diff --git a/action.yml b/action.yml
index 6335bb6..a2d59b4 100644
--- a/action.yml
+++ b/action.yml
@@ -38,9 +38,8 @@ runs:
         mkdir -p ~/.ssh
         chmod 700 ~/.ssh
         
-        # 2. Safely write the private key and force a trailing newline
-        cat <<< "$SSH_KEY" > ~/.ssh/gitea_key
-        echo "" >> ~/.ssh/gitea_key
+        # 2. Decode the Base64 secret back into a properly formatted file
+        echo "$SSH_KEY" | base64 --decode > ~/.ssh/gitea_key
         chmod 600 ~/.ssh/gitea_key
         
         # 3. Configure SSH for the custom port and bypass host key prompt