diff --git a/webapp_theme_designer.py b/webapp_theme_designer.py
index e10ebdc09..5f1ba1d19 100644
--- a/webapp_theme_designer.py
+++ b/webapp_theme_designer.py
@@ -173,32 +173,31 @@ def html_theme_designer(base_dir: str,
                         theme_name: str, access_keys: {}) -> str:
     """Edit theme settings
     """
-    theme_filename = base_dir + '/theme/' + theme_name + '/theme.json'
-    theme_json = {}
+    theme_filename: str = base_dir + '/theme/' + theme_name + '/theme.json'
+    theme_json: dict = {}
     if is_a_file(theme_filename):
         theme_json = load_json(theme_filename)
 
     # set custom theme parameters
-    custom_variables_file = data_dir(base_dir) + '/theme.json'
+    custom_variables_file: str = data_dir(base_dir) + '/theme.json'
     if is_a_file(custom_variables_file):
-        custom_theme_params = load_json(custom_variables_file)
+        custom_theme_params: str = load_json(custom_variables_file)
         if custom_theme_params:
             for variable_name, value in custom_theme_params.items():
                 theme_json[variable_name] = value
 
     theme_form: str = ''
-    css_filename = base_dir + '/epicyon-profile.css'
+    css_filename: str = base_dir + '/epicyon-profile.css'
     if is_a_file(base_dir + '/epicyon.css'):
         css_filename = base_dir + '/epicyon.css'
 
     banner_file, _ = \
         get_banner_file(base_dir, nickname, domain, theme_name)
-    banner_path = '/users/' + nickname + '/' + banner_file
+    banner_path: str = '/users/' + nickname + '/' + banner_file
 
-    instance_title = \
-        get_config_param(base_dir, 'instanceTitle')
-    preload_images = [banner_path]
-    theme_form = \
+    instance_title: str = get_config_param(base_dir, 'instanceTitle')
+    preload_images: list[str] = [banner_path]
+    theme_form: str = \
         html_header_with_external_style(css_filename, instance_title, None,
                                         preload_images)
     theme_form += \
@@ -216,8 +215,8 @@ def html_theme_designer(base_dir: str,
     theme_form += '  <form method="POST" action="' + \
         '/users/' + nickname + '/changeThemeSettings">\n'
 
-    reset_key = access_keys['menuLogout']
-    submit_key = access_keys['submitButton']
+    reset_key: str = access_keys['menuLogout']
+    submit_key: str = access_keys['submitButton']
     theme_form += \
         '    <center>\n' + \
         '    <button type="submit" class="button" ' + \
@@ -230,13 +229,13 @@ def html_theme_designer(base_dir: str,
 
     contrast_warning: str = ''
     if theme_json.get('main-bg-color'):
-        background = theme_json['main-bg-color']
+        background: str = theme_json['main-bg-color']
         if theme_json.get('main-fg-color'):
-            foreground = theme_json['main-fg-color']
-            contrast = color_contrast(background, foreground)
+            foreground: str = theme_json['main-fg-color']
+            contrast: float = color_contrast(background, foreground)
             if contrast:
                 if contrast < 4.5:
-                    contrast_warning = '⚠️ '
+                    contrast_warning: str = '⚠️ '
                     theme_form += \
                         '    <center><label class="labels">' + \
                         contrast_warning + '<b>' + \
@@ -250,15 +249,15 @@ def html_theme_designer(base_dir: str,
     table_str += '      </colgroup>\n'
     table_str += '      <tbody>\n'
 
-    font_str = '    <div class="container">\n' + table_str
-    color_str = '    <div class="container">\n' + table_str
-    dimension_str = '    <div class="container">\n' + table_str
-    switch_str = '    <div class="container">\n' + table_str
+    font_str: str = '    <div class="container">\n' + table_str
+    color_str: str = '    <div class="container">\n' + table_str
+    dimension_str: str = '    <div class="container">\n' + table_str
+    switch_str: str = '    <div class="container">\n' + table_str
     for variable_name, value in theme_json.items():
         if 'font-size' in variable_name:
-            variable_name_str = variable_name.replace('-', ' ')
+            variable_name_str: str = variable_name.replace('-', ' ')
             variable_name_str = variable_name_str.title()
-            variable_name_label = variable_name_str
+            variable_name_label: str = variable_name_str
             if contrast_warning:
                 if variable_name in ('main-bg-color', 'main-fg-color'):
                     variable_name_label = contrast_warning + variable_name_str
@@ -333,8 +332,8 @@ def html_theme_designer(base_dir: str,
     dimension_str += '    </table>\n    </div>\n'
     switch_str += '    </table>\n    </div>\n'
 
-    theme_formats = '.zip, .gz'
-    export_import_str = '    <div class="container">\n'
+    theme_formats: str = '.zip, .gz'
+    export_import_str: str = '    <div class="container">\n'
     export_import_str += \
         '      <label class="labels">' + \
         translate['Import Theme'] + '</label>\n'
@@ -362,7 +361,7 @@ def _relative_luminance(color: str) -> float:
     """
     color = color.lstrip('#')
     rgb = list(int(color[i:i+2], 16) for i in (0, 2, 4))
-    srgb = (
+    srgb: list[float] = (
         rgb[0] / 255.0,
         rgb[1] / 255.0,
         rgb[2] / 255.0
@@ -397,8 +396,8 @@ def color_contrast(background: str, foreground: str) -> float:
             foreground = color_to_hex[foreground]
         else:
             return None
-    background_luminance = _relative_luminance(background)
-    foreground_luminance = _relative_luminance(foreground)
+    background_luminance: float = _relative_luminance(background)
+    foreground_luminance: float = _relative_luminance(foreground)
     if background_luminance > foreground_luminance:
         return (0.05 + background_luminance) / (0.05 + foreground_luminance)
     return (0.05 + foreground_luminance) / (0.05 + background_luminance)
diff --git a/webapp_timeline.py b/webapp_timeline.py
index 482ed958f..8c854fb1d 100644
--- a/webapp_timeline.py
+++ b/webapp_timeline.py
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ def _log_timeline_timing(enable_timing_log: bool, timeline_start_time,
     """
     if not enable_timing_log:
         return
-    time_diff = int((time.time() - timeline_start_time) * 1000)
+    time_diff: int = int((time.time() - timeline_start_time) * 1000)
     if time_diff > 100:
         print('TIMELINE TIMING ' +
               box_name + ' ' + debug_id + ' = ' + str(time_diff))
@@ -72,15 +72,13 @@ def _get_help_for_timeline(base_dir: str, box_name: str) -> str:
     """Shows help text for the given timeline
     """
     # get the filename for help for this timeline
-    help_filename = data_dir(base_dir) + '/help_' + box_name + '.md'
+    help_filename: str = data_dir(base_dir) + '/help_' + box_name + '.md'
     if not is_a_file(help_filename):
-        language = \
-            get_config_param(base_dir, 'language')
+        language: str = get_config_param(base_dir, 'language')
         if not language:
             language = 'en'
-        theme_name = \
-            get_config_param(base_dir, 'theme')
-        default_filename = None
+        theme_name: str = get_config_param(base_dir, 'theme')
+        default_filename: str = None
         if theme_name:
             default_filename = \
                 base_dir + '/theme/' + theme_name + '/welcome/' + \
@@ -99,18 +97,17 @@ def _get_help_for_timeline(base_dir: str, box_name: str) -> str:
 
     # show help text
     if is_a_file(help_filename):
-        instance_title = \
-            get_config_param(base_dir, 'instanceTitle')
+        instance_title: str = get_config_param(base_dir, 'instanceTitle')
         if not instance_title:
             instance_title = 'Epicyon'
-        help_text = \
+        help_text: str = \
             load_string(help_filename,
                         'EX: _get_help_for_timeline unable to read ' +
                         help_filename)
         if help_text:
             if dangerous_markup(help_text, False, []):
                 return ''
-            help_text = help_text.replace('INSTANCE', instance_title)
+            help_text: str = help_text.replace('INSTANCE', instance_title)
             return '<div class="container">\n' + \
                 markdown_to_html(help_text) + '\n' + \
                 '</div>\n'
@@ -285,22 +282,22 @@ def _html_timeline_keyboard(moderator: bool, text_mode_banner: str,
                             access_keys: {}, translate: {}) -> str:
     """Returns html for timeline keyboard navigation
     """
-    calendar_str = translate['Calendar']
+    calendar_str: str = translate['Calendar']
     if new_calendar_event:
         calendar_str = '<strong>' + calendar_str + '</strong>'
-    dm_str = translate['DM']
+    dm_str: str = translate['DM']
     if new_dm:
         dm_str = '<strong>' + dm_str + '</strong>'
-    replies_str = translate['Replies']
+    replies_str: str = translate['Replies']
     if new_reply:
         replies_str = '<strong>' + replies_str + '</strong>'
-    shares_str = translate['Shares']
+    shares_str: str = translate['Shares']
     if new_share:
         shares_str = '<strong>' + shares_str + '</strong>'
-    wanted_str = translate['Wanted']
+    wanted_str: str = translate['Wanted']
     if new_wanted:
         wanted_str = '<strong>' + wanted_str + '</strong>'
-    menu_profile = \
+    menu_profile: str = \
         html_hide_from_screen_reader('👤') + ' ' + \
         translate['Switch to profile view']
     menu_inbox = \
@@ -333,7 +330,7 @@ def _html_timeline_keyboard(moderator: bool, text_mode_banner: str,
         translate['Create a new post']
     menu_moderation = \
         html_hide_from_screen_reader('⚡️') + ' ' + translate['Mod']
-    nav_links = {
+    nav_links: dict = {
         menu_profile: '/users/' + nickname,
         menu_inbox: users_path + '/inbox#timelineposts',
         menu_search: users_path + '/search',
@@ -349,7 +346,7 @@ def _html_timeline_keyboard(moderator: bool, text_mode_banner: str,
         menu_newswire: users_path + '/newswiremobile',
         menu_links: users_path + '/linksmobile'
     }
-    nav_access_keys = {}
+    nav_access_keys: dict = {}
     for variable_name, key in access_keys.items():
         if not locals().get(variable_name):
             continue
@@ -375,7 +372,7 @@ def _html_timeline_end(base_dir: str, nickname: str, domain_full: str,
     """Ending of the timeline, containing the right column
     """
     # end of timeline-posts
-    tl_str = '  </div>\n'
+    tl_str: str = '  </div>\n'
 
     # end of column-center
     tl_str += '  </td>\n'
@@ -421,11 +418,11 @@ def page_number_buttons(users_path: str, box_name: str,
     num_str: str = ''
     for page in range(min_page_number, max_page_number):
         if num_str:
-            separator_str = \
+            separator_str: str = \
                 '<label class="pageslistDash">────</label>'
             num_str += html_hide_from_screen_reader(separator_str)
         aria_page_str: str = ''
-        page_str = ' ' + str(page) + ' '
+        page_str: str = ' ' + str(page) + ' '
         curr_page_str: str = ''
         if page == page_number:
             page_str = '[<mark>' + str(page) + '</mark>]'
@@ -495,17 +492,17 @@ def html_timeline(default_timeline: str,
 
     timeline_start_time = time.time()
 
-    account_dir = acct_dir(base_dir, nickname, domain)
+    account_dir: str = acct_dir(base_dir, nickname, domain)
 
     # should the calendar icon be highlighted?
     new_calendar_event: bool = False
-    calendar_image = 'calendar.png'
-    calendar_path = '/calendar'
-    calendar_file = account_dir + '/.newCalendar'
+    calendar_image: str = 'calendar.png'
+    calendar_path: str = '/calendar'
+    calendar_file: str = account_dir + '/.newCalendar'
     if is_a_file(calendar_file):
         new_calendar_event = True
         calendar_image = 'calendar_notify.png'
-        calendar_path_str = \
+        calendar_path_str: str = \
             load_string(calendar_file,
                         'EX: html_timeline unable to read ' +
                         calendar_file)
@@ -517,7 +514,7 @@ def html_timeline(default_timeline: str,
 
     # should the DM button be highlighted?
     new_dm: bool = False
-    dm_file = account_dir + '/.newDM'
+    dm_file: str = account_dir + '/.newDM'
     if is_a_file(dm_file):
         new_dm = True
         if box_name == 'dm':
@@ -526,7 +523,7 @@ def html_timeline(default_timeline: str,
 
     # should the Replies button be highlighted?
     new_reply: bool = False
-    reply_file = account_dir + '/.newReply'
+    reply_file: str = account_dir + '/.newReply'
     if is_a_file(reply_file):
         new_reply = True
         if box_name == 'tlreplies':
@@ -535,7 +532,7 @@ def html_timeline(default_timeline: str,
 
     # should the Shares button be highlighted?
     new_share: bool = False
-    new_share_file = account_dir + '/.newShare'
+    new_share_file: str = account_dir + '/.newShare'
     if is_a_file(new_share_file):
         new_share = True
         if box_name == 'tlshares':
@@ -545,7 +542,7 @@ def html_timeline(default_timeline: str,
 
     # should the Wanted button be highlighted?
     new_wanted: bool = False
-    new_wanted_file = account_dir + '/.newWanted'
+    new_wanted_file: str = account_dir + '/.newWanted'
     if is_a_file(new_wanted_file):
         new_wanted = True
         if box_name == 'tlwanted':
@@ -555,7 +552,7 @@ def html_timeline(default_timeline: str,
 
     # should the Moderation/reports button be highlighted?
     new_report: bool = False
-    new_report_file = account_dir + '/.newReport'
+    new_report_file: str = account_dir + '/.newReport'
     if is_a_file(new_report_file):
         new_report = True
         if box_name == 'moderation':
@@ -565,7 +562,7 @@ def html_timeline(default_timeline: str,
 
     # show polls/votes?
     show_vote_posts: bool = True
-    show_vote_file = account_dir + '/.noVotes'
+    show_vote_file: str = account_dir + '/.noVotes'
     if is_a_file(show_vote_file):
         show_vote_posts = False
 
@@ -574,7 +571,7 @@ def html_timeline(default_timeline: str,
         separator_str = html_post_separator(base_dir, None)
 
     # the css filename
-    css_filename = base_dir + '/epicyon-profile.css'
+    css_filename: str = base_dir + '/epicyon-profile.css'
     if is_a_file(base_dir + '/epicyon.css'):
         css_filename = base_dir + '/epicyon.css'
 
@@ -647,16 +644,16 @@ def html_timeline(default_timeline: str,
         bookmarks_button = 'buttonselected'
 
     # get the full domain, including any port number
-    full_domain = get_full_domain(domain, port)
+    full_domain: str = get_full_domain(domain, port)
 
-    users_path = '/users/' + nickname
-    actor = http_prefix + '://' + full_domain + users_path
+    users_path: str = '/users/' + nickname
+    actor: str = http_prefix + '://' + full_domain + users_path
 
-    show_individual_post_icons = True
+    show_individual_post_icons: bool = True
 
     # show an icon for new follow approvals
     follow_approvals: str = ''
-    follow_requests_filename = \
+    follow_requests_filename: str = \
         acct_dir(base_dir, nickname, domain) + '/followrequests.txt'
     if is_a_file(follow_requests_filename):
         follow_requests_list: list[str] = \
@@ -731,13 +728,12 @@ def html_timeline(default_timeline: str,
             '<span>' + translate['Bookmarks'] + '</span></button></a>'
 
     # filename of the banner shown at the top
-    banner_file, _ = \
-        get_banner_file(base_dir, nickname, domain, theme)
-    banner_path = users_path + '/' + banner_file
+    banner_file, _ = get_banner_file(base_dir, nickname, domain, theme)
+    banner_path: str = users_path + '/' + banner_file
 
     # these images are pre-loaded to prevent the web page from
     # jumping around when rendering
-    preload_images = [
+    preload_images: list[str] = [
         banner_path,
         '/icons/showhide.png',
         '/icons/repeat_hide.png',
@@ -762,9 +758,8 @@ def html_timeline(default_timeline: str,
         '/icons/categoriesrss.png'
     ]
 
-    instance_title = \
-        get_config_param(base_dir, 'instanceTitle')
-    tl_str = \
+    instance_title: str = get_config_param(base_dir, 'instanceTitle')
+    tl_str: str = \
         html_header_with_external_style(css_filename, instance_title, None,
                                         preload_images)
 
@@ -781,7 +776,7 @@ def html_timeline(default_timeline: str,
         header_icons_str = '<div class="headericons">'
 
     # what screen to go to when a new post is created
-    new_post_button_str = \
+    new_post_button_str: str = \
         _html_timeline_new_post(manually_approve_followers, box_name,
                                 users_path, translate,
                                 access_keys)
@@ -1018,7 +1013,7 @@ def html_timeline(default_timeline: str,
         if nickname in min_images_for_accounts:
             minimize_all_images = True
 
-        no_seen_posts_filename = account_dir + '/.noSeenPosts'
+        no_seen_posts_filename: str = account_dir + '/.noSeenPosts'
         no_seen_posts: bool = False
         if is_a_file(no_seen_posts_filename):
             no_seen_posts = True
@@ -1213,7 +1208,7 @@ def html_individual_share(domain: str, share_id: str,
                           shares_file_type: str) -> str:
     """Returns an individual shared item as html
     """
-    profile_str = '<div class="container">\n'
+    profile_str: str = '<div class="container">\n'
     profile_str += \
         '<p class="share-title">' + shared_item['displayName'] + '</p>\n'
     if shared_item.get('imageUrl'):
@@ -1237,7 +1232,7 @@ def html_individual_share(domain: str, share_id: str,
         profile_str += \
             '<b>' + translate['Location'] + ':</b> ' + \
             shared_item['location'] + '<br>'
-    contact_title_str = translate['Contact']
+    contact_title_str: str = translate['Contact']
     if shared_item.get('itemPrice') and shared_item.get('itemCurrency'):
         if is_float(shared_item['itemPrice']):
             if float(shared_item['itemPrice']) > 0:
@@ -1247,15 +1242,15 @@ def html_individual_share(domain: str, share_id: str,
                     shared_item['itemCurrency']
                 contact_title_str = translate['Buy']
     profile_str += '</p>\n'
-    sharedesc = shared_item['displayName']
+    sharedesc: str = shared_item['displayName']
     if '<' not in sharedesc and ';' not in sharedesc:
         if show_contact:
-            button_style_str = 'button'
+            button_style_str: str = 'button'
             if shared_item['category'] == 'accommodation':
                 contact_title_str = translate['Request to stay']
                 button_style_str = 'contactbutton'
 
-            contact_actor = get_actor_from_post(shared_item)
+            contact_actor: str = get_actor_from_post(shared_item)
             profile_str += \
                 '<p>' + \
                 '<a href="' + actor + \
@@ -1294,9 +1289,9 @@ def _html_shares_timeline(translate: {}, page_number: int, items_per_page: int,
                              base_dir, domain, nickname,
                              max_shares_per_account,
                              shared_items_federated_domains, shares_file_type)
-    domain_full = get_full_domain(domain, port)
-    actor = local_actor_url(http_prefix, nickname, domain_full)
-    admin_nickname = get_config_param(base_dir, 'admin')
+    domain_full: str = get_full_domain(domain, port)
+    actor: str = local_actor_url(http_prefix, nickname, domain_full)
+    admin_nickname: str = get_config_param(base_dir, 'admin')
     admin_actor: str = ''
     if admin_nickname:
         admin_actor = \
@@ -1318,7 +1313,7 @@ def _html_shares_timeline(translate: {}, page_number: int, items_per_page: int,
             '" alt="' + translate['Page up'] + '"></a>\n' + \
             '  </center>\n'
 
-    separator_str = html_post_separator(base_dir, None)
+    separator_str: str = html_post_separator(base_dir, None)
     ctr: int = 0
 
     is_admin_account: bool = False
@@ -1409,10 +1404,10 @@ def html_shares(default_timeline: str,
                 block_nostr: {}) -> str:
     """Show the shares timeline as html
     """
-    manually_approve_followers = \
+    manually_approve_followers: bool = \
         follower_approval_active(base_dir, nickname, domain)
-    artist = is_artist(base_dir, nickname)
-    show_announces = True
+    artist: bool = is_artist(base_dir, nickname)
+    show_announces: bool = True
 
     return html_timeline(default_timeline,
                          recent_posts_cache, max_recent_posts,
@@ -1490,10 +1485,10 @@ def html_wanted(default_timeline: str,
                 block_nostr: {}) -> str:
     """Show the wanted timeline as html
     """
-    manually_approve_followers = \
+    manually_approve_followers: bool = \
         follower_approval_active(base_dir, nickname, domain)
-    artist = is_artist(base_dir, nickname)
-    show_announces = True
+    artist: bool = is_artist(base_dir, nickname)
+    show_announces: bool = True
 
     return html_timeline(default_timeline,
                          recent_posts_cache, max_recent_posts,
@@ -1574,9 +1569,9 @@ def html_inbox(default_timeline: str,
                block_nostr: {}) -> str:
     """Show the inbox as html
     """
-    manually_approve_followers = \
+    manually_approve_followers: bool = \
         follower_approval_active(base_dir, nickname, domain)
-    artist = is_artist(base_dir, nickname)
+    artist: bool = is_artist(base_dir, nickname)
 
     return html_timeline(default_timeline,
                          recent_posts_cache, max_recent_posts,
@@ -1655,10 +1650,10 @@ def html_bookmarks(default_timeline: str,
                    block_nostr: {}) -> str:
     """Show the bookmarks as html
     """
-    manually_approve_followers = \
+    manually_approve_followers: bool = \
         follower_approval_active(base_dir, nickname, domain)
-    artist = is_artist(base_dir, nickname)
-    show_announces = True
+    artist: bool = is_artist(base_dir, nickname)
+    show_announces: bool = True
 
     return html_timeline(default_timeline,
                          recent_posts_cache, max_recent_posts,
@@ -2192,9 +2187,9 @@ def html_outbox(default_timeline: str,
                 block_nostr: {}) -> str:
     """Show the Outbox as html
     """
-    manually_approve_followers = \
+    manually_approve_followers: bool = \
         follower_approval_active(base_dir, nickname, domain)
-    artist = is_artist(base_dir, nickname)
+    artist: bool = is_artist(base_dir, nickname)
     return html_timeline(default_timeline,
                          recent_posts_cache, max_recent_posts,
                          translate, page_number,
diff --git a/webapp_utils.py b/webapp_utils.py
index afe2374d9..1eb12c5bf 100644
--- a/webapp_utils.py
+++ b/webapp_utils.py
@@ -77,11 +77,11 @@ def minimizing_attached_images(base_dir: str, nickname: str, domain: str,
     if following_nickname == nickname and following_domain == domain:
         # reminder post
         return False
-    minimize_filename = \
+    minimize_filename: str = \
         acct_dir(base_dir, nickname, domain) + '/followingMinimizeImages.txt'
-    handle = following_nickname + '@' + following_domain
+    handle: str = following_nickname + '@' + following_domain
     if not is_a_file(minimize_filename):
-        following_filename = \
+        following_filename: str = \
             acct_dir(base_dir, nickname, domain) + '/following.txt'
         if not is_a_file(following_filename):
             return False
@@ -103,21 +103,22 @@ def get_broken_link_substitute() -> str:
 def html_following_list(base_dir: str, following_filename: str) -> str:
     """Returns a list of handles being followed
     """
-    msg = load_string(following_filename,
-                      'EX: html_following_list unable to read ' +
-                      following_filename)
+    msg: str = \
+        load_string(following_filename,
+                    'EX: html_following_list unable to read ' +
+                    following_filename)
     if msg:
-        following_list = msg.split('\n')
+        following_list: list[str] = msg.split('\n')
         following_list.sort()
         if following_list:
-            css_filename = base_dir + '/epicyon-profile.css'
+            css_filename: str = base_dir + '/epicyon-profile.css'
             if is_a_file(base_dir + '/epicyon.css'):
                 css_filename = base_dir + '/epicyon.css'
 
-            instance_title = \
+            instance_title: str = \
                 get_config_param(base_dir, 'instanceTitle')
             preload_images: list[str] = []
-            following_list_html = \
+            following_list_html: str = \
                 html_header_with_external_style(css_filename,
                                                 instance_title, None,
                                                 preload_images)
@@ -135,11 +136,12 @@ def csv_following_list(following_filename: str,
                        base_dir: str, nickname: str, domain: str) -> str:
     """Returns a csv of handles being followed
     """
-    msg = load_string(following_filename,
-                      'EX: csv_following_list unable to read ' +
-                      following_filename)
+    msg: str = \
+        load_string(following_filename,
+                    'EX: csv_following_list unable to read ' +
+                    following_filename)
     if msg:
-        following_list = msg.split('\n')
+        following_list: list[str] = msg.split('\n')
         following_list.sort()
         if following_list:
             following_list_csv: str = ''
@@ -147,23 +149,23 @@ def csv_following_list(following_filename: str,
                 if not following_address:
                     continue
 
-                following_nickname = \
+                following_nickname: str = \
                     get_nickname_from_actor(following_address)
                 following_domain, _ = \
                     get_domain_from_actor(following_address)
 
-                announce_is_allowed = \
+                announce_is_allowed: bool = \
                     allowed_announce(base_dir, nickname, domain,
                                      following_nickname,
                                      following_domain)
-                notify_on_new = 'false'
+                notify_on_new: str = 'false'
                 languages: str = ''
-                person_notes = \
+                person_notes: str = \
                     get_person_notes(base_dir, nickname, domain,
                                      following_address)
                 if person_notes:
                     # make notes suitable for csv file
-                    replacements = {
+                    replacements: dict = {
                         ',': ' ',
                         '"': "'",
                         '\n': '<br>',
@@ -189,14 +191,14 @@ def html_hashtag_blocked(base_dir: str, translate: {}) -> str:
     """Show the screen for a blocked hashtag
     """
     blocked_hashtag_form: str = ''
-    css_filename = base_dir + '/epicyon-suspended.css'
+    css_filename: str = base_dir + '/epicyon-suspended.css'
     if is_a_file(base_dir + '/suspended.css'):
         css_filename = base_dir + '/suspended.css'
 
-    instance_title = \
+    instance_title: str = \
         get_config_param(base_dir, 'instanceTitle')
     preload_images: list[str] = []
-    blocked_hashtag_form = \
+    blocked_hashtag_form: str = \
         html_header_with_external_style(css_filename, instance_title, None,
                                         preload_images)
     blocked_hashtag_form += '<div><center>\n'
@@ -275,7 +277,7 @@ def get_show_map_button(post_id: str, translate: {},
                         map_content: str) -> str:
     """Returns the markup for a "show map" button
     """
-    show_map_str = 'Show Map'
+    show_map_str: str = 'Show Map'
     if translate.get('Show Map'):
         show_map_str = translate['Show Map']
     html_str = '       <details><summary class="cw" tabindex="10">' + \
@@ -289,7 +291,7 @@ def open_content_warning(text: str, translate: {}) -> str:
     """Opens content warning when replying to a post with a cw
     so that you can see what you are replying to
     """
-    text = replace_embedded_map_with_link(text, translate)
+    text: str = replace_embedded_map_with_link(text, translate)
     text = text.replace('<details>', '').replace('</details>', '')
     text = text.replace(translate['Show Map'], '', 1)
     text = text.replace(translate['SHOW MORE'], '', 1)
@@ -303,7 +305,7 @@ def _set_actor_property_url(actor_json: {},
     if not actor_json.get('attachment'):
         actor_json['attachment']: list[dict] = []
 
-    property_name_lower = property_name.lower()
+    property_name_lower: str = property_name.lower()
 
     # remove any existing value
     property_found = None
@@ -397,17 +399,17 @@ def update_avatar_image_cache(signing_priv_key_pem: str,
     """
     if not avatar_url:
         return None
-    actor_str = actor.replace('/', '-')
-    avatar_image_path = base_dir + '/cache/avatars/' + actor_str
+    actor_str: str = actor.replace('/', '-')
+    avatar_image_path: str = base_dir + '/cache/avatars/' + actor_str
 
     # try different image types
     image_formats = image_mime_types_dict()
-    avatar_image_filename = None
+    avatar_image_filename: str = None
     session_headers = None
     for im_format, mime_type in image_formats.items():
         if avatar_url.endswith('.' + im_format) or \
            '.' + im_format + '?' in avatar_url:
-            session_headers = {
+            session_headers: dict = {
                 'Accept': 'image/' + mime_type
             }
             avatar_image_filename = avatar_image_path + '.' + im_format
@@ -454,7 +456,7 @@ def update_avatar_image_cache(signing_priv_key_pem: str,
         except BaseException as ex:
             print('EX: Failed to download avatar image: ' +
                   str(avatar_url) + ' ' + str(ex))
-        prof = 'https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams'
+        prof: str = 'https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams'
         if '/channel/' not in actor or '/accounts/' not in actor:
             session_headers = {
                 'Accept': 'application/activity+json; profile="' + prof + '"'
@@ -463,13 +465,15 @@ def update_avatar_image_cache(signing_priv_key_pem: str,
             session_headers = {
                 'Accept': 'application/ld+json; profile="' + prof + '"'
             }
-        person_json = \
+        person_json: dict = \
             get_json(signing_priv_key_pem, session, actor,
                      session_headers, None,
                      debug, mitm_servers, __version__, http_prefix, None)
         if get_json_valid(person_json):
             if not person_json.get('id'):
                 return None
+            if not isinstance(person_json['id'], str):
+                return None
             pub_key, _ = get_actor_public_key_from_id(person_json, None)
             if not pub_key:
                 return None
@@ -495,7 +499,7 @@ def update_avatar_image_cache(signing_priv_key_pem: str,
 def scheduled_posts_exist(base_dir: str, nickname: str, domain: str) -> bool:
     """Returns true if there are posts scheduled to be delivered
     """
-    schedule_index_filename = \
+    schedule_index_filename: str = \
         acct_dir(base_dir, nickname, domain) + '/schedule.index'
     if not is_a_file(schedule_index_filename):
         return False
@@ -513,27 +517,29 @@ def shares_timeline_json(actor: str, page_number: int, items_per_page: int,
     max_shares_per_account helps to avoid one person dominating the timeline
     by sharing a large number of things
     """
-    all_shares_json = {}
-    dir_str = data_dir(base_dir)
+    all_shares_json: dict = {}
+    dir_str: str = data_dir(base_dir)
     for _, dirs, files in os.walk(dir_str):
         for handle in dirs:
             if not is_account_dir(handle):
                 continue
-            account_dir = acct_handle_dir(base_dir, handle)
-            shares_filename = account_dir + '/' + shares_file_type + '.json'
+            account_dir: str = acct_handle_dir(base_dir, handle)
+            shares_filename: str = \
+                account_dir + '/' + shares_file_type + '.json'
             if not is_a_file(shares_filename):
                 continue
             shares_json = load_json(shares_filename)
             if not shares_json:
                 continue
-            account_nickname = handle.split('@')[0]
+            account_nickname: str = handle.split('@')[0]
             # Don't include shared items from blocked accounts
             if account_nickname != nickname:
                 if is_blocked(base_dir, nickname, domain,
                               account_nickname, domain, None, None):
                     continue
             # actor who owns this share
-            owner = actor.split('/users/')[0] + '/users/' + account_nickname
+            owner: str = \
+                actor.split('/users/')[0] + '/users/' + account_nickname
             ctr: int = 0
             for item_id, item in shares_json.items():
                 # assign owner to the item
@@ -546,9 +552,9 @@ def shares_timeline_json(actor: str, page_number: int, items_per_page: int,
         break
     if shared_items_federated_domains:
         if shares_file_type == 'shares':
-            catalogs_dir = base_dir + '/cache/catalogs'
+            catalogs_dir: str = base_dir + '/cache/catalogs'
         else:
-            catalogs_dir = base_dir + '/cache/wantedItems'
+            catalogs_dir: str = base_dir + '/cache/wantedItems'
         if is_a_dir(catalogs_dir):
             for _, dirs, files in os.walk(catalogs_dir):
                 for fname in files:
@@ -556,11 +562,11 @@ def shares_timeline_json(actor: str, page_number: int, items_per_page: int,
                         continue
                     if not fname.endswith('.' + shares_file_type + '.json'):
                         continue
-                    federated_domain = fname.split('.')[0]
+                    federated_domain: str = fname.split('.')[0]
                     if federated_domain not in shared_items_federated_domains:
                         continue
-                    shares_filename = catalogs_dir + '/' + fname
-                    shares_json = load_json(shares_filename)
+                    shares_filename: str = catalogs_dir + '/' + fname
+                    shares_json: dict = load_json(shares_filename)
                     if not shares_json:
                         continue
                     ctr: int = 0
@@ -568,14 +574,15 @@ def shares_timeline_json(actor: str, page_number: int, items_per_page: int,
                         # assign owner to the item
                         if '--shareditems--' not in item_id:
                             continue
-                        share_actor = item_id.split('--shareditems--')[0]
-                        replacements = {
+                        share_actor: str = item_id.split('--shareditems--')[0]
+                        replacements: dict = {
                             '___': '://',
                             '--': '/'
                         }
-                        share_actor = \
+                        share_actor: str = \
                             replace_strings(share_actor, replacements)
-                        share_nickname = get_nickname_from_actor(share_actor)
+                        share_nickname: str = \
+                            get_nickname_from_actor(share_actor)
                         if not share_nickname:
                             continue
                         if is_blocked(base_dir, nickname, domain,
@@ -590,9 +597,10 @@ def shares_timeline_json(actor: str, page_number: int, items_per_page: int,
                             break
                 break
     # sort the shared items in descending order of publication date
-    shares_json = OrderedDict(sorted(all_shares_json.items(), reverse=True))
+    shares_json: dict = \
+        OrderedDict(sorted(all_shares_json.items(), reverse=True))
     last_page: bool = False
-    start_index = items_per_page * page_number
+    start_index: int = items_per_page * page_number
     max_index = len(shares_json.items())
     if max_index < items_per_page:
         last_page = True
@@ -629,11 +637,11 @@ def get_shares_collection(actor: str, page_number: int, items_per_page: int,
                              shared_items_federated_domains, shares_file_type)
 
     if shares_file_type == 'shares':
-        share_type = 'offer'
-        collection_name = nickname + "'s Shared Items"
+        share_type: str = 'offer'
+        collection_name: str = nickname + "'s Shared Items"
     else:
-        share_type = 'request'
-        collection_name = nickname + "'s Wanted Items"
+        share_type: str = 'request'
+        collection_name: str = nickname + "'s Wanted Items"
 
     for share_id, shared_item in shares_json.items():
         shared_item['shareId'] = share_id
@@ -642,7 +650,7 @@ def get_shares_collection(actor: str, page_number: int, items_per_page: int,
         if offer_item:
             shares_collection.append(offer_item)
 
-    result_json = {
+    result_json: dict = {
         "@context": [
             'https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams',
             'https://w3id.org/security/v1'
@@ -665,6 +673,8 @@ def post_contains_public(post_json_object: {}) -> bool:
         return contains_public
 
     for to_address in post_json_object['object']['to']:
+        if not isinstance(to_address, str):
+            continue
         if to_address.endswith('#Public') or \
            to_address == 'as:Public' or \
            to_address == 'Public':
@@ -673,6 +683,8 @@ def post_contains_public(post_json_object: {}) -> bool:
         if not contains_public:
             if post_json_object['object'].get('cc'):
                 for to_address2 in post_json_object['object']['cc']:
+                    if not isinstance(to_address2, str):
+                        continue
                     if to_address2.endswith('#Public') or \
                        to_address2 == 'as:Public' or \
                        to_address2 == 'Public':
@@ -685,7 +697,7 @@ def get_banner_file(base_dir: str,
                     nickname: str, domain: str, theme: str) -> (str, str):
     """Gets the image for the timeline banner
     """
-    account_dir = acct_dir(base_dir, nickname, domain)
+    account_dir: str = acct_dir(base_dir, nickname, domain)
     banner_file, banner_filename = \
         get_image_file(base_dir, 'banner', account_dir, theme)
     return banner_file, banner_filename
@@ -696,7 +708,7 @@ def get_profile_background_file(base_dir: str,
                                 theme: str) -> (str, str):
     """Gets the image for the profile background
     """
-    account_dir = acct_dir(base_dir, nickname, domain)
+    account_dir: str = acct_dir(base_dir, nickname, domain)
     banner_file, banner_filename = \
         get_image_file(base_dir, 'image', account_dir, theme)
     return banner_file, banner_filename
@@ -707,7 +719,7 @@ def get_search_banner_file(base_dir: str,
                            theme: str) -> (str, str):
     """Gets the image for the search banner
     """
-    account_dir = acct_dir(base_dir, nickname, domain)
+    account_dir: str = acct_dir(base_dir, nickname, domain)
     banner_file, banner_filename = \
         get_image_file(base_dir, 'search_banner', account_dir, theme)
     return banner_file, banner_filename
@@ -717,7 +729,7 @@ def get_left_image_file(base_dir: str,
                         nickname: str, domain: str, theme: str) -> (str, str):
     """Gets the image for the left column
     """
-    account_dir = acct_dir(base_dir, nickname, domain)
+    account_dir: str = acct_dir(base_dir, nickname, domain)
     banner_file, banner_filename = \
         get_image_file(base_dir, 'left_col_image', account_dir, theme)
     return banner_file, banner_filename
@@ -727,7 +739,7 @@ def get_right_image_file(base_dir: str,
                          nickname: str, domain: str, theme: str) -> (str, str):
     """Gets the image for the right column
     """
-    account_dir = acct_dir(base_dir, nickname, domain)
+    account_dir: str = acct_dir(base_dir, nickname, domain)
     banner_file, banner_filename = \
         get_image_file(base_dir, 'right_col_image', account_dir, theme)
     return banner_file, banner_filename
@@ -737,8 +749,8 @@ def html_header_with_external_style(css_filename: str, instance_title: str,
                                     metadata: str, preload_images: [],
                                     lang: str = 'en') -> str:
     if metadata is None:
-        metadata: str = ''
-    css_file = '/' + css_filename.split('/')[-1]
+        metadata = ''
+    css_file: str = '/' + css_filename.split('/')[-1]
     pwa_theme_color, pwa_theme_background_color = \
         get_pwa_theme_colors(css_filename)
     preload_images_str: str = ''
@@ -747,7 +759,7 @@ def html_header_with_external_style(css_filename: str, instance_title: str,
             preload_images_str += \
                 '    <link rel="preload" as="image" href="' + \
                 image_path + '">\n'
-    html_str = \
+    html_str: str = \
         '<!DOCTYPE html>\n' + \
         '<!--\n' + \
         'Thankyou for using Epicyon. If you are reading this message then ' + \
@@ -786,7 +798,7 @@ def html_header_with_person_markup(css_filename: str, instance_title: str,
     """
     if not actor_json:
         preload_images: list[str] = []
-        html_str = \
+        html_str: str = \
             html_header_with_external_style(css_filename,
                                             instance_title, None,
                                             preload_images, lang)
@@ -798,7 +810,7 @@ def html_header_with_person_markup(css_filename: str, instance_title: str,
         add_comma: str = ''
         country_markup: str = ''
         if ',' in city:
-            country = city.split(',', 1)[1].strip().title()
+            country: str = city.split(',', 1)[1].strip().title()
             city = city.split(',', 1)[0]
             country_markup = \
                 '          "addressCountry": "' + country + '"\n'
@@ -813,18 +825,22 @@ def html_header_with_person_markup(css_filename: str, instance_title: str,
     if actor_json.get('hasOccupation'):
         if isinstance(actor_json['hasOccupation'], list):
             skills_markup = '        "hasOccupation": [\n'
-            first_entry = True
+            first_entry: bool = True
             for skill_dict in actor_json['hasOccupation']:
+                if not skill_dict.get('@type'):
+                    continue
+                if not isinstance(skill_dict['@type'], str):
+                    continue
                 if skill_dict['@type'] == 'Role':
                     if not first_entry:
                         skills_markup += ',\n'
-                    skl = skill_dict['hasOccupation']
-                    role_name = skl['name']
+                    skl: str = skill_dict['hasOccupation']
+                    role_name: str = skl['name']
                     if not role_name:
                         role_name = 'member'
-                    category = \
+                    category: str = \
                         skl['occupationalCategory']['codeValue']
-                    category_url = \
+                    category_url: str = \
                         'https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/' + category
                     skills_markup += \
                         '        {\n' + \
@@ -855,11 +871,11 @@ def html_header_with_person_markup(css_filename: str, instance_title: str,
                 elif skill_dict['@type'] == 'Occupation':
                     if not first_entry:
                         skills_markup += ',\n'
-                    oc_name = skill_dict['name']
+                    oc_name: str = skill_dict['name']
                     if not oc_name:
                         oc_name = 'member'
-                    skills_list = skill_dict['skills']
-                    skills_list_str = '['
+                    skills_list: list[str] = skill_dict['skills']
+                    skills_list_str: str = '['
                     for skill_str in skills_list:
                         if skills_list_str != '[':
                             skills_list_str += ', '
@@ -883,13 +899,13 @@ def html_header_with_person_markup(css_filename: str, instance_title: str,
     description: str = ''
     if actor_json.get('summary'):
         description = remove_html(actor_json['summary'])
-    name_str = remove_html(actor_json['name'])
-    domain_full = actor_json['id'].split('://')[1].split('/')[0]
-    handle = actor_json['preferredUsername'] + '@' + domain_full
+    name_str: str = remove_html(actor_json['name'])
+    domain_full: str = actor_json['id'].split('://')[1].split('/')[0]
+    handle: str = actor_json['preferredUsername'] + '@' + domain_full
 
-    url_str = get_url_from_post(actor_json['icon']['url'])
-    icon_url = remove_html(url_str)
-    person_markup = \
+    url_str: str = get_url_from_post(actor_json['icon']['url'])
+    icon_url: str = remove_html(url_str)
+    person_markup: str = \
         '      "about": {\n' + \
         '        "@type" : "Person",\n' + \
         '        "name": "' + name_str + '",\n' + \
@@ -899,7 +915,7 @@ def html_header_with_person_markup(css_filename: str, instance_title: str,
         '        "url": "' + actor_json['id'] + '"\n' + \
         '      },\n'
 
-    profile_markup = \
+    profile_markup: str = \
         '    <script id="initial-state" type="application/ld+json">\n' + \
         '    {\n' + \
         '      "@context":"https://schema.org",\n' + \
@@ -923,10 +939,10 @@ def html_header_with_person_markup(css_filename: str, instance_title: str,
         '    }\n' + \
         '    </script>\n'
 
-    description = remove_html(description)
-    url_str = get_url_from_post(actor_json['url'])
-    actor2_url = remove_html(url_str)
-    og_metadata = \
+    description: str = remove_html(description)
+    url_str: str = get_url_from_post(actor_json['url'])
+    actor2_url: str = remove_html(url_str)
+    og_metadata: str = \
         "    <meta content=\"profile\" property=\"og:type\" />\n" + \
         "    <meta content=\"" + description + \
         "\" name='description'>\n" + \
@@ -946,7 +962,7 @@ def html_header_with_person_markup(css_filename: str, instance_title: str,
         "    <meta content=\"" + handle + \
         "\" property=\"profile:username\" />\n"
     if actor_json.get('attachment'):
-        og_tags = (
+        og_tags: list[str] = (
             'email', 'openpgp', 'blog', 'xmpp', 'matrix', 'briar',
             'cwtch', 'languages'
         )
@@ -958,10 +974,10 @@ def html_header_with_person_markup(css_filename: str, instance_title: str,
             if not prop_value_name:
                 continue
             if attach_json.get('name'):
-                name = attach_json['name'].lower()
+                name: str = attach_json['name'].lower()
             else:
-                name = attach_json['schema:name'].lower()
-            value = attach_json[prop_value_name]
+                name: str = attach_json['schema:name'].lower()
+            value: str = attach_json[prop_value_name]
             for og_tag in og_tags:
                 if name != og_tag:
                     continue
@@ -970,7 +986,7 @@ def html_header_with_person_markup(css_filename: str, instance_title: str,
                     "\" property=\"og:" + og_tag + "\" />\n"
 
     preload_images: list[str] = []
-    html_str = \
+    html_str: str = \
         html_header_with_external_style(css_filename, instance_title,
                                         og_metadata + profile_markup,
                                         preload_images, lang)
@@ -983,12 +999,12 @@ def html_header_with_website_markup(css_filename: str, instance_title: str,
     """html header which includes website markup
     https://schema.org/WebSite
     """
-    license_url = 'https://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl-3.0.rdf'
+    license_url: str = 'https://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl-3.0.rdf'
 
     # social networking category
-    genre_url = 'http://vocab.getty.edu/aat/300312270'
+    genre_url: str = 'http://vocab.getty.edu/aat/300312270'
 
-    website_markup = \
+    website_markup: str = \
         '    <script id="initial-state" type="application/ld+json">\n' + \
         '    {\n' + \
         '      "@context" : "http://schema.org",\n' + \
@@ -1014,7 +1030,7 @@ def html_header_with_website_markup(css_filename: str, instance_title: str,
         '    }\n' + \
         '    </script>\n'
 
-    og_metadata = \
+    og_metadata: str = \
         '    <meta content="Epicyon hosted on ' + domain + \
         '" property="og:site_name" />\n' + \
         '    <meta content="' + http_prefix + '://' + domain + \
@@ -1029,7 +1045,7 @@ def html_header_with_website_markup(css_filename: str, instance_title: str,
         '    <meta content="summary_large_image" property="twitter:card" />\n'
 
     preload_images: list[str] = []
-    html_str = \
+    html_str: str = \
         html_header_with_external_style(css_filename, instance_title,
                                         og_metadata + website_markup,
                                         preload_images, system_language)
@@ -1045,13 +1061,13 @@ def html_header_with_blog_markup(css_filename: str, instance_title: str,
     """html header which includes blog post markup
     https://schema.org/BlogPosting
     """
-    author_url = local_actor_url(http_prefix, nickname, domain)
-    about_url = http_prefix + '://' + domain + '/about.html'
+    author_url: str = local_actor_url(http_prefix, nickname, domain)
+    about_url: str = http_prefix + '://' + domain + '/about.html'
 
     # license for content on the site may be different from
     # the software license
 
-    blog_markup = \
+    blog_markup: str = \
         '    <script id="initial-state" type="application/ld+json">\n' + \
         '    {\n' + \
         '      "@context" : "http://schema.org",\n' + \
@@ -1074,7 +1090,7 @@ def html_header_with_blog_markup(css_filename: str, instance_title: str,
         '    }\n' + \
         '    </script>\n'
 
-    og_metadata = \
+    og_metadata: str = \
         '    <meta property="og:locale" content="' + \
         system_language + '" />\n' + \
         '    <meta property="og:type" content="article" />\n' + \
@@ -1088,7 +1104,7 @@ def html_header_with_blog_markup(css_filename: str, instance_title: str,
         modified + '" />\n'
 
     preload_images: list[str] = []
-    html_str = \
+    html_str: str = \
         html_header_with_external_style(css_filename, instance_title,
                                         og_metadata + blog_markup,
                                         preload_images, system_language)
@@ -1096,7 +1112,7 @@ def html_header_with_blog_markup(css_filename: str, instance_title: str,
 
 
 def html_footer() -> str:
-    html_str = '  </body>\n'
+    html_str: str = '  </body>\n'
     html_str += '</html>\n'
     return html_str
 
@@ -1108,7 +1124,7 @@ def load_individual_post_as_html_from_cache(base_dir: str,
     return the html text
     This is much quicker than generating the html from the json object
     """
-    cached_post_filename = \
+    cached_post_filename: str = \
         get_cached_post_filename(base_dir, nickname, domain, post_json_object)
 
     post_html: str = ''
@@ -1146,7 +1162,7 @@ def add_emoji_to_display_name(session, base_dir: str, http_prefix: str,
         '</p>': ''
     }
     display_name = replace_strings(display_name, replacements)
-    emoji_tags = {}
+    emoji_tags: dict = {}
 #    print('TAG: display_name before tags: ' + display_name)
     display_name = \
         add_html_tags(base_dir, http_prefix,
@@ -1176,7 +1192,7 @@ def add_emoji_to_display_name(session, base_dir: str, http_prefix: str,
         if '://' in display_name:
             break
         emoji_str = display_name.split(':')[1]
-        prev_display_name = display_name
+        prev_display_name: str = display_name
         display_name = display_name.replace(':' + emoji_str + ':', '').strip()
         if prev_display_name == display_name:
             break
@@ -1193,8 +1209,8 @@ def _is_image_mime_type(mime_type: str) -> bool:
         return True
     if not mime_type.startswith('image/'):
         return False
-    extensions = get_image_extensions()
-    ext = mime_type.split('/')[1]
+    extensions: list[str] = get_image_extensions()
+    ext: str = mime_type.split('/')[1]
     if ext in extensions:
         return True
     return False
@@ -1205,8 +1221,8 @@ def _is_video_mime_type(mime_type: str) -> bool:
     """
     if not mime_type.startswith('video/'):
         return False
-    extensions = get_video_extensions()
-    ext = mime_type.split('/')[1]
+    extensions: list[str] = get_video_extensions()
+    ext: str = mime_type.split('/')[1]
     if ext in extensions:
         return True
     return False
@@ -1219,8 +1235,8 @@ def _is_audio_mime_type(mime_type: str) -> bool:
         return True
     if not mime_type.startswith('audio/'):
         return False
-    extensions = get_audio_extensions()
-    ext = mime_type.split('/')[1]
+    extensions: list[str] = get_audio_extensions()
+    ext: str = mime_type.split('/')[1]
     if ext in extensions:
         return True
     return False
@@ -1231,13 +1247,13 @@ def _is_attached_image(attachment_url: str) -> bool:
     """
     if '.' not in attachment_url:
         return False
-    image_ext = get_image_extensions()
-    ext = attachment_url.split('.')[-1]
+    image_ext: list[str] = get_image_extensions()
+    ext: str = attachment_url.split('.')[-1]
     if ext in image_ext:
         return True
     if '/' in attachment_url:
         # this might still be an image, but without a file extension
-        last_part = attachment_url.split('/')[-1]
+        last_part: str = attachment_url.split('/')[-1]
         if '.' not in last_part:
             return True
     return False
@@ -1248,10 +1264,10 @@ def _is_attached_video(attachment_filename: str) -> bool:
     """
     if '.' not in attachment_filename:
         return False
-    video_ext = (
+    video_ext: list[str] = (
         'mp4', 'webm', 'ogv'
     )
-    ext = attachment_filename.split('.')[-1]
+    ext: str = attachment_filename.split('.')[-1]
     if ext in video_ext:
         return True
     return False
@@ -1260,8 +1276,8 @@ def _is_attached_video(attachment_filename: str) -> bool:
 def _is_nsfw(content: str) -> bool:
     """Does the given content indicate nsfw?
     """
-    content_lower = content.lower()
-    nsfw_tags = (
+    content_lower: str = content.lower()
+    nsfw_tags: list[str] = (
         'nsfw', 'porn', 'pr0n', 'explicit', 'lewd',
         'nude', 'boob', 'erotic', 'sex'
     )