diff --git a/piker/ui/_annotate.py b/piker/ui/_annotate.py
index 4bad2f66..f3eeeb07 100644
--- a/piker/ui/_annotate.py
+++ b/piker/ui/_annotate.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 Annotations for ur faces.
 
 """
-from typing import Callable, Optional
+from typing import Callable
 
 from PyQt5 import QtCore, QtGui, QtWidgets
 from PyQt5.QtCore import QPointF, QRectF
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ class LevelMarker(QGraphicsPathItem):
         get_level: Callable[..., float],
         size: float = 20,
         keep_in_view: bool = True,
-        on_paint: Optional[Callable] = None,
+        on_paint: Callable | None = None,
 
     ) -> None:
 
diff --git a/piker/ui/_axes.py b/piker/ui/_axes.py
index b6fb9281..9eda3c75 100644
--- a/piker/ui/_axes.py
+++ b/piker/ui/_axes.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ Chart axes graphics and behavior.
 """
 from __future__ import annotations
 from functools import lru_cache
-from typing import Optional, Callable
+from typing import Callable
 from math import floor
 
 import numpy as np
@@ -60,7 +60,8 @@ class Axis(pg.AxisItem):
             **kwargs
         )
 
-        # XXX: pretty sure this makes things slower
+        # XXX: pretty sure this makes things slower!
+        # no idea why given we only move labels for the most part?
         # self.setCacheMode(QtWidgets.QGraphicsItem.DeviceCoordinateCache)
 
         self.pi = plotitem
@@ -190,7 +191,7 @@ class PriceAxis(Axis):
         *args,
         min_tick: int = 2,
         title: str = '',
-        formatter: Optional[Callable[[float], str]] = None,
+        formatter: Callable[[float], str] | None = None,
         **kwargs
 
     ) -> None:
@@ -202,8 +203,8 @@ class PriceAxis(Axis):
     def set_title(
         self,
         title: str,
-        view: Optional[ChartView] = None,
-        color: Optional[str] = None,
+        view: ChartView | None = None,
+        color: str | None = None,
 
     ) -> Label:
         '''
diff --git a/piker/ui/_chart.py b/piker/ui/_chart.py
index 21886d7e..dbc9f495 100644
--- a/piker/ui/_chart.py
+++ b/piker/ui/_chart.py
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ High level chart-widget apis.
 from __future__ import annotations
 from typing import (
     Iterator,
-    Optional,
     TYPE_CHECKING,
 )
 
@@ -102,7 +101,7 @@ class GodWidget(QWidget):
 
         super().__init__(parent)
 
-        self.search: Optional[SearchWidget] = None
+        self.search: SearchWidget | None = None
 
         self.hbox = QHBoxLayout(self)
         self.hbox.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
@@ -121,9 +120,9 @@ class GodWidget(QWidget):
             tuple[LinkedSplits, LinkedSplits],
         ] = {}
 
-        self.hist_linked: Optional[LinkedSplits] = None
-        self.rt_linked: Optional[LinkedSplits] = None
-        self._active_cursor: Optional[Cursor] = None
+        self.hist_linked: LinkedSplits | None = None
+        self.rt_linked: LinkedSplits | None = None
+        self._active_cursor: Cursor | None = None
 
         # assigned in the startup func `_async_main()`
         self._root_n: trio.Nursery = None
@@ -367,7 +366,7 @@ class ChartnPane(QFrame):
     '''
     sidepane: FieldsForm | SearchWidget
     hbox: QHBoxLayout
-    chart: Optional[ChartPlotWidget] = None
+    chart: ChartPlotWidget | None = None
 
     def __init__(
         self,
@@ -445,7 +444,7 @@ class LinkedSplits(QWidget):
         # chart-local graphics state that can be passed to
         # a ``graphic_update_cycle()`` call by any task wishing to
         # update the UI for a given "chart instance".
-        self.display_state: Optional[DisplayState] = None
+        self.display_state: DisplayState | None = None
 
         self._symbol: Symbol = None
 
@@ -475,7 +474,7 @@ class LinkedSplits(QWidget):
 
     def set_split_sizes(
         self,
-        prop: Optional[float] = None,
+        prop: float | None = None,
 
     ) -> None:
         '''
@@ -569,11 +568,11 @@ class LinkedSplits(QWidget):
         shm: ShmArray,
         flume: Flume,
 
-        array_key: Optional[str] = None,
+        array_key: str | None = None,
         style: str = 'line',
         _is_main: bool = False,
 
-        sidepane: Optional[QWidget] = None,
+        sidepane: QWidget | None = None,
         draw_kwargs: dict = {},
 
         **cpw_kwargs,
@@ -789,7 +788,7 @@ class LinkedSplits(QWidget):
 
     def resize_sidepanes(
         self,
-        from_linked: Optional[LinkedSplits] = None,
+        from_linked: LinkedSplits | None = None,
 
     ) -> None:
         '''
@@ -857,7 +856,7 @@ class ChartPlotWidget(pg.PlotWidget):
         # TODO: load from config
         use_open_gl: bool = False,
 
-        static_yrange: Optional[tuple[float, float]] = None,
+        static_yrange: tuple[float, float] | None = None,
 
         parent=None,
         **kwargs,
@@ -872,7 +871,7 @@ class ChartPlotWidget(pg.PlotWidget):
 
         # NOTE: must be set bfore calling ``.mk_vb()``
         self.linked = linkedsplits
-        self.sidepane: Optional[FieldsForm] = None
+        self.sidepane: FieldsForm | None = None
 
         # source of our custom interactions
         self.cv = self.mk_vb(name)
@@ -1035,7 +1034,7 @@ class ChartPlotWidget(pg.PlotWidget):
     def increment_view(
         self,
         datums: int = 1,
-        vb: Optional[ChartView] = None,
+        vb: ChartView | None = None,
 
     ) -> None:
         '''
@@ -1066,8 +1065,8 @@ class ChartPlotWidget(pg.PlotWidget):
     def overlay_plotitem(
         self,
         name: str,
-        index: Optional[int] = None,
-        axis_title: Optional[str] = None,
+        index: int | None = None,
+        axis_title: str | None = None,
         axis_side: str = 'right',
         axis_kwargs: dict = {},
 
@@ -1140,11 +1139,11 @@ class ChartPlotWidget(pg.PlotWidget):
         shm: ShmArray,
         flume: Flume,
 
-        array_key: Optional[str] = None,
+        array_key: str | None = None,
         overlay: bool = False,
-        color: Optional[str] = None,
+        color: str | None = None,
         add_label: bool = True,
-        pi: Optional[pg.PlotItem] = None,
+        pi: pg.PlotItem | None = None,
         step_mode: bool = False,
         is_ohlc: bool = False,
         add_sticky: None | str = 'right',
@@ -1277,7 +1276,7 @@ class ChartPlotWidget(pg.PlotWidget):
         shm: ShmArray,
         flume: Flume,
 
-        array_key: Optional[str] = None,
+        array_key: str | None = None,
         **draw_curve_kwargs,
 
     ) -> Viz:
@@ -1308,10 +1307,10 @@ class ChartPlotWidget(pg.PlotWidget):
 
     def maxmin(
         self,
-        name: Optional[str] = None,
-        bars_range: Optional[tuple[
+        name: str | None = None,
+        bars_range: tuple[
             int, int, int, int, int, int
-        ]] = None,
+        ] | None = None,
 
     ) -> tuple[float, float]:
         '''
diff --git a/piker/ui/_cursor.py b/piker/ui/_cursor.py
index 8c358c3f..c118829f 100644
--- a/piker/ui/_cursor.py
+++ b/piker/ui/_cursor.py
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ Mouse interaction graphics
 from __future__ import annotations
 from functools import partial
 from typing import (
-    Optional,
     Callable,
     TYPE_CHECKING,
 )
@@ -38,7 +37,10 @@ from ._style import (
     _font_small,
     _font,
 )
-from ._axes import YAxisLabel, XAxisLabel
+from ._axes import (
+    YAxisLabel,
+    XAxisLabel,
+)
 from ..log import get_logger
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
@@ -167,7 +169,7 @@ class ContentsLabel(pg.LabelItem):
 
         anchor_at: str = ('top', 'right'),
         justify_text: str = 'left',
-        font_size: Optional[int] = None,
+        font_size: int | None = None,
 
     ) -> None:
 
@@ -338,7 +340,7 @@ class Cursor(pg.GraphicsObject):
 
         self.linked = linkedsplits
         self.graphics: dict[str, pg.GraphicsObject] = {}
-        self.xaxis_label: Optional[XAxisLabel] = None
+        self.xaxis_label: XAxisLabel | None = None
         self.always_show_xlabel: bool = True
         self.plots: list['PlotChartWidget'] = []  # type: ignore # noqa
         self.active_plot = None
diff --git a/piker/ui/_curve.py b/piker/ui/_curve.py
index 42064173..013448f3 100644
--- a/piker/ui/_curve.py
+++ b/piker/ui/_curve.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ Fast, smooth, sexy curves.
 
 """
 from contextlib import contextmanager as cm
-from typing import Optional, Callable
+from typing import Callable
 
 import numpy as np
 import pyqtgraph as pg
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ class FlowGraphic(pg.GraphicsObject):
         # line styling
         color: str = 'bracket',
         last_step_color: str | None = None,
-        fill_color: Optional[str] = None,
+        fill_color: str | None = None,
         style: str = 'solid',
 
         **kwargs
@@ -191,14 +191,14 @@ class Curve(FlowGraphic):
 
     '''
     # TODO: can we remove this?
-    # sub_br: Optional[Callable] = None
+    # sub_br: Callable | None = None
 
     def __init__(
         self,
         *args,
 
         # color: str = 'default_lightest',
-        # fill_color: Optional[str] = None,
+        # fill_color: str | None = None,
         # style: str = 'solid',
 
         **kwargs
diff --git a/piker/ui/_dataviz.py b/piker/ui/_dataviz.py
index 32f400a1..73a0ab6b 100644
--- a/piker/ui/_dataviz.py
+++ b/piker/ui/_dataviz.py
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@ from math import (
     floor,
 )
 from typing import (
-    Optional,
     Literal,
     TYPE_CHECKING,
 )
@@ -249,7 +248,7 @@ class Viz(msgspec.Struct):  # , frozen=True):
     # in some cases a viz may want to change its
     # graphical "type" or, "form" when downsampling, to
     # start this is only ever an interpolation line.
-    ds_graphics: Optional[Curve] = None
+    ds_graphics: Curve | None = None
 
     is_ohlc: bool = False
     render: bool = True  # toggle for display loop
@@ -576,7 +575,7 @@ class Viz(msgspec.Struct):  # , frozen=True):
 
     def read(
         self,
-        array_field: Optional[str] = None,
+        array_field: str | None = None,
         index_field: str | None = None,
         profiler: None | Profiler = None,
 
diff --git a/piker/ui/_display.py b/piker/ui/_display.py
index d2091594..8a4de766 100644
--- a/piker/ui/_display.py
+++ b/piker/ui/_display.py
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ import itertools
 from math import floor
 import time
 from typing import (
-    Optional,
     Any,
     TYPE_CHECKING,
 )
@@ -205,8 +204,8 @@ class DisplayState(Struct):
 
     globalz: None | dict[str, Any] = None
 
-    vlm_chart: Optional[ChartPlotWidget] = None
-    vlm_sticky: Optional[YAxisLabel] = None
+    vlm_chart: ChartPlotWidget | None = None
+    vlm_sticky: YAxisLabel | None = None
     wap_in_history: bool = False
 
 
@@ -494,7 +493,7 @@ def graphics_update_cycle(
 
     wap_in_history: bool = False,
     trigger_all: bool = False,  # flag used by prepend history updates
-    prepend_update_index: Optional[int] = None,
+    prepend_update_index: int | None = None,
 
 ) -> None:
 
diff --git a/piker/ui/_editors.py b/piker/ui/_editors.py
index 08f19852..df881314 100644
--- a/piker/ui/_editors.py
+++ b/piker/ui/_editors.py
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ Higher level annotation editors.
 from __future__ import annotations
 from collections import defaultdict
 from typing import (
-    Optional,
     TYPE_CHECKING
 )
 
@@ -67,7 +66,7 @@ class ArrowEditor(Struct):
         x: float,
         y: float,
         color='default',
-        pointing: Optional[str] = None,
+        pointing: str | None = None,
 
     ) -> pg.ArrowItem:
         '''
@@ -221,7 +220,7 @@ class LineEditor(Struct):
         line: LevelLine = None,
         uuid: str = None,
 
-    ) -> Optional[LevelLine]:
+    ) -> LevelLine | None:
         '''Remove a line by refernce or uuid.
 
         If no lines or ids are provided remove all lines under the
diff --git a/piker/ui/_forms.py b/piker/ui/_forms.py
index a6cddae9..a86cf903 100644
--- a/piker/ui/_forms.py
+++ b/piker/ui/_forms.py
@@ -23,7 +23,9 @@ from contextlib import asynccontextmanager
 from functools import partial
 from math import floor
 from typing import (
-    Optional, Any, Callable, Awaitable
+    Any,
+    Callable,
+    Awaitable,
 )
 
 import trio
@@ -263,7 +265,7 @@ class Selection(QComboBox):
     def set_icon(
         self,
         key: str,
-        icon_name: Optional[str],
+        icon_name: str | None,
 
     ) -> None:
         self.setItemIcon(
@@ -344,7 +346,7 @@ class FieldsForm(QWidget):
 
         name: str,
 
-        font_size: Optional[int] = None,
+        font_size: int | None = None,
         font_color: str = 'default_lightest',
 
     ) -> QtGui.QLabel:
@@ -469,7 +471,7 @@ def mk_form(
 
     parent: QWidget,
     fields_schema: dict,
-    font_size: Optional[int] = None,
+    font_size: int | None = None,
 
 ) -> FieldsForm:
 
@@ -628,7 +630,7 @@ def mk_fill_status_bar(
     parent_pane: QWidget,
     form: FieldsForm,
     pane_vbox: QVBoxLayout,
-    label_font_size: Optional[int] = None,
+    label_font_size: int | None = None,
 
 ) -> (
     # TODO: turn this into a composite?
@@ -738,7 +740,7 @@ def mk_fill_status_bar(
 def mk_order_pane_layout(
 
     parent: QWidget,
-    # accounts: dict[str, Optional[str]],
+    # accounts: dict[str, str | None],
 
 ) -> FieldsForm:
 
diff --git a/piker/ui/_fsp.py b/piker/ui/_fsp.py
index 7e69a817..6e600743 100644
--- a/piker/ui/_fsp.py
+++ b/piker/ui/_fsp.py
@@ -24,7 +24,10 @@ from contextlib import asynccontextmanager as acm
 from functools import partial
 import inspect
 from itertools import cycle
-from typing import Optional, AsyncGenerator, Any
+from typing import (
+    AsyncGenerator,
+    Any,
+)
 
 import numpy as np
 import msgspec
@@ -80,7 +83,7 @@ def has_vlm(ohlcv: ShmArray) -> bool:
 def update_fsp_chart(
     viz,
     graphics_name: str,
-    array_key: Optional[str],
+    array_key: str | None,
     **kwargs,
 
 ) -> None:
@@ -476,7 +479,7 @@ class FspAdmin:
         target: Fsp,
         conf: dict[str, dict[str, Any]],
 
-        worker_name: Optional[str] = None,
+        worker_name: str | None = None,
         loglevel: str = 'info',
 
     ) -> (Flume, trio.Event):
diff --git a/piker/ui/_interaction.py b/piker/ui/_interaction.py
index c683f4a1..5e2c4dbe 100644
--- a/piker/ui/_interaction.py
+++ b/piker/ui/_interaction.py
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ from math import (
 import time
 from typing import (
     Any,
-    Optional,
     Callable,
     TYPE_CHECKING,
 )
@@ -93,7 +92,7 @@ async def handle_viewmode_kb_inputs(
     last = time.time()
     action: str
 
-    on_next_release: Optional[Callable] = None
+    on_next_release: Callable | None = None
 
     # for quick key sequence-combo pattern matching
     # we have a min_tap period and these should not
@@ -379,7 +378,7 @@ class ChartView(ViewBox):
         name: str,
 
         parent: pg.PlotItem = None,
-        static_yrange: Optional[tuple[float, float]] = None,
+        static_yrange: tuple[float, float] | None = None,
         **kwargs,
 
     ):
@@ -595,7 +594,7 @@ class ChartView(ViewBox):
     def mouseDragEvent(
         self,
         ev,
-        axis: Optional[int] = None,
+        axis: int | None = None,
 
     ) -> None:
         pos = ev.pos()
@@ -753,19 +752,19 @@ class ChartView(ViewBox):
         self,
         *,
 
-        yrange: Optional[tuple[float, float]] = None,
+        yrange: tuple[float, float] | None = None,
         viz: Viz | None = None,
 
         # NOTE: this value pairs (more or less) with L1 label text
         # height offset from from the bid/ask lines.
         range_margin: float | None = 0.09,
 
-        bars_range: Optional[tuple[int, int, int, int]] = None,
+        bars_range: tuple[int, int, int, int] | None = None,
 
         # flag to prevent triggering sibling charts from the same linked
         # set from recursion errors.
         autoscale_linked_plots: bool = False,
-        name: Optional[str] = None,
+        name: str | None = None,
 
     ) -> None:
         '''
@@ -871,7 +870,7 @@ class ChartView(ViewBox):
     def enable_auto_yrange(
         self,
         viz: Viz,
-        src_vb: Optional[ChartView] = None,
+        src_vb: ChartView | None = None,
 
     ) -> None:
         '''
diff --git a/piker/ui/_label.py b/piker/ui/_label.py
index 247b4cc0..85fbbb8a 100644
--- a/piker/ui/_label.py
+++ b/piker/ui/_label.py
@@ -19,7 +19,10 @@ Non-shitty labels that don't re-invent the wheel.
 
 """
 from inspect import isfunction
-from typing import Callable, Optional, Any
+from typing import (
+    Callable,
+    Any,
+)
 
 import pyqtgraph as pg
 from PyQt5 import QtGui, QtWidgets
@@ -70,9 +73,7 @@ class Label:
         self._fmt_str = fmt_str
         self._view_xy = QPointF(0, 0)
 
-        self.scene_anchor: Optional[
-            Callable[..., QPointF]
-        ] = None
+        self.scene_anchor: Callable[..., QPointF] | None = None
 
         self._x_offset = x_offset
 
@@ -164,7 +165,7 @@ class Label:
         self,
 
         y: float,
-        x: Optional[float] = None,
+        x: float | None = None,
 
     ) -> None:
 
diff --git a/piker/ui/_lines.py b/piker/ui/_lines.py
index 461544e7..4469a673 100644
--- a/piker/ui/_lines.py
+++ b/piker/ui/_lines.py
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 from functools import partial
 from math import floor
 from typing import (
-    Optional,
     Callable,
     TYPE_CHECKING,
 )
@@ -32,7 +31,7 @@ from pyqtgraph import Point, functions as fn
 from PyQt5 import QtCore, QtGui, QtWidgets
 from PyQt5.QtCore import QPointF
 
-from ._annotate import qgo_draw_markers, LevelMarker
+from ._annotate import LevelMarker
 from ._anchors import (
     vbr_left,
     right_axis,
@@ -295,7 +294,7 @@ class LevelLine(pg.InfiniteLine):
             # show y-crosshair again
             cursor.show_xhair()
 
-    def get_cursor(self) -> Optional[Cursor]:
+    def get_cursor(self) -> Cursor | None:
 
         chart = self._chart
         cur = chart.linked.cursor
@@ -610,11 +609,11 @@ def order_line(
 
     chart,
     level: float,
-    action: Optional[str] = 'buy',  # buy or sell
+    action: str | None = 'buy',  # buy or sell
 
-    marker_style: Optional[str] = None,
-    level_digits: Optional[float] = 3,
-    size: Optional[int] = 1,
+    marker_style: str | None = None,
+    level_digits: float | None = 3,
+    size: int | None = 1,
     size_digits: int = 1,
     show_markers: bool = False,
     submit_price: float = None,
diff --git a/piker/ui/_notify.py b/piker/ui/_notify.py
index c14b3cbb..4a33dabb 100644
--- a/piker/ui/_notify.py
+++ b/piker/ui/_notify.py
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ Notifications utils.
 import os
 import platform
 import subprocess
-from typing import Optional
 
 import trio
 
@@ -33,7 +32,7 @@ from ..clearing._messages import (
 log = get_logger(__name__)
 
 
-_dbus_uid: Optional[str] = ''
+_dbus_uid: str | None = ''
 
 
 async def notify_from_ems_status_msg(
diff --git a/piker/ui/_orm.py b/piker/ui/_orm.py
index 8dea0b6d..eaca69e2 100644
--- a/piker/ui/_orm.py
+++ b/piker/ui/_orm.py
@@ -20,8 +20,9 @@ micro-ORM for coupling ``pydantic`` models with Qt input/output widgets.
 """
 from __future__ import annotations
 from typing import (
-    Optional, Generic,
-    TypeVar, Callable,
+    Generic,
+    TypeVar,
+    Callable,
 )
 
 # from pydantic import BaseModel, validator
@@ -42,13 +43,11 @@ DataType = TypeVar('DataType')
 
 
 class Field(GenericModel, Generic[DataType]):
-    widget_factory: Optional[
-        Callable[
-            [QWidget, 'Field'],
-            QWidget
-        ]
-    ]
-    value: Optional[DataType] = None
+    widget_factory: Callable[
+        [QWidget, 'Field'],
+        QWidget
+    ] | None = None
+    value: DataType | None = None
 
 
 class Selection(Field[DataType], Generic[DataType]):
diff --git a/piker/ui/_pg_overrides.py b/piker/ui/_pg_overrides.py
index 53ed5405..bd35064b 100644
--- a/piker/ui/_pg_overrides.py
+++ b/piker/ui/_pg_overrides.py
@@ -22,8 +22,6 @@ Generally, our does not require "scentific precision" for pixel perfect
 view transforms.
 
 """
-from typing import Optional
-
 import pyqtgraph as pg
 
 from ._axes import Axis
@@ -47,9 +45,10 @@ def invertQTransform(tr):
 
 
 def _do_overrides() -> None:
-    """Dooo eeet.
+    '''
+    Dooo eeet.
 
-    """
+    '''
     # we don't care about potential fp issues inside Qt
     pg.functions.invertQTransform = invertQTransform
     pg.PlotItem = PlotItem
@@ -119,7 +118,7 @@ class PlotItem(pg.PlotItem):
         name: str,
         unlink: bool = True,
 
-    ) -> Optional[pg.AxisItem]:
+    ) -> pg.AxisItem | None:
         """
         Remove an axis from the contained axis items
         by ```name: str```.
@@ -169,14 +168,14 @@ class PlotItem(pg.PlotItem):
     def setAxisItems(
         self,
         # XXX: yeah yeah, i know we can't use type annots like this yet.
-        axisItems: Optional[dict[str, pg.AxisItem]] = None,
+        axisItems: dict[str, pg.AxisItem] | None = None,
         add_to_layout: bool = True,
         default_axes: list[str] = ['left', 'bottom'],
     ):
-        """
-        Override axis item setting to only
+        '''
+        Override axis item setting to only what is passed in.
 
-        """
+        '''
         axisItems = axisItems or {}
 
         # XXX: wth is is this even saying?!?
diff --git a/piker/ui/_position.py b/piker/ui/_position.py
index 9baca8ee..41421fb6 100644
--- a/piker/ui/_position.py
+++ b/piker/ui/_position.py
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@ from functools import partial
 from math import floor, copysign
 from typing import (
     Callable,
-    Optional,
     TYPE_CHECKING,
 )
 
@@ -170,12 +169,12 @@ class SettingsPane:
     limit_label: QLabel
 
     # encompasing high level namespace
-    order_mode: Optional['OrderMode'] = None  # typing: ignore # noqa
+    order_mode: OrderMode | None = None  # typing: ignore # noqa
 
     def set_accounts(
         self,
         names: list[str],
-        sizes: Optional[list[float]] = None,
+        sizes: list[float] | None = None,
     ) -> None:
 
         combo = self.form.fields['account']
@@ -540,8 +539,8 @@ class Nav(Struct):
     charts: dict[int, ChartPlotWidget]
     pp_labels: dict[str, Label] = {}
     size_labels: dict[str, Label] = {}
-    lines: dict[str, Optional[LevelLine]] = {}
-    level_markers: dict[str, Optional[LevelMarker]] = {}
+    lines: dict[str, LevelLine | None] = {}
+    level_markers: dict[str, LevelMarker | None] = {}
     color: str = 'default_lightest'
 
     def update_ui(
@@ -550,7 +549,7 @@ class Nav(Struct):
         price: float,
         size: float,
         slots_used: float,
-        size_digits: Optional[int] = None,
+        size_digits: int | None = None,
 
     ) -> None:
         '''
@@ -847,7 +846,7 @@ class PositionTracker:
 
     def update_from_pp(
         self,
-        position: Optional[Position] = None,
+        position: Position | None = None,
         set_as_startup: bool = False,
 
     ) -> None:
diff --git a/piker/ui/_search.py b/piker/ui/_search.py
index ef0cca80..9627e83d 100644
--- a/piker/ui/_search.py
+++ b/piker/ui/_search.py
@@ -35,7 +35,6 @@ from collections import defaultdict
 from contextlib import asynccontextmanager
 from functools import partial
 from typing import (
-    Optional,
     Callable,
     Awaitable,
     Sequence,
@@ -178,8 +177,8 @@ class CompleterView(QTreeView):
 
     def resize_to_results(
         self,
-        w: Optional[float] = 0,
-        h: Optional[float] = None,
+        w: float | None = 0,
+        h: float | None = None,
 
     ) -> None:
         model = self.model()
@@ -380,7 +379,7 @@ class CompleterView(QTreeView):
         self,
         section: str,
 
-    ) -> Optional[QModelIndex]:
+    ) -> QModelIndex | None:
         '''
         Find the *first* depth = 1 section matching ``section`` in
         the tree and return its index.
@@ -504,7 +503,7 @@ class CompleterView(QTreeView):
 
     def show_matches(
         self,
-        wh: Optional[tuple[float, float]] = None,
+        wh: tuple[float, float] | None = None,
 
     ) -> None:
 
@@ -529,7 +528,7 @@ class SearchBar(Edit):
         self,
         parent: QWidget,
         godwidget: QWidget,
-        view: Optional[CompleterView] = None,
+        view: CompleterView | None = None,
         **kwargs,
 
     ) -> None:
@@ -708,7 +707,7 @@ class SearchWidget(QtWidgets.QWidget):
         self,
         clear_to_cache: bool = True,
 
-    ) -> Optional[str]:
+    ) -> str | None:
         '''
         Attempt to load and switch the current selected
         completion result to the affiliated chart app.
@@ -1167,7 +1166,7 @@ async def register_symbol_search(
 
     provider_name: str,
     search_routine: Callable,
-    pause_period: Optional[float] = None,
+    pause_period: float | None = None,
 
 ) -> AsyncIterator[dict]:
 
diff --git a/piker/ui/_style.py b/piker/ui/_style.py
index 52ac753a..67f14a93 100644
--- a/piker/ui/_style.py
+++ b/piker/ui/_style.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 Qt UI styling.
 
 '''
-from typing import Optional, Dict
+from typing import Dict
 import math
 
 import pyqtgraph as pg
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ class DpiAwareFont:
         # TODO: move to config
         name: str = 'Hack',
         font_size: str = 'default',
-        # size_in_inches: Optional[float] = None,
+
     ) -> None:
         self.name = name
         self._qfont = QtGui.QFont(name)
@@ -91,13 +91,14 @@ class DpiAwareFont:
     def px_size(self) -> int:
         return self._qfont.pixelSize()
 
-    def configure_to_dpi(self, screen: Optional[QtGui.QScreen] = None):
-        """Set an appropriately sized font size depending on the screen DPI.
+    def configure_to_dpi(self, screen: QtGui.QScreen | None = None):
+        '''
+        Set an appropriately sized font size depending on the screen DPI.
 
         If we end up needing to generalize this more here there are resources
         listed in the script in ``snippets/qt_screen_info.py``.
 
-        """
+        '''
         if screen is None:
             screen = self.screen
 
diff --git a/piker/ui/_window.py b/piker/ui/_window.py
index a2c43261..0fc87c24 100644
--- a/piker/ui/_window.py
+++ b/piker/ui/_window.py
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@ import signal
 import time
 from typing import (
     Callable,
-    Optional,
     Union,
 )
 import uuid
@@ -64,9 +63,9 @@ class MultiStatus:
 
         self,
         msg: str,
-        final_msg: Optional[str] = None,
+        final_msg: str | None = None,
         clear_on_next: bool = False,
-        group_key: Optional[Union[bool, str]] = False,
+        group_key: Union[bool, str] | None = False,
 
     ) -> Union[Callable[..., None], str]:
         '''
@@ -178,11 +177,11 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         self.setWindowTitle(self.title)
 
         # set by runtime after `trio` is engaged.
-        self.godwidget: Optional[GodWidget] = None
+        self.godwidget: GodWidget | None = None
 
         self._status_bar: QStatusBar = None
         self._status_label: QLabel = None
-        self._size: Optional[tuple[int, int]] = None
+        self._size: tuple[int, int] | None = None
 
     @property
     def mode_label(self) -> QLabel:
@@ -289,7 +288,7 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
 
     def configure_to_desktop(
         self,
-        size: Optional[tuple[int, int]] = None,
+        size: tuple[int, int] | None = None,
 
     ) -> None:
         '''
diff --git a/piker/ui/order_mode.py b/piker/ui/order_mode.py
index 4a194a79..cf5f53b1 100644
--- a/piker/ui/order_mode.py
+++ b/piker/ui/order_mode.py
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@ from functools import partial
 from pprint import pformat
 import time
 from typing import (
-    Optional,
     Callable,
     Any,
     TYPE_CHECKING,
@@ -129,7 +128,7 @@ class OrderMode:
     trackers: dict[str, PositionTracker]
 
     # switched state, the current position
-    current_pp: Optional[PositionTracker] = None
+    current_pp: PositionTracker | None = None
     active: bool = False
     name: str = 'order'
     dialogs: dict[str, Dialog] = field(default_factory=dict)
@@ -139,7 +138,7 @@ class OrderMode:
         'buy': 'buy_green',
         'sell': 'sell_red',
     }
-    _staged_order: Optional[Order] = None
+    _staged_order: Order | None = None
 
     def on_level_change_update_next_order_info(
         self,
@@ -180,7 +179,7 @@ class OrderMode:
     def new_line_from_order(
         self,
         order: Order,
-        chart: Optional[ChartPlotWidget] = None,
+        chart: ChartPlotWidget | None = None,
         **line_kwargs,
 
     ) -> LevelLine:
@@ -340,7 +339,7 @@ class OrderMode:
     def submit_order(
         self,
         send_msg: bool = True,
-        order: Optional[Order] = None,
+        order: Order | None = None,
 
     ) -> Dialog:
         '''
@@ -452,7 +451,7 @@ class OrderMode:
     def on_submit(
         self,
         uuid: str,
-        order: Optional[Order] = None,
+        order: Order | None = None,
 
     ) -> Dialog:
         '''
@@ -496,7 +495,7 @@ class OrderMode:
         price: float,
         time_s: float,
 
-        pointing: Optional[str] = None,
+        pointing: str | None = None,
 
     ) -> None:
         '''