diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index bb35628..047f7a7 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -17,6 +17,23 @@ jobs:
       pull-requests: write
       id-token: write
     steps:
+      - name: Validate Private Key Format
+        run: |
+          echo "Checking private key format..."
+          if echo "$PRIVATE_KEY" | grep -q "BEGIN RSA PRIVATE KEY"; then
+            echo "✓ Private key contains BEGIN RSA PRIVATE KEY"
+          else
+            echo "✗ Private key missing BEGIN RSA PRIVATE KEY header"
+          fi
+          if echo "$PRIVATE_KEY" | grep -q "END RSA PRIVATE KEY"; then
+            echo "✓ Private key contains END RSA PRIVATE KEY"
+          else
+            echo "✗ Private key missing END RSA PRIVATE KEY footer"
+          fi
+          echo "Private key line count: $(echo "$PRIVATE_KEY" | wc -l)"
+        env:
+          PRIVATE_KEY: ${{ secrets.APP_PRIVATE_KEY }}
+
       - name: Generate GitHub App Token
         id: generate-token
         uses: actions/create-github-app-token@v1