diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index fc48fe1..d2bd68e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -19,3 +19,8 @@ Pytest unittests are provided within the 'tests directory, as well as a script *
 with individual tests runnable with:
 
     pytest test_runner.py::MeowTests::testMeowRunnerLinkedPythonExecution -W ignore::DeprecationWarning
+
+to run locally, update your '~/.bashrc' file to inclue:
+
+    # Manually added to get local testing of Python files working easier
+    export PYTHONPATH=/home/patch/Documents/Research/Python
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/conductors/local_python_conductor.py b/conductors/local_python_conductor.py
index 34522a0..4586e82 100644
--- a/conductors/local_python_conductor.py
+++ b/conductors/local_python_conductor.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import os
 import shutil
 
 from datetime import datetime
-from typing import Any, Tuple
+from typing import Any, Tuple, Dict
 
 from core.correctness.vars import JOB_TYPE_PYTHON, PYTHON_FUNC, JOB_STATUS, \
     STATUS_RUNNING, JOB_START_TIME, PYTHON_EXECUTION_BASE, JOB_ID, META_FILE, \
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ class LocalPythonConductor(BaseConductor):
     def __init__(self)->None:
         super().__init__()
 
-    def valid_execute_criteria(self, job:dict[str,Any])->Tuple[bool,str]:
+    def valid_execute_criteria(self, job:Dict[str,Any])->Tuple[bool,str]:
         """Function to determine given an job defintion, if this conductor can 
         process it or not. This conductor will accept any Python job type"""
         try:
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ class LocalPythonConductor(BaseConductor):
             pass
         return False, str(e)
 
-    def execute(self, job:dict[str,Any])->None:
+    def execute(self, job:Dict[str,Any])->None:
         valid_job(job)
 
         job_dir = os.path.join(job[PYTHON_EXECUTION_BASE], job[JOB_ID])
diff --git a/core/correctness/validation.py b/core/correctness/validation.py
index 86f62b7..4e9c752 100644
--- a/core/correctness/validation.py
+++ b/core/correctness/validation.py
@@ -8,7 +8,8 @@ Author(s): David Marchant
 from datetime import datetime
 from inspect import signature
 from os.path import sep, exists, isfile, isdir, dirname
-from typing import Any, _SpecialForm, Union, Tuple, get_origin, get_args
+from typing import Any, _SpecialForm, Union, Tuple, Type, Dict, List, \
+    get_origin, get_args
 
 from core.correctness.vars import VALID_PATH_CHARS, get_not_imp_msg, \
     EVENT_TYPE, EVENT_PATH, JOB_EVENT, JOB_TYPE, JOB_ID, JOB_PATTERN, \
@@ -33,7 +34,7 @@ WATCHDOG_EVENT_KEYS = {
 # Required keys in job dict
 JOB_KEYS = {
     JOB_TYPE: str,
-    JOB_EVENT: dict,
+    JOB_EVENT: Dict,
     JOB_ID: str,
     JOB_PATTERN: Any,
     JOB_RECIPE: Any,
@@ -42,7 +43,7 @@ JOB_KEYS = {
     JOB_CREATE_TIME: datetime,
 }
 
-def check_type(variable:Any, expected_type:type, alt_types:list[type]=[], 
+def check_type(variable:Any, expected_type:Type, alt_types:List[Type]=[], 
         or_none:bool=False)->None:
     """Checks if a given variable is of the expected type. Raises TypeError or
     ValueError as appropriate if any issues are encountered."""
@@ -52,6 +53,11 @@ def check_type(variable:Any, expected_type:type, alt_types:list[type]=[],
     if get_origin(expected_type) is Union:
         type_list = list(get_args(expected_type))
     type_list = type_list + alt_types
+#    # If we have any types from typing, then update to allow checks against 
+#    # their base types too
+#    for t in type_list:
+#        if get_origin(t):
+#            type_list.append(get_origin(t))
 
     # Only accept None if explicitly allowed
     if variable is None:
@@ -130,16 +136,16 @@ def valid_string(variable:str, valid_chars:str, min_length:int=1)->None:
                 "%s" % (char, valid_chars)
             )
 
-def valid_dict(variable:dict[Any, Any], key_type:type, value_type:type, 
-        required_keys:list[Any]=[], optional_keys:list[Any]=[], 
+def valid_dict(variable:Dict[Any, Any], key_type:Type, value_type:Type, 
+        required_keys:List[Any]=[], optional_keys:List[Any]=[], 
         strict:bool=True, min_length:int=1)->None:
     """Checks that a given dictionary is valid. Key and Value types are 
     enforced, as are required and optional keys. Will raise ValueError, 
     TypeError or KeyError depending on the problem encountered."""
     # Validate inputs
-    check_type(variable, dict)
-    check_type(key_type, type, alt_types=[_SpecialForm])
-    check_type(value_type, type, alt_types=[_SpecialForm])
+    check_type(variable, Dict)
+    check_type(key_type, Type, alt_types=[_SpecialForm])
+    check_type(value_type, Type, alt_types=[_SpecialForm])
     check_type(required_keys, list)
     check_type(optional_keys, list)
     check_type(strict, bool)
@@ -172,11 +178,11 @@ def valid_dict(variable:dict[Any, Any], key_type:type, value_type:type,
                 raise ValueError(f"Unexpected key '{k}' should not be present "
                     f"in dict '{variable}'")
 
-def valid_list(variable:list[Any], entry_type:type,
-        alt_types:list[type]=[], min_length:int=1)->None:
+def valid_list(variable:List[Any], entry_type:Type,
+        alt_types:List[Type]=[], min_length:int=1)->None:
     """Checks that a given list is valid. Value types are checked and a 
     ValueError or TypeError is raised if a problem is encountered."""
-    check_type(variable, list)
+    check_type(variable, List)
 
     # Check length meets minimum
     if len(variable) < min_length:
@@ -256,11 +262,11 @@ def setup_debugging(print:Any=None, logging:int=0)->Tuple[Any,int]:
 
     return print, logging
 
-def valid_meow_dict(meow_dict:dict[str,Any], msg:str, 
-        keys:dict[str,type])->None:
+def valid_meow_dict(meow_dict:Dict[str,Any], msg:str, 
+        keys:Dict[str,Type])->None:
     """Check given dictionary expresses a meow construct. This won't do much 
     directly, but is called by more specific validation functions."""
-    check_type(meow_dict, dict)
+    check_type(meow_dict, Dict)
     # Check we have all the required keys, and they are all of the expected 
     # type
     for key, value_type in keys.items():
@@ -268,13 +274,13 @@ def valid_meow_dict(meow_dict:dict[str,Any], msg:str,
             raise KeyError(f"{msg} require key '{key}'")
         check_type(meow_dict[key], value_type)
 
-def valid_event(event:dict[str,Any])->None:
+def valid_event(event:Dict[str,Any])->None:
     """Check that a given dict expresses a meow event."""
     valid_meow_dict(event, "Event", EVENT_KEYS)
 
-def valid_job(job:dict[str,Any])->None:
+def valid_job(job:Dict[str,Any])->None:
     """Check that a given dict expresses a meow job."""
     valid_meow_dict(job, "Job", JOB_KEYS)
 
-def valid_watchdog_event(event:dict[str,Any])->None:
+def valid_watchdog_event(event:Dict[str,Any])->None:
     valid_meow_dict(event, "Watchdog event", WATCHDOG_EVENT_KEYS)
diff --git a/core/functionality.py b/core/functionality.py
index 98af242..3e1c204 100644
--- a/core/functionality.py
+++ b/core/functionality.py
@@ -7,11 +7,12 @@ import os
 import yaml
 
 from datetime import datetime
+from typing import List
 
 from multiprocessing.connection import Connection, wait as multi_wait
 from multiprocessing.queues import Queue
 from papermill.translators import papermill_translators
-from typing import Any
+from typing import Any, Dict
 from random import SystemRandom
 
 from core.correctness.validation import check_type, valid_existing_file_path, \
@@ -36,7 +37,7 @@ KEYWORD_JOB = "{JOB}"
 
 
 #TODO Make this guaranteed unique
-def generate_id(prefix:str="", length:int=16, existing_ids:list[str]=[], 
+def generate_id(prefix:str="", length:int=16, existing_ids:List[str]=[], 
         charset:str=CHAR_UPPERCASE+CHAR_LOWERCASE, attempts:int=24):
     random_length = max(length - len(prefix), 0)
     for _ in range(attempts):
@@ -47,10 +48,12 @@ def generate_id(prefix:str="", length:int=16, existing_ids:list[str]=[],
     raise ValueError(f"Could not generate ID unique from '{existing_ids}' "
         f"using values '{charset}' and length of '{length}'.")
 
-def wait(inputs:list[VALID_CHANNELS])->list[VALID_CHANNELS]:
+def wait(inputs:List[VALID_CHANNELS])->List[VALID_CHANNELS]:
     all_connections = [i for i in inputs if type(i) is Connection] \
         + [i._reader for i in inputs if type(i) is Queue]
-
+    for i in inputs:
+        print(type(i))
+    
     ready = multi_wait(all_connections)
     ready_inputs = [i for i in inputs if \
         (type(i) is Connection and i in ready) \
@@ -72,7 +75,6 @@ def _get_file_sha256(file_path):
 def get_file_hash(file_path:str, hash:str):
     check_type(hash, str)
 
-    import os
     valid_existing_file_path(file_path)
 
     valid_hashes = {
@@ -80,7 +82,7 @@ def get_file_hash(file_path:str, hash:str):
     }
     if hash not in valid_hashes:
         raise KeyError(f"Cannot use hash '{hash}'. Valid are "
-            "'{list(valid_hashes.keys())}")
+            f"'{list(valid_hashes.keys())}")
 
     return valid_hashes[hash](file_path)
 
@@ -169,7 +171,7 @@ def read_notebook(filepath:str):
     with open(filepath, 'r') as read_file:
         return json.load(read_file)
 
-def write_notebook(source:dict[str,Any], filename:str):
+def write_notebook(source:Dict[str,Any], filename:str):
     """
     Writes the given notebook source code to a given filename.
 
@@ -183,10 +185,10 @@ def write_notebook(source:dict[str,Any], filename:str):
         json.dump(source, job_file)
 
 # Adapted from: https://github.com/rasmunk/notebook_parameterizer
-def parameterize_jupyter_notebook(jupyter_notebook:dict[str,Any], 
-        parameters:dict[str,Any], expand_env_values:bool=False)->dict[str,Any]:
+def parameterize_jupyter_notebook(jupyter_notebook:Dict[str,Any], 
+        parameters:Dict[str,Any], expand_env_values:bool=False)->Dict[str,Any]:
     nbformat.validate(jupyter_notebook)
-    check_type(parameters, dict)
+    check_type(parameters, Dict)
 
     if jupyter_notebook["nbformat"] != 4:
         raise Warning(
@@ -256,10 +258,10 @@ def parameterize_jupyter_notebook(jupyter_notebook:dict[str,Any],
 
     return output_notebook
 
-def parameterize_python_script(script:list[str], parameters:dict[str,Any], 
-        expand_env_values:bool=False)->dict[str,Any]:
+def parameterize_python_script(script:List[str], parameters:Dict[str,Any], 
+        expand_env_values:bool=False)->Dict[str,Any]:
     check_script(script)
-    check_type(parameters, dict)
+    check_type(parameters, Dict)
 
     output_script = copy.deepcopy(script)
 
@@ -302,8 +304,8 @@ def print_debug(print_target, debug_level, msg, level)->None:
                 status = "WARNING"
             print(f"{status}: {msg}", file=print_target)
 
-def replace_keywords(old_dict:dict[str,str], job_id:str, src_path:str, 
-            monitor_base:str)->dict[str,str]:
+def replace_keywords(old_dict:Dict[str,str], job_id:str, src_path:str, 
+            monitor_base:str)->Dict[str,str]:
     """Function to replace all MEOW magic words in a dictionary with dynamic 
     values."""
     new_dict = {}
@@ -332,8 +334,8 @@ def replace_keywords(old_dict:dict[str,str], job_id:str, src_path:str,
 
     return new_dict
 
-def create_event(event_type:str, path:str, rule:Any, extras:dict[Any,Any]={}
-        )->dict[Any,Any]:
+def create_event(event_type:str, path:str, rule:Any, extras:Dict[Any,Any]={}
+        )->Dict[Any,Any]:
     """Function to create a MEOW dictionary."""
     return {
         **extras, 
@@ -343,7 +345,7 @@ def create_event(event_type:str, path:str, rule:Any, extras:dict[Any,Any]={}
     }
 
 def create_watchdog_event(path:str, rule:Any, base:str, hash:str, 
-            extras:dict[Any,Any]={})->dict[Any,Any]:
+            extras:Dict[Any,Any]={})->Dict[Any,Any]:
     """Function to create a MEOW event dictionary."""
     return create_event(
         EVENT_TYPE_WATCHDOG, 
@@ -358,8 +360,8 @@ def create_watchdog_event(path:str, rule:Any, base:str, hash:str,
         }
     )
 
-def create_job(job_type:str, event:dict[str,Any], extras:dict[Any,Any]={}
-        )->dict[Any,Any]:
+def create_job(job_type:str, event:Dict[str,Any], extras:Dict[Any,Any]={}
+        )->Dict[Any,Any]:
     """Function to create a MEOW job dictionary."""
     job_dict = {
         #TODO compress event?
@@ -376,7 +378,7 @@ def create_job(job_type:str, event:dict[str,Any], extras:dict[Any,Any]={}
 
     return {**extras, **job_dict}
 
-def lines_to_string(lines:list[str])->str:
+def lines_to_string(lines:List[str])->str:
     """Function to convert a list of str lines, into one continuous string 
     separated by newline characters"""
     return "\n".join(lines)
diff --git a/core/meow.py b/core/meow.py
index b4287e9..63371be 100644
--- a/core/meow.py
+++ b/core/meow.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ import itertools
 import sys
 
 from copy import deepcopy
-from typing import Any, Union, Tuple
+from typing import Any, Union, Tuple, Dict, List
 
 from core.correctness.vars import VALID_RECIPE_NAME_CHARS, \
     VALID_PATTERN_NAME_CHARS, VALID_RULE_NAME_CHARS, VALID_CHANNELS, \
@@ -28,11 +28,11 @@ class BaseRecipe:
     # Actual code to run
     recipe:Any
     # Possible parameters that could be overridden by a Pattern 
-    parameters:dict[str, Any]
+    parameters:Dict[str, Any]
     # Additional configuration options
-    requirements:dict[str, Any]
-    def __init__(self, name:str, recipe:Any, parameters:dict[str,Any]={}, 
-            requirements:dict[str,Any]={}):
+    requirements:Dict[str, Any]
+    def __init__(self, name:str, recipe:Any, parameters:Dict[str,Any]={}, 
+            requirements:Dict[str,Any]={}):
         """BaseRecipe Constructor. This will check that any class inheriting 
         from it implements its validation functions. It will then call these on
         the input parameters."""
@@ -84,14 +84,14 @@ class BasePattern:
     # An identifier of a recipe
     recipe:str
     # Parameters to be overridden in the recipe
-    parameters:dict[str,Any]
+    parameters:Dict[str,Any]
     # Parameters showing the potential outputs of a recipe
-    outputs:dict[str,Any]
+    outputs:Dict[str,Any]
     # A collection of variables to be swept over for job scheduling
-    sweep:dict[str,Any]
+    sweep:Dict[str,Any]
 
-    def __init__(self, name:str, recipe:str, parameters:dict[str,Any]={}, 
-            outputs:dict[str,Any]={}, sweep:dict[str,Any]={}):
+    def __init__(self, name:str, recipe:str, parameters:Dict[str,Any]={}, 
+            outputs:Dict[str,Any]={}, sweep:Dict[str,Any]={}):
         """BasePattern Constructor. This will check that any class inheriting 
         from it implements its validation functions. It will then call these on
         the input parameters."""
@@ -138,11 +138,11 @@ class BasePattern:
         be implemented by any child class."""
         pass
 
-    def _is_valid_sweep(self, sweep:dict[str,Union[int,float,complex]])->None:
+    def _is_valid_sweep(self, sweep:Dict[str,Union[int,float,complex]])->None:
         """Validation check for 'sweep' variable from main constructor. This 
         function is implemented to check for the types given in the signature, 
         and must be overridden if these differ."""
-        check_type(sweep, dict)
+        check_type(sweep, Dict)
         if not sweep:
             return
         for _, v in sweep.items():
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ class BasePattern:
                         "value where the end point is smaller than the start."
                     )
 
-    def expand_sweeps(self)->list[Tuple[str,Any]]:
+    def expand_sweeps(self)->List[Tuple[str,Any]]:
         """Function to get all combinations of sweep parameters"""
         values_dict = {}
         # get a collection of a individual sweep values
@@ -259,17 +259,17 @@ class BaseRule:
 
 class BaseMonitor:
     # A collection of patterns
-    _patterns: dict[str, BasePattern]
+    _patterns: Dict[str, BasePattern]
     # A collection of recipes
-    _recipes: dict[str, BaseRecipe]
+    _recipes: Dict[str, BaseRecipe]
     # A collection of rules derived from _patterns and _recipes
-    _rules: dict[str, BaseRule]
+    _rules: Dict[str, BaseRule]
     # A channel for sending messages to the runner. Note that this is not 
     # initialised within the constructor, but within the runner when passed the
     # monitor is passed to it.
     to_runner: VALID_CHANNELS
-    def __init__(self, patterns:dict[str,BasePattern], 
-            recipes:dict[str,BaseRecipe])->None:
+    def __init__(self, patterns:Dict[str,BasePattern], 
+            recipes:Dict[str,BaseRecipe])->None:
         """BaseMonitor Constructor. This will check that any class inheriting 
         from it implements its validation functions. It will then call these on
         the input parameters."""
@@ -302,12 +302,12 @@ class BaseMonitor:
             raise TypeError(msg)
         return object.__new__(cls)
 
-    def _is_valid_patterns(self, patterns:dict[str,BasePattern])->None:
+    def _is_valid_patterns(self, patterns:Dict[str,BasePattern])->None:
         """Validation check for 'patterns' variable from main constructor. Must
         be implemented by any child class."""
         pass
 
-    def _is_valid_recipes(self, recipes:dict[str,BaseRecipe])->None:
+    def _is_valid_recipes(self, recipes:Dict[str,BaseRecipe])->None:
         """Validation check for 'recipes' variable from main constructor. Must 
         be implemented by any child class."""
         pass
@@ -337,7 +337,7 @@ class BaseMonitor:
         implemented by any child process."""
         pass
 
-    def get_patterns(self)->dict[str,BasePattern]:
+    def get_patterns(self)->Dict[str,BasePattern]:
         """Function to get a dictionary of all current pattern definitions. 
         Must be implemented by any child process."""
         pass
@@ -357,12 +357,12 @@ class BaseMonitor:
         implemented by any child process."""
         pass
 
-    def get_recipes(self)->dict[str,BaseRecipe]:
+    def get_recipes(self)->Dict[str,BaseRecipe]:
         """Function to get a dictionary of all current recipe definitions. 
         Must be implemented by any child process."""
         pass
 
-    def get_rules(self)->dict[str,BaseRule]:
+    def get_rules(self)->Dict[str,BaseRule]:
         """Function to get a dictionary of all current rule definitions. 
         Must be implemented by any child process."""
         pass
@@ -387,12 +387,12 @@ class BaseHandler:
             raise TypeError(msg)
         return object.__new__(cls)
 
-    def valid_handle_criteria(self, event:dict[str,Any])->Tuple[bool,str]:
+    def valid_handle_criteria(self, event:Dict[str,Any])->Tuple[bool,str]:
         """Function to determine given an event defintion, if this handler can 
         process it or not. Must be implemented by any child process."""
         pass
 
-    def handle(self, event:dict[str,Any])->None:
+    def handle(self, event:Dict[str,Any])->None:
         """Function to handle a given event. Must be implemented by any child 
         process."""
         pass
@@ -413,28 +413,28 @@ class BaseConductor:
             raise TypeError(msg)
         return object.__new__(cls)
 
-    def valid_execute_criteria(self, job:dict[str,Any])->Tuple[bool,str]:
+    def valid_execute_criteria(self, job:Dict[str,Any])->Tuple[bool,str]:
         """Function to determine given an job defintion, if this conductor can 
         process it or not. Must be implemented by any child process."""
         pass
 
-    def execute(self, job:dict[str,Any])->None:
+    def execute(self, job:Dict[str,Any])->None:
         """Function to execute a given job. Must be implemented by any child 
         process."""
         pass
 
 
-def create_rules(patterns:Union[dict[str,BasePattern],list[BasePattern]], 
-        recipes:Union[dict[str,BaseRecipe],list[BaseRecipe]],
-        new_rules:list[BaseRule]=[])->dict[str,BaseRule]:
+def create_rules(patterns:Union[Dict[str,BasePattern],List[BasePattern]], 
+        recipes:Union[Dict[str,BaseRecipe],List[BaseRecipe]],
+        new_rules:List[BaseRule]=[])->Dict[str,BaseRule]:
     """Function to create any valid rules from a given collection of patterns 
     and recipes. All inbuilt rule types are considered, with additional 
     definitions provided through the 'new_rules' variable. Note that any 
     provided pattern and recipe dictionaries must be keyed with the 
     corresponding pattern and recipe names."""
     # Validation of inputs
-    check_type(patterns, dict, alt_types=[list])
-    check_type(recipes, dict, alt_types=[list])
+    check_type(patterns, Dict, alt_types=[List])
+    check_type(recipes, Dict, alt_types=[List])
     valid_list(new_rules, BaseRule, min_length=0)
 
     # Convert a pattern list to a dictionary
@@ -477,7 +477,7 @@ def create_rules(patterns:Union[dict[str,BasePattern],list[BasePattern]],
     return generated_rules
 
 def create_rule(pattern:BasePattern, recipe:BaseRecipe, 
-        new_rules:list[BaseRule]=[])->BaseRule:
+        new_rules:List[BaseRule]=[])->BaseRule:
     """Function to create a valid rule from a given pattern and recipe. All 
     inbuilt rule types are considered, with additional definitions provided 
     through the 'new_rules' variable."""
diff --git a/core/runner.py b/core/runner.py
index ac5c9f9..6143e4e 100644
--- a/core/runner.py
+++ b/core/runner.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ import threading
 
 from multiprocessing import Pipe
 from random import randrange
-from typing import Any, Union
+from typing import Any, Union, Dict, List
 
 from core.correctness.vars import DEBUG_WARNING, DEBUG_INFO, EVENT_TYPE, \
     VALID_CHANNELS, JOB_ID, META_FILE
@@ -24,18 +24,18 @@ from core.meow import BaseHandler, BaseMonitor, BaseConductor
 
 class MeowRunner:
     # A collection of all monitors in the runner
-    monitors:list[BaseMonitor]
+    monitors:List[BaseMonitor]
     # A collection of all handlers in the runner
-    handlers:list[BaseHandler]
+    handlers:List[BaseHandler]
     # A collection of all conductors in the runner
-    conductors:list[BaseConductor]
+    conductors:List[BaseConductor]
     # A collection of all channels from each monitor
-    from_monitors: list[VALID_CHANNELS]
+    from_monitors: List[VALID_CHANNELS]
     # A collection of all channels from each handler
-    from_handlers: list[VALID_CHANNELS]
-    def __init__(self, monitors:Union[BaseMonitor,list[BaseMonitor]], 
-            handlers:Union[BaseHandler,list[BaseHandler]], 
-            conductors:Union[BaseConductor,list[BaseConductor]],
+    from_handlers: List[VALID_CHANNELS]
+    def __init__(self, monitors:Union[BaseMonitor,List[BaseMonitor]], 
+            handlers:Union[BaseHandler,List[BaseHandler]], 
+            conductors:Union[BaseConductor,List[BaseConductor]],
             print:Any=sys.stdout, logging:int=0)->None:
         """MeowRunner constructor. This connects all provided monitors, 
         handlers and conductors according to what events and jobs they produce 
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ class MeowRunner:
                             ]
                             self.execute_job(conductor, job)
    
-    def handle_event(self, handler:BaseHandler, event:dict[str:Any])->None:
+    def handle_event(self, handler:BaseHandler, event:Dict[str,Any])->None:
         """Function for a given handler to handle a given event, without 
         crashing the runner in the event of a problem."""
         print_debug(self._print_target, self.debug_level, 
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ class MeowRunner:
                 "Something went wrong during handling for event "
                 f"'{event[EVENT_TYPE]}'. {e}", DEBUG_INFO)
 
-    def execute_job(self, conductor:BaseConductor, job:dict[str:Any])->None:
+    def execute_job(self, conductor:BaseConductor, job:Dict[str,Any])->None:
         """Function for a given conductor to execute a given job, without 
         crashing the runner in the event of a problem."""
         print_debug(self._print_target, self.debug_level, 
@@ -306,22 +306,22 @@ class MeowRunner:
             "Job conductor thread stopped", DEBUG_INFO)
 
     def _is_valid_monitors(self, 
-            monitors:Union[BaseMonitor,list[BaseMonitor]])->None:
+            monitors:Union[BaseMonitor,List[BaseMonitor]])->None:
         """Validation check for 'monitors' variable from main constructor."""
-        check_type(monitors, BaseMonitor, alt_types=[list])
+        check_type(monitors, BaseMonitor, alt_types=[List])
         if type(monitors) == list:
             valid_list(monitors, BaseMonitor, min_length=1)
 
     def _is_valid_handlers(self, 
-            handlers:Union[BaseHandler,list[BaseHandler]])->None:
+            handlers:Union[BaseHandler,List[BaseHandler]])->None:
         """Validation check for 'handlers' variable from main constructor."""
-        check_type(handlers, BaseHandler, alt_types=[list])
+        check_type(handlers, BaseHandler, alt_types=[List])
         if type(handlers) == list:
             valid_list(handlers, BaseHandler, min_length=1)
 
     def _is_valid_conductors(self, 
-            conductors:Union[BaseConductor,list[BaseConductor]])->None:
+            conductors:Union[BaseConductor,List[BaseConductor]])->None:
         """Validation check for 'conductors' variable from main constructor."""
-        check_type(conductors, BaseConductor, alt_types=[list])
+        check_type(conductors, BaseConductor, alt_types=[List])
         if type(conductors) == list:
             valid_list(conductors, BaseConductor, min_length=1)
diff --git a/patterns/file_event_pattern.py b/patterns/file_event_pattern.py
index 73ff89f..e2d9f9b 100644
--- a/patterns/file_event_pattern.py
+++ b/patterns/file_event_pattern.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ from copy import deepcopy
 from fnmatch import translate
 from re import match
 from time import time, sleep
-from typing import Any, Union
+from typing import Any, Union, Dict, List
 from watchdog.observers import Observer
 from watchdog.events import PatternMatchingEventHandler
 
@@ -44,11 +44,11 @@ class FileEventPattern(BasePattern):
     # The variable name given to the triggering file within recipe code
     triggering_file:str
     # Which types of event the pattern responds to
-    event_mask:list[str]
+    event_mask:List[str]
     def __init__(self, name:str, triggering_path:str, recipe:str, 
-            triggering_file:str, event_mask:list[str]=_DEFAULT_MASK, 
-            parameters:dict[str,Any]={}, outputs:dict[str,Any]={}, 
-            sweep:dict[str,Any]={}):
+            triggering_file:str, event_mask:List[str]=_DEFAULT_MASK, 
+            parameters:Dict[str,Any]={}, outputs:Dict[str,Any]={}, 
+            sweep:Dict[str,Any]={}):
         """FileEventPattern Constructor. This is used to match against file 
         system events, as caught by the python watchdog module."""
         super().__init__(name, recipe, parameters, outputs, sweep)
@@ -79,14 +79,14 @@ class FileEventPattern(BasePattern):
         Called within parent BasePattern constructor."""
         valid_string(recipe, VALID_RECIPE_NAME_CHARS)
 
-    def _is_valid_parameters(self, parameters:dict[str,Any])->None:
+    def _is_valid_parameters(self, parameters:Dict[str,Any])->None:
         """Validation check for 'parameters' variable from main constructor. 
         Called within parent BasePattern constructor."""
         valid_dict(parameters, str, Any, strict=False, min_length=0)
         for k in parameters.keys():
             valid_string(k, VALID_VARIABLE_NAME_CHARS)
 
-    def _is_valid_output(self, outputs:dict[str,str])->None:
+    def _is_valid_output(self, outputs:Dict[str,str])->None:
         """Validation check for 'output' variable from main constructor. 
         Called within parent BasePattern constructor."""
         valid_dict(outputs, str, str, strict=False, min_length=0)
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ class FileEventPattern(BasePattern):
                 raise ValueError(f"Invalid event mask '{mask}'. Valid are: "
                     f"{FILE_EVENTS}")
 
-    def _is_valid_sweep(self, sweep: dict[str,Union[int,float,complex]]) -> None:
+    def _is_valid_sweep(self, sweep: Dict[str,Union[int,float,complex]]) -> None:
         """Validation check for 'sweep' variable from main constructor."""
         return super()._is_valid_sweep(sweep)
 
@@ -124,8 +124,8 @@ class WatchdogMonitor(BaseMonitor):
     #A lock to solve race conditions on '_rules'
     _rules_lock:threading.Lock
 
-    def __init__(self, base_dir:str, patterns:dict[str,FileEventPattern], 
-            recipes:dict[str,BaseRecipe], autostart=False, settletime:int=1, 
+    def __init__(self, base_dir:str, patterns:Dict[str,FileEventPattern], 
+            recipes:Dict[str,BaseRecipe], autostart=False, settletime:int=1, 
             print:Any=sys.stdout, logging:int=0)->None:
         """WatchdogEventHandler Constructor. This uses the watchdog module to 
         monitor a directory and all its sub-directories. Watchdog will provide 
@@ -189,7 +189,8 @@ class WatchdogMonitor(BaseMonitor):
                 # Use regex to match event paths against rule paths
                 target_path = rule.pattern.triggering_path
                 recursive_regexp = translate(target_path)
-                direct_regexp = recursive_regexp.replace('.*', '[^/]*')
+                direct_regexp = recursive_regexp.replace(
+                    '.*', '[^'+ os.path.sep +']*')
                 recursive_hit = match(recursive_regexp, handle_path)
                 direct_hit = match(direct_regexp, handle_path)
 
@@ -261,7 +262,7 @@ class WatchdogMonitor(BaseMonitor):
         else:
             self._identify_lost_rules(lost_pattern=pattern)
         
-    def get_patterns(self)->dict[str,FileEventPattern]:
+    def get_patterns(self)->Dict[str,FileEventPattern]:
         """Function to get a dict of the currently defined patterns of the 
         monitor. Note that the result is deep-copied, and so can be manipulated
         without directly manipulating the internals of the monitor."""
@@ -324,7 +325,7 @@ class WatchdogMonitor(BaseMonitor):
         else:
             self._identify_lost_rules(lost_recipe=recipe)
 
-    def get_recipes(self)->dict[str,BaseRecipe]:
+    def get_recipes(self)->Dict[str,BaseRecipe]:
         """Function to get a dict of the currently defined recipes of the 
         monitor. Note that the result is deep-copied, and so can be manipulated
         without directly manipulating the internals of the monitor."""
@@ -338,7 +339,7 @@ class WatchdogMonitor(BaseMonitor):
         self._recipes_lock.release()
         return to_return
     
-    def get_rules(self)->dict[str,BaseRule]:
+    def get_rules(self)->Dict[str,BaseRule]:
         """Function to get a dict of the currently defined rules of the 
         monitor. Note that the result is deep-copied, and so can be manipulated
         without directly manipulating the internals of the monitor."""
@@ -450,12 +451,12 @@ class WatchdogMonitor(BaseMonitor):
         automatically called during initialisation."""
         valid_existing_dir_path(base_dir)
 
-    def _is_valid_patterns(self, patterns:dict[str,FileEventPattern])->None:
+    def _is_valid_patterns(self, patterns:Dict[str,FileEventPattern])->None:
         """Validation check for 'patterns' variable from main constructor. Is 
         automatically called during initialisation."""
         valid_dict(patterns, str, FileEventPattern, min_length=0, strict=False)
 
-    def _is_valid_recipes(self, recipes:dict[str,BaseRecipe])->None:
+    def _is_valid_recipes(self, recipes:Dict[str,BaseRecipe])->None:
         """Validation check for 'recipes' variable from main constructor. Is 
         automatically called during initialisation."""
         valid_dict(recipes, str, BaseRecipe, min_length=0, strict=False)
@@ -511,8 +512,8 @@ class WatchdogEventHandler(PatternMatchingEventHandler):
     # A time to wait per event path, during which extra events are discared
     _settletime:int
     # TODO clean this struct occasionally
-    # A dict of recent job timestamps
-    _recent_jobs:dict[str, Any]
+    # A Dict of recent job timestamps
+    _recent_jobs:Dict[str, Any]
     # A lock to solve race conditions on '_recent_jobs'
     _recent_jobs_lock:threading.Lock
     def __init__(self, monitor:WatchdogMonitor, settletime:int=1):
diff --git a/recipes/jupyter_notebook_recipe.py b/recipes/jupyter_notebook_recipe.py
index db82ff3..2550252 100644
--- a/recipes/jupyter_notebook_recipe.py
+++ b/recipes/jupyter_notebook_recipe.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import os
 import nbformat
 import sys
 
-from typing import Any, Tuple
+from typing import Any, Tuple, Dict
 
 from core.correctness.validation import check_type, valid_string, \
     valid_dict, valid_path, valid_existing_dir_path, setup_debugging, \
@@ -28,8 +28,8 @@ from core.meow import BaseRecipe, BaseHandler
 class JupyterNotebookRecipe(BaseRecipe):
     # A path to the jupyter notebook used to create this recipe
     source:str
-    def __init__(self, name:str, recipe:Any, parameters:dict[str,Any]={}, 
-            requirements:dict[str,Any]={}, source:str=""):
+    def __init__(self, name:str, recipe:Any, parameters:Dict[str,Any]={}, 
+            requirements:Dict[str,Any]={}, source:str=""):
         """JupyterNotebookRecipe Constructor. This is used to execute analysis 
         code using the papermill module."""
         super().__init__(name, recipe, parameters, requirements)
@@ -41,20 +41,20 @@ class JupyterNotebookRecipe(BaseRecipe):
         if source:
             valid_path(source, extension=".ipynb", min_length=0)
 
-    def _is_valid_recipe(self, recipe:dict[str,Any])->None:
+    def _is_valid_recipe(self, recipe:Dict[str,Any])->None:
         """Validation check for 'recipe' variable from main constructor. 
         Called within parent BaseRecipe constructor."""
-        check_type(recipe, dict)
+        check_type(recipe, Dict)
         nbformat.validate(recipe)
 
-    def _is_valid_parameters(self, parameters:dict[str,Any])->None:
+    def _is_valid_parameters(self, parameters:Dict[str,Any])->None:
         """Validation check for 'parameters' variable from main constructor. 
         Called within parent BaseRecipe constructor."""
         valid_dict(parameters, str, Any, strict=False, min_length=0)
         for k in parameters.keys():
             valid_string(k, VALID_VARIABLE_NAME_CHARS)
 
-    def _is_valid_requirements(self, requirements:dict[str,Any])->None:
+    def _is_valid_requirements(self, requirements:Dict[str,Any])->None:
         """Validation check for 'requirements' variable from main constructor. 
         Called within parent BaseRecipe constructor."""
         valid_dict(requirements, str, Any, strict=False, min_length=0)
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ class PapermillHandler(BaseHandler):
         print_debug(self._print_target, self.debug_level, 
             "Created new PapermillHandler instance", DEBUG_INFO)
 
-    def handle(self, event:dict[str,Any])->None:
+    def handle(self, event:Dict[str,Any])->None:
         """Function called to handle a given event."""
         print_debug(self._print_target, self.debug_level, 
             f"Handling event {event[EVENT_PATH]}", DEBUG_INFO)
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ class PapermillHandler(BaseHandler):
                     yaml_dict[value[0]] = value[1]
                 self.setup_job(event, yaml_dict)
 
-    def valid_handle_criteria(self, event:dict[str,Any])->Tuple[bool,str]:
+    def valid_handle_criteria(self, event:Dict[str,Any])->Tuple[bool,str]:
         """Function to determine given an event defintion, if this handler can 
         process it or not. This handler accepts events from watchdog with 
         jupyter notebook recipes."""
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ class PapermillHandler(BaseHandler):
         constructor."""
         valid_existing_dir_path(output_dir, allow_base=True)
 
-    def setup_job(self, event:dict[str,Any], yaml_dict:dict[str,Any])->None:
+    def setup_job(self, event:Dict[str,Any], yaml_dict:Dict[str,Any])->None:
         """Function to set up new job dict and send it to the runner to be 
         executed."""
         meow_job = create_job(
diff --git a/recipes/python_recipe.py b/recipes/python_recipe.py
index ebccccd..dc95a0b 100644
--- a/recipes/python_recipe.py
+++ b/recipes/python_recipe.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ Author(s): David Marchant
 import os
 import sys
 
-from typing import Any, Tuple
+from typing import Any, Tuple, Dict, List
 
 from core.correctness.validation import check_script, valid_string, \
     valid_dict, valid_event, valid_existing_dir_path, setup_debugging
@@ -24,31 +24,32 @@ from core.meow import BaseRecipe, BaseHandler
 
 
 class PythonRecipe(BaseRecipe):
-    def __init__(self, name:str, recipe:list[str], parameters:dict[str,Any]={}, 
-            requirements:dict[str,Any]={}):
+    def __init__(self, name:str, recipe:List[str], parameters:Dict[str,Any]={}, 
+            requirements:Dict[str,Any]={}):
         """PythonRecipe Constructor. This is used to execute python analysis 
         code."""
         super().__init__(name, recipe, parameters, requirements)
 
-    def _is_valid_recipe(self, recipe:list[str])->None:
+    def _is_valid_recipe(self, recipe:List[str])->None:
         """Validation check for 'recipe' variable from main constructor. 
         Called within parent BaseRecipe constructor."""
         check_script(recipe)
 
-    def _is_valid_parameters(self, parameters:dict[str,Any])->None:
+    def _is_valid_parameters(self, parameters:Dict[str,Any])->None:
         """Validation check for 'parameters' variable from main constructor. 
         Called within parent BaseRecipe constructor."""
         valid_dict(parameters, str, Any, strict=False, min_length=0)
         for k in parameters.keys():
             valid_string(k, VALID_VARIABLE_NAME_CHARS)
 
-    def _is_valid_requirements(self, requirements:dict[str,Any])->None:
+    def _is_valid_requirements(self, requirements:Dict[str,Any])->None:
         """Validation check for 'requirements' variable from main constructor. 
         Called within parent BaseRecipe constructor."""
         valid_dict(requirements, str, Any, strict=False, min_length=0)
         for k in requirements.keys():
             valid_string(k, VALID_VARIABLE_NAME_CHARS)
 
+
 class PythonHandler(BaseHandler):
     # TODO move me to base handler
     # handler directory to setup jobs in
@@ -75,7 +76,7 @@ class PythonHandler(BaseHandler):
         print_debug(self._print_target, self.debug_level, 
             "Created new PythonHandler instance", DEBUG_INFO)
 
-    def handle(self, event:dict[str,Any])->None:
+    def handle(self, event:Dict[str,Any])->None:
         """Function called to handle a given event."""
         print_debug(self._print_target, self.debug_level, 
             f"Handling event {event[EVENT_PATH]}", DEBUG_INFO)
@@ -101,7 +102,7 @@ class PythonHandler(BaseHandler):
                     yaml_dict[value[0]] = value[1]
                 self.setup_job(event, yaml_dict)
 
-    def valid_handle_criteria(self, event:dict[str,Any])->Tuple[bool,str]:
+    def valid_handle_criteria(self, event:Dict[str,Any])->Tuple[bool,str]:
         """Function to determine given an event defintion, if this handler can 
         process it or not. This handler accepts events from watchdog with 
         Python recipes"""
@@ -124,7 +125,7 @@ class PythonHandler(BaseHandler):
         constructor."""
         valid_existing_dir_path(output_dir, allow_base=True)
 
-    def setup_job(self, event:dict[str,Any], yaml_dict:dict[str,Any])->None:
+    def setup_job(self, event:Dict[str,Any], yaml_dict:Dict[str,Any])->None:
         """Function to set up new job dict and send it to the runner to be 
         executed."""
         meow_job = create_job(
@@ -175,6 +176,7 @@ class PythonHandler(BaseHandler):
         # Send job directory, as actual definitons will be read from within it
         self.to_runner.send(job_dir)
 
+
 # Papermill job execution code, to be run within the conductor
 def python_job_func(job):
     # Requires own imports as will be run in its own execution environment
diff --git a/tests/shared.py b/tests/shared.py
index d0caf50..004e4d1 100644
--- a/tests/shared.py
+++ b/tests/shared.py
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@ This file contains shared functions and variables used within multiple tests.
 
 Author(s): David Marchant
 """
+import os
+
 from core.functionality import make_dir, rmtree
 
 
@@ -30,8 +32,8 @@ COMPLETE_PYTHON_SCRIPT = [
     "import os",
     "# Setup parameters",
     "num = 1000",
-    "infile = 'somehere/particular'",
-    "outfile = 'nowhere/particular'",
+    "infile = 'somehere"+ os.path.sep +"particular'",
+    "outfile = 'nowhere"+ os.path.sep +"particular'",
     "",
     "with open(infile, 'r') as file:",
     "    s = float(file.read())",
@@ -131,9 +133,9 @@ APPENDING_NOTEBOOK = {
     "# The line to append\n",
     "extra = 'This line comes from a default pattern'\n",
     "# Data input file location\n",
-    "infile = 'start/alpha.txt'\n",
+    "infile = 'start"+ os.path.sep +"alpha.txt'\n",
     "# Output file location\n",
-    "outfile = 'first/alpha.txt'"
+    "outfile = 'first"+ os.path.sep +"alpha.txt'"
    ]
   },
   {
@@ -216,9 +218,9 @@ ADDING_NOTEBOOK = {
     "# Amount to add to data\n",
     "extra = 10\n",
     "# Data input file location\n",
-    "infile = 'example_data/data_0.npy'\n",
+    "infile = 'example_data"+ os.path.sep +"data_0.npy'\n",
     "# Output file location\n",
-    "outfile = 'standard_output/data_0.npy'"
+    "outfile = 'standard_output"+ os.path.sep +"data_0.npy'"
    ]
   },
   {
diff --git a/tests/test_conductors.py b/tests/test_conductors.py
index d95ae30..03c9bc3 100644
--- a/tests/test_conductors.py
+++ b/tests/test_conductors.py
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 import os
 import unittest
 
+from typing import Dict
+
 from core.correctness.vars import JOB_TYPE_PYTHON, SHA256, JOB_PARAMETERS, \
     JOB_HASH, PYTHON_FUNC, PYTHON_OUTPUT_DIR, PYTHON_EXECUTION_BASE, JOB_ID, \
     META_FILE, PARAMS_FILE, JOB_STATUS, JOB_ERROR, \
@@ -108,7 +110,7 @@ class MeowTests(unittest.TestCase):
         meta_path = os.path.join(output_dir, META_FILE)
         self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(meta_path))
         status = read_yaml(meta_path)
-        self.assertIsInstance(status, dict)
+        self.assertIsInstance(status, Dict)
         self.assertIn(JOB_STATUS, status)
         self.assertEqual(status[JOB_STATUS], STATUS_DONE)
 
@@ -196,7 +198,7 @@ class MeowTests(unittest.TestCase):
         meta_path = os.path.join(output_dir, META_FILE)
         self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(meta_path))
         status = read_yaml(meta_path)
-        self.assertIsInstance(status, dict)
+        self.assertIsInstance(status, Dict)
         self.assertIn(JOB_STATUS, status)
         self.assertEqual(status[JOB_STATUS], STATUS_DONE)
 
diff --git a/tests/test_functionality.py b/tests/test_functionality.py
index 26b5500..58da48e 100644
--- a/tests/test_functionality.py
+++ b/tests/test_functionality.py
@@ -383,28 +383,38 @@ class CorrectnessTests(unittest.TestCase):
         }
 
         replaced = replace_keywords(
-            test_dict, "job_id", "base/src/dir/file.ext", "base/monitor/dir")
+            test_dict, 
+            "job_id", 
+            os.path.join("base", "src", "dir", "file.ext"), 
+            os.path.join("base", "monitor", "dir")
+        )
 
         self.assertIsInstance(replaced, dict)
         self.assertEqual(len(test_dict.keys()), len(replaced.keys()))
         for k in test_dict.keys():
             self.assertIn(k, replaced)
 
-        self.assertEqual(replaced["A"], "--base/src/dir/file.ext--")
-        self.assertEqual(replaced["B"], "--../../src/dir/file.ext--")
-        self.assertEqual(replaced["C"], "--base/src/dir--")
-        self.assertEqual(replaced["D"], "--../../src/dir--")
+        self.assertEqual(replaced["A"], 
+            os.path.join("--base", "src", "dir", "file.ext--"))
+        self.assertEqual(replaced["B"], 
+            os.path.join("--..", "..", "src", "dir", "file.ext--"))
+        self.assertEqual(replaced["C"], 
+            os.path.join("--base", "src", "dir--"))
+        self.assertEqual(replaced["D"], 
+            os.path.join("--..", "..", "src", "dir--"))
         self.assertEqual(replaced["E"], "--file.ext--")
         self.assertEqual(replaced["F"], "--file--")
-        self.assertEqual(replaced["G"], "--base/monitor/dir--")
+        self.assertEqual(replaced["G"], 
+            os.path.join("--base", "monitor", "dir--"))
         self.assertEqual(replaced["H"], "--.ext--")
         self.assertEqual(replaced["I"], "--job_id--")
         self.assertEqual(replaced["J"], 
-            "--base/src/dir/file.ext-base/src/dir/file.ext--")
-        self.assertEqual(replaced["K"], "base/src/dir/file.ext")
+            os.path.join("--base", "src", "dir", "file.ext-base", "src", "dir", "file.ext--"))
+        self.assertEqual(replaced["K"], 
+            os.path.join("base", "src", "dir", "file.ext"))
         self.assertEqual(replaced["L"], 
-            "--base/src/dir/file.ext-../../src/dir/file.ext-base/src/dir-"
-            "../../src/dir-file.ext-file-base/monitor/dir-.ext-job_id--")
+            os.path.join("--base", "src", "dir", "file.ext-..", "..", "src", "dir", "file.ext-base", "src", "dir-"
+            "..", "..", "src", "dir-file.ext-file-base", "monitor", "dir-.ext-job_id--"))
         self.assertEqual(replaced["M"], "A") 
         self.assertEqual(replaced["N"], 1) 
 
@@ -498,30 +508,31 @@ data"""
             '"metadata": {}, "outputs": [], "source": ["# Default parameters '
             'values\\n", "# The line to append\\n", "extra = \'This line '
             'comes from a default pattern\'\\n", "# Data input file '
-            'location\\n", "infile = \'start/alpha.txt\'\\n", "# Output file '
-            'location\\n", "outfile = \'first/alpha.txt\'"]}, {"cell_type": '
+            'location\\n", "infile = \'start'+ os.path.sep +'alpha.txt\'\\n", '
+            '"# Output file location\\n", "outfile = \'first'+ os.path.sep 
+            +'alpha.txt\'"]}, {"cell_type": "code", "execution_count": null, '
+            '"metadata": {}, "outputs": [], "source": ["# load in dataset. '
+            'This should be a text file\\n", "with open(infile) as '
+            'input_file:\\n", "    data = input_file.read()"]}, {"cell_type": '
             '"code", "execution_count": null, "metadata": {}, "outputs": [], '
-            '"source": ["# load in dataset. This should be a text file\\n", '
-            '"with open(infile) as input_file:\\n", "    data = '
-            'input_file.read()"]}, {"cell_type": "code", "execution_count": '
-            'null, "metadata": {}, "outputs": [], "source": ["# Append the '
-            'line\\n", "appended = data + \'\\\\n\' + extra"]}, {"cell_type": '
-            '"code", "execution_count": null, "metadata": {}, "outputs": [], '
-            '"source": ["import os\\n", "\\n", "# Create output directory if '
-            'it doesn\'t exist\\n", "output_dir_path = '
-            'os.path.dirname(outfile)\\n", "\\n", "if output_dir_path:\\n", '
-            '"    os.makedirs(output_dir_path, exist_ok=True)\\n", "\\n", "# '
-            'Save added array as new dataset\\n", "with open(outfile, \'w\') '
-            'as output_file:\\n", "   output_file.write(appended)"]}], '
-            '"metadata": {"kernelspec": {"display_name": "Python 3", '
-            '"language": "python", "name": "python3"}, "language_info": '
-            '{"codemirror_mode": {"name": "ipython", "version": 3}, '
-            '"file_extension": ".py", "mimetype": "text/x-python", "name": '
-            '"python", "nbconvert_exporter": "python", "pygments_lexer": '
-            '"ipython3", "version": "3.10.6 (main, Nov 14 2022, 16:10:14) '
-            '[GCC 11.3.0]"}, "vscode": {"interpreter": {"hash": '
-            '"916dbcbb3f70747c44a77c7bcd40155683ae19c65e1c03b4aa3499c5328201f1'
-            '"}}}, "nbformat": 4, "nbformat_minor": 4}'
+            '"source": ["# Append the line\\n", "appended = data + \'\\\\n\' '
+            '+ extra"]}, {"cell_type": "code", "execution_count": null, '
+            '"metadata": {}, "outputs": [], "source": ["import os\\n", "\\n", '
+            '"# Create output directory if it doesn\'t exist\\n", '
+            '"output_dir_path = os.path.dirname(outfile)\\n", "\\n", '
+            '"if output_dir_path:\\n", "    os.makedirs(output_dir_path, '
+            'exist_ok=True)\\n", "\\n", "# Save added array as new '
+            'dataset\\n", "with open(outfile, \'w\') as output_file:\\n", "   '
+            'output_file.write(appended)"]}], "metadata": {"kernelspec": '
+            '{"display_name": "Python 3", "language": "python", "name": '
+            '"python3"}, "language_info": {"codemirror_mode": {"name": '
+            '"ipython", "version": 3}, "file_extension": ".py", "mimetype": '
+            '"text/x-python", "name": "python", "nbconvert_exporter": '
+            '"python", "pygments_lexer": "ipython3", "version": "3.10.6 '
+            '(main, Nov 14 2022, 16:10:14) [GCC 11.3.0]"}, "vscode": '
+            '{"interpreter": {"hash": "916dbcbb3f70747c44a77c7bcd40155683ae19c'
+            '65e1c03b4aa3499c5328201f1"}}}, "nbformat": 4, "nbformat_minor": '
+            '4}'
         ]
 
         self.assertEqual(data, expected_bytes)
diff --git a/tests/test_meow.py b/tests/test_meow.py
index 8c3bc60..ca09ab3 100644
--- a/tests/test_meow.py
+++ b/tests/test_meow.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 
 import unittest
  
-from typing import Any, Union, Tuple
+from typing import Any, Union, Tuple, Dict
 
 from core.correctness.vars import SWEEP_STOP, SWEEP_JUMP, SWEEP_START
 from core.meow import BasePattern, BaseRecipe, BaseRule, BaseMonitor, \
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ class MeowTests(unittest.TestCase):
             def _is_valid_output(self, outputs:Any)->None:
                 pass
             def _is_valid_sweep(self, 
-                    sweep:dict[str,Union[int,float,complex]])->None:
+                    sweep:Dict[str,Union[int,float,complex]])->None:
                 pass
         FullPattern("name", "", "", "", "")
 
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ class MeowTests(unittest.TestCase):
             valid_recipe_two.name: valid_recipe_two
         }
         rules = create_rules(patterns, recipes)
-        self.assertIsInstance(rules, dict)
+        self.assertIsInstance(rules, Dict)
         self.assertEqual(len(rules), 2)
         for k, rule in rules.items():
             self.assertIsInstance(k, str)
@@ -229,9 +229,9 @@ class MeowTests(unittest.TestCase):
                 pass
             def stop(self):
                 pass
-            def _is_valid_patterns(self, patterns:dict[str,BasePattern])->None:
+            def _is_valid_patterns(self, patterns:Dict[str,BasePattern])->None:
                 pass
-            def _is_valid_recipes(self, recipes:dict[str,BaseRecipe])->None:
+            def _is_valid_recipes(self, recipes:Dict[str,BaseRecipe])->None:
                 pass
             def add_pattern(self, pattern:BasePattern)->None:
                 pass
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@ class MeowTests(unittest.TestCase):
                 pass
             def _is_valid_inputs(self, inputs:Any)->None:
                 pass
-            def valid_handle_criteria(self, event:dict[str,Any]
+            def valid_handle_criteria(self, event:Dict[str,Any]
                     )->Tuple[bool,str]:
                 pass
 
@@ -292,10 +292,10 @@ class MeowTests(unittest.TestCase):
             TestConductor()
 
         class FullTestConductor(BaseConductor):
-            def execute(self, job:dict[str,Any])->None:
+            def execute(self, job:Dict[str,Any])->None:
                 pass
 
-            def valid_execute_criteria(self, job:dict[str,Any]
+            def valid_execute_criteria(self, job:Dict[str,Any]
                     )->Tuple[bool,str]:
                 pass
 
diff --git a/tests/test_patterns.py b/tests/test_patterns.py
index 2456edd..ed59ccb 100644
--- a/tests/test_patterns.py
+++ b/tests/test_patterns.py
@@ -245,7 +245,10 @@ class CorrectnessTests(unittest.TestCase):
     # Test WatchdogMonitor identifies expected events in sub directories
     def testMonitoring(self)->None:
         pattern_one = FileEventPattern(
-            "pattern_one", "start/A.txt", "recipe_one", "infile", 
+            "pattern_one", 
+            os.path.join("start", "A.txt"), 
+            "recipe_one", 
+            "infile", 
             parameters={})
         recipe = JupyterNotebookRecipe(
             "recipe_one", BAREBONES_NOTEBOOK)
@@ -304,7 +307,10 @@ class CorrectnessTests(unittest.TestCase):
     # Test WatchdogMonitor identifies fake events for retroactive patterns
     def testMonitoringRetroActive(self)->None:
         pattern_one = FileEventPattern(
-            "pattern_one", "start/A.txt", "recipe_one", "infile", 
+            "pattern_one", 
+            os.path.join("start", "A.txt"), 
+            "recipe_one", 
+            "infile", 
             parameters={})
         recipe = JupyterNotebookRecipe(
             "recipe_one", BAREBONES_NOTEBOOK)
@@ -368,10 +374,16 @@ class CorrectnessTests(unittest.TestCase):
     # Test WatchdogMonitor get_patterns function
     def testMonitorGetPatterns(self)->None:
         pattern_one = FileEventPattern(
-            "pattern_one", "start/A.txt", "recipe_one", "infile", 
+            "pattern_one", 
+            os.path.join("start", "A.txt"), 
+            "recipe_one", 
+            "infile", 
             parameters={})
         pattern_two = FileEventPattern(
-            "pattern_two", "start/B.txt", "recipe_two", "infile", 
+            "pattern_two", 
+            os.path.join("start", "B.txt"), 
+            "recipe_two", 
+            "infile", 
             parameters={})
 
         wm = WatchdogMonitor(
@@ -395,10 +407,16 @@ class CorrectnessTests(unittest.TestCase):
     # Test WatchdogMonitor add_pattern function
     def testMonitorAddPattern(self)->None:
         pattern_one = FileEventPattern(
-            "pattern_one", "start/A.txt", "recipe_one", "infile", 
+            "pattern_one", 
+            os.path.join("start", "A.txt"), 
+            "recipe_one", 
+            "infile", 
             parameters={})
         pattern_two = FileEventPattern(
-            "pattern_two", "start/B.txt", "recipe_two", "infile", 
+            "pattern_two", 
+            os.path.join("start", "B.txt"), 
+            "recipe_two", 
+            "infile", 
             parameters={})
 
         wm = WatchdogMonitor(
@@ -440,10 +458,16 @@ class CorrectnessTests(unittest.TestCase):
     # Test WatchdogMonitor update_patterns function
     def testMonitorUpdatePattern(self)->None:
         pattern_one = FileEventPattern(
-            "pattern_one", "start/A.txt", "recipe_one", "infile", 
+            "pattern_one", 
+            os.path.join("start", "A.txt"), 
+            "recipe_one", 
+            "infile", 
             parameters={})
         pattern_two = FileEventPattern(
-            "pattern_two", "start/B.txt", "recipe_two", "infile", 
+            "pattern_two", 
+            os.path.join("start", "B.txt"), 
+            "recipe_two", 
+            "infile", 
             parameters={})
 
         wm = WatchdogMonitor(
@@ -502,10 +526,16 @@ class CorrectnessTests(unittest.TestCase):
     # Test WatchdogMonitor remove_patterns function
     def testMonitorRemovePattern(self)->None:
         pattern_one = FileEventPattern(
-            "pattern_one", "start/A.txt", "recipe_one", "infile", 
+            "pattern_one", 
+            os.path.join("start", "A.txt"), 
+            "recipe_one", 
+            "infile", 
             parameters={})
         pattern_two = FileEventPattern(
-            "pattern_two", "start/B.txt", "recipe_two", "infile", 
+            "pattern_two", 
+            os.path.join("start", "B.txt"), 
+            "recipe_two", 
+            "infile", 
             parameters={})
 
         wm = WatchdogMonitor(
@@ -707,10 +737,16 @@ class CorrectnessTests(unittest.TestCase):
     # Test WatchdogMonitor get_rules function
     def testMonitorGetRules(self)->None:
         pattern_one = FileEventPattern(
-            "pattern_one", "start/A.txt", "recipe_one", "infile", 
+            "pattern_one", 
+            os.path.join("start", "A.txt"), 
+            "recipe_one", 
+            "infile", 
             parameters={})
         pattern_two = FileEventPattern(
-            "pattern_two", "start/B.txt", "recipe_two", "infile", 
+            "pattern_two", 
+            os.path.join("start", "B.txt"), 
+            "recipe_two", 
+            "infile", 
             parameters={})
         recipe_one = JupyterNotebookRecipe(
             "recipe_one", BAREBONES_NOTEBOOK)
diff --git a/tests/test_recipes.py b/tests/test_recipes.py
index eac2662..3f8c699 100644
--- a/tests/test_recipes.py
+++ b/tests/test_recipes.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import os
 import unittest
 
 from multiprocessing import Pipe
+from typing import Dict
 
 from core.correctness.vars import EVENT_TYPE, WATCHDOG_BASE, EVENT_RULE, \
     EVENT_TYPE_WATCHDOG, EVENT_PATH, SHA256, WATCHDOG_HASH, JOB_ID, \
@@ -391,7 +392,7 @@ class JupyterNotebookTests(unittest.TestCase):
         meta_path = os.path.join(job_dir, META_FILE)
         self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(meta_path))
         status = read_yaml(meta_path)
-        self.assertIsInstance(status, dict)
+        self.assertIsInstance(status, Dict)
         self.assertIn(JOB_STATUS, status)
         self.assertEqual(status[JOB_STATUS], job_dict[JOB_STATUS])
 
@@ -759,7 +760,7 @@ class PythonTests(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(meta_path))
 
         status = read_yaml(meta_path)
-        self.assertIsInstance(status, dict)
+        self.assertIsInstance(status, Dict)
         self.assertIn(JOB_STATUS, status)
         self.assertEqual(status[JOB_STATUS], job_dict[JOB_STATUS])    
         self.assertNotIn(JOB_ERROR, status)
diff --git a/tests/test_runner.py b/tests/test_runner.py
index e5fd26a..8c9a79a 100644
--- a/tests/test_runner.py
+++ b/tests/test_runner.py
@@ -121,10 +121,13 @@ class MeowTests(unittest.TestCase):
     # Test single meow papermill job execution
     def testMeowRunnerPapermillExecution(self)->None:
         pattern_one = FileEventPattern(
-            "pattern_one", "start/A.txt", "recipe_one", "infile", 
+            "pattern_one", 
+            os.path.join("start", "A.txt"), 
+            "recipe_one", 
+            "infile", 
             parameters={
                 "extra":"A line from a test Pattern",
-                "outfile":"{VGRID}/output/{FILENAME}"
+                "outfile":os.path.join("{VGRID}", "output", "{FILENAME}")
             })
         recipe = JupyterNotebookRecipe(
             "recipe_one", APPENDING_NOTEBOOK)
@@ -205,16 +208,19 @@ class MeowTests(unittest.TestCase):
     # Test meow papermill job chaining within runner
     def testMeowRunnerLinkedPapermillExecution(self)->None:
         pattern_one = FileEventPattern(
-            "pattern_one", "start/A.txt", "recipe_one", "infile", 
+            "pattern_one", 
+            os.path.join("start", "A.txt"), 
+            "recipe_one", 
+            "infile", 
             parameters={
                 "extra":"A line from Pattern 1",
-                "outfile":"{VGRID}/middle/{FILENAME}"
+                "outfile":os.path.join("{VGRID}", "middle", "{FILENAME}")
             })
         pattern_two = FileEventPattern(
-            "pattern_two", "middle/A.txt", "recipe_one", "infile", 
+            "pattern_two", os.path.join("middle", "A.txt"), "recipe_one", "infile", 
             parameters={
                 "extra":"A line from Pattern 2",
-                "outfile":"{VGRID}/output/{FILENAME}"
+                "outfile":os.path.join("{VGRID}", "output", "{FILENAME}")
             })
         recipe = JupyterNotebookRecipe(
             "recipe_one", APPENDING_NOTEBOOK)
@@ -314,10 +320,10 @@ class MeowTests(unittest.TestCase):
     # Test single meow python job execution
     def testMeowRunnerPythonExecution(self)->None:
         pattern_one = FileEventPattern(
-            "pattern_one", "start/A.txt", "recipe_one", "infile", 
+            "pattern_one", os.path.join("start", "A.txt"), "recipe_one", "infile", 
             parameters={
                 "num":10000,
-                "outfile":"{VGRID}/output/{FILENAME}"
+                "outfile":os.path.join("{VGRID}", "output", "{FILENAME}")
             })
         recipe = PythonRecipe(
             "recipe_one", COMPLETE_PYTHON_SCRIPT
@@ -403,16 +409,16 @@ class MeowTests(unittest.TestCase):
     # Test meow python job chaining within runner
     def testMeowRunnerLinkedPythonExecution(self)->None:
         pattern_one = FileEventPattern(
-            "pattern_one", "start/A.txt", "recipe_one", "infile", 
+            "pattern_one", os.path.join("start", "A.txt"), "recipe_one", "infile", 
             parameters={
                 "num":250,
-                "outfile":"{VGRID}/middle/{FILENAME}"
+                "outfile":os.path.join("{VGRID}", "middle", "{FILENAME}")
             })
         pattern_two = FileEventPattern(
-            "pattern_two", "middle/A.txt", "recipe_one", "infile", 
+            "pattern_two", os.path.join("middle", "A.txt"), "recipe_one", "infile", 
             parameters={
                 "num":40,
-                "outfile":"{VGRID}/output/{FILENAME}"
+                "outfile":os.path.join("{VGRID}", "output", "{FILENAME}")
             })
         recipe = PythonRecipe(
             "recipe_one", COMPLETE_PYTHON_SCRIPT
diff --git a/tests/test_validation.py b/tests/test_validation.py
index 6829f2b..8c2811e 100644
--- a/tests/test_validation.py
+++ b/tests/test_validation.py
@@ -239,9 +239,10 @@ class CorrectnessTests(unittest.TestCase):
         with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
             valid_non_existing_path("first")
 
-        make_dir("first/second")
+        test_path = os.path.join("first", "second")
+        make_dir(test_path)
         with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
-            valid_non_existing_path("first/second")
+            valid_non_existing_path(test_path)
 
     # TODO modify so tests for actual rule values
     # Test valid_event can check given event dictionary