diff --git a/packages/core/splitLanes.mjs b/packages/core/splitLanes.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5bfaddd7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core/splitLanes.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+function splitLanes(haps) {
+  // TODO: split haps into multiple arrays so that no overlapping events are in the same array
+  // also make sure the lanes are packed as tight as possible
+  // use logic analogous to drawLine
+  return [haps];
+}
+
+export default splitLanes;
diff --git a/packages/core/test/splitLanes.test.mjs b/packages/core/test/splitLanes.test.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..da241586
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core/test/splitLanes.test.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+import { fastcat, stack, slowcat, silence, pure } from '../pattern.mjs';
+import { strict as assert } from 'assert';
+import splitLanes from '../splitLanes.mjs';
+
+describe('splitLanes', () => {
+  it('should split', () => {
+    const haps = fastcat(0, stack(1, 2))._firstCycleValues;
+
+    assert.deepStrictEqual(haps, [0, 1, 2]);
+    assert.deepStrictEqual(splitLanes([0, 1, 2]), [[0, 1, 2]]);
+  });
+});