Is this what you are looking for?
https://mods.factorio.com/mod/selector-combinator


I think I could programme the desired behaviour using this combinator to turn the filter inserter from five-slot to one-slot and get the best load.

However, with space constraints, it would be better if I could ...

It's unclear from what you've described why you need it (I'm curious though) - in similar cases (unloading a container with multiple item types using a filter inserter), buffering means the only problem I've had is a sub-optimal startup, which is irrelevant as long as things stay running and at ...

Illiander42 wrote: Thu May 09, 2024 9:13 am It's not a random order, it's based on the internal item ID number.

And the new combinator will let you build this.

Thanks very much for the clue.

Is this something that could be achieved in 1.x with a mod?

TL;DR
When Set Filters from circuit network is used on a Filter Inserter, prioritise what item the inserter picks up by sorting the items by the level from the circuit network.

What ?
Currently, circuit signals can control the item whitelist for Filter Inserters by sending a positive signal for ...