diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index f44c6fc7..345ffeee 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,60 @@
 # Release notes
 
+## v0.142.4
+
+#### Refactor
+
+- Simpler syntax for defining component inputs.
+
+    When defining `Args`, `Kwargs`, `Slots`, `JsData`, `CssData`, `TemplateData`, these data classes now don't have to subclass any other class.
+    
+    If they are not subclassing (nor `@dataclass`), these data classes will be automatically converted to `NamedTuples`:
+
+    Before - the `Args`, `Kwargs`, and `Slots` (etc..) had to be NamedTuples, dataclasses, or Pydantic models:
+
+    ```py
+    from typing import NamedTuple
+    from django_components import Component
+
+    class Button(Component):
+        class Args(NamedTuple):
+            size: int
+            text: str
+
+        class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+            variable: str
+            maybe_var: Optional[int] = None
+
+        class Slots(NamedTuple):
+            my_slot: Optional[SlotInput] = None
+
+        def get_template_data(self, args: Args, kwargs: Kwargs, slots: Slots, context: Context):
+            ...
+    ```
+
+    Now these classes are automatically converted to `NamedTuples` if they don't subclass anything else:
+
+    ```py
+    class Button(Component):
+        class Args:  # Same as `Args(NamedTuple)`
+            size: int
+            text: str
+
+        class Kwargs:  # Same as `Kwargs(NamedTuple)`
+            variable: str
+            maybe_var: Optional[int] = None
+
+        class Slots:  # Same as `Slots(NamedTuple)`
+            my_slot: Optional[SlotInput] = None
+
+        def get_template_data(self, args: Args, kwargs: Kwargs, slots: Slots, context: Context):
+            ...
+    ```
+
+- Extension authors: The `ExtensionComponentConfig` can be instantiated with `None` instead of a component instance.
+
+  This allows to call component-level extension methods outside of the normal rendering lifecycle.
+
 ## v0.142.3
 
 #### Fix
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 36272b9b..ae3c595a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -405,21 +405,21 @@ Avoid needless errors with [type hints and runtime input validation](https://dja
 To opt-in to input validation, define types for component's args, kwargs, slots, and more:
 
 ```py
-from typing import NamedTuple, Optional
+from typing import Optional
 from django.template import Context
 from django_components import Component, Slot, SlotInput
 
 class Button(Component):
-    class Args(NamedTuple):
+    class Args:
         size: int
         text: str
 
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         variable: str
         another: int
         maybe_var: Optional[int] = None  # May be omitted
 
-    class Slots(NamedTuple):
+    class Slots:
         my_slot: Optional[SlotInput] = None
         another_slot: SlotInput
 
diff --git a/docs/concepts/advanced/component_libraries.md b/docs/concepts/advanced/component_libraries.md
index 07f0a40f..f509df41 100644
--- a/docs/concepts/advanced/component_libraries.md
+++ b/docs/concepts/advanced/component_libraries.md
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ For live examples, see the [Examples](../../examples/index.md).
     It's also a good idea to have a common prefix for your components, so they can be easily distinguished from users' components. In the example below, we use the prefix `my_` / `My`.
 
     ```djc_py
-    from typing import NamedTuple, Optional
+    from typing import Optional
     from django_components import Component, SlotInput, register, types
 
     from myapp.templatetags.mytags import comp_registry
@@ -111,16 +111,16 @@ For live examples, see the [Examples](../../examples/index.md).
     @register("my_menu", registry=comp_registry)
     class MyMenu(Component):
         # Define the types
-        class Args(NamedTuple):
+        class Args:
             size: int
             text: str
 
-        class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+        class Kwargs:
             vertical: Optional[bool] = None
             klass: Optional[str] = None
             style: Optional[str] = None
 
-        class Slots(NamedTuple):
+        class Slots:
             default: Optional[SlotInput] = None
 
         def get_template_data(self, args: Args, kwargs: Kwargs, slots: Slots, context: Context):
diff --git a/docs/concepts/advanced/extensions.md b/docs/concepts/advanced/extensions.md
index 50d76cd4..0452e4bd 100644
--- a/docs/concepts/advanced/extensions.md
+++ b/docs/concepts/advanced/extensions.md
@@ -65,12 +65,14 @@ E.g.:
     Each method of the nested classes has access to the `component` attribute,
     which points to the component instance.
 
+    This may be `None` if the methods does NOT run during the rendering.
+
     ```python
     class MyTable(Component):
         class MyExtension:
             def get(self, request):
                 # `self.component` points to the instance of `MyTable` Component.
-                return self.component.render_to_response(request=request)
+                return self.component.kwargs.some_input
     ```
 
 ### Example: Component as View
diff --git a/docs/concepts/advanced/hooks.md b/docs/concepts/advanced/hooks.md
index ad9711f5..9555a44f 100644
--- a/docs/concepts/advanced/hooks.md
+++ b/docs/concepts/advanced/hooks.md
@@ -289,14 +289,14 @@ To implement this, we render the fallback slot in [`on_render()`](../../../refer
 and return it if an error occured:
 
 ```djc_py
-from typing import NamedTuple, Optional
+from typing import Optional
 
 from django.template import Context, Template
 from django.utils.safestring import mark_safe
 from django_components import Component, OnRenderGenerator, SlotInput, types
 
 class ErrorFallback(Component):
-    class Slots(NamedTuple):
+    class Slots:
         default: Optional[SlotInput] = None
         fallback: Optional[SlotInput] = None
 
diff --git a/docs/concepts/fundamentals/component_defaults.md b/docs/concepts/fundamentals/component_defaults.md
index a57daf45..2ca02af6 100644
--- a/docs/concepts/fundamentals/component_defaults.md
+++ b/docs/concepts/fundamentals/component_defaults.md
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ and so `selected_items` will be set to `[1, 2, 3]`.
 
     ```py
     class ProfileCard(Component):
-        class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+        class Kwargs:
             show_details: bool = True
     ```
 
diff --git a/docs/concepts/fundamentals/html_js_css_variables.md b/docs/concepts/fundamentals/html_js_css_variables.md
index b7164e06..dd3b4d05 100644
--- a/docs/concepts/fundamentals/html_js_css_variables.md
+++ b/docs/concepts/fundamentals/html_js_css_variables.md
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ Each method handles the data independently - you can define different data for t
 
 ```python
 class ProfileCard(Component):
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         user_id: int
         show_details: bool
 
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ If [`get_template_data()`](../../../reference/api/#django_components.Component.g
 class ProfileCard(Component):
     template_file = "profile_card.html"
 
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         user_id: int
         show_details: bool
 
@@ -182,10 +182,10 @@ class ProfileCard(Component):
 
     ```py
     class ProfileCard(Component):
-        class Args(NamedTuple):
+        class Args:
             user_id: int
 
-        class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+        class Kwargs:
             show_details: bool
 
         # Access inputs directly as parameters
@@ -228,10 +228,10 @@ class ProfileCard(Component):
 
     ```py
     class ProfileCard(Component):
-        class Args(NamedTuple):
+        class Args:
             user_id: int
 
-        class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+        class Kwargs:
             show_details: bool
 
         def get_template_data(self, args: Args, kwargs: Kwargs, slots, context):
@@ -320,7 +320,7 @@ from django_components import Component, Default, register
 
 @register("profile_card")
 class ProfileCard(Component):
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         show_details: bool
 
     class Defaults:
@@ -344,7 +344,7 @@ class ProfileCard(Component):
 
     ```py
     class ProfileCard(Component):
-        class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+        class Kwargs:
             show_details: bool = True
     ```
 
@@ -391,18 +391,18 @@ This will also validate the inputs at runtime, as the type classes will be insta
 Read more about [Component typing](../../fundamentals/typing_and_validation).
 
 ```python
-from typing import NamedTuple, Optional
+from typing import Optional
 from django_components import Component, SlotInput
 
 class Button(Component):
-    class Args(NamedTuple):
+    class Args:
         name: str
 
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         surname: str
         maybe_var: Optional[int] = None  # May be omitted
 
-    class Slots(NamedTuple):
+    class Slots:
         my_slot: Optional[SlotInput] = None
         footer: SlotInput
 
@@ -433,19 +433,18 @@ and [`CssData`](../../../reference/api/#django_components.Component.CssData) cla
 For each data method, you can either return a plain dictionary with the data, or an instance of the respective data class.
 
 ```python
-from typing import NamedTuple
 from django_components import Component
 
 class Button(Component):
-    class TemplateData(NamedTuple):
+    class TemplateData(
         data1: str
         data2: int
 
-    class JsData(NamedTuple):
+    class JsData:
         js_data1: str
         js_data2: int
 
-    class CssData(NamedTuple):
+    class CssData:
         css_data1: str
         css_data2: int
 
diff --git a/docs/concepts/fundamentals/render_api.md b/docs/concepts/fundamentals/render_api.md
index d41708d4..4f8c1a16 100644
--- a/docs/concepts/fundamentals/render_api.md
+++ b/docs/concepts/fundamentals/render_api.md
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ With `Args` class:
 from django_components import Component
 
 class Table(Component):
-    class Args(NamedTuple):
+    class Args:
         page: int
         per_page: int
 
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ With `Kwargs` class:
 from django_components import Component
 
 class Table(Component):
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         page: int
         per_page: int
 
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ With `Slots` class:
 from django_components import Component, Slot, SlotInput
 
 class Table(Component):
-    class Slots(NamedTuple):
+    class Slots:
         header: SlotInput
         footer: SlotInput
 
diff --git a/docs/concepts/fundamentals/rendering_components.md b/docs/concepts/fundamentals/rendering_components.md
index dd66004e..fe3011d2 100644
--- a/docs/concepts/fundamentals/rendering_components.md
+++ b/docs/concepts/fundamentals/rendering_components.md
@@ -80,14 +80,13 @@ For a component to be renderable with the [`{% component %}`](../../../reference
 For example, if you register a component under the name `"button"`:
 
 ```python
-from typing import NamedTuple
 from django_components import Component, register
 
 @register("button")
 class Button(Component):
     template_file = "button.html"
 
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         name: str
         job: str
 
@@ -207,20 +206,20 @@ The [`Component.render()`](../../../reference/api/#django_components.Component.r
 This is the equivalent of calling the [`{% component %}`](../template_tags#component) tag.
 
 ```python
-from typing import NamedTuple, Optional
+from typing import Optional
 from django_components import Component, SlotInput
 
 class Button(Component):
     template_file = "button.html"
 
-    class Args(NamedTuple):
+    class Args:
         name: str
 
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         surname: str
         age: int
 
-    class Slots(NamedTuple):
+    class Slots:
         footer: Optional[SlotInput] = None
 
     def get_template_data(self, args, kwargs, slots, context):
@@ -264,20 +263,20 @@ Any extra arguments are passed to the [`HttpResponse`](https://docs.djangoprojec
 constructor.
 
 ```python
-from typing import NamedTuple, Optional
+from typing import Optional
 from django_components import Component, SlotInput
 
 class Button(Component):
     template_file = "button.html"
 
-    class Args(NamedTuple):
+    class Args(
         name: str
 
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         surname: str
         age: int
 
-    class Slots(NamedTuple):
+    class Slots:
         footer: Optional[SlotInput] = None
 
     def get_template_data(self, args, kwargs, slots, context):
@@ -486,19 +485,19 @@ and [`Slots`](../../../reference/api/#django_components.Component.Slots) classes
 Read more on [Typing and validation](../../fundamentals/typing_and_validation).
 
 ```python
-from typing import NamedTuple, Optional
+from typing import Optional
 from django_components import Component, Slot, SlotInput
 
 # Define the component with the types
 class Button(Component):
-    class Args(NamedTuple):
+    class Args(
         name: str
 
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         surname: str
         age: int
 
-    class Slots(NamedTuple):
+    class Slots:
         my_slot: Optional[SlotInput] = None
         footer: SlotInput
 
diff --git a/docs/concepts/fundamentals/typing_and_validation.md b/docs/concepts/fundamentals/typing_and_validation.md
index 59c36de0..70a99f07 100644
--- a/docs/concepts/fundamentals/typing_and_validation.md
+++ b/docs/concepts/fundamentals/typing_and_validation.md
@@ -20,20 +20,20 @@ that allow you to define the types of args, kwargs, slots, as well as the data r
 Use this to add type hints to your components, to validate the inputs at runtime, and to document them.
 
 ```py
-from typing import NamedTuple, Optional
+from typing import Optional
 from django.template import Context
 from django_components import Component, SlotInput
 
 class Button(Component):
-    class Args(NamedTuple):
+    class Args:
         size: int
         text: str
 
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         variable: str
         maybe_var: Optional[int] = None  # May be omitted
 
-    class Slots(NamedTuple):
+    class Slots:
         my_slot: Optional[SlotInput] = None
 
     def get_template_data(self, args: Args, kwargs: Kwargs, slots: Slots, context: Context):
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ You can use [`Component.Args`](../../../reference/api#django_components.Componen
 [`Component.Kwargs`](../../../reference/api#django_components.Component.Kwargs),
 and [`Component.Slots`](../../../reference/api#django_components.Component.Slots) to type the component inputs.
 
-When you set these classes, at render time the `args`, `kwargs`, and `slots` parameters of the data methods
+When you set these input classes, the `args`, `kwargs`, and `slots` parameters of the data methods
 ([`get_template_data()`](../../../reference/api#django_components.Component.get_template_data),
 [`get_js_data()`](../../../reference/api#django_components.Component.get_js_data),
 [`get_css_data()`](../../../reference/api#django_components.Component.get_css_data))
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ or set them to `None`, the inputs will be passed as plain lists or dictionaries,
 and will not be validated.
 
 ```python
-from typing_extensions import NamedTuple, TypedDict
+from typing_extensions import TypedDict
 from django.template import Context
 from django_components import Component, Slot, SlotInput
 
@@ -90,15 +90,15 @@ class ButtonFooterSlotData(TypedDict):
 
 # Define the component with the types
 class Button(Component):
-    class Args(NamedTuple):
+    class Args:
         name: str
 
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         surname: str
         age: int
         maybe_var: Optional[int] = None  # May be omitted
 
-    class Slots(NamedTuple):
+    class Slots:
         # Use `SlotInput` to allow slots to be given as `Slot` instance,
         # plain string, or a function that returns a string.
         my_slot: Optional[SlotInput] = None
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ class Button(Component):
     Args = None
     Slots = None
 
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         name: str
         age: int
 
@@ -195,19 +195,18 @@ If you omit the [`TemplateData`](../../../reference/api#django_components.Compon
 or set them to `None`, the validation and instantiation will be skipped.
 
 ```python
-from typing import NamedTuple
 from django_components import Component
 
 class Button(Component):
-    class TemplateData(NamedTuple):
+    class TemplateData:
         data1: str
         data2: int
 
-    class JsData(NamedTuple):
+    class JsData:
         js_data1: str
         js_data2: int
 
-    class CssData(NamedTuple):
+    class CssData:
         css_data1: str
         css_data2: int
 
@@ -233,19 +232,18 @@ class Button(Component):
 For each data method, you can either return a plain dictionary with the data, or an instance of the respective data class directly.
 
 ```python
-from typing import NamedTuple
 from django_components import Component
 
 class Button(Component):
-    class TemplateData(NamedTuple):
+    class TemplateData:
         data1: str
         data2: int
 
-    class JsData(NamedTuple):
+    class JsData:
         js_data1: str
         js_data2: int
 
-    class CssData(NamedTuple):
+    class CssData:
         css_data1: str
         css_data2: int
 
@@ -270,34 +268,63 @@ class Button(Component):
 
 ## Custom types
 
-We recommend to use [`NamedTuple`](https://docs.python.org/3/library/typing.html#typing.NamedTuple)
-for the `Args` class, and [`NamedTuple`](https://docs.python.org/3/library/typing.html#typing.NamedTuple),
+So far, we've defined the input classes like `Kwargs` as simple classes.
+
+The truth is that when these classes don't subclass anything else,
+they are converted to `NamedTuples` behind the scenes.
+
+```py
+class Table(Component):
+    class Kwargs:
+        name: str
+        age: int
+```
+
+is the same as:
+
+```py
+class Table(Component):
+    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+        name: str
+        age: int
+```
+
+You can actually set these classes to anything you want - whether it's dataclasses,
+[Pydantic models](https://docs.pydantic.dev/latest/concepts/models/), or custom classes:
+
+```py
+from typing import NamedTuple, Optional
+from django_components import Component, Optional
+from pydantic import BaseModel
+
+class Button(Component):
+    class Args(NamedTuple):
+        size: int
+        text: str
+
+    @dataclass
+    class Kwargs:
+        variable: str
+        maybe_var: Optional[int] = None
+
+    class Slots(BaseModel):
+        my_slot: Optional[SlotInput] = None
+
+    def get_template_data(self, args: Args, kwargs: Kwargs, slots: Slots, context: Context):
+        ...
+```
+
+We recommend:
+
+- [`NamedTuple`](https://docs.python.org/3/library/typing.html#typing.NamedTuple)
+for the `Args` class
+- [`NamedTuple`](https://docs.python.org/3/library/typing.html#typing.NamedTuple),
 [dataclasses](https://docs.python.org/3/library/dataclasses.html#dataclasses.dataclass),
 or [Pydantic models](https://docs.pydantic.dev/latest/concepts/models/)
 for `Kwargs`, `Slots`, `TemplateData`, `JsData`, and `CssData` classes.
 
 However, you can use any class, as long as they meet the conditions below.
 
-For example, here is how you can use [Pydantic models](https://docs.pydantic.dev/latest/concepts/models/)
-to validate the inputs at runtime.
-
-```py
-from django_components import Component
-from pydantic import BaseModel
-
-class Table(Component):
-    class Kwargs(BaseModel):
-        name: str
-        age: int
-
-    def get_template_data(self, args, kwargs, slots, context):
-        assert isinstance(kwargs, Table.Kwargs)
-
-Table.render(
-    kwargs=Table.Kwargs(name="John", age=30),
-)
-```
-
 ### `Args` class
 
 The [`Args`](../../../reference/api#django_components.Component.Args) class
@@ -390,7 +417,7 @@ As a workaround:
 
     ```py
     class Table(Component):
-        class Args(NamedTuple):
+        class Args:
             args: List[str]
 
     Table.render(
@@ -402,7 +429,7 @@ As a workaround:
 
     ```py
     class Table(Component):
-        class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+        class Kwargs:
             variable: str
             another: int
             # Pass any extra keys under `extra`
@@ -422,17 +449,16 @@ As a workaround:
 To declare that a component accepts no args, kwargs, etc, define the types with no attributes using the `pass` keyword:
 
 ```py
-from typing import NamedTuple
 from django_components import Component
 
 class Button(Component):
-    class Args(NamedTuple):
+    class Args:
         pass
 
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         pass
 
-    class Slots(NamedTuple):
+    class Slots:
         pass
 ```
 
@@ -459,14 +485,14 @@ In the example below, `ButtonExtra` inherits `Kwargs` from `Button`, but overrid
 from django_components import Component, Empty
 
 class Button(Component):
-    class Args(NamedTuple):
+    class Args:
         size: int
 
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         color: str
 
 class ButtonExtra(Button):
-    class Args(NamedTuple):
+    class Args:
         name: str
         size: int
 
@@ -491,10 +517,10 @@ Compare the following:
 
 ```py
 class Button(Component):
-    class Args(NamedTuple):
+    class Args:
         size: int
 
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         color: str
 
     # Both `Args` and `Kwargs` are defined on the class
@@ -624,23 +650,23 @@ The steps to migrate are:
 Thus, the code above will become:
 
 ```py
-from typing import NamedTuple, Optional
+from typing import Optional
 from django.template import Context
 from django_components import Component, Slot, SlotInput
 
 # The Component class does not take any generics
 class Button(Component):
     # Types are now defined inside the component class
-    class Args(NamedTuple):
+    class Args:
         size: int
         text: str
 
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         variable: str
         another: int
         maybe_var: Optional[int] = None  # May be omitted
 
-    class Slots(NamedTuple):
+    class Slots:
         # Use `SlotInput` to allow slots to be given as `Slot` instance,
         # plain string, or a function that returns a string.
         my_slot: Optional[SlotInput] = None
diff --git a/docs/examples/ab_testing/component.py b/docs/examples/ab_testing/component.py
index 839fe956..88bd66ec 100644
--- a/docs/examples/ab_testing/component.py
+++ b/docs/examples/ab_testing/component.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # ruff: noqa: S311
 import random
-from typing import NamedTuple, Optional
+from typing import Optional
 
 from django_components import Component, register, types
 
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ DESCRIPTION = "Dynamically render different component versions. Use for A/B test
 
 @register("offer_card_old")
 class OfferCardOld(Component):
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         savings_percent: int
 
     def get_template_data(self, args, kwargs, slots, context):
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ class OfferCardNew(OfferCardOld):
 
 @register("offer_card")
 class OfferCard(Component):
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         savings_percent: int
         use_new_version: Optional[bool] = None
 
diff --git a/docs/examples/analytics/component.py b/docs/examples/analytics/component.py
index afc3b8d2..db97d356 100644
--- a/docs/examples/analytics/component.py
+++ b/docs/examples/analytics/component.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from typing import Dict, List, NamedTuple
+from typing import Dict, List
 
 from django_components import Component, register, types
 
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ error_rate = {
 
 @register("api_widget")
 class ApiWidget(Component):
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         simulate_error: bool = False
 
     def get_template_data(self, args, kwargs: Kwargs, slots, context):
diff --git a/docs/examples/error_fallback/component.py b/docs/examples/error_fallback/component.py
index ccc0d409..4659af9e 100644
--- a/docs/examples/error_fallback/component.py
+++ b/docs/examples/error_fallback/component.py
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 # ruff: noqa: S311
 import random
-from typing import NamedTuple
 
 from django_components import Component, register, types
 
@@ -9,7 +8,7 @@ DESCRIPTION = "A component that catches errors and displays fallback content, si
 
 @register("weather_widget")
 class WeatherWidget(Component):
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         location: str
         simulate_error: bool = False
 
diff --git a/docs/examples/form_grid/component.py b/docs/examples/form_grid/component.py
index 4b704247..0dc92502 100644
--- a/docs/examples/form_grid/component.py
+++ b/docs/examples/form_grid/component.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from typing import Any, Dict, List, NamedTuple, Optional, Set, Tuple
+from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional, Set, Tuple
 
 from django_components import Component, Slot, register, types
 
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ DESCRIPTION = "Form that automatically arranges fields in a grid and generates l
 class FormGrid(Component):
     """Form that automatically arranges fields in a grid and generates labels."""
 
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         editable: bool = True
         method: str = "post"
         form_content_attrs: Optional[dict] = None
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ def prepare_form_grid(slots: Dict[str, Slot]):
             # Case: Component user didn't explicitly define how to render the label
             #       We will create the label for the field automatically
             label = FormGridLabel.render(
-                kwargs=FormGridLabel.Kwargs(field_name=field_name),
+                kwargs=FormGridLabel.Kwargs(field_name=field_name),  # type: ignore[call-arg]
                 deps_strategy="ignore",
             )
 
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ class FormGridLabel(Component):
         </label>
     """
 
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         field_name: str
         title: Optional[str] = None
 
diff --git a/docs/examples/form_submission/component.py b/docs/examples/form_submission/component.py
index 410220ad..62267338 100644
--- a/docs/examples/form_submission/component.py
+++ b/docs/examples/form_submission/component.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ DESCRIPTION = "Handle the entire form submission flow in a single file and witho
 
 @register("thank_you_message")
 class ThankYouMessage(Component):
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         name: str
 
     def get_template_data(self, args, kwargs: Kwargs, slots, context):
diff --git a/docs/examples/fragments/component.py b/docs/examples/fragments/component.py
index ea10af75..b0479b37 100644
--- a/docs/examples/fragments/component.py
+++ b/docs/examples/fragments/component.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-from typing import NamedTuple
-
 from django_components import Component, register, types
 
 DESCRIPTION = "Use HTML fragments (partials) with HTMX, AlpineJS, or plain JS."
@@ -9,7 +7,7 @@ DESCRIPTION = "Use HTML fragments (partials) with HTMX, AlpineJS, or plain JS."
 class SimpleFragment(Component):
     """A simple fragment with JS and CSS."""
 
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         type: str
 
     template: types.django_html = """
@@ -37,7 +35,7 @@ class SimpleFragment(Component):
 class AlpineFragment(Component):
     """A fragment that defines an AlpineJS component."""
 
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         type: str
 
     # The fragment is wrapped in `<template x-if="false">` so that we prevent
diff --git a/docs/examples/recursion/component.py b/docs/examples/recursion/component.py
index 5b14b860..d53da5c3 100644
--- a/docs/examples/recursion/component.py
+++ b/docs/examples/recursion/component.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-from typing import NamedTuple
-
 from django_components import Component, register, types
 
 DESCRIPTION = "100 nested components? Not a problem! Handle recursive rendering out of the box."
@@ -7,7 +5,7 @@ DESCRIPTION = "100 nested components? Not a problem! Handle recursive rendering
 
 @register("recursion")
 class Recursion(Component):
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         current_depth: int = 0
 
     def get_template_data(self, args, kwargs: Kwargs, slots, context):
diff --git a/docs/examples/tabs/component.py b/docs/examples/tabs/component.py
index 28431856..c44b9901 100644
--- a/docs/examples/tabs/component.py
+++ b/docs/examples/tabs/component.py
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ class Tablist(Component):
         {% endprovide %}
     """
 
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         id: Optional[str] = None
         name: str = "Tabs"
         selected_tab: Optional[str] = None
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ class Tab(Component):
         {% endprovide %}
     """
 
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         header: str
         disabled: bool = False
         id: Optional[str] = None
diff --git a/docs/overview/welcome.md b/docs/overview/welcome.md
index 536044bb..ce804d5f 100644
--- a/docs/overview/welcome.md
+++ b/docs/overview/welcome.md
@@ -393,21 +393,21 @@ Avoid needless errors with [type hints and runtime input validation](https://dja
 To opt-in to input validation, define types for component's args, kwargs, slots:
 
 ```py
-from typing import NamedTuple, Optional
+from typing import Optional
 from django.template import Context
 from django_components import Component, Slot, SlotInput
 
 class Button(Component):
-    class Args(NamedTuple):
+    class Args:
         size: int
         text: str
 
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         variable: str
         another: int
         maybe_var: Optional[int] = None  # May be omitted
 
-    class Slots(NamedTuple):
+    class Slots:
         my_slot: Optional[SlotInput] = None
         another_slot: SlotInput
 
diff --git a/sampleproject/components/calendar/calendar.py b/sampleproject/components/calendar/calendar.py
index 425a5916..64cfc698 100644
--- a/sampleproject/components/calendar/calendar.py
+++ b/sampleproject/components/calendar/calendar.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-from typing import NamedTuple
-
 from django_components import Component, register
 
 
@@ -15,7 +13,7 @@ class Calendar(Component):
     js_file = "calendar/calendar.js"
 
     # This component takes one parameter, a date string to show in the template
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         date: str
 
     def get_template_data(self, args, kwargs: Kwargs, slots, context):
@@ -46,7 +44,7 @@ class CalendarRelative(Component):
     js_file = "calendar.js"
 
     # This component takes one parameter, a date string to show in the template
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         date: str
 
     def get_template_data(self, args, kwargs: Kwargs, slots, context):
diff --git a/sampleproject/components/nested/calendar/calendar.py b/sampleproject/components/nested/calendar/calendar.py
index ccee0da7..af045451 100644
--- a/sampleproject/components/nested/calendar/calendar.py
+++ b/sampleproject/components/nested/calendar/calendar.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from typing import Any, NamedTuple
+from typing import Any
 
 from django.http import HttpRequest, HttpResponse
 
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ class CalendarNested(Component):
     js_file = "calendar.js"
 
     # This component takes one parameter, a date string to show in the template
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         date: str
 
     def get_template_data(self, args, kwargs: Kwargs, slots, context):
diff --git a/src/django_components/commands/create.py b/src/django_components/commands/create.py
index e6b53e83..1e5bc540 100644
--- a/src/django_components/commands/create.py
+++ b/src/django_components/commands/create.py
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ class CreateCommand(ComponentCommand):
                         js_file = "{js_filename}"
                         css_file = "{css_filename}"
 
-                        class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+                        class Kwargs:
                             param: str
 
                         class Defaults:
diff --git a/src/django_components/component.py b/src/django_components/component.py
index 06377fa0..9aa118ed 100644
--- a/src/django_components/component.py
+++ b/src/django_components/component.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # ruff: noqa: ARG002, N804, N805
 import sys
-from dataclasses import dataclass
+from dataclasses import dataclass, is_dataclass
 from inspect import signature
 from types import MethodType
 from typing import (
@@ -78,7 +78,14 @@ from django_components.template import cache_component_template_file, prepare_co
 from django_components.util.context import gen_context_processors_data, snapshot_context
 from django_components.util.exception import component_error_message
 from django_components.util.logger import trace_component_msg
-from django_components.util.misc import default, gen_id, hash_comp_cls, is_generator, to_dict
+from django_components.util.misc import (
+    convert_class_to_namedtuple,
+    default,
+    gen_id,
+    hash_comp_cls,
+    is_generator,
+    to_dict,
+)
 from django_components.util.template_tag import TagAttr
 from django_components.util.weakref import cached_ref
 
@@ -311,7 +318,7 @@ class ComponentVars(NamedTuple):
 
     @register("table")
     class Table(Component):
-        class Args(NamedTuple):
+        class Args:
             page: int
             per_page: int
 
@@ -363,7 +370,7 @@ class ComponentVars(NamedTuple):
 
     @register("table")
     class Table(Component):
-        class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+        class Kwargs:
             page: int
             per_page: int
 
@@ -415,7 +422,7 @@ class ComponentVars(NamedTuple):
 
     @register("table")
     class Table(Component):
-        class Slots(NamedTuple):
+        class Slots:
             footer: SlotInput
 
         template = '''
@@ -506,6 +513,34 @@ class ComponentMeta(ComponentMediaMeta):
             attrs["template_file"] = attrs.pop("template_name")
         attrs["template_name"] = ComponentTemplateNameDescriptor()
 
+        # Allow to define data classes (`Args`, `Kwargs`, `Slots`, `TemplateData`, `JsData`, `CssData`)
+        # without explicitly subclassing anything. In which case we make them into a subclass of `NamedTuple`.
+        # In other words:
+        # ```py
+        # class MyTable(Component):
+        #     class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+        #         ...
+        # ```
+        # Can be simplified to:
+        # ```py
+        # class MyTable(Component):
+        #     class Kwargs:
+        #         ...
+        # ```
+        for data_class_name in ["Args", "Kwargs", "Slots", "TemplateData", "JsData", "CssData"]:
+            data_class = attrs.get(data_class_name)
+            # Not a class
+            if data_class is None or not isinstance(data_class, type):
+                continue
+            # Is dataclass
+            if is_dataclass(data_class):
+                continue
+            # Has base class(es)
+            has_parents = data_class.__bases__ != (object,)
+            if has_parents:
+                continue
+            attrs[data_class_name] = convert_class_to_namedtuple(data_class)
+
         cls = cast("Type[Component]", super().__new__(mcs, name, bases, attrs))
 
         # If the component defined `template_file`, then associate this Component class
@@ -598,11 +633,10 @@ class Component(metaclass=ComponentMeta):
     will be the instance of this class:
 
     ```py
-    from typing import NamedTuple
     from django_components import Component
 
     class Table(Component):
-        class Args(NamedTuple):
+        class Args:
             color: str
             size: int
 
@@ -615,15 +649,6 @@ class Component(metaclass=ComponentMeta):
             }
     ```
 
-    The constructor of this class MUST accept positional arguments:
-
-    ```py
-    Args(*args)
-    ```
-
-    As such, a good starting point is to set this field to a subclass of
-    [`NamedTuple`](https://docs.python.org/3/library/typing.html#typing.NamedTuple).
-
     Use `Args` to:
 
     - Validate the input at runtime.
@@ -640,6 +665,20 @@ class Component(metaclass=ComponentMeta):
     )
     ```
 
+    If you do not specify any bases, the `Args` class will be automatically
+    converted to a `NamedTuple`:
+
+    `class Args:`  ->  `class Args(NamedTuple):`
+
+    If you explicitly set bases, the constructor of this class MUST accept positional arguments:
+
+    ```py
+    Args(*args)
+    ```
+
+    As such, a good starting point is to set this field to a subclass of
+    [`NamedTuple`](https://docs.python.org/3/library/typing.html#typing.NamedTuple).
+
     Read more on [Typing and validation](../../concepts/fundamentals/typing_and_validation).
     """
 
@@ -654,11 +693,10 @@ class Component(metaclass=ComponentMeta):
     will be the instance of this class:
 
     ```py
-    from typing import NamedTuple
     from django_components import Component
 
     class Table(Component):
-        class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+        class Kwargs:
             color: str
             size: int
 
@@ -671,16 +709,6 @@ class Component(metaclass=ComponentMeta):
             }
     ```
 
-    The constructor of this class MUST accept keyword arguments:
-
-    ```py
-    Kwargs(**kwargs)
-    ```
-
-    As such, a good starting point is to set this field to a subclass of
-    [`NamedTuple`](https://docs.python.org/3/library/typing.html#typing.NamedTuple)
-    or a [dataclass](https://docs.python.org/3/library/dataclasses.html#dataclasses.dataclass).
-
     Use `Kwargs` to:
 
     - Validate the input at runtime.
@@ -697,6 +725,21 @@ class Component(metaclass=ComponentMeta):
     )
     ```
 
+    If you do not specify any bases, the `Kwargs` class will be automatically
+    converted to a `NamedTuple`:
+
+    `class Kwargs:`  ->  `class Kwargs(NamedTuple):`
+
+    If you explicitly set bases, the constructor of this class MUST accept keyword arguments:
+
+    ```py
+    Kwargs(**kwargs)
+    ```
+
+    As such, a good starting point is to set this field to a subclass of
+    [`NamedTuple`](https://docs.python.org/3/library/typing.html#typing.NamedTuple)
+    or a [dataclass](https://docs.python.org/3/library/dataclasses.html#dataclasses.dataclass).
+
     Read more on [Typing and validation](../../concepts/fundamentals/typing_and_validation).
     """
 
@@ -711,11 +754,10 @@ class Component(metaclass=ComponentMeta):
     will be the instance of this class:
 
     ```py
-    from typing import NamedTuple
     from django_components import Component, Slot, SlotInput
 
     class Table(Component):
-        class Slots(NamedTuple):
+        class Slots:
             header: SlotInput
             footer: Slot
 
@@ -728,16 +770,6 @@ class Component(metaclass=ComponentMeta):
             }
     ```
 
-    The constructor of this class MUST accept keyword arguments:
-
-    ```py
-    Slots(**slots)
-    ```
-
-    As such, a good starting point is to set this field to a subclass of
-    [`NamedTuple`](https://docs.python.org/3/library/typing.html#typing.NamedTuple)
-    or a [dataclass](https://docs.python.org/3/library/dataclasses.html#dataclasses.dataclass).
-
     Use `Slots` to:
 
     - Validate the input at runtime.
@@ -757,6 +789,21 @@ class Component(metaclass=ComponentMeta):
     )
     ```
 
+    If you do not specify any bases, the `Slots` class will be automatically
+    converted to a `NamedTuple`:
+
+    `class Slots:`  ->  `class Slots(NamedTuple):`
+
+    If you explicitly set bases, the constructor of this class MUST accept keyword arguments:
+
+    ```py
+    Slots(**slots)
+    ```
+
+    As such, a good starting point is to set this field to a subclass of
+    [`NamedTuple`](https://docs.python.org/3/library/typing.html#typing.NamedTuple)
+    or a [dataclass](https://docs.python.org/3/library/dataclasses.html#dataclasses.dataclass).
+
     Read more on [Typing and validation](../../concepts/fundamentals/typing_and_validation).
 
     !!! info
@@ -1081,18 +1128,17 @@ class Component(metaclass=ComponentMeta):
         **Example:**
 
         ```py
-        from typing import NamedTuple
         from django.template import Context
         from django_components import Component, SlotInput
 
         class MyComponent(Component):
-            class Args(NamedTuple):
+            class Args:
                 color: str
 
-            class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+            class Kwargs:
                 size: int
 
-            class Slots(NamedTuple):
+            class Slots:
                 footer: SlotInput
 
             def get_template_data(self, args: Args, kwargs: Kwargs, slots: Slots, context: Context):
@@ -1123,7 +1169,7 @@ class Component(metaclass=ComponentMeta):
 
         ```py
         class MyComponent(Component):
-            class TemplateData(NamedTuple):
+            class TemplateData:
                 color: str
                 size: int
 
@@ -1156,22 +1202,22 @@ class Component(metaclass=ComponentMeta):
     If set and not `None`, then this class will be instantiated with the dictionary returned from
     [`get_template_data()`](../api#django_components.Component.get_template_data) to validate the data.
 
-    The constructor of this class MUST accept keyword arguments:
+    Use `TemplateData` to:
 
-    ```py
-    TemplateData(**template_data)
-    ```
+    - Validate the data returned from
+      [`get_template_data()`](../api#django_components.Component.get_template_data) at runtime.
+    - Set type hints for this data.
+    - Document the component data.
 
     You can also return an instance of `TemplateData` directly from
     [`get_template_data()`](../api#django_components.Component.get_template_data)
     to get type hints:
 
     ```py
-    from typing import NamedTuple
     from django_components import Component
 
     class Table(Component):
-        class TemplateData(NamedTuple):
+        class TemplateData:
             color: str
             size: int
 
@@ -1182,17 +1228,16 @@ class Component(metaclass=ComponentMeta):
             )
     ```
 
+    The constructor of this class MUST accept keyword arguments:
+
+    ```py
+    TemplateData(**template_data)
+    ```
+
     A good starting point is to set this field to a subclass of
     [`NamedTuple`](https://docs.python.org/3/library/typing.html#typing.NamedTuple)
     or a [dataclass](https://docs.python.org/3/library/dataclasses.html#dataclasses.dataclass).
 
-    Use `TemplateData` to:
-
-    - Validate the data returned from
-      [`get_template_data()`](../api#django_components.Component.get_template_data) at runtime.
-    - Set type hints for this data.
-    - Document the component data.
-
     Read more on [Typing and validation](../../concepts/fundamentals/typing_and_validation).
 
     !!! info
@@ -1376,13 +1421,13 @@ class Component(metaclass=ComponentMeta):
         from django_components import Component, SlotInput
 
         class MyComponent(Component):
-            class Args(NamedTuple):
+            class Args:
                 color: str
 
-            class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+            class Kwargs:
                 size: int
 
-            class Slots(NamedTuple):
+            class Slots:
                 footer: SlotInput
 
             def get_js_data(self, args: Args, kwargs: Kwargs, slots: Slots, context: Context):
@@ -1413,7 +1458,7 @@ class Component(metaclass=ComponentMeta):
 
         ```py
         class MyComponent(Component):
-            class JsData(NamedTuple):
+            class JsData:
                 color: str
                 size: int
 
@@ -1439,22 +1484,22 @@ class Component(metaclass=ComponentMeta):
     If set and not `None`, then this class will be instantiated with the dictionary returned from
     [`get_js_data()`](../api#django_components.Component.get_js_data) to validate the data.
 
-    The constructor of this class MUST accept keyword arguments:
+    Use `JsData` to:
 
-    ```py
-    JsData(**js_data)
-    ```
+    - Validate the data returned from
+      [`get_js_data()`](../api#django_components.Component.get_js_data) at runtime.
+    - Set type hints for this data.
+    - Document the component data.
 
     You can also return an instance of `JsData` directly from
     [`get_js_data()`](../api#django_components.Component.get_js_data)
     to get type hints:
 
     ```py
-    from typing import NamedTuple
     from django_components import Component
 
     class Table(Component):
-        class JsData(NamedTuple):
+        class JsData(
             color: str
             size: int
 
@@ -1465,17 +1510,16 @@ class Component(metaclass=ComponentMeta):
             )
     ```
 
+    The constructor of this class MUST accept keyword arguments:
+
+    ```py
+    JsData(**js_data)
+    ```
+
     A good starting point is to set this field to a subclass of
     [`NamedTuple`](https://docs.python.org/3/library/typing.html#typing.NamedTuple)
     or a [dataclass](https://docs.python.org/3/library/dataclasses.html#dataclasses.dataclass).
 
-    Use `JsData` to:
-
-    - Validate the data returned from
-      [`get_js_data()`](../api#django_components.Component.get_js_data) at runtime.
-    - Set type hints for this data.
-    - Document the component data.
-
     Read more on [Typing and validation](../../concepts/fundamentals/typing_and_validation).
 
     !!! info
@@ -1664,18 +1708,17 @@ class Component(metaclass=ComponentMeta):
         **Example:**
 
         ```py
-        from typing import NamedTuple
         from django.template import Context
         from django_components import Component, SlotInput
 
         class MyComponent(Component):
-            class Args(NamedTuple):
+            class Args:
                 color: str
 
-            class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+            class Kwargs:
                 size: int
 
-            class Slots(NamedTuple):
+            class Slots:
                 footer: SlotInput
 
             def get_css_data(self, args: Args, kwargs: Kwargs, slots: Slots, context: Context):
@@ -1705,7 +1748,7 @@ class Component(metaclass=ComponentMeta):
 
         ```py
         class MyComponent(Component):
-            class CssData(NamedTuple):
+            class CssData:
                 color: str
                 size: int
 
@@ -1731,22 +1774,22 @@ class Component(metaclass=ComponentMeta):
     If set and not `None`, then this class will be instantiated with the dictionary returned from
     [`get_css_data()`](../api#django_components.Component.get_css_data) to validate the data.
 
-    The constructor of this class MUST accept keyword arguments:
+    Use `CssData` to:
 
-    ```py
-    CssData(**css_data)
-    ```
+    - Validate the data returned from
+      [`get_css_data()`](../api#django_components.Component.get_css_data) at runtime.
+    - Set type hints for this data.
+    - Document the component data.
 
     You can also return an instance of `CssData` directly from
     [`get_css_data()`](../api#django_components.Component.get_css_data)
     to get type hints:
 
     ```py
-    from typing import NamedTuple
     from django_components import Component
 
     class Table(Component):
-        class CssData(NamedTuple):
+        class CssData:
             color: str
             size: int
 
@@ -1757,17 +1800,16 @@ class Component(metaclass=ComponentMeta):
             )
     ```
 
+    The constructor of this class MUST accept keyword arguments:
+
+    ```py
+    CssData(**css_data)
+    ```
+
     A good starting point is to set this field to a subclass of
     [`NamedTuple`](https://docs.python.org/3/library/typing.html#typing.NamedTuple)
     or a [dataclass](https://docs.python.org/3/library/dataclasses.html#dataclasses.dataclass).
 
-    Use `CssData` to:
-
-    - Validate the data returned from
-      [`get_css_data()`](../api#django_components.Component.get_css_data) at runtime.
-    - Set type hints for this data.
-    - Document the component data.
-
     Read more on [Typing and validation](../../concepts/fundamentals/typing_and_validation).
 
     !!! info
@@ -2567,7 +2609,7 @@ class Component(metaclass=ComponentMeta):
     from django_components import Component
 
     class Table(Component):
-        class Args(NamedTuple):
+        class Args:
             page: int
             per_page: int
 
@@ -2635,7 +2677,7 @@ class Component(metaclass=ComponentMeta):
     from django_components import Component
 
     class Table(Component):
-        class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+        class Kwargs:
             page: int
             per_page: int
 
@@ -2706,7 +2748,7 @@ class Component(metaclass=ComponentMeta):
     from django_components import Component, Slot, SlotInput
 
     class Table(Component):
-        class Slots(NamedTuple):
+        class Slots:
             header: SlotInput
             footer: SlotInput
 
@@ -3314,19 +3356,19 @@ class Component(metaclass=ComponentMeta):
         Read more on [Typing and validation](../../concepts/fundamentals/typing_and_validation).
 
         ```python
-        from typing import NamedTuple, Optional
+        from typing import Optional
         from django_components import Component, Slot, SlotInput
 
         # Define the component with the types
         class Button(Component):
-            class Args(NamedTuple):
+            class Args:
                 name: str
 
-            class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+            class Kwargs:
                 surname: str
                 age: int
 
-            class Slots(NamedTuple):
+            class Slots:
                 my_slot: Optional[SlotInput] = None
                 footer: SlotInput
 
diff --git a/src/django_components/components/error_fallback.py b/src/django_components/components/error_fallback.py
index 9389d580..257cdf3f 100644
--- a/src/django_components/components/error_fallback.py
+++ b/src/django_components/components/error_fallback.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from typing import NamedTuple, Optional, cast
+from typing import Optional, cast
 
 from django.template import Context, Template
 from django.template.exceptions import TemplateSyntaxError
@@ -115,10 +115,10 @@ class ErrorFallback(Component):
         Remember to define the `content` slot as function, so it's evaluated from inside of `ErrorFallback`.
     """
 
-    class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+    class Kwargs:
         fallback: Optional[str] = None
 
-    class Slots(NamedTuple):
+    class Slots:
         default: Optional[SlotInput] = None
         content: Optional[SlotInput] = None
         fallback: Optional[SlotInput] = None
diff --git a/src/django_components/extension.py b/src/django_components/extension.py
index 80c2e427..fa1c6324 100644
--- a/src/django_components/extension.py
+++ b/src/django_components/extension.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import sys
 from functools import wraps
 from typing import (
     TYPE_CHECKING,
@@ -14,7 +15,7 @@ from typing import (
     TypeVar,
     Union,
 )
-from weakref import ref
+from weakref import ReferenceType, ref
 
 import django.urls
 from django.template import Context, Origin, Template
@@ -33,6 +34,13 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from django_components.slots import Slot, SlotNode, SlotResult
 
 
+# NOTE: `ReferenceType` is NOT a generic pre-3.9
+if sys.version_info >= (3, 9):
+    ComponentInstanceRef = ReferenceType["Component"]
+else:
+    ComponentInstanceRef = ReferenceType
+
+
 TCallable = TypeVar("TCallable", bound=Callable)
 TClass = TypeVar("TClass", bound=Type[Any])
 
@@ -265,16 +273,27 @@ class ExtensionComponentConfig:
 
         This attribute holds the owner [`Component`](./api.md#django_components.Component) instance
         that this extension is defined on.
+
+        Some extensions like Storybook run outside of the component lifecycle,
+        so there is no component instance available when running extension's methods.
+        In such cases, this attribute will be `None`.
         """
-        component = self._component_ref()
+        component: Optional[Component] = None
+        if self._component_ref is not None:
+            component = self._component_ref()
         if component is None:
             raise RuntimeError("Component has been garbage collected")
         return component
 
-    def __init__(self, component: "Component") -> None:
+    def __init__(self, component: "Optional[Component]") -> None:
         # NOTE: Use weak reference to avoid a circular reference between the component instance
         # and the extension class.
-        self._component_ref = ref(component)
+        if component is not None:
+            self._component_ref: Optional[ComponentInstanceRef] = ref(component)
+        else:
+            # NOTE: Some extensions like Storybook run outside of the component lifecycle,
+            #       so there is no component instance available when running extension's methods.
+            self._component_ref = None
 
 
 # TODO_v1 - Delete
diff --git a/src/django_components/extensions/dependencies.py b/src/django_components/extensions/dependencies.py
index 20c4d444..2a28fb49 100644
--- a/src/django_components/extensions/dependencies.py
+++ b/src/django_components/extensions/dependencies.py
@@ -16,6 +16,14 @@ class DependenciesExtension(ComponentExtension):
 
     # Cache the component's JS and CSS scripts when the class is created, so that
     # components' JS/CSS files are accessible even before having to render the component first.
+    #
+    # This is important for the scenario when the web server may restart in a middle of user
+    # session. In which case, if we did not cache the JS/CSS, then user may fail to retrieve
+    # JS/CSS of some component.
+    #
+    # Component JS/CSS is then also cached after each time a component is rendered.
+    # That way, if the component JS/CSS cache is smaller than the total number of
+    # components/assets, we add back the most-recent entries.
     def on_component_class_created(self, ctx: OnComponentClassCreatedContext) -> None:
         cache_component_js(ctx.component_cls, force=True)
         cache_component_css(ctx.component_cls, force=True)
diff --git a/src/django_components/slots.py b/src/django_components/slots.py
index 5cb0c612..8199a921 100644
--- a/src/django_components/slots.py
+++ b/src/django_components/slots.py
@@ -394,7 +394,6 @@ slot content function.
 **Example:**
 
 ```python
-from typing import NamedTuple
 from typing_extensions import TypedDict
 from django_components import Component, SlotInput
 
@@ -402,7 +401,7 @@ class TableFooterSlotData(TypedDict):
     page_number: int
 
 class Table(Component):
-    class Slots(NamedTuple):
+    class Slots:
         header: SlotInput
         footer: SlotInput[TableFooterSlotData]
 
diff --git a/src/django_components/util/misc.py b/src/django_components/util/misc.py
index dd0a5dd3..16a91ccc 100644
--- a/src/django_components/util/misc.py
+++ b/src/django_components/util/misc.py
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 import re
 import sys
+from collections import namedtuple
 from dataclasses import asdict, is_dataclass
 from hashlib import md5
 from importlib import import_module
+from inspect import getmembers
 from itertools import chain
 from types import ModuleType
 from typing import (
@@ -267,3 +269,56 @@ def format_as_ascii_table(
 def is_generator(obj: Any) -> bool:
     """Check if an object is a generator with send method."""
     return hasattr(obj, "send")
+
+
+def convert_class_to_namedtuple(cls: Type[Any]) -> Type[Tuple[Any, ...]]:
+    # Construct fields for a NamedTuple. Unfortunately one can't further subclass the subclass of `NamedTuple`,
+    # so we need to construct a new class with the same fields.
+    # NamedTuple has:
+    # - Required fields, which are defined without values (annotations only)
+    # - Optional fields with defaults
+    # ```py
+    # class Z:
+    #     b: str          # Required, annotated
+    #     a: int = None   # Optional, annotated
+    #     c = 1           # NOT A FIELD! Class var!
+    # ```
+    # Annotations are stored in `X.__annotations__`, while the defaults are regular class attributes
+    # NOTE: We ignore dunder methods
+    # NOTE 2: All fields with default values must come after fields without defaults.
+    field_names = list(cls.__annotations__.keys())
+
+    # Get default values from the original class and set them on the new NamedTuple class
+    field_names_set = set(field_names)
+    defaults = {}
+    class_attrs = {}
+    for name, value in getmembers(cls):
+        if name.startswith("__"):
+            continue
+        # Field default
+        if name in field_names_set:
+            defaults[name] = value
+        else:
+            # Class attribute
+            class_attrs[name] = value
+
+    # Figure out how many tuple fields have defaults. We need to know this
+    # because NamedTuple functional syntax uses the pattern where defaults
+    # are applied from the end.
+    # Final call then looks like this:
+    # `namedtuple("MyClass", ["a", "b", "c", "d"], defaults=[3, 4])`
+    # with defaults c=3 and d=4
+    num_fields_with_defaults = len(defaults)
+    if num_fields_with_defaults:
+        defaults_list = [defaults[name] for name in field_names[-num_fields_with_defaults:]]
+    else:
+        defaults_list = []
+    tuple_cls = namedtuple(cls.__name__, field_names, defaults=defaults_list)  # type: ignore[misc]  # noqa: PYI024
+
+    # `collections.namedtuple` doesn't allow to specify annotations, so we pass them afterwards
+    tuple_cls.__annotations__ = cls.__annotations__
+    # Likewise, `collections.namedtuple` doesn't allow to specify class vars
+    for name, value in class_attrs.items():
+        setattr(tuple_cls, name, value)
+
+    return tuple_cls
diff --git a/tests/test_component.py b/tests/test_component.py
index 63c207d2..b7d42416 100644
--- a/tests/test_component.py
+++ b/tests/test_component.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ For tests focusing on the `component` tag, see `test_templatetags_component.py`
 
 import os
 import re
-from typing import Any, List, Literal, NamedTuple, Optional
+from typing import Any, List, Literal, Optional
 
 import pytest
 from django.conf import settings
@@ -591,23 +591,23 @@ class TestComponentRenderAPI:
         class TestComponent(Component):
             template = ""
 
-            class Args(NamedTuple):
+            class Args:
                 variable: int
                 another: str
 
-            class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+            class Kwargs:
                 variable: str
                 another: int
 
-            class Slots(NamedTuple):
+            class Slots:
                 my_slot: SlotInput
 
             def get_template_data(self, args, kwargs, slots, context):
                 nonlocal called
                 called = True
 
-                assert self.args == TestComponent.Args(123, "str")
-                assert self.kwargs == TestComponent.Kwargs(variable="test", another=1)
+                assert self.args == TestComponent.Args(123, "str")  # type: ignore[call-arg]
+                assert self.kwargs == TestComponent.Kwargs(variable="test", another=1)  # type: ignore[call-arg]
                 assert isinstance(self.slots, TestComponent.Slots)
                 assert isinstance(self.slots.my_slot, Slot)
                 assert self.slots.my_slot() == "MY_SLOT"
@@ -789,15 +789,15 @@ class TestComponentTemplateVars:
 
     def test_args_kwargs_slots__simple_typed(self):
         class TestComponent(Component):
-            class Args(NamedTuple):
+            class Args:
                 variable: int
                 another: str
 
-            class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+            class Kwargs:
                 variable: str
                 another: int
 
-            class Slots(NamedTuple):
+            class Slots:
                 my_slot: SlotInput
 
             template: types.django_html = """
@@ -898,15 +898,15 @@ class TestComponentTemplateVars:
             """
 
         class TestComponent(Component):
-            class Args(NamedTuple):
+            class Args:
                 variable: int
                 another: str
 
-            class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+            class Kwargs:
                 variable: str
                 another: int
 
-            class Slots(NamedTuple):
+            class Slots:
                 my_slot: SlotInput
 
             template: types.django_html = """
diff --git a/tests/test_component_dynamic.py b/tests/test_component_dynamic.py
index 1f34a443..3f613d84 100644
--- a/tests/test_component_dynamic.py
+++ b/tests/test_component_dynamic.py
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 import re
-from typing import NamedTuple
 
 import pytest
 from django.template import Context, Template
@@ -21,7 +20,7 @@ class TestDynamicComponent:
                 Variable: <strong>{{ variable }}</strong>
             """
 
-            class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+            class Kwargs:
                 variable: str
                 variable2: str
 
diff --git a/tests/test_component_error_fallback.py b/tests/test_component_error_fallback.py
index a2d8a3c1..e5007c71 100644
--- a/tests/test_component_error_fallback.py
+++ b/tests/test_component_error_fallback.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-from typing import NamedTuple
-
 import pytest
 from django.template import Context, Template
 from django.template.exceptions import TemplateSyntaxError
@@ -313,7 +311,7 @@ class TestErrorFallbackComponent:
     def test_error_fallback_nested_inside_another(self, components_settings):
         @register("broken")
         class BrokenComponent(Component):
-            class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+            class Kwargs:
                 msg: str
 
             def on_render(self, context: Context, template: Template):
diff --git a/tests/test_component_typing.py b/tests/test_component_typing.py
index 88296497..b229956d 100644
--- a/tests/test_component_typing.py
+++ b/tests/test_component_typing.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ setup_test_config()
 
 @djc_test
 class TestComponentTyping:
-    def test_data_methods_input_typed(self):
+    def test_data_methods_input_typed_custom_classes(self):
         template_called = False
         js_called = False
         css_called = False
@@ -84,6 +84,74 @@ class TestComponentTyping:
         assert js_called
         assert css_called
 
+    def test_data_methods_input_typed_default_classes(self):
+        template_called = False
+        js_called = False
+        css_called = False
+
+        class ButtonFooterSlotData(TypedDict):
+            value: int
+
+        class Button(Component):
+            class Args:
+                arg1: str
+                arg2: str
+
+            class Kwargs:
+                name: str
+                age: int
+                maybe_var: Optional[int] = None
+
+            class Slots:
+                header: SlotInput
+                footer: Optional[Slot[ButtonFooterSlotData]]
+
+            def get_template_data(self, args: Args, kwargs: Kwargs, slots: Slots, context: Context):
+                nonlocal template_called
+                template_called = True
+
+                assert isinstance(args, Button.Args)
+                assert isinstance(kwargs, Button.Kwargs)
+                assert isinstance(slots, Button.Slots)
+                assert isinstance(context, Context)
+
+            def get_js_data(self, args: Args, kwargs: Kwargs, slots: Slots, context: Context):
+                nonlocal js_called
+                js_called = True
+
+                assert isinstance(args, Button.Args)
+                assert isinstance(kwargs, Button.Kwargs)
+                assert isinstance(slots, Button.Slots)
+                assert isinstance(context, Context)
+
+            def get_css_data(self, args: Args, kwargs: Kwargs, slots: Slots, context: Context):
+                nonlocal css_called
+                css_called = True
+
+                assert isinstance(args, Button.Args)
+                assert isinstance(kwargs, Button.Kwargs)
+                assert isinstance(slots, Button.Slots)
+                assert isinstance(context, Context)
+
+            template = "<button>Click me!</button>"
+
+        assert issubclass(Button.Args, tuple)
+        assert issubclass(Button.Kwargs, tuple)
+        assert issubclass(Button.Slots, tuple)
+
+        Button.render(
+            args=Button.Args(arg1="arg1", arg2="arg2"),  # type: ignore[call-arg]
+            kwargs=Button.Kwargs(name="name", age=123),  # type: ignore[call-arg]
+            slots=Button.Slots(  # type: ignore[call-arg]
+                header="HEADER",
+                footer=Slot(lambda _ctx: "FOOTER"),
+            ),
+        )
+
+        assert template_called
+        assert js_called
+        assert css_called
+
     def test_data_methods_input_not_typed_by_default(self):
         template_called = False
         js_called = False
@@ -132,7 +200,71 @@ class TestComponentTyping:
         assert js_called
         assert css_called
 
-    def test_data_methods_output_typed(self):
+    def test_data_methods_output_typed_default_classes(self):
+        template_called = False
+        js_called = False
+        css_called = False
+
+        class Button(Component):
+            class TemplateData:
+                data1: str
+                data2: int
+
+            class JsData:
+                js_data1: str
+                js_data2: int
+
+            class CssData:
+                css_data1: str
+                css_data2: int
+
+            def get_template_data(self, args, kwargs, slots, context):
+                nonlocal template_called
+                template_called = True
+
+                return {
+                    "data1": "data1",
+                    "data2": 123,
+                }
+
+            def get_js_data(self, args, kwargs, slots, context):
+                nonlocal js_called
+                js_called = True
+
+                return {
+                    "js_data1": "js_data1",
+                    "js_data2": 123,
+                }
+
+            def get_css_data(self, args, kwargs, slots, context):
+                nonlocal css_called
+                css_called = True
+
+                return {
+                    "css_data1": "css_data1",
+                    "css_data2": 123,
+                }
+
+            template = "<button>Click me!</button>"
+
+        assert issubclass(Button.TemplateData, tuple)
+        assert issubclass(Button.JsData, tuple)
+        assert issubclass(Button.CssData, tuple)
+
+        Button.render(
+            args=["arg1", "arg2"],
+            kwargs={"name": "name", "age": 123},
+            slots={
+                "header": "HEADER",
+                "footer": Slot(lambda _ctx: "FOOTER"),
+            },
+        )
+
+        assert template_called
+        assert js_called
+        assert css_called
+
+    def test_data_methods_output_typed_custom_classes(self):
         template_called = False
         js_called = False
         css_called = False
@@ -489,43 +621,57 @@ class TestComponentTyping:
             )
 
     def test_custom_args_class_raises_on_invalid(self):
+        class Parent:
+            pass
+
         class Button(Component):
             template = "Hello"
 
-            class Args:
+            class Args(Parent):
                 arg1: str
                 arg2: str
 
+        assert issubclass(Button.Args, Parent)
+        assert not issubclass(Button.Args, tuple)
+
         with pytest.raises(TypeError, match=re.escape("Args() takes no arguments")):
             Button.render(
                 args=Button.Args(arg1="arg1", arg2="arg2"),  # type: ignore[call-arg]
             )
 
+        class Parent2:
+            def __init__(self, arg1: str, arg2: str):
+                self.arg1 = arg1
+                self.arg2 = arg2
+
         class Button2(Component):
             template = "Hello"
 
-            class Args:
+            class Args(Parent2):
                 arg1: str
                 arg2: str
 
-                def __init__(self, arg1: str, arg2: str):
-                    self.arg1 = arg1
-                    self.arg2 = arg2
+        assert not issubclass(Button2.Args, tuple)
+        assert issubclass(Button2.Args, Parent2)
 
         with pytest.raises(TypeError, match=re.escape("'Args' object is not iterable")):
             Button2.render(
                 args=Button2.Args(arg1="arg1", arg2="arg2"),
             )
 
+        class Parent3:
+            def __iter__(self):
+                return iter([self.arg1, self.arg2])  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+
         class Button3(Component):
             template = "Hello"
 
-            class Args:
+            class Args(Parent3):
                 arg1: str
                 arg2: str
 
-                def __iter__(self):
-                    return iter([self.arg1, self.arg2])
+        assert not issubclass(Button3.Args, tuple)
+        assert issubclass(Button3.Args, Parent3)
 
         with pytest.raises(TypeError, match=re.escape("Args() takes no arguments")):
             Button3.render(
@@ -533,62 +679,77 @@ class TestComponentTyping:
             )
 
     def test_custom_args_class_custom(self):
+        class Parent:
+            def __init__(self, arg1: str, arg2: str):
+                self.arg1 = arg1
+                self.arg2 = arg2
+
+            def __iter__(self):
+                return iter([self.arg1, self.arg2])
+
         class Button(Component):
             template = "Hello"
 
-            class Args:
+            class Args(Parent):
                 arg1: str
                 arg2: str
 
-                def __init__(self, arg1: str, arg2: str):
-                    self.arg1 = arg1
-                    self.arg2 = arg2
-
-                def __iter__(self):
-                    return iter([self.arg1, self.arg2])
-
         Button.render(
             args=Button.Args(arg1="arg1", arg2="arg2"),
         )
 
     def test_custom_kwargs_class_raises_on_invalid(self):
+        class Parent:
+            pass
+
         class Button(Component):
             template = "Hello"
 
-            class Kwargs:
+            class Kwargs(Parent):
                 arg1: str
                 arg2: str
 
+        assert not issubclass(Button.Kwargs, tuple)
+        assert issubclass(Button.Kwargs, Parent)
+
         with pytest.raises(TypeError, match=re.escape("Kwargs() takes no arguments")):
             Button.render(
                 kwargs=Button.Kwargs(arg1="arg1", arg2="arg2"),  # type: ignore[call-arg]
             )
 
+        class Parent2:
+            def __init__(self, arg1: str, arg2: str):
+                self.arg1 = arg1
+                self.arg2 = arg2
+
         class Button2(Component):
             template = "Hello"
 
-            class Kwargs:
+            class Kwargs(Parent2):
                 arg1: str
                 arg2: str
 
-                def __init__(self, arg1: str, arg2: str):
-                    self.arg1 = arg1
-                    self.arg2 = arg2
+        assert not issubclass(Button2.Kwargs, tuple)
+        assert issubclass(Button2.Kwargs, Parent2)
 
         with pytest.raises(TypeError, match=re.escape("'Kwargs' object is not iterable")):
             Button2.render(
                 kwargs=Button2.Kwargs(arg1="arg1", arg2="arg2"),
             )
 
+        class Parent3:
+            def _asdict(self):
+                return {"arg1": self.arg1, "arg2": self.arg2}  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+
         class Button3(Component):
             template = "Hello"
 
-            class Kwargs:
+            class Kwargs(Parent3):
                 arg1: str
                 arg2: str
 
-                def _asdict(self):
-                    return {"arg1": self.arg1, "arg2": self.arg2}
+        assert not issubclass(Button3.Kwargs, tuple)
+        assert issubclass(Button3.Kwargs, Parent3)
 
         with pytest.raises(TypeError, match=re.escape("Kwargs() takes no arguments")):
             Button3.render(
@@ -596,19 +757,23 @@ class TestComponentTyping:
             )
 
     def test_custom_kwargs_class_custom(self):
+        class Parent:
+            def __init__(self, arg1: str, arg2: str):
+                self.arg1 = arg1
+                self.arg2 = arg2
+
+            def _asdict(self):
+                return {"arg1": self.arg1, "arg2": self.arg2}
+
         class Button(Component):
             template = "Hello"
 
-            class Kwargs:
+            class Kwargs(Parent):
                 arg1: str
                 arg2: str
 
-                def __init__(self, arg1: str, arg2: str):
-                    self.arg1 = arg1
-                    self.arg2 = arg2
-
-                def _asdict(self):
-                    return {"arg1": self.arg1, "arg2": self.arg2}
+        assert not issubclass(Button.Kwargs, tuple)
+        assert issubclass(Button.Kwargs, Parent)
 
         Button.render(
             kwargs=Button.Kwargs(arg1="arg1", arg2="arg2"),
@@ -618,14 +783,14 @@ class TestComponentTyping:
         class Button(Component):
             template = "Hello"
 
-            class Args(NamedTuple):
+            class Args:
                 size: int
 
-            class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+            class Kwargs:
                 color: str
 
         class ButtonExtra(Button):
-            class Args(NamedTuple):
+            class Args:
                 name: str
                 size: int
 
@@ -635,6 +800,6 @@ class TestComponentTyping:
                 assert ButtonExtra.Kwargs is Button.Kwargs
 
         ButtonExtra.render(
-            args=ButtonExtra.Args(name="John", size=30),
-            kwargs=ButtonExtra.Kwargs(color="red"),
+            args=ButtonExtra.Args(name="John", size=30),  # type: ignore[call-arg]
+            kwargs=ButtonExtra.Kwargs(color="red"),  # type: ignore[call-arg]
         )
diff --git a/tests/test_extension.py b/tests/test_extension.py
index 80df2f3d..25de1519 100644
--- a/tests/test_extension.py
+++ b/tests/test_extension.py
@@ -242,6 +242,11 @@ class TestExtensions:
         del TestAccessComp
         gc.collect()
 
+    @djc_test(components_settings={"extensions": [DummyExtension]})
+    def test_instantiate_ext_component_config_none(self):
+        config = DummyExtension.ComponentConfig(None)
+        assert isinstance(config, DummyExtension.ComponentConfig)
+
     def test_raises_on_extension_name_conflict(self):
         @djc_test(components_settings={"extensions": [RenderExtension]})
         def inner():
diff --git a/tests/test_integration_template_partials.py b/tests/test_integration_template_partials.py
index f3bf0edc..e9a008ab 100644
--- a/tests/test_integration_template_partials.py
+++ b/tests/test_integration_template_partials.py
@@ -8,8 +8,6 @@ This file can be deleted after Django 5.2 reached end of life.
 See https://github.com/django-components/django-components/issues/1323#issuecomment-3163478287.
 """
 
-from typing import NamedTuple
-
 import pytest
 from django.http import HttpRequest
 from django.shortcuts import render
@@ -53,7 +51,7 @@ class TestTemplatePartialsIntegration:
                 })()
             """  # noqa: E501
 
-            class Kwargs(NamedTuple):
+            class Kwargs:
                 date: str
 
             def get_template_data(self, args, kwargs: Kwargs, slots, context):