diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/test.yml b/.gitea/workflows/test.yml
index 785ba96..a5fff88 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/test.yml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/test.yml
@@ -86,6 +86,17 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
 
     steps:
+       # Checkout repository first (critical)
+      - name: Checkout repository
+        uses: actions/checkout@v3
+        env:
+          TOKEN: ${{ secrets.ACCESS_TOKEN }}
+          CLONE_URL: ${{ vars.CLONE_URL }}
+        with:
+          repository: ${{ gitea.repository }}
+          token: ${{ secrets.ACCESS_TOKEN }}
+          ref: ${{ gitea.ref }}
+
       # Setup Java 21 and Maven with caching
       - name: Set up Java & Maven
         uses: actions/setup-java@v4
@@ -102,9 +113,10 @@ jobs:
           restore-keys: |
             maven-${{ runner.os }}-
 
-      - name: Build & test backend
+      - name: Test & build backend
         working-directory: ./src
         run: |
+          echo "Started test & build backend..."
           mvn clean install -B
           mvn clean verify package -B