45 files changed, 82 insertions, 80 deletions

diff --git a/deep_userdata_example/deeptest.lua b/deep_userdata_example/deeptest.lua
index 6ef4b74..37136cd 100644
--- a/deep_userdata_example/deeptest.lua
+++ b/deep_userdata_example/deeptest.lua
@@ -82,6 +82,7 @@ local performTest = function( obj_)
         local g = lanes.gen(
                 "package"
                 , {
+                        name = 'auto',
                         required = { "deep_userdata_example"} -- we will transfer userdata created by this module, so we need to make this lane aware of it
                 }
                 , function( arg_, t_)
diff --git a/tests/appendud.lua b/tests/appendud.lua
index f510c8b..f6f99c1 100644
--- a/tests/appendud.lua
+++ b/tests/appendud.lua
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ function appendud(tab, ud)
                 -- ('tab' is passed over lanes by value, not by reference)
 end
 
-local t,err= lanes.gen( "base,io", appendud )( _tab, _ud )   -- create & launch a thread
+local t,err= lanes.gen( "base,io", { name = 'auto'}, appendud )( _tab, _ud )   -- create & launch a thread
 assert(t)
 assert(not err)
 
diff --git a/tests/atexit.lua b/tests/atexit.lua
index 9fc3070..ba10d3b 100644
--- a/tests/atexit.lua
+++ b/tests/atexit.lua
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@ local g = function()
         print "User cancellation detected!"
 end
 
-local genF = lanes.gen( "", {globals = {threadName = "mylane"}}, f)
-local genG = lanes.gen( "", g)
+local genF = lanes.gen( "", {name = 'auto', globals = {threadName = "mylane"}}, f)
+local genG = lanes.gen( "", { name = 'auto'}, g)
 
 
 -- launch a good batch of free running lanes
diff --git a/tests/basic.lua b/tests/basic.lua
index 820d3c8..068dc25 100644
--- a/tests/basic.lua
+++ b/tests/basic.lua
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ local lanes = require_lanes_result_1
 local require_assert_result_1, require_assert_result_2 = require "assert"    -- assert.fails()
 print("require_assert_result:", require_assert_result_1, require_assert_result_2)
 
-local lanes_gen=    assert(lanes.gen)
+local lanes_gen     assert(lanes.gen)
 local lanes_linda = assert(lanes.linda)
 
 local tostring=     assert(tostring)
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ local function task(a, b, c)
     return v, hey
 end
 
-local task_launch= lanes_gen("", { globals={hey=true}, gc_cb = gc_cb}, task)
+local task_launch= lanes.gen("", { name = 'auto', globals={hey=true}, gc_cb = gc_cb }, task)
     -- base stdlibs, normal priority
 
 -- 'task_launch' is a factory of multithreaded tasks, we can launch several:
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ collectgarbage()
 
 PRINT("\n\n", "---=== Tasking (cancelling) ===---", "\n\n")
 
-local task_launch2= lanes_gen("", { globals={hey=true}, gc_cb = gc_cb}, task)
+local task_launch2= lanes.gen("", { name = 'auto', globals={hey=true}, gc_cb = gc_cb }, task)
 
 local N=999999999
 local lane9= task_launch2(1,N,1)   -- huuuuuuge...
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ local wait_send = function()
     a,b = limited:send("key", "bybye") -- infinite timeout, returns only when lane is cancelled
 end
 
-local wait_send_lane = lanes.gen("*", wait_send)()
+local wait_send_lane = lanes.gen("*", { name = 'auto' }, wait_send)()
 repeat until wait_send_lane.status == "waiting"
 print "wait_send_lane is waiting"
 wait_send_lane:cancel() -- hard cancel, 0 timeout
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ local wait_receive = function()
     k, v = limited:receive("dummy") -- infinite timeout, returns only when lane is cancelled
 end
 
-local wait_receive_lane = lanes.gen("*", wait_receive)()
+local wait_receive_lane = lanes.gen("*", { name = 'auto' }, wait_receive)()
 repeat until wait_receive_lane.status == "waiting"
 print "wait_receive_lane is waiting"
 wait_receive_lane:cancel() -- hard cancel, 0 timeout
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ local wait_receive_batched = function()
     k, v1, v2 = limited:receive(limited.batched, "dummy", 2) -- infinite timeout, returns only when lane is cancelled
 end
 
-local wait_receive_batched_lane = lanes.gen("*", wait_receive_batched)()
+local wait_receive_batched_lane = lanes.gen("*", { name = 'auto' }, wait_receive_batched)()
 repeat until wait_receive_batched_lane.status == "waiting"
 print "wait_receive_batched_lane is waiting"
 wait_receive_batched_lane:cancel() -- hard cancel, 0 timeout
@@ -275,7 +275,7 @@ local function PEEK(...) return linda:get("<-", ...) end
 local function SEND(...) local _res, _err = linda:send("->", ...) assert(_res == true and _err == nil) end
 local function RECEIVE() local k,v = linda:receive(1, "<-") return v end
 
-local comms_lane = lanes_gen("io", {gc_cb = gc_cb, name = "auto"}, chunk)(linda)     -- prepare & launch
+local comms_lane = lanes.gen("io", { name = 'auto', gc_cb = gc_cb }, chunk)(linda)     -- prepare & launch
 
 SEND(1);  WR("main ", "1 sent\n")
 SEND(2);  WR("main ", "2 sent\n")
@@ -355,7 +355,7 @@ local function coro_f(_x)
     return true
 end
 
-assert.fails(function() lanes_gen("xxx", {gc_cb = gc_cb}, io_os_f) end)
+assert.fails(function() lanes_gen("xxx", {name = 'auto', gc_cb = gc_cb }, io_os_f) end)
 
 local stdlib_naming_tests =
 {
@@ -371,7 +371,7 @@ local stdlib_naming_tests =
 }
 
 for _, t in ipairs(stdlib_naming_tests) do
-    local f= lanes_gen(t[1], {gc_cb = gc_cb}, t[2])     -- any delimiter will do
+    local f= lanes.gen(t[1], { name = 'auto', gc_cb = gc_cb }, t[2])     -- any delimiter will do
     assert(f(t[1])[1])
 end
 
@@ -386,7 +386,7 @@ PRINT("\n\n", "---=== Comms criss cross ===---", "\n\n")
 
 -- We make two identical lanes, which are using the same Linda channel.
 --
-local tc= lanes_gen("io", {gc_cb = gc_cb},
+local tc = lanes.gen("io", { name = 'auto', gc_cb = gc_cb },
   function(linda, ch_in, ch_out)
         lane_threadname("criss cross " .. ch_in .. " -> " .. ch_out)
     local function STAGE(str)
@@ -453,7 +453,7 @@ local function chunk2(linda)
 end
 
 local linda = lanes_linda("auto")
-local t2= lanes_gen("debug,string,io", {gc_cb = gc_cb}, chunk2)(linda)     -- prepare & launch
+local t2 = lanes.gen("debug,string,io", { name = 'auto', gc_cb = gc_cb }, chunk2)(linda)     -- prepare & launch
 linda:send("down", function(linda) linda:send("up", "ready!") end,
                     "ok")
 -- wait to see if the tiny function gets executed
@@ -486,7 +486,7 @@ PRINT("\n\n", "---=== :join test ===---", "\n\n")
 --       (unless [1..n] has been read earlier, in which case it would seemingly
 --       work).
 
-local S= lanes_gen("table", {gc_cb = gc_cb},
+local S = lanes.gen("table", { name = 'auto', gc_cb = gc_cb },
   function(arg)
         lane_threadname "join test lane"
         set_finalizer(function() end)
diff --git a/tests/cancel.lua b/tests/cancel.lua
index 5862c85..80e6c6a 100644
--- a/tests/cancel.lua
+++ b/tests/cancel.lua
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ end
 if not next(which_tests) or which_tests.linda then
         remaining_tests.linda = nil
         print "\n\n####################################################################\nbegin linda cancel test\n"
-        h = generator("*", laneBody)("receive", nil) -- start an infinite wait on the linda
+        h = generator("*", { name = 'auto' }, laneBody)("receive", nil) -- start an infinite wait on the linda
 
         print "wait 1s"
         SLEEP(1)
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ end
 if not next(which_tests) or which_tests.soft then
         remaining_tests.soft = nil
         print "\n\n####################################################################\nbegin soft cancel test\n"
-        h = generator("*", protectedBody)("receive") -- start an infinite wait on the linda
+        h = generator("*", { name = 'auto' }, protectedBody)("receive") -- start an infinite wait on the linda
 
         print "wait 1s"
         SLEEP(1)
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ end
 if not next(which_tests) or which_tests.hook then
         remaining_tests.hook = nil
         print "\n\n####################################################################\nbegin hook cancel test\n"
-        h = generator("*", protectedBody)("get", 300000)
+        h = generator("*", { name = 'auto' }, protectedBody)("get", 300000)
         print "wait 2s"
         SLEEP(2)
 
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ end
 if not next(which_tests) or which_tests.hard then
         remaining_tests.hard = nil
         print "\n\n####################################################################\nbegin hard cancel test\n"
-        h = lanes.gen("*", protectedBody)("receive", nil) -- infinite timeout
+        h = lanes.gen("*", { name = 'auto' }, protectedBody)("receive", nil) -- infinite timeout
 
         -- wait 2s before cancelling the lane
         print "wait 2s"
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ end
 if not next(which_tests) or which_tests.hard_unprotected then
         remaining_tests.hard_unprotected = nil
         print "\n\n####################################################################\nbegin hard cancel test with unprotected lane body\n"
-        h = generator("*", laneBody)("receive", nil)
+        h = generator("*", { name = 'auto' }, laneBody)("receive", nil)
 
         -- wait 2s before cancelling the lane
         print "wait 2s"
diff --git a/tests/cyclic.lua b/tests/cyclic.lua
index ed4bdba..ca4b9f5 100644
--- a/tests/cyclic.lua
+++ b/tests/cyclic.lua
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ local function lane1()
     assert( b[1]==a )
     return true
 end
-local L1= lanes.gen( "io", lane1 )()
+local L1= lanes.gen( "io", { name = 'auto' }, lane1 )()
     -- ...running
 
 -- Getting the tables as arguments should also keep the linkage
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ local function lane2( aa, bb )
     assert( bb[1]==aa )
     return true
 end
-local L2= lanes.gen( "io", lane2 )( a, b )
+local L2= lanes.gen( "io", { name = 'auto' }, lane2 )( a, b )
     -- ...running
 
 -- Really unnecessary, but let's try a directly recursive table
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ local function lane3( cc )
     assert( cc and cc.a==cc )
     return true
 end
-local L3= lanes.gen("io", lane3)(c)
+local L3= lanes.gen("io", { name = 'auto' }, lane3)(c)
 
 -- Without a wait, exit from the main lane will close the process
 --
diff --git a/tests/ehynes.lua b/tests/ehynes.lua
index cdcd5a5..e4b56a5 100644
--- a/tests/ehynes.lua
+++ b/tests/ehynes.lua
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ end
 local linda = lanes.linda()
 
 -- a linda message receiver
-local receiver_gen = lanes.gen( 'base', 'os', 'string', 'io',
+local receiver_gen = lanes.gen( 'base', 'os', 'string', 'io', { name = 'auto' },
     function (message_name)
         PRINT_FMT( 'receiver for message %s entered', message_name )
         local n = 1
diff --git a/tests/error.lua b/tests/error.lua
index 243dd57..306c51d 100644
--- a/tests/error.lua
+++ b/tests/error.lua
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ end
 --##################################################################################################

 

 local start_lane = function(error_reporting_mode_, error_value_, finalizer_, finalizer_error_value_)

-    return lanes.gen("*", {error_trace_level = error_reporting_mode_}, lane_body)(error_value_, finalizer_, finalizer_error_value_)

+    return lanes.gen("*", { name = 'auto', error_trace_level = error_reporting_mode_ }, lane_body)(error_value_, finalizer_, finalizer_error_value_)

 end

 

 --##################################################################################################

diff --git a/tests/fibonacci.lua b/tests/fibonacci.lua
index 7885ae6..2c043c3 100644
--- a/tests/fibonacci.lua
+++ b/tests/fibonacci.lua
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ local function fib( n )
     else
         -- Splits into two; this task remains waiting for the results
         --
-        local gen_f= lanes.gen( "*", fib)
+        local gen_f= lanes.gen( "*", { name = 'auto' }, fib)
 
         local n1=floor(n/2) +1
         local n2=floor(n/2) -1 + n%2
diff --git a/tests/finalizer.lua b/tests/finalizer.lua
index 8bf89b4..ac5ce8b 100644
--- a/tests/finalizer.lua
+++ b/tests/finalizer.lua
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ cleanup = function(err)
 end

 

 -- we need error_trace_level above "minimal" to get a stack trace out of h:join()

-local lgen = lanes.gen("*", {error_trace_level = "basic"}, lane)

+local lgen = lanes.gen("*", { name = 'auto', error_trace_level = "basic" }, lane)

 

 local do_test = function(error_)

 

diff --git a/tests/func_is_string.lua b/tests/func_is_string.lua
index a14c460..5de4c60 100644
--- a/tests/func_is_string.lua
+++ b/tests/func_is_string.lua
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ if _VERSION >= "Lua 5.4" then
         local lanes = require 'lanes'
         local r
         do
-            local h <close> = lanes.gen('*', lanes.sleep)(0.5)
+            local h <close> = lanes.gen('*', { name = 'auto' }, lanes.sleep)(0.5)
             r = h
         end -- h is closed here
         return r.status
@@ -21,8 +21,8 @@ end
 
 local options = {globals = { b = 666 }}
 
-local gen1 = lanes.gen("*", "return true, dofile('fibonacci.lua')")
-local gen2 = lanes.gen(options, "return b")
+local gen1 = lanes.gen("*", { name = 'auto' }, "return true, dofile('fibonacci.lua')")
+local gen2 = lanes.gen(options, { name = 'auto' }, "return b")
 
 fibLane = gen1()
 lanes.sleep(0.1)
diff --git a/tests/hangtest.lua b/tests/hangtest.lua
index 0e44451..e48ff60 100644
--- a/tests/hangtest.lua
+++ b/tests/hangtest.lua
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ local lanes = require "lanes"
 local function ret(b)

     return b

 end

-local lgen = lanes.gen("*", {}, ret)

+local lgen = lanes.gen("*", { name = 'auto' }, ret)

 

 for i=1,10000 do

     local ln = lgen(i)

diff --git a/tests/irayo_closure.lua b/tests/irayo_closure.lua
index 45189ec..705b85e 100644
--- a/tests/irayo_closure.lua
+++ b/tests/irayo_closure.lua
@@ -33,5 +33,5 @@ local function useclosurehere()
     print "using the closure" 
 end
 
-local lane= lanes.gen( "", { globals = { data=1, func=useclosurehere } }, testrun )()
+local lane= lanes.gen( "", { name = 'auto', globals = { data=1, func=useclosurehere } }, testrun )()
 print(lane[1])
diff --git a/tests/irayo_recursive.lua b/tests/irayo_recursive.lua
index 0187a15..99522f7 100644
--- a/tests/irayo_recursive.lua
+++ b/tests/irayo_recursive.lua
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ local function recurse()
 
     --local lanes = require "lanes"
 
-    local lane = lanes.gen( "base,string,lanes_core", { globals = { ["i"]= i + 1 } }, recurse ) ()
+    local lane = lanes.gen( "base,string,lanes_core", { name = 'auto', globals = { ["i"]= i + 1 } }, recurse ) ()
     return lane[1]
 end
 
diff --git a/tests/keeper.lua b/tests/keeper.lua
index 0e93de2..f566927 100644
--- a/tests/keeper.lua
+++ b/tests/keeper.lua
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ if true then
     end
 
     PRINT("lane started")
-    local h= lanes.gen( "io", lane )()
+    local h= lanes.gen( "io", { name = 'auto' }, lane )()
     PRINT("lane joined:", h:join())
 
     PRINT("A.some = " .. A.some )
diff --git a/tests/lanes_as_upvalue.lua b/tests/lanes_as_upvalue.lua
index e7fcd3a..beef22e 100644
--- a/tests/lanes_as_upvalue.lua
+++ b/tests/lanes_as_upvalue.lua
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ local function foo()
         local lanes = lanes -- lanes as upvalue
 end
 
-local g = lanes.gen( "*", {error_trace_level = "extended"}, foo)
+local g = lanes.gen( "*", { name = 'auto', error_trace_level = "extended"}, foo)
 
 -- this should raise an error as lanes.timer_lane is a Lane (a non-deep full userdata)
 local res, err = pcall( g)
diff --git a/tests/launchtest.lua b/tests/launchtest.lua
index 16db242..57411e1 100644
--- a/tests/launchtest.lua
+++ b/tests/launchtest.lua
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ end
 
 local lanes = require "lanes"
 
-local g= lanes.gen( LIBS, function(i) 
+local g= lanes.gen( LIBS, { name = 'auto' }, function(i) 
                         --io.stderr:write( i.."\t" )
                         return i 
                     end )
diff --git a/tests/linda_perf.lua b/tests/linda_perf.lua
index 96f26f4..bba1408 100644
--- a/tests/linda_perf.lua
+++ b/tests/linda_perf.lua
@@ -79,8 +79,8 @@ end
 
 -- #################################################################################################
 
-local lane_eater_gen = lanes.gen( "*", {priority = 3}, eater)
-local lane_gobbler_gen = lanes.gen( "*", {priority = 3}, gobbler)
+local lane_eater_gen = lanes.gen( "*", { name = 'auto', priority = 3 }, eater)
+local lane_gobbler_gen = lanes.gen( "*", { name = 'auto', priority = 3 }, gobbler)
 
 -- #################################################################################################
 
diff --git a/tests/manual_register.lua b/tests/manual_register.lua
index 52cc4ed..36a41ad 100644
--- a/tests/manual_register.lua
+++ b/tests/manual_register.lua
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ local f = function()
 end
 
 
-local g = lanes.gen( "*", f)
+local g = lanes.gen( "*", { name = 'auto' }, f)
 
 -- generate a lane, this will transfer f, which pulls GlobalFunc.
 local h = g()
diff --git a/tests/nameof.lua b/tests/nameof.lua
index 1abcf3d..fb7332a 100644
--- a/tests/nameof.lua
+++ b/tests/nameof.lua
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ local body = function()
 end
 
 -- start the lane without any library
-local h = lanes.gen(nil, body)()
+local h = lanes.gen(nil, { name = 'auto' }, body)()
 SLEEP(0.1)
 print("Name of lane: ", lanes.nameof(h), "("..h.status..")")
 assert(h.status == "running")
diff --git a/tests/objects.lua b/tests/objects.lua
index ed460af..22a4df1 100644
--- a/tests/objects.lua
+++ b/tests/objects.lua
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ local lanes = require "lanes"
 
 local linda= lanes.linda()
 
-local start_lane= lanes.gen("io", 
+local start_lane= lanes.gen("io", { name = 'auto' },
     function(obj1 )
 
         assert(obj1.v )
diff --git a/tests/parallel_os_calls.lua b/tests/parallel_os_calls.lua
index 8030d4c..55159e8 100644
--- a/tests/parallel_os_calls.lua
+++ b/tests/parallel_os_calls.lua
@@ -1,15 +1,15 @@
 local lanes = require "lanes"
 print( os.date())
 local linda = lanes.linda()
-local l1 = lanes.gen("os,base", function() print "start sleeping" linda:receive(3, "null") print("finished_sleeping " .. os.date()) return true end)()
-lanes.gen("os,base", function() print "start sleeping" linda:receive(2, "null") print("finished_sleeping " .. os.date()) end)()
-lanes.gen("os,base", function() print "start sleeping" linda:receive(2, "null") print("finished_sleeping " .. os.date()) end)()
-lanes.gen("os,base", function() print "start sleeping" linda:receive(2, "null") print("finished_sleeping " .. os.date()) end)()
+local l1 = lanes.gen("os,base", { name = 'auto' }, function() print "start sleeping" linda:receive(3, "null") print("finished_sleeping " .. os.date()) return true end)()
+lanes.gen("os,base", { name = 'auto' }, function() print "start sleeping" linda:receive(2, "null") print("finished_sleeping " .. os.date()) end)()
+lanes.gen("os,base", { name = 'auto' }, function() print "start sleeping" linda:receive(2, "null") print("finished_sleeping " .. os.date()) end)()
+lanes.gen("os,base", { name = 'auto' }, function() print "start sleeping" linda:receive(2, "null") print("finished_sleeping " .. os.date()) end)()
 -- wait, else all lanes will get hard-cancelled at stat shutdown
 l1:join()
 --[[
-lanes.gen("os,base", function() os.execute('sleep 10 && echo finished_sleeping') print( os.date()) end)()
-lanes.gen("os,base", function() os.execute('sleep 10 && echo finished_sleeping') print( os.date()) end)()
-lanes.gen("os,base", function() os.execute('sleep 10 && echo finished_sleeping') print( os.date()) end)()
-lanes.gen("os,base", function() os.execute('sleep 10 && echo finished_sleeping') print( os.date()) end)()
+lanes.gen("os,base", { name = 'auto' }, function() os.execute('sleep 10 && echo finished_sleeping') print( os.date()) end)()
+lanes.gen("os,base", { name = 'auto' }, function() os.execute('sleep 10 && echo finished_sleeping') print( os.date()) end)()
+lanes.gen("os,base", { name = 'auto' }, function() os.execute('sleep 10 && echo finished_sleeping') print( os.date()) end)()
+lanes.gen("os,base", { name = 'auto' }, function() os.execute('sleep 10 && echo finished_sleeping') print( os.date()) end)()
 ]]
diff --git a/tests/perftest.lua b/tests/perftest.lua
index 35f522c..fe43cca 100644
--- a/tests/perftest.lua
+++ b/tests/perftest.lua
@@ -137,10 +137,10 @@ end
 -- Keep preparation code outside of the performance test
 --
 local f_even= lanes.gen( "base,coroutine,math,table,io",  -- "*" = all
-                            { priority= PRIO_EVEN }, sieve_lane )
+                            { name = 'auto', priority= PRIO_EVEN }, sieve_lane )
                              
 local f_odd= lanes.gen( "base,coroutine,math,table,io",  -- "*" = all
-                            { priority= PRIO_ODD }, sieve_lane )
+                            { name = 'auto', priority= PRIO_ODD }, sieve_lane )
 
 io.stderr:write( "*** Counting primes 1.."..M.." "..N.." times ***\n\n" )
 
diff --git a/tests/pingpong.lua b/tests/pingpong.lua
index 3498f49..06c0903 100644
--- a/tests/pingpong.lua
+++ b/tests/pingpong.lua
@@ -25,8 +25,8 @@ local pingpong = function(name, qr, qs, start)
 end
 
 -- pingpong("L1", '0', '1', true)
-local t1, err1 = lanes.gen("*", pingpong)("L1", 'a', 'b', true)
-local t2, err2 = lanes.gen("*", pingpong)("L2", 'b', 'a', false)
+local t1, err1 = lanes.gen("*", { name = 'auto' }, pingpong)("L1", 'a', 'b', true)
+local t2, err2 = lanes.gen("*", { name = 'auto' }, pingpong)("L2", 'b', 'a', false)
 
 t1:join()
 t2:join()
diff --git a/tests/protect_allocator.lua b/tests/protect_allocator.lua
index 994cb39..e13a57c 100644
--- a/tests/protect_allocator.lua
+++ b/tests/protect_allocator.lua
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ end
 
 -- start threads
 local COUNT = 4
-local gen = lanes.gen( "*", body)
+local gen = lanes.gen( "*", { name = 'auto' }, body)
 for i = 1, COUNT do
         gen( i)
 end
diff --git a/tests/protectproxy.lua b/tests/protectproxy.lua
index ed1bd4f..84887ec 100644
--- a/tests/protectproxy.lua
+++ b/tests/protectproxy.lua
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ local body = function( param)
         return 1
 end
 
-local gen = lanes.gen( "*", body)
+local gen = lanes.gen( "*", { name = 'auto' }, body)
 
 local mylane = gen( "hello")
 
diff --git a/tests/recursive.lua b/tests/recursive.lua
index 716fe60..e294104 100644
--- a/tests/recursive.lua
+++ b/tests/recursive.lua
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ local function func( depth )
     end
 
     local lanes = require "lanes"
-    local lane = lanes.gen("*", func)( depth-1 )
+    local lane = lanes.gen("*", { name = 'auto' }, func)( depth-1 )
     return lane[1]
 end
 
diff --git a/tests/require.lua b/tests/require.lua
index b194af1..f017ddf 100644
--- a/tests/require.lua
+++ b/tests/require.lua
@@ -19,14 +19,14 @@ local function a_lane()
     local lanes = require "lanes"
     assert( lanes and lanes.gen )
 
-    local h= lanes.gen( function() return 42 end ) ()
+    local h= lanes.gen( { name = 'auto' }, function() return 42 end ) ()
     local v= h[1]
 
     return v==42
 end
 
 -- string and table for Lanes itself, package to be able to require in the lane, math for the actual work
-local gen= lanes.gen( "math,package,string,table", {package={}},a_lane )
+local gen= lanes.gen( "math,package,string,table", { name = 'auto', package={} },a_lane )
 
 local h= gen()
 local ret= h[1]
diff --git a/tests/rupval.lua b/tests/rupval.lua
index 122e0ac..ad5ad9d 100644
--- a/tests/rupval.lua
+++ b/tests/rupval.lua
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ c = function( n)
         return n <= 0 and z or a( n-1)
 end
 
-local g = lanes.gen( "base", a)
+local g = lanes.gen( "base", { name = 'auto' }, a)
 
 local l = g(7)
 local r = l:join()
diff --git a/tests/tobeclosed.lua b/tests/tobeclosed.lua
index 7a5e3ae..ef09df3 100644
--- a/tests/tobeclosed.lua
+++ b/tests/tobeclosed.lua
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ do
         return "success"
     end
 
-    local h = lanes.gen("*", lane_body)()
+    local h = lanes.gen("*", { name = 'auto' }, lane_body)()
     do
         local tobeclosed <close> = h
     end
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ do
     l:set("trip", l_in)
 
     do
-    lanes.gen("*", lane_body)(l_in):join()
+    lanes.gen("*", { name = 'auto' }, lane_body)(l_in):join()
     end
     local _count, _closed = l_in:get("closed")
     assert(_count == 1 and _closed == 2)
diff --git a/tests/track_lanes.lua b/tests/track_lanes.lua
index 803fae5..d1670ae 100644
--- a/tests/track_lanes.lua
+++ b/tests/track_lanes.lua
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ end
 -- sleeper( "main", 1)
 
 -- the generator
-local g = lanes.gen( "*", sleeper)
+local g = lanes.gen( "*", { name = 'auto' }, sleeper)
 
 -- start a forever-waiting lane (nil timeout)
 local forever = g( "forever", 'indefinitely')
diff --git a/unit_tests/embedded_tests.cpp b/unit_tests/embedded_tests.cpp
index a63383a..9a262d5 100644
--- a/unit_tests/embedded_tests.cpp
+++ b/unit_tests/embedded_tests.cpp
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ TEST_CASE("lanes.embedding.with custom allocator")
         // lua_setfield(L, -2, "allocator");                                             // configure {on_state_create = on_state_create_, allocater = "protected"}
         lua_pcall(L, 1, 0, 0);
         sprintf_s(script,
-                  "g = lanes.gen('*', {globals = {ID = %d}}, function(id_) lane_threadname('Lane %d.'..id_) logPrint('This is L%d.'..id_) end)" // lane generator
+                  "g = lanes.gen('*', { name = 'auto', globals = {ID = %d} }, function(id_) lane_threadname('Lane %d.'..id_) logPrint('This is L%d.'..id_) end)" // lane generator
                   "for i = 1,%d do _G['a'..i] = g(i) end" // launch a few lanes, handle stored in global a<i>
                   ,
                   id_,
diff --git a/unit_tests/init_and_shutdown.cpp b/unit_tests/init_and_shutdown.cpp
index 7e4c215..9652f2d 100644
--- a/unit_tests/init_and_shutdown.cpp
+++ b/unit_tests/init_and_shutdown.cpp
@@ -829,6 +829,7 @@ TEST_CASE("lanes.on_state_create setting")
         // launch a Lane that requires the module. It should succeed because _on_state_create was called and made it possible
         std::string_view const _script{
             " f = lanes.gen('*',"
+            "    { name = 'auto' },"
             "    function()"
             "        local Stuff = require ('Stuff')"
             "        Stuff.DoStuffInC()"
diff --git a/unit_tests/lane_tests.cpp b/unit_tests/lane_tests.cpp
index bf239ba..0c4feba 100644
--- a/unit_tests/lane_tests.cpp
+++ b/unit_tests/lane_tests.cpp
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ TEST_CASE("lanes.sleep.interactions with timers")
         " local l = lanes.linda()"
         " lanes.timer(l, 'gluh', 0.1, 0.1)"
         // launch a lane that is supposed to sleep forever
-        " local g = lanes.gen('*', lanes.sleep)"
+        " local g = lanes.gen('*', { name = 'auto' }, lanes.sleep)"
         " local h = g('indefinitely')"
         // sleep 1 second (this uses the timer linda)
         " lanes.sleep(1)"
diff --git a/unit_tests/scripts/coro/basics.lua b/unit_tests/scripts/coro/basics.lua
index dc74b7c..cd2f410 100644
--- a/unit_tests/scripts/coro/basics.lua
+++ b/unit_tests/scripts/coro/basics.lua
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ end
 
 if true then
     -- if we start a non-coroutine lane with a yielding function, we should get an error, right?
-    local fun_g = lanes.gen("*", {name = "auto"}, yielder)
+    local fun_g = lanes.gen("*", { name = 'auto' }, yielder)
     local h = fun_g("hello", "world", "!")
     local err, status, stack = h:join()
     PRINT(err, status, stack)
diff --git a/unit_tests/scripts/lane/cooperative_shutdown.lua b/unit_tests/scripts/lane/cooperative_shutdown.lua
index 1204e35..756e33c 100644
--- a/unit_tests/scripts/lane/cooperative_shutdown.lua
+++ b/unit_tests/scripts/lane/cooperative_shutdown.lua
@@ -31,9 +31,9 @@ end
 
 
 -- the generators
-local g1 = lanes.gen("*", lane1)
-local g2 = lanes.gen("*", lane2)
-local g3 = lanes.gen("*", lane3)
+local g1 = lanes.gen("*", { name = 'auto' }, lane1)
+local g2 = lanes.gen("*", { name = 'auto' }, lane2)
+local g3 = lanes.gen("*", { name = 'auto' }, lane3)
 
 -- launch lanes
 local h1 = g1()
diff --git a/unit_tests/scripts/lane/stdlib_naming.lua b/unit_tests/scripts/lane/stdlib_naming.lua
index 2e045c3..4884cca 100644
--- a/unit_tests/scripts/lane/stdlib_naming.lua
+++ b/unit_tests/scripts/lane/stdlib_naming.lua
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ local function coro_f(_x)
     return true
 end
 
-assert.fails(function() lanes_gen("xxx", {gc_cb = gc_cb}, io_os_f) end)
+assert.fails(function() lanes_gen("xxx", { name = 'auto', gc_cb = gc_cb }, io_os_f) end)
 
 local stdlib_naming_tests =
 {
diff --git a/unit_tests/scripts/lane/tasking_basic.lua b/unit_tests/scripts/lane/tasking_basic.lua
index 99be321..233accf 100644
--- a/unit_tests/scripts/lane/tasking_basic.lua
+++ b/unit_tests/scripts/lane/tasking_basic.lua
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ end
 
 PRINT("\n\n", "---=== Tasking (basic) ===---", "\n\n")
 
-local task_launch = lanes_gen("", { globals={hey=true}, gc_cb = gc_cb}, task)
+local task_launch = lanes_gen("", { name = 'auto', globals={hey=true}, gc_cb = gc_cb }, task)
     -- base stdlibs, normal priority
 
 -- 'task_launch' is a factory of multithreaded tasks, we can launch several:
diff --git a/unit_tests/scripts/lane/tasking_cancelling.lua b/unit_tests/scripts/lane/tasking_cancelling.lua
index a4e0fde..85600ab 100644
--- a/unit_tests/scripts/lane/tasking_cancelling.lua
+++ b/unit_tests/scripts/lane/tasking_cancelling.lua
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ end
 
 PRINT("\n\n", "---=== Tasking (cancelling) ===---", "\n\n")
 
-local task_launch2 = lanes_gen("", { globals={hey=true}, gc_cb = gc_cb}, task)
+local task_launch2 = lanes_gen("", { name = 'auto', globals={hey=true}, gc_cb = gc_cb }, task)
 
 local N=999999999
 local lane9= task_launch2(1,N,1)   -- huuuuuuge...
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ local wait_send = function()
     a,b = limited:send("key", "bybye") -- infinite timeout, returns only when lane is cancelled
 end
 
-local wait_send_lane = lanes.gen("*", wait_send)()
+local wait_send_lane = lanes_gen("*", { name = 'auto' }, wait_send)()
 repeat until wait_send_lane.status == "waiting"
 print "wait_send_lane is waiting"
 wait_send_lane:cancel() -- hard cancel, 0 timeout
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ local wait_receive = function()
     k, v = limited:receive("dummy") -- infinite timeout, returns only when lane is cancelled
 end
 
-local wait_receive_lane = lanes.gen("*", wait_receive)()
+local wait_receive_lane = lanes_gen("*", { name = 'auto' }, wait_receive)()
 repeat until wait_receive_lane.status == "waiting"
 print "wait_receive_lane is waiting"
 wait_receive_lane:cancel() -- hard cancel, 0 timeout
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ local wait_receive_batched = function()
     k, v1, v2 = limited:receive(limited.batched, "dummy", 2) -- infinite timeout, returns only when lane is cancelled
 end
 
-local wait_receive_batched_lane = lanes.gen("*", wait_receive_batched)()
+local wait_receive_batched_lane = lanes_gen("*", { name = 'auto' }, wait_receive_batched)()
 repeat until wait_receive_batched_lane.status == "waiting"
 print "wait_receive_batched_lane is waiting"
 wait_receive_batched_lane:cancel() -- hard cancel, 0 timeout
diff --git a/unit_tests/scripts/lane/tasking_comms_criss_cross.lua b/unit_tests/scripts/lane/tasking_comms_criss_cross.lua
index db63b8e..497e81d 100644
--- a/unit_tests/scripts/lane/tasking_comms_criss_cross.lua
+++ b/unit_tests/scripts/lane/tasking_comms_criss_cross.lua
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ PRINT("\n\n", "---=== Comms criss cross ===---", "\n\n")
 
 -- We make two identical lanes, which are using the same Linda channel.
 --
-local tc = lanes_gen("io", {gc_cb = gc_cb},
+local tc = lanes_gen("io", { name = 'auto', gc_cb = gc_cb },
   function(linda, ch_in, ch_out)
         lane_threadname("criss cross " .. ch_in .. " -> " .. ch_out)
     local function STAGE(str)
diff --git a/unit_tests/scripts/lane/tasking_communications.lua b/unit_tests/scripts/lane/tasking_communications.lua
index b922973..1fd43b0 100644
--- a/unit_tests/scripts/lane/tasking_communications.lua
+++ b/unit_tests/scripts/lane/tasking_communications.lua
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ local function PEEK(...) return linda:get("<-", ...) end
 local function SEND(...) local _res, _err = linda:send("->", ...) assert(_res == true and _err == nil) end
 local function RECEIVE() local k,v = linda:receive(1, "<-") return v end
 
-local comms_lane = lanes_gen("io", {gc_cb = gc_cb, name = "auto"}, chunk)(linda)     -- prepare & launch
+local comms_lane = lanes_gen("io", { name = 'auto', gc_cb = gc_cb }, chunk)(linda)     -- prepare & launch
 
 SEND(1);  WR("main ", "1 sent\n")
 SEND(2);  WR("main ", "2 sent\n")
diff --git a/unit_tests/scripts/lane/tasking_error.lua b/unit_tests/scripts/lane/tasking_error.lua
index 1e2347f..26f244b 100644
--- a/unit_tests/scripts/lane/tasking_error.lua
+++ b/unit_tests/scripts/lane/tasking_error.lua
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ end
 PRINT("---=== Tasking (error) ===---", "\n\n")
 
 -- a lane that throws immediately the error value it received
-local g = lanes_gen("", {gc_cb = gc_cb}, error)
+local g = lanes_gen("", { name = 'auto', gc_cb = gc_cb }, error)
 local errmsg = "ERROR!"
 
 if true then
diff --git a/unit_tests/scripts/lane/tasking_join_test.lua b/unit_tests/scripts/lane/tasking_join_test.lua
index 8f2d4db..2fbce6c 100644
--- a/unit_tests/scripts/lane/tasking_join_test.lua
+++ b/unit_tests/scripts/lane/tasking_join_test.lua
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ PRINT("---=== :join test ===---", "\n\n")
 --       (unless [1..n] has been read earlier, in which case it would seemingly
 --       work).
 
-local S= lanes_gen("table", {gc_cb = gc_cb},
+local S= lanes_gen("table", { name = 'auto', gc_cb = gc_cb },
     function(arg)
         lane_threadname "join test lane"
         set_finalizer(function() end)
diff --git a/unit_tests/scripts/lane/tasking_send_receive_code.lua b/unit_tests/scripts/lane/tasking_send_receive_code.lua
index 77a4b12..e329a88 100644
--- a/unit_tests/scripts/lane/tasking_send_receive_code.lua
+++ b/unit_tests/scripts/lane/tasking_send_receive_code.lua
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ local function chunk2(linda)
 end
 
 local linda = lanes_linda("auto")
-local t2= lanes_gen("debug,package,string,io", {gc_cb = gc_cb}, chunk2)(linda)     -- prepare & launch
+local t2= lanes_gen("debug,package,string,io", { name = 'auto', gc_cb = gc_cb }, chunk2)(linda)     -- prepare & launch
 linda:send("down", function(linda) linda:send("up", "ready!") end,
                     "ok")
 -- wait to see if the tiny function gets executed
diff --git a/unit_tests/scripts/lane/uncooperative_shutdown.lua b/unit_tests/scripts/lane/uncooperative_shutdown.lua
index 56c936b..51e5762 100644
--- a/unit_tests/scripts/lane/uncooperative_shutdown.lua
+++ b/unit_tests/scripts/lane/uncooperative_shutdown.lua
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ local lane = function()
 end
 
 -- the generator
-local g1 = lanes.gen("*", {name = "auto"}, lane)
+local g1 = lanes.gen("*", { name = 'auto' }, lane)
 
 -- launch lane
 local h1 = g1()