# Setting Up a Cohort

This page covers how to configure an existing cohort. Cohort creation is handled by system administrators -- once a cohort exists, you configure it from the cohort page.

## Prerequisites

You need cohort admin, org admin, or super admin access.

## Cohort Lifecycle

Every cohort moves through six stages. The current stage controls which tabs are visible and what actions are available.

- `draft` -- Setup mode. Reviewers do not see this cohort. Configure settings, stages, and the application form here.
- `review` -- Reviewers can score assigned applications. The **Decisions** tab is not yet visible.
- `decide` -- Review is considered complete. The **Decisions** tab appears so you can accept, waitlist, or decline applicants.
- `onboard` -- Decisions are finalized. The **Onboarding** tab appears for accepted participants.
- `active` -- The cohort program is running. All admin tabs remain accessible.
- `closed` -- The cohort is closed. Applications stop being accepted automatically. All data is preserved in read-only mode.

You can move forward, skip stages, or move backward. No data is lost when moving between stages -- earlier-stage tabs and features are simply hidden or shown.

## Changing the Cohort Stage

1. Open the cohort page and click the **Settings** button (gear icon) in the top right.
2. In the **Cohort Stage** section on the left, click the target stage in the pipeline.
3. A confirmation modal shows what will happen. Review the implications and click **Confirm**.

:::warning
Moving to `closed` automatically disables application intake. Moving backward hides tabs associated with later stages but preserves all data.
:::

## Configuring Settings

Click **Settings** to open the full-screen settings modal. From here you can:

- **Cohort Name** -- Edit the display name.
- **Cohort Slug** -- Edit the URL slug. This is locked once the cohort leaves `draft` status.
- **Application Opens / Closes** -- Set the date range for the application window.
- **Notification Emails** -- View which org admins receive new-application alerts. Manage recipients from **Team Settings**.
- **Survey** -- Manage the survey version and scoring profile used for application questions.
- **Organizations** -- Select which organizations can access this cohort.

Click **Save Configuration** when done.

## Accepting Applications

In the settings modal under **Application Intake**, toggle **Accepting Applications** on or off. This controls whether the public apply form accepts new submissions. The toggle is disabled when the cohort is in `closed` status.

## Archiving a Cohort

In the settings modal under **Danger Zone**, click **Archive Cohort**. Archiving hides the cohort from the main list and stops accepting applications. All data is preserved. You can unarchive a cohort from the archived banner that appears at the top of its page.

:::info
Archiving is reversible. Click **Unarchive** on the archived banner to restore the cohort.
:::