# Installing dbt Fusion

> dbt Fusion (dbtf) must be installed and working before starting a cross-platform migration. Fusion provides the real-time compilation engine and rich error diagnostics that power the migration workflow.

- Skill: `tools-only/installing-dbt-fusion` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tools-only/installing-dbt-fusion`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tools-only/installing-dbt-fusion/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: tools-only (https://skillmd.com/u/tools-only)
- Updated: 2026-09-29
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tools-only/installing-dbt-fusion

---

# Installing dbt Fusion

## PROBLEM

dbt Fusion (`dbtf`) must be installed and working before starting a cross-platform migration. Fusion provides the real-time compilation engine and rich error diagnostics that power the migration workflow.

## SOLUTION

### Check if Fusion is already installed

```bash
dbtf --version
```

If this returns a version number, Fusion is installed. Verify it can connect to your project:

```bash
dbtf debug
```

### Install Fusion

If `dbtf` is not found, follow the [official dbt Fusion installation guide](https://docs.getdbt.com/docs/fusion/install-fusion-cli) to install it.

**Verify installation**:
```bash
dbtf --version
dbtf debug
```

### Minimum requirements

- dbt Fusion must be able to connect to both the source and target platforms
- Run `dbtf debug` with each profile to verify connectivity before starting migration

## CHALLENGES

### Connection errors with dbtf debug

If `dbtf debug` fails to connect:
1. Verify your `profiles.yml` has the correct credentials
2. Check that the target warehouse/cluster is running and accessible
3. Ensure any required drivers are installed (e.g., Databricks ODBC/Simba driver)
4. Try the connection with standard `dbt debug` first to isolate Fusion-specific issues

### Fusion version compatibility

If you encounter unexpected parsing or compilation behavior, ensure you're running a recent version of Fusion:
```bash
dbtf --version
```

If Fusion is already installed, you can updated it to the latest version with
```bash
dbtf system update 
```