diff --git a/action.yml b/action.yml
index 0c16bf5..ecada4b 100644
--- a/action.yml
+++ b/action.yml
@@ -37,11 +37,11 @@ runs:
         # 1. Setup the SSH directory
         mkdir -p ~/.ssh
         chmod 700 ~/.ssh
-        
-        # 2. Decode the Base64 secret back into a properly formatted file
-        echo "$SSH_KEY" | base64 --decode > ~/.ssh/gitea_key
+
+        # 2. Write the private key to a file as-is
+        printf '%s\n' "$SSH_KEY" > ~/.ssh/gitea_key
         chmod 600 ~/.ssh/gitea_key
-        
+
         # 3. Configure SSH for the custom port and bypass host key prompt
         cat >> ~/.ssh/config <<EOF
         Host $HOST
@@ -50,19 +50,19 @@ runs:
           IdentityFile ~/.ssh/gitea_key
           StrictHostKeyChecking no
         EOF
-        
+
         # 4. Ensure workspace is empty before cloning
         cd $GITHUB_WORKSPACE
         find . -mindepth 1 -delete
-        
+
         # 5. Clone the repository
         echo "Cloning $REPO..."
         git clone ssh://git@$HOST:$PORT/$REPO.git .
-        
+
         # 6. Checkout the specific ref
         if [ -n "$REF" ]; then
           echo "Checking out ref: $REF"
           git checkout "$REF"
         else
           echo "No Ref provided to checkout!"
-        fi
\ No newline at end of file
+        fi