Keepout exits and rule areas

A route may not leave a cell inside a wire keepout as a wire, nor reach
a pin there by one: it changes layer instead, and the via goes in the
pad. A pin whose every stub enters a keepout is reached by a via only.

A structure keepout named rule_area... (mckicad names KiCad rule areas
so) is checked for overlap only, as KiCad's DRC does, with the free ends
of each wire tested for their round caps.

.gitignore

@@ -20,3 +20,7 @@ htmlcov/
 # Editor / OS
 .DS_Store
 *.swp
+
+# Benchmark inputs and results: board lists name local, often private, designs
+/bench/boards*.txt
+/bench/results/

bench/bench.py

@@ -0,0 +1,206 @@
+"""Route boards under several connection orders and compare variants fairly.
+
+One routing run says little: which connection routes first moves a result by
+ten connections either way on a crowded board. This runs every board with
+every variant under the same seeds (``--seed``), so variant A and variant B
+face the same order on seed 3, and compares them seed by seed.
+
+    uv run python bench/bench.py BOARDS -v base= -v hist1="--history-cost 1" \\
+        --seeds 6 --jobs 4 --out bench/results/hist.jsonl
+
+BOARDS is a text file, one board per line: a name, a DSN path and any flags
+that board always needs, e.g.
+
+    sense  /path/to/charge-sense.dsn  --edge-clearance 0.5
+    # comments and blank lines are ignored
+
+A variant is ``NAME=FLAGS``, or ``NAME@SRC=FLAGS`` to run the code under SRC
+(a worktree's ``src`` directory) rather than the installed package. The first
+variant is the baseline. Results are appended to --out as JSON lines, and runs
+already in it are skipped, so an interrupted benchmark picks up where it left
+off. Exits non-zero if any run crashed or timed out.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import argparse
+from concurrent.futures import ThreadPoolExecutor, as_completed
+import json
+import math
+import os
+from pathlib import Path
+import re
+import shlex
+import subprocess
+import sys
+import tempfile
+import threading
+import time
+
+NOT_ROUTED = re.compile(r"freeroute: (\d+) connection\(s\) not routed")
+TO_ZONE = re.compile(r"freeroute: (\d+) more connection\(s\) left to a zone fill")
+
+
+def parse_boards(path: Path) -> list[tuple[str, Path, list[str]]]:
+    boards = []
+    for line in path.read_text().splitlines():
+        words = shlex.split(line, comments=True)
+        if not words:
+            continue
+        if len(words) < 2:
+            raise SystemExit(f"{path}: want 'name path [flags]', got {line!r}")
+        dsn = Path(words[1]).expanduser()
+        if not dsn.is_file():
+            raise SystemExit(f"{path}: no such DSN {dsn}")
+        boards.append((words[0], dsn, words[2:]))
+    return boards
+
+
+def parse_variant(spec: str) -> tuple[str, str | None, list[str]]:
+    head, sep, flags = spec.partition("=")
+    if not sep or not head:
+        raise SystemExit(f"variant {spec!r}: want NAME=FLAGS or NAME@SRC=FLAGS")
+    name, _, src = head.partition("@")
+    if src and not (Path(src) / "freeroute").is_dir():
+        raise SystemExit(f"variant {name}: {src} has no freeroute package")
+    return name, src or None, shlex.split(flags)
+
+
+def run_one(board, variant, seed: int, timeout: float) -> dict:
+    name, dsn, board_flags = board
+    vname, src, flags = variant
+    env = dict(os.environ)
+    if src:
+        env["PYTHONPATH"] = src + os.pathsep + env.get("PYTHONPATH", "")
+    with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as tmp:
+        cmd = [
+            sys.executable, "-m", "freeroute.cli", str(dsn), "-do", f"{tmp}/out.ses",
+            *board_flags, *flags, "--seed", str(seed),
+        ]
+        start = time.monotonic()
+        proc = subprocess.Popen(
+            cmd, env=env, stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL, stderr=subprocess.PIPE, text=True
+        )
+        expired = threading.Event()
+
+        def expire() -> None:
+            expired.set()
+            proc.kill()
+
+        timer = threading.Timer(timeout, expire)
+        timer.start()
+        err = proc.stderr.read()
+        # reap it here rather than through Popen, to keep its peak memory
+        _, wstatus, usage = os.wait4(proc.pid, 0)
+        timer.cancel()
+        proc.returncode = os.waitstatus_to_exitcode(wstatus)
+        proc.stderr.close()
+        status = "timeout" if expired.is_set() else (
+            "ok" if proc.returncode == 0 else f"exit {proc.returncode}"
+        )
+        rss_mb = round(usage.ru_maxrss / 1024)
+        secs = round(time.monotonic() - start, 1)
+    missing = NOT_ROUTED.search(err)
+    zone = TO_ZONE.search(err)
+    return {
+        "board": name, "variant": vname, "seed": seed, "status": status,
+        "unrouted": int(missing.group(1)) if missing else 0,
+        "to_zone": int(zone.group(1)) if zone else 0,
+        "secs": secs, "rss_mb": rss_mb,
+        "tail": err.strip().splitlines()[-1] if status != "ok" and err.strip() else "",
+    }
+
+
+def mean_sd(xs: list[float]) -> tuple[float, float]:
+    m = sum(xs) / len(xs)
+    sd = math.sqrt(sum((x - m) ** 2 for x in xs) / (len(xs) - 1)) if len(xs) > 1 else 0.0
+    return m, sd
+
+
+def report(rows: list[dict], boards, variants) -> None:
+    ok = {(r["board"], r["variant"], r["seed"]): r for r in rows if r["status"] == "ok"}
+    base = variants[0][0]
+    print(f"\nunrouted per board (lower is better), baseline {base!r}\n")
+    print(f"{'board':14} {'variant':14} {'n':>3} {'mean':>6} {'sd':>5} {'min':>4} {'max':>4}"
+          f" {'secs':>6}   vs baseline, seed by seed")
+    for bname, _, _ in boards:
+        for vname, _, _ in variants:
+            runs = sorted((k[2], r) for k, r in ok.items() if k[:2] == (bname, vname))
+            if not runs:
+                print(f"{bname:14} {vname:14}   no finished runs")
+                continue
+            xs = [r["unrouted"] for _, r in runs]
+            m, sd = mean_sd(xs)
+            t, _ = mean_sd([r["secs"] for _, r in runs])
+            line = (f"{bname:14} {vname:14} {len(xs):>3} {m:>6.1f} {sd:>5.1f} {min(xs):>4}"
+                    f" {max(xs):>4} {t:>6.0f}")
+            if vname != base:
+                diffs = [r["unrouted"] - ok[(bname, base, s)]["unrouted"]
+                         for s, r in runs if (bname, base, s) in ok]
+                if diffs:
+                    dm, dsd = mean_sd(diffs)
+                    se = dsd / math.sqrt(len(diffs)) if len(diffs) > 1 else float("inf")
+                    better = sum(d < 0 for d in diffs)
+                    worse = sum(d > 0 for d in diffs)
+                    # a difference inside two standard errors is not a finding
+                    verdict = ("better" if dm < 0 else "worse") if abs(dm) > 2 * se else "no clear change"
+                    line += (f"   {dm:+.1f} ± {se:.1f}  ({better} better, {worse} worse,"
+                             f" {len(diffs) - better - worse} same)  {verdict}")
+            print(line)
+    failed = [r for r in rows if r["status"] != "ok"]
+    for r in failed:
+        print(f"FAILED {r['board']} {r['variant']} seed {r['seed']}: {r['status']} {r['tail']}")
+
+
+def main(argv: list[str] | None = None) -> int:
+    ap = argparse.ArgumentParser(description=__doc__.split("\n\n")[0])
+    ap.add_argument("boards", type=Path, help="board list: name, DSN path, flags")
+    ap.add_argument("-v", "--variant", action="append", required=True,
+                    help="NAME=FLAGS or NAME@SRC=FLAGS; the first is the baseline")
+    ap.add_argument("--seeds", type=int, default=6, help="orders per board and variant")
+    ap.add_argument("--first-seed", type=int, default=0)
+    ap.add_argument("--jobs", type=int, default=4, help="runs at once")
+    ap.add_argument("--timeout", type=float, default=1800, help="seconds per run")
+    ap.add_argument("--out", type=Path, required=True, help="JSON lines, appended")
+    ap.add_argument("--report-only", action="store_true", help="summarise --out, run nothing")
+    args = ap.parse_args(argv)
+
+    boards = parse_boards(args.boards)
+    variants = [parse_variant(v) for v in args.variant]
+    if len({v[0] for v in variants}) != len(variants):
+        raise SystemExit("variant names must differ")
+    seeds = range(args.first_seed, args.first_seed + args.seeds)
+
+    rows: list[dict] = []
+    if args.out.exists():
+        rows = [json.loads(line) for line in args.out.read_text().splitlines() if line.strip()]
+    done = {(r["board"], r["variant"], r["seed"]) for r in rows if r["status"] == "ok"}
+    todo = [(b, v, s) for b in boards for v in variants for s in seeds
+            if (b[0], v[0], s) not in done]
+
+    if not args.report_only and todo:
+        args.out.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+        print(f"{len(todo)} runs, {args.jobs} at a time", file=sys.stderr)
+        # retried runs replace their earlier failure
+        rows = [r for r in rows if (r["board"], r["variant"], r["seed"]) in done]
+        with ThreadPoolExecutor(args.jobs) as pool, args.out.open("w") as out:
+            for r in rows:
+                out.write(json.dumps(r) + "\n")
+            futures = [pool.submit(run_one, b, v, s, args.timeout) for b, v, s in todo]
+            for n, fut in enumerate(as_completed(futures), 1):
+                r = fut.result()
+                rows.append(r)
+                out.write(json.dumps(r) + "\n")
+                out.flush()
+                print(f"[{n}/{len(todo)}] {r['board']} {r['variant']} seed {r['seed']}:"
+                      f" {r['status']} unrouted {r['unrouted']} ({r['secs']}s,"
+                      f" {r['rss_mb']} MB)", file=sys.stderr)
+
+    wanted = {(b[0], v[0], s) for b in boards for v in variants for s in seeds}
+    rows = [r for r in rows if (r["board"], r["variant"], r["seed"]) in wanted]
+    report(rows, boards, variants)
+    return 1 if any(r["status"] != "ok" for r in rows) or len(rows) < len(wanted) else 0
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    raise SystemExit(main())

bench/diagnose.py

@@ -0,0 +1,266 @@
+"""Why did each connection fail? Sort the failures of one exact-engine run.
+
+    uv run python bench/diagnose.py board.dsn --edge-clearance 0.5 [--json out.json]
+
+Every connection the exact engine leaves unrouted lands in one bucket:
+
+rejected    the grid routed it, the exact geometry check refused its copper
+alone       it cannot be routed even on a board with no other routes: the
+            pads, keepouts or the grid itself are the limit, not congestion
+walled-in   in the routed board one of its pins has no way out: a flood from
+            the pin's end cells through free cells stops short (pin access)
+congestion  both pins can get out, but no free path joins them
+
+The board state is the one the result came from (the best pass), rebuilt by
+replaying that pass's paths. Diagnostic only: it reaches into the router.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import argparse
+from collections import Counter
+import json
+from pathlib import Path
+import sys
+
+from freeroute.board import build_board
+from freeroute.board.search_tree import ShapeSearchTree
+from freeroute.dsn import parse_dsn
+from freeroute.geometry.octagon import overlaps_2d
+from freeroute.route import grid_router
+from freeroute.route.exact_router import route_board_exact
+from freeroute.route.grid_router import GridRouter, _ends_of
+from freeroute.route.pipeline import (
+    _mm_to_board,
+    _rule_clearance_dsn,
+    _rule_width_dsn,
+    _via_half_board,
+)
+
+# a pin whose free neighbourhood holds fewer nodes than this is walled in
+FLOOD_LIMIT = 200
+
+
+def _capture_router():
+    """Patch GridRouter so the instance route_board_exact builds, and the paths
+    of its best pass, can be read back afterwards."""
+    seen: dict = {}
+    original_commit = GridRouter._commit
+    original_snapshot = GridRouter._snapshot
+
+    def commit(self, conn, path):
+        original_commit(self, conn, path)
+        self._diag_paths[conn.index] = (list(path), conn.a_end, conn.b_end)
+
+    def snapshot(self, conns):
+        self._diag_best = {c.index: self._diag_paths[c.index] for c in conns if c.routed}
+        seen["router"] = self
+        return original_snapshot(self, conns)
+
+    def init(self, *args, **kwargs):
+        original_init(self, *args, **kwargs)
+        self._diag_paths = {}
+        self._diag_best = {}
+        seen["kwargs"] = kwargs
+        seen["args"] = args
+
+    original_init = GridRouter.__init__
+    GridRouter.__init__ = init
+    GridRouter._commit = commit
+    GridRouter._snapshot = snapshot
+    return seen
+
+
+def _capture_conflicts() -> list:
+    """Record each exact-check refusal: the copper box, its kind, and the
+    shape it came too close to. The check stops at a connection's first
+    conflict, so refusals and rejected connections line up in order."""
+    log: list = []
+    original = ShapeSearchTree.clearance_conflict
+
+    def conflict(self, box, net_no, layer, clearance, kind="wire"):
+        hit = original(self, box, net_no, layer, clearance, kind)
+        if hit:
+            # the shape that tripped the check, found the way the check does
+            other = None
+            expanded = box.offset(clearance)
+            for s in self.overlapping(expanded):
+                if s.net_no == net_no or not s.on_layer(layer):
+                    continue
+                if s.blocks != "all" and s.blocks != kind + "s":
+                    continue
+                if not s.clearance:
+                    if s.tile.overlaps(box):
+                        other = s
+                        break
+                    continue
+                if (s.exact is not None and overlaps_2d(s.exact, expanded)) or (
+                    s.exact is None and s.tile.overlaps(expanded)
+                ):
+                    other = s
+                    break
+            log.append((net_no, kind, layer, box, clearance, other))
+        return hit
+
+    ShapeSearchTree.clearance_conflict = conflict
+    return log
+
+
+def _gap(a, b) -> int:
+    dx = max(b.ll.x - a.ur.x, a.ll.x - b.ur.x, 0)
+    dy = max(b.ll.y - a.ur.y, a.ll.y - b.ur.y, 0)
+    return max(dx, dy)
+
+
+def _fresh(seen) -> GridRouter:
+    router = grid_router.GridRouter(*seen["args"], **seen["kwargs"])
+    router._conns = router._build_connections()
+    return router
+
+
+def _flood(router: GridRouter, pin, net_no: int, conns) -> tuple[int, Counter]:
+    """How many nodes a pin can reach through free cells (up to FLOOD_LIMIT),
+    and which other nets' copper bounds the region."""
+    walls: Counter = Counter()
+    # the search starts on every end node unconditionally (it may leave one
+    # inside a wire keepout by a via), so the flood does too
+    start = list(router._end_nodes(pin, net_no, conns))
+    seen = set(start)
+    frontier = list(start)
+    while frontier and len(seen) < FLOOD_LIMIT:
+        x, y, layer = frontier.pop()
+        steps = [(x + dx, y + dy, layer) for dx, dy in router._neighbours]
+        if router._via_placeable((x, y), net_no, conns):
+            steps += [(x, y, other) for other in router.layers if other != layer]
+        elif len(seen) == 1:
+            # the pin's own exit is a via that other copper leaves no room for
+            via_nodes = [(*c, lay) for c in router._via_cells((x, y)) for lay in router.layers]
+            for owner in router._crossed_owners(via_nodes, net_no, conns):
+                walls[conns[owner].net_no] += 1
+        for n in steps:
+            if n in seen or not (0 <= n[0] < router.cols and 0 <= n[1] < router.rows):
+                continue
+            if router._enter_cost(n[:2], n[2], net_no, False, conns) is None:
+                # trace, via footprint or clearance halo, as rip-up sees them
+                owners = router._crossed_owners([n], net_no, conns)
+                for owner in owners:
+                    walls[conns[owner].net_no] += 1
+                if not owners:
+                    walls[0] += 1  # a pad or keepout
+                continue
+            seen.add(n)
+            frontier.append(n)
+    return len(seen), walls
+
+
+def diagnose(
+    dsn_text: str, edge_clearance_mm: float | None, resolution: int = 2, shove: bool = False,
+    access_cost: float = 0.0,
+) -> dict:
+    dsn = parse_dsn(dsn_text)
+    names = {i + 1: n.name for i, n in enumerate(dsn.nets)}
+    scale = max(dsn.resolution.value, 1)
+    seen = _capture_router()
+    conflicts = _capture_conflicts()
+    exact = route_board_exact(
+        build_board(dsn),
+        trace_width=round(_rule_width_dsn(dsn) * scale),
+        clearance=round(_rule_clearance_dsn(dsn) * scale),
+        via_half=_via_half_board(dsn, scale),
+        edge_clearance=_mm_to_board(dsn, scale, edge_clearance_mm),
+        resolution=resolution,
+        shove=shove,
+        access_cost=access_cost,
+    )
+    routed = seen["router"]
+    best = routed._diag_best
+    grid_failed = {(c.net_no, *_ends_of(c)) for c in routed._conns if c.index not in best}
+
+    # the board as the best pass left it
+    state = _fresh(seen)
+    conns = state._conns
+    for idx, (path, a_end, b_end) in best.items():
+        conns[idx].a_end, conns[idx].b_end = a_end, b_end
+        state._commit(conns[idx], path)
+    empty = _fresh(seen)
+    # refusals in the order the check made them, one per rejected connection
+    per_net: dict[int, list] = {}
+    for net_no, kind, layer, box, clearance, other in conflicts:
+        if other is None:
+            what = "?"
+        elif other.net_no == -1:
+            what = "keepout" if other.clearance else "rule area"
+        else:
+            what = ("trace/via of " if other.routed else "pad of ") + names.get(other.net_no, "?")
+        need = clearance if other is None or other.clearance else 0
+        short = (need - _gap(box, other.tile)) / scale / 1000 if other is not None else 0
+        per_net.setdefault(net_no, []).append(
+            {"copper": kind, "layer": layer, "against": what, "short_mm": round(short, 4)}
+        )
+    by_key = {(c.net_no, *_ends_of(c)): c for c in conns}
+
+    rows = []
+    for failure in exact.result.failed:
+        net_no, a, b = failure[0], failure[1], failure[2]
+        zone = failure[3] if len(failure) > 3 else ""
+        if zone:
+            continue  # left to a zone fill, not a failure
+        key = (net_no, a, b)
+        row = {"net": names.get(net_no, str(net_no)), "a": a, "b": b}
+        conn = by_key.get(key)
+        if key not in grid_failed:
+            row["kind"] = "rejected"
+            if per_net.get(net_no):
+                row["conflict"] = per_net[net_no].pop(0)
+        elif conn is None:
+            row["kind"] = "unknown"
+        elif empty._search(empty._conns[conn.index], allow_ripup=False, conns=empty._conns) is None:
+            row["kind"] = "alone"
+        else:
+            walled = []
+            for end, group in ((a, conn.a_group), (b, conn.b_group)):
+                for pin in group[0][:1]:  # a group's first pin is its route end
+                    reach, walls = _flood(state, pin, net_no, conns)
+                    if reach < FLOOD_LIMIT:
+                        walled.append({
+                            "pin": end, "reach": reach,
+                            "walls": [names.get(n, "pads/keepouts") for n, _ in walls.most_common(4)],
+                        })
+            row["kind"] = "walled-in" if walled else "congestion"
+            if walled:
+                row["walled"] = walled
+        rows.append(row)
+    return {"failures": rows, "counts": dict(Counter(r["kind"] for r in rows))}
+
+
+def main(argv: list[str] | None = None) -> int:
+    ap = argparse.ArgumentParser(description=__doc__.split("\n\n")[0])
+    ap.add_argument("dsn", type=Path)
+    ap.add_argument("--edge-clearance", type=float, metavar="MM")
+    ap.add_argument("--grid-resolution", type=int, default=2, metavar="K")
+    ap.add_argument("--shove", action="store_true", help="as mckicad routes")
+    ap.add_argument("--access-cost", type=float, default=0.0)
+    ap.add_argument("--json", type=Path, help="also write the full table here")
+    args = ap.parse_args(argv)
+
+    report = diagnose(args.dsn.read_text(), args.edge_clearance, args.grid_resolution, args.shove,
+                      args.access_cost)
+    for row in report["failures"]:
+        extra = ""
+        for w in row.get("walled", []):
+            extra += f"  [{w['pin']} reaches {w['reach']} cells, walled by {', '.join(w['walls'])}]"
+        if "conflict" in row:
+            c = row["conflict"]
+            extra += (f"  [{c['copper']} on layer {c['layer']} {c['short_mm']} mm too close"
+                      f" to {c['against']}]")
+        print(f"{row['kind']:11} {row['net']}: {row['a']} to {row['b']}{extra}")
+    total = sum(report["counts"].values())
+    print(f"\n{total} failed: " + ", ".join(f"{k} {v}" for k, v in sorted(report["counts"].items())),
+          file=sys.stderr)
+    if args.json:
+        args.json.write_text(json.dumps(report, indent=1))
+    return 0
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    raise SystemExit(main())

src/freeroute/board/build.py

@@ -333,10 +333,20 @@ def _insert_keepouts(dsn: DsnBoard, board: BasicBoard, transform: CoordinateTran
                     tiles=tiles,
                     blocks_wires=keepout.kind != "via_keepout",
                     blocks_vias=keepout.kind != "wire_keepout",
+                    clearance=not is_rule_area(keepout.area.name),
                 )
             )
 
 
+#: a structure keepout named with this prefix is a KiCad rule area (mckicad
+#: names them on export); it is checked for overlap only
+RULE_AREA_PREFIX = "rule_area"
+
+
+def is_rule_area(name: str | None) -> bool:
+    return bool(name) and name.startswith(RULE_AREA_PREFIX)
+
+
 def _area_border_tiles(shape: Shape, transform: CoordinateTransform) -> list:
     """Convex board tiles covering a keepout border shape.
 

src/freeroute/board/items.py

@@ -76,6 +76,11 @@ class ObstacleArea(Item):
     #: tracks" rule area, where vias are allowed), via_keepout only vias
     blocks_wires: bool = True
     blocks_vias: bool = True
+    #: False for a KiCad rule area: copper may not overlap it but may touch
+    #: it, since KiCad's DRC applies no clearance to a rule area. Every other
+    #: keepout may stand for copper (a net tie, a track kept as it is), so it
+    #: keeps the clearance unless named as a rule area.
+    clearance: bool = True
 
     def is_obstacle(self) -> bool:
         return True

src/freeroute/board/search_tree.py

@@ -50,6 +50,8 @@ class TreeShape:
     #: which copper a keepout tile stops: "all", "wires" (a wire_keepout,
     #: vias allowed) or "vias" (a via_keepout)
     blocks: str = "all"
+    #: False for a rule area: copper may touch it, only overlap counts
+    clearance: bool = True
 
     def on_layer(self, layer: int) -> bool:
         return layer in self.layers
@@ -129,6 +131,8 @@ class ShapeSearchTree:
 
         Uses a strict 2-D overlap of the ``clearance``-expanded box, so tiles
         exactly ``clearance`` apart (touching after expansion) are allowed.
+        A rule area (``clearance=False``) only has to be clear of the copper
+        itself.
         """
         expanded = box.offset(clearance)
         for shape in self.overlapping(expanded):
@@ -136,6 +140,10 @@ class ShapeSearchTree:
                 continue
             if shape.blocks != "all" and shape.blocks != kind + "s":
                 continue  # a wire-only keepout does not stop a via, and so on
+            if not shape.clearance:
+                if shape.tile.overlaps(box):
+                    return True
+                continue
             if shape.exact is not None:
                 if overlaps_2d(shape.exact, expanded):
                     return True
@@ -143,6 +151,17 @@ class ShapeSearchTree:
                 return True
         return False
 
+    def rule_area_overlap(self, box: IntBox, layer: int, kind: str = "wire") -> bool:
+        """True if ``box`` overlaps a rule area on ``layer`` that stops ``kind``."""
+        for shape in self.overlapping(box):
+            if shape.clearance or not shape.on_layer(layer):
+                continue
+            if shape.blocks != "all" and shape.blocks != kind + "s":
+                continue
+            if shape.tile.overlaps(box):
+                return True
+        return False
+
     def clearance_conflict_shape(
         self, region, net_no: int, layer: int
     ) -> bool:
@@ -178,6 +197,13 @@ class ShapeSearchTree:
                     continue  # static input pair (e.g. pad vs pad) — not a routing DRC
                 if not (shape.layers & other.layers):
                     continue
+                if not (shape.clearance and other.clearance):
+                    # a rule area: only an overlap is a violation
+                    mine = shape.exact if shape.exact is not None else shape.tile
+                    theirs = other.exact if other.exact is not None else other.tile
+                    if overlaps_2d(mine, theirs):
+                        return shape
+                    continue
                 if shape.exact is None and other.exact is None:
                     if other.tile.overlaps(expanded):  # byte-identical box path
                         return shape

src/freeroute/cli.py

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import argparse
 import sys
 
 from freeroute.dsn.reader import parse_dsn
+from freeroute.route.orders import best_of_orders, promote_failures
 from freeroute.route.pipeline import (
     build_exact_routing_result,
     build_rooms_routing_result,
@@ -29,8 +30,8 @@ from freeroute.ses import write_ses
 #: which optional flags each engine actually implements. Anything not listed for
 #: an engine is rejected by :func:`_validate` rather than quietly ignored.
 ENGINE_OPTIONS: dict[str, frozenset[str]] = {
-    "grid": frozenset({"rip_up", "max_passes"}),
-    "exact": frozenset({"shove", "diagonal", "rip_up", "max_passes"}),
+    "grid": frozenset({"rip_up", "max_passes", "seed", "orders", "promote", "access"}),
+    "exact": frozenset({"shove", "diagonal", "rip_up", "max_passes", "seed", "orders", "promote", "access"}),
     "room": frozenset({"shove", "pack"}),
 }
 
@@ -41,6 +42,10 @@ _FLAG_NAMES = {
     "diagonal": "--diagonal",
     "rip_up": "--no-rip-up",
     "max_passes": "-mp/--max-passes",
+    "seed": "--seed",
+    "orders": "--orders",
+    "promote": "--promote-failures",
+    "access": "--access-cost",
 }
 
 
@@ -133,6 +138,40 @@ def build_parser() -> argparse.ArgumentParser:
         help="copper to board-edge clearance in mm, e.g. KiCad's min_copper_edge_clearance "
         "(the DSN does not carry it); default 0: copper only has to stay inside the outline",
     )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--seed",
+        type=int,
+        metavar="N",
+        help="grid and exact engines: shuffle the order connections are routed in; "
+        "the same seed gives the same result (default: fewer-pin nets first)",
+    )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--orders",
+        type=int,
+        metavar="N",
+        help="grid and exact engines: route N connection orders in parallel and keep the "
+        "one leaving the fewest connections unrouted (the default order is one of them)",
+    )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--promote-failures",
+        type=int,
+        metavar="R",
+        help="grid and exact engines: up to R rounds, each routing the connections that "
+        "failed so far first; keeps the best round",
+    )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--access-cost",
+        type=float,
+        metavar="C",
+        help="grid and exact engines: extra cost for a route to pass where it would close "
+        "another pin's way out while that pin still has connections to route (default 0: off)",
+    )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--jobs",
+        type=int,
+        metavar="J",
+        help="processes for --orders (default: one per order, up to the CPU count)",
+    )
     return parser
 
 
@@ -152,6 +191,10 @@ def main(argv: list[str] | None = None) -> int:
             ("diagonal", args.diagonal),
             ("rip_up", args.no_rip_up),
             ("max_passes", args.max_passes is not None),
+            ("seed", args.seed is not None),
+            ("orders", args.orders is not None),
+            ("promote", args.promote_failures is not None),
+            ("access", args.access_cost is not None),
         )
         if asked
     ]
@@ -173,29 +216,56 @@ def main(argv: list[str] | None = None) -> int:
     rip_up = not args.no_rip_up
     max_passes = args.max_passes if args.max_passes is not None else 10
 
+    if args.orders is not None and args.orders < 1:
+        parser.error("--orders must be at least 1")
     if args.engine == "exact":
-        result = build_exact_routing_result(
-            dsn,
-            layers=layers,
-            shove=args.shove,
-            diagonal=args.diagonal,
-            rip_up=rip_up,
-            max_passes=max_passes,
-            edge_clearance_mm=args.edge_clearance,
-            resolution=2 if args.grid_resolution is None else args.grid_resolution,
-            heuristic_weight=args.heuristic_weight,
-        )
-    elif args.engine == "room":
+        options = {
+            "layers": layers,
+            "shove": args.shove,
+            "diagonal": args.diagonal,
+            "rip_up": rip_up,
+            "max_passes": max_passes,
+            "edge_clearance_mm": args.edge_clearance,
+            "resolution": 2 if args.grid_resolution is None else args.grid_resolution,
+            "heuristic_weight": args.heuristic_weight,
+            "access_cost": args.access_cost or 0.0,
+        }
+    elif args.engine == "grid":
+        options = {
+            "layers": layers,
+            "rip_up": rip_up,
+            "max_passes": max_passes,
+            "edge_clearance_mm": args.edge_clearance,
+            "resolution": 1 if args.grid_resolution is None else args.grid_resolution,
+            "access_cost": args.access_cost or 0.0,
+        }
+    if args.engine == "room":
         result = build_rooms_routing_result(
             dsn, layers=layers, shove=args.shove, pack=args.pack,
             edge_clearance_mm=args.edge_clearance,
         )
-    else:
-        result = build_routing_result(
-            dsn, layers=layers, rip_up=rip_up, max_passes=max_passes,
-            edge_clearance_mm=args.edge_clearance,
-            resolution=1 if args.grid_resolution is None else args.grid_resolution,
+    elif args.promote_failures and args.promote_failures > 1:
+        if args.orders:
+            parser.error("--orders and --promote-failures cannot be combined")
+        result, rounds = promote_failures(
+            dsn_text, args.engine, options, rounds=args.promote_failures, seed=args.seed
         )
+        counts = ", ".join(str(m) for m, _z in rounds)
+        print(f"freeroute: {len(rounds)} rounds, unrouted {counts}; kept the best", file=sys.stderr)
+    elif args.orders and args.orders > 1:
+        result, kept, tried = best_of_orders(
+            dsn_text, args.engine, options, orders=args.orders, seed=args.seed, jobs=args.jobs
+        )
+        counts = ", ".join(f"{'default' if s is None else s}: {m}" for s, (m, _z) in tried)
+        print(
+            f"freeroute: tried {len(tried)} orders, kept "
+            f"{'the default order' if kept is None else f'--seed {kept}'} (unrouted {counts})",
+            file=sys.stderr,
+        )
+    elif args.engine == "exact":
+        result = build_exact_routing_result(dsn, seed=args.seed, **options)
+    else:
+        result = build_routing_result(dsn, seed=args.seed, **options)
 
     ses_text = write_ses(dsn, result)
     missing = [u for u in result.unrouted if not u[3]]

src/freeroute/dsn/reader.py

@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ tolerant ``skip_scope`` behaviour.
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+import re
+
 from .model import (
     ClearanceRule,
     ComponentPlace,
@@ -481,12 +483,26 @@ def _read_network(node: SExp, board: DsnBoard) -> None:
 # --- top level ---------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
+_STRING_QUOTE = re.compile(r"\(\s*string_quote\s+(\S)\s*\)")
+
+
+def _declared_quote(text: str) -> str:
+    """The quote character the file declares in ``(string_quote X)``.
+
+    Only that character opens a string. Without a declaration both kinds are
+    accepted, as before: KiCad declares ``"`` and then writes a bare ``'``
+    where a value is a single quote mark, e.g. a keycap part number.
+    """
+    found = _STRING_QUOTE.search(text[:4096])
+    return found.group(1) if found else "\"'"
+
+
 def parse_dsn(text: str) -> DsnBoard:
     """Parse DSN ``text`` into a :class:`DsnBoard`.
 
     Raises :class:`DsnParseError` if the top-level scope is not ``(pcb ...)``.
     """
-    top = parse(text)
+    top = parse(text, _declared_quote(text))
     if top.head != "pcb":
         raise DsnParseError(
             f"not a Specctra DSN file: expected top-level '(pcb ...)', got '({top.head} ...)'"

src/freeroute/route/exact_router.py

@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ from freeroute.geometry import (
     segment_octagon,
     shove_segment,
 )
+from freeroute.geometry.polyline import corner_box
 
 from .grid_router import RouteResult, route_board
 
@@ -94,6 +95,9 @@ def route_board_exact(
     edge_clearance: int | None = None,
     resolution: int = 1,
     heuristic_weight: float = 1.0,
+    seed: int | None = None,
+    route_first: frozenset | None = None,
+    access_cost: float = 0.0,
 ) -> ExactRouteResult:
     """Route ``board`` orthogonally and verify the result with exact geometry.
 
@@ -122,6 +126,9 @@ def route_board_exact(
         edge_clearance=edge_clearance,
         resolution=resolution,
         heuristic_weight=heuristic_weight,
+        seed=seed,
+        route_first=route_first,
+        access_cost=access_cost,
     )
     edge = 0 if edge_clearance is None else edge_clearance
     outline = board.outline
@@ -151,7 +158,10 @@ def route_board_exact(
             box = tile.bounding_box()
             if not box.is_empty():
                 tree.insert(
-                    TreeShape(next(owner), -1, frozenset({obstacle.layer}), box, blocks=blocks)
+                    TreeShape(
+                        next(owner), -1, frozenset({obstacle.layer}), box,
+                        blocks=blocks, clearance=obstacle.clearance,
+                    )
                 )
 
     via_layers = frozenset(signal_layers)
@@ -172,7 +182,9 @@ def route_board_exact(
             )
             for i, (box, box_layers) in enumerate(boxes)
             for layer in box_layers
-        ) or (outline is not None and not all(outline.box_clear(b, edge) for b, _ in boxes)):
+        ) or _end_in_rule_area(tree, wires, half_width) or (
+            outline is not None and not all(outline.box_clear(b, edge) for b, _ in boxes)
+        ):
             rejected.append((net_no, *ends))
             continue  # exact-clearance conflict -> drop (may be recovered by shove)
         acc = accepted.get(net_no)
@@ -586,6 +598,17 @@ def _net_boxes(result, net_no, half_width, via_layers, via_half=None):
     )
 
 
+def _end_in_rule_area(tree, wires, half_width) -> bool:
+    """A wire's tiles stop at its end points, but a track ends in a round cap
+    half its width beyond them. Against other copper the pad or via there
+    covers it; a rule area has no clearance to absorb it, so check it."""
+    for layer, points in wires:
+        for end in (points[0], points[-1]):
+            if tree.rule_area_overlap(corner_box(end, half_width), layer):
+                return True
+    return False
+
+
 def _copper_boxes(wires, vias, half_width, via_layers, via_half=None):
     via_half = via_half or half_width
     boxes: list[tuple[IntBox, frozenset[int]]] = []

src/freeroute/route/grid_router.py

@@ -28,10 +28,12 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 import heapq
 import math
+import random
 
 from freeroute.board.board import BasicBoard
 from freeroute.board.items import ConductionArea, ObstacleArea, Pin
 from freeroute.geometry import IntBox, IntPoint
+from freeroute.geometry.polyline import corner_box
 
 __all__ = ["GridRouter", "RouteResult", "route_board"]
 
@@ -154,8 +156,23 @@ class GridRouter:
         edge_clearance: int | None = None,
         resolution: int = 1,
         heuristic_weight: float = 1.0,
+        seed: int | None = None,
+        route_first: frozenset | None = None,
+        access_cost: float = 0.0,
     ) -> None:
         self.board = board
+        # Pin access: while a pin still has connections to route, the cells
+        # its route would leave by (its end cells, the via it may need there,
+        # and the clearance around both) cost other nets this much extra, so
+        # they route round a fine-pitch pin's way out instead of sealing it.
+        self.access_cost = max(float(access_cost), 0.0)
+        self._doorways: dict[Node, list[tuple[int, int]]] = {}
+        self._pending: dict[int, int] = {}
+        # None keeps the deterministic order; a seed shuffles which connection
+        # routes first, to measure how much a result owes to the order
+        self.seed = seed
+        # connections, as (net_no, one end, other end), to route before the rest
+        self.route_first = frozenset(route_first or ())
         # how far (in cells) an escape stub may run to leave a walled-in pin
         self._escape_cells = 12
         self._crowded_cache: dict = {}
@@ -212,6 +229,10 @@ class GridRouter:
         self._pad_own: dict[Node, set[int]] = {}
         self._keepout: set[Node] = set()
         self._via_keepout: set[Node] = set()
+        # inner power (plane) layers: not routed on, reached by vias
+        self._power_layers = {
+            i for i, layer in enumerate(board.layer_structure.arr) if not layer.is_signal
+        }
         self._zone_cells: dict[int, list[Node]] = {}
         # per-connection occupancy (owner = connection index)
         self._cell_owner: dict[Node, int] = {}
@@ -277,6 +298,10 @@ class GridRouter:
         margin = self.clearance + self.half_width
         outline = self.board.outline
         self._via_edge_block: set[Cell] = set()
+        # wire keepouts as boxes, to check a pin stub the way the exact engine will
+        self._keepout_boxes: dict[int, list[tuple[IntBox, bool]]] = {}
+        # pin end nodes no wire can reach without entering a keepout
+        self._via_only: set[Node] = set()
         if outline is not None:
             # cells too close to the real outline (rounded corners included):
             # for a trace on every layer, and separately for a via's wider copper
@@ -313,7 +338,13 @@ class GridRouter:
                     if box.is_empty():
                         continue
                     # the same distance the exact engine verifies against
-                    for cell in self._cells_in_box(box, margin):
+                    if item.blocks_wires:
+                        self._keepout_boxes.setdefault(item.layer, []).append(
+                            (box, item.clearance)
+                        )
+                    # a rule area takes no clearance: a trace may touch it
+                    reach = margin if item.clearance else self.half_width
+                    for cell in self._cells_in_box(box, reach):
                         if item.blocks_wires:
                             self._keepout.add((*cell, item.layer))
                         if item.blocks_vias:
@@ -393,6 +424,9 @@ class GridRouter:
         self, conn: _Connection, allow_ripup: bool, conns: list[_Connection]
     ) -> list[Node] | None:
         goal_cell = self._group_target(conn.b_group)
+        if not conn.b_group[0] and any(z.layer in self._power_layers for z in conn.b_group[1]):
+            # the plane is everywhere: aim at where the route starts instead
+            goal_cell = self._group_target(conn.a_group)
         starts = self._group_ends(conn.a_group, conn.net_no, conns)
         goals = self._group_ends(conn.b_group, conn.net_no, conns)
         if not starts or not goals:
@@ -434,28 +468,48 @@ class GridRouter:
                 continue
             current = entry[1]
             if current in goals:
+                end = goals[current]
+                cell = (current[0], current[1])
+                if isinstance(end, ConductionArea):  # a plane end needs its via to fit
+                    ok = via_ok.get(cell)
+                    if ok is None:
+                        ok = via_ok[cell] = self._via_placeable(cell, net_no, conns)
+                else:
+                    ok = True
+                if ok:
                     path = _reconstruct(came_from, current)
-                conn.a_end, conn.b_end = starts.get(path[0]), goals[current]
+                    conn.a_end, conn.b_end = starts.get(path[0]), end
                     return path
             cx, cy, cl = current
             base = g_score[current]
-            for dx, dy in self._neighbours:
+            # A cell inside a wire keepout (a pin there, or where a via
+            # landed) may only be left by another via: a wire from it would
+            # start inside the keepout.
+            blocked = current in self._keepout or current in self._via_only
+            neighbours = () if blocked else self._neighbours
+            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 in goal_stub:  # a pin end; a zone end is entered normally
+                    if nxt in self._keepout or nxt in self._via_only:
+                        continue  # a pin inside a keepout is reached by a via only
                     enter = goal_stub[nxt]
                 else:
                     enter = self._enter_cost(cell, cl, net_no, allow_ripup, conns)
                     if enter is None:
                         continue
+                    if self._doorways:
+                        enter += self._access(nxt, net_no)
                 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:
                 g_via = base + self.via_cost
+                if self._doorways:
+                    g_via += self._access(current, net_no)
                 for layer in self.layers:
                     if layer == cl:
                         continue
@@ -488,7 +542,27 @@ class GridRouter:
             if _point_segment(self._cell_center(c), pin_location, end) < reach
         ]
 
-    def _stub_clear(self, pin: Pin, cell: Cell, layer: int, net_no: int, conns) -> bool:
+    def _stub_clear(
+        self, pin: Pin, cell: Cell, layer: int, net_no: int, conns, keepouts_only: bool = False
+    ) -> bool:
+        keepouts = self._keepout_boxes.get(layer)
+        if keepouts:
+            # the stub is off the grid, so check it exactly, as the exact
+            # engine will: its copper grown by clearance must miss every keepout
+            from freeroute.geometry.polyline import Polyline, PolylineShape
+
+            end = self._cell_center(cell)
+            if end != pin.location:
+                for tile in PolylineShape(Polyline([pin.location, end]), self.half_width).tiles():
+                    grown = tile.offset(self.clearance)
+                    if any(k.overlaps(grown if needs else tile) for k, needs in keepouts):
+                        return False
+                # the track's round end at the pin, for a rule area
+                cap = corner_box(pin.location, self.half_width)
+                if any(not needs and k.overlaps(cap) for k, needs in keepouts):
+                    return False
+        if keepouts_only:
+            return True
         for c in self._stub_cells(pin.location, cell):
             owner = self._cell_owner.get((*c, layer))
             if owner is not None and conns[owner].net_no != net_no:
@@ -499,10 +573,12 @@ class GridRouter:
         return True
 
     def _zone_nodes(self, zone) -> list[Node]:
-        """Cells of a zone where a via of this net fits inside its copper."""
+        """Cells of a zone where a via of this net fits inside its copper; for a
+        plane on a power layer, on every routing layer (a via reaches it)."""
         key = id(zone)
         if key not in self._zone_cells:
             h = self.via_half
+            layers = [zone.layer] if zone.layer in self.layers else list(self.layers)
             nodes = []
             for tile in zone.tiles:
                 for cell in self._cells_in_box(tile.bounding_box(), 0):
@@ -511,7 +587,7 @@ class GridRouter:
                         zone.polygon.contains(IntPoint(c.x + dx, c.y + dy))
                         for dx in (-h, h) for dy in (-h, h)
                     ):
-                        nodes.append((*cell, zone.layer))
+                        nodes.extend((*cell, layer) for layer in layers)
             self._zone_cells[key] = sorted(set(nodes))
         return self._zone_cells[key]
 
@@ -549,8 +625,10 @@ class GridRouter:
             for node in sorted(self._end_nodes(pin, net_no, conns)):
                 ends.setdefault(node, pin)
         for zone in group[1]:
+            plane = zone.layer in self._power_layers
             for node in self._zone_nodes(zone):
-                ends.setdefault(node, None)
+                # a plane end is marked with the plane: the route ends in a via
+                ends.setdefault(node, zone if plane else None)
         return ends
 
     def _group_target(self, group) -> Cell:
@@ -590,6 +668,13 @@ class GridRouter:
             nodes |= self._escape_nodes(pin, net_no, conns, layers, (cx, cy))
         if not nodes:  # nothing clear: fall back to the nearest cell, as before
             nodes = {(cx, cy, layer) for layer in layers}
+            if self._keepout_boxes and not any(
+                self._stub_clear(pin, (cx, cy), layer, net_no, conns, keepouts_only=True)
+                for layer in layers
+            ):
+                # no wire can reach the pin without entering a keepout: the
+                # route has to arrive by a via, which goes in the pad
+                self._via_only.update(nodes)
         return nodes
 
     def _crowded(self, pin: Pin, net_no: int) -> bool:
@@ -704,6 +789,11 @@ class GridRouter:
 
     def _commit(self, conn: _Connection, path: list[Node]) -> None:
         wire_segs, via_cells = _split_path(path)
+        via_cells = list(via_cells)
+        if isinstance(conn.a_end, ConductionArea):
+            via_cells.append((path[0][0], path[0][1]))
+        if isinstance(conn.b_end, ConductionArea):
+            via_cells.append((path[-1][0], path[-1][1]))
         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:
@@ -724,26 +814,43 @@ class GridRouter:
                     conn.via_halo.append(c)
         ends = ((conn.a_end, wire_segs[0], 0), (conn.b_end, wire_segs[-1], -1)) if wire_segs else ()
         for pin, (layer, cells), at in ends:
-            if pin is None:
-                continue  # ended on a zone: no stub
+            if not isinstance(pin, Pin):
+                continue  # ended on a zone or a plane: no stub
             cell = cells[at]
             for c in self._stub_cells(pin.location, cell):
                 node = (*c, layer)
                 if node not in self._cell_owner:
                     self._cell_owner[node] = conn.index
                     conn.trace_cells.append((c, layer))
+        # A pin inside a wire keepout can only leave by a via. Its stub to the
+        # cell centre would be track inside the keepout, so the via goes on
+        # the pin itself (a via in its own pad) and the stub is left out.
+        in_pad: dict[int, IntPoint] = {}
+        if len(wire_segs) > 1:
+            for idx, pin in ((0, conn.a_end), (len(wire_segs) - 1, conn.b_end)):
+                layer, cells = wire_segs[idx]
+                node = (*cells[0], layer)
+                walled = node in self._keepout or node in self._via_only
+                if isinstance(pin, Pin) and len(cells) == 1 and walled:
+                    in_pad[idx] = pin.location
         conn.wires = []
         for idx, (layer, cells) in enumerate(wire_segs):
+            if idx in in_pad:
+                continue
             points = [self._cell_center(c) for c in cells]
-            if idx == 0 and conn.a_end is not None:
+            if idx == 0 and isinstance(conn.a_end, Pin):
                 points.insert(0, conn.a_end.location)
-            if idx == len(wire_segs) - 1 and conn.b_end is not None:
+            if idx == len(wire_segs) - 1 and isinstance(conn.b_end, Pin):
                 points.append(conn.b_end.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]
+        for idx, location in in_pad.items():
+            # via k joins wire segments k and k + 1
+            conn.vias[0 if idx == 0 else idx - 1] = location
         conn.routed = True
+        self._settle(conn, -1)
 
     def _rip(self, conn: _Connection) -> None:
         for cell, layer in conn.trace_cells:
@@ -766,6 +873,7 @@ class GridRouter:
         conn.vias = []
         conn.routed = False
         conn.rip_count += 1
+        self._settle(conn, +1)
 
     def _crossed_owners(self, path: list[Node], net_no: int, conns: list[_Connection]) -> set[int]:
         owners: set[int] = set()
@@ -781,6 +889,50 @@ class GridRouter:
                     owners.add(i)
         return owners
 
+    # --- pin access ---------------------------------------------------------
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _group_pins(conn: _Connection):
+        return [*conn.a_group[0], *conn.b_group[0]]
+
+    def _build_doorways(self, conns: list[_Connection]) -> None:
+        """Map every cell that would close a pin's way out to that pin."""
+        spread = [(0, 0), *self._halo_offsets]
+        done: set[int] = set()
+        for conn in conns:
+            for pin in self._group_pins(conn):
+                self._pending[id(pin)] = self._pending.get(id(pin), 0) + 1
+                if id(pin) in done:
+                    continue
+                done.add(id(pin))
+                claim = (id(pin), conn.net_no)
+                exits: set[Node] = set()
+                for x, y, layer in self._end_nodes(pin, conn.net_no, conns):
+                    exits.add((x, y, layer))
+                    for c in self._via_cells((x, y)):
+                        exits.update((*c, other) for other in self.layers)
+                cells: set[Node] = set()
+                for x, y, layer in exits:
+                    for dx, dy in spread:
+                        if 0 <= x + dx < self.cols and 0 <= y + dy < self.rows:
+                            cells.add((x + dx, y + dy, layer))
+                for node in cells:
+                    self._doorways.setdefault(node, []).append(claim)
+
+    def _settle(self, conn: _Connection, delta: int) -> None:
+        if not self._pending:
+            return
+        for pin in self._group_pins(conn):
+            if id(pin) in self._pending:
+                self._pending[id(pin)] += delta
+
+    def _access(self, node: Node, net_no: int) -> float:
+        """Extra cost for ``net_no`` to use a cell another pin still needs."""
+        for pin_id, owner_net in self._doorways.get(node, ()):
+            if owner_net != net_no and self._pending.get(pin_id, 0) > 0:
+                return self.access_cost
+        return 0.0
+
     # --- passes -------------------------------------------------------------
 
     def route(self) -> RouteResult:
@@ -789,14 +941,23 @@ class GridRouter:
         self._conns = conns
         if not conns:
             return RouteResult(self.half_width)
+        if self.access_cost:
+            self._build_doorways(conns)
 
         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)
+        # conns[i].index == i is what rip-up relies on, so shuffle a view
+        order = list(conns)
+        if self.seed is not None:
+            random.Random(self.seed).shuffle(order)
+        if self.route_first:
+            # stable: the promoted keep their order among themselves, as do the rest
+            order.sort(key=lambda c: (c.net_no, *_ends_of(c)) not in self.route_first)
         for _ in range(passes):
             changed = False
-            for conn in conns:  # deterministic: connection creation order
+            for conn in order:
                 if conn.routed:
                     continue
                 if self._try_route(conn, conns):
@@ -835,12 +996,26 @@ class GridRouter:
         for zone in self.board.get_conduction_areas():
             if zone.layer in self.layers and zone.net_nos and self._zone_is_solid(zone):
                 zones_by_net.setdefault(zone.net_nos[0], []).append(zone)
+        # planes: zones of a net on an inner power layer, solid by construction
+        planes_by_net: dict[int, list] = {}
+        for zone in self.board.get_conduction_areas():
+            if zone.net_nos and zone.layer in self._power_layers:
+                planes_by_net.setdefault(zone.net_nos[0], []).append(zone)
+        plane_ids = frozenset(id(z) for zs in planes_by_net.values() for z in zs)
         conns: list[_Connection] = []
-        nets = set(pins_by_net) | set(zones_by_net)
+        nets = set(pins_by_net) | set(zones_by_net) | set(planes_by_net)
         # deterministic: fewer-pin nets first, then by net number
         for net_no in sorted(nets, key=lambda n: (len(pins_by_net.get(n, [])), n)):
-            groups = _connected_groups(pins_by_net.get(net_no, []), zones_by_net.get(net_no, []))
-            for ga, gb in zip(groups, groups[1:], strict=False):
+            zones = zones_by_net.get(net_no, []) + planes_by_net.get(net_no, [])
+            groups = _connected_groups(pins_by_net.get(net_no, []), zones, plane_ids)
+            hubs = [g for g in groups if any(id(z) in plane_ids for z in g[1])]
+            if hubs:
+                # a plane net: every other group goes straight to the plane
+                # (usually a stub and a via), not pad to pad across the board
+                pairs = [(g, hubs[0]) for g in groups if g is not hubs[0]]
+            else:
+                pairs = list(zip(groups, groups[1:], strict=False))
+            for ga, gb in pairs:
                 conn = _Connection(len(conns), net_no, _first(ga[0]), _first(gb[0]))
                 conn.a_group, conn.b_group = ga, gb
                 conns.append(conn)
@@ -900,8 +1075,15 @@ def _ends_of(conn) -> tuple[str, str]:
     return _group_label(conn.a_group), _group_label(conn.b_group)
 
 
-def _pin_touches_zone(pin: Pin, zone) -> bool:
-    """A pad on the zone's layer whose centre or a corner lies in the zone."""
+def _pin_touches_zone(pin: Pin, zone, plane: bool = False) -> bool:
+    """A pad on the zone's layer whose centre or a corner lies in the zone.
+
+    For a plane on an inner power layer: a through-hole pad (on more than one
+    copper layer) inside it passes through the plane and is joined to it; an
+    SMD pad is not, and needs a via.
+    """
+    if plane:
+        return len(pin.layers) > 1 and zone.polygon is not None and zone.polygon.contains(pin.location)
     if zone.layer not in pin.layers or zone.polygon is None:
         return False
     if zone.polygon.contains(pin.location):
@@ -913,7 +1095,9 @@ def _pin_touches_zone(pin: Pin, zone) -> bool:
     return any(zone.polygon.contains(c) for c in corners)
 
 
-def _connected_groups(pins: list[Pin], zones: list) -> list[tuple[list[Pin], list]]:
+def _connected_groups(
+    pins: list[Pin], zones: list, planes: frozenset = frozenset()
+) -> list[tuple[list[Pin], list]]:
     """Pins and zones of one net that copper already joins: a pad in a zone
     is connected to it, and two zones sharing a pad are one. Only the groups
     need routing between them. Pin groups come first, in pin order."""
@@ -927,7 +1111,7 @@ def _connected_groups(pins: list[Pin], zones: list) -> list[tuple[list[Pin], lis
 
     for j, zone in enumerate(zones):
         for i, pin in enumerate(pins):
-            if _pin_touches_zone(pin, zone):
+            if _pin_touches_zone(pin, zone, id(zone) in planes):
                 parent[find(i)] = find(len(pins) + j)
     groups: dict[int, tuple[list[Pin], list]] = {}
     order: list[int] = []
@@ -1002,6 +1186,9 @@ def route_board(
     edge_clearance: int | None = None,
     resolution: int = 1,
     heuristic_weight: float = 1.0,
+    seed: int | None = None,
+    route_first: frozenset | None = None,
+    access_cost: float = 0.0,
 ) -> RouteResult:
     """Convenience wrapper: build a :class:`GridRouter` and route the board."""
     router = GridRouter(
@@ -1017,5 +1204,8 @@ def route_board(
         edge_clearance=edge_clearance,
         resolution=resolution,
         heuristic_weight=heuristic_weight,
+        seed=seed,
+        route_first=route_first,
+        access_cost=access_cost,
     )
     return router.route()

src/freeroute/route/orders.py

@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+"""Route one board in several connection orders at once and keep the best.
+
+Which connection routes first moves the result on a crowded board by several
+connections either way, and no single order wins everywhere. Routing a few
+orders in parallel processes and keeping the one that leaves the fewest
+connections unrouted costs cores, not wall time.
+
+Without a seed the candidates are the default order and seeds 0 to N-2, so the
+result is never worse than a plain run. With seed S they are seeds S to S+N-1.
+Ties go to the earlier candidate, so the choice is deterministic.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from concurrent.futures import ProcessPoolExecutor
+import os
+
+from freeroute.dsn import parse_dsn
+from freeroute.ses import RoutingResult
+
+from .pipeline import build_exact_routing_result, build_routing_result
+
+
+def candidate_seeds(orders: int, seed: int | None = None) -> list[int | None]:
+    orders = max(int(orders), 1)
+    if seed is None:
+        return [None, *range(orders - 1)]
+    return list(range(seed, seed + orders))
+
+
+def score(result: RoutingResult) -> tuple[int, int]:
+    """Connections left open, then those left to a zone fill: lower is better."""
+    missing = sum(1 for u in result.unrouted if not u[3])
+    return missing, len(result.unrouted) - missing
+
+
+def route_once(dsn_text: str, engine: str, options: dict, seed: int | None) -> RoutingResult:
+    dsn = parse_dsn(dsn_text)
+    if engine == "exact":
+        return build_exact_routing_result(dsn, seed=seed, **options)
+    if engine == "grid":
+        return build_routing_result(dsn, seed=seed, **options)
+    raise ValueError(f"routing orders are not supported by the {engine} engine")
+
+
+def best_of_orders(
+    dsn_text: str,
+    engine: str,
+    options: dict,
+    *,
+    orders: int,
+    seed: int | None = None,
+    jobs: int | None = None,
+) -> tuple[RoutingResult, int | None, list[tuple[int | None, tuple[int, int]]]]:
+    """Route ``orders`` orders and return the best result, the seed that made
+    it (None for the default order), and every candidate's seed and score."""
+    seeds = candidate_seeds(orders, seed)
+    if len(seeds) == 1:
+        result = route_once(dsn_text, engine, options, seeds[0])
+        return result, seeds[0], [(seeds[0], score(result))]
+    jobs = max(1, min(jobs or os.cpu_count() or 1, len(seeds)))
+    with ProcessPoolExecutor(jobs) as pool:
+        futures = [pool.submit(route_once, dsn_text, engine, options, s) for s in seeds]
+        results = [f.result() for f in futures]
+    scores = [score(r) for r in results]
+    best = min(range(len(seeds)), key=lambda i: (scores[i], i))
+    return results[best], seeds[best], list(zip(seeds, scores, strict=True))
+
+
+def promote_failures(
+    dsn_text: str,
+    engine: str,
+    options: dict,
+    *,
+    rounds: int,
+    seed: int | None = None,
+) -> tuple[RoutingResult, list[tuple[int, int]]]:
+    """Route, then route again with every connection that has failed so far
+    moved to the front, keeping the rest in their order. Returns the best
+    round's result and every round's score.
+
+    The promoted set only grows, so a connection that failed once keeps its
+    early place and two groups cannot take turns failing. Stops early when a
+    round routes everything or fails nothing new."""
+    numbers = {n.name: i + 1 for i, n in enumerate(parse_dsn(dsn_text).nets)}
+    first: frozenset = frozenset()
+    best: RoutingResult | None = None
+    scores: list[tuple[int, int]] = []
+    for _ in range(max(int(rounds), 1)):
+        result = route_once(dsn_text, engine, {**options, "route_first": first}, seed)
+        scores.append(score(result))
+        if best is None or scores[-1] < score(best):
+            best = result
+        failed = {(numbers.get(name), a, b) for name, a, b, zone in result.unrouted if not zone}
+        if not failed or failed <= first:
+            break
+        first = first | failed
+    return best, scores

src/freeroute/route/pipeline.py

@@ -80,6 +80,9 @@ def route_dsn_board(
     layers: list[int] | None = None,
     rip_up: bool = True,
     max_passes: int = 10,
+    seed: int | None = None,
+    route_first: frozenset | None = None,
+    access_cost: float = 0.0,
 ) -> 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
@@ -100,6 +103,9 @@ def route_dsn_board(
         layers=layers,
         rip_up=rip_up,
         max_passes=max_passes,
+        seed=seed,
+        route_first=route_first,
+        access_cost=access_cost,
     )
     return result, scale, [layer.name for layer in dsn.layers]
 
@@ -140,11 +146,16 @@ def build_routing_result(
     rip_up: bool = True,
     max_passes: int = 10,
     edge_clearance_mm: float | None = None,
+    seed: int | None = None,
+    route_first: frozenset | None = None,
+    access_cost: float = 0.0,
 ) -> RoutingResult:
     """Route ``dsn`` (grid track) and convert to a DSN-unit RoutingResult."""
     route, scale, layer_names = route_dsn_board(
         dsn, layers=layers, rip_up=rip_up, max_passes=max_passes,
-        edge_clearance_mm=edge_clearance_mm, resolution=resolution,
+        edge_clearance_mm=edge_clearance_mm, resolution=resolution, seed=seed,
+        route_first=route_first,
+        access_cost=access_cost,
     )
     return _to_routing_result(route, dsn, scale, layer_names)
 
@@ -160,6 +171,9 @@ def route_dsn_board_exact(
     rip_up: bool = True,
     shove: bool = False,
     diagonal: bool = False,
+    seed: int | None = None,
+    route_first: frozenset | None = None,
+    access_cost: float = 0.0,
 ) -> tuple[ExactRouteResult, int, list[str]]:
     """Route a parsed :class:`DsnBoard` with the exact-geometry (orthogonal,
     DRC-verified) track; return the exact result, the scale, and layer names.
@@ -184,6 +198,9 @@ def route_dsn_board_exact(
         rip_up=rip_up,
         shove=shove,
         diagonal=diagonal,
+        seed=seed,
+        route_first=route_first,
+        access_cost=access_cost,
     )
     return exact, scale, [layer.name for layer in dsn.layers]
 
@@ -199,6 +216,9 @@ def build_exact_routing_result(
     rip_up: bool = True,
     max_passes: int = 10,
     edge_clearance_mm: float | None = None,
+    seed: int | None = None,
+    route_first: frozenset | None = None,
+    access_cost: float = 0.0,
 ) -> RoutingResult:
     """Route ``dsn`` (exact track) and convert to a DSN-unit RoutingResult."""
     exact, scale, layer_names = route_dsn_board_exact(
@@ -211,6 +231,9 @@ def build_exact_routing_result(
         edge_clearance_mm=edge_clearance_mm,
         resolution=resolution,
         heuristic_weight=heuristic_weight,
+        seed=seed,
+        route_first=route_first,
+        access_cost=access_cost,
     )
     return _to_routing_result(exact.result, dsn, scale, layer_names)
 

tests/board/test_build.py

@@ -254,3 +254,37 @@ def test_via_size_comes_from_the_via_padstack():
     from freeroute.route.pipeline import _via_half_board
 
     assert _via_half_board(parse_dsn(_PAD_DSN), 10) == 3000   # 0.6 mm via, board units
+
+
+# --- rule areas: overlap only ------------------------------------------------
+
+_CHANNEL_DSN = """(pcb channel.dsn
+  (parser (string_quote ")) (resolution um 10) (unit um)
+  (structure
+    (layer F.Cu (type signal)) (layer B.Cu (type signal))
+    (boundary (path pcb 0  0 0  40000 0  40000 -30000  0 -30000  0 0))
+    (keepout "{name}top" (polygon signal 0  18000 0  22000 0  22000 -14750  18000 -14750))
+    (keepout "{name}bottom" (polygon signal 0  18000 -15250  22000 -15250  22000 -30000  18000 -30000))
+    (rule (width 250) (clearance 150)))
+  (placement (component P (place P1 5000 -15000 front 0) (place P2 35000 -15000 front 0)))
+  (library (image P (pin pad 1 0 0)) (padstack pad (shape (circle F.Cu 600)) (attach off)))
+  (network (net N (pins P1-1 P2-1))))"""
+
+
+def test_a_keepout_named_rule_area_takes_no_clearance():
+    named = _areas(_CHANNEL_DSN.format(name="rule_area_"))
+    plain = _areas(_CHANNEL_DSN.format(name=""))
+    assert named and not any(a.clearance for a in named)
+    assert plain and all(a.clearance for a in plain)
+
+
+def _route_channel(name):
+    from freeroute.route.pipeline import build_exact_routing_result
+
+    return build_exact_routing_result(parse_dsn(_CHANNEL_DSN.format(name=name)), resolution=2)
+
+
+def test_a_trace_may_run_beside_a_rule_area_closer_than_clearance():
+    # the 0.5 mm channel fits a 0.25 mm trace, but not with 0.15 mm each side
+    assert _route_channel("rule_area_").unrouted == []
+    assert _route_channel("").unrouted != []

tests/board/test_search_tree.py

@@ -62,3 +62,37 @@ def test_has_violation_ignores_static_pad_pairs():
     # a routed trace of net 3 within clearance of pad net 1 -> violation
     tree.insert(shape(2, 3, 0, IntBox(11, 0, 20, 10), routed=True))
     assert tree.has_violation(clearance=20) is not None
+
+
+def test_a_rule_area_conflicts_only_on_overlap():
+    tree = ShapeSearchTree()
+    tree.insert(TreeShape(1, -1, frozenset({0}), IntBox(100, 0, 200, 100), clearance=False))
+    near = IntBox(0, 0, 95, 100)  # 5 short of the area, well inside clearance 50
+    over = IntBox(0, 0, 105, 100)
+    assert not tree.clearance_conflict(near, 7, 0, 50)
+    assert tree.clearance_conflict(over, 7, 0, 50)
+
+
+def test_an_ordinary_keepout_still_needs_clearance():
+    tree = ShapeSearchTree()
+    tree.insert(TreeShape(1, -1, frozenset({0}), IntBox(100, 0, 200, 100)))
+    assert tree.clearance_conflict(IntBox(0, 0, 95, 100), 7, 0, 50)
+
+
+def test_the_routed_board_check_treats_a_rule_area_the_same_way():
+    tree = ShapeSearchTree()
+    tree.insert(TreeShape(1, -1, frozenset({0}), IntBox(100, 0, 200, 100), clearance=False))
+    tree.insert(TreeShape(2, 7, frozenset({0}), IntBox(0, 0, 95, 100), routed=True))
+    assert tree.has_violation(50) is None
+    tree.insert(TreeShape(3, 7, frozenset({0}), IntBox(150, 0, 160, 100), routed=True))
+    assert tree.has_violation(50) is not None
+
+
+
+def test_rule_area_overlap_sees_only_rule_areas():
+    tree = ShapeSearchTree()
+    tree.insert(TreeShape(1, -1, frozenset({0}), IntBox(100, 0, 200, 100), clearance=False))
+    tree.insert(TreeShape(2, -1, frozenset({0}), IntBox(300, 0, 400, 100)))
+    assert tree.rule_area_overlap(IntBox(90, 40, 110, 60), 0)
+    assert not tree.rule_area_overlap(IntBox(290, 40, 310, 60), 0)
+    assert not tree.rule_area_overlap(IntBox(90, 40, 110, 60), 1)

tests/dsn/test_reader.py

@@ -156,3 +156,26 @@ def test_unplaced_component_has_no_coords():
     place = board.placements[0].places[0]
     assert place.name == "U9"
     assert place.x is None and place.y is None
+
+
+# --- string_quote ----------------------------------------------------------
+
+_QUOTED = """(pcb q.dsn
+  (parser (string_quote {q}) (space_in_quoted_tokens on))
+  (resolution um 10) (unit um)
+  (structure (layer F.Cu (type signal)) (boundary (path pcb 0 0 0 1000 0 1000 1000 0 1000 0 0)))
+  (placement (component "SW1" (place SW1 100 100 front 0 (PN {pn}))))
+  (library)
+  (network)
+)"""
+
+
+def test_a_bare_apostrophe_is_an_atom_when_the_file_quotes_with_double_quotes():
+    # KiCad declares " and writes a keycap's part number as a bare '
+    board = parse_dsn(_QUOTED.format(q='"', pn="'"))
+    assert board.parser.string_quote == '"'
+
+
+def test_the_declared_quote_character_is_the_one_that_opens_strings():
+    board = parse_dsn(_QUOTED.format(q="'", pn="'10k 1%'").replace('"SW1"', "'SW1'"))
+    assert board.parser.string_quote == "'"

tests/route/test_orders.py

@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+"""--orders: route several connection orders and keep the best."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from pathlib import Path
+
+from freeroute.cli import main
+from freeroute.route.orders import (
+    best_of_orders,
+    candidate_seeds,
+    promote_failures,
+    route_once,
+    score,
+)
+
+FIXTURES = Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent / "dsn" / "fixtures"
+# Greedy (no rip-up), the default order strands a net here and seeds 1 to 3 do not.
+RIPUP = (FIXTURES / "ripup_needed.dsn").read_text()
+GREEDY = {"rip_up": False}
+
+
+def test_the_default_order_is_always_a_candidate_without_a_seed():
+    assert candidate_seeds(1) == [None]
+    assert candidate_seeds(4) == [None, 0, 1, 2]
+    assert candidate_seeds(3, seed=7) == [7, 8, 9]
+
+
+def test_keeps_the_order_that_leaves_the_fewest_unrouted():
+    assert score(route_once(RIPUP, "grid", GREEDY, None)) == (1, 0)
+    result, kept, tried = best_of_orders(RIPUP, "grid", GREEDY, orders=3, jobs=2)
+    assert kept == 1
+    assert score(result) == (0, 0)
+    assert tried == [(None, (1, 0)), (0, (1, 0)), (1, (0, 0))]
+
+
+def test_ties_go_to_the_earlier_candidate():
+    # every order routes this board fully, so the default order is kept
+    _, kept, tried = best_of_orders(RIPUP, "grid", {}, orders=3, jobs=3)
+    assert kept is None
+    assert all(s == (0, 0) for _, s in tried)
+
+
+def test_cli_orders_writes_the_best_session(tmp_path, capsys):
+    out = tmp_path / "best.ses"
+    rc = main([str(FIXTURES / "ripup_needed.dsn"), "--no-rip-up", "--orders", "3", "-do", str(out)])
+    assert rc == 0
+    err = capsys.readouterr().err
+    assert "tried 3 orders, kept --seed 1" in err
+    assert "not routed" not in err
+    assert out.read_text().startswith("(session")
+
+
+def test_promoting_the_failed_connection_routes_it():
+    best, rounds = promote_failures(RIPUP, "grid", GREEDY, rounds=3)
+    assert rounds == [(1, 0), (0, 0)]  # stops once nothing fails
+    assert score(best) == (0, 0)
+
+
+def test_nothing_promoted_is_the_plain_order():
+    plain = route_once(RIPUP, "grid", {}, None)
+    empty = route_once(RIPUP, "grid", {"route_first": frozenset()}, None)
+    assert plain == empty
+
+
+def test_cli_promote_failures(tmp_path, capsys):
+    out = tmp_path / "p.ses"
+    rc = main(
+        [
+            str(FIXTURES / "ripup_needed.dsn"),
+            "--no-rip-up",
+            "--promote-failures",
+            "3",
+            "-do",
+            str(out),
+        ]
+    )
+    assert rc == 0
+    assert "2 rounds, unrouted 1, 0" in capsys.readouterr().err

tests/route/test_real_board_geometry.py

@@ -164,3 +164,50 @@ def test_cli_names_the_connections_it_could_not_route(tmp_path, capsys):
     assert main([str(dsn), "--engine", "exact", "-do", str(tmp_path / "out.ses")]) == 0
     err = capsys.readouterr().err
     assert "1 connection(s) not routed" in err and "N: A-1 to B-1" in err
+
+
+# --- inner plane layers (a 4-layer board with a GND plane on In1.Cu) --------
+
+def _four_layer_dsn():
+    return """(pcb four (parser) (resolution um 10) (unit um)
+  (structure
+    (layer F.Cu (type signal)) (layer In1.Cu (type power))
+    (layer In2.Cu (type power)) (layer B.Cu (type signal))
+    (boundary (path pcb 0  0 0  30000 0  30000 -30000  0 -30000  0 0))
+    (plane GND (polygon In1.Cu 0  500 -500  29500 -500  29500 -29500  500 -29500  500 -500))
+    (via "Via[0-3]_600:300_um") (rule (width 250) (clearance 150)))
+  (placement
+    (component S (place G1 5000 -5000 front 0) (place G2 25000 -5000 front 0)
+                 (place G3 15000 -25000 front 0) (place A 5000 -15000 front 0) (place B 25000 -15000 front 0))
+    (component T (place GT 15000 -15000 front 0)))
+  (library
+    (image S (pin smd 1 0 0))
+    (image T (pin tht 1 0 0))
+    (padstack smd (shape (rect F.Cu -300 -300 300 300)) (attach off))
+    (padstack tht (shape (circle F.Cu 1000)) (shape (circle B.Cu 1000)) (attach off))
+    (padstack "Via[0-3]_600:300_um" (shape (circle F.Cu 600)) (shape (circle B.Cu 600)) (attach off)))
+  (network (net GND (pins G1-1 G2-1 G3-1 GT-1)) (net SIG (pins A-1 B-1))))"""
+
+
+def test_smd_pads_reach_an_inner_plane_by_their_own_via():
+    dsn = parse_dsn(_four_layer_dsn())
+    result, scale, names = route_dsn_board_exact(dsn)
+    gnd = next(i + 1 for i, n in enumerate(dsn.nets) if n.name == "GND")
+    sig = next(i + 1 for i, n in enumerate(dsn.nets) if n.name == "SIG")
+    assert len(result.result.vias.get(gnd, [])) == 3  # one per SMD pad, none for the THT pad
+    for _layer, pts in result.result.wires.get(gnd, []):  # stubs, not tracks across the board
+        length = sum(abs(q.x - p.x) + abs(q.y - p.y) for p, q in zip(pts, pts[1:], strict=False))
+        assert length < 3000 * scale  # under 3 mm: a stub to its via
+    assert sig in result.result.routed_net_numbers  # signals still route on the outer layers
+    assert all(names[layer] in ("F.Cu", "B.Cu") for segs in result.result.wires.values() for layer, _ in segs)
+
+
+def test_a_through_hole_pad_inside_a_plane_needs_no_route():
+    from freeroute.route.grid_router import _connected_groups
+
+    board = build_board(parse_dsn(_four_layer_dsn()))
+    plane = [z for z in board.get_conduction_areas() if z.name == "GND"]
+    gnd_pins = [p for p in board.get_pins() if p.component_ref in ("G1", "G2", "G3", "GT")]
+    groups = _connected_groups(gnd_pins, plane, frozenset(id(z) for z in plane))
+    hub = next(g for g in groups if g[1])
+    assert [p.component_ref for p in hub[0]] == ["GT"]

tests/route/test_router.py

@@ -264,6 +264,19 @@ def test_larger_board_still_connects_its_multipin_nets():
     assert len(result.routed_net_numbers) == multi_pin == 4
 
 
+def test_a_seed_is_repeatable_and_does_change_the_order():
+    # The benchmark samples seeds to measure how much a result owes to the
+    # routing order. A seed that changed nothing would make every sample the
+    # same run and report no spread at all.
+    text = (FIXTURES / "kicad_routable.dsn").read_text()
+    default = _wire_key(route_dsn_board(parse_dsn(text))[0])
+    runs = {s: route_dsn_board(parse_dsn(text), seed=s)[0] for s in range(4)}
+    again = route_dsn_board(parse_dsn(text), seed=1)[0]
+    assert _wire_key(again) == _wire_key(runs[1])
+    assert any(_wire_key(r) != default for r in runs.values())
+    assert all(r.unrouted == 0 for r in runs.values())
+
+
 # --- oracle parity ----------------------------------------------------------
 
 

tests/test_cli.py

@@ -154,6 +154,10 @@ def test_cli_supported_combinations_are_accepted(tmp_path):
         "diagonal": ["--diagonal"],
         "rip_up": ["--no-rip-up"],
         "max_passes": ["-mp", "4"],
+        "seed": ["--seed", "3"],
+        "orders": ["--orders", "2"],
+        "promote": ["--promote-failures", "2"],
+        "access": ["--access-cost", "5"],
     }
     for engine, options in ENGINE_OPTIONS.items():
         for option in options:

uv.lock

@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ wheels = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "freeroute"
-version = "0.1.0"
+version = "2026.7.14"
 source = { editable = "." }
 
 [package.dev-dependencies]