diff --git a/project_euromir/line_searcher.py b/project_euromir/line_searcher.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..936242a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/project_euromir/line_searcher.py
@@ -0,0 +1,342 @@
+# BSD 3-Clause License
+
+# Copyright (c) 2024-, Enzo Busseti
+
+# Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+# modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
+
+# 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this
+#    list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+
+# 2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice,
+#    this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation
+#    and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
+
+# 3. Neither the name of the copyright holder nor the names of its
+#    contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from
+#    this software without specific prior written permission.
+
+# THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
+# AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
+# IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE
+# DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE
+# FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
+# DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR
+# SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER
+# CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY,
+# OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
+# OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+"""Base class and implementations for line search algorithms."""
+
+import logging
+
+import numpy as np
+import scipy as sp
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+class LineSearchError(Exception):
+    """Error in line search."""
+
+class LineSearcher:
+    """Base class for line search algorithms using strong Wolfe conditions."""
+
+    def __init__(
+            self, initial_step = 1., c_1=1e-4, c_2=0.9):
+        """Initialize with parameters.
+
+        :param initial_step: Initial step to try. Implementations may change
+            this dynamically (e.g., try first the step found at last
+            invocation).
+        :type initial_step: float
+        :param c_1: Parameter for Armijo rule.
+        :type c_1: float
+        :param c_1: Parameter for strong curvature condition.
+        :type c_1: float
+        """
+        self._initial_step = initial_step
+        self._c_1 = c_1
+        self._c_2 = c_2
+
+    def get_next(
+            self, current_point: np.array, current_loss: float,
+            current_gradient: np.array, direction: np.array) -> (
+                np.array, float, np.array):
+        """Get next point along direction.
+
+        :param current_point: Current point.
+        :type current_point: np.array
+        :param current_loss: Current loss.
+        :type current_loss: float
+        :param current_gradient: Current gradient.
+        :type current_gradient: np.array
+        :param direction: Search direction.
+        :type direction: np.array
+
+        :returns: Next point, next loss, next gradient or None.
+        :rtype: tuple
+        """
+
+    def armijo(
+            self,
+            current_loss: np.array,
+            current_gradient: np.array,
+            direction: np.array,
+            step_size: float,
+            proposed_loss: np.array):
+        """Is Armijo rule satisfied?
+
+        :param current_loss: Loss at current point.
+        :type current_loss: float
+        :param current_gradient: Gradient at current point.
+        :type current_gradient: np.array
+        :param direction: Search direction.
+        :type direction: np.array
+        :param step_size: Length of the step along direction.
+        :type step_size: float
+        :param proposed_loss: Loss at proposed point.
+        :type proposed_loss: float
+
+        :returns: Is Armijo rule satisfied?
+        :rtype: bool
+        """
+
+        return proposed_loss <= current_loss + self._c_1 * step_size * (
+            direction @ current_gradient)
+
+    def strong_curvature(
+            self,
+            current_gradient: np.array,
+            direction: np.array,
+            proposed_gradient: np.array):
+        """Is the strong curvature condition satisfied?
+
+        :param current_gradient: Gradient at current point.
+        :type current_gradient: np.array
+        :param direction: Search direction.
+        :type direction: np.array
+        :param proposed_gradient: Gradient at proposed point.
+        :type proposed_gradient: np.array
+
+        :returns: Is the strong curvature condition satisfied?
+        :rtype: bool
+        """
+
+        return np.abs(direction @ proposed_gradient) <= self._c_2 * np.abs(
+            direction @ current_gradient)
+
+class BacktrackingLineSearcher(LineSearcher):
+    """Backtracking line search implementation."""
+
+    def __init__(
+            self, loss_function, initial_step = 1., c_1=1e-4, backtrack=0.9,
+            max_iters=100):
+        """Initialize with loss function and parameters.
+
+        :param loss_function: Loss function.
+        :type loss_function: callable
+        :param initial_step: Initial step to try.
+        :type initial_step: float
+        :param c_1: Parameter for Armijo rule.
+        :type c_1: float
+        :param backtrack: Backtracking parameter.
+        :type backtrack: float
+        """
+        self._loss_function = loss_function
+        self._backtrack = backtrack
+        self._max_iters = max_iters
+        super().__init__(initial_step=initial_step, c_1=c_1, c_2=None)
+
+    def get_next(
+            self, current_point: np.array, current_loss: float,
+            current_gradient: np.array, direction: np.array) -> np.array:
+        """Get next point along direction.
+
+        :param current_point: Current point.
+        :type current_point: np.array
+        :param current_loss: Current loss.
+        :type current_loss: float
+        :param current_gradient: Current gradient.
+        :type current_gradient: np.array
+        :param direction: Search direction.
+        :type direction: np.array
+
+        :returns: Next point.
+        :rtype: np.array
+        """
+        assert current_gradient @ direction < 0
+        step_size = float(self._initial_step)
+        proposed_point = np.empty_like(current_point)
+
+        for _ in range(self._max_iters):
+            proposed_point[:] = current_point + direction * step_size
+            proposed_loss = self._loss_function(proposed_point)
+            if self.armijo(
+                    current_loss=current_loss,
+                    current_gradient=current_gradient, direction=direction,
+                    step_size=step_size, proposed_loss=proposed_loss):
+                logger.info(
+                    '%s: step lenght %.2e, function calls %d, current loss '
+                    '%.2e, previous loss %.2e', self.__class__.__name__,
+                    step_size, _+1, proposed_loss, current_loss)
+                return (proposed_point, proposed_loss, None)
+            step_size *= self._backtrack
+        raise LineSearchError(
+            "Armijo rule not satisfied after maximum number of backtracks.")
+
+class LinSpaceLineSearcher(LineSearcher):
+    """Very simple lin-spaced grid search."""
+
+    def __init__(
+            self, loss_function, max_step=1.5, grid_len=100):
+        """Initialize with loss function and parameters."""
+        self._loss_function = loss_function
+        self._steps = np.linspace(0., max_step, grid_len)
+
+    def get_next(
+            self, current_point: np.array, current_loss: float,
+            current_gradient: np.array, direction: np.array) -> np.array:
+        """Get next point along direction.
+
+        :param current_point: Current point.
+        :type current_point: np.array
+        :param current_loss: Current loss.
+        :type current_loss: float
+        :param current_gradient: Current gradient.
+        :type current_gradient: np.array
+        :param direction: Search direction.
+        :type direction: np.array
+
+        :returns: Next point.
+        :rtype: np.array
+        """
+        proposed_point = np.empty_like(current_point)
+        losses = []
+        for step in self._steps:
+            proposed_point[:] = current_point + direction * step
+            losses.append(self._loss_function(proposed_point))
+        best_step = self._steps[np.argmin(losses)]
+        best_loss = np.min(losses)
+        proposed_point[:] = current_point + direction * best_step
+        logger.info(
+            '%s: step lenght %.2e, function calls %d, current loss '
+            '%.2e, previous loss %.2e', self.__class__.__name__,
+            best_step, len(self._steps), best_loss, current_loss)
+
+        return (proposed_point, best_loss, None)
+
+
+class LogSpaceLineSearcher(LinSpaceLineSearcher):
+    """Very simple log-spaced grid search."""
+
+    def __init__(
+            self, loss_function, max_step=1.5, min_step=1e-8, grid_len=100):
+        """Initialize with loss function and parameters."""
+        self._loss_function = loss_function
+        self._steps = np.logspace(
+            np.log10(min_step), np.log10(max_step), grid_len)
+
+
+class ScipyLineSearcher(LineSearcher):
+    """Scipy's re-implementation of DCSRCH. It's improved over the original.
+
+    This wraps the public function, but there's also a non-public wrapper
+    around the original FORTRAN. However it seems it's less reliable.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(
+            self, loss_function, gradient_function, c_1=1e-4, c_2=0.9,
+            maxiter=10):
+        """Initialize with parameters.
+
+        :param loss_function: Loss function.
+        :type loss_function: callable
+        :param gradient_function: Gradient function.
+        :type gradient_function: callable
+        :param initial_step: Initial step to try. Implementations may change
+            this dynamically (e.g., try first the step found at last
+            invocation).
+        :type initial_step: float
+        :param c_1: Parameter for Armijo rule.
+        :type c_1: float
+        :param c_1: Parameter for strong curvature condition.
+        :type c_1: float
+        """
+        self._loss_function = loss_function
+        self._gradient_function = gradient_function
+        self._maxiter = maxiter
+        self._old_old_fval = None # we store the previous current_loss
+        # it's used by the line search to get the initial step lenght
+        super().__init__(initial_step=None, c_1=c_1, c_2=c_2)
+
+    def get_next(
+            self, current_point: np.array, current_loss: float,
+            current_gradient: np.array, direction: np.array) -> np.array:
+        """Get next point along direction.
+
+        :param current_point: Current point.
+        :type current_point: np.array
+        :param current_loss: Current loss.
+        :type current_loss: float
+        :param current_gradient: Current gradient.
+        :type current_gradient: np.array
+        :param direction: Search direction.
+        :type direction: np.array
+
+        :returns: Next point.
+        :rtype: np.array
+        """
+        assert current_gradient @ direction < 0 # otherwise Nones are returned
+
+        # Pure Python re-implementation of DCSRCH by Scipy; there's also
+        # a version that wraps the original FORTRAN, but seems less stable.
+        result = sp.optimize.line_search(
+            f=self._loss_function,
+            myfprime=self._gradient_function,
+            xk=current_point,
+            pk=direction,
+            gfk=current_gradient,
+            old_fval=current_loss,
+            old_old_fval=self._old_old_fval,
+            c1=self._c_1,
+            c2=self._c_2,
+            maxiter=self._maxiter)
+        step_size = result[0]
+        logger.info(
+            '%s: step lenght %.2e, function calls %d, gradient calls %d, '
+            'current loss %.2e, previous loss %.2e',
+            self.__class__.__name__, result[0], result[1], result[2],
+            result[3], result[4])
+        self._old_old_fval = current_loss
+        return (current_point + direction * step_size, result[3], result[5])
+
+
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+    logging.basicConfig(level='INFO')
+    from scipy.optimize import rosen, rosen_der, rosen_hess
+
+    # direction = np.linalg.lstsq(rosen_hess(x), -rosen_der(x), rcond=None)[0]
+    # direction = 1 * np.random.randn(5)
+    # if direction @ current_grad > 0:
+    #     direction = -direction
+
+    for line_searcher in [
+            BacktrackingLineSearcher(rosen), LinSpaceLineSearcher(rosen),
+            LogSpaceLineSearcher(rosen),
+            ScipyLineSearcher(rosen, rosen_der, c_2=0.9)]:
+
+        np.random.seed(10)
+        point = np.random.randn(5)
+        loss = rosen(point)
+        gradient = rosen_der(point)
+
+        for _ in range(10):
+            print('loss current:', loss)
+            Hessian = rosen_hess(point)
+            gradient = gradient if gradient is not None else rosen_der(point)
+            point, loss, gradient = line_searcher.get_next(
+                current_point=point, current_loss=loss,
+                current_gradient=gradient,
+                direction=np.linalg.lstsq(
+                    rosen_hess(point), -gradient, rcond=None)[0])
+            print('loss post:', loss)
diff --git a/project_euromir/tests/__main__.py b/project_euromir/tests/__main__.py
index 66c82e3..e60ad57 100644
--- a/project_euromir/tests/__main__.py
+++ b/project_euromir/tests/__main__.py
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@
 from .test_equilibrate import TestEquilibrate
 from .test_lbfgs import TestLBFGS
 from .test_line_search import TestLineSearch
+from .test_line_searcher import TestLineSearcher
 from .test_linear_algebra import TestLinearAlgebra
 from .test_solver import TestSolver
 
diff --git a/project_euromir/tests/test_line_searcher.py b/project_euromir/tests/test_line_searcher.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..340377c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/project_euromir/tests/test_line_searcher.py
@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+# BSD 3-Clause License
+
+# Copyright (c) 2024-, Enzo Busseti
+
+# Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+# modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
+
+# 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this
+#    list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+
+# 2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice,
+#    this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation
+#    and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
+
+# 3. Neither the name of the copyright holder nor the names of its
+#    contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from
+#    this software without specific prior written permission.
+
+# THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
+# AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
+# IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE
+# DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE
+# FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
+# DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR
+# SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER
+# CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY,
+# OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
+# OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+"""Test line search classes."""
+
+import logging
+import time  # on msw timing function calls <1s does not work
+from unittest import TestCase
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+import numpy as np
+import scipy as sp
+from scipy.optimize import rosen, rosen_der, rosen_hess
+
+import project_euromir.line_searcher as ls
+
+
+class TestLineSearcher(TestCase):
+    """Test line searcher classes."""
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _newton_direction(point, gradient):
+        return sp.sparse.linalg.cg(
+            rosen_hess(point), -gradient, maxiter=2)[0]
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _gradient_direction(_, gradient):
+        return -gradient
+
+    def test_rosenberg(self):
+        """Test on simple iterations on the Rosenberg function."""
+
+        for line_searcher in [
+            ls.BacktrackingLineSearcher(rosen), ls.LinSpaceLineSearcher(rosen),
+            ls.LogSpaceLineSearcher(rosen),
+            ls.ScipyLineSearcher(rosen, rosen_der, c_2=0.9)]:
+            logger.info(
+                'Testing with LineSearcher %s',
+                line_searcher.__class__.__name__)
+
+            for direction in [
+                self._newton_direction, self._gradient_direction]:
+
+                logger.info(
+                    'Testing with direction calculator %s',
+                    direction.__name__)
+
+                with self.subTest(
+                        line_searcher=line_searcher.__class__.__name__,
+                        direction=direction.__name__):
+                    np.random.seed(10)
+                    point = np.random.randn(5)
+                    loss = rosen(point)
+                    gradient = rosen_der(point)
+
+                    for _ in range(20):
+                        # print('loss current:', loss)
+                        gradient = \
+                            gradient if gradient is not None else rosen_der(
+                                point)
+                        oldloss = loss
+                        point, loss, gradient = line_searcher.get_next(
+                            current_point=point, current_loss=loss,
+                            current_gradient=gradient,
+                            direction=direction(point, gradient))
+                        self.assertLessEqual(loss, oldloss)
+
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+    from unittest import main
+    logging.basicConfig(level='INFO')
+    main()