> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.sightlinebehavior.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Prepare your Library

> Save definitions and recording choices to use in another observation.

Save behavior definitions, observation templates, and recording choices in the Library to reuse them. You can also begin an observation with Sightline's supplied choices. Recording and templates do not require AI or a paid plan.

## Choose where to start

Choose where to start based on what you want to do:

| What you want | Where to start |
| - | - |
| Create an item for all students | From the student list, select **Library** in the sidebar. |
| Create an item for one student | Open the student, then select **Library** in their sidebar. |
| Adapt a shared item for one student | Open the student's **Library** and find the shared item. |

**Shared** items are available for every student. A student's Library shows these alongside items saved just for that student.

To change a shared item for only one student, choose **Edit for**, followed by the student's name, before editing.

On the home screen of the free Community plan, choose a category under **Library** in the sidebar.

## Choose what to prepare

* **Definitions:** Save the behavior name and observable actions that count.
* **Templates:** Reuse an observation's method, behaviors, and supported setup choices.
* **ABC Tags:** Prepare the antecedent and consequence choices for ABC recording.
* **Activities:** Prepare the choices in the recorder's Activity bar.
* **Hashtags and Quick Phrases:** Label notes or insert recurring wording. Hashtags are always shared. See [Hashtags and Quick Phrases](/hashtags-and-quick-phrases).

## Save a behavior definition

1. Open **Definitions** and select **New definition** below the list.
2. Enter a **Name** and **Definition**. Both are required. Use the optional **Label** to distinguish versions, such as “3-second rule.”
3. In a student's Library, check **Applies to**. A new definition starts as **Just for** that student; choose **All students** if you want it shared.
4. Select **Save**.

To edit a definition, select it in the list. For a shared definition in a student's Library, choose:

* **Edit for all students** to change the shared wording.
* **Edit for** the student to give that student their own wording.

Other definitions use **Edit**. Check the message above the form before saving to see whose definition will change.

In [observation setup](/observation-setup), select a definition from the behavior definition browser or enter it yourself. Review the wording before selecting **Begin**.

## Reuse an observation setup

A template saves the method, behaviors and definitions, applicable timing, peer-comparison settings, and ABC tags for an ABC setup.

### Save a template

1. Configure an observation in [setup](/observation-setup).
2. Select **Save as template**.
3. Enter a recognizable name, such as “Partial interval, on-task, 10 seconds.”
4. Select **Save template**.

Templates are shared across students. Find yours in **Library → Templates**.

<a id="use-or-update-a-template" />

### Use a template

1. Select the template in the Library, then choose **Use Template**. You can also select **From a template** within setup.
2. Check the settings and complete the student, setting, activity set, and other observation details. Some setup fields are not saved in a template.
3. Select **Begin**.

Changing the current observation does not replace the template.

### Update a template

1. Select **Edit Template** in the Library.
2. Change the setup, then select **Save Changes**.
3. Check the template name in the dialog and select **Save Changes** again.

For a name-only change, select **Rename**, enter the name, and press Enter. **Delete** removes a template after confirmation. Sightline's five starting templates can also be edited or deleted; deleted starting templates are not automatically restored.

## Prepare ABC recording choices

An ABC tag set supplies the recorder's quick antecedent and consequence choices. Configure the observed behavior separately in setup.

1. Open **ABC Tags**.
2. Select **New set**, enter a name, and select **Create**.
3. In the **Antecedents** and **Consequences** columns, select **Add** to choose a tag or create your own. Select an assigned tag to change its choice; use its remove control to take it out of the set.
4. Wait for **Saved** on the card. Changes save automatically.
5. In an ABC observation's setup, select **Replace set** and choose the saved set. Check both columns before beginning.

A set created in the student-list Library is shared with all students. In a student's Library, choose **\[student’s name] only** or **All students**.

To copy any set, including a built-in set, choose **Duplicate…** from its three-dot menu. Once the copy is created, continue with steps 3–5 above.

To adapt a shared set for one student, open their Library and choose **Edit for** that student on the set. Then continue with steps 3–5 above.

Creating a set does not select it for the next observation. During recording, **Search all tags** lets you use additional tags without changing the set's quick choices. See [Record ABC events](/abc-recording) for recording and refining tags.

Removing a tag from a set changes that set's quick choices. Deleting a custom tag from **Your tags** can remove it from other sets too. Read the confirmation to check where it is used before deleting.

## Prepare activity choices

An activity set supplies the recorder's **Activity** choices, such as “Independent” and “Transition.” Selecting a choice during recording starts an activity period.

1. Open **Activities** and select **+ New set**.
2. Enter a name. In a student's Library, choose **\[student’s name] only** or **All students**, then select **Create**.
3. Select **+ Add**, enter a **Label**, and press Enter.
4. To edit a label, select it and press Enter or leave the field to save. Use **Remove from set** to remove a choice.
5. Wait for **Saved** on the card.

If you want longer wording for a choice, use the optional **Full name** field when adding it. After entering the **Label**, press Tab to fill in **Full name**, then press Enter to save. Full name requires Pro or an active Pro trial.

To copy an existing set, choose **Duplicate…** from its three-dot menu and enter a name. In a student's Library, choose **\[student’s name] only** or **All students**. Select **Duplicate**, then continue with steps 3–5 above.

A set holds six named activities plus **Other**, which cannot be removed. Remove a choice before adding another to a full set. To reorder choices, focus one and use Alt + Left Arrow or Alt + Right Arrow. Shortcut numbers change with the order.

To adapt a shared set for one student, select **Edit for** that student in their Library, then edit its choices as described in steps 3–5. **Duplicate** creates a separate set.

To use the set in an observation, open setup. In **Options**, turn on **Track activities** if needed, then select your **Activity set**. ABC always tracks activities.

To offer the set in future setup, choose the default you want to change:

* **Set as general default** sets the default for all students from the shared Library.
* **Set as default for** the student sets that student's default from their Library.

Check the selected set in setup after changing a default, because previous observation choices can also affect setup.

See [Activity Context](/activity-context) for logging changes and reviewing the activity timeline.

## Check that changes saved

Definitions and templates have save controls. ABC sets and activity sets save automatically. Wait for **Saved** before leaving a set. If it shows **Not saved** or reports an error, keep the screen open until saving succeeds. Reopen the item to confirm your changes.

Saved observations keep their own behavior definitions, ABC vocabulary, and activity choices. Library edits and deletions do not change those saved copies. To correct an observation, open that record and use its editing controls, then review any existing prose or exports separately.


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