# Is it possible to skip some watcher inputs if an earlier input returns hits in Elasticsearch?
**URL:** https://discuss.elastic.co/t/is-it-possible-to-skip-some-watcher-inputs-if-an-earlier-input-returns-hits-in-elasticsearch/381155
**Category:** Elasticsearch
**Tags:** elastic-stack-alerting
**Created:** [August 20, 2025, 8:26am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/is-it-possible-to-skip-some-watcher-inputs-if-an-earlier-input-returns-hits-in-elasticsearch/381155 "2025-08-20T08:26:05Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Simriti\_Bundhoo](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/Simriti_Bundhoo)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2025, 8:26am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/is-it-possible-to-skip-some-watcher-inputs-if-an-earlier-input-returns-hits-in-elasticsearch/381155/1 "2025-08-20T08:26:05Z")
Hi all,
I’m working on an Elasticsearch Watcher that has multiple search inputs. What I want to do is:
- Run the first input query.
- If this query returns more than 0 hits, I want to **skip running the other inputs** entirely and go straight to evaluating the condition and actions.
Basically, I’m looking for a way to short-circuit the inputs so that if one already satisfies a condition (like hits \> 0), the other queries don’t run at all.
Is there a way to achieve this in Elasticsearch Watcher? If not directly, what would be the best workaround?
Thanks in advance!
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### Author:  [@Tortoise](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/Tortoise)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2025, 11:33am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/is-it-possible-to-skip-some-watcher-inputs-if-an-earlier-input-returns-hits-in-elasticsearch/381155/2 "2025-08-20T11:33:30Z")
Hi @Simriti_Bundhoo
Interesting use-case.
So as per understanding you are using chain input which will have multiple inputs?
InputA \> 0
InputB \> 2
InputC \> Ignore execution
InputD \> Ignore execution
InputE \> Ignore execution
move to condition \> action part
As per the documentation i do not think we can skip this at input level, this will have to be evaluated at condition level using transform.
Why you want to short-circuit , these inputs are taking more time to execute ?
What if 2 inputs have hits \> 0 ?
Thanks!!
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### Author:  [@Simriti\_Bundhoo](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/Simriti_Bundhoo)
#### Post date: [August 21, 2025, 2:41am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/is-it-possible-to-skip-some-watcher-inputs-if-an-earlier-input-returns-hits-in-elasticsearch/381155/3 "2025-08-21T02:41:54Z")
Hello, yes, my goal is to save time by avoiding unnecessary executions. In the example you gave, I am only interested in whether **InputB has hits \> 0**. Once that condition is met, I want to move immediately to the condition/action part.
If InputB meets the criteria, I am not concerned with the results of Input A, C, D, or E; there Is no need to process the rest.
I guess since it is not possible to skip, then I do not really have a choice haha. Thanks!