tub definitions for the same function in a row, each decorated with @overload. For example: @overload def utf8(value: None) -> None: ... @overload def utf8(value: bytes) -> bytes: ... @overload def utf8(value: str) -> bytes: ... In a non-stub file (i.e. a regular .py file), do the same but follow it with an implementation. The implementation should *not* be decorated with @overload. For example: @overload def utf8(value: None) -> None: ... @overload def utf8(value: bytes) -> bytes: ... @overload def utf8(value: str) -> bytes: ... def utf8(value): # implementation goes here )