# dbt Core
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.
{% hint style="info" %}
**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
{% endhint %}
## Connect Your dbt Repository
Go to **Settings** > **Connections** and scroll to find **dbt Repository**.
The dbt Repository connection form
### Option A: Via GitHub App (recommended)
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:
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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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.
Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:
```
GET https://docs.getdot.ai/integrations/code-repositories/dbt-core.md?ask=
```
The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.
Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
