diff --git a/MIGRATION.md b/MIGRATION.md
index 70d4953..e723821 100644
--- a/MIGRATION.md
+++ b/MIGRATION.md
@@ -349,7 +349,7 @@ class MyTool(Tool):
 ```
 
 Routing entry points now name every supported route argument explicitly.
-Custom per-route planning values must be placed under `tool_options`:
+Custom per-route Tool values must be placed under `tool_options`:
 
 ```python
 pather.jog('A', 4, length=10, tool_options={'process_corner': 'slow'})
@@ -453,14 +453,22 @@ import it from user code.
 `trace_into()` uses the same primitive-offer route selection and defaults to
 the minimal main-route bend count required by the endpoint relationship: zero
 for a straight, one for a quarter-turn, and two for S- and U-like connections.
-Ptype adapters do not consume this bend budget. Set `bend_policy='flexible'`
-to search bounded route topologies with up to four bend roles, including
-dogleg and loop-like fallbacks. Bend-family requests then search one-bend
-routes before three-bend routes; other families search zero-to-two-bend routes
-before four-bend routes. The first band with a legal route wins. Within that
-band, candidates are ordered by total primitive-offer cost, adapter count,
-step count, and deterministic discovery order. The route `strategy` affects
-only that final discovery-order tie-break.
+Ptype adapters do not consume this bend budget. Set
+`plan_options={'bend_policy': 'flexible'}` to search bounded route topologies
+with up to four bend roles, including dogleg and loop-like fallbacks.
+Bend-family requests then search one-bend routes before three-bend routes;
+other families search zero-to-two-bend routes before four-bend routes. The
+first band with a legal route wins. Within that band, candidates are ordered
+by total primitive-offer cost, adapter count, step count, and deterministic
+discovery order. The default planner's `strategy` option affects only that
+final discovery-order tie-break and is also supplied through `plan_options`.
+
+`plan_options` is reserved for planner-specific per-route policy, while
+`tool_options` is forwarded only to `Tool.primitive_offers()`. For example:
+
+```python
+pather.jog('A', 4, length=10, plan_options={'strategy': 'turn_first'})
+```
 
 Explicit-length `jog()` routes may also be satisfied by composing a straight
 primitive before or after an omitted-length native S primitive. `uturn()` routes
diff --git a/masque/builder/pather.py b/masque/builder/pather.py
index 6f31349..f689cd6 100644
--- a/masque/builder/pather.py
+++ b/masque/builder/pather.py
@@ -8,9 +8,11 @@ planner package is intentionally internal: custom route generators should
 extend `Tool.primitive_offers()` and `Tool.render()` rather than depending on
 planner classes or search details.
 
-Public routing arguments are explicit. Custom per-route planning values belong
-in `tool_options`; Pather forwards those values only to offer discovery. A Tool
-must capture any selected render-time value in its offer's committed data.
+Public routing arguments are explicit. Planner-specific per-route settings
+belong in `plan_options`, while custom Tool offer values belong in
+`tool_options`. Pather keeps those namespaces separate and forwards Tool
+options only to offer discovery. A Tool must capture any selected render-time
+value in its offer's committed data.
 
 Routing is split into four ownership phases:
 - snapshot: `Pather` resolves the active Tool for each requested port and
@@ -78,11 +80,7 @@ from .planner.interface import (
     route_failure_policy,
     )
 from .error import RouteFailurePolicy, ToolContractError
-from .planner import (
-    RouteTieBreakStrategy,
-    TraceIntoBendPolicy,
-    RoutingPlanner,
-    )
+from .planner import RoutingPlanner
 from .planner.bounds import resolved_position_bound
 from .logging import PatherLogger
 from ._tolerances import angles_equal, array_close
@@ -129,6 +127,20 @@ def _validated_tool_options(tool_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None) -> dict[str,
     return options
 
 
+def _validated_plan_options(plan_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None) -> dict[str, Any]:
+    """Copy generic per-route planner options without interpreting their keys."""
+    if plan_options is None:
+        return {}
+    try:
+        options = dict(plan_options)
+    except (TypeError, ValueError) as err:
+        raise BuildError('plan_options must be a mapping with string keys') from err
+    nonstring = [key for key in options if not isinstance(key, str)]
+    if nonstring:
+        raise BuildError(f'plan_options keys must be strings; got {nonstring!r}')
+    return options
+
+
 class Pather(PortList):
     """
       A `Pather` is a helper object used for snapping together multiple
@@ -627,7 +639,7 @@ class Pather(PortList):
             length: float | None = None,
             *,
             spacing: float | ArrayLike | None = None,
-            strategy: RouteTieBreakStrategy | str | None = None,
+            plan_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             out_ptype: str | None = None,
             each: float | None = None,
             set_rotation: float | None = None,
@@ -653,9 +665,8 @@ class Pather(PortList):
         For a single port with no length or bound, legal primitive-offer
         candidates are evaluated at their minimum legal length-like parameters,
         then cost selects among those minimum-length candidates. `out_ptype`,
-        when provided, constrains only the final route endpoint. `strategy`
-        controls straight-first vs turn-first ordering only after cost and
-        structural tie-breakers.
+        when provided, constrains only the final route endpoint. Planner-specific
+        per-route settings belong in `plan_options`.
 
         `spacing` and `set_rotation` are only valid when using a bundle bound.
         """
@@ -673,18 +684,19 @@ class Pather(PortList):
             ymax=ymax,
             min_past_furthest=min_past_furthest,
             )
-        options = _validated_tool_options(tool_options)
+        plan_opts = _validated_plan_options(plan_options)
+        tool_opts = _validated_tool_options(tool_options)
         with self._logger.log_operation(
                 self, 'trace', portspec, ccw=ccw, length=length, spacing=spacing,
-                strategy=strategy, tool_options=options, **bounds,
+                plan_options=plan_opts, tool_options=tool_opts, **bounds,
                 ):
             if isinstance(portspec, str):
                 portspec = [portspec]
             contexts = self._route_contexts(portspec)
             try:
                 result = self.planner.plan_trace_route(
-                    contexts, ccw, length, spacing=spacing, strategy=strategy,
-                    tool_options=options, **bounds,
+                    contexts, ccw, length, spacing=spacing, plan_options=plan_opts,
+                    tool_options=tool_opts, **bounds,
                     )
             except (BuildError, NotImplementedError) as err:
                 if not self._dead or route_failure_policy(err) is RouteFailurePolicy.FATAL:
@@ -727,7 +739,7 @@ class Pather(PortList):
             *,
             length: float | None = None,
             spacing: float | ArrayLike | None = None,
-            strategy: RouteTieBreakStrategy | str | None = None,
+            plan_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             out_ptype: str | None = None,
             each: float | None = None,
             set_rotation: float | None = None,
@@ -756,8 +768,7 @@ class Pather(PortList):
 
         With no positional or bundle bound, single-port `trace_to()` uses the
         same omitted minimum-length primitive-offer behavior as `trace()`.
-        `strategy` controls straight-first vs turn-first ordering only after
-        cost and structural tie-breakers.
+        Planner-specific per-route settings belong in `plan_options`.
         """
         bounds = _present_route_args(
             length=length,
@@ -779,18 +790,19 @@ class Pather(PortList):
             ymax=ymax,
             min_past_furthest=min_past_furthest,
             )
-        options = _validated_tool_options(tool_options)
+        plan_opts = _validated_plan_options(plan_options)
+        tool_opts = _validated_tool_options(tool_options)
         with self._logger.log_operation(
                 self, 'trace_to', portspec, ccw=ccw, spacing=spacing,
-                strategy=strategy, tool_options=options, **bounds,
+                plan_options=plan_opts, tool_options=tool_opts, **bounds,
                 ):
             if isinstance(portspec, str):
                 portspec = [portspec]
             contexts = self._route_contexts(portspec)
             try:
                 result = self.planner.plan_trace_to_route(
-                    contexts, ccw, spacing=spacing, strategy=strategy,
-                    tool_options=options, **bounds,
+                    contexts, ccw, spacing=spacing, plan_options=plan_opts,
+                    tool_options=tool_opts, **bounds,
                     )
             except (BuildError, NotImplementedError) as err:
                 if (
@@ -830,7 +842,7 @@ class Pather(PortList):
             length: float | None = None,
             *,
             spacing: float | ArrayLike | None = None,
-            strategy: RouteTieBreakStrategy | str | None = None,
+            plan_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             out_ptype: str | None = None,
             each: float | None = None,
             set_rotation: float | None = None,
@@ -851,7 +863,7 @@ class Pather(PortList):
             tool_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             ) -> Self:
         return self.trace_to(
-            portspec, None, length=length, spacing=spacing, strategy=strategy,
+            portspec, None, length=length, spacing=spacing, plan_options=plan_options,
             out_ptype=out_ptype, each=each, set_rotation=set_rotation,
             p=p, pos=pos, position=position, x=x, y=y,
             emin=emin, emax=emax, pmin=pmin, pmax=pmax,
@@ -866,7 +878,7 @@ class Pather(PortList):
             length: float | None = None,
             *,
             spacing: float | ArrayLike | None = None,
-            strategy: RouteTieBreakStrategy | str | None = None,
+            plan_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             out_ptype: str | None = None,
             each: float | None = None,
             set_rotation: float | None = None,
@@ -887,7 +899,7 @@ class Pather(PortList):
             tool_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             ) -> Self:
         return self.trace_to(
-            portspec, ccw, length=length, spacing=spacing, strategy=strategy,
+            portspec, ccw, length=length, spacing=spacing, plan_options=plan_options,
             out_ptype=out_ptype, each=each, set_rotation=set_rotation,
             p=p, pos=pos, position=position, x=x, y=y,
             emin=emin, emax=emax, pmin=pmin, pmax=pmax,
@@ -901,7 +913,7 @@ class Pather(PortList):
             length: float | None = None,
             *,
             spacing: float | ArrayLike | None = None,
-            strategy: RouteTieBreakStrategy | str | None = None,
+            plan_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             out_ptype: str | None = None,
             each: float | None = None,
             set_rotation: float | None = None,
@@ -922,7 +934,7 @@ class Pather(PortList):
             tool_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             ) -> Self:
         return self.bend(
-            portspec, True, length, spacing=spacing, strategy=strategy, out_ptype=out_ptype,
+            portspec, True, length, spacing=spacing, plan_options=plan_options, out_ptype=out_ptype,
             each=each, set_rotation=set_rotation, p=p, pos=pos, position=position, x=x, y=y,
             emin=emin, emax=emax, pmin=pmin, pmax=pmax, xmin=xmin, xmax=xmax, ymin=ymin, ymax=ymax,
             min_past_furthest=min_past_furthest, tool_options=tool_options,
@@ -934,7 +946,7 @@ class Pather(PortList):
             length: float | None = None,
             *,
             spacing: float | ArrayLike | None = None,
-            strategy: RouteTieBreakStrategy | str | None = None,
+            plan_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             out_ptype: str | None = None,
             each: float | None = None,
             set_rotation: float | None = None,
@@ -955,7 +967,7 @@ class Pather(PortList):
             tool_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             ) -> Self:
         return self.bend(
-            portspec, False, length, spacing=spacing, strategy=strategy, out_ptype=out_ptype,
+            portspec, False, length, spacing=spacing, plan_options=plan_options, out_ptype=out_ptype,
             each=each, set_rotation=set_rotation, p=p, pos=pos, position=position, x=x, y=y,
             emin=emin, emax=emax, pmin=pmin, pmax=pmax, xmin=xmin, xmax=xmax, ymin=ymin, ymax=ymax,
             min_past_furthest=min_past_furthest, tool_options=tool_options,
@@ -968,7 +980,7 @@ class Pather(PortList):
             length: float | None = None,
             *,
             spacing: float | ArrayLike | None = None,
-            strategy: RouteTieBreakStrategy | str | None = None,
+            plan_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             out_ptype: str | None = None,
             p: float | None = None,
             pos: float | None = None,
@@ -990,23 +1002,23 @@ class Pather(PortList):
         Multi-port jogs require `spacing`; the innermost first-bend port uses
         the base `length` or omitted-length solve, and other ports derive exact
         route lengths and offsets from that base route. `out_ptype`, when
-        provided, constrains only each final route endpoint. `strategy`
-        controls straight-first vs S-first ordering only after cost and
-        structural tie-breakers.
+        provided, constrains only each final route endpoint. Planner-specific
+        per-route settings belong in `plan_options`.
         """
         bounds = _present_route_args(out_ptype=out_ptype, p=p, pos=pos, position=position, x=x, y=y)
-        options = _validated_tool_options(tool_options)
+        plan_opts = _validated_plan_options(plan_options)
+        tool_opts = _validated_tool_options(tool_options)
         with self._logger.log_operation(
                 self, 'jog', portspec, offset=offset, length=length, spacing=spacing,
-                strategy=strategy, tool_options=options, **bounds,
+                plan_options=plan_opts, tool_options=tool_opts, **bounds,
                 ):
             if isinstance(portspec, str):
                 portspec = [portspec]
             contexts = self._route_contexts(portspec)
             try:
                 result = self.planner.plan_jog_route(
-                    contexts, offset, length, spacing=spacing, strategy=strategy,
-                    tool_options=options, **bounds,
+                    contexts, offset, length, spacing=spacing, plan_options=plan_opts,
+                    tool_options=tool_opts, **bounds,
                     )
             except (BuildError, NotImplementedError) as err:
                 if (
@@ -1052,7 +1064,7 @@ class Pather(PortList):
             length: float | None = None,
             *,
             spacing: float | ArrayLike | None = None,
-            strategy: RouteTieBreakStrategy | str | None = None,
+            plan_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             out_ptype: str | None = None,
             tool_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             ) -> Self:
@@ -1067,23 +1079,23 @@ class Pather(PortList):
         other ports derive exact lengths and offsets from it. Use `length=0` to
         request the old zero-public-length U-turn shape. Positional and
         bundle-bound keywords are not supported for this operation. `out_ptype`,
-        when provided, constrains only each final route endpoint. `strategy`
-        controls straight-first vs U-first ordering only after cost and
-        structural tie-breakers.
+        when provided, constrains only each final route endpoint. Planner-specific
+        per-route settings belong in `plan_options`.
         """
         bounds = _present_route_args(out_ptype=out_ptype)
-        options = _validated_tool_options(tool_options)
+        plan_opts = _validated_plan_options(plan_options)
+        tool_opts = _validated_tool_options(tool_options)
         with self._logger.log_operation(
                 self, 'uturn', portspec, offset=offset, length=length, spacing=spacing,
-                strategy=strategy, tool_options=options, **bounds,
+                plan_options=plan_opts, tool_options=tool_opts, **bounds,
                 ):
             if isinstance(portspec, str):
                 portspec = [portspec]
             contexts = self._route_contexts(portspec)
             try:
                 result = self.planner.plan_uturn_route(
-                    contexts, offset, length, spacing=spacing, strategy=strategy,
-                    tool_options=options, **bounds,
+                    contexts, offset, length, spacing=spacing, plan_options=plan_opts,
+                    tool_options=tool_opts, **bounds,
                     )
             except (BuildError, NotImplementedError) as err:
                 if (
@@ -1116,8 +1128,7 @@ class Pather(PortList):
             out_ptype: str | None = None,
             plug_destination: bool = True,
             thru: str | None = None,
-            strategy: RouteTieBreakStrategy | str | None = None,
-            bend_policy: TraceIntoBendPolicy | str | None = None,
+            plan_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             tool_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             ) -> Self:
         """
@@ -1129,14 +1140,14 @@ class Pather(PortList):
         loop-like fallback routes without inspecting primitive geometry. Ptype
         adapters do not consume this bend budget.
 
-        Set `bend_policy='flexible'` to search bounded primitive-offer routes
-        with up to four bend roles. Bend-family requests try one-bend routes
+        Set `plan_options={'bend_policy': 'flexible'}` to search bounded
+        primitive-offer routes with up to four bend roles. Bend-family requests try one-bend routes
         before three-bend routes; other families try zero-to-two-bend routes
         before four-bend routes. The first band with a legal candidate wins.
         Within a band, candidates are ordered by total cost, adapter count,
         step count, the requested straight-vs-turn topology preference, and
-        deterministic discovery order. `strategy` therefore affects only
-        otherwise tied candidates.
+        deterministic discovery order. The default planner's `strategy` option
+        therefore affects only otherwise tied candidates.
         Custom planning options may be supplied through `tool_options`; they
         are forwarded only to primitive offer generation.
 
@@ -1147,7 +1158,8 @@ class Pather(PortList):
         mutated; failures during selected-route execution, including primitive
         commit, plug/thru application, or render, may leave partial output.
         """
-        options = _validated_tool_options(tool_options)
+        plan_opts = _validated_plan_options(plan_options)
+        tool_opts = _validated_tool_options(tool_options)
         with self._logger.log_operation(
                 self,
                 'trace_into',
@@ -1155,9 +1167,8 @@ class Pather(PortList):
                 out_ptype=out_ptype,
                 plug_destination=plug_destination,
                 thru=thru,
-                strategy=strategy,
-                bend_policy=bend_policy,
-                tool_options=options,
+                plan_options=plan_opts,
+                tool_options=tool_opts,
                 ):
             result = self.planner.plan_trace_into(
                 self._route_context(portspec_src),
@@ -1166,9 +1177,8 @@ class Pather(PortList):
                 out_ptype = out_ptype,
                 plug_destination = plug_destination,
                 thru = thru,
-                strategy = strategy,
-                bend_policy = bend_policy,
-                tool_options = options,
+                plan_options = plan_opts,
+                tool_options = tool_opts,
                 )
             self._apply_route_result(result)
             return self
@@ -1385,7 +1395,7 @@ class PortPather:
             length: float | None = None,
             *,
             spacing: float | ArrayLike | None = None,
-            strategy: RouteTieBreakStrategy | str | None = None,
+            plan_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             out_ptype: str | None = None,
             each: float | None = None,
             set_rotation: float | None = None,
@@ -1403,7 +1413,7 @@ class PortPather:
         if spacing is None and self.default_spacing is not None and len(self.ports) > 1 and ccw is not None:
             spacing = self.default_spacing
         self.pather.trace(
-            self.ports, ccw, length, spacing=spacing, strategy=strategy, out_ptype=out_ptype,
+            self.ports, ccw, length, spacing=spacing, plan_options=plan_options, out_ptype=out_ptype,
             each=each, set_rotation=set_rotation, emin=emin, emax=emax, pmin=pmin, pmax=pmax,
             xmin=xmin, xmax=xmax, ymin=ymin, ymax=ymax, min_past_furthest=min_past_furthest,
             tool_options=tool_options,
@@ -1416,7 +1426,7 @@ class PortPather:
             *,
             length: float | None = None,
             spacing: float | ArrayLike | None = None,
-            strategy: RouteTieBreakStrategy | str | None = None,
+            plan_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             out_ptype: str | None = None,
             each: float | None = None,
             set_rotation: float | None = None,
@@ -1439,7 +1449,7 @@ class PortPather:
         if spacing is None and self.default_spacing is not None and len(self.ports) > 1 and ccw is not None:
             spacing = self.default_spacing
         self.pather.trace_to(
-            self.ports, ccw, length=length, spacing=spacing, strategy=strategy, out_ptype=out_ptype,
+            self.ports, ccw, length=length, spacing=spacing, plan_options=plan_options, out_ptype=out_ptype,
             each=each, set_rotation=set_rotation, p=p, pos=pos, position=position, x=x, y=y,
             emin=emin, emax=emax, pmin=pmin, pmax=pmax, xmin=xmin, xmax=xmax, ymin=ymin, ymax=ymax,
             min_past_furthest=min_past_furthest, tool_options=tool_options,
@@ -1451,7 +1461,7 @@ class PortPather:
             length: float | None = None,
             *,
             spacing: float | ArrayLike | None = None,
-            strategy: RouteTieBreakStrategy | str | None = None,
+            plan_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             out_ptype: str | None = None,
             each: float | None = None,
             set_rotation: float | None = None,
@@ -1472,7 +1482,7 @@ class PortPather:
             tool_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             ) -> Self:
         return self.trace_to(
-            None, length=length, spacing=spacing, strategy=strategy, out_ptype=out_ptype,
+            None, length=length, spacing=spacing, plan_options=plan_options, out_ptype=out_ptype,
             each=each, set_rotation=set_rotation, p=p, pos=pos, position=position, x=x, y=y,
             emin=emin, emax=emax, pmin=pmin, pmax=pmax, xmin=xmin, xmax=xmax, ymin=ymin, ymax=ymax,
             min_past_furthest=min_past_furthest, tool_options=tool_options,
@@ -1484,7 +1494,7 @@ class PortPather:
             length: float | None = None,
             *,
             spacing: float | ArrayLike | None = None,
-            strategy: RouteTieBreakStrategy | str | None = None,
+            plan_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             out_ptype: str | None = None,
             each: float | None = None,
             set_rotation: float | None = None,
@@ -1505,7 +1515,7 @@ class PortPather:
             tool_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             ) -> Self:
         return self.trace_to(
-            ccw, length=length, spacing=spacing, strategy=strategy, out_ptype=out_ptype,
+            ccw, length=length, spacing=spacing, plan_options=plan_options, out_ptype=out_ptype,
             each=each, set_rotation=set_rotation, p=p, pos=pos, position=position, x=x, y=y,
             emin=emin, emax=emax, pmin=pmin, pmax=pmax, xmin=xmin, xmax=xmax, ymin=ymin, ymax=ymax,
             min_past_furthest=min_past_furthest, tool_options=tool_options,
@@ -1516,7 +1526,7 @@ class PortPather:
             length: float | None = None,
             *,
             spacing: float | ArrayLike | None = None,
-            strategy: RouteTieBreakStrategy | str | None = None,
+            plan_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             out_ptype: str | None = None,
             each: float | None = None,
             set_rotation: float | None = None,
@@ -1537,7 +1547,7 @@ class PortPather:
             tool_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             ) -> Self:
         return self.bend(
-            True, length, spacing=spacing, strategy=strategy, out_ptype=out_ptype,
+            True, length, spacing=spacing, plan_options=plan_options, out_ptype=out_ptype,
             each=each, set_rotation=set_rotation, p=p, pos=pos, position=position, x=x, y=y,
             emin=emin, emax=emax, pmin=pmin, pmax=pmax, xmin=xmin, xmax=xmax, ymin=ymin, ymax=ymax,
             min_past_furthest=min_past_furthest, tool_options=tool_options,
@@ -1548,7 +1558,7 @@ class PortPather:
             length: float | None = None,
             *,
             spacing: float | ArrayLike | None = None,
-            strategy: RouteTieBreakStrategy | str | None = None,
+            plan_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             out_ptype: str | None = None,
             each: float | None = None,
             set_rotation: float | None = None,
@@ -1569,7 +1579,7 @@ class PortPather:
             tool_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             ) -> Self:
         return self.bend(
-            False, length, spacing=spacing, strategy=strategy, out_ptype=out_ptype,
+            False, length, spacing=spacing, plan_options=plan_options, out_ptype=out_ptype,
             each=each, set_rotation=set_rotation, p=p, pos=pos, position=position, x=x, y=y,
             emin=emin, emax=emax, pmin=pmin, pmax=pmax, xmin=xmin, xmax=xmax, ymin=ymin, ymax=ymax,
             min_past_furthest=min_past_furthest, tool_options=tool_options,
@@ -1581,7 +1591,7 @@ class PortPather:
             length: float | None = None,
             *,
             spacing: float | ArrayLike | None = None,
-            strategy: RouteTieBreakStrategy | str | None = None,
+            plan_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             out_ptype: str | None = None,
             p: float | None = None,
             pos: float | None = None,
@@ -1593,7 +1603,7 @@ class PortPather:
         if spacing is None and self.default_spacing is not None and len(self.ports) > 1 and not numpy.isclose(offset, 0):
             spacing = self.default_spacing
         self.pather.jog(
-            self.ports, offset, length, spacing=spacing, strategy=strategy, out_ptype=out_ptype,
+            self.ports, offset, length, spacing=spacing, plan_options=plan_options, out_ptype=out_ptype,
             p=p, pos=pos, position=position, x=x, y=y, tool_options=tool_options,
             )
         return self
@@ -1604,14 +1614,14 @@ class PortPather:
             length: float | None = None,
             *,
             spacing: float | ArrayLike | None = None,
-            strategy: RouteTieBreakStrategy | str | None = None,
+            plan_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             out_ptype: str | None = None,
             tool_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             ) -> Self:
         if spacing is None and self.default_spacing is not None and len(self.ports) > 1:
             spacing = self.default_spacing
         self.pather.uturn(
-            self.ports, offset, length, spacing=spacing, strategy=strategy,
+            self.ports, offset, length, spacing=spacing, plan_options=plan_options,
             out_ptype=out_ptype, tool_options=tool_options,
             )
         return self
@@ -1623,14 +1633,13 @@ class PortPather:
             out_ptype: str | None = None,
             plug_destination: bool = True,
             thru: str | None = None,
-            strategy: RouteTieBreakStrategy | str | None = None,
-            bend_policy: TraceIntoBendPolicy | str | None = None,
+            plan_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             tool_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             ) -> Self:
         port = self._single_port('trace_into')
         self.pather.trace_into(
             port, target_port, out_ptype=out_ptype, plug_destination=plug_destination,
-            thru=thru, strategy=strategy, bend_policy=bend_policy, tool_options=tool_options,
+            thru=thru, plan_options=plan_options, tool_options=tool_options,
             )
         return self
 
diff --git a/masque/builder/planner/planner.py b/masque/builder/planner/planner.py
index 3279df6..60c6e93 100644
--- a/masque/builder/planner/planner.py
+++ b/masque/builder/planner/planner.py
@@ -1095,6 +1095,36 @@ class RoutingPlanner:
             return getattr(self, 'bend_policy', self.DEFAULT_TRACE_INTO_BEND_POLICY)
         return validate_trace_into_bend_policy(bend_policy)
 
+    def validate_plan_options(
+            self,
+            plan_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None,
+            *,
+            allow_bend_policy: bool = False,
+            ) -> dict[str, Any]:
+        """Copy and validate the default planner's per-route option mapping."""
+        if plan_options is None:
+            return {}
+        try:
+            options = dict(plan_options)
+        except (TypeError, ValueError) as err:
+            raise BuildError('plan_options must be a mapping with string keys') from err
+        nonstring = [key for key in options if not isinstance(key, str)]
+        if nonstring:
+            raise BuildError(f'plan_options keys must be strings; got {nonstring!r}')
+        supported = {'strategy'}
+        if allow_bend_policy:
+            supported.add('bend_policy')
+        unsupported = sorted(options.keys() - supported)
+        if unsupported:
+            raise BuildError(
+                f'RoutingPlanner plan_options contains unsupported keys: {", ".join(unsupported)}'
+                )
+        if options.get('strategy') is not None:
+            options['strategy'] = validate_strategy(options['strategy'])
+        if options.get('bend_policy') is not None:
+            options['bend_policy'] = validate_trace_into_bend_policy(options['bend_policy'])
+        return options
+
     def trace_into_bend_bands(
             self,
             family: PrimitiveKind,
@@ -1322,11 +1352,13 @@ class RoutingPlanner:
             length: float | None = None,
             *,
             spacing: float | ArrayLike | None = None,
-            strategy: RouteTieBreakStrategy | str | None = None,
+            plan_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             tool_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             **bounds: Any,
             ) -> PreparedRouteResult:
         """Plan straight or single-bend traces, including `each` and bundle-bound modes."""
+        plan_opts = self.validate_plan_options(plan_options)
+        strategy = plan_opts.get('strategy')
         route_bounds = dict(bounds)
         request_details = {'ccw': ccw, **{
             key: value for key, value in route_bounds.items() if value is not None
@@ -1335,8 +1367,8 @@ class RoutingPlanner:
             request_details['length'] = length
         if spacing is not None:
             request_details['spacing'] = spacing
-        if strategy is not None:
-            request_details['strategy'] = strategy
+        if plan_opts:
+            request_details['plan_options'] = dict(plan_opts)
         if tool_options:
             request_details['tool_options'] = dict(tool_options)
         operation: RouteOperation = 'trace'
@@ -1452,19 +1484,21 @@ class RoutingPlanner:
             ccw: SupportsBool | None,
             *,
             spacing: float | ArrayLike | None = None,
-            strategy: RouteTieBreakStrategy | str | None = None,
+            plan_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             tool_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             **bounds: Any,
             ) -> PreparedRouteResult:
         """Plan `trace_to()` by resolving positional targets or delegating to `trace()` modes."""
+        plan_opts = self.validate_plan_options(plan_options)
+        strategy = plan_opts.get('strategy')
         route_bounds = dict(bounds)
         request_details = {'ccw': ccw, **{
             key: value for key, value in route_bounds.items() if value is not None
             }}
         if spacing is not None:
             request_details['spacing'] = spacing
-        if strategy is not None:
-            request_details['strategy'] = strategy
+        if plan_opts:
+            request_details['plan_options'] = dict(plan_opts)
         if tool_options:
             request_details['tool_options'] = dict(tool_options)
         operation: RouteOperation = 'trace_to'
@@ -1540,11 +1574,13 @@ class RoutingPlanner:
             length: float | None = None,
             *,
             spacing: float | ArrayLike | None = None,
-            strategy: RouteTieBreakStrategy | str | None = None,
+            plan_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             tool_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             **bounds: Any,
             ) -> PreparedRouteResult:
         """Plan S-bend routes for single ports or spaced bundles."""
+        plan_opts = self.validate_plan_options(plan_options)
+        strategy = plan_opts.get('strategy')
         offset = planner_bounds.finite_scalar(offset, 'offset')
         request_details = {'offset': offset, **{
             key: value for key, value in bounds.items() if value is not None
@@ -1553,8 +1589,8 @@ class RoutingPlanner:
             request_details['length'] = length
         if spacing is not None:
             request_details['spacing'] = spacing
-        if strategy is not None:
-            request_details['strategy'] = strategy
+        if plan_opts:
+            request_details['plan_options'] = dict(plan_opts)
         if tool_options:
             request_details['tool_options'] = dict(tool_options)
         operation: RouteOperation = 'jog'
@@ -1616,11 +1652,13 @@ class RoutingPlanner:
             length: float | None = None,
             *,
             spacing: float | ArrayLike | None = None,
-            strategy: RouteTieBreakStrategy | str | None = None,
+            plan_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             tool_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             **bounds: Any,
             ) -> PreparedRouteResult:
         """Plan U-turn routes for single ports or spaced bundles."""
+        plan_opts = self.validate_plan_options(plan_options)
+        strategy = plan_opts.get('strategy')
         offset = planner_bounds.finite_scalar(offset, 'offset')
         route_bounds = dict(bounds)
         request_details = {'offset': offset, **{
@@ -1630,8 +1668,8 @@ class RoutingPlanner:
             request_details['length'] = length
         if spacing is not None:
             request_details['spacing'] = spacing
-        if strategy is not None:
-            request_details['strategy'] = strategy
+        if plan_opts:
+            request_details['plan_options'] = dict(plan_opts)
         if tool_options:
             request_details['tool_options'] = dict(tool_options)
         operation: RouteOperation = 'uturn'
@@ -1758,11 +1796,13 @@ class RoutingPlanner:
             out_ptype: str | None,
             plug_destination: bool,
             thru: str | None,
-            strategy: RouteTieBreakStrategy | str | None = None,
-            bend_policy: TraceIntoBendPolicy | str | None = None,
+            plan_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             tool_options: Mapping[str, Any] | None = None,
             ) -> PreparedRouteResult:
         """Plan a bounded route from one source port into a destination port."""
+        plan_opts = self.validate_plan_options(plan_options, allow_bend_policy=True)
+        strategy = plan_opts.get('strategy')
+        bend_policy = plan_opts.get('bend_policy')
         resolved_bend_policy = self.resolve_trace_into_bend_policy(bend_policy)
         if out_ptype is None:
             out_ptype = port_dst.ptype
diff --git a/masque/test/test_autotool_planning.py b/masque/test/test_autotool_planning.py
index 33cbee7..969674b 100644
--- a/masque/test/test_autotool_planning.py
+++ b/masque/test/test_autotool_planning.py
@@ -996,7 +996,13 @@ def test_autotool_strategy_orders_main_steps_across_adapters(jog: float) -> None
     for strategy in ('straight_first', 'turn_first'):
         pather = Pather(library, tools=tool, render='deferred')
         pather.ports['A'] = Port((0, 0), 0, ptype=primary)
-        pather.jog('A', jog, length=route_length, out_ptype=primary, strategy=strategy)
+        pather.jog(
+            'A',
+            jog,
+            length=route_length,
+            out_ptype=primary,
+            plan_options={'strategy': strategy},
+            )
         selected_kinds[strategy] = [step.kind for step in pather._paths['A']]
 
     assert selected_kinds['straight_first'] == ['straight', 'straight', 'straight', 's']
diff --git a/masque/test/test_pather_constraints.py b/masque/test/test_pather_constraints.py
index 30e3762..2f75389 100644
--- a/masque/test/test_pather_constraints.py
+++ b/masque/test/test_pather_constraints.py
@@ -986,6 +986,16 @@ def test_routing_entry_points_have_no_catch_all_kwargs(route_type: type, name: s
     assert all(parameter.kind is not inspect.Parameter.VAR_KEYWORD for parameter in parameters)
 
 
+@pytest.mark.parametrize('route_type', [Pather, PortPather])
+@pytest.mark.parametrize('name', ['trace', 'trace_to', 'straight', 'bend', 'ccw', 'cw', 'jog', 'uturn', 'trace_into'])
+def test_routing_entry_points_use_generic_plan_options(route_type: type, name: str) -> None:
+    parameters = inspect.signature(getattr(route_type, name)).parameters
+
+    assert 'plan_options' in parameters
+    assert 'strategy' not in parameters
+    assert 'bend_policy' not in parameters
+
+
 def test_routing_typo_fails_before_tool_lookup() -> None:
     tool = RequestCountingTool()
     p = Pather(Library(), tools=tool, render='deferred')
@@ -1007,6 +1017,41 @@ def test_tool_options_reject_invalid_or_reserved_keys(tool_options: dict[Any, An
     assert tool.offer_calls == 0
 
 
+@pytest.mark.parametrize('plan_options', [7, {1: 'bad'}])
+def test_plan_options_reject_invalid_mapping_shape(plan_options: Any) -> None:
+    tool = RequestCountingTool()
+    p = Pather(Library(), tools=tool, render='deferred')
+
+    with pytest.raises(BuildError, match='plan_options'):
+        p.trace('A', None, plan_options=plan_options)
+
+    assert tool.offer_calls == 0
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    'plan_options',
+    [
+        {'bend_policy': 'flexible'},
+        {'unknown': True},
+    ],
+)
+def test_default_planner_rejects_unsupported_plan_options_before_tool_lookup(
+        plan_options: dict[str, Any],
+        ) -> None:
+    tool = RequestCountingTool()
+    p = Pather(
+        Library(),
+        ports={'A': Port((0, 0), rotation=0, ptype='wire')},
+        tools=tool,
+        render='deferred',
+        )
+
+    with pytest.raises(BuildError, match='unsupported keys'):
+        p.trace('A', None, length=1, plan_options=plan_options)
+
+    assert tool.offer_calls == 0
+
+
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
     'operation',
     [
diff --git a/masque/test/test_pather_core.py b/masque/test/test_pather_core.py
index 93f874c..af068b8 100644
--- a/masque/test/test_pather_core.py
+++ b/masque/test/test_pather_core.py
@@ -93,6 +93,41 @@ def test_pather_accepts_and_reuses_planner_instance() -> None:
     assert planner.trace_to_calls == 2
 
 
+def test_pather_copies_and_forwards_plan_options_to_planner() -> None:
+    class RecordingPlanner(RoutingPlanner):
+        def __init__(self) -> None:
+            super().__init__()
+            self.received_plan_options: Any = None
+
+        def plan_trace_to_route(
+                self,
+                *args: Any,
+                plan_options: Any = None,
+                **kwargs: Any,
+                ) -> Any:
+            self.received_plan_options = plan_options
+            return super().plan_trace_to_route(
+                *args,
+                plan_options=plan_options,
+                **kwargs,
+                )
+
+    planner = RecordingPlanner()
+    p = Pather(
+        Library(),
+        tools=PathTool(layer=(1, 0), width=1),
+        render='deferred',
+        planner=planner,
+        )
+    p.ports['A'] = Port((0, 0), rotation=0)
+    supplied = {'strategy': 'turn_first'}
+
+    p.straight('A', 1, plan_options=supplied)
+
+    assert planner.received_plan_options == supplied
+    assert planner.received_plan_options is not supplied
+
+
 def test_port_tool_policy_and_portpather_selection_follow_names() -> None:
     default_tool = PathTool(layer=(1, 0), width=1, ptype='wire')
     named_tool = PathTool(layer=(2, 0), width=1, ptype='wire')
diff --git a/masque/test/test_pather_primitive_offers.py b/masque/test/test_pather_primitive_offers.py
index 626779c..0a6abe3 100644
--- a/masque/test/test_pather_primitive_offers.py
+++ b/masque/test/test_pather_primitive_offers.py
@@ -732,7 +732,7 @@ def test_pather_route_strategy_uses_planner_default() -> None:
 def test_pather_route_strategy_per_route_overrides_planner_default() -> None:
     pather, _tool = pather_with_strategy_tool(RoutingPlanner(strategy='turn_first'))
 
-    pather.jog('A', 4, length=10, strategy='straight_first')
+    pather.jog('A', 4, length=10, plan_options={'strategy': 'straight_first'})
 
     assert [step.data['kind'] for step in pather._paths['A']] == ['straight', 's']
 
@@ -740,15 +740,21 @@ def test_pather_route_strategy_per_route_overrides_planner_default() -> None:
 def test_pather_route_strategy_per_route_can_request_turn_first() -> None:
     pather, _tool = pather_with_strategy_tool()
 
-    pather.jog('A', 4, length=10, strategy='turn_first')
+    pather.jog('A', 4, length=10, plan_options={'strategy': 'turn_first'})
 
     assert [step.data['kind'] for step in pather._paths['A']] == ['s', 'straight']
 
 
-def test_pather_route_strategy_is_not_forwarded_to_tool() -> None:
+def test_pather_plan_options_are_not_forwarded_to_tool() -> None:
     pather, tool = pather_with_strategy_tool()
 
-    pather.jog('A', 4, length=10, strategy='turn_first', tool_options={'marker': 'sentinel'})
+    pather.jog(
+        'A',
+        4,
+        length=10,
+        plan_options={'strategy': 'turn_first'},
+        tool_options={'marker': 'sentinel'},
+        )
 
     assert tool.seen_kwargs
     assert all('strategy' not in kwargs for kwargs in tool.seen_kwargs)
@@ -762,7 +768,7 @@ def test_pather_route_strategy_rejects_invalid_values() -> None:
 
     pather, _tool = pather_with_strategy_tool()
     with pytest.raises(BuildError, match='Invalid route strategy'):
-        pather.jog('A', 4, length=10, strategy='sideways')
+        pather.jog('A', 4, length=10, plan_options={'strategy': 'sideways'})
 
 
 def test_solver_rejects_rotation_impossible_candidates_before_parameter_solving() -> None:
diff --git a/masque/test/test_pather_trace_into.py b/masque/test/test_pather_trace_into.py
index a2ce595..1e86ded 100644
--- a/masque/test/test_pather_trace_into.py
+++ b/masque/test/test_pather_trace_into.py
@@ -131,7 +131,12 @@ def test_pather_trace_into_minimal_policy_accepts_required_topologies(dst: Port)
     pather.ports['src'] = Port((0, 0), rotation=0)
     pather.ports['dst'] = dst
 
-    pather.trace_into('src', 'dst', plug_destination=False, bend_policy='minimal')
+    pather.trace_into(
+        'src',
+        'dst',
+        plug_destination=False,
+        plan_options={'bend_policy': 'minimal'},
+        )
 
     assert numpy.allclose(pather.ports['src'].offset, dst.offset)
     assert pather.ports['src'].rotation is not None
@@ -153,7 +158,7 @@ def test_pather_trace_into_bend_policy_changes_real_solver_fallback() -> None:
     flexible.at('src').trace_into(
         'dst',
         plug_destination=False,
-        bend_policy='flexible',
+        plan_options={'bend_policy': 'flexible'},
         )
 
     assert_equal(flexible.ports['src'].offset, (2, 0))
@@ -415,7 +420,7 @@ def test_trace_into_reuses_solver_across_staged_bend_bands(
         out_ptype=None,
         plug_destination=True,
         thru=None,
-        bend_policy='flexible',
+        plan_options={'bend_policy': 'flexible'},
         )
 
     assert planner.solver.attempts == attempts
@@ -434,7 +439,7 @@ def test_trace_into_staged_bend_budget_stops_on_fatal_error() -> None:
             out_ptype=None,
             plug_destination=True,
             thru=None,
-            bend_policy='flexible',
+            plan_options={'bend_policy': 'flexible'},
             )
 
     assert planner.solver.attempts == [(0, 2)]
@@ -497,7 +502,7 @@ def test_trace_into_minimal_policy_uses_orientation_required_band(
         out_ptype=None,
         plug_destination=True,
         thru=None,
-        bend_policy='minimal',
+        plan_options={'bend_policy': 'minimal'},
         )
 
     assert planner.solver.attempts == [required_band]
@@ -515,7 +520,7 @@ def test_trace_into_minimal_policy_rejects_fallback_without_mutation() -> None:
     pather.ports['dst'] = Port((-10, 0), rotation=pi, ptype='wire')
 
     with pytest.raises(BuildError, match='try next budget'):
-        pather.trace_into('src', 'dst', bend_policy='minimal')
+        pather.trace_into('src', 'dst', plan_options={'bend_policy': 'minimal'})
 
     assert planner.solver.attempts == [(0, 0)]
     assert set(pather.ports) == {'src', 'dst'}
@@ -547,7 +552,7 @@ def test_trace_into_bend_policy_planner_default_and_route_override() -> None:
         out_ptype=None,
         plug_destination=True,
         thru=None,
-        bend_policy='flexible',
+        plan_options={'bend_policy': 'flexible'},
         )
     assert flexible_planner.solver.attempts == [(0, 2), (4, 4)]
 
@@ -555,3 +560,14 @@ def test_trace_into_bend_policy_planner_default_and_route_override() -> None:
 def test_trace_into_rejects_invalid_bend_policy() -> None:
     with pytest.raises(BuildError, match='Invalid trace_into bend policy'):
         RoutingPlanner(bend_policy='sideways')  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+
+    pather = Pather(
+        Library(),
+        tools=PathTool(layer='M1', width=1, ptype='wire'),
+        render='deferred',
+        )
+    pather.ports['src'] = Port((0, 0), rotation=0, ptype='wire')
+    pather.ports['dst'] = Port((-10, 0), rotation=pi, ptype='wire')
+
+    with pytest.raises(BuildError, match='Invalid trace_into bend policy'):
+        pather.trace_into('src', 'dst', plan_options={'bend_policy': 'sideways'})