diff --git a/.github/workflows/workflow.yml b/.github/workflows/workflow.yml
index a05ca4dac6..3baaf31031 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/workflow.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/workflow.yml
@@ -134,13 +134,13 @@ jobs:
       - name: License Check
         run: tox -e liccheck
       - name: AEA Package Hashes Check
-        run: tox -e hash_check -- --timeout 60.0
+        run: tox -e hash-check
       - name: Check package versions in documentation
-        run: tox -e package_version_checks
+        run: tox -e package-version-checks
       - name: Check package dependencies
-        run: tox -e package_dependencies_checks
+        run: tox -e package-dependencies-checks
       - name: Check generate protocols
-        run: tox -e check_generate_all_protocols
+        run: tox -e check-generate-all-protocols
       - name: Generate Documentation
         run: tox -e docs
 
@@ -189,11 +189,11 @@ jobs:
       - name: Install markdown-spellcheck
         run: sudo npm install -g markdown-spellcheck
       - name: Check Docs links and IPFS hashes
-        run: tox -e check_doc_links_hashes
+        run: tox -e check-doc-links-hashes
       - name: Check API Docs updated
-        run: tox -e check_api_docs
+        run: tox -e check-api-docs
       - name: Check spelling
-        run: tox -e spell_check
+        run: tox -e spell-check
 
   scan:
     name: gitleaks
@@ -235,7 +235,7 @@ jobs:
           pip install -e .[all]
       - name: Check aea dependenices and imports
         run: |
-          tox -e dependencies_check
+          tox -e dependencies-check
 
   plugins_install_check:
     continue-on-error: False
diff --git a/.spelling b/.spelling
index 35fd9df774..72f02e5327 100644
--- a/.spelling
+++ b/.spelling
@@ -285,6 +285,11 @@ v0
 ipfsdaemon
 py3.6
 async
+gnosis
+abci
+metaclass
+api
+gitleaks
  - docs/language-agnostic-definition.md
 fetchai
 protocol_id
diff --git a/HISTORY.md b/HISTORY.md
index 678fc14318..035daa2a83 100644
--- a/HISTORY.md
+++ b/HISTORY.md
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ AEA:
 - Adds check to make sure all the packages in an AEA project are listed in the `aea-config.yaml`
 - Fixes a bug related to async function call on `TCPSocketProtocol`
 - Updates transaction building to handle gas estimation properly
-- Update `ContractConfig` class to include contract dependencies in the depedency list
+- Update `ContractConfig` class to include contract dependencies in the dependency list
 
 Docs:
 - Adds missing command on the `http-echo-demo.md` doc.
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index aa675d1246..a3d08481e6 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 .PHONY: clean
-clean: clean-build clean-pyc clean-test clean-docs
+clean: clean-test clean-build clean-pyc clean-docs
 
 .PHONY: clean-build
 clean-build:
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ clean-build:
 	rm -fr pip-wheel-metadata
 	find . -name '*.egg-info' -exec rm -fr {} +
 	find . -name '*.egg' -exec rm -fr {} +
+	find . -type d -name __pycache__ -exec rm -rv {} +
 	rm -fr Pipfile.lock
 	rm -rf plugins/*/build
 	rm -rf plugins/*/dist
@@ -35,42 +36,20 @@ clean-test:
 	rm -fr .hypothesis
 	rm -fr .pytest_cache
 	rm -fr .mypy_cache/
-	rm -fr input_file
-	rm -fr output_file
+	rm -fr .hypothesis/
 	find . -name 'log.txt' -exec rm -fr {} +
 	find . -name 'log.*.txt' -exec rm -fr {} +
 
-.PHONY: lint
-lint:
-	black aea benchmark examples packages plugins scripts tests
-	isort aea benchmark examples packages plugins scripts tests
-	flake8 aea benchmark examples packages plugins scripts tests
-	vulture aea scripts/whitelist.py --exclude "*_pb2.py"
-	darglint aea benchmark examples libs packages plugins scripts
-
-.PHONY: pylint
-pylint:
-	pylint -j4 aea benchmark packages scripts plugins/aea-ledger-fetchai/aea_ledger_fetchai plugins/aea-ledger-ethereum/aea_ledger_ethereum plugins/aea-ledger-cosmos/aea_ledger_cosmos plugins/aea-cli-ipfs/aea_cli_ipfs examples/*
-
-.PHONY: static
-static:
-	mypy aea benchmark examples --disallow-untyped-defs
-	mypy packages tests plugins/aea-ledger-fetchai/aea_ledger_fetchai plugins/aea-ledger-ethereum/aea_ledger_ethereum plugins/aea-ledger-cosmos/aea_ledger_cosmos plugins/aea-cli-ipfs/aea_cli_ipfs
-
-.PHONY: package_checks
+.PHONY: package-checks
 package_checks:
-	python -m aea.cli hash all --check
-	python -m aea.cli hash all --packages-dir=./tests/data/packages --check
-	python scripts/check_package_versions_in_docs.py
-	python -m aea.cli check-packages
+	tox -e hash-check
+	tox -e package-version-checks
+	tox -e package-dependencies-checks
 
 .PHONY: docs
 docs:
 	mkdocs build --clean
 
-.PHONY: common_checks
-common_checks: security misc_checks lint static docs
-
 .PHONY: test
 test:
 	pytest -rfE plugins/aea-ledger-fetchai/tests --cov=aea_ledger_fetchai --cov-report=term --cov-report=term-missing --cov-config=.coveragerc
@@ -128,12 +107,7 @@ release:
 v := $(shell pip -V | grep virtualenvs)
 
 .PHONY: all-checks
-all-checks:
-	make clean \
-	&& make formatters \
-	&& make code-checks \
-	&& make common-checks \
-	&& make security \
+all-checks: clean formatters code-checks common-checks-1 common-checks-2 security
 
 .PHONY: new_env
 new_env: clean
@@ -191,26 +165,19 @@ security:
 # update copyright headers
 .PHONY: generators
 generators:
+	tox -e fix-copyright
 	python -m aea.cli generate-all-protocols
 	python -m aea.cli generate-all-protocols tests/data/packages
 	python -m aea.cli hash all
 	python -m aea.cli hash all --packages-dir=./tests/data/packages
-	python scripts/generate_api_docs.py
-	python scripts/check_copyright_notice.py
-	python scripts/check_doc_ipfs_hashes.py --fix
+	tox -e generate-api-documentation
+	tox -e fix-doc-hashes
 
-.PHONY: common-checks
+.PHONY: common-checks-1
 common-checks:
-	tox -p -e check-copyright -e hash_check -e package_dependencies_checks
-
-.PHONY: doc-checks
-doc-checks:
-	tox -e check_doc_links_hashes -e check_api_docs
-
-.PHONY: copyright
-copyright:
-	python scripts/check_copyright_notice.py
+	tox -p -e check-copyright -e hash_check -e package-dependencies-checks
 
-.PHONY: check-copyright
-check-copyright:
-	tox -e check-copyright
+.PHONY: common-checks-2
+common-checks-2:
+	tox -e check-api-docs
+	tox -e check-doc-links-hashes
diff --git a/aea/cli/add.py b/aea/cli/add.py
index 285409eb72..d83a60d5af 100644
--- a/aea/cli/add.py
+++ b/aea/cli/add.py
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ def fetch_item_remote(
 
     if get_default_remote_registry() == REMOTE_IPFS:
         try:
-            return fetch_ipfs(item_type, item_public_id, dest_path)
+            return cast(Path, fetch_ipfs(item_type, item_public_id, dest_path))
         except HashNotProvided:
             click.echo(f"Hash was not provided for: {item_public_id}")
             click.echo("Will try with http repository.")
diff --git a/aea/cli/push.py b/aea/cli/push.py
index d7163469d7..b922e808af 100644
--- a/aea/cli/push.py
+++ b/aea/cli/push.py
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ def push_item_ipfs(component_path: Path, public_id: PublicId) -> None:
         )
 
     ipfs_tool = IPFSTool(get_ipfs_node_multiaddr())
-    _, package_hash, _ = ipfs_tool.add(component_path)
+    _, package_hash, _ = ipfs_tool.add(str(component_path))
     package_hash = to_v1(package_hash)
 
     click.echo("Pushed component with:")
diff --git a/docs/api/plugins/aea_ledger_ethereum/ethereum.md b/docs/api/plugins/aea_ledger_ethereum/ethereum.md
index 3fbbe06d8e..0778ac57c4 100644
--- a/docs/api/plugins/aea_ledger_ethereum/ethereum.md
+++ b/docs/api/plugins/aea_ledger_ethereum/ethereum.md
@@ -39,12 +39,11 @@ Returns multiplier value.
 #### estimate`_`priority`_`fee
 
 ```python
-def estimate_priority_fee(web3_object: Web3, base_fee_gwei: int,
-                          block_number: int,
-                          priority_fee_estimation_trigger: int,
-                          default_priority_fee: int, fee_history_blocks: int,
-                          fee_history_percentile: int,
-                          priority_fee_increase_boundary: int) -> int
+def estimate_priority_fee(
+        web3_object: Web3, base_fee_gwei: int, block_number: int,
+        priority_fee_estimation_trigger: int, default_priority_fee: int,
+        fee_history_blocks: int, fee_history_percentile: int,
+        priority_fee_increase_boundary: int) -> Optional[int]
 ```
 
 Estimate priority fee from base fee.
@@ -72,7 +71,8 @@ Get the gas price strategy.
 def get_gas_price_strategy_eip1559_polygon(
         gas_endpoint: str,
         fallback_estimate: Dict[str, Optional[int]],
-        speed: Optional[str] = SPEED_FAST) -> Callable[[], Dict[str, Wei]]
+        speed: Optional[str] = SPEED_FAST
+) -> Callable[[Any, Any], Dict[str, Wei]]
 ```
 
 Get the gas price strategy.
@@ -793,18 +793,10 @@ the contract instance
 #### get`_`deploy`_`transaction
 
 ```python
-def get_deploy_transaction(
-        contract_interface: Dict[str, str],
-        deployer_address: Address,
-        value: int = 0,
-        gas: Optional[int] = None,
-        max_fee_per_gas: Optional[int] = None,
-        max_priority_fee_per_gas: Optional[str] = None,
-        gas_price: Optional[str] = None,
-        gas_price_strategy: Optional[str] = None,
-        gas_price_strategy_extra_config: Optional[Dict] = None,
-        raise_on_try: bool = False,
-        **kwargs: Any) -> Optional[JSONLike]
+def get_deploy_transaction(contract_interface: Dict[str, str],
+                           deployer_address: Address,
+                           raise_on_try: bool = False,
+                           **kwargs: Any) -> Optional[JSONLike]
 ```
 
 Get the transaction to deploy the smart contract.
@@ -813,13 +805,6 @@ Get the transaction to deploy the smart contract.
 
 - `contract_interface`: the contract interface.
 - `deployer_address`: The address that will deploy the contract.
-- `value`: value to send to contract (in Wei)
-- `gas`: the gas to be used (in Wei)
-- `max_fee_per_gas`: maximum amount you’re willing to pay, inclusive of `baseFeePerGas` and `maxPriorityFeePerGas`. The difference between `maxFeePerGas` and `baseFeePerGas + maxPriorityFeePerGas` is refunded  (in Wei).
-- `max_priority_fee_per_gas`: the part of the fee that goes to the miner (in Wei).
-- `gas_price`: the gas price (in Wei)
-- `gas_price_strategy`: the gas price strategy to be used.
-- `gas_price_strategy_extra_config`: extra config for gas price strategy.
 - `raise_on_try`: whether the method will raise or log on error
 - `kwargs`: keyword arguments
 
@@ -875,8 +860,8 @@ the call result
 ```python
 def build_transaction(contract_instance: Any,
                       method_name: str,
-                      method_args: Dict,
-                      tx_args: Dict,
+                      method_args: Optional[Dict[Any, Any]],
+                      tx_args: Optional[Dict[Any, Any]],
                       raise_on_try: bool = False) -> Optional[JSONLike]
 ```
 
diff --git a/docs/gym-skill.md b/docs/gym-skill.md
index 8ba38d9036..80004b1c01 100644
--- a/docs/gym-skill.md
+++ b/docs/gym-skill.md
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-The AEA gym skill demonstrates how a custom Reinforcement Learning agent, that uses OpenAI's <a href="https://www.gymlibrary.ml" target="_blank">gym</a> library, may be embedded into an AEA skill and connection.
+The AEA gym skill demonstrates how a custom Reinforcement Learning agent, that uses OpenAI's <a href="https://github.com/openai/gym" target="_blank">gym</a> library, may be embedded into an AEA skill and connection.
 
 ### Discussion
 
diff --git a/docs/limits.md b/docs/limits.md
index 7321449281..677cd10c0b 100644
--- a/docs/limits.md
+++ b/docs/limits.md
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ This could be taken further, and a reduced spec version for <a href="https://mic
 
 #### Compiled AEA
 
-Python is not a compiled language. However, various projects attempt this, e.g. <a href="https://nuitka.net/doc/user-manual.html" target="_blank">Nuitka</a> and it would be desirable to explore how useful and practical this would be in the context of AEA.
+Python is not a compiled language. However, various projects attempt this, e.g. <a href="https://github.com/Nuitka/Nuitka" target="_blank">Nuitka</a> and it would be desirable to explore how useful and practical this would be in the context of AEA.
 
 #### DID integration
 
diff --git a/examples/gym_ex/proxy/env.py b/examples/gym_ex/proxy/env.py
index f0a5c0f8ca..25c6cf2453 100755
--- a/examples/gym_ex/proxy/env.py
+++ b/examples/gym_ex/proxy/env.py
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ def step(self, action: Action) -> Feedback:
 
         return observation, reward, done, info
 
-    def render(self, mode="human") -> None:
+    def render(self, mode: str = "human") -> None:
         """
         Render the environment.
 
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ def close(self) -> None:
 
         self._disconnect()
 
-    def _connect(self):
+    def _connect(self) -> None:
         """Connect to this proxy environment. It starts a proxy agent that can interact with the framework."""
         if cast(Thread, self._agent_thread).is_alive():
             raise ValueError("Agent already running.")
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ def _connect(self):
         while not self._agent.runtime.is_running:  # check agent completely running
             time.sleep(0.01)
 
-    def _disconnect(self):
+    def _disconnect(self) -> None:
         """Disconnect from this proxy environment. It stops the proxy agent and kills its thread."""
         self._agent.stop()
         cast(Thread, self._agent_thread).join()
diff --git a/plugins/aea-cli-ipfs/aea_cli_ipfs/ipfs_utils.py b/plugins/aea-cli-ipfs/aea_cli_ipfs/ipfs_utils.py
index ab515fd1c8..a3647d0ff0 100644
--- a/plugins/aea-cli-ipfs/aea_cli_ipfs/ipfs_utils.py
+++ b/plugins/aea-cli-ipfs/aea_cli_ipfs/ipfs_utils.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 import signal
 import subprocess  # nosec
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import Dict, List, Optional, Set, Tuple, cast
+from typing import Dict, IO, List, Optional, Set, Tuple, cast
 
 import ipfshttpclient  # type: ignore
 import requests
@@ -163,7 +163,11 @@ def start(self) -> None:
             env=os.environ.copy(),
         )
         empty_outputs = 0
-        for stdout_line in iter(self.process.stdout.readline, ""):
+
+        if self.process.stdout is None:
+            raise RuntimeError("Could not start IPFS daemon.")
+
+        for stdout_line in iter(cast(IO[bytes], self.process.stdout).readline, ""):
             if b"Daemon is ready" in stdout_line:
                 break
             if stdout_line == b"":
@@ -175,7 +179,10 @@ def stop(self) -> None:  # pragma: nocover
         """Terminate the ipfs daemon if it was started internally."""
         if self.process is None:
             return
-        self.process.stdout.close()
+
+        if self.process.stdout is not None:
+            self.process.stdout.close()
+
         self.process.send_signal(signal.SIGTERM)
         self.process.wait(timeout=30)
         poll = self.process.poll()
@@ -207,7 +214,7 @@ def __init__(self, addr: Optional[str] = None):
         if addr is None:
             addr = os.environ.get("OPEN_AEA_IPFS_ADDR", DEFAULT_IPFS_URL)
 
-        _, host, *_ = resolve_addr(addr)  # verify addr
+        _, host, *_ = resolve_addr(cast(str, addr))  # verify addr
 
         self._addr = addr
         self.is_remote = is_remote_addr(host)
diff --git a/plugins/aea-cli-ipfs/aea_cli_ipfs/registry.py b/plugins/aea-cli-ipfs/aea_cli_ipfs/registry.py
index 1c51e70bbf..66e3b7214a 100644
--- a/plugins/aea-cli-ipfs/aea_cli_ipfs/registry.py
+++ b/plugins/aea-cli-ipfs/aea_cli_ipfs/registry.py
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ def fetch_ipfs(
         ipfs_tool = IPFSTool(addr=DEFAULT_IPFS_URL_LOCAL)
 
     try:
-        package_hash = public_id.hash
+        package_hash: Optional[str] = public_id.hash
     except ValueError:
         package_hash = (
             None if remote else get_ipfs_hash_from_public_id(item_type, public_id)
diff --git a/plugins/aea-ledger-cosmos/aea_ledger_cosmos/cosmos.py b/plugins/aea-ledger-cosmos/aea_ledger_cosmos/cosmos.py
index 5519d3d7da..b059846ec9 100644
--- a/plugins/aea-ledger-cosmos/aea_ledger_cosmos/cosmos.py
+++ b/plugins/aea-ledger-cosmos/aea_ledger_cosmos/cosmos.py
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ def get_event_attributes(tx_receipt: JSONLike) -> Dict:
         """
         return {
             i["key"]: i["value"]
-            for i in chain(*[i["attributes"] for i in tx_receipt["logs"][0]["events"]])
+            for i in chain(*[i["attributes"] for i in tx_receipt["logs"][0]["events"]])  # type: ignore
         }
 
     @classmethod
@@ -1307,7 +1307,7 @@ def _get_transaction(
             )
 
         # Get account and signer info for each sender
-        signer_infos: List[SignerInfo] = []
+        signer_infos: List[SignerInfo] = []  # type: ignore
         sign_data: JSONLike = {}
         for from_address, pub_key, sequence, account_number in zip(
             from_addresses, pub_keys, sequences, account_numbers
diff --git a/plugins/aea-ledger-ethereum/aea_ledger_ethereum/ethereum.py b/plugins/aea-ledger-ethereum/aea_ledger_ethereum/ethereum.py
index 1e5396f506..f877e54fc6 100644
--- a/plugins/aea-ledger-ethereum/aea_ledger_ethereum/ethereum.py
+++ b/plugins/aea-ledger-ethereum/aea_ledger_ethereum/ethereum.py
@@ -91,7 +91,6 @@
 FALLBACK_ESTIMATE = {
     "maxFeePerGas": to_wei(20, "gwei"),
     "maxPriorityFeePerGas": to_wei(DEFAULT_PRIORITY_FEE, "gwei"),
-    "baseFee": None,
 }
 
 PRIORITY_FEE_INCREASE_BOUNDARY = 200  # percentage
@@ -158,7 +157,7 @@ def estimate_priority_fee(
     fee_history_blocks: int,
     fee_history_percentile: int,
     priority_fee_increase_boundary: int,
-) -> int:
+) -> Optional[int]:
     """Estimate priority fee from base fee."""
 
     if base_fee_gwei < priority_fee_estimation_trigger:
@@ -226,7 +225,7 @@ def eip1559_price_strategy(
 
         estimated_priority_fee = estimate_priority_fee(
             web3,
-            base_fee_gwei,
+            cast(int, base_fee_gwei),
             block_number,
             priority_fee_estimation_trigger=priority_fee_estimation_trigger,
             default_priority_fee=default_priority_fee,
@@ -244,7 +243,7 @@ def eip1559_price_strategy(
         max_priority_fee_per_gas = max(
             estimated_priority_fee, to_wei(default_priority_fee, "gwei")
         )
-        multiplier = get_base_fee_multiplier(base_fee_gwei)
+        multiplier = get_base_fee_multiplier(cast(int, base_fee_gwei))
 
         potential_max_fee = base_fee * multiplier
         max_fee_per_gas = (
@@ -271,7 +270,7 @@ def get_gas_price_strategy_eip1559_polygon(
     gas_endpoint: str,
     fallback_estimate: Dict[str, Optional[int]],
     speed: Optional[str] = SPEED_FAST,
-) -> Callable[[], Dict[str, Wei]]:
+) -> Callable[[Any, Any], Dict[str, Wei]]:
     """Get the gas price strategy."""
 
     def eip1559_price_strategy(
@@ -999,11 +998,11 @@ def _get_gas_price_strategy(
             return None
 
         _default_logger.debug(f"Using strategy: {gas_price_strategy}")
-        gas_price_strategy_getter = self._gas_price_strategy_callables.get(
-            gas_price_strategy, None
-        )
+        gas_price_strategy_getter = self._gas_price_strategy_callables[
+            gas_price_strategy
+        ]
 
-        parameters = DEFAULT_GAS_PRICE_STRATEGIES.get(gas_price_strategy)
+        parameters = cast(dict, DEFAULT_GAS_PRICE_STRATEGIES.get(gas_price_strategy))
         parameters.update(self._gas_price_strategies.get(gas_price_strategy, {}))
         parameters.update(extra_config or {})
         return gas_price_strategy, gas_price_strategy_getter(**parameters)
@@ -1291,13 +1290,6 @@ def get_deploy_transaction(  # pylint: disable=arguments-differ
         self,
         contract_interface: Dict[str, str],
         deployer_address: Address,
-        value: int = 0,
-        gas: Optional[int] = None,
-        max_fee_per_gas: Optional[int] = None,
-        max_priority_fee_per_gas: Optional[str] = None,
-        gas_price: Optional[str] = None,
-        gas_price_strategy: Optional[str] = None,
-        gas_price_strategy_extra_config: Optional[Dict] = None,
         raise_on_try: bool = False,
         **kwargs: Any,
     ) -> Optional[JSONLike]:
@@ -1306,17 +1298,38 @@ def get_deploy_transaction(  # pylint: disable=arguments-differ
 
         :param contract_interface: the contract interface.
         :param deployer_address: The address that will deploy the contract.
-        :param value: value to send to contract (in Wei)
-        :param gas: the gas to be used (in Wei)
-        :param max_fee_per_gas: maximum amount you’re willing to pay, inclusive of `baseFeePerGas` and `maxPriorityFeePerGas`. The difference between `maxFeePerGas` and `baseFeePerGas + maxPriorityFeePerGas` is refunded  (in Wei).
-        :param max_priority_fee_per_gas: the part of the fee that goes to the miner (in Wei).
-        :param gas_price: the gas price (in Wei)
-        :param gas_price_strategy: the gas price strategy to be used.
-        :param gas_price_strategy_extra_config: extra config for gas price strategy.
         :param raise_on_try: whether the method will raise or log on error
         :param kwargs: keyword arguments
         :return: the transaction dictionary.
         """
+
+        # value to send to contract (in Wei)
+        value: int = kwargs.pop("value", 0)
+
+        # the gas to be used (in Wei)
+        gas: Optional[int] = kwargs.pop("gas", None)
+
+        # maximum amount you’re willing to pay, inclusive of `baseFeePerGas` and
+        # `maxPriorityFeePerGas`. The difference between `maxFeePerGas` and
+        # `baseFeePerGas + maxPriorityFeePerGas` is refunded  (in Wei).
+        max_fee_per_gas: Optional[int] = kwargs.pop("max_fee_per_gas", None)
+
+        # the part of the fee that goes to the miner (in Wei).
+        max_priority_fee_per_gas: Optional[str] = kwargs.pop(
+            "max_priority_fee_per_gas", None
+        )
+
+        # the gas price (in Wei)
+        gas_price: Optional[str] = kwargs.pop("gas_price", None)
+
+        # the gas price strategy to be used.
+        gas_price_strategy: Optional[str] = kwargs.pop("gas_price_strategy", None)
+
+        # extra config for gas price strategy.
+        gas_price_strategy_extra_config: Optional[Dict] = kwargs.pop(
+            "gas_price_strategy_extra_config", None
+        )
+
         transaction: Optional[JSONLike] = None
         _deployer_address = self.api.toChecksumAddress(deployer_address)
         nonce = self._try_get_transaction_count(
@@ -1408,8 +1421,8 @@ def build_transaction(  # pylint: disable=too-many-arguments
         self,
         contract_instance: Any,
         method_name: str,
-        method_args: Dict,
-        tx_args: Dict,
+        method_args: Optional[Dict[Any, Any]],
+        tx_args: Optional[Dict[Any, Any]],
         raise_on_try: bool = False,
     ) -> Optional[JSONLike]:
         """Prepare a transaction
@@ -1421,8 +1434,17 @@ def build_transaction(  # pylint: disable=too-many-arguments
         :param raise_on_try: whether the method will raise or log on error
         :return: the transaction
         """
+
+        if method_args is None:
+            raise ValueError("Argument 'method_args' cannot be 'None'.")
+
         method = getattr(contract_instance.functions, method_name)
-        tx = method(**method_args)
+        tx = method(**cast(Dict, method_args))
+
+        if tx_args is None:
+            raise ValueError("Argument 'tx_args' cannot be 'None'.")
+
+        tx_args = cast(Dict, tx_args)
 
         nonce = self.api.eth.get_transaction_count(tx_args["sender_address"])
         tx_params = {
diff --git a/plugins/aea-ledger-ethereum/tests/test_ethereum.py b/plugins/aea-ledger-ethereum/tests/test_ethereum.py
index cd60326567..e2f5301185 100644
--- a/plugins/aea-ledger-ethereum/tests/test_ethereum.py
+++ b/plugins/aea-ledger-ethereum/tests/test_ethereum.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
 import logging
 import math
 import random
+import re
 import tempfile
 import time
 from pathlib import Path
@@ -487,7 +488,6 @@ def test_gas_price_strategy_eip1559() -> None:
             gas_stregy = callable_(web3, "tx_params")
 
     assert all([key in gas_stregy for key in ["maxFeePerGas", "maxPriorityFeePerGas"]])
-
     assert all([value > 1e8 for value in gas_stregy.values()])
 
 
@@ -518,8 +518,6 @@ def test_gas_price_strategy_eip1559_estimate_none() -> None:
 
     assert all([key in gas_stregy for key in ["maxFeePerGas", "maxPriorityFeePerGas"]])
 
-    assert gas_stregy["baseFee"] is None
-
 
 def test_gas_price_strategy_eip1559_fallback() -> None:
     """Test eip1559 based gas price strategy."""
@@ -550,8 +548,6 @@ def test_gas_price_strategy_eip1559_fallback() -> None:
 
     assert all([key in gas_stregy for key in ["maxFeePerGas", "maxPriorityFeePerGas"]])
 
-    assert gas_stregy["baseFee"] is None
-
 
 def test_gas_price_strategy_eth_gasstation():
     """Test the gas price strategy when using eth gasstation."""
@@ -674,6 +670,25 @@ def pass_tx_params(tx_params):
 
     eth_api = EthereumApi(**ethereum_testnet_config)
 
+    with pytest.raises(
+        ValueError, match=re.escape("Argument 'method_args' cannot be 'None'.")
+    ):
+        eth_api.build_transaction(
+            contract_instance=contract_instance,
+            method_name="dummy_method",
+            method_args=None,
+            tx_args={},
+        )
+    with pytest.raises(
+        ValueError, match=re.escape("Argument 'tx_args' cannot be 'None'.")
+    ):
+        eth_api.build_transaction(
+            contract_instance=contract_instance,
+            method_name="dummy_method",
+            method_args={},
+            tx_args=None,
+        )
+
     with mock.patch(
         "web3.eth.Eth.get_transaction_count",
         return_value=0,
diff --git a/plugins/aea-ledger-ethereum/tests/test_ethereum_contract.py b/plugins/aea-ledger-ethereum/tests/test_ethereum_contract.py
index 21cb703a5d..a917c01b55 100644
--- a/plugins/aea-ledger-ethereum/tests/test_ethereum_contract.py
+++ b/plugins/aea-ledger-ethereum/tests/test_ethereum_contract.py
@@ -41,14 +41,14 @@ def test_get_contract_instance(ethereum_testnet_config, ganache):
     tx = ethereum_api.get_deploy_transaction(
         contract_interface,
         ec.address,
-        0,
+        value=0,
         max_priority_fee_per_gas=1000000000,
         max_fee_per_gas=1000000000,
     )
     tx = ethereum_api.get_deploy_transaction(
         contract_interface,
         ec.address,
-        0,
+        value=0,
         gas=1000000,
         max_priority_fee_per_gas=1000000000,
         max_fee_per_gas=1000000000,
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ def test_gas_station_strategy(ethereum_testnet_config, ganache):
     full_path = Path(ROOT_DIR, "tests", "data", "dummy_contract", "build", "some.json")
     contract_interface = ethereum_api.load_contract_interface(full_path)
     tx = ethereum_api.get_deploy_transaction(
-        contract_interface, ec.address, 0, gas_price_strategy="gas_station"
+        contract_interface, ec.address, value=0, gas_price_strategy="gas_station"
     )
     assert all(
         [
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ def test_eip1559_strategy(ethereum_testnet_config, ganache):
     full_path = Path(ROOT_DIR, "tests", "data", "dummy_contract", "build", "some.json")
     contract_interface = ethereum_api.load_contract_interface(full_path)
     tx = ethereum_api.get_deploy_transaction(
-        contract_interface, ec.address, 0, gas_price_strategy="eip1559"
+        contract_interface, ec.address, value=0, gas_price_strategy="eip1559"
     )
     logging.info(tx.keys())
     assert all(
@@ -117,7 +117,6 @@ def test_eip1559_strategy(ethereum_testnet_config, ganache):
                 "nonce",
                 "maxFeePerGas",
                 "maxPriorityFeePerGas",
-                "baseFee",
                 "data",
                 "from",
             ]
diff --git a/plugins/aea-ledger-fetchai/aea_ledger_fetchai/_cosmos.py b/plugins/aea-ledger-fetchai/aea_ledger_fetchai/_cosmos.py
index 5519d3d7da..b059846ec9 100644
--- a/plugins/aea-ledger-fetchai/aea_ledger_fetchai/_cosmos.py
+++ b/plugins/aea-ledger-fetchai/aea_ledger_fetchai/_cosmos.py
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ def get_event_attributes(tx_receipt: JSONLike) -> Dict:
         """
         return {
             i["key"]: i["value"]
-            for i in chain(*[i["attributes"] for i in tx_receipt["logs"][0]["events"]])
+            for i in chain(*[i["attributes"] for i in tx_receipt["logs"][0]["events"]])  # type: ignore
         }
 
     @classmethod
@@ -1307,7 +1307,7 @@ def _get_transaction(
             )
 
         # Get account and signer info for each sender
-        signer_infos: List[SignerInfo] = []
+        signer_infos: List[SignerInfo] = []  # type: ignore
         sign_data: JSONLike = {}
         for from_address, pub_key, sequence, account_number in zip(
             from_addresses, pub_keys, sequences, account_numbers
diff --git a/scripts/RELEASE_PROCESS.md b/scripts/RELEASE_PROCESS.md
index 48f9148fe0..52b6f36f6a 100644
--- a/scripts/RELEASE_PROCESS.md
+++ b/scripts/RELEASE_PROCESS.md
@@ -40,9 +40,9 @@
 
 18. Publish the latest packages to the IPFS registry using `aea init --reset --author valory --ipfs --remote` and `aea push-all`. If necessary, run it several times until all packages are updated.
 
-19. Build the release images using `skaffold build -p release` which will also publish them on docker. This builds with no cache so to ensure replicable builds. Before running it, copy packages: `cp -R packages/ deploy-image/packages/`
+19. Build the release images using `skaffold build -p release` which will also publish them to Docker Hub. This builds with no cache so to ensure replicable builds.
 
-20. Tag the latest images using `skaffold build -p release-latest` which will also publish them on docker.
+20. Tag the latest images using `skaffold build -p release-latest` which will also publish them to Docker Hub.
 
 
 If something goes wrong and only needs a small fix do `LAST_VERSION.post1` as version, apply fixes, push again to PyPI.
diff --git a/scripts/publish_packages_to_local_registry.py b/scripts/publish_packages_to_local_registry.py
index ef36e2268c..37d0b71e78 100644
--- a/scripts/publish_packages_to_local_registry.py
+++ b/scripts/publish_packages_to_local_registry.py
@@ -55,7 +55,9 @@ def main() -> None:
     ipfs_tool = IPFSTool(addr="/ip4/127.0.0.1/tcp/5001/http")
     with IPFSDaemon():
         for package_path in packages:
-            register_package(ipfs_tool=ipfs_tool, dir_path=package_path, no_pin=False)
+            register_package(
+                ipfs_tool=ipfs_tool, dir_path=str(package_path), no_pin=False
+            )
     print("Done!")
 
 
diff --git a/setup.cfg b/setup.cfg
index aade6db38f..f45fda84dd 100644
--- a/setup.cfg
+++ b/setup.cfg
@@ -279,6 +279,18 @@ ignore_missing_imports = True
 [mypy-multihash.*]
 ignore_missing_imports = True
 
+[mypy-Crypto.*]
+ignore_missing_imports = True
+
+[mypy-eth_typing.*]
+ignore_missing_imports = True
+
+[mypy-bech32.*]
+ignore_missing_imports = True
+
+[mypy-eth_utils.*]
+ignore_missing_imports = True
+
 [darglint]
 docstring_style=sphinx
 strictness=short
diff --git a/tox.ini b/tox.ini
index d3aae3d0fe..a9814fb542 100644
--- a/tox.ini
+++ b/tox.ini
@@ -6,8 +6,9 @@
 ; we set the associated flag (e.g. for linting we don't need
 ; the package installation).
 [tox]
-envlist = bandit, black, black-check, isort, isort-check, copyright_check, docs, flake8, liccheck, mypy, py{3.7,3.8,3.9,3.10}, dependencies_check, plugins_deps
-
+envlist = bandit, safety, black, black-check, isort, isort-check, fix-copyright, check-copyright, hash-check, docs, flake8, liccheck, mypy, pylint, vulture, {plugins-,}py{3.7,3.8,3.9,3.10,3.10-cov}, dependencies-check, package-version-checks, package-dependencies-checks, plugins_deps, fix-doc-hashes, check-doc-links-hashes, check-generate-all-protocols, spell-check, generate-api-documentation
+; when running locally we don't want to fail for no good reason
+skip_missing_interpreters = true
 
 [testenv]
 basepython = python3.10
@@ -47,7 +48,6 @@ deps =
     pycryptodome>=3.10.1
     cosmpy>=0.4.1,<0.5.0
     setuptools==59.6.0
-
 commands =
 	; for some reason tox installs aea without respect to the dependencies version specified in seetup.py. at least in CI env
 	; so install current aea in a normal way
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ skip_install = True
 deps =
 commands = {toxinidir}/scripts/check_copyright_notice.py --check
 
-[testenv:hash_check]
+[testenv:hash-check]
 skipsdist = True
 usedevelop = True
 deps =
@@ -152,13 +152,13 @@ commands =
     python -m aea.cli hash all --check
     python -m aea.cli hash all --packages-dir=./tests/data/packages --check
 
-[testenv:package_version_checks]
+[testenv:package-version-checks]
 skipsdist = True
 usedevelop = True
 deps =
 commands = {toxinidir}/scripts/check_package_versions_in_docs.py
 
-[testenv:package_dependencies_checks]
+[testenv:package-dependencies-checks]
 skipsdist = True
 usedevelop = True
 deps =
@@ -218,8 +218,8 @@ skip_install = True
 deps =
     mypy==0.910
 commands = mypy aea packages --disallow-untyped-defs
-           mypy benchmark examples  --check-untyped-defs
-           mypy scripts tests
+           mypy benchmark examples --disallow-untyped-defs
+           mypy scripts tests plugins/aea-ledger-fetchai/aea_ledger_fetchai plugins/aea-ledger-ethereum/aea_ledger_ethereum plugins/aea-ledger-cosmos/aea_ledger_cosmos plugins/aea-cli-ipfs/aea_cli_ipfs
 
 [testenv:pylint]
 whitelist_externals =
@@ -231,7 +231,6 @@ deps =
     pytest==7.0.0
     gitpython>=3.1.14
     protobuf==3.19.4
-
 commands =
     python -m pip install --no-deps file://{toxinidir}/plugins/aea-ledger-ethereum
     python -m pip install --no-deps file://{toxinidir}/plugins/aea-ledger-cosmos
@@ -260,7 +259,14 @@ deps =
     darglint==1.8.0
 commands = darglint aea benchmark examples libs packages plugins scripts
 
-[testenv:check_doc_links_hashes]
+[testenv:fix-doc-hashes]
+skipsdist = True
+usedevelop = True
+deps =
+    PyYAML==5.4.1
+commands = python {toxinidir}/scripts/check_doc_ipfs_hashes.py --fix
+
+[testenv:check-doc-links-hashes]
 skipsdist = True
 usedevelop = True
 deps =
@@ -269,14 +275,14 @@ commands = python {toxinidir}/scripts/check_doc_links.py
            python {toxinidir}/scripts/check_doc_ipfs_hashes.py
            python {toxinidir}/scripts/check_ipfs_hashes_pushed.py
 
-[testenv:check_api_docs]
+[testenv:check-api-docs]
 skipsdist = True
 usedevelop = True
 deps =
     pydoc-markdown==4.6.3
 commands = {toxinidir}/scripts/generate_api_docs.py --check-clean
 
-[testenv:check_generate_all_protocols]
+[testenv:check-generate-all-protocols]
 skipsdist = True
 usedevelop = True
 deps =
@@ -286,14 +292,14 @@ deps =
     isort==5.7.0
 commands = python -m aea.cli generate-all-protocols --check-clean
 
-[testenv:spell_check]
+[testenv:spell-check]
+whitelist_externals = mdspell
 skipsdist = True
 usedevelop = True
 deps =
-commands = {toxinidir}/scripts/spell-check.sh
-
+commands = mdspell -r -n -a --en-gb '**/*.md' '!docker-images/*.md' '!docs/api/**/*.md'
 
-[testenv:dependencies_check]
+[testenv:dependencies-check]
 skipsdist = True
 skip_install = True
 commands =
@@ -301,7 +307,6 @@ commands =
 	pip uninstall open-aea  -y
 	python {toxinidir}/scripts/check_imports_and_dependencies.py
 
-
 [testenv:plugins_env]
 skipsdist = True
 skip_install = True
@@ -313,7 +318,6 @@ commands =
 	- /bin/sh -c "rm -fr ./*private_key.txt"
 	{posargs}
 
-
 [testenv_multi]
 basepython = python3
 whitelist_externals = /bin/sh
@@ -352,7 +356,6 @@ deps =
     pycryptodome>=3.10.1
     cosmpy>=0.4.1,<0.5.0
     setuptools==59.6.0
-
 commands =
 	; for some reason tox installs aea without respect to the dependencies version specified in seetup.py. at least in CI env
 	; so install current aea in a normal way
@@ -392,4 +395,10 @@ commands = {[plugins]commands}
 [testenv:plugins-py3.9]
 basepython = python3.9
 deps = {[testenv_multi]deps}
-commands = {[plugins]commands}
\ No newline at end of file
+commands = {[plugins]commands}
+
+[testenv:generate-api-documentation]
+usedevelop = True
+deps =
+    pydoc-markdown==4.6.3
+commands = {toxinidir}/scripts/generate_api_docs.py