diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/docker-push.yml b/.gitea/workflows/docker-push.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8334410
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/docker-push.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+name: Docker Push Validation
+
+# Phase 3 validation: docker/login-action + docker build + docker push.
+# Runs on the `host` label so it uses the runner's bundled Docker CLI and the
+# mounted /var/run/docker.sock. Pushes a small throwaway image to a -citest path.
+#
+# Requires repo Action secrets REGISTRY_USER / REGISTRY_TOKEN.
+
+on:
+  workflow_dispatch:
+
+jobs:
+  build-push:
+    runs-on: host
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+      - name: Log in to Gitea Container Registry
+        uses: docker/login-action@v3
+        with:
+          registry: registry.alwisp.com
+          username: ${{ secrets.REGISTRY_USER }}
+          password: ${{ secrets.REGISTRY_TOKEN }}
+
+      - name: Build and push a test image
+        run: |
+          IMAGE="registry.alwisp.com/jason/forgerunner-citest"
+          TAG="${{ gitea.sha }}"
+          # Minimal image built from a cached base — validates build + push only.
+          printf 'FROM ubuntu:22.04\nRUN echo "forgerunner CI push OK at build time"\n' > Dockerfile.citest
+          docker build -t "${IMAGE}:${TAG}" -t "${IMAGE}:latest" -f Dockerfile.citest .
+          docker push "${IMAGE}:${TAG}"
+          docker push "${IMAGE}:latest"
+          echo "Pushed ${IMAGE}:${TAG}"