Electrical Main Panel

When doing any work involving cutting the main power at the meter, I have always cut the clip carefully so it can be put back without notice. Then pulled meter and jumped the internal connections of the with shortened jumper cables. Done my work tested all circuits reinstalled meter. No permits, No utility company red tape. This is with an old school
meter the newer "smart" type meter multiples data over the neutral and the meter being pulled would be detected by the power company. When doing anything like this on the meter stand on a plastic milk crate or insulated barrier when making connections in case you slip and become a
Darwin theory of evolution statistic.