diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 83e61e94..8ee2dec9 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 ### 0.39.1
 
 * Fix data-only splits missing the initial `macro.inc` include.
+* Make sure all plain text file read and writes have an explicit UTF-8 encoding.
 
 ### 0.39.0
 
diff --git a/src/splat/scripts/create_config.py b/src/splat/scripts/create_config.py
index eed507cd..56ef8652 100644
--- a/src/splat/scripts/create_config.py
+++ b/src/splat/scripts/create_config.py
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ def create_n64_config(rom_path: Path):
 """
 
     out_file = Path(f"{cleaned_basename}.yaml")
-    with out_file.open("w", newline="\n") as f:
+    with out_file.open("w", encoding="utf-8", newline="\n") as f:
         print(f"Writing config to {out_file}")
         f.write(header)
         f.write(segments)
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ def create_n64_config(rom_path: Path):
         )
         reloc_addrs.append("")
     if reloc_addrs:
-        with Path("reloc_addrs.txt").open("w", newline="\n") as f:
+        with Path("reloc_addrs.txt").open("w", encoding="utf-8", newline="\n") as f:
             print("Writing reloc_addrs.txt")
             f.write(
                 "// Visit https://github.com/ethteck/splat/wiki/Advanced-Reloc for documentation about this file\n"
@@ -265,7 +265,7 @@ def create_n64_config(rom_path: Path):
         )
     if symbol_addrs:
         symbol_addrs.append("")
-        with Path("symbol_addrs.txt").open("w", newline="\n") as f:
+        with Path("symbol_addrs.txt").open("w", encoding="utf-8", newline="\n") as f:
             print("Writing symbol_addrs.txt")
             f.write(
                 "// Visit https://github.com/ethteck/splat/wiki/Adding-Symbols for documentation about this file\n"
@@ -363,7 +363,7 @@ def create_psx_config(exe_path: Path, exe_bytes: bytes):
 """
 
     out_file = Path(f"{cleaned_basename}.yaml")
-    with out_file.open("w", newline="\n") as f:
+    with out_file.open("w", encoding="utf-8", newline="\n") as f:
         print(f"Writing config to {out_file}")
         f.write(header)
         f.write(segments)
@@ -478,7 +478,7 @@ def do_elf(elf_path: Path, elf_bytes: bytes, objcopy: Optional[str]):
 """
 
     out_file = Path(f"{cleaned_basename}.yaml")
-    with out_file.open("w", newline="\n") as f:
+    with out_file.open("w", encoding="utf-8", newline="\n") as f:
         print(f"Writing config to {out_file}")
         f.write(header)
         f.write(segments)
@@ -493,7 +493,7 @@ def do_elf(elf_path: Path, elf_bytes: bytes, objcopy: Optional[str]):
     symbol_addrs.append(f"_start = 0x{elf.entrypoint:08X}; // type:func")
     if symbol_addrs:
         symbol_addrs.append("")
-        with Path("symbol_addrs.txt").open("w", newline="\n") as f:
+        with Path("symbol_addrs.txt").open("w", encoding="utf-8", newline="\n") as f:
             print("Writing symbol_addrs.txt")
             f.write(
                 "// Visit https://github.com/ethteck/splat/wiki/Adding-Symbols for documentation about this file\n"
@@ -506,7 +506,11 @@ def do_elf(elf_path: Path, elf_bytes: bytes, objcopy: Optional[str]):
     linker_script.append("ENTRY(_start);")
     if linker_script:
         linker_script.append("")
-        with Path("linker_script_extra.ld").open("w", newline="\n") as f:
+        with Path("linker_script_extra.ld").open(
+            "w",
+            encoding="utf-8",
+            newline="\n",
+        ) as f:
             print("Writing linker_script_extra.ld")
             f.write(
                 "/* Pass this file to the linker with the `-T linker_script_extra.ld` flag */\n"
diff --git a/src/splat/scripts/split.py b/src/splat/scripts/split.py
index a4fc643b..98191acf 100644
--- a/src/splat/scripts/split.py
+++ b/src/splat/scripts/split.py
@@ -354,8 +354,7 @@ def do_split(
         if segment.should_split():
             segment_bytes = rom_bytes
             if segment.file_path:
-                with open(segment.file_path, "rb") as segment_input_file:
-                    segment_bytes = segment_input_file.read()
+                segment_bytes = segment.file_path.read_bytes()
             segment.split(segment_bytes)
 
 
@@ -461,13 +460,17 @@ def write_elf_sections_file(all_segments: List[Segment]):
         for segment in all_segments:
             section_list += "." + segment.get_cname() + "\n"
         options.opts.elf_section_list_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
-        with options.opts.elf_section_list_path.open("w", newline="\n") as f:
+        with options.opts.elf_section_list_path.open(
+            "w",
+            encoding="utf-8",
+            newline="\n",
+        ) as f:
             f.write(section_list)
 
 
 def write_undefined_auto(to_write: List[symbols.Symbol], file_path: Path):
     file_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
-    with file_path.open("w", newline="\n") as f:
+    with file_path.open("w", encoding="utf-8", newline="\n") as f:
         for symbol in to_write:
             f.write(f"{symbol.name} = 0x{symbol.vram_start:X};\n")
 
@@ -518,7 +521,7 @@ def dump_symbols() -> None:
     splat_hidden_folder = options.opts.base_path / ".splat"
     splat_hidden_folder.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
 
-    with open(splat_hidden_folder / "splat_symbols.csv", "w") as f:
+    with open(splat_hidden_folder / "splat_symbols.csv", "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
         f.write(
             "vram_start,given_name,name,type,given_size,size,rom,defined,user_declared,referenced,extract\n"
         )
diff --git a/src/splat/segtypes/common/bin.py b/src/splat/segtypes/common/bin.py
index 7c4b80d9..bf3699b8 100644
--- a/src/splat/segtypes/common/bin.py
+++ b/src/splat/segtypes/common/bin.py
@@ -28,11 +28,10 @@ def split(self, rom_bytes):
         if self.size is None or self.size <= 0:
             log.error(f"Segment {self.name} has zero size.")
 
-        with open(path, "wb") as f:
-            assert isinstance(self.rom_start, int)
-            assert isinstance(self.rom_end, int)
+        assert isinstance(self.rom_start, int)
+        assert isinstance(self.rom_end, int)
+        path.write_bytes(rom_bytes[self.rom_start : self.rom_end])
 
-            f.write(rom_bytes[self.rom_start : self.rom_end])
         self.log(f"Wrote {self.name} to {path}")
 
     @property
diff --git a/src/splat/segtypes/common/c.py b/src/splat/segtypes/common/c.py
index 77990eb4..7cbf0b23 100644
--- a/src/splat/segtypes/common/c.py
+++ b/src/splat/segtypes/common/c.py
@@ -51,8 +51,7 @@ def replacer(match):
 
     @staticmethod
     def get_funcs_defined_in_c(c_file: Path) -> Set[str]:
-        with open(c_file, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-            text = CommonSegC.strip_c_comments(f.read())
+        text = CommonSegC.strip_c_comments(c_file.read_text(encoding="utf-8"))
 
         return set(m.group(1) for m in C_FUNC_RE.finditer(text))
 
@@ -105,8 +104,7 @@ def find_include_rodata(text: str):
 
     @staticmethod
     def get_global_asm_funcs(c_file: Path) -> Set[str]:
-        with c_file.open(encoding="utf-8") as f:
-            text = CommonSegC.strip_c_comments(f.read())
+        text = CommonSegC.strip_c_comments(c_file.read_text(encoding="utf-8"))
         if options.opts.compiler == IDO:
             return set(m.group(2) for m in C_GLOBAL_ASM_IDO_RE.finditer(text))
         else:
@@ -114,8 +112,7 @@ def get_global_asm_funcs(c_file: Path) -> Set[str]:
 
     @staticmethod
     def get_global_asm_rodata_syms(c_file: Path) -> Set[str]:
-        with c_file.open(encoding="utf-8") as f:
-            text = CommonSegC.strip_c_comments(f.read())
+        text = CommonSegC.strip_c_comments(c_file.read_text(encoding="utf-8"))
         if options.opts.compiler == IDO:
             return set(m.group(2) for m in C_GLOBAL_ASM_IDO_RE.finditer(text))
         else:
@@ -351,7 +348,7 @@ def create_c_asm_file(
 
         outpath.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
 
-        with outpath.open("w", newline="\n") as f:
+        with outpath.open("w", encoding="utf-8", newline="\n") as f:
             if options.opts.asm_inc_header:
                 f.write(
                     options.opts.c_newline.join(options.opts.asm_inc_header.split("\n"))
@@ -389,7 +386,7 @@ def create_unmigrated_rodata_file(
 
         outpath.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
 
-        with outpath.open("w", newline="\n") as f:
+        with outpath.open("w", encoding="utf-8", newline="\n") as f:
             preamble = options.opts.generated_s_preamble
             if preamble:
                 f.write(preamble + "\n")
@@ -480,7 +477,7 @@ def create_c_file(
                     c_lines += self.get_c_lines_for_rodata_sym(rodata_sym, asm_out_dir)
 
         c_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
-        with c_path.open("w", newline=options.opts.c_newline) as f:
+        with c_path.open("w", encoding="utf-8", newline=options.opts.c_newline) as f:
             f.write("\n".join(c_lines))
         log.write(f"Wrote {self.name} to {c_path}")
 
diff --git a/src/splat/segtypes/common/codesubsegment.py b/src/splat/segtypes/common/codesubsegment.py
index f4b07a6b..8b7de679 100644
--- a/src/splat/segtypes/common/codesubsegment.py
+++ b/src/splat/segtypes/common/codesubsegment.py
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ def split_as_asm_file(self, out_path: Optional[Path]):
 
         self.print_file_boundaries()
 
-        with open(out_path, "w", newline="\n") as f:
+        with out_path.open("w", encoding="utf-8", newline="\n") as f:
             # Write `.text` contents
             for line in self.get_asm_file_header():
                 f.write(line + "\n")
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ def split_as_asmtu_file(self, out_path: Path):
 
         self.print_file_boundaries()
 
-        with open(out_path, "w", newline="\n") as f:
+        with open(out_path, "w", encoding="utf-8", newline="\n") as f:
             for line in self.get_asm_file_header():
                 f.write(line + "\n")
 
diff --git a/src/splat/segtypes/common/databin.py b/src/splat/segtypes/common/databin.py
index 25ffd257..550c0cb7 100644
--- a/src/splat/segtypes/common/databin.py
+++ b/src/splat/segtypes/common/databin.py
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ def split(self, rom_bytes):
             assert s_path is not None
             s_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
 
-            with s_path.open("w") as f:
+            with s_path.open("w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
                 f.write('.include "macro.inc"\n\n')
                 preamble = options.opts.generated_s_preamble
                 if preamble:
diff --git a/src/splat/segtypes/common/header.py b/src/splat/segtypes/common/header.py
index f8c41c66..c0c2b1ad 100644
--- a/src/splat/segtypes/common/header.py
+++ b/src/splat/segtypes/common/header.py
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ def split(self, rom_bytes):
 
         src_path = self.out_path()
         src_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
-        with open(src_path, "w", newline="\n") as f:
+        with src_path.open("w", encoding="utf-8", newline="\n") as f:
             f.write("\n".join(header_lines))
         self.log(f"Wrote {self.name} to {src_path}")
 
diff --git a/src/splat/segtypes/common/rodatabin.py b/src/splat/segtypes/common/rodatabin.py
index f3e8575a..8219c5e3 100644
--- a/src/splat/segtypes/common/rodatabin.py
+++ b/src/splat/segtypes/common/rodatabin.py
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ def split(self, rom_bytes):
             assert s_path is not None
             s_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
 
-            with s_path.open("w") as f:
+            with s_path.open("w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
                 f.write('.include "macro.inc"\n\n')
                 preamble = options.opts.generated_s_preamble
                 if preamble:
diff --git a/src/splat/segtypes/common/textbin.py b/src/splat/segtypes/common/textbin.py
index e24eb6f7..2b1db88e 100644
--- a/src/splat/segtypes/common/textbin.py
+++ b/src/splat/segtypes/common/textbin.py
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ def split(self, rom_bytes):
 
         s_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
 
-        with s_path.open("w") as f:
+        with s_path.open("w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
             f.write('.include "macro.inc"\n\n')
             preamble = options.opts.generated_s_preamble
             if preamble:
diff --git a/src/splat/segtypes/linker_entry.py b/src/splat/segtypes/linker_entry.py
index 192a203d..be7c3851 100644
--- a/src/splat/segtypes/linker_entry.py
+++ b/src/splat/segtypes/linker_entry.py
@@ -45,13 +45,13 @@ def path_to_object_path(path: Path) -> Path:
 
 def write_file_if_different(path: Path, new_content: str):
     if path.exists():
-        old_content = path.read_text()
+        old_content = path.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
     else:
         old_content = ""
 
     if old_content != new_content:
         path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
-        with path.open("w", newline=options.opts.c_newline) as f:
+        with path.open("w", encoding="utf-8", newline=options.opts.c_newline) as f:
             f.write(new_content)
 
 
diff --git a/src/splat/segtypes/n64/decompressor.py b/src/splat/segtypes/n64/decompressor.py
index 1d992212..94369129 100644
--- a/src/splat/segtypes/n64/decompressor.py
+++ b/src/splat/segtypes/n64/decompressor.py
@@ -14,14 +14,13 @@ def split(self, rom_bytes):
             )
 
         out_path = out_dir / f"{self.name}.bin"
-        with open(out_path, "wb") as f:
-            assert isinstance(self.rom_start, int)
-            assert isinstance(self.rom_end, int)
-
-            self.log(f"Decompressing {self.name}")
-            compressed_bytes = rom_bytes[self.rom_start : self.rom_end]
-            decompressed_bytes = self.decompress(compressed_bytes)
-            f.write(decompressed_bytes)
+        assert isinstance(self.rom_start, int)
+        assert isinstance(self.rom_end, int)
+
+        self.log(f"Decompressing {self.name}")
+        compressed_bytes = rom_bytes[self.rom_start : self.rom_end]
+        decompressed_bytes = self.decompress(compressed_bytes)
+        out_path.write_bytes(decompressed_bytes)
         self.log(f"Wrote {self.name} to {out_path}")
 
     def get_linker_entries(self):
diff --git a/src/splat/segtypes/n64/gfx.py b/src/splat/segtypes/n64/gfx.py
index dbf0afd3..1ef52346 100644
--- a/src/splat/segtypes/n64/gfx.py
+++ b/src/splat/segtypes/n64/gfx.py
@@ -259,10 +259,11 @@ def light_sub_func(match):
         return out_str
 
     def split(self, rom_bytes: bytes):
-        if self.file_text and self.out_path():
-            self.out_path().parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+        out_path = self.out_path()
+        if self.file_text and out_path:
+            out_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
 
-            with open(self.out_path(), "w", newline="\n") as f:
+            with out_path.open("w", encoding="utf-8", newline="\n") as f:
                 f.write(self.file_text)
 
     def should_scan(self) -> bool:
diff --git a/src/splat/segtypes/n64/vtx.py b/src/splat/segtypes/n64/vtx.py
index acf4bcbb..4f54726f 100644
--- a/src/splat/segtypes/n64/vtx.py
+++ b/src/splat/segtypes/n64/vtx.py
@@ -89,10 +89,11 @@ def disassemble_data(self, rom_bytes) -> str:
         return "\n".join(lines)
 
     def split(self, rom_bytes: bytes):
-        if self.file_text and self.out_path():
-            self.out_path().parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+        out_path = self.out_path()
+        if self.file_text and out_path:
+            out_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
 
-            with open(self.out_path(), "w", newline="\n") as f:
+            with out_path.open("w", encoding="utf-8", newline="\n") as f:
                 f.write(self.file_text)
 
     def should_scan(self) -> bool:
diff --git a/src/splat/util/conf.py b/src/splat/util/conf.py
index ea45069b..2877c45a 100644
--- a/src/splat/util/conf.py
+++ b/src/splat/util/conf.py
@@ -78,8 +78,8 @@ def load(
 
     config: Dict[str, Any] = {}
     for entry in config_path:
-        with entry.open() as f:
-            additional_config = yaml.load(f.read(), Loader=yaml.SafeLoader)
+        entry_text = entry.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+        additional_config = yaml.load(entry_text, Loader=yaml.SafeLoader)
         config = _merge_configs(config, additional_config, entry)
 
     vram_classes.initialize(config.get("vram_classes"))
diff --git a/src/splat/util/file_presets.py b/src/splat/util/file_presets.py
index 7965f68b..ea940ea6 100644
--- a/src/splat/util/file_presets.py
+++ b/src/splat/util/file_presets.py
@@ -28,11 +28,10 @@ def _write(filepath: str, contents: str):
     p.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
 
     if p.exists():
-        with p.open("r", encoding="UTF-8") as f:
-            existing_contents = f.read()
+        existing_contents = p.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
         if existing_contents == contents:
             return
-    with p.open("w", encoding="UTF-8", newline="\n") as f:
+    with p.open("w", encoding="utf-8", newline="\n") as f:
         f.write(contents)
 
 
diff --git a/src/splat/util/n64/find_code_length.py b/src/splat/util/n64/find_code_length.py
index 1f9053ca..8400a776 100755
--- a/src/splat/util/n64/find_code_length.py
+++ b/src/splat/util/n64/find_code_length.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #! /usr/bin/env python3
 
 import argparse
+from pathlib import Path
 
 import rabbitizer
 import spimdisasm
@@ -49,8 +50,7 @@ def run(rom_bytes, start_offset, vram, end_offset=None):
 def main():
     args = parser.parse_args()
 
-    with open(args.rom, "rb") as f:
-        rom_bytes = f.read()
+    rom_bytes = Path(args.rom).read_bytes()
 
     start = args.start
     end = args.end
diff --git a/src/splat/util/relocs.py b/src/splat/util/relocs.py
index 37a7a01a..10a7a7b3 100644
--- a/src/splat/util/relocs.py
+++ b/src/splat/util/relocs.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ def initialize():
         if not path.exists():
             continue
 
-        with path.open() as f:
+        with path.open(encoding="utf-8") as f:
             sym_addrs_lines = f.readlines()
 
         prog_bar = progress_bar.get_progress_bar(sym_addrs_lines)
diff --git a/src/splat/util/symbols.py b/src/splat/util/symbols.py
index cc38bb10..600856c4 100644
--- a/src/splat/util/symbols.py
+++ b/src/splat/util/symbols.py
@@ -344,7 +344,7 @@ def initialize(all_segments: "List[Segment]"):
     # Manual list of func name / addrs
     for path in options.opts.symbol_addrs_paths:
         if path.exists():
-            with open(path) as f:
+            with open(path, encoding="utf-8") as f:
                 sym_addrs_lines = f.readlines()
                 handle_sym_addrs(path, sym_addrs_lines, all_segments)
 
diff --git a/test.py b/test.py
index d38eac4d..f1dfc0ba 100755
--- a/test.py
+++ b/test.py
@@ -22,7 +22,10 @@
 
 class Testing(unittest.TestCase):
     def compare_files(self, test_path, ref_path):
-        with io.open(test_path) as test_f, io.open(ref_path) as ref_f:
+        with (
+            io.open(test_path, encoding="utf-8") as test_f,
+            io.open(ref_path, encoding="utf-8") as ref_f,
+        ):
             self.assertListEqual(list(test_f), list(ref_f))
 
     def get_same_files(self, dcmp: filecmp.dircmp, out: List[Tuple[str, str, str]]):
@@ -103,9 +106,9 @@ def test_basic_app(self):
                     remove_from_diff.add(file)
                 continue
 
-            with open(f"{file[1]}/{file[0]}") as file1:
+            with open(f"{file[1]}/{file[0]}", encoding="utf-8") as file1:
                 file1_lines = file1.readlines()
-            with open(f"{file[2]}/{file[0]}") as file2:
+            with open(f"{file[2]}/{file[0]}", encoding="utf-8") as file2:
                 file2_lines = file2.readlines()
 
             for line in difflib.unified_diff(