diff --git a/openflexure_microscope/api/microscope.py b/openflexure_microscope/api/microscope.py
index 04053892..2f534b49 100644
--- a/openflexure_microscope/api/microscope.py
+++ b/openflexure_microscope/api/microscope.py
@@ -3,38 +3,9 @@ from openflexure_microscope.camera.capture import build_captures_from_exif
 
 import logging
 
-# Import device modules
-# NB this will eventually be handled by the RC file, so you can choose what device
-# class should be attached.
-try:
-    from openflexure_microscope.camera.pi import PiCameraStreamer
-except ImportError:
-    logging.warning("Unable to import PiCameraStreamer")
-from openflexure_microscope.camera.mock import MockStreamer
-
-from openflexure_microscope.stage.sanga import SangaStage
-from openflexure_microscope.stage.mock import MockStage
 
 default_microscope = Microscope()
 
-# Initialise camera
-logging.debug("Creating camera object...")
-try:
-    api_camera = PiCameraStreamer()
-except Exception as e:
-    logging.error(e)
-    logging.warning("No valid camera hardware found. Falling back to mock camera!")
-    api_camera = MockStreamer()
-
-# Initialise stage
-logging.debug("Creating stage object...")
-
-api_stage = MockStage()
-
-# Attach devices to microscope
-logging.debug("Attaching devices to microscope...")
-default_microscope.attach(api_camera, api_stage)
-
 # Restore loaded capture array to camera object
 logging.debug("Restoring captures...")
 default_microscope.camera.images = build_captures_from_exif(
diff --git a/openflexure_microscope/api/v2/views/state.py b/openflexure_microscope/api/v2/views/state.py
index aa59ffdf..34637754 100644
--- a/openflexure_microscope/api/v2/views/state.py
+++ b/openflexure_microscope/api/v2/views/state.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ class SettingsProperty(View):
         logging.debug("Updating settings from PUT request:")
         logging.debug(payload.json)
 
-        microscope.apply_settings(payload.json)
+        microscope.update_settings(payload.json)
         microscope.save_settings()
 
         return self.get()
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ class NestedSettingsProperty(View):
         dictionary = create_from_path(keys)
         set_by_path(dictionary, keys, payload.json)
 
-        microscope.apply_settings(dictionary)
+        microscope.update_settings(dictionary)
         microscope.save_settings()
 
         return self.get(route)
diff --git a/openflexure_microscope/camera/base.py b/openflexure_microscope/camera/base.py
index e6395e1f..e823cfd0 100644
--- a/openflexure_microscope/camera/base.py
+++ b/openflexure_microscope/camera/base.py
@@ -121,7 +121,8 @@ class BaseCamera(metaclass=ABCMeta):
         self.stream_timeout = 20
         self.stream_timeout_enabled = False
 
-        self.status = {"board": None}
+        self.stream_active = False
+        self.record_active = False
 
         self.paths = {"default": BASE_CAPTURE_PATH, "temp": TEMP_CAPTURE_PATH}
 
@@ -129,8 +130,24 @@ class BaseCamera(metaclass=ABCMeta):
         self.images = []
         self.videos = []
 
+    @property
     @abstractmethod
-    def apply_settings(self, config: dict):
+    def configuration(self):
+        """The current camera configuration."""
+        pass
+
+    @property
+    @abstractmethod
+    def state(self):
+        """The current read-only camera state."""
+        pass
+
+    @property
+    def settings(self):
+        return self.read_settings()
+
+    @abstractmethod
+    def update_settings(self, config: dict):
         """Update settings from a config dictionary"""
         with self.lock:
             # Apply valid config params to camera object
@@ -187,7 +204,7 @@ class BaseCamera(metaclass=ABCMeta):
         self.last_access = time.time()
         self.stop = False
 
-        if not self.status["stream_active"]:
+        if not self.stream_active:
             # start background frame thread
             self.thread = threading.Thread(target=self._thread)
             self.thread.daemon = True
@@ -207,12 +224,12 @@ class BaseCamera(metaclass=ABCMeta):
         logging.debug("Stopping worker thread")
         timeout_time = time.time() + timeout
 
-        if self.status["stream_active"]:
+        if self.stream_active:
             self.stop = True
             self.thread.join()  # Wait for stream thread to exit
             logging.debug("Waiting for stream thread to exit.")
 
-        while self.status["stream_active"]:
+        while self.stream_active:
             if time.time() > timeout_time:
                 logging.debug("Timeout waiting for worker thread close.")
                 raise TimeoutError("Timeout waiting for worker thread close.")
@@ -352,7 +369,7 @@ class BaseCamera(metaclass=ABCMeta):
         self.frames_iterator = self.frames()
         logging.debug("Entering worker thread.")
 
-        self.status["stream_active"] = True
+        self.stream_active = True
 
         for frame in self.frames_iterator:
             self.frame = frame
@@ -365,9 +382,7 @@ class BaseCamera(metaclass=ABCMeta):
                 and (  # If using timeout
                     time.time() - self.last_access > self.stream_timeout
                 )
-                and not self.status[  # And timeout time
-                    "preview_active"
-                ]  # And GPU preview is not active
+                and not self.preview_active  # And GPU preview is not active
             ):
                 self.frames_iterator.close()
                 break
@@ -383,4 +398,4 @@ class BaseCamera(metaclass=ABCMeta):
 
         logging.debug("BaseCamera worker thread exiting...")
         # Set stream_activate state
-        self.status["stream_active"] = False
+        self.stream_active = False
diff --git a/openflexure_microscope/camera/mock.py b/openflexure_microscope/camera/mock.py
index abffb221..322bae58 100644
--- a/openflexure_microscope/camera/mock.py
+++ b/openflexure_microscope/camera/mock.py
@@ -26,17 +26,13 @@ We override the logging settings in api.app by setting a level for PIL here.
 pil_logger = logging.getLogger("PIL")
 pil_logger.setLevel(logging.INFO)
 
+
 # MAIN CLASS
-class MockStreamer(BaseCamera):
+class MissingCamera(BaseCamera):
     def __init__(self):
         # Run BaseCamera init
         BaseCamera.__init__(self)
 
-        # Store state of PiCameraStreamer
-        self.status.update(
-            {"stream_active": False, "record_active": False, "board": None}
-        )
-
         # Update config properties
         self.image_resolution = (1312, 976)
         self.stream_resolution = (640, 480)
@@ -71,6 +67,16 @@ class MockStreamer(BaseCamera):
 
         image.save(self.stream, format="JPEG")
 
+    @property
+    def configuration(self):
+        """The current camera configuration."""
+        return {}
+
+    @property
+    def state(self):
+        """The current read-only camera state."""
+        return {}
+
     def initialisation(self):
         """Run any initialisation code when the frame iterator starts."""
         pass
@@ -101,7 +107,7 @@ class MockStreamer(BaseCamera):
 
         return conf_dict
 
-    def apply_settings(self, config: dict):
+    def update_settings(self, config: dict):
         """
         Write a config dictionary to the PiCameraStreamer config.
 
@@ -117,7 +123,7 @@ class MockStreamer(BaseCamera):
         with self.lock:
 
             # Apply valid config params to camera object
-            if not self.status["record_active"]:  # If not recording a video
+            if not self.record_active:  # If not recording a video
 
                 for key, value in config.items():  # For each provided setting
                     if hasattr(self, key):
diff --git a/openflexure_microscope/camera/pi.py b/openflexure_microscope/camera/pi.py
index 5cafb045..bbd04e44 100644
--- a/openflexure_microscope/camera/pi.py
+++ b/openflexure_microscope/camera/pi.py
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ from .base import BaseCamera, CaptureObject
 from .set_picamera_gain import set_analog_gain, set_digital_gain
 
 from openflexure_microscope.paths import settings_file_path
+from openflexure_microscope.utilities import serialise_array_b64
 
 
 # MAIN CLASS
@@ -85,14 +86,7 @@ class PiCameraStreamer(BaseCamera):
         )  #: :py:class:`picamera.PiCamera`: Picamera object
 
         # Store status of PiCameraStreamer
-        self.status.update(
-            {
-                "stream_active": False,
-                "record_active": False,
-                "preview_active": False,
-                "board": f"picamera_{self.camera.revision}",
-            }
-        )
+        self.preview_active = False
 
         # Reset variable states
         self.set_zoom(1.0)
@@ -116,15 +110,37 @@ class PiCameraStreamer(BaseCamera):
             "picamera_lst.npy"
         )  #: str: Path of .npy lens shading table file
 
-        # Update board identifier
-        self.status.update({})
-
         # Create an empty stream
         self.stream = io.BytesIO()
 
         # Start streaming
         self.start_worker()
 
+    @property
+    def configuration(self):
+        """The current camera configuration."""
+        config = {
+            "board": self.camera.revision,
+        }
+
+        if self.read_lens_shading_table():
+            b64_string, dtype, shape = serialise_array_b64(self.read_lens_shading_table())
+
+            config.update({
+                "lens_shading_table": {
+                    "b64_string": b64_string,
+                    "dtype": dtype,
+                    "shape": shape,
+                }
+            })
+
+        return config
+
+    @property
+    def state(self):
+        """The current read-only camera state."""
+        return {}
+
     def initialisation(self):
         """Run any initialisation code when the frame iterator starts."""
         pass
@@ -176,7 +192,7 @@ class PiCameraStreamer(BaseCamera):
         logging.info("Saving picamera_lst to {}".format(self.picamera_lst_path))
         self.save_lens_shading_table()
 
-    def apply_settings(self, config: dict):
+    def update_settings(self, config: dict):
         """
         Write a config dictionary to the PiCameraStreamer config.
 
@@ -194,10 +210,10 @@ class PiCameraStreamer(BaseCamera):
         with self.lock:
 
             # Apply valid config params to Picamera object
-            if not self.status["record_active"]:  # If not recording a video
+            if not self.record_active:  # If not recording a video
 
                 # Pause stream while changing settings
-                if self.status["stream_active"]:  # If stream is active
+                if self.stream_active:  # If stream is active
                     logging.info("Pausing stream to update config.")
                     self.stop_stream_recording()  # Pause stream
                     paused_stream = True  # Remember to unpause stream when done
@@ -365,7 +381,7 @@ class PiCameraStreamer(BaseCamera):
                     self.camera.preview.window = window
                 if fullscreen:
                     self.camera.preview.fullscreen = fullscreen
-            self.status["preview_active"] = True
+            self.preview_active = True
         except picamera.exc.PiCameraMMALError as e:
             logging.error(
                 "Suppressed a MMALError in start_preview. Exception: {}".format(e)
@@ -380,7 +396,7 @@ class PiCameraStreamer(BaseCamera):
     def stop_preview(self):
         """Stop the on board GPU camera preview."""
         self.camera.stop_preview()
-        self.status["preview_active"] = False
+        self.preview_active = False
 
     def start_recording(self, output, fmt: str = "h264", quality: int = 15):
         """Start recording.
@@ -398,7 +414,7 @@ class PiCameraStreamer(BaseCamera):
         """
         with self.lock:
             # Start recording method only if a current recording is not running
-            if not self.status["record_active"]:
+            if not self.record_active:
 
                 # Start the camera video recording on port 2
                 logging.info("Recording to {}".format(output))
@@ -412,7 +428,7 @@ class PiCameraStreamer(BaseCamera):
                 )
 
                 # Update status dictionary
-                self.status["record_active"] = True
+                self.record_active = True
 
                 return output
 
@@ -432,7 +448,7 @@ class PiCameraStreamer(BaseCamera):
             logging.info("Recording stopped")
 
             # Update status dictionary
-            self.status["record_active"] = False
+            self.record_active = False
 
     def stop_stream_recording(
         self, splitter_port: int = 1, resolution: Tuple[int, int] = None
@@ -500,7 +516,7 @@ class PiCameraStreamer(BaseCamera):
                 self.camera.resolution = resolution
 
             # If the stream should be active
-            if self.status["stream_active"]:
+            if self.stream_active:
                 try:
                     # Start recording on stream port
                     self.camera.start_recording(
diff --git a/openflexure_microscope/config.py b/openflexure_microscope/config.py
index 8e613574..cfc458a1 100644
--- a/openflexure_microscope/config.py
+++ b/openflexure_microscope/config.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ from uuid import UUID
 import numpy as np
 from fractions import Fraction
 
-from .paths import CONFIG_FILE_PATH, DEFAULT_CONFIG_FILE_PATH
+from .paths import SETTINGS_FILE_PATH, DEFAULT_SETTINGS_FILE_PATH, CONFIGURATION_FILE_PATH, DEFAULT_CONFIGURATION_FILE_PATH
 
 
 class OpenflexureSettingsFile:
@@ -19,21 +19,21 @@ class OpenflexureSettingsFile:
         expand (bool): Expand paths to valid auxillary config files.
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, config_path: str = None):
-        global DEFAULT_CONFIG, CONFIG_FILE_PATH
+    def __init__(self, path: str, defaults: dict = {}):
+        global DEFAULT_SETTINGS
 
         # Set arguments
-        self.config_path = config_path or CONFIG_FILE_PATH
+        self.path = path
 
         # Initialise basic config file with defaults if it doesn't exist
-        initialise_file(self.config_path, populate=DEFAULT_CONFIG)
+        initialise_file(self.path, populate=defaults)
 
     def load(self) -> dict:
         """
         Loads settings from a file on-disk.
         """
         # Unexpanded config dictionary (used at load/save time)
-        loaded_config = load_json_file(self.config_path)
+        loaded_config = load_json_file(self.path)
 
         logging.debug("Reading settings from disk")
         return loaded_config
@@ -50,11 +50,11 @@ class OpenflexureSettingsFile:
         save_settings = config
 
         if backup:
-            if os.path.isfile(self.config_path):
-                shutil.copyfile(self.config_path, self.config_path + ".bk")
+            if os.path.isfile(self.path):
+                shutil.copyfile(self.path, self.path + ".bk")
 
         logging.debug("Saving settings dictionary to disk")
-        save_json_file(self.config_path, save_settings)
+        save_json_file(self.path, save_settings)
 
     def merge(self, config: dict) -> dict:
         """
@@ -178,10 +178,17 @@ def initialise_file(config_path, populate: str = "{}\n"):
             outfile.write(populate)
 
 
-# Load the default config
-with open(DEFAULT_CONFIG_FILE_PATH, "r") as default_rc:
-    DEFAULT_CONFIG = default_rc.read()
-
+# Load the default settings
+with open(DEFAULT_SETTINGS_FILE_PATH, "r") as default_settings:
+    DEFAULT_SETTINGS = default_settings.read()
 
 #: Default user settings object
-user_settings = OpenflexureSettingsFile(config_path=CONFIG_FILE_PATH)
+user_settings = OpenflexureSettingsFile(path=SETTINGS_FILE_PATH, defaults=DEFAULT_SETTINGS)
+
+
+# Load the default configuration
+with open(DEFAULT_CONFIGURATION_FILE_PATH, "r") as default_configuration:
+    DEFAULT_CONFIGURATION = default_configuration.read()
+
+#: Default user settings object
+user_configuration = OpenflexureSettingsFile(path=CONFIGURATION_FILE_PATH, defaults=DEFAULT_CONFIGURATION)
diff --git a/openflexure_microscope/microscope.py b/openflexure_microscope/microscope.py
index 31ea505c..2f52c6d9 100644
--- a/openflexure_microscope/microscope.py
+++ b/openflexure_microscope/microscope.py
@@ -6,15 +6,20 @@ import logging
 import pkg_resources
 import uuid
 
-from openflexure_microscope.stage.base import BaseStage
-from openflexure_microscope.stage.mock import MockStage
-from openflexure_microscope.camera.base import BaseCamera
-from openflexure_microscope.camera.mock import MockStreamer
+from openflexure_microscope.stage.mock import MissingStage
+from openflexure_microscope.camera.mock import MissingCamera
+from openflexure_microscope.stage.sanga import SangaStage
+try:
+    from openflexure_microscope.camera.pi import PiCameraStreamer
+except ImportError:
+    logging.warning("Unable to import PiCameraStreamer")
+from openflexure_microscope.camera.mock import MissingCamera
 
 from openflexure_microscope.utilities import serialise_array_b64
-from openflexure_microscope.config import user_settings
+from openflexure_microscope.config import user_settings, user_configuration
 
 from labthings.core.lock import CompositeLock
+from labthings.core.utilities import rupdate
 
 
 class Microscope:
@@ -24,20 +29,32 @@ class Microscope:
     The camera and stage objects may already be initialised, and can be passed as arguments.
     """
 
-    def __init__(self):
-        # Initial attributes
-        self.id = uuid.uuid4()  #: Microscope UUID
-        self.name = self.id  #: Microscope name (modifiable)
-        self.fov = [0, 0]  #: Microscope field-of-view in stage motor steps
-        self.camera = None  #: Currently connected camera object
-        self.stage = None  #: Currently connected stage object
+    def __init__(self, settings = user_settings, configuration = user_configuration):
+        # Store settings and configuration files
+        self.settings_file = settings
+        self.configuration_file = configuration
 
         # Initialise with an empty composite lock
         #: :py:class:`labthings.lock.CompositeLock`: Composite lock for locking both camera and stage
         self.lock = CompositeLock([])
 
+        self.camera = None  #: Currently connected camera object
+        self.stage = None  #: Currently connected stage object
+        self.setup(self.configuration_file.load())  # Attach components
+
         # Apply settings loaded from file
-        self.apply_settings(user_settings.load())
+        self.update_settings(self.settings_file.load())
+
+        # Initial attributes
+        if self.configuration_file.load().get("id"):
+            self.id = configuration.get("id")
+        else:
+            self.id = uuid.uuid4()
+            self.configuration_file.save({
+                "id": self.id
+            })
+
+        self.name = self.id
 
     def __enter__(self):
         """Create microscope on context enter."""
@@ -56,58 +73,49 @@ class Microscope:
             self.stage.close()
         logging.info("Closed {}".format(self))
 
-    def attach(self, camera: BaseCamera, stage: BaseStage):
+    def setup(self, configuration):
         """
-        Retroactively attaches a camera and stage to the microscope object.
-
-        Allows the microscope to be created as a "dummy", with hardware communications
-        opened at a later time.
-
-        Args:
-            camera (:py:class:`openflexure_microscope.camera.base.BaseCamera`): camera object
-            stage (:py:class:`openflexure_microscope.stage.base.BaseStage`): stage object
+        Attach microscope components based on initially passed configuration file
         """
 
-        settings_full = self.read_settings()
+        ### Detector
+        if configuration.get("detector"):
+            detector_type = configuration["detector"].get("type")
+            if detector_type == "PiCamera" or detector_type == "PiCameraStreamer":
+                try:
+                    self.camera = PiCameraStreamer()
+                except Exception as e:
+                    logging.error(e)
+                    logging.warning("No compatible camera hardware found.")
 
-        logging.debug("Attaching camera...")
-        self.camera = (
-            camera
-        )  #: :py:class:`openflexure_microscope.camera.base.BaseCamera`: Picamera object
+        ### Stage
+        if configuration.get("stage"):
+            stage_type = configuration["stage"].get("type")
+            stage_port = configuration["stage"].get("port")
+            if stage_type == "SangaBoard" or detector_type == "SangaStage":
+                try:
+                    self.stage = SangaStage(port=stage_port)
+                except Exception as e:
+                    logging.error(e)
+                    logging.warning("No compatible stage hardware found.")
+
+        ### Fallbacks
         if not self.camera:
-            logging.info("No camera attached.")
-        else:
-            logging.info("Attached camera {}".format(camera))
-
-            if hasattr(self.camera, "lock"):  # If camera has a lock
-                logging.info("Attaching {} to composite lock.".format(self.camera.lock))
-                # Add the lock to the microscope composite lock
-                self.lock.locks.append(self.camera.lock)
-
-        logging.debug("Attaching stage...")
-        self.stage = (
-            stage
-        )  #: :py:class:`openflexure_microscope.stage.base.BaseStage`: OpenFlexure stage object
+            self.camera = MissingCamera()
         if not self.stage:
-            logging.info("No stage attached.")
-        else:
-            logging.info("Attached stage {}".format(stage))
+            self.stage = MissingStage()
 
-            if hasattr(self.stage, "lock"):  # If stage object has a lock
-                logging.info(
-                    "Attaching lock {} to composite lock.".format(self.stage.lock)
-                )
-                # Add the lock to the microscope composite lock
-                self.lock.locks.append(self.stage.lock)
-
-        logging.info("Reapplying settings to newly attached devices")
-        self.apply_settings(settings_full)
+        ### Locks
+        if hasattr(self.camera, "lock"):
+            self.lock.locks.append(self.camera.lock)
+        if hasattr(self.stage, "lock"):
+            self.lock.locks.append(self.stage.lock)
 
     def has_real_stage(self) -> bool:
         """
         Check if a real (non-mock) stage is currently attached.
         """
-        if hasattr(self, "stage") and not isinstance(self.stage, MockStage):
+        if hasattr(self, "stage") and not isinstance(self.stage, MissingStage):
             return True
         else:
             return False
@@ -116,27 +124,26 @@ class Microscope:
         """
         Check if a real (non-mock) camera is currently attached.
         """
-        if hasattr(self, "camera") and not isinstance(self.camera, MockStreamer):
+        if hasattr(self, "camera") and not isinstance(self.camera, MissingCamera):
             return True
         else:
             return False
 
     # Create unified status
     @property
-    def status(self):
+    def state(self):
         """Dictionary of the basic microscope status.
 
         Return:
             dict: Dictionary containing complete microscope status
         """
         state = {
-            "camera": self.camera.status,
-            "stage": self.stage.status,
-            "version": pkg_resources.get_distribution("openflexure_microscope").version,
+            "camera": self.camera.state,
+            "stage": self.stage.state,
         }
         return state
 
-    def apply_settings(self, config: dict):
+    def update_settings(self, config: dict):
         """
         Applies a settings dictionary to the microscope. Missing parameters will be left untouched.
         """
@@ -144,21 +151,19 @@ class Microscope:
 
         # If attached to a camera
         if ("camera_settings" in config) and self.camera:
-            self.camera.apply_settings(config["camera_settings"])
+            self.camera.update_settings(config["camera_settings"])
 
         # If attached to a stage
         if ("stage_settings" in config) and self.stage:
-            self.stage.apply_settings(config["stage_settings"])
+            self.stage.update_settings(config["stage_settings"])
 
         # Todo: tidy up with some loopy goodness
-        if "id" in config:
-            self.id = config["id"]
         if "name" in config:
             self.name = config["name"]
         if "fov" in config:
             self.fov = config["fov"]
 
-    def read_settings(self, json_safe=False):
+    def read_settings(self, full: bool=True):
         """
         Get an updated settings dictionary.
 
@@ -169,7 +174,7 @@ class Microscope:
         don't get removed from the settings file.
         """
 
-        settings_current = {"id": self.id, "name": self.name, "fov": self.fov}
+        settings_current = {"name": self.name, "fov": self.fov}
 
         # If attached to a camera
         if self.camera:
@@ -181,9 +186,12 @@ class Microscope:
             settings_current_stage = self.stage.read_settings()
             settings_current["stage_settings"] = settings_current_stage
 
-        settings_full = user_settings.merge(settings_current)
+        settings_full = self.settings_file.merge(settings_current)
 
-        return settings_full
+        if full:
+            return settings_full
+        else:
+            return settings_current
 
     def save_settings(self):
         """
@@ -196,7 +204,7 @@ class Microscope:
             self.camera.save_settings()
         if self.stage:
             self.stage.save_settings()
-        user_settings.save(current_config, backup=True)
+        self.settings_file.save(current_config, backup=True)
 
     @property
     def metadata(self):
@@ -204,10 +212,10 @@ class Microscope:
         Microscope system metadata, to be applied to basically all captures
         """
         system_metadata = {
-            "microscope_settings": self.read_settings(),
-            "microscope_state": self.status,
-            "microscope_id": self.id,
-            "microscope_name": self.name,
+            "@ID": self.id,
+            "settings": self.read_settings(full=False),
+            "state": self.state,
+            "configuration": self.configuration
         }
 
         # Store an encoded copy of the PiCamera lens shading table, if it exists
@@ -217,10 +225,32 @@ class Microscope:
 
             b64_string, dtype, shape = serialise_array_b64(lst_arr)
 
-            system_metadata["lens_shading_table"] = {
+            system_metadata["configuration"]["detector"]["lens_shading_table"] = {
                 "b64_string": b64_string,
                 "dtype": dtype,
                 "shape": shape,
             }
 
         return system_metadata
+
+    @property
+    def configuration(self):
+        initial_configuration = self.configuration_file.load()
+
+        current_configuration = {
+            "@application": {
+                "name": "openflexure_microscope",
+                "version": pkg_resources.get_distribution("openflexure_microscope").version
+            },
+            "stage": {
+                "type": self.stage.__class__.__name__,
+                **self.stage.configuration
+            },
+            "detector": {
+                "type": self.camera.__class__.__name__,
+                **self.camera.configuration
+            }
+        }
+
+        initial_configuration.update(current_configuration)
+        return initial_configuration
diff --git a/openflexure_microscope/microscope_configuration.default.json b/openflexure_microscope/microscope_configuration.default.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d7129bc8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/openflexure_microscope/microscope_configuration.default.json
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+{
+  "microscope": {
+    "stepsPerView": [4100, 3146]
+  },
+  "detector": {
+    "type": "PiCamera"
+  },
+  "stage": {
+    "type": "SangaStage",
+    "port": null
+  },
+  "lightSource": {
+    "type": "LED"
+  },
+  "objective": {
+  }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/openflexure_microscope/microscope_settings.default.json b/openflexure_microscope/microscope_settings.default.json
index bde62f47..fa0fcb28 100644
--- a/openflexure_microscope/microscope_settings.default.json
+++ b/openflexure_microscope/microscope_settings.default.json
@@ -1,7 +1,3 @@
 {
-  "fov": [
-    4100,
-    3146
-  ],
-  "jpeg_quality": 75
+  "jpeg_quality": 100
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/openflexure_microscope/paths.py b/openflexure_microscope/paths.py
index a261d618..8fbf9b55 100644
--- a/openflexure_microscope/paths.py
+++ b/openflexure_microscope/paths.py
@@ -32,8 +32,9 @@ def logs_file_path(filename: str):
 HERE = os.path.abspath(os.path.dirname(__file__))
 
 #: Path of default (first-run) microscope settings
-DEFAULT_CONFIG_FILE_PATH = os.path.join(HERE, "microscope_settings.default.json")
-
+DEFAULT_SETTINGS_FILE_PATH = os.path.join(HERE, "microscope_settings.default.json")
+#: Path of default (first-run) microscope configuration
+DEFAULT_CONFIGURATION_FILE_PATH = os.path.join(HERE, "microscope_configuration.default.json")
 
 # BASE PATHS
 
@@ -60,7 +61,9 @@ else:
 
 # SERVER PATHS
 
-#: Path of microscope settings directory
-CONFIG_FILE_PATH = settings_file_path("microscope_settings.json")
+#: Path of microscope settings file
+SETTINGS_FILE_PATH = settings_file_path("microscope_settings.json")
+#: Path of microscope configuration file
+CONFIGURATION_FILE_PATH = settings_file_path("microscope_configuration.json")
 #: Path of microscope extensions directory
 OPENFLEXURE_EXTENSIONS_PATH = extensions_file_path("microscope_extensions")
diff --git a/openflexure_microscope/stage/base.py b/openflexure_microscope/stage/base.py
index d5ef31f3..564ba1a6 100644
--- a/openflexure_microscope/stage/base.py
+++ b/openflexure_microscope/stage/base.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ class BaseStage(metaclass=ABCMeta):
         self.lock = StrictLock(timeout=5)
 
     @abstractmethod
-    def apply_settings(self, config: dict):
+    def update_settings(self, config: dict):
         """Update settings from a config dictionary"""
         pass
 
@@ -29,12 +29,14 @@ class BaseStage(metaclass=ABCMeta):
 
     @property
     @abstractmethod
-    def status(self):
-        """The general state dictionary of the board.
-        Should at least contain 'position', and 'board' keys.
-        Note: A None/Null value for 'board' will disable stage
-        movement in the OpenFlexure eV client software,
-        """
+    def state(self):
+        """The general state dictionary of the board."""
+        pass
+
+    @property
+    @abstractmethod
+    def configuration(self):
+        """The general stage configuration."""
         pass
 
     @property
diff --git a/openflexure_microscope/stage/mock.py b/openflexure_microscope/stage/mock.py
index e85fa43b..e4810f3c 100644
--- a/openflexure_microscope/stage/mock.py
+++ b/openflexure_microscope/stage/mock.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import time
 import logging
 
 
-class MockStage(BaseStage):
+class MissingStage(BaseStage):
     def __init__(self, port=None, **kwargs):
         BaseStage.__init__(self)
         self._position = [0, 0, 0]
@@ -17,19 +17,17 @@ class MockStage(BaseStage):
         self.axis_names = ["x", "y", "z"]  # Assume all sangaboards are 3 axis
 
     @property
-    def status(self):
+    def state(self):
         """The general status dictionary of the board."""
-        status = {
-            "position": self.position_map,
-            "board": None,
-            "firmware": None,
-            "version": None,
-        }
+        status = {"position": self.position_map}
         return status
 
-    def apply_settings(self, config: dict):
-        """Update settings from a config dictionary"""
+    @property
+    def configuration(self):
+        return {}
 
+    def update_settings(self, config: dict):
+        """Update settings from a config dictionary"""
         # Set backlash. Expects a dictionary with axis labels
         if "backlash" in config:
             # Construct backlash array
diff --git a/openflexure_microscope/stage/sanga.py b/openflexure_microscope/stage/sanga.py
index 2c4fa6d9..11ffbbc6 100644
--- a/openflexure_microscope/stage/sanga.py
+++ b/openflexure_microscope/stage/sanga.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ class SangaStage(BaseStage):
         """Class managing serial communications with the motors for an Openflexure stage"""
         BaseStage.__init__(self)
 
+        self.port = port
         self.board = Sangaboard(port, **kwargs)
 
         self._backlash = (
@@ -31,14 +32,17 @@ class SangaStage(BaseStage):
         self.axis_names = ["x", "y", "z"]  # Assume all sangaboards are 3 axis
 
     @property
-    def status(self):
+    def state(self):
         """The general status dictionary of the board."""
-        status = {
-            "position": self.position_map,
+        return {"position": self.position_map}
+
+    @property
+    def configuration(self):
+        return {
+            "port": self.port,
             "board": self.board.board,
             "firmware": self.board.firmware,
         }
-        return status
 
     @property
     def n_axes(self):
@@ -81,7 +85,7 @@ class SangaStage(BaseStage):
         else:
             self._backlash = np.array([int(blsh)] * self.n_axes, dtype=np.int)
 
-    def apply_settings(self, config: dict):
+    def update_settings(self, config: dict):
         """Update settings from a config dictionary"""
 
         # Set backlash. Expects a dictionary with axis labels