diff --git a/backend/pinscopex/placement_check.py b/backend/pinscopex/placement_check.py
index a051321..ea9f25b 100644
--- a/backend/pinscopex/placement_check.py
+++ b/backend/pinscopex/placement_check.py
@@ -4,11 +4,14 @@ Runs only when a LayoutGraph is present and a decoupling_proximity rule
 has a numeric max_distance_mm. Null millimetres skip — no 3 mm default.
 Thermal vias (`PS-PLC-002`) skip without courtyard vertices and without
 min_via_count — no invented pad radius. same_layer (`PS-PLC-003`) uses
-the boolean parameter plus footprint layers from the PCB.
+the boolean parameter plus footprint layers from the PCB. Crystals use
+the same decoupling_proximity rule. Track length is shortest path on
+segments vs max_distance_mm — no invented “much larger than euclidean”.
 """
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+import heapq
 import math
 
 from backend.pinscopex.models import (
@@ -46,6 +49,48 @@ def _dist(a: LayoutPad, b: LayoutPad) -> float:
     return math.hypot(a.x - b.x, a.y - b.y)
 
 
+def _xy_key(x: float, y: float) -> tuple[float, float]:
+    return (round(x, 3), round(y, 3))
+
+
+def _path_mm(layout: LayoutGraph, net: str, a: LayoutPad, b: LayoutPad) -> float | None:
+    segs = [s for s in layout.segments if s.net == net]
+    if not segs:
+        return None
+    adj: dict[tuple[float, float], list[tuple[tuple[float, float], float]]] = {}
+    for s in segs:
+        p = _xy_key(s.start[0], s.start[1])
+        q = _xy_key(s.end[0], s.end[1])
+        length = math.hypot(s.end[0] - s.start[0], s.end[1] - s.start[1])
+        adj.setdefault(p, []).append((q, length))
+        adj.setdefault(q, []).append((p, length))
+    src = _xy_key(a.x, a.y)
+    dst = _xy_key(b.x, b.y)
+    if src not in adj or dst not in adj:
+        return None
+    dist = {src: 0.0}
+    heap: list[tuple[float, tuple[float, float]]] = [(0.0, src)]
+    while heap:
+        d, node = heapq.heappop(heap)
+        if d > dist.get(node, math.inf):
+            continue
+        if node == dst:
+            return d
+        for nxt, w in adj.get(node, []):
+            nd = d + w
+            if nd < dist.get(nxt, math.inf):
+                dist[nxt] = nd
+                heapq.heappush(heap, (nd, nxt))
+    return None
+
+
+def _reach_mm(layout: LayoutGraph, net: str, a: LayoutPad, b: LayoutPad) -> float:
+    path = _path_mm(layout, net, a, b)
+    if path is None:
+        return _dist(a, b)
+    return path
+
+
 def _net_for_pin(graph: DesignGraph, ref: str, pin_no: str) -> str | None:
     for net in graph.nets.values():
         for pc in net.pins:
@@ -63,7 +108,7 @@ def check_placement(
         return []
     findings: list[Finding] = []
     for ref, comp in graph.components.items():
-        if comp.component_type != ComponentType.IC:
+        if comp.component_type not in (ComponentType.IC, ComponentType.CRYSTAL):
             continue
         cons = _match_constraints(comp.mpn, constraints_map)
         if not cons or not cons.layout_rules:
@@ -102,7 +147,7 @@ def _decoupling_finding(ref, comp, cons, rule, graph: DesignGraph, layout: Layou
                 cap_pads.append(pad)
     if not cap_pads:
         return []
-    nearest = min(_dist(ic_pad, p) for p in cap_pads)
+    nearest = min(_reach_mm(layout, net, ic_pad, p) for p in cap_pads)
     extracted = rule.get("max_distance_mm")
     if extracted is None:
         return []
diff --git a/frontend/content/changelog.md b/frontend/content/changelog.md
index ee520bd..5361c87 100644
--- a/frontend/content/changelog.md
+++ b/frontend/content/changelog.md
@@ -2,6 +2,13 @@
 
 What's new in Pinscope.
 
+## 2.24.0 — 2026-09-10 — Crystal load caps and track path
+
+Load caps on XIN/XOUT use the same `max_distance_mm` as decoupling. If the PCB has segments on the net, the limit is shortest-path length, not a guessed “loop is too big” ratio.
+
+- [New] Crystals (`X1` / C9 / C10 on `simple_project`) run `PS-PLC-001` when `layout_rules` has millimetres.
+- [New] Detour tracks: path along segments vs the same `max_distance_mm`. No segments → euclidean pad distance.
+
 ## 2.23.0 — 2026-09-10 — same_layer decoupling
 
 If `layout_rules` sets `same_layer: true`, a decoupling cap on the opposite copper from the IC is a WARNING. A via inside the courtyard (calculated) is enough. Unset flag → skip.
diff --git a/tests/test_placement_check.py b/tests/test_placement_check.py
index 26aea3a..6275907 100644
--- a/tests/test_placement_check.py
+++ b/tests/test_placement_check.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ from backend.pinscopex.models import (
     LayoutFootprint,
     LayoutGraph,
     LayoutPad,
+    LayoutSegment,
     LayoutVia,
     Pin,
 )
@@ -140,3 +141,80 @@ def test_opposite_layers_with_via_in_courtyard_is_silent():
         ),
     )
     assert all(f.rule_id != "PS-PLC-003" for f in findings)
+
+
+def test_simple_project_has_crystal_load_caps():
+    g = _graph()
+    assert g.components["X1"].mpn == "AV08000301"
+    assert "C9" in g.capacitors_on_net("/HFXIN")
+    assert "C10" in g.capacitors_on_net("/HFXOUT")
+
+
+def _xtal_cons(*, max_distance_mm: float | None):
+    mpn = "AV08000301"
+    rule: dict = {"kind": "decoupling_proximity", "pin": "1"}
+    if max_distance_mm is not None:
+        rule["max_distance_mm"] = max_distance_mm
+    return {
+        mpn: ComponentConstraints(
+            mpn=mpn,
+            pintable=[Pin(number=1, name="/HFXIN")],
+            absolute_maximum_ratings=[],
+            rules=[],
+            layout_rules=[rule],
+        )
+    }
+
+
+def _x1_c9_layout(*, segments=None, cap_x: float = 0.5):
+    return LayoutGraph(
+        footprints={
+            "X1": LayoutFootprint(
+                reference="X1", x=0, y=0, layer="F.Cu",
+                pads=[LayoutPad(number="1", x=0.0, y=0.0, net="/HFXIN")],
+            ),
+            "C9": LayoutFootprint(
+                reference="C9", x=cap_x, y=0, layer="F.Cu",
+                pads=[LayoutPad(number="1", x=cap_x, y=0.0, net="/HFXIN")],
+            ),
+        },
+        segments=list(segments or []),
+    )
+
+
+def test_crystal_load_cap_beyond_max_distance_mm_is_ps_plc_001():
+    limit = 2.0
+    findings = check_placement(
+        _graph(),
+        _xtal_cons(max_distance_mm=limit),
+        _x1_c9_layout(cap_x=10.0),
+    )
+    plc = [f for f in findings if f.rule_id == "PS-PLC-001"]
+    assert len(plc) == 1
+    assert plc[0].designator == "X1"
+    assert plc[0].net == "/HFXIN"
+
+
+def test_crystal_load_cap_within_max_distance_mm_is_silent():
+    assert check_placement(
+        _graph(),
+        _xtal_cons(max_distance_mm=2.0),
+        _x1_c9_layout(cap_x=0.5),
+    ) == []
+
+
+def test_track_path_longer_than_max_distance_mm_is_ps_plc_001():
+    limit = 2.0
+    segs = [
+        LayoutSegment(start=(0.0, 0.0), end=(0.0, 10.0), width=0.2, layer="F.Cu", net="/HFXIN"),
+        LayoutSegment(start=(0.0, 10.0), end=(1.0, 10.0), width=0.2, layer="F.Cu", net="/HFXIN"),
+        LayoutSegment(start=(1.0, 10.0), end=(1.0, 0.0), width=0.2, layer="F.Cu", net="/HFXIN"),
+    ]
+    findings = check_placement(
+        _graph(),
+        _xtal_cons(max_distance_mm=limit),
+        _x1_c9_layout(cap_x=1.0, segments=segs),
+    )
+    plc = [f for f in findings if f.rule_id == "PS-PLC-001"]
+    assert len(plc) == 1
+    assert plc[0].net == "/HFXIN"