# AWS AppSync directives
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**Note**  
We now primarily support the APPSYNC\$1JS runtime and its documentation. Please consider using the APPSYNC\$1JS runtime and its guides [here](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/appsync/latest/devguide/resolver-reference-js-version.html).

AWS AppSync exposes directives to facilitate developer productivity when writing in VTL.

## Directive utils
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****`#return(Object)`****  
The `#return(Object)` allows you to prematurely return from any mapping template. `#return(Object)` is analogous to the *return* keyword in programming languages, as it will return from the closest scoped block of logic. Using `#return(Object)` inside of a resolver mapping template will return from the resolver. Additionally, using `#return(Object)` from a function mapping template will return from the function and will continue the run to either the next function in the pipeline or the resolver response mapping template.

****`#return`****  
The `#return` directive exhibits the same behaviors as `#return(Object)`, but `null` will be returned instead.