tools-only Managing dbt Packages
dbt packages extend functionality with reusable macros and tests. Check what's installed before writing tests or models that depend on package functionality.
Checking Installed Packages
# List installed packages
cat package-lock.yml
Discovering Packages
Browse available packages at hub.getdbt.com.
To discover packages programmatically:
- List all packages:
https://hub.getdbt.com/api/v1/index.json - Get package details:
https://hub.getdbt.com/api/v1/{org}/{package}.json
For example: https://hub.getdbt.com/api/v1/dbt-labs/dbt_utils.json
Version Boundaries
Use semantic versioning boundaries when installing:
| Package Version | Install Boundary | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1.x or greater | Any minor version | >=1.0.0,<2.0.0 |
| 0.x.y | Any patch version | >=0.9.0,<0.10.0 |
Common Packages
Testing
- dbt-utils:
expression_is_true,recency,at_least_one,unique_combination_of_columns,accepted_range - dbt-expectations:
expect_column_values_to_be_between,expect_column_values_to_match_regex, statistical tests - elementary: Anomaly detection, schema change monitoring
Data Loaders
If transforming raw data from these vendors, use their packages rather than writing models from scratch:
- fivetran: Pre-built staging and mart models for Fivetran-loaded sources
- dlt-hub: Models for dlt pipeline outputs
- saras-daton: Transformations for Daton-ingested data
- snowplow: Event modeling for Snowplow behavioral data
Installing Packages
dbt deps --add-package dbt-labs/dbt_utils@">=1.0.0,<2.0.0"
After adding packages, run dbt deps to install them before use.