diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/query/QFilterCriteria.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/query/QFilterCriteria.java
index 118aacbf..9c88f19b 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/query/QFilterCriteria.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/query/QFilterCriteria.java
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ import java.util.Objects;
 import com.fasterxml.jackson.databind.annotation.JsonDeserialize;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.serialization.QFilterCriteriaDeserializer;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QMetaDataObject;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
 
@@ -40,7 +41,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
  *
  *******************************************************************************/
 @JsonDeserialize(using = QFilterCriteriaDeserializer.class)
-public class QFilterCriteria implements Serializable, Cloneable
+public class QFilterCriteria implements Serializable, Cloneable, QMetaDataObject
 {
    private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(QFilterCriteria.class);
 
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/query/QFilterOrderBy.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/query/QFilterOrderBy.java
index 52eca98c..24a2c3f9 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/query/QFilterOrderBy.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/query/QFilterOrderBy.java
@@ -23,13 +23,14 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query;
 
 
 import java.io.Serializable;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QMetaDataObject;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
  ** Bean representing an element of a query order-by clause.
  **
  *******************************************************************************/
-public class QFilterOrderBy implements Serializable, Cloneable
+public class QFilterOrderBy implements Serializable, Cloneable, QMetaDataObject
 {
    private String  fieldName;
    private boolean isAscending = true;
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/query/QQueryFilter.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/query/QQueryFilter.java
index 0d18d56d..97f094d9 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/query/QQueryFilter.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/tables/query/QQueryFilter.java
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.instances.QMetaDataVariableInterpreter;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.expressions.AbstractFilterExpression;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.expressions.FilterVariableExpression;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QMetaDataObject;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ValueUtils;
@@ -45,7 +46,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ValueUtils;
  * Full "filter" for a query - a list of criteria and order-bys
  *
  *******************************************************************************/
-public class QQueryFilter implements Serializable, Cloneable
+public class QQueryFilter implements Serializable, Cloneable, QMetaDataObject
 {
    private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(QQueryFilter.class);
 
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/TopLevelMetaDataInterface.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/TopLevelMetaDataInterface.java
index 116bae9e..4b7cc8a3 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/TopLevelMetaDataInterface.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/TopLevelMetaDataInterface.java
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata;
  ** Interface for meta-data classes that can be added directly (e.g, at the top
  ** level) to a QInstance (such as a QTableMetaData - not a QFieldMetaData).
  *******************************************************************************/
-public interface TopLevelMetaDataInterface extends MetaDataProducerOutput
+public interface TopLevelMetaDataInterface extends MetaDataProducerOutput, QMetaDataObject
 {
 
    /*******************************************************************************
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/audits/QAuditRules.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/audits/QAuditRules.java
index f7cf4bfa..657c7035 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/audits/QAuditRules.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/audits/QAuditRules.java
@@ -22,10 +22,13 @@
 package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.audits;
 
 
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QMetaDataObject;
+
+
 /*******************************************************************************
  **
  *******************************************************************************/
-public class QAuditRules
+public class QAuditRules implements QMetaDataObject
 {
    private AuditLevel auditLevel;
 
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/code/QCodeReference.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/code/QCodeReference.java
index 5c475a4e..eb6a01b6 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/code/QCodeReference.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/code/QCodeReference.java
@@ -23,13 +23,14 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.code;
 
 
 import java.io.Serializable;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QMetaDataObject;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
  ** Pointer to code to be ran by the qqq framework, e.g., for custom behavior -
  ** maybe process steps, maybe customization to a table, etc.
  *******************************************************************************/
-public class QCodeReference implements Serializable
+public class QCodeReference implements Serializable, QMetaDataObject
 {
    private String    name;
    private QCodeType codeType;
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/fields/QFieldMetaData.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/fields/QFieldMetaData.java
index 5e5e61f0..0de975e0 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/fields/QFieldMetaData.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/fields/QFieldMetaData.java
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QQueryFilter;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QField;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecordEntity;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QInstance;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QMetaDataObject;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.help.HelpRole;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.help.QHelpContent;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.possiblevalues.QPossibleValueSource;
@@ -54,7 +55,7 @@ import static com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.LogUtils.logPair;
  ** Meta-data to represent a single field in a table.
  **
  *******************************************************************************/
-public class QFieldMetaData implements Cloneable
+public class QFieldMetaData implements Cloneable, QMetaDataObject
 {
    private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(QFieldMetaData.class);
 
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/help/QHelpContent.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/help/QHelpContent.java
index f7bb173d..c99b9d1f 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/help/QHelpContent.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/help/QHelpContent.java
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.help;
 import java.util.Collections;
 import java.util.HashSet;
 import java.util.Set;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QMetaDataObject;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -41,7 +42,7 @@ import java.util.Set;
  ** May be dynamically added to meta-data via (non-meta-) data - see
  ** HelpContentMetaDataProvider and QInstanceHelpContentManager
  *******************************************************************************/
-public class QHelpContent
+public class QHelpContent implements QMetaDataObject
 {
    private String        content;
    private HelpFormat    format;
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/layout/QIcon.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/layout/QIcon.java
index 72117679..0951edd1 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/layout/QIcon.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/layout/QIcon.java
@@ -22,6 +22,9 @@
 package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.layout;
 
 
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QMetaDataObject;
+
+
 /*******************************************************************************
  ** Icon to show associated with an App, Table, Process, etc.
  **
@@ -31,7 +34,7 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.layout;
  ** Future may allow something like a "namespace", and/or multiple icons for
  ** use in different frontends, etc.
  *******************************************************************************/
-public class QIcon
+public class QIcon implements QMetaDataObject
 {
    private String name;
    private String path;
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/permissions/QPermissionRules.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/permissions/QPermissionRules.java
index 07dc0d55..d94b1e8e 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/permissions/QPermissionRules.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/permissions/QPermissionRules.java
@@ -22,13 +22,14 @@
 package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.permissions;
 
 
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QMetaDataObject;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.code.QCodeReference;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
  **
  *******************************************************************************/
-public class QPermissionRules implements Cloneable
+public class QPermissionRules implements Cloneable, QMetaDataObject
 {
    private PermissionLevel level;
    private DenyBehavior    denyBehavior;
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/scheduleing/QScheduleMetaData.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/scheduleing/QScheduleMetaData.java
index d474a013..efcbe2b6 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/scheduleing/QScheduleMetaData.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/scheduleing/QScheduleMetaData.java
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.scheduleing;
 
 
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QMetaDataObject;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
 
 
@@ -35,7 +36,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
  ** same moment.
  **
  *******************************************************************************/
-public class QScheduleMetaData
+public class QScheduleMetaData implements QMetaDataObject
 {
    private String schedulerName;
    private String description;
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/tables/Association.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/tables/Association.java
index 5ccd956e..2085d30e 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/tables/Association.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/tables/Association.java
@@ -22,11 +22,14 @@
 package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables;
 
 
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QMetaDataObject;
+
+
 /*******************************************************************************
  ** definition of a qqq table that is "associated" with another table, e.g.,
  ** managed along with it - such as child-records under a parent record.
  *******************************************************************************/
-public class Association
+public class Association implements QMetaDataObject
 {
    private String name;
    private String associatedTableName;
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/tables/QFieldSection.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/tables/QFieldSection.java
index 157d01db..df2fbe0a 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/tables/QFieldSection.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/tables/QFieldSection.java
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Set;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.instances.QInstanceHelpContentManager;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QMetaDataObject;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.help.HelpRole;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.help.QHelpContent;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.layout.QIcon;
@@ -36,7 +37,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.collections.MutableList;
  ** A section of fields - a logical grouping.
  ** TODO - this class should be named QTableSection!
  *******************************************************************************/
-public class QFieldSection
+public class QFieldSection implements QMetaDataObject
 {
    private String name;
    private String label;
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/tables/UniqueKey.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/tables/UniqueKey.java
index a2c1204c..8be2b1f1 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/tables/UniqueKey.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/tables/UniqueKey.java
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.Arrays;
 import java.util.List;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QMetaDataObject;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
 
 
@@ -32,7 +33,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
  ** Definition of a Unique Key (or "Constraint", if you wanna use fancy words)
  ** on a QTable.
  *******************************************************************************/
-public class UniqueKey
+public class UniqueKey implements QMetaDataObject
 {
    private List<String> fieldNames;
    private String       label;
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/tables/automation/AutomationStatusTracking.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/tables/automation/AutomationStatusTracking.java
index e9f5d69e..e63b81d3 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/tables/automation/AutomationStatusTracking.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/tables/automation/AutomationStatusTracking.java
@@ -22,11 +22,14 @@
 package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.automation;
 
 
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QMetaDataObject;
+
+
 /*******************************************************************************
  ** Table-automation meta-data to define how this table's per-record automation
  ** status is tracked.
  *******************************************************************************/
-public class AutomationStatusTracking
+public class AutomationStatusTracking implements QMetaDataObject
 {
    private AutomationStatusTrackingType type;
 
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/tables/automation/QTableAutomationDetails.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/tables/automation/QTableAutomationDetails.java
index 13a57662..ad87a133 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/tables/automation/QTableAutomationDetails.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/tables/automation/QTableAutomationDetails.java
@@ -24,13 +24,14 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.automation;
 
 import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.List;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QMetaDataObject;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.scheduleing.QScheduleMetaData;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
  ** Details about how this table's record automations are set up.
  *******************************************************************************/
-public class QTableAutomationDetails
+public class QTableAutomationDetails implements QMetaDataObject
 {
    private AutomationStatusTracking    statusTracking;
    private String                      providerName;
diff --git a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/tables/automation/TableAutomationAction.java b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/tables/automation/TableAutomationAction.java
index b089661c..24745549 100644
--- a/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/tables/automation/TableAutomationAction.java
+++ b/qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/metadata/tables/automation/TableAutomationAction.java
@@ -25,13 +25,14 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.automation;
 import java.io.Serializable;
 import java.util.Map;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QQueryFilter;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QMetaDataObject;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.code.QCodeReference;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
  ** Definition of a specific action to run against a table
  *******************************************************************************/
-public class TableAutomationAction
+public class TableAutomationAction implements QMetaDataObject
 {
    private String       name;
    private TriggerEvent triggerEvent;