diff --git a/datasette/__init__.py b/datasette/__init__.py
index 0e59760a..faa36051 100644
--- a/datasette/__init__.py
+++ b/datasette/__init__.py
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
 from datasette.version import __version_info__, __version__  # noqa
+from datasette.utils.asgi import Forbidden, NotFound, Response  # noqa
+from datasette.utils import actor_matches_allow  # noqa
 from .hookspecs import hookimpl  # noqa
 from .hookspecs import hookspec  # noqa
diff --git a/docs/internals.rst b/docs/internals.rst
index 0b010295..632f7d7a 100644
--- a/docs/internals.rst
+++ b/docs/internals.rst
@@ -935,3 +935,18 @@ This example uses the :ref:`register_routes() <plugin_register_routes>` plugin h
 
 
 Adding ``?_trace=1`` will show that the trace covers both of those child tasks.
+
+.. _internals_shortcuts:
+
+Import shortcuts
+================
+
+The following commonly used symbols can be imported directly from the ``datasette`` module:
+
+.. code-block:: python
+
+    from datasette import Response
+    from datasette import Forbidden
+    from datasette import NotFound
+    from datasette import hookimpl
+    from datasette import actor_matches_allow
diff --git a/docs/plugin_hooks.rst b/docs/plugin_hooks.rst
index 88e1def0..1308b704 100644
--- a/docs/plugin_hooks.rst
+++ b/docs/plugin_hooks.rst
@@ -542,7 +542,7 @@ Return a list of ``(regex, view_function)`` pairs, something like this:
 
 .. code-block:: python
 
-    from datasette.utils.asgi import Response
+    from datasette import Response
     import html
 
 
@@ -582,6 +582,8 @@ The view function can be a regular function or an ``async def`` function, depend
 
 The function can either return a :ref:`internals_response` or it can return nothing and instead respond directly to the request using the ASGI ``send`` function (for advanced uses only).
 
+It can also rase the ``datasette.NotFound`` exception to return a 404 not found error, or the ``datasette.Forbidden`` exception for a 403 forbidden.
+
 See :ref:`writing_plugins_designing_urls` for tips on designing the URL routes used by your plugin.
 
 Examples: `datasette-auth-github <https://datasette.io/plugins/datasette-auth-github>`__, `datasette-psutil <https://datasette.io/plugins/datasette-psutil>`__
diff --git a/tests/plugins/my_plugin.py b/tests/plugins/my_plugin.py
index 610cea17..1c9b0575 100644
--- a/tests/plugins/my_plugin.py
+++ b/tests/plugins/my_plugin.py
@@ -300,6 +300,15 @@ def register_routes():
 def startup(datasette):
     datasette._startup_hook_fired = True
 
+    # And test some import shortcuts too
+    from datasette import Response
+    from datasette import Forbidden
+    from datasette import NotFound
+    from datasette import hookimpl
+    from datasette import actor_matches_allow
+
+    _ = (Response, Forbidden, NotFound, hookimpl, actor_matches_allow)
+
 
 @hookimpl
 def canned_queries(datasette, database, actor):