diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 4defef7..87899b1 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -135,3 +135,4 @@ deleted_backups/
 highscores_data/
 TODO.txt
 sql_tester.py
+database.db
diff --git a/.vscode/settings.json b/.vscode/settings.json
index 0ba4286..1dc3b48 100644
--- a/.vscode/settings.json
+++ b/.vscode/settings.json
@@ -1,10 +1,16 @@
 {
     "cSpell.words": [
+        "dotenv",
+        "gmtime",
         "highscore",
-        "highscores"
+        "highscores",
+        "imcompiling",
+        "iterrows",
+        "nextcord",
+        "ondelete"
     ],
     "python.analysis.diagnosticSeverityOverrides": {
-        "reportOptionalMemberAccess": false,
+        "reportOptionalMemberAccess": "warning",
         "reportArgumentType": "information",
         "reportAttributeAccessIssue": "warning"
     }
diff --git a/cogs/commands/create.py b/cogs/commands/create.py
index 3b0208c..08703cc 100644
--- a/cogs/commands/create.py
+++ b/cogs/commands/create.py
@@ -4,8 +4,10 @@ import nextcord
 from nextcord.ext import commands
 from sqlalchemy import exc, select
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
+from sqlmodel import col
 
-from database_setup.sql_data_classes import Category, CategoryGroup, engine
+from database.db import engine
+from database.models import Category, CategoryGroup
 from utilities.utils import MAX_LINE_LENGTH, autofill_groups, send_highscore_message
 
 
@@ -52,30 +54,30 @@ class CreateCog(commands.Cog, name="Create Cog"):
             size (int): How  many sores to show in the category message. Is SlashOption.
         """
         new_category = Category(
-            CategoryName=category_name,
-            GroupId=int(group_id),
-            Size=size,
-            IsAscending=is_ascending,
-            IsTimeRecord=is_time_record,
-            IsValidated=is_validated,
+            name=category_name,
+            group_id=int(group_id),
+            size=size,
+            is_ascending=is_ascending,
+            is_time_record=is_time_record,
+            is_validated=is_validated,
         )
 
         # Open connection to engine and add new category.
         with Session(engine) as session:
-            stmt = select(CategoryGroup).where(CategoryGroup.GroupId == int(group_id))
+            stmt = select(CategoryGroup).where(col(CategoryGroup.id) == int(group_id))
             group = session.scalar(stmt)
             try:
                 session.add(new_category)
                 session.commit()
                 await send_highscore_message(session, interaction.guild, group)
                 await interaction.response.send_message(
-                    f'"{category_name}" has been added to "{group.GroupName}"!', ephemeral=True
+                    f'"{category_name}" has been added to "{group.name}"!', ephemeral=True
                 )
             except exc.IntegrityError:
                 # Category name already exists in group
                 session.rollback()
                 await interaction.response.send_message(
-                    f'"{category_name}" already exists in "{group.GroupName}". Please rename.', ephemeral=True
+                    f'"{category_name}" already exists in "{group.name}". Please rename.', ephemeral=True
                 )
 
     @create.subcommand(description="Create a new Category Group. Must not exist already for Guild.")
@@ -123,11 +125,11 @@ class CreateCog(commands.Cog, name="Create Cog"):
             channel_id: int = channel.id
 
         new_group = CategoryGroup(
-            GroupName=group_name,
-            ChannelId=channel_id,
-            GuildId=interaction.guild_id,
-            PadLength=pad_length,
-            UsernameLength=username_length,
+            name=group_name,
+            channel_id=channel_id,
+            guild_id=interaction.guild_id,
+            pad_length=pad_length,
+            username_length=username_length,
         )
 
         with Session(engine) as session:
diff --git a/cogs/commands/delete.py b/cogs/commands/delete.py
index bb5d936..98b67c0 100644
--- a/cogs/commands/delete.py
+++ b/cogs/commands/delete.py
@@ -4,9 +4,10 @@ import nextcord
 from nextcord.ext import commands
 from sqlalchemy import distinct, select
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
+from sqlmodel import col
 
-# pylint: disable=import-error
-from database_setup.sql_data_classes import Category, CategoryGroup, Score, engine
+from database.db import engine
+from database.models import Category, CategoryGroup, Score
 from utilities.utils import (
     autofill_categories,
     autofill_groups,
@@ -36,10 +37,9 @@ class DeleteCog(commands.Cog, name="Delete Cog"):
     async def channel_messages(
         self,
         interaction: nextcord.Interaction,
-        channel: nextcord.abc.GuildChannel | None = nextcord.SlashOption(
+        channel: nextcord.TextChannel | None = nextcord.SlashOption(
             description="Channel to clear of messages.",
             required=False,
-            channel_types=[nextcord.ChannelType.text],
             default=None,
         ),
     ) -> None:
@@ -54,13 +54,18 @@ class DeleteCog(commands.Cog, name="Delete Cog"):
                 Is a SlashOption. Limited to text channels. Defaults to None.
         """
         if not channel:
-            channel = interaction.channel
+            if isinstance(interaction.channel, nextcord.TextChannel):
+                channel = interaction.channel
+            else:
+                # This should never happen.
+                await interaction.response.send_message("Channel is not a text channel somehow.", ephemeral=True)
+                return
 
         with Session(engine) as session:
             stmt = (
                 select(CategoryGroup)
-                .where(CategoryGroup.GuildId == interaction.guild_id)
-                .where(CategoryGroup.ChannelId == channel.id)
+                .where(col(CategoryGroup.guild_id) == interaction.guild_id)
+                .where(col(CategoryGroup.channel_id) == channel.id)
             )
             # TODO test when nothing in channel
             groups = session.scalars(stmt)
@@ -68,12 +73,13 @@ class DeleteCog(commands.Cog, name="Delete Cog"):
             await interaction.response.defer(ephemeral=True)
 
             for group in groups:
-                try:
-                    message: nextcord.Message = await channel.fetch_message(group.MessageId)
-                    await message.delete()
-                except nextcord.NotFound:
-                    # silently ignore that messages are not found. They got deleted already.
-                    pass
+                if group.message_id is not None:
+                    try:
+                        message: nextcord.Message = await channel.fetch_message(group.message_id)
+                        await message.delete()
+                    except nextcord.NotFound:
+                        # silently ignore that messages are not found. They got deleted already.
+                        pass
 
         await interaction.send("Highscore messages deleted.", ephemeral=True)
 
@@ -97,24 +103,24 @@ class DeleteCog(commands.Cog, name="Delete Cog"):
             user_name (str): User to remove from highscores
         """
         with Session(engine) as session:
-            stmt = select(distinct(Score.CategoryId)).where(Score.UserName == user_name)
+            stmt = select(distinct(col(Score.category_id))).where(col(Score.username) == user_name)
             category_ids: list[int] = list(session.scalars(stmt))
 
-            stmt = select(Score).where(Score.UserName == user_name)
+            stmt = select(Score).where(col(Score.username) == user_name)
             for score in session.scalars(stmt):
                 session.delete(score)
             session.commit()
 
-            group_ids = select(Category.GroupId).where(Category.CategoryId.in_(category_ids))
+            group_ids = select(col(Category.group_id)).where(col(Category.id).in_(category_ids))
 
-            stmt = select(CategoryGroup).where(CategoryGroup.GroupId.in_(group_ids))
+            stmt = select(CategoryGroup).where(col(CategoryGroup.id).in_(group_ids))
 
             for group in session.scalars(stmt):
                 await send_highscore_message(session, interaction.guild, group)
 
         await interaction.send(f'User "{user_name}" was removed from all Category Groups.', ephemeral=True)
 
-    @delete.subcommand(description="Delete a category from a group. Deletion is perminant.")
+    @delete.subcommand(description="Delete a category from a group. Deletion is permanent.")
     async def category(
         self,
         interaction: nextcord.Interaction,
@@ -133,7 +139,7 @@ class DeleteCog(commands.Cog, name="Delete Cog"):
             DeleteConfirmView(custom_id=create_delete_id(int(group_id), int(category_id)))
         )
 
-    @delete.subcommand(description="Delete a group. Deletion is perminant.")
+    @delete.subcommand(description="Delete a group. Deletion is permanent.")
     async def group(
         self,
         interaction: nextcord.Interaction,
@@ -172,13 +178,15 @@ class DeleteCog(commands.Cog, name="Delete Cog"):
             user_name (str): The user to remove. Is SlashOption.
         """
         with Session(engine) as session:
-            stmt = select(CategoryGroup).where(CategoryGroup.GroupId == int(group_id))
+            stmt = select(CategoryGroup).where(col(CategoryGroup.id) == int(group_id))
             group = session.scalar(stmt)
 
-            stmt = select(Category.CategoryName).where(Category.CategoryId == int(category_id))
+            stmt = select(col(Category.name)).where(col(Category.id) == int(category_id))
             category_name = session.scalar(stmt)
 
-            stmt = select(Score).where(Score.CategoryId == int(category_id)).where(Score.UserName == user_name)
+            stmt = (
+                select(Score).where(col(Score.category_id) == int(category_id)).where(col(Score.username) == user_name)
+            )
 
             # there should only be one because category id and username are a composite primary key in score
             session.delete(session.scalar(stmt))
@@ -205,10 +213,10 @@ class DeleteCog(commands.Cog, name="Delete Cog"):
             user_name (str): The user to remove. Is SlashOption.
         """
         with Session(engine) as session:
-            stmt = select(CategoryGroup).where(CategoryGroup.GroupId == int(group_id))
+            stmt = select(CategoryGroup).where(col(CategoryGroup.id) == int(group_id))
             group = session.scalar(stmt)
-            category_ids = select(Category.CategoryId).where(Category.GroupId == int(group_id))
-            stmt = select(Score).where(Score.CategoryId.in_(category_ids)).where(Score.UserName == user_name)
+            category_ids = select(col(Category.id)).where(col(Category.group_id) == int(group_id))
+            stmt = select(Score).where(col(Score.category_id).in_(category_ids)).where(col(Score.username) == user_name)
 
             for score in session.scalars(stmt):
                 session.delete(score)
@@ -216,7 +224,7 @@ class DeleteCog(commands.Cog, name="Delete Cog"):
 
             await send_highscore_message(session, interaction.guild, group)
             await interaction.response.send_message(
-                f'User "{user_name}" removed from all categories in {group.GroupName}.', ephemeral=True
+                f'User "{user_name}" removed from all categories in {group.name}.', ephemeral=True
             )
 
     @from_category.on_autocomplete("group_id")
diff --git a/cogs/commands/help.py b/cogs/commands/help.py
index 3ed3b9e..39dc892 100644
--- a/cogs/commands/help.py
+++ b/cogs/commands/help.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ class HelpCog(commands.Cog, name="Help commands."):
         """Default constructor for HelpCog class. Does nothing."""
 
     @nextcord.slash_command()
-    async def help(self, interaction: nextcord.Interaction):
+    async def help(self, interaction: nextcord.Interaction) -> None:
         """Parent slash command for help. Never called."""
 
     @help.subcommand(description="Describes how to get started with Agon.")
diff --git a/cogs/commands/refresh.py b/cogs/commands/refresh.py
index 46f152c..20e1064 100644
--- a/cogs/commands/refresh.py
+++ b/cogs/commands/refresh.py
@@ -1,14 +1,13 @@
-"""
-Commands for refreshing highscore messages.
-"""
+"""Commands for refreshing highscore messages."""
 
 import nextcord
 from nextcord.ext import commands
 from sqlalchemy import select
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
+from sqlmodel import col
 
-# pylint: disable=import-error
-from database_setup.sql_data_classes import CategoryGroup, engine
+from database.db import engine
+from database.models import CategoryGroup
 from utilities.utils import autofill_groups, send_highscore_message
 
 
@@ -44,13 +43,13 @@ class RefreshCog(commands.Cog, name="Refresh Cog"):
         with Session(engine) as session:
             stmt = (
                 select(CategoryGroup)
-                .where(CategoryGroup.GuildId == interaction.guild_id)
-                .where(CategoryGroup.GroupId == int(group_id))
+                .where(col(CategoryGroup.guild_id) == interaction.guild_id)
+                .where(col(CategoryGroup.id) == int(group_id))
             )
             group = session.scalar(stmt)
 
             await send_highscore_message(session, interaction.guild, group)
-            await interaction.response.send_message(f"Updated group {group.GroupName}!", ephemeral=True)
+            await interaction.response.send_message(f"Updated group {group.name}!", ephemeral=True)
 
     @refresh.subcommand()
     async def all(self, interaction: nextcord.Interaction) -> None:
@@ -68,7 +67,7 @@ class RefreshCog(commands.Cog, name="Refresh Cog"):
             interaction (nextcord.Interaction): Interaction that invoked the command.
         """
         with Session(engine) as session:
-            stmt = select(CategoryGroup).where(CategoryGroup.GuildId == interaction.guild_id)
+            stmt = select(CategoryGroup).where(col(CategoryGroup.guild_id) == interaction.guild_id)
 
             # awaiting response because posting scores takes a while
             await interaction.response.defer(ephemeral=True)
diff --git a/cogs/commands/set.py b/cogs/commands/set.py
index 21a431b..47e8d26 100644
--- a/cogs/commands/set.py
+++ b/cogs/commands/set.py
@@ -1,32 +1,25 @@
-"""
-Set command heirarchy.
-"""
+"""Set command hierarchy."""
 
 import nextcord
 from nextcord.ext import commands
 from sqlalchemy import select
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
+from sqlmodel import col
 
-# pylint: disable=import-error
-from database_setup.sql_data_classes import CategoryGroup, Guild, engine
+from database.db import engine
+from database.models import CategoryGroup, Guild
 from utilities.utils import MAX_LINE_LENGTH, autofill_groups
 
 
 class SetCog(commands.Cog, name="Set command."):
-    """
-    Class holds commands for setting variables in guild's database.
-    """
+    """Class holds commands for setting variables in guild's database."""
 
     def __init__(self) -> None:
-        """
-        Default constructor for SetCog class. Does nothing.
-        """
+        """Default constructor for SetCog class. Does nothing."""
 
     @nextcord.slash_command(default_member_permissions=nextcord.Permissions(administrator=True))
-    async def set(self, interaction: nextcord.Interaction):
-        """
-        Parent slash command for setting settings. Never called.
-        """
+    async def set(self, interaction: nextcord.Interaction) -> None:
+        """Parent slash command for setting settings. Never called."""
 
     @set.subcommand(description="Registers the channel for a Category Group's messages.")
     async def group_output_channel(
@@ -51,17 +44,18 @@ class SetCog(commands.Cog, name="Set command."):
             channel (nextcord.abc.GuildChannel, optional): Channel to register
                 Is a SlashOption. Limited to text channels, Defaults to None.
         """
-        if not channel:
-            channel = interaction.channel
-        channel_id = channel.id
+        channel_id = interaction.channel.id if not channel else channel.id
+
         with Session(engine) as session:
             stmt = (
                 select(CategoryGroup)
-                .where(CategoryGroup.GuildId == interaction.guild_id)
-                .where(CategoryGroup.GroupId == int(group_id))
+                .where(col(CategoryGroup.guild_id) == interaction.guild_id)
+                .where(col(CategoryGroup.id) == int(group_id))
             )
-            group = session.scalar(stmt)
-            group.ChannelId = channel_id
+            if (group := session.scalar(stmt)) is None:
+                await interaction.response.send_message("Group or Category was not found.", ephemeral=True)
+                return
+            group.channel_id = channel_id
             session.commit()
         await interaction.send(f"Registered <#{channel_id}>.", ephemeral=True)
 
@@ -93,14 +87,17 @@ class SetCog(commands.Cog, name="Set command."):
         with Session(engine) as session:
             stmt = (
                 select(CategoryGroup)
-                .where(CategoryGroup.GuildId == interaction.guild_id)
-                .where(CategoryGroup.GroupId == int(group_id))
+                .where(col(CategoryGroup.guild_id) == interaction.guild_id)
+                .where(col(CategoryGroup.id) == int(group_id))
             )
-            group = session.scalar(stmt)
-            group.PadLength = length
+            if (group := session.scalar(stmt)) is None:
+                await interaction.response.send_message("Group or Category was not found.", ephemeral=True)
+                return
+
+            group.pad_length = length
             session.commit()
             await interaction.response.send_message(
-                f"Category pad length set to {length} for {group.GroupName}", ephemeral=True
+                f"Category pad length set to {length} for {group.name}", ephemeral=True
             )
 
     @set.subcommand(
@@ -121,17 +118,17 @@ class SetCog(commands.Cog, name="Set command."):
 
         Args:
             interaction (nextcord.Interaction): Interaction that invoked the command
-            channel Optional[nextcord.abc.GuildChannel], optional): Channel to register
+            channel (nextcord.abc.GuildChannel): Channel to register
                 Is a SlashOption. Limited to text channels, Defaults to None.
         """
-        if not channel:
-            channel = interaction.channel
+        channel_id = interaction.channel.id if not channel else channel.id
 
         with Session(engine) as session:
-            channel_id = channel.id
-            stmt = select(Guild).where(Guild.GuildId == interaction.guild_id)
-            guild = session.scalar(stmt)
-            guild.SubmissionChannel = channel_id
+            stmt = select(Guild).where(col(Guild.id) == interaction.guild_id)
+            if (guild := session.scalar(stmt)) is None:
+                await interaction.response.send_message("Guild was not found.", ephemeral=True)
+                return
+            guild.submission_channel = channel_id
             session.commit()
         await interaction.send(f"Registered <#{channel_id}>.", ephemeral=True)
 
@@ -151,16 +148,20 @@ class SetCog(commands.Cog, name="Set command."):
 
         Args:
             interaction (nextcord.Interaction): Interaction that invoked the command
+            group_id (str): String representation of Group id to set username length in. Is SlashOption.
             length (int): Number of characters. Is SlashOption. Defaults to 12.
         """
         with Session(engine) as session:
             stmt = (
                 select(CategoryGroup)
-                .where(CategoryGroup.GuildId == interaction.guild_id)
-                .where(CategoryGroup.GroupId == int(group_id))
+                .where(col(CategoryGroup.guild_id) == interaction.guild_id)
+                .where(col(CategoryGroup.id) == int(group_id))
             )
-            group = session.scalar(stmt)
-            group.UsernameLength = length
+            if (group := session.scalar(stmt)) is None:
+                await interaction.response.send_message("Group or Category was not found.", ephemeral=True)
+                return
+
+            group.username_length = length
             session.commit()
         await interaction.response.send_message(f"Username length set to {length}.", ephemeral=True)
 
@@ -183,20 +184,21 @@ class SetCog(commands.Cog, name="Set command."):
             channel (Optional[nextcord.abc.GuildChannel]): Channel to register
                 Is a SlashOption. Limited to text channels, Defaults to None.
         """
-        if not channel:
-            channel = interaction.channel
-        channel_id = channel.id
+        channel_id = interaction.channel.id if not channel else channel.id
+
         with Session(engine) as session:
-            stmt = select(Guild).where(Guild.GuildId == interaction.guild_id)
-            guild = session.scalar(stmt)
-            guild.VerificationChannel = channel_id
+            stmt = select(Guild).where(col(Guild.id) == interaction.guild_id)
+            if (guild := session.scalar(stmt)) is None:
+                await interaction.response.send_message("Guild was not found.", ephemeral=True)
+                return
+            guild.verification_channel = channel_id
             session.commit()
         await interaction.send(f"Registered <#{channel_id}>.", ephemeral=True)
 
     @group_output_channel.on_autocomplete("group_id")
     @pad_length.on_autocomplete("group_id")
     @username_length.on_autocomplete("group_id")
-    async def group_autocomplete(self, interaction: nextcord.Interaction, group_id: str):
+    async def group_autocomplete(self, interaction: nextcord.Interaction, group_id: str) -> None:
         """
         Sends results from autofill_groups back to group_output_channel for autocompletion of group_id.
 
diff --git a/cogs/commands/submission.py b/cogs/commands/submission.py
index 857d048..caa011d 100644
--- a/cogs/commands/submission.py
+++ b/cogs/commands/submission.py
@@ -6,9 +6,11 @@ import nextcord
 from nextcord.ext import commands
 from sqlalchemy import select
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
+from sqlmodel import col
 
 from cogs.submission.verification_view import VerificationView
-from database_setup.sql_data_classes import Category, CategoryGroup, Guild, Submission, engine
+from database.db import engine
+from database.models import Category, CategoryGroup, Guild, Submission
 from main import logger
 from utilities.utils import autofill_categories, autofill_groups, submit_score
 
@@ -19,8 +21,10 @@ class SubmissionCog(commands.Cog):
     def __init__(self) -> None:
         return
 
+    # TODO(imcompiling): fix too many return statements when reworking command.
+    # https://gitea.cheezers.org/imcompiling/agon/issues/76
     @nextcord.slash_command()
-    async def submit(  # noqa: PLR0913
+    async def submit(  # noqa: PLR0911, PLR0913
         self,
         interaction: nextcord.Interaction,
         group_id: str = nextcord.SlashOption(name="group", required=True, description="Group to submit score to."),
@@ -56,40 +60,46 @@ class SubmissionCog(commands.Cog):
 
         with Session(engine) as session:
             stmt = (
-                select(Category).where(Category.GroupId == int(group_id)).where(Category.CategoryId == int(category_id))
+                select(Category)
+                .where(col(Category.group_id) == int(group_id))
+                .where(col(Category.id) == int(category_id))
             )
-
-            category: Category = session.scalar(stmt)
+            if (category := session.scalar(stmt)) is None:
+                await interaction.response.send_message("Category not found.", ephemeral=True)
+                return
 
             # check if verification is required. if no picture, deny
-            if category.IsValidated and proof is None:
+            if category.is_validated and proof is None:
                 await interaction.response.send_message(
                     "This category required verification. Please attach a picture and re-submit.", ephemeral=True
                 )
                 return
 
             # check with regex if score is in correct format
-            verified_score = await self.verify_score(interaction, score, is_time_record=category.IsTimeRecord)
-
             # check if verify_score was successful. It replies with corrections required itself.
-            if verified_score is None:
+            if (
+                verified_score := await self.verify_score(interaction, score, is_time_record=category.is_time_record)
+            ) is None:
+                # This response message will be filled out better once command is split up to
+                # know which type it expects...
+                await interaction.response.send_message("Format was incorrect.", ephemeral=True)
                 return
 
             # Create submission verification request or submit score if verification not needed.
-            if not category.IsValidated:
+            if not category.is_validated:
                 await submit_score(interaction, int(group_id), int(category_id), username, verified_score)
                 await interaction.response.send_message("Score has been submitted!", ephemeral=True)
                 return
 
-            stmt = select(Guild).where(Guild.GuildId == interaction.guild_id)
-            verification_channel_id: int = session.scalar(stmt).VerificationChannel
+            stmt = select(col(Guild.verification_channel)).where(col(Guild.id) == interaction.guild_id)
 
-            channel = interaction.guild.get_channel(verification_channel_id)
+            if (verification_channel_id := session.scalar(stmt)) is None:
+                error_response = "No verification channel was registered. Contact server admins."
+                await interaction.response.send_message(error_response, ephemeral=True)
+                return
 
-            if channel is None:
-                error_response = (
-                    "Registered Verification channel does not exist or was never registered. Contact server admins."
-                )
+            if (channel := interaction.guild.get_channel(verification_channel_id)) is None:
+                error_response = "Registered Verification channel does not exist. Contact server admins."
                 await interaction.response.send_message(error_response, ephemeral=True)
                 return
 
@@ -111,13 +121,13 @@ class SubmissionCog(commands.Cog):
 
             # Save the submission data for later use.
             submission: Submission = Submission(
-                CategoryId=category_id,
-                GroupId=group_id,
-                GuildId=interaction.guild_id,
-                MessageId=verification_message.id,
-                Score=verified_score,
-                UserId=interaction.user.id,
-                UserName=username,
+                category_id=int(category_id),
+                group_id=int(group_id),
+                guild_id=interaction.guild_id,
+                message_id=verification_message.id,
+                score=verified_score,
+                user_id=interaction.user.id,
+                username=username,
             )
 
             session.add(submission)
@@ -151,15 +161,15 @@ class SubmissionCog(commands.Cog):
 
         # Get group name from database
         stmt = (
-            select(CategoryGroup.GroupName)
-            .where(CategoryGroup.GuildId == interaction.guild_id)
-            .where(CategoryGroup.GroupId == group_id)
+            select(col(CategoryGroup.name))
+            .where(col(CategoryGroup.guild_id) == interaction.guild_id)
+            .where(col(CategoryGroup.id) == group_id)
         )
         embed.add_field(name="Group", value=session.scalar(stmt), inline=False)
 
         # Get category name from database
         stmt = (
-            select(Category.CategoryName).where(Category.GroupId == group_id).where(Category.CategoryId == category_id)
+            select(col(Category.name)).where(col(Category.group_id) == group_id).where(col(Category.id) == category_id)
         )
         embed.add_field(name="Category", value=session.scalar(stmt), inline=False)
         embed.add_field(name="Score", value=score, inline=False)
diff --git a/cogs/commands/update.py b/cogs/commands/update.py
index 4c1c853..fc6aadd 100644
--- a/cogs/commands/update.py
+++ b/cogs/commands/update.py
@@ -1,23 +1,20 @@
-"""
-Commands for updating information/variables held in database.
-"""
+"""Commands for updating information/variables held in database."""
 
 import nextcord
 from nextcord.ext import commands
 from sqlalchemy import select
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
+from sqlmodel import col
 
-# pylint: disable=import-error
-from database_setup.sql_data_classes import Guild, engine
+from database.db import engine
+from database.models import Guild
 from utilities.utils import autofill_users_in_guild
 
 from .views.update_username_verify import UpdateUsernameVerifyView
 
 
 class UpdateCog(commands.Cog, name="Update commands."):
-    """
-    Class holds commands and views needed for updating things in bot.
-    """
+    """Class holds commands and views needed for updating things in bot."""
 
     def __init__(self, bot: commands.Bot):
         """
@@ -29,17 +26,13 @@ class UpdateCog(commands.Cog, name="Update commands."):
         self._bot: commands.Bot = bot
 
     @commands.Cog.listener()
-    async def on_ready(self):
-        """
-        Called when cog is loaded. Adds views required for DataManagement commands.
-        """
+    async def on_ready(self) -> None:
+        """Called when cog is loaded. Adds views required for DataManagement commands."""
         self._bot.add_view(UpdateUsernameVerifyView())
 
     @nextcord.slash_command()
-    async def update(self, interaction: nextcord.Interaction):
-        """
-        Parent slash command for updating things. Never called.
-        """
+    async def update(self, interaction: nextcord.Interaction) -> None:
+        """Parent slash command for updating things. Never called."""
 
     @update.subcommand(description="Request a username update. Admins must approve.")
     async def username(
@@ -47,10 +40,11 @@ class UpdateCog(commands.Cog, name="Update commands."):
         interaction: nextcord.Interaction,
         old_username: str = nextcord.SlashOption(description="Username currently stored in highscores.", required=True),
         new_username: str = nextcord.SlashOption(description="Username to update to.", required=True),
-    ):
+    ) -> None:
         """
-        Creates a request to send to admins for changing a username. Uses
-        UpdateUsernameVerifyView to do the work.
+        Creates a request to send to admins for changing a username.
+
+        Uses UpdateUsernameVerifyView to do the work.
 
         Args:
             interaction (nextcord.Interaction): Interaction that invoked the command
@@ -58,9 +52,13 @@ class UpdateCog(commands.Cog, name="Update commands."):
             new_username (str): Username to replace old with.
         """
         with Session(engine) as session:
-            stmt = select(Guild.VerificationChannel).where(Guild.GuildId == interaction.guild_id)
+            stmt = select(col(Guild.verification_channel)).where(col(Guild.id) == interaction.guild_id)
             verify_channel = interaction.guild.get_channel(session.scalar(stmt))
 
+        if not isinstance(verify_channel, nextcord.TextChannel):
+            await interaction.send("Verification channel not set. Cannot process request.", ephemeral=True)
+            return
+
         embed: nextcord.Embed = nextcord.Embed(title="Username change request.")
         embed.add_field(name="Old Username", value=old_username)
         embed.add_field(name="New Username", value=new_username)
@@ -72,12 +70,12 @@ class UpdateCog(commands.Cog, name="Update commands."):
         await interaction.send("Request sent to admins for verification.", ephemeral=True)
 
     @username.on_autocomplete("old_username")
-    async def all_users_autocomplete(self, interaction: nextcord.Interaction, username: str):
+    async def all_users_autocomplete(self, interaction: nextcord.Interaction, username: str) -> None:
         """
         Sends response from autofill_users_in_guild back to update_username for autocompletion of old_username.
 
         Args:
             interaction (nextcord.Interaction): Interaction with command.
-            old_username (str): String to run autocompletion against.
+            username (str): String to run autocompletion against.
         """
         await interaction.response.send_autocomplete(autofill_users_in_guild(interaction.guild_id, username))
diff --git a/cogs/commands/view.py b/cogs/commands/view.py
index 3c308a0..88774dd 100644
--- a/cogs/commands/view.py
+++ b/cogs/commands/view.py
@@ -5,9 +5,10 @@ import pandas as pd
 from nextcord.ext import commands
 from sqlalchemy import select
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
+from sqlmodel import col
 
-# pylint: disable=import-error
-from database_setup.sql_data_classes import Category, CategoryGroup, Score, engine
+from database.db import engine
+from database.models import Category, CategoryGroup, Score
 from utilities.utils import MAX_LINE_LENGTH, autofill_categories, autofill_groups, format_score_string
 
 
@@ -47,17 +48,17 @@ class ViewCog(commands.Cog, name="View Command"):
 
         # get group, category, and all scores sorted correctly.
         with Session(engine) as session:
-            stmt = select(CategoryGroup).where(CategoryGroup.GroupId == int(group_id))
+            stmt = select(CategoryGroup).where(col(CategoryGroup.id) == int(group_id))
             group = session.scalar(stmt)
 
-            stmt = select(Category).where(Category.CategoryId == int(category_id))
+            stmt = select(Category).where(col(Category.id) == int(category_id))
             category = session.scalar(stmt)
 
             d_f = pd.read_sql_query(
-                sql=session.query(Score).where(Score.CategoryId == category_id).statement, con=engine
+                sql=session.query(Score).where(col(Score.category_id) == category_id).statement, con=engine
             )
 
-        scores = d_f.sort_values("Score", ascending=category.IsAscending).reset_index()
+        scores = d_f.sort_values("Score", ascending=category.is_ascending).reset_index()
 
         # get the longest string
         longest_str: int = scores.UserName.map(len).max()
@@ -68,13 +69,13 @@ class ViewCog(commands.Cog, name="View Command"):
                     row["UserName"],
                     row["Score"],
                     longest_str,
-                    category.IsTimeRecord,
+                    category.is_time_record,
                     i + 1,  # type: ignore[reportOperatorIssue]
                     MAX_LINE_LENGTH,
                 )
             )
 
-        message_str: str = f"**{group.GroupName} {category.CategoryName} Leaderboard!**\n```"
+        message_str: str = f"**{group.name} {category.name} Leaderboard!**\n```"
         if len(str_list) == 0:
             message_str += "No Submissions!"
         else:
diff --git a/cogs/commands/views/__init__.py b/cogs/commands/views/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1b5f260
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cogs/commands/views/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+"""Package for views used in commands."""
diff --git a/cogs/commands/views/delete_confirm.py b/cogs/commands/views/delete_confirm.py
index e950441..c2d95ea 100644
--- a/cogs/commands/views/delete_confirm.py
+++ b/cogs/commands/views/delete_confirm.py
@@ -1,23 +1,19 @@
-"""
-Contains view and helper functions for confirming and processing deletes.
-"""
+"""Contains view and helper functions for confirming and processing deletes."""
 
 import nextcord
 from sqlalchemy import delete, select
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
 
-# pylint: disable=import-error
-from database_setup.sql_data_classes import Category, CategoryGroup, engine
+from database.db import engine
+from database.models import Category, CategoryGroup
 from utilities.utils import send_highscore_message
 
 
 class DeleteConfirmView(nextcord.ui.Modal):
-    """
-    View modal popup for confirming deletions.
-    """
+    """View modal popup for confirming deletions."""
 
     def __init__(self, custom_id: str):
-        super().__init__(title="Warning, deletion is perminant.", custom_id=custom_id)
+        super().__init__(title="Warning, deletion is permanent.", custom_id=custom_id)
 
         self.checker = nextcord.ui.TextInput(
             label='Type "delete" to confirm deletion.',
@@ -27,7 +23,12 @@ class DeleteConfirmView(nextcord.ui.Modal):
         )
         self.add_item(self.checker)
 
-    async def callback(self, interaction: nextcord.Interaction):
+    async def callback(self, interaction: nextcord.Interaction) -> None:
+        """Action for confirming deletion.
+
+        Args:
+            interaction (nextcord.Interaction): User interaction object with the modal.
+        """
         if self.checker.value.lower() != "delete":
             await interaction.response.send_message('Response was not "delete". Canceling delete.')
             return
@@ -35,21 +36,23 @@ class DeleteConfirmView(nextcord.ui.Modal):
         del_vals = parse_delete_id(self.custom_id)
 
         with Session(engine) as session:
-            stmt = select(CategoryGroup).where(CategoryGroup.GroupId == del_vals["group_id"])
+            stmt = select(CategoryGroup).where(CategoryGroup.id == del_vals["group_id"])
             group = session.scalar(stmt)
             if del_vals["category_id"] is None:
                 # delete entire group
                 session.delete(group)
                 # delete the message related to group
-                channel: nextcord.TextChannel = interaction.guild.get_channel(group.ChannelId)
-                message: nextcord.Message = await channel.fetch_message(group.MessageId)
+                channel = interaction.guild.get_channel(group.channel_id)
+                if not isinstance(channel, nextcord.TextChannel):
+                    return
+                message: nextcord.Message = await channel.fetch_message(group.message_id)
                 await message.delete()
 
             else:
                 stmt = (
                     delete(Category)
-                    .where(Category.GroupId == del_vals["group_id"])
-                    .where(Category.CategoryId == del_vals["category_id"])
+                    .where(Category.group_id == del_vals["group_id"])
+                    .where(Category.id == del_vals["category_id"])
                 )
                 session.execute(stmt)
                 # update the message
@@ -78,7 +81,7 @@ def parse_delete_id(delete_id: str) -> dict:
     Returns a dict containing the values of a delete id.
 
     Args:
-        id (str): the delete id
+        delete_id (str): the delete id
 
     Returns:
         dict: dict containing values from a delete id.
diff --git a/cogs/commands/views/update_username_verify.py b/cogs/commands/views/update_username_verify.py
index 0e494d7..3d04ac2 100644
--- a/cogs/commands/views/update_username_verify.py
+++ b/cogs/commands/views/update_username_verify.py
@@ -3,23 +3,22 @@
 import nextcord
 from sqlalchemy import distinct, exc, select
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
+from sqlmodel import col
 
-# pylint: disable=import-error
-from database_setup.sql_data_classes import Category, CategoryGroup, Score, engine
+from database.db import engine
+from database.models import Category, CategoryGroup, Score
 from utilities.utils import send_highscore_message
 
 
 class UpdateUsernameVerifyView(nextcord.ui.View):
     """Defines view for allowing a username update."""
 
-    def __init__(self):
-        """
-        Default constructor for UpdateUsernameVerifyView. Calls super constructor with no timeout.
-        """
+    def __init__(self) -> None:
+        """Default constructor for UpdateUsernameVerifyView. Calls super constructor with no timeout."""
         super().__init__(timeout=None)
 
     @nextcord.ui.button(label="Deny", style=nextcord.ButtonStyle.red, custom_id="deny-username-update")
-    async def deny_button(self, button: nextcord.ui.Button, interaction: nextcord.Interaction):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
+    async def deny_button(self, button: nextcord.ui.Button, interaction: nextcord.Interaction) -> None:  # noqa: ARG002
         """
         Button for denying username update. Deletes message.
 
@@ -30,10 +29,11 @@ class UpdateUsernameVerifyView(nextcord.ui.View):
         await interaction.message.delete()
 
     @nextcord.ui.button(label="Approve", style=nextcord.ButtonStyle.green, custom_id="approve-username-update")
-    async def approve_button(self, button: nextcord.ui.Button, interaction: nextcord.Interaction):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
+    async def approve_button(self, button: nextcord.ui.Button, interaction: nextcord.Interaction) -> None:  # noqa: ARG002
         """
-        Button for approving username update. Tells guild data to update username, then updates
-        message to show it is complete.
+        Button for approving username update.
+
+        Tells guild data to update username, then updates message to show it is complete.
 
         Args:
             button (nextcord.ui.Button): unused
@@ -42,20 +42,20 @@ class UpdateUsernameVerifyView(nextcord.ui.View):
         with Session(engine) as session:
             try:
                 embed_content = interaction.message.embeds[0].to_dict()
-                old_username: str = embed_content["fields"][0]["value"]
-                new_username: str = embed_content["fields"][1]["value"]
+                old_username: str = embed_content["fields"][0]["value"]  # type: ignore reportTypedDictNotRequiredAccess
+                new_username: str = embed_content["fields"][1]["value"]  # type: ignore reportTypedDictNotRequiredAccess
 
-                stmt = select(distinct(Score.CategoryId)).where(Score.UserName == old_username)
+                stmt = select(distinct(col(Score.category_id))).where(col(Score.username) == old_username)
                 category_ids: list[int] = list(session.scalars(stmt))
 
-                stmt = select(Score).where(Score.UserName == old_username)
+                stmt = select(Score).where(col(Score.username) == old_username)
                 for score in session.scalars(stmt):
                     score.UserName = new_username
                 session.commit()
 
-                group_ids = select(Category.GroupId).where(Category.CategoryId.in_(category_ids))
+                group_ids = select(col(Category.group_id)).where(col(Category.id).in_(category_ids))
 
-                stmt = select(CategoryGroup).where(CategoryGroup.GroupId.in_(group_ids))
+                stmt = select(CategoryGroup).where(col(CategoryGroup.id).in_(group_ids))
 
                 for group in session.scalars(stmt):
                     await send_highscore_message(session, interaction.guild, group)
diff --git a/cogs/guild_listener/__init__.py b/cogs/guild_listener/__init__.py
index 6838c28..2707f6b 100644
--- a/cogs/guild_listener/__init__.py
+++ b/cogs/guild_listener/__init__.py
@@ -1,14 +1,13 @@
-"""
-Defines cog for guild listeners. Contains functions for various guild events.
-"""
+"""Defines cog for guild listeners. Contains functions for various guild events."""
 
 import nextcord
 from nextcord.ext import commands
 from sqlalchemy import select
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
+from sqlmodel import col
 
-# pylint: disable=import-error
-from database_setup.sql_data_classes import Guild, engine
+from database.db import engine
+from database.models import Guild
 
 
 class GuildListener(commands.Cog, name="Guild Listener"):
@@ -18,7 +17,7 @@ class GuildListener(commands.Cog, name="Guild Listener"):
         self.bot = bot
 
     @commands.Cog.listener()
-    async def on_guild_join(self, guild: nextcord.Guild):
+    async def on_guild_join(self, guild: nextcord.Guild) -> None:
         """
         Listener for Guild Join. Adds guild to database.
 
@@ -26,12 +25,11 @@ class GuildListener(commands.Cog, name="Guild Listener"):
             guild (nextcord.Guild): Guild that was joined.
         """
         with Session(engine) as session:
-            stmt = select(Guild).where(Guild.GuildId == guild.id)
-            guild_data = session.scalar(stmt)
+            stmt = select(Guild).where(col(Guild.id == guild.id))
 
             # just in case check if the guild already exists
-            if guild_data is None:
-                new_guild = Guild(GuildId=guild.id, GuildName=guild.name)
+            if (guild_data := session.scalar(stmt)) is None:
+                new_guild = Guild(id=guild.id, name=guild.name)
                 session.add(new_guild)
             else:
                 guild_data.GuildName = guild.name
@@ -45,7 +43,7 @@ class GuildListener(commands.Cog, name="Guild Listener"):
         await imcompiling.send(f'Agon has joined server "{guild.name}"!')
 
     @commands.Cog.listener()
-    async def on_guild_remove(self, guild: nextcord.Guild):
+    async def on_guild_remove(self, guild: nextcord.Guild) -> None:
         """
         Listens to when the bot has been removed from a guild. Update's the database to record the active flag as false.
 
@@ -53,7 +51,7 @@ class GuildListener(commands.Cog, name="Guild Listener"):
             guild (nextcord.Guild): Guild that was left.
         """
         with Session(engine) as session:
-            stmt = select(Guild).where(Guild.GuildId == guild.id)
+            stmt = select(Guild).where(col(Guild.id == guild.id))
             guild_data = session.scalar(stmt)
             guild_data.Active = False
             session.commit()
@@ -66,6 +64,6 @@ class GuildListener(commands.Cog, name="Guild Listener"):
 
 # This function will be called when this extension is loaded.
 # It is necessary to add these functions to the bot.
-def setup(bot: commands.Bot):
-    """Adds function to bot"""
+def setup(bot: commands.Bot) -> None:
+    """Adds function to bot."""
     bot.add_cog(GuildListener(bot))
diff --git a/cogs/loops/__init__.py b/cogs/loops/__init__.py
index 9ee014f..cec7fdb 100644
--- a/cogs/loops/__init__.py
+++ b/cogs/loops/__init__.py
@@ -1,6 +1,4 @@
-"""
-Initializing code for all loops.
-"""
+"""Initializing code for all loops."""
 
 from nextcord.ext import commands
 
@@ -10,7 +8,7 @@ from .guild_data import GuildData
 
 # This function will be called when this extension is loaded.
 # It is necessary to add these functions to the bot.
-def setup(bot: commands.Bot):
-    """Adds function to bot"""
+def setup(bot: commands.Bot) -> None:
+    """Adds function to bot."""
     bot.add_cog(BotPresence(bot))
     bot.add_cog(GuildData(bot))
diff --git a/cogs/loops/bot_presence.py b/cogs/loops/bot_presence.py
index d752396..a236fb5 100644
--- a/cogs/loops/bot_presence.py
+++ b/cogs/loops/bot_presence.py
@@ -1,6 +1,4 @@
-"""
-Functions for controlling the bot's presence. Also contains the loop.
-"""
+"""Functions for controlling the bot's presence. Also contains the loop."""
 
 import random
 
@@ -11,27 +9,26 @@ from nextcord.ext import commands, tasks
 class BotPresence(commands.Cog, name="Bot Presence"):
     """Class for bot presence functions."""
 
-    def __init__(self, bot: commands.Bot):
+    def __init__(self, bot: commands.Bot) -> None:
         self.bot = bot
 
     @commands.Cog.listener()
-    async def on_guild_join(self, guild: nextcord.Guild):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
+    async def on_guild_join(self, guild: nextcord.Guild) -> None:  # noqa: ARG002
         """Listener for Guild Join. Updated presence on guild join."""
         await self.change_presence()
 
     @commands.Cog.listener()
-    async def on_ready(self):
+    async def on_ready(self) -> None:
         """Starts the loop when bot is ready."""
         await self.bot.wait_until_ready()
-        # pylint doesn't recognize that periodic_change_presense is subclassed from tasks.loop.
-        self.periodic_change_presence.start()  # pylint: disable=no-member
+        self.periodic_change_presence.start()
 
     @tasks.loop(minutes=2)
-    async def periodic_change_presence(self):
+    async def periodic_change_presence(self) -> None:
         """Loops every 2 minutes and changes presence."""
         await self.change_presence()
 
-    async def change_presence(self):
+    async def change_presence(self) -> None:
         """Randomly chooses a presence and updates bot's presence."""
         statuses = [
             "Now with slash commands!",
@@ -41,7 +38,7 @@ class BotPresence(commands.Cog, name="Bot Presence"):
             "That's a lot of damage!",
         ]
 
-        status = random.choice(statuses)
+        status = random.choice(statuses)  # noqa: S311
 
         status += f" | {len(self.bot.guilds)} servers"
 
diff --git a/cogs/loops/guild_data.py b/cogs/loops/guild_data.py
index 0c6d227..3ce385f 100644
--- a/cogs/loops/guild_data.py
+++ b/cogs/loops/guild_data.py
@@ -1,48 +1,44 @@
-"""
-Contains a loop that updates guild data in the database periodically.
-"""
+"""Contains a loop that updates guild data in the database periodically."""
 
 from nextcord.ext import commands, tasks
 from sqlalchemy import select
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
+from sqlmodel import col
 
-# pylint: disable=import-error
-from database_setup.sql_data_classes import Guild, engine
+from database.db import engine
+from database.models import Guild
 
 
 class GuildData(commands.Cog, name="Guild Data"):
     """Class to contain loop."""
 
-    def __init__(self, bot: commands.bot) -> None:
+    def __init__(self, bot: commands.Bot) -> None:
         self.bot = bot
 
     @commands.Cog.listener()
-    async def on_ready(self):
+    async def on_ready(self) -> None:
         """Starts the loop when bot is ready."""
         await self.bot.wait_until_ready()
-        # pylint doesn't recognize that periodic_update_guild_data is subclassed from tasks.loop.
-        await self.periodic_update_guild_data.start()  # pylint: disable=no-member
+        await self.periodic_update_guild_data.start()
 
     @tasks.loop(hours=24)
-    async def periodic_update_guild_data(self):
+    async def periodic_update_guild_data(self) -> None:
         """Loops every day, calls update_guild_data."""
         self.update_guild_data()
 
-    def update_guild_data(self):
-        """
-        Updates all known guild's data in the database.
-        """
+    def update_guild_data(self) -> None:
+        """Updates all known guild's data in the database."""
         with Session(engine) as session:
             for guild in self.bot.guilds:
                 # update given guild name for guild id
-                stmt = select(Guild).where(Guild.GuildId == guild.id)
+                stmt = select(Guild).where(col(Guild.id) == guild.id)
                 guild_data = session.scalar(stmt)
 
                 # just in case checking if the guild doesn't exist.
                 if guild_data is None:
-                    new_guild = Guild(GuildId=guild.id, GuildName=guild.name)
+                    new_guild = Guild(id=guild.id, name=guild.name)
                     session.add(new_guild)
                 else:
-                    guild_data.GuildName = guild.name
+                    guild_data.name = guild.name
 
                 session.commit()
diff --git a/cogs/submission/__init__.py b/cogs/submission/__init__.py
index d742ee3..48c3557 100644
--- a/cogs/submission/__init__.py
+++ b/cogs/submission/__init__.py
@@ -1,6 +1,4 @@
-"""
-Cog for creating submission process.
-"""
+"""Cog for creating submission process."""
 
 from nextcord.ext import commands
 
@@ -15,14 +13,14 @@ class SubmissionCog(commands.Cog, name="Submission Cog"):
         self.bot = bot
 
     @commands.Cog.listener()
-    async def on_ready(self):
-        """Called when cog is loaded"""
+    async def on_ready(self) -> None:
+        """Called when cog is loaded."""
         self.bot.add_view(SubmissionCreateButton(self.bot))
         self.bot.add_view(VerificationView())
 
 
 # This function will be called when this extension is loaded.
 # It is necessary to add these functions to the bot.
-def setup(bot: commands.Bot):
-    """Adds function to bot"""
+def setup(bot: commands.Bot) -> None:
+    """Adds function to bot."""
     bot.add_cog(SubmissionCog(bot))
diff --git a/cogs/submission/verification_view.py b/cogs/submission/verification_view.py
index df9b2ee..6a71e93 100644
--- a/cogs/submission/verification_view.py
+++ b/cogs/submission/verification_view.py
@@ -3,10 +3,10 @@
 import nextcord
 from sqlalchemy import delete, select
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
+from sqlmodel import col
 
-from database_setup.sql_data_classes import Submission, engine
-
-# pylint: disable=import-error
+from database.db import engine
+from database.models import Submission
 from utilities.utils import submit_score
 
 
@@ -22,8 +22,8 @@ class VerificationView(nextcord.ui.View):
         with Session(engine) as session:
             stmt = (
                 delete(Submission)
-                .where(Submission.GuildId == interaction.guild_id)
-                .where(Submission.MessageId == interaction.message.id)
+                .where(col(Submission.guild_id) == interaction.guild_id)
+                .where(col(Submission.message_id) == interaction.message.id)
             )
             session.execute(stmt)
             session.commit()
@@ -35,23 +35,20 @@ class VerificationView(nextcord.ui.View):
         with Session(engine) as session:
             stmt = (
                 select(Submission)
-                .where(Submission.GuildId == interaction.guild_id)
-                .where(Submission.MessageId == interaction.message.id)
+                .where(col(Submission.guild_id) == interaction.guild_id)
+                .where(col(Submission.message_id) == interaction.message.id)
             )
 
-            submission = session.scalar(stmt)
-
-            if submission is None:
+            if (submission := session.scalar(stmt)) is None:
                 await interaction.response.send_message("Could not find submission data in database.", ephemeral=True)
                 await interaction.message.delete()
                 return
 
             await submit_score(
-                interaction, submission.GroupId, submission.CategoryId, submission.UserName, submission.Score
+                interaction, submission.group_id, submission.category_id, submission.username, submission.score
             )
             session.delete(submission)
             session.commit()
             content = interaction.message.content
             content += f"\nApproved by <@{interaction.user.id}>."
-            # remove the bot information embed. it should always be the first one.
             await interaction.message.edit(content=content, view=None)
diff --git a/database/__init__.py b/database/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..920815a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/database/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+"""Package for database interaction."""
diff --git a/database/database_test.py b/database/database_test.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5cf9343
--- /dev/null
+++ b/database/database_test.py
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+import os
+
+from dotenv import load_dotenv
+from sqlmodel import Session, SQLModel, create_engine, select
+
+from models import CategoryGroup, Guild
+
+load_dotenv()
+
+SQL_DB = os.getenv("SQL_DB", "")
+SQL_HOST = os.getenv("SQL_HOST", "")
+SQL_PASS = os.getenv("SQL_PASS", "")
+SQL_USER = os.getenv("SQL_USER", "")
+
+url = "sqlite:///database.db"
+# url = f"mysql+pymysql://{SQL_USER}:{SQL_PASS}@{SQL_HOST}/{SQL_DB}"
+engine = create_engine(url)
+SQLModel.metadata.create_all(engine)
+
+with Session(engine) as session:
+    guild = Guild(id=1, name="test guild")
+    session.add(guild)
+    group1 = CategoryGroup(name="group1", channel_id=1, guild_id=1, message_id=1)
+    group2 = CategoryGroup(name="group2", channel_id=2, guild_id=1, message_id=2)
+    session.add(group1)
+    session.add(group2)
+    session.commit()
+
+    # anotherone = Guild(id=2, name="test guild 2", submission_channel=1, verification_channel=2)
+    # session.add(anotherone)
+    # group1 = CategoryGroup(name="group1", channel_id=1, guild_id=2, message_id=1)
+    # group2 = CategoryGroup(name="group2", channel_id=2, guild_id=2, message_id=2)
+    # session.add(group1)
+    # session.add(group2)
+    # session.commit()
+
+    stmt = select(Guild).where(Guild.name == "Dakiny")
+    guild = session.scalar(stmt)
+
+    print(guild.category_groups)
diff --git a/database/db.py b/database/db.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d86cd41
--- /dev/null
+++ b/database/db.py
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+"""Simple file to set up the sqlmodel connection to database."""
+
+from sqlmodel import SQLModel, create_engine
+from utilities import config
+
+from . import models  # noqa: F401 - Need this import for creating the models.
+
+if config.ENVIRONMENT == "prod":
+    url = f"mysql+pymysql://{config.SQL_USER}:{config.SQL_PASS}@{config.SQL_HOST}/{config.SQL_DB}"
+else:
+    url = "sqlite:///database.db"
+engine = create_engine(url)
+
+# Don't need to create all when connected to prod.
+SQLModel.metadata.create_all(engine)
diff --git a/database/models.py b/database/models.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4bbe2cf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/database/models.py
@@ -0,0 +1,186 @@
+"""File holds all model definitions of SQL tables."""
+
+from sqlalchemy.dialects.mysql import BIGINT, BOOLEAN, FLOAT, INTEGER, SMALLINT, VARCHAR
+from sqlmodel import Column, Field, ForeignKey, Relationship, SQLModel, UniqueConstraint
+
+
+class Guild(SQLModel, table=True):
+    """
+    Represents a Guild entity in the database.
+
+    Attributes:
+        id (int): The unique identifier for the guild.
+        name (str): The name of the guild.
+        submission_channel (int): The ID of the submission channel associated with the guild.
+        verification_channel (int): The ID of the verification channel associated with the guild.
+        active (bool): Indicates whether the guild is active. Defaults to True.
+        category_groups (list[CategoryGroup]): A list of category groups associated with the guild.
+    """
+
+    __tablename__: str = "Guilds"
+
+    id: int = Field(sa_column=Column("GuildId", BIGINT(unsigned=True), primary_key=True, nullable=False))
+    name: str = Field(sa_column=Column("GuildName", VARCHAR), max_length=95)
+    # deprecated, not currently used.
+    submission_channel: int | None = Field(
+        sa_column=Column("SubmissionChannel", BIGINT(unsigned=True), nullable=True), default=None
+    )
+    verification_channel: int | None = Field(
+        sa_column=Column("VerificationChannel", BIGINT(unsigned=True), nullable=True), default=None
+    )
+    active: bool = Field(sa_column=Column("Active", BOOLEAN), default=True)
+
+    category_groups: list["CategoryGroup"] = Relationship(back_populates="guild", cascade_delete=True)
+
+
+class CategoryGroup(SQLModel, table=True):
+    """
+    Represents a category group in the database.
+
+    Attributes:
+        id (int | None): The primary key of the category group.
+        name (str): The name of the category group, with a maximum length of 50 characters.
+        channel_id (int): The ID of the channel associated with the category group.
+        guild_id (int): The ID of the guild associated with the category group.
+        message_id (int): The ID of the message associated with the category group.
+        pad_length (int): The padding length for the category group, default is 12.
+        username_length (int): The username length for the category group, default is 12.
+        guild (Guild | None): The guild relationship back-populated from the Guild model.
+
+        Table Constraints:
+        __table_args__: Unique constraint on guild_id and name to ensure unique category groups within a guild.
+    """
+
+    __tablename__: str = "CategoryGroups"
+
+    id: int | None = Field(sa_column=Column("GroupId", INTEGER, primary_key=True), default=None)
+    name: str = Field(sa_column=Column("GroupName", VARCHAR), max_length=50)
+    channel_id: int = Field(sa_column=Column("ChannelId", BIGINT(unsigned=True)))
+    guild_id: int = Field(
+        sa_column=Column(
+            "GuildId",
+            BIGINT(unsigned=True),
+            ForeignKey("Guilds.GuildId", ondelete="CASCADE"),
+            nullable=False,
+        )
+    )
+    message_id: int | None = Field(sa_column=Column("MessageId", BIGINT(unsigned=True)), default=None)
+    pad_length: int = Field(default=12, sa_column=Column("PadLength", SMALLINT(unsigned=True)))
+    username_length: int = Field(default=12, sa_column=Column("UsernameLength", SMALLINT(unsigned=True)))
+
+    __table_args__ = (UniqueConstraint("GuildId", "GroupName", name="UniqueGuildCategoryGroup"),)
+
+    guild: Guild | None = Relationship(back_populates="category_groups")
+    categories: list["Category"] | None = Relationship(back_populates="category_group", cascade_delete=True)
+
+
+class Category(SQLModel, table=True):
+    """
+    Represents a category in the database.
+
+    Attributes:
+        id (int): The unique identifier for the category. Primary key.
+        name (str): The name of the category with a maximum length of 30 characters.
+        group_id (int): The identifier of the group to which the category belongs.
+            Foreign key referencing CategoryGroups.id.
+        size (int): The size attribute of the category, default is 3.
+        is_ascending (bool): Indicates if the category is in ascending order. Default is True.
+        is_time_record (bool): Indicates if the category is a time record. Default is False.
+        is_validated (bool): Indicates if the category is validated. Default is True.
+        category_group (CategoryGroup | None): The relationship to the CategoryGroup model.
+        scores (list["Score"] | None): The relationship to the Score model with cascade delete enabled.
+
+    Table Constraints:
+        __table_args__: Unique constraint on group_id and name to ensure unique category names within a group.
+    """
+
+    __tablename__: str = "Categories"
+
+    id: int = Field(sa_column=Column("CategoryId", INTEGER, primary_key=True), default=None)
+    name: str = Field(sa_column=Column("CategoryName", VARCHAR), max_length=30)
+    group_id: int = Field(
+        sa_column=Column(
+            "GroupId",
+            INTEGER(unsigned=True),
+            ForeignKey("CategoryGroups.GroupId", ondelete="CASCADE"),
+            nullable=False,
+        )
+    )
+    size: int = Field(sa_column=Column("Size", SMALLINT(unsigned=True), nullable=False), default=3)
+    is_ascending: bool = Field(sa_column=Column("IsAscending", BOOLEAN, nullable=False), default=True)
+    is_time_record: bool = Field(sa_column=Column("IsTimeRecord", BOOLEAN, nullable=False), default=False)
+    is_validated: bool = Field(sa_column=Column("IsValidated", BOOLEAN, nullable=False), default=True)
+
+    __table_args__ = (UniqueConstraint("GroupId", "CategoryName", name="UniqueCategoryInGroup"),)
+
+    category_group: CategoryGroup | None = Relationship(back_populates="categories")
+    scores: list["Score"] | None = Relationship(back_populates="category", cascade_delete=True)
+
+
+class Score(SQLModel, table=True):
+    """
+    Represents a score entry in the database.
+
+    Attributes:
+        username (str): The username associated with the score. This is a primary key.
+        score (float): The score value.
+        category_id (int): The ID of the category this score belongs to. This is a primary key and a foreign key
+            referencing the Categories table.
+        category (Category | None): The relationship to the Category model, back-populated by the scores attribute
+            in the Category model.
+    """
+
+    __tablename__: str = "Scores"
+
+    username: str = Field(sa_column=Column("UserName", VARCHAR, primary_key=True, nullable=False), max_length=30)
+    score: float = Field(sa_column=Column("Score", FLOAT, nullable=False))
+    category_id: int = Field(
+        sa_column=Column(
+            "CategoryId",
+            INTEGER(unsigned=True),
+            ForeignKey("Categories.CategoryId", ondelete="CASCADE"),
+            nullable=False,
+            primary_key=True,
+        ),
+    )
+
+    category: Category | None = Relationship(back_populates="scores")
+
+
+class Submission(SQLModel, table=True):
+    """
+    Represents a submission in the database.
+
+    Attributes:
+        category_id (int): The ID of the category. This is a primary key.
+        group_id (int): The ID of the group.
+        guild_id (int): The ID of the guild.
+        message_id (int): The ID of the message.
+        score (str): The score of the submission, with a maximum length of 30 characters.
+        user_id (int): The ID of the user.
+        username (str): The username of the user. This is a primary key.
+    """
+
+    __tablename__: str = "Submissions"
+
+    category_id: int = Field(
+        sa_column=Column(
+            "CategoryId",
+            INTEGER(unsigned=True),
+            nullable=False,
+            primary_key=True,
+        ),
+    )
+    group_id: int = Field(
+        sa_column=Column(
+            "GroupId",
+            INTEGER(unsigned=True),
+            nullable=False,
+        )
+    )
+    guild_id: int = Field(sa_column=Column("GuildId", BIGINT(unsigned=True), nullable=False))
+    message_id: int = Field(sa_column=Column("MessageId", BIGINT(unsigned=True), nullable=False))
+    # Score is stored as a string until converted during submission.
+    score: str = Field(sa_column=Column("Score", VARCHAR, nullable=False), max_length=30)
+    user_id: int = Field(sa_column=Column("UserId", BIGINT(unsigned=True), nullable=False))
+    username: str = Field(sa_column=Column("UserName", VARCHAR, nullable=False, primary_key=True), max_length=30)
diff --git a/database_setup/pyproject.toml b/database/pyproject.toml
similarity index 100%
rename from database_setup/pyproject.toml
rename to database/pyproject.toml
diff --git a/database_setup/create_database.py b/database_setup/create_database.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 612f614..0000000
--- a/database_setup/create_database.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,13 +0,0 @@
-"""Small script to create the database if it doesn't already exist."""
-
-import sqlite3
-from pathlib import Path
-
-if not Path("database/dakiny.db").exists():
-    with sqlite3.connect("database/dakiny.db") as con:
-        cur = con.cursor()
-
-        with Path("database_setup/database.sql", encoding="utf-8").open() as file:
-            database_script = file.read()
-            cur.executescript(database_script)
-            con.commit()
diff --git a/database_setup/sql_data_classes.py b/database_setup/sql_data_classes.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 25d42d5..0000000
--- a/database_setup/sql_data_classes.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,18 +0,0 @@
-"""Simple file to set up the sqlalchemy connection to database."""
-
-from sqlalchemy import create_engine
-from sqlalchemy.ext.automap import automap_base
-from utilities import config
-
-# connect with sql alchemy and autoload schema
-url = f"mysql+pymysql://{config.SQL_USER}:{config.SQL_PASS}@{config.SQL_HOST}/{config.SQL_DB}"
-engine = create_engine(url)
-Base = automap_base()
-Base.prepare(autoload_with=engine)
-
-# define the classes
-Category = Base.classes.Categories
-CategoryGroup = Base.classes.CategoryGroups
-Guild = Base.classes.Guilds
-Score = Base.classes.Scores
-Submission = Base.classes.Submissions
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 0e1af9a..ec63d6a 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ dependencies = [
     "pymysql>=1.1.1",
     "python-dotenv>=1.0.1",
     "setuptools>=75.3.0",
-    "sqlalchemy>=2.0.35",
+    "sqlmodel>=0.0.22",
 ]
 requires-python = ">=3.12"
 
diff --git a/utilities/__init__.py b/utilities/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3d3885f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utilities/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+"""Package of utility functions and environment configuration variables."""
diff --git a/utilities/config.py b/utilities/config.py
index dcba7ca..baf0aac 100644
--- a/utilities/config.py
+++ b/utilities/config.py
@@ -1,6 +1,4 @@
-"""
-Loads environment variables for use in bot.
-"""
+"""Loads environment variables for use in bot."""
 
 import os
 
@@ -15,3 +13,4 @@ SQL_DB = os.getenv("SQL_DB", "")
 SQL_HOST = os.getenv("SQL_HOST", "")
 SQL_PASS = os.getenv("SQL_PASS", "")
 SQL_USER = os.getenv("SQL_USER", "")
+ENVIRONMENT: str = os.getenv("ENVIRONMENT", "prod")
diff --git a/utilities/utils.py b/utilities/utils.py
index 855c24f..8681a6b 100644
--- a/utilities/utils.py
+++ b/utilities/utils.py
@@ -6,9 +6,10 @@ import nextcord
 import pandas as pd
 from sqlalchemy import distinct, select
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Session, aliased
+from sqlmodel import col
 
-# pylint: disable=import-error
-from database_setup.sql_data_classes import Category, CategoryGroup, Guild, Score, engine
+from database.db import engine
+from database.models import Category, CategoryGroup, Guild, Score
 
 MAX_LINE_LENGTH = 142
 
@@ -31,20 +32,19 @@ def autofill_categories(guild_id: int, group_id: int, category_begin: str) -> "d
         # search database for all category names
         subq = (
             select(CategoryGroup)
-            .where(CategoryGroup.GuildId == guild_id)
-            .where(CategoryGroup.GroupId == group_id)
+            .where(col(CategoryGroup.guild_id) == guild_id)
+            .where(col(CategoryGroup.id) == group_id)
             .subquery()
         )
         cat_group_alias = aliased(CategoryGroup, subq)
-        stmt = select(Category).where(Category.GroupId == cat_group_alias.GroupId)
-        categories_dict: dict[str, str] = {cat.CategoryName: str(cat.CategoryId) for cat in session.scalars(stmt)}
+        stmt = select(Category).where(col(Category.group_id) == cat_group_alias.id)
+        categories_dict: dict[str, str] = {cat.name: str(cat.id) for cat in session.scalars(stmt)}
 
     # if string empty, return all category names
     if not category_begin:
         return dict(list(categories_dict.items())[:25])
 
     # else find all categories that start with category_begin
-    # TODO is it better to have sql handle the starts with or python?
     categories: dict[str, str] = {
         cat_name: cat_id for cat_name, cat_id in categories_dict.items() if category_begin.lower() in cat_name.lower()
     }
@@ -64,10 +64,10 @@ def autofill_groups(guild_id: int, group_begin: str) -> "dict[str, str]":
     """
     with Session(engine) as session:
         # Select all groups in guild.
-        stmt = select(CategoryGroup).where(CategoryGroup.GuildId == guild_id)
+        stmt = select(CategoryGroup).where(col(CategoryGroup.guild_id) == guild_id)
 
         # dict has to have key values of same type for discord.
-        group_dict: dict[str, str] = {group.GroupName: str(group.GroupId) for group in session.scalars(stmt)}
+        group_dict: dict[str, str] = {group.name: str(group.id) for group in session.scalars(stmt)}
 
     # if string empty, return all group names
     if not group_begin:
@@ -83,8 +83,10 @@ def autofill_groups(guild_id: int, group_begin: str) -> "dict[str, str]":
 
 def autofill_users_in_group_category(guild_id: int, group_id: int, category_id: int, user_begin: str) -> "list[str]":
     """
-    Returns list of users that match user_begin. Either all users in group or just users in category if category is
-    not None. Might be expensive due to unioning all users in group.
+    Returns list of users that match user_begin.
+
+    Either all users in group or just users in category if category is not None. Might be expensive due to union-ing all
+    users in group.
 
     Args:
         guild_id (int): Guild id corresponding to group and category.
@@ -99,27 +101,27 @@ def autofill_users_in_group_category(guild_id: int, group_id: int, category_id:
         # get all categories in the group
         subq = (
             select(CategoryGroup)
-            .where(CategoryGroup.GuildId == guild_id)
-            .where(CategoryGroup.GroupId == group_id)
+            .where(col(CategoryGroup.guild_id) == guild_id)
+            .where(col(CategoryGroup.id) == group_id)
             .subquery()
         )
         category_group = aliased(CategoryGroup, subq)
 
         # If no category id, get all users in group.
         if category_id == 0:
-            subq = select(Category.CategoryId).where(Category.GroupId == category_group.GroupId)
-            stmt = select(distinct(Score.UserName)).where(Score.CategoryId.in_(subq))
+            subq = select(col(Category.id)).where(col(Category.group_id) == category_group.id)
+            stmt = select(distinct(col(Score.username))).where(col(Score.category_id).in_(subq))
 
         else:
             # get all users in category_id
             subq = (
                 select(Category)
-                .where(Category.GroupId == category_group.GroupId)
-                .where(Category.CategoryId == category_id)
+                .where(col(Category.group_id) == category_group.id)
+                .where(col(Category.id) == category_id)
                 .subquery()
             )
             category = aliased(Category, subq)
-            stmt = select(distinct(Score.UserName)).where(Score.CategoryId == category.CategoryId)
+            stmt = select(distinct(col(Score.username))).where(col(Score.category_id) == category.id)
 
         users_list: list[str] = list(session.scalars(stmt))
 
@@ -145,9 +147,9 @@ def autofill_users_in_guild(guild_id: int, user_begin: str) -> "list[str]":
         list[str]: All users with submissions in the guild.
     """
     with Session(engine) as session:
-        group_ids = select(CategoryGroup.GroupId).where(CategoryGroup.GuildId == guild_id)
-        category_ids = select(Category.CategoryId).where(Category.GroupId.in_(group_ids))
-        stmt = select(distinct(Score.UserName)).where(Score.CategoryId.in_(category_ids))
+        group_ids = select(col(CategoryGroup.id)).where(col(CategoryGroup.guild_id) == guild_id)
+        category_ids = select(col(Category.id)).where(col(Category.group_id).in_(group_ids))
+        stmt = select(distinct(col(Score.username))).where(col(Score.category_id).in_(category_ids))
         users_list: list[str] = list(session.scalars(stmt))
 
     # if string empty, return all users
@@ -176,34 +178,34 @@ def format_highscore_message(session: Session, group: CategoryGroup) -> str:
     Returns:
         str: Formatted string for discord message
     """
-    ret_string = f"**{group.GroupName}**\n```"
+    ret_string = f"**{group.name}**\n```"
 
-    stmt = select(Guild).where(Guild.GuildId == group.GuildId)
+    stmt = select(Guild).where(col(Guild.id) == group.guild_id)
 
     # Get all categories in the group
     subq = (
         select(CategoryGroup)
-        .where(CategoryGroup.GuildId == group.GuildId)
-        .where(CategoryGroup.GroupName == group.GroupName)
+        .where(col(CategoryGroup.guild_id) == group.guild_id)
+        .where(col(CategoryGroup.name) == group.name)
         .subquery()
     )
     cat_group_alias = aliased(CategoryGroup, subq)
-    stmt = select(Category).where(Category.GroupId == cat_group_alias.GroupId)
+    stmt = select(Category).where(col(Category.group_id) == cat_group_alias.id)
 
     # set up a map for the categories
     # also grab the max category size
-    categories = []
+    categories: list[Category] = []
     category_ids = []
     max_cat_size: int = 0
-    pad_length = group.PadLength
+    pad_length = group.pad_length
     for cat in session.scalars(stmt):
-        max_cat_size = max(cat.Size, max_cat_size)
+        max_cat_size = max(cat.size, max_cat_size)
         categories.append(cat)
-        category_ids.append(cat.CategoryId)
+        category_ids.append(cat.id)
 
     # get all scores in category group, load into data frame.
     d_f = pd.read_sql_query(
-        sql=session.query(Score).where(Score.CategoryId.in_(category_ids)).statement,
+        sql=session.query(Score).where(col(Score.category_id).in_(category_ids)).statement,
         con=engine,
     )
 
@@ -214,15 +216,15 @@ def format_highscore_message(session: Session, group: CategoryGroup) -> str:
 
     for category in categories:
         # category name string
-        str_list[0] += f"{category.CategoryName}".ljust(pad_length, " ")
+        str_list[0] += f"{category.name}".ljust(pad_length, " ")
 
         # ensure there is data to print
-        if category.CategoryId in groups_df.indices:
-            group_df = groups_df.get_group(category.CategoryId)
+        if category.id in groups_df.indices:
+            group_df = groups_df.get_group(category.id)
 
             # process data. Want each group sorted correctly and only top X results
             processed_group = (
-                group_df.sort_values("Score", ascending=category.IsAscending).head(category.Size).reset_index()
+                group_df.sort_values("Score", ascending=category.is_ascending).head(category.size).reset_index()
             )
 
             # add each score to list
@@ -234,19 +236,19 @@ def format_highscore_message(session: Session, group: CategoryGroup) -> str:
                     str_list[ind + 1] += format_score_string(
                         username,
                         score,
-                        group.UsernameLength,
-                        category.IsTimeRecord,
+                        group.username_length,
+                        category.is_time_record,
                         ind + 1,
                         pad_length,
                     )
                 # if not enough entries, pad out
-                elif ind + 1 <= category.Size:
+                elif ind + 1 <= category.size:
                     str_list[ind + 1] += f"{ind + 1}: ".ljust(pad_length, " ")
                 else:
                     str_list[ind + 1] += "".ljust(pad_length, " ")
         else:
             for ind in range(max_cat_size):
-                if ind + 1 <= category.Size:
+                if ind + 1 <= category.size:
                     str_list[ind + 1] += f"{ind + 1}: ".ljust(pad_length, " ")
                 else:
                     str_list[ind + 1] += "".ljust(pad_length, " ")
@@ -301,13 +303,13 @@ def format_score_string(
     if is_time_record:
         # MM:SS.ms is 7 characters long
         # if there are single digit minutes, add a space for formatting.
-        score = get_time_str(score)
-        if score.find(":") and len(score.split(":", maxsplit=1)[0]) < 2:
-            score = " " + score
+        formatted_score = get_time_str(score)
+        if formatted_score.find(":") and len(formatted_score.split(":", maxsplit=1)[0]) < 2:  # noqa: PLR2004
+            formatted_score = " " + formatted_score
     else:
-        score = str(int(score)).rjust(7, " ")
+        formatted_score = str(int(score)).rjust(7, " ")
 
-    return f"{rank}: {username} - {score}".ljust(pad_length, " ")
+    return f"{rank}: {username} - {formatted_score}".ljust(pad_length, " ")
 
 
 def get_time_str(time_in: float) -> str:
@@ -328,6 +330,7 @@ def get_time_str(time_in: float) -> str:
 async def send_highscore_message(session: Session, guild: nextcord.Guild, group: CategoryGroup) -> nextcord.Message:
     """
     Function takes care of checking if a message exists for a group.
+
     Creates and sends/edits the message.
 
     Args:
@@ -339,15 +342,15 @@ async def send_highscore_message(session: Session, guild: nextcord.Guild, group:
         nextcord.Message: Message object that was posted with group contents.
     """
     highscore_string = format_highscore_message(session, group)
-    channel = guild.get_channel(group.ChannelId)
+    channel = guild.get_channel(group.channel_id)
 
-    if group.MessageId is None:
+    if group.message_id is None:
         # message doesn't exist.
         message: nextcord.Message = await channel.send(highscore_string)
-        group.MessageId = message.id
+        group.message_id = message.id
         session.commit()
     else:
-        message: nextcord.Message = await channel.fetch_message(group.MessageId)
+        message: nextcord.Message = await channel.fetch_message(group.message_id)
         await message.edit(content=highscore_string)
 
     return message
@@ -362,37 +365,38 @@ async def submit_score(
 ) -> None:
     """
     Adds passed score to group. Then updates group message by calling send_highscore_message.
+
     Ensures that a highscores channel exists.
 
     Args:
         interaction (nextcord.Interaction): Interaction that caused the score submission.
-        group (CategoryGroup): group to submit score to.
-        category_id (Category): Category to submit score to.
+        group_id (int): group id to submit score to.
+        category_id (int): Category id to submit score to.
         username (str): The user who submitted the score.
         score (str): Score to submit. Need to convert to correct type.
     """
     with Session(engine) as session:
-        stmt = select(Category.IsTimeRecord).where(Category.CategoryId == category_id)
+        stmt = select(col(Category.is_time_record)).where(col(Category.id) == category_id)
         is_time_record = session.scalar(stmt)
 
         if is_time_record:
             minutes = float(score.split(":", maxsplit=1)[0])
             seconds = float(score.split(":", maxsplit=1)[1])
-            score = (minutes * 60) + seconds
+            score_f = (minutes * 60) + seconds
         else:
-            score = float(score)
+            score_f = float(score)
 
-        stmt = select(Score).where(Score.UserName == username).where(Score.CategoryId == category_id)
+        stmt = select(Score).where(col(Score.username) == username).where(col(Score.category_id) == category_id)
         existing_score = session.scalar(stmt)
 
         if existing_score:
-            existing_score.Score = score
+            existing_score.score = score_f
         else:
-            score_obj = Score(UserName=username, Score=score, CategoryId=category_id)
+            score_obj = Score(username=username, score=score_f, category_id=category_id)
             session.add(score_obj)
         session.commit()
 
-        stmt = select(CategoryGroup).where(CategoryGroup.GroupId == group_id)
+        stmt = select(CategoryGroup).where(col(CategoryGroup.id) == group_id)
         group = session.scalar(stmt)
 
         await send_highscore_message(session, interaction.guild, group)
diff --git a/uv.lock b/uv.lock
index 8ee428b..7fa58c4 100644
--- a/uv.lock
+++ b/uv.lock
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ dependencies = [
     { name = "pymysql" },
     { name = "python-dotenv" },
     { name = "setuptools" },
-    { name = "sqlalchemy" },
+    { name = "sqlmodel" },
 ]
 
 [package.dev-dependencies]
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ requires-dist = [
     { name = "pymysql", specifier = ">=1.1.1" },
     { name = "python-dotenv", specifier = ">=1.0.1" },
     { name = "setuptools", specifier = ">=75.3.0" },
-    { name = "sqlalchemy", specifier = ">=2.0.35" },
+    { name = "sqlmodel", specifier = ">=0.0.22" },
 ]
 
 [package.metadata.requires-dev]
@@ -102,6 +102,15 @@ wheels = [
     { url = "https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/76/ac/a7305707cb852b7e16ff80eaf5692309bde30e2b1100a1fcacdc8f731d97/aiosignal-1.3.1-py3-none-any.whl", hash = "sha256:f8376fb07dd1e86a584e4fcdec80b36b7f81aac666ebc724e2c090300dd83b17", size = 7617 },
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "annotated-types"
+version = "0.7.0"
+source = { registry = "https://pypi.org/simple" }
+sdist = { url = "https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/ee/67/531ea369ba64dcff5ec9c3402f9f51bf748cec26dde048a2f973a4eea7f5/annotated_types-0.7.0.tar.gz", hash = "sha256:aff07c09a53a08bc8cfccb9c85b05f1aa9a2a6f23728d790723543408344ce89", size = 16081 }
+wheels = [
+    { url = "https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/78/b6/6307fbef88d9b5ee7421e68d78a9f162e0da4900bc5f5793f6d3d0e34fb8/annotated_types-0.7.0-py3-none-any.whl", hash = "sha256:1f02e8b43a8fbbc3f3e0d4f0f4bfc8131bcb4eebe8849b8e5c773f3a1c582a53", size = 13643 },
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "attrs"
 version = "24.2.0"
@@ -425,6 +434,59 @@ wheels = [
     { url = "https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/13/a3/a812df4e2dd5696d1f351d58b8fe16a405b234ad2886a0dab9183fb78109/pycparser-2.22-py3-none-any.whl", hash = "sha256:c3702b6d3dd8c7abc1afa565d7e63d53a1d0bd86cdc24edd75470f4de499cfcc", size = 117552 },
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "pydantic"
+version = "2.10.6"
+source = { registry = "https://pypi.org/simple" }
+dependencies = [
+    { name = "annotated-types" },
+    { name = "pydantic-core" },
+    { name = "typing-extensions" },
+]
+sdist = { url = "https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/b7/ae/d5220c5c52b158b1de7ca89fc5edb72f304a70a4c540c84c8844bf4008de/pydantic-2.10.6.tar.gz", hash = "sha256:ca5daa827cce33de7a42be142548b0096bf05a7e7b365aebfa5f8eeec7128236", size = 761681 }
+wheels = [
+    { url = "https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/f4/3c/8cc1cc84deffa6e25d2d0c688ebb80635dfdbf1dbea3e30c541c8cf4d860/pydantic-2.10.6-py3-none-any.whl", hash = "sha256:427d664bf0b8a2b34ff5dd0f5a18df00591adcee7198fbd71981054cef37b584", size = 431696 },
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "pydantic-core"
+version = "2.27.2"
+source = { registry = "https://pypi.org/simple" }
+dependencies = [
+    { name = "typing-extensions" },
+]
+sdist = { url = "https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/fc/01/f3e5ac5e7c25833db5eb555f7b7ab24cd6f8c322d3a3ad2d67a952dc0abc/pydantic_core-2.27.2.tar.gz", hash = "sha256:eb026e5a4c1fee05726072337ff51d1efb6f59090b7da90d30ea58625b1ffb39", size = 413443 }
+wheels = [
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+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "pymysql"
 version = "1.1.1"
@@ -536,6 +598,19 @@ wheels = [
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+version = "0.0.22"
+source = { registry = "https://pypi.org/simple" }
+dependencies = [
+    { name = "pydantic" },
+    { name = "sqlalchemy" },
+]
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 [[package]]
 name = "typing-extensions"
 version = "4.12.2"