diff --git a/sensgw/protocols/prologix.py b/sensgw/protocols/prologix.py
index 7c57ba6..a25a5be 100644
--- a/sensgw/protocols/prologix.py
+++ b/sensgw/protocols/prologix.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import logging
 from collections import defaultdict
 from dataclasses import dataclass
 from typing import Any
+import time
 
 from ..models import Endpoint, Device, Channel
 from ..writer import Writer
@@ -56,6 +57,55 @@ class PrologixEndpointLoop:
         self._instruments: dict[tuple[int, str], Any] = {}
         self._initialized_addrs: set[int] = set()
 
+    def _keithley2000_init_cmds(self, dev_meta: dict[str, Any]) -> list[str]:
+        default_cmds = [
+            # turn off VFD
+            ":DISP:ENAB OFF",
+            # DC voltage config
+            ':SENS:FUNC "VOLT:DC"',
+            ":SENS:VOLT:DC:RANG 10",  # fixed 10 V range
+            ":SENS:VOLT:DC:NPLC 10",  # slow/low-noise integration
+            ":SENS:VOLT:DC:DIG 7",  # max digits
+            # offset drift?
+            ":SYST:AZER ON",
+            ":TRIG:SOUR IMM",
+            ":TRIG:COUN 1",
+            ":SAMP:COUN 1",
+            ":INIT:CONT OFF",
+        ]
+
+        extra = dev_meta.get("init_cmds")
+        if isinstance(extra, list) and all(isinstance(x, str) for x in extra):
+            return default_cmds + extra
+        return default_cmds
+
+    def _init_device(
+        self, gpib_addr: int, driver_key: str | None, meta: dict[str, Any]
+    ) -> None:
+        dk = (driver_key or "").lower()
+        if "keithley" not in dk:
+            self._initialized_addrs.add(gpib_addr)
+            return
+
+        cmds = self._keithley2000_init_cmds(meta)
+        log.info(f"Initializing Keithley @ {gpib_addr} with {len(cmds)} SCPI cmds")
+
+        if driver_key:
+            inst = self._get_instrument(gpib_addr, driver_key)
+            # make sure prologix is pointed at the right addr
+            self._get_adapter().address = gpib_addr
+            for cmd in cmds:
+                inst.write(cmd)
+                time.sleep(0.02)
+        else:
+            ad = self._get_adapter()
+            ad.address = gpib_addr
+            for cmd in cmds:
+                ad.write(cmd)
+                time.sleep(0.02)
+
+        self._initialized_addrs.add(gpib_addr)
+
     def _get_adapter(self) -> Any:
         if self._adapter is None:
             from pymeasure.adapters import PrologixAdapter  # type: ignore
@@ -89,23 +139,6 @@ class PrologixEndpointLoop:
         return inst
 
     def _exec_sync(self, gpib_addr: int, query: str, driver_key: str | None) -> str:
-        # init hw
-        if gpib_addr not in self._initialized_addrs:
-            dk_check = (driver_key or "").lower()
-            if "keithley" in dk_check:
-                try:
-                    log.info(f"Initializing Keithley @ {gpib_addr} (DISP:ENAB OFF)")
-                    if driver_key:
-                        inst = self._get_instrument(gpib_addr, driver_key)
-                        inst.write(":DISP:ENAB OFF")
-                    else:
-                        ad = self._get_adapter()
-                        ad.address = gpib_addr
-                        ad.write(":DISP:ENAB OFF")
-                except Exception as e:
-                    log.warning(f"VFD saver failed for {gpib_addr}: {e}")
-            self._initialized_addrs.add(gpib_addr)
-
         # Query
         if driver_key:
             inst = self._get_instrument(gpib_addr, driver_key)
@@ -141,6 +174,11 @@ class PrologixEndpointLoop:
                 gpib_addr = int(gpib_addr)
                 driver_key = str(meta.get("driver", "")).strip() or None
 
+                if gpib_addr not in self._initialized_addrs:
+                    await asyncio.to_thread(
+                        self._init_device, gpib_addr, driver_key, meta
+                    )
+
                 for b in dev_bindings:
                     try:
                         # offload to thread