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Work with dbt

Setup dbt​

To get the most of using dbt in nao, you should set up your dbt config within nao.
See the Set up dbt page for a step-by-step guide.

tip

Tip: Setting up dbt unlocks advanced features like model preview, lineage, and AI-powered completions.

Preview dbt models​

You can directly execute dbt models in nao, if your dbt is setup well and you added your data connection.
Just click on the execute SQL button on the top bar, or press cmd+enter.

Execute dbt
See compiled SQL

Compiled SQL: When executing a dbt model, you will also have a tab to review the compiled SQL used by nao.

Auto-complete on dbt models​

Auto-complete sources & refs​

When writing from in a dbt context, nao suggest a shortcut to add sources and refs.
It will then suggest the list of available refs/sources in your dbt repository.

Ref autocomplete

Auto-complete columns from sources & refs​

When selecting columns from a source of a ref, nao will extract the list of available columns. It will then suggest the list of available columns for the specifc ref/source you are working on.

nao AI autocomplete uses your dbt models schemas

Context of available dbt models/columns will also be passed to the AI auto-complete.
This will allow the AI autocomplete to suggest SQL relevant to your underlying dbt models.

View dbt lineage​

Open dbt lineage​

You can open dbt lineage from the top right icon.
If you currently have a dbt sql file opened, the lineage will be zoomed in 1+model+1.
If not, it will open full lineage.

Open lineage

Within lineage, you can expand lineage nodes to see further model dependencies.
You can also use selection form on the top right to select a precise part of lineage.
You can click on a node of the lineage to open the corresponding sql file of each model.

Navigate lineage

View model dependencies​

When a dbt model file is open, you will have access to its dependencies in the top tool bar. It will show if the model has upstream and/or downstrea dependencies.

Navigate model dependencies

Hover on dependencies to get the full list and navigate to them.

Model dependencies

You can navigate between dbt models & columns with cmd+click:

  • cmd+click on ref names to open the corresponding sql file
  • cmd+click on a CTE name to jump to the CTE definition
  • cmd+click on a column to jump to the previous definition of this column

Run dbt tests in preview​

If a dbt model has tests defined, you will be able to execute them directly from the preview panel.
On Database mode, the tests will be executed on the materialized dbt model.
On Code mode, the tests will be executed on the preview of current dbt code.

dbt tests

nao Agent dbt tools​

nao agent has several tools specifically made for dbt use:

  • Create dbt models
  • Create dbt sources
  • Create dbt documentation & testing
  • Create dbt custom tests & unit tests
  • Get model / column dependencies in lineage
  • Execute dbt commands (run/build/test)

Check our Prompt library to browse all the use cases covered by our AI agent.

Define dbt target​

You can change the dbt target used by nao in the dbt setup panel.