diff --git a/piker/__init__.py b/piker/__init__.py
index a6437f88..d08c2dbc 100644
--- a/piker/__init__.py
+++ b/piker/__init__.py
@@ -18,3 +18,10 @@
 piker: trading gear for hackers.
 
 """
+from ._daemon import open_piker_runtime
+from .data.feed import open_feed
+
+__all__ = [
+    'open_piker_runtime',
+    'open_feed',
+]
diff --git a/piker/_daemon.py b/piker/_daemon.py
index b34b2f85..271caa30 100644
--- a/piker/_daemon.py
+++ b/piker/_daemon.py
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ async def open_piker_runtime(
     # for data daemons when running in production.
     debug_mode: bool = False,
 
-) -> Optional[tractor._portal.Portal]:
+) -> tractor.Actor:
     '''
     Start a piker actor who's runtime will automatically sync with
     existing piker actors on the local link based on configuration.