> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.anthriq.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.anthriq.com/bxi-studio/configure/subject-setup.md).

# Set up a subject

<figure><img src="https://2761951758-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FhtBZnSGOC4EMhU3nc5oM%2Fuploads%2FQc0iw8Nkwk6Ch7BoZduY%2FSubject%20select.png?alt=media&amp;token=9aae7d1e-b170-49dd-82ff-0be5117e3a4c" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Subjects represent the person wearing the device. Each subject stores their device-specific configuration: electrode motor positions for Instinct, channel layouts for xSys: so when they return, BXI Studio restores their exact setup without redoing everything.

## Per-variant configurations

A subject's configuration is stored per device variant. The same subject can have separate saved configs for Instinct and xSys.

## Pick or create a subject: Instinct flow

Step 2 of 6 in the Instinct flow: reached after [Calibration](/bxi-studio/calibration/calibration.md).

1. Start typing a name in the **search bar** at the top.
2. A **Create New Subject** card appears below the search results.
3. Click the card to create the subject. It is automatically selected (highlighted in purple).
4. Or click any existing subject card to select it.
5. Click **Continue** to proceed to [Head Size](/bxi-studio/configure/head-size.md).

### List ordering

* Subjects with a saved Instinct configuration appear first.
* An orange device name tag next to a subject shows which device the saved config belongs to.

If the selected subject already has a saved Instinct configuration, BXI Studio may skip ahead and load the saved settings directly.

### Skip subject selection

Click **Skip This Step** to go straight to the Dashboard. You can assign subjects later from **Dashboard, Subjects**.

> **Note:** Without a subject, electrode configurations do not persist between sessions.

## Pick or create a subject: xSys flow

The first screen of the xSys flow. It opens the moment you click **Configure** on a connected xSys device. Single screen, one job: bind the session to a named subject. No channel detection, no gain setup yet.

1. Type a name in the **search bar**, or click a saved subject from the list.
2. If the name does not match any existing subject, a **Create New Subject** card appears. Click it.
3. The selected card highlights purple.
4. Click **Continue** to start the rest of the xSys flow.

### Continue button states

| State        | Helper text                                                 | Continue                |
| ------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------- |
| Empty search | Enter a subject name to proceed                             | Disabled                |
| Typing       | Pick a saved subject to proceed: matches highlighted orange | Disabled                |
| Selected     | :                                                           | Primary orange, enabled |

### After Continue

1. [Connect Electrodes](/bxi-studio/configure/connect-electrodes.md): detect active channels.
2. [Channel Naming](/bxi-studio/configure/channel-naming.md): label each channel.
3. [Gain & Frequency](/bxi-studio/configure/gain-frequency.md): set amplifier parameters.

When you finish and return to [Device Discovery](/bxi-studio/device-discovery.md), the xSys card moves to **Connected Devices** with a purple tag showing the subject name you picked here.

## Subject data

Each subject stores:

* **Name**: display name for identification
* **Device configurations**: motor positions or channel layouts per variant (Instinct, xSys, etc.)
* **Last used**: timestamp of the last session