# unprotect_branch

Remove protection from a previously protected branch

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `unprotect_branch`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/unprotect-branch

## Facts

- Tool: `unprotect_branch`
- Server: Gitlab Mcp (`@zereight/mcp-gitlab`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp.md
- Install: `npx -y @zereight/mcp-gitlab`
- Homepage: https://github.com/zereight/gitlab-mcp
- Risk category: Destructive (Critical risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Hidden

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "unprotect_branch",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why unprotect_branch is rated Critical

Removing branch protection is an irreversible security configuration change that exposes the branch to force pushes, deletions, and unreviewed commits. This weakens access controls and cannot be automatically undone, making it destructive in nature with high blast radius if misused by an AI agent.

From the tool's own definition: "Remove protection from a previously protected branch"

## Use case

AI agents call unprotect_branch to permanently remove resources in Gitlab Mcp, typically in cleanup and lifecycle workflows. It does its job in a single call, and there is no undo.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Hidden**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches Gitlab Mcp:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "hide": [
    "unprotect_branch"
  ]
}
```

## Other tools on Gitlab Mcp (214)

- `cancel_pipeline_job` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/cancel-pipeline-job.md
- `delete_branch` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-branch.md
- `delete_draft_note` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-draft-note.md
- `delete_group_variable` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-group-variable.md
- `delete_group_wiki_page` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-group-wiki-page.md
- `delete_issue` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-issue.md
- `delete_issue_emoji_reaction` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-issue-emoji-reaction.md
- `delete_issue_link` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-issue-link.md
- `delete_issue_note_emoji_reaction` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-issue-note-emoji-reaction.md
- `delete_label` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-label.md
- `delete_merge_request_discussion_note` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-merge-request-discussion-note.md
- `delete_merge_request_emoji_reaction` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-merge-request-emoji-reaction.md
- `delete_merge_request_note` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-merge-request-note.md
- `delete_merge_request_note_emoji_reaction` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-merge-request-note-emoji-reaction.md
- `delete_milestone` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-milestone.md
- `delete_project_variable` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-project-variable.md
- `delete_release` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-release.md
- `delete_tag` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-tag.md
- `delete_wiki_page` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-wiki-page.md
- `delete_work_item_emoji_reaction` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-work-item-emoji-reaction.md
- `delete_work_item_note_emoji_reaction` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/delete-work-item-note-emoji-reaction.md
- `omg_clear_state` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/omg-clear-state.md
- `omg_delete_memory` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/omg-delete-memory.md
- `purge_dependency_proxy_cache` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/purge-dependency-proxy-cache.md
- `cancel_pipeline` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/cancel-pipeline.md
- `create_pipeline` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/create-pipeline.md
- `execute_graphql` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/execute-graphql.md
- `omg_next_phase` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/omg-next-phase.md
- `play_pipeline_job` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/play-pipeline-job.md
- `retry_pipeline` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp/retry-pipeline.md
- …and 184 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

---

Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/io-github-zereight-gitlab-mcp