diff --git a/apps/dashboard/app/helpers/batch_connect/session_contexts_helper.rb b/apps/dashboard/app/helpers/batch_connect/session_contexts_helper.rb
index 147a68f6e..0ff436849 100644
--- a/apps/dashboard/app/helpers/batch_connect/session_contexts_helper.rb
+++ b/apps/dashboard/app/helpers/batch_connect/session_contexts_helper.rb
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ def create_widget(form, attrib, format: nil, hide_excludable: true, hide_fixed:
     widget = attrib.widget
     field_options = attrib.field_options(fmt: format)
     all_options = attrib.all_options(fmt: format)
+    wrapper_present = field_options[:wrapper].is_a?(Hash) && field_options[:wrapper].present?
+    wrap_params = (wrapper_present ? field_options[:wrapper] : {})
 
     if attrib.fixed?
       return render :partial => "batch_connect/session_contexts/fixed", :locals => { form: form, attrib: attrib, field_options: field_options, format: format }
@@ -14,26 +16,26 @@ def create_widget(form, attrib, format: nil, hide_excludable: true, hide_fixed:
 
     rendered =  case widget
                 when 'select'
-                  form.select(attrib.id, attrib.select_choices(hide_excludable: hide_excludable), field_options, attrib.html_options)
+                  form.select(attrib.id, attrib.select_choices(hide_excludable: hide_excludable), field_options, attrib.all_options)
                 when 'resolution_field'
                   resolution_field(form, attrib.id, all_options)
                 when 'check_box'
-                  form.form_group attrib.id, help: field_options[:help] do
+                  form.form_group(attrib.id, help: field_options[:help], **wrap_params) do
                     form.check_box attrib.id, all_options, attrib.checked_value, attrib.unchecked_value
                   end
                 when 'radio', 'radio_button'
-                  form.form_group attrib.id, help: field_options[:help] do
+                  form.form_group(attrib.id, help: field_options[:help], **wrap_params) do
                     opts = {
                       label:   label_tag(attrib.id, attrib.label),
                       checked: (attrib.value.presence || attrib.field_options[:checked])
                     }
-                    content_tag(:div, id: [form.object_name, attrib.id].join('_')) do
+                    content_tag(:div, id: [form.object_name, attrib.id].join('_'), **field_options) do
                       form.collection_radio_buttons(attrib.id, attrib.select_choices, :second, :first, **opts)                  
                     end
                   end
                 when 'path_selector'
-                  form.form_group(attrib.id) do
-                    render(partial: 'path_selector', locals: { form: form, attrib: attrib, field_options: field_options })
+                  form.form_group(attrib.id, field_options[:wrapper]) do
+                    render(partial: 'path_selector', locals: { form: form, attrib: attrib, field_options: field_options.except(:wrapper) })
                   end
                 when 'file_attachments'
                   render :partial => "batch_connect/session_contexts/file_attachments", :locals => { form: form, attrib: attrib, field_options: field_options }
@@ -50,11 +52,12 @@ def create_widget(form, attrib, format: nil, hide_excludable: true, hide_fixed:
   end
 
   def resolution_field(form, id, opts = {})
-    content_tag(:div, id: "#{id}_group", class: "mb3") do
+    wrapper_present = opts[:wrapper].is_a?(Hash) && opts[:wrapper].present?
+    content_tag(:div, id: "#{id}_group", class: "mb-3", **(wrapper_present ? opts[:wrapper] : {})) do
       concat form.label(id, opts[:label])
       concat form.hidden_field(id, id: "#{id}_field")
       concat(
-        content_tag(:div, class: "row mb-3") do
+        content_tag(:div, id:[form.object_name, id].join('_'), class: "row mb-3", **opts) do
           concat (
             content_tag(:div, class: "col-sm-6") do
               concat (
diff --git a/apps/dashboard/app/javascript/dynamic_forms.js b/apps/dashboard/app/javascript/dynamic_forms.js
index bee2d4108..542e48b07 100644
--- a/apps/dashboard/app/javascript/dynamic_forms.js
+++ b/apps/dashboard/app/javascript/dynamic_forms.js
@@ -459,16 +459,17 @@ function updateVisibility(event, changeId) {
   });
 
   if (changeElement === undefined || changeElement.length <= 0) return;
-
+  
+  const defaultHidden = $(`#${changeId}`).attr('hide_by_default') || false
   const elementInfo = getWidgetInfo(changeId);
   // safe to access directly?
   const hide = hideLookup[id].get(changeId, val);
-  if ((hide === false) || (hide === undefined && !initializing)) {
+  if((hide === false) || (hide === undefined && !initializing && !defaultHidden)) {
     changeElement.show();
     // Pass text into the aria stream
     const addMsg = `Revealed form item ${elementInfo}`;
     ariaStream(addMsg)
-  } else if (hide === true) {
+  } else if ((hide === true) || (hide === undefined && !initializing && defaultHidden)) {
     changeElement.hide();
     const rmMsg = `Hid form item ${elementInfo}`;
     ariaStream(rmMsg);
diff --git a/apps/dashboard/app/lib/smart_attributes/attribute.rb b/apps/dashboard/app/lib/smart_attributes/attribute.rb
index 525b9715c..98a044248 100644
--- a/apps/dashboard/app/lib/smart_attributes/attribute.rb
+++ b/apps/dashboard/app/lib/smart_attributes/attribute.rb
@@ -93,6 +93,9 @@ def help_html(fmt: nil)
       OodAppkit.markdown.render(help(fmt: fmt)).html_safe
     end
 
+    def default_hide_wrapper
+      !opts[:hide_by_default] ? '' : {style: 'display: none'}
+    end
     # Whether this attribute is required
     # @return [Boolean] is required
     def required
@@ -148,7 +151,8 @@ def field_options(fmt: nil)
       end.merge({
                   label:    label(fmt: fmt),
                   help:     help_html(fmt: fmt),
-                  required: required
+                  required: required,
+                  wrapper:  default_hide_wrapper 
                 })
     end
 
diff --git a/apps/dashboard/test/system/batch_connect_test.rb b/apps/dashboard/test/system/batch_connect_test.rb
index f0e6ece73..0a1bdd99f 100644
--- a/apps/dashboard/test/system/batch_connect_test.rb
+++ b/apps/dashboard/test/system/batch_connect_test.rb
@@ -881,7 +881,509 @@ def check_visibility(hidden_id, expect_hidden)
 
     data_hide_checkbox_test(form, 'checkbox_test', 'gpus', true)
   end
+
+  def basic_default_hide_check_hidden(invert = false)
+    if invert
+      assert_selector("##{bc_ele_id('gpus')}")
+      assert_text('GPU type')
+      assert_text('refute this')
+    else
+      assert_selector("##{bc_ele_id('gpus')}",   visible: :hidden)
+      refute_text('GPU type')
+      refute_text('refute this')
+    end
+  end
+
+  def basic_hide_by_default_test(form, invert: false)
+    Dir.mktmpdir do |dir|
+      make_bc_app(dir, form)
+      visit new_batch_connect_session_context_url('sys/app')
+
+      basic_default_hide_check_hidden(invert)
+      
+      select 'Account2', from: bc_ele_id('account') 
+      basic_default_hide_check_hidden(!invert)
+
+      select 'Account3', from: bc_ele_id('account')
+      basic_default_hide_check_hidden(invert)
+
+      select 'Account4', from: bc_ele_id('account') 
+      basic_default_hide_check_hidden(!invert)
+
+      select 'Account1', from: bc_ele_id('account') 
+      basic_default_hide_check_hidden(invert)
+    end
+  end
+
+  test 'hide_by_default changes default behavior on check box' do 
+    form = <<~HEREDOC
+    ---
+    cluster:
+      - owens
+    form:
+      - gpus
+      - account
+    attributes:
+      gpus:
+        widget: check_box
+        hide_by_default: true
+        label: 'GPU type'
+        help: 'refute this'
+      account:
+        widget: 'select'
+        options:
+          - ['Account1', 'account1']
+          - ['Account2', 'account2', data-hide-gpus: false]
+          - ['Account3', 'account3']
+          - ['Account4', 'account4', data-hide-gpus: false]
+    HEREDOC
+    basic_hide_by_default_test(form)
+  end
+
+  test 'data-hide false overrides hide_by_default on check box' do 
+    form = <<~HEREDOC
+    ---
+    cluster:
+      - owens
+    form:
+      - gpus
+      - account
+    attributes:
+      gpus:
+        widget: check_box
+        hide_by_default: true
+        label: 'GPU type'
+        help: 'refute this'
+      account:
+        widget: 'select'
+        options:
+          - ['Account1', 'account1', data-hide-gpus: false]
+          - ['Account2', 'account2']
+          - ['Account3', 'account3', data-hide-gpus: false]
+          - ['Account4', 'account4']
+    HEREDOC
+    basic_hide_by_default_test(form, invert: true)
+  end
+
+  test 'hide_by_default changes default behavior on number field' do 
+    form = <<~HEREDOC
+    ---
+    cluster:
+      - owens
+    form:
+      - gpus
+      - account
+    attributes:
+      gpus:
+        widget: number_field
+        hide_by_default: true
+        label: 'GPU type'
+        help: 'refute this'
+      account:
+        widget: 'select'
+        options:
+          - ['Account1', 'account1']
+          - ['Account2', 'account2', data-hide-gpus: false]
+          - ['Account3', 'account3']
+          - ['Account4', 'account4', data-hide-gpus: false]
+    HEREDOC
+    basic_hide_by_default_test(form)
+  end
+
+  test 'data-hide false overrides hide_by_default on number field' do 
+    form = <<~HEREDOC
+    ---
+    cluster:
+      - owens
+    form:
+      - gpus
+      - account
+    attributes:
+      gpus:
+        widget: check_box
+        hide_by_default: true
+        label: 'GPU type'
+        help: 'refute this'
+      account:
+        widget: 'select'
+        options:
+          - ['Account1', 'account1', data-hide-gpus: false]
+          - ['Account2', 'account2']
+          - ['Account3', 'account3', data-hide-gpus: false]
+          - ['Account4', 'account4']
+    HEREDOC
+    basic_hide_by_default_test(form, invert: true)
+  end
+
+  test 'hide_by_default changes default behavior on radio button' do 
+    form = <<~HEREDOC
+    ---
+    cluster:
+      - owens
+    form:
+      - gpus
+      - account
+    attributes:
+      gpus:
+        widget: 'radio'
+        hide_by_default: true
+        label: 'GPU type'
+        options:
+          - ["Type 1", "0"]
+          - ["Type 2", "1"]
+      account:
+        widget: 'select'
+        options:
+          - ['Account1', 'account1']
+          - ['Account2', 'account2', data-hide-gpus: false]
+    HEREDOC
+    Dir.mktmpdir do |dir|
+      make_bc_app(dir, form)
+      visit new_batch_connect_session_context_url('sys/app')
+
+      assert_selector("##{bc_ele_id('gpus')}",   visible: :hidden)
+      assert_selector("##{bc_ele_id('gpus_0')}", visible: :hidden)
+      assert_selector("##{bc_ele_id('gpus_1')}", visible: :hidden)
+      
+      select 'Account2', from: bc_ele_id('account') 
+      assert_selector("##{bc_ele_id('gpus')}")
+      assert_selector("##{bc_ele_id('gpus_0')}")
+      assert_selector("##{bc_ele_id('gpus_1')}")
+
+      select 'Account1', from: bc_ele_id('account') 
+      assert_selector("##{bc_ele_id('gpus')}",   visible: :hidden)
+      assert_selector("##{bc_ele_id('gpus_0')}", visible: :hidden)
+      assert_selector("##{bc_ele_id('gpus_1')}", visible: :hidden)
+    end
+  end
+
+  test 'data-hide false overrides hide_by_default on radio button' do 
+    form = <<~HEREDOC
+    ---
+    cluster:
+      - owens
+    form:
+      - gpus
+      - account
+    attributes:
+      gpus:
+        widget: 'radio'
+        hide_by_default: true
+        label: 'GPU type'
+        options:
+          - ["Type 1", "0"]
+          - ["Type 2", "1"]
+      account:
+        widget: 'select'
+        options:
+          - ['Account1', 'account1', data-hide-gpus: false]
+          - ['Account2', 'account2']
+    HEREDOC
+    Dir.mktmpdir do |dir|
+      make_bc_app(dir, form)
+      visit new_batch_connect_session_context_url('sys/app')
+
+      assert_selector("##{bc_ele_id('gpus')}")
+      assert_selector("##{bc_ele_id('gpus_0')}")
+      assert_selector("##{bc_ele_id('gpus_1')}")
+
+      select 'Account2', from: bc_ele_id('account') 
+      assert_selector("##{bc_ele_id('gpus')}",   visible: :hidden)
+      assert_selector("##{bc_ele_id('gpus_0')}", visible: :hidden)
+      assert_selector("##{bc_ele_id('gpus_1')}", visible: :hidden)
+
+      select 'Account1', from: bc_ele_id('account') 
+      assert_selector("##{bc_ele_id('gpus')}")
+      assert_selector("##{bc_ele_id('gpus_0')}")
+      assert_selector("##{bc_ele_id('gpus_1')}")
+    end
+  end
+
+  def assert_resolution_field_visibility(field, visible:)
+    opts = (visible ? {} : { visible: :hidden })
+  
+    assert_selector("##{field}_group",      **opts)
+    assert_selector("##{bc_ele_id(field)}", **opts)
+    assert_selector("##{field}_x_field",    **opts)
+    assert_selector("##{field}_y_field",    **opts)
+  end
+
+  test 'hide_by_default changes default behavior on resolution field' do 
+    form = <<~HEREDOC
+    ---
+    cluster:
+      - owens
+    form:
+      - gpus
+      - account
+    attributes:
+      gpus:
+        widget: resolution_field
+        hide_by_default: true
+        label: 'GPU type'
+        help: 'refute this'
+      account:
+        widget: 'select'
+        options:
+          - ['Account1', 'account1']
+          - ['Account2', 'account2', data-hide-gpus: false]
+          - ['Account3', 'account3']
+          - ['Account4', 'account4', data-hide-gpus: false]
+    HEREDOC
+    # Test help and label first, then specific resolution_field structure
+    basic_hide_by_default_test(form)
+
+    Dir.mktmpdir do |dir|
+      make_bc_app(dir, form)
+      visit new_batch_connect_session_context_url('sys/app')
+      assert_resolution_field_visibility('gpus', visible: false)
+
+      select 'Account2', from: bc_ele_id('account') 
+      assert_resolution_field_visibility('gpus', visible: true)
+  
+      select 'Account3', from: bc_ele_id('account') 
+      assert_resolution_field_visibility('gpus', visible: false)
+
+      select 'Account4', from: bc_ele_id('account') 
+      assert_resolution_field_visibility('gpus', visible: true)
+
+      select 'Account1', from: bc_ele_id('account') 
+      assert_resolution_field_visibility('gpus', visible: false)
+    end
+  end
+
+  test 'data-hide false overrides hide_by_default on resolution field' do 
+    form = <<~HEREDOC
+    ---
+    cluster:
+      - owens
+    form:
+      - gpus
+      - account
+    attributes:
+      gpus:
+        widget: resolution_field
+        hide_by_default: true
+        label: 'GPU type'
+        help: 'refute this'
+      account:
+        widget: 'select'
+        options:
+        - ['Account1', 'account1', data-hide-gpus: false]
+        - ['Account2', 'account2']
+        - ['Account3', 'account3', data-hide-gpus: false]
+        - ['Account4', 'account4']
+    HEREDOC
+    # Test help and label first, then specific resolution_field structure
+    basic_hide_by_default_test(form, invert: true)
+    Dir.mktmpdir do |dir|
+      make_bc_app(dir, form)
+      visit new_batch_connect_session_context_url('sys/app')
+      assert_resolution_field_visibility('gpus', visible: true)
+
+      select 'Account2', from: bc_ele_id('account') 
+      assert_resolution_field_visibility('gpus', visible: false)
   
+      select 'Account3', from: bc_ele_id('account') 
+      assert_resolution_field_visibility('gpus', visible: true)
+
+      select 'Account4', from: bc_ele_id('account') 
+      assert_resolution_field_visibility('gpus', visible: false)
+
+      select 'Account1', from: bc_ele_id('account') 
+      assert_resolution_field_visibility('gpus', visible: true)
+    end
+  end
+
+  test 'hide_by_default changes default behavior on select' do 
+    form = <<~HEREDOC
+    ---
+    cluster:
+      - owens
+    form:
+      - gpus
+      - account
+    attributes:
+      gpus:
+        widget: select
+        hide_by_default: true
+        label: 'GPU type'
+        help: 'refute this'
+        options:
+          - ['Type 1']
+          - ['Type 2']
+      account:
+        widget: 'select'
+        options:
+          - ['Account1', 'account1']
+          - ['Account2', 'account2', data-hide-gpus: false]
+          - ['Account3', 'account3']
+          - ['Account4', 'account4', data-hide-gpus: false]
+    HEREDOC
+    basic_hide_by_default_test(form)
+  end
+
+  test 'data-hide false overrides hide_by_default on select' do 
+    form = <<~HEREDOC
+    ---
+    cluster:
+      - owens
+    form:
+      - gpus
+      - account
+    attributes:
+      gpus:
+        widget: select
+        hide_by_default: true
+        label: 'GPU type'
+        help: 'refute this'
+        options:
+          - ['Type 1']
+          - ['Type 2']
+      account:
+        widget: 'select'
+        options:
+          - ['Account1', 'account1', data-hide-gpus: false]
+          - ['Account2', 'account2']
+          - ['Account3', 'account3', data-hide-gpus: false]
+          - ['Account4', 'account4']
+    HEREDOC
+    basic_hide_by_default_test(form, invert: true)
+  end
+
+  test 'hide_by_default changes default behavior on text field' do 
+    form = <<~HEREDOC
+    ---
+    cluster:
+      - owens
+    form:
+      - gpus
+      - account
+    attributes:
+      gpus:
+        widget: text_field
+        hide_by_default: true
+        label: 'GPU type'
+        help: 'refute this'
+      account:
+        widget: 'select'
+        options:
+        - ['Account1', 'account1']
+        - ['Account2', 'account2', data-hide-gpus: false]
+        - ['Account3', 'account3']
+        - ['Account4', 'account4', data-hide-gpus: false]
+    HEREDOC
+    basic_hide_by_default_test(form)
+  end
+
+  test 'data-hide false overrides hide_by_default on text field' do 
+    form = <<~HEREDOC
+    ---
+    cluster:
+      - owens
+    form:
+      - gpus
+      - account
+    attributes:
+      gpus:
+        widget: text_field
+        hide_by_default: true
+        label: 'GPU type'
+        help: 'refute this'
+      account:
+        widget: 'select'
+        options:
+        - ['Account1', 'account1', data-hide-gpus: false]
+        - ['Account2', 'account2']
+        - ['Account3', 'account3', data-hide-gpus: false]
+        - ['Account4', 'account4']
+    HEREDOC
+    basic_hide_by_default_test(form, invert: true)
+  end
+
+  test 'hide_by_default changes default behavior on path selector' do 
+    form = <<~HEREDOC
+    ---
+    cluster:
+      - owens
+    form:
+      - gpus
+      - account
+    attributes:
+      gpus:
+        widget: path_selector
+        hide_by_default: true
+        label: 'GPU type'
+        help: 'refute this'
+      account:
+        widget: 'select'
+        options:
+          - ['Account1', 'account1']
+          - ['Account2', 'account2', data-hide-gpus: false]
+          - ['Account3', 'account3']
+          - ['Account4', 'account4', data-hide-gpus: false]
+    HEREDOC
+    Dir.mktmpdir do |dir|
+      make_bc_app(dir, form)
+      visit new_batch_connect_session_context_url('sys/app')
+      refute_text('Select Path')
+
+      select 'Account2', from: bc_ele_id('account') 
+      assert_text('Select Path')
+  
+      select 'Account3', from: bc_ele_id('account') 
+      refute_text('Select Path')
+
+      select 'Account4', from: bc_ele_id('account') 
+      assert_text('Select Path')
+  
+      select 'Account1', from: bc_ele_id('account') 
+      refute_text('Select Path')
+    end
+  end
+
+  test 'data-hide false overrides hide_by_default on path selector' do 
+    form = <<~HEREDOC
+    ---
+    cluster:
+      - owens
+    form:
+      - gpus
+      - account
+    attributes:
+      gpus:
+        widget: path_selector
+        hide_by_default: true
+        label: 'GPU type'
+        help: 'refute this'
+      account:
+        widget: 'select'
+        options:
+          - ['Account1', 'account1', data-hide-gpus: false]
+          - ['Account2', 'account2']
+          - ['Account3', 'account3', data-hide-gpus: false]
+          - ['Account4', 'account4']
+    HEREDOC
+    basic_hide_by_default_test(form, invert: true)
+    Dir.mktmpdir do |dir|
+      make_bc_app(dir, form)
+      visit new_batch_connect_session_context_url('sys/app')
+      assert_text('Select Path')
+
+      select 'Account2', from: bc_ele_id('account') 
+      refute_text('Select Path')
+  
+      select 'Account3', from: bc_ele_id('account') 
+      assert_text('Select Path')
+
+      select 'Account4', from: bc_ele_id('account') 
+      refute_text('Select Path')
+  
+      select 'Account1', from: bc_ele_id('account') 
+      assert_text('Select Path')
+    end
+  end
+
   test 'options with hyphens set min & max' do
     visit new_batch_connect_session_context_url('sys/bc_jupyter')