Interface LabelCandidate

Other spots to try, in order, before the label is dropped — e.g. above a node rather than only ever below it. Same size, different anchor; the first spot (this candidate's own x/y, tried first) or alternate that clears every rule wins.

Not a label at all, just a reservation — a node's own circle, or a shown origin pill. No candidate may be drawn over one of these, required or not: a label is worth losing space over another label's tidiness, never worth hiding a different node entirely and blocking its own click target.

Higher wins a collision. Degree is the natural choice: the better-connected node is the one worth naming.

Never dropped for overlapping another label. The node under the cursor and its neighbours are named over whatever other label has to give way — but never over a hardObstacle; see below.