# In a Kyverno mutate overlay (patchStrategicMerge), what does the +() anchor do, as in '+(imagePullPolicy): IfNotPresent'?

Kyverno, Hard (Expert), Mutation. https://k8wiz.com/uquiz/in-a-kyverno-mutate-overlay-patchstrategicmerge-what-does-the-anchor-do-as-in-imagepullpolicy-ifnotpresent

- A. Always overwrites the field
- B. Adds the field only if it isn't already set
- C. Removes the field if it is present
- D. Appends the value to a list field

**Answer:** Adds the field only if it isn't already set

**Explanation:** +() is the add-if-not-present anchor. In this example Kyverno sets imagePullPolicy only on containers that don't define one and leaves existing values alone. Without the anchor, the overlay overwrites the field every time.