diff --git a/docs/customize/SQLite.md b/docs/customize/SQLite.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9614feabb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/customize/SQLite.md
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+A Nominatim database can be converted into an SQLite database and used as
+a read-only source for geocoding queries. This sections describes how to
+create and use an SQLite database.
+
+!!! danger
+    This feature is in an experimental state at the moment. Use at your own
+    risk.
+
+## Installing prerequisites
+
+To use a SQLite database, you need to install:
+
+* SQLite (>= 3.30)
+* Spatialite (> 5.0.0)
+
+On Ubuntu/Debian, you can run:
+
+    sudo apt install sqlite3 libsqlite3-mod-spatialite libspatialite7
+
+## Creating a new SQLite database
+
+Nominatim cannot import directly into SQLite database. Instead you have to
+first create a geocoding database in PostgreSQL by running a
+[regular Nominatim import](../admin/Import.md).
+
+Once this is done, the database can be converted to SQLite with
+
+    nominatim convert -o mydb.sqlite
+
+This will create a database where all geocoding functions are available.
+Depending on what functions you need, the database can be made smaller:
+
+* `--without-reverse` omits indexes only needed for reverse geocoding
+* `--without-search` omit tables and indexes used for forward search
+* `--without-details` leaves out extra information only available in the
+  details API
+
+## Using an SQLite database
+
+Once you have created the database, you can use it by simply pointing the
+database DSN to the SQLite file:
+
+    NOMINATIM_DATABASE_DSN=sqlite:dbname=mydb.sqlite
+
+Please note that SQLite support is only available for the Python frontend. To
+use the test server with an SQLite database, you therefore need to switch
+the frontend engine:
+
+    nominatim serve --engine falcon
+
+You need to install falcon or starlette for this, depending on which engine
+you choose.
+
+The CLI query commands and the library interface already use the new Python
+frontend and therefore work right out of the box.
diff --git a/docs/mkdocs.yml b/docs/mkdocs.yml
index 3301356d7..f332640ff 100644
--- a/docs/mkdocs.yml
+++ b/docs/mkdocs.yml
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ nav:
         - 'Special Phrases': 'customize/Special-Phrases.md'
         - 'External data: US housenumbers from TIGER': 'customize/Tiger.md'
         - 'External data: Postcodes': 'customize/Postcodes.md'
+        - 'Conversion to SQLite': 'customize/SQLite.md'
     - 'Library Guide':
         - 'Getting Started': 'library/Getting-Started.md'
         - 'Nominatim API class': 'library/NominatimAPI.md'
diff --git a/lib-sql/functions/ranking.sql b/lib-sql/functions/ranking.sql
index 0b18954ce..97a0cde38 100644
--- a/lib-sql/functions/ranking.sql
+++ b/lib-sql/functions/ranking.sql
@@ -287,21 +287,19 @@ LANGUAGE plpgsql IMMUTABLE;
 
 
 CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION weigh_search(search_vector INT[],
-                                        term_vectors TEXT[],
-                                        weight_vectors FLOAT[],
+                                        rankings TEXT,
                                         def_weight FLOAT)
   RETURNS FLOAT
   AS $$
 DECLARE
-  pos INT := 1;
-  terms TEXT;
+  rank JSON;
 BEGIN
-  FOREACH terms IN ARRAY term_vectors
+  FOR rank IN
+    SELECT * FROM json_array_elements(rankings::JSON)
   LOOP
-    IF search_vector @> terms::INTEGER[] THEN
-      RETURN weight_vectors[pos];
+    IF true = ALL(SELECT x::int = ANY(search_vector) FROM json_array_elements_text(rank->1) as x) THEN
+      RETURN (rank->>0)::float;
     END IF;
-    pos := pos + 1;
   END LOOP;
   RETURN def_weight;
 END;
diff --git a/nominatim/api/core.py b/nominatim/api/core.py
index 44ac91606..1c0c4423f 100644
--- a/nominatim/api/core.py
+++ b/nominatim/api/core.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 from nominatim.errors import UsageError
 from nominatim.db.sqlalchemy_schema import SearchTables
 from nominatim.db.async_core_library import PGCORE_LIB, PGCORE_ERROR
+import nominatim.db.sqlite_functions
 from nominatim.config import Configuration
 from nominatim.api.connection import SearchConnection
 from nominatim.api.status import get_status, StatusResult
@@ -84,6 +85,14 @@ async def setup_database(self) -> None:
             extra_args: Dict[str, Any] = {'future': True,
                                           'echo': self.config.get_bool('DEBUG_SQL')}
 
+            if self.config.get_int('API_POOL_SIZE') == 0:
+                extra_args['poolclass'] = sa.pool.NullPool
+            else:
+                extra_args['poolclass'] = sa.pool.QueuePool
+                extra_args['max_overflow'] = 0
+                extra_args['pool_size'] = self.config.get_int('API_POOL_SIZE')
+
+
             is_sqlite = self.config.DATABASE_DSN.startswith('sqlite:')
 
             if is_sqlite:
@@ -92,6 +101,10 @@ async def setup_database(self) -> None:
                 dburl = sa.engine.URL.create('sqlite+aiosqlite',
                                              database=params.get('dbname'))
 
+                if not ('NOMINATIM_DATABASE_RW' in self.config.environ
+                        and self.config.get_bool('DATABASE_RW')) \
+                   and not Path(params.get('dbname', '')).is_file():
+                    raise UsageError(f"SQlite database '{params.get('dbname')}' does not exist.")
             else:
                 dsn = self.config.get_database_params()
                 query = {k: v for k, v in dsn.items()
@@ -105,39 +118,40 @@ async def setup_database(self) -> None:
                            host=dsn.get('host'),
                            port=int(dsn['port']) if 'port' in dsn else None,
                            query=query)
-                extra_args['max_overflow'] = 0
-                extra_args['pool_size'] = self.config.get_int('API_POOL_SIZE')
 
             engine = sa_asyncio.create_async_engine(dburl, **extra_args)
 
-            try:
-                async with engine.begin() as conn:
-                    result = await conn.scalar(sa.text('SHOW server_version_num'))
-                    server_version = int(result)
-            except (PGCORE_ERROR, sa.exc.OperationalError):
+            if is_sqlite:
                 server_version = 0
 
-            if server_version >= 110000 and not is_sqlite:
-                @sa.event.listens_for(engine.sync_engine, "connect")
-                def _on_connect(dbapi_con: Any, _: Any) -> None:
-                    cursor = dbapi_con.cursor()
-                    cursor.execute("SET jit_above_cost TO '-1'")
-                    cursor.execute("SET max_parallel_workers_per_gather TO '0'")
-                # Make sure that all connections get the new settings
-                await self.close()
-
-            if is_sqlite:
                 @sa.event.listens_for(engine.sync_engine, "connect")
                 def _on_sqlite_connect(dbapi_con: Any, _: Any) -> None:
                     dbapi_con.run_async(lambda conn: conn.enable_load_extension(True))
+                    nominatim.db.sqlite_functions.install_custom_functions(dbapi_con)
                     cursor = dbapi_con.cursor()
                     cursor.execute("SELECT load_extension('mod_spatialite')")
                     cursor.execute('SELECT SetDecimalPrecision(7)')
                     dbapi_con.run_async(lambda conn: conn.enable_load_extension(False))
+            else:
+                try:
+                    async with engine.begin() as conn:
+                        result = await conn.scalar(sa.text('SHOW server_version_num'))
+                        server_version = int(result)
+                except (PGCORE_ERROR, sa.exc.OperationalError):
+                    server_version = 0
+
+                if server_version >= 110000:
+                    @sa.event.listens_for(engine.sync_engine, "connect")
+                    def _on_connect(dbapi_con: Any, _: Any) -> None:
+                        cursor = dbapi_con.cursor()
+                        cursor.execute("SET jit_above_cost TO '-1'")
+                        cursor.execute("SET max_parallel_workers_per_gather TO '0'")
+                    # Make sure that all connections get the new settings
+                    await engine.dispose()
 
             self._property_cache['DB:server_version'] = server_version
 
-            self._tables = SearchTables(sa.MetaData(), engine.name) # pylint: disable=no-member
+            self._tables = SearchTables(sa.MetaData()) # pylint: disable=no-member
             self._engine = engine
 
 
diff --git a/nominatim/api/logging.py b/nominatim/api/logging.py
index 37ae7f5f0..e16e0bd2d 100644
--- a/nominatim/api/logging.py
+++ b/nominatim/api/logging.py
@@ -90,26 +90,42 @@ def format_sql(self, conn: AsyncConnection, statement: 'sa.Executable',
         params = dict(compiled.params)
         if isinstance(extra_params, Mapping):
             for k, v in extra_params.items():
-                params[k] = str(v)
+                if hasattr(v, 'to_wkt'):
+                    params[k] = v.to_wkt()
+                elif isinstance(v, (int, float)):
+                    params[k] = v
+                else:
+                    params[k] = str(v)
         elif isinstance(extra_params, Sequence) and extra_params:
             for k in extra_params[0]:
                 params[k] = f':{k}'
 
         sqlstr = str(compiled)
 
-        if sa.__version__.startswith('1'):
-            try:
-                sqlstr = re.sub(r'__\[POSTCOMPILE_[^]]*\]', '%s', sqlstr)
-                return sqlstr % tuple((repr(params.get(name, None))
-                                      for name in compiled.positiontup)) # type: ignore
-            except TypeError:
-                return sqlstr
-
-        # Fixes an odd issue with Python 3.7 where percentages are not
-        # quoted correctly.
-        sqlstr = re.sub(r'%(?!\()', '%%', sqlstr)
-        sqlstr = re.sub(r'__\[POSTCOMPILE_([^]]*)\]', r'%(\1)s', sqlstr)
-        return sqlstr % params
+        if conn.dialect.name == 'postgresql':
+            if sa.__version__.startswith('1'):
+                try:
+                    sqlstr = re.sub(r'__\[POSTCOMPILE_[^]]*\]', '%s', sqlstr)
+                    return sqlstr % tuple((repr(params.get(name, None))
+                                          for name in compiled.positiontup)) # type: ignore
+                except TypeError:
+                    return sqlstr
+
+            # Fixes an odd issue with Python 3.7 where percentages are not
+            # quoted correctly.
+            sqlstr = re.sub(r'%(?!\()', '%%', sqlstr)
+            sqlstr = re.sub(r'__\[POSTCOMPILE_([^]]*)\]', r'%(\1)s', sqlstr)
+            return sqlstr % params
+
+        assert conn.dialect.name == 'sqlite'
+
+        # params in positional order
+        pparams = (repr(params.get(name, None)) for name in compiled.positiontup) # type: ignore
+
+        sqlstr = re.sub(r'__\[POSTCOMPILE_([^]]*)\]', '?', sqlstr)
+        sqlstr = re.sub(r"\?", lambda m: next(pparams), sqlstr)
+
+        return sqlstr
 
 class HTMLLogger(BaseLogger):
     """ Logger that formats messages in HTML.
diff --git a/nominatim/api/reverse.py b/nominatim/api/reverse.py
index fb4c0b23d..df5c10f26 100644
--- a/nominatim/api/reverse.py
+++ b/nominatim/api/reverse.py
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ async def _find_closest_street_or_poi(self, distance: float) -> Optional[SaRow]:
         diststr = sa.text(f"{distance}")
 
         sql: SaLambdaSelect = sa.lambda_stmt(lambda: _select_from_placex(t)
-                .where(t.c.geometry.ST_DWithin(WKT_PARAM, diststr))
+                .where(t.c.geometry.within_distance(WKT_PARAM, diststr))
                 .where(t.c.indexed_status == 0)
                 .where(t.c.linked_place_id == None)
                 .where(sa.or_(sa.not_(t.c.geometry.is_area()),
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ async def _find_housenumber_for_street(self, parent_place_id: int) -> Optional[S
         t = self.conn.t.placex
 
         sql: SaLambdaSelect = sa.lambda_stmt(lambda: _select_from_placex(t)
-                .where(t.c.geometry.ST_DWithin(WKT_PARAM, 0.001))
+                .where(t.c.geometry.within_distance(WKT_PARAM, 0.001))
                 .where(t.c.parent_place_id == parent_place_id)
                 .where(sa.func.IsAddressPoint(t))
                 .where(t.c.indexed_status == 0)
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ async def _find_interpolation_for_street(self, parent_place_id: Optional[int],
                    sa.select(t,
                              t.c.linegeo.ST_Distance(WKT_PARAM).label('distance'),
                              _locate_interpolation(t))
-                     .where(t.c.linegeo.ST_DWithin(WKT_PARAM, distance))
+                     .where(t.c.linegeo.within_distance(WKT_PARAM, distance))
                      .where(t.c.startnumber != None)
                      .order_by('distance')
                      .limit(1))
@@ -275,7 +275,7 @@ def _base_query() -> SaSelect:
             inner = sa.select(t,
                               t.c.linegeo.ST_Distance(WKT_PARAM).label('distance'),
                               _locate_interpolation(t))\
-                      .where(t.c.linegeo.ST_DWithin(WKT_PARAM, 0.001))\
+                      .where(t.c.linegeo.within_distance(WKT_PARAM, 0.001))\
                       .where(t.c.parent_place_id == parent_place_id)\
                       .order_by('distance')\
                       .limit(1)\
diff --git a/nominatim/api/search/db_search_builder.py b/nominatim/api/search/db_search_builder.py
index c755f2a74..fd8cc7af9 100644
--- a/nominatim/api/search/db_search_builder.py
+++ b/nominatim/api/search/db_search_builder.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
 from nominatim.api.search.token_assignment import TokenAssignment
 import nominatim.api.search.db_search_fields as dbf
 import nominatim.api.search.db_searches as dbs
+import nominatim.api.search.db_search_lookups as lookups
 
 
 def wrap_near_search(categories: List[Tuple[str, str]],
@@ -152,7 +153,7 @@ def build_special_search(self, sdata: dbf.SearchData,
                 sdata.lookups = [dbf.FieldLookup('nameaddress_vector',
                                                  [t.token for r in address
                                                   for t in self.query.get_partials_list(r)],
-                                                 'restrict')]
+                                                 lookups.Restrict)]
                 penalty += 0.2
             yield dbs.PostcodeSearch(penalty, sdata)
 
@@ -162,7 +163,7 @@ def build_housenumber_search(self, sdata: dbf.SearchData, hnrs: List[Token],
         """ Build a simple address search for special entries where the
             housenumber is the main name token.
         """
-        sdata.lookups = [dbf.FieldLookup('name_vector', [t.token for t in hnrs], 'lookup_any')]
+        sdata.lookups = [dbf.FieldLookup('name_vector', [t.token for t in hnrs], lookups.LookupAny)]
         expected_count = sum(t.count for t in hnrs)
 
         partials = [t for trange in address
@@ -170,16 +171,16 @@ def build_housenumber_search(self, sdata: dbf.SearchData, hnrs: List[Token],
 
         if expected_count < 8000:
             sdata.lookups.append(dbf.FieldLookup('nameaddress_vector',
-                                                 [t.token for t in partials], 'restrict'))
+                                                 [t.token for t in partials], lookups.Restrict))
         elif len(partials) != 1 or partials[0].count < 10000:
             sdata.lookups.append(dbf.FieldLookup('nameaddress_vector',
-                                                 [t.token for t in partials], 'lookup_all'))
+                                                 [t.token for t in partials], lookups.LookupAll))
         else:
             sdata.lookups.append(
                 dbf.FieldLookup('nameaddress_vector',
                                 [t.token for t
                                  in self.query.get_tokens(address[0], TokenType.WORD)],
-                                'lookup_any'))
+                                lookups.LookupAny))
 
         sdata.housenumbers = dbf.WeightedStrings([], [])
         yield dbs.PlaceSearch(0.05, sdata, expected_count)
@@ -232,16 +233,16 @@ def yield_lookups(self, name: TokenRange, address: List[TokenRange])\
                 penalty += 1.2 * sum(t.penalty for t in addr_partials if not t.is_indexed)
             # Any of the full names applies with all of the partials from the address
             yield penalty, fulls_count / (2**len(addr_partials)),\
-                  dbf.lookup_by_any_name([t.token for t in name_fulls], addr_tokens,
-                                         'restrict' if fulls_count < 10000 else 'lookup_all')
+                  dbf.lookup_by_any_name([t.token for t in name_fulls],
+                                         addr_tokens, fulls_count > 10000)
 
         # To catch remaining results, lookup by name and address
         # We only do this if there is a reasonable number of results expected.
         exp_count = exp_count / (2**len(addr_partials)) if addr_partials else exp_count
         if exp_count < 10000 and all(t.is_indexed for t in name_partials):
-            lookup = [dbf.FieldLookup('name_vector', name_tokens, 'lookup_all')]
+            lookup = [dbf.FieldLookup('name_vector', name_tokens, lookups.LookupAll)]
             if addr_tokens:
-                lookup.append(dbf.FieldLookup('nameaddress_vector', addr_tokens, 'lookup_all'))
+                lookup.append(dbf.FieldLookup('nameaddress_vector', addr_tokens, lookups.LookupAll))
             penalty += 0.35 * max(0, 5 - len(name_partials) - len(addr_tokens))
             yield penalty, exp_count, lookup
 
diff --git a/nominatim/api/search/db_search_fields.py b/nominatim/api/search/db_search_fields.py
index 59af82608..6947a565f 100644
--- a/nominatim/api/search/db_search_fields.py
+++ b/nominatim/api/search/db_search_fields.py
@@ -7,14 +7,16 @@
 """
 Data structures for more complex fields in abstract search descriptions.
 """
-from typing import List, Tuple, Iterator, cast, Dict
+from typing import List, Tuple, Iterator, Dict, Type
 import dataclasses
 
 import sqlalchemy as sa
-from sqlalchemy.dialects.postgresql import ARRAY
 
 from nominatim.typing import SaFromClause, SaColumn, SaExpression
 from nominatim.api.search.query import Token
+import nominatim.api.search.db_search_lookups as lookups
+from nominatim.utils.json_writer import JsonWriter
+
 
 @dataclasses.dataclass
 class WeightedStrings:
@@ -129,11 +131,17 @@ def sql_penalty(self, table: SaFromClause) -> SaColumn:
         """
         assert self.rankings
 
-        return sa.func.weigh_search(table.c[self.column],
-                                    [f"{{{','.join((str(s) for s in r.tokens))}}}"
-                                     for r in self.rankings],
-                                    [r.penalty for r in self.rankings],
-                                    self.default)
+        rout = JsonWriter().start_array()
+        for rank in self.rankings:
+            rout.start_array().value(rank.penalty).next()
+            rout.start_array()
+            for token in rank.tokens:
+                rout.value(token).next()
+            rout.end_array()
+            rout.end_array().next()
+        rout.end_array()
+
+        return sa.func.weigh_search(table.c[self.column], rout(), self.default)
 
 
 @dataclasses.dataclass
@@ -146,19 +154,12 @@ class FieldLookup:
     """
     column: str
     tokens: List[int]
-    lookup_type: str
+    lookup_type: Type[lookups.LookupType]
 
     def sql_condition(self, table: SaFromClause) -> SaColumn:
         """ Create an SQL expression for the given match condition.
         """
-        col = table.c[self.column]
-        if self.lookup_type == 'lookup_all':
-            return col.contains(self.tokens)
-        if self.lookup_type == 'lookup_any':
-            return cast(SaColumn, col.overlap(self.tokens))
-
-        return sa.func.array_cat(col, sa.text('ARRAY[]::integer[]'),
-                                 type_=ARRAY(sa.Integer())).contains(self.tokens)
+        return self.lookup_type(table, self.column, self.tokens)
 
 
 class SearchData:
@@ -224,22 +225,23 @@ def lookup_by_names(name_tokens: List[int], addr_tokens: List[int]) -> List[Fiel
     """ Create a lookup list where name tokens are looked up via index
         and potential address tokens are used to restrict the search further.
     """
-    lookup = [FieldLookup('name_vector', name_tokens, 'lookup_all')]
+    lookup = [FieldLookup('name_vector', name_tokens, lookups.LookupAll)]
     if addr_tokens:
-        lookup.append(FieldLookup('nameaddress_vector', addr_tokens, 'restrict'))
+        lookup.append(FieldLookup('nameaddress_vector', addr_tokens, lookups.Restrict))
 
     return lookup
 
 
 def lookup_by_any_name(name_tokens: List[int], addr_tokens: List[int],
-                       lookup_type: str) -> List[FieldLookup]:
+                       use_index_for_addr: bool) -> List[FieldLookup]:
     """ Create a lookup list where name tokens are looked up via index
         and only one of the name tokens must be present.
         Potential address tokens are used to restrict the search further.
     """
-    lookup = [FieldLookup('name_vector', name_tokens, 'lookup_any')]
+    lookup = [FieldLookup('name_vector', name_tokens, lookups.LookupAny)]
     if addr_tokens:
-        lookup.append(FieldLookup('nameaddress_vector', addr_tokens, lookup_type))
+        lookup.append(FieldLookup('nameaddress_vector', addr_tokens,
+                                  lookups.LookupAll if use_index_for_addr else lookups.Restrict))
 
     return lookup
 
@@ -248,5 +250,5 @@ def lookup_by_addr(name_tokens: List[int], addr_tokens: List[int]) -> List[Field
     """ Create a lookup list where address tokens are looked up via index
         and the name tokens are only used to restrict the search further.
     """
-    return [FieldLookup('name_vector', name_tokens, 'restrict'),
-            FieldLookup('nameaddress_vector', addr_tokens, 'lookup_all')]
+    return [FieldLookup('name_vector', name_tokens, lookups.Restrict),
+            FieldLookup('nameaddress_vector', addr_tokens, lookups.LookupAll)]
diff --git a/nominatim/api/search/db_search_lookups.py b/nominatim/api/search/db_search_lookups.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..aa5cef5f4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nominatim/api/search/db_search_lookups.py
@@ -0,0 +1,114 @@
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0-or-later
+#
+# This file is part of Nominatim. (https://nominatim.org)
+#
+# Copyright (C) 2023 by the Nominatim developer community.
+# For a full list of authors see the git log.
+"""
+Implementation of lookup functions for the search_name table.
+"""
+from typing import List, Any
+
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+from sqlalchemy.ext.compiler import compiles
+
+from nominatim.typing import SaFromClause
+from nominatim.db.sqlalchemy_types import IntArray
+
+# pylint: disable=consider-using-f-string
+
+LookupType = sa.sql.expression.FunctionElement[Any]
+
+class LookupAll(LookupType):
+    """ Find all entries in search_name table that contain all of
+        a given list of tokens using an index for the search.
+    """
+    inherit_cache = True
+
+    def __init__(self, table: SaFromClause, column: str, tokens: List[int]) -> None:
+        super().__init__(table.c.place_id, getattr(table.c, column), column,
+                         sa.type_coerce(tokens, IntArray))
+
+
+@compiles(LookupAll) # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
+def _default_lookup_all(element: LookupAll,
+                        compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
+    _, col, _, tokens = list(element.clauses)
+    return "(%s @> %s)" % (compiler.process(col, **kw),
+                           compiler.process(tokens, **kw))
+
+
+@compiles(LookupAll, 'sqlite') # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
+def _sqlite_lookup_all(element: LookupAll,
+                        compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
+    place, col, colname, tokens = list(element.clauses)
+    return "(%s IN (SELECT CAST(value as bigint) FROM"\
+           " (SELECT array_intersect_fuzzy(places) as p FROM"\
+           "   (SELECT places FROM reverse_search_name"\
+           "   WHERE word IN (SELECT value FROM json_each('[' || %s || ']'))"\
+           "     AND column = %s"\
+           "   ORDER BY length(places)) as x) as u,"\
+           " json_each('[' || u.p || ']'))"\
+           " AND array_contains(%s, %s))"\
+             % (compiler.process(place, **kw),
+                compiler.process(tokens, **kw),
+                compiler.process(colname, **kw),
+                compiler.process(col, **kw),
+                compiler.process(tokens, **kw)
+                )
+
+
+
+class LookupAny(LookupType):
+    """ Find all entries that contain at least one of the given tokens.
+        Use an index for the search.
+    """
+    inherit_cache = True
+
+    def __init__(self, table: SaFromClause, column: str, tokens: List[int]) -> None:
+        super().__init__(table.c.place_id, getattr(table.c, column), column,
+                         sa.type_coerce(tokens, IntArray))
+
+@compiles(LookupAny) # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
+def _default_lookup_any(element: LookupAny,
+                        compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
+    _, col, _, tokens = list(element.clauses)
+    return "(%s && %s)" % (compiler.process(col, **kw),
+                           compiler.process(tokens, **kw))
+
+@compiles(LookupAny, 'sqlite') # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
+def _sqlite_lookup_any(element: LookupAny,
+                        compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
+    place, _, colname, tokens = list(element.clauses)
+    return "%s IN (SELECT CAST(value as bigint) FROM"\
+           " (SELECT array_union(places) as p FROM reverse_search_name"\
+           "   WHERE word IN (SELECT value FROM json_each('[' || %s || ']'))"\
+           "     AND column = %s) as u,"\
+           " json_each('[' || u.p || ']'))" % (compiler.process(place, **kw),
+                                               compiler.process(tokens, **kw),
+                                               compiler.process(colname, **kw))
+
+
+
+class Restrict(LookupType):
+    """ Find all entries that contain all of the given tokens.
+        Do not use an index for the search.
+    """
+    inherit_cache = True
+
+    def __init__(self, table: SaFromClause, column: str, tokens: List[int]) -> None:
+        super().__init__(getattr(table.c, column),
+                         sa.type_coerce(tokens, IntArray))
+
+
+@compiles(Restrict) # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
+def _default_restrict(element: Restrict,
+                        compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
+    arg1, arg2 = list(element.clauses)
+    return "(coalesce(null, %s) @> %s)" % (compiler.process(arg1, **kw),
+                                           compiler.process(arg2, **kw))
+
+@compiles(Restrict, 'sqlite') # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
+def _sqlite_restrict(element: Restrict,
+                        compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
+    return "array_contains(%s)" % compiler.process(element.clauses, **kw)
diff --git a/nominatim/api/search/db_searches.py b/nominatim/api/search/db_searches.py
index 232f816ef..ee98100c6 100644
--- a/nominatim/api/search/db_searches.py
+++ b/nominatim/api/search/db_searches.py
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@
 import abc
 
 import sqlalchemy as sa
-from sqlalchemy.dialects.postgresql import ARRAY, array_agg
 
 from nominatim.typing import SaFromClause, SaScalarSelect, SaColumn, \
                              SaExpression, SaSelect, SaLambdaSelect, SaRow, SaBind
@@ -19,7 +18,7 @@
 from nominatim.api.types import SearchDetails, DataLayer, GeometryFormat, Bbox
 import nominatim.api.results as nres
 from nominatim.api.search.db_search_fields import SearchData, WeightedCategories
-from nominatim.db.sqlalchemy_types import Geometry
+from nominatim.db.sqlalchemy_types import Geometry, IntArray
 
 #pylint: disable=singleton-comparison,not-callable
 #pylint: disable=too-many-branches,too-many-arguments,too-many-locals,too-many-statements
@@ -55,12 +54,29 @@ def _details_to_bind_params(details: SearchDetails) -> Dict[str, Any]:
 NEAR_RADIUS_PARAM: SaBind = sa.bindparam('near_radius')
 COUNTRIES_PARAM: SaBind = sa.bindparam('countries')
 
-def _within_near(t: SaFromClause) -> Callable[[], SaExpression]:
-    return lambda: t.c.geometry.ST_DWithin(NEAR_PARAM, NEAR_RADIUS_PARAM)
+
+def filter_by_area(sql: SaSelect, t: SaFromClause,
+                   details: SearchDetails, avoid_index: bool = False) -> SaSelect:
+    """ Apply SQL statements for filtering by viewbox and near point,
+        if applicable.
+    """
+    if details.near is not None and details.near_radius is not None:
+        if details.near_radius < 0.1 and not avoid_index:
+            sql = sql.where(t.c.geometry.within_distance(NEAR_PARAM, NEAR_RADIUS_PARAM))
+        else:
+            sql = sql.where(t.c.geometry.ST_Distance(NEAR_PARAM) <= NEAR_RADIUS_PARAM)
+    if details.viewbox is not None and details.bounded_viewbox:
+        sql = sql.where(t.c.geometry.intersects(VIEWBOX_PARAM,
+                                                use_index=not avoid_index and
+                                                          details.viewbox.area < 0.2))
+
+    return sql
+
 
 def _exclude_places(t: SaFromClause) -> Callable[[], SaExpression]:
     return lambda: t.c.place_id.not_in(sa.bindparam('excluded'))
 
+
 def _select_placex(t: SaFromClause) -> SaSelect:
     return sa.select(t.c.place_id, t.c.osm_type, t.c.osm_id, t.c.name,
                      t.c.class_, t.c.type,
@@ -93,7 +109,7 @@ def _add_geometry_columns(sql: SaLambdaSelect, col: SaColumn, details: SearchDet
 
 def _make_interpolation_subquery(table: SaFromClause, inner: SaFromClause,
                                  numerals: List[int], details: SearchDetails) -> SaScalarSelect:
-    all_ids = array_agg(table.c.place_id) # type: ignore[no-untyped-call]
+    all_ids = sa.func.ArrayAgg(table.c.place_id)
     sql = sa.select(all_ids).where(table.c.parent_place_id == inner.c.place_id)
 
     if len(numerals) == 1:
@@ -117,9 +133,7 @@ def _filter_by_layer(table: SaFromClause, layers: DataLayer) -> SaColumn:
         orexpr.append(no_index(table.c.rank_address).between(1, 30))
     elif layers & DataLayer.ADDRESS:
         orexpr.append(no_index(table.c.rank_address).between(1, 29))
-        orexpr.append(sa.and_(no_index(table.c.rank_address) == 30,
-                              sa.or_(table.c.housenumber != None,
-                                     table.c.address.has_key('addr:housename'))))
+        orexpr.append(sa.func.IsAddressPoint(table))
     elif layers & DataLayer.POI:
         orexpr.append(sa.and_(no_index(table.c.rank_address) == 30,
                               table.c.class_.not_in(('place', 'building'))))
@@ -171,12 +185,21 @@ async def _get_placex_housenumbers(conn: SearchConnection,
         yield result
 
 
+def _int_list_to_subquery(inp: List[int]) -> 'sa.Subquery':
+    """ Create a subselect that returns the given list of integers
+        as rows in the column 'nr'.
+    """
+    vtab = sa.func.JsonArrayEach(sa.type_coerce(inp, sa.JSON))\
+               .table_valued(sa.column('value', type_=sa.JSON)) # type: ignore[no-untyped-call]
+    return sa.select(sa.cast(sa.cast(vtab.c.value, sa.Text), sa.Integer).label('nr')).subquery()
+
+
 async def _get_osmline(conn: SearchConnection, place_ids: List[int],
                        numerals: List[int],
                        details: SearchDetails) -> AsyncIterator[nres.SearchResult]:
     t = conn.t.osmline
-    values = sa.values(sa.Column('nr', sa.Integer()), name='housenumber')\
-               .data([(n,) for n in numerals])
+
+    values = _int_list_to_subquery(numerals)
     sql = sa.select(t.c.place_id, t.c.osm_id,
                     t.c.parent_place_id, t.c.address,
                     values.c.nr.label('housenumber'),
@@ -199,8 +222,7 @@ async def _get_tiger(conn: SearchConnection, place_ids: List[int],
                      numerals: List[int], osm_id: int,
                      details: SearchDetails) -> AsyncIterator[nres.SearchResult]:
     t = conn.t.tiger
-    values = sa.values(sa.Column('nr', sa.Integer()), name='housenumber')\
-               .data([(n,) for n in numerals])
+    values = _int_list_to_subquery(numerals)
     sql = sa.select(t.c.place_id, t.c.parent_place_id,
                     sa.literal('W').label('osm_type'),
                     sa.literal(osm_id).label('osm_id'),
@@ -295,7 +317,7 @@ async def lookup_category(self, results: nres.SearchResults,
 
         if table is None:
             # No classtype table available, do a simplified lookup in placex.
-            table = conn.t.placex.alias('inner')
+            table = conn.t.placex
             sql = sa.select(table.c.place_id,
                             sa.func.min(tgeom.c.centroid.ST_Distance(table.c.centroid))
                               .label('dist'))\
@@ -366,7 +388,7 @@ def _base_query() -> SaSelect:
                            .add_columns((-t.c.centroid.ST_Distance(NEAR_PARAM))
                                          .label('importance'))\
                            .where(t.c.linked_place_id == None) \
-                           .where(t.c.geometry.ST_DWithin(NEAR_PARAM, NEAR_RADIUS_PARAM)) \
+                           .where(t.c.geometry.within_distance(NEAR_PARAM, NEAR_RADIUS_PARAM)) \
                            .order_by(t.c.centroid.ST_Distance(NEAR_PARAM)) \
                            .limit(LIMIT_PARAM)
 
@@ -403,8 +425,8 @@ def _base_query() -> SaSelect:
 
                     if details.near and details.near_radius is not None:
                         sql = sql.order_by(table.c.centroid.ST_Distance(NEAR_PARAM))\
-                                 .where(table.c.centroid.ST_DWithin(NEAR_PARAM,
-                                                                    NEAR_RADIUS_PARAM))
+                                 .where(table.c.centroid.within_distance(NEAR_PARAM,
+                                                                         NEAR_RADIUS_PARAM))
 
                     if self.countries:
                         sql = sql.where(t.c.country_code.in_(self.countries.values))
@@ -449,11 +471,7 @@ async def lookup(self, conn: SearchConnection,
         if details.excluded:
             sql = sql.where(_exclude_places(t))
 
-        if details.viewbox is not None and details.bounded_viewbox:
-            sql = sql.where(lambda: t.c.geometry.intersects(VIEWBOX_PARAM))
-
-        if details.near is not None and details.near_radius is not None:
-            sql = sql.where(_within_near(t))
+        sql = filter_by_area(sql, t, details)
 
         results = nres.SearchResults()
         for row in await conn.execute(sql, _details_to_bind_params(details)):
@@ -486,18 +504,12 @@ async def lookup_in_country_table(self, conn: SearchConnection,
                 .where(tgrid.c.country_code.in_(self.countries.values))\
                 .group_by(tgrid.c.country_code)
 
-        if details.viewbox is not None and details.bounded_viewbox:
-            sql = sql.where(tgrid.c.geometry.intersects(VIEWBOX_PARAM))
-        if details.near is not None and details.near_radius is not None:
-            sql = sql.where(_within_near(tgrid))
+        sql = filter_by_area(sql, tgrid, details, avoid_index=True)
 
         sub = sql.subquery('grid')
 
         sql = sa.select(t.c.country_code,
-                        (t.c.name
-                         + sa.func.coalesce(t.c.derived_name,
-                                            sa.cast('', type_=conn.t.types.Composite))
-                        ).label('name'),
+                        t.c.name.merge(t.c.derived_name).label('name'),
                         sub.c.centroid, sub.c.bbox)\
                 .join(sub, t.c.country_code == sub.c.country_code)
 
@@ -545,19 +557,16 @@ async def lookup(self, conn: SearchConnection,
 
         penalty: SaExpression = sa.literal(self.penalty)
 
-        if details.viewbox is not None:
-            if details.bounded_viewbox:
-                sql = sql.where(t.c.geometry.intersects(VIEWBOX_PARAM))
-            else:
-                penalty += sa.case((t.c.geometry.intersects(VIEWBOX_PARAM), 0.0),
-                                   (t.c.geometry.intersects(VIEWBOX2_PARAM), 0.5),
-                                   else_=1.0)
+        if details.viewbox is not None and not details.bounded_viewbox:
+            penalty += sa.case((t.c.geometry.intersects(VIEWBOX_PARAM), 0.0),
+                               (t.c.geometry.intersects(VIEWBOX2_PARAM), 0.5),
+                               else_=1.0)
 
         if details.near is not None:
-            if details.near_radius is not None:
-                sql = sql.where(_within_near(t))
             sql = sql.order_by(t.c.geometry.ST_Distance(NEAR_PARAM))
 
+        sql = filter_by_area(sql, t, details)
+
         if self.countries:
             sql = sql.where(t.c.country_code.in_(self.countries.values))
 
@@ -566,13 +575,11 @@ async def lookup(self, conn: SearchConnection,
 
         if self.lookups:
             assert len(self.lookups) == 1
-            assert self.lookups[0].lookup_type == 'restrict'
             tsearch = conn.t.search_name
             sql = sql.where(tsearch.c.place_id == t.c.parent_place_id)\
-                     .where(sa.func.array_cat(tsearch.c.name_vector,
-                                              tsearch.c.nameaddress_vector,
-                                              type_=ARRAY(sa.Integer))
-                                    .contains(self.lookups[0].tokens))
+                     .where((tsearch.c.name_vector + tsearch.c.nameaddress_vector)
+                                     .contains(sa.type_coerce(self.lookups[0].tokens,
+                                                              IntArray)))
 
         for ranking in self.rankings:
             penalty += ranking.sql_penalty(conn.t.search_name)
@@ -637,11 +644,11 @@ async def lookup(self, conn: SearchConnection,
             sql = sql.where(tsearch.c.address_rank > 9)
             tpc = conn.t.postcode
             pcs = self.postcodes.values
-            if self.expected_count > 1000:
+            if self.expected_count > 5000:
                 # Many results expected. Restrict by postcode.
                 sql = sql.where(sa.select(tpc.c.postcode)
                                   .where(tpc.c.postcode.in_(pcs))
-                                  .where(tsearch.c.centroid.ST_DWithin(tpc.c.geometry, 0.12))
+                                  .where(tsearch.c.centroid.within_distance(tpc.c.geometry, 0.12))
                                   .exists())
 
             # Less results, only have a preference for close postcodes
@@ -653,27 +660,26 @@ async def lookup(self, conn: SearchConnection,
 
         if details.viewbox is not None:
             if details.bounded_viewbox:
-                if details.viewbox.area < 0.2:
-                    sql = sql.where(tsearch.c.centroid.intersects(VIEWBOX_PARAM))
-                else:
-                    sql = sql.where(tsearch.c.centroid.ST_Intersects_no_index(VIEWBOX_PARAM))
+                sql = sql.where(tsearch.c.centroid
+                                         .intersects(VIEWBOX_PARAM,
+                                                     use_index=details.viewbox.area < 0.2))
             elif self.expected_count >= 10000:
-                if details.viewbox.area < 0.5:
-                    sql = sql.where(tsearch.c.centroid.intersects(VIEWBOX2_PARAM))
-                else:
-                    sql = sql.where(tsearch.c.centroid.ST_Intersects_no_index(VIEWBOX2_PARAM))
+                sql = sql.where(tsearch.c.centroid
+                                         .intersects(VIEWBOX2_PARAM,
+                                                     use_index=details.viewbox.area < 0.5))
             else:
-                penalty += sa.case((t.c.geometry.intersects(VIEWBOX_PARAM), 0.0),
-                                   (t.c.geometry.intersects(VIEWBOX2_PARAM), 0.5),
+                penalty += sa.case((t.c.geometry.intersects(VIEWBOX_PARAM, use_index=False), 0.0),
+                                   (t.c.geometry.intersects(VIEWBOX2_PARAM, use_index=False), 0.5),
                                    else_=1.0)
 
         if details.near is not None:
             if details.near_radius is not None:
                 if details.near_radius < 0.1:
-                    sql = sql.where(tsearch.c.centroid.ST_DWithin(NEAR_PARAM, NEAR_RADIUS_PARAM))
+                    sql = sql.where(tsearch.c.centroid.within_distance(NEAR_PARAM,
+                                                                       NEAR_RADIUS_PARAM))
                 else:
-                    sql = sql.where(tsearch.c.centroid.ST_DWithin_no_index(NEAR_PARAM,
-                                                                           NEAR_RADIUS_PARAM))
+                    sql = sql.where(tsearch.c.centroid
+                                             .ST_Distance(NEAR_PARAM) <  NEAR_RADIUS_PARAM)
             sql = sql.add_columns((-tsearch.c.centroid.ST_Distance(NEAR_PARAM))
                                       .label('importance'))
             sql = sql.order_by(sa.desc(sa.text('importance')))
@@ -692,10 +698,10 @@ async def lookup(self, conn: SearchConnection,
             sql = sql.order_by(sa.text('accuracy'))
 
         if self.housenumbers:
-            hnr_regexp = f"\\m({'|'.join(self.housenumbers.values)})\\M"
+            hnr_list = '|'.join(self.housenumbers.values)
             sql = sql.where(tsearch.c.address_rank.between(16, 30))\
                      .where(sa.or_(tsearch.c.address_rank < 30,
-                                   t.c.housenumber.op('~*')(hnr_regexp)))
+                                   sa.func.RegexpWord(hnr_list, t.c.housenumber)))
 
             # Cross check for housenumbers, need to do that on a rather large
             # set. Worst case there are 40.000 main streets in OSM.
@@ -703,10 +709,10 @@ async def lookup(self, conn: SearchConnection,
 
             # Housenumbers from placex
             thnr = conn.t.placex.alias('hnr')
-            pid_list = array_agg(thnr.c.place_id) # type: ignore[no-untyped-call]
+            pid_list = sa.func.ArrayAgg(thnr.c.place_id)
             place_sql = sa.select(pid_list)\
                           .where(thnr.c.parent_place_id == inner.c.place_id)\
-                          .where(thnr.c.housenumber.op('~*')(hnr_regexp))\
+                          .where(sa.func.RegexpWord(hnr_list, thnr.c.housenumber))\
                           .where(thnr.c.linked_place_id == None)\
                           .where(thnr.c.indexed_status == 0)
 
diff --git a/nominatim/api/search/icu_tokenizer.py b/nominatim/api/search/icu_tokenizer.py
index fceec2df5..eabd329d5 100644
--- a/nominatim/api/search/icu_tokenizer.py
+++ b/nominatim/api/search/icu_tokenizer.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 from nominatim.api.logging import log
 from nominatim.api.search import query as qmod
 from nominatim.api.search.query_analyzer_factory import AbstractQueryAnalyzer
+from nominatim.db.sqlalchemy_types import Json
 
 
 DB_TO_TOKEN_TYPE = {
@@ -159,7 +160,7 @@ async def _make_transliterator() -> Any:
                      sa.Column('word_token', sa.Text, nullable=False),
                      sa.Column('type', sa.Text, nullable=False),
                      sa.Column('word', sa.Text),
-                     sa.Column('info', self.conn.t.types.Json))
+                     sa.Column('info', Json))
 
 
     async def analyze_query(self, phrases: List[qmod.Phrase]) -> qmod.QueryStruct:
diff --git a/nominatim/clicmd/convert.py b/nominatim/clicmd/convert.py
index 26b3fb1ff..7ba77172b 100644
--- a/nominatim/clicmd/convert.py
+++ b/nominatim/clicmd/convert.py
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ def add_args(self, parser: argparse.ArgumentParser) -> None:
         group.add_argument('--reverse', action=WithAction, dest_set=self.options, default=True,
                            help='Enable/disable support for reverse and lookup API'
                                 ' (default: enabled)')
-        group.add_argument('--search', action=WithAction, dest_set=self.options, default=False,
+        group.add_argument('--search', action=WithAction, dest_set=self.options, default=True,
                            help='Enable/disable support for search API (default: disabled)')
         group.add_argument('--details', action=WithAction, dest_set=self.options, default=True,
                            help='Enable/disable support for details API (default: enabled)')
diff --git a/nominatim/db/sqlalchemy_functions.py b/nominatim/db/sqlalchemy_functions.py
index cb04f7626..e2437dd2e 100644
--- a/nominatim/db/sqlalchemy_functions.py
+++ b/nominatim/db/sqlalchemy_functions.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ class PlacexGeometryReverseLookuppolygon(sa.sql.functions.GenericFunction[Any]):
 
 
 @compiles(PlacexGeometryReverseLookuppolygon) # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
-def _default_intersects(element: SaColumn,
+def _default_intersects(element: PlacexGeometryReverseLookuppolygon,
                         compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
     return ("(ST_GeometryType(placex.geometry) in ('ST_Polygon', 'ST_MultiPolygon')"
             " AND placex.rank_address between 4 and 25"
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ def _default_intersects(element: SaColumn,
 
 
 @compiles(PlacexGeometryReverseLookuppolygon, 'sqlite') # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
-def _sqlite_intersects(element: SaColumn,
+def _sqlite_intersects(element: PlacexGeometryReverseLookuppolygon,
                        compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
     return ("(ST_GeometryType(placex.geometry) in ('POLYGON', 'MULTIPOLYGON')"
             " AND placex.rank_address between 4 and 25"
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ def __init__(self, table: sa.Table, geom: SaColumn) -> None:
 
 
 @compiles(IntersectsReverseDistance) # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
-def default_reverse_place_diameter(element: SaColumn,
+def default_reverse_place_diameter(element: IntersectsReverseDistance,
                                    compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
     table = element.tablename
     return f"({table}.rank_address between 4 and 25"\
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ def default_reverse_place_diameter(element: SaColumn,
 
 
 @compiles(IntersectsReverseDistance, 'sqlite') # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
-def sqlite_reverse_place_diameter(element: SaColumn,
+def sqlite_reverse_place_diameter(element: IntersectsReverseDistance,
                                   compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
     geom1, rank, geom2 = list(element.clauses)
     table = element.tablename
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ class IsBelowReverseDistance(sa.sql.functions.GenericFunction[Any]):
 
 
 @compiles(IsBelowReverseDistance) # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
-def default_is_below_reverse_distance(element: SaColumn,
+def default_is_below_reverse_distance(element: IsBelowReverseDistance,
                                       compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
     dist, rank = list(element.clauses)
     return "%s < reverse_place_diameter(%s)" % (compiler.process(dist, **kw),
@@ -110,25 +110,13 @@ def default_is_below_reverse_distance(element: SaColumn,
 
 
 @compiles(IsBelowReverseDistance, 'sqlite') # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
-def sqlite_is_below_reverse_distance(element: SaColumn,
+def sqlite_is_below_reverse_distance(element: IsBelowReverseDistance,
                                      compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
     dist, rank = list(element.clauses)
     return "%s < 14.0 * exp(-0.2 * %s) - 0.03" % (compiler.process(dist, **kw),
                                                   compiler.process(rank, **kw))
 
 
-def select_index_placex_geometry_reverse_lookupplacenode(table: str) -> 'sa.TextClause':
-    """ Create an expression with the necessary conditions over a placex
-        table that the index 'idx_placex_geometry_reverse_lookupPlaceNode'
-        can be used.
-    """
-    return sa.text(f"{table}.rank_address between 4 and 25"
-                   f" AND {table}.type != 'postcode'"
-                   f" AND {table}.name is not null"
-                   f" AND {table}.linked_place_id is null"
-                   f" AND {table}.osm_type = 'N'")
-
-
 class IsAddressPoint(sa.sql.functions.GenericFunction[Any]):
     name = 'IsAddressPoint'
     inherit_cache = True
@@ -139,7 +127,7 @@ def __init__(self, table: sa.Table) -> None:
 
 
 @compiles(IsAddressPoint) # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
-def default_is_address_point(element: SaColumn,
+def default_is_address_point(element: IsAddressPoint,
                              compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
     rank, hnr, name = list(element.clauses)
     return "(%s = 30 AND (%s IS NOT NULL OR %s ? 'addr:housename'))" % (
@@ -149,7 +137,7 @@ def default_is_address_point(element: SaColumn,
 
 
 @compiles(IsAddressPoint, 'sqlite') # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
-def sqlite_is_address_point(element: SaColumn,
+def sqlite_is_address_point(element: IsAddressPoint,
                             compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
     rank, hnr, name = list(element.clauses)
     return "(%s = 30 AND coalesce(%s, json_extract(%s, '$.addr:housename')) IS NOT NULL)" % (
@@ -166,7 +154,7 @@ class CrosscheckNames(sa.sql.functions.GenericFunction[Any]):
     inherit_cache = True
 
 @compiles(CrosscheckNames) # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
-def compile_crosscheck_names(element: SaColumn,
+def compile_crosscheck_names(element: CrosscheckNames,
                              compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
     arg1, arg2 = list(element.clauses)
     return "coalesce(avals(%s) && ARRAY(SELECT * FROM json_array_elements_text(%s)), false)" % (
@@ -174,7 +162,7 @@ def compile_crosscheck_names(element: SaColumn,
 
 
 @compiles(CrosscheckNames, 'sqlite') # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
-def compile_sqlite_crosscheck_names(element: SaColumn,
+def compile_sqlite_crosscheck_names(element: CrosscheckNames,
                                     compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
     arg1, arg2 = list(element.clauses)
     return "EXISTS(SELECT *"\
@@ -191,15 +179,16 @@ class JsonArrayEach(sa.sql.functions.GenericFunction[Any]):
 
 
 @compiles(JsonArrayEach) # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
-def default_json_array_each(element: SaColumn, compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
+def default_json_array_each(element: JsonArrayEach, compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
     return "json_array_elements(%s)" % compiler.process(element.clauses, **kw)
 
 
 @compiles(JsonArrayEach, 'sqlite') # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
-def sqlite_json_array_each(element: SaColumn, compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
+def sqlite_json_array_each(element: JsonArrayEach, compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
     return "json_each(%s)" % compiler.process(element.clauses, **kw)
 
 
+
 class Greatest(sa.sql.functions.GenericFunction[Any]):
     """ Function to compute maximum of all its input parameters.
     """
@@ -208,5 +197,25 @@ class Greatest(sa.sql.functions.GenericFunction[Any]):
 
 
 @compiles(Greatest, 'sqlite') # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
-def sqlite_greatest(element: SaColumn, compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
+def sqlite_greatest(element: Greatest, compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
     return "max(%s)" % compiler.process(element.clauses, **kw)
+
+
+
+class RegexpWord(sa.sql.functions.GenericFunction[Any]):
+    """ Check if a full word is in a given string.
+    """
+    name = 'RegexpWord'
+    inherit_cache = True
+
+
+@compiles(RegexpWord, 'postgresql') # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
+def postgres_regexp_nocase(element: RegexpWord, compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
+    arg1, arg2 = list(element.clauses)
+    return "%s ~* ('\\m(' || %s  || ')\\M')::text" % (compiler.process(arg2, **kw), compiler.process(arg1, **kw))
+
+
+@compiles(RegexpWord, 'sqlite') # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
+def sqlite_regexp_nocase(element: RegexpWord, compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
+    arg1, arg2 = list(element.clauses)
+    return "regexp('\\b(' || %s  || ')\\b', %s)" % (compiler.process(arg1, **kw), compiler.process(arg2, **kw))
diff --git a/nominatim/db/sqlalchemy_schema.py b/nominatim/db/sqlalchemy_schema.py
index 7dd1e0ce0..0ec22b7e1 100644
--- a/nominatim/db/sqlalchemy_schema.py
+++ b/nominatim/db/sqlalchemy_schema.py
@@ -7,37 +7,10 @@
 """
 SQLAlchemy definitions for all tables used by the frontend.
 """
-from typing import Any
-
 import sqlalchemy as sa
-from sqlalchemy.dialects.postgresql import HSTORE, ARRAY, JSONB, array
-from sqlalchemy.dialects.sqlite import JSON as sqlite_json
 
 import nominatim.db.sqlalchemy_functions #pylint: disable=unused-import
-from nominatim.db.sqlalchemy_types import Geometry
-
-class PostgresTypes:
-    """ Type definitions for complex types as used in Postgres variants.
-    """
-    Composite = HSTORE
-    Json = JSONB
-    IntArray = ARRAY(sa.Integer()) #pylint: disable=invalid-name
-    to_array = array
-
-
-class SqliteTypes:
-    """ Type definitions for complex types as used in Postgres variants.
-    """
-    Composite = sqlite_json
-    Json = sqlite_json
-    IntArray = sqlite_json
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def to_array(arr: Any) -> Any:
-        """ Sqlite has no special conversion for arrays.
-        """
-        return arr
-
+from nominatim.db.sqlalchemy_types import Geometry, KeyValueStore, IntArray
 
 #pylint: disable=too-many-instance-attributes
 class SearchTables:
@@ -47,14 +20,7 @@ class SearchTables:
         Any data used for updates only will not be visible.
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, meta: sa.MetaData, engine_name: str) -> None:
-        if engine_name == 'postgresql':
-            self.types: Any = PostgresTypes
-        elif engine_name == 'sqlite':
-            self.types = SqliteTypes
-        else:
-            raise ValueError("Only 'postgresql' and 'sqlite' engines are supported.")
-
+    def __init__(self, meta: sa.MetaData) -> None:
         self.meta = meta
 
         self.import_status = sa.Table('import_status', meta,
@@ -80,9 +46,9 @@ def __init__(self, meta: sa.MetaData, engine_name: str) -> None:
             sa.Column('class', sa.Text, nullable=False, key='class_'),
             sa.Column('type', sa.Text, nullable=False),
             sa.Column('admin_level', sa.SmallInteger),
-            sa.Column('name', self.types.Composite),
-            sa.Column('address', self.types.Composite),
-            sa.Column('extratags', self.types.Composite),
+            sa.Column('name', KeyValueStore),
+            sa.Column('address', KeyValueStore),
+            sa.Column('extratags', KeyValueStore),
             sa.Column('geometry', Geometry, nullable=False),
             sa.Column('wikipedia', sa.Text),
             sa.Column('country_code', sa.String(2)),
@@ -118,14 +84,14 @@ def __init__(self, meta: sa.MetaData, engine_name: str) -> None:
             sa.Column('step', sa.SmallInteger),
             sa.Column('indexed_status', sa.SmallInteger),
             sa.Column('linegeo', Geometry),
-            sa.Column('address', self.types.Composite),
+            sa.Column('address', KeyValueStore),
             sa.Column('postcode', sa.Text),
             sa.Column('country_code', sa.String(2)))
 
         self.country_name = sa.Table('country_name', meta,
             sa.Column('country_code', sa.String(2)),
-            sa.Column('name', self.types.Composite),
-            sa.Column('derived_name', self.types.Composite),
+            sa.Column('name', KeyValueStore),
+            sa.Column('derived_name', KeyValueStore),
             sa.Column('partition', sa.Integer))
 
         self.country_grid = sa.Table('country_osm_grid', meta,
@@ -139,8 +105,8 @@ def __init__(self, meta: sa.MetaData, engine_name: str) -> None:
             sa.Column('importance', sa.Float),
             sa.Column('search_rank', sa.SmallInteger),
             sa.Column('address_rank', sa.SmallInteger),
-            sa.Column('name_vector', self.types.IntArray),
-            sa.Column('nameaddress_vector', self.types.IntArray),
+            sa.Column('name_vector', IntArray),
+            sa.Column('nameaddress_vector', IntArray),
             sa.Column('country_code', sa.String(2)),
             sa.Column('centroid', Geometry))
 
diff --git a/nominatim/db/sqlalchemy_types/__init__.py b/nominatim/db/sqlalchemy_types/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..dc417995d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nominatim/db/sqlalchemy_types/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0-or-later
+#
+# This file is part of Nominatim. (https://nominatim.org)
+#
+# Copyright (C) 2023 by the Nominatim developer community.
+# For a full list of authors see the git log.
+"""
+Module with custom types for SQLAlchemy
+"""
+
+# See also https://github.com/PyCQA/pylint/issues/6006
+# pylint: disable=useless-import-alias
+
+from .geometry import (Geometry as Geometry)
+from .int_array import (IntArray as IntArray)
+from .key_value import (KeyValueStore as KeyValueStore)
+from .json import (Json as Json)
diff --git a/nominatim/db/sqlalchemy_types.py b/nominatim/db/sqlalchemy_types/geometry.py
similarity index 85%
rename from nominatim/db/sqlalchemy_types.py
rename to nominatim/db/sqlalchemy_types/geometry.py
index a36e8c462..0731b0b79 100644
--- a/nominatim/db/sqlalchemy_types.py
+++ b/nominatim/db/sqlalchemy_types/geometry.py
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ class Geometry_DistanceSpheroid(sa.sql.expression.FunctionElement[float]):
 
 
 @compiles(Geometry_DistanceSpheroid) # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
-def _default_distance_spheroid(element: SaColumn,
+def _default_distance_spheroid(element: Geometry_DistanceSpheroid,
                                compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
     return "ST_DistanceSpheroid(%s,"\
            " 'SPHEROID[\"WGS 84\",6378137,298.257223563, AUTHORITY[\"EPSG\",\"7030\"]]')"\
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ def _default_distance_spheroid(element: SaColumn,
 
 
 @compiles(Geometry_DistanceSpheroid, 'sqlite') # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
-def _spatialite_distance_spheroid(element: SaColumn,
+def _spatialite_distance_spheroid(element: Geometry_DistanceSpheroid,
                                   compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
     return "COALESCE(Distance(%s, true), 0.0)" % compiler.process(element.clauses, **kw)
 
@@ -49,14 +49,14 @@ class Geometry_IsLineLike(sa.sql.expression.FunctionElement[Any]):
 
 
 @compiles(Geometry_IsLineLike) # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
-def _default_is_line_like(element: SaColumn,
+def _default_is_line_like(element: Geometry_IsLineLike,
                           compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
     return "ST_GeometryType(%s) IN ('ST_LineString', 'ST_MultiLineString')" % \
                compiler.process(element.clauses, **kw)
 
 
 @compiles(Geometry_IsLineLike, 'sqlite') # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
-def _sqlite_is_line_like(element: SaColumn,
+def _sqlite_is_line_like(element: Geometry_IsLineLike,
                          compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
     return "ST_GeometryType(%s) IN ('LINESTRING', 'MULTILINESTRING')" % \
                compiler.process(element.clauses, **kw)
@@ -70,14 +70,14 @@ class Geometry_IsAreaLike(sa.sql.expression.FunctionElement[Any]):
 
 
 @compiles(Geometry_IsAreaLike) # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
-def _default_is_area_like(element: SaColumn,
+def _default_is_area_like(element: Geometry_IsAreaLike,
                           compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
     return "ST_GeometryType(%s) IN ('ST_Polygon', 'ST_MultiPolygon')" % \
                compiler.process(element.clauses, **kw)
 
 
 @compiles(Geometry_IsAreaLike, 'sqlite') # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
-def _sqlite_is_area_like(element: SaColumn,
+def _sqlite_is_area_like(element: Geometry_IsAreaLike,
                          compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
     return "ST_GeometryType(%s) IN ('POLYGON', 'MULTIPOLYGON')" % \
                compiler.process(element.clauses, **kw)
@@ -91,14 +91,14 @@ class Geometry_IntersectsBbox(sa.sql.expression.FunctionElement[Any]):
 
 
 @compiles(Geometry_IntersectsBbox) # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
-def _default_intersects(element: SaColumn,
+def _default_intersects(element: Geometry_IntersectsBbox,
                         compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
     arg1, arg2 = list(element.clauses)
     return "%s && %s" % (compiler.process(arg1, **kw), compiler.process(arg2, **kw))
 
 
 @compiles(Geometry_IntersectsBbox, 'sqlite') # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
-def _sqlite_intersects(element: SaColumn,
+def _sqlite_intersects(element: Geometry_IntersectsBbox,
                        compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
     return "MbrIntersects(%s) = 1" % compiler.process(element.clauses, **kw)
 
@@ -114,14 +114,14 @@ class Geometry_ColumnIntersectsBbox(sa.sql.expression.FunctionElement[Any]):
 
 
 @compiles(Geometry_ColumnIntersectsBbox) # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
-def default_intersects_column(element: SaColumn,
+def default_intersects_column(element: Geometry_ColumnIntersectsBbox,
                               compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
     arg1, arg2 = list(element.clauses)
     return "%s && %s" % (compiler.process(arg1, **kw), compiler.process(arg2, **kw))
 
 
 @compiles(Geometry_ColumnIntersectsBbox, 'sqlite') # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
-def spatialite_intersects_column(element: SaColumn,
+def spatialite_intersects_column(element: Geometry_ColumnIntersectsBbox,
                                  compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
     arg1, arg2 = list(element.clauses)
     return "MbrIntersects(%s, %s) = 1 and "\
@@ -145,12 +145,12 @@ class Geometry_ColumnDWithin(sa.sql.expression.FunctionElement[Any]):
 
 
 @compiles(Geometry_ColumnDWithin) # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
-def default_dwithin_column(element: SaColumn,
+def default_dwithin_column(element: Geometry_ColumnDWithin,
                            compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
     return "ST_DWithin(%s)" % compiler.process(element.clauses, **kw)
 
 @compiles(Geometry_ColumnDWithin, 'sqlite') # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
-def spatialite_dwithin_column(element: SaColumn,
+def spatialite_dwithin_column(element: Geometry_ColumnDWithin,
                               compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
     geom1, geom2, dist = list(element.clauses)
     return "ST_Distance(%s, %s) < %s and "\
@@ -165,7 +165,6 @@ def spatialite_dwithin_column(element: SaColumn,
               compiler.process(dist, **kw))
 
 
-
 class Geometry(types.UserDefinedType): # type: ignore[type-arg]
     """ Simplified type decorator for PostGIS geometry. This type
         only supports geometries in 4326 projection.
@@ -206,7 +205,10 @@ def bind_expression(self, bindvalue: SaBind) -> SaColumn:
 
     class comparator_factory(types.UserDefinedType.Comparator): # type: ignore[type-arg]
 
-        def intersects(self, other: SaColumn) -> 'sa.Operators':
+        def intersects(self, other: SaColumn, use_index: bool = True) -> 'sa.Operators':
+            if not use_index:
+                return Geometry_IntersectsBbox(sa.func.coalesce(sa.null(), self.expr), other)
+
             if isinstance(self.expr, sa.Column):
                 return Geometry_ColumnIntersectsBbox(self.expr, other)
 
@@ -221,20 +223,11 @@ def is_area(self) -> SaColumn:
             return Geometry_IsAreaLike(self)
 
 
-        def ST_DWithin(self, other: SaColumn, distance: SaColumn) -> SaColumn:
+        def within_distance(self, other: SaColumn, distance: SaColumn) -> SaColumn:
             if isinstance(self.expr, sa.Column):
                 return Geometry_ColumnDWithin(self.expr, other, distance)
 
-            return sa.func.ST_DWithin(self.expr, other, distance)
-
-
-        def ST_DWithin_no_index(self, other: SaColumn, distance: SaColumn) -> SaColumn:
-            return sa.func.ST_DWithin(sa.func.coalesce(sa.null(), self),
-                                      other, distance)
-
-
-        def ST_Intersects_no_index(self, other: SaColumn) -> 'sa.Operators':
-            return Geometry_IntersectsBbox(sa.func.coalesce(sa.null(), self), other)
+            return self.ST_Distance(other) < distance
 
 
         def ST_Distance(self, other: SaColumn) -> SaColumn:
@@ -313,18 +306,3 @@ def _sqlite_impl(element: Any, compiler: Any, **kw: Any) -> Any:
 
 for alias in SQLITE_FUNCTION_ALIAS:
     _add_function_alias(*alias)
-
-
-class ST_DWithin(sa.sql.functions.GenericFunction[Any]):
-    name = 'ST_DWithin'
-    inherit_cache = True
-
-
-@compiles(ST_DWithin, 'sqlite') # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
-def default_json_array_each(element: SaColumn, compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
-    geom1, geom2, dist = list(element.clauses)
-    return "(MbrIntersects(%s, ST_Expand(%s, %s)) = 1 AND ST_Distance(%s, %s) <= %s)" % (
-        compiler.process(geom1, **kw), compiler.process(geom2, **kw),
-        compiler.process(dist, **kw),
-        compiler.process(geom1, **kw), compiler.process(geom2, **kw),
-        compiler.process(dist, **kw))
diff --git a/nominatim/db/sqlalchemy_types/int_array.py b/nominatim/db/sqlalchemy_types/int_array.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a31793f3f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nominatim/db/sqlalchemy_types/int_array.py
@@ -0,0 +1,123 @@
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0-or-later
+#
+# This file is part of Nominatim. (https://nominatim.org)
+#
+# Copyright (C) 2023 by the Nominatim developer community.
+# For a full list of authors see the git log.
+"""
+Custom type for an array of integers.
+"""
+from typing import Any, List, cast, Optional
+
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+from sqlalchemy.ext.compiler import compiles
+from sqlalchemy.dialects.postgresql import ARRAY
+
+from nominatim.typing import SaDialect, SaColumn
+
+# pylint: disable=all
+
+class IntList(sa.types.TypeDecorator[Any]):
+    """ A list of integers saved as a text of comma-separated numbers.
+    """
+    impl = sa.types.Unicode
+    cache_ok = True
+
+    def process_bind_param(self, value: Optional[Any], dialect: 'sa.Dialect') -> Optional[str]:
+        if value is None:
+            return None
+
+        assert isinstance(value, list)
+        return ','.join(map(str, value))
+
+    def process_result_value(self, value: Optional[Any],
+                             dialect: SaDialect) -> Optional[List[int]]:
+        return [int(v) for v in value.split(',')] if value is not None else None
+
+    def copy(self, **kw: Any) -> 'IntList':
+        return IntList(self.impl.length)
+
+
+class IntArray(sa.types.TypeDecorator[Any]):
+    """ Dialect-independent list of integers.
+    """
+    impl = IntList
+    cache_ok = True
+
+    def load_dialect_impl(self, dialect: SaDialect) -> sa.types.TypeEngine[Any]:
+        if dialect.name == 'postgresql':
+            return ARRAY(sa.Integer()) #pylint: disable=invalid-name
+
+        return IntList()
+
+
+    class comparator_factory(sa.types.UserDefinedType.Comparator): # type: ignore[type-arg]
+
+        def __add__(self, other: SaColumn) -> 'sa.ColumnOperators':
+            """ Concate the array with the given array. If one of the
+                operants is null, the value of the other will be returned.
+            """
+            return ArrayCat(self.expr, other)
+
+
+        def contains(self, other: SaColumn, **kwargs: Any) -> 'sa.ColumnOperators':
+            """ Return true if the array contains all the value of the argument
+                array.
+            """
+            return ArrayContains(self.expr, other)
+
+
+
+class ArrayAgg(sa.sql.functions.GenericFunction[Any]):
+    """ Aggregate function to collect elements in an array.
+    """
+    type = IntArray()
+    identifier = 'ArrayAgg'
+    name = 'array_agg'
+    inherit_cache = True
+
+
+@compiles(ArrayAgg, 'sqlite') # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
+def sqlite_array_agg(element: ArrayAgg, compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
+    return "group_concat(%s, ',')" % compiler.process(element.clauses, **kw)
+
+
+
+class ArrayContains(sa.sql.expression.FunctionElement[Any]):
+    """ Function to check if an array is fully contained in another.
+    """
+    name = 'ArrayContains'
+    inherit_cache = True
+
+
+@compiles(ArrayContains) # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
+def generic_array_contains(element: ArrayContains, compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
+    arg1, arg2 = list(element.clauses)
+    return "(%s @> %s)" % (compiler.process(arg1, **kw),
+                           compiler.process(arg2, **kw))
+
+
+@compiles(ArrayContains, 'sqlite') # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
+def sqlite_array_contains(element: ArrayContains, compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
+    return "array_contains(%s)" % compiler.process(element.clauses, **kw)
+
+
+
+class ArrayCat(sa.sql.expression.FunctionElement[Any]):
+    """ Function to check if an array is fully contained in another.
+    """
+    type = IntArray()
+    identifier = 'ArrayCat'
+    inherit_cache = True
+
+
+@compiles(ArrayCat) # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
+def generic_array_cat(element: ArrayCat, compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
+    return "array_cat(%s)" % compiler.process(element.clauses, **kw)
+
+
+@compiles(ArrayCat, 'sqlite') # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
+def sqlite_array_cat(element: ArrayCat, compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
+    arg1, arg2 = list(element.clauses)
+    return "(%s || ',' || %s)" % (compiler.process(arg1, **kw), compiler.process(arg2, **kw))
+
diff --git a/nominatim/db/sqlalchemy_types/json.py b/nominatim/db/sqlalchemy_types/json.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..31635fd51
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nominatim/db/sqlalchemy_types/json.py
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0-or-later
+#
+# This file is part of Nominatim. (https://nominatim.org)
+#
+# Copyright (C) 2023 by the Nominatim developer community.
+# For a full list of authors see the git log.
+"""
+Common json type for different dialects.
+"""
+from typing import Any
+
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+from sqlalchemy.dialects.postgresql import JSONB
+from sqlalchemy.dialects.sqlite import JSON as sqlite_json
+
+from nominatim.typing import SaDialect
+
+# pylint: disable=all
+
+class Json(sa.types.TypeDecorator[Any]):
+    """ Dialect-independent type for JSON.
+    """
+    impl = sa.types.JSON
+    cache_ok = True
+
+    def load_dialect_impl(self, dialect: SaDialect) -> sa.types.TypeEngine[Any]:
+        if dialect.name == 'postgresql':
+            return JSONB(none_as_null=True) # type: ignore[no-untyped-call]
+
+        return sqlite_json(none_as_null=True)
diff --git a/nominatim/db/sqlalchemy_types/key_value.py b/nominatim/db/sqlalchemy_types/key_value.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..937caa021
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nominatim/db/sqlalchemy_types/key_value.py
@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0-or-later
+#
+# This file is part of Nominatim. (https://nominatim.org)
+#
+# Copyright (C) 2023 by the Nominatim developer community.
+# For a full list of authors see the git log.
+"""
+A custom type that implements a simple key-value store of strings.
+"""
+from typing import Any
+
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+from sqlalchemy.ext.compiler import compiles
+from sqlalchemy.dialects.postgresql import HSTORE
+from sqlalchemy.dialects.sqlite import JSON as sqlite_json
+
+from nominatim.typing import SaDialect, SaColumn
+
+# pylint: disable=all
+
+class KeyValueStore(sa.types.TypeDecorator[Any]):
+    """ Dialect-independent type of a simple key-value store of strings.
+    """
+    impl = HSTORE
+    cache_ok = True
+
+    def load_dialect_impl(self, dialect: SaDialect) -> sa.types.TypeEngine[Any]:
+        if dialect.name == 'postgresql':
+            return HSTORE() # type: ignore[no-untyped-call]
+
+        return sqlite_json(none_as_null=True)
+
+
+    class comparator_factory(sa.types.UserDefinedType.Comparator): # type: ignore[type-arg]
+
+        def merge(self, other: SaColumn) -> 'sa.Operators':
+            """ Merge the values from the given KeyValueStore into this
+                one, overwriting values where necessary. When the argument
+                is null, nothing happens.
+            """
+            return KeyValueConcat(self.expr, other)
+
+
+class KeyValueConcat(sa.sql.expression.FunctionElement[Any]):
+    """ Return the merged key-value store from the input parameters.
+    """
+    type = KeyValueStore()
+    name = 'JsonConcat'
+    inherit_cache = True
+
+@compiles(KeyValueConcat) # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
+def default_json_concat(element: KeyValueConcat, compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
+    arg1, arg2 = list(element.clauses)
+    return "(%s || coalesce(%s, ''::hstore))" % (compiler.process(arg1, **kw), compiler.process(arg2, **kw))
+
+@compiles(KeyValueConcat, 'sqlite') # type: ignore[no-untyped-call, misc]
+def sqlite_json_concat(element: KeyValueConcat, compiler: 'sa.Compiled', **kw: Any) -> str:
+    arg1, arg2 = list(element.clauses)
+    return "json_patch(%s, coalesce(%s, '{}'))" % (compiler.process(arg1, **kw), compiler.process(arg2, **kw))
+
+
+
diff --git a/nominatim/db/sqlite_functions.py b/nominatim/db/sqlite_functions.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..2134ae457
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nominatim/db/sqlite_functions.py
@@ -0,0 +1,122 @@
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0-or-later
+#
+# This file is part of Nominatim. (https://nominatim.org)
+#
+# Copyright (C) 2023 by the Nominatim developer community.
+# For a full list of authors see the git log.
+"""
+Custom functions for SQLite.
+"""
+from typing import cast, Optional, Set, Any
+import json
+
+# pylint: disable=protected-access
+
+def weigh_search(search_vector: Optional[str], rankings: str, default: float) -> float:
+    """ Custom weight function for search results.
+    """
+    if search_vector is not None:
+        svec = [int(x) for x in search_vector.split(',')]
+        for rank in json.loads(rankings):
+            if all(r in svec for r in rank[1]):
+                return cast(float, rank[0])
+
+    return default
+
+
+class ArrayIntersectFuzzy:
+    """ Compute the array of common elements of all input integer arrays.
+        Very large input paramenters may be ignored to speed up
+        computation. Therefore, the result is a superset of common elements.
+
+        Input and output arrays are given as comma-separated lists.
+    """
+    def __init__(self) -> None:
+        self.first = ''
+        self.values: Optional[Set[int]] = None
+
+    def step(self, value: Optional[str]) -> None:
+        """ Add the next array to the intersection.
+        """
+        if value is not None:
+            if not self.first:
+                self.first = value
+            elif len(value) < 10000000:
+                if self.values is None:
+                    self.values = {int(x) for x in self.first.split(',')}
+                self.values.intersection_update((int(x) for x in value.split(',')))
+
+    def finalize(self) -> str:
+        """ Return the final result.
+        """
+        if self.values is not None:
+            return ','.join(map(str, self.values))
+
+        return self.first
+
+
+class ArrayUnion:
+    """ Compute the set of all elements of the input integer arrays.
+
+        Input and output arrays are given as strings of comma-separated lists.
+    """
+    def __init__(self) -> None:
+        self.values: Optional[Set[str]] = None
+
+    def step(self, value: Optional[str]) -> None:
+        """ Add the next array to the union.
+        """
+        if value is not None:
+            if self.values is None:
+                self.values = set(value.split(','))
+            else:
+                self.values.update(value.split(','))
+
+    def finalize(self) -> str:
+        """ Return the final result.
+        """
+        return '' if self.values is None else ','.join(self.values)
+
+
+def array_contains(container: Optional[str], containee: Optional[str]) -> Optional[bool]:
+    """ Is the array 'containee' completely contained in array 'container'.
+    """
+    if container is None or containee is None:
+        return None
+
+    vset = container.split(',')
+    return all(v in vset for v in containee.split(','))
+
+
+def array_pair_contains(container1: Optional[str], container2: Optional[str],
+                        containee: Optional[str]) -> Optional[bool]:
+    """ Is the array 'containee' completely contained in the union of
+        array 'container1' and array 'container2'.
+    """
+    if container1 is None or container2 is None or containee is None:
+        return None
+
+    vset = container1.split(',') + container2.split(',')
+    return all(v in vset for v in containee.split(','))
+
+
+def install_custom_functions(conn: Any) -> None:
+    """ Install helper functions for Nominatim into the given SQLite
+        database connection.
+    """
+    conn.create_function('weigh_search', 3, weigh_search, deterministic=True)
+    conn.create_function('array_contains', 2, array_contains, deterministic=True)
+    conn.create_function('array_pair_contains', 3, array_pair_contains, deterministic=True)
+    _create_aggregate(conn, 'array_intersect_fuzzy', 1, ArrayIntersectFuzzy)
+    _create_aggregate(conn, 'array_union', 1, ArrayUnion)
+
+
+async def _make_aggregate(aioconn: Any, *args: Any) -> None:
+    await aioconn._execute(aioconn._conn.create_aggregate, *args)
+
+
+def _create_aggregate(conn: Any, name: str, nargs: int, aggregate: Any) -> None:
+    try:
+        conn.await_(_make_aggregate(conn._connection, name, nargs, aggregate))
+    except Exception as error: # pylint: disable=broad-exception-caught
+        conn._handle_exception(error)
diff --git a/nominatim/tools/convert_sqlite.py b/nominatim/tools/convert_sqlite.py
index 0702e5d8c..3e5847107 100644
--- a/nominatim/tools/convert_sqlite.py
+++ b/nominatim/tools/convert_sqlite.py
@@ -14,7 +14,8 @@
 import sqlalchemy as sa
 
 from nominatim.typing import SaSelect
-from nominatim.db.sqlalchemy_types import Geometry
+from nominatim.db.sqlalchemy_types import Geometry, IntArray
+from nominatim.api.search.query_analyzer_factory import make_query_analyzer
 import nominatim.api as napi
 
 LOG = logging.getLogger()
@@ -27,11 +28,15 @@ async def convert(project_dir: Path, outfile: Path, options: Set[str]) -> None:
 
     try:
         outapi = napi.NominatimAPIAsync(project_dir,
-                                        {'NOMINATIM_DATABASE_DSN': f"sqlite:dbname={outfile}"})
+                                        {'NOMINATIM_DATABASE_DSN': f"sqlite:dbname={outfile}",
+                                         'NOMINATIM_DATABASE_RW': '1'})
 
-        async with api.begin() as src, outapi.begin() as dest:
-            writer = SqliteWriter(src, dest, options)
-            await writer.write()
+        try:
+            async with api.begin() as src, outapi.begin() as dest:
+                writer = SqliteWriter(src, dest, options)
+                await writer.write()
+        finally:
+            await outapi.close()
     finally:
         await api.close()
 
@@ -51,18 +56,24 @@ async def write(self) -> None:
         """ Create the database structure and copy the data from
             the source database to the destination.
         """
+        LOG.warning('Setting up spatialite')
         await self.dest.execute(sa.select(sa.func.InitSpatialMetaData(True, 'WGS84')))
 
         await self.create_tables()
         await self.copy_data()
+        if 'search' in self.options:
+            await self.create_word_table()
         await self.create_indexes()
 
 
     async def create_tables(self) -> None:
         """ Set up the database tables.
         """
+        LOG.warning('Setting up tables')
         if 'search' not in self.options:
             self.dest.t.meta.remove(self.dest.t.search_name)
+        else:
+            await self.create_class_tables()
 
         await self.dest.connection.run_sync(self.dest.t.meta.create_all)
 
@@ -75,6 +86,41 @@ async def create_tables(self) -> None:
                                                       col.type.subtype.upper(), 'XY')))
 
 
+    async def create_class_tables(self) -> None:
+        """ Set up the table that serve class/type-specific geometries.
+        """
+        sql = sa.text("""SELECT tablename FROM pg_tables
+                         WHERE tablename LIKE 'place_classtype_%'""")
+        for res in await self.src.execute(sql):
+            for db in (self.src, self.dest):
+                sa.Table(res[0], db.t.meta,
+                         sa.Column('place_id', sa.BigInteger),
+                         sa.Column('centroid', Geometry))
+
+
+    async def create_word_table(self) -> None:
+        """ Create the word table.
+            This table needs the property information to determine the
+            correct format. Therefore needs to be done after all other
+            data has been copied.
+        """
+        await make_query_analyzer(self.src)
+        await make_query_analyzer(self.dest)
+        src = self.src.t.meta.tables['word']
+        dest = self.dest.t.meta.tables['word']
+
+        await self.dest.connection.run_sync(dest.create)
+
+        LOG.warning("Copying word table")
+        async_result = await self.src.connection.stream(sa.select(src))
+
+        async for partition in async_result.partitions(10000):
+            data = [{k: getattr(r, k) for k in r._fields} for r in partition]
+            await self.dest.execute(dest.insert(), data)
+
+        await self.dest.connection.run_sync(sa.Index('idx_word_woken', dest.c.word_token).create)
+
+
     async def copy_data(self) -> None:
         """ Copy data for all registered tables.
         """
@@ -87,6 +133,14 @@ async def copy_data(self) -> None:
                         for r in partition]
                 await self.dest.execute(table.insert(), data)
 
+        # Set up a minimal copy of pg_tables used to look up the class tables later.
+        pg_tables = sa.Table('pg_tables', self.dest.t.meta,
+                             sa.Column('schemaname', sa.Text, default='public'),
+                             sa.Column('tablename', sa.Text))
+        await self.dest.connection.run_sync(pg_tables.create)
+        data = [{'tablename': t} for t in self.dest.t.meta.tables]
+        await self.dest.execute(pg_tables.insert().values(data))
+
 
     async def create_indexes(self) -> None:
         """ Add indexes necessary for the frontend.
@@ -116,6 +170,22 @@ async def create_indexes(self) -> None:
         await self.create_index('placex', 'parent_place_id')
         await self.create_index('placex', 'rank_address')
         await self.create_index('addressline', 'place_id')
+        await self.create_index('postcode', 'place_id')
+        await self.create_index('osmline', 'place_id')
+        await self.create_index('tiger', 'place_id')
+
+        if 'search' in self.options:
+            await self.create_spatial_index('postcode', 'geometry')
+            await self.create_spatial_index('search_name', 'centroid')
+            await self.create_index('search_name', 'place_id')
+            await self.create_index('osmline', 'parent_place_id')
+            await self.create_index('tiger', 'parent_place_id')
+            await self.create_search_index()
+
+            for t in self.dest.t.meta.tables:
+                if t.startswith('place_classtype_'):
+                    await self.dest.execute(sa.select(
+                      sa.func.CreateSpatialIndex(t, 'centroid')))
 
 
     async def create_spatial_index(self, table: str, column: str) -> None:
@@ -133,6 +203,36 @@ async def create_index(self, table_name: str, column: str) -> None:
             sa.Index(f"idx_{table}_{column}", getattr(table.c, column)).create)
 
 
+    async def create_search_index(self) -> None:
+        """ Create the tables and indexes needed for word lookup.
+        """
+        LOG.warning("Creating reverse search table")
+        rsn = sa.Table('reverse_search_name', self.dest.t.meta,
+                       sa.Column('word', sa.Integer()),
+                       sa.Column('column', sa.Text()),
+                       sa.Column('places', IntArray))
+        await self.dest.connection.run_sync(rsn.create)
+
+        tsrc = self.src.t.search_name
+        for column in ('name_vector', 'nameaddress_vector'):
+            sql = sa.select(sa.func.unnest(getattr(tsrc.c, column)).label('word'),
+                            sa.func.ArrayAgg(tsrc.c.place_id).label('places'))\
+                    .group_by('word')
+
+            async_result = await self.src.connection.stream(sql)
+            async for partition in async_result.partitions(100):
+                data = []
+                for row in partition:
+                    row.places.sort()
+                    data.append({'word': row.word,
+                                 'column': column,
+                                 'places': row.places})
+                await self.dest.execute(rsn.insert(), data)
+
+        await self.dest.connection.run_sync(
+            sa.Index('idx_reverse_search_name_word', rsn.c.word).create)
+
+
     def select_from(self, table: str) -> SaSelect:
         """ Create the SQL statement to select the source columns and rows.
         """
diff --git a/nominatim/typing.py b/nominatim/typing.py
index 7274f1d39..62ecd8c3e 100644
--- a/nominatim/typing.py
+++ b/nominatim/typing.py
@@ -72,3 +72,4 @@ def __getitem__(self, x: Union[int, str]) -> Any: ...
 SaFromClause: TypeAlias = 'sa.FromClause'
 SaSelectable: TypeAlias = 'sa.Selectable'
 SaBind: TypeAlias = 'sa.BindParameter[Any]'
+SaDialect: TypeAlias = 'sa.Dialect'
diff --git a/nominatim/utils/json_writer.py b/nominatim/utils/json_writer.py
index bb642233e..fcc355d5e 100644
--- a/nominatim/utils/json_writer.py
+++ b/nominatim/utils/json_writer.py
@@ -76,8 +76,8 @@ def start_array(self) -> 'JsonWriter':
     def end_array(self) -> 'JsonWriter':
         """ Write the closing bracket of a JSON array.
         """
-        assert self.pending in (',', '[', '')
-        if self.pending == '[':
+        assert self.pending in (',', '[', ']', ')', '')
+        if self.pending not in (',', ''):
             self.data.write(self.pending)
         self.pending = ']'
         return self
diff --git a/test/bdd/api/search/geocodejson.feature b/test/bdd/api/search/geocodejson.feature
index b0ef92dac..271ec10c1 100644
--- a/test/bdd/api/search/geocodejson.feature
+++ b/test/bdd/api/search/geocodejson.feature
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+@SQLITE
 @APIDB
 Feature: Parameters for Search API
     Testing correctness of geocodejson output.
diff --git a/test/bdd/api/search/language.feature b/test/bdd/api/search/language.feature
index b76adbef5..fe14cdbe6 100644
--- a/test/bdd/api/search/language.feature
+++ b/test/bdd/api/search/language.feature
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+@SQLITE
 @APIDB
 Feature: Localization of search results
 
diff --git a/test/bdd/api/search/params.feature b/test/bdd/api/search/params.feature
index d5512f5b6..e667b690b 100644
--- a/test/bdd/api/search/params.feature
+++ b/test/bdd/api/search/params.feature
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+@SQLITE
 @APIDB
 Feature: Search queries
     Testing different queries and parameters
diff --git a/test/bdd/api/search/postcode.feature b/test/bdd/api/search/postcode.feature
index 81836efb5..e372f449a 100644
--- a/test/bdd/api/search/postcode.feature
+++ b/test/bdd/api/search/postcode.feature
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+@SQLITE
 @APIDB
 Feature: Searches with postcodes
     Various searches involving postcodes
diff --git a/test/bdd/api/search/queries.feature b/test/bdd/api/search/queries.feature
index 847f1dbf0..eba903ea3 100644
--- a/test/bdd/api/search/queries.feature
+++ b/test/bdd/api/search/queries.feature
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+@SQLITE
 @APIDB
 Feature: Search queries
     Generic search result correctness
diff --git a/test/bdd/api/search/simple.feature b/test/bdd/api/search/simple.feature
index 11cd4801b..121271cdf 100644
--- a/test/bdd/api/search/simple.feature
+++ b/test/bdd/api/search/simple.feature
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+@SQLITE
 @APIDB
 Feature: Simple Tests
     Simple tests for internal server errors and response format.
diff --git a/test/bdd/api/search/structured.feature b/test/bdd/api/search/structured.feature
index 517c0eddd..a1dd5b83d 100644
--- a/test/bdd/api/search/structured.feature
+++ b/test/bdd/api/search/structured.feature
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+@SQLITE
 @APIDB
 Feature: Structured search queries
     Testing correctness of results with
diff --git a/test/python/api/conftest.py b/test/python/api/conftest.py
index cb7f324a3..05eaddf5f 100644
--- a/test/python/api/conftest.py
+++ b/test/python/api/conftest.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 
 import nominatim.api as napi
 from nominatim.db.sql_preprocessor import SQLPreprocessor
+from nominatim.api.search.query_analyzer_factory import make_query_analyzer
 from nominatim.tools import convert_sqlite
 import nominatim.api.logging as loglib
 
@@ -160,6 +161,22 @@ def add_class_type_table(self, cls, typ):
                                      """)))
 
 
+    def add_word_table(self, content):
+        data = [dict(zip(['word_id', 'word_token', 'type', 'word', 'info'], c))
+                for c in content]
+
+        async def _do_sql():
+            async with self.api._async_api.begin() as conn:
+                if 'word' not in conn.t.meta.tables:
+                    await make_query_analyzer(conn)
+                    word_table = conn.t.meta.tables['word']
+                    await conn.connection.run_sync(word_table.create)
+                if data:
+                    await conn.execute(conn.t.meta.tables['word'].insert(), data)
+
+        self.async_to_sync(_do_sql())
+
+
     async def exec_async(self, sql, *args, **kwargs):
         async with self.api._async_api.begin() as conn:
             return await conn.execute(sql, *args, **kwargs)
@@ -190,17 +207,40 @@ def apiobj(temp_db_with_extensions, temp_db_conn, monkeypatch):
 
 @pytest.fixture(params=['postgres_db', 'sqlite_db'])
 def frontend(request, event_loop, tmp_path):
+    testapis = []
     if request.param == 'sqlite_db':
         db = str(tmp_path / 'test_nominatim_python_unittest.sqlite')
 
         def mkapi(apiobj, options={'reverse'}):
+            apiobj.add_data('properties',
+                        [{'property': 'tokenizer', 'value': 'icu'},
+                         {'property': 'tokenizer_import_normalisation', 'value': ':: lower();'},
+                         {'property': 'tokenizer_import_transliteration', 'value': "'1' > '/1/'; 'ä' > 'ä '"},
+                        ])
+
+            async def _do_sql():
+                async with apiobj.api._async_api.begin() as conn:
+                    if 'word' in conn.t.meta.tables:
+                        return
+                    await make_query_analyzer(conn)
+                    word_table = conn.t.meta.tables['word']
+                    await conn.connection.run_sync(word_table.create)
+
+            apiobj.async_to_sync(_do_sql())
+
             event_loop.run_until_complete(convert_sqlite.convert(Path('/invalid'),
                                                                  db, options))
-            return napi.NominatimAPI(Path('/invalid'),
-                                     {'NOMINATIM_DATABASE_DSN': f"sqlite:dbname={db}",
-                                      'NOMINATIM_USE_US_TIGER_DATA': 'yes'})
+            outapi = napi.NominatimAPI(Path('/invalid'),
+                                       {'NOMINATIM_DATABASE_DSN': f"sqlite:dbname={db}",
+                                        'NOMINATIM_USE_US_TIGER_DATA': 'yes'})
+            testapis.append(outapi)
+
+            return outapi
     elif request.param == 'postgres_db':
         def mkapi(apiobj, options=None):
             return apiobj.api
 
-    return mkapi
+    yield mkapi
+
+    for api in testapis:
+        api.close()
diff --git a/test/python/api/search/test_db_search_builder.py b/test/python/api/search/test_db_search_builder.py
index 87d752615..d3aea9000 100644
--- a/test/python/api/search/test_db_search_builder.py
+++ b/test/python/api/search/test_db_search_builder.py
@@ -420,8 +420,8 @@ def test_infrequent_partials_in_name():
     assert len(search.lookups) == 2
     assert len(search.rankings) == 2
 
-    assert set((l.column, l.lookup_type) for l in search.lookups) == \
-            {('name_vector', 'lookup_all'), ('nameaddress_vector', 'restrict')}
+    assert set((l.column, l.lookup_type.__name__) for l in search.lookups) == \
+            {('name_vector', 'LookupAll'), ('nameaddress_vector', 'Restrict')}
 
 
 def test_frequent_partials_in_name_and_address():
@@ -432,10 +432,10 @@ def test_frequent_partials_in_name_and_address():
     assert all(isinstance(s, dbs.PlaceSearch) for s in searches)
     searches.sort(key=lambda s: s.penalty)
 
-    assert set((l.column, l.lookup_type) for l in searches[0].lookups) == \
-            {('name_vector', 'lookup_any'), ('nameaddress_vector', 'restrict')}
-    assert set((l.column, l.lookup_type) for l in searches[1].lookups) == \
-            {('nameaddress_vector', 'lookup_all'), ('name_vector', 'lookup_all')}
+    assert set((l.column, l.lookup_type.__name__) for l in searches[0].lookups) == \
+            {('name_vector', 'LookupAny'), ('nameaddress_vector', 'Restrict')}
+    assert set((l.column, l.lookup_type.__name__) for l in searches[1].lookups) == \
+            {('nameaddress_vector', 'LookupAll'), ('name_vector', 'LookupAll')}
 
 
 def test_too_frequent_partials_in_name_and_address():
@@ -446,5 +446,5 @@ def test_too_frequent_partials_in_name_and_address():
     assert all(isinstance(s, dbs.PlaceSearch) for s in searches)
     searches.sort(key=lambda s: s.penalty)
 
-    assert set((l.column, l.lookup_type) for l in searches[0].lookups) == \
-            {('name_vector', 'lookup_any'), ('nameaddress_vector', 'restrict')}
+    assert set((l.column, l.lookup_type.__name__) for l in searches[0].lookups) == \
+            {('name_vector', 'LookupAny'), ('nameaddress_vector', 'Restrict')}
diff --git a/test/python/api/search/test_search_country.py b/test/python/api/search/test_search_country.py
index 82b1d37fe..dc87d313a 100644
--- a/test/python/api/search/test_search_country.py
+++ b/test/python/api/search/test_search_country.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 from nominatim.api.search.db_search_fields import WeightedStrings
 
 
-def run_search(apiobj, global_penalty, ccodes,
+def run_search(apiobj, frontend, global_penalty, ccodes,
                country_penalties=None, details=SearchDetails()):
     if country_penalties is None:
         country_penalties = [0.0] * len(ccodes)
@@ -25,15 +25,16 @@ class MySearchData:
         countries = WeightedStrings(ccodes, country_penalties)
 
     search = CountrySearch(MySearchData())
+    api = frontend(apiobj, options=['search'])
 
     async def run():
-        async with apiobj.api._async_api.begin() as conn:
+        async with api._async_api.begin() as conn:
             return await search.lookup(conn, details)
 
-    return apiobj.async_to_sync(run())
+    return api._loop.run_until_complete(run())
 
 
-def test_find_from_placex(apiobj):
+def test_find_from_placex(apiobj, frontend):
     apiobj.add_placex(place_id=55, class_='boundary', type='administrative',
                       rank_search=4, rank_address=4,
                       name={'name': 'Lolaland'},
@@ -41,32 +42,32 @@ def test_find_from_placex(apiobj):
                       centroid=(10, 10),
                       geometry='POLYGON((9.5 9.5, 9.5 10.5, 10.5 10.5, 10.5 9.5, 9.5 9.5))')
 
-    results = run_search(apiobj, 0.5, ['de', 'yw'], [0.0, 0.3])
+    results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.5, ['de', 'yw'], [0.0, 0.3])
 
     assert len(results) == 1
     assert results[0].place_id == 55
     assert results[0].accuracy == 0.8
 
-def test_find_from_fallback_countries(apiobj):
+def test_find_from_fallback_countries(apiobj, frontend):
     apiobj.add_country('ro', 'POLYGON((0 0, 0 1, 1 1, 1 0, 0 0))')
     apiobj.add_country_name('ro', {'name': 'România'})
 
-    results = run_search(apiobj, 0.0, ['ro'])
+    results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.0, ['ro'])
 
     assert len(results) == 1
     assert results[0].names == {'name': 'România'}
 
 
-def test_find_none(apiobj):
-    assert len(run_search(apiobj, 0.0, ['xx'])) == 0
+def test_find_none(apiobj, frontend):
+    assert len(run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.0, ['xx'])) == 0
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize('coord,numres', [((0.5, 1), 1), ((10, 10), 0)])
-def test_find_near(apiobj, coord, numres):
+def test_find_near(apiobj, frontend, coord, numres):
     apiobj.add_country('ro', 'POLYGON((0 0, 0 1, 1 1, 1 0, 0 0))')
     apiobj.add_country_name('ro', {'name': 'România'})
 
-    results = run_search(apiobj, 0.0, ['ro'],
+    results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.0, ['ro'],
                          details=SearchDetails(near=napi.Point(*coord),
                                                near_radius=0.1))
 
@@ -92,8 +93,8 @@ def fill_database(self, apiobj):
                                       napi.GeometryFormat.SVG,
                                       napi.GeometryFormat.TEXT])
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('cc', ['yw', 'ro'])
-    def test_return_geometries(self, apiobj, geom, cc):
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.5, [cc],
+    def test_return_geometries(self, apiobj, frontend, geom, cc):
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.5, [cc],
                              details=SearchDetails(geometry_output=geom))
 
         assert len(results) == 1
@@ -101,8 +102,8 @@ def test_return_geometries(self, apiobj, geom, cc):
 
 
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('pid,rids', [(76, [55]), (55, [])])
-    def test_exclude_place_id(self, apiobj, pid, rids):
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.5, ['yw', 'ro'],
+    def test_exclude_place_id(self, apiobj, frontend, pid, rids):
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.5, ['yw', 'ro'],
                              details=SearchDetails(excluded=[pid]))
 
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == rids
@@ -110,8 +111,8 @@ def test_exclude_place_id(self, apiobj, pid, rids):
 
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('viewbox,rids', [((9, 9, 11, 11), [55]),
                                               ((-10, -10, -3, -3), [])])
-    def test_bounded_viewbox_in_placex(self, apiobj, viewbox, rids):
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.5, ['yw'],
+    def test_bounded_viewbox_in_placex(self, apiobj, frontend, viewbox, rids):
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.5, ['yw'],
                              details=SearchDetails.from_kwargs({'viewbox': viewbox,
                                                                 'bounded_viewbox': True}))
 
@@ -120,8 +121,8 @@ def test_bounded_viewbox_in_placex(self, apiobj, viewbox, rids):
 
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('viewbox,numres', [((0, 0, 1, 1), 1),
                                               ((-10, -10, -3, -3), 0)])
-    def test_bounded_viewbox_in_fallback(self, apiobj, viewbox, numres):
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.5, ['ro'],
+    def test_bounded_viewbox_in_fallback(self, apiobj, frontend, viewbox, numres):
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.5, ['ro'],
                              details=SearchDetails.from_kwargs({'viewbox': viewbox,
                                                                 'bounded_viewbox': True}))
 
diff --git a/test/python/api/search/test_search_near.py b/test/python/api/search/test_search_near.py
index 2a0acb745..5b60dd51d 100644
--- a/test/python/api/search/test_search_near.py
+++ b/test/python/api/search/test_search_near.py
@@ -14,9 +14,10 @@
 from nominatim.api.search.db_searches import NearSearch, PlaceSearch
 from nominatim.api.search.db_search_fields import WeightedStrings, WeightedCategories,\
                                                   FieldLookup, FieldRanking, RankedTokens
+from nominatim.api.search.db_search_lookups import LookupAll
 
 
-def run_search(apiobj, global_penalty, cat, cat_penalty=None, ccodes=[],
+def run_search(apiobj, frontend, global_penalty, cat, cat_penalty=None, ccodes=[],
                details=SearchDetails()):
 
     class PlaceSearchData:
@@ -25,7 +26,7 @@ class PlaceSearchData:
         countries = WeightedStrings(ccodes, [0.0] * len(ccodes))
         housenumbers = WeightedStrings([], [])
         qualifiers = WeightedStrings([], [])
-        lookups = [FieldLookup('name_vector', [56], 'lookup_all')]
+        lookups = [FieldLookup('name_vector', [56], LookupAll)]
         rankings = []
 
     if ccodes is not None:
@@ -38,21 +39,23 @@ class PlaceSearchData:
 
     near_search = NearSearch(0.1, WeightedCategories(cat, cat_penalty), place_search)
 
+    api = frontend(apiobj, options=['search'])
+
     async def run():
-        async with apiobj.api._async_api.begin() as conn:
+        async with api._async_api.begin() as conn:
             return await near_search.lookup(conn, details)
 
-    results = apiobj.async_to_sync(run())
+    results = api._loop.run_until_complete(run())
     results.sort(key=lambda r: r.accuracy)
 
     return results
 
 
-def test_no_results_inner_query(apiobj):
-    assert not run_search(apiobj, 0.4, [('this', 'that')])
+def test_no_results_inner_query(apiobj, frontend):
+    assert not run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.4, [('this', 'that')])
 
 
-def test_no_appropriate_results_inner_query(apiobj):
+def test_no_appropriate_results_inner_query(apiobj, frontend):
     apiobj.add_placex(place_id=100, country_code='us',
                       centroid=(5.6, 4.3),
                       geometry='POLYGON((0.0 0.0, 10.0 0.0, 10.0 2.0, 0.0 2.0, 0.0 0.0))')
@@ -61,7 +64,7 @@ def test_no_appropriate_results_inner_query(apiobj):
     apiobj.add_placex(place_id=22, class_='amenity', type='bank',
                       centroid=(5.6001, 4.2994))
 
-    assert not run_search(apiobj, 0.4, [('amenity', 'bank')])
+    assert not run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.4, [('amenity', 'bank')])
 
 
 class TestNearSearch:
@@ -78,18 +81,18 @@ def fill_database(self, apiobj):
                                centroid=(-10.3, 56.9))
 
 
-    def test_near_in_placex(self, apiobj):
+    def test_near_in_placex(self, apiobj, frontend):
         apiobj.add_placex(place_id=22, class_='amenity', type='bank',
                           centroid=(5.6001, 4.2994))
         apiobj.add_placex(place_id=23, class_='amenity', type='bench',
                           centroid=(5.6001, 4.2994))
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [('amenity', 'bank')])
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [('amenity', 'bank')])
 
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == [22]
 
 
-    def test_multiple_types_near_in_placex(self, apiobj):
+    def test_multiple_types_near_in_placex(self, apiobj, frontend):
         apiobj.add_placex(place_id=22, class_='amenity', type='bank',
                           importance=0.002,
                           centroid=(5.6001, 4.2994))
@@ -97,13 +100,13 @@ def test_multiple_types_near_in_placex(self, apiobj):
                           importance=0.001,
                           centroid=(5.6001, 4.2994))
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [('amenity', 'bank'),
-                                           ('amenity', 'bench')])
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [('amenity', 'bank'),
+                                                     ('amenity', 'bench')])
 
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == [22, 23]
 
 
-    def test_near_in_classtype(self, apiobj):
+    def test_near_in_classtype(self, apiobj, frontend):
         apiobj.add_placex(place_id=22, class_='amenity', type='bank',
                           centroid=(5.6, 4.34))
         apiobj.add_placex(place_id=23, class_='amenity', type='bench',
@@ -111,13 +114,13 @@ def test_near_in_classtype(self, apiobj):
         apiobj.add_class_type_table('amenity', 'bank')
         apiobj.add_class_type_table('amenity', 'bench')
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [('amenity', 'bank')])
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [('amenity', 'bank')])
 
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == [22]
 
 
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('cc,rid', [('us', 22), ('mx', 23)])
-    def test_restrict_by_country(self, apiobj, cc, rid):
+    def test_restrict_by_country(self, apiobj, frontend, cc, rid):
         apiobj.add_placex(place_id=22, class_='amenity', type='bank',
                           centroid=(5.6001, 4.2994),
                           country_code='us')
@@ -131,13 +134,13 @@ def test_restrict_by_country(self, apiobj, cc, rid):
                           centroid=(-10.3001, 56.9),
                           country_code='us')
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [('amenity', 'bank')], ccodes=[cc, 'fr'])
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [('amenity', 'bank')], ccodes=[cc, 'fr'])
 
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == [rid]
 
 
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('excluded,rid', [(22, 122), (122, 22)])
-    def test_exclude_place_by_id(self, apiobj, excluded, rid):
+    def test_exclude_place_by_id(self, apiobj, frontend, excluded, rid):
         apiobj.add_placex(place_id=22, class_='amenity', type='bank',
                           centroid=(5.6001, 4.2994),
                           country_code='us')
@@ -146,7 +149,7 @@ def test_exclude_place_by_id(self, apiobj, excluded, rid):
                           country_code='us')
 
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [('amenity', 'bank')],
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [('amenity', 'bank')],
                              details=SearchDetails(excluded=[excluded]))
 
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == [rid]
@@ -154,12 +157,12 @@ def test_exclude_place_by_id(self, apiobj, excluded, rid):
 
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('layer,rids', [(napi.DataLayer.POI, [22]),
                                             (napi.DataLayer.MANMADE, [])])
-    def test_with_layer(self, apiobj, layer, rids):
+    def test_with_layer(self, apiobj, frontend, layer, rids):
         apiobj.add_placex(place_id=22, class_='amenity', type='bank',
                           centroid=(5.6001, 4.2994),
                           country_code='us')
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [('amenity', 'bank')],
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [('amenity', 'bank')],
                              details=SearchDetails(layers=layer))
 
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == rids
diff --git a/test/python/api/search/test_search_places.py b/test/python/api/search/test_search_places.py
index 8a363e977..c446a35f8 100644
--- a/test/python/api/search/test_search_places.py
+++ b/test/python/api/search/test_search_places.py
@@ -16,8 +16,11 @@
 from nominatim.api.search.db_searches import PlaceSearch
 from nominatim.api.search.db_search_fields import WeightedStrings, WeightedCategories,\
                                                   FieldLookup, FieldRanking, RankedTokens
+from nominatim.api.search.db_search_lookups import LookupAll, LookupAny, Restrict
 
-def run_search(apiobj, global_penalty, lookup, ranking, count=2,
+APIOPTIONS = ['search']
+
+def run_search(apiobj, frontend, global_penalty, lookup, ranking, count=2,
                hnrs=[], pcs=[], ccodes=[], quals=[],
                details=SearchDetails()):
     class MySearchData:
@@ -31,11 +34,16 @@ class MySearchData:
 
     search = PlaceSearch(0.0, MySearchData(), count)
 
+    if frontend is None:
+        api = apiobj
+    else:
+        api = frontend(apiobj, options=APIOPTIONS)
+
     async def run():
-        async with apiobj.api._async_api.begin() as conn:
+        async with api._async_api.begin() as conn:
             return await search.lookup(conn, details)
 
-    results = apiobj.async_to_sync(run())
+    results = api._loop.run_until_complete(run())
     results.sort(key=lambda r: r.accuracy)
 
     return results
@@ -55,64 +63,64 @@ def fill_database(self, apiobj):
                                centroid=(-10.3, 56.9))
 
 
-    @pytest.mark.parametrize('lookup_type', ['lookup_all', 'restrict'])
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize('lookup_type', [LookupAll, Restrict])
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('rank,res', [([10], [100, 101]),
                                           ([20], [101, 100])])
-    def test_lookup_all_match(self, apiobj, lookup_type, rank, res):
+    def test_lookup_all_match(self, apiobj, frontend, lookup_type, rank, res):
         lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1,2], lookup_type)
         ranking = FieldRanking('name_vector', 0.9, [RankedTokens(0.0, rank)])
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking])
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking])
 
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == res
 
 
-    @pytest.mark.parametrize('lookup_type', ['lookup_all', 'restrict'])
-    def test_lookup_all_partial_match(self, apiobj, lookup_type):
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize('lookup_type', [LookupAll, Restrict])
+    def test_lookup_all_partial_match(self, apiobj, frontend, lookup_type):
         lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1,20], lookup_type)
         ranking = FieldRanking('name_vector', 0.9, [RankedTokens(0.0, [21])])
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking])
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking])
 
         assert len(results) == 1
         assert results[0].place_id == 101
 
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('rank,res', [([10], [100, 101]),
                                           ([20], [101, 100])])
-    def test_lookup_any_match(self, apiobj, rank, res):
-        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [11,21], 'lookup_any')
+    def test_lookup_any_match(self, apiobj, frontend, rank, res):
+        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [11,21], LookupAny)
         ranking = FieldRanking('name_vector', 0.9, [RankedTokens(0.0, rank)])
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking])
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking])
 
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == res
 
 
-    def test_lookup_any_partial_match(self, apiobj):
-        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [20], 'lookup_all')
+    def test_lookup_any_partial_match(self, apiobj, frontend):
+        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [20], LookupAll)
         ranking = FieldRanking('name_vector', 0.9, [RankedTokens(0.0, [21])])
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking])
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking])
 
         assert len(results) == 1
         assert results[0].place_id == 101
 
 
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('cc,res', [('us', 100), ('mx', 101)])
-    def test_lookup_restrict_country(self, apiobj, cc, res):
-        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1,2], 'lookup_all')
+    def test_lookup_restrict_country(self, apiobj, frontend, cc, res):
+        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1,2], LookupAll)
         ranking = FieldRanking('name_vector', 0.9, [RankedTokens(0.0, [10])])
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking], ccodes=[cc])
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking], ccodes=[cc])
 
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == [res]
 
 
-    def test_lookup_restrict_placeid(self, apiobj):
-        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1,2], 'lookup_all')
+    def test_lookup_restrict_placeid(self, apiobj, frontend):
+        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1,2], LookupAll)
         ranking = FieldRanking('name_vector', 0.9, [RankedTokens(0.0, [10])])
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking],
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking],
                              details=SearchDetails(excluded=[101]))
 
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == [100]
@@ -122,28 +130,28 @@ def test_lookup_restrict_placeid(self, apiobj):
                                       napi.GeometryFormat.KML,
                                       napi.GeometryFormat.SVG,
                                       napi.GeometryFormat.TEXT])
-    def test_return_geometries(self, apiobj, geom):
-        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [20], 'lookup_all')
+    def test_return_geometries(self, apiobj, frontend, geom):
+        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [20], LookupAll)
         ranking = FieldRanking('name_vector', 0.9, [RankedTokens(0.0, [21])])
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking],
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking],
                              details=SearchDetails(geometry_output=geom))
 
         assert geom.name.lower() in results[0].geometry
 
 
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('factor,npoints', [(0.0, 3), (1.0, 2)])
-    def test_return_simplified_geometry(self, apiobj, factor, npoints):
+    def test_return_simplified_geometry(self, apiobj, frontend, factor, npoints):
         apiobj.add_placex(place_id=333, country_code='us',
                           centroid=(9.0, 9.0),
                           geometry='LINESTRING(8.9 9.0, 9.0 9.0, 9.1 9.0)')
         apiobj.add_search_name(333, names=[55], country_code='us',
                                centroid=(5.6, 4.3))
 
-        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [55], 'lookup_all')
+        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [55], LookupAll)
         ranking = FieldRanking('name_vector', 0.9, [RankedTokens(0.0, [21])])
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking],
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking],
                              details=SearchDetails(geometry_output=napi.GeometryFormat.GEOJSON,
                                                    geometry_simplification=factor))
 
@@ -157,50 +165,52 @@ def test_return_simplified_geometry(self, apiobj, factor, npoints):
 
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('viewbox', ['5.0,4.0,6.0,5.0', '5.7,4.0,6.0,5.0'])
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('wcount,rids', [(2, [100, 101]), (20000, [100])])
-    def test_prefer_viewbox(self, apiobj, viewbox, wcount, rids):
-        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1, 2], 'lookup_all')
+    def test_prefer_viewbox(self, apiobj, frontend, viewbox, wcount, rids):
+        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1, 2], LookupAll)
         ranking = FieldRanking('name_vector', 0.2, [RankedTokens(0.0, [21])])
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking])
+        api = frontend(apiobj, options=APIOPTIONS)
+        results = run_search(api, None, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking])
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == [101, 100]
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking], count=wcount,
+        results = run_search(api, None, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking], count=wcount,
                              details=SearchDetails.from_kwargs({'viewbox': viewbox}))
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == rids
 
 
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('viewbox', ['5.0,4.0,6.0,5.0', '5.55,4.27,5.62,4.31'])
-    def test_force_viewbox(self, apiobj, viewbox):
-        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1, 2], 'lookup_all')
+    def test_force_viewbox(self, apiobj, frontend, viewbox):
+        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1, 2], LookupAll)
 
         details=SearchDetails.from_kwargs({'viewbox': viewbox,
                                            'bounded_viewbox': True})
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [lookup], [], details=details)
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [lookup], [], details=details)
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == [100]
 
 
-    def test_prefer_near(self, apiobj):
-        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1, 2], 'lookup_all')
+    def test_prefer_near(self, apiobj, frontend):
+        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1, 2], LookupAll)
         ranking = FieldRanking('name_vector', 0.9, [RankedTokens(0.0, [21])])
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking])
+        api = frontend(apiobj, options=APIOPTIONS)
+        results = run_search(api, None, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking])
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == [101, 100]
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking],
+        results = run_search(api, None, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking],
                              details=SearchDetails.from_kwargs({'near': '5.6,4.3'}))
         results.sort(key=lambda r: -r.importance)
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == [100, 101]
 
 
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('radius', [0.09, 0.11])
-    def test_force_near(self, apiobj, radius):
-        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1, 2], 'lookup_all')
+    def test_force_near(self, apiobj, frontend, radius):
+        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1, 2], LookupAll)
 
         details=SearchDetails.from_kwargs({'near': '5.6,4.3',
                                            'near_radius': radius})
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [lookup], [], details=details)
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [lookup], [], details=details)
 
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == [100]
 
@@ -241,72 +251,72 @@ def fill_database(self, apiobj):
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('hnr,res', [('20', [91, 1]), ('20 a', [1]),
                                          ('21', [2]), ('22', [2, 92]),
                                          ('24', [93]), ('25', [])])
-    def test_lookup_by_single_housenumber(self, apiobj, hnr, res):
-        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1,2], 'lookup_all')
+    def test_lookup_by_single_housenumber(self, apiobj, frontend, hnr, res):
+        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1,2], LookupAll)
         ranking = FieldRanking('name_vector', 0.3, [RankedTokens(0.0, [10])])
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking], hnrs=[hnr])
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking], hnrs=[hnr])
 
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == res + [1000, 2000]
 
 
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('cc,res', [('es', [2, 1000]), ('pt', [92, 2000])])
-    def test_lookup_with_country_restriction(self, apiobj, cc, res):
-        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1,2], 'lookup_all')
+    def test_lookup_with_country_restriction(self, apiobj, frontend, cc, res):
+        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1,2], LookupAll)
         ranking = FieldRanking('name_vector', 0.3, [RankedTokens(0.0, [10])])
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking], hnrs=['22'],
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking], hnrs=['22'],
                              ccodes=[cc])
 
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == res
 
 
-    def test_lookup_exclude_housenumber_placeid(self, apiobj):
-        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1,2], 'lookup_all')
+    def test_lookup_exclude_housenumber_placeid(self, apiobj, frontend):
+        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1,2], LookupAll)
         ranking = FieldRanking('name_vector', 0.3, [RankedTokens(0.0, [10])])
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking], hnrs=['22'],
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking], hnrs=['22'],
                              details=SearchDetails(excluded=[92]))
 
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == [2, 1000, 2000]
 
 
-    def test_lookup_exclude_street_placeid(self, apiobj):
-        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1,2], 'lookup_all')
+    def test_lookup_exclude_street_placeid(self, apiobj, frontend):
+        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1,2], LookupAll)
         ranking = FieldRanking('name_vector', 0.3, [RankedTokens(0.0, [10])])
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking], hnrs=['22'],
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking], hnrs=['22'],
                              details=SearchDetails(excluded=[1000]))
 
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == [2, 92, 2000]
 
 
-    def test_lookup_only_house_qualifier(self, apiobj):
-        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1,2], 'lookup_all')
+    def test_lookup_only_house_qualifier(self, apiobj, frontend):
+        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1,2], LookupAll)
         ranking = FieldRanking('name_vector', 0.3, [RankedTokens(0.0, [10])])
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking], hnrs=['22'],
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking], hnrs=['22'],
                              quals=[('place', 'house')])
 
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == [2, 92]
 
 
-    def test_lookup_only_street_qualifier(self, apiobj):
-        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1,2], 'lookup_all')
+    def test_lookup_only_street_qualifier(self, apiobj, frontend):
+        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1,2], LookupAll)
         ranking = FieldRanking('name_vector', 0.3, [RankedTokens(0.0, [10])])
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking], hnrs=['22'],
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking], hnrs=['22'],
                              quals=[('highway', 'residential')])
 
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == [1000, 2000]
 
 
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('rank,found', [(26, True), (27, False), (30, False)])
-    def test_lookup_min_rank(self, apiobj, rank, found):
-        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1,2], 'lookup_all')
+    def test_lookup_min_rank(self, apiobj, frontend, rank, found):
+        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1,2], LookupAll)
         ranking = FieldRanking('name_vector', 0.3, [RankedTokens(0.0, [10])])
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking], hnrs=['22'],
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [lookup], [ranking], hnrs=['22'],
                              details=SearchDetails(min_rank=rank))
 
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == ([2, 92, 1000, 2000] if found else [2, 92])
@@ -316,17 +326,17 @@ def test_lookup_min_rank(self, apiobj, rank, found):
                                       napi.GeometryFormat.KML,
                                       napi.GeometryFormat.SVG,
                                       napi.GeometryFormat.TEXT])
-    def test_return_geometries(self, apiobj, geom):
-        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1, 2], 'lookup_all')
+    def test_return_geometries(self, apiobj, frontend, geom):
+        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1, 2], LookupAll)
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [lookup], [], hnrs=['20', '21', '22'],
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [lookup], [], hnrs=['20', '21', '22'],
                              details=SearchDetails(geometry_output=geom))
 
         assert results
         assert all(geom.name.lower() in r.geometry for r in results)
 
 
-def test_very_large_housenumber(apiobj):
+def test_very_large_housenumber(apiobj, frontend):
     apiobj.add_placex(place_id=93, class_='place', type='house',
                       parent_place_id=2000,
                       housenumber='2467463524544', country_code='pt')
@@ -337,9 +347,9 @@ def test_very_large_housenumber(apiobj):
                            search_rank=26, address_rank=26,
                            country_code='pt')
 
-    lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1, 2], 'lookup_all')
+    lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1, 2], LookupAll)
 
-    results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [lookup], [], hnrs=['2467463524544'],
+    results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [lookup], [], hnrs=['2467463524544'],
                          details=SearchDetails())
 
     assert results
@@ -347,7 +357,7 @@ def test_very_large_housenumber(apiobj):
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize('wcount,rids', [(2, [990, 991]), (30000, [990])])
-def test_name_and_postcode(apiobj, wcount, rids):
+def test_name_and_postcode(apiobj, frontend, wcount, rids):
     apiobj.add_placex(place_id=990, class_='highway', type='service',
                       rank_search=27, rank_address=27,
                       postcode='11225',
@@ -365,9 +375,9 @@ def test_name_and_postcode(apiobj, wcount, rids):
     apiobj.add_postcode(place_id=100, country_code='ch', postcode='11225',
                         geometry='POINT(10 10)')
 
-    lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [111], 'lookup_all')
+    lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [111], LookupAll)
 
-    results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [lookup], [], pcs=['11225'], count=wcount,
+    results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [lookup], [], pcs=['11225'], count=wcount,
                          details=SearchDetails())
 
     assert results
@@ -397,10 +407,10 @@ def fill_database(self, apiobj):
 
 
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('hnr,res', [('21', [992]), ('22', []), ('23', [991])])
-    def test_lookup_housenumber(self, apiobj, hnr, res):
-        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [111], 'lookup_all')
+    def test_lookup_housenumber(self, apiobj, frontend, hnr, res):
+        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [111], LookupAll)
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [lookup], [], hnrs=[hnr])
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [lookup], [], hnrs=[hnr])
 
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == res + [990]
 
@@ -409,10 +419,10 @@ def test_lookup_housenumber(self, apiobj, hnr, res):
                                       napi.GeometryFormat.KML,
                                       napi.GeometryFormat.SVG,
                                       napi.GeometryFormat.TEXT])
-    def test_osmline_with_geometries(self, apiobj, geom):
-        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [111], 'lookup_all')
+    def test_osmline_with_geometries(self, apiobj, frontend, geom):
+        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [111], LookupAll)
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [lookup], [], hnrs=['21'],
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [lookup], [], hnrs=['21'],
                              details=SearchDetails(geometry_output=geom))
 
         assert results[0].place_id == 992
@@ -445,10 +455,10 @@ def fill_database(self, apiobj):
 
 
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('hnr,res', [('21', [992]), ('22', []), ('23', [991])])
-    def test_lookup_housenumber(self, apiobj, hnr, res):
-        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [111], 'lookup_all')
+    def test_lookup_housenumber(self, apiobj, frontend, hnr, res):
+        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [111], LookupAll)
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [lookup], [], hnrs=[hnr])
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [lookup], [], hnrs=[hnr])
 
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == res + [990]
 
@@ -457,10 +467,10 @@ def test_lookup_housenumber(self, apiobj, hnr, res):
                                       napi.GeometryFormat.KML,
                                       napi.GeometryFormat.SVG,
                                       napi.GeometryFormat.TEXT])
-    def test_tiger_with_geometries(self, apiobj, geom):
-        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [111], 'lookup_all')
+    def test_tiger_with_geometries(self, apiobj, frontend, geom):
+        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [111], LookupAll)
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [lookup], [], hnrs=['21'],
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [lookup], [], hnrs=['21'],
                              details=SearchDetails(geometry_output=geom))
 
         assert results[0].place_id == 992
@@ -512,10 +522,10 @@ def fill_database(self, apiobj):
                                            (napi.DataLayer.NATURAL, [227]),
                                            (napi.DataLayer.MANMADE | napi.DataLayer.NATURAL, [225, 227]),
                                            (napi.DataLayer.MANMADE | napi.DataLayer.RAILWAY, [225, 226])])
-    def test_layers_rank30(self, apiobj, layer, res):
-        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [34], 'lookup_any')
+    def test_layers_rank30(self, apiobj, frontend, layer, res):
+        lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [34], LookupAny)
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [lookup], [],
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [lookup], [],
                              details=SearchDetails(layers=layer))
 
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == res
diff --git a/test/python/api/search/test_search_poi.py b/test/python/api/search/test_search_poi.py
index b80c07520..a0b578baf 100644
--- a/test/python/api/search/test_search_poi.py
+++ b/test/python/api/search/test_search_poi.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 from nominatim.api.search.db_search_fields import WeightedStrings, WeightedCategories
 
 
-def run_search(apiobj, global_penalty, poitypes, poi_penalties=None,
+def run_search(apiobj, frontend, global_penalty, poitypes, poi_penalties=None,
                ccodes=[], details=SearchDetails()):
     if poi_penalties is None:
         poi_penalties = [0.0] * len(poitypes)
@@ -27,16 +27,18 @@ class MySearchData:
 
     search = PoiSearch(MySearchData())
 
+    api = frontend(apiobj, options=['search'])
+
     async def run():
-        async with apiobj.api._async_api.begin() as conn:
+        async with api._async_api.begin() as conn:
             return await search.lookup(conn, details)
 
-    return apiobj.async_to_sync(run())
+    return api._loop.run_until_complete(run())
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize('coord,pid', [('34.3, 56.100021', 2),
                                        ('5.0, 4.59933', 1)])
-def test_simple_near_search_in_placex(apiobj, coord, pid):
+def test_simple_near_search_in_placex(apiobj, frontend, coord, pid):
     apiobj.add_placex(place_id=1, class_='highway', type='bus_stop',
                       centroid=(5.0, 4.6))
     apiobj.add_placex(place_id=2, class_='highway', type='bus_stop',
@@ -44,7 +46,7 @@ def test_simple_near_search_in_placex(apiobj, coord, pid):
 
     details = SearchDetails.from_kwargs({'near': coord, 'near_radius': 0.001})
 
-    results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [('highway', 'bus_stop')], [0.5], details=details)
+    results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [('highway', 'bus_stop')], [0.5], details=details)
 
     assert [r.place_id for r in results] == [pid]
 
@@ -52,7 +54,7 @@ def test_simple_near_search_in_placex(apiobj, coord, pid):
 @pytest.mark.parametrize('coord,pid', [('34.3, 56.100021', 2),
                                        ('34.3, 56.4', 2),
                                        ('5.0, 4.59933', 1)])
-def test_simple_near_search_in_classtype(apiobj, coord, pid):
+def test_simple_near_search_in_classtype(apiobj, frontend, coord, pid):
     apiobj.add_placex(place_id=1, class_='highway', type='bus_stop',
                       centroid=(5.0, 4.6))
     apiobj.add_placex(place_id=2, class_='highway', type='bus_stop',
@@ -61,7 +63,7 @@ def test_simple_near_search_in_classtype(apiobj, coord, pid):
 
     details = SearchDetails.from_kwargs({'near': coord, 'near_radius': 0.5})
 
-    results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [('highway', 'bus_stop')], [0.5], details=details)
+    results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [('highway', 'bus_stop')], [0.5], details=details)
 
     assert [r.place_id for r in results] == [pid]
 
@@ -83,25 +85,25 @@ def fill_database(self, apiobj, request):
             self.args = {'near': '34.3, 56.100021', 'near_radius': 0.001}
 
 
-    def test_unrestricted(self, apiobj):
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [('highway', 'bus_stop')], [0.5],
+    def test_unrestricted(self, apiobj, frontend):
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [('highway', 'bus_stop')], [0.5],
                              details=SearchDetails.from_kwargs(self.args))
 
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == [1, 2]
 
 
-    def test_restict_country(self, apiobj):
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [('highway', 'bus_stop')], [0.5],
+    def test_restict_country(self, apiobj, frontend):
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [('highway', 'bus_stop')], [0.5],
                              ccodes=['de', 'nz'],
                              details=SearchDetails.from_kwargs(self.args))
 
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == [2]
 
 
-    def test_restrict_by_viewbox(self, apiobj):
+    def test_restrict_by_viewbox(self, apiobj, frontend):
         args = {'bounded_viewbox': True, 'viewbox': '34.299,56.0,34.3001,56.10001'}
         args.update(self.args)
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, [('highway', 'bus_stop')], [0.5],
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, [('highway', 'bus_stop')], [0.5],
                              ccodes=['de', 'nz'],
                              details=SearchDetails.from_kwargs(args))
 
diff --git a/test/python/api/search/test_search_postcode.py b/test/python/api/search/test_search_postcode.py
index e7153f38b..6976b6a59 100644
--- a/test/python/api/search/test_search_postcode.py
+++ b/test/python/api/search/test_search_postcode.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 from nominatim.api.search.db_search_fields import WeightedStrings, FieldLookup, \
                                                   FieldRanking, RankedTokens
 
-def run_search(apiobj, global_penalty, pcs, pc_penalties=None,
+def run_search(apiobj, frontend, global_penalty, pcs, pc_penalties=None,
                ccodes=[], lookup=[], ranking=[], details=SearchDetails()):
     if pc_penalties is None:
         pc_penalties = [0.0] * len(pcs)
@@ -29,28 +29,30 @@ class MySearchData:
 
     search = PostcodeSearch(0.0, MySearchData())
 
+    api = frontend(apiobj, options=['search'])
+
     async def run():
-        async with apiobj.api._async_api.begin() as conn:
+        async with api._async_api.begin() as conn:
             return await search.lookup(conn, details)
 
-    return apiobj.async_to_sync(run())
+    return api._loop.run_until_complete(run())
 
 
-def test_postcode_only_search(apiobj):
+def test_postcode_only_search(apiobj, frontend):
     apiobj.add_postcode(place_id=100, country_code='ch', postcode='12345')
     apiobj.add_postcode(place_id=101, country_code='pl', postcode='12 345')
 
-    results = run_search(apiobj, 0.3, ['12345', '12 345'], [0.0, 0.1])
+    results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.3, ['12345', '12 345'], [0.0, 0.1])
 
     assert len(results) == 2
     assert [r.place_id for r in results] == [100, 101]
 
 
-def test_postcode_with_country(apiobj):
+def test_postcode_with_country(apiobj, frontend):
     apiobj.add_postcode(place_id=100, country_code='ch', postcode='12345')
     apiobj.add_postcode(place_id=101, country_code='pl', postcode='12 345')
 
-    results = run_search(apiobj, 0.3, ['12345', '12 345'], [0.0, 0.1],
+    results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.3, ['12345', '12 345'], [0.0, 0.1],
                          ccodes=['de', 'pl'])
 
     assert len(results) == 1
@@ -81,30 +83,30 @@ def fill_database(self, apiobj):
                                country_code='pl')
 
 
-    def test_lookup_both(self, apiobj):
+    def test_lookup_both(self, apiobj, frontend):
         lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1,2], 'restrict')
         ranking = FieldRanking('name_vector', 0.3, [RankedTokens(0.0, [10])])
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, ['12345'], lookup=[lookup], ranking=[ranking])
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, ['12345'], lookup=[lookup], ranking=[ranking])
 
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == [100, 101]
 
 
-    def test_restrict_by_name(self, apiobj):
+    def test_restrict_by_name(self, apiobj, frontend):
         lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [10], 'restrict')
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, ['12345'], lookup=[lookup])
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, ['12345'], lookup=[lookup])
 
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == [100]
 
 
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('coord,place_id', [((16.5, 5), 100),
                                                 ((-45.1, 7.004), 101)])
-    def test_lookup_near(self, apiobj, coord, place_id):
+    def test_lookup_near(self, apiobj, frontend, coord, place_id):
         lookup = FieldLookup('name_vector', [1,2], 'restrict')
         ranking = FieldRanking('name_vector', 0.3, [RankedTokens(0.0, [10])])
 
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, ['12345'],
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, ['12345'],
                              lookup=[lookup], ranking=[ranking],
                              details=SearchDetails(near=napi.Point(*coord),
                                                    near_radius=0.6))
@@ -116,8 +118,8 @@ def test_lookup_near(self, apiobj, coord, place_id):
                                       napi.GeometryFormat.KML,
                                       napi.GeometryFormat.SVG,
                                       napi.GeometryFormat.TEXT])
-    def test_return_geometries(self, apiobj, geom):
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, ['12345'],
+    def test_return_geometries(self, apiobj, frontend, geom):
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, ['12345'],
                              details=SearchDetails(geometry_output=geom))
 
         assert results
@@ -126,8 +128,8 @@ def test_return_geometries(self, apiobj, geom):
 
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('viewbox, rids', [('-46,6,-44,8', [101,100]),
                                                ('16,4,18,6', [100,101])])
-    def test_prefer_viewbox(self, apiobj, viewbox, rids):
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, ['12345'],
+    def test_prefer_viewbox(self, apiobj, frontend, viewbox, rids):
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, ['12345'],
                              details=SearchDetails.from_kwargs({'viewbox': viewbox}))
 
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == rids
@@ -135,8 +137,8 @@ def test_prefer_viewbox(self, apiobj, viewbox, rids):
 
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('viewbox, rid', [('-46,6,-44,8', 101),
                                                ('16,4,18,6', 100)])
-    def test_restrict_to_viewbox(self, apiobj, viewbox, rid):
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, ['12345'],
+    def test_restrict_to_viewbox(self, apiobj, frontend, viewbox, rid):
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, ['12345'],
                              details=SearchDetails.from_kwargs({'viewbox': viewbox,
                                                                 'bounded_viewbox': True}))
 
@@ -145,16 +147,16 @@ def test_restrict_to_viewbox(self, apiobj, viewbox, rid):
 
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('coord,rids', [((17.05, 5), [100, 101]),
                                             ((-45, 7.1), [101, 100])])
-    def test_prefer_near(self, apiobj, coord, rids):
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, ['12345'],
+    def test_prefer_near(self, apiobj, frontend, coord, rids):
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, ['12345'],
                              details=SearchDetails(near=napi.Point(*coord)))
 
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == rids
 
 
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('pid,rid', [(100, 101), (101, 100)])
-    def test_exclude(self, apiobj, pid, rid):
-        results = run_search(apiobj, 0.1, ['12345'],
+    def test_exclude(self, apiobj, frontend, pid, rid):
+        results = run_search(apiobj, frontend, 0.1, ['12345'],
                              details=SearchDetails(excluded=[pid]))
 
         assert [r.place_id for r in results] == [rid]
diff --git a/test/python/api/test_api_search.py b/test/python/api/test_api_search.py
index aa263d24d..22dbaa264 100644
--- a/test/python/api/test_api_search.py
+++ b/test/python/api/test_api_search.py
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@
 import nominatim.api as napi
 import nominatim.api.logging as loglib
 
+API_OPTIONS = {'search'}
+
 @pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
 def setup_icu_tokenizer(apiobj):
     """ Setup the propoerties needed for using the ICU tokenizer.
@@ -30,66 +32,62 @@ def setup_icu_tokenizer(apiobj):
                     ])
 
 
-def test_search_no_content(apiobj, table_factory):
-    table_factory('word',
-                  definition='word_id INT, word_token TEXT, type TEXT, word TEXT, info JSONB')
+def test_search_no_content(apiobj, frontend):
+    apiobj.add_word_table([])
 
-    assert apiobj.api.search('foo') == []
+    api = frontend(apiobj, options=API_OPTIONS)
+    assert api.search('foo') == []
 
 
-def test_search_simple_word(apiobj, table_factory):
-    table_factory('word',
-                  definition='word_id INT, word_token TEXT, type TEXT, word TEXT, info JSONB',
-                  content=[(55, 'test', 'W', 'test', None),
+def test_search_simple_word(apiobj, frontend):
+    apiobj.add_word_table([(55, 'test', 'W', 'test', None),
                            (2, 'test', 'w', 'test', None)])
 
     apiobj.add_placex(place_id=444, class_='place', type='village',
                       centroid=(1.3, 0.7))
     apiobj.add_search_name(444, names=[2, 55])
 
-    results = apiobj.api.search('TEST')
+    api = frontend(apiobj, options=API_OPTIONS)
+    results = api.search('TEST')
 
     assert [r.place_id for r in results] == [444]
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize('logtype', ['text', 'html'])
-def test_search_with_debug(apiobj, table_factory, logtype):
-    table_factory('word',
-                  definition='word_id INT, word_token TEXT, type TEXT, word TEXT, info JSONB',
-                  content=[(55, 'test', 'W', 'test', None),
+def test_search_with_debug(apiobj, frontend, logtype):
+    apiobj.add_word_table([(55, 'test', 'W', 'test', None),
                            (2, 'test', 'w', 'test', None)])
 
     apiobj.add_placex(place_id=444, class_='place', type='village',
                       centroid=(1.3, 0.7))
     apiobj.add_search_name(444, names=[2, 55])
 
+    api = frontend(apiobj, options=API_OPTIONS)
     loglib.set_log_output(logtype)
-    results = apiobj.api.search('TEST')
+    results = api.search('TEST')
 
     assert loglib.get_and_disable()
 
 
-def test_address_no_content(apiobj, table_factory):
-    table_factory('word',
-                  definition='word_id INT, word_token TEXT, type TEXT, word TEXT, info JSONB')
+def test_address_no_content(apiobj, frontend):
+    apiobj.add_word_table([])
 
-    assert apiobj.api.search_address(amenity='hotel',
-                                     street='Main St 34',
-                                     city='Happyville',
-                                     county='Wideland',
-                                     state='Praerie',
-                                     postalcode='55648',
-                                     country='xx') == []
+    api = frontend(apiobj, options=API_OPTIONS)
+    assert api.search_address(amenity='hotel',
+                              street='Main St 34',
+                              city='Happyville',
+                              county='Wideland',
+                              state='Praerie',
+                              postalcode='55648',
+                              country='xx') == []
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize('atype,address,search', [('street', 26, 26),
                                                   ('city', 16, 18),
                                                   ('county', 12, 12),
                                                   ('state', 8, 8)])
-def test_address_simple_places(apiobj, table_factory, atype, address, search):
-    table_factory('word',
-                  definition='word_id INT, word_token TEXT, type TEXT, word TEXT, info JSONB',
-                  content=[(55, 'test', 'W', 'test', None),
+def test_address_simple_places(apiobj, frontend, atype, address, search):
+    apiobj.add_word_table([(55, 'test', 'W', 'test', None),
                            (2, 'test', 'w', 'test', None)])
 
     apiobj.add_placex(place_id=444,
@@ -97,53 +95,51 @@ def test_address_simple_places(apiobj, table_factory, atype, address, search):
                       centroid=(1.3, 0.7))
     apiobj.add_search_name(444, names=[2, 55], address_rank=address, search_rank=search)
 
-    results = apiobj.api.search_address(**{atype: 'TEST'})
+    api = frontend(apiobj, options=API_OPTIONS)
+    results = api.search_address(**{atype: 'TEST'})
 
     assert [r.place_id for r in results] == [444]
 
 
-def test_address_country(apiobj, table_factory):
-    table_factory('word',
-                  definition='word_id INT, word_token TEXT, type TEXT, word TEXT, info JSONB',
-                  content=[(None, 'ro', 'C', 'ro', None)])
+def test_address_country(apiobj, frontend):
+    apiobj.add_word_table([(None, 'ro', 'C', 'ro', None)])
     apiobj.add_country('ro', 'POLYGON((0 0, 0 1, 1 1, 1 0, 0 0))')
     apiobj.add_country_name('ro', {'name': 'România'})
 
-    assert len(apiobj.api.search_address(country='ro')) == 1
+    api = frontend(apiobj, options=API_OPTIONS)
+    assert len(api.search_address(country='ro')) == 1
 
 
-def test_category_no_categories(apiobj, table_factory):
-    table_factory('word',
-                  definition='word_id INT, word_token TEXT, type TEXT, word TEXT, info JSONB')
+def test_category_no_categories(apiobj, frontend):
+    apiobj.add_word_table([])
 
-    assert apiobj.api.search_category([], near_query='Berlin') == []
+    api = frontend(apiobj, options=API_OPTIONS)
+    assert api.search_category([], near_query='Berlin') == []
 
 
-def test_category_no_content(apiobj, table_factory):
-    table_factory('word',
-                  definition='word_id INT, word_token TEXT, type TEXT, word TEXT, info JSONB')
+def test_category_no_content(apiobj, frontend):
+    apiobj.add_word_table([])
 
-    assert apiobj.api.search_category([('amenity', 'restaurant')]) == []
+    api = frontend(apiobj, options=API_OPTIONS)
+    assert api.search_category([('amenity', 'restaurant')]) == []
 
 
-def test_category_simple_restaurant(apiobj, table_factory):
-    table_factory('word',
-                  definition='word_id INT, word_token TEXT, type TEXT, word TEXT, info JSONB')
+def test_category_simple_restaurant(apiobj, frontend):
+    apiobj.add_word_table([])
 
     apiobj.add_placex(place_id=444, class_='amenity', type='restaurant',
                       centroid=(1.3, 0.7))
     apiobj.add_search_name(444, names=[2, 55], address_rank=16, search_rank=18)
 
-    results = apiobj.api.search_category([('amenity', 'restaurant')],
-                                         near=(1.3, 0.701), near_radius=0.015)
+    api = frontend(apiobj, options=API_OPTIONS)
+    results = api.search_category([('amenity', 'restaurant')],
+                                  near=(1.3, 0.701), near_radius=0.015)
 
     assert [r.place_id for r in results] == [444]
 
 
-def test_category_with_search_phrase(apiobj, table_factory):
-    table_factory('word',
-                  definition='word_id INT, word_token TEXT, type TEXT, word TEXT, info JSONB',
-                  content=[(55, 'test', 'W', 'test', None),
+def test_category_with_search_phrase(apiobj, frontend):
+    apiobj.add_word_table([(55, 'test', 'W', 'test', None),
                            (2, 'test', 'w', 'test', None)])
 
     apiobj.add_placex(place_id=444, class_='place', type='village',
@@ -153,7 +149,7 @@ def test_category_with_search_phrase(apiobj, table_factory):
     apiobj.add_placex(place_id=95, class_='amenity', type='restaurant',
                       centroid=(1.3, 0.7003))
 
-    results = apiobj.api.search_category([('amenity', 'restaurant')],
-                                         near_query='TEST')
+    api = frontend(apiobj, options=API_OPTIONS)
+    results = api.search_category([('amenity', 'restaurant')], near_query='TEST')
 
     assert [r.place_id for r in results] == [95]