Aspects of the disclosed technology relate to techniques of pattern matching. Matching rectangles in a layout design that match rectangle members of a search pattern are identified based on edge operations. The rectangle members comprise an origin rectangle member and one or more reference rectangle members. Grid element identification values are attached to the matching rectangles. The matching rectangles that match the one or more reference rectangle members in neighborhoods of the matching rectangles that match the origin rectangle member are then analyzed. The neighborhoods are determined based on the grid element identification values. Based on the analysis, matching patterns in the layout design that match the search pattern are determined.