dbt

name	dbt
description	dbt (data build tool) implementation of the analyst transformation layer. Use when a project has a dbt/ directory or you need to build, test, or document SQL transformations as version-controlled, reproducible dbt models. This is the dbt-specific HOW for the tech-agnostic principles in the aops-tools analyst skill.

dbt — Transformation Layer (academicOps)

dbt is one swappable implementation of the transformation layer. The analyst skill owns the principles, which hold whichever engine you use.

When to use

• The project contains a dbt/ directory (dbt/models/, dbt_project.yml).
• You need to add a metric, join, aggregation, or any business logic — it belongs in a dbt model with tests, never in the presentation layer.
• You need to test or document a transformation so reviewers can re-run and audit it.

The boundary that matters

Every metric, join, aggregation, and CASE business rule lives in a tested dbt model in the staging / intermediate / mart layering — never inline in the presentation layer. A transformation without a test is not one anyone can audit.

Fetch current dbt documentation at the point of use.