dbt Core

Enrich your tables with dbt descriptions, SQL, lineage, and data sources

Connect a dbt project repository so Dot understands your transformation logic, lineage, and data sources. This leads to better answers -- Dot can write more accurate SQL, explain where data comes from, and answer broader questions across your data stack.

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Requirements

  • A dbt project hosted in a Git repository (GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, or any HTTPS-accessible repo)

  • A database connection already configured in Dot that matches the dbt project's target database

Connect Your dbt Repository

Go to Settings > Connections and scroll to find dbt Repository.

dbt Repository connection form showing Connect GitHub button, branch field, and linked database connection dropdown
The dbt Repository connection form
  1. Click Connect GitHub and install the Dot GitHub App on your organization

  2. Select your repository from the dropdown

  3. Set the branch (defaults to main)

  4. Select the Linked Database Connection -- this tells Dot which database the dbt models target

  5. Click Connect

Option B: Manual

  1. Click Enter manually

  2. Enter the Repository URL (e.g., https://github.com/your-org/dbt-analytics)

  3. Enter an Access Token (optional for public repos; for private repos, use a GitHub PAT with repo read access)

  4. Set the branch (defaults to main)

  5. Select the Linked Database Connection

  6. Click Connect

Dot clones the repository, parses the dbt project, and matches models to your existing tables.

What Gets Synced

Dot extracts the following from your dbt project:

  • Model and column descriptions

  • Model SQL

  • Upstream/downstream lineage

  • Root data sources

  • Tags and governance metadata

Dot re-syncs periodically, or you can trigger a manual sync from the connection settings.

What It Looks Like

Each matched table shows enriched descriptions, fields, and a compact dbt lineage indicator:

Table drawer showing dbt-enriched descriptions, fields, and lineage indicator
A table enriched with dbt metadata -- descriptions, fields, and upstream/downstream lineage

Linked Database Connection

The Linked Database Connection dropdown tells Dot which database to match models against. For example, if your dbt project targets a Snowflake warehouse, select your Snowflake connection. Dot matches models by comparing the model name to table names in that connection.

Allow Dot IPs

If your organization uses IP allowlisting to manage Git access, Dot will only access your repository through the following IPs:

  • 3.229.110.216

  • 3.122.135.165

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