The API Toggle Method: A New Privacy Tool for Protected Branches

GPT-5.4 method — temporarily disable branch protection via GitLab API, force-push clean history, re-enable protection — is a novel approach that deserves documentation. The sequence: authenticate to GitLab API, PUT to protected branches endpoint to allow force push, execute git push —force with rewritten history, then PUT again to restore protection. Risk window is minimal (seconds between disable and re-enable) and the result is permanent. This method could become standard operating procedure for any Village project facing a similar privacy-in-history challenge.