> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/process-flows/building-process-flows/skipping-shapes.md).

# Skipping shapes

## Introduction

When designing process flow, it can be useful to skip specific shapes to speed up the testing process - for example, you might skip a receiving connector shape so you're not pulling actual data for tests, and enter a small, manual payload instead.

When a shape is marked as `skip`, whatever the shape is designed to do does not happen - this step in the flow is ignored.

## Need to know

* All shapes except the [trigger shape](/product-documentation/process-flows/building-process-flows/process-flow-shapes/standard-shapes/trigger-shape.md) can be skipped.
* You can skip any number of shapes in a process flow.
* Skipping a [route shape](/product-documentation/process-flows/building-process-flows/process-flow-shapes/standard-shapes/route-shape.md) or a [try/catch shape](/product-documentation/process-flows/building-process-flows/process-flow-shapes/standard-shapes/try-catch-shape.md) effectively ends the flow run at that point since any defined routes won't start.
* When a shape is set to skip and then saved, that shape's appearance in the flow is faded and summary actions are crossed through - a `skipped` label is also shown.
* Skipped shapes show as warnings in logs with a `flow step skipped` message.

## How to mark a shape as skipped

**Step 1**\
In your process flow, click the 'settings' icon for the shape that you want to skip - for example:

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/wAANqQxEUn4zO46dJUCe" alt="" width="326"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

**Step 2**\
Set the **skip** toggle option (at the top of the settings drawer) to ON - for example:

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/sdhihcUbDoygPbMCijkn" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

**Step 3**\
Save settings:

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/Amz0KoVRkobdUWeHYJCt" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

**Step 4**\
Repeat for all shapes that you want to skip. These shapes are marked as `skipped` and their appearance is faded with summary actions crossed through - for example:

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/A0GuVV3A51qSdnKzxTum" alt="" width="309"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

**Step 5**\
Run/test your process flow as normal. In the run logs, you'll notice that any skipped shapes are noted as such - for example:

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/P2vqJ6GWpaWvGbjiKZJe" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

**Step 6**\
When you're ready to reinstate a skipped shape, access shape settings and toggle the **skip** option back to OFF, then save changes.