diff --git a/.devcontainer/devcontainer.json b/.devcontainer/devcontainer.json
index daaa88b..b3bdb52 100644
--- a/.devcontainer/devcontainer.json
+++ b/.devcontainer/devcontainer.json
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 				"redhat.vscode-yaml",
 				"yzhang.markdown-all-in-one",
 				"ms-toolsai.jupyter",
+				"ms-python.black-formatter",
 				"ms-python.python"
 			]
 		}
diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index c911cf2..09872dc 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -194,8 +194,5 @@ poetry.toml
 
 # End of https://www.toptal.com/developers/gitignore/api/python,jupyternotebooks,visualstudiocode
 
-
-# Don't commit the rendered media files. Still want to keep any source
-# media files, though- only get rid of the "media" folder, which is where
-# manim renders to.
+# Don't commit the rendered media files
 media
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/.vscode/extensions.json b/.vscode/extensions.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..581f825
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.vscode/extensions.json
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+{
+    "recommendations": [
+        "streetsidesoftware.code-spell-checker",
+        "redhat.vscode-yaml",
+        "yzhang.markdown-all-in-one",
+        "ms-python.black-formatter",
+        "ms-python.python"
+    ]
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/.vscode/settings.json b/.vscode/settings.json
index c02b35a..54a003b 100644
--- a/.vscode/settings.json
+++ b/.vscode/settings.json
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@
     ],
     "python.analysis.typeCheckingMode": "basic",
     "python.analysis.autoImportCompletions": true,
-    "python.defaultInterpreterPath": "/usr/local/bin/python",
+    "python.defaultInterpreterPath": "/usr/bin/python",
     "python.languageServer": "Pylance",
     "[python]": {
         "editor.defaultFormatter": "ms-python.black-formatter"
diff --git a/build.sh b/build.sh
old mode 100644
new mode 100755
index af31b8b..ead378a
--- a/build.sh
+++ b/build.sh
@@ -1,2 +1,4 @@
+#!/bin/bash
 # A trivial wrapper for build.py
+source .venv/bin/activate
 exec "python" "-m" "build" "$@"
diff --git a/extensions/animation.py b/extensions/animation.py
index 6622dde..3fd2254 100644
--- a/extensions/animation.py
+++ b/extensions/animation.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ def size(argument: str):
 
 class Animation(sphinx_docutils.SphinxDirective):
     """Animation directive.
-    Wrapper for the html <video> tag embeding all the supported options
+    Wrapper for the html <video> tag embeding all the supported options.
     """
 
     # enable content in the directive
diff --git a/rc_lib/design/plate.py b/rc_lib/design/plate.py
index 5b28ac3..cad573c 100644
--- a/rc_lib/design/plate.py
+++ b/rc_lib/design/plate.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 from rc_lib.style import color
 from rc_lib.math_utils import tangent, vector
 from rc_lib.design import sketch
+from rc_lib.utils.type_utils import not_none
 
 
 class PlateCircle(sketch.Circle):
@@ -101,16 +102,22 @@ def _make_boundary_lines(self) -> list[sketch.Line]:
         ]
 
     def draw_inner_circles(self) -> mn.Animation:
-        return mn.Succession(
-            *[mn.GrowFromCenter(x.inside) for x in self._entities], lag_ratio=0.75
+        return not_none(
+            mn.Succession(
+                *[mn.GrowFromCenter(x.inside) for x in self._entities], lag_ratio=0.75
+            )
         )
 
     def draw_outer_circles(self) -> mn.Animation:
-        return mn.Succession(
-            *[mn.GrowFromCenter(x.outside) for x in self._entities], lag_ratio=0.75
+        return not_none(
+            mn.Succession(
+                *[mn.GrowFromCenter(x.outside) for x in self._entities], lag_ratio=0.75
+            )
         )
 
     def draw_boundary(self) -> mn.Animation:
-        return mn.Succession(
-            *[mn.Create(line) for line in self._boundary_lines], lag_ratio=1
+        return not_none(
+            mn.Succession(
+                *[mn.Create(line) for line in self._boundary_lines], lag_ratio=1
+            )
         )
diff --git a/rc_lib/design/sketch.py b/rc_lib/design/sketch.py
index 9690ed1..b4f8087 100644
--- a/rc_lib/design/sketch.py
+++ b/rc_lib/design/sketch.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 """Defines entities which look like Onshape sketch entities.
 """
+
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 from typing import Callable, Self, Any
@@ -11,6 +12,7 @@
 
 from rc_lib.math_utils import vector
 from rc_lib.style import color, animation
+from rc_lib.utils.type_utils import not_none
 
 
 class SketchState(color.Color, enum.Enum):
@@ -86,9 +88,7 @@ def midpoint_constraint(
         elif points is None:
             raise ValueError("Expected a line or two points.")
 
-        return self.animate.move_to(
-            (points[0].get_center() + points[1].get_center()) / 2
-        )  # type: ignore
+        return self.animate.move_to((points[0].get_center() + points[1].get_center()) / 2)  # type: ignore
 
     def align_constraint(self, target: Point, type: AlignType) -> mn.Animation:
         if type == AlignType.VERTICAL:
@@ -191,18 +191,22 @@ def is_start_closer_to_target(self, target: ArcBase) -> bool:
     def _create_override(self) -> mn.Animation:
         end = self.get_end()
         self.move_end(self.get_start() + vector.ZERO_LENGTH_VECTOR)
-        return mn.Succession(
-            animation.Add(self.line),
-            self.animate(introducer=True).move_end(end),  # type: ignore
+        return not_none(
+            mn.Succession(
+                animation.Add(self.line),
+                self.animate(introducer=True).move_end(end),
+            )
         )
 
     @override
     @mn.override_animation(mn.Uncreate)
     def _uncreate_override(self) -> mn.Animation:
         start = self.get_start() + vector.ZERO_LENGTH_VECTOR
-        return mn.Succession(
-            self.animate(remover=True).move_end(start),  # type: ignore
-            animation.Remove(self.line),
+        return not_none(
+            mn.Succession(
+                self.animate(remover=True).move_end(start),
+                animation.Remove(self.line),
+            )
         )
 
 
@@ -233,7 +237,7 @@ def _set_radius_override(self, radius: float, anim_args={}) -> mn.Animation:
             **anim_args,
         )
         self.arc.radius = radius
-        return animation
+        return not_none(animation)
 
     @override
     def click_target(self) -> mn.VMobject:
@@ -276,16 +280,20 @@ def get_group(self) -> mn.VGroup:
 
     @mn.override_animation(mn.Create)
     def _create_override(self) -> mn.Animation:
-        return mn.Succession(
-            animation.Add(self.middle),
-            mn.GrowFromCenter(self.arc),
+        return not_none(
+            mn.Succession(
+                animation.Add(self.middle),
+                mn.GrowFromCenter(self.arc),
+            )
         )
 
     @mn.override_animation(mn.Uncreate)
     def _uncreate_override(self) -> mn.Animation:
-        return mn.Succession(
-            mn.GrowFromCenter(self.arc, reverse_rate_function=True, remover=True),
-            animation.Remove(self.middle),
+        return not_none(
+            mn.Succession(
+                mn.GrowFromCenter(self.arc, reverse_rate_function=True, remover=True),
+                animation.Remove(self.middle),
+            )
         )
 
 
@@ -311,16 +319,20 @@ def get_group(self) -> mn.VGroup:
 
     @mn.override_animation(mn.Create)
     def _create_override(self) -> mn.Animation:
-        return mn.Succession(
-            animation.Add(self.start, self.end, self.middle),
-            mn.GrowFromCenter(self.arc),
+        return not_none(
+            mn.Succession(
+                animation.Add(self.start, self.end, self.middle),
+                mn.GrowFromCenter(self.arc),
+            )
         )
 
     @mn.override_animation(mn.Uncreate)
     def _uncreate_override(self) -> mn.Animation:
-        return mn.Succession(
-            mn.GrowFromCenter(self.arc, reverse_rate_function=True, remover=True),
-            animation.Remove(self.start, self.end, self.middle),
+        return not_none(
+            mn.Succession(
+                mn.GrowFromCenter(self.arc, reverse_rate_function=True, remover=True),
+                animation.Remove(self.start, self.end, self.middle),
+            )
         )
 
 
diff --git a/rc_lib/design/sketch_animation.py b/rc_lib/design/sketch_animation.py
index 295b80e..7c37568 100644
--- a/rc_lib/design/sketch_animation.py
+++ b/rc_lib/design/sketch_animation.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+from typing import cast
 import manim as mn
 from rc_lib.design import sketch
 from rc_lib.style import color
@@ -10,7 +11,7 @@
 class Click(mn.Transform):
     """Defines an animation which represents an object getting clicked."""
 
-    def __init__(self, mobject: sketch.Base) -> None:
+    def __init__(self, mobject: sketch.Base):
         base = mobject.click_target()
         target = base.copy().set_stroke(width=4 * 3.5).set_color(color.Palette.YELLOW)  # type: ignore
 
@@ -29,4 +30,7 @@ def make(animation: mn.Animation, *mobjects: sketch.Base) -> mn.Succession:
 
     Each mobject is clicked in sequence, followed by the final animation playing.
     """
-    return mn.Succession(*[Click(mobject) for mobject in mobjects], animation)
+    return cast(
+        mn.Succession,
+        mn.Succession(*[Click(mobject) for mobject in mobjects], animation),
+    )
diff --git a/rc_lib/common_mobjects/__init__.py b/rc_lib/mobjects/__init__.py
similarity index 100%
rename from rc_lib/common_mobjects/__init__.py
rename to rc_lib/mobjects/__init__.py
diff --git a/rc_lib/common_mobjects/containers.py b/rc_lib/mobjects/containers.py
similarity index 100%
rename from rc_lib/common_mobjects/containers.py
rename to rc_lib/mobjects/containers.py
diff --git a/rc_lib/common_mobjects/layouts.py b/rc_lib/mobjects/layouts.py
similarity index 96%
rename from rc_lib/common_mobjects/layouts.py
rename to rc_lib/mobjects/layouts.py
index 583f239..0902038 100644
--- a/rc_lib/common_mobjects/layouts.py
+++ b/rc_lib/mobjects/layouts.py
@@ -1,11 +1,13 @@
 """
     Mobject groups with available layout methods.
 """
-from typing import Callable, List, Any, Self, Tuple, cast
+
+from typing import Callable, List, Any, Self, cast
 
 import manim as mn
 from rc_lib.math_utils import vector, mobject_geometry
-from rc_lib.common_mobjects import containers
+from rc_lib.mobjects import containers
+from rc_lib.utils.type_utils import not_none
 
 
 def edge_from_center(
@@ -217,8 +219,9 @@ def arrange(self, positions: List[vector.Point2d] | None = None) -> Self:
 
     def animate_arrange(
         self,
-        anim_function: Callable[[mn.VMobject, vector.Point2d], mn.Animation]
-        | None = None,
+        anim_function: (
+            Callable[[mn.VMobject, vector.Point2d], mn.Animation] | None
+        ) = None,
         positions: List[vector.Point2d] | None = None,
     ) -> List[mn.Animation]:
         """
@@ -236,7 +239,7 @@ def animate_arrange(
         def _move_mob_to_pos(
             mobject: mn.VMobject, pos: vector.Vector2d
         ) -> mn.Animation:
-            return mn.Transform(mobject, mobject.move_to(pos))
+            return not_none(mn.Transform(mobject, mobject.move_to(pos)))
 
         if positions is None:
             positions = self.predict_arrangement()
diff --git a/rc_lib/style/__init__.py b/rc_lib/style/__init__.py
index 40d1b02..17d1d92 100644
--- a/rc_lib/style/__init__.py
+++ b/rc_lib/style/__init__.py
@@ -11,10 +11,10 @@
 # Which would have the affect of adding the module `color` to `__all__`.
 # OR, instead of doing that manually, we can do it automatically:
 # (kudos to https://stackoverflow.com/a/3365846/10717280)
-import pkgutil
+# import pkgutil
 
-__all__ = []
-for loader, module_name, is_pkg in pkgutil.walk_packages(__path__):
-    __all__.append(module_name)
-    _module = loader.find_module(module_name).load_module(module_name)
-    globals()[module_name] = _module
\ No newline at end of file
+# __all__ = []
+# for loader, module_name, is_pkg in pkgutil.walk_packages(__path__):
+#     __all__.append(module_name)
+#     _module = loader.find_module(module_name).load_module(module_name)
+#     globals()[module_name] = _module
diff --git a/rc_lib/view_utils/__init__.py b/rc_lib/utils/__init__.py
similarity index 100%
rename from rc_lib/view_utils/__init__.py
rename to rc_lib/utils/__init__.py
diff --git a/rc_lib/view_utils/title_sequence.py b/rc_lib/utils/title_sequence.py
similarity index 86%
rename from rc_lib/view_utils/title_sequence.py
rename to rc_lib/utils/title_sequence.py
index f6b9157..483fa65 100644
--- a/rc_lib/view_utils/title_sequence.py
+++ b/rc_lib/utils/title_sequence.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import manim as mn
 from rc_lib.style import color, text
+from rc_lib.utils.type_utils import not_none
 
 
 class TitleSequence:
@@ -28,9 +29,9 @@ def next(self, title: str, color: color.Color | None = None) -> mn.Animation:
         self._number += 1
         if self._number == 2:
             self._first = text
-            return mn.Write(self._first, run_time=0.75)
+            return not_none(mn.Write(self._first, run_time=0.75))
         else:
-            return mn.Transform(self._first, text, run_time=0.75)
+            return not_none(mn.Transform(self._first, text, run_time=0.75))
 
     def _make_text(self, title: str, color: color.Color) -> mn.Text:
         prefix = str(self._number) + ". " if self._add_numbers else ""
diff --git a/rc_lib/utils/type_utils.py b/rc_lib/utils/type_utils.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..46853af
--- /dev/null
+++ b/rc_lib/utils/type_utils.py
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+from typing import TypeVar
+
+
+T = TypeVar("T")
+
+
+def not_none(value: T | None) -> T:
+    if value is None:
+        raise AssertionError("Unexpected null")
+    return value
diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements.txt
index eebd935..58a8092 100644
--- a/requirements.txt
+++ b/requirements.txt
@@ -1,17 +1,17 @@
 # website
-Sphinx==6.1.3
-sphinx-copybutton==0.5.1
-sphinx-rtd-theme==1.2.0
+Sphinx>=6.1.3
+sphinx-copybutton>=0.5.1
+sphinx-rtd-theme>=1.2.0
 myst-parser>=1.0.0
 
 # animation libraries
 manim>=0.18
-numpy>=1.24.2
 typing-extensions>=4.5.0
+setuptools
+# numpy>=1.24.2
 
 # jupyter and formatting
-ipykernel>=6.21.3
-black>=23.1.0
+# ipykernel>=6.21.3
 
 # build script
 thefuzz[speedup]>=0.19.0
diff --git a/setup.sh b/setup.sh
index 31247e3..a1c1831 100644
--- a/setup.sh
+++ b/setup.sh
@@ -1,9 +1,14 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 
-# install dependencies
+# install manim dependencies
 sudo apt-get update
-# manim system libraries
-sudo apt-get install -y build-essential libcairo2-dev libpango1.0-dev ffmpeg # texlive texlive-latex-extra
+sudo apt-get install -y build-essential python3.12-dev libcairo2-dev libpango1.0-dev ffmpeg 
+# texlive texlive-latex-extra
+
+# Pillow dependencies
+sudo apt-get install libtiff5-dev libjpeg8-dev libopenjp2-7-dev zlib1g-dev \
+    libfreetype6-dev liblcms2-dev libwebp-dev tcl8.6-dev tk8.6-dev python3-tk \
+    libharfbuzz-dev libfribidi-dev libxcb1-dev
 
 # install pip requirements
 pip install -r requirements.txt
diff --git a/website/design/plate/plate.py b/website/design/plate/plate.py
index b18615d..7288c3e 100644
--- a/website/design/plate/plate.py
+++ b/website/design/plate/plate.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 import manim as mn
 from rc_lib.style import color, animation
 from rc_lib.math_utils import vector
-from rc_lib.view_utils import title_sequence
+from rc_lib.utils import title_sequence
 from rc_lib.design import plate, sketch, constraint
 
 inner_color: color.Color = color.Palette.GREEN