diff --git a/wargame_box.scad b/wargame_box.scad
index 20d0b50..34b4690 100644
--- a/wargame_box.scad
+++ b/wargame_box.scad
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ thumb_grooves = true;
 // How the lid is held shut. "latch": snap latches hinged on
 // short pieces of filament (see README). "friction": original
 // push fit.
-lid_style = "latch"; // [latch, friction]
+lid_style = "friction"; // [latch, friction]
 // Latches per long (front/back) wall, spread out evenly
 latches_per_side = 2;
 // Diameter of the filament used as hinge pin
@@ -95,19 +95,27 @@ notch_d = 22;
 // ------------------------------------------------------------
 // Compartment layout
 // ------------------------------------------------------------
-// One entry per row (front to back). Each entry is
-//   [row_depth_weight, [column_width_weights]]
-// Weights are relative, so the layout always fills the insert
-// exactly no matter what the box dimensions are.
+// The layout is a recursive grid. Each cell is one of
+//   * a number          -> a compartment, sized by that weight
+//   * [weight, [cells]] -> a cell split perpendicular to its
+//                          parent into the given sub-cells
+//   * [cells]           -> shorthand for [1, [cells]]
+// The top level splits the insert front-to-back into rows, each
+// row splits left-to-right into columns, and so on, alternating
+// direction at every nesting level. Weights are relative, so the
+// layout always fills the insert exactly.
+// Caveat: a two-element list whose second element is a list is
+// always read as [weight, [cells]]; use the explicit weight form
+// if that's not what you mean.
 //
-// Default: a wide slot for measuring tapes across the back,
-// and two rows of token compartments in front.
+// Default: one full-depth bay on the left (weight 2, ~67 mm wide
+// here - fits a deck of standard cards lying flat), two medium
+// bays, and a right column split into three equal token bins.
 layout = [
-    [1.0, [1, 1, 1, 1]],   // front row: 4 small token bins
-    [1.0, [2, 1, 1]],      // middle row: 1 medium + 2 small
-    [0.8, [1]]             // back row: full-width slot (tapes etc.)
+    [1.0, [2, 1, 1, [1, 1, 1]]],
 ];
 
+
 $fn = $preview ? 32 : 64;
 
 // ------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -165,7 +173,12 @@ function sum(v, i = 0) = i >= len(v) ? 0 : v[i] + sum(v, i + 1);
 // sum of the first n elements
 function psum(v, n) = n <= 0 ? 0 : v[n - 1] + psum(v, n - 1);
 
-function row_weights() = [for (r = layout) r[0]];
+// layout cell accessors (see "Compartment layout" above)
+function cell_weight(c)   = is_num(c) ? c
+                          : len(c) == 2 && is_list(c[1]) ? c[0] : 1;
+function cell_children(c) = is_num(c) ? undef
+                          : len(c) == 2 && is_list(c[1]) ? c[1] : c;
+function cell_weights(cells) = [for (c = cells) cell_weight(c)];
 
 // rounded-corner rectangle, centered at origin corner (0,0)
 module rrect(x, y, r) {
@@ -356,34 +369,12 @@ module placed_latch(x0) {
 module insert() {
     iw_x = ins_x - 2 * insert_wall;            // usable interior
     iw_y = ins_y - 2 * insert_wall;
-    n_rows  = len(layout);
-    rw      = row_weights();
-    avail_y = iw_y - (n_rows - 1) * divider_t;
 
     difference() {
         rbox(ins_x, ins_y, ins_h, inner_r);
 
         // compartment cavities
-        for (ri = [0 : n_rows - 1]) {
-            row_y0 = insert_wall
-                   + avail_y * psum(rw, ri) / sum(rw)
-                   + ri * divider_t;
-            row_dy = avail_y * rw[ri] / sum(rw);
-
-            cols    = layout[ri][1];
-            n_cols  = len(cols);
-            avail_x = iw_x - (n_cols - 1) * divider_t;
-
-            for (ci = [0 : n_cols - 1]) {
-                col_x0 = insert_wall
-                       + avail_x * psum(cols, ci) / sum(cols)
-                       + ci * divider_t;
-                col_dx = avail_x * cols[ci] / sum(cols);
-
-                translate([col_x0, row_y0, insert_floor])
-                    cube([col_dx, row_dy, ins_h]);
-            }
-        }
+        carve(layout, insert_wall, insert_wall, iw_x, iw_y, false);
 
         // finger notches on the short (left/right) walls
         if (finger_notches)
@@ -395,6 +386,27 @@ module insert() {
     }
 }
 
+// carve the cells into the region [x0, y0]..[x0+dx, y0+dy],
+// split along x or y; nested cells recurse on the other axis
+module carve(cells, x0, y0, dx, dy, split_x) {
+    n     = len(cells);
+    w     = cell_weights(cells);
+    avail = (split_x ? dx : dy) - (n - 1) * divider_t;
+    for (i = [0 : n - 1]) {
+        off = avail * psum(w, i) / sum(w) + i * divider_t;
+        sz  = avail * w[i] / sum(w);
+        cx  = split_x ? x0 + off : x0;
+        cy  = split_x ? y0 : y0 + off;
+        cdx = split_x ? sz : dx;
+        cdy = split_x ? dy : sz;
+        sub = cell_children(cells[i]);
+        if (is_undef(sub))
+            translate([cx, cy, insert_floor]) cube([cdx, cdy, ins_h]);
+        else
+            carve(sub, cx, cy, cdx, cdy, !split_x);
+    }
+}
+
 // ------------------------------------------------------------
 // Output
 // ------------------------------------------------------------