Implementations provide for a container-based architecture that can maintain build secrets. A method of the disclosure includes storing a file in a destination directory of a build container. The file includes authentication data to retrieve information from a repository. A build of an application image is initiated at a build container. The application image is built using the information retrieved from the repository via the loaded file. In response to receiving an indication that the build of the application imaged is complete, the loaded file is truncated.