diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 4ce762d5c..3d1b9dc2c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -31,30 +31,25 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
         platform: [macos-13, windows-latest]
-        python-version: ["3.8", "3.11"]
-        backend: [pyside2, pyqt5]
-        include:
-          - platform: macos-13
-            python-version: "3.10"
-            backend: pyside6
-          - platform: macos-13
-            python-version: "3.11"
-            backend: pyqt6
+        python-version: ["3.10", "3.12"]
+        backend: [pyside6, pyqt6]
+        exclude:
           - platform: windows-latest
             python-version: "3.10"
             backend: pyside6
-          - platform: windows-latest
-            python-version: "3.11"
-            backend: pyqt6
-          - platform: windows-latest
+        include:
+          - platform: macos-13
             python-version: "3.9"
             backend: pyside2
           - platform: windows-latest
             python-version: "3.9"
-            backend: pyqt5
-        exclude:
-          - python-version: "3.11"
             backend: pyside2
+          - platform: windows-latest
+            python-version: "3.11"
+            backend: pyqt5
+          # - platform: windows-latest
+          #   python-version: "3.13"
+          #   backend: pyqt6
 
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
@@ -63,6 +58,7 @@ jobs:
         uses: actions/setup-python@v5
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
+          allow-prereleases: true
 
       - name: Install dependencies
         run: |
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cron.yml b/.github/workflows/cron.yml
index d0364687a..5bcc6e01f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cron.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cron.yml
@@ -5,18 +5,17 @@ name: --pre Test
 
 on:
   schedule:
-    - cron: '0 */12 * * *'  # every 12 hours
+    - cron: "0 */12 * * *" # every 12 hours
   workflow_dispatch:
 
 jobs:
-
   test:
     name: ${{ matrix.platform }} (${{ matrix.python-version }})
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.platform }}
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
-        python-version: ['3.8', '3.9', '3.10']
+        python-version: ["3.11"]
         platform: [macos-13, windows-latest]
         backend: [pyside2, pyqt5]
 
@@ -55,7 +54,7 @@ jobs:
           PLATFORM: ${{ matrix.platform }}
           PYTHON: ${{ matrix.python }}
           RUN_ID: ${{ github.run_id }}
-          TITLE: '[test-bot] pip install --pre is failing'
+          TITLE: "[test-bot] pip install --pre is failing"
         with:
           filename: .github/TEST_FAIL_TEMPLATE.md
           update_existing: true
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e80e4a427..4a70d97c3 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ It forms the basis of [`napari-micromanager`](https://github.com/pymmcore-plus/n
 
 See complete list of available widgets in the [documentation](https://pymmcore-plus.github.io/pymmcore-widgets/#widgets)
 
-
 ## Installation
 
 ```sh
@@ -28,5 +27,5 @@ pip install pymmcore-widgets
 # you must install one yourself, for example:
 pip install PyQt5
 
-# package is tested against PyQt5, PyQt6, PySide2, and PySide6
+# package is tested against PyQt5, PyQt6, PySide2, and PySide6(==6.7)
 ```
diff --git a/docs/getting_started.md b/docs/getting_started.md
index 495ed6b84..6cef83567 100644
--- a/docs/getting_started.md
+++ b/docs/getting_started.md
@@ -12,7 +12,18 @@ pip install pymmcore-widgets
 
 ### Installing PyQt or PySide
 
-Since [pymmcore-widgets](./index.md) relies on either the [PyQt](https://riverbankcomputing.com/software/pyqt/) or [PySide](https://www.qt.io/qt-for-python) libraries, you also **need** to install one of these packages. You can use any of the available versions of these libraries: [PyQt5](https://pypi.org/project/PyQt5/), [PyQt6](https://pypi.org/project/PyQt6/), [PySide2](https://pypi.org/project/PySide2/) or [PySide6](https://pypi.org/project/PySide6/). For example, to install [PyQt6](https://riverbankcomputing.com/software/pyqt/download), you can use:
+Since [pymmcore-widgets](./index.md) relies on either the
+[PyQt](https://riverbankcomputing.com/software/pyqt/) or
+[PySide](https://www.qt.io/qt-for-python) libraries, you also **need** to
+install one of these packages. You can use any of the available versions of
+these libraries: [PyQt5](https://pypi.org/project/PyQt5/),
+[PyQt6](https://pypi.org/project/PyQt6/),
+[PySide2](https://pypi.org/project/PySide2/) or
+[PySide6](https://pypi.org/project/PySide6/).  We strongly recommend using PyQt6
+if possible.  If you must use a specific backend version and run into problems,
+please open an issue
+
+For example, to install [PyQt6](https://riverbankcomputing.com/software/pyqt/download), you can use:
 
 ```sh
 pip install PyQt6
@@ -21,10 +32,9 @@ pip install PyQt6
 !!! Note
     Widgets are tested on:
 
-    * `macOS & Windows`
-    * `Python 3.8, 3.9 3.10 & 3.11`
-    * `PyQt5 & PyQt6`
-    * `PySide2 & PySide6`
+    * macOS & Windows
+    * Python 3.9 and above
+    * PyQt5, PyQt6, PySide2 & PySide6(==6.7)
 
 ### Installing Micro-Manager
 
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index c162201bf..5f9648e0a 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ sources = ["src"]
 name = "pymmcore-widgets"
 description = "A set of Qt-based widgets onto the pymmcore-plus model"
 readme = "README.md"
-requires-python = ">=3.8"
+requires-python = ">=3.9"
 license = { text = "BSD 3-Clause License" }
 authors = [
     { email = "federico.gasparoli@gmail.com", name = "Federico Gasparoli" },
@@ -34,10 +34,11 @@ classifiers = [
     "Intended Audience :: Science/Research",
     "License :: OSI Approved :: BSD License",
     "Programming Language :: Python :: 3",
-    "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8",
     "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9",
     "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.10",
     "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11",
+    "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12",
+    "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13",
     "Programming Language :: Python",
     "Topic :: Software Development :: Widget Sets",
     "Topic :: System :: Hardware :: Hardware Drivers",
@@ -60,11 +61,19 @@ allow-direct-references = true
 # extras
 # https://peps.python.org/pep-0621/#dependencies-optional-dependencies
 [project.optional-dependencies]
-test = ["pytest>=6.0", "pytest-cov", "pytest-qt", "PyYAML", "vispy", "cmap", "zarr"]
+test = [
+    "pytest>=6.0",
+    "pytest-cov",
+    "pytest-qt",
+    "PyYAML",
+    "vispy",
+    "cmap",
+    "zarr",
+]
 pyqt5 = ["PyQt5"]
 pyside2 = ["PySide2"]
 pyqt6 = ["PyQt6"]
-pyside6 = ["PySide6<6.5"]
+pyside6 = ["PySide6==6.7.3"] # pretty hard to find a good match here...
 image = ["vispy"]
 
 dev = [
@@ -97,8 +106,9 @@ Documentation = "https://pymmcore-plus.github.io/pymmcore-widgets"
 # https://beta.ruff.rs/docs/rules/
 [tool.ruff]
 line-length = 88
-target-version = "py38"
+target-version = "py39"
 src = ["src", "tests"]
+
 [tool.ruff.lint]
 pydocstyle = { convention = "numpy" }
 select = [
@@ -115,7 +125,6 @@ select = [
     "RUF",  # ruff-specific rules
     "TID",  # tidy
     "TCH",  # typecheck
-    # "SLF",  # private-access
 ]
 ignore = [
     "D100", # Missing docstring in public module
@@ -135,6 +144,7 @@ testpaths = ["tests"]
 filterwarnings = [
     "error",
     "ignore:distutils Version classes are deprecated",
+    "ignore:Failed to disconnect:RuntimeWarning:",
     # warning, but not error, that will show up on useq<0.3.3
 ]
 
@@ -178,4 +188,3 @@ ignore = [
 
 [tool.typos.default]
 extend-ignore-identifiers-re = ["(?i)nd2?.*", "(?i)ome", "FO(Vs?)?"]
-
diff --git a/src/pymmcore_widgets/_util.py b/src/pymmcore_widgets/_util.py
index 1055dfee7..4436e0efc 100644
--- a/src/pymmcore_widgets/_util.py
+++ b/src/pymmcore_widgets/_util.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 import re
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import Any, ContextManager, Sequence
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any
 
 import useq
 from psygnal import SignalInstance
@@ -21,6 +21,10 @@
 )
 from superqt.utils import signals_blocked
 
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from collections.abc import Sequence
+    from contextlib import AbstractContextManager
+
 
 class ComboMessageBox(QDialog):
     """Dialog that presents a combo box of `items`."""
@@ -91,7 +95,7 @@ def guess_objective_or_prompt(
     return None
 
 
-def block_core(obj: Any) -> ContextManager:
+def block_core(obj: Any) -> AbstractContextManager:
     """Block core signals."""
     if isinstance(obj, QObject):
         return signals_blocked(obj)  # type: ignore [no-any-return]
diff --git a/src/pymmcore_widgets/config_presets/_group_preset_widget/_cfg_table.py b/src/pymmcore_widgets/config_presets/_group_preset_widget/_cfg_table.py
index 5e8672b60..39a3316d0 100644
--- a/src/pymmcore_widgets/config_presets/_group_preset_widget/_cfg_table.py
+++ b/src/pymmcore_widgets/config_presets/_group_preset_widget/_cfg_table.py
@@ -1,12 +1,15 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-from typing import Any, Sequence, cast
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, cast
 
 from qtpy.QtCore import Qt
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QTableWidget, QTableWidgetItem
 
 from pymmcore_widgets.device_properties._property_widget import PropertyWidget
 
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from collections.abc import Sequence
+
 DEV_PROP_ROLE = Qt.ItemDataRole.UserRole + 1
 
 
diff --git a/src/pymmcore_widgets/config_presets/_pixel_configuration_widget.py b/src/pymmcore_widgets/config_presets/_pixel_configuration_widget.py
index cf85559ad..b628045c6 100644
--- a/src/pymmcore_widgets/config_presets/_pixel_configuration_widget.py
+++ b/src/pymmcore_widgets/config_presets/_pixel_configuration_widget.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 import itertools
 import warnings
 from collections import Counter
-from typing import Any, Sequence, cast
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, cast
 
 from pymmcore_plus import CMMCorePlus, DeviceProperty
 from pymmcore_plus.model import PixelSizeGroup, PixelSizePreset, Setting
@@ -35,6 +35,9 @@
 from pymmcore_widgets.useq_widgets import DataTable, DataTableWidget
 from pymmcore_widgets.useq_widgets._column_info import FloatColumn, TextColumn
 
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from collections.abc import Sequence
+
 FIXED = QSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Policy.Fixed, QSizePolicy.Policy.Fixed)
 PX = "px"
 ID = "id"
diff --git a/src/pymmcore_widgets/device_properties/_device_property_table.py b/src/pymmcore_widgets/device_properties/_device_property_table.py
index aeffda804..e9b490897 100644
--- a/src/pymmcore_widgets/device_properties/_device_property_table.py
+++ b/src/pymmcore_widgets/device_properties/_device_property_table.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 from logging import getLogger
-from typing import Iterable, cast
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, cast
 
 from pymmcore_plus import CMMCorePlus, DeviceProperty, DeviceType
 from qtpy.QtCore import Qt
@@ -13,6 +13,9 @@
 
 from ._property_widget import PropertyWidget
 
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from collections.abc import Iterable
+
 logger = getLogger(__name__)
 
 
diff --git a/src/pymmcore_widgets/device_properties/_properties_widget.py b/src/pymmcore_widgets/device_properties/_properties_widget.py
index de3ed2854..215428f09 100644
--- a/src/pymmcore_widgets/device_properties/_properties_widget.py
+++ b/src/pymmcore_widgets/device_properties/_properties_widget.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Iterable, cast
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, cast
 
 from pymmcore_plus import CMMCorePlus
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QGridLayout, QLabel, QWidget
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     import re
+    from collections.abc import Iterable
 
 
 class PropertiesWidget(QWidget):
diff --git a/src/pymmcore_widgets/hcs/_plate_calibration_widget.py b/src/pymmcore_widgets/hcs/_plate_calibration_widget.py
index 651cb7264..711143b91 100644
--- a/src/pymmcore_widgets/hcs/_plate_calibration_widget.py
+++ b/src/pymmcore_widgets/hcs/_plate_calibration_widget.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 from contextlib import suppress
-from typing import Mapping
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 import numpy as np
 import useq
@@ -28,6 +28,9 @@
 )
 from pymmcore_widgets.useq_widgets._well_plate_widget import WellPlateView
 
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from collections.abc import Mapping
+
 
 class PlateCalibrationWidget(QWidget):
     """Widget to calibrate a well plate.
diff --git a/src/pymmcore_widgets/hcs/_util.py b/src/pymmcore_widgets/hcs/_util.py
index 4430c67f3..26868abc5 100644
--- a/src/pymmcore_widgets/hcs/_util.py
+++ b/src/pymmcore_widgets/hcs/_util.py
@@ -1,9 +1,12 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-from typing import Iterable
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 import numpy as np
 
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from collections.abc import Iterable
+
 
 def find_circle_center(
     coords: Iterable[tuple[float, float]],
diff --git a/src/pymmcore_widgets/hcs/_well_calibration_widget.py b/src/pymmcore_widgets/hcs/_well_calibration_widget.py
index ba8e65118..474788b9e 100644
--- a/src/pymmcore_widgets/hcs/_well_calibration_widget.py
+++ b/src/pymmcore_widgets/hcs/_well_calibration_widget.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import Iterator, NamedTuple, cast
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, NamedTuple, cast
 
 from fonticon_mdi6 import MDI6
 from pymmcore_plus import CMMCorePlus
@@ -23,6 +23,9 @@
 
 from ._util import find_circle_center, find_rectangle_center
 
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from collections.abc import Iterator
+
 COMBO_ROLE = Qt.ItemDataRole.UserRole + 1
 ICON_PATH = Path(__file__).parent / "icons"
 ONE_CIRCLE = QIcon(str(ICON_PATH / "circle-center.svg"))
diff --git a/src/pymmcore_widgets/hcwizard/_dev_setup_dialog.py b/src/pymmcore_widgets/hcwizard/_dev_setup_dialog.py
index 84b74297f..375c6d7b5 100644
--- a/src/pymmcore_widgets/hcwizard/_dev_setup_dialog.py
+++ b/src/pymmcore_widgets/hcwizard/_dev_setup_dialog.py
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@
 
 import logging
 from contextlib import suppress
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Sequence
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 from pymmcore_plus import CMMCorePlus, Keyword
 from qtpy.QtCore import Qt
@@ -104,6 +104,8 @@
 from ._simple_prop_table import PropTable
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from collections.abc import Sequence
+
     from qtpy.QtGui import QFocusEvent
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
diff --git a/src/pymmcore_widgets/hcwizard/_peripheral_setup_dialog.py b/src/pymmcore_widgets/hcwizard/_peripheral_setup_dialog.py
index a13bfc387..31e00a973 100644
--- a/src/pymmcore_widgets/hcwizard/_peripheral_setup_dialog.py
+++ b/src/pymmcore_widgets/hcwizard/_peripheral_setup_dialog.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Iterable, cast
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, cast
 
 from pymmcore_plus.model import Device, Microscope
 from qtpy.QtCore import QSize, Qt
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@
 from ._dev_setup_dialog import DeviceSetupDialog
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from collections.abc import Iterable
+
     from pymmcore_plus import CMMCorePlus
 
 FLAGS = Qt.WindowType.MSWindowsFixedSizeDialogHint | Qt.WindowType.Sheet
diff --git a/src/pymmcore_widgets/hcwizard/_simple_prop_table.py b/src/pymmcore_widgets/hcwizard/_simple_prop_table.py
index a1abc5cbb..b30240190 100644
--- a/src/pymmcore_widgets/hcwizard/_simple_prop_table.py
+++ b/src/pymmcore_widgets/hcwizard/_simple_prop_table.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-from typing import Iterator, Sequence
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 from pymmcore_plus import CMMCorePlus, Keyword
 from qtpy.QtCore import Signal
@@ -10,6 +10,9 @@
 
 from pymmcore_widgets.device_properties._property_widget import PropertyWidget
 
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from collections.abc import Iterator, Sequence
+
 
 class PortSelector(QComboBox):
     """Simple combobox that emits (device_name, library_name) when changed."""
diff --git a/src/pymmcore_widgets/mda/_core_positions.py b/src/pymmcore_widgets/mda/_core_positions.py
index f89d7b5eb..b0e35b281 100644
--- a/src/pymmcore_widgets/mda/_core_positions.py
+++ b/src/pymmcore_widgets/mda/_core_positions.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 from contextlib import suppress
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, Sequence
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any
 
 from fonticon_mdi6 import MDI6
 from pymmcore_plus import CMMCorePlus
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@
 from pymmcore_widgets.useq_widgets._positions import AF_DEFAULT_TOOLTIP
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from collections.abc import Sequence
+
     from useq import Position
 
 UPDATE_POSITIONS = "Update Positions List"
diff --git a/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/_channels.py b/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/_channels.py
index 64c3a69bb..d2c304552 100644
--- a/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/_channels.py
+++ b/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/_channels.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 from collections import Counter
-from typing import Any, Iterable, Mapping, Sequence
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any
 
 import useq
 from pymmcore_plus import Keyword
@@ -18,6 +18,9 @@
 )
 from ._data_table import DataTableWidget
 
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from collections.abc import Iterable, Mapping, Sequence
+
 NAMED_CONFIG = TextColumn(key="config", default=None, is_row_selector=True)
 DEFAULT_GROUP = Keyword.Channel
 
diff --git a/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/_column_info.py b/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/_column_info.py
index 70fbd0d89..81f2cf154 100644
--- a/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/_column_info.py
+++ b/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/_column_info.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 import re
 from dataclasses import dataclass
 from datetime import timedelta
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Callable, ClassVar, Generic, Iterable, TypeVar, cast
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Callable, ClassVar, Generic, TypeVar, cast
 
 import pint
 from qtpy.QtCore import Qt, Signal, SignalInstance
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 from superqt.fonticon import icon
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from collections.abc import Iterable
     from typing import Any
 
 
diff --git a/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/_data_table.py b/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/_data_table.py
index 4d87f46cc..7a853a7cb 100644
--- a/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/_data_table.py
+++ b/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/_data_table.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, ClassVar, Iterable, cast
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, ClassVar, cast
 
 from fonticon_mdi6 import MDI6
 from qtpy.QtCore import QSize, Qt, Signal
@@ -23,7 +23,8 @@
 from ._column_info import ColumnInfo
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from typing import Any, Iterator
+    from collections.abc import Iterable, Iterator
+    from typing import Any
 
     ValueWidget = type[QCheckBox | QSpinBox | QDoubleSpinBox | QComboBox]
     from PyQt6.QtGui import QAction
diff --git a/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/_mda_sequence.py b/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/_mda_sequence.py
index 0205b8f7a..6b8a725d4 100644
--- a/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/_mda_sequence.py
+++ b/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/_mda_sequence.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 from importlib.util import find_spec
 from itertools import permutations
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import Sequence, cast
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, cast
 
 import useq
 from qtpy.QtCore import Qt, Signal
@@ -28,6 +28,9 @@
 from pymmcore_widgets.useq_widgets._time import TimePlanWidget
 from pymmcore_widgets.useq_widgets._z import ZPlanWidget
 
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from collections.abc import Sequence
+
 try:
     from pint import Quantity
 
diff --git a/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/_positions.py b/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/_positions.py
index 78f7f4c25..3aa39cc67 100644
--- a/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/_positions.py
+++ b/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/_positions.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 import json
 from dataclasses import dataclass
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import Sequence, cast
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, cast
 
 import useq
 from fonticon_mdi6 import MDI6
@@ -24,6 +24,9 @@
 from ._column_info import FloatColumn, TextColumn, WdgGetSet, WidgetColumn
 from ._data_table import DataTableWidget
 
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from collections.abc import Sequence
+
 OK_CANCEL = QDialogButtonBox.StandardButton.Ok | QDialogButtonBox.StandardButton.Cancel
 NULL_SEQUENCE = useq.MDASequence()
 MAX = 9999999
diff --git a/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/_well_plate_widget.py b/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/_well_plate_widget.py
index 6a52bb96b..07ea6ecf9 100644
--- a/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/_well_plate_widget.py
+++ b/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/_well_plate_widget.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Iterable, Mapping, cast
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, cast
 
 import numpy as np
 import useq
@@ -26,6 +26,8 @@
 from pymmcore_widgets._util import ResizingGraphicsView
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from collections.abc import Iterable, Mapping
+
     from qtpy.QtGui import QMouseEvent
 
     Index = int | list[int] | tuple[int] | slice
diff --git a/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/points_plans/_grid_row_column_widget.py b/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/points_plans/_grid_row_column_widget.py
index 4c24c3817..670bbaf56 100644
--- a/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/points_plans/_grid_row_column_widget.py
+++ b/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/points_plans/_grid_row_column_widget.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-from typing import Mapping
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 from qtpy.QtCore import Qt, Signal
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
@@ -14,6 +14,9 @@
 )
 from useq import GridRowsColumns, OrderMode
 
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from collections.abc import Mapping
+
 
 class GridRowColumnWidget(QWidget):
     """Widget to generate a grid of FOVs within a specified area."""
diff --git a/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/points_plans/_random_points_widget.py b/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/points_plans/_random_points_widget.py
index a5e61d366..baaeaaa10 100644
--- a/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/points_plans/_random_points_widget.py
+++ b/src/pymmcore_widgets/useq_widgets/points_plans/_random_points_widget.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import random
-from typing import Mapping
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 from qtpy.QtCore import Qt, Signal
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
@@ -17,6 +17,9 @@
 )
 from useq import RandomPoints, RelativePosition, Shape, TraversalOrder
 
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from collections.abc import Mapping
+
 
 class RandomPointWidget(QWidget):
     """Widget to generate random points within a specified area."""
diff --git a/src/pymmcore_widgets/views/_stack_viewer/_stack_viewer.py b/src/pymmcore_widgets/views/_stack_viewer/_stack_viewer.py
index 987ed495f..eac639962 100644
--- a/src/pymmcore_widgets/views/_stack_viewer/_stack_viewer.py
+++ b/src/pymmcore_widgets/views/_stack_viewer/_stack_viewer.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, cast
 
 import numpy as np
+import qtpy
 import superqt
 from fonticon_mdi6 import MDI6
 from qtpy import QtCore, QtWidgets
@@ -56,6 +57,13 @@ def __init__(
         save_button: bool = True,
     ):
         super().__init__(parent=parent)
+        if qtpy.API_NAME.startswith("PySide"):
+            warnings.warn(
+                "StackViewer is not tested on PySide, it may not work as expected. "
+                "You can disable this warning by setting `warn_on_pyside6=False`.",
+                stacklevel=2,
+            )
+
         self._reload_position()
         self.sequence = sequence
         self.canvas_size = size
diff --git a/tests/test_presets_widget.py b/tests/test_presets_widget.py
index 1499bc0c3..8b26e69b5 100644
--- a/tests/test_presets_widget.py
+++ b/tests/test_presets_widget.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
     from pytestqt.qtbot import QtBot
 
 
-def test_preset_widget(qtbot: QtBot, global_mmcore: CMMCorePlus):
+def test_preset_widget(qtbot: QtBot, global_mmcore: CMMCorePlus) -> None:
     for group in global_mmcore.getAvailableConfigGroups():
         wdg = PresetsWidget(group)
         qtbot.addWidget(wdg)
diff --git a/tests/test_stack_viewer.py b/tests/test_stack_viewer.py
index 6f7bc4c66..f70bb225d 100644
--- a/tests/test_stack_viewer.py
+++ b/tests/test_stack_viewer.py
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-import os
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 import pytest
@@ -19,6 +18,11 @@
     from pytestqt.qtbot import QtBot
 
 
+if qtpy.API_NAME.startswith("PySide"):
+    pytest.skip(
+        "Fails too often on CI. Usually (but not only) PySide6", allow_module_level=True
+    )
+
 sequence = MDASequence(
     channels=[{"config": "DAPI", "exposure": 10}, {"config": "FITC", "exposure": 10}],
     time_plan={"interval": 0.2, "loops": 3},
@@ -171,9 +175,7 @@ def test_disconnect(qtbot: QtBot) -> None:
     assert not canvas.ready
 
 
-@pytest.mark.skipif(
-    bool(os.getenv("CI") and qtpy.API_NAME == "PySide6"), reason="Fails too often on CI"
-)
+@pytest.mark.skipif(bool(qtpy.API_NAME == "PySide6"), reason="Fails too often on CI")
 def test_not_ready(qtbot: QtBot) -> None:
     mmcore = CMMCorePlus.instance()
     canvas = StackViewer(mmcore=mmcore)