Fix false positive for RSpec/LeakyLocalVariable when variables are used only in example metadata

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 
 ## Master (Unreleased)
 
+- Fix a false positive for `RSpec/LeakyLocalVariable` when variables are used only in example metadata (e.g., skip messages). ([@ydah])
+
 ## 3.8.0 (2025-11-12)
 
 - Add new cop `RSpec/LeakyLocalVariable`. ([@lovro-bikic])

docs/modules/ROOT/pages/cops_rspec.adoc

@@ -3474,6 +3474,13 @@ it "#{attribute} is persisted" do
   expectations
 end
 
+# good - when variable is used only in example metadata
+skip_message = 'not yet implemented'
+
+it 'does something', skip: skip_message do
+  expectations
+end
+
 # good - when variable is used only to include other examples
 examples = foo ? 'some examples' : 'other examples'
 

lib/rubocop/cop/rspec/leaky_local_variable.rb

@@ -57,6 +57,13 @@ module RSpec
       #     expectations
       #   end
       #
+      #   # good - when variable is used only in example metadata
+      #   skip_message = 'not yet implemented'
+      #
+      #   it 'does something', skip: skip_message do
+      #     expectations
+      #   end
+      #
       #   # good - when variable is used only to include other examples
       #   examples = foo ? 'some examples' : 'other examples'
       #
@@ -103,6 +110,8 @@ def check_references(variable)
         def allowed_reference?(node)
           node.each_ancestor.any? do |ancestor|
             next true if example_method?(ancestor)
+            next true if in_example_arguments?(ancestor, node)
+
             if includes_method?(ancestor)
               next allowed_includes_arguments?(ancestor, node)
             end
@@ -111,6 +120,15 @@ def allowed_reference?(node)
           end
         end
 
+        def in_example_arguments?(ancestor, node)
+          return false unless ancestor.send_type?
+          return false unless Examples.all(ancestor.method_name)
+
+          ancestor.arguments.any? do |arg|
+            arg.equal?(node) || arg.each_descendant.any?(node)
+          end
+        end
+
         def allowed_includes_arguments?(node, argument)
           node.arguments[1..].all? do |argument_node|
             next true if argument_node.type?(:dstr, :dsym)

spec/rubocop/cop/rspec/leaky_local_variable_spec.rb

@@ -316,4 +316,44 @@
       end
     RUBY
   end
+
+  it 'does not register an offense when variable is used only in skip ' \
+     'metadata' do
+    expect_no_offenses(<<~RUBY)
+      describe SomeClass do
+        skip_message = 'not yet implemented'
+
+        it 'does something', skip: skip_message do
+          expect(1 + 2).to eq(3)
+        end
+      end
+    RUBY
+  end
+
+  it 'does not register an offense when variable is used only in pending ' \
+     'metadata' do
+    expect_no_offenses(<<~RUBY)
+      describe SomeClass do
+        pending_message = 'work in progress'
+
+        it 'does something', pending: pending_message do
+          expect(1 + 2).to eq(3)
+        end
+      end
+    RUBY
+  end
+
+  it 'registers an offense when variable is used in skip metadata and in ' \
+     'block body' do
+    expect_offense(<<~RUBY)
+      describe SomeClass do
+        skip_message = 'not yet implemented'
+        ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Do not use local variables defined outside of examples inside of them.
+
+        it 'does something', skip: skip_message do
+          puts skip_message
+        end
+      end
+    RUBY
+  end
 end