diff --git a/Changes b/Changes
index 33dcb7b..1aab034 100644
--- a/Changes
+++ b/Changes
@@ -1,6 +1,14 @@
 
 Revision history for Perl module MCE.
 
+1.897 Wed Jun 19 22:00:00 EST 2024
+
+  * In scalar context, the init function in MCE Child and models Flow, Grep,
+    Loop, Map, Step, and Stream returns a guard to call finish automatically
+    upon leaving the { scope i.e. omitting finish }.
+
+  * Add out_iter_callback to MCE::Candy.
+
 1.896 Tue Jun 11 16:00:00 EST 2024
 
   * Weaken internal core MCE reference to reap workers automatically
diff --git a/MANIFEST b/MANIFEST
index 573237b..3d64e6b 100644
--- a/MANIFEST
+++ b/MANIFEST
@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ t/05_mce_loop.t
 t/05_mce_map.t
 t/05_mce_step.t
 t/05_mce_stream.t
+t/06_candy.t
 t/06_nodata_flow.t
 t/06_nodata_step.t
 t/06_relay.t
diff --git a/META.json b/META.json
index dfd2906..d236113 100644
--- a/META.json
+++ b/META.json
@@ -65,135 +65,135 @@
    "provides" : {
       "MCE" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Candy" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Candy.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Channel" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Channel.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Channel::Mutex" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Channel/Mutex.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Channel::MutexFast" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Channel/MutexFast.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Channel::Simple" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Channel/Simple.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Channel::SimpleFast" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Channel/SimpleFast.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Channel::Threads" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Channel/Threads.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Channel::ThreadsFast" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Channel/ThreadsFast.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Child" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Child.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Core::Input::Generator" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Core/Input/Generator.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Core::Input::Handle" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Core/Input/Handle.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Core::Input::Iterator" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Core/Input/Iterator.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Core::Input::Request" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Core/Input/Request.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Core::Input::Sequence" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Core/Input/Sequence.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Core::Manager" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Core/Manager.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Core::Validation" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Core/Validation.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Core::Worker" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Core/Worker.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Flow" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Flow.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Grep" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Grep.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Loop" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Loop.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Map" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Map.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Mutex" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Mutex.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Mutex::Channel" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Mutex/Channel.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Mutex::Channel2" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Mutex/Channel2.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Mutex::Flock" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Mutex/Flock.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Queue" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Queue.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Relay" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Relay.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Signal" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Signal.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Step" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Step.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Stream" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Stream.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Subs" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Subs.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       },
       "MCE::Util" : {
          "file" : "lib/MCE/Util.pm",
-         "version" : "1.896"
+         "version" : "1.897"
       }
    },
    "release_status" : "stable",
@@ -209,5 +209,5 @@
          "url" : "https://github.com/marioroy/mce-perl.git"
       }
    },
-   "version" : "1.896"
+   "version" : "1.897"
 }
diff --git a/META.yml b/META.yml
index 92fbfa4..e817ff0 100644
--- a/META.yml
+++ b/META.yml
@@ -25,103 +25,103 @@ no_index:
 provides:
   MCE:
     file: lib/MCE.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Candy:
     file: lib/MCE/Candy.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Channel:
     file: lib/MCE/Channel.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Channel::Mutex:
     file: lib/MCE/Channel/Mutex.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Channel::MutexFast:
     file: lib/MCE/Channel/MutexFast.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Channel::Simple:
     file: lib/MCE/Channel/Simple.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Channel::SimpleFast:
     file: lib/MCE/Channel/SimpleFast.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Channel::Threads:
     file: lib/MCE/Channel/Threads.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Channel::ThreadsFast:
     file: lib/MCE/Channel/ThreadsFast.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Child:
     file: lib/MCE/Child.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Core::Input::Generator:
     file: lib/MCE/Core/Input/Generator.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Core::Input::Handle:
     file: lib/MCE/Core/Input/Handle.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Core::Input::Iterator:
     file: lib/MCE/Core/Input/Iterator.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Core::Input::Request:
     file: lib/MCE/Core/Input/Request.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Core::Input::Sequence:
     file: lib/MCE/Core/Input/Sequence.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Core::Manager:
     file: lib/MCE/Core/Manager.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Core::Validation:
     file: lib/MCE/Core/Validation.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Core::Worker:
     file: lib/MCE/Core/Worker.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Flow:
     file: lib/MCE/Flow.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Grep:
     file: lib/MCE/Grep.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Loop:
     file: lib/MCE/Loop.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Map:
     file: lib/MCE/Map.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Mutex:
     file: lib/MCE/Mutex.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Mutex::Channel:
     file: lib/MCE/Mutex/Channel.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Mutex::Channel2:
     file: lib/MCE/Mutex/Channel2.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Mutex::Flock:
     file: lib/MCE/Mutex/Flock.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Queue:
     file: lib/MCE/Queue.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Relay:
     file: lib/MCE/Relay.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Signal:
     file: lib/MCE/Signal.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Step:
     file: lib/MCE/Step.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Stream:
     file: lib/MCE/Stream.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Subs:
     file: lib/MCE/Subs.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
   MCE::Util:
     file: lib/MCE/Util.pm
-    version: '1.896'
+    version: '1.897'
 recommends:
   Sereal::Decoder: '3.015'
   Sereal::Encoder: '3.015'
@@ -148,4 +148,4 @@ resources:
   homepage: https://github.com/marioroy/mce-perl
   license: https://dev.perl.org/licenses/
   repository: https://github.com/marioroy/mce-perl.git
-version: '1.896'
+version: '1.897'
diff --git a/Makefile.PL b/Makefile.PL
index e1fe74f..38a037e 100644
--- a/Makefile.PL
+++ b/Makefile.PL
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ WriteMakefile(
    ABSTRACT => 'Many-Core Engine for Perl providing parallel processing capabilities',
    AUTHOR   => 'Mario E. Roy <marioeroy AT gmail DOT com>',
    NAME     => 'MCE',
-   VERSION  => '1.896',
+   VERSION  => '1.897',
 
    EXE_FILES => [ @exe_files ],
 
@@ -68,135 +68,135 @@ WriteMakefile(
          'provides' => {
             'MCE' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Candy' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Candy.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Channel' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Channel.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Channel::Mutex' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Channel/Mutex.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Channel::MutexFast' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Channel/MutexFast.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Channel::Simple' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Channel/Simple.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Channel::SimpleFast' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Channel/SimpleFast.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Channel::Threads' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Channel/Threads.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Channel::ThreadsFast' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Channel/ThreadsFast.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Child' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Child.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Core::Input::Generator' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Core/Input/Generator.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Core::Input::Handle' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Core/Input/Handle.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Core::Input::Iterator' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Core/Input/Iterator.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Core::Input::Request' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Core/Input/Request.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Core::Input::Sequence' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Core/Input/Sequence.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Core::Manager' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Core/Manager.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Core::Validation' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Core/Validation.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Core::Worker' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Core/Worker.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Flow' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Flow.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Grep' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Grep.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Loop' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Loop.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Map' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Map.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Mutex' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Mutex.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Mutex::Channel' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Mutex/Channel.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Mutex::Channel2' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Mutex/Channel2.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Mutex::Flock' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Mutex/Flock.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Queue' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Queue.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Relay' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Relay.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Signal' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Signal.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Step' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Step.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Stream' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Stream.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Subs' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Subs.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             },
             'MCE::Util' => {
                'file'    => 'lib/MCE/Util.pm',
-               'version' => '1.896'
+               'version' => '1.897'
             }
          },
          'prereqs' => {
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 733c03c..09a2677 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ## Many-Core Engine for Perl
 
-This document describes MCE version 1.896.
+This document describes MCE version 1.897.
 
 Many-Core Engine (MCE) for Perl helps enable a new level of performance by
 maximizing all available cores.
diff --git a/lib/MCE.pm b/lib/MCE.pm
index a39dfd0..6c9df18 100644
--- a/lib/MCE.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE.pm
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use warnings;
 
 no warnings qw( threads recursion uninitialized );
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 ## no critic (BuiltinFunctions::ProhibitStringyEval)
 ## no critic (Subroutines::ProhibitSubroutinePrototypes)
diff --git a/lib/MCE.pod b/lib/MCE.pod
index 38f46cc..2b4fe04 100644
--- a/lib/MCE.pod
+++ b/lib/MCE.pod
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ MCE - Many-Core Engine for Perl providing parallel processing capabilities
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE version 1.896
+This document describes MCE version 1.897
 
 Many-Core Engine (MCE) for Perl helps enable a new level of performance by
 maximizing all available cores.
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Candy.pm b/lib/MCE/Candy.pm
index 51eeccc..5c431c2 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Candy.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Candy.pm
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use warnings;
 
 no warnings qw( threads recursion uninitialized );
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 our @CARP_NOT = qw( MCE );
 
@@ -176,6 +176,32 @@ sub out_iter_array {
    };
 }
 
+sub out_iter_callback {
+
+   my $_cref = shift; my %_tmp; my $_order_id = 1;
+
+   MCE::_croak('The argument to (out_iter_callback) is not a CODE ref.')
+      unless (ref $_cref eq 'CODE');
+
+   return sub {
+      my $_chunk_id = shift;
+
+      if ($_chunk_id == $_order_id && keys %_tmp == 0) {
+         ## already orderly
+         $_order_id++, $_cref->(@_);
+      }
+      else {
+         ## hold temporarily otherwise until orderly
+         @{ $_tmp{ $_chunk_id } } = @_;
+
+         while (1) {
+            last unless exists $_tmp{ $_order_id };
+            $_cref->(@{ delete $_tmp{ $_order_id++ } });
+         }
+      }
+   };
+}
+
 sub out_iter_fh {
 
    my $_fh =  $_[0]; my %_tmp; my $_order_id = 1;
@@ -240,7 +266,7 @@ MCE::Candy - Sugar methods and output iterators
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Candy version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Candy version 1.897
 
 =head1 DESCRIPTION
 
@@ -340,10 +366,9 @@ to 1 when not specified.
 
 =head1 OUTPUT ITERATORS WITH INPUT
 
-This module includes 2 output iterators which are useful for preserving output
-order while gathering data. These cover the 2 general use cases. The chunk_id
-value must be the first argument to gather. Gather must also not be called
-more than once inside the block.
+This module provides three output iterators useful for preserving output order
+while gathering data. The chunk_id value must be the first argument to gather.
+Gather must be called once and not more inside the block.
 
 =head2 gather => MCE::Candy::out_iter_array( \@array )
 
@@ -365,6 +390,7 @@ chunk_size to 1.
  );
 
  $mce->process([ 100 .. 109 ]);
+ $mce->shutdown();
 
  print "@results", "\n";
 
@@ -394,12 +420,56 @@ to reduce the overhead placed on IPC.
  );
 
  $mce->process([ 100_000 .. 200_000 - 1 ]);
+ $mce->shutdown();
+
+ print scalar @results, "\n";
+
+ -- Output
+
+ 100000
+
+=head2 gather => MCE::Candy::out_iter_callback( \&cb_func )
+
+MCE workers pass arguments for the callback function. The chunk_id argument
+to gather is used internally for calling the callback function orderly.
+
+Current API available since 1.897.
+
+ use MCE;
+ use MCE::Candy;
+
+ my @results;
+ my $max_status = 0;
+
+ sub upd_vars {
+    push @results, @{ $_[0] };
+    $max_status = $_[1] if ($_[1] > $max_status);
+ }
+
+ my $mce = MCE->new(
+    chunk_size => 100, max_workers => 4,
+    gather => MCE::Candy::out_iter_callback(\&upd_vars),
+    user_func => sub {
+       my ($mce, $chunk_ref, $chunk_id) = @_;
+       my @output;
+       foreach my $item (@{ $chunk_ref }) {
+          push @output, $item * 2;
+       }
+       my $status = $mce->chunk_id == 3 ? 2 : 0;
+       $mce->gather($chunk_id, [ @output ], $status);
+    }
+ );
+
+ $mce->process([ 100_000 .. 200_000 - 1 ]);
+ $mce->shutdown();
 
  print scalar @results, "\n";
+ print $max_status, "\n";
 
  -- Output
 
  100000
+ 2
 
 =head2 gather => MCE::Candy::out_iter_fh( $fh )
 
@@ -502,20 +572,27 @@ Chunking is desired for the next example due to processing many thousands.
 
 =head1 OUTPUT ITERATORS WITHOUT INPUT
 
-Input data is not a requirement for using the output iterators included in this
-module. The 'chunk_id' value is set uniquely and the same as 'wid' when not
+Input data is not a requirement for using the output iterators. The 'chunk_id'
+argument to gather is still needed and set uniquely, same as 'wid' when not
 processing input data.
 
 =head2 gather => MCE::Candy::out_iter_array( \@array )
 
+=head2 gather => MCE::Candy::out_iter_callback( \&cb_func )
+
  use MCE::Flow;
  use MCE::Candy;
 
  my @results;
 
+ sub append_results {
+    push @results, $_[0];
+ }
+
  mce_flow {
     max_workers => 'auto', ## Note that 'auto' is never greater than 8
-    gather => MCE::Candy::out_iter_array(\@results)
+    gather => MCE::Candy::out_iter_array(\@results),
+  # gather => MCE::Candy::out_iter_callback(\&append_results),
  },
  sub {
     my ($mce) = @_;        ## This line is not necessary
@@ -524,7 +601,7 @@ processing input data.
     ## Sending a complex data structure is allowed
 
     ## Output will become orderly by iterator
-    $mce->gather( $mce->chunk_id, {
+    $mce->gather( $mce->wid, {
        wid => $mce->wid, result => $mce->wid * 2
     });
  };
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Channel.pm b/lib/MCE/Channel.pm
index 9cef267..12b729b 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Channel.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Channel.pm
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use warnings;
 
 no warnings qw( uninitialized once );
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 ## no critic (BuiltinFunctions::ProhibitStringyEval)
 ## no critic (TestingAndDebugging::ProhibitNoStrict)
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ MCE::Channel - Queue-like and two-way communication capability
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Channel version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Channel version 1.897
 
 =head1 SYNOPSIS
 
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Channel/Mutex.pm b/lib/MCE/Channel/Mutex.pm
index 97ca857..41790bd 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Channel/Mutex.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Channel/Mutex.pm
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use warnings;
 
 no warnings qw( uninitialized once );
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 use base 'MCE::Channel';
 use MCE::Mutex ();
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ MCE::Channel::Mutex - Channel for producer(s) and many consumers
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Channel::Mutex version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Channel::Mutex version 1.897
 
 =head1 DESCRIPTION
 
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Channel/MutexFast.pm b/lib/MCE/Channel/MutexFast.pm
index bc5b103..0ec5514 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Channel/MutexFast.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Channel/MutexFast.pm
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use warnings;
 
 no warnings qw( uninitialized once );
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 use base 'MCE::Channel';
 use MCE::Mutex ();
@@ -300,7 +300,7 @@ MCE::Channel::MutexFast - Fast channel for producer(s) and many consumers
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Channel::MutexFast version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Channel::MutexFast version 1.897
 
 =head1 DESCRIPTION
 
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Channel/Simple.pm b/lib/MCE/Channel/Simple.pm
index 5ca1893..b591d63 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Channel/Simple.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Channel/Simple.pm
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use warnings;
 
 no warnings qw( uninitialized once );
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 use base 'MCE::Channel';
 
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ MCE::Channel::Simple - Channel tuned for one producer and one consumer
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Channel::Simple version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Channel::Simple version 1.897
 
 =head1 DESCRIPTION
 
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Channel/SimpleFast.pm b/lib/MCE/Channel/SimpleFast.pm
index e20b3b2..2713931 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Channel/SimpleFast.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Channel/SimpleFast.pm
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use warnings;
 
 no warnings qw( uninitialized once );
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 use base 'MCE::Channel';
 
@@ -300,7 +300,7 @@ MCE::Channel::SimpleFast - Fast channel tuned for one producer and one consumer
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Channel::SimpleFast version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Channel::SimpleFast version 1.897
 
 =head1 DESCRIPTION
 
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Channel/Threads.pm b/lib/MCE/Channel/Threads.pm
index 6c2f528..39815eb 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Channel/Threads.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Channel/Threads.pm
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use warnings;
 
 no warnings qw( uninitialized once );
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 use threads;
 use threads::shared;
@@ -315,7 +315,7 @@ MCE::Channel::Threads - Channel for producer(s) and many consumers
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Channel::Threads version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Channel::Threads version 1.897
 
 =head1 DESCRIPTION
 
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Channel/ThreadsFast.pm b/lib/MCE/Channel/ThreadsFast.pm
index f2e5cb1..e59a3c0 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Channel/ThreadsFast.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Channel/ThreadsFast.pm
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use warnings;
 
 no warnings qw( uninitialized once );
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 use threads;
 use threads::shared;
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@ MCE::Channel::ThreadsFast - Fast channel for producer(s) and many consumers
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Channel::ThreadsFast version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Channel::ThreadsFast version 1.897
 
 =head1 DESCRIPTION
 
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Child.pm b/lib/MCE/Child.pm
index efb3349..721f793 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Child.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Child.pm
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ no warnings qw( threads recursion uninitialized once redefine );
 
 package MCE::Child;
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 ## no critic (BuiltinFunctions::ProhibitStringyEval)
 ## no critic (Subroutines::ProhibitExplicitReturnUndef)
@@ -80,6 +80,17 @@ sub _max_workers {
 
 bless my $_SELF = { MGR_ID => "$$.$_tid", WRK_ID => $$ }, __PACKAGE__;
 
+sub MCE::Child::_guard::DESTROY {
+   my ($pkg, $id) = @{ $_[0] };
+
+   if (defined $pkg && $id eq "$$.$_tid") {
+      @{ $_[0] } = ();
+      MCE::Child->finish($pkg);
+   }
+
+   return;
+}
+
 sub init {
    shift if ( defined $_[0] && $_[0] eq __PACKAGE__ );
 
@@ -137,7 +148,9 @@ sub init {
    require POSIX
       if ( $mngd->{on_finish} && !$INC{'POSIX.pm'} && !$_is_MSWin32 );
 
-   return;
+   defined wantarray
+      ? bless([$pkg, "$$.$_tid"], MCE::Child::_guard::)
+      : ();
 }
 
 ###############################################################################
@@ -345,7 +358,7 @@ sub finish {
    _croak('Usage: MCE::Child->finish()') if ref($_[0]);
    shift if ( defined $_[0] && $_[0] eq __PACKAGE__ );
 
-   my $pkg = defined($_[0]) ? $_[0] : caller();
+   my $pkg = defined($_[0]) ? shift : "$$.$_tid.".caller();
 
    if ( $pkg eq 'MCE' ) {
       for my $key ( keys %{ $_LIST } ) { MCE::Child->finish($key); }
@@ -1009,7 +1022,7 @@ MCE::Child - A threads-like parallelization module compatible with Perl 5.8
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Child version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Child version 1.897
 
 =head1 SYNOPSIS
 
@@ -1295,7 +1308,10 @@ processes not yet joined.
 
 The init function accepts a list of MCE::Child options.
 
- MCE::Child->init(
+In scalar context (API available since 1.897), call C<MCE::Child->finish>
+automatically upon leaving the scope or program.
+
+ my $guard = MCE::Child->init(
      max_workers => 'auto',   # default undef, unlimited
 
      # Specify a percentage. MCE::Child 1.876+.
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Core.pod b/lib/MCE/Core.pod
index 1e7e9e1..39f25cc 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Core.pod
+++ b/lib/MCE/Core.pod
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ MCE::Core - Documentation describing the core MCE API
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Core version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Core version 1.897
 
 =head1 SYNOPSIS
 
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Core/Input/Generator.pm b/lib/MCE/Core/Input/Generator.pm
index b7ac667..468f222 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Core/Input/Generator.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Core/Input/Generator.pm
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ package MCE::Core::Input::Generator;
 use strict;
 use warnings;
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 ## Items below are folded into MCE.
 
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ MCE::Core::Input::Generator - Sequence of numbers (for task_id > 0)
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Core::Input::Generator version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Core::Input::Generator version 1.897
 
 =head1 DESCRIPTION
 
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Core/Input/Handle.pm b/lib/MCE/Core/Input/Handle.pm
index f34a1b3..8261648 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Core/Input/Handle.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Core/Input/Handle.pm
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ package MCE::Core::Input::Handle;
 use strict;
 use warnings;
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 ## Items below are folded into MCE.
 
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ MCE::Core::Input::Handle - File path and Scalar reference input reader
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Core::Input::Handle version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Core::Input::Handle version 1.897
 
 =head1 DESCRIPTION
 
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Core/Input/Iterator.pm b/lib/MCE/Core/Input/Iterator.pm
index e529a48..adbfe90 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Core/Input/Iterator.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Core/Input/Iterator.pm
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ package MCE::Core::Input::Iterator;
 use strict;
 use warnings;
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 ## Items below are folded into MCE.
 
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ MCE::Core::Input::Iterator - Iterator reader
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Core::Input::Iterator version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Core::Input::Iterator version 1.897
 
 =head1 DESCRIPTION
 
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Core/Input/Request.pm b/lib/MCE/Core/Input/Request.pm
index eef5422..fe6bb9e 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Core/Input/Request.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Core/Input/Request.pm
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ package MCE::Core::Input::Request;
 use strict;
 use warnings;
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 ## Items below are folded into MCE.
 
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ MCE::Core::Input::Request - Array reference and Glob reference input reader
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Core::Input::Request version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Core::Input::Request version 1.897
 
 =head1 DESCRIPTION
 
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Core/Input/Sequence.pm b/lib/MCE/Core/Input/Sequence.pm
index 2f6ee3e..852d71f 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Core/Input/Sequence.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Core/Input/Sequence.pm
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ package MCE::Core::Input::Sequence;
 use strict;
 use warnings;
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 ## Items below are folded into MCE.
 
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ MCE::Core::Input::Sequence - Sequence of numbers (for task_id == 0)
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Core::Input::Sequence version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Core::Input::Sequence version 1.897
 
 =head1 DESCRIPTION
 
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Core/Manager.pm b/lib/MCE/Core/Manager.pm
index afca1ab..8b3bbe3 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Core/Manager.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Core/Manager.pm
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ package MCE::Core::Manager;
 use strict;
 use warnings;
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 ## no critic (BuiltinFunctions::ProhibitStringyEval)
 ## no critic (TestingAndDebugging::ProhibitNoStrict)
@@ -1041,7 +1041,7 @@ MCE::Core::Manager - Core methods for the manager process
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Core::Manager version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Core::Manager version 1.897
 
 =head1 DESCRIPTION
 
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Core/Validation.pm b/lib/MCE/Core/Validation.pm
index 35e931b..8a71aad 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Core/Validation.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Core/Validation.pm
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ package MCE::Core::Validation;
 use strict;
 use warnings;
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 ## Items below are folded into MCE.
 
@@ -402,7 +402,7 @@ MCE::Core::Validation - Core validation methods for Many-Core Engine
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Core::Validation version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Core::Validation version 1.897
 
 =head1 DESCRIPTION
 
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Core/Worker.pm b/lib/MCE/Core/Worker.pm
index 18682b2..bf619ed 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Core/Worker.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Core/Worker.pm
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ package MCE::Core::Worker;
 use strict;
 use warnings;
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 my $_tid = $INC{'threads.pm'} ? threads->tid() : 0;
 
@@ -738,7 +738,7 @@ MCE::Core::Worker - Core methods for the worker process
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Core::Worker version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Core::Worker version 1.897
 
 =head1 DESCRIPTION
 
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Examples.pod b/lib/MCE/Examples.pod
index e6bef6b..c537ab1 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Examples.pod
+++ b/lib/MCE/Examples.pod
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ MCE::Examples - Various examples and demonstrations
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Examples version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Examples version 1.897
 
 =head1 INCLUDED WITH THE DISTRIBUTION
 
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Flow.pm b/lib/MCE/Flow.pm
index 6258327..8cb2a74 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Flow.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Flow.pm
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use warnings;
 
 no warnings qw( threads recursion uninitialized );
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 ## no critic (BuiltinFunctions::ProhibitStringyEval)
 ## no critic (Subroutines::ProhibitSubroutinePrototypes)
@@ -94,6 +94,17 @@ sub import {
 ##
 ###############################################################################
 
+sub MCE::Flow::_guard::DESTROY {
+   my ($_pkg, $_id) = @{ $_[0] };
+
+   if (defined $_pkg && $_id eq "$$.$_tid") {
+      @{ $_[0] } = ();
+      MCE::Flow->finish($_pkg);
+   }
+
+   return;
+}
+
 sub init (@) {
 
    shift if (defined $_[0] && $_[0] eq 'MCE::Flow');
@@ -103,7 +114,9 @@ sub init (@) {
 
    @_ = ();
 
-   return;
+   defined wantarray
+      ? bless([$_pkg, "$$.$_tid"], MCE::Flow::_guard::)
+      : ();
 }
 
 sub finish (@) {
@@ -482,7 +495,7 @@ MCE::Flow - Parallel flow model for building creative applications
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Flow version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Flow version 1.897
 
 =head1 DESCRIPTION
 
@@ -811,12 +824,14 @@ Specify C<< Sereal => 0 >> to use Storable instead.
 =back
 
 The init function accepts a hash of MCE options. Unlike with MCE::Stream,
-both gather and bounds_only options may be specified when calling init
-(not shown below).
+both gather and bounds_only options may be specified (not shown below).
+
+In scalar context (API available since 1.897), call C<MCE::Flow->finish>
+automatically upon leaving the scope or program.
 
  use MCE::Flow;
 
- MCE::Flow->init(
+ my $guard = MCE::Flow->init(
     chunk_size => 1, max_workers => 4,
 
     user_begin => sub {
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Grep.pm b/lib/MCE/Grep.pm
index bdb38d6..8eade5a 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Grep.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Grep.pm
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use warnings;
 
 no warnings qw( threads recursion uninitialized );
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 ## no critic (BuiltinFunctions::ProhibitStringyEval)
 ## no critic (Subroutines::ProhibitSubroutinePrototypes)
@@ -110,6 +110,17 @@ sub _gather {
 ##
 ###############################################################################
 
+sub MCE::Grep::_guard::DESTROY {
+   my ($_pkg, $_id) = @{ $_[0] };
+
+   if (defined $_pkg && $_id eq "$$.$_tid") {
+      @{ $_[0] } = ();
+      MCE::Grep->finish($_pkg);
+   }
+
+   return;
+}
+
 sub init (@) {
 
    shift if (defined $_[0] && $_[0] eq 'MCE::Grep');
@@ -122,7 +133,9 @@ sub init (@) {
 
    @_ = ();
 
-   return;
+   defined wantarray
+      ? bless([$_pkg, "$$.$_tid"], MCE::Grep::_guard::)
+      : ();
 }
 
 sub finish (@) {
@@ -453,7 +466,7 @@ MCE::Grep - Parallel grep model similar to the native grep function
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Grep version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Grep version 1.897
 
 =head1 SYNOPSIS
 
@@ -637,9 +650,12 @@ Specify C<< Sereal => 0 >> to use Storable instead.
 The init function accepts a hash of MCE options. The gather option, if
 specified, is ignored due to being used internally by the module.
 
+In scalar context (API available since 1.897), call C<MCE::Grep->finish>
+automatically upon leaving the scope or program.
+
  use MCE::Grep;
 
- MCE::Grep->init(
+ my $guard = MCE::Grep->init(
     chunk_size => 1, max_workers => 4,
 
     user_begin => sub {
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Loop.pm b/lib/MCE/Loop.pm
index 41cec4f..389c250 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Loop.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Loop.pm
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use warnings;
 
 no warnings qw( threads recursion uninitialized );
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 ## no critic (BuiltinFunctions::ProhibitStringyEval)
 ## no critic (Subroutines::ProhibitSubroutinePrototypes)
@@ -92,6 +92,17 @@ sub import {
 ##
 ###############################################################################
 
+sub MCE::Loop::_guard::DESTROY {
+   my ($_pkg, $_id) = @{ $_[0] };
+
+   if (defined $_pkg && $_id eq "$$.$_tid") {
+      @{ $_[0] } = ();
+      MCE::Loop->finish($_pkg);
+   }
+
+   return;
+}
+
 sub init (@) {
 
    shift if (defined $_[0] && $_[0] eq 'MCE::Loop');
@@ -101,7 +112,9 @@ sub init (@) {
 
    @_ = ();
 
-   return;
+   defined wantarray
+      ? bless([$_pkg, "$$.$_tid"], MCE::Loop::_guard::)
+      : ();
 }
 
 sub finish (@) {
@@ -364,7 +377,7 @@ MCE::Loop - MCE model for building parallel loops
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Loop version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Loop version 1.897
 
 =head1 DESCRIPTION
 
@@ -552,9 +565,12 @@ Specify C<< Sereal => 0 >> to use Storable instead.
 
 The init function accepts a hash of MCE options.
 
+In scalar context (API available since 1.897), call C<MCE::Loop->finish>
+automatically upon leaving the scope or program.
+
  use MCE::Loop;
 
- MCE::Loop->init(
+ my $guard = MCE::Loop->init(
     chunk_size => 1, max_workers => 4,
 
     user_begin => sub {
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Map.pm b/lib/MCE/Map.pm
index beec70b..7ed518e 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Map.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Map.pm
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use warnings;
 
 no warnings qw( threads recursion uninitialized );
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 ## no critic (BuiltinFunctions::ProhibitStringyEval)
 ## no critic (Subroutines::ProhibitSubroutinePrototypes)
@@ -110,6 +110,17 @@ sub _gather {
 ##
 ###############################################################################
 
+sub MCE::Map::_guard::DESTROY {
+   my ($_pkg, $_id) = @{ $_[0] };
+
+   if (defined $_pkg && $_id eq "$$.$_tid") {
+      @{ $_[0] } = ();
+      MCE::Map->finish($_pkg);
+   }
+
+   return;
+}
+
 sub init (@) {
 
    shift if (defined $_[0] && $_[0] eq 'MCE::Map');
@@ -122,7 +133,9 @@ sub init (@) {
 
    @_ = ();
 
-   return;
+   defined wantarray
+      ? bless([$_pkg, "$$.$_tid"], MCE::Map::_guard::)
+      : ();
 }
 
 sub finish (@) {
@@ -453,7 +466,7 @@ MCE::Map - Parallel map model similar to the native map function
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Map version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Map version 1.897
 
 =head1 SYNOPSIS
 
@@ -572,9 +585,12 @@ Specify C<< Sereal => 0 >> to use Storable instead.
 The init function accepts a hash of MCE options. The gather option, if
 specified, is ignored due to being used internally by the module.
 
+In scalar context (API available since 1.897), call C<MCE::Map->finish>
+automatically upon leaving the scope or program.
+
  use MCE::Map;
 
- MCE::Map->init(
+ my $guard = MCE::Map->init(
     chunk_size => 1, max_workers => 4,
 
     user_begin => sub {
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Mutex.pm b/lib/MCE/Mutex.pm
index f5d42e8..a968dd6 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Mutex.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Mutex.pm
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use warnings;
 
 no warnings qw( threads recursion uninitialized );
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 ## no critic (BuiltinFunctions::ProhibitStringyEval)
 ## no critic (TestingAndDebugging::ProhibitNoStrict)
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ MCE::Mutex - Locking for Many-Core Engine
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Mutex version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Mutex version 1.897
 
 =head1 SYNOPSIS
 
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Mutex/Channel.pm b/lib/MCE/Mutex/Channel.pm
index a704610..8d163ae 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Mutex/Channel.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Mutex/Channel.pm
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use warnings;
 
 no warnings qw( threads recursion uninitialized once );
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 use if $^O eq 'MSWin32', 'threads';
 use if $^O eq 'MSWin32', 'threads::shared';
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ MCE::Mutex::Channel - Mutex locking via a pipe or socket
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Mutex::Channel version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Mutex::Channel version 1.897
 
 =head1 DESCRIPTION
 
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Mutex/Channel2.pm b/lib/MCE/Mutex/Channel2.pm
index 53edb6d..5effafb 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Mutex/Channel2.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Mutex/Channel2.pm
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use warnings;
 
 no warnings qw( threads recursion uninitialized once );
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 use if $^O eq 'MSWin32', 'threads';
 use if $^O eq 'MSWin32', 'threads::shared';
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ MCE::Mutex::Channel2 - Provides two mutexes using a single channel
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Mutex::Channel2 version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Mutex::Channel2 version 1.897
 
 =head1 DESCRIPTION
 
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Mutex/Flock.pm b/lib/MCE/Mutex/Flock.pm
index 4206882..f9ce23e 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Mutex/Flock.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Mutex/Flock.pm
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use warnings;
 
 no warnings qw( threads recursion uninitialized once );
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 use base 'MCE::Mutex';
 use Fcntl ':flock';
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ MCE::Mutex::Flock - Mutex locking via Fcntl
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Mutex::Flock version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Mutex::Flock version 1.897
 
 =head1 DESCRIPTION
 
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Queue.pm b/lib/MCE/Queue.pm
index dd7eb68..2ce1eb4 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Queue.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Queue.pm
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use warnings;
 
 no warnings qw( threads recursion uninitialized );
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 ## no critic (Subroutines::ProhibitExplicitReturnUndef)
 ## no critic (TestingAndDebugging::ProhibitNoStrict)
@@ -1506,7 +1506,7 @@ MCE::Queue - Hybrid (normal and priority) queues
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Queue version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Queue version 1.897
 
 =head1 SYNOPSIS
 
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Relay.pm b/lib/MCE/Relay.pm
index 86c0059..9611248 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Relay.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Relay.pm
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use warnings;
 
 no warnings qw( threads recursion uninitialized numeric );
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 ## no critic (Subroutines::ProhibitSubroutinePrototypes)
 
@@ -368,7 +368,7 @@ MCE::Relay - Extends Many-Core Engine with relay capabilities
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Relay version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Relay version 1.897
 
 =head1 SYNOPSIS
 
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Signal.pm b/lib/MCE/Signal.pm
index 0e39747..966b577 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Signal.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Signal.pm
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use warnings;
 
 no warnings qw( threads recursion uninitialized once );
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 ## no critic (BuiltinFunctions::ProhibitStringyEval)
 
@@ -445,7 +445,7 @@ MCE::Signal - Temporary directory creation/cleanup and signal handling
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Signal version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Signal version 1.897
 
 =head1 SYNOPSIS
 
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Step.pm b/lib/MCE/Step.pm
index e3e0a72..914b9d2 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Step.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Step.pm
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use warnings;
 
 no warnings qw( threads recursion uninitialized );
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 ## no critic (BuiltinFunctions::ProhibitStringyEval)
 ## no critic (Subroutines::ProhibitSubroutinePrototypes)
@@ -248,6 +248,17 @@ sub _task_end {
 ##
 ###############################################################################
 
+sub MCE::Step::_guard::DESTROY {
+   my ($_pkg, $_id) = @{ $_[0] };
+
+   if (defined $_pkg && $_id eq "$$.$_tid") {
+      @{ $_[0] } = ();
+      MCE::Step->finish($_pkg);
+   }
+
+   return;
+}
+
 sub init (@) {
 
    shift if (defined $_[0] && $_[0] eq 'MCE::Step');
@@ -257,7 +268,9 @@ sub init (@) {
 
    @_ = ();
 
-   return;
+   defined wantarray
+      ? bless([$_pkg, "$$.$_tid"], MCE::Step::_guard::)
+      : ();
 }
 
 sub finish (@) {
@@ -700,7 +713,7 @@ MCE::Step - Parallel step model for building creative steps
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Step version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Step version 1.897
 
 =head1 DESCRIPTION
 
@@ -982,12 +995,14 @@ Specify C<< Sereal => 0 >> to use Storable instead.
 =back
 
 The init function accepts a hash of MCE options. Unlike with MCE::Stream,
-both gather and bounds_only options may be specified when calling init
-(not shown below).
+both gather and bounds_only options may be specified (not shown below).
+
+In scalar context (API available since 1.897), call C<MCE::Step->finish>
+automatically upon leaving the scope or program.
 
  use MCE::Step;
 
- MCE::Step->init(
+ my $guard = MCE::Step->init(
     chunk_size => 1, max_workers => 4,
 
     user_begin => sub {
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Stream.pm b/lib/MCE/Stream.pm
index fd2c104..fc62363 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Stream.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Stream.pm
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use warnings;
 
 no warnings qw( threads recursion uninitialized );
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 ## no critic (BuiltinFunctions::ProhibitStringyEval)
 ## no critic (Subroutines::ProhibitSubroutinePrototypes)
@@ -147,6 +147,17 @@ sub _task_end {
 ##
 ###############################################################################
 
+sub MCE::Stream::_guard::DESTROY {
+   my ($_pkg, $_id) = @{ $_[0] };
+
+   if (defined $_pkg && $_id eq "$$.$_tid") {
+      @{ $_[0] } = ();
+      MCE::Stream->finish($_pkg);
+   }
+
+   return;
+}
+
 sub init (@) {
 
    shift if (defined $_[0] && $_[0] eq 'MCE::Stream');
@@ -159,7 +170,9 @@ sub init (@) {
 
    @_ = ();
 
-   return;
+   defined wantarray
+      ? bless([$_pkg, "$$.$_tid"], MCE::Stream::_guard::)
+      : ();
 }
 
 sub finish (@) {
@@ -678,7 +691,7 @@ MCE::Stream - Parallel stream model for chaining multiple maps and greps
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Stream version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Stream version 1.897
 
 =head1 SYNOPSIS
 
@@ -813,9 +826,12 @@ The init function accepts a hash of MCE options. The gather and bounds_only
 options, if specified, are ignored due to being used internally by the
 module (not shown below).
 
+In scalar context (API available since 1.897), call C<MCE::Stream->finish>
+automatically upon leaving the scope or program.
+
  use MCE::Stream;
 
- MCE::Stream->init(
+ my $guard = MCE::Stream->init(
     chunk_size => 1, max_workers => 4,
 
     user_begin => sub {
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Subs.pm b/lib/MCE/Subs.pm
index f91e42e..64814e8 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Subs.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Subs.pm
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use warnings;
 
 no warnings qw( threads recursion uninitialized );
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 ## no critic (Subroutines::ProhibitSubroutinePrototypes)
 ## no critic (TestingAndDebugging::ProhibitNoStrict)
@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@ MCE::Subs - Exports functions mapped directly to MCE methods
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Subs version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Subs version 1.897
 
 =head1 SYNOPSIS
 
diff --git a/lib/MCE/Util.pm b/lib/MCE/Util.pm
index d81f4d2..289a8dd 100644
--- a/lib/MCE/Util.pm
+++ b/lib/MCE/Util.pm
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use warnings;
 
 no warnings qw( threads recursion uninitialized numeric );
 
-our $VERSION = '1.896';
+our $VERSION = '1.897';
 
 ## no critic (BuiltinFunctions::ProhibitStringyEval)
 
@@ -435,7 +435,7 @@ MCE::Util - Utility functions
 
 =head1 VERSION
 
-This document describes MCE::Util version 1.896
+This document describes MCE::Util version 1.897
 
 =head1 SYNOPSIS
 
diff --git a/t/06_candy.t b/t/06_candy.t
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d40450f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/t/06_candy.t
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env perl
+
+use strict;
+use warnings;
+
+use Test::More;
+
+BEGIN {
+   use_ok 'MCE';
+   use_ok 'MCE::Flow';
+   use_ok 'MCE::Candy';
+}
+
+{
+   my @data;
+
+   MCE->new(
+      max_workers => 4,
+      input_data => [ 1 .. 4 ],
+      gather => MCE::Candy::out_iter_array(\@data),
+      user_func => sub {
+         my ($mce, $chunk_ref, $chunk_id) = @_;
+         MCE->gather( $chunk_id, $chunk_ref->[0] * 2 );
+      }
+   )->run;
+
+   is( join('', @data), '2468', 'check out_iter_array' );
+}
+
+{
+   my @data;
+
+   sub append_data {
+      push @data, $_[0];
+   }
+
+   mce_flow {
+      max_workers => 4,
+      gather => MCE::Candy::out_iter_callback(\&append_data)
+   },
+   sub {
+      MCE->gather( MCE->wid, MCE->wid * 2 );
+   };
+
+   MCE::Flow->finish;
+
+   is( join('', @data), '2468', 'check out_iter_callback' );
+}
+
+done_testing;
+