2 files changed, 15 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/python/fatcat_web/__init__.py b/python/fatcat_web/__init__.py
index 4c08649e..0d3445ca 100644
--- a/python/fatcat_web/__init__.py
+++ b/python/fatcat_web/__init__.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ from flask_wtf.csrf import CSRFProtect
 from loginpass import GitHub, Gitlab, ORCiD, create_flask_blueprint
 from raven.contrib.flask import Sentry
 
+from fatcat_web.types import AnyResponse
 from fatcat_web.web_config import Config
 
 toolbar = DebugToolbarExtension()
diff --git a/python/fatcat_web/types.py b/python/fatcat_web/types.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f5182d71
--- /dev/null
+++ b/python/fatcat_web/types.py
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+from typing import Any, Tuple, Union
+
+from flask import Response as FlaskResponse
+from werkzeug.wrappers import Response as WerkzeugResponse
+
+# type to represent any of the used/plausible return types
+AnyResponse = Union[
+    FlaskResponse,
+    str,
+    Tuple[str, int],
+    WerkzeugResponse,
+    Tuple[FlaskResponse, int],
+    Tuple[WerkzeugResponse, int],
+]