diff --git a/.github/workflows/build.yaml b/.github/workflows/build.yaml
index 1f2e2e3a..c351ea66 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build.yaml
@@ -22,12 +22,31 @@ env:
   CONTAINER_REGISTRY: ${{ github.event.pull_request.number && 'k3d-myregistry.localhost:5050/radius-project/dev' || 'k3d-myregistry.localhost:5050/radius-project' }}
   # Set to true to push images to registry.
   PUSH_IMAGE: true
-
+  
 jobs:
+  setup-cluster:
+    name: create cluster with local registry
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    permissions:
+      contents: read
+      packages: write
+    steps:
+      - name: Download k3d
+        run: wget -q -O - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/k3d-io/k3d/main/install.sh | bash
+      - name: Create registry
+        run: k3d registry create myregistry --port 5050
+      - name: Create k3d cluster
+        id: create-k3d-cluster
+        run: |
+          echo "testing local registry ....................."
+          k3d cluster create --agents 1 --k3s-arg "--disable=traefik@server:0" --registry-use myregistry:5050
+          PORT="$(docker ps -f name=mycluster-registry)"
+          echo "$PORT" 
   build-ghcr:
     name: Build and push sample images to GHCR
     if: github.event.action != 'closed'
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    needs: setup-cluster
     permissions:
       contents: read
       packages: write