diff --git a/structs.go b/structs.go
index 7d2679e..e9916b5 100644
--- a/structs.go
+++ b/structs.go
@@ -12,6 +12,13 @@ type RepoStatus struct {
 	tags    map[string]string
 	InitOk	bool // it takes a second or so to init these
 
+	// used to temporarily tell the automation tools to
+	// try to ignore this repo's changes and state
+	// specifically when doing formal releases, sometimes
+	// some repos are in flux and can't be changed. This
+	// means attempt to overlook that situation.
+	Whitelist bool
+
 	window *gadgets.BasicWindow // the main window for this repo
 	Tags   *GitTagBox           // a box of all the git tags