diff --git a/exp_legacy/module/modules/control/selection.lua b/exp_legacy/module/modules/control/selection.lua
deleted file mode 100644
index 461f2cd4..00000000
--- a/exp_legacy/module/modules/control/selection.lua
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,194 +0,0 @@
---[[-- Control Module - Selection
-    - Controls players who have a selection planner, mostly event handlers
-    @control Selection
-    @alias Selection
-]]
-
-local Event = require("modules/exp_legacy/utils/event") --- @dep utils.event
-local Storage = require("modules/exp_util/storage")
-local Selection = {
-    events = {
-        --- When a player enters selection mode
-        -- @event on_player_selection_start
-        -- @tparam number player_index the player index of the player who entered selection mode
-        -- @tparam string selection the name of the selection being made
-        on_player_selection_start = script.generate_event_name(),
-        --- When a player leaves selection mode
-        -- @event on_player_selection_end
-        -- @tparam number player_index the player index of the player who left selection mode
-        -- @tparam string selection the name of the selection which ended
-        on_player_selection_end = script.generate_event_name(),
-    },
-}
-
-local selection_tool = { name = "selection-tool" }
-
-local selections = {}
-Storage.register({
-    selections = selections,
-}, function(tbl)
-    selections = tbl.selections
-end)
-
-local function has_selection_tool_in_hand(player)
-    return player.cursor_stack and player.cursor_stack.valid_for_read and player.cursor_stack.name == "selection-tool"
-end
-
---- Let a player select an area by providing a selection planner
---- @param player LuaPlayer The player to place into selection mode
---- @param selection_name string The name of the selection to start, used with on_selection
---- @param single_use boolean? When true the selection will stop after first use
---- @param ... any Arguments to pass to the selection handler
-function Selection.start(player, selection_name, single_use, ...)
-    if not player or not player.valid or not player.cursor_stack then return end
-    if selections[player.index] then
-        -- Raise the end event if a selection was already in progress
-        script.raise_event(Selection.events.on_player_selection_end, {
-            name = Selection.events.on_player_selection_end,
-            tick = game.tick,
-            player_index = player.index,
-            selection = selections[player.index].name,
-        })
-    end
-
-    -- Set the selection data
-    selections[player.index] = {
-        name = selection_name,
-        arguments = { ... },
-        single_use = single_use == true,
-        character = player.character,
-    }
-
-    -- Raise the event
-    script.raise_event(Selection.events.on_player_selection_start, {
-        name = Selection.events.on_player_selection_start,
-        tick = game.tick,
-        player_index = player.index,
-        selection = selection_name,
-    })
-
-    -- Give a selection tool if one is not in use
-    if has_selection_tool_in_hand(player) then return end
-    player.clear_cursor() -- Clear the current item
-    player.cursor_stack.set_stack(selection_tool)
-
-    -- This does not work for selection planners, will make a feature request for it
-    --player.cursor_stack_temporary = true
-
-    -- Make a slot to place the selection tool even if inventory is full
-    if player.character then
-        player.character_inventory_slots_bonus = player.character_inventory_slots_bonus + 1
-    end
-    local inventory = player.get_main_inventory()
-    if inventory then
-        player.hand_location = { inventory = inventory.index, slot = #inventory }
-    end
-end
-
---- Stop a player selection by removing the selection planner
--- @tparam LuaPlayer player The player to exit out of selection mode
-function Selection.stop(player)
-    if not selections[player.index] then return end
-    local character = selections[player.index].character
-    local selection = selections[player.index].name
-    selections[player.index] = nil
-
-    -- Raise the event
-    script.raise_event(Selection.events.on_player_selection_end, {
-        name = Selection.events.on_player_selection_end,
-        tick = game.tick,
-        player_index = player.index,
-        selection = selection,
-    })
-
-    -- Remove the selection tool
-    if has_selection_tool_in_hand(player) then
-        player.cursor_stack.clear()
-    else
-        player.remove_item(selection_tool)
-    end
-
-    -- Remove the extra slot
-    if character and character == player.character then
-        player.character_inventory_slots_bonus = player.character_inventory_slots_bonus - 1
-        player.hand_location = nil
-    end
-end
-
---- Get the selection arguments for a player
--- @tparam LuaPlayer player The player to get the selection arguments for
-function Selection.get_arguments(player)
-    if not selections[player.index] then return end
-    return selections[player.index].arguments
-end
-
---- Test if a player is selecting something
--- @tparam LuaPlayer player The player to test
--- @tparam[opt] string selection_name If given will only return true if the selection is this selection
-function Selection.is_selecting(player, selection_name)
-    if selection_name ~= nil then
-        if not selections[player.index] then return false end
-        return selections[player.index].name == selection_name
-    else
-        return has_selection_tool_in_hand(player)
-    end
-end
-
---- Filter on_player_selected_area to this custom selection, appends the selection arguments
--- @param string selection_name The name of the selection to listen for
--- @param function handler The event handler
-function Selection.on_selection(selection_name, handler)
-    Event.add(defines.events.on_player_selected_area, function(event)
-        local selection = selections[event.player_index]
-        if not selection or selection.name ~= selection_name then return end
-        handler(event, table.unpack(selection.arguments))
-    end)
-end
-
---- Filter on_player_alt_selected_area to this custom selection, appends the selection arguments
--- @param string selection_name The name of the selection to listen for
--- @param function handler The event handler
-function Selection.on_alt_selection(selection_name, handler)
-    Event.add(defines.events.on_player_alt_selected_area, function(event)
-        local selection = selections[event.player_index]
-        if not selection or selection.name ~= selection_name then return end
-        handler(event, table.unpack(selection.arguments))
-    end)
-end
-
---- Stop selection if the selection tool is removed from the cursor
-Event.add(defines.events.on_player_cursor_stack_changed, function(event)
-    local player = game.players[event.player_index] --- @cast player -nil
-    if has_selection_tool_in_hand(player) then return end
-    Selection.stop(player)
-end)
-
---- Make sure the hand location exists when the player returns from remote view
-Event.add(defines.events.on_player_controller_changed, function(event)
-    local player = game.players[event.player_index] --- @cast player -nil
-    local inventory = player.get_main_inventory()
-    if inventory and has_selection_tool_in_hand(player) then
-        player.hand_location = { inventory = inventory.index, slot = #inventory }
-    end
-end)
-
---- Stop selection after an event such as death or leaving the game
-local function stop_after_event(event)
-    local player = game.players[event.player_index]
-    Selection.stop(player)
-end
-
-Event.add(defines.events.on_pre_player_left_game, stop_after_event)
-Event.add(defines.events.on_pre_player_died, stop_after_event)
-
---- Stop selection after a single use if single_use was true during Selection.start
-local function stop_after_use(event)
-    if not selections[event.player_index] then return end
-    if not selections[event.player_index].single_use then return end
-    stop_after_event(event)
-end
-
-Event.add(defines.events.on_player_selected_area, stop_after_use)
-Event.add(defines.events.on_player_alt_selected_area, stop_after_use)
-
-return Selection
diff --git a/exp_legacy/module/modules/gui/vlayer.lua b/exp_legacy/module/modules/gui/vlayer.lua
index a84b5803..a57f090a 100644
--- a/exp_legacy/module/modules/gui/vlayer.lua
+++ b/exp_legacy/module/modules/gui/vlayer.lua
@@ -10,8 +10,9 @@ local Event = require("modules/exp_legacy/utils/event") --- @dep utils.event
 local format_number = require("util").format_number --- @dep util
 local config = require("modules.exp_legacy.config.vlayer") --- @dep config.vlayer
 local vlayer = require("modules.exp_legacy.modules.control.vlayer")
-local Selection = require("modules.exp_legacy.modules.control.selection") --- @dep modules.control.selection
-local SelectionConvertArea = "VlayerConvertChest"
+
+local Selection = require("modules/exp_util/selection")
+local SelectArea = Selection.connect("ExpGui_VLayer")
 
 --- Align an aabb to the grid by expanding it
 local function aabb_align_expand(aabb)
@@ -72,13 +73,15 @@ local function format_energy(amount, unit)
     return formatted .. " " .. suffix .. unit
 end
 
+local ExpUtil = require("modules/exp_util")
 --- When an area is selected to add protection to the area
-Selection.on_selection(SelectionConvertArea, function(event)
+SelectArea:on_selection(function(event)
+    log(ExpUtil.format_any(event))
     local area = aabb_align_expand(event.area)
     local player = game.players[event.player_index]
 
     if not player then
-        return nil
+        return
     end
 
     local container = Gui.get_left_element(vlayer_container, player)
@@ -91,7 +94,7 @@ Selection.on_selection(SelectionConvertArea, function(event)
             entities = event.surface.find_entities_filtered{ area = area, name = "constant-combinator", force = player.force }
         else
             player.print{ "vlayer.power-on-space-research", config.power_on_space_research.name, config.power_on_space_research.level }
-            return nil
+            return
         end
     else
         entities = event.surface.find_entities_filtered{ area = area, name = "steel-chest", force = player.force }
@@ -99,14 +102,14 @@ Selection.on_selection(SelectionConvertArea, function(event)
 
     if #entities == 0 then
         player.print{ "vlayer.steel-chest-detect" }
-        return nil
+        return
     elseif #entities > 1 then
         player.print{ "vlayer.result-unable", { "vlayer.control-type-" .. target:gsub("_", "-") }, { "vlayer.result-multiple" } }
-        return nil
+        return
     end
 
     if not entities[1] then
-        return nil
+        return
     end
 
     local e = entities[1]
@@ -115,12 +118,12 @@ Selection.on_selection(SelectionConvertArea, function(event)
 
     if e.name and e.name == "steel-chest" and (not e.get_inventory(defines.inventory.chest).is_empty()) then
         player.print{ "vlayer.steel-chest-empty" }
-        return nil
+        return
     end
 
     if (vlayer.get_interface_counts()[target] >= config.interface_limit[target]) then
         player.print{ "vlayer.result-unable", { "vlayer.control-type-" .. target:gsub("_", "-") }, { "vlayer.result-limit" } }
-        return nil
+        return
     end
 
     e.destroy()
@@ -128,7 +131,7 @@ Selection.on_selection(SelectionConvertArea, function(event)
     if target == "energy" then
         if not vlayer.create_energy_interface(event.surface, e_pos, player) then
             player.print{ "vlayer.result-unable", { "vlayer.control-type-energy" }, { "vlayer.result-space" } }
-            return nil
+            return
         end
     elseif target == "circuit" then
         vlayer.create_circuit_interface(event.surface, e_pos, e_circ, player)
@@ -400,11 +403,10 @@ local vlayer_gui_control_build = Gui.define("vlayer_gui_control_build")
     }:style{
         width = 200,
     }:on_click(function(def, player, element)
-        if Selection.is_selecting(player, SelectionConvertArea) then
-            Selection.stop(player)
+        if SelectArea:stop(player) then
             player.print{ "vlayer.exit" }
         else
-            Selection.start(player, SelectionConvertArea)
+            SelectArea:start(player)
             player.print{ "vlayer.enter" }
         end
 
diff --git a/exp_scenario/module/commands/artillery.lua b/exp_scenario/module/commands/artillery.lua
index 4d5ee260..95749da9 100644
--- a/exp_scenario/module/commands/artillery.lua
+++ b/exp_scenario/module/commands/artillery.lua
@@ -4,8 +4,9 @@ Adds a command that helps shoot artillery
 
 local AABB = require("modules/exp_util/aabb")
 local Commands = require("modules/exp_commands")
-local Selection = require("modules.exp_legacy.modules.control.selection") --- @dep modules.control.selection
-local SelectionName = "ExpCommand_Artillery"
+
+local Selection = require("modules/exp_util/selection")
+local SelectArea = Selection.connect("ExpCommand_Artillery")
 
 local floor = math.floor
 local abs = math.abs
@@ -37,18 +38,15 @@ end
 --- @overload fun(player: LuaPlayer)
 commands.artillery = Commands.new("artillery", { "exp-commands_artillery.description" })
     :register(function(player)
-        if Selection.is_selecting(player, SelectionName) then
-            Selection.stop(player)
+        if SelectArea:stop(player) then
             return Commands.status.success{ "exp-commands_artillery.exit" }
-        else
-            Selection.start(player, SelectionName)
-            return Commands.status.success{ "exp-commands_artillery.enter" }
         end
+        SelectArea:start(player)
+        return Commands.status.success{ "exp-commands_artillery.enter" }
     end) --[[ @as any ]]
 
 --- when an area is selected to add protection to the area
-Selection.on_selection(SelectionName, function(event)
-    --- @cast event EventData.on_player_selected_area
+SelectArea:on_selection(function(event)
     local area = AABB.expand(event.area)
     local player = game.players[event.player_index]
     local surface = event.surface
diff --git a/exp_scenario/module/commands/protected_entities.lua b/exp_scenario/module/commands/protected_entities.lua
index fab57839..34426b24 100644
--- a/exp_scenario/module/commands/protected_entities.lua
+++ b/exp_scenario/module/commands/protected_entities.lua
@@ -12,14 +12,14 @@ local Commands = require("modules/exp_commands")
 local format_player_name = Commands.format_player_name_locale
 
 local Roles = require("modules.exp_legacy.expcore.roles") --- @dep expcore.roles
-local Selection = require("modules.exp_legacy.modules.control.selection") --- @dep modules.control.selection
 local EntityProtection = require("modules.exp_legacy.modules.control.protection") --- @dep modules.control.protection
 
 local format_string = string.format
 local floor = math.floor
 
-local SelectionNameEntity = "ExpCommand_ProtectEntity"
-local SelectionNameArea = "ExpCommand_ProtectArea"
+local Selection = require("modules/exp_util/selection")
+local SelectEntities = Selection.connect("ExpCommand_ProtectEntity")
+local SelectArea = Selection.connect("ExpCommand_ProtectArea")
 
 local renders = {} --- @type table<number, table<string, LuaRenderObject>> Stores all renders for a player
 Storage.register({
@@ -95,31 +95,26 @@ end
 Commands.new("protect-entity", { "exp-commands_entity-protection.description-entity" })
     :add_aliases{ "pe" }
     :register(function(player)
-        if Selection.is_selecting(player, SelectionNameEntity) then
-            Selection.stop(player)
+        if SelectEntities:stop(player) then
             return Commands.status.success{ "exp-commands_entity-protection.exit-entity" }
-        else
-            Selection.start(player, SelectionNameEntity)
-            return Commands.status.success{ "exp-commands_entity-protection.enter-entity" }
         end
+        SelectEntities:start(player)
+        return Commands.status.success{ "exp-commands_entity-protection.enter-entity" }
     end)
 
 --- Toggles area protection selection
 Commands.new("protect-area", { "exp-commands_entity-protection.description-area" })
     :add_aliases{ "pa" }
     :register(function(player)
-        if Selection.is_selecting(player, SelectionNameEntity) then
-            Selection.stop(player)
+        if SelectArea:stop(player) then
             return Commands.status.success{ "exp-commands_entity-protection.exit-area" }
-        else
-            Selection.start(player, SelectionNameEntity)
-            return Commands.status.success{ "exp-commands_entity-protection.enter-area" }
         end
+        SelectArea:start(player)
+        return Commands.status.success{ "exp-commands_entity-protection.enter-area" }
     end)
 
 --- When an area is selected to add protection to entities
-Selection.on_selection(SelectionNameEntity, function(event)
-    --- @cast event EventData.on_player_selected_area
+SelectEntities:on_selection(function(event)
     local player = game.players[event.player_index]
     for _, entity in ipairs(event.entities) do
         EntityProtection.add_entity(entity)
@@ -130,8 +125,7 @@ Selection.on_selection(SelectionNameEntity, function(event)
 end)
 
 --- When an area is selected to remove protection from entities
-Selection.on_alt_selection(SelectionNameEntity, function(event)
-    --- @cast event EventData.on_player_alt_selected_area
+SelectEntities:on_alt_selection(function(event)
     local player = game.players[event.player_index]
     for _, entity in ipairs(event.entities) do
         EntityProtection.remove_entity(entity)
@@ -142,8 +136,7 @@ Selection.on_alt_selection(SelectionNameEntity, function(event)
 end)
 
 --- When an area is selected to add protection to the area
-Selection.on_selection(SelectionNameArea, function(event)
-    --- @cast event EventData.on_player_selected_area
+SelectArea:on_selection(function(event)
     local surface = event.surface
     local area = expand_area(event.area)
     local areas = EntityProtection.get_areas(event.surface)
@@ -160,8 +153,7 @@ Selection.on_selection(SelectionNameArea, function(event)
 end)
 
 --- When an area is selected to remove protection from the area
-Selection.on_alt_selection(SelectionNameArea, function(event)
-    --- @cast event EventData.on_player_alt_selected_area
+SelectArea:on_alt_selection(function(event)
     local surface = event.surface
     local area = expand_area(event.area)
     local areas = EntityProtection.get_areas(surface)
@@ -177,7 +169,6 @@ end)
 
 --- When selection starts show all protected entities and protected areas
 local function on_player_selection_start(event)
-    if event.selection ~= SelectionNameEntity and event.selection ~= SelectionNameArea then return end
     local player = game.players[event.player_index]
     local surface = player.surface -- Allow remote view
     renders[player.index] = {}
@@ -210,8 +201,7 @@ local function on_player_selection_start(event)
 end
 
 --- When selection ends hide protected entities and protected areas
-local function on_player_selection_end(event)
-    if event.selection ~= SelectionNameEntity and event.selection ~= SelectionNameArea then return end
+local function on_player_selection_stop(event)
     for _, render in pairs(renders[event.player_index]) do
         if render.valid then render.destroy() end
     end
@@ -219,6 +209,11 @@ local function on_player_selection_end(event)
     renders[event.player_index] = nil
 end
 
+SelectArea:on_start(on_player_selection_start)
+SelectEntities:on_start(on_player_selection_start)
+SelectArea:on_stop(on_player_selection_stop)
+SelectEntities:on_stop(on_player_selection_stop)
+
 --- When there is a repeat offence print it in chat
 local function on_repeat_violation(event)
     Roles.print_to_roles_higher("Regular", {
@@ -232,8 +227,6 @@ end
 
 return {
     events = {
-        [Selection.events.on_player_selection_start] = on_player_selection_start,
-        [Selection.events.on_player_selection_end] = on_player_selection_end,
         [EntityProtection.events.on_repeat_violation] = on_repeat_violation,
     }
 }
diff --git a/exp_scenario/module/commands/waterfill.lua b/exp_scenario/module/commands/waterfill.lua
index 1958d37b..4ca95ec9 100644
--- a/exp_scenario/module/commands/waterfill.lua
+++ b/exp_scenario/module/commands/waterfill.lua
@@ -4,8 +4,9 @@ Adds a command that places shallow water
 
 local AABB = require("modules/exp_util/aabb")
 local Commands = require("modules/exp_commands")
-local Selection = require("modules.exp_legacy.modules.control.selection") --- @dep modules.control.selection
-local SelectionName = "ExpCommand_Waterfill"
+
+local Selection = require("modules/exp_util/selection")
+local SelectArea = Selection.connect("ExpCommand_Waterfill")
 
 local planet = {
     ["nauvis"] = "water-mud",
@@ -23,25 +24,22 @@ local commands = {}
 --- @overload fun(player: LuaPlayer)
 commands.waterfill = Commands.new("waterfill", { "exp-commands_waterfill.description" })
     :register(function(player)
-        if Selection.is_selecting(player, SelectionName) then
-            Selection.stop(player)
+        if SelectArea:stop(player) then
             return Commands.status.success{ "exp-commands_waterfill.exit" }
+        end
+        local item_count_cliff = player.get_item_count("cliff-explosives")
+        local item_count_craft = math.min(math.floor(player.get_item_count("explosives") / 10), player.get_item_count("barrel"), player.get_item_count("grenade"))
+        local item_count_total = item_count_cliff + item_count_craft
+        if item_count_total == 0 then
+            return Commands.status.error{ "exp-commands_waterfill.requires-explosives" }
         else
-            local item_count_cliff = player.get_item_count("cliff-explosives")
-            local item_count_craft = math.min(math.floor(player.get_item_count("explosives") / 10), player.get_item_count("barrel"), player.get_item_count("grenade"))
-            local item_count_total = item_count_cliff + item_count_craft
-            if item_count_total == 0 then
-                return Commands.status.error{ "exp-commands_waterfill.requires-explosives" }
-            else
-                Selection.start(player, SelectionName)
-                return Commands.status.success{ "exp-commands_waterfill.enter" }
-            end
+            SelectArea:start(player)
+            return Commands.status.success{ "exp-commands_waterfill.enter" }
         end
     end) --[[ @as any ]]
 
 --- When an area is selected to be converted to water
-Selection.on_selection(SelectionName, function(event)
-    --- @cast event EventData.on_player_selected_area
+SelectArea:on_selection(function(event)
     local area = AABB.expand(event.area)
     local player = game.players[event.player_index]
     local surface = event.surface
diff --git a/exp_scenario/module/gui/module_inserter.lua b/exp_scenario/module/gui/module_inserter.lua
index c6116883..92cd5694 100644
--- a/exp_scenario/module/gui/module_inserter.lua
+++ b/exp_scenario/module/gui/module_inserter.lua
@@ -5,8 +5,9 @@ Adds a Gui which creates an selection planner to insert modules into buildings
 local Gui = require("modules/exp_gui")
 local AABB = require("modules/exp_util/aabb")
 local Roles = require("modules/exp_legacy/expcore/roles")
-local Selection = require("modules/exp_legacy/modules/control/selection")
-local SelectionModuleArea = "ModuleArea"
+
+local Selection = require("modules/exp_util/selection")
+local SelectArea = Selection.connect("ModuleArea")
 
 local config = require("modules/exp_legacy/config/module")
 
@@ -76,7 +77,7 @@ Elements.create_selection_planner = Gui.define("module_inserter/create_selection
     )
     :on_click(function(def, player, element)
         --- @cast def ExpGui_ModuleInserter.elements.create_selection_planner
-        Selection.start(player, SelectionModuleArea, false, def.data[element])
+        SelectArea:start(player, def.data[element])
     end) --[[ @as any ]]
 
 --- Used to select the machine to apply modules to
@@ -311,7 +312,7 @@ end
 --- When an area is selected to have module changes applied to it
 --- @param event EventData.on_player_selected_area
 --- @param module_table LuaGuiElement
-Selection.on_selection(SelectionModuleArea, function(event, module_table)
+SelectArea:on_selection(function(event, module_table)
     local player = Gui.get_player(event)
     local area = AABB.expand(event.area)
 
diff --git a/exp_scenario/module/gui/research_milestones.lua b/exp_scenario/module/gui/research_milestones.lua
index 4f6d9f19..42ca5f7e 100644
--- a/exp_scenario/module/gui/research_milestones.lua
+++ b/exp_scenario/module/gui/research_milestones.lua
@@ -301,8 +301,9 @@ end
 --- @param force LuaForce
 --- @return number
 function Elements.container.calculate_starting_research_index(force)
-    local force_data = Elements.container.data[force]
+    local force_data = Elements.container.data[force] or {}
     local research_index = research_targets.length
+    Elements.container.data[force] = force_data -- needed because of @clusterio/research_sync
 
     -- # does not work here because it returned the array alloc size
     for i = 1, research_targets.length do
diff --git a/exp_util/module/module.json b/exp_util/module/module.json
index 0e397b4a..0ea1ad10 100644
--- a/exp_util/module/module.json
+++ b/exp_util/module/module.json
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 		"include/package.lua",
 		"include/require.lua",
 		"storage.lua",
+		"selection.lua",
 		"async.lua"
 	],
 	"require": [
diff --git a/exp_util/module/selection.lua b/exp_util/module/selection.lua
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a50a7940
--- /dev/null
+++ b/exp_util/module/selection.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,253 @@
+--[[-- ExpUtil - Selection
+Provides an easy way for working with selection planners
+]]
+
+local ExpUtil = require("modules/exp_util")
+
+--- @class Selection.Active
+--- @field name string
+--- @field character LuaEntity?
+--- @field data table
+
+--- @alias Selection.event_handler<E> fun(event: E, ...: any)
+
+--- @class ExpUtil_Selection
+local Selection = {
+    on_selection_start = script.generate_event_name(),
+    --- @class EventData.on_selection_start: EventData
+    --- @field player_index number
+    --- @field selection Selection.Active
+
+    on_selection_stop = script.generate_event_name(),
+    --- @class EventData.on_selection_stop: EventData
+    --- @field player_index number
+    --- @field selection Selection.Active
+
+    --- @type table<string, { [defines.events]: Selection.event_handler[] }>
+    _registered = {},
+
+    --- @package
+    events = {},
+}
+
+--- @class Selection
+--- @field name string
+--- @field _handlers table
+Selection._prototype = {}
+
+Selection._metatable = {
+    __index = Selection._prototype,
+    __class = "Selection",
+}
+
+--- @type table<number, Selection.Active>
+local script_data = {}
+local Storage = require("modules/exp_util/storage")
+Storage.register(script_data, function(tbl)
+    script_data = tbl
+end)
+
+local empty_table = {}
+local selection_tool = { name = "selection-tool" }
+
+--- Test if a player is holding a selection tool
+--- @param player LuaPlayer
+--- @return boolean?
+local function has_selection_tool_in_hand(player)
+    return player.cursor_stack and player.cursor_stack.valid_for_read and player.cursor_stack.name == "selection-tool"
+end
+
+--- Give a selection tool to a player if they don't have one
+--- @param player LuaPlayer
+local function give_selection_tool(player)
+    if has_selection_tool_in_hand(player) then return end
+    player.clear_cursor()
+    player.cursor_stack.set_stack(selection_tool)
+
+    -- This does not work for selection planners, will make a feature request for it
+    --player.cursor_stack_temporary = true
+
+    -- Make a slot to place the selection tool even if inventory is full
+    if player.character then
+        player.character_inventory_slots_bonus = player.character_inventory_slots_bonus + 1
+    end
+
+    local inventory = player.get_main_inventory()
+    if inventory then
+        player.hand_location = { inventory = inventory.index, slot = #inventory }
+    end
+end
+
+--- Remove a selection tool to a player if they have one
+--- @param player LuaPlayer
+--- @param old_character LuaEntity?
+local function remove_selection_tool(player, old_character)
+    -- Remove the selection tool
+    if has_selection_tool_in_hand(player) then
+        player.cursor_stack.clear()
+    else
+        player.remove_item(selection_tool)
+    end
+
+    -- Remove the extra slot
+    if old_character and old_character == player.character then
+        player.character_inventory_slots_bonus = player.character_inventory_slots_bonus - 1
+        player.hand_location = nil
+    end
+end
+
+--- Create a connection from which events can be registered
+--- @param name string
+--- @return Selection
+function Selection.connect(name)
+    ExpUtil.assert_not_runtime()
+    ExpUtil.assert_argument_type(name, "string", 1, "name")
+
+    local handlers = Selection._registered[name] or {}
+    Selection._registered[name] = handlers
+
+    return setmetatable({
+        name = name,
+        _handlers = handlers,
+    }, Selection._metatable)
+end
+
+--- Stop the currently active selection for a player
+--- @param player LuaPlayer
+function Selection.stop(player)
+    local player_index = player.index
+    local active_selection = script_data[player_index]
+    if not active_selection then
+        return
+    end
+
+    remove_selection_tool(player, active_selection.character)
+
+    script_data[player_index] = nil
+    script.raise_event(Selection.on_selection_stop, {
+        player_index = player_index,
+        selection = active_selection,
+    })
+end
+
+--- Start a new selection for a player
+--- @param player LuaPlayer
+--- @param ... unknown
+function Selection._prototype:start(player, ...)
+    local player_index = player.index
+    local active_selection = script_data[player_index]
+    if active_selection then
+        script.raise_event(Selection.on_selection_stop, {
+            player_index = player_index,
+            selection = active_selection,
+        })
+    end
+
+    local selection = {
+        name = self.name,
+        character = player.character,
+        data = select("#", ...) > 0 and { ... } or empty_table,
+    }
+
+    give_selection_tool(player)
+
+    script_data[player_index] = selection
+    script.raise_event(Selection.on_selection_start, {
+        player_index = player_index,
+        selection = selection,
+    })
+end
+
+--- Stop this selection if it is active, returns if this selection was active
+--- @param player LuaPlayer
+--- @return boolean
+function Selection._prototype:stop(player)
+    local player_index = player.index
+    local active_selection = script_data[player_index]
+    if not active_selection or active_selection.name ~= self.name then
+        return false
+    end
+
+    remove_selection_tool(player, active_selection.character)
+
+    script_data[player_index] = nil
+    script.raise_event(Selection.on_selection_stop, {
+        player_index = player_index,
+        selection = active_selection,
+    })
+
+    return true
+end
+
+--- Dispatch events to the correct handlers
+--- @param event EventData.on_player_selected_area | EventData.on_player_alt_selected_area | EventData.on_selection_start | EventData.on_selection_stop
+local function event_dispatch(event)
+    local active_selection = event.selection or script_data[event.player_index]
+    local selection_handlers = active_selection and Selection._registered[active_selection.name]
+    local handlers = selection_handlers and selection_handlers[event.name] or empty_table
+    for _, handler in ipairs(handlers) do
+        handler(event, table.unpack(active_selection.data))
+    end
+end
+
+--- Create an on event adder
+--- @param event defines.events
+--- @return function
+local function on_event_factory(event)
+    return function(self, callback)
+        ExpUtil.assert_not_runtime()
+        ExpUtil.assert_argument_type(callback, "function", 1, "callback")
+        Selection.events[event] = event_dispatch
+
+        local handlers = self._handlers[event] or {}
+        handlers[#handlers + 1] = callback
+        self._handlers[event] = handlers
+        return self
+    end
+end
+
+local e = defines.events
+
+--- @alias Selection.on_event<E> fun(self: Selection, callback: fun(event: E, ...: any)): Selection
+
+--- @type Selection.on_event<EventData.on_selection_start>
+Selection._prototype.on_start = on_event_factory(Selection.on_selection_start)
+
+--- @type Selection.on_event<EventData.on_selection_stop>
+Selection._prototype.on_stop = on_event_factory(Selection.on_selection_stop)
+
+--- @type Selection.on_event<EventData.on_player_selected_area>
+Selection._prototype.on_selection = on_event_factory(e.on_player_selected_area)
+
+--- @type Selection.on_event<EventData.on_player_alt_selected_area>
+Selection._prototype.on_alt_selection = on_event_factory(e.on_player_alt_selected_area)
+
+--- Stop selection if the selection tool is removed from the cursor
+--- @param event EventData.on_player_cursor_stack_changed
+Selection.events[e.on_player_cursor_stack_changed] = function(event)
+    local player = assert(game.get_player(event.player_index))
+    if has_selection_tool_in_hand(player) then return end
+    Selection.stop(player)
+end
+
+--- Make sure the hand location exists when the player returns from remote view
+--- @param event EventData.on_player_controller_changed
+Selection.events[e.on_player_controller_changed] = function(event)
+    local player = assert(game.get_player(event.player_index))
+    local inventory = player.get_main_inventory()
+    if inventory and has_selection_tool_in_hand(player) then
+        player.hand_location = { inventory = inventory.index, slot = #inventory }
+    end
+end
+
+--- Stop selection after an event
+--- @param event EventData.on_pre_player_left_game | EventData.on_pre_player_died
+local function stop_after_event(event)
+    local player = assert(game.get_player(event.player_index))
+    Selection.stop(player)
+end
+
+Selection.events[e.on_pre_player_left_game] = stop_after_event
+Selection.events[e.on_pre_player_died] = stop_after_event
+
+return Selection