Convert or export a ThoughtSpot Worksheet or Model into a Snowflake Semantic View. Use when ThoughtSpot is the source and the goal is a Snowflake Semantic View — whether converting metrics and formulas for Cortex Analyst access, generating CREATE SEMANTIC VIEW DDL, writing a .sql file for later execution, or updating an existing Snowflake SV from a changed model. Direction is always ThoughtSpot → Snowflake. Not for Snowflake → ThoughtSpot, standalone TML exports, or adding synonyms/AI context to ThoughtSpot models.
Installation
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Convert or export a ThoughtSpot Worksheet or Model into a Snowflake Semantic View. Use when ThoughtSpot is the source and the goal is a Snowflake Semantic View — whether converting metrics and formulas for Cortex Analyst access, generating CREATE SEMANTIC VIEW DDL, writing a .sql file for later execution, or updating an existing Snowflake SV from a changed model. Direction is always ThoughtSpot → Snowflake. Not for Snowflake → ThoughtSpot, standalone TML exports, or adding synonyms/AI context to ThoughtSpot models.
ThoughtSpot → Snowflake Semantic View
Convert a ThoughtSpot Worksheet or Model into a Snowflake Semantic View. Searches
ThoughtSpot for available models, exports the TML definition, maps it to the Snowflake
Semantic View DDL format, and creates it via CREATE OR REPLACE SEMANTIC VIEW.
Cortex Code connection (configured via cortex connections set)
Snowflake connection code, SQL execution patterns, SHOW commands for case-sensitivity
Concept Mapping
ThoughtSpot
Snowflake Semantic View DDL
Worksheet / Model
Semantic View
ATTRIBUTE column (non-date)
dimensions() clause — TABLE.ALIAS as table.COL with synonyms=(...)
ATTRIBUTE column (date/timestamp)
dimensions() clause — same as above; flagged as time_dimensions in CA extension JSON only
MEASURE column (SUM/AVG/MIN/MAX)
metrics() clause — TABLE.ALIAS as AGG(table.COL) with synonyms=(...)
MEASURE COUNT_DISTINCT column
metrics() clause — TABLE.ALIAS as COUNT(DISTINCT table.COL)
Formula column — translatable MEASURE
metrics() clause — expression translated to SQL aggregation
Formula column — translatable ATTRIBUTE
dimensions() clause — expression as computed column alias
Formula column — last_value(sum(m), query_groups(), {date})
metrics() with non additive by (DATE_TABLE.COL asc nulls last) modifier
Formula column — first_value(sum(m), query_groups(), {date})
metrics() with non additive by (DATE_TABLE.COL desc nulls last) modifier
Column / formula properties.synonyms (NOT top-level synonyms)
First synonym → with synonyms=('First',...), all others appended. Top-level synonyms: is silently dropped on TS import; always read from properties.synonyms.
Column / formula description
comment='...' on the dimension or metric entry
Table-level description (Table TML)
comment='...' on the table entry in the tables() block
Formula column — untranslatable
Omitted — logged in Unmapped Report
joins[] / referencing_join
relationships() clause — rel_name as LEFT(col) references RIGHT(col)
Right-side join table
primary key (COL) in the tables() declaration for that table
synonyms[]
with synonyms=('...', '...') on the dimension or metric entry
ai_context / model description
comment='...' on the semantic view
Semantic layer structure
with extension (CA='...') — JSON mapping each table's columns to dimension/time_dimension/metric
DDL Format Reference
The output is a CREATE OR REPLACE SEMANTIC VIEW statement. Full structure:
CREATEOR REPLACE SEMANTIC VIEW {sv_name}
tables (
{DB}.{SCHEMA}.{TABLE} [primary key ({PK_COL})],
...
)
relationships (
{left_table}_to_{right_table} as {LEFT_TABLE}({fk_col}) references {RIGHT_TABLE}({pk_col}),
...
)
dimensions (
{TABLE}.{ALIAS} as {table_lower}.{PHYSICAL_COL} [with synonyms=('{display_name}')],
{TABLE}.{ALIAS} as {SQL_EXPRESSION} [with synonyms=('{display_name}')], -- formula dim
...
)
metrics (
{TABLE}.{ALIAS} as {AGG}({table_lower}.{COL}) [with synonyms=('{display_name}')],
{TABLE}.{ALIAS} non additive by ({TIME_TABLE}.{TIME_COL} {asc|desc} nulls last) asSUM({table_lower}.{COL}) [with synonyms=(...)],
{TABLE}.{ALIAS} as DIV0({table_lower}.{metric_alias}, {table_lower}.{other_metric_alias}) [...], -- ratio: reference metric aliases not raw aggregates
...
)
comment='{description}'with extension (CA='{ca_json}')
DDL rules:
All non-metric columns (including dates, FK columns) go in dimensions(). There is no time_dimensions clause in the DDL — date classification lives only in the CA extension JSON.
Metric expressions reference column aliases (lowercase, as defined in dimensions() or earlier metrics() entries), not raw physical column names. For ratio metrics, reference the previously-defined aggregated metric alias: DIV0(tbl.amount, tbl.quantity) — do not nest SUM() calls directly.
Relationship names: {left_table}_to_{right_table} (lowercase). Disambiguate duplicates by appending the FK column: {left_table}_{fk_col}_to_{right_table}.
Column alias format: TABLE_NAME.DESCRIPTIVE_ALIAS (uppercase, e.g. DM_ORDER.ORDER_ID). Reference the alias with lowercase table and alias: dm_order.ORDER_ID or dm_order.order_id.
with extension (CA='...') is a JSON string that maps each table's columns into dimensions[], time_dimensions[], and metrics[] by alias name (lowercase). Required for Cortex Analyst to understand the semantic structure. Relationship names are also listed here.
User account with DATAMANAGEMENT or DEVELOPER privilege
Authentication configured — run /ts-profile-thoughtspot if you haven't already
Quick auth decision:
Can you log into ThoughtSpot in a browser (even via SSO)?
YES → token_env — get a token from Developer Playground (no admin needed)
NO → password_env or secret_key_env — see ts-profile-thoughtspot.md
Snowflake
Role with CREATE SEMANTIC VIEW on the target schema — only required if creating live
Connection configured — run /ts-profile-snowflake if you haven't already
Not sure where to start? → Python connector + password auth has the fewest setup steps
No Snowflake access? You can still run this skill in file-only mode — it generates
the CREATE OR REPLACE SEMANTIC VIEW DDL and writes it to a .sql file you can run
manually in Snowsight later. Select FILE at the Step 10 checkpoint or say "file only"
at any point before Step 12.
CLI-first rule — no inline Python for TML operations
Every ThoughtSpot API call, TML generation, and model import in this skill must go
through a ts CLI command. Do not write inline Python scripts to export/merge/import TML,
iterate over formula failures, or assemble model JSON. If a CLI command fails or produces
wrong results, fix the CLI (tools/ts-cli/) and re-run — do not work around it with
manual scripting.
Step 0 — Overview
On skill invocation, display this plan before doing any work:
ts-convert-to-snowflake-sv — export a ThoughtSpot Worksheet or Model and create a matching Snowflake Semantic View.
Steps:
Authenticate (ThoughtSpot) ......................... auto
1.5. Choose session mode (A: single / B: split / C: update) . you choose
Find and select the model / worksheet .............. you choose
Export and parse the TML ........................... auto
4–9. Map columns, joins, and formulas → DDL ............. auto
9.5C. (Mode C only) Diff against existing SV + confirm changes . you confirm
Checkpoint — review DDL before Snowflake execution .. you confirm
Validate the generated DDL ......................... auto
CREATE OR REPLACE SEMANTIC VIEW in Snowflake ........ auto
12b. Verify creation .................................... auto
Generate example test questions ..................... auto
File-only mode: at Step 10, choose FILE instead of executing — generates a .sql file
for manual import in Snowsight.
Confirmation required: Step 10 (DDL review); Step 9.5C for Mode C
Auto-executed: all others
Ready to start? [Y / N]
Do not begin Step 1 until the user confirms.
Workflow
Step 1: Authenticate
Session continuity: If a ThoughtSpot profile was already confirmed earlier in
this conversation (e.g. for a previous model in a batch), skip profile selection
and reuse it.
Profile selection (first model only):
Run ts profiles list to show configured profiles.
If multiple profiles: display a numbered list and ask the user to select one.
If exactly one profile: display it and confirm before proceeding.
Available ThoughtSpot profiles:
1. Production — analyst@company.com @ myorg.thoughtspot.cloud
2. Staging — analyst@company.com @ myorg-staging.thoughtspot.cloud
Select a profile (or press Enter to use #1):
After the profile is confirmed, verify the connection:
The CLI handles token caching, Keychain access, and expiry automatically.
No temp files or manual token management needed in this skill.
If ts auth whoami returns 401, the token is expired. Direct the user to
/ts-profile-thoughtspot (U3 — Refresh Credential) — that section is the canonical,
cross-platform refresh procedure. Then clear the stale cache and retry:
Choose a conversion mode:
A — Convert ThoughtSpot Model → new Snowflake Semantic View (default)
B — Split ThoughtSpot Model → MULTIPLE Snowflake Semantic Views
C — Update an EXISTING Snowflake Semantic View from a changed Model
Mode A (or press Enter): set session_mode = "single". Step 7.5 is skipped —
the skill produces one SV regardless of how many domains are detected.
Mode B: set session_mode = "split". Step 7.5 runs automatically in SPLIT mode —
the SPLIT/SINGLE/CUSTOM choice prompt is suppressed since the user already chose here.
Mode C: set session_mode = "update". After confirming the model in Step 2, also
ask for the existing SV to update:
Existing Snowflake Semantic View to update:
Enter database.schema.view_name or press Enter to browse: _______
Store {existing_sv_name}. The skill runs Steps 2–9 as a DDL dry run, then
diverges at Step 9.5C (diff + review) before executing.
Step 2: Find and Select a Model or Worksheet
Present the following options to the user:
How would you like to find your model?
G — I have a GUID
S — Search (by name, author, tags, or a combination)
B — Browse all
Option G — Direct GUID
If the user provides a GUID, skip search entirely. Store it as {selected_model_id}.
The model name will be confirmed from the TML export in Step 3.
Option S — Search
Ask the user which filters to apply (they may provide any combination):
Enter search criteria (leave blank to skip):
Name keyword:
Tags (comma-separated):
Omit --name if no keyword was supplied. The --all flag auto-paginates.
--subtype WORKSHEET restricts results to worksheets and models only.
Zero results fallback: If the search returns zero results, retry without --name
and apply case-insensitive substring filtering against metadata_name client-side.
Tags are not directly supported as a CLI filter — if the user supplies tags,
run without --name, collect all results, and filter client-side by tag name
in each result's metadata_header.tags[].
1. [WORKSHEET] Retail Sales WS id: e61c7c4c-...
2. [WORKSHEET] TS: BI Server id: eaab6de7-...
API subtype note: Both Worksheets and Models appear as type: WORKSHEET in the
search response — there is no separate MODEL subtype. metadata_detail is
frequently null and must not be relied on for subtype filtering. The actual TML
format (worksheet vs model top-level key) is only determined after export in
Step 3.
Store metadata_id as {selected_model_id} and metadata_name as
{original_model_name}.
Step 3: Export the TML
Mode C only: run the following in parallel with the TML export to fetch the
existing SV DDL:
--parse returns structured JSON directly — non-printable character stripping and
YAML parsing are handled by the CLI. Separate by type field. Cache associated table
TMLs by GUID — if two models share a physical table, the TML is returned once and
should not be re-fetched for the second model.
Separate into:
Primary object: parsed YAML has top-level key worksheet or model
Table objects: parsed YAML has top-level key table
SQL view objects: parsed YAML has top-level key sql_view — collect separately for handling in Step 5
Step 4: Identify TML Format
Top-level key
Format
Key difference
worksheet
Worksheet
Join conditions in Table TML; columns explicit in worksheet_columns[]
model
Model
Joins use referencing_join or inline on; columns derived from Table TML
Step 5: Resolve Physical Table Names
to_snake(name) — used throughout this step and Step 7:
Convert a display name to a valid Snowflake identifier:
Lowercase the string
Replace any run of non-alphanumeric characters with _
Strip leading/trailing underscores
import re
defto_snake(name):
s = re.sub(r'_+', '_', re.sub(r'[^a-z0-9]', '_', name.lower())).strip('_')
ifnot s:
s = 'field'elif s[0].isdigit():
s = 'field_' + s
return s
# Examples: "eye colour" → "eye_colour", "# of Products" → "of_products"# "1st Quarter" → "field_1st_quarter", "$" → "field"
Build a map: logical_table_name → { database, schema, physical_table }.
From each Table TML object extract:
table:name:fact_sales# map keydb:ANALYTICSschema:PUBLIC# accessed as tbl.get("schema") — NOT tbl.get("schema_")db_table:FACT_SALES
Schema is reliably exported: With export_fqn: true and export_associated: true,
the schema value is present in Table TML whenever it is set in ThoughtSpot. If it
appears missing, first verify with tbl.keys() — do not prompt the user until confirmed
genuinely absent.
If db or schema is confirmed absent after inspection, ask the user to provide them.
If a table has no associated TML, fetch it separately using its FQN GUID:
Use TODO_DATABASE / TODO_SCHEMA placeholders for unresolved tables and flag them.
SQL view resolution: For every sql_view object referenced in model_tables[]
(or table_paths[] for Worksheet format), classify its sql_query using the logic
in ../../shared/schemas/thoughtspot-tml.md:
Simple — SELECT * FROM single_table [AS alias]:
Extract the physical FQN from the FROM clause
Resolve db, schema, db_table from the FQN
Borrow column types from the matching physical table TML (run SHOW COLUMNS if
no matching table TML exists)
Treat the sql_view as a regular table for all subsequent steps
Note it in the Unmapped Properties Report under "SQL Views resolved automatically"
At the Step 10 checkpoint, present the sql_query to the user and ask:
sql_view "{name}" uses SQL that cannot be auto-mapped to a single physical table:
{sql_query}
How should this be handled?
C — Create a Snowflake VIEW from this SQL in the target schema, then reference it
M — Map to an existing Snowflake table or view (you provide the name)
S — Skip — omit all columns sourced from this view
C (Create view): Before executing the semantic view CREATE, run:
CREATEOR REPLACE VIEW {target_db}.{target_schema}.{to_snake(sv_name)} AS
{sql_query};
Then run SHOW COLUMNS IN VIEW {target_db}.{target_schema}.{view_name} to get
column types. Reference the new view as base_table.table.
M (Map to existing): Ask for the fully-qualified Snowflake object name.
Run SHOW COLUMNS on it to get column types. Use as base_table.
S (Skip): Omit all model columns whose column_id references this sql_view.
Log each omitted column in the Unmapped Properties Report under "SQL Views skipped".
Case-sensitivity detection — connect to Snowflake now, before building the YAML:
This step requires a live Snowflake connection. Select the Snowflake profile and
establish the connection now using the profile selection and auth logic described in
Step 12 — do not wait until Step 12 to do this. The quoting decisions made here
affect every expr, base_table.schema, and base_table.table value in the YAML.
When Step 12 is reached, skip profile selection (already done) and proceed directly
to target location selection.
Schema case — infer directly from the TML, no Snowflake query needed:
The schema field value exported by ThoughtSpot with export_fqn: true reflects
exactly how the identifier was stored. If it is lowercase, it is case-sensitive and
must be quoted:
Column case — use a single INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS query per schema:
Instead of running one SHOW COLUMNS per table (N round-trips), run a single
INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS query that returns all columns for all tables at once.
INFORMATION_SCHEMA stores names as they were created, so lowercase = case-sensitive.
Python connector (method: python):
table_names_sql = ", ".join(f"'{t.upper()}'"for t in all_physical_tables)
cur.execute(f"""
SELECT table_name, column_name, data_type
FROM {db}.INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS
WHERE table_schema = '{schema.upper()}'
AND table_name IN ({table_names_sql})
ORDER BY table_name, ordinal_position
""")
cs_columns = {} # phys_table → set of case-sensitive column names
col_types = {} # (phys_table, col_name) → data_typefor table_name, col_name, data_type in cur.fetchall():
cs_columns.setdefault(table_name, set())
if col_name != col_name.upper(): # lowercase → case-sensitive
cs_columns[table_name].add(col_name)
col_types[(table_name, col_name)] = data_type
Snowflake CLI (method: cli):
import subprocess, json
defsnow_json(snow_cmd, cli_connection, query):
r = subprocess.run(
[snow_cmd, 'sql', '-c', cli_connection, '--format', 'json', '-q', query],
capture_output=True, text=True
)
return json.loads(r.stdout)
table_names_sql = ", ".join(f"'{t.upper()}'"for t in all_physical_tables)
rows = snow_json(snow_cmd, cli_connection, f"""
SELECT table_name, column_name, data_type
FROM {db}.INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS
WHERE table_schema = '{schema.upper()}'
AND table_name IN ({table_names_sql})
ORDER BY table_name, ordinal_position
""")
cs_columns = {}
col_types = {}
for r in rows:
tbl_name = r['TABLE_NAME']
col_name = r['COLUMN_NAME']
cs_columns.setdefault(tbl_name, set())
if col_name != col_name.upper():
cs_columns[tbl_name].add(col_name)
col_types[(tbl_name, col_name)] = r['DATA_TYPE']
Note:INFORMATION_SCHEMA predicates are literal string comparisons — they do NOT
normalise case. Query with the exact stored case. If the first probe returns zero rows,
retry with UPPER(table_schema) = UPPER('{schema}') to handle case-insensitive schemas
(stored uppercase) vs case-sensitive schemas (stored in original case).
Rule: lowercase column name in INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS → the column is
case-sensitive (created with a quoted identifier).
Apply quoting as follows:
Location
Case-insensitive (UPPERCASE)
Case-sensitive (lowercase)
base_table.schema
schema: PUBLIC
schema: '"superhero"'
base_table.table
table: FACT_SALES
table: '"colour"'
expr column
expr: t.HEIGHT_CM
expr: t."height_cm"
primary_key.columns
- ID
⚠ see below
relationship_columns
left_column: PRODUCT_ID
⚠ see below
primary_key and relationship_columns — Cortex Analyst conflict:
There is no single YAML format that satisfies both tools for case-sensitive columns
in these two fields. SYSTEM$CREATE_SEMANTIC_VIEW_FROM_YAML requires '"id"';
Cortex Analyst rejects '"id"' with error 392700.
If any SHOW COLUMNS result returns lowercase column names that are used as join
keys or primary keys, you MUST create uppercase wrapper views before generating the
YAML. Do not proceed to Step 6 without resolving this:
# Detect whether wrapper views are needed
needs_wrapper = any(
cs_cols_map.get(phys['db_table'], set()) # any cs columns in join-key tablesfor phys in phys_map.values()
)
If needs_wrapper is True:
Create a new uppercase schema: CREATE SCHEMA IF NOT EXISTS {db}.{TARGET_SCHEMA}_SV
For each physical table, create a view that uppercases all column names:
CREATEOR REPLACE VIEW {db}.{TARGET_SCHEMA}_SV.{TABLE_NAME} ASSELECT "col1" AS COL1, "col2" AS COL2, ...
FROM {db}."{schema}"."{table}";
Update phys_map to point at the new schema and uppercase table/column names
All YAML identifiers will then be bare uppercase — no quoting needed anywhere
Execute these DDL statements using the same method as the column queries above.
Python connector — run wrapper view DDL in parallel:
from concurrent.futures import ThreadPoolExecutor, as_completed
defexec_ddl(connection_factory, ddl):
conn = connection_factory()
conn.cursor().execute(ddl)
conn.close()
return ddl.split('\n')[0][:60] # first line for progress output
ddl_list = [
f"CREATE OR REPLACE VIEW {db}.{TARGET_SCHEMA}_SV.{VIEW_NAME} AS SELECT ...",
# one entry per physical table
]
with ThreadPoolExecutor(max_workers=min(len(ddl_list), 8)) as pool:
futures = {pool.submit(exec_ddl, connection_factory, d): d for d in ddl_list}
for f in as_completed(futures):
print(f" Created: {f.result()}")
Snowflake CLI — write all DDL to one file, execute in a single call:
Step 6: Build Path → Table Map (Worksheet format only)
Skip for Model format.
From worksheet.table_paths[], build: path_id → table_alias.
table_paths:-id:fact_sales_1# path_id used in column_id referencestable:fact_sales# resolves to this table alias
Step 7: Build Relationships
For each join, obtain the on condition and produce a Snowflake relationship.
Scope filter — Model format only: A model's model_tables[] is the authoritative
list of tables in scope. Table TML joins_with[] entries may reference tables that
are not in model_tables (e.g. a supplier or status lookup table that exists
in Snowflake but was excluded from the model). Skip any join where either
left_table or right_table is not in model_tables. Only emit relationships
for joins where both tables are present in model_tables.
Table aliases in Model format:model_tables[] entries can have an alias field:
model_tables:-name:colouralias:eyecolour# ← this is the identifier used in column_id references-name:colouralias:haircolour-name:colouralias:skincolour
When alias is present:
Use to_snake(alias) as the Snowflake table name (e.g. eye_colour)
Use the physical db_table as base_table.table (e.g. colour)
Build an alias_to_sf_name map for column_id resolution
Column references in model.columns use the alias: column_id: eye colour::colour
Relationship with: field also uses the alias: with: eye colour
Deduplicate Snowflake table names if the same alias appears twice (append _2, _3).
Worksheet format: Join on conditions are in Table TML joins_with[]. Match
by name field across all Table TML objects.
Search all Table TML joins_with[] for name: DM_ORDER_to_DM_CUSTOMER.
Note: destination in Table TML may be an object (destination.name) — handle both.
Parse on condition: regex \[([^\]:]+)::([^\]]+)\]\s*=\s*\[([^\]:]+)::([^\]]+)\]
→ left_table, left_column, right_table, right_column.
Relationship naming — collision avoidance:
Generate the base name as {left_table}_to_{right_table}. If that name is already
taken by a previously emitted relationship (two different join paths between the same
table pair), append the left join column to disambiguate:
base_name = f"{left_tbl}_to_{right_tbl}"if base_name in used_rel_names:
base_name = f"{left_tbl}_{to_snake(left_col)}_to_{right_tbl}"
used_rel_names.add(base_name)
Initialise used_rel_names = set() before the relationship loop.
Mode A (session_mode = "single") — skip this step entirely. Proceed to Step 8.
Mode C (session_mode = "update") — skip this step entirely. Proceed to Step 8.
Mode B (session_mode = "split") — run this step and enter SPLIT mode automatically.
Set split_mode = True immediately; suppress the SPLIT/SINGLE/CUSTOM choice prompt
since the user already chose Mode B at Step 1.5.
Trigger (Mode B only): Run whenever model_tables[] contains ≥2 tables and Step 7
produced at least one join. Skip (proceed to Step 8) if the model has 0 or 1 fact tables.
Algorithm:
1. Build a directed join graph from the joins resolved in Step 7:
Nodes: every table in model_tables[]
Directed edges: one edge per resolved join, pointing from the FK table (source —
the table whose joins[] array declared the join) to the PK table (target)
2. Identify fact tables and dimension tables:
Fact table: any table with ≥1 outbound edge (it appears as the source of at
least one join)
Dimension table: any table with zero outbound edges (only ever a join target)
3. Check the fact-table count:
0 or 1 fact table → skip this step. Proceed to Step 8 as normal.
≥2 fact tables → continue.
4. For each fact table, traverse its reachable dimension set via BFS through its
outbound joins. A dimension table is "reachable from fact F" if you can reach it by
following directed edges from F.
5. Identify shared dimensions: any dimension table reachable from 2+ distinct fact
roots. Dimensions reachable from only one fact belong exclusively to that domain.
6. Present the domain map to the user:
I detected {N} logical domains in this model:
Domain 1 — {FACT_TABLE_ROOT}
Fact tables: {list}
Dimensions: {list; flag shared dims with "(shared)"}
Domain 2 — {FACT_TABLE_ROOT}
Fact tables: {list}
Dimensions: {list; flag shared dims with "(shared)"}
Shared dimensions (included in each view if you split): {list}
How would you like to proceed?
SPLIT — Create {N} separate Semantic Views (one per domain)
SINGLE — Create one combined Semantic View (current behaviour)
CUSTOM — I'll assign tables to groups manually
7a. SINGLE: Set split_mode = False. Proceed to Step 8 with no change in scope.
7b. SPLIT: Set split_mode = True. For each domain:
domain.tables = fact table(s) + all reachable dimensions (including shared ones,
duplicated into every domain that reaches them)
domain.joins = all relationships where both left_table and right_table are in
domain.tables
Default domain.sv_name = {model_name}_{snake_case(primary_fact_table)}
(e.g. model sales_inventory, fact DM_ORDER → sales_inventory_dm_order).
User may rename at the Step 10 checkpoint.
Proceed to Step 8 and run it once per domain in sequence.
7c. CUSTOM: Display a numbered list of all tables. User types group assignments,
for example: 1,2,3 → Group A; 4,5,6 → Group B. Validate that each group forms a
connected subgraph (every table reachable from at least one other table in its group).
If a group is disconnected, ask the user to revise. Treat each group as a domain and
proceed as SPLIT.
Cross-domain formula columns (split mode only):
A formula whose expression references column IDs from tables in multiple domains cannot
be cleanly split. Assign it to the domain containing the most of its referenced
tables. Log it in the Unmapped Properties Report under a new section:
#### Cross-Domain Formulas (assigned to primary domain)
| Formula | Assigned To | References tables in |
|---|---|---|
| {name} | {domain_name} | {other_domain_name} |
Step 8: Map Columns
Split mode: If split_mode = True (set in Step 7.5), run this entire step once per
domain. On each pass, restrict scope to the current domain:
Only include columns whose column_id prefix (the TABLE_NAME:: part) is a table
in domain.tables
Only use domain.joins as the relationship set (already scoped in Step 7.5)
Use domain.sv_name as the output view name
If split_mode = False, run once with the full scope as normal.
Source of truth — hierarchy:
Layer
Used for
model.columns[]
All Semantic View field definitions — name, description, type, aggregation, synonyms, ai_context, formula_id, column_id
Table TML columns[]
Resolving column_id → db_column_name and db_column_properties.data_type
Table TML root (db, schema, db_table)
Physical table location for base_table entries
connections.yaml
Fallback only — if Snowflake reports column not found, external_column overrides db_column_name
The model is the semantic layer and the single source of truth for what appears in
the Semantic View. Never derive the column list from Table TML.
Column ID resolution:
column_id format: TABLE_NAME::LOGICAL_COLUMN_NAME
Split on :: → table_name, logical_col_name
Find the Table TML for table_name
Find the column in Table TML columns[] where name == logical_col_name
That column's db_column_name is the physical Snowflake column name (in the
vast majority of cases — it is the actual DB column name)
Build expr as table_name.DB_COLUMN_NAME
If DB_COLUMN_NAME is a SQL reserved word (e.g. date, time, schema),
double-quote it: table_name."date"
If DB_COLUMN_NAME is case-sensitive (lowercase in SHOW COLUMNS output from
Step 5), double-quote it: table_name."column_name"
Both rules may apply simultaneously: table_name."date" (reserved + lowercase)
Use db_column_properties.data_type for date/time classification. If the
col_types map built in Step 5 (from INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS) already
has the data type for this column, prefer it — it comes directly from Snowflake
and is authoritative. Fall back to db_column_properties.data_type from the
Table TML only when col_types doesn't have an entry (e.g. a sql_view column).
connections.yaml — do not consult proactively. Only if Snowflake returns a
column-not-found error after execution should you check connections.yaml, where
external_column may override db_column_name for a given column:
column:-name:CATEGORY_ID# = db_column_name in Table TMLexternal_column:CATEGORY_ID# = actual physical column in Snowflake (may differ)
Output structure — DDL clauses:
Accumulate four lists as you iterate columns: tables_clause, relationships_clause,
dimensions_clause, metrics_clause. Then emit them in order as the final DDL.
tables() clause — primary key for join target tables:
After building all relationships, identify every table that appears on the right side
of a relationship. That table's entry in tables() must declare its PK:
DB.SCHEMA.DM_ORDER primary key (ORDER_ID),
DB.SCHEMA.DM_ORDER_DETAIL, -- no PK: left-side only, nothing joins to it
dimensions() clause — all non-metric columns including dates and FK columns:
Every column that is not a metric goes here — including date/timestamp columns (which
are distinguished as time_dimensions only in the CA extension JSON, not in the DDL).
Format: TABLE.ALIAS as table_lower.PHYSICAL_COL [with synonyms=('display_name')]
FK columns (join keys) must also appear in dimensions() so Cortex Analyst can
resolve relationships. Alias names must be globally unique across the entire view.
When FK and PK columns share the same physical name (e.g. TRANS.ACCOUNT_ID → ACCOUNT.ACCOUNT_ID), they would collide as dimension aliases. Fix by renaming FK
columns in wrapper views with a table-specific prefix:
-- Wrapper view renames the FK to avoid alias collisionCREATEOR REPLACE VIEW DB.SCHEMA_SV.TRANS ASSELECT "account_id" AS TRANS_ACCOUNT_ID, ...
FROM DB.SCHEMA.TRANS;
-- dimensions() entries — now globally unique
TRANS.TRANS_ACCOUNT_ID as trans.TRANS_ACCOUNT_ID, -- FK dim
ACCOUNT.ACCOUNT_ID as account.ACCOUNT_ID, -- PK dim-- relationships() entry uses the renamed physical column
trans_to_account as TRANS(TRANS_ACCOUNT_ID) references ACCOUNT(ACCOUNT_ID)
When a physical table is aliased multiple times, create separate wrapper views for
each alias with distinct PK column names so each satisfies the unique-name requirement.
metrics() clause — ordering matters:
Metrics are evaluated in order. A metric that references another metric's alias (e.g.
a ratio DIV0(tbl.amount, tbl.quantity)) must appear after the metrics it
references. Always emit base aggregate metrics before derived/ratio metrics for the
same table.
For each model column:
If formula_id set → translate formula in Step 9; if untranslatable, omit the
column and log it; do not include placeholder expr values
If column_id set → resolve physical column name as above
Merge ai_context into description with prefix [TS AI Context] if present
Record unmapped properties (format_pattern, default_date_bucket, custom_order,
data_panel_column_groups, geo_config) for the Unmapped Properties Report
Append the field to the field list for its owning table
TML temp file cleanup — do this now, before Step 9:
The exported TML files contain sensitive schema metadata (table names, column
descriptions, join conditions, AI context). Delete them as soon as column mapping
is complete — they are not needed after this point:
rm -f /tmp/ts_tml_*.json
Step 9: Translate Formulas
MANDATORY — read the reference before assessing any formula:
Open ../../shared/mappings/ts-snowflake/ts-snowflake-formula-translation.md
and use its Decision Flowchart to classify every formula. Do not classify
a formula as untranslatable based on function name recognition alone. Patterns
that appear ThoughtSpot-specific have documented Snowflake equivalents — for example:
Looks untranslatable
Actually translatable as
last_value(agg, query_groups(), {date_col})
SUM(col) + non_additive_dimensions on the date table
safe_divide(sum(m), [NamedMetric]) where NamedMetric is same measure at coarser grain
DIV0(tbl.metric, SUM(tbl.metric) OVER (PARTITION BY dim.COL)) — contribution ratio pattern
Consult the reference. Never reason from first principles about ThoughtSpot functions.
For each formula column (formula_id is set):
Look up formula expression from formulas[] by id or name
Resolve column references using the syntax rules for the TML format (Worksheet uses
[path_id::col], Model uses [TABLE::col])
Classify using the Decision Flowchart in the formula translation reference, then
translate using the rules in that file
Handle nested references up to 3 levels deep
Untranslatable formulas — omit entirely:
For formulas confirmed untranslatable after consulting the reference, do not emit
the column in the YAML. Do NOT use -- TODO, CAST(NULL AS TEXT), or any placeholder
expr — these cause Snowflake parse errors or silent failures.
Instead:
Skip the column in the output YAML
Add an entry to the Formula Translation Log in the Unmapped Properties Report:
The comparison itself (SQL-expression normalisation, new/removed/modified
detection) is now computed by ts snowflake diff (ts-cli v0.30.0+) — a
parser-based check, same rationale as the ts tml lint pre-import gate. Write
both column maps to temp JSON files shaped {"expr": ..., "description": ...}
per column (synonyms aren't tracked on the to-side, so omit that key):
import json
def_cols_for_diff(cols: dict) -> dict:
return {
name: {"expr": data["expr"], "description": data.get("description", "")}
for name, data in cols.items()
}
withopen("/tmp/ts_sv_diff_existing.json", "w") as f:
json.dump(_cols_for_diff(existing_sv_parse["columns"]), f)
withopen("/tmp/ts_sv_diff_generated.json", "w") as f:
json.dump(_cols_for_diff(generated_sv["columns"]), f)
modified_synonyms will always be empty here since neither side supplies synonym
data — ignore that key. removed_columns still needs per-column user confirmation
(below); everything else is display-only input to the next section.
Present the diff and collect decisions
=== Change set for "{existing_sv_name}" ===
✚ New columns: {N} (will be added)
✖ Removed columns: {M} (confirm each — unchecked = keep in new SV)
~ Modified expressions: {R} (will be updated — review before confirming)
✏ Modified descriptions: {P} (will be updated automatically)
= Unchanged columns: {T} (no change)
Removed columns — require per-column confirmation. Pre-fill all as unchecked (keep):
These columns are in the current SV but not in the updated Model.
Confirm removal from the SV? (unchecked = keep in the new SV DDL)
[ ] {col_name} — currently: {existing_expr}
...
Unchecked columns are re-added verbatim from the existing SV DDL — they are preserved
even if the Model no longer includes them.
Modified expressions — show old and new side-by-side. Require YES / SKIP per
column; do not bulk-apply.
Descriptions are applied automatically — no per-column confirmation needed.
Require the user to type done after reviewing before proceeding.
Modified expressions confirmed YES: use generated DDL value
Modified descriptions: use generated DDL value
Replace the generated_sv_ddl variable with this assembled DDL before Step 10.
⚑ Step 10: CHECKPOINT — Review with User
Do not proceed without explicit user confirmation.
Mode C: show the assembled (diff-reviewed) DDL and a diff summary instead of the
full conversion summary. The prompt becomes:
Shall I apply these changes to {existing_sv_name} in Snowflake?
✚ {N} columns added, ✖ {M} removed, ~ {R} expressions updated, ✏ {P} descriptions updated
YES — proceed (CREATE OR REPLACE)
NO — cancel
FILE — write the final DDL to a file without executing
Single mode (split_mode = False): present the following three sections.
Split mode (split_mode = True): present one labelled block per domain (Domain 1,
Domain 2, …). Each block contains the three sections below for that domain. At the end,
show the combined prompt once covering all domains.
1. Generated DDL — full CREATE OR REPLACE SEMANTIC VIEW statement in a SQL code block.
Split mode: label each block — e.g. ### Domain 1 — sales_inventory_dm_order.
Include the domain.sv_name as the view name; remind the user they may rename it before creating.
2. Conversion Summary:
- Tables: {n}
- Relationships: {n}
- Dimensions: {n} (across all tables)
- Time dimensions: {n} (across all tables)
- Metrics: {n} ({n} translated formulas, {n} physical columns)
- Omitted columns: {n} (untranslatable formulas — see Formula Translation Log)
Split mode: show per-domain counts, then a totals row.
If shared dimensions were duplicated, note: Shared dimensions duplicated into each view: {list} — updates to these must be applied to all {N} views.
Formula Translation Log (all formulas, translated and untranslated)
Cross-Domain Formulas (split mode only — if any exist)
Other dropped properties
Single mode prompt:
Shall I create this Semantic View in Snowflake?
YES — proceed
NO — cancel
EDIT — followed by changes to the YAML
FILE — write the YAML to a file without creating it in Snowflake
Split mode prompt:
Shall I create all {N} Semantic Views in Snowflake?
YES — create all {N} views
NO — cancel
EDIT {n} — edit domain n's DDL before creating (e.g. EDIT 1)
FILE — write all {N} DDL files without creating them
If the user selects NO, stop. No cleanup needed — the CLI manages its own token cache.
Six of this step's checks are deterministic structural checks with no semantic
judgment involved — ts snowflake lint-ddl (ts-cli v0.30.0+) codifies them
(BL-063 codification quick win), same rationale as the ts tml lint pre-import gate:
ts snowflake lint-ddl {file.sql}
Exit code is non-zero if any error-severity finding is present. Fix every
finding and re-lint before proceeding — do not create the view from a DDL that
fails this gate.
Covered by ts snowflake lint-ddl
check slug
Every table referenced in relationships(), dimensions(), or metrics() appears in tables()
undeclared-table
Dimension/metric aliases are globally unique across the entire view (no two tables share an alias name)
duplicate-alias
Metrics that reference other metric aliases appear after those aliases in the metrics() clause
metric-forward-reference
Valid Snowflake identifiers for view name and all aliases: ^[A-Za-z_][A-Za-z0-9_]*$
identifier-format
No -- TODO / CAST(NULL AS TEXT) placeholders anywhere in the DDL
untranslatable-placeholder
comment= value likely has an unescaped embedded single quote (warning — moderate-confidence heuristic)
unescaped-comment-quote
Still manual — semantic judgment, not codified:
These require understanding aggregation intent, join cardinality, or a
reserved-word list broad enough to risk false positives on legitimate column
names — ts snowflake lint-ddl deliberately does not attempt them. Report all
failures together before retrying:
Every table that is a relationship right-side has primary key (COL) in its tables() entry
Every FK column used in a relationship left-side appears as a dimension alias in its table
Metric expressions reference metric aliases for derived/ratio metrics — not nested SUM() calls: DIV0(tbl.amount, tbl.quantity) not DIV0(SUM(tbl.LINE_TOTAL), SUM(tbl.QUANTITY))
LOD/window metrics (group_sum → SUM(...) OVER (PARTITION BY ...)): the windowed aggregate references a defined base metric alias, not a raw column — SUM(tbl.total_quantity) OVER (...) not SUM(tbl.QUANTITY) OVER (...) (the raw-column form is rejected with error 010256). PARTITION BY may use a dimension on a joined coarser entity; no denormalization needed
non additive by metrics: modifier is {TABLE}.{COL} {asc|desc} nulls last, expression is SUM(...), the TABLE is a joined date dimension
Formula dimension expressions use table_lower.ALIAS references, not physical column names if those differ
Reserved SQL words used as column names are double-quoted in expressions: table."date", table."schema"
CA extension JSON: every alias defined in dimensions() and metrics() appears in the correct category (dimensions, time_dimensions, or metrics) under its table; date columns go in time_dimensions
CA extension JSON: every relationship name defined in relationships() appears in the relationships[] array
No NULL AS placeholder anywhere in the DDL — not covered by the automated untranslatable-placeholder check (too prone to false-positives on legitimate COALESCE(x, NULL) AS y-style expressions to automate reliably)
comment= value is a single-quoted SQL string — escape any embedded single quotes by doubling them (the automated check above is a moderate-confidence heuristic, not a guarantee — re-check by eye on anything it doesn't flag)
Step 12-FILE: Output DDL file (file-only mode)
This path is used when the user selected FILE at the Step 10 checkpoint, explicitly
said "file only", or has no Snowflake access or CREATE SEMANTIC VIEW permission.
Split mode: repeat steps 1–3 for each domain in sequence, using domain.sv_name as
the filename. Report each file written before moving to the next domain.
1. Determine the output filename:
Use {semantic_view_name}.sql. If the current working directory contains a
semantic-views/ or output/ subdirectory, write there; otherwise write to the
current directory.
2. Write the file:
from pathlib import Path
out_path = Path(f"{semantic_view_name}.sql")
out_path.write_text(sv_ddl_str, encoding="utf-8")
3. Report:
Semantic View DDL written to: {semantic_view_name}.sql
To create it in Snowflake when you have access:
1. In Snowsight, open a worksheet, set context to {suggested_db}.{suggested_schema},
and paste + run the contents of {semantic_view_name}.sql.
2. Or via Snowflake CLI:
snow sql -c {cli_connection} -f {semantic_view_name}.sql
Use the database and schema from the table map built in Step 5 as the suggested target
(or YOUR_DATABASE.YOUR_SCHEMA if ambiguous).
4. Proceed to Step 13 (Generate Test Questions) — the test questions help the user
know what to verify once they create the view.
Step 12: Execute
Split mode: run this entire step once per domain in sequence. Use domain.sv_name
as the view name for each iteration. If one domain fails, report the error and ask:
Retry / Skip and continue with the remaining domains / Cancel all? before proceeding.
Target location (skip if already confirmed by the user — e.g. they named a schema
earlier in the conversation):
Present the unique (database, schema) pairs from the table map as numbered options:
Where should the Semantic View be created?
1. ANALYTICS.PUBLIC (all 3 tables)
E. Enter a different database and schema
Select (or press Enter for #1):
If the user selects E, ask for target_database and target_schema explicitly.
Snowflake connection (skip if already connected in Step 5):
Uses the active Cortex Code connection (configured via cortex connections set).
Execute SQL via sql_execute tool directly.
Role: Use the role from the active connection; ask the user if they need a different one.
Warehouse: Use the warehouse from the active connection.
Execute the CREATE via sql_execute:
Execute the DDL directly using the sql_execute tool with the active Cortex Code
connection. Set the appropriate database and schema context first:
USE ROLE {role};
USE DATABASE {target_database};
USE SCHEMA {target_schema};
Then execute the CREATE OR REPLACE SEMANTIC VIEW DDL statement.
Notes:
CREATE OR REPLACE SEMANTIC VIEW is idempotent — no need to DROP first
The comment= value is a single-quoted SQL string; escape embedded single quotes by doubling: ''
The with extension (CA='...') JSON uses double quotes internally — no escaping needed
On success: report the created view name and location.
On failure: show the full Snowflake error. Do not retry automatically — ask the user.
Cleanup:
No ThoughtSpot token cleanup needed — the CLI manages its own cache automatically.
If Snowflake temp files were written (e.g. /tmp/sv_wrappers.sql), remove them now.
Step 12b: Verify Creation
After a successful CREATE OR REPLACE SEMANTIC VIEW execution, confirm the view
exists and is queryable before reporting success.
Split mode: run this step after each domain's CREATE call. After all domains are
verified, report a combined summary listing every view created.
1. Confirm the view exists:
SHOW SEMANTIC VIEWS LIKE'{semantic_view_name}'IN SCHEMA {target_database}.{target_schema};
Expected: exactly one row returned with name = '{semantic_view_name}'.
If zero rows returned: the stored procedure reported success but the view was not
created. Report this discrepancy verbatim — do not proceed to test questions.
2. Spot-check — SELECT the first metric:
SELECT {first_metric_name}
FROM {target_database}.{target_schema}.{semantic_view_name}
LIMIT 1;
Replace {first_metric_name} with the first entry in the metrics: list in the
generated YAML. If this returns an error, report it verbatim and do not silently skip.
Common errors at this stage and their causes:
Error
Cause
Fix
error 392700 "unknown field data_type"
A metric has data_type: set
Remove data_type from all metrics: entries
invalid column name "id"
Lowercase case-sensitive column not wrapped in a view
Create uppercase wrapper view (Step 5 / Step 6)
semantic view not found
SHOW result name has different casing
Check exact name: value used in the YAML
The fact entity … must be … lower granularity
Bridge/junction table traversal hit
Use direct SQL instead; see Known Limitations in snowflake-schema.md
After the spot-check passes, proceed to Step 13 (Generate Test Questions).
Step 13: Generate Test Questions
After the view is successfully created, generate 5 natural language questions derived
from the semantic view. Use the actual metrics, dimensions, and time dimensions that
were mapped — not column names, but the synonym or alias values from the DDL.
Split mode: generate 5 questions per domain view, each labelled with the view name.
Include at least one question per domain that could NOT be answered by querying the
other domain's view alone — to demonstrate the value of the split and its scope.
Question design — aim for variety:
Type
Example pattern
Simple aggregation
"What is the total {metric} ?"
Breakdown
"What is {metric} by {dimension} ?"
Time trend
"How has {metric} changed over {time_dimension} ?"
Ranking
"Which {dimension} has the highest {metric} ?"
Multi-table / filtered
"What is {metric} for {dimension value} broken down by {dimension from joined table} ?"
Span multiple tables where possible to exercise the relationships. Keep phrasing
conversational — these are for testing, not production reports.
Present the questions as:
Test questions for {semantic_view_name}
1. {question}
2. {question}
3. {question}
4. {question}
5. {question}
───────────────────────────────────────────────
Snowflake Cortex Analyst
In Snowsight: open Cortex Analyst, select the semantic view, and ask each question.
ThoughtSpot Spotter
In your ThoughtSpot instance: open Spotter, select the original worksheet/model,
and ask each question.
Claude Code
Ask Claude directly — for example:
"Using the {semantic_view_name} semantic view in {target_database}.{target_schema},
{question}"
───────────────────────────────────────────────
After completing a model — batch continuation:
If the user originally requested multiple models and more remain, immediately offer
the next one without waiting to be asked:
✓ {semantic_view_name} created in {target_database}.{target_schema}
Next up: {next_model_name}
Ready to convert? (Y / N):
If yes: go directly to Step 2 (model selection is already known — skip straight to
Step 3: Export TML). Reuse the ThoughtSpot profile, Snowflake profile, warehouse,
and role from this session. Do not re-run Step 1 profile prompts.
If no (or no more models remain): the session is complete. No ThoughtSpot token
cleanup needed — the CLI manages its own cache.
Changelog
Version
Date
Summary
1.3.2
2026-07-11
Remove the dead direct-api-auth.md reference-table row (retired repo-wide — curl + /tmp/ts_token.txt fallback now prohibited by ts-cli.md/security.md, no step logic used it) (BL-109).
Replace the inline macOS-only Keychain token-refresh procedure with a pointer to /ts-profile-thoughtspot (U3 — Refresh Credential), the canonical cross-platform procedure (audit finding 11.4).
1.2.3
2026-06-13
Fix INFORMATION_SCHEMA case comparison (F12); add join-type drop reporting table to T-RULES.
1.2.2
2026-06-02
Add Step 11 checklist rule: LOD/window metrics must window over a defined base metric alias (not a raw column — rejected with error 010256); PARTITION BY may use a joined coarser dimension, no denormalization
1.2.1
2026-05-11
Add source ~/.zshenv && prefix to bare ts auth logout in the error-recovery bash block
1.2.0
2026-05-05
Add A/B/C mode menu (Step 1.5): A=single new SV, B=split (now first-class), C=update existing SV; add Step 9.5C diff workflow for Mode C
