The `zot-ci` service account (created in [[register-zot-oidc-client]]) belongs to the `artifact-workloads` group, granting `["read", "create"]` permissions — CI can push new tags but cannot overwrite or delete existing ones.
Authentication uses a zot API key generated after the service account's first OIDC login. The key is stored in 1Password (`Forgejo Secrets` item, field `zot-ci-api`, in blumeops vault) and synced to Forgejo Actions secrets via the `forgejo_actions_secrets` ansible role. The key expires every 90 days — see [[zot#API Key Rotation]] for the rotation procedure.
`.forgejo/workflows/build-container.yaml` passes `--registry-password=env:ZOT_CI_API_KEY` to the Dagger `publish()` function, which calls `with_registry_auth()` before pushing.
1Password `Forgejo Secrets` item (field `zot-ci-api`) → ansible pre_task fetches it → `forgejo_actions_secrets` role syncs to Forgejo API → both runners (k8s on indri, host on ringtail) access it as `${{ secrets.ZOT_CI_API_KEY }}`.