diff --git a/src/crewai/project/annotations.py b/src/crewai/project/annotations.py
index 7b74530c6..4d2de069d 100644
--- a/src/crewai/project/annotations.py
+++ b/src/crewai/project/annotations.py
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ from crewai.project.utils import memoize
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from crewai import Agent, Crew, Task
+
 from crewai.project.wrappers import (
     AfterKickoffMethod,
     AgentMethod,
@@ -181,8 +182,8 @@ def crew(
         agent_roles: set[str] = set()
 
         # Use the preserved task and agent information
-        tasks = self._original_tasks.items()
-        agents = self._original_agents.items()
+        tasks = self.__crew_metadata__["original_tasks"].items()
+        agents = self.__crew_metadata__["original_agents"].items()
 
         # Instantiate tasks in order
         for _, task_method in tasks:
@@ -232,11 +233,11 @@ def crew(
 
             return bound_callback
 
-        for hook_callback in self._before_kickoff.values():
+        for hook_callback in self.__crew_metadata__["before_kickoff"].values():
             crew_instance.before_kickoff_callbacks.append(
                 callback_wrapper(hook_callback, self)
             )
-        for hook_callback in self._after_kickoff.values():
+        for hook_callback in self.__crew_metadata__["after_kickoff"].values():
             crew_instance.after_kickoff_callbacks.append(
                 callback_wrapper(hook_callback, self)
             )
diff --git a/src/crewai/project/crew_base.py b/src/crewai/project/crew_base.py
index 3dcb2ae00..76edf1936 100644
--- a/src/crewai/project/crew_base.py
+++ b/src/crewai/project/crew_base.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-"""Base metaclass for creating crew classes with configuration and function management."""
+"""Base metaclass for creating crew classes with configuration and method management."""
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
@@ -6,19 +6,118 @@ import inspect
 import logging
 from collections.abc import Callable
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, Literal, TypedDict, TypeGuard, TypeVar, cast
 
 import yaml
 from dotenv import load_dotenv
 
+from crewai.project.wrappers import CrewClass, CrewMetadata
 from crewai.tools import BaseTool
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from crewai import Agent, Task
+    from crewai.agents.cache.cache_handler import CacheHandler
     from crewai.crews.crew_output import CrewOutput
-    from crewai.project.wrappers import CrewInstance
+    from crewai.project.wrappers import (
+        CrewInstance,
+        OutputJsonClass,
+        OutputPydanticClass,
+    )
+    from crewai.tasks.task_output import TaskOutput
+
+
+class AgentConfig(TypedDict, total=False):
+    """Type definition for agent configuration dictionary.
+
+    All fields are optional as they come from YAML configuration files.
+    Fields can be either string references (from YAML) or actual instances (after processing).
+    """
+
+    llm: str
+    tools: list[str] | list[BaseTool]
+    function_calling_llm: str
+    step_callback: str
+    cache_handler: str | CacheHandler
+
+
+class TaskConfig(TypedDict, total=False):
+    """Type definition for task configuration dictionary.
+
+    All fields are optional as they come from YAML configuration files.
+    Fields can be either string references (from YAML) or actual instances (after processing).
+    """
+
+    context: list[str]
+    tools: list[str] | list[BaseTool]
+    agent: str
+    output_json: str
+    output_pydantic: str
+    callbacks: list[str]
+    guardrail: Callable[[TaskOutput], tuple[bool, Any]] | str
+
 
 load_dotenv()
 
+CallableT = TypeVar("CallableT", bound=Callable[..., Any])
+
+
+def _set_base_directory(cls: type[CrewClass]) -> None:
+    """Set the base directory for the crew class.
+
+    Args:
+        cls: Crew class to configure.
+    """
+    try:
+        cls.base_directory = Path(inspect.getfile(cls)).parent
+    except (TypeError, OSError):
+        cls.base_directory = Path.cwd()
+
+
+def _set_config_paths(cls: type[CrewClass]) -> None:
+    """Set the configuration file paths for the crew class.
+
+    Args:
+        cls: Crew class to configure.
+    """
+    cls.original_agents_config_path = getattr(
+        cls, "agents_config", "config/agents.yaml"
+    )
+    cls.original_tasks_config_path = getattr(cls, "tasks_config", "config/tasks.yaml")
+
+
+def _set_mcp_params(cls: type[CrewClass]) -> None:
+    """Set the MCP server parameters for the crew class.
+
+    Args:
+        cls: Crew class to configure.
+    """
+    cls.mcp_server_params = getattr(cls, "mcp_server_params", None)
+    cls.mcp_connect_timeout = getattr(cls, "mcp_connect_timeout", 30)
+
+
+def _is_string_list(value: list[str] | list[BaseTool]) -> TypeGuard[list[str]]:
+    """Type guard to check if list contains strings rather than BaseTool instances.
+
+    Args:
+        value: List that may contain strings or BaseTool instances.
+
+    Returns:
+        True if all elements are strings, False otherwise.
+    """
+    return all(isinstance(item, str) for item in value)
+
+
+def _is_string_value(value: str | CacheHandler) -> TypeGuard[str]:
+    """Type guard to check if value is a string rather than a CacheHandler instance.
+
+    Args:
+        value: Value that may be a string or CacheHandler instance.
+
+    Returns:
+        True if value is a string, False otherwise.
+    """
+    return isinstance(value, str)
+
 
 class CrewBaseMeta(type):
     """Metaclass that adds crew functionality to classes."""
@@ -29,7 +128,7 @@ class CrewBaseMeta(type):
         bases: tuple[type, ...],
         namespace: dict[str, Any],
         **kwargs: Any,
-    ) -> type:
+    ) -> type[CrewClass]:
         """Create crew class with configuration and method injection.
 
         Args:
@@ -41,35 +140,18 @@ class CrewBaseMeta(type):
         Returns:
             New crew class with injected methods and attributes.
         """
-        cls = super().__new__(mcs, name, bases, namespace)
-
-        cls.is_crew_class = True  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
-        cls._crew_name = name  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
-
-        try:
-            cls.base_directory = Path(inspect.getfile(cls)).parent  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
-        except (TypeError, OSError):
-            cls.base_directory = Path.cwd()  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
-
-        cls.original_agents_config_path = getattr(  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
-            cls, "agents_config", "config/agents.yaml"
-        )
-        cls.original_tasks_config_path = getattr(  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
-            cls, "tasks_config", "config/tasks.yaml"
+        cls = cast(
+            type[CrewClass], cast(object, super().__new__(mcs, name, bases, namespace))
         )
 
-        cls.mcp_server_params = getattr(cls, "mcp_server_params", None)  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
-        cls.mcp_connect_timeout = getattr(cls, "mcp_connect_timeout", 30)  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+        cls.is_crew_class = True
+        cls._crew_name = name
 
-        cls._close_mcp_server = _close_mcp_server  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
-        cls.get_mcp_tools = get_mcp_tools  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
-        cls._load_config = _load_config  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
-        cls.load_configurations = load_configurations  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
-        cls.load_yaml = staticmethod(load_yaml)  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
-        cls.map_all_agent_variables = map_all_agent_variables  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
-        cls._map_agent_variables = _map_agent_variables  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
-        cls.map_all_task_variables = map_all_task_variables  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
-        cls._map_task_variables = _map_task_variables  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+        for setup_fn in _CLASS_SETUP_FUNCTIONS:
+            setup_fn(cls)
+
+        for method in _METHODS_TO_INJECT:
+            setattr(cls, method.__name__, method)
 
         return cls
 
@@ -97,11 +179,11 @@ class CrewBaseMeta(type):
         """
         instance._mcp_server_adapter = None
         instance.load_configurations()
-        instance._all_functions = _get_all_functions(instance)
+        instance._all_methods = _get_all_methods(instance)
         instance.map_all_agent_variables()
         instance.map_all_task_variables()
 
-        instance._original_functions = {
+        original_methods = {
             name: method
             for name, method in cls.__dict__.items()
             if any(
@@ -116,23 +198,17 @@ class CrewBaseMeta(type):
             )
         }
 
-        instance._original_tasks = _filter_functions(
-            instance._original_functions, "is_task"
-        )
-        instance._original_agents = _filter_functions(
-            instance._original_functions, "is_agent"
-        )
-        instance._before_kickoff = _filter_functions(
-            instance._original_functions, "is_before_kickoff"
-        )
-        instance._after_kickoff = _filter_functions(
-            instance._original_functions, "is_after_kickoff"
-        )
-        instance._kickoff = _filter_functions(
-            instance._original_functions, "is_kickoff"
-        )
+        after_kickoff_callbacks = _filter_methods(original_methods, "is_after_kickoff")
+        after_kickoff_callbacks["_close_mcp_server"] = instance._close_mcp_server
 
-        instance._after_kickoff["_close_mcp_server"] = instance._close_mcp_server
+        instance.__crew_metadata__ = CrewMetadata(
+            original_methods=original_methods,
+            original_tasks=_filter_methods(original_methods, "is_task"),
+            original_agents=_filter_methods(original_methods, "is_agent"),
+            before_kickoff=_filter_methods(original_methods, "is_before_kickoff"),
+            after_kickoff=after_kickoff_callbacks,
+            kickoff=_filter_methods(original_methods, "is_kickoff"),
+        )
 
 
 def _close_mcp_server(
@@ -156,7 +232,7 @@ def _close_mcp_server(
     return outputs
 
 
-def get_mcp_tools(self: Any, *tool_names: str) -> list[BaseTool]:
+def get_mcp_tools(self: CrewInstance, *tool_names: str) -> list[BaseTool]:
     """Get MCP tools filtered by name.
 
     Args:
@@ -180,13 +256,14 @@ def get_mcp_tools(self: Any, *tool_names: str) -> list[BaseTool]:
 
 
 def _load_config(
-    self: Any, config_path: str | None, config_type: str
+    self: CrewInstance, config_path: str | None, config_type: Literal["agent", "task"]
 ) -> dict[str, Any]:
     """Load YAML config file or return empty dict if not found.
 
     Args:
+        self: Crew instance with base directory and load_yaml method.
         config_path: Relative path to config file.
-        config_type: Config type for logging (e.g., "agent", "task").
+        config_type: Config type for logging, either "agent" or "task".
 
     Returns:
         Config dictionary or empty dict.
@@ -209,7 +286,7 @@ def _load_config(
         return {}
 
 
-def load_configurations(self: Any) -> None:
+def load_configurations(self: CrewInstance) -> None:
     """Load agent and task YAML configurations.
 
     Args:
@@ -219,34 +296,35 @@ def load_configurations(self: Any) -> None:
     self.tasks_config = self._load_config(self.original_tasks_config_path, "task")
 
 
-def load_yaml(config_path: Path) -> Any:
-    """Load and parse YAML file.
+def load_yaml(config_path: Path) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Load and parse YAML configuration file.
 
     Args:
         config_path: Path to YAML configuration file.
 
     Returns:
-        Parsed YAML content.
+        Parsed YAML content as a dictionary. Returns empty dict if file is empty.
 
     Raises:
         FileNotFoundError: If config file does not exist.
     """
     try:
         with open(config_path, encoding="utf-8") as file:
-            return yaml.safe_load(file)
+            content = yaml.safe_load(file)
+        return content if isinstance(content, dict) else {}
     except FileNotFoundError:
-        print(f"File not found: {config_path}")
+        logging.warning(f"File not found: {config_path}")
         raise
 
 
-def _get_all_functions(self: Any) -> dict[str, Callable[..., Any]]:
-    """Return all non-dunder callable attributes.
+def _get_all_methods(self: CrewInstance) -> dict[str, Callable[..., Any]]:
+    """Return all non-dunder callable attributes (methods).
 
     Args:
         self: Instance to inspect for callable attributes.
 
     Returns:
-        Dictionary mapping attribute names to callable objects.
+        Dictionary mapping method names to bound method objects.
     """
     return {
         name: getattr(self, name)
@@ -256,50 +334,53 @@ def _get_all_functions(self: Any) -> dict[str, Callable[..., Any]]:
     }
 
 
-def _filter_functions(
-    functions: dict[str, Callable[..., Any]], attribute: str
-) -> dict[str, Callable[..., Any]]:
-    """Filter functions by attribute presence.
+def _filter_methods(
+    methods: dict[str, CallableT], attribute: str
+) -> dict[str, CallableT]:
+    """Filter methods by attribute presence, preserving exact callable types.
 
     Args:
-        functions: Dictionary of functions to filter.
+        methods: Dictionary of methods to filter.
         attribute: Attribute name to check for.
 
     Returns:
-        Dictionary containing only functions with the specified attribute.
+        Dictionary containing only methods with the specified attribute.
+        The return type matches the input callable type exactly.
     """
-    return {name: func for name, func in functions.items() if hasattr(func, attribute)}
+    return {
+        name: method for name, method in methods.items() if hasattr(method, attribute)
+    }
 
 
-def map_all_agent_variables(self: Any) -> None:
+def map_all_agent_variables(self: CrewInstance) -> None:
     """Map agent configuration variables to callable instances.
 
     Args:
         self: Crew instance with agent configurations to map.
     """
-    llms = _filter_functions(self._all_functions, "is_llm")
-    tool_functions = _filter_functions(self._all_functions, "is_tool")
-    cache_handler_functions = _filter_functions(self._all_functions, "is_cache_handler")
-    callbacks = _filter_functions(self._all_functions, "is_callback")
+    llms = _filter_methods(self._all_methods, "is_llm")
+    tool_functions = _filter_methods(self._all_methods, "is_tool")
+    cache_handler_functions = _filter_methods(self._all_methods, "is_cache_handler")
+    callbacks = _filter_methods(self._all_methods, "is_callback")
 
     for agent_name, agent_info in self.agents_config.items():
         self._map_agent_variables(
-            agent_name,
-            agent_info,
-            llms,
-            tool_functions,
-            cache_handler_functions,
-            callbacks,
+            agent_name=agent_name,
+            agent_info=agent_info,
+            llms=llms,
+            tool_functions=tool_functions,
+            cache_handler_functions=cache_handler_functions,
+            callbacks=callbacks,
         )
 
 
 def _map_agent_variables(
-    self: Any,
+    self: CrewInstance,
     agent_name: str,
-    agent_info: dict[str, Any],
-    llms: dict[str, Callable[..., Any]],
-    tool_functions: dict[str, Callable[..., Any]],
-    cache_handler_functions: dict[str, Callable[..., Any]],
+    agent_info: AgentConfig,
+    llms: dict[str, Callable[[], Any]],
+    tool_functions: dict[str, Callable[[], BaseTool]],
+    cache_handler_functions: dict[str, Callable[[], Any]],
     callbacks: dict[str, Callable[..., Any]],
 ) -> None:
     """Resolve and map variables for a single agent.
@@ -307,93 +388,87 @@ def _map_agent_variables(
     Args:
         self: Crew instance with agent configurations.
         agent_name: Name of agent to configure.
-        agent_info: Agent configuration dictionary.
-        llms: Dictionary of available LLM providers.
-        tool_functions: Dictionary of available tools.
-        cache_handler_functions: Dictionary of available cache handlers.
+        agent_info: Agent configuration dictionary with optional fields.
+        llms: Dictionary mapping names to LLM factory functions.
+        tool_functions: Dictionary mapping names to tool factory functions.
+        cache_handler_functions: Dictionary mapping names to cache handler factory functions.
         callbacks: Dictionary of available callbacks.
     """
     if llm := agent_info.get("llm"):
-        try:
-            self.agents_config[agent_name]["llm"] = llms[llm]()
-        except KeyError:
-            self.agents_config[agent_name]["llm"] = llm
+        factory = llms.get(llm)
+        self.agents_config[agent_name]["llm"] = factory() if factory else llm
 
     if tools := agent_info.get("tools"):
-        self.agents_config[agent_name]["tools"] = [
-            tool_functions[tool]() for tool in tools
-        ]
+        if _is_string_list(tools):
+            self.agents_config[agent_name]["tools"] = [
+                tool_functions[tool]() for tool in tools
+            ]
 
     if function_calling_llm := agent_info.get("function_calling_llm"):
-        try:
-            self.agents_config[agent_name]["function_calling_llm"] = llms[
-                function_calling_llm
-            ]()
-        except KeyError:
-            self.agents_config[agent_name]["function_calling_llm"] = (
-                function_calling_llm
-            )
+        factory = llms.get(function_calling_llm)
+        self.agents_config[agent_name]["function_calling_llm"] = (
+            factory() if factory else function_calling_llm
+        )
 
     if step_callback := agent_info.get("step_callback"):
         self.agents_config[agent_name]["step_callback"] = callbacks[step_callback]()
 
     if cache_handler := agent_info.get("cache_handler"):
-        self.agents_config[agent_name]["cache_handler"] = cache_handler_functions[
-            cache_handler
-        ]()
+        if _is_string_value(cache_handler):
+            self.agents_config[agent_name]["cache_handler"] = cache_handler_functions[
+                cache_handler
+            ]()
 
 
-def map_all_task_variables(self: Any) -> None:
+def map_all_task_variables(self: CrewInstance) -> None:
     """Map task configuration variables to callable instances.
 
     Args:
         self: Crew instance with task configurations to map.
     """
-    agents = _filter_functions(self._all_functions, "is_agent")
-    tasks = _filter_functions(self._all_functions, "is_task")
-    output_json_functions = _filter_functions(self._all_functions, "is_output_json")
-    tool_functions = _filter_functions(self._all_functions, "is_tool")
-    callback_functions = _filter_functions(self._all_functions, "is_callback")
-    output_pydantic_functions = _filter_functions(
-        self._all_functions, "is_output_pydantic"
-    )
+    agents = _filter_methods(self._all_methods, "is_agent")
+    tasks = _filter_methods(self._all_methods, "is_task")
+    output_json_functions = _filter_methods(self._all_methods, "is_output_json")
+    tool_functions = _filter_methods(self._all_methods, "is_tool")
+    callback_functions = _filter_methods(self._all_methods, "is_callback")
+    output_pydantic_functions = _filter_methods(self._all_methods, "is_output_pydantic")
 
     for task_name, task_info in self.tasks_config.items():
         self._map_task_variables(
-            task_name,
-            task_info,
-            agents,
-            tasks,
-            output_json_functions,
-            tool_functions,
-            callback_functions,
-            output_pydantic_functions,
+            task_name=task_name,
+            task_info=task_info,
+            agents=agents,
+            tasks=tasks,
+            output_json_functions=output_json_functions,
+            tool_functions=tool_functions,
+            callback_functions=callback_functions,
+            output_pydantic_functions=output_pydantic_functions,
         )
 
 
 def _map_task_variables(
-    self: Any,
+    self: CrewInstance,
     task_name: str,
-    task_info: dict[str, Any],
-    agents: dict[str, Callable[..., Any]],
-    tasks: dict[str, Callable[..., Any]],
-    output_json_functions: dict[str, Callable[..., Any]],
-    tool_functions: dict[str, Callable[..., Any]],
+    task_info: TaskConfig,
+    agents: dict[str, Callable[[], Agent]],
+    tasks: dict[str, Callable[[], Task]],
+    output_json_functions: dict[str, OutputJsonClass[Any]],
+    tool_functions: dict[str, Callable[[], BaseTool]],
     callback_functions: dict[str, Callable[..., Any]],
-    output_pydantic_functions: dict[str, Callable[..., Any]],
+    output_pydantic_functions: dict[str, OutputPydanticClass[Any]],
 ) -> None:
     """Resolve and map variables for a single task.
 
     Args:
         self: Crew instance with task configurations.
         task_name: Name of task to configure.
-        task_info: Task configuration dictionary.
-        agents: Dictionary of available agents.
-        tasks: Dictionary of available tasks.
-        output_json_functions: Dictionary of available JSON output schemas.
-        tool_functions: Dictionary of available tools.
+        task_info: Task configuration dictionary with optional fields.
+        agents: Dictionary mapping names to agent factory functions.
+        tasks: Dictionary mapping names to task factory functions.
+        output_json_functions: Dictionary of JSON output class wrappers.
+        tool_functions: Dictionary mapping names to tool factory functions.
         callback_functions: Dictionary of available callbacks.
-        output_pydantic_functions: Dictionary of available Pydantic output schemas.
+        output_pydantic_functions: Dictionary of Pydantic output class wrappers.
     """
     if context_list := task_info.get("context"):
         self.tasks_config[task_name]["context"] = [
@@ -401,9 +476,10 @@ def _map_task_variables(
         ]
 
     if tools := task_info.get("tools"):
-        self.tasks_config[task_name]["tools"] = [
-            tool_functions[tool]() for tool in tools
-        ]
+        if _is_string_list(tools):
+            self.tasks_config[task_name]["tools"] = [
+                tool_functions[tool]() for tool in tools
+            ]
 
     if agent_name := task_info.get("agent"):
         self.tasks_config[task_name]["agent"] = agents[agent_name]()
@@ -425,23 +501,57 @@ def _map_task_variables(
         self.tasks_config[task_name]["guardrail"] = guardrail
 
 
-def CrewBase(cls: type) -> type:  # noqa: N802
-    """Apply CrewBaseMeta metaclass to a class for decorator syntax compatibility.
+_CLASS_SETUP_FUNCTIONS: tuple[Callable[[type[CrewClass]], None], ...] = (
+    _set_base_directory,
+    _set_config_paths,
+    _set_mcp_params,
+)
 
-    Args:
-        cls: Class to apply metaclass to.
+_METHODS_TO_INJECT = (
+    _close_mcp_server,
+    get_mcp_tools,
+    _load_config,
+    load_configurations,
+    staticmethod(load_yaml),
+    map_all_agent_variables,
+    _map_agent_variables,
+    map_all_task_variables,
+    _map_task_variables,
+)
 
-    Returns:
-        New class with CrewBaseMeta metaclass applied.
+
+class _CrewBaseType(type):
+    """Metaclass for CrewBase that makes it callable as a decorator."""
+
+    def __call__(cls, decorated_cls: type) -> type[CrewClass]:
+        """Apply CrewBaseMeta to the decorated class.
+
+        Args:
+            decorated_cls: Class to transform with CrewBaseMeta metaclass.
+
+        Returns:
+            New class with CrewBaseMeta metaclass applied.
+        """
+        __name = str(decorated_cls.__name__)
+        __bases = tuple(decorated_cls.__bases__)
+        __dict = {
+            key: value
+            for key, value in decorated_cls.__dict__.items()
+            if key not in ("__dict__", "__weakref__")
+        }
+        for slot in __dict.get("__slots__", tuple()):
+            __dict.pop(slot, None)
+        __dict["__metaclass__"] = CrewBaseMeta
+        return cast(type[CrewClass], CrewBaseMeta(__name, __bases, __dict))
+
+
+class CrewBase(metaclass=_CrewBaseType):
+    """Class decorator that applies CrewBaseMeta metaclass.
+
+    Applies CrewBaseMeta metaclass to a class via decorator syntax rather than
+    explicit metaclass declaration. Use as @CrewBase instead of
+    class Foo(metaclass=CrewBaseMeta).
+
+    Note:
+        Reference: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/11091609/setting-a-class-metaclass-using-a-decorator
     """
-    if isinstance(cls, CrewBaseMeta):
-        return cls
-
-    namespace = {
-        key: value
-        for key, value in cls.__dict__.items()
-        if not key.startswith("__")
-        or key in ("__module__", "__qualname__", "__annotations__")
-    }
-
-    return CrewBaseMeta(cls.__name__, cls.__bases__, namespace)
diff --git a/src/crewai/project/wrappers.py b/src/crewai/project/wrappers.py
index 9bef5f4b1..d87657477 100644
--- a/src/crewai/project/wrappers.py
+++ b/src/crewai/project/wrappers.py
@@ -4,11 +4,38 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 from collections.abc import Callable
 from functools import partial
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, Generic, ParamSpec, Protocol, Self, TypeVar
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import (
+    TYPE_CHECKING,
+    Any,
+    Generic,
+    Literal,
+    ParamSpec,
+    Protocol,
+    Self,
+    TypedDict,
+    TypeVar,
+)
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from crewai import Agent, Task
     from crewai.crews.crew_output import CrewOutput
+    from crewai.tools import BaseTool
+
+
+class CrewMetadata(TypedDict):
+    """Type definition for crew metadata dictionary.
+
+    Stores framework-injected metadata about decorated methods and callbacks.
+    """
+
+    original_methods: dict[str, Callable[..., Any]]
+    original_tasks: dict[str, Callable[..., Task]]
+    original_agents: dict[str, Callable[..., Agent]]
+    before_kickoff: dict[str, Callable[..., Any]]
+    after_kickoff: dict[str, Callable[..., Any]]
+    kickoff: dict[str, Callable[..., Any]]
+
 
 P = ParamSpec("P")
 R = TypeVar("R")
@@ -24,35 +51,82 @@ class TaskResult(Protocol):
 TaskResultT = TypeVar("TaskResultT", bound=TaskResult)
 
 
-def _copy_function_metadata(wrapper: Any, func: Callable[..., Any]) -> None:
-    """Copy function metadata to a wrapper object.
+def _copy_method_metadata(wrapper: Any, meth: Callable[..., Any]) -> None:
+    """Copy method metadata to a wrapper object.
 
     Args:
         wrapper: The wrapper object to update.
-        func: The function to copy metadata from.
+        meth: The method to copy metadata from.
     """
-    wrapper.__name__ = func.__name__
-    wrapper.__doc__ = func.__doc__
+    wrapper.__name__ = meth.__name__
+    wrapper.__doc__ = meth.__doc__
 
 
 class CrewInstance(Protocol):
     """Protocol for crew class instances with required attributes."""
 
+    __crew_metadata__: CrewMetadata
     _mcp_server_adapter: Any
-    _all_functions: dict[str, Callable[..., Any]]
-    _original_functions: dict[str, Callable[..., Any]]
-    _original_tasks: dict[str, Callable[[Self], Task]]
-    _original_agents: dict[str, Callable[[Self], Agent]]
-    _before_kickoff: dict[str, Callable[..., Any]]
-    _after_kickoff: dict[str, Callable[..., Any]]
-    _kickoff: dict[str, Callable[..., Any]]
+    _all_methods: dict[str, Callable[..., Any]]
     agents: list[Agent]
     tasks: list[Task]
+    base_directory: Path
+    original_agents_config_path: str
+    original_tasks_config_path: str
+    agents_config: dict[str, Any]
+    tasks_config: dict[str, Any]
+    mcp_server_params: Any
+    mcp_connect_timeout: int
 
     def load_configurations(self) -> None: ...
     def map_all_agent_variables(self) -> None: ...
     def map_all_task_variables(self) -> None: ...
     def _close_mcp_server(self, instance: Self, outputs: CrewOutput) -> CrewOutput: ...
+    def _load_config(
+        self, config_path: str | None, config_type: Literal["agent", "task"]
+    ) -> dict[str, Any]: ...
+    def _map_agent_variables(
+        self,
+        agent_name: str,
+        agent_info: dict[str, Any],
+        llms: dict[str, Callable[..., Any]],
+        tool_functions: dict[str, Callable[..., Any]],
+        cache_handler_functions: dict[str, Callable[..., Any]],
+        callbacks: dict[str, Callable[..., Any]],
+    ) -> None: ...
+    def _map_task_variables(
+        self,
+        task_name: str,
+        task_info: dict[str, Any],
+        agents: dict[str, Callable[..., Any]],
+        tasks: dict[str, Callable[..., Any]],
+        output_json_functions: dict[str, Callable[..., Any]],
+        tool_functions: dict[str, Callable[..., Any]],
+        callback_functions: dict[str, Callable[..., Any]],
+        output_pydantic_functions: dict[str, Callable[..., Any]],
+    ) -> None: ...
+    def load_yaml(self, config_path: Path) -> dict[str, Any]: ...
+
+
+class CrewClass(Protocol):
+    """Protocol describing class attributes injected by CrewBaseMeta."""
+
+    is_crew_class: bool
+    _crew_name: str
+    base_directory: Path
+    original_agents_config_path: str
+    original_tasks_config_path: str
+    mcp_server_params: Any
+    mcp_connect_timeout: int
+    _close_mcp_server: Callable[..., Any]
+    get_mcp_tools: Callable[..., list[BaseTool]]
+    _load_config: Callable[..., dict[str, Any]]
+    load_configurations: Callable[..., None]
+    load_yaml: staticmethod
+    map_all_agent_variables: Callable[..., None]
+    _map_agent_variables: Callable[..., None]
+    map_all_task_variables: Callable[..., None]
+    _map_task_variables: Callable[..., None]
 
 
 class DecoratedMethod(Generic[P, R]):
@@ -69,7 +143,7 @@ class DecoratedMethod(Generic[P, R]):
             meth: The method to wrap.
         """
         self._meth = meth
-        _copy_function_metadata(self, meth)
+        _copy_method_metadata(self, meth)
 
     def __get__(
         self, obj: Any, objtype: type[Any] | None = None
@@ -158,8 +232,8 @@ class BoundTaskMethod(Generic[TaskResultT]):
         Returns:
             The task result with name ensured.
         """
-        result = self._task_method._meth(self._obj, *args, **kwargs)
-        return self._task_method._ensure_task_name(result)
+        result = self._task_method.unwrap()(self._obj, *args, **kwargs)
+        return self._task_method.ensure_task_name(result)
 
 
 class TaskMethod(Generic[P, TaskResultT]):
@@ -174,9 +248,9 @@ class TaskMethod(Generic[P, TaskResultT]):
             meth: The method to wrap.
         """
         self._meth = meth
-        _copy_function_metadata(self, meth)
+        _copy_method_metadata(self, meth)
 
-    def _ensure_task_name(self, result: TaskResultT) -> TaskResultT:
+    def ensure_task_name(self, result: TaskResultT) -> TaskResultT:
         """Ensure task result has a name set.
 
         Args:
@@ -215,7 +289,7 @@ class TaskMethod(Generic[P, TaskResultT]):
         Returns:
             The task instance with name set if not already provided.
         """
-        return self._ensure_task_name(self._meth(*args, **kwargs))
+        return self.ensure_task_name(self._meth(*args, **kwargs))
 
     def unwrap(self) -> Callable[P, TaskResultT]:
         """Get the original unwrapped method.