# Skipping Specs and Suites

Specs and suites can be skipped from execution by prefixing certain functions with the letter `x` or by using the skip argument in each of them or by using the `skip( message, detail )` function. The reporters will show that these suites or specs were skipped from execution. The functions you can prefix are:

* `it()`
* `describe()`
* `story()`
* `given()`
* `when()`
* `then()`
* `feature()`

Here are some examples:

```javascript
xdescribe("A spec", function() {
     it("was just skipped, so I will never execute", ()=>{
          coldbox = 0;
          coldbox++;

          expect( coldbox ).toBe( 1 );
     });
});

describe("A spec", function() {
     it("is just a closure, so it can contain any code", ()=>{
          coldbox = 0;
          coldbox++;
          expect( coldbox ).toBe( 1 );
     });

     xit("can have more than one expectation, but I am skipped", ()=> {
          coldbox = 0;
          coldbox++;
          expect( coldbox ).toBe( 1 );
          expect( coldbox ).toBeTrue();
     });
     
     it( "can only run on lucee", ()=>{
          if( !server.keyExists( "lucee" ) ){
               skip( "Only for lucee" );
          }
     } );
});
```

## Skip Argument

The `skip` argument can be a boolean value or a closure. If the value is **true** then the suite or spec is skipped. If the return value of the closure is **true** then the suite or spec is skipped. Using the closure approach allows you to dynamically at runtime figure out if the desired spec or suite is skipped. This is such a great way to prepare tests for different CFML engines.

```javascript
describe(title="A railo suite", body=function() {
     it("can be expected to run", function() {
          coldbox = 0;
          coldbox++;

          expect( coldbox ).toBe( 1 );
     });

     it(title="can have more than one expectation and another skip closure", body=function() {
          coldbox = 0;
          coldbox++;

          expect( coldbox ).toBe( 1 );
          expect( coldbox ).toBeTrue();

     },skip=function(){
          return false;
     });

},skip=function(){
     return !structKeyExists( server, "railo" );
});
```

## Skip Method

You can now use the `skip( message, dteail )` method to skip any spec or suite a-la-carte instead of as an argument to the function definitions.  This lets you programmatically skip certain specs and suites and pass a nice message.

```cfscript
it( "can do something", () => {
    ...
    if( condition ){
        skip( "Condition is true, skipping spec" )
    }
    ...
} )
```