diff --git a/src/admin/components/utilities/Config/index.tsx b/src/admin/components/utilities/Config/index.tsx
index 73eb27ed23..f21593df49 100644
--- a/src/admin/components/utilities/Config/index.tsx
+++ b/src/admin/components/utilities/Config/index.tsx
@@ -3,10 +3,29 @@ import { SanitizedConfig } from '../../../../config/types';
 
 const Context = createContext<SanitizedConfig>({} as SanitizedConfig);
 
-export const ConfigProvider: React.FC<{config: SanitizedConfig, children: React.ReactNode}> = ({ children, config }) => (
-  <Context.Provider value={config}>
-    {children}
-  </Context.Provider>
-);
+export const ConfigProvider: React.FC<{config: SanitizedConfig, children: React.ReactNode}> = ({ children, config: incomingConfig }) => {
+  const [config, setConfig] = React.useState<SanitizedConfig>();
+  const hasAwaited = React.useRef(false);
+
+  React.useEffect(() => {
+    if (incomingConfig && !hasAwaited.current) {
+      hasAwaited.current = true;
+
+      const awaitConfig = async () => {
+        const resolvedConfig = await incomingConfig;
+        setConfig(resolvedConfig);
+      };
+      awaitConfig();
+    }
+  }, [incomingConfig]);
+
+  if (!config) return null;
+
+  return (
+    <Context.Provider value={config}>
+      {children}
+    </Context.Provider>
+  );
+};
 
 export const useConfig = (): SanitizedConfig => useContext(Context);
diff --git a/src/bin/build.ts b/src/bin/build.ts
index d9940ea09c..7271485757 100755
--- a/src/bin/build.ts
+++ b/src/bin/build.ts
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ const rawConfigPath = findConfig();
 
 export const build = async (): Promise<void> => {
   try {
-    const config = loadConfig();
+    const config = await loadConfig();
 
     const webpackProdConfig = getWebpackProdConfig(config);
 
diff --git a/src/bin/generateGraphQLSchema.ts b/src/bin/generateGraphQLSchema.ts
index 5c4ae8a5f0..808b01a0a3 100644
--- a/src/bin/generateGraphQLSchema.ts
+++ b/src/bin/generateGraphQLSchema.ts
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import payload from '..';
 
 export async function generateGraphQLSchema(): Promise<void> {
   const logger = Logger();
-  const config = loadConfig();
+  const config = await loadConfig();
 
   await payload.init({
     secret: '--unused--',
diff --git a/src/bin/generateTypes.ts b/src/bin/generateTypes.ts
index b90c640708..c45f4d4d60 100644
--- a/src/bin/generateTypes.ts
+++ b/src/bin/generateTypes.ts
@@ -32,9 +32,9 @@ function configToJsonSchema(config: SanitizedConfig): JSONSchema4 {
   };
 }
 
-export function generateTypes(): void {
+export async function generateTypes(): Promise<void> {
   const logger = Logger();
-  const config = loadConfig();
+  const config = await loadConfig();
   const outputFile = process.env.PAYLOAD_TS_OUTPUT_PATH || config.typescript.outputFile;
 
   logger.info('Compiling TS types for Collections and Globals...');
diff --git a/src/config/build.ts b/src/config/build.ts
index 4327eac466..19576f5ed3 100644
--- a/src/config/build.ts
+++ b/src/config/build.ts
@@ -8,14 +8,17 @@ import sanitize from './sanitize';
  * @param config Payload Config
  * @returns Built and sanitized Payload Config
  */
-export function buildConfig(config: Config): SanitizedConfig {
+export async function buildConfig(config: Config): Promise<SanitizedConfig> {
   if (Array.isArray(config.plugins)) {
-    const configWithPlugins = config.plugins.reduce(
-      (updatedConfig, plugin) => plugin(updatedConfig),
-      config,
+    const configAfterPlugins = await config.plugins.reduce(
+      async (acc, plugin) => {
+        const configAfterPlugin = await acc;
+        return plugin(configAfterPlugin);
+      },
+      Promise.resolve(config),
     );
 
-    const sanitizedConfig = sanitize(configWithPlugins);
+    const sanitizedConfig = sanitize(configAfterPlugins);
 
     return sanitizedConfig;
   }
diff --git a/src/config/load.ts b/src/config/load.ts
index c55ba97710..fe7f183e69 100644
--- a/src/config/load.ts
+++ b/src/config/load.ts
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import findConfig from './find';
 import validate from './validate';
 import { clientFiles } from './clientFiles';
 
-const loadConfig = (logger?: pino.Logger): SanitizedConfig => {
+const loadConfig = async (logger?: pino.Logger): Promise<SanitizedConfig> => {
   const localLogger = logger ?? Logger();
 
   const configPath = findConfig();
@@ -19,18 +19,18 @@ const loadConfig = (logger?: pino.Logger): SanitizedConfig => {
   });
 
   // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-var-requires
-  let config = require(configPath);
+  const configPromise = require(configPath);
 
-  if (config.default) config = config.default;
+  let config = await configPromise;
 
-  let validatedConfig = config;
+  if (config.default) config = await config.default;
 
   if (process.env.NODE_ENV !== 'production') {
-    validatedConfig = validate(config, localLogger);
+    config = await validate(config, localLogger);
   }
 
   return {
-    ...validatedConfig,
+    ...config,
     paths: {
       configDir: path.dirname(configPath),
       config: configPath,
diff --git a/src/config/types.ts b/src/config/types.ts
index 5a490f4a25..e5034b2c1b 100644
--- a/src/config/types.ts
+++ b/src/config/types.ts
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ type Email = {
 };
 
 // eslint-disable-next-line no-use-before-define
-export type Plugin = (config: Config) => Config;
+export type Plugin = (config: Config) => Promise<Config> | Config;
 
 type GeneratePreviewURLOptions = {
   locale: string;
diff --git a/src/config/validate.ts b/src/config/validate.ts
index b5d0e0723c..99fac849e5 100644
--- a/src/config/validate.ts
+++ b/src/config/validate.ts
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ const validateFields = (context: string, entity: SanitizedCollectionConfig | San
   return errors;
 };
 
-const validateCollections = (collections: SanitizedCollectionConfig[]): string[] => {
+const validateCollections = async (collections: SanitizedCollectionConfig[]): Promise<string[]> => {
   const errors: string[] = [];
   collections.forEach((collection) => {
     const result = collectionSchema.validate(collection, { abortEarly: false });
@@ -62,13 +62,13 @@ const validateGlobals = (globals: SanitizedGlobalConfig[]): string[] => {
   return errors;
 };
 
-const validateSchema = (config: SanitizedConfig, logger: Logger): SanitizedConfig => {
+const validateSchema = async (config: SanitizedConfig, logger: Logger): Promise<SanitizedConfig> => {
   const result = schema.validate(config, {
     abortEarly: false,
   });
 
   const nestedErrors = [
-    ...validateCollections(config.collections),
+    ...await validateCollections(config.collections),
     ...validateGlobals(config.globals),
   ];
 
diff --git a/src/payload.ts b/src/payload.ts
index 1b1fddbaec..26d9e2f382 100644
--- a/src/payload.ts
+++ b/src/payload.ts
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ export class BasePayload<TGeneratedTypes extends GeneratedTypes> {
     } else {
       // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-var-requires, global-require
       const loadConfig = require('./config/load').default;
-      this.config = loadConfig(this.logger);
+      this.config = await loadConfig(this.logger);
     }
 
     // Configure email service
diff --git a/test/access-control/e2e.spec.ts b/test/access-control/e2e.spec.ts
index 628a678b16..62e5c9529b 100644
--- a/test/access-control/e2e.spec.ts
+++ b/test/access-control/e2e.spec.ts
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ describe('access control', () => {
     let existingDoc: ReadOnlyCollection;
 
     beforeAll(async () => {
-      existingDoc = await payload.create<ReadOnlyCollection>({
+      existingDoc = await payload.create({
         collection: readOnlySlug,
         data: {
           name: 'name',
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ describe('access control', () => {
     let existingDoc: ReadOnlyCollection;
 
     beforeAll(async () => {
-      existingDoc = await payload.create<ReadOnlyCollection>({
+      existingDoc = await payload.create({
         collection: readOnlySlug,
         data: {
           name: 'name',
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ describe('access control', () => {
     let existingDoc: RestrictedVersion;
 
     beforeAll(async () => {
-      existingDoc = await payload.create<RestrictedVersion>({
+      existingDoc = await payload.create({
         collection: restrictedVersionsSlug,
         data: {
           name: 'name',
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ describe('access control', () => {
 
     test('versions sidebar should not show', async () => {
       await page.goto(restrictedVersionsUrl.edit(existingDoc.id));
-      await expect(page.locator('.versions-count')).not.toBeVisible();
+      await expect(page.locator('.versions-count')).toBeHidden();
     });
   });
 
diff --git a/test/access-control/int.spec.ts b/test/access-control/int.spec.ts
index 391d3fe3e0..fd337dfa86 100644
--- a/test/access-control/int.spec.ts
+++ b/test/access-control/int.spec.ts
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import { Forbidden } from '../../src/errors';
 import type { PayloadRequest } from '../../src/types';
 import { initPayloadTest } from '../helpers/configHelpers';
 import { relyOnRequestHeadersSlug, requestHeaders, restrictedSlug, siblingDataSlug, slug } from './config';
-import type { Restricted, Post, SiblingDatum, RelyOnRequestHeader } from './payload-types';
+import type { Restricted, Post, RelyOnRequestHeader } from './payload-types';
 import { firstArrayText, secondArrayText } from './shared';
 
 describe('Access Control', () => {
@@ -17,12 +17,12 @@ describe('Access Control', () => {
   });
 
   beforeEach(async () => {
-    post1 = await payload.create<Post>({
+    post1 = await payload.create({
       collection: slug,
       data: { name: 'name' },
     });
 
-    restricted = await payload.create<Restricted>({
+    restricted = await payload.create({
       collection: restrictedSlug,
       data: { name: 'restricted' },
     });
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ describe('Access Control', () => {
   it.todo('should properly prevent / allow public users from reading a restricted field');
 
   it('should be able to restrict access based upon siblingData', async () => {
-    const { id } = await payload.create<SiblingDatum>({
+    const { id } = await payload.create({
       collection: siblingDataSlug,
       data: {
         array: [
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ describe('Access Control', () => {
       },
     });
 
-    const doc = await payload.findByID<SiblingDatum>({
+    const doc = await payload.findByID({
       id,
       collection: siblingDataSlug,
       overrideAccess: false,
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ describe('Access Control', () => {
     expect(doc.array?.[1].text).toBeUndefined();
 
     // Retrieve with default of overriding access
-    const docOverride = await payload.findByID<SiblingDatum>({
+    const docOverride = await payload.findByID({
       id,
       collection: siblingDataSlug,
     });
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ describe('Access Control', () => {
   describe('Override Access', () => {
     describe('Fields', () => {
       it('should allow overrideAccess: false', async () => {
-        const req = async () => payload.update<Post>({
+        const req = async () => payload.update({
           collection: slug,
           id: post1.id,
           data: { restrictedField: restricted.id },
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ describe('Access Control', () => {
       });
 
       it('should allow overrideAccess: true', async () => {
-        const doc = await payload.update<Post>({
+        const doc = await payload.update({
           collection: slug,
           id: post1.id,
           data: { restrictedField: restricted.id },
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ describe('Access Control', () => {
       });
 
       it('should allow overrideAccess by default', async () => {
-        const doc = await payload.update<Post>({
+        const doc = await payload.update({
           collection: slug,
           id: post1.id,
           data: { restrictedField: restricted.id },
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ describe('Access Control', () => {
 });
 
 async function createDoc<Collection>(data: Partial<Collection>, overrideSlug = slug, options?: Partial<CreateOptions<Collection>>): Promise<Collection> {
-  return payload.create<Collection>({
+  return payload.create({
     ...options,
     collection: overrideSlug,
     data: data ?? {},
diff --git a/test/array-update/int.spec.ts b/test/array-update/int.spec.ts
index 5670a96b70..ce1f4978b4 100644
--- a/test/array-update/int.spec.ts
+++ b/test/array-update/int.spec.ts
@@ -1,13 +1,14 @@
 import mongoose from 'mongoose';
 import { initPayloadTest } from '../helpers/configHelpers';
 import payload from '../../src';
-import config from './config';
-import type { Array as ArrayCollection } from './payload-types';
+import configPromise from './config';
 
-const collection = config.collections[0]?.slug;
+let collection: string;
 
 describe('array-update', () => {
   beforeAll(async () => {
+    const config = await configPromise;
+    collection = config.collections[0]?.slug;
     await initPayloadTest({ __dirname });
   });
 
@@ -45,7 +46,7 @@ describe('array-update', () => {
       required: updatedText,
     };
 
-    const updatedDoc = await payload.update<ArrayCollection>({
+    const updatedDoc = await payload.update({
       id: doc.id,
       collection,
       data: {
@@ -67,7 +68,7 @@ describe('array-update', () => {
       optional: 'optional test',
     };
 
-    const doc = await payload.create<ArrayCollection>({
+    const doc = await payload.create({
       collection,
       data: {
         array: [
@@ -80,7 +81,7 @@ describe('array-update', () => {
       },
     });
 
-    const updatedDoc = await payload.update<ArrayCollection>({
+    const updatedDoc = await payload.update({
       id: doc.id,
       collection,
       data: {
diff --git a/test/buildConfig.ts b/test/buildConfig.ts
index 038f3dca03..166275b57c 100644
--- a/test/buildConfig.ts
+++ b/test/buildConfig.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import { Config, SanitizedConfig } from '../src/config/types';
 import { buildConfig as buildPayloadConfig } from '../src/config/build';
 
-export function buildConfig(config?: Partial<Config>): SanitizedConfig {
+export function buildConfig(config?: Partial<Config>): Promise<SanitizedConfig> {
   const [name] = process.argv.slice(2);
   const baseConfig: Config = {
     telemetry: false,
diff --git a/test/collections-graphql/config.ts b/test/collections-graphql/config.ts
index 5bcd50bd80..89dc56a128 100644
--- a/test/collections-graphql/config.ts
+++ b/test/collections-graphql/config.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 import type { CollectionConfig } from '../../src/collections/config/types';
 import { devUser } from '../credentials';
 import { buildConfig } from '../buildConfig';
-import type { Post } from './payload-types';
 
 export interface Relation {
   id: string;
@@ -88,20 +87,20 @@ export default buildConfig({
       },
     });
 
-    await payload.create<Post>({
+    await payload.create({
       collection: slug,
       data: {
         title: 'post1',
       },
     });
-    await payload.create<Post>({
+    await payload.create({
       collection: slug,
       data: {
         title: 'post2',
       },
     });
 
-    await payload.create<Post>({
+    await payload.create({
       collection: slug,
       data: {
         title: 'with-description',
@@ -109,14 +108,14 @@ export default buildConfig({
       },
     });
 
-    await payload.create<Post>({
+    await payload.create({
       collection: slug,
       data: {
         title: 'numPost1',
         number: 1,
       },
     });
-    await payload.create<Post>({
+    await payload.create({
       collection: slug,
       data: {
         title: 'numPost2',
@@ -124,13 +123,13 @@ export default buildConfig({
       },
     });
 
-    const rel1 = await payload.create<Relation>({
+    const rel1 = await payload.create({
       collection: relationSlug,
       data: {
         name: 'name',
       },
     });
-    const rel2 = await payload.create<Relation>({
+    const rel2 = await payload.create({
       collection: relationSlug,
       data: {
         name: 'name2',
@@ -138,14 +137,14 @@ export default buildConfig({
     });
 
     // Relation - hasMany
-    await payload.create<Post>({
+    await payload.create({
       collection: slug,
       data: {
         title: 'rel to hasMany',
         relationHasManyField: rel1.id,
       },
     });
-    await payload.create<Post>({
+    await payload.create({
       collection: slug,
       data: {
         title: 'rel to hasMany 2',
@@ -154,7 +153,7 @@ export default buildConfig({
     });
 
     // Relation - relationTo multi
-    await payload.create<Post>({
+    await payload.create({
       collection: slug,
       data: {
         title: 'rel to multi',
@@ -166,7 +165,7 @@ export default buildConfig({
     });
 
     // Relation - relationTo multi hasMany
-    await payload.create<Post>({
+    await payload.create({
       collection: slug,
       data: {
         title: 'rel to multi hasMany',
diff --git a/test/collections-graphql/int.spec.ts b/test/collections-graphql/int.spec.ts
index 9ab9d84cad..8ba8cbe3c1 100644
--- a/test/collections-graphql/int.spec.ts
+++ b/test/collections-graphql/int.spec.ts
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 import mongoose from 'mongoose';
 import { GraphQLClient } from 'graphql-request';
 import { initPayloadTest } from '../helpers/configHelpers';
-import config from './config';
+import configPromise from './config';
 import payload from '../../src';
 import type { Post } from './payload-types';
 
-const slug = config.collections[0]?.slug;
+let slug = '';
 const title = 'title';
 
 let client: GraphQLClient;
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@ let client: GraphQLClient;
 describe('collections-graphql', () => {
   beforeAll(async () => {
     const { serverURL } = await initPayloadTest({ __dirname, init: { local: false } });
+    const config = await configPromise;
+    slug = config.collections[0]?.slug;
     const url = `${serverURL}${config.routes.api}${config.routes.graphQL}`;
     client = new GraphQLClient(url);
   });
@@ -354,7 +356,7 @@ describe('collections-graphql', () => {
 });
 
 async function createPost(overrides?: Partial<Post>) {
-  const doc = await payload.create<Post>({
+  const doc = await payload.create({
     collection: slug,
     data: { title: 'title', ...overrides },
   });
diff --git a/test/collections-rest/config.ts b/test/collections-rest/config.ts
index f541effc81..ab20a7bd96 100644
--- a/test/collections-rest/config.ts
+++ b/test/collections-rest/config.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 import type { CollectionConfig } from '../../src/collections/config/types';
 import { devUser } from '../credentials';
 import { buildConfig } from '../buildConfig';
-import type { Post } from './payload-types';
 
 export interface Relation {
   id: string;
@@ -135,13 +134,13 @@ export default buildConfig({
       },
     });
 
-    const rel1 = await payload.create<Relation>({
+    const rel1 = await payload.create({
       collection: relationSlug,
       data: {
         name: 'name',
       },
     });
-    const rel2 = await payload.create<Relation>({
+    const rel2 = await payload.create({
       collection: relationSlug,
       data: {
         name: 'name2',
@@ -156,14 +155,14 @@ export default buildConfig({
     });
 
     // Relation - hasMany
-    await payload.create<Post>({
+    await payload.create({
       collection: slug,
       data: {
         title: 'rel to hasMany',
         relationHasManyField: rel1.id,
       },
     });
-    await payload.create<Post>({
+    await payload.create({
       collection: slug,
       data: {
         title: 'rel to hasMany 2',
@@ -172,7 +171,7 @@ export default buildConfig({
     });
 
     // Relation - relationTo multi
-    await payload.create<Post>({
+    await payload.create({
       collection: slug,
       data: {
         title: 'rel to multi',
@@ -184,7 +183,7 @@ export default buildConfig({
     });
 
     // Relation - relationTo multi hasMany
-    await payload.create<Post>({
+    await payload.create({
       collection: slug,
       data: {
         title: 'rel to multi hasMany',
diff --git a/test/fields/int.spec.ts b/test/fields/int.spec.ts
index 1b07b458a2..4dac81557a 100644
--- a/test/fields/int.spec.ts
+++ b/test/fields/int.spec.ts
@@ -1,10 +1,9 @@
 import type { IndexDirection, IndexOptions } from 'mongoose';
 import { initPayloadTest } from '../helpers/configHelpers';
 import { RESTClient } from '../helpers/rest';
-import config from '../uploads/config';
+import configPromise from '../uploads/config';
 import payload from '../../src';
 import { pointDoc } from './collections/Point';
-import type { ArrayField, GroupField, TabsField } from './payload-types';
 import { arrayFieldsSlug, arrayDefaultValue, arrayDoc } from './collections/Array';
 import { groupFieldsSlug, groupDefaultChild, groupDefaultValue, groupDoc } from './collections/Group';
 import { defaultText } from './collections/Text';
@@ -17,6 +16,7 @@ let client;
 describe('Fields', () => {
   beforeAll(async () => {
     const { serverURL } = await initPayloadTest({ __dirname, init: { local: false } });
+    const config = await configPromise;
     client = new RESTClient(config, { serverURL, defaultSlug: 'point-fields' });
     await client.login();
   });
@@ -268,14 +268,14 @@ describe('Fields', () => {
     const collection = arrayFieldsSlug;
 
     beforeAll(async () => {
-      doc = await payload.create<ArrayField>({
+      doc = await payload.create({
         collection,
         data: {},
       });
     });
 
     it('should return undefined arrays when no data present', async () => {
-      const document = await payload.create<ArrayField>({
+      const document = await payload.create({
         collection: arrayFieldsSlug,
         data: arrayDoc,
       });
@@ -284,7 +284,7 @@ describe('Fields', () => {
     });
 
     it('should create with ids and nested ids', async () => {
-      const docWithIDs = await payload.create<GroupField>({
+      const docWithIDs = await payload.create({
         collection: groupFieldsSlug,
         data: groupDoc,
       });
@@ -300,14 +300,14 @@ describe('Fields', () => {
       const localized = [{ text: 'unique' }];
       const enText = 'english';
       const esText = 'spanish';
-      const { id } = await payload.create<ArrayField>({
+      const { id } = await payload.create({
         collection,
         data: {
           localized,
         },
       });
 
-      const enDoc = await payload.update<ArrayField>({
+      const enDoc = await payload.update({
         collection,
         id,
         locale: 'en',
@@ -316,7 +316,7 @@ describe('Fields', () => {
         },
       });
 
-      const esDoc = await payload.update<ArrayField>({
+      const esDoc = await payload.update({
         collection,
         id,
         locale: 'es',
@@ -342,7 +342,7 @@ describe('Fields', () => {
     let document;
 
     beforeAll(async () => {
-      document = await payload.create<GroupField>({
+      document = await payload.create({
         collection: groupFieldsSlug,
         data: {},
       });
@@ -358,7 +358,7 @@ describe('Fields', () => {
     let document;
 
     beforeAll(async () => {
-      document = await payload.create<TabsField>({
+      document = await payload.create({
         collection: tabsSlug,
         data: tabsDoc,
       });
@@ -395,7 +395,7 @@ describe('Fields', () => {
     });
 
     it('should allow hooks on a named tab', async () => {
-      const newDocument = await payload.create<TabsField>({
+      const newDocument = await payload.create({
         collection: tabsSlug,
         data: tabsDoc,
       });
@@ -406,7 +406,7 @@ describe('Fields', () => {
     });
 
     it('should return empty object for groups when no data present', async () => {
-      const doc = await payload.create<GroupField>({
+      const doc = await payload.create({
         collection: groupFieldsSlug,
         data: groupDoc,
       });
diff --git a/test/globals/int.spec.ts b/test/globals/int.spec.ts
index 2a43ffefee..682dbae773 100644
--- a/test/globals/int.spec.ts
+++ b/test/globals/int.spec.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { GraphQLClient } from 'graphql-request';
 import { initPayloadTest } from '../helpers/configHelpers';
-import config, { arraySlug, englishLocale, slug, spanishLocale } from './config';
+import configPromise, { arraySlug, englishLocale, slug, spanishLocale } from './config';
 import payload from '../../src';
 import { RESTClient } from '../helpers/rest';
 
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ describe('globals', () => {
   describe('REST', () => {
     let client: RESTClient;
     beforeAll(async () => {
+      const config = await configPromise;
       client = new RESTClient(config, { serverURL, defaultSlug: slug });
     });
     it('should create', async () => {
@@ -135,6 +136,7 @@ describe('globals', () => {
   describe('graphql', () => {
     let client: GraphQLClient;
     beforeAll(async () => {
+      const config = await configPromise;
       const url = `${serverURL}${config.routes.api}${config.routes.graphQL}`;
       client = new GraphQLClient(url);
     });
diff --git a/test/helpers/rest.ts b/test/helpers/rest.ts
index 15b146c8b6..9b936c12bb 100644
--- a/test/helpers/rest.ts
+++ b/test/helpers/rest.ts
@@ -258,7 +258,7 @@ export class RESTClient {
     return { status, doc: result };
   }
 
-  async endpoint<T = any>(path: string, method = 'get', params = undefined): Promise<{ status: number, data: T }> {
+  async endpoint<T = any>(path: string, method = 'get', params: any = undefined): Promise<{ status: number, data: T }> {
     const response = await fetch(`${this.serverURL}${path}`, {
       headers: {
         'Content-Type': 'application/json',
diff --git a/test/localization/int.spec.ts b/test/localization/int.spec.ts
index a97422ffce..508c25302a 100644
--- a/test/localization/int.spec.ts
+++ b/test/localization/int.spec.ts
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import type {
   GlobalArray,
 } from './payload-types';
 import type { LocalizedPostAllLocale } from './config';
-import config, { relationshipLocalizedSlug, slug, withLocalizedRelSlug, withRequiredLocalizedFields } from './config';
+import configPromise, { relationshipLocalizedSlug, slug, withLocalizedRelSlug, withRequiredLocalizedFields } from './config';
 import {
   defaultLocale,
   englishTitle,
@@ -23,8 +23,10 @@ import {
 } from './shared';
 import type { Where } from '../../src/types';
 import { arrayCollectionSlug } from './collections/Array';
+import type { Config } from '../../src/config/types';
 
 const collection = slug;
+let config: Config;
 
 let serverURL;
 
@@ -34,6 +36,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
 
   beforeAll(async () => {
     ({ serverURL } = await initPayloadTest({ __dirname, init: { local: false } }));
+    config = await configPromise;
 
     post1 = await payload.create({
       collection,
@@ -49,7 +52,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
       },
     });
 
-    await payload.update<LocalizedPost>({
+    await payload.update({
       collection,
       id: postWithLocalizedData.id,
       locale: spanishLocale,
@@ -67,7 +70,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
 
   describe('localized text', () => {
     it('create english', async () => {
-      const allDocs = await payload.find<LocalizedPost>({
+      const allDocs = await payload.find({
         collection,
         where: {
           title: { equals: post1.title },
@@ -77,7 +80,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
     });
 
     it('add spanish translation', async () => {
-      const updated = await payload.update<LocalizedPost>({
+      const updated = await payload.update({
         collection,
         id: post1.id,
         locale: spanishLocale,
@@ -88,7 +91,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
 
       expect(updated.title).toEqual(spanishTitle);
 
-      const localized = await payload.findByID<LocalizedPostAllLocale>({
+      const localized = await payload.findByID({
         collection,
         id: post1.id,
         locale: 'all',
@@ -99,7 +102,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
     });
 
     it('should fallback to english translation when empty', async () => {
-      const updated = await payload.update<LocalizedPost>({
+      const updated = await payload.update({
         collection,
         id: post1.id,
         locale: spanishLocale,
@@ -110,7 +113,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
 
       expect(updated.title).toEqual(englishTitle);
 
-      const localizedFallback = await payload.findByID<LocalizedPostAllLocale>({
+      const localizedFallback = await payload.findByID({
         collection,
         id: post1.id,
         locale: 'all',
@@ -123,14 +126,14 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
     describe('querying', () => {
       let localizedPost: LocalizedPost;
       beforeEach(async () => {
-        const { id } = await payload.create<LocalizedPost>({
+        const { id } = await payload.create({
           collection,
           data: {
             title: englishTitle,
           },
         });
 
-        localizedPost = await payload.update<LocalizedPost>({
+        localizedPost = await payload.update({
           collection,
           id,
           locale: spanishLocale,
@@ -170,7 +173,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
       });
 
       it('all locales', async () => {
-        const localized = await payload.findByID<LocalizedPostAllLocale>({
+        const localized = await payload.findByID({
           collection,
           locale: 'all',
           id: localizedPost.id,
@@ -181,7 +184,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
       });
 
       it('by localized field value - default locale', async () => {
-        const result = await payload.find<LocalizedPost>({
+        const result = await payload.find({
           collection,
           where: {
             title: {
@@ -194,7 +197,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
       });
 
       it('by localized field value - alternate locale', async () => {
-        const result = await payload.find<LocalizedPost>({
+        const result = await payload.find({
           collection,
           locale: spanishLocale,
           where: {
@@ -208,7 +211,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
       });
 
       it('by localized field value - opposite locale???', async () => {
-        const result = await payload.find<LocalizedPost>({
+        const result = await payload.find({
           collection,
           locale: 'all',
           where: {
@@ -258,7 +261,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
 
     describe('regular relationship', () => {
       it('can query localized relationship', async () => {
-        const result = await payload.find<WithLocalizedRelationship>({
+        const result = await payload.find({
           collection: withLocalizedRelSlug,
           where: {
             'localizedRelationship.title': {
@@ -271,7 +274,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
       });
 
       it('specific locale', async () => {
-        const result = await payload.find<WithLocalizedRelationship>({
+        const result = await payload.find({
           collection: withLocalizedRelSlug,
           locale: spanishLocale,
           where: {
@@ -285,7 +288,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
       });
 
       it('all locales', async () => {
-        const result = await payload.find<WithLocalizedRelationship>({
+        const result = await payload.find({
           collection: withLocalizedRelSlug,
           locale: 'all',
           where: {
@@ -300,7 +303,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
 
       it('populates relationships with all locales', async () => {
         // the relationship fields themselves are localized on this collection
-        const result = await payload.find<RelationshipLocalized>({
+        const result = await payload.find({
           collection: relationshipLocalizedSlug,
           locale: 'all',
           depth: 1,
@@ -314,7 +317,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
 
     describe('relationship - hasMany', () => {
       it('default locale', async () => {
-        const result = await payload.find<WithLocalizedRelationship>({
+        const result = await payload.find({
           collection: withLocalizedRelSlug,
           where: {
             'localizedRelationHasManyField.title': {
@@ -326,7 +329,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
         expect(result.docs[0].id).toEqual(withRelationship.id);
 
         // Second relationship
-        const result2 = await payload.find<WithLocalizedRelationship>({
+        const result2 = await payload.find({
           collection: withLocalizedRelSlug,
           where: {
             'localizedRelationHasManyField.title': {
@@ -339,7 +342,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
       });
 
       it('specific locale', async () => {
-        const result = await payload.find<WithLocalizedRelationship>({
+        const result = await payload.find({
           collection: withLocalizedRelSlug,
           locale: spanishLocale,
           where: {
@@ -352,7 +355,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
         expect(result.docs[0].id).toEqual(withRelationship.id);
 
         // Second relationship
-        const result2 = await payload.find<WithLocalizedRelationship>({
+        const result2 = await payload.find({
           collection: withLocalizedRelSlug,
           locale: spanishLocale,
           where: {
@@ -366,7 +369,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
       });
 
       it('relationship population uses locale', async () => {
-        const result = await payload.findByID<WithLocalizedRelationship>({
+        const result = await payload.findByID({
           collection: withLocalizedRelSlug,
           depth: 1,
           id: withRelationship.id,
@@ -377,7 +380,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
 
       it('all locales', async () => {
         const queryRelation = (where: Where) => {
-          return payload.find<WithLocalizedRelationship>({
+          return payload.find({
             collection: withLocalizedRelSlug,
             locale: 'all',
             where,
@@ -423,7 +426,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
 
     describe('relationTo multi', () => {
       it('by id', async () => {
-        const result = await payload.find<WithLocalizedRelationship>({
+        const result = await payload.find({
           collection: withLocalizedRelSlug,
           where: {
             'localizedRelationMultiRelationTo.value': {
@@ -435,7 +438,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
         expect(result.docs[0].id).toEqual(withRelationship.id);
 
         // Second relationship
-        const result2 = await payload.find<WithLocalizedRelationship>({
+        const result2 = await payload.find({
           collection: withLocalizedRelSlug,
           locale: spanishLocale,
           where: {
@@ -451,7 +454,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
 
     describe('relationTo multi hasMany', () => {
       it('by id', async () => {
-        const result = await payload.find<WithLocalizedRelationship>({
+        const result = await payload.find({
           collection: withLocalizedRelSlug,
           where: {
             'localizedRelationMultiRelationToHasMany.value': {
@@ -463,7 +466,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
         expect(result.docs[0].id).toEqual(withRelationship.id);
 
         // First relationship - spanish locale
-        const result2 = await payload.find<WithLocalizedRelationship>({
+        const result2 = await payload.find({
           collection: withLocalizedRelSlug,
           locale: spanishLocale,
           where: {
@@ -476,7 +479,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
         expect(result2.docs[0].id).toEqual(withRelationship.id);
 
         // Second relationship
-        const result3 = await payload.find<WithLocalizedRelationship>({
+        const result3 = await payload.find({
           collection: withLocalizedRelSlug,
           where: {
             'localizedRelationMultiRelationToHasMany.value': {
@@ -488,7 +491,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
         expect(result3.docs[0].id).toEqual(withRelationship.id);
 
         // Second relationship - spanish locale
-        const result4 = await payload.find<WithLocalizedRelationship>({
+        const result4 = await payload.find({
           collection: withLocalizedRelSlug,
           where: {
             'localizedRelationMultiRelationToHasMany.value': {
@@ -504,7 +507,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
 
   describe('Localized - arrays with nested localized fields', () => {
     it('should allow moving rows and retain existing row locale data', async () => {
-      const globalArray = await payload.findGlobal<GlobalArray>({
+      const globalArray = await payload.findGlobal({
         slug: 'global-array',
       });
 
@@ -553,7 +556,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
         },
       });
 
-      const updatedDoc = await payload.update<LocalizedRequired>({
+      const updatedDoc = await payload.update({
         collection: withRequiredLocalizedFields,
         id: newDoc.id,
         data: {
@@ -577,7 +580,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
     let token;
 
     it('should allow user to login and retrieve populated localized field', async () => {
-      const url = `${serverURL}${config.routes.api}${config.routes.graphQL}?locale=en`;
+      const url = `${serverURL}${config?.routes?.api}${config?.routes?.graphQL}?locale=en`;
       const client = new GraphQLClient(url);
 
       const query = `mutation {
@@ -602,7 +605,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
 
     it('should allow retrieval of populated localized fields within meUser', async () => {
       // Defining locale=en in graphQL string should not break JWT strategy
-      const url = `${serverURL}${config.routes.api}${config.routes.graphQL}?locale=en`;
+      const url = `${serverURL}${config?.routes?.api}${config?.routes?.graphQL}?locale=en`;
       const client = new GraphQLClient(url);
 
       const query = `query {
@@ -626,7 +629,7 @@ describe('Localization', () => {
     });
 
     it('should create and update collections', async () => {
-      const url = `${serverURL}${config.routes.api}${config.routes.graphQL}`;
+      const url = `${serverURL}${config?.routes?.api}${config?.routes?.graphQL}`;
       const client = new GraphQLClient(url);
 
       const create = `mutation {
@@ -749,14 +752,14 @@ async function createLocalizedPost(data: {
     [spanishLocale]: string;
   };
 }): Promise<LocalizedPost> {
-  const localizedRelation = await payload.create<LocalizedPost>({
+  const localizedRelation = await payload.create({
     collection,
     data: {
       title: data.title.en,
     },
   });
 
-  await payload.update<LocalizedPost>({
+  await payload.update({
     collection,
     id: localizedRelation.id,
     locale: spanishLocale,
diff --git a/test/plugins/.gitignore b/test/plugins/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3454702ee9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/plugins/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+media
diff --git a/test/plugins/config.ts b/test/plugins/config.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7f0f417d08
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/plugins/config.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+import { buildConfig } from '../buildConfig';
+import { devUser } from '../credentials';
+
+export const pagesSlug = 'pages';
+
+export default buildConfig({
+  collections: [
+    {
+      slug: 'users',
+      auth: true,
+      fields: [],
+    },
+  ],
+  plugins: [
+    async (config) => ({
+      ...config,
+      collections: [
+        ...config.collections || [],
+        {
+          slug: pagesSlug,
+          fields: [
+            {
+              name: 'title',
+              type: 'text',
+            },
+          ],
+        },
+      ],
+    }),
+  ],
+  onInit: async (payload) => {
+    await payload.create({
+      collection: 'users',
+      data: {
+        email: devUser.email,
+        password: devUser.password,
+      },
+    });
+  },
+});
diff --git a/test/plugins/e2e.todo-spec.ts b/test/plugins/e2e.todo-spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e69de29bb2
diff --git a/test/plugins/int.spec.ts b/test/plugins/int.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..561b3cdef8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/plugins/int.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+import { initPayloadTest } from '../helpers/configHelpers';
+import { RESTClient } from '../helpers/rest';
+import configPromise, { pagesSlug } from './config';
+import payload from '../../src';
+
+require('isomorphic-fetch');
+
+let client;
+
+describe('Collections - Plugins', () => {
+  beforeAll(async () => {
+    const { serverURL } = await initPayloadTest({ __dirname, init: { local: false } });
+    const config = await configPromise;
+    client = new RESTClient(config, { serverURL, defaultSlug: pagesSlug });
+    await client.login();
+  });
+
+  it('created pages collection', async () => {
+    const { id } = await payload.create({
+      collection: pagesSlug,
+      data: {
+        title: 'Test Page',
+      },
+    });
+
+    expect(id).toEqual(expect.any(String));
+  });
+});
diff --git a/test/versions/int.spec.ts b/test/versions/int.spec.ts
index be6cc57fd1..3eb3878b1d 100644
--- a/test/versions/int.spec.ts
+++ b/test/versions/int.spec.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import { request, GraphQLClient } from 'graphql-request';
 import { initPayloadTest } from '../helpers/configHelpers';
 import payload from '../../src';
-import config from './config';
+import configPromise from './config';
 import AutosavePosts from './collections/Autosave';
 import AutosaveGlobal from './globals/Autosave';
 import { devUser } from '../credentials';
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@ const globalGraphQLOriginalTitle = 'updated global title';
 
 describe('Versions', () => {
   beforeAll(async () => {
+    const config = await configPromise;
+
     const { serverURL } = await initPayloadTest({ __dirname, init: { local: false } });
     graphQLURL = `${serverURL}${config.routes.api}${config.routes.graphQL}`;