diff --git a/src/freeroute/route/grid_router.py b/src/freeroute/route/grid_router.py
index 587d083..9263c10 100644
--- a/src/freeroute/route/grid_router.py
+++ b/src/freeroute/route/grid_router.py
@@ -1,20 +1,27 @@
-"""A grid-based maze router (MVP), now multi-layer with vias.
+"""A grid-based maze router (MVP): multi-layer, vias, and rip-up-and-retry.
 
-Still an *MVP* — not a port of FreeRouting's expansion-room maze — but it routes
-across the board's signal layers and changes layers through vias when a net
-cannot get through on one layer:
+Still an *MVP* — not a port of FreeRouting's expansion-room maze / ripper — but
+it routes across the board's signal layers, changes layers through vias, and
+recovers from bad greedy net orderings with rip-up-and-retry:
 
 * the occupancy grid has a layer axis; A* nodes are ``(col, row, layer)``;
-* in-plane moves (8-connected, 45-degree) cost distance and stay on a layer;
-* a **via move** transitions between layers at a cell for a configurable
-  ``via_cost`` (so the router prefers one layer but will change to get through);
-* a cell is blocked per-layer by other-net pads/traces/vias on that layer plus
-  keepouts; a via cell must be clear on **all** signal layers (a through via);
-* each net's ratsnest is connected pin-to-pin; routed traces and vias then block
-  other nets. Trace endpoints land exactly on the connected pads.
+* in-plane moves (8-connected, 45-degree) cost distance; a **via move** changes
+  layer at a cell for a configurable ``via_cost``; a through via must be clear on
+  every signal layer;
+* occupancy is tracked *per connection* so a specific routed connection can be
+  removed. When a connection cannot reach its target through free space, the
+  router runs a **rip-up** search that may pass through other nets' traces (at a
+  penalty), rips up the connections it crosses, routes the failing connection,
+  and re-queues the ripped connections for a later pass;
+* passes iterate up to ``max_passes``, keeping the best (fewest-unrouted) result
+  and stopping on full success or when a pass changes nothing;
+* **thrash prevention:** each connection may be ripped at most ``rip_cap`` times,
+  and the penalty to rip a connection escalates with its rip count, so
+  repeatedly-ripped connections harden into walls. Everything is deterministic
+  (no RNG).
 
-Deferred (still): FreeRouting's free-space expansion rooms, rip-up-and-retry,
-blind/buried via spans, and shove. Those raise coverage/quality on dense boards.
+Deferred (still): FreeRouting's free-space expansion rooms, exact shove /
+DRC-clean geometry, and blind/buried via spans.
 """
 
 from __future__ import annotations
@@ -52,12 +59,14 @@ class RouteResult:
     ``routed_net_numbers`` are the nets that got any wire or via.
     """
 
-    __slots__ = ("wires", "vias", "half_width")
+    __slots__ = ("wires", "vias", "half_width", "unrouted")
 
     def __init__(self, half_width: int) -> None:
         self.wires: dict[int, list[tuple[int, list[IntPoint]]]] = {}
         self.vias: dict[int, list[IntPoint]] = {}
         self.half_width = half_width
+        #: number of ratsnest connections left unrouted
+        self.unrouted = 0
 
     def add_wire(self, net_no: int, layer: int, path: list[IntPoint]) -> None:
         self.wires.setdefault(net_no, []).append((layer, path))
@@ -75,8 +84,37 @@ class RouteResult:
         return sum(len(v) for v in self.vias.values())
 
 
+class _Connection:
+    """One ratsnest connection (a pin pair) and its routed state."""
+
+    __slots__ = (
+        "index",
+        "net_no",
+        "a",
+        "b",
+        "routed",
+        "rip_count",
+        "wires",
+        "vias",
+        "trace_cells",
+        "via_cells",
+    )
+
+    def __init__(self, index: int, net_no: int, a: Pin, b: Pin) -> None:
+        self.index = index
+        self.net_no = net_no
+        self.a = a
+        self.b = b
+        self.routed = False
+        self.rip_count = 0
+        self.wires: list[tuple[int, list[IntPoint]]] = []
+        self.vias: list[IntPoint] = []
+        self.trace_cells: list[tuple[Cell, int]] = []
+        self.via_cells: list[Cell] = []
+
+
 class GridRouter:
-    """Routes a :class:`BasicBoard` across signal layers with a grid A* + vias."""
+    """Routes a :class:`BasicBoard` with a grid A*, vias, and rip-up-and-retry."""
 
     def __init__(
         self,
@@ -86,12 +124,20 @@ class GridRouter:
         clearance: int,
         layers: list[int] | None = None,
         via_cost: float = 10.0,
+        rip_up: bool = True,
+        max_passes: int = 10,
+        rip_cap: int = 4,
+        rip_penalty: float = 30.0,
     ) -> None:
         self.board = board
         self.trace_width = max(trace_width, 1)
         self.clearance = max(clearance, 0)
         self.half_width = self.trace_width // 2
         self.via_cost = via_cost
+        self.rip_up = rip_up
+        self.max_passes = max(max_passes, 1)
+        self.rip_cap = max(rip_cap, 0)
+        self.rip_penalty = rip_penalty
         # cell size must fit a trace plus its clearance to a neighbouring trace
         self.step = max(self.trace_width + self.clearance, 1)
 
@@ -105,11 +151,12 @@ class GridRouter:
         self.cols = max(1, math.ceil((box.ur.x - box.ll.x) / self.step) + 1)
         self.rows = max(1, math.ceil((box.ur.y - box.ll.y) / self.step) + 1)
 
-        # per-(cell, layer) occupancy
+        # static obstacles
         self._pad_block: dict[Node, set[int]] = {}
         self._keepout: set[Node] = set()
-        self._trace_block: dict[Node, int] = {}
-        self._via_block: dict[Cell, int] = {}
+        # per-connection occupancy (owner = connection index)
+        self._cell_owner: dict[Node, int] = {}
+        self._via_owner: dict[Cell, int] = {}
         self._rasterize_obstacles()
 
     # --- grid helpers -------------------------------------------------------
@@ -154,34 +201,68 @@ class GridRouter:
                 for cell in self._cells_in_box(box, self.clearance):
                     self._keepout.add((*cell, item.layer))
 
-    def _blocked(self, cell: Cell, layer: int, net_no: int) -> bool:
+    # --- occupancy cost -----------------------------------------------------
+
+    def _enter_cost(
+        self, cell: Cell, layer: int, net_no: int, allow_ripup: bool, conns: list[_Connection]
+    ) -> float | None:
+        """Cost to enter ``(cell, layer)`` for ``net_no``; ``None`` if blocked.
+
+        Static pads/keepouts always block. A cell occupied by another net's trace
+        or via is impassable in free-space mode; in rip-up mode it is passable at
+        a penalty that escalates with the owner's rip count, unless the owner has
+        already hit ``rip_cap`` (then it hardens into a wall).
+        """
         node = (*cell, layer)
         if node in self._keepout:
-            return True
+            return None
         pads = self._pad_block.get(node)
         if pads and any(n != net_no for n in pads):
-            return True
-        trace = self._trace_block.get(node)
-        if trace is not None and trace != net_no:
-            return True
-        via = self._via_block.get(cell)
-        return via is not None and via != net_no
+            return None
+        blocking = None
+        owner = self._cell_owner.get(node)
+        if owner is not None and conns[owner].net_no != net_no:
+            blocking = owner
+        else:
+            via_owner = self._via_owner.get(cell)
+            if via_owner is not None and conns[via_owner].net_no != net_no:
+                blocking = via_owner
+        if blocking is None:
+            return 0.0
+        if not allow_ripup:
+            return None
+        rip_count = conns[blocking].rip_count
+        if rip_count >= self.rip_cap:
+            return None
+        return self.rip_penalty * (1 + rip_count)
 
-    def _via_placeable(self, cell: Cell, net_no: int) -> bool:
-        """A through via at ``cell`` needs every signal layer clear of other nets."""
-        return all(not self._blocked(cell, layer, net_no) for layer in self.layers)
+    def _via_placeable(self, cell: Cell, net_no: int, conns: list[_Connection]) -> bool:
+        """A through via needs every signal layer strictly free of other nets."""
+        return all(
+            self._enter_cost(cell, layer, net_no, False, conns) == 0.0 for layer in self.layers
+        )
 
     # --- A* search ----------------------------------------------------------
 
     def _search(
-        self, starts: set[Node], goal_cell: Cell, goals: set[Node], net_no: int
+        self, conn: _Connection, allow_ripup: bool, conns: list[_Connection]
     ) -> list[Node] | None:
+        start_cell = self._cell_of(conn.a.location)
+        goal_cell = self._cell_of(conn.b.location)
+        a_layers = [layer for layer in conn.a.layers if layer in self.layers]
+        b_layers = [layer for layer in conn.b.layers if layer in self.layers]
+        if not a_layers or not b_layers:
+            return None
+        starts = {(*start_cell, layer) for layer in a_layers}
+        goals = {(*goal_cell, layer) for layer in b_layers}
         if starts & goals:
-            return [next(iter(starts & goals))]
+            return [min(starts & goals)]
+        net_no = conn.net_no
+
         open_heap: list[tuple[float, Node]] = []
         g_score: dict[Node, float] = {}
         came_from: dict[Node, Node] = {}
-        for s in starts:
+        for s in sorted(starts):
             g_score[s] = 0.0
             heapq.heappush(open_heap, (self._h(s, goal_cell), s))
 
@@ -191,30 +272,28 @@ class GridRouter:
                 return _reconstruct(came_from, current)
             cx, cy, cl = current
             base = g_score[current]
-            # in-plane moves
             for dx, dy in _NEIGHBOURS:
                 cell = (cx + dx, cy + dy)
                 if not (0 <= cell[0] < self.cols and 0 <= cell[1] < self.rows):
                     continue
                 nxt = (*cell, cl)
-                if nxt not in goals and self._blocked(cell, cl, net_no):
-                    continue
-                cost = 1.0 if dx == 0 or dy == 0 else math.sqrt(2)
-                self._relax(current, nxt, base + cost, goal_cell, g_score, came_from, open_heap)
-            # via moves (change layer at the same cell)
-            if len(self.layers) > 1 and self._via_placeable((cx, cy), net_no):
+                if nxt in goals:
+                    enter = 0.0
+                else:
+                    enter = self._enter_cost(cell, cl, net_no, allow_ripup, conns)
+                    if enter is None:
+                        continue
+                step = 1.0 if dx == 0 or dy == 0 else math.sqrt(2)
+                self._relax(
+                    current, nxt, base + step + enter, goal_cell, g_score, came_from, open_heap
+                )
+            if len(self.layers) > 1 and self._via_placeable((cx, cy), net_no, conns):
                 for layer in self.layers:
                     if layer == cl:
                         continue
                     nxt = (cx, cy, layer)
                     self._relax(
-                        current,
-                        nxt,
-                        base + self.via_cost,
-                        goal_cell,
-                        g_score,
-                        came_from,
-                        open_heap,
+                        current, nxt, base + self.via_cost, goal_cell, g_score, came_from, open_heap
                     )
         return None
 
@@ -227,28 +306,106 @@ class GridRouter:
     def _h(self, node: Node, goal_cell: Cell) -> float:
         return math.hypot(node[0] - goal_cell[0], node[1] - goal_cell[1])
 
-    # --- commit / marking ---------------------------------------------------
+    # --- commit / rip -------------------------------------------------------
 
-    def _mark(self, wires, vias, net_no: int) -> None:
-        for layer, cells in wires:
-            for cell in cells:
-                self._trace_block[(*cell, layer)] = net_no
-        for cell in vias:
-            self._via_block[cell] = net_no
+    def _commit(self, conn: _Connection, path: list[Node]) -> None:
+        wire_segs, via_cells = _split_path(path)
+        conn.trace_cells = [(cell, layer) for layer, cells in wire_segs for cell in cells]
+        conn.via_cells = list(via_cells)
+        for cell, layer in conn.trace_cells:
+            self._cell_owner[(*cell, layer)] = conn.index
+        for cell in conn.via_cells:
+            self._via_owner[cell] = conn.index
+        conn.wires = []
+        for idx, (layer, cells) in enumerate(wire_segs):
+            points = [self._cell_center(c) for c in cells]
+            if idx == 0:
+                points.insert(0, conn.a.location)
+            if idx == len(wire_segs) - 1:
+                points.append(conn.b.location)
+            points = _simplify(points)
+            if len(points) >= 2:
+                conn.wires.append((layer, points))
+        conn.vias = [self._cell_center(c) for c in conn.via_cells]
+        conn.routed = True
 
-    # --- public routing -----------------------------------------------------
+    def _rip(self, conn: _Connection) -> None:
+        for cell, layer in conn.trace_cells:
+            if self._cell_owner.get((*cell, layer)) == conn.index:
+                del self._cell_owner[(*cell, layer)]
+        for cell in conn.via_cells:
+            if self._via_owner.get(cell) == conn.index:
+                del self._via_owner[cell]
+        conn.trace_cells = []
+        conn.via_cells = []
+        conn.wires = []
+        conn.vias = []
+        conn.routed = False
+        conn.rip_count += 1
+
+    def _crossed_owners(self, path: list[Node], net_no: int, conns: list[_Connection]) -> set[int]:
+        owners: set[int] = set()
+        for cx, cy, cl in path:
+            owner = self._cell_owner.get((cx, cy, cl))
+            if owner is not None and conns[owner].net_no != net_no:
+                owners.add(owner)
+            via_owner = self._via_owner.get((cx, cy))
+            if via_owner is not None and conns[via_owner].net_no != net_no:
+                owners.add(via_owner)
+        return owners
+
+    # --- passes -------------------------------------------------------------
 
     def route(self) -> RouteResult:
-        """Route every net with >= 2 pins across the router's signal layers."""
-        result = RouteResult(self.half_width)
+        """Route all ratsnest connections, using rip-up-and-retry across passes."""
+        conns = self._build_connections()
+        if not conns:
+            return RouteResult(self.half_width)
+
+        passes = self.max_passes if self.rip_up else 1
+        best_count = -1
+        best_snapshot: list[tuple[int, list, list]] | None = None
+        best_unrouted = len(conns)
+        for _ in range(passes):
+            changed = False
+            for conn in conns:  # deterministic: connection creation order
+                if conn.routed:
+                    continue
+                if self._try_route(conn, conns):
+                    changed = True
+            routed_count = sum(1 for c in conns if c.routed)
+            if routed_count > best_count:
+                best_count = routed_count
+                best_unrouted = len(conns) - routed_count
+                best_snapshot = self._snapshot(conns)
+            if routed_count == len(conns):
+                break
+            if not changed:
+                break
+        return self._result_from(best_snapshot or [], best_unrouted)
+
+    def _try_route(self, conn: _Connection, conns: list[_Connection]) -> bool:
+        path = self._search(conn, allow_ripup=False, conns=conns)
+        if path is None:
+            if not self.rip_up:
+                return False
+            path = self._search(conn, allow_ripup=True, conns=conns)
+            if path is None:
+                return False
+            for idx in sorted(self._crossed_owners(path, conn.net_no, conns)):
+                self._rip(conns[idx])
+        self._commit(conn, path)
+        return True
+
+    def _build_connections(self) -> list[_Connection]:
         pins_by_net = self._pins_by_net()
-        for net_no in sorted(pins_by_net, key=lambda n: len(pins_by_net[n])):
+        conns: list[_Connection] = []
+        # deterministic: fewer-pin nets first, then by net number
+        for net_no in sorted(pins_by_net, key=lambda n: (len(pins_by_net[n]), n)):
             pins = pins_by_net[net_no]
-            if len(pins) < 2:
-                continue
             for a, b in zip(pins, pins[1:], strict=False):
-                self._route_connection(a, b, net_no, result)
-        return result
+                conns.append(_Connection(len(conns), net_no, a, b))
+        return conns
 
     def _pins_by_net(self) -> dict[int, list[Pin]]:
         by_net: dict[int, list[Pin]] = {}
@@ -259,32 +416,22 @@ class GridRouter:
                 by_net.setdefault(net_no, []).append(pin)
         return by_net
 
-    def _route_connection(self, a: Pin, b: Pin, net_no: int, result: RouteResult) -> None:
-        start_cell = self._cell_of(a.location)
-        goal_cell = self._cell_of(b.location)
-        a_layers = [layer for layer in a.layers if layer in self.layers]
-        b_layers = [layer for layer in b.layers if layer in self.layers]
-        if not a_layers or not b_layers:
-            return
-        starts = {(*start_cell, layer) for layer in a_layers}
-        goals = {(*goal_cell, layer) for layer in b_layers}
-        path = self._search(starts, goal_cell, goals, net_no)
-        if path is None:
-            return
-        wires, vias = _split_path(path)
-        self._mark(wires, vias, net_no)
-        # emit wires with exact pad endpoints; emit vias at their cell centres
-        for idx, (layer, cells) in enumerate(wires):
-            points = [self._cell_center(c) for c in cells]
-            if idx == 0:
-                points.insert(0, a.location)
-            if idx == len(wires) - 1:
-                points.append(b.location)
-            points = _simplify(points)
-            if len(points) >= 2:
+    def _snapshot(self, conns: list[_Connection]) -> list[tuple[int, list, list]]:
+        return [
+            (c.net_no, [(layer, list(pts)) for layer, pts in c.wires], list(c.vias))
+            for c in conns
+            if c.routed
+        ]
+
+    def _result_from(self, snapshot, unrouted: int) -> RouteResult:
+        result = RouteResult(self.half_width)
+        result.unrouted = unrouted
+        for net_no, wires, vias in snapshot:
+            for layer, points in wires:
                 result.add_wire(net_no, layer, points)
-        for cell in vias:
-            result.add_via(net_no, self._cell_center(cell))
+            for location in vias:
+                result.add_via(net_no, location)
+        return result
 
 
 def _split_path(path: list[Node]) -> tuple[list[tuple[int, list[Cell]]], list[Cell]]:
@@ -336,6 +483,8 @@ def route_board(
     clearance: int,
     layers: list[int] | None = None,
     via_cost: float = 10.0,
+    rip_up: bool = True,
+    max_passes: int = 10,
 ) -> RouteResult:
     """Convenience wrapper: build a :class:`GridRouter` and route the board."""
     router = GridRouter(
@@ -344,5 +493,7 @@ def route_board(
         clearance=clearance,
         layers=layers,
         via_cost=via_cost,
+        rip_up=rip_up,
+        max_passes=max_passes,
     )
     return router.route()
diff --git a/src/freeroute/route/pipeline.py b/src/freeroute/route/pipeline.py
index 9ec9933..959eb8f 100644
--- a/src/freeroute/route/pipeline.py
+++ b/src/freeroute/route/pipeline.py
@@ -44,23 +44,37 @@ def _via_padstack(dsn: DsnBoard) -> str:
 
 
 def route_dsn_board(
-    dsn: DsnBoard, *, layers: list[int] | None = None
+    dsn: DsnBoard,
+    *,
+    layers: list[int] | None = None,
+    rip_up: bool = True,
+    max_passes: int = 10,
 ) -> tuple[RouteResult, int, list[str]]:
     """Route a parsed :class:`DsnBoard`; return the board-unit result, the scale,
     and the layer names. ``layers`` restricts routing to those signal-layer
-    indices (default: all signal layers, i.e. multi-layer with vias)."""
+    indices (default: all signal layers, i.e. multi-layer with vias); ``rip_up``
+    toggles rip-up-and-retry (``False`` = greedy single pass)."""
     board = build_board(dsn)
     scale = max(dsn.resolution.value, 1)
     width_board = round(_rule_width_dsn(dsn) * scale)
     clearance_board = round(_rule_clearance_dsn(dsn) * scale)
-    result = route_board(board, trace_width=width_board, clearance=clearance_board, layers=layers)
+    result = route_board(
+        board,
+        trace_width=width_board,
+        clearance=clearance_board,
+        layers=layers,
+        rip_up=rip_up,
+        max_passes=max_passes,
+    )
     return result, scale, [layer.name for layer in dsn.layers]
 
 
-def build_routing_result(dsn: DsnBoard, *, layers: list[int] | None = None) -> RoutingResult:
+def build_routing_result(
+    dsn: DsnBoard, *, layers: list[int] | None = None, rip_up: bool = True
+) -> RoutingResult:
     """Route ``dsn`` and convert the board-unit paths + vias to a DSN-unit
     :class:`~freeroute.ses.RoutingResult` for SES emission."""
-    route, scale, layer_names = route_dsn_board(dsn, layers=layers)
+    route, scale, layer_names = route_dsn_board(dsn, layers=layers, rip_up=rip_up)
     width_dsn = _rule_width_dsn(dsn)
     via_name = _via_padstack(dsn)
     # net_number is assigned in DSN order by build_board, so index i -> number i+1