diff --git a/backend/src/spicebook/engine/schematic.py b/backend/src/spicebook/engine/schematic.py
index bcf0fb8..2f41ff6 100644
--- a/backend/src/spicebook/engine/schematic.py
+++ b/backend/src/spicebook/engine/schematic.py
@@ -56,6 +56,16 @@ class ActiveLayout:
     unplaced: list[SpiceComponent]
 
 
+@dataclass
+class PlacedComponent:
+    """A component placed in the grid with recorded terminal positions."""
+
+    comp: SpiceComponent
+    element: object  # SchemDraw placed element
+    column: int
+    terminal_positions: dict[int, tuple[float, float]] = field(default_factory=dict)
+
+
 # ── Ground / Supply Detection ───────────────────────────────────
 
 GROUND_NAMES = {"0", "gnd"}
@@ -678,50 +688,396 @@ def _render_loop(parsed: ParsedNetlist, loop: list[SpiceComponent]) -> str:
     return d.get_imagedata("svg").decode()
 
 
-# ── Grid Layout Renderer ──────────────────────────────────────
+# ── Grid Layout: Constants & Helpers ─────────────────────────
+
+# Vertical tier positions (schemdraw y-axis: up is positive)
+_GRID_SUPPLY_Y = 0.0
+_GRID_UPPER_Y = -3.0
+_GRID_MID_Y = -5.5
+_GRID_LOWER_Y = -8.0
+_GRID_GROUND_Y = -11.0
+_GRID_X_SPACING = 6.0
+_GRID_MIN_COMP_LEN = 2.0  # minimum component length to avoid zero-height placement
+
+
+def _classify_node_tiers(
+    node_map: dict[str, list[tuple[SpiceComponent, int]]],
+) -> dict[str, float]:
+    """Assign vertical Y positions to nodes via BFS distance from ground/supply.
+
+    Ground and supply nodes are pinned to fixed tiers.  Signal nodes get
+    Y-positions blended between supply (top) and ground (bottom) based on
+    their BFS hop distance from each rail, then snapped to the nearest
+    discrete tier for clean vertical alignment.
+    """
+    from collections import deque
+
+    tiers: dict[str, float] = {}
+    snap_levels = [_GRID_SUPPLY_Y, _GRID_UPPER_Y, _GRID_MID_Y, _GRID_LOWER_Y, _GRID_GROUND_Y]
+
+    # Pin ground and supply nodes
+    for node in node_map:
+        if _is_ground(node):
+            tiers[node] = _GRID_GROUND_Y
+        elif _is_supply(node):
+            tiers[node] = _GRID_SUPPLY_Y
+
+    # BFS from ground nodes
+    dist_from_gnd: dict[str, int] = {}
+    queue: deque[tuple[str, int]] = deque()
+    for node in node_map:
+        if _is_ground(node):
+            dist_from_gnd[node] = 0
+            queue.append((node, 0))
+    while queue:
+        current, dist = queue.popleft()
+        for comp, idx in node_map.get(current, []):
+            for i, other_node in enumerate(comp.nodes):
+                if i != idx and other_node not in dist_from_gnd:
+                    dist_from_gnd[other_node] = dist + 1
+                    queue.append((other_node, dist + 1))
+
+    # BFS from supply nodes
+    dist_from_sup: dict[str, int] = {}
+    queue = deque()
+    for node in node_map:
+        if _is_supply(node):
+            dist_from_sup[node] = 0
+            queue.append((node, 0))
+    while queue:
+        current, dist = queue.popleft()
+        for comp, idx in node_map.get(current, []):
+            for i, other_node in enumerate(comp.nodes):
+                if i != idx and other_node not in dist_from_sup:
+                    dist_from_sup[other_node] = dist + 1
+                    queue.append((other_node, dist + 1))
+
+    # Assign signal nodes: blend by relative BFS distance, snap to tier
+    for node in node_map:
+        if node in tiers:
+            continue
+        dg = dist_from_gnd.get(node, 999)
+        ds = dist_from_sup.get(node, 999)
+        if ds == 999 and dg == 999:
+            continuous_y = _GRID_MID_Y
+        elif ds == 999:
+            continuous_y = _GRID_LOWER_Y
+        elif dg == 999:
+            continuous_y = _GRID_UPPER_Y
+        else:
+            ratio = ds / (ds + dg)
+            continuous_y = _GRID_SUPPLY_Y + ratio * (_GRID_GROUND_Y - _GRID_SUPPLY_Y)
+        tiers[node] = min(snap_levels, key=lambda t: abs(t - continuous_y))
+
+    return tiers
+
+
+def _assign_columns(
+    components: list[SpiceComponent],
+    node_map: dict[str, list[tuple[SpiceComponent, int]]],
+) -> list[SpiceComponent]:
+    """Order placeable components left-to-right via BFS through signal nodes.
+
+    Supply sources (DC V-source between supply rail and ground) are filtered
+    out — they become rail symbols instead of drawn components.
+    """
+    from collections import deque
+
+    placeable = [c for c in components if not _is_supply_source(c)]
+    if not placeable:
+        return []
+
+    # Build component adjacency through shared signal nodes
+    comp_names = {c.name for c in placeable}
+    comp_lookup = {c.name: c for c in placeable}
+    adj: dict[str, set[str]] = {c.name: set() for c in placeable}
+
+    for node, connections in node_map.items():
+        if _is_ground(node) or _is_supply(node):
+            continue
+        node_comps = [c.name for c, _ in connections if c.name in comp_names]
+        for i, a in enumerate(node_comps):
+            for b in node_comps[i + 1:]:
+                adj[a].add(b)
+                adj[b].add(a)
+
+    # BFS from first voltage source (or first component if none)
+    start = next((c for c in placeable if c.prefix == "V"), None)
+    if start is None:
+        start = placeable[0]
+
+    ordered: list[str] = []
+    visited: set[str] = set()
+    queue: deque[str] = deque([start.name])
+    visited.add(start.name)
+
+    while queue:
+        name = queue.popleft()
+        ordered.append(name)
+        for neighbor in sorted(adj.get(name, [])):
+            if neighbor not in visited:
+                visited.add(neighbor)
+                queue.append(neighbor)
+
+    # Append any disconnected components not reached by BFS
+    for c in placeable:
+        if c.name not in visited:
+            ordered.append(c.name)
+
+    return [comp_lookup[name] for name in ordered]
+
+
+def _get_terminal_positions(
+    placed_elem: object,
+    comp: SpiceComponent,
+) -> dict[int, tuple[float, float]]:
+    """Extract (x, y) terminal positions from a placed SchemDraw element."""
+    positions: dict[int, tuple[float, float]] = {}
+
+    if comp.prefix in ("Q", "M") and len(comp.nodes) >= 3:
+        anchors = (
+            ["collector", "base", "emitter"]
+            if comp.prefix == "Q"
+            else ["drain", "gate", "source"]
+        )
+        for i, anchor_name in enumerate(anchors):
+            if hasattr(placed_elem, anchor_name):
+                pos = getattr(placed_elem, anchor_name)
+                positions[i] = (float(pos[0]), float(pos[1]))
+    else:
+        if hasattr(placed_elem, "start"):
+            positions[0] = (float(placed_elem.start[0]), float(placed_elem.start[1]))
+        if hasattr(placed_elem, "end"):
+            idx = min(1, len(comp.nodes) - 1)
+            positions[idx] = (float(placed_elem.end[0]), float(placed_elem.end[1]))
+
+    return positions
+
+
+def _find_supply_value(
+    components: list[SpiceComponent],
+    supply_node: str,
+) -> tuple[str, str]:
+    """Find the DC voltage value for a supply rail. Returns (source_name, formatted_value)."""
+    for comp in components:
+        if comp.prefix == "V" and len(comp.nodes) == 2:
+            n0, n1 = comp.nodes
+            if (n0.lower() == supply_node.lower() and _is_ground(n1)) or \
+               (n1.lower() == supply_node.lower() and _is_ground(n0)):
+                return (comp.name, _format_value(comp.value))
+    return ("", "")
+
+
+def _draw_ground_rail(d, positions: list[tuple[float, float]]) -> None:
+    """Draw horizontal ground bus with vertical stubs and Ground symbol."""
+    import schemdraw.elements as elm
+
+    if not positions:
+        return
+
+    sorted_pos = sorted(positions, key=lambda p: p[0])
+
+    # Horizontal bus line across all ground-connected terminals
+    if len(sorted_pos) > 1:
+        d.add(elm.Line().at(sorted_pos[0]).to(sorted_pos[-1]))
+
+    # Vertical stubs from each terminal down to the bus
+    for px, py in sorted_pos:
+        if abs(py - _GRID_GROUND_Y) > 0.1:
+            d.add(elm.Line().at((px, py)).to((px, _GRID_GROUND_Y)))
+
+    # Ground symbol at the bus midpoint
+    mid_x = sum(p[0] for p in sorted_pos) / len(sorted_pos)
+    d.add(elm.Ground().at((mid_x, _GRID_GROUND_Y)))
+
+
+def _draw_supply_rail(
+    d,
+    positions: list[tuple[float, float]],
+    label: str,
+    value: str,
+) -> None:
+    """Draw horizontal supply bus with vertical stubs and Vdd symbol."""
+    import schemdraw.elements as elm
+
+    if not positions:
+        return
+
+    sorted_pos = sorted(positions, key=lambda p: p[0])
+
+    if len(sorted_pos) > 1:
+        d.add(elm.Line().at(sorted_pos[0]).to(sorted_pos[-1]))
+
+    for px, py in sorted_pos:
+        if abs(py - _GRID_SUPPLY_Y) > 0.1:
+            d.add(elm.Line().at((px, py)).to((px, _GRID_SUPPLY_Y)))
+
+    mid_x = sum(p[0] for p in sorted_pos) / len(sorted_pos)
+    rail_label = label.upper()
+    if value:
+        rail_label += f" {value}"
+    d.add(elm.Vdd().at((mid_x, _GRID_SUPPLY_Y)).label(rail_label))
+
+
+def _draw_signal_wire(
+    d,
+    pos_a: tuple[float, float],
+    pos_b: tuple[float, float],
+) -> None:
+    """Draw an L-shaped or straight wire between two terminal positions."""
+    import schemdraw.elements as elm
+
+    x1, y1 = pos_a
+    x2, y2 = pos_b
+
+    # Skip near-zero-length wires
+    if abs(x1 - x2) < 0.1 and abs(y1 - y2) < 0.1:
+        return
+
+    if abs(x1 - x2) < 0.1 or abs(y1 - y2) < 0.1:
+        # Straight wire (aligned on one axis)
+        d.add(elm.Line().at((x1, y1)).to((x2, y2)))
+    else:
+        # L-shaped: horizontal first, then vertical
+        d.add(elm.Line().at((x1, y1)).to((x2, y1)))
+        d.add(elm.Line().at((x2, y1)).to((x2, y2)))
+
+
+def _draw_star_wires(
+    d,
+    positions: list[tuple[float, float]],
+) -> None:
+    """Draw star-topology wiring with junction dot for 3+ connections."""
+    import schemdraw.elements as elm
+
+    if len(positions) < 2:
+        return
+
+    # Junction at the median position (reduces total wire length)
+    xs = sorted(p[0] for p in positions)
+    ys = sorted(p[1] for p in positions)
+    jx = xs[len(xs) // 2]
+    jy = ys[len(ys) // 2]
+
+    for px, py in positions:
+        if abs(px - jx) < 0.1 and abs(py - jy) < 0.1:
+            continue
+        _draw_signal_wire(d, (px, py), (jx, jy))
+
+    d.add(elm.Dot().at((jx, jy)))
+
+
+# ── Grid Layout Renderer ────────────────────────────────────
 
 
 def _render_grid(parsed: ParsedNetlist) -> str:
-    """Render components in a labeled grid layout.
+    """Render components in a wire-connected grid layout.
 
-    Used for complex circuits where topological layout isn't feasible.
-    Components are arranged in columns by type with terminal node labels.
+    Places components vertically between BFS-classified node tiers, then
+    routes wires between terminals sharing the same net: power/ground get
+    horizontal bus rails with symbols, 2-connection signals get L-shaped
+    wires, and 3+ connections get star wiring with junction dots.
     """
     import schemdraw
+    import schemdraw.elements as elm
+
+    node_map = _build_node_map(parsed.components)
+    tiers = _classify_node_tiers(node_map)
+    ordered = _assign_columns(parsed.components, node_map)
+
+    if not ordered:
+        d = schemdraw.Drawing(fontsize=11)
+        d.add(elm.Label().label("(empty circuit)"))
+        return d.get_imagedata("svg").decode()
 
     d = schemdraw.Drawing(fontsize=11)
 
-    # Group by role for logical ordering
-    sources = [c for c in parsed.components if c.prefix in ("V", "I")]
-    passives = [c for c in parsed.components if c.prefix in ("R", "C", "L")]
-    active = [c for c in parsed.components if c.prefix in ("D", "Q", "M")]
-    other = [
-        c for c in parsed.components
-        if c.prefix not in ("V", "I", "R", "C", "L", "D", "Q", "M")
-    ]
-    ordered = sources + passives + active + other
-
-    cols = min(4, max(2, len(ordered)))
-    x_spacing = 8
-    y_spacing = 5
-
-    for i, comp in enumerate(ordered):
-        row = i // cols
-        col = i % cols
-        x = col * x_spacing
-        y = -row * y_spacing
+    # ── Phase 1: Place components vertically between node tiers ──
+    placed_list: list[PlacedComponent] = []
 
+    for col, comp in enumerate(ordered):
+        x = col * _GRID_X_SPACING
         elem = _get_element(comp, parsed.models)
 
-        # 3+ terminal devices (BJT, MOSFET) need special handling
         if comp.prefix in ("Q", "M") and len(comp.nodes) >= 3:
-            placed = d.add(elem.at((x, y)).label(_component_label(comp)))
-            _label_multiterminal(d, placed, comp)
-        else:
-            placed = d.add(
-                elem.at((x, y)).right().label(_component_label(comp))
+            # Multi-terminal device: center between top/bottom node tiers
+            node_ys = [tiers.get(n, _GRID_MID_Y) for n in comp.nodes[:3]]
+            center_y = (max(node_ys) + min(node_ys)) / 2
+            placed_elem = d.add(
+                elem.at((x, center_y)).label(_component_label(comp))
+            )
+        elif len(comp.nodes) >= 2:
+            # 2-terminal: orient vertically between the two node tiers
+            y0 = tiers.get(comp.nodes[0], _GRID_UPPER_Y)
+            y1 = tiers.get(comp.nodes[1], _GRID_LOWER_Y)
+            length = max(abs(y0 - y1), _GRID_MIN_COMP_LEN)
+
+            if y0 >= y1:
+                # node[0] higher → go down so start=node[0], end=node[1]
+                placed_elem = d.add(
+                    elem.at((x, y0)).down().length(length)
+                    .label(_component_label(comp), loc="right")
+                )
+            else:
+                # node[0] lower → go up so start=node[0], end=node[1]
+                placed_elem = d.add(
+                    elem.at((x, y0)).up().length(length)
+                    .label(_component_label(comp), loc="right")
+                )
+        else:
+            # Fallback: single-node or unusual component
+            placed_elem = d.add(
+                elem.at((x, _GRID_MID_Y)).down().length(_GRID_MIN_COMP_LEN)
+                .label(_component_label(comp), loc="right")
+            )
+
+        positions = _get_terminal_positions(placed_elem, comp)
+        placed_list.append(PlacedComponent(
+            comp=comp, element=placed_elem, column=col,
+            terminal_positions=positions,
+        ))
+
+    # ── Phase 2: Collect terminal positions grouped by node name ──
+    node_positions: dict[str, list[tuple[float, float]]] = {}
+    for pc in placed_list:
+        for i, node in enumerate(pc.comp.nodes):
+            if i in pc.terminal_positions:
+                node_positions.setdefault(node, []).append(
+                    pc.terminal_positions[i]
+                )
+
+    # ── Phase 3: Route wires by node type ────────────────────────
+    for node, positions in node_positions.items():
+        if len(positions) < 2:
+            # Single connection: open dot with node label
+            if positions and not _is_ground(node) and not _is_supply(node):
+                px, py = positions[0]
+                d.add(
+                    elm.Dot(open=True).at((px, py))
+                    .label(node, loc="right", fontsize=9)
+                )
+            continue
+
+        if _is_ground(node):
+            _draw_ground_rail(d, positions)
+        elif _is_supply(node):
+            _, src_val = _find_supply_value(parsed.components, node)
+            _draw_supply_rail(d, positions, node, src_val)
+        elif len(positions) == 2:
+            _draw_signal_wire(d, positions[0], positions[1])
+            # Label at the midpoint of the wire
+            mx = (positions[0][0] + positions[1][0]) / 2
+            my = (positions[0][1] + positions[1][1]) / 2
+            d.add(elm.Label().at((mx, my)).label(node, loc="right", fontsize=9))
+        else:
+            # 3+ connections: star wiring with junction dot
+            _draw_star_wires(d, positions)
+            xs = sorted(p[0] for p in positions)
+            ys = sorted(p[1] for p in positions)
+            d.add(
+                elm.Label().at((xs[len(xs) // 2], ys[len(ys) // 2]))
+                .label(node, loc="right", fontsize=9)
             )
-            _label_two_terminal(d, placed, comp)
 
     return d.get_imagedata("svg").decode()
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/notebook/cells/SpiceCell.tsx b/frontend/src/components/notebook/cells/SpiceCell.tsx
index c62ce1e..7538ee0 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/notebook/cells/SpiceCell.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/notebook/cells/SpiceCell.tsx
@@ -72,6 +72,15 @@ export function SpiceCell({ cell, isFirst, isLast }: SpiceCellProps) {
     [cell.id, cell.source, updateCellSource],
   );
 
+  // Auto-generate schematic on first render if none exists
+  const hasAutoGenerated = useRef(false);
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (schematicSvg || hasAutoGenerated.current) return;
+    if (!cell.source.trim() || cell.source.trim() === '* SPICE Netlist\n\nR1 in out 1k\nV1 in 0 DC 5\n\n.op\n.end') return;
+    hasAutoGenerated.current = true;
+    generateSchematic(cell.id);
+  }, [cell.id, cell.source, schematicSvg, generateSchematic]);
+
   // Debounced auto-redraw: regenerate schematic 800ms after source changes.
   // Track the source at last generation to avoid retriggering from our own SVG updates.
   const lastGeneratedSource = useRef<string | null>(null);