diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml b/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml
index ec9e0e1..2194a82 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/deploy.yml
@@ -79,6 +79,11 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           cd /opt/zhixi/backend && npx prisma generate
 
+      - name: Test-run API to capture startup errors
+        run: |
+          cd /opt/zhixi/backend
+          timeout 5 node dist/main.js 2>&1 || true
+
       - name: Restart API service
         run: |
           sudo systemctl restart zhixi-api