diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/__init__.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/__init__.py
index 43d10c027d9..69d93aa06db 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/__init__.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/__init__.py
@@ -89,10 +89,10 @@ def main(cli_args=None):  # type: (t.Optional[t.List[str]]) -> None
         display.review_warnings()
         config.success = True
     except ApplicationWarning as ex:
-        display.warning(u'%s' % ex)
+        display.warning('%s' % ex)
         sys.exit(0)
     except ApplicationError as ex:
-        display.fatal(u'%s' % ex)
+        display.fatal('%s' % ex)
         sys.exit(1)
     except KeyboardInterrupt:
         sys.exit(2)
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/commands/coverage/__init__.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/commands/coverage/__init__.py
index 3d27b64bb6e..434582af9a5 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/commands/coverage/__init__.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/commands/coverage/__init__.py
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ def enumerate_powershell_lines(
     try:
         coverage_run = read_json_file(path)
     except Exception as ex:  # pylint: disable=locally-disabled, broad-except
-        display.error(u'%s' % ex)
+        display.error('%s' % ex)
         return
 
     for filename, hits in coverage_run.items():
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/commands/integration/__init__.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/commands/integration/__init__.py
index d5f497b5416..bd0f32c2fec 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/commands/integration/__init__.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/commands/integration/__init__.py
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ def integration_test_environment(
     root_temp_dir = os.path.join(ResultType.TMP.path, 'integration')
 
     prefix = '%s-' % target.name
-    suffix = u'-\u00c5\u00d1\u015a\u00cc\u03b2\u0141\u00c8'
+    suffix = '-\u00c5\u00d1\u015a\u00cc\u03b2\u0141\u00c8'
 
     if args.no_temp_unicode or 'no/temp_unicode/' in target.aliases:
         display.warning('Disabling unicode in the temp work dir is a temporary debugging feature that may be removed in the future without notice.')
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/commands/integration/cloud/vcenter.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/commands/integration/cloud/vcenter.py
index 2093b461c89..36a65b7b415 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/commands/integration/cloud/vcenter.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/commands/integration/cloud/vcenter.py
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ class VcenterEnvironment(CloudEnvironment):
             parser = configparser.ConfigParser()
             parser.read(self.config_path)  # static
 
-            env_vars = dict()
+            env_vars = {}
             ansible_vars = dict(
                 resource_prefix=self.resource_prefix,
             )
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/commands/sanity/__init__.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/commands/sanity/__init__.py
index 05d8efd95cf..19cc3006afe 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/commands/sanity/__init__.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/commands/sanity/__init__.py
@@ -1010,7 +1010,7 @@ class SanityCodeSmellTest(SanitySingleVersion):
                 return SanityFailure(self.name, messages=messages)
 
         if stderr or status:
-            summary = u'%s' % SubprocessError(cmd=cmd, status=status, stderr=stderr, stdout=stdout)
+            summary = '%s' % SubprocessError(cmd=cmd, status=status, stderr=stderr, stdout=stdout)
             return SanityFailure(self.name, summary=summary)
 
         messages = settings.process_errors([], paths)
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/commands/sanity/ansible_doc.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/commands/sanity/ansible_doc.py
index 0b421ed376d..96de8130a9a 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/commands/sanity/ansible_doc.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/commands/sanity/ansible_doc.py
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ class AnsibleDocTest(SanitySingleVersion):
                     status = ex.status
 
                 if status:
-                    summary = u'%s' % SubprocessError(cmd=cmd, status=status, stderr=stderr)
+                    summary = '%s' % SubprocessError(cmd=cmd, status=status, stderr=stderr)
                     return SanityFailure(self.name, summary=summary)
 
                 if stdout:
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ class AnsibleDocTest(SanitySingleVersion):
                     stderr = re.sub(r'\[WARNING]: [^ ]+ [^ ]+ has been removed\n', '', stderr).strip()
 
                 if stderr:
-                    summary = u'Output on stderr from ansible-doc is considered an error.\n\n%s' % SubprocessError(cmd, stderr=stderr)
+                    summary = 'Output on stderr from ansible-doc is considered an error.\n\n%s' % SubprocessError(cmd, stderr=stderr)
                     return SanityFailure(self.name, summary=summary)
 
         if args.explain:
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/commands/sanity/pslint.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/commands/sanity/pslint.py
index 254b7778c31..6eb2e5d60b1 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/commands/sanity/pslint.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/commands/sanity/pslint.py
@@ -96,9 +96,9 @@ class PslintTest(SanityVersionNeutral):
         cwd = data_context().content.root + '/'
 
         # replace unicode smart quotes and ellipsis with ascii versions
-        stdout = re.sub(u'[\u2018\u2019]', "'", stdout)
-        stdout = re.sub(u'[\u201c\u201d]', '"', stdout)
-        stdout = re.sub(u'[\u2026]', '...', stdout)
+        stdout = re.sub('[\u2018\u2019]', "'", stdout)
+        stdout = re.sub('[\u201c\u201d]', '"', stdout)
+        stdout = re.sub('[\u2026]', '...', stdout)
 
         messages = json.loads(stdout)
 
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/commands/sanity/pylint.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/commands/sanity/pylint.py
index e1f983e5839..edc50e86f9a 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/commands/sanity/pylint.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/commands/sanity/pylint.py
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ class PylintTest(SanitySingleVersion):
         if parser.has_section('ansible-test'):
             config = dict(parser.items('ansible-test'))
         else:
-            config = dict()
+            config = {}
 
         disable_plugins = set(i.strip() for i in config.get('disable-plugins', '').split(',') if i)
         load_plugins = set(plugin_names + ['pylint.extensions.mccabe']) - disable_plugins
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/encoding.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/encoding.py
index 189b44c01f7..3c6314dfbf8 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/encoding.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/encoding.py
@@ -5,15 +5,13 @@ import typing as t
 
 ENCODING = 'utf-8'
 
-Text = type(u'')
-
 
 def to_optional_bytes(value, errors='strict'):  # type: (t.Optional[t.AnyStr], str) -> t.Optional[bytes]
     """Return the given value as bytes encoded using UTF-8 if not already bytes, or None if the value is None."""
     return None if value is None else to_bytes(value, errors)
 
 
-def to_optional_text(value, errors='strict'):  # type: (t.Optional[t.AnyStr], str) -> t.Optional[t.Text]
+def to_optional_text(value, errors='strict'):  # type: (t.Optional[t.AnyStr], str) -> t.Optional[str]
     """Return the given value as text decoded using UTF-8 if not already text, or None if the value is None."""
     return None if value is None else to_text(value, errors)
 
@@ -23,18 +21,18 @@ def to_bytes(value, errors='strict'):  # type: (t.AnyStr, str) -> bytes
     if isinstance(value, bytes):
         return value
 
-    if isinstance(value, Text):
+    if isinstance(value, str):
         return value.encode(ENCODING, errors)
 
     raise Exception('value is not bytes or text: %s' % type(value))
 
 
-def to_text(value, errors='strict'):  # type: (t.AnyStr, str) -> t.Text
+def to_text(value, errors='strict'):  # type: (t.AnyStr, str) -> str
     """Return the given value as text decoded using UTF-8 if not already text."""
     if isinstance(value, bytes):
         return value.decode(ENCODING, errors)
 
-    if isinstance(value, Text):
+    if isinstance(value, str):
         return value
 
     raise Exception('value is not bytes or text: %s' % type(value))
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/http.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/http.py
index 1375d23ed3a..dbe310698ef 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/http.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/http.py
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ class HttpClient:
                 break
             except SubprocessError as ex:
                 if ex.status in retry_on_status and attempts < max_attempts:
-                    display.warning(u'%s' % ex)
+                    display.warning('%s' % ex)
                     time.sleep(sleep_seconds)
                     continue
 
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/target.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/target.py
index 879a7944ec6..652359d7897 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/target.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/target.py
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ def find_target_completion(target_func, prefix, short):  # type: (t.Callable[[],
         matches = list(walk_completion_targets(targets, prefix, short))
         return matches
     except Exception as ex:  # pylint: disable=locally-disabled, broad-except
-        return [u'%s' % ex]
+        return ['%s' % ex]
 
 
 def walk_completion_targets(targets, prefix, short=False):  # type: (t.Iterable[CompletionTarget], str, bool) -> t.Tuple[str, ...]
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/util.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/util.py
index 25cca59d40c..9409b1e5933 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/util.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_internal/util.py
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ from .constants import (
 )
 
 C = t.TypeVar('C')
-TType = t.TypeVar('TType')
+TBase = t.TypeVar('TBase')
 TKey = t.TypeVar('TKey')
 TValue = t.TypeVar('TValue')
 
@@ -449,8 +449,8 @@ def raw_command(
             data_bytes = to_optional_bytes(data)
             stdout_bytes, stderr_bytes = communicate_with_process(process, data_bytes, stdout == subprocess.PIPE, stderr == subprocess.PIPE, capture=capture,
                                                                   force_stdout=force_stdout)
-            stdout_text = to_optional_text(stdout_bytes, str_errors) or u''
-            stderr_text = to_optional_text(stderr_bytes, str_errors) or u''
+            stdout_text = to_optional_text(stdout_bytes, str_errors) or ''
+            stderr_text = to_optional_text(stderr_bytes, str_errors) or ''
         else:
             process.wait()
             stdout_text, stderr_text = None, None
@@ -1036,19 +1036,19 @@ def sanitize_host_name(name):
     return re.sub('[^A-Za-z0-9]+', '-', name)[:63].strip('-')
 
 
-def get_generic_type(base_type, generic_base_type):  # type: (t.Type, t.Type[TType]) -> t.Optional[t.Type[TType]]
+def get_generic_type(base_type, generic_base_type):  # type: (t.Type, t.Type[TValue]) -> t.Optional[t.Type[TValue]]
     """Return the generic type arg derived from the generic_base_type type that is associated with the base_type type, if any, otherwise return None."""
     # noinspection PyUnresolvedReferences
     type_arg = t.get_args(base_type.__orig_bases__[0])[0]
     return None if isinstance(type_arg, generic_base_type) else type_arg
 
 
-def get_type_associations(base_type, generic_base_type):  # type: (t.Type[TType], t.Type[TValue]) -> t.List[t.Tuple[t.Type[TValue], t.Type[TType]]]
+def get_type_associations(base_type, generic_base_type):  # type: (t.Type[TBase], t.Type[TValue]) -> t.List[t.Tuple[t.Type[TValue], t.Type[TBase]]]
     """Create and return a list of tuples associating generic_base_type derived types with a corresponding base_type derived type."""
     return [item for item in [(get_generic_type(sc_type, generic_base_type), sc_type) for sc_type in get_subclasses(base_type)] if item[1]]
 
 
-def get_type_map(base_type, generic_base_type):  # type: (t.Type[TType], t.Type[TValue]) -> t.Dict[t.Type[TValue], t.Type[TType]]
+def get_type_map(base_type, generic_base_type):  # type: (t.Type[TBase], t.Type[TValue]) -> t.Dict[t.Type[TValue], t.Type[TBase]]
     """Create and return a mapping of generic_base_type derived types to base_type derived types."""
     return {item[0]: item[1] for item in get_type_associations(base_type, generic_base_type)}
 
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/changelog.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/changelog.py
index 983eaeb4266..924e5afeb00 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/changelog.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/changelog.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"""Check changelog fragment naming, syntax, etc."""
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import os
@@ -6,6 +7,7 @@ import subprocess
 
 
 def main():
+    """Main entry point."""
     paths = sys.argv[1:] or sys.stdin.read().splitlines()
 
     allowed_extensions = ('.yml', '.yaml')
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/empty-init.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/empty-init.py
index e0dd41cd5cd..01aef6973bb 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/empty-init.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/empty-init.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"""Require empty __init__.py files."""
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import os
@@ -5,6 +6,7 @@ import sys
 
 
 def main():
+    """Main entry point."""
     for path in sys.argv[1:] or sys.stdin.read().splitlines():
         if os.path.getsize(path) > 0:
             print('%s: empty __init__.py required' % path)
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/future-import-boilerplate.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/future-import-boilerplate.py
index dcb02e7adb9..7b39c370f90 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/future-import-boilerplate.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/future-import-boilerplate.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"""Enforce proper usage of __future__ imports."""
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import ast
@@ -5,6 +6,7 @@ import sys
 
 
 def main():
+    """Main entry point."""
     for path in sys.argv[1:] or sys.stdin.read().splitlines():
         with open(path, 'rb') as path_fd:
             lines = path_fd.read().splitlines()
@@ -21,7 +23,7 @@ def main():
                 break
 
         if missing:
-            with open(path) as file:
+            with open(path, encoding='utf-8') as file:
                 contents = file.read()
 
             # noinspection PyBroadException
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/line-endings.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/line-endings.py
index 99417b6e720..31f97ad8d14 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/line-endings.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/line-endings.py
@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
+"""Require Unix line endings."""
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import sys
 
 
 def main():
+    """Main entry point."""
     for path in sys.argv[1:] or sys.stdin.read().splitlines():
         with open(path, 'rb') as path_fd:
             contents = path_fd.read()
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/metaclass-boilerplate.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/metaclass-boilerplate.py
index 21cb0017dff..8bdcfc9a94a 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/metaclass-boilerplate.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/metaclass-boilerplate.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"""Require __metaclass__ boilerplate for code that supports Python 2.x."""
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import ast
@@ -5,6 +6,7 @@ import sys
 
 
 def main():
+    """Main entry point."""
     for path in sys.argv[1:] or sys.stdin.read().splitlines():
         with open(path, 'rb') as path_fd:
             lines = path_fd.read().splitlines()
@@ -20,7 +22,7 @@ def main():
                 break
 
         if missing:
-            with open(path) as file:
+            with open(path, encoding='utf-8') as file:
                 contents = file.read()
 
             # noinspection PyBroadException
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-assert.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-assert.py
index 71883c9f611..8c1c02769af 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-assert.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-assert.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"""Disallow use of assert."""
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import re
@@ -7,8 +8,9 @@ ASSERT_RE = re.compile(r'^\s*assert[^a-z0-9_:]')
 
 
 def main():
+    """Main entry point."""
     for path in sys.argv[1:] or sys.stdin.read().splitlines():
-        with open(path, 'r') as file:
+        with open(path, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as file:
             for i, line in enumerate(file.readlines()):
                 matches = ASSERT_RE.findall(line)
 
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-basestring.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-basestring.py
index bb564564ef2..74e38d72a35 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-basestring.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-basestring.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"""Disallow use of basestring isinstance checks."""
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import re
@@ -5,8 +6,9 @@ import sys
 
 
 def main():
+    """Main entry point."""
     for path in sys.argv[1:] or sys.stdin.read().splitlines():
-        with open(path, 'r') as path_fd:
+        with open(path, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as path_fd:
             for line, text in enumerate(path_fd.readlines()):
                 match = re.search(r'(isinstance.*basestring)', text)
 
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-dict-iteritems.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-dict-iteritems.py
index 1b728de630c..b4e40029aaf 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-dict-iteritems.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-dict-iteritems.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"""Disallow use of the dict.iteritems function."""
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import re
@@ -5,8 +6,9 @@ import sys
 
 
 def main():
+    """Main entry point."""
     for path in sys.argv[1:] or sys.stdin.read().splitlines():
-        with open(path, 'r') as path_fd:
+        with open(path, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as path_fd:
             for line, text in enumerate(path_fd.readlines()):
                 match = re.search(r'(?<! six)\.(iteritems)', text)
 
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-dict-iterkeys.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-dict-iterkeys.py
index 9fe6e9ff5c0..00c87033674 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-dict-iterkeys.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-dict-iterkeys.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"""Disallow use of the dict.iterkeys function."""
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import re
@@ -5,8 +6,9 @@ import sys
 
 
 def main():
+    """Main entry point."""
     for path in sys.argv[1:] or sys.stdin.read().splitlines():
-        with open(path, 'r') as path_fd:
+        with open(path, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as path_fd:
             for line, text in enumerate(path_fd.readlines()):
                 match = re.search(r'\.(iterkeys)', text)
 
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-dict-itervalues.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-dict-itervalues.py
index 8a955636833..2e8036a9c65 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-dict-itervalues.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-dict-itervalues.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"""Disallow use of the dict.itervalues function."""
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import re
@@ -5,8 +6,9 @@ import sys
 
 
 def main():
+    """Main entry point."""
     for path in sys.argv[1:] or sys.stdin.read().splitlines():
-        with open(path, 'r') as path_fd:
+        with open(path, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as path_fd:
             for line, text in enumerate(path_fd.readlines()):
                 match = re.search(r'(?<! six)\.(itervalues)', text)
 
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-get-exception.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-get-exception.py
index bf50a4d9742..0abb23da8c1 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-get-exception.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-get-exception.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"""Disallow use of the get_exception function."""
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import re
@@ -5,10 +6,11 @@ import sys
 
 
 def main():
+    """Main entry point."""
     basic_allow_once = True
 
     for path in sys.argv[1:] or sys.stdin.read().splitlines():
-        with open(path, 'r') as path_fd:
+        with open(path, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as path_fd:
             for line, text in enumerate(path_fd.readlines()):
                 match = re.search(r'([^a-zA-Z0-9_]get_exception[^a-zA-Z0-9_])', text)
 
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-illegal-filenames.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-illegal-filenames.py
index 36793f3f0c6..10bf4aaa15b 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-illegal-filenames.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-illegal-filenames.py
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
-# a script to check for illegal filenames on various Operating Systems. The
-# main rules are derived from restrictions on Windows
-# https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa365247#naming_conventions
+"""
+Check for illegal filenames on various operating systems.
+The main rules are derived from restrictions on Windows:
+https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/fileio/naming-a-file#naming-conventions
+"""
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import os
@@ -53,6 +55,7 @@ ILLEGAL_END_CHARS = [
 
 
 def check_path(path, is_dir=False):
+    """Check the specified path for unwanted characters and names."""
     type_name = 'directory' if is_dir else 'file'
     file_name = os.path.basename(path.rstrip(os.path.sep))
     name = os.path.splitext(file_name)[0]
@@ -71,6 +74,7 @@ def check_path(path, is_dir=False):
 
 
 def main():
+    """Main entry point."""
     for path in sys.argv[1:] or sys.stdin.read().splitlines():
         check_path(path, is_dir=path.endswith(os.path.sep))
 
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-main-display.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-main-display.py
index 020c95d6790..eb5987d9c3d 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-main-display.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-main-display.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"""Disallow importing display from __main__."""
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import sys
@@ -6,8 +7,9 @@ MAIN_DISPLAY_IMPORT = 'from __main__ import display'
 
 
 def main():
+    """Main entry point."""
     for path in sys.argv[1:] or sys.stdin.read().splitlines():
-        with open(path, 'r') as file:
+        with open(path, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as file:
             for i, line in enumerate(file.readlines()):
                 if MAIN_DISPLAY_IMPORT in line:
                     lineno = i + 1
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-smart-quotes.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-smart-quotes.py
index 1ac51710ead..461033d231b 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-smart-quotes.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-smart-quotes.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"""Disallow use of Unicode quotes."""
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 from __future__ import annotations
 
@@ -6,6 +7,7 @@ import sys
 
 
 def main():
+    """Main entry point."""
     for path in sys.argv[1:] or sys.stdin.read().splitlines():
         with open(path, 'rb') as path_fd:
             for line, text in enumerate(path_fd.readlines()):
@@ -15,7 +17,7 @@ def main():
                     print('%s:%d:%d: UnicodeDecodeError: %s' % (path, line + 1, ex.start + 1, ex))
                     continue
 
-                match = re.search(u'([‘’“”])', text)
+                match = re.search('([‘’“”])', text)
 
                 if match:
                     print('%s:%d:%d: use ASCII quotes `\'` and `"` instead of Unicode quotes' % (
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-unicode-literals.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-unicode-literals.py
index 2a3413870ed..75c34f24428 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-unicode-literals.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/no-unicode-literals.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"""Disallow use of the unicode_literals future."""
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import re
@@ -5,8 +6,9 @@ import sys
 
 
 def main():
+    """Main entry point."""
     for path in sys.argv[1:] or sys.stdin.read().splitlines():
-        with open(path, 'r') as path_fd:
+        with open(path, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as path_fd:
             for line, text in enumerate(path_fd.readlines()):
                 match = re.search(r'(unicode_literals)', text)
 
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/replace-urlopen.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/replace-urlopen.py
index 8484047c1bd..a6dd5aaf74a 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/replace-urlopen.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/replace-urlopen.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"""Disallow use of the urlopen function."""
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import re
@@ -5,8 +6,9 @@ import sys
 
 
 def main():
+    """Main entry point."""
     for path in sys.argv[1:] or sys.stdin.read().splitlines():
-        with open(path, 'r') as path_fd:
+        with open(path, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as path_fd:
             for line, text in enumerate(path_fd.readlines()):
                 match = re.search(r'^(?:[^#]*?)(urlopen)', text)
 
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/runtime-metadata.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/runtime-metadata.py
index 74a2b936da1..6cf2777401a 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/runtime-metadata.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/runtime-metadata.py
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ def get_collection_version():
 def validate_metadata_file(path, is_ansible, check_deprecation_dates=False):
     """Validate explicit runtime metadata file"""
     try:
-        with open(path, 'r') as f_path:
+        with open(path, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as f_path:
             routing = yaml.safe_load(f_path)
     except yaml.error.MarkedYAMLError as ex:
         print('%s:%d:%d: YAML load failed: %s' % (path, ex.context_mark.line +
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ def validate_metadata_file(path, is_ansible, check_deprecation_dates=False):
 
 
 def main():
-    """Validate runtime metadata"""
+    """Main entry point."""
     paths = sys.argv[1:] or sys.stdin.read().splitlines()
 
     collection_legacy_file = 'meta/routing.yml'
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/shebang.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/shebang.py
index 73b45ac27d6..b0b13197839 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/shebang.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/shebang.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"""Check shebangs, execute bits and byte order marks."""
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import os
@@ -7,6 +8,7 @@ import sys
 
 
 def main():
+    """Main entry point."""
     standard_shebangs = set([
         b'#!/bin/bash -eu',
         b'#!/bin/bash -eux',
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/symlinks.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/symlinks.py
index 4bd9d4bf466..5cffc69e7ba 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/symlinks.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/symlinks.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"""Check for unwanted symbolic links."""
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import os
@@ -5,6 +6,7 @@ import sys
 
 
 def main():
+    """Main entry point."""
     root_dir = os.getcwd() + os.path.sep
 
     for path in sys.argv[1:] or sys.stdin.read().splitlines():
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/use-argspec-type-path.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/use-argspec-type-path.py
index 0e2fcfa661d..0faeff354c1 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/use-argspec-type-path.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/use-argspec-type-path.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"""Disallow use of the expanduser function."""
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import re
@@ -5,8 +6,9 @@ import sys
 
 
 def main():
+    """Main entry point."""
     for path in sys.argv[1:] or sys.stdin.read().splitlines():
-        with open(path, 'r') as path_fd:
+        with open(path, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as path_fd:
             for line, text in enumerate(path_fd.readlines()):
                 match = re.search(r'(expanduser)', text)
 
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/use-compat-six.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/use-compat-six.py
index d0997484708..db42fecbc5d 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/use-compat-six.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/code-smell/use-compat-six.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+"""Disallow importing of the six module."""
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import re
@@ -5,8 +6,9 @@ import sys
 
 
 def main():
+    """Main entry point."""
     for path in sys.argv[1:] or sys.stdin.read().splitlines():
-        with open(path, 'r') as path_fd:
+        with open(path, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as path_fd:
             for line, text in enumerate(path_fd.readlines()):
                 match = re.search(r'((^\s*import\s+six\b)|(^\s*from\s+six\b))', text)
 
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/pylint/config/code-smell.cfg b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/pylint/config/code-smell.cfg
index 739d37576d5..383f7a68600 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/pylint/config/code-smell.cfg
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/pylint/config/code-smell.cfg
@@ -3,9 +3,7 @@
 disable=
     cyclic-import,  # consistent results require running with --jobs 1 and testing all files
     duplicate-code,  # consistent results require running with --jobs 1 and testing all files
-    import-error,  # inconsistent results which depend on the availability of imports
     import-outside-toplevel,  # common pattern in ansible related code
-    no-name-in-module,  # inconsistent results which depend on the availability of imports
     no-self-use,
     raise-missing-from,  # Python 2.x does not support raise from
     too-few-public-methods,
@@ -18,10 +16,6 @@ disable=
     too-many-return-statements,
     too-many-statements,
     useless-return,  # complains about returning None when the return type is optional
-    # code-smell tests should be updated so the following rules can be enabled
-    # once that happens the pylint sanity test can be updated to no longer special-case the code-smell tests (use standard ansible-test config instead)
-    missing-module-docstring,
-    missing-function-docstring,
 
 [BASIC]
 
@@ -53,3 +47,8 @@ module-rgx=[a-z_][a-z0-9_-]{2,40}$
 
 preferred-modules =
     distutils.version:ansible.module_utils.compat.version,
+
+# These modules are used by ansible-test, but will not be present in the virtual environment running pylint.
+# Listing them here makes it possible to enable the import-error check.
+ignored-modules =
+    voluptuous,
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/yamllint/yamllinter.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/yamllint/yamllinter.py
index f4b361015fd..d6de6117b23 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/yamllint/yamllinter.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/sanity/yamllint/yamllinter.py
@@ -44,17 +44,17 @@ class TestConstructor(SafeConstructor):
 
 
 TestConstructor.add_constructor(
-    u'!unsafe',
+    '!unsafe',
     TestConstructor.construct_yaml_unsafe)
 
 
 TestConstructor.add_constructor(
-    u'!vault',
+    '!vault',
     TestConstructor.construct_yaml_str)
 
 
 TestConstructor.add_constructor(
-    u'!vault-encrypted',
+    '!vault-encrypted',
     TestConstructor.construct_yaml_str)
 
 
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ class YamlChecker:
         for path in paths:
             extension = os.path.splitext(path)[1]
 
-            with open(path) as file:
+            with open(path, encoding='utf-8') as file:
                 contents = file.read()
 
             if extension in ('.yml', '.yaml'):
diff --git a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/tools/collection_detail.py b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/tools/collection_detail.py
index 4ab6631ae21..870ea59e4ef 100644
--- a/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/tools/collection_detail.py
+++ b/test/lib/ansible_test/_util/controller/tools/collection_detail.py
@@ -40,10 +40,10 @@ def read_manifest_json(collection_path):
         return None
 
     try:
-        with open(manifest_path) as manifest_file:
+        with open(manifest_path, encoding='utf-8') as manifest_file:
             manifest = json.load(manifest_file)
 
-        collection_info = manifest.get('collection_info') or dict()
+        collection_info = manifest.get('collection_info') or {}
 
         result = dict(
             version=collection_info.get('version'),
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ def read_galaxy_yml(collection_path):
         return None
 
     try:
-        with open(galaxy_path) as galaxy_file:
+        with open(galaxy_path, encoding='utf-8') as galaxy_file:
             galaxy = yaml.safe_load(galaxy_file)
 
         result = dict(
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ def main():
     collection_path = sys.argv[1]
 
     try:
-        result = read_manifest_json(collection_path) or read_galaxy_yml(collection_path) or dict()
+        result = read_manifest_json(collection_path) or read_galaxy_yml(collection_path) or {}
     except Exception as ex:  # pylint: disable=broad-except
         result = dict(
             error='{0}'.format(ex),