diff --git a/bioimageio/core/_prediction_pipeline.py b/bioimageio/core/_prediction_pipeline.py
index 4f7db9e2..912aa9dd 100644
--- a/bioimageio/core/_prediction_pipeline.py
+++ b/bioimageio/core/_prediction_pipeline.py
@@ -37,8 +37,8 @@ def __init__(
         self._preprocessing = preprocessing
         self._postprocessing = postprocessing
         if isinstance(bioimageio_model, v0_4.ModelDescr):
-            self._input_ids = [TensorId(d.name) for d in bioimageio_model.inputs]
-            self._output_ids = [TensorId(d.name) for d in bioimageio_model.outputs]
+            self._input_ids = [TensorId(str(d.name)) for d in bioimageio_model.inputs]
+            self._output_ids = [TensorId(str(d.name)) for d in bioimageio_model.outputs]
         else:
             self._input_ids = [d.id for d in bioimageio_model.inputs]
             self._output_ids = [d.id for d in bioimageio_model.outputs]
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ def __exit__(self, exc_type, exc_val, exc_tb):  # type: ignore
 
     def predict(self, *input_tensors: xr.DataArray, **named_input_tensors: xr.DataArray) -> List[xr.DataArray]:
         """Predict input_tensor with the model without applying pre/postprocessing."""
-        named_tensors = [named_input_tensors[k] for k in self._input_ids[len(input_tensors) :]]
+        named_tensors = [named_input_tensors[str(k)] for k in self._input_ids[len(input_tensors) :]]
         return self._adapter.forward(*input_tensors, *named_tensors)
 
     def apply_preprocessing(self, sample: Sample) -> None:
@@ -71,11 +71,11 @@ def apply_postprocessing(self, sample: Sample) -> None:
         for op in self._postprocessing:
             op(sample)
 
-    def forward_sample(self, input_sample: Sample):
+    def forward_sample(self, input_sample: Sample) -> Sample:
         """Apply preprocessing, run prediction and apply postprocessing."""
         self.apply_preprocessing(input_sample)
 
-        prediction_tensors = self.predict(**input_sample.data)
+        prediction_tensors = self.predict(**{str(k): v for k, v in input_sample.data.items()})
         prediction = Sample(data=dict(zip(self._output_ids, prediction_tensors)), stat=input_sample.stat)
         self.apply_postprocessing(prediction)
         return prediction
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ def create_prediction_pipeline(
     )
 
     if isinstance(bioimageio_model, v0_4.ModelDescr):
-        input_ids = [TensorId(ipt.name) for ipt in bioimageio_model.inputs]
+        input_ids = [TensorId(str(ipt.name)) for ipt in bioimageio_model.inputs]
     else:
         input_ids = [ipt.id for ipt in bioimageio_model.inputs]
 
diff --git a/bioimageio/core/proc_ops.py b/bioimageio/core/proc_ops.py
index 8a7b15f6..7c179e28 100644
--- a/bioimageio/core/proc_ops.py
+++ b/bioimageio/core/proc_ops.py
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@
 from dataclasses import InitVar, dataclass, field
 from typing import (
     Collection,
-    Hashable,
     Literal,
     Mapping,
     Optional,
@@ -302,7 +301,7 @@ def from_proc_descr(
         return cls(
             input=tensor_id,
             output=tensor_id,
-            reference_tensor=cast(TensorId, kwargs.reference_tensor),
+            reference_tensor=TensorId(str(kwargs.reference_tensor)),
             axes=axes,
             eps=kwargs.eps,
         )
@@ -556,4 +555,3 @@ def get_proc_class(proc_spec: ProcDescr):
         return ZeroMeanUnitVariance
     else:
         assert_never(proc_spec)
-
diff --git a/bioimageio/core/proc_setup.py b/bioimageio/core/proc_setup.py
index a71ba023..a375a2b7 100644
--- a/bioimageio/core/proc_setup.py
+++ b/bioimageio/core/proc_setup.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
     Sequence,
     Set,
     Union,
-    cast,
 )
 
 from typing_extensions import assert_never
@@ -77,8 +76,8 @@ def _prepare_setup_pre_and_postprocessing(model: AnyModelDescr) -> _SetupProcess
     post_measures: Set[Measure] = set()
 
     if isinstance(model, v0_4.ModelDescr):
-        input_ids = {TensorId(d.name) for d in model.inputs}
-        output_ids = {TensorId(d.name) for d in model.outputs}
+        input_ids = {TensorId(str(d.name)) for d in model.inputs}
+        output_ids = {TensorId(str(d.name)) for d in model.outputs}
     else:
         input_ids = {d.id for d in model.inputs}
         output_ids = {d.id for d in model.outputs}
@@ -98,7 +97,7 @@ def prepare_procs(tensor_descrs: Sequence[TensorDescr]):
 
             for proc_d in proc_descrs:
                 proc_class = get_proc_class(proc_d)
-                tensor_id = cast(TensorId, t_descr.name) if isinstance(t_descr, v0_4.TensorDescrBase) else t_descr.id
+                tensor_id = TensorId(str(t_descr.name)) if isinstance(t_descr, v0_4.TensorDescrBase) else t_descr.id
                 req = proc_class.from_proc_descr(proc_d, tensor_id)  # pyright: ignore[reportArgumentType]
                 for m in req.required_measures:
                     if m.tensor_id in input_ids:
diff --git a/bioimageio/core/utils/_digest_spec.py b/bioimageio/core/utils/_digest_spec.py
index 42ba8974..ad41789f 100644
--- a/bioimageio/core/utils/_digest_spec.py
+++ b/bioimageio/core/utils/_digest_spec.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 import xarray as xr
 
-from bioimageio.spec.model import AnyModelDescr, v0_4, v0_5
+from bioimageio.spec.model import AnyModelDescr, v0_4
 from bioimageio.spec.utils import load_array
 
 
diff --git a/bioimageio/core/utils/image_helper.py b/bioimageio/core/utils/image_helper.py
index 3dac1772..80303260 100644
--- a/bioimageio/core/utils/image_helper.py
+++ b/bioimageio/core/utils/image_helper.py
@@ -31,69 +31,76 @@
 OutputTensor = Union[OutputTensorDescr04, OutputTensorDescr]
 
 
-def transpose_image(
-    image: NDArray[Any],
+def interprete_array(
+    nd_array: NDArray[Any],
+    desired_axes: Union[v0_4.AxesStr, Sequence[AnyAxis]],
+) -> xr.DataArray:
+    if isinstance(desired_axes, str):
+        desired_space_axes = [a for a in desired_axes if a in "zyx"]
+    else:
+        desired_space_axes = [a for a in desired_axes if a.type == "space"]
+
+    ndim = nd_array.ndim
+    if ndim == 2 and len(desired_space_axes) >= 2:
+        current_axes = (
+            SpaceInputAxis(id=AxisId("y"), size=nd_array.shape[0]),
+            SpaceInputAxis(id=AxisId("x"), size=nd_array.shape[1]),
+        )
+    elif ndim == 3 and len(desired_space_axes) == 2:
+        current_axes = (
+            ChannelAxis(channel_names=[Identifier(f"channel{i}") for i in range(nd_array.shape[0])]),
+            SpaceInputAxis(id=AxisId("y"), size=nd_array.shape[1]),
+            SpaceInputAxis(id=AxisId("x"), size=nd_array.shape[2]),
+        )
+    elif ndim == 3 and len(desired_space_axes) == 3:
+        current_axes = (
+            SpaceInputAxis(id=AxisId("z"), size=nd_array.shape[0]),
+            SpaceInputAxis(id=AxisId("y"), size=nd_array.shape[1]),
+            SpaceInputAxis(id=AxisId("x"), size=nd_array.shape[2]),
+        )
+    elif ndim == 4:
+        current_axes = (
+            ChannelAxis(channel_names=[Identifier(f"channel{i}") for i in range(nd_array.shape[0])]),
+            SpaceInputAxis(id=AxisId("z"), size=nd_array.shape[1]),
+            SpaceInputAxis(id=AxisId("y"), size=nd_array.shape[2]),
+            SpaceInputAxis(id=AxisId("x"), size=nd_array.shape[3]),
+        )
+    elif ndim == 5:
+        current_axes = (
+            BatchAxis(),
+            ChannelAxis(channel_names=[Identifier(f"channel{i}") for i in range(nd_array.shape[1])]),
+            SpaceInputAxis(id=AxisId("z"), size=nd_array.shape[2]),
+            SpaceInputAxis(id=AxisId("y"), size=nd_array.shape[3]),
+            SpaceInputAxis(id=AxisId("x"), size=nd_array.shape[4]),
+        )
+    else:
+        raise ValueError(f"Could not guess a mapping of {nd_array.shape} to {desired_axes}")
+
+    current_axes_ids = tuple(current_axes) if isinstance(current_axes, str) else tuple(a.id for a in current_axes)
+    return xr.DataArray(nd_array, dims=current_axes_ids)
+
+
+def transpose_array(
+    arary: xr.DataArray,
     desired_axes: Union[v0_4.AxesStr, Sequence[AnyAxis]],
     current_axes: Optional[Union[v0_4.AxesStr, Sequence[AnyAxis]]] = None,
 ) -> xr.DataArray:
     """Transpose an image to match desired axes.
 
     Args:
-        image: the input image
+        array: the input array
         desired_axes: the desired image axes
         current_axes: the axes of the input image
     """
-    # if the image axes are not given deduce them from the required axes and image shape
-    if current_axes is None:
-        if isinstance(desired_axes, str):
-            desired_space_axes = [a for a in desired_axes if a in "zyx"]
-        else:
-            desired_space_axes = [a for a in desired_axes if a.type == "space"]
-
-        ndim = image.ndim
-        if ndim == 2 and len(desired_space_axes) >= 2:
-            current_axes = (
-                SpaceInputAxis(id=AxisId("y"), size=image.shape[0]),
-                SpaceInputAxis(id=AxisId("x"), size=image.shape[1]),
-            )
-        elif ndim == 3 and len(desired_space_axes) == 2:
-            current_axes = (
-                ChannelAxis(channel_names=[Identifier(f"channel{i}") for i in range(image.shape[0])]),
-                SpaceInputAxis(id=AxisId("y"), size=image.shape[1]),
-                SpaceInputAxis(id=AxisId("x"), size=image.shape[2]),
-            )
-        elif ndim == 3 and len(desired_space_axes) == 3:
-            current_axes = (
-                SpaceInputAxis(id=AxisId("z"), size=image.shape[0]),
-                SpaceInputAxis(id=AxisId("y"), size=image.shape[1]),
-                SpaceInputAxis(id=AxisId("x"), size=image.shape[2]),
-            )
-        elif ndim == 4:
-            current_axes = (
-                ChannelAxis(channel_names=[Identifier(f"channel{i}") for i in range(image.shape[0])]),
-                SpaceInputAxis(id=AxisId("z"), size=image.shape[1]),
-                SpaceInputAxis(id=AxisId("y"), size=image.shape[2]),
-                SpaceInputAxis(id=AxisId("x"), size=image.shape[3]),
-            )
-        elif ndim == 5:
-            current_axes = (
-                BatchAxis(),
-                ChannelAxis(channel_names=[Identifier(f"channel{i}") for i in range(image.shape[1])]),
-                SpaceInputAxis(id=AxisId("z"), size=image.shape[2]),
-                SpaceInputAxis(id=AxisId("y"), size=image.shape[3]),
-                SpaceInputAxis(id=AxisId("x"), size=image.shape[4]),
-            )
-        else:
-            raise ValueError(f"Could not guess a mapping of {image.shape} to {desired_axes}")
 
-    current_axes_ids = tuple(current_axes) if isinstance(current_axes, str) else tuple(a.id for a in current_axes)
-    desired_axes_ids = tuple(desired_axes) if isinstance(desired_axes, str) else tuple(a.id for a in desired_axes)
-    tensor = xr.DataArray(image, dims=current_axes_ids)
+    desired_axes_ids = (
+        tuple(map(AxisId, desired_axes)) if isinstance(desired_axes, str) else tuple(a.id for a in desired_axes)
+    )
     # expand the missing image axes
-    missing_axes = tuple(set(desired_axes_ids) - set(current_axes_ids))
-    tensor = tensor.expand_dims(dim=missing_axes)
+    missing_axes = tuple(set(desired_axes_ids) - set(map(AxisId, array.dims)))
+    array = array.expand_dims(dim=missing_axes)
     # transpose to the correct axis order
-    return tensor.transpose(*tuple(desired_axes_ids))
+    return arraytensor.transpose(*tuple(desired_axes_ids))
 
 
 def convert_axes_for_known_shape(axes: v0_4.AxesStr, shape: Sequence[int]):
@@ -117,7 +124,7 @@ def load_tensor(
             is_volume = len([a for a in guess_axes if a.type in ("time", "space")]) > 2
 
         im = imageio.volread(path) if is_volume else imageio.imread(path)
-        im = transpose_image(im, desired_axes=desired_axes, current_axes=current_axes)
+        im = transpose_array(im, desired_axes=desired_axes, current_axes=current_axes)
 
     return xr.DataArray(
         im, dims=tuple(desired_axes) if isinstance(desired_axes, str) else tuple(a.id for a in desired_axes)
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index db0f8626..7d715f57 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ include = ["bioimageio", "scripts", "tests"]
 pythonPlatform = "All"
 pythonVersion = "3.8"
 reportDuplicateImport = "error"
-reportImplicitStringConcatenation = "warning"
+reportImplicitStringConcatenation = "error"
 reportIncompatibleMethodOverride = true
 reportMatchNotExhaustive = "error"
 reportMissingSuperCall = "error"
diff --git a/scripts/show_diff.py b/scripts/show_diff.py
index 77623343..4a5d2223 100644
--- a/scripts/show_diff.py
+++ b/scripts/show_diff.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 from bioimageio.core import load_description, save_bioimageio_yaml_only
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
-    rdf_source = "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bioimage-io/spec-bioimage-io/pydantic_axes/example_specs/models/unet2d_nuclei_broad/rdf_v0_4_9.yaml"
+    rdf_source = "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bioimage-io/spec-bioimage-io/pydantic_axes/example_descriptions/models/unet2d_nuclei_broad/rdf_v0_4_9.yaml"
 
     local_source = Path(pooch.retrieve(rdf_source, None))  # type: ignore
     model_as_is = load_description(rdf_source, format_version="discover")
diff --git a/tests/conftest.py b/tests/conftest.py
index 9c31410d..324586d5 100644
--- a/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/conftest.py
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-import os
 import subprocess
 import warnings
 from types import MappingProxyType
@@ -10,7 +9,6 @@
 from pydantic import FilePath
 from pytest import FixtureRequest, fixture
 
-os.environ["BIOIMAGEIO_COUNT_RDF_DOWNLOADS"] = "false"  # disable tracking before bioimageio imports
 from bioimageio.spec import __version__ as bioimageio_spec_version
 from bioimageio.spec._package import save_bioimageio_package
 
@@ -35,50 +33,50 @@
 
 MODEL_SOURCES = {
     "unet2d_keras": (
-        "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bioimage-io/spec-bioimage-io/main/example_specs/models/"
+        "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bioimage-io/spec-bioimage-io/main/example_descriptions/models/"
         "unet2d_keras_tf/rdf.yaml"
     ),
     "unet2d_keras_tf2": (
-        "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bioimage-io/spec-bioimage-io/main/example_specs/models/"
+        "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bioimage-io/spec-bioimage-io/main/example_descriptions/models/"
         "unet2d_keras_tf2/rdf.yaml"
     ),
     "unet2d_nuclei_broad_model": (
-        "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bioimage-io/spec-bioimage-io/main/example_specs/models/"
+        "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bioimage-io/spec-bioimage-io/main/example_descriptions/models/"
         "unet2d_nuclei_broad/rdf.yaml"
     ),
     "unet2d_expand_output_shape": (
-        "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bioimage-io/spec-bioimage-io/main/example_specs/models/"
+        "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bioimage-io/spec-bioimage-io/main/example_descriptions/models/"
         "unet2d_nuclei_broad/rdf_expand_output_shape.yaml"
     ),
     "unet2d_fixed_shape": (
-        "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bioimage-io/spec-bioimage-io/main/example_specs/models/"
+        "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bioimage-io/spec-bioimage-io/main/example_descriptions/models/"
         "unet2d_fixed_shape/rdf.yaml"
     ),
     "unet2d_multi_tensor": (
-        "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bioimage-io/spec-bioimage-io/main/example_specs/models/"
+        "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bioimage-io/spec-bioimage-io/main/example_descriptions/models/"
         "unet2d_multi_tensor/rdf.yaml"
     ),
     "unet2d_diff_output_shape": (
-        "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bioimage-io/spec-bioimage-io/main/example_specs/models/"
+        "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bioimage-io/spec-bioimage-io/main/example_descriptions/models/"
         "unet2d_diff_output_shape/rdf.yaml"
     ),
     "hpa_densenet": (
-        "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bioimage-io/spec-bioimage-io/main/example_specs/models/hpa-densenet/rdf.yaml"
+        "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bioimage-io/spec-bioimage-io/main/example_descriptions/models/hpa-densenet/rdf.yaml"
     ),
     "stardist": (
-        "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bioimage-io/spec-bioimage-io/main/example_specs/models"
+        "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bioimage-io/spec-bioimage-io/main/example_descriptions/models"
         "/stardist_example_model/rdf.yaml"
     ),
     "stardist_wrong_shape": (
-        "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bioimage-io/spec-bioimage-io/main/example_specs/models/"
+        "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bioimage-io/spec-bioimage-io/main/example_descriptions/models/"
         "stardist_example_model/rdf_wrong_shape.yaml"
     ),
     "stardist_wrong_shape2": (
-        "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bioimage-io/spec-bioimage-io/main/example_specs/models/"
+        "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bioimage-io/spec-bioimage-io/main/example_descriptions/models/"
         "stardist_example_model/rdf_wrong_shape2.yaml"
     ),
     "shape_change": (
-        "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bioimage-io/spec-bioimage-io/main/example_specs/models/"
+        "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bioimage-io/spec-bioimage-io/main/example_descriptions/models/"
         "upsample_test_model/rdf.yaml"
     ),
 }
diff --git a/tests/test_cli.py b/tests/test_cli.py
index 967d5d80..601882b3 100644
--- a/tests/test_cli.py
+++ b/tests/test_cli.py
@@ -1,14 +1,9 @@
-import os
 import subprocess
-from pathlib import Path
-from typing import Any, List, Optional, Sequence, Set
+from typing import Any, List, Sequence
 
-import numpy as np
 import pytest
 from pydantic import FilePath
 
-from bioimageio.core import load_description
-
 
 def run_subprocess(commands: Sequence[str], **kwargs: Any) -> "subprocess.CompletedProcess[str]":
     return subprocess.run(commands, stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.STDOUT, encoding="utf-8", **kwargs)
diff --git a/tests/test_prediction.py b/tests/test_prediction.py
index a0e34b08..a95eb3f4 100644
--- a/tests/test_prediction.py
+++ b/tests/test_prediction.py
@@ -4,8 +4,11 @@
 import numpy as np
 from numpy.testing import assert_array_almost_equal
 
+from bioimageio.core.utils import get_test_inputs
 from bioimageio.spec import load_description
-from bioimageio.spec.model.v0_5 import ModelDescr
+from bioimageio.spec.model.v0_4 import InputTensorDescr as InputTensorDescr_v0_4
+from bioimageio.spec.model.v0_4 import ModelDescr as ModelDescr_v0_4
+from bioimageio.spec.model.v0_5 import InputTensorDescr, ModelDescr
 
 
 def test_predict_image(any_model: Path, tmpdir: Path):
@@ -26,7 +29,7 @@ def test_predict_image(any_model: Path, tmpdir: Path):
         assert_array_almost_equal(res, exp, decimal=4)
 
 
-def test_predict_image_with_weight_format(unet2d_fixed_shape_or_not, tmpdir):
+def test_predict_image_with_weight_format(unet2d_fixed_shape_or_not: Path, tmpdir: Path):
     from bioimageio.core.prediction import predict_image
 
     spec = load_description(unet2d_fixed_shape_or_not)
@@ -44,24 +47,18 @@ def test_predict_image_with_weight_format(unet2d_fixed_shape_or_not, tmpdir):
         assert_array_almost_equal(res, exp, decimal=4)
 
 
-def _test_predict_with_padding(model, tmp_path):
+def _test_predict_with_padding(any_model: Path, tmp_path: Path):
     from bioimageio.core.prediction import predict_image
 
-    spec = load_description(model)
-    assert isinstance(spec, Model)
+    model = load_description(any_model)
+    assert isinstance(model, (ModelDescr_v0_4, ModelDescr))
 
-    input_spec, output_spec = spec.inputs[0], spec.outputs[0]
-    channel_axis = input_spec.axes.index("c")
+    input_spec, output_spec = model.inputs[0], model.outputs[0]
+    channel_axis = "c" if isinstance(input_spec, InputTensorDescr_v0_4) else [a.id for a in input_spec.axes][0]
     channel_first = channel_axis == 1
 
-    image = np.load(str(spec.test_inputs[0]))
-    assert image.shape[channel_axis] == 1
-    if channel_first:
-        image = image[0, 0]
-    else:
-        image = image[0, ..., 0]
-    original_shape = image.shape
-    assert image.ndim == 2
+    # TODO: check more tensors
+    image = get_test_inputs(model)[0]
 
     if isinstance(output_spec.shape, list):
         n_channels = output_spec.shape[channel_axis]
@@ -106,15 +103,17 @@ def check_result():
                 assert res.shape == exp_shape
 
     # test with dynamic padding
-    predict_image(model, in_path, out_path, padding={"x": 16, "y": 16, "mode": "dynamic"})
+    predict_image(any_model, in_path, out_path, padding={"x": 16, "y": 16, "mode": "dynamic"})
     check_result()
 
     # test with fixed padding
-    predict_image(model, in_path, out_path, padding={"x": original_shape[0], "y": original_shape[1], "mode": "fixed"})
+    predict_image(
+        any_model, in_path, out_path, padding={"x": original_shape[0], "y": original_shape[1], "mode": "fixed"}
+    )
     check_result()
 
     # test with automated padding
-    predict_image(model, in_path, out_path, padding=True)
+    predict_image(any_model, in_path, out_path, padding=True)
     check_result()
 
 
@@ -133,7 +132,7 @@ def test_predict_image_with_padding_channel_last(stardist, tmp_path):
     _test_predict_with_padding(stardist, tmp_path)
 
 
-def _test_predict_image_with_tiling(model, tmp_path: Path, exp_mean_deviation):
+def _test_predict_image_with_tiling(model: Path, tmp_path: Path, exp_mean_deviation):
     from bioimageio.core.prediction import predict_image
 
     spec = load_description(model)
@@ -166,27 +165,27 @@ def check_result():
 
 # prediction with tiling with the parameters above may not be suited for any model
 # so we only run it for the pytorch unet2d here
-def test_predict_image_with_tiling_1(unet2d_nuclei_broad_model, tmp_path: Path):
+def test_predict_image_with_tiling_1(unet2d_nuclei_broad_model: Path, tmp_path: Path):
     _test_predict_image_with_tiling(unet2d_nuclei_broad_model, tmp_path, 0.012)
 
 
-def test_predict_image_with_tiling_2(unet2d_diff_output_shape, tmp_path: Path):
+def test_predict_image_with_tiling_2(unet2d_diff_output_shape: Path, tmp_path: Path):
     _test_predict_image_with_tiling(unet2d_diff_output_shape, tmp_path, 0.06)
 
 
-def test_predict_image_with_tiling_3(shape_change_model, tmp_path: Path):
+def test_predict_image_with_tiling_3(shape_change_model: Path, tmp_path: Path):
     _test_predict_image_with_tiling(shape_change_model, tmp_path, 0.012)
 
 
-def test_predict_image_with_tiling_channel_last(stardist, tmp_path: Path):
+def test_predict_image_with_tiling_channel_last(stardist: Path, tmp_path: Path):
     _test_predict_image_with_tiling(stardist, tmp_path, 0.13)
 
 
-def test_predict_image_with_tiling_fixed_output_shape(unet2d_fixed_shape, tmp_path: Path):
+def test_predict_image_with_tiling_fixed_output_shape(unet2d_fixed_shape: Path, tmp_path: Path):
     _test_predict_image_with_tiling(unet2d_fixed_shape, tmp_path, 0.025)
 
 
-def test_predict_images(unet2d_nuclei_broad_model, tmp_path: Path):
+def test_predict_images(unet2d_nuclei_broad_model: Path, tmp_path: Path):
     from bioimageio.core.prediction import predict_images
 
     n_images = 5
diff --git a/tests/test_prediction_pipeline_device_management.py b/tests/test_prediction_pipeline_device_management.py
index 16354d18..1236383a 100644
--- a/tests/test_prediction_pipeline_device_management.py
+++ b/tests/test_prediction_pipeline_device_management.py
@@ -1,14 +1,12 @@
 from pathlib import Path
 
-import numpy as np
-import xarray as xr
 from numpy.testing import assert_array_almost_equal
 
+from bioimageio.core import load_description
+from bioimageio.core.utils import get_test_inputs, get_test_outputs
 from bioimageio.core.utils.testing import skip_on
-from bioimageio.spec import load_description
 from bioimageio.spec.model.v0_4 import ModelDescr as ModelDescr04
 from bioimageio.spec.model.v0_5 import ModelDescr, WeightsFormat
-from bioimageio.spec.utils import load_array
 
 
 class TooFewDevicesException(Exception):
@@ -27,24 +25,13 @@ def _test_device_management(model_package: Path, weight_format: WeightsFormat):
     assert isinstance(bio_model, (ModelDescr, ModelDescr04))
     pred_pipe = create_prediction_pipeline(bioimageio_model=bio_model, weight_format=weight_format, devices=["cuda:0"])
 
-    if isinstance(bio_model, ModelDescr04):
-        inputs = [
-            xr.DataArray(np.load(str(test_tensor)), dims=tuple(spec.axes))
-            for test_tensor, spec in zip(bio_model.test_inputs, bio_model.inputs)
-        ]
-    else:
-        inputs = [
-            xr.DataArray(load_array(ipt.test_tensor), dims=tuple(a.id for a in ipt.axes)) for ipt in bio_model.inputs
-        ]
+    inputs = get_test_inputs(bio_model)
     with pred_pipe as pp:
         outputs = pp.forward(*inputs)
 
     assert isinstance(outputs, list)
 
-    expected_outputs = [
-        xr.DataArray(np.load(str(test_tensor)), dims=tuple(spec.axes))
-        for test_tensor, spec in zip(bio_model.test_outputs, bio_model.outputs)
-    ]
+    expected_outputs = get_test_outputs(bio_model)
 
     assert len(outputs) == len(expected_outputs)
     for out, exp in zip(outputs, expected_outputs):
@@ -59,26 +46,26 @@ def _test_device_management(model_package: Path, weight_format: WeightsFormat):
         assert_array_almost_equal(out, exp, decimal=4)
 
 
-@skip_on(TooFewDevicesException, reason="Too few devices")
-def test_device_management_torch(any_torch_model):
+@skip_on(TooFewDevicesException, reason="Too few devices")  # pyright: ignore[reportArgumentType]
+def test_device_management_torch(any_torch_model: Path):
     _test_device_management(any_torch_model, "pytorch_state_dict")
 
 
-@skip_on(TooFewDevicesException, reason="Too few devices")
-def test_device_management_torchscript(any_torchscript_model):
+@skip_on(TooFewDevicesException, reason="Too few devices")  # pyright: ignore[reportArgumentType]
+def test_device_management_torchscript(any_torchscript_model: Path):
     _test_device_management(any_torchscript_model, "torchscript")
 
 
-@skip_on(TooFewDevicesException, reason="Too few devices")
-def test_device_management_onnx(any_onnx_model):
+@skip_on(TooFewDevicesException, reason="Too few devices")  # pyright: ignore[reportArgumentType]
+def test_device_management_onnx(any_onnx_model: Path):
     _test_device_management(any_onnx_model, "onnx")
 
 
-@skip_on(TooFewDevicesException, reason="Too few devices")
-def test_device_management_tensorflow(any_tensorflow_model):
+@skip_on(TooFewDevicesException, reason="Too few devices")  # pyright: ignore[reportArgumentType]
+def test_device_management_tensorflow(any_tensorflow_model: Path):
     _test_device_management(any_tensorflow_model, "tensorflow_saved_model_bundle")
 
 
-@skip_on(TooFewDevicesException, reason="Too few devices")
-def test_device_management_keras(any_keras_model):
+@skip_on(TooFewDevicesException, reason="Too few devices")  # pyright: ignore[reportArgumentType]
+def test_device_management_keras(any_keras_model: Path):
     _test_device_management(any_keras_model, "keras_hdf5")
diff --git a/tests/utils/test_image_helper.py b/tests/utils/test_image_helper.py
index 8e86a919..6e0e9c08 100644
--- a/tests/utils/test_image_helper.py
+++ b/tests/utils/test_image_helper.py
@@ -2,18 +2,18 @@
 
 
 def test_transform_input_image():
-    from bioimageio.core.utils.image_helper import transpose_image
+    from bioimageio.core.utils.image_helper import transpose_array
 
     ax_list = ["yx", "xy", "cyx", "yxc", "bczyx", "xyz", "xyzc", "bzyxc"]
     im = np.random.rand(256, 256)
     for axes in ax_list:
-        inp = transpose_image(im, axes)
+        inp = transpose_array(im, axes)
         assert inp.ndim == len(axes)
 
     ax_list = ["zyx", "cyx", "yxc", "bczyx", "xyz", "xyzc", "bzyxc"]
     vol = np.random.rand(64, 64, 64)
     for axes in ax_list:
-        inp = transpose_image(vol, axes)
+        inp = transpose_array(vol, axes)
         assert inp.ndim == len(axes)
 
 
diff --git a/tests/weight_converter/keras/test_tensorflow.py b/tests/weight_converter/keras/test_tensorflow.py
index 6cc42c57..069b6f23 100644
--- a/tests/weight_converter/keras/test_tensorflow.py
+++ b/tests/weight_converter/keras/test_tensorflow.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+# type: ignore  # TODO enable type checking
 import zipfile
 from pathlib import Path
 
diff --git a/tests/weight_converter/torch/test_onnx.py b/tests/weight_converter/torch/test_onnx.py
index c2efbcd8..a0315650 100644
--- a/tests/weight_converter/torch/test_onnx.py
+++ b/tests/weight_converter/torch/test_onnx.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+# type: ignore  # TODO enable type checking
 import os
 from pathlib import Path
 
diff --git a/tests/weight_converter/torch/test_torchscript.py b/tests/weight_converter/torch/test_torchscript.py
index e3f6e42c..945e778b 100644
--- a/tests/weight_converter/torch/test_torchscript.py
+++ b/tests/weight_converter/torch/test_torchscript.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+# type: ignore  # TODO enable type checking
 from pathlib import Path
 
 import pytest