diff --git a/.github/workflows/test.yml b/.github/workflows/test.yml
index 87360d3ba..3607f5936 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test.yml
@@ -205,3 +205,41 @@ jobs:
           path: basic
       - name: Verify basic
         run: __test__/verify-basic.sh --archive
+    
+  test-git-container:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    container: bitnami/git:latest
+    steps:
+      # Clone this repo
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@v3
+        with:
+          path: v3
+
+      # Basic checkout using git
+      - name: Checkout basic
+        uses: ./v3
+        with:
+          ref: test-data/v2/basic
+      - name: Verify basic
+        run: |
+          if [ ! -f "./basic-file.txt" ]; then
+              echo "Expected basic file does not exist"
+              exit 1
+          fi
+
+          # Verify .git folder
+          if [ ! -d "./.git" ]; then
+            echo "Expected ./.git folder to exist"
+            exit 1
+          fi
+
+          # Verify auth token
+          git config --global --add safe.directory "*"
+          git fetch --no-tags --depth=1 origin +refs/heads/main:refs/remotes/origin/main
+
+      # needed to make checkout post cleanup succeed
+      - name: Fix Checkout v3
+        uses: actions/checkout@v3
+        with:
+          path: v3
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 6f40def82..530287003 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## v2.4.1
+- [Set the safe directory option on git to prevent git commands failing when running in containers](https://github.com/actions/checkout/pull/762)
+
 ## v2.3.1
 
 - [Fix default branch resolution for .wiki and when using SSH](https://github.com/actions/checkout/pull/284)
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 775cee592..dd09e13f6 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -105,6 +105,11 @@ Refer [here](https://github.com/actions/checkout/blob/v1/README.md) for previous
     #
     # Default: false
     submodules: ''
+
+    # Add repository path as safe.directory for Git global config by running `git
+    # config --global --add safe.directory <path>`
+    # Default: true
+    set-safe-directory: ''
 ```
 <!-- end usage -->
 
diff --git a/__test__/git-auth-helper.test.ts b/__test__/git-auth-helper.test.ts
index e14e948fb..a6731c2b4 100644
--- a/__test__/git-auth-helper.test.ts
+++ b/__test__/git-auth-helper.test.ts
@@ -643,10 +643,11 @@ describe('git-auth-helper tests', () => {
     expect(gitConfigContent.indexOf('http.')).toBeLessThan(0)
   })
 
-  const removeGlobalAuth_removesOverride = 'removeGlobalAuth removes override'
-  it(removeGlobalAuth_removesOverride, async () => {
+  const removeGlobalConfig_removesOverride =
+    'removeGlobalConfig removes override'
+  it(removeGlobalConfig_removesOverride, async () => {
     // Arrange
-    await setup(removeGlobalAuth_removesOverride)
+    await setup(removeGlobalConfig_removesOverride)
     const authHelper = gitAuthHelper.createAuthHelper(git, settings)
     await authHelper.configureAuth()
     await authHelper.configureGlobalAuth()
@@ -655,7 +656,7 @@ describe('git-auth-helper tests', () => {
     await fs.promises.stat(path.join(git.env['HOME'], '.gitconfig'))
 
     // Act
-    await authHelper.removeGlobalAuth()
+    await authHelper.removeGlobalConfig()
 
     // Assert
     expect(git.env['HOME']).toBeUndefined()
@@ -776,7 +777,8 @@ async function setup(testName: string): Promise<void> {
     sshKey: sshPath ? 'some ssh private key' : '',
     sshKnownHosts: '',
     sshStrict: true,
-    workflowOrganizationId: 123456
+    workflowOrganizationId: 123456,
+    setSafeDirectory: true
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/__test__/input-helper.test.ts b/__test__/input-helper.test.ts
index a31b11cfa..1a8e5c96d 100644
--- a/__test__/input-helper.test.ts
+++ b/__test__/input-helper.test.ts
@@ -85,6 +85,7 @@ describe('input-helper tests', () => {
     expect(settings.repositoryName).toBe('some-repo')
     expect(settings.repositoryOwner).toBe('some-owner')
     expect(settings.repositoryPath).toBe(gitHubWorkspace)
+    expect(settings.setSafeDirectory).toBe(true)
   })
 
   it('qualifies ref', async () => {
diff --git a/action.yml b/action.yml
index 91d39826c..96c535ef7 100644
--- a/action.yml
+++ b/action.yml
@@ -68,7 +68,10 @@ inputs:
       When the `ssh-key` input is not provided, SSH URLs beginning with `git@github.com:` are
       converted to HTTPS.
     default: false
+  set-safe-directory:
+    description: Add repository path as safe.directory for Git global config by running `git config --global --add safe.directory <path>`
+    default: true
 runs:
-  using: node12
+  using: node16
   main: dist/index.js
   post: dist/index.js
diff --git a/dist/index.js b/dist/index.js
index 8542f7dfc..94195a26b 100644
--- a/dist/index.js
+++ b/dist/index.js
@@ -3592,7 +3592,7 @@ var __importStar = (this && this.__importStar) || function (mod) {
     return result;
 };
 Object.defineProperty(exports, "__esModule", { value: true });
-exports.setSshKnownHostsPath = exports.setSshKeyPath = exports.setRepositoryPath = exports.SshKnownHostsPath = exports.SshKeyPath = exports.RepositoryPath = exports.IsPost = void 0;
+exports.setSafeDirectory = exports.setSshKnownHostsPath = exports.setSshKeyPath = exports.setRepositoryPath = exports.SshKnownHostsPath = exports.SshKeyPath = exports.PostSetSafeDirectory = exports.RepositoryPath = exports.IsPost = void 0;
 const coreCommand = __importStar(__webpack_require__(431));
 /**
  * Indicates whether the POST action is running
@@ -3602,6 +3602,10 @@ exports.IsPost = !!process.env['STATE_isPost'];
  * The repository path for the POST action. The value is empty during the MAIN action.
  */
 exports.RepositoryPath = process.env['STATE_repositoryPath'] || '';
+/**
+ * The set-safe-directory for the POST action. The value is set if input: 'safe-directory' is set during the MAIN action.
+ */
+exports.PostSetSafeDirectory = process.env['STATE_setSafeDirectory'] === 'true';
 /**
  * The SSH key path for the POST action. The value is empty during the MAIN action.
  */
@@ -3631,6 +3635,13 @@ function setSshKnownHostsPath(sshKnownHostsPath) {
     coreCommand.issueCommand('save-state', { name: 'sshKnownHostsPath' }, sshKnownHostsPath);
 }
 exports.setSshKnownHostsPath = setSshKnownHostsPath;
+/**
+ * Save the sef-safe-directory input so the POST action can retrieve the value.
+ */
+function setSafeDirectory() {
+    coreCommand.issueCommand('save-state', { name: 'setSafeDirectory' }, 'true');
+}
+exports.setSafeDirectory = setSafeDirectory;
 // Publish a variable so that when the POST action runs, it can determine it should run the cleanup logic.
 // This is necessary since we don't have a separate entry point.
 if (!exports.IsPost) {
@@ -6572,9 +6583,13 @@ class GitAuthHelper {
             yield this.configureToken();
         });
     }
-    configureGlobalAuth() {
-        var _a;
+    configureTempGlobalConfig() {
+        var _a, _b;
         return __awaiter(this, void 0, void 0, function* () {
+            // Already setup global config
+            if (((_a = this.temporaryHomePath) === null || _a === void 0 ? void 0 : _a.length) > 0) {
+                return path.join(this.temporaryHomePath, '.gitconfig');
+            }
             // Create a temp home directory
             const runnerTemp = process.env['RUNNER_TEMP'] || '';
             assert.ok(runnerTemp, 'RUNNER_TEMP is not defined');
@@ -6590,7 +6605,7 @@ class GitAuthHelper {
                 configExists = true;
             }
             catch (err) {
-                if (((_a = err) === null || _a === void 0 ? void 0 : _a.code) !== 'ENOENT') {
+                if (((_b = err) === null || _b === void 0 ? void 0 : _b.code) !== 'ENOENT') {
                     throw err;
                 }
             }
@@ -6601,10 +6616,17 @@ class GitAuthHelper {
             else {
                 yield fs.promises.writeFile(newGitConfigPath, '');
             }
+            // Override HOME
+            core.info(`Temporarily overriding HOME='${this.temporaryHomePath}' before making global git config changes`);
+            this.git.setEnvironmentVariable('HOME', this.temporaryHomePath);
+            return newGitConfigPath;
+        });
+    }
+    configureGlobalAuth() {
+        return __awaiter(this, void 0, void 0, function* () {
+            // 'configureTempGlobalConfig' noops if already set, just returns the path
+            const newGitConfigPath = yield this.configureTempGlobalConfig();
             try {
-                // Override HOME
-                core.info(`Temporarily overriding HOME='${this.temporaryHomePath}' before making global git config changes`);
-                this.git.setEnvironmentVariable('HOME', this.temporaryHomePath);
                 // Configure the token
                 yield this.configureToken(newGitConfigPath, true);
                 // Configure HTTPS instead of SSH
@@ -6657,11 +6679,14 @@ class GitAuthHelper {
             yield this.removeToken();
         });
     }
-    removeGlobalAuth() {
+    removeGlobalConfig() {
+        var _a;
         return __awaiter(this, void 0, void 0, function* () {
-            core.debug(`Unsetting HOME override`);
-            this.git.removeEnvironmentVariable('HOME');
-            yield io.rmRF(this.temporaryHomePath);
+            if (((_a = this.temporaryHomePath) === null || _a === void 0 ? void 0 : _a.length) > 0) {
+                core.debug(`Unsetting HOME override`);
+                this.git.removeEnvironmentVariable('HOME');
+                yield io.rmRF(this.temporaryHomePath);
+            }
         });
     }
     configureSsh() {
@@ -7326,40 +7351,59 @@ function getSource(settings) {
         core.startGroup('Getting Git version info');
         const git = yield getGitCommandManager(settings);
         core.endGroup();
-        // Prepare existing directory, otherwise recreate
-        if (isExisting) {
-            yield gitDirectoryHelper.prepareExistingDirectory(git, settings.repositoryPath, repositoryUrl, settings.clean, settings.ref);
-        }
-        if (!git) {
-            // Downloading using REST API
-            core.info(`The repository will be downloaded using the GitHub REST API`);
-            core.info(`To create a local Git repository instead, add Git ${gitCommandManager.MinimumGitVersion} or higher to the PATH`);
-            if (settings.submodules) {
-                throw new Error(`Input 'submodules' not supported when falling back to download using the GitHub REST API. To create a local Git repository instead, add Git ${gitCommandManager.MinimumGitVersion} or higher to the PATH.`);
+        let authHelper = null;
+        try {
+            if (git) {
+                authHelper = gitAuthHelper.createAuthHelper(git, settings);
+                if (settings.setSafeDirectory) {
+                    // Setup the repository path as a safe directory, so if we pass this into a container job with a different user it doesn't fail
+                    // Otherwise all git commands we run in a container fail
+                    yield authHelper.configureTempGlobalConfig();
+                    core.info(`Adding repository directory to the temporary git global config as a safe directory`);
+                    yield git
+                        .config('safe.directory', settings.repositoryPath, true, true)
+                        .catch(error => {
+                        core.info(`Failed to initialize safe directory with error: ${error}`);
+                    });
+                    stateHelper.setSafeDirectory();
+                }
             }
-            else if (settings.sshKey) {
-                throw new Error(`Input 'ssh-key' not supported when falling back to download using the GitHub REST API. To create a local Git repository instead, add Git ${gitCommandManager.MinimumGitVersion} or higher to the PATH.`);
+            // Prepare existing directory, otherwise recreate
+            if (isExisting) {
+                yield gitDirectoryHelper.prepareExistingDirectory(git, settings.repositoryPath, repositoryUrl, settings.clean, settings.ref);
+            }
+            if (!git) {
+                // Downloading using REST API
+                core.info(`The repository will be downloaded using the GitHub REST API`);
+                core.info(`To create a local Git repository instead, add Git ${gitCommandManager.MinimumGitVersion} or higher to the PATH`);
+                if (settings.submodules) {
+                    throw new Error(`Input 'submodules' not supported when falling back to download using the GitHub REST API. To create a local Git repository instead, add Git ${gitCommandManager.MinimumGitVersion} or higher to the PATH.`);
+                }
+                else if (settings.sshKey) {
+                    throw new Error(`Input 'ssh-key' not supported when falling back to download using the GitHub REST API. To create a local Git repository instead, add Git ${gitCommandManager.MinimumGitVersion} or higher to the PATH.`);
+                }
+                yield githubApiHelper.downloadRepository(settings.authToken, settings.repositoryOwner, settings.repositoryName, settings.ref, settings.commit, settings.repositoryPath);
+                return;
+            }
+            // Save state for POST action
+            stateHelper.setRepositoryPath(settings.repositoryPath);
+            // Initialize the repository
+            if (!fsHelper.directoryExistsSync(path.join(settings.repositoryPath, '.git'))) {
+                core.startGroup('Initializing the repository');
+                yield git.init();
+                yield git.remoteAdd('origin', repositoryUrl);
+                core.endGroup();
+            }
+            // Disable automatic garbage collection
+            core.startGroup('Disabling automatic garbage collection');
+            if (!(yield git.tryDisableAutomaticGarbageCollection())) {
+                core.warning(`Unable to turn off git automatic garbage collection. The git fetch operation may trigger garbage collection and cause a delay.`);
             }
-            yield githubApiHelper.downloadRepository(settings.authToken, settings.repositoryOwner, settings.repositoryName, settings.ref, settings.commit, settings.repositoryPath);
-            return;
-        }
-        // Save state for POST action
-        stateHelper.setRepositoryPath(settings.repositoryPath);
-        // Initialize the repository
-        if (!fsHelper.directoryExistsSync(path.join(settings.repositoryPath, '.git'))) {
-            core.startGroup('Initializing the repository');
-            yield git.init();
-            yield git.remoteAdd('origin', repositoryUrl);
             core.endGroup();
-        }
-        // Disable automatic garbage collection
-        core.startGroup('Disabling automatic garbage collection');
-        if (!(yield git.tryDisableAutomaticGarbageCollection())) {
-            core.warning(`Unable to turn off git automatic garbage collection. The git fetch operation may trigger garbage collection and cause a delay.`);
-        }
-        core.endGroup();
-        const authHelper = gitAuthHelper.createAuthHelper(git, settings);
-        try {
+            // If we didn't initialize it above, do it now
+            if (!authHelper) {
+                authHelper = gitAuthHelper.createAuthHelper(git, settings);
+            }
             // Configure auth
             core.startGroup('Setting up auth');
             yield authHelper.configureAuth();
@@ -7415,27 +7459,21 @@ function getSource(settings) {
             core.endGroup();
             // Submodules
             if (settings.submodules) {
-                try {
-                    // Temporarily override global config
-                    core.startGroup('Setting up auth for fetching submodules');
-                    yield authHelper.configureGlobalAuth();
-                    core.endGroup();
-                    // Checkout submodules
-                    core.startGroup('Fetching submodules');
-                    yield git.submoduleSync(settings.nestedSubmodules);
-                    yield git.submoduleUpdate(settings.fetchDepth, settings.nestedSubmodules);
-                    yield git.submoduleForeach('git config --local gc.auto 0', settings.nestedSubmodules);
+                // Temporarily override global config
+                core.startGroup('Setting up auth for fetching submodules');
+                yield authHelper.configureGlobalAuth();
+                core.endGroup();
+                // Checkout submodules
+                core.startGroup('Fetching submodules');
+                yield git.submoduleSync(settings.nestedSubmodules);
+                yield git.submoduleUpdate(settings.fetchDepth, settings.nestedSubmodules);
+                yield git.submoduleForeach('git config --local gc.auto 0', settings.nestedSubmodules);
+                core.endGroup();
+                // Persist credentials
+                if (settings.persistCredentials) {
+                    core.startGroup('Persisting credentials for submodules');
+                    yield authHelper.configureSubmoduleAuth();
                     core.endGroup();
-                    // Persist credentials
-                    if (settings.persistCredentials) {
-                        core.startGroup('Persisting credentials for submodules');
-                        yield authHelper.configureSubmoduleAuth();
-                        core.endGroup();
-                    }
-                }
-                finally {
-                    // Remove temporary global config override
-                    yield authHelper.removeGlobalAuth();
                 }
             }
             // Get commit information
@@ -7447,10 +7485,13 @@ function getSource(settings) {
         }
         finally {
             // Remove auth
-            if (!settings.persistCredentials) {
-                core.startGroup('Removing auth');
-                yield authHelper.removeAuth();
-                core.endGroup();
+            if (authHelper) {
+                if (!settings.persistCredentials) {
+                    core.startGroup('Removing auth');
+                    yield authHelper.removeAuth();
+                    core.endGroup();
+                }
+                authHelper.removeGlobalConfig();
             }
         }
     });
@@ -7472,7 +7513,23 @@ function cleanup(repositoryPath) {
         }
         // Remove auth
         const authHelper = gitAuthHelper.createAuthHelper(git);
-        yield authHelper.removeAuth();
+        try {
+            if (stateHelper.PostSetSafeDirectory) {
+                // Setup the repository path as a safe directory, so if we pass this into a container job with a different user it doesn't fail
+                // Otherwise all git commands we run in a container fail
+                yield authHelper.configureTempGlobalConfig();
+                core.info(`Adding repository directory to the temporary git global config as a safe directory`);
+                yield git
+                    .config('safe.directory', repositoryPath, true, true)
+                    .catch(error => {
+                    core.info(`Failed to initialize safe directory with error: ${error}`);
+                });
+            }
+            yield authHelper.removeAuth();
+        }
+        finally {
+            yield authHelper.removeGlobalConfig();
+        }
     });
 }
 exports.cleanup = cleanup;
@@ -17244,6 +17301,9 @@ function getInputs() {
             (core.getInput('persist-credentials') || 'false').toUpperCase() === 'TRUE';
         // Workflow organization ID
         result.workflowOrganizationId = yield workflowContextHelper.getOrganizationId();
+        // Set safe.directory in git global config.
+        result.setSafeDirectory =
+            (core.getInput('set-safe-directory') || 'true').toUpperCase() === 'TRUE';
         return result;
     });
 }
diff --git a/src/git-auth-helper.ts b/src/git-auth-helper.ts
index 233b3e66a..8a1c7c379 100644
--- a/src/git-auth-helper.ts
+++ b/src/git-auth-helper.ts
@@ -19,8 +19,9 @@ export interface IGitAuthHelper {
   configureAuth(): Promise<void>
   configureGlobalAuth(): Promise<void>
   configureSubmoduleAuth(): Promise<void>
+  configureTempGlobalConfig(): Promise<string>
   removeAuth(): Promise<void>
-  removeGlobalAuth(): Promise<void>
+  removeGlobalConfig(): Promise<void>
 }
 
 export function createAuthHelper(
@@ -80,7 +81,11 @@ class GitAuthHelper {
     await this.configureToken()
   }
 
-  async configureGlobalAuth(): Promise<void> {
+  async configureTempGlobalConfig(): Promise<string> {
+    // Already setup global config
+    if (this.temporaryHomePath?.length > 0) {
+      return path.join(this.temporaryHomePath, '.gitconfig')
+    }
     // Create a temp home directory
     const runnerTemp = process.env['RUNNER_TEMP'] || ''
     assert.ok(runnerTemp, 'RUNNER_TEMP is not defined')
@@ -110,13 +115,19 @@ class GitAuthHelper {
       await fs.promises.writeFile(newGitConfigPath, '')
     }
 
-    try {
-      // Override HOME
-      core.info(
-        `Temporarily overriding HOME='${this.temporaryHomePath}' before making global git config changes`
-      )
-      this.git.setEnvironmentVariable('HOME', this.temporaryHomePath)
+    // Override HOME
+    core.info(
+      `Temporarily overriding HOME='${this.temporaryHomePath}' before making global git config changes`
+    )
+    this.git.setEnvironmentVariable('HOME', this.temporaryHomePath)
 
+    return newGitConfigPath
+  }
+
+  async configureGlobalAuth(): Promise<void> {
+    // 'configureTempGlobalConfig' noops if already set, just returns the path
+    const newGitConfigPath = await this.configureTempGlobalConfig()
+    try {
       // Configure the token
       await this.configureToken(newGitConfigPath, true)
 
@@ -181,10 +192,12 @@ class GitAuthHelper {
     await this.removeToken()
   }
 
-  async removeGlobalAuth(): Promise<void> {
-    core.debug(`Unsetting HOME override`)
-    this.git.removeEnvironmentVariable('HOME')
-    await io.rmRF(this.temporaryHomePath)
+  async removeGlobalConfig(): Promise<void> {
+    if (this.temporaryHomePath?.length > 0) {
+      core.debug(`Unsetting HOME override`)
+      this.git.removeEnvironmentVariable('HOME')
+      await io.rmRF(this.temporaryHomePath)
+    }
   }
 
   private async configureSsh(): Promise<void> {
diff --git a/src/git-source-provider.ts b/src/git-source-provider.ts
index 42a12e04e..545a7a3bd 100644
--- a/src/git-source-provider.ts
+++ b/src/git-source-provider.ts
@@ -36,68 +36,94 @@ export async function getSource(settings: IGitSourceSettings): Promise<void> {
   const git = await getGitCommandManager(settings)
   core.endGroup()
 
-  // Prepare existing directory, otherwise recreate
-  if (isExisting) {
-    await gitDirectoryHelper.prepareExistingDirectory(
-      git,
-      settings.repositoryPath,
-      repositoryUrl,
-      settings.clean,
-      settings.ref
-    )
-  }
+  let authHelper: gitAuthHelper.IGitAuthHelper | null = null
+  try {
+    if (git) {
+      authHelper = gitAuthHelper.createAuthHelper(git, settings)
+      if (settings.setSafeDirectory) {
+        // Setup the repository path as a safe directory, so if we pass this into a container job with a different user it doesn't fail
+        // Otherwise all git commands we run in a container fail
+        await authHelper.configureTempGlobalConfig()
+        core.info(
+          `Adding repository directory to the temporary git global config as a safe directory`
+        )
 
-  if (!git) {
-    // Downloading using REST API
-    core.info(`The repository will be downloaded using the GitHub REST API`)
-    core.info(
-      `To create a local Git repository instead, add Git ${gitCommandManager.MinimumGitVersion} or higher to the PATH`
-    )
-    if (settings.submodules) {
-      throw new Error(
-        `Input 'submodules' not supported when falling back to download using the GitHub REST API. To create a local Git repository instead, add Git ${gitCommandManager.MinimumGitVersion} or higher to the PATH.`
+        await git
+          .config('safe.directory', settings.repositoryPath, true, true)
+          .catch(error => {
+            core.info(
+              `Failed to initialize safe directory with error: ${error}`
+            )
+          })
+
+        stateHelper.setSafeDirectory()
+      }
+    }
+
+    // Prepare existing directory, otherwise recreate
+    if (isExisting) {
+      await gitDirectoryHelper.prepareExistingDirectory(
+        git,
+        settings.repositoryPath,
+        repositoryUrl,
+        settings.clean,
+        settings.ref
       )
-    } else if (settings.sshKey) {
-      throw new Error(
-        `Input 'ssh-key' not supported when falling back to download using the GitHub REST API. To create a local Git repository instead, add Git ${gitCommandManager.MinimumGitVersion} or higher to the PATH.`
+    }
+
+    if (!git) {
+      // Downloading using REST API
+      core.info(`The repository will be downloaded using the GitHub REST API`)
+      core.info(
+        `To create a local Git repository instead, add Git ${gitCommandManager.MinimumGitVersion} or higher to the PATH`
       )
+      if (settings.submodules) {
+        throw new Error(
+          `Input 'submodules' not supported when falling back to download using the GitHub REST API. To create a local Git repository instead, add Git ${gitCommandManager.MinimumGitVersion} or higher to the PATH.`
+        )
+      } else if (settings.sshKey) {
+        throw new Error(
+          `Input 'ssh-key' not supported when falling back to download using the GitHub REST API. To create a local Git repository instead, add Git ${gitCommandManager.MinimumGitVersion} or higher to the PATH.`
+        )
+      }
+
+      await githubApiHelper.downloadRepository(
+        settings.authToken,
+        settings.repositoryOwner,
+        settings.repositoryName,
+        settings.ref,
+        settings.commit,
+        settings.repositoryPath
+      )
+      return
     }
 
-    await githubApiHelper.downloadRepository(
-      settings.authToken,
-      settings.repositoryOwner,
-      settings.repositoryName,
-      settings.ref,
-      settings.commit,
-      settings.repositoryPath
-    )
-    return
-  }
+    // Save state for POST action
+    stateHelper.setRepositoryPath(settings.repositoryPath)
 
-  // Save state for POST action
-  stateHelper.setRepositoryPath(settings.repositoryPath)
+    // Initialize the repository
+    if (
+      !fsHelper.directoryExistsSync(path.join(settings.repositoryPath, '.git'))
+    ) {
+      core.startGroup('Initializing the repository')
+      await git.init()
+      await git.remoteAdd('origin', repositoryUrl)
+      core.endGroup()
+    }
 
-  // Initialize the repository
-  if (
-    !fsHelper.directoryExistsSync(path.join(settings.repositoryPath, '.git'))
-  ) {
-    core.startGroup('Initializing the repository')
-    await git.init()
-    await git.remoteAdd('origin', repositoryUrl)
+    // Disable automatic garbage collection
+    core.startGroup('Disabling automatic garbage collection')
+    if (!(await git.tryDisableAutomaticGarbageCollection())) {
+      core.warning(
+        `Unable to turn off git automatic garbage collection. The git fetch operation may trigger garbage collection and cause a delay.`
+      )
+    }
     core.endGroup()
-  }
 
-  // Disable automatic garbage collection
-  core.startGroup('Disabling automatic garbage collection')
-  if (!(await git.tryDisableAutomaticGarbageCollection())) {
-    core.warning(
-      `Unable to turn off git automatic garbage collection. The git fetch operation may trigger garbage collection and cause a delay.`
-    )
-  }
-  core.endGroup()
-
-  const authHelper = gitAuthHelper.createAuthHelper(git, settings)
-  try {
+    // If we didn't initialize it above, do it now
+    if (!authHelper) {
+      authHelper = gitAuthHelper.createAuthHelper(git, settings)
+    }
     // Configure auth
     core.startGroup('Setting up auth')
     await authHelper.configureAuth()
@@ -170,34 +196,26 @@ export async function getSource(settings: IGitSourceSettings): Promise<void> {
 
     // Submodules
     if (settings.submodules) {
-      try {
-        // Temporarily override global config
-        core.startGroup('Setting up auth for fetching submodules')
-        await authHelper.configureGlobalAuth()
-        core.endGroup()
+      // Temporarily override global config
+      core.startGroup('Setting up auth for fetching submodules')
+      await authHelper.configureGlobalAuth()
+      core.endGroup()
 
-        // Checkout submodules
-        core.startGroup('Fetching submodules')
-        await git.submoduleSync(settings.nestedSubmodules)
-        await git.submoduleUpdate(
-          settings.fetchDepth,
-          settings.nestedSubmodules
-        )
-        await git.submoduleForeach(
-          'git config --local gc.auto 0',
-          settings.nestedSubmodules
-        )
-        core.endGroup()
+      // Checkout submodules
+      core.startGroup('Fetching submodules')
+      await git.submoduleSync(settings.nestedSubmodules)
+      await git.submoduleUpdate(settings.fetchDepth, settings.nestedSubmodules)
+      await git.submoduleForeach(
+        'git config --local gc.auto 0',
+        settings.nestedSubmodules
+      )
+      core.endGroup()
 
-        // Persist credentials
-        if (settings.persistCredentials) {
-          core.startGroup('Persisting credentials for submodules')
-          await authHelper.configureSubmoduleAuth()
-          core.endGroup()
-        }
-      } finally {
-        // Remove temporary global config override
-        await authHelper.removeGlobalAuth()
+      // Persist credentials
+      if (settings.persistCredentials) {
+        core.startGroup('Persisting credentials for submodules')
+        await authHelper.configureSubmoduleAuth()
+        core.endGroup()
       }
     }
 
@@ -218,10 +236,13 @@ export async function getSource(settings: IGitSourceSettings): Promise<void> {
     )
   } finally {
     // Remove auth
-    if (!settings.persistCredentials) {
-      core.startGroup('Removing auth')
-      await authHelper.removeAuth()
-      core.endGroup()
+    if (authHelper) {
+      if (!settings.persistCredentials) {
+        core.startGroup('Removing auth')
+        await authHelper.removeAuth()
+        core.endGroup()
+      }
+      authHelper.removeGlobalConfig()
     }
   }
 }
@@ -244,7 +265,26 @@ export async function cleanup(repositoryPath: string): Promise<void> {
 
   // Remove auth
   const authHelper = gitAuthHelper.createAuthHelper(git)
-  await authHelper.removeAuth()
+  try {
+    if (stateHelper.PostSetSafeDirectory) {
+      // Setup the repository path as a safe directory, so if we pass this into a container job with a different user it doesn't fail
+      // Otherwise all git commands we run in a container fail
+      await authHelper.configureTempGlobalConfig()
+      core.info(
+        `Adding repository directory to the temporary git global config as a safe directory`
+      )
+
+      await git
+        .config('safe.directory', repositoryPath, true, true)
+        .catch(error => {
+          core.info(`Failed to initialize safe directory with error: ${error}`)
+        })
+    }
+
+    await authHelper.removeAuth()
+  } finally {
+    await authHelper.removeGlobalConfig()
+  }
 }
 
 async function getGitCommandManager(
diff --git a/src/git-source-settings.ts b/src/git-source-settings.ts
index 19f46513d..6fa3960fd 100644
--- a/src/git-source-settings.ts
+++ b/src/git-source-settings.ts
@@ -78,4 +78,9 @@ export interface IGitSourceSettings {
    * Organization ID for the currently running workflow (used for auth settings)
    */
   workflowOrganizationId: number | undefined
+
+  /**
+   * Indicates whether to add repositoryPath as safe.directory in git global config
+   */
+  setSafeDirectory: boolean
 }
diff --git a/src/input-helper.ts b/src/input-helper.ts
index 40e6de44e..8c2f90157 100644
--- a/src/input-helper.ts
+++ b/src/input-helper.ts
@@ -122,5 +122,8 @@ export async function getInputs(): Promise<IGitSourceSettings> {
   // Workflow organization ID
   result.workflowOrganizationId = await workflowContextHelper.getOrganizationId()
 
+  // Set safe.directory in git global config.
+  result.setSafeDirectory =
+    (core.getInput('set-safe-directory') || 'true').toUpperCase() === 'TRUE'
   return result
 }
diff --git a/src/state-helper.ts b/src/state-helper.ts
index 3c657b1dd..2db79f9d4 100644
--- a/src/state-helper.ts
+++ b/src/state-helper.ts
@@ -11,6 +11,12 @@ export const IsPost = !!process.env['STATE_isPost']
 export const RepositoryPath =
   (process.env['STATE_repositoryPath'] as string) || ''
 
+/**
+ * The set-safe-directory for the POST action. The value is set if input: 'safe-directory' is set during the MAIN action.
+ */
+export const PostSetSafeDirectory =
+  (process.env['STATE_setSafeDirectory'] as string) === 'true'
+
 /**
  * The SSH key path for the POST action. The value is empty during the MAIN action.
  */
@@ -51,6 +57,13 @@ export function setSshKnownHostsPath(sshKnownHostsPath: string) {
   )
 }
 
+/**
+ * Save the sef-safe-directory input so the POST action can retrieve the value.
+ */
+export function setSafeDirectory() {
+  coreCommand.issueCommand('save-state', {name: 'setSafeDirectory'}, 'true')
+}
+
 // Publish a variable so that when the POST action runs, it can determine it should run the cleanup logic.
 // This is necessary since we don't have a separate entry point.
 if (!IsPost) {