refactor: extract shared convergence loop and reduce parameter counts in StripeFiller

Extract ConvergeFromAngle to deduplicate ~40 lines shared between
ConvergeStripeAngle and ConvergeStripeAngleShrink. Reduce BuildGrid
from 7 to 4 params and FillRemnant from 6 to 2 by reading context
fields directly. Remove unused angle parameter from FillRemnant.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>

CLAUDE.md

@@ -35,7 +35,8 @@ Domain model, geometry, and CNC primitives organized into namespaces:
 ### OpenNest.Engine (class library, depends on Core)
 Nesting algorithms with a pluggable engine architecture. `NestEngineBase` is the abstract base class; `DefaultNestEngine` (formerly `NestEngine`) provides the multi-phase fill strategy. `NestEngineRegistry` manages available engines (built-in + plugins from `Engines/` directory) and the globally active engine. `AutoNester` handles mixed-part NFP-based nesting with simulated annealing (not yet integrated into the registry).
 
-- **Engine hierarchy**: `NestEngineBase` (abstract) → `DefaultNestEngine` (Linear, Pairs, RectBestFit, Remainder phases). Custom engines subclass `NestEngineBase` and register via `NestEngineRegistry.Register()` or as plugin DLLs in `Engines/`.
+- **Engine hierarchy**: `NestEngineBase` (abstract) → `DefaultNestEngine` (Linear, Pairs, RectBestFit, Remainder phases) → `VerticalRemnantEngine` (optimizes for right-side drop), `HorizontalRemnantEngine` (optimizes for top-side drop). Custom engines subclass `NestEngineBase` and register via `NestEngineRegistry.Register()` or as plugin DLLs in `Engines/`.
+- **IFillComparer**: Interface enabling engine-specific scoring. `DefaultFillComparer` (count-then-density), `VerticalRemnantComparer` (minimize X-extent), `HorizontalRemnantComparer` (minimize Y-extent). Engines provide their comparer via `CreateComparer()` factory, grouped into `FillPolicy` on `FillContext`.
 - **NestEngineRegistry**: Static registry — `Create(Plate)` factory, `ActiveEngineName` global selection, `LoadPlugins(directory)` for DLL discovery. All callsites use `NestEngineRegistry.Create(plate)` except `BruteForceRunner` which uses `new DefaultNestEngine(plate)` directly for training consistency.
 - **Fill/** (`namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill`): Fill algorithms — `FillLinear` (grid-based), `FillExtents` (extents-based pair tiling), `PairFiller` (interlocking pairs), `ShrinkFiller`, `RemnantFiller`/`RemnantFinder`, `Compactor` (post-fill gravity compaction), `FillScore` (lexicographic comparison: count > utilization > compactness), `Pattern`/`PatternTiler`, `PartBoundary`, `RotationAnalysis`, `AngleCandidateBuilder`, `BestCombination`, `AccumulatingProgress`.
 - **Strategies/** (`namespace OpenNest.Engine.Strategies`): Pluggable fill strategy layer — `IFillStrategy` interface, `FillContext`, `FillStrategyRegistry` (auto-discovers strategies via reflection, supports plugin DLLs), `FillHelpers`. Built-in strategies: `LinearFillStrategy`, `PairsFillStrategy`, `RectBestFitStrategy`, `ExtentsFillStrategy`.
@@ -100,6 +101,8 @@ Always use Roslyn Bridge MCP tools (`mcp__RoslynBridge__*`) as the primary metho
 
 Always keep `README.md` and `CLAUDE.md` up to date when making changes that affect project structure, architecture, build instructions, dependencies, or key patterns. If you add a new project, change a namespace, modify the build process, or alter significant behavior, update both files as part of the same change.
 
+**Do not commit** design specs, implementation plans, or other temporary planning documents (`docs/superpowers/` etc.) to the repository. These are working documents only — keep them local and untracked.
+
 ## Key Patterns
 
 - OpenNest.Core uses multiple namespaces: `OpenNest` (root domain), `OpenNest.CNC`, `OpenNest.Geometry`, `OpenNest.Converters`, `OpenNest.Math`, `OpenNest.Collections`.

OpenNest.Engine/DefaultNestEngine.cs

@@ -26,6 +26,16 @@ namespace OpenNest
             set => angleBuilder.ForceFullSweep = value;
         }
 
+        public override List<double> BuildAngles(NestItem item, double bestRotation, Box workArea)
+        {
+            return angleBuilder.Build(item, bestRotation, workArea);
+        }
+
+        protected override void RecordProductiveAngles(List<AngleResult> angleResults)
+        {
+            angleBuilder.RecordProductive(angleResults);
+        }
+
         // --- Public Fill API ---
 
         public override List<Part> Fill(NestItem item, Box workArea,
@@ -42,6 +52,7 @@ namespace OpenNest
                 PlateNumber = PlateNumber,
                 Token = token,
                 Progress = progress,
+                Policy = BuildPolicy(),
             };
 
             RunPipeline(context);
@@ -78,7 +89,7 @@ namespace OpenNest
             PhaseResults.Clear();
             var engine = new FillLinear(workArea, Plate.PartSpacing);
             var angles = RotationAnalysis.FindHullEdgeAngles(groupParts);
-            var best = FillHelpers.FillPattern(engine, groupParts, angles, workArea);
+            var best = FillHelpers.FillPattern(engine, groupParts, angles, workArea, Comparer);
             PhaseResults.Add(new PhaseResult(NestPhase.Linear, best?.Count ?? 0, 0));
 
             Debug.WriteLine($"[Fill(groupParts,Box)] Linear pattern: {best?.Count ?? 0} parts | WorkArea: {workArea.Width:F1}x{workArea.Length:F1}");
@@ -105,12 +116,12 @@ namespace OpenNest
 
         // --- RunPipeline: strategy-based orchestration ---
 
-        private void RunPipeline(FillContext context)
+        protected virtual void RunPipeline(FillContext context)
         {
             var bestRotation = RotationAnalysis.FindBestRotation(context.Item);
             context.SharedState["BestRotation"] = bestRotation;
 
-            var angles = angleBuilder.Build(context.Item, bestRotation, context.WorkArea);
+            var angles = BuildAngles(context.Item, bestRotation, context.WorkArea);
             context.SharedState["AngleCandidates"] = angles;
 
             try
@@ -131,7 +142,7 @@ namespace OpenNest
                     // during progress reporting.
                     PhaseResults.Add(phaseResult);
 
-                    if (IsBetterFill(result, context.CurrentBest, context.WorkArea))
+                    if (context.Policy.Comparer.IsBetter(result, context.CurrentBest, context.WorkArea))
                     {
                         context.CurrentBest = result;
                         context.CurrentBestScore = FillScore.Compute(result, context.WorkArea);
@@ -151,7 +162,7 @@ namespace OpenNest
                 Debug.WriteLine("[RunPipeline] Cancelled, returning current best");
             }
 
-            angleBuilder.RecordProductive(context.AngleResults);
+            RecordProductiveAngles(context.AngleResults);
         }
 
     }

OpenNest.Engine/Fill/DefaultFillComparer.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+using OpenNest.Geometry;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+
+namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Ranks fill results by count first, then density.
+    /// This is the original scoring logic used by DefaultNestEngine.
+    /// </summary>
+    public class DefaultFillComparer : IFillComparer
+    {
+        public bool IsBetter(List<Part> candidate, List<Part> current, Box workArea)
+        {
+            if (candidate == null || candidate.Count == 0)
+                return false;
+
+            if (current == null || current.Count == 0)
+                return true;
+
+            return FillScore.Compute(candidate, workArea) > FillScore.Compute(current, workArea);
+        }
+    }
+}

OpenNest.Engine/Fill/FillResultCache.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+using System.Collections.Concurrent;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Runtime.CompilerServices;
+using OpenNest.Geometry;
+
+namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Caches fill results by drawing and box dimensions so repeated fills
+/// of the same size don't recompute. Parts are stored normalized to origin
+/// and offset to the actual location on retrieval.
+/// </summary>
+public static class FillResultCache
+{
+    private static readonly ConcurrentDictionary<CacheKey, List<Part>> _cache = new();
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Returns a cached fill result for the given drawing and box dimensions,
+    /// offset to the target location. Returns null on cache miss.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static List<Part> Get(Drawing drawing, Box targetBox, double spacing)
+    {
+        var key = new CacheKey(drawing, targetBox.Width, targetBox.Length, spacing);
+
+        if (!_cache.TryGetValue(key, out var cached) || cached.Count == 0)
+            return null;
+
+        var offset = targetBox.Location;
+        var result = new List<Part>(cached.Count);
+
+        foreach (var part in cached)
+            result.Add(part.CloneAtOffset(offset));
+
+        return result;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Stores a fill result normalized to origin (0,0).
+    /// </summary>
+    public static void Store(Drawing drawing, Box sourceBox, double spacing, List<Part> parts)
+    {
+        if (parts == null || parts.Count == 0)
+            return;
+
+        var key = new CacheKey(drawing, sourceBox.Width, sourceBox.Length, spacing);
+
+        if (_cache.ContainsKey(key))
+            return;
+
+        var offset = new Vector(-sourceBox.X, -sourceBox.Y);
+        var normalized = new List<Part>(parts.Count);
+
+        foreach (var part in parts)
+            normalized.Add(part.CloneAtOffset(offset));
+
+        _cache.TryAdd(key, normalized);
+    }
+
+    public static void Clear() => _cache.Clear();
+
+    public static int Count => _cache.Count;
+
+    private readonly struct CacheKey : System.IEquatable<CacheKey>
+    {
+        public readonly Drawing Drawing;
+        public readonly double Width;
+        public readonly double Height;
+        public readonly double Spacing;
+
+        public CacheKey(Drawing drawing, double width, double height, double spacing)
+        {
+            Drawing = drawing;
+            Width = System.Math.Round(width, 2);
+            Height = System.Math.Round(height, 2);
+            Spacing = spacing;
+        }
+
+        public bool Equals(CacheKey other) =>
+            ReferenceEquals(Drawing, other.Drawing) &&
+            Width == other.Width && Height == other.Height &&
+            Spacing == other.Spacing;
+
+        public override bool Equals(object obj) => obj is CacheKey other && Equals(other);
+
+        public override int GetHashCode()
+        {
+            unchecked
+            {
+                var hash = RuntimeHelpers.GetHashCode(Drawing);
+                hash = hash * 397 ^ Width.GetHashCode();
+                hash = hash * 397 ^ Height.GetHashCode();
+                hash = hash * 397 ^ Spacing.GetHashCode();
+                return hash;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}

OpenNest.Engine/Fill/HorizontalRemnantComparer.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using OpenNest.Geometry;
+using OpenNest.Math;
+
+namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Ranks fill results to minimize Y-extent (preserve top-side horizontal remnant).
+    /// Tiebreak chain: count > smallest Y-extent > highest density.
+    /// </summary>
+    public class HorizontalRemnantComparer : IFillComparer
+    {
+        public bool IsBetter(List<Part> candidate, List<Part> current, Box workArea)
+        {
+            if (candidate == null || candidate.Count == 0)
+                return false;
+
+            if (current == null || current.Count == 0)
+                return true;
+
+            if (candidate.Count != current.Count)
+                return candidate.Count > current.Count;
+
+            var candExtent = YExtent(candidate);
+            var currExtent = YExtent(current);
+
+            if (!candExtent.IsEqualTo(currExtent))
+                return candExtent < currExtent;
+
+            return FillScore.Compute(candidate, workArea).Density
+                 > FillScore.Compute(current, workArea).Density;
+        }
+
+        private static double YExtent(List<Part> parts)
+        {
+            var minY = double.MaxValue;
+            var maxY = double.MinValue;
+
+            foreach (var part in parts)
+            {
+                var bb = part.BoundingBox;
+                if (bb.Bottom < minY) minY = bb.Bottom;
+                if (bb.Top > maxY) maxY = bb.Top;
+            }
+
+            return maxY - minY;
+        }
+    }
+}

OpenNest.Engine/Fill/PairFiller.cs

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ using System.Collections.Generic;
 using System.Diagnostics;
 using System.Linq;
 using System.Threading;
+using OpenNest.Engine;
 
 namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
 {
@@ -29,11 +30,13 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
 
         private readonly Size plateSize;
         private readonly double partSpacing;
+        private readonly IFillComparer comparer;
 
-        public PairFiller(Size plateSize, double partSpacing)
+        public PairFiller(Size plateSize, double partSpacing, IFillComparer comparer = null)
         {
             this.plateSize = plateSize;
             this.partSpacing = partSpacing;
+            this.comparer = comparer ?? new DefaultFillComparer();
         }
 
         public PairFillResult Fill(NestItem item, Box workArea,
@@ -61,7 +64,6 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
             int plateNumber, CancellationToken token, IProgress<NestProgress> progress)
         {
             List<Part> best = null;
-            var bestScore = default(FillScore);
             var sinceImproved = 0;
             var effectiveWorkArea = workArea;
 
@@ -72,12 +74,10 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
                     token.ThrowIfCancellationRequested();
 
                     var filled = EvaluateCandidate(candidates[i], drawing, effectiveWorkArea);
-                    var score = FillScore.Compute(filled, effectiveWorkArea);
 
-                    if (score > bestScore)
+                    if (comparer.IsBetter(filled, best, effectiveWorkArea))
                     {
                         best = filled;
-                        bestScore = score;
                         sinceImproved = 0;
                         effectiveWorkArea = TryReduceWorkArea(filled, targetCount, workArea, effectiveWorkArea);
                     }
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
                     }
 
                     NestEngineBase.ReportProgress(progress, NestPhase.Pairs, plateNumber, best, workArea,
-                        $"Pairs: {i + 1}/{candidates.Count} candidates, best = {bestScore.Count} parts");
+                        $"Pairs: {i + 1}/{candidates.Count} candidates, best = {best?.Count ?? 0} parts");
 
                     if (i + 1 >= EarlyExitMinTried && sinceImproved >= EarlyExitStaleLimit)
                     {
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
                 Debug.WriteLine("[PairFiller] Cancelled mid-phase, using results so far");
             }
 
-            Debug.WriteLine($"[PairFiller] Best pair result: {bestScore.Count} parts, density={bestScore.Density:P1}");
+            Debug.WriteLine($"[PairFiller] Best pair result: {best?.Count ?? 0} parts");
             return best ?? new List<Part>();
         }
 
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
             var pairParts = candidate.BuildParts(drawing);
             var engine = new FillLinear(workArea, partSpacing);
             var angles = BuildTilingAngles(candidate);
-            return FillHelpers.FillPattern(engine, pairParts, angles, workArea);
+            return FillHelpers.FillPattern(engine, pairParts, angles, workArea, comparer);
         }
 
         private static List<double> BuildTilingAngles(BestFitResult candidate)

OpenNest.Engine/Fill/StripeFiller.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,462 @@
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Linq;
+using System.Threading;
+using OpenNest.Engine;
+using OpenNest.Engine.BestFit;
+using OpenNest.Engine.Strategies;
+using OpenNest.Geometry;
+using OpenNest.Math;
+using System.Diagnostics;
+
+namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill;
+
+public class StripeFiller
+{
+    private const int MaxPairCandidates = 5;
+    private const int MaxConvergenceIterations = 20;
+    private const int AngleSamples = 36;
+
+    private readonly FillContext _context;
+    private readonly NestDirection _primaryAxis;
+    private readonly IFillComparer _comparer;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// When true, only complete stripes are placed — no partial rows/columns.
+    /// </summary>
+    public bool CompleteStripesOnly { get; set; }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Factory to create the engine used for filling the remnant strip.
+    /// Defaults to NestEngineRegistry.Create (uses the user's selected engine).
+    /// </summary>
+    public Func<Plate, NestEngineBase> CreateRemnantEngine { get; set; }
+        = NestEngineRegistry.Create;
+
+    public StripeFiller(FillContext context, NestDirection primaryAxis)
+    {
+        _context = context;
+        _primaryAxis = primaryAxis;
+        _comparer = context.Policy?.Comparer ?? new DefaultFillComparer();
+    }
+
+    public List<Part> Fill()
+    {
+        var bestFits = GetPairCandidates();
+        if (bestFits.Count == 0)
+            return new List<Part>();
+
+        var workArea = _context.WorkArea;
+        var spacing = _context.Plate.PartSpacing;
+        var drawing = _context.Item.Drawing;
+        var strategyName = _primaryAxis == NestDirection.Horizontal ? "Row" : "Column";
+
+        List<Part> bestParts = null;
+
+        for (var i = 0; i < bestFits.Count; i++)
+        {
+            _context.Token.ThrowIfCancellationRequested();
+
+            var candidate = bestFits[i];
+            var pairParts = candidate.BuildParts(drawing);
+
+            foreach (var axis in new[] { NestDirection.Horizontal, NestDirection.Vertical })
+            {
+                var perpAxis = axis == NestDirection.Horizontal
+                    ? NestDirection.Vertical : NestDirection.Horizontal;
+                var sheetSpan = GetDimension(workArea, axis);
+                var dirLabel = axis == NestDirection.Horizontal ? "Row" : "Col";
+
+                var expandResult = ConvergeStripeAngle(
+                    pairParts, sheetSpan, spacing, axis, _context.Token);
+                var shrinkResult = ConvergeStripeAngleShrink(
+                    pairParts, sheetSpan, spacing, axis, _context.Token);
+
+                foreach (var (angle, waste, count) in new[] { expandResult, shrinkResult })
+                {
+                    if (count <= 0)
+                        continue;
+
+                    var result = BuildGrid(pairParts, angle, axis, perpAxis);
+
+                    if (result == null || result.Count == 0)
+                        continue;
+
+                    Debug.WriteLine($"[StripeFiller] {strategyName} candidate {i} {dirLabel}: " +
+                        $"angle={Angle.ToDegrees(angle):F1}°, N={count}, waste={waste:F2}, " +
+                        $"grid={result.Count} parts");
+
+                    if (_comparer.IsBetter(result, bestParts, workArea))
+                    {
+                        bestParts = result;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
+            NestEngineBase.ReportProgress(_context.Progress, NestPhase.Custom,
+                _context.PlateNumber, bestParts, workArea,
+                $"{strategyName}: {i + 1}/{bestFits.Count} pairs, best = {bestParts?.Count ?? 0} parts");
+        }
+
+        return bestParts ?? new List<Part>();
+    }
+
+    private List<Part> BuildGrid(List<Part> pairParts, double angle,
+        NestDirection primaryAxis, NestDirection perpAxis)
+    {
+        var workArea = _context.WorkArea;
+        var spacing = _context.Plate.PartSpacing;
+
+        var rotatedPattern = FillHelpers.BuildRotatedPattern(pairParts, angle);
+        var perpDim = GetDimension(rotatedPattern.BoundingBox, perpAxis);
+        var stripeBox = MakeStripeBox(workArea, perpDim, primaryAxis);
+        var stripeEngine = new FillLinear(stripeBox, spacing);
+        var stripeParts = stripeEngine.Fill(rotatedPattern, primaryAxis);
+
+        if (stripeParts == null || stripeParts.Count == 0)
+            return null;
+
+        var partsPerStripe = stripeParts.Count;
+
+        Debug.WriteLine($"[StripeFiller] Stripe: {partsPerStripe} parts, " +
+            $"box={stripeBox.Width:F2}x{stripeBox.Length:F2}");
+
+        var stripePattern = new Pattern();
+        stripePattern.Parts.AddRange(stripeParts);
+        stripePattern.UpdateBounds();
+
+        var gridEngine = new FillLinear(workArea, spacing);
+        var gridParts = gridEngine.Fill(stripePattern, perpAxis);
+
+        if (gridParts == null || gridParts.Count == 0)
+            return null;
+
+        if (CompleteStripesOnly)
+        {
+            var completeCount = gridParts.Count / partsPerStripe * partsPerStripe;
+            if (completeCount < gridParts.Count)
+            {
+                Debug.WriteLine($"[StripeFiller] CompleteOnly: {gridParts.Count} → {completeCount} " +
+                    $"(dropped {gridParts.Count - completeCount} partial)");
+                gridParts = gridParts.GetRange(0, completeCount);
+            }
+        }
+
+        Debug.WriteLine($"[StripeFiller] Grid: {gridParts.Count} parts");
+
+        if (gridParts.Count == 0)
+            return null;
+
+        var allParts = new List<Part>(gridParts);
+
+        var remnantParts = FillRemnant(gridParts, primaryAxis);
+        if (remnantParts != null)
+        {
+            Debug.WriteLine($"[StripeFiller] Remnant: {remnantParts.Count} parts");
+            allParts.AddRange(remnantParts);
+        }
+
+        return allParts;
+    }
+
+    private List<BestFitResult> GetPairCandidates()
+    {
+        List<BestFitResult> bestFits;
+
+        if (_context.SharedState.TryGetValue("BestFits", out var cached))
+            bestFits = (List<BestFitResult>)cached;
+        else
+            bestFits = BestFitCache.GetOrCompute(
+                _context.Item.Drawing,
+                _context.Plate.Size.Length,
+                _context.Plate.Size.Width,
+                _context.Plate.PartSpacing);
+
+        return bestFits
+            .Where(r => r.Keep)
+            .Take(MaxPairCandidates)
+            .ToList();
+    }
+
+    private static Box MakeStripeBox(Box workArea, double perpDim, NestDirection primaryAxis)
+    {
+        return primaryAxis == NestDirection.Horizontal
+            ? new Box(workArea.X, workArea.Y, workArea.Width, perpDim)
+            : new Box(workArea.X, workArea.Y, perpDim, workArea.Length);
+    }
+
+    private List<Part> FillRemnant(List<Part> gridParts, NestDirection primaryAxis)
+    {
+        var workArea = _context.WorkArea;
+        var spacing = _context.Plate.PartSpacing;
+        var drawing = _context.Item.Drawing;
+
+        var gridBox = gridParts.GetBoundingBox();
+        var minDim = System.Math.Min(
+            drawing.Program.BoundingBox().Width,
+            drawing.Program.BoundingBox().Length);
+
+        Box remnantBox;
+
+        if (primaryAxis == NestDirection.Horizontal)
+        {
+            var remnantY = gridBox.Top + spacing;
+            var remnantLength = workArea.Top - remnantY;
+            if (remnantLength < minDim)
+                return null;
+            remnantBox = new Box(workArea.X, remnantY, workArea.Width, remnantLength);
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            var remnantX = gridBox.Right + spacing;
+            var remnantWidth = workArea.Right - remnantX;
+            if (remnantWidth < minDim)
+                return null;
+            remnantBox = new Box(remnantX, workArea.Y, remnantWidth, workArea.Length);
+        }
+
+        Debug.WriteLine($"[StripeFiller] Remnant box: {remnantBox.Width:F2}x{remnantBox.Length:F2}");
+
+        var cachedResult = FillResultCache.Get(drawing, remnantBox, spacing);
+        if (cachedResult != null)
+        {
+            Debug.WriteLine($"[StripeFiller] Remnant CACHE HIT: {cachedResult.Count} parts");
+            return cachedResult;
+        }
+
+        FillStrategyRegistry.SetEnabled("Pairs", "RectBestFit", "Extents", "Linear");
+        try
+        {
+            var engine = CreateRemnantEngine(_context.Plate);
+            var item = new NestItem { Drawing = drawing };
+            var parts = engine.Fill(item, remnantBox, _context.Progress, _context.Token);
+
+            Debug.WriteLine($"[StripeFiller] Remnant engine ({engine.Name}): {parts?.Count ?? 0} parts, " +
+                $"winner={engine.WinnerPhase}");
+
+            if (parts != null && parts.Count > 0)
+            {
+                FillResultCache.Store(drawing, remnantBox, spacing, parts);
+                return parts;
+            }
+
+            return null;
+        }
+        finally
+        {
+            FillStrategyRegistry.SetEnabled(null);
+        }
+    }
+
+    public static double FindAngleForTargetSpan(
+        List<Part> patternParts, double targetSpan, NestDirection axis)
+    {
+        var bestAngle = 0.0;
+        var bestDiff = double.MaxValue;
+        var samples = new (double angle, double span)[AngleSamples + 1];
+
+        for (var i = 0; i <= AngleSamples; i++)
+        {
+            var angle = i * Angle.HalfPI / AngleSamples;
+            var span = GetRotatedSpan(patternParts, angle, axis);
+            samples[i] = (angle, span);
+
+            var diff = System.Math.Abs(span - targetSpan);
+            if (diff < bestDiff)
+            {
+                bestDiff = diff;
+                bestAngle = angle;
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (bestDiff < Tolerance.Epsilon)
+            return bestAngle;
+
+        for (var i = 0; i < samples.Length - 1; i++)
+        {
+            var (a1, s1) = samples[i];
+            var (a2, s2) = samples[i + 1];
+
+            if ((s1 <= targetSpan && targetSpan <= s2) ||
+                (s2 <= targetSpan && targetSpan <= s1))
+            {
+                var result = BisectForTarget(patternParts, a1, a2, targetSpan, axis);
+                var resultSpan = GetRotatedSpan(patternParts, result, axis);
+                var resultDiff = System.Math.Abs(resultSpan - targetSpan);
+
+                if (resultDiff < bestDiff)
+                {
+                    bestDiff = resultDiff;
+                    bestAngle = result;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        return bestAngle;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Returns the rotation angle that orients the pair with its short side
+    /// along the given axis. Returns 0 if already oriented, PI/2 if rotated.
+    /// </summary>
+    private static double OrientShortSideAlong(List<Part> patternParts, NestDirection axis)
+    {
+        var box = FillHelpers.BuildRotatedPattern(patternParts, 0).BoundingBox;
+        var span0 = GetDimension(box, axis);
+        var perpSpan0 = axis == NestDirection.Horizontal ? box.Length : box.Width;
+
+        if (span0 <= perpSpan0)
+            return 0;
+
+        return Angle.HalfPI;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Iteratively finds the rotation angle where N copies of the pattern
+    /// span the given dimension with minimal waste by expanding pair width.
+    /// Returns (angle, waste, pairCount).
+    /// </summary>
+    public static (double Angle, double Waste, int Count) ConvergeStripeAngle(
+        List<Part> patternParts, double sheetSpan, double spacing,
+        NestDirection axis, CancellationToken token = default)
+    {
+        var startAngle = OrientShortSideAlong(patternParts, axis);
+        return ConvergeFromAngle(patternParts, startAngle, sheetSpan, spacing, axis, token);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Tries fitting N+1 narrower pairs by shrinking the pair width.
+    /// Complements ConvergeStripeAngle which only expands.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static (double Angle, double Waste, int Count) ConvergeStripeAngleShrink(
+        List<Part> patternParts, double sheetSpan, double spacing,
+        NestDirection axis, CancellationToken token = default)
+    {
+        var baseAngle = OrientShortSideAlong(patternParts, axis);
+        var naturalPattern = FillHelpers.BuildRotatedPattern(patternParts, baseAngle);
+        var naturalSpan = GetDimension(naturalPattern.BoundingBox, axis);
+
+        if (naturalSpan + spacing <= 0)
+            return (0, double.MaxValue, 0);
+
+        var naturalN = (int)System.Math.Floor((sheetSpan + spacing) / (naturalSpan + spacing));
+        var targetN = naturalN + 1;
+        var targetSpan = (sheetSpan + spacing) / targetN - spacing;
+
+        if (targetSpan <= 0)
+            return (0, double.MaxValue, 0);
+
+        var startAngle = FindAngleForTargetSpan(patternParts, targetSpan, axis);
+        return ConvergeFromAngle(patternParts, startAngle, sheetSpan, spacing, axis, token);
+    }
+
+    private static (double Angle, double Waste, int Count) ConvergeFromAngle(
+        List<Part> patternParts, double startAngle, double sheetSpan,
+        double spacing, NestDirection axis, CancellationToken token)
+    {
+        var bestWaste = double.MaxValue;
+        var bestAngle = startAngle;
+        var bestCount = 0;
+        var tolerance = sheetSpan * 0.001;
+        var currentAngle = startAngle;
+
+        for (var iteration = 0; iteration < MaxConvergenceIterations; iteration++)
+        {
+            token.ThrowIfCancellationRequested();
+
+            var rotated = FillHelpers.BuildRotatedPattern(patternParts, currentAngle);
+            var pairSpan = GetDimension(rotated.BoundingBox, axis);
+            var perpDim = axis == NestDirection.Horizontal
+                ? rotated.BoundingBox.Length : rotated.BoundingBox.Width;
+
+            if (pairSpan + spacing <= 0)
+                break;
+
+            var stripeBox = axis == NestDirection.Horizontal
+                ? new Box(0, 0, sheetSpan, perpDim)
+                : new Box(0, 0, perpDim, sheetSpan);
+            var engine = new FillLinear(stripeBox, spacing);
+            var filled = engine.Fill(rotated, axis);
+            var n = filled?.Count ?? 0;
+
+            if (n <= 0)
+                break;
+
+            var filledBox = ((IEnumerable<IBoundable>)filled).GetBoundingBox();
+            var remaining = sheetSpan - GetDimension(filledBox, axis);
+
+            Debug.WriteLine($"[Converge] iter={iteration}: angle={Angle.ToDegrees(currentAngle):F2}°, " +
+                $"pairSpan={pairSpan:F4}, perpDim={perpDim:F4}, N={n}, waste={remaining:F3}");
+
+            if (remaining < bestWaste)
+            {
+                bestWaste = remaining;
+                bestAngle = currentAngle;
+                bestCount = n;
+            }
+
+            if (remaining <= tolerance)
+                break;
+
+            var bboxN = (int)System.Math.Floor((sheetSpan + spacing) / (pairSpan + spacing));
+            if (bboxN <= 0) bboxN = 1;
+            var delta = remaining / bboxN;
+            var targetSpan = pairSpan + delta;
+
+            var prevAngle = currentAngle;
+            currentAngle = FindAngleForTargetSpan(patternParts, targetSpan, axis);
+
+            if (System.Math.Abs(currentAngle - prevAngle) < Tolerance.Epsilon)
+                break;
+        }
+
+        return (bestAngle, bestWaste, bestCount);
+    }
+
+    private static double BisectForTarget(
+        List<Part> patternParts, double lo, double hi,
+        double targetSpan, NestDirection axis)
+    {
+        var bestAngle = lo;
+        var bestDiff = double.MaxValue;
+
+        for (var i = 0; i < 30; i++)
+        {
+            var mid = (lo + hi) / 2;
+            var span = GetRotatedSpan(patternParts, mid, axis);
+            var diff = System.Math.Abs(span - targetSpan);
+
+            if (diff < bestDiff)
+            {
+                bestDiff = diff;
+                bestAngle = mid;
+            }
+
+            if (diff < Tolerance.Epsilon)
+                break;
+
+            var loSpan = GetRotatedSpan(patternParts, lo, axis);
+            if ((loSpan < targetSpan && span < targetSpan) ||
+                (loSpan > targetSpan && span > targetSpan))
+                lo = mid;
+            else
+                hi = mid;
+        }
+
+        return bestAngle;
+    }
+
+    private static double GetRotatedSpan(
+        List<Part> patternParts, double angle, NestDirection axis)
+    {
+        var rotated = FillHelpers.BuildRotatedPattern(patternParts, angle);
+        return axis == NestDirection.Horizontal
+            ? rotated.BoundingBox.Width
+            : rotated.BoundingBox.Length;
+    }
+
+    private static double GetDimension(Box box, NestDirection axis)
+    {
+        return axis == NestDirection.Horizontal ? box.Width : box.Length;
+    }
+}

OpenNest.Engine/Fill/VerticalRemnantComparer.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using OpenNest.Geometry;
+using OpenNest.Math;
+
+namespace OpenNest.Engine.Fill
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Ranks fill results to minimize X-extent (preserve right-side vertical remnant).
+    /// Tiebreak chain: count > smallest X-extent > highest density.
+    /// </summary>
+    public class VerticalRemnantComparer : IFillComparer
+    {
+        public bool IsBetter(List<Part> candidate, List<Part> current, Box workArea)
+        {
+            if (candidate == null || candidate.Count == 0)
+                return false;
+
+            if (current == null || current.Count == 0)
+                return true;
+
+            if (candidate.Count != current.Count)
+                return candidate.Count > current.Count;
+
+            var candExtent = XExtent(candidate);
+            var currExtent = XExtent(current);
+
+            if (!candExtent.IsEqualTo(currExtent))
+                return candExtent < currExtent;
+
+            return FillScore.Compute(candidate, workArea).Density
+                 > FillScore.Compute(current, workArea).Density;
+        }
+
+        private static double XExtent(List<Part> parts)
+        {
+            var minX = double.MaxValue;
+            var maxX = double.MinValue;
+
+            foreach (var part in parts)
+            {
+                var bb = part.BoundingBox;
+                if (bb.Left < minX) minX = bb.Left;
+                if (bb.Right > maxX) maxX = bb.Right;
+            }
+
+            return maxX - minX;
+        }
+    }
+}

OpenNest.Engine/HorizontalRemnantEngine.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using OpenNest.Engine;
+using OpenNest.Engine.Fill;
+using OpenNest.Geometry;
+using OpenNest.Math;
+
+namespace OpenNest
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Optimizes for the largest top-side horizontal drop.
+    /// Scores by count first, then minimizes Y-extent.
+    /// Prefers vertical nest direction and angles that keep parts narrow in Y.
+    /// </summary>
+    public class HorizontalRemnantEngine : DefaultNestEngine
+    {
+        public HorizontalRemnantEngine(Plate plate) : base(plate) { }
+
+        public override string Name => "Horizontal Remnant";
+
+        public override string Description => "Optimizes for largest top-side horizontal drop";
+
+        protected override IFillComparer CreateComparer() => new HorizontalRemnantComparer();
+
+        public override NestDirection? PreferredDirection => NestDirection.Vertical;
+
+        public override List<double> BuildAngles(NestItem item, double bestRotation, Box workArea)
+        {
+            var baseAngles = new List<double> { bestRotation, bestRotation + Angle.HalfPI };
+            baseAngles.Sort((a, b) => RotatedHeight(item, a).CompareTo(RotatedHeight(item, b)));
+            return baseAngles;
+        }
+
+        private static double RotatedHeight(NestItem item, double angle)
+        {
+            var bb = item.Drawing.Program.BoundingBox();
+            var cos = System.Math.Abs(System.Math.Cos(angle));
+            var sin = System.Math.Abs(System.Math.Sin(angle));
+            return bb.Length * cos + bb.Width * sin;
+        }
+    }
+}

OpenNest.Engine/IFillComparer.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+using OpenNest.Geometry;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+
+namespace OpenNest.Engine
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Determines whether a candidate fill result is better than the current best.
+    /// Implementations must be stateless and thread-safe.
+    /// </summary>
+    public interface IFillComparer
+    {
+        bool IsBetter(List<Part> candidate, List<Part> current, Box workArea);
+    }
+}

OpenNest.Engine/NestEngineBase.cs

@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
+using OpenNest.Engine;
 using OpenNest.Engine.Fill;
+using OpenNest.Engine.Strategies;
 using OpenNest.Geometry;
 using System;
 using System.Collections.Generic;
@@ -31,6 +33,25 @@ namespace OpenNest
 
         public abstract string Description { get; }
 
+        // --- Engine policy ---
+
+        private IFillComparer _comparer;
+
+        protected IFillComparer Comparer => _comparer ??= CreateComparer();
+
+        protected virtual IFillComparer CreateComparer() => new DefaultFillComparer();
+
+        public virtual NestDirection? PreferredDirection => null;
+
+        public virtual List<double> BuildAngles(NestItem item, double bestRotation, Box workArea)
+        {
+            return new List<double> { bestRotation, bestRotation + OpenNest.Math.Angle.HalfPI };
+        }
+
+        protected virtual void RecordProductiveAngles(List<AngleResult> angleResults) { }
+
+        protected FillPolicy BuildPolicy() => new FillPolicy(Comparer, PreferredDirection);
+
         // --- Virtual methods (side-effect-free, return parts) ---
 
         public virtual List<Part> Fill(NestItem item, Box workArea,
@@ -255,15 +276,7 @@ namespace OpenNest
         }
 
         protected bool IsBetterFill(List<Part> candidate, List<Part> current, Box workArea)
-        {
+            => Comparer.IsBetter(candidate, current, workArea);
-            if (candidate == null || candidate.Count == 0)
-                return false;
-
-            if (current == null || current.Count == 0)
-                return true;
-
-            return FillScore.Compute(candidate, workArea) > FillScore.Compute(current, workArea);
-        }
 
         protected bool IsBetterValidFill(List<Part> candidate, List<Part> current, Box workArea)
         {

OpenNest.Engine/NestEngineRegistry.cs

@@ -24,6 +24,14 @@ namespace OpenNest
             Register("NFP",
                 "NFP-based mixed-part nesting with simulated annealing",
                 plate => new NfpNestEngine(plate));
+
+            Register("Vertical Remnant",
+                "Optimizes for largest right-side vertical drop",
+                plate => new VerticalRemnantEngine(plate));
+
+            Register("Horizontal Remnant",
+                "Optimizes for largest top-side horizontal drop",
+                plate => new HorizontalRemnantEngine(plate));
         }
 
         public static IReadOnlyList<NestEngineInfo> AvailableEngines => engines;

OpenNest.Engine/Strategies/ColumnFillStrategy.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using OpenNest.Engine.Fill;
+
+namespace OpenNest.Engine.Strategies;
+
+public class ColumnFillStrategy : IFillStrategy
+{
+    public string Name => "Column";
+    public NestPhase Phase => NestPhase.Custom;
+    public int Order => 160;
+
+    public List<Part> Fill(FillContext context)
+    {
+        var filler = new StripeFiller(context, NestDirection.Vertical) { CompleteStripesOnly = true };
+        return filler.Fill();
+    }
+}

OpenNest.Engine/Strategies/ExtentsFillStrategy.cs

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Strategies
             var angles = new[] { bestRotation, bestRotation + Angle.HalfPI };
 
             List<Part> best = null;
-            var bestScore = default(FillScore);
+            var comparer = context.Policy?.Comparer ?? new DefaultFillComparer();
 
             foreach (var angle in angles)
             {
@@ -30,12 +30,8 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Strategies
                     context.PlateNumber, context.Token, context.Progress);
                 if (result != null && result.Count > 0)
                 {
-                    var score = FillScore.Compute(result, context.WorkArea);
+                    if (best == null || comparer.IsBetter(result, best, context.WorkArea))
-                    if (best == null || score > bestScore)
-                    {
                         best = result;
-                        bestScore = score;
-                    }
                 }
             }
 

OpenNest.Engine/Strategies/FillContext.cs

@@ -14,8 +14,10 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Strategies
         public int PlateNumber { get; init; }
         public CancellationToken Token { get; init; }
         public IProgress<NestProgress> Progress { get; init; }
+        public FillPolicy Policy { get; init; }
 
         public List<Part> CurrentBest { get; set; }
+        /// <summary>For progress reporting only; comparisons use Policy.Comparer.</summary>
         public FillScore CurrentBestScore { get; set; }
         public NestPhase WinnerPhase { get; set; }
         public List<PhaseResult> PhaseResults { get; } = new();

OpenNest.Engine/Strategies/FillHelpers.cs

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 using OpenNest.Engine.Fill;
 using OpenNest.Geometry;
 using OpenNest.Math;
+using System;
 using System.Collections.Concurrent;
 using System.Collections.Generic;
 using System.Threading.Tasks;
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Strategies
             return pattern;
         }
 
-        public static List<Part> FillPattern(FillLinear engine, List<Part> groupParts, List<double> angles, Box workArea)
+        public static List<Part> FillPattern(FillLinear engine, List<Part> groupParts, List<double> angles, Box workArea, IFillComparer comparer = null)
         {
             var results = new ConcurrentBag<(List<Part> Parts, FillScore Score)>();
 
@@ -54,14 +55,59 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Strategies
 
             foreach (var res in results)
             {
-                if (best == null || res.Score > bestScore)
+                if (comparer != null)
                 {
-                    best = res.Parts;
+                    if (best == null || comparer.IsBetter(res.Parts, best, workArea))
-                    bestScore = res.Score;
+                        best = res.Parts;
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    if (best == null || res.Score > bestScore)
+                    {
+                        best = res.Parts;
+                        bestScore = res.Score;
+                    }
                 }
             }
 
             return best;
         }
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Runs a fill function with direction preference logic.
+        /// If preferred is null, tries both directions and returns the better result.
+        /// If preferred is set, tries preferred first; only tries other if preferred yields zero.
+        /// </summary>
+        public static List<Part> FillWithDirectionPreference(
+            Func<NestDirection, List<Part>> fillFunc,
+            NestDirection? preferred,
+            IFillComparer comparer,
+            Box workArea)
+        {
+            if (preferred == null)
+            {
+                var h = fillFunc(NestDirection.Horizontal);
+                var v = fillFunc(NestDirection.Vertical);
+
+                if ((h == null || h.Count == 0) && (v == null || v.Count == 0))
+                    return new List<Part>();
+
+                if (h == null || h.Count == 0) return v;
+                if (v == null || v.Count == 0) return h;
+
+                return comparer.IsBetter(h, v, workArea) ? h : v;
+            }
+
+            var other = preferred == NestDirection.Horizontal
+                ? NestDirection.Vertical
+                : NestDirection.Horizontal;
+
+            var pref = fillFunc(preferred.Value);
+            if (pref != null && pref.Count > 0)
+                return pref;
+
+            var fallback = fillFunc(other);
+            return fallback ?? new List<Part>();
+        }
     }
 }

OpenNest.Engine/Strategies/FillPolicy.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+namespace OpenNest.Engine.Strategies
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Groups engine scoring and direction policy into a single object.
+    /// Set by the engine, consumed by strategies via FillContext.Policy.
+    /// </summary>
+    public record FillPolicy(IFillComparer Comparer, NestDirection? PreferredDirection = null);
+}

OpenNest.Engine/Strategies/LinearFillStrategy.cs

@@ -17,8 +17,9 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Strategies
                 : new List<double> { 0, Angle.HalfPI };
 
             var workArea = context.WorkArea;
+            var comparer = context.Policy?.Comparer ?? new DefaultFillComparer();
+            var preferred = context.Policy?.PreferredDirection;
             List<Part> best = null;
-            var bestScore = default(FillScore);
 
             for (var ai = 0; ai < angles.Count; ai++)
             {
@@ -26,48 +27,29 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Strategies
 
                 var angle = angles[ai];
                 var engine = new FillLinear(workArea, context.Plate.PartSpacing);
-                var h = engine.Fill(context.Item.Drawing, angle, NestDirection.Horizontal);
+
-                var v = engine.Fill(context.Item.Drawing, angle, NestDirection.Vertical);
+                var result = FillHelpers.FillWithDirectionPreference(
+                    dir => engine.Fill(context.Item.Drawing, angle, dir),
+                    preferred, comparer, workArea);
 
                 var angleDeg = Angle.ToDegrees(angle);
 
-                if (h != null && h.Count > 0)
+                if (result != null && result.Count > 0)
                 {
-                    var scoreH = FillScore.Compute(h, workArea);
                     context.AngleResults.Add(new AngleResult
                     {
                         AngleDeg = angleDeg,
-                        Direction = NestDirection.Horizontal,
+                        Direction = preferred ?? NestDirection.Horizontal,
-                        PartCount = h.Count
+                        PartCount = result.Count
                     });
 
-                    if (best == null || scoreH > bestScore)
+                    if (best == null || comparer.IsBetter(result, best, workArea))
-                    {
+                        best = result;
-                        best = h;
-                        bestScore = scoreH;
-                    }
-                }
-
-                if (v != null && v.Count > 0)
-                {
-                    var scoreV = FillScore.Compute(v, workArea);
-                    context.AngleResults.Add(new AngleResult
-                    {
-                        AngleDeg = angleDeg,
-                        Direction = NestDirection.Vertical,
-                        PartCount = v.Count
-                    });
-
-                    if (best == null || scoreV > bestScore)
-                    {
-                        best = v;
-                        bestScore = scoreV;
-                    }
                 }
 
                 NestEngineBase.ReportProgress(context.Progress, NestPhase.Linear,
                     context.PlateNumber, best, workArea,
-                    $"Linear: {ai + 1}/{angles.Count} angles, {angleDeg:F0}° best = {bestScore.Count} parts");
+                    $"Linear: {ai + 1}/{angles.Count} angles, {angleDeg:F0}° best = {best?.Count ?? 0} parts");
             }
 
             return best ?? new List<Part>();

OpenNest.Engine/Strategies/PairsFillStrategy.cs

@@ -11,7 +11,8 @@ namespace OpenNest.Engine.Strategies
 
         public List<Part> Fill(FillContext context)
         {
-            var filler = new PairFiller(context.Plate.Size, context.Plate.PartSpacing);
+            var comparer = context.Policy?.Comparer;
+            var filler = new PairFiller(context.Plate.Size, context.Plate.PartSpacing, comparer);
             var result = filler.Fill(context.Item, context.WorkArea,
                 context.PlateNumber, context.Token, context.Progress);
 

OpenNest.Engine/Strategies/RowFillStrategy.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using OpenNest.Engine.Fill;
+
+namespace OpenNest.Engine.Strategies;
+
+public class RowFillStrategy : IFillStrategy
+{
+    public string Name => "Row";
+    public NestPhase Phase => NestPhase.Custom;
+    public int Order => 150;
+
+    public List<Part> Fill(FillContext context)
+    {
+        var filler = new StripeFiller(context, NestDirection.Horizontal) { CompleteStripesOnly = true };
+        return filler.Fill();
+    }
+}

OpenNest.Engine/VerticalRemnantEngine.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using OpenNest.Engine;
+using OpenNest.Engine.Fill;
+using OpenNest.Geometry;
+using OpenNest.Math;
+
+namespace OpenNest
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Optimizes for the largest right-side vertical drop.
+    /// Scores by count first, then minimizes X-extent.
+    /// Prefers horizontal nest direction and angles that keep parts narrow in X.
+    /// </summary>
+    public class VerticalRemnantEngine : DefaultNestEngine
+    {
+        public VerticalRemnantEngine(Plate plate) : base(plate) { }
+
+        public override string Name => "Vertical Remnant";
+
+        public override string Description => "Optimizes for largest right-side vertical drop";
+
+        protected override IFillComparer CreateComparer() => new VerticalRemnantComparer();
+
+        public override NestDirection? PreferredDirection => NestDirection.Horizontal;
+
+        public override List<double> BuildAngles(NestItem item, double bestRotation, Box workArea)
+        {
+            var baseAngles = new List<double> { bestRotation, bestRotation + Angle.HalfPI };
+            baseAngles.Sort((a, b) => RotatedWidth(item, a).CompareTo(RotatedWidth(item, b)));
+            return baseAngles;
+        }
+
+        private static double RotatedWidth(NestItem item, double angle)
+        {
+            var bb = item.Drawing.Program.BoundingBox();
+            var cos = System.Math.Abs(System.Math.Cos(angle));
+            var sin = System.Math.Abs(System.Math.Sin(angle));
+            return bb.Width * cos + bb.Length * sin;
+        }
+    }
+}

OpenNest.Tests/FillComparerTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,173 @@
+using OpenNest.Engine;
+using OpenNest.Engine.Fill;
+using OpenNest.Geometry;
+
+namespace OpenNest.Tests;
+
+public class DefaultFillComparerTests
+{
+    private readonly IFillComparer comparer = new DefaultFillComparer();
+    private readonly Box workArea = new(0, 0, 100, 100);
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void NullCandidate_ReturnsFalse()
+    {
+        var current = new List<Part> { TestHelpers.MakePartAt(0, 0, 10) };
+        Assert.False(comparer.IsBetter(null, current, workArea));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void EmptyCandidate_ReturnsFalse()
+    {
+        var current = new List<Part> { TestHelpers.MakePartAt(0, 0, 10) };
+        Assert.False(comparer.IsBetter(new List<Part>(), current, workArea));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void NullCurrent_ReturnsTrue()
+    {
+        var candidate = new List<Part> { TestHelpers.MakePartAt(0, 0, 10) };
+        Assert.True(comparer.IsBetter(candidate, null, workArea));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void HigherCount_Wins()
+    {
+        var candidate = new List<Part>
+        {
+            TestHelpers.MakePartAt(0, 0, 10),
+            TestHelpers.MakePartAt(20, 0, 10),
+            TestHelpers.MakePartAt(40, 0, 10)
+        };
+        var current = new List<Part>
+        {
+            TestHelpers.MakePartAt(0, 0, 10),
+            TestHelpers.MakePartAt(20, 0, 10)
+        };
+        Assert.True(comparer.IsBetter(candidate, current, workArea));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void SameCount_HigherDensityWins()
+    {
+        var candidate = new List<Part>
+        {
+            TestHelpers.MakePartAt(0, 0, 10),
+            TestHelpers.MakePartAt(12, 0, 10)
+        };
+        var current = new List<Part>
+        {
+            TestHelpers.MakePartAt(0, 0, 10),
+            TestHelpers.MakePartAt(50, 0, 10)
+        };
+        Assert.True(comparer.IsBetter(candidate, current, workArea));
+    }
+}
+
+public class VerticalRemnantComparerTests
+{
+    private readonly IFillComparer comparer = new VerticalRemnantComparer();
+    private readonly Box workArea = new(0, 0, 100, 100);
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void HigherCount_WinsRegardlessOfExtent()
+    {
+        var candidate = new List<Part>
+        {
+            TestHelpers.MakePartAt(0, 0, 10),
+            TestHelpers.MakePartAt(40, 0, 10),
+            TestHelpers.MakePartAt(80, 0, 10)
+        };
+        var current = new List<Part>
+        {
+            TestHelpers.MakePartAt(0, 0, 10),
+            TestHelpers.MakePartAt(12, 0, 10)
+        };
+        Assert.True(comparer.IsBetter(candidate, current, workArea));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void SameCount_SmallerXExtent_Wins()
+    {
+        var candidate = new List<Part>
+        {
+            TestHelpers.MakePartAt(0, 0, 10),
+            TestHelpers.MakePartAt(12, 0, 10)
+        };
+        var current = new List<Part>
+        {
+            TestHelpers.MakePartAt(0, 0, 10),
+            TestHelpers.MakePartAt(50, 0, 10)
+        };
+        Assert.True(comparer.IsBetter(candidate, current, workArea));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void SameCount_SameExtent_HigherDensityWins()
+    {
+        var candidate = new List<Part>
+        {
+            TestHelpers.MakePartAt(0, 0, 10),
+            TestHelpers.MakePartAt(40, 0, 10)
+        };
+        var current = new List<Part>
+        {
+            TestHelpers.MakePartAt(0, 0, 10),
+            TestHelpers.MakePartAt(40, 40, 10)
+        };
+        Assert.True(comparer.IsBetter(candidate, current, workArea));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void NullCandidate_ReturnsFalse()
+    {
+        var current = new List<Part> { TestHelpers.MakePartAt(0, 0, 10) };
+        Assert.False(comparer.IsBetter(null, current, workArea));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void NullCurrent_ReturnsTrue()
+    {
+        var candidate = new List<Part> { TestHelpers.MakePartAt(0, 0, 10) };
+        Assert.True(comparer.IsBetter(candidate, null, workArea));
+    }
+}
+
+public class HorizontalRemnantComparerTests
+{
+    private readonly IFillComparer comparer = new HorizontalRemnantComparer();
+    private readonly Box workArea = new(0, 0, 100, 100);
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void SameCount_SmallerYExtent_Wins()
+    {
+        var candidate = new List<Part>
+        {
+            TestHelpers.MakePartAt(0, 0, 10),
+            TestHelpers.MakePartAt(0, 12, 10)
+        };
+        var current = new List<Part>
+        {
+            TestHelpers.MakePartAt(0, 0, 10),
+            TestHelpers.MakePartAt(0, 50, 10)
+        };
+        Assert.True(comparer.IsBetter(candidate, current, workArea));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void HigherCount_WinsRegardlessOfExtent()
+    {
+        var candidate = new List<Part>
+        {
+            TestHelpers.MakePartAt(0, 0, 10),
+            TestHelpers.MakePartAt(0, 40, 10),
+            TestHelpers.MakePartAt(0, 80, 10)
+        };
+        var current = new List<Part>
+        {
+            TestHelpers.MakePartAt(0, 0, 10),
+            TestHelpers.MakePartAt(0, 12, 10)
+        };
+        Assert.True(comparer.IsBetter(candidate, current, workArea));
+    }
+}

OpenNest.Tests/FillPolicyTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+using OpenNest.Engine;
+using OpenNest.Engine.Fill;
+using OpenNest.Engine.Strategies;
+using OpenNest.Geometry;
+
+namespace OpenNest.Tests;
+
+public class FillWithDirectionPreferenceTests
+{
+    private readonly IFillComparer comparer = new DefaultFillComparer();
+    private readonly Box workArea = new(0, 0, 100, 100);
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void NullPreference_TriesBothDirections_ReturnsBetter()
+    {
+        var hParts = new List<Part> { TestHelpers.MakePartAt(0, 0, 10), TestHelpers.MakePartAt(12, 0, 10) };
+        var vParts = new List<Part> { TestHelpers.MakePartAt(0, 0, 10) };
+
+        var result = FillHelpers.FillWithDirectionPreference(
+            dir => dir == NestDirection.Horizontal ? hParts : vParts,
+            null, comparer, workArea);
+
+        Assert.Equal(2, result.Count);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void PreferredDirection_UsedFirst_WhenProducesResults()
+    {
+        var hParts = new List<Part> { TestHelpers.MakePartAt(0, 0, 10), TestHelpers.MakePartAt(12, 0, 10) };
+        var vParts = new List<Part> { TestHelpers.MakePartAt(0, 0, 10), TestHelpers.MakePartAt(0, 12, 10), TestHelpers.MakePartAt(0, 24, 10) };
+
+        var result = FillHelpers.FillWithDirectionPreference(
+            dir => dir == NestDirection.Horizontal ? hParts : vParts,
+            NestDirection.Horizontal, comparer, workArea);
+
+        Assert.Equal(2, result.Count); // H has results, so H is returned (preferred)
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void PreferredDirection_FallsBack_WhenPreferredReturnsEmpty()
+    {
+        var vParts = new List<Part> { TestHelpers.MakePartAt(0, 0, 10) };
+
+        var result = FillHelpers.FillWithDirectionPreference(
+            dir => dir == NestDirection.Horizontal ? new List<Part>() : vParts,
+            NestDirection.Horizontal, comparer, workArea);
+
+        Assert.Equal(1, result.Count); // Falls back to V
+    }
+}

OpenNest.Tests/RemnantEngineTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+using OpenNest.Engine;
+using OpenNest.Engine.Fill;
+using OpenNest.Geometry;
+
+namespace OpenNest.Tests;
+
+public class RemnantEngineTests
+{
+    private static Drawing MakeRectDrawing(double w, double h, string name = "rect")
+    {
+        var pgm = new OpenNest.CNC.Program();
+        pgm.Codes.Add(new OpenNest.CNC.RapidMove(new Vector(0, 0)));
+        pgm.Codes.Add(new OpenNest.CNC.LinearMove(new Vector(w, 0)));
+        pgm.Codes.Add(new OpenNest.CNC.LinearMove(new Vector(w, h)));
+        pgm.Codes.Add(new OpenNest.CNC.LinearMove(new Vector(0, h)));
+        pgm.Codes.Add(new OpenNest.CNC.LinearMove(new Vector(0, 0)));
+        return new Drawing(name, pgm);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void VerticalRemnantEngine_UsesVerticalRemnantComparer()
+    {
+        var plate = new Plate(60, 120);
+        var engine = new VerticalRemnantEngine(plate);
+        Assert.Equal("Vertical Remnant", engine.Name);
+        Assert.Equal(NestDirection.Horizontal, engine.PreferredDirection);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void HorizontalRemnantEngine_UsesHorizontalRemnantComparer()
+    {
+        var plate = new Plate(60, 120);
+        var engine = new HorizontalRemnantEngine(plate);
+        Assert.Equal("Horizontal Remnant", engine.Name);
+        Assert.Equal(NestDirection.Vertical, engine.PreferredDirection);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void VerticalRemnantEngine_Fill_ProducesResults()
+    {
+        var plate = new Plate(60, 120);
+        var engine = new VerticalRemnantEngine(plate);
+        var item = new NestItem { Drawing = MakeRectDrawing(20, 10) };
+
+        var parts = engine.Fill(item, plate.WorkArea(), null, System.Threading.CancellationToken.None);
+
+        Assert.True(parts.Count > 0, "VerticalRemnantEngine should fill parts");
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void HorizontalRemnantEngine_Fill_ProducesResults()
+    {
+        var plate = new Plate(60, 120);
+        var engine = new HorizontalRemnantEngine(plate);
+        var item = new NestItem { Drawing = MakeRectDrawing(20, 10) };
+
+        var parts = engine.Fill(item, plate.WorkArea(), null, System.Threading.CancellationToken.None);
+
+        Assert.True(parts.Count > 0, "HorizontalRemnantEngine should fill parts");
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void Registry_ContainsBothRemnantEngines()
+    {
+        var names = NestEngineRegistry.AvailableEngines.Select(e => e.Name).ToList();
+        Assert.Contains("Vertical Remnant", names);
+        Assert.Contains("Horizontal Remnant", names);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void VerticalRemnantEngine_ProducesTighterXExtent_ThanDefault()
+    {
+        var plate = new Plate(60, 120);
+        var drawing = MakeRectDrawing(20, 10);
+        var item = new NestItem { Drawing = drawing };
+
+        var defaultEngine = new DefaultNestEngine(plate);
+        var remnantEngine = new VerticalRemnantEngine(plate);
+
+        var defaultParts = defaultEngine.Fill(item, plate.WorkArea(), null, System.Threading.CancellationToken.None);
+        var remnantParts = remnantEngine.Fill(item, plate.WorkArea(), null, System.Threading.CancellationToken.None);
+
+        Assert.True(defaultParts.Count > 0);
+        Assert.True(remnantParts.Count > 0);
+
+        var defaultXExtent = defaultParts.Max(p => p.BoundingBox.Right) - defaultParts.Min(p => p.BoundingBox.Left);
+        var remnantXExtent = remnantParts.Max(p => p.BoundingBox.Right) - remnantParts.Min(p => p.BoundingBox.Left);
+
+        Assert.True(remnantXExtent <= defaultXExtent + 0.01,
+            $"Remnant X-extent ({remnantXExtent:F1}) should be <= default ({defaultXExtent:F1})");
+    }
+}

OpenNest.Tests/Strategies/FillPipelineTests.cs

@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ public class FillPipelineTests
 
         engine.Fill(item, plate.WorkArea(), null, System.Threading.CancellationToken.None);
 
-        Assert.True(engine.PhaseResults.Count >= 4,
+        Assert.True(engine.PhaseResults.Count >= 6,
             $"Expected phase results from all strategies, got {engine.PhaseResults.Count}");
     }
 
@@ -41,7 +41,8 @@ public class FillPipelineTests
         Assert.True(engine.WinnerPhase == NestPhase.Pairs ||
                     engine.WinnerPhase == NestPhase.Linear ||
                     engine.WinnerPhase == NestPhase.RectBestFit ||
-                    engine.WinnerPhase == NestPhase.Extents);
+                    engine.WinnerPhase == NestPhase.Extents ||
+                    engine.WinnerPhase == NestPhase.Custom);
     }
 
     [Fact]

OpenNest.Tests/Strategies/FillStrategyRegistryTests.cs

@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+using System.Linq;
 using OpenNest.Engine.Strategies;
 
 namespace OpenNest.Tests.Strategies;
@@ -9,11 +10,13 @@ public class FillStrategyRegistryTests
     {
         var strategies = FillStrategyRegistry.Strategies;
 
-        Assert.True(strategies.Count >= 4, $"Expected at least 4 built-in strategies, got {strategies.Count}");
+        Assert.True(strategies.Count >= 6, $"Expected at least 6 built-in strategies, got {strategies.Count}");
         Assert.Contains(strategies, s => s.Name == "Pairs");
         Assert.Contains(strategies, s => s.Name == "RectBestFit");
         Assert.Contains(strategies, s => s.Name == "Extents");
         Assert.Contains(strategies, s => s.Name == "Linear");
+        Assert.Contains(strategies, s => s.Name == "Row");
+        Assert.Contains(strategies, s => s.Name == "Column");
     }
 
     [Fact]
@@ -34,4 +37,19 @@ public class FillStrategyRegistryTests
 
         Assert.Equal("Linear", last.Name);
     }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void Registry_RowAndColumnOrderedBetweenPairsAndRectBestFit()
+    {
+        var strategies = FillStrategyRegistry.Strategies;
+        var pairsOrder = strategies.First(s => s.Name == "Pairs").Order;
+        var rectOrder = strategies.First(s => s.Name == "RectBestFit").Order;
+        var rowOrder = strategies.First(s => s.Name == "Row").Order;
+        var colOrder = strategies.First(s => s.Name == "Column").Order;
+
+        Assert.True(rowOrder > pairsOrder, "Row should run after Pairs");
+        Assert.True(colOrder > pairsOrder, "Column should run after Pairs");
+        Assert.True(rowOrder < rectOrder, "Row should run before RectBestFit");
+        Assert.True(colOrder < rectOrder, "Column should run before RectBestFit");
+    }
 }

OpenNest.Tests/Strategies/StripeFillerTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,217 @@
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using OpenNest.Engine.BestFit;
+using OpenNest.Engine.Fill;
+using OpenNest.Engine.Strategies;
+using OpenNest.Geometry;
+
+namespace OpenNest.Tests.Strategies;
+
+public class StripeFillerTests
+{
+    private static Drawing MakeRectDrawing(double w, double h, string name = "rect")
+    {
+        var pgm = new OpenNest.CNC.Program();
+        pgm.Codes.Add(new OpenNest.CNC.RapidMove(new Vector(0, 0)));
+        pgm.Codes.Add(new OpenNest.CNC.LinearMove(new Vector(w, 0)));
+        pgm.Codes.Add(new OpenNest.CNC.LinearMove(new Vector(w, h)));
+        pgm.Codes.Add(new OpenNest.CNC.LinearMove(new Vector(0, h)));
+        pgm.Codes.Add(new OpenNest.CNC.LinearMove(new Vector(0, 0)));
+        return new Drawing(name, pgm);
+    }
+
+    private static Pattern MakeRectPattern(double w, double h)
+    {
+        var drawing = MakeRectDrawing(w, h);
+        var part = Part.CreateAtOrigin(drawing);
+        var pattern = new Pattern();
+        pattern.Parts.Add(part);
+        pattern.UpdateBounds();
+        return pattern;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Builds a simple side-by-side pair BestFitResult for a rectangular drawing.
+    /// Places two copies next to each other along the X axis with the given spacing.
+    /// </summary>
+    private static List<BestFitResult> MakeSideBySideBestFits(
+        Drawing drawing, double spacing)
+    {
+        var bb = drawing.Program.BoundingBox();
+        var w = bb.Width;
+        var h = bb.Length;
+
+        var candidate = new PairCandidate
+        {
+            Drawing = drawing,
+            Part1Rotation = 0,
+            Part2Rotation = 0,
+            Part2Offset = new Vector(w + spacing, 0),
+            Spacing = spacing,
+        };
+
+        var pairWidth = 2 * w + spacing;
+        var result = new BestFitResult
+        {
+            Candidate = candidate,
+            BoundingWidth = pairWidth,
+            BoundingHeight = h,
+            RotatedArea = pairWidth * h,
+            TrueArea = 2 * w * h,
+            OptimalRotation = 0,
+            Keep = true,
+            Reason = "Valid",
+            HullAngles = new List<double>(),
+        };
+
+        return new List<BestFitResult> { result };
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void FindAngleForTargetSpan_ZeroAngle_WhenAlreadyMatches()
+    {
+        var pattern = MakeRectPattern(20, 10);
+        var angle = StripeFiller.FindAngleForTargetSpan(
+            pattern.Parts, 20.0, NestDirection.Horizontal);
+
+        Assert.True(System.Math.Abs(angle) < 0.05,
+            $"Expected angle near 0, got {OpenNest.Math.Angle.ToDegrees(angle):F1}°");
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void FindAngleForTargetSpan_FindsLargerSpan()
+    {
+        var pattern = MakeRectPattern(20, 10);
+        var angle = StripeFiller.FindAngleForTargetSpan(
+            pattern.Parts, 22.0, NestDirection.Horizontal);
+
+        var rotated = FillHelpers.BuildRotatedPattern(pattern.Parts, angle);
+        var span = rotated.BoundingBox.Width;
+        Assert.True(System.Math.Abs(span - 22.0) < 0.5,
+            $"Expected span ~22, got {span:F2} at {OpenNest.Math.Angle.ToDegrees(angle):F1}°");
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void FindAngleForTargetSpan_ReturnsClosest_WhenUnreachable()
+    {
+        var pattern = MakeRectPattern(20, 10);
+        var angle = StripeFiller.FindAngleForTargetSpan(
+            pattern.Parts, 30.0, NestDirection.Horizontal);
+
+        Assert.True(angle >= 0 && angle <= System.Math.PI / 2);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void ConvergeStripeAngle_ReducesWaste()
+    {
+        var pattern = MakeRectPattern(20, 10);
+        var (angle, waste, count) = StripeFiller.ConvergeStripeAngle(
+            pattern.Parts, 120.0, 0.5, NestDirection.Horizontal);
+
+        Assert.True(count >= 5, $"Expected at least 5 pairs, got {count}");
+        Assert.True(waste < 18.0, $"Expected waste < 18, got {waste:F2}");
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void ConvergeStripeAngle_HandlesExactFit()
+    {
+        // 10x5 pattern: short side (5) oriented along axis, so more pairs fit
+        var pattern = MakeRectPattern(10, 5);
+        var (angle, waste, count) = StripeFiller.ConvergeStripeAngle(
+            pattern.Parts, 100.0, 0.0, NestDirection.Horizontal);
+
+        Assert.True(count >= 10, $"Expected at least 10 pairs, got {count}");
+        Assert.True(waste < 1.0, $"Expected low waste, got {waste:F2}");
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void ConvergeStripeAngle_Vertical()
+    {
+        var pattern = MakeRectPattern(10, 20);
+        var (angle, waste, count) = StripeFiller.ConvergeStripeAngle(
+            pattern.Parts, 120.0, 0.5, NestDirection.Vertical);
+
+        Assert.True(count >= 5, $"Expected at least 5 pairs, got {count}");
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void Fill_ProducesPartsForSimpleDrawing()
+    {
+        var plate = new Plate(60, 120) { PartSpacing = 0.5 };
+        var drawing = MakeRectDrawing(20, 10);
+        var item = new NestItem { Drawing = drawing };
+        var workArea = new Box(0, 0, 120, 60);
+
+        var bestFits = MakeSideBySideBestFits(drawing, 0.5);
+
+        var context = new OpenNest.Engine.Strategies.FillContext
+        {
+            Item = item,
+            WorkArea = workArea,
+            Plate = plate,
+            PlateNumber = 0,
+            Token = System.Threading.CancellationToken.None,
+            Progress = null,
+        };
+        context.SharedState["BestFits"] = bestFits;
+
+        var filler = new StripeFiller(context, NestDirection.Horizontal);
+        var parts = filler.Fill();
+
+        Assert.NotNull(parts);
+        Assert.True(parts.Count > 0, "Expected parts from stripe fill");
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void Fill_VerticalProducesParts()
+    {
+        var plate = new Plate(60, 120) { PartSpacing = 0.5 };
+        var drawing = MakeRectDrawing(20, 10);
+        var item = new NestItem { Drawing = drawing };
+        var workArea = new Box(0, 0, 120, 60);
+
+        var bestFits = MakeSideBySideBestFits(drawing, 0.5);
+
+        var context = new OpenNest.Engine.Strategies.FillContext
+        {
+            Item = item,
+            WorkArea = workArea,
+            Plate = plate,
+            PlateNumber = 0,
+            Token = System.Threading.CancellationToken.None,
+            Progress = null,
+        };
+        context.SharedState["BestFits"] = bestFits;
+
+        var filler = new StripeFiller(context, NestDirection.Vertical);
+        var parts = filler.Fill();
+
+        Assert.NotNull(parts);
+        Assert.True(parts.Count > 0, "Expected parts from column fill");
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void Fill_ReturnsEmpty_WhenNoBestFits()
+    {
+        var plate = new Plate(60, 120) { PartSpacing = 0.5 };
+        var drawing = MakeRectDrawing(20, 10);
+        var item = new NestItem { Drawing = drawing };
+        var workArea = new Box(0, 0, 120, 60);
+
+        var context = new OpenNest.Engine.Strategies.FillContext
+        {
+            Item = item,
+            WorkArea = workArea,
+            Plate = plate,
+            PlateNumber = 0,
+            Token = System.Threading.CancellationToken.None,
+            Progress = null,
+        };
+        context.SharedState["BestFits"] = new List<OpenNest.Engine.BestFit.BestFitResult>();
+
+        var filler = new StripeFiller(context, NestDirection.Horizontal);
+        var parts = filler.Fill();
+
+        Assert.NotNull(parts);
+        Assert.Empty(parts);
+    }
+}