# Traverse (Read)

This is the simplest (and perhaps most used) operator. It is used to navigate deeply into yaml structures.


## NOTE --yaml-fix-merge-anchor-to-spec flag
`yq` doesn't merge anchors `<<:` to spec, in some circumstances it incorrectly overrides existing keys when the spec documents not to do that.

To minimise disruption while still fixing the issue, a flag has been added to toggle this behaviour. This will first default to false; and log warnings to users. Then it will default to true (and still allow users to specify false if needed)

See examples of the flag differences below, where LEGACY is the flag off; and FIXED is with the flag on.

