_span};
 use crate::search::{search_cards, search_notes, SortMode};
@@ -21,10 +25,13 @@ use crate::template::{
     RenderedNode,
 };
 use crate::text::{extract_av_tags, strip_av_tags, AVTag};
+use crate::timestamp::TimestampSecs;
+use crate::types::Usn;
 use crate::{backend_proto as pb, log};
 use fluent::FluentValue;
 use prost::Message;
 use std::collections::{HashMap, HashSet};
+use std::convert::TryFrom;
 use std::path::PathBuf;
 use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex};
 use tokio::runtime::Runtime;
@@ -248,6 +255,11 @@ impl Backend {
             }
             Value::SearchCards(input) => OValue::SearchCards(self.search_cards(input)?),
             Value::SearchNotes(input) => OValue::SearchNotes(self.search_notes(input)?),
+            Value::GetCard(cid) => OValue::GetCard(self.get_card(cid)?),
+            Value::UpdateCard(card) => {
+                self.update_card(card)?;
+                OValue::UpdateCard(pb::Empty {})
+            }
         })
     }
 
@@ -599,7 +611,9 @@ impl Backend {
                     SortMode::FromConfig
                 };
                 let cids = search_cards(ctx, &input.search, order)?;
-                Ok(pb::SearchCardsOut { card_ids: cids })
+                Ok(pb::SearchCardsOut {
+                    card_ids: cids.into_iter().map(|v| v.0).collect(),
+                })
             })
         })
     }
@@ -608,10 +622,24 @@ impl Backend {
         self.with_col(|col| {
             col.with_ctx(|ctx| {
                 let nids = search_notes(ctx, &input.search)?;
-                Ok(pb::SearchNotesOut { note_ids: nids })
+                Ok(pb::SearchNotesOut {
+                    note_ids: nids.into_iter().map(|v| v.0).collect(),
+                })
             })
         })
     }
+
+    fn get_card(&self, cid: i64) -> Result<pb::GetCardOut> {
+        let card = self.with_col(|col| col.with_ctx(|ctx| ctx.storage.get_card(CardID(cid))))?;
+        Ok(pb::GetCardOut {
+            card: card.map(card_to_pb),
+        })
+    }
+
+    fn update_card(&self, pbcard: pb::Card) -> Result<()> {
+        let mut card = pbcard_to_native(pbcard)?;
+        self.with_col(|col| col.with_ctx(|ctx| ctx.update_card(&mut card)))
+    }
 }
 
 fn translate_arg_to_fluent_val(arg: &pb::TranslateArgValue) -> FluentValue {
@@ -704,3 +732,53 @@ fn sort_kind_from_pb(kind: i32) -> SortKind {
         _ => SortKind::NoteCreation,
     }
 }
+
+fn card_to_pb(c: Card) -> pb::Card {
+    pb::Card {
+        id: c.id.0,
+        nid: c.nid.0,
+        did: c.did.0,
+        ord: c.ord as u32,
+        mtime: c.mtime.0,
+        usn: c.usn.0,
+        ctype: c.ctype as u32,
+        queue: c.queue as i32,
+        due: c.due,
+        ivl: c.ivl,
+        factor: c.factor as u32,
+        reps: c.reps,
+        lapses: c.lapses,
+        left: c.left,
+        odue: c.odue,
+        odid: c.odid.0,
+        flags: c.flags as u32,
+        data: c.data,
+    }
+}
+
+fn pbcard_to_native(c: pb::Card) -> Result<Card> {
+    let ctype = CardType::try_from(c.ctype as u8)
+        .map_err(|_| AnkiError::invalid_input("invalid card type"))?;
+    let queue = CardQueue::try_from(c.queue as i8)
+        .map_err(|_| AnkiError::invalid_input("invalid card queue"))?;
+    Ok(Card {
+        id: CardID(c.id),
+        nid: NoteID(c.nid),
+        did: DeckID(c.did),
+        ord: c.ord as u16,
+        mtime: TimestampSecs(c.mtime),
+        usn: Usn(c.usn),
+        ctype,
+        queue,
+        due: c.due,
+        ivl: c.ivl,
+        factor: c.factor as u16,
+        reps: c.reps,
+        lapses: c.lapses,
+        left: c.left,
+        odue: c.odue,
+        odid: DeckID(c.odid),
+        flags: c.flags as u8,
+        data: c.data,
+    })
+}
diff --git a/rslib/src/card.rs b/rslib/src/card.rs
index 1ee1386b0..05bd3d857 100644
--- a/rslib/src/card.rs
+++ b/rslib/src/card.rs
@@ -1,9 +1,16 @@
 // Copyright: Ankitects Pty Ltd and contributors
 // License: GNU AGPL, version 3 or later; http://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl.html
 
+use crate::decks::DeckID;
+use crate::define_newtype;
+use crate::err::Result;
+use crate::notes::NoteID;
+use crate::{collection::RequestContext, timestamp::TimestampSecs, types::Usn};
 use num_enum::TryFromPrimitive;
 use serde_repr::{Deserialize_repr, Serialize_repr};
 
+define_newtype!(CardID, i64);
+
 #[derive(Serialize_repr, Deserialize_repr, Debug, PartialEq, TryFromPrimitive, Clone, Copy)]
 #[repr(u8)]
 pub enum CardType {
@@ -31,3 +38,58 @@ pub enum CardQueue {
     UserBuried = -2,
     SchedBuried = -3,
 }
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone)]
+pub struct Card {
+    pub(crate) id: CardID,
+    pub(crate) nid: NoteID,
+    pub(crate) did: DeckID,
+    pub(crate) ord: u16,
+    pub(crate) mtime: TimestampSecs,
+    pub(crate) usn: Usn,
+    pub(crate) ctype: CardType,
+    pub(crate) queue: CardQueue,
+    pub(crate) due: i32,
+    pub(crate) ivl: u32,
+    pub(crate) factor: u16,
+    pub(crate) reps: u32,
+    pub(crate) lapses: u32,
+    pub(crate) left: u32,
+    pub(crate) odue: i32,
+    pub(crate) odid: DeckID,
+    pub(crate) flags: u8,
+    pub(crate) data: String,
+}
+
+impl Default for Card {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Self {
+            id: CardID(0),
+            nid: NoteID(0),
+            did: DeckID(0),
+            ord: 0,
+            mtime: TimestampSecs(0),
+            usn: Usn(0),
+            ctype: CardType::New,
+            queue: CardQueue::New,
+            due: 0,
+            ivl: 0,
+            factor: 0,
+            reps: 0,
+            lapses: 0,
+            left: 0,
+            odue: 0,
+            odid: DeckID(0),
+            flags: 0,
+            data: "".to_string(),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl RequestContext<'_> {
+    pub fn update_card(&mut self, card: &mut Card) -> Result<()> {
+        card.mtime = TimestampSecs::now();
+        card.usn = self.storage.usn()?;
+        self.storage.update_card(card)
+    }
+}
diff --git a/rslib/src/config.rs b/rslib/src/config.rs
index c768b1122..46c952828 100644
--- a/rslib/src/config.rs
+++ b/rslib/src/config.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 // Copyright: Ankitects Pty Ltd and contributors
 // License: GNU AGPL, version 3 or later; http://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl.html
 
-use crate::types::ObjID;
+use crate::decks::DeckID;
 use serde::Deserialize as DeTrait;
 use serde_aux::field_attributes::deserialize_number_from_string;
 use serde_derive::Deserialize;
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ pub struct Config {
         rename = "curDeck",
         deserialize_with = "deserialize_number_from_string"
     )]
-    pub(crate) current_deck_id: ObjID,
+    pub(crate) current_deck_id: DeckID,
     pub(crate) rollover: Option<i8>,
     pub(crate) creation_offset: Option<i32>,
     pub(crate) local_offset: Option<i32>,
diff --git a/rslib/src/decks.rs b/rslib/src/decks.rs
index 16b80b261..2511d5af1 100644
--- a/rslib/src/decks.rs
+++ b/rslib/src/decks.rs
@@ -1,18 +1,21 @@
 // Copyright: Ankitects Pty Ltd and contributors
 // License: GNU AGPL, version 3 or later; http://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl.html
 
-use crate::types::ObjID;
+use crate::define_newtype;
 use serde_aux::field_attributes::deserialize_number_from_string;
 use serde_derive::Deserialize;
 
+define_newtype!(DeckID, i64);
+define_newtype!(DeckConfID, i64);
+
 #[derive(Deserialize)]
 pub struct Deck {
     #[serde(deserialize_with = "deserialize_number_from_string")]
-    pub(crate) id: ObjID,
+    pub(crate) id: DeckID,
     pub(crate) name: String,
 }
 
-pub(crate) fn child_ids<'a>(decks: &'a [Deck], name: &str) -> impl Iterator<Item = ObjID> + 'a {
+pub(crate) fn child_ids<'a>(decks: &'a [Deck], name: &str) -> impl Iterator<Item = DeckID> + 'a {
     let prefix = format!("{}::", name.to_ascii_lowercase());
     decks
         .iter()
@@ -20,7 +23,7 @@ pub(crate) fn child_ids<'a>(decks: &'a [Deck], name: &str) -> impl Iterator<Item
         .map(|d| d.id)
 }
 
-pub(crate) fn get_deck(decks: &[Deck], id: ObjID) -> Option<&Deck> {
+pub(crate) fn get_deck(decks: &[Deck], id: DeckID) -> Option<&Deck> {
     for d in decks {
         if d.id == id {
             return Some(d);
diff --git a/rslib/src/lib.rs b/rslib/src/lib.rs
index da4d91107..87253f998 100644
--- a/rslib/src/lib.rs
+++ b/rslib/src/lib.rs
@@ -28,5 +28,5 @@ pub mod storage;
 pub mod template;
 pub mod template_filters;
 pub mod text;
-pub mod time;
+pub mod timestamp;
 pub mod types;
diff --git a/rslib/src/media/check.rs b/rslib/src/media/check.rs
index 971747b50..dd1c4bde3 100644
--- a/rslib/src/media/check.rs
+++ b/rslib/src/media/check.rs
@@ -390,7 +390,7 @@ where
                 self.maybe_fire_progress_cb()?;
             }
             let nt = note_types
-                .get(&note.mid)
+                .get(&note.ntid)
                 .ok_or_else(|| AnkiError::DBError {
                     info: "missing note type".to_string(),
                     kind: DBErrorKind::MissingEntity,
diff --git a/rslib/src/notes.rs b/rslib/src/notes.rs
index cad1f614c..74f69200f 100644
--- a/rslib/src/notes.rs
+++ b/rslib/src/notes.rs
@@ -4,20 +4,20 @@
 /// At the moment, this is just basic note reading/updating functionality for
 /// the media DB check.
 use crate::err::{AnkiError, DBErrorKind, Result};
+use crate::notetypes::NoteTypeID;
 use crate::text::strip_html_preserving_image_filenames;
-use crate::time::i64_unix_secs;
-use crate::{
-    notetypes::NoteType,
-    types::{ObjID, Timestamp, Usn},
-};
+use crate::timestamp::TimestampSecs;
+use crate::{define_newtype, notetypes::NoteType, types::Usn};
 use rusqlite::{params, Connection, Row, NO_PARAMS};
 use std::convert::TryInto;
 
+define_newtype!(NoteID, i64);
+
 #[derive(Debug)]
 pub(super) struct Note {
-    pub id: ObjID,
-    pub mid: ObjID,
-    pub mtime_secs: Timestamp,
+    pub id: NoteID,
+    pub ntid: NoteTypeID,
+    pub mtime: TimestampSecs,
     pub usn: Usn,
     fields: Vec<String>,
 }
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ pub(crate) fn field_checksum(text: &str) -> u32 {
 }
 
 #[allow(dead_code)]
-fn get_note(db: &Connection, nid: ObjID) -> Result<Option<Note>> {
+fn get_note(db: &Connection, nid: NoteID) -> Result<Option<Note>> {
     let mut stmt = db.prepare_cached("select id, mid, mod, usn, flds from notes where id=?")?;
     let note = stmt.query_and_then(params![nid], row_to_note)?.next();
 
@@ -72,8 +72,8 @@ pub(super) fn for_every_note<F: FnMut(&mut Note) -> Result<()>>(
 fn row_to_note(row: &Row) -> Result<Note> {
     Ok(Note {
         id: row.get(0)?,
-        mid: row.get(1)?,
-        mtime_secs: row.get(2)?,
+        ntid: row.get(1)?,
+        mtime: row.get(2)?,
         usn: row.get(3)?,
         fields: row
             .get_raw(4)
@@ -85,9 +85,9 @@ fn row_to_note(row: &Row) -> Result<Note> {
 }
 
 pub(super) fn set_note(db: &Connection, note: &mut Note, note_type: &NoteType) -> Result<()> {
-    note.mtime_secs = i64_unix_secs();
+    note.mtime = TimestampSecs::now();
     // hard-coded for now
-    note.usn = -1;
+    note.usn = Usn(-1);
     let field1_nohtml = strip_html_preserving_image_filenames(&note.fields()[0]);
     let csum = field_checksum(field1_nohtml.as_ref());
     let sort_field = if note_type.sort_field_idx == 0 {
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ pub(super) fn set_note(db: &Connection, note: &mut Note, note_type: &NoteType) -
     let mut stmt =
         db.prepare_cached("update notes set mod=?,usn=?,flds=?,sfld=?,csum=? where id=?")?;
     stmt.execute(params![
-        note.mtime_secs,
+        note.mtime,
         note.usn,
         note.fields().join("\x1f"),
         sort_field,
diff --git a/rslib/src/notetypes.rs b/rslib/src/notetypes.rs
index 4b9295939..9324c8be3 100644
--- a/rslib/src/notetypes.rs
+++ b/rslib/src/notetypes.rs
@@ -1,14 +1,16 @@
 // Copyright: Ankitects Pty Ltd and contributors
 // License: GNU AGPL, version 3 or later; http://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl.html
 
-use crate::types::ObjID;
+use crate::define_newtype;
 use serde_aux::field_attributes::deserialize_number_from_string;
 use serde_derive::Deserialize;
 
+define_newtype!(NoteTypeID, i64);
+
 #[derive(Deserialize, Debug)]
 pub(crate) struct NoteType {
     #[serde(deserialize_with = "deserialize_number_from_string")]
-    pub id: ObjID,
+    pub id: NoteTypeID,
     pub name: String,
     #[serde(rename = "sortf")]
     pub sort_field_idx: u16,
diff --git a/rslib/src/search/cards.rs b/rslib/src/search/cards.rs
index 8ab045b7b..db9c8effa 100644
--- a/rslib/src/search/cards.rs
+++ b/rslib/src/search/cards.rs
@@ -2,12 +2,12 @@
 // License: GNU AGPL, version 3 or later; http://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl.html
 
 use super::{parser::Node, sqlwriter::node_to_sql};
+use crate::card::CardID;
 use crate::card::CardType;
 use crate::collection::RequestContext;
 use crate::config::SortKind;
 use crate::err::Result;
 use crate::search::parser::parse;
-use crate::types::ObjID;
 use rusqlite::params;
 
 pub(crate) enum SortMode {
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ pub(crate) fn search_cards<'a, 'b>(
     req: &'a mut RequestContext<'b>,
     search: &'a str,
     order: SortMode,
-) -> Result<Vec<ObjID>> {
+) -> Result<Vec<CardID>> {
     let top_node = Node::Group(parse(search)?);
     let (sql, args) = node_to_sql(req, &top_node)?;
 
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ pub(crate) fn search_cards<'a, 'b>(
     }
 
     let mut stmt = req.storage.db.prepare(&sql)?;
-    let ids: Vec<i64> = stmt
+    let ids: Vec<_> = stmt
         .query_map(&args, |row| row.get(0))?
         .collect::<std::result::Result<_, _>>()?;
 
diff --git a/rslib/src/search/notes.rs b/rslib/src/search/notes.rs
index 50021a92e..5af735809 100644
--- a/rslib/src/search/notes.rs
+++ b/rslib/src/search/notes.rs
@@ -4,13 +4,13 @@
 use super::{parser::Node, sqlwriter::node_to_sql};
 use crate::collection::RequestContext;
 use crate::err::Result;
+use crate::notes::NoteID;
 use crate::search::parser::parse;
-use crate::types::ObjID;
 
 pub(crate) fn search_notes<'a, 'b>(
     req: &'a mut RequestContext<'b>,
     search: &'a str,
-) -> Result<Vec<ObjID>> {
+) -> Result<Vec<NoteID>> {
     let top_node = Node::Group(parse(search)?);
     let (sql, args) = node_to_sql(req, &top_node)?;
 
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ pub(crate) fn search_notes<'a, 'b>(
     );
 
     let mut stmt = req.storage.db.prepare(&sql)?;
-    let ids: Vec<i64> = stmt
+    let ids: Vec<_> = stmt
         .query_map(&args, |row| row.get(0))?
         .collect::<std::result::Result<_, _>>()?;
 
diff --git a/rslib/src/search/parser.rs b/rslib/src/search/parser.rs
index 4018cc56c..a42370152 100644
--- a/rslib/src/search/parser.rs
+++ b/rslib/src/search/parser.rs
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 // License: GNU AGPL, version 3 or later; http://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl.html
 
 use crate::err::{AnkiError, Result};
-use crate::types::ObjID;
+use crate::notetypes::NoteTypeID;
 use nom::branch::alt;
 use nom::bytes::complete::{escaped, is_not, tag, take_while1};
 use nom::character::complete::{anychar, char, one_of};
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ pub(super) enum SearchNode<'a> {
     AddedInDays(u32),
     CardTemplate(TemplateKind),
     Deck(Cow<'a, str>),
-    NoteTypeID(ObjID),
+    NoteTypeID(NoteTypeID),
     NoteType(Cow<'a, str>),
     Rated {
         days: u32,
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ pub(super) enum SearchNode<'a> {
     },
     Tag(Cow<'a, str>),
     Duplicates {
-        note_type_id: ObjID,
+        note_type_id: NoteTypeID,
         text: String,
     },
     State(StateKind),
@@ -339,7 +339,7 @@ fn parse_rated(val: &str) -> ParseResult<SearchNode<'static>> {
 /// eg dupes:1231,hello
 fn parse_dupes(val: &str) -> ParseResult<SearchNode<'static>> {
     let mut it = val.splitn(2, ',');
-    let mid: ObjID = it.next().unwrap().parse()?;
+    let mid: NoteTypeID = it.next().unwrap().parse()?;
     let text = it.next().ok_or(ParseError {})?;
     Ok(SearchNode::Duplicates {
         note_type_id: mid,
diff --git a/rslib/src/search/sqlwriter.rs b/rslib/src/search/sqlwriter.rs
index 1f5e7ef0c..f1348ba58 100644
--- a/rslib/src/search/sqlwriter.rs
+++ b/rslib/src/search/sqlwriter.rs
@@ -7,11 +7,10 @@ use crate::decks::child_ids;
 use crate::decks::get_deck;
 use crate::err::{AnkiError, Result};
 use crate::notes::field_checksum;
+use crate::notetypes::NoteTypeID;
 use crate::text::matches_wildcard;
 use crate::text::without_combining;
-use crate::{
-    collection::RequestContext, text::strip_html_preserving_image_filenames, types::ObjID,
-};
+use crate::{collection::RequestContext, text::strip_html_preserving_image_filenames};
 use std::fmt::Write;
 
 struct SqlWriter<'a, 'b> {
@@ -342,7 +341,7 @@ impl SqlWriter<'_, '_> {
         Ok(())
     }
 
-    fn write_dupes(&mut self, ntid: ObjID, text: &str) {
+    fn write_dupes(&mut self, ntid: NoteTypeID, text: &str) {
         let text_nohtml = strip_html_preserving_image_filenames(text);
         let csum = field_checksum(text_nohtml.as_ref());
         write!(
diff --git a/rslib/src/storage/card.rs b/rslib/src/storage/card.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e7a998121
--- /dev/null
+++ b/rslib/src/storage/card.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,116 @@
+// Copyright: Ankitects Pty Ltd and contributors
+// License: GNU AGPL, version 3 or later; http://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl.html
+
+use crate::cached_sql;
+use crate::card::{Card, CardID, CardQueue, CardType};
+use crate::err::{AnkiError, Result};
+use rusqlite::params;
+use rusqlite::{
+    types::{FromSql, FromSqlError, ValueRef},
+    OptionalExtension,
+};
+use std::convert::TryFrom;
+
+impl FromSql for CardType {
+    fn column_result(value: ValueRef<'_>) -> std::result::Result<Self, FromSqlError> {
+        if let ValueRef::Integer(i) = value {
+            Ok(Self::try_from(i as u8).map_err(|_| FromSqlError::InvalidType)?)
+        } else {
+            Err(FromSqlError::InvalidType)
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl FromSql for CardQueue {
+    fn column_result(value: ValueRef<'_>) -> std::result::Result<Self, FromSqlError> {
+        if let ValueRef::Integer(i) = value {
+            Ok(Self::try_from(i as i8).map_err(|_| FromSqlError::InvalidType)?)
+        } else {
+            Err(FromSqlError::InvalidType)
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl super::StorageContext<'_> {
+    pub fn get_card(&mut self, cid: CardID) -> Result<Option<Card>> {
+        // the casts are required as Anki didn't prevent add-ons from
+        // storing strings or floats in columns before
+        let stmt = cached_sql!(
+            self.get_card_stmt,
+            self.db,
+            "
+select nid, did, ord, cast(mod as integer), usn, type, queue, due,
+cast(ivl as integer), factor, reps, lapses, left, odue, odid,
+flags, data from cards where id=?"
+        );
+
+        stmt.query_row(params![cid], |row| {
+            Ok(Card {
+                id: cid,
+                nid: row.get(0)?,
+                did: row.get(1)?,
+                ord: row.get(2)?,
+                mtime: row.get(3)?,
+                usn: row.get(4)?,
+                ctype: row.get(5)?,
+                queue: row.get(6)?,
+                due: row.get(7)?,
+                ivl: row.get(8)?,
+                factor: row.get(9)?,
+                reps: row.get(10)?,
+                lapses: row.get(11)?,
+                left: row.get(12)?,
+                odue: row.get(13)?,
+                odid: row.get(14)?,
+                flags: row.get(15)?,
+                data: row.get(16)?,
+            })
+        })
+        .optional()
+        .map_err(Into::into)
+    }
+
+    pub(crate) fn update_card(&mut self, card: &Card) -> Result<()> {
+        if card.id.0 == 0 {
+            return Err(AnkiError::invalid_input("card id not set"));
+        }
+        self.flush_card(card)
+    }
+
+    fn flush_card(&mut self, card: &Card) -> Result<()> {
+        let stmt = cached_sql!(
+            self.update_card_stmt,
+            self.db,
+            "
+insert or replace into cards
+(id, nid, did, ord, mod, usn, type, queue, due, ivl, factor,
+reps, lapses, left, odue, odid, flags, data)
+values
+(?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)
+"
+        );
+
+        stmt.execute(params![
+            card.id,
+            card.nid,
+            card.did,
+            card.ord,
+            card.mtime,
+            card.usn,
+            card.ctype as u8,
+            card.queue as i8,
+            card.due,
+            card.ivl,
+            card.factor,
+            card.reps,
+            card.lapses,
+            card.left,
+            card.odue,
+            card.odid,
+            card.flags,
+            card.data,
+        ])?;
+
+        Ok(())
+    }
+}
diff --git a/rslib/src/storage/mod.rs b/rslib/src/storage/mod.rs
index 2ed04892c..7a21f0336 100644
--- a/rslib/src/storage/mod.rs
+++ b/rslib/src/storage/mod.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+mod card;
 mod sqlite;
 
 pub(crate) use sqlite::{SqliteStorage, StorageContext};
diff --git a/rslib/src/storage/sqlite.rs b/rslib/src/storage/sqlite.rs
index b56510717..b57a3fd4f 100644
--- a/rslib/src/storage/sqlite.rs
+++ b/rslib/src/storage/sqlite.rs
@@ -3,15 +3,17 @@
 
 use crate::collection::CollectionOp;
 use crate::config::Config;
+use crate::decks::DeckID;
 use crate::err::Result;
 use crate::err::{AnkiError, DBErrorKind};
-use crate::time::{i64_unix_millis, i64_unix_secs};
+use crate::notetypes::NoteTypeID;
+use crate::timestamp::{TimestampMillis, TimestampSecs};
 use crate::{
     decks::Deck,
     notetypes::NoteType,
     sched::cutoff::{sched_timing_today, SchedTimingToday},
     text::without_combining,
-    types::{ObjID, Usn},
+    types::Usn,
 };
 use regex::Regex;
 use rusqlite::{functions::FunctionFlags, params, Connection, NO_PARAMS};
@@ -40,6 +42,16 @@ pub struct SqliteStorage {
     path: PathBuf,
 }
 
+#[macro_export]
+macro_rules! cached_sql {
+    ( $label:expr, $db:expr, $sql:expr ) => {{
+        if $label.is_none() {
+            $label = Some($db.prepare_cached($sql)?);
+        }
+        $label.as_mut().unwrap()
+    }};
+}
+
 fn open_or_create_collection_db(path: &Path) -> Result<Connection> {
     let mut db = Connection::open(path)?;
 
@@ -168,7 +180,10 @@ impl SqliteStorage {
         if create {
             db.prepare_cached("begin exclusive")?.execute(NO_PARAMS)?;
             db.execute_batch(include_str!("schema11.sql"))?;
-            db.execute("update col set crt=?, ver=?", params![i64_unix_secs(), ver])?;
+            db.execute(
+                "update col set crt=?, ver=?",
+                params![TimestampSecs::now(), ver],
+            )?;
             db.prepare_cached("commit")?.execute(NO_PARAMS)?;
         } else {
             if ver > SCHEMA_MAX_VERSION {
@@ -200,12 +215,14 @@ impl SqliteStorage {
 
 pub(crate) struct StorageContext<'a> {
     pub(crate) db: &'a Connection,
-    #[allow(dead_code)]
     server: bool,
-    #[allow(dead_code)]
     usn: Option<Usn>,
 
     timing_today: Option<SchedTimingToday>,
+
+    // cards
+    pub(super) get_card_stmt: Option<rusqlite::CachedStatement<'a>>,
+    pub(super) update_card_stmt: Option<rusqlite::CachedStatement<'a>>,
 }
 
 impl StorageContext<'_> {
@@ -215,6 +232,8 @@ impl StorageContext<'_> {
             server,
             usn: None,
             timing_today: None,
+            get_card_stmt: None,
+            update_card_stmt: None,
         }
     }
 
@@ -278,11 +297,10 @@ impl StorageContext<'_> {
     pub(crate) fn mark_modified(&self) -> Result<()> {
         self.db
             .prepare_cached("update col set mod=?")?
-            .execute(params![i64_unix_millis()])?;
+            .execute(params![TimestampMillis::now()])?;
         Ok(())
     }
 
-    #[allow(dead_code)]
     pub(crate) fn usn(&mut self) -> Result<Usn> {
         if self.server {
             if self.usn.is_none() {
@@ -292,13 +310,13 @@ impl StorageContext<'_> {
                         .query_row(NO_PARAMS, |row| row.get(0))?,
                 );
             }
-            Ok(*self.usn.as_ref().unwrap())
+            Ok(self.usn.clone().unwrap())
         } else {
-            Ok(-1)
+            Ok(Usn(-1))
         }
     }
 
-    pub(crate) fn all_decks(&self) -> Result<HashMap<ObjID, Deck>> {
+    pub(crate) fn all_decks(&self) -> Result<HashMap<DeckID, Deck>> {
         self.db
             .query_row_and_then("select decks from col", NO_PARAMS, |row| -> Result<_> {
                 Ok(serde_json::from_str(row.get_raw(0).as_str()?)?)
@@ -312,11 +330,12 @@ impl StorageContext<'_> {
             })
     }
 
-    pub(crate) fn all_note_types(&self) -> Result<HashMap<ObjID, NoteType>> {
+    pub(crate) fn all_note_types(&self) -> Result<HashMap<NoteTypeID, NoteType>> {
         let mut stmt = self.db.prepare("select models from col")?;
         let note_types = stmt
-            .query_and_then(NO_PARAMS, |row| -> Result<HashMap<ObjID, NoteType>> {
-                let v: HashMap<ObjID, NoteType> = serde_json::from_str(row.get_raw(0).as_str()?)?;
+            .query_and_then(NO_PARAMS, |row| -> Result<HashMap<NoteTypeID, NoteType>> {
+                let v: HashMap<NoteTypeID, NoteType> =
+                    serde_json::from_str(row.get_raw(0).as_str()?)?;
                 Ok(v)
             })?
             .next()
@@ -339,7 +358,7 @@ impl StorageContext<'_> {
 
             self.timing_today = Some(sched_timing_today(
                 crt,
-                i64_unix_secs(),
+                TimestampSecs::now().0,
                 conf.creation_offset,
                 now_offset,
                 conf.rollover,
diff --git a/rslib/src/time.rs b/rslib/src/timestamp.rs
similarity index 72%
rename from rslib/src/time.rs
rename to rslib/src/timestamp.rs
index e392cbb6e..b1a419579 100644
--- a/rslib/src/time.rs
+++ b/rslib/src/timestamp.rs
@@ -1,14 +1,22 @@
 // Copyright: Ankitects Pty Ltd and contributors
 // License: GNU AGPL, version 3 or later; http://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl.html
 
+use crate::define_newtype;
 use std::time;
 
-pub(crate) fn i64_unix_secs() -> i64 {
-    elapsed().as_secs() as i64
+define_newtype!(TimestampSecs, i64);
+define_newtype!(TimestampMillis, i64);
+
+impl TimestampSecs {
+    pub fn now() -> Self {
+        Self(elapsed().as_secs() as i64)
+    }
 }
 
-pub(crate) fn i64_unix_millis() -> i64 {
-    elapsed().as_millis() as i64
+impl TimestampMillis {
+    pub fn now() -> Self {
+        Self(elapsed().as_millis() as i64)
+    }
 }
 
 #[cfg(not(test))]
diff --git a/rslib/src/types.rs b/rslib/src/types.rs
index 0ae6e2a83..6d672d61e 100644
--- a/rslib/src/types.rs
+++ b/rslib/src/types.rs
@@ -1,9 +1,57 @@
 // Copyright: Ankitects Pty Ltd and contributors
 // License: GNU AGPL, version 3 or later; http://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl.html
 
-// while Anki tends to only use positive numbers, sqlite only supports
-// signed integers, so these numbers are signed as well.
+#[macro_export]
+macro_rules! define_newtype {
+    ( $name:ident, $type:ident ) => {
+        #[repr(transparent)]
+        #[derive(
+            Debug,
+            Clone,
+            Copy,
+            PartialEq,
+            Eq,
+            PartialOrd,
+            Ord,
+            Hash,
+            serde::Serialize,
+            serde::Deserialize,
+        )]
+        pub struct $name(pub $type);
 
-pub type ObjID = i64;
-pub type Usn = i32;
-pub type Timestamp = i64;
+        impl std::fmt::Display for $name {
+            fn fmt(&self, f: &mut std::fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> std::fmt::Result {
+                self.0.fmt(f)
+            }
+        }
+
+        impl std::str::FromStr for $name {
+            type Err = std::num::ParseIntError;
+            fn from_str(s: &std::primitive::str) -> std::result::Result<Self, Self::Err> {
+                $type::from_str(s).map($name)
+            }
+        }
+
+        impl rusqlite::types::FromSql for $name {
+            fn column_result(
+                value: rusqlite::types::ValueRef<'_>,
+            ) -> std::result::Result<Self, rusqlite::types::FromSqlError> {
+                if let rusqlite::types::ValueRef::Integer(i) = value {
+                    Ok(Self(i as $type))
+                } else {
+                    Err(rusqlite::types::FromSqlError::InvalidType)
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        impl rusqlite::ToSql for $name {
+            fn to_sql(&self) -> ::rusqlite::Result<rusqlite::types::ToSqlOutput<'_>> {
+                Ok(rusqlite::types::ToSqlOutput::Owned(
+                    rusqlite::types::Value::Integer(self.0 as i64),
+                ))
+            }
+        }
+    };
+}
+
+define_newtype!(Usn, i32);