skills.rest
dbt-labs
dbt-labsOFFICIAL
Explore all skills by this author →
WebsiteGitHub

using-dbt-state

Configure and troubleshoot dbt State server-backed node reuse across dbt Core and Fusion.

699|61|Updated Jan 8, 2026
Search Tags:#analytics engineering#incremental#reuse#deferral#STATE#data freshness#DBT
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/dbt-labs/dbt-agent-skills --skill using-dbt-state
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: using-dbt-state
Source: https://github.com/dbt-labs/dbt-agent-skills/tree/main/skills/dbt/skills/using-dbt-state
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/dbt-labs/dbt-agent-skills --skill using-dbt-state

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

It resolves confusion around dbt State, the server-backed reuse mechanism that skips, clones, or rebuilds dbt nodes, and explains why models rebuild unexpectedly or fail to reuse existing objects.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Reuse decision guidance: Explains how dbt State chooses between skip, clone, and build for each selected node based on semantic hashes and data freshness.
  • Configuration reference: Documents configs like lag_tolerance, evaluate_volatile_sql, pre_clone, and execute_hooks_on_any_reuse for tuning reuse behavior.
  • Troubleshooting: Diagnoses unexpected rebuilds caused by volatile SQL, non-deterministic Jinja, or build-relevant config changes, and clarifies DATT-based billing.
  • Use Case: A developer notices a model with current_timestamp() rebuilding every run; use this Skill to determine whether evaluate_volatile_sql or a Jinja-rendered value is invalidating the semantic hash.

Quick Start

Ask the agent why my dbt model keeps rebuilding despite no code changes and how to configure lag_tolerance for my dev environment.

Frequently Asked Questions about using-dbt-state

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How does dbt State decide whether to skip, clone, or rebuild a model?▼

dbt State parses SQL into a syntax tree and compares semantic hashes, then checks upstream data freshness against lag_tolerance. It skips if the target object is unchanged and fresh, clones from another schema if a matching object exists, and builds only when no valid reuse is possible.

What is the difference between dbt State and the state:modified selector?▼

The state:modified selector hashes file contents against a manifest you maintain and rebuilds all descendants. dbt State manages state on a server, compares semantic SQL hashes, considers data freshness, and rebuilds only descendants that actually depend on the change.

Does dbt State work with dbt Core or only Fusion?▼

dbt State works in dbt Core, the dbt platform, and Fusion across dev, CI, and production. dbt Core 1.7-1.11 requires pip install dbt-state, while Core 1.12, v2.0, and Fusion include it built in.

Why does my model with current_timestamp() keep rebuilding?▼

By default volatile functions are hashed by name, not runtime value, so they should not trigger rebuilds. Rebuilds usually mean evaluate_volatile_sql is enabled or a Jinja value like run_started_at changes the compiled SQL each run.

How is dbt State billed and what is a DATT?▼

dbt State is metered in DATTs, daily active target tables, where each model, seed, snapshot, and distinct test counts as a target table. A target table becomes a DATT when at least one skip, clone, or test reuse occurs on it in a day; views are never billed.

Why did my post-hooks not run on a reused model?▼

Pre and post-hooks do not run when a node is reused by default. Set execute_hooks_on_any_reuse to true in the state config so hooks execute even when the node is skipped or cloned.

Related Skills

Explore More Data & Analytics Skills→
finsilabsfinsilabs
44

ecommerce-data-warehouse

Build e-commerce data warehouses with star-schema, ETL, and dbt.

Official
Advanced
pluginagentmarketplacepluginagentmarketplace
4

mlops-deployment

Deploy and maintain ML models with Docker, Kubernetes, and CI/CD pipelines.

Community
Advanced
dtsongdtsong
1

dbt-skill

Guide dbt data modeling, testing, CI/CD, and performance optimization across Snowflake and BigQuery.

Community
Advanced
pkoka888pkoka888
1

running-dbt-commands

Format and execute dbt CLI commands with selectors and flags.

Community
Intermediate