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dbt connector

Set up the dbt connector in Kaivo: authentication, configuration, the 5 BigQuery tables it syncs, and answers to common questions.

Written By Lauri Raivio

Last updated 16 days ago

Kaivo is a fully managed data platform that syncs your dbt data into a Google BigQuery warehouse and keeps it up to date automatically. There is no pipeline to build and no infrastructure to run, so you can spend your time analysing your data from dbt instead of moving it.

What is the dbt connector

Sync your dbt Cloud runs, projects, and environments into BigQuery with Kaivo to monitor your data pipelines alongside the rest of your data.

CategoryTech
AuthenticationAPI key
SetupSelf-service

Getting started with the dbt connector

  1. Sign up for Kaivo and create a workspace.
  2. Connect your dbt account.
  3. Choose which tables to sync.
  4. Wait for the initial sync to finish.
  5. Query your data in BigQuery or your favourite AI or BI tool.

Authenticating dbt

Authenticate with your Token.

FieldDescription
Token

A dbt Cloud service token. Create one in dbt Cloud under Account settings → Service tokens with the Read-only permission set, applied to the projects you want to sync. The token is shown only once, when you create it.

Configuring the dbt connector

When you set up the connector, you provide:

FieldDescription
Account ID

Your dbt Cloud account ID — the number in your dbt Cloud URL right after /accounts/ (e.g. 12345). Also shown in Account settings.

Access URL

The start of your dbt Cloud URL, up to the domain — copy it from your browser's address bar (e.g. https://cloud.getdbt.com). The default suits standard multi-tenant accounts; single-tenant or other-region accounts use their own (e.g. https://abc123.us1.dbt.com).

Tables and columns synced from dbt

Kaivo syncs 5 tables from dbt into a dedicated dataset in your BigQuery warehouse. Click any table to see its columns and types.

ColumnTypeDescription
_kaivo_idSTRINGPrimary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
typeSTRING
account_idFLOAT64
connection_idFLOAT64
created_atSTRING
credentials__typeSTRING
credentials__account_idFLOAT64
credentials__adapter_versionSTRING
credentials__auth_typeSTRING
credentials__created_atSTRING
credentials__databaseSTRING
credentials__has_refresh_tokenBOOL
credentials__idFLOAT64
credentials__is_configured_for_oauthBOOL
credentials__project_idFLOAT64
credentials__roleSTRING
credentials__schemaSTRING
credentials__stateFLOAT64
credentials__target_nameSTRING
credentials__threadsFLOAT64
credentials__updated_atSTRING
credentials__userSTRING
credentials__warehouseSTRING
credentials_idFLOAT64
dbt_versionSTRING
deployment_typeSTRING
enable_model_query_historyBOOL
extended_attributes_idFLOAT64
idFLOAT64
nameSTRING
project__descriptionSTRING
project__account_idFLOAT64
project__connection__typeSTRING
project__connection__account_idFLOAT64
project__connection__adapter_versionSTRING
project__connection__created_atSTRING
project__connection__created_by_idFLOAT64
project__connection__details__accountSTRING
project__connection__details__allow_ssoBOOL
project__connection__details__auth_provider_x509_cert_urlSTRING
project__connection__details__auth_uriSTRING
project__connection__details__client_emailSTRING
project__connection__details__client_idSTRING
project__connection__details__client_session_keep_aliveBOOL
project__connection__details__client_x509_cert_urlSTRING
project__connection__details__databaseSTRING
project__connection__details__is_configured_for_oauthBOOL
project__connection__details__maximum_bytes_billedFLOAT64
project__connection__details__private_key_idSTRING
project__connection__details__project_idSTRING
project__connection__details__retriesFLOAT64
project__connection__details__roleSTRING
project__connection__details__timeout_secondsFLOAT64
project__connection__details__token_uriSTRING
project__connection__details__warehouseSTRING
project__connection__idFLOAT64
project__connection__nameSTRING
project__connection__oauth_redirect_uriSTRING
project__connection__project_idFLOAT64
project__connection__stateFLOAT64
project__connection__updated_atSTRING
project__connection_idFLOAT64
project__created_atSTRING
project__dbt_project_subdirectorySTRING
project__docs_job_idFLOAT64
project__idFLOAT64
project__nameSTRING
project__repository__account_idFLOAT64
project__repository__created_atSTRING
project__repository__deploy_key__account_idFLOAT64
project__repository__deploy_key__idFLOAT64
project__repository__deploy_key__public_keySTRING
project__repository__deploy_key__stateFLOAT64
project__repository__deploy_key_idFLOAT64
project__repository__full_nameSTRING
project__repository__git_clone_strategySTRING
project__repository__git_provider_idFLOAT64
project__repository__github_installation_idFLOAT64
project__repository__github_repoSTRING
project__repository__idFLOAT64
project__repository__nameSTRING
project__repository__project_idFLOAT64
project__repository__pull_request_url_templateSTRING
project__repository__remote_backendSTRING
project__repository__remote_urlSTRING
project__repository__stateFLOAT64
project__repository__updated_atSTRING
project__repository_idFLOAT64
project__skipped_setupBOOL
project__stateFLOAT64
project__updated_atSTRING
project_idFLOAT64
raw_dbt_versionSTRING
stateFLOAT64
supports_docsBOOL
updated_atSTRING
use_custom_branchBOOL
_kaivo_extracted_atTIMESTAMPTimestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: environments__project__connection__details__scopes

ColumnTypeDescription
_kaivo_parent_idSTRINGForeign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
_kaivo_idSTRINGPrimary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
valueSTRING
_kaivo_extracted_atTIMESTAMPTimestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
ColumnTypeDescription
_kaivo_idSTRINGPrimary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
descriptionSTRING
account_idFLOAT64
connection__typeSTRING
connection__account_idFLOAT64
connection__adapter_versionSTRING
connection__created_atSTRING
connection__created_by_idFLOAT64
connection__details__accountSTRING
connection__details__allow_ssoBOOL
connection__details__auth_provider_x509_cert_urlSTRING
connection__details__auth_uriSTRING
connection__details__client_emailSTRING
connection__details__client_idSTRING
connection__details__client_session_keep_aliveBOOL
connection__details__client_x509_cert_urlSTRING
connection__details__databaseSTRING
connection__details__is_configured_for_oauthBOOL
connection__details__maximum_bytes_billedFLOAT64
connection__details__private_key_idSTRING
connection__details__project_idSTRING
connection__details__retriesFLOAT64
connection__details__roleSTRING
connection__details__timeout_secondsFLOAT64
connection__details__token_uriSTRING
connection__details__warehouseSTRING
connection__idFLOAT64
connection__nameSTRING
connection__oauth_redirect_uriSTRING
connection__project_idFLOAT64
connection__stateFLOAT64
connection__updated_atSTRING
connection_idFLOAT64
created_atSTRING
dbt_project_subdirectorySTRING
docs_job__descriptionSTRING
docs_job__account_idFLOAT64
docs_job__created_atSTRING
docs_job__deactivatedBOOL
docs_job__environment_idFLOAT64
docs_job__errors_on_lint_failureBOOL
docs_job__execution__timeout_secondsFLOAT64
docs_job__generate_docsBOOL
docs_job__idFLOAT64
docs_job__job_typeSTRING
docs_job__nameSTRING
docs_job__project_idFLOAT64
docs_job__run_compare_changesBOOL
docs_job__run_failure_countFLOAT64
docs_job__run_generate_sourcesBOOL
docs_job__run_lintBOOL
docs_job__schedule__cronSTRING
docs_job__schedule__dateSTRING
docs_job__schedule__timeSTRING
docs_job__settings__target_nameSTRING
docs_job__settings__threadsFLOAT64
docs_job__stateFLOAT64
docs_job__triggers__git_provider_webhookBOOL
docs_job__triggers__github_webhookBOOL
docs_job__triggers__scheduleBOOL
docs_job__triggers_on_draft_prBOOL
docs_job__updated_atSTRING
docs_job_idFLOAT64
idFLOAT64
nameSTRING
repository__account_idFLOAT64
repository__created_atSTRING
repository__deploy_key__account_idFLOAT64
repository__deploy_key__idFLOAT64
repository__deploy_key__public_keySTRING
repository__deploy_key__stateFLOAT64
repository__deploy_key_idFLOAT64
repository__full_nameSTRING
repository__git_clone_strategySTRING
repository__git_provider_idFLOAT64
repository__github_installation_idFLOAT64
repository__github_repoSTRING
repository__idFLOAT64
repository__nameSTRING
repository__project_idFLOAT64
repository__pull_request_url_templateSTRING
repository__remote_backendSTRING
repository__remote_urlSTRING
repository__stateFLOAT64
repository__updated_atSTRING
repository_idFLOAT64
skipped_setupBOOL
stateFLOAT64
updated_atSTRING
_kaivo_extracted_atTIMESTAMPTimestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: projects__connection__details__scopes

ColumnTypeDescription
_kaivo_parent_idSTRINGForeign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
_kaivo_idSTRINGPrimary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
valueSTRING
_kaivo_extracted_atTIMESTAMPTimestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: projects__docs_job__execute_steps

ColumnTypeDescription
_kaivo_parent_idSTRINGForeign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
_kaivo_idSTRINGPrimary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
valueSTRING
_kaivo_extracted_atTIMESTAMPTimestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: projects__group_permissions

ColumnTypeDescription
_kaivo_parent_idSTRINGForeign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
_kaivo_idSTRINGPrimary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
valueJSON
_kaivo_extracted_atTIMESTAMPTimestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
ColumnTypeDescription
_kaivo_idSTRINGPrimary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
account_idFLOAT64
created_atSTRING
deploy_key__account_idFLOAT64
deploy_key__idFLOAT64
deploy_key__public_keySTRING
deploy_key__stateFLOAT64
deploy_key_idFLOAT64
full_nameSTRING
git_clone_strategySTRING
git_provider_idFLOAT64
github_installation_idFLOAT64
github_repoSTRING
idFLOAT64
nameSTRING
project_idFLOAT64
pull_request_url_templateSTRING
remote_backendSTRING
remote_urlSTRING
stateFLOAT64
updated_atSTRING
_kaivo_extracted_atTIMESTAMPTimestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
ColumnTypeDescription
_kaivo_idSTRINGPrimary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
account_idFLOAT64
artifact_s3_pathSTRING
artifacts_savedBOOL
can_retryBOOL
created_atSTRING
created_at_humanizedSTRING
dbt_versionSTRING
dequeued_atSTRING
durationSTRING
duration_humanizedSTRING
environment_idFLOAT64
executed_by_thread_idSTRING
finished_atSTRING
finished_at_humanizedSTRING
git_branchSTRING
git_shaSTRING
has_docs_generatedBOOL
has_sources_generatedBOOL
hrefSTRING
idFLOAT64
in_progressBOOL
is_cancelledBOOL
is_completeBOOL
is_errorBOOL
is_successBOOL
job_definition_idFLOAT64
job_idFLOAT64
last_checked_atSTRING
last_heartbeat_atSTRING
notifications_sentBOOL
project_idFLOAT64
queued_durationSTRING
queued_duration_humanizedSTRING
retry_not_supported_reasonSTRING
run_durationSTRING
run_duration_humanizedSTRING
should_start_atSTRING
started_atSTRING
statusFLOAT64
status_humanizedSTRING
status_messageSTRING
trigger_idFLOAT64
updated_atSTRING
_kaivo_extracted_atTIMESTAMPTimestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: runs__blocked_by

ColumnTypeDescription
_kaivo_parent_idSTRINGForeign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
_kaivo_idSTRINGPrimary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
valueFLOAT64
_kaivo_extracted_atTIMESTAMPTimestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: runs__run_steps

ColumnTypeDescription
_kaivo_parent_idSTRINGForeign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
_kaivo_idSTRINGPrimary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
valueJSON
_kaivo_extracted_atTIMESTAMPTimestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
ColumnTypeDescription
_kaivo_idSTRINGPrimary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
apitoken_last_usedSTRING
created_atSTRING
emailSTRING
email_verifiedBOOL
first_nameSTRING
fullnameSTRING
idFLOAT64
is_activeBOOL
is_staffBOOL
last_loginSTRING
last_nameSTRING
licenses___16791__account_idFLOAT64
licenses___16791__created_atSTRING
licenses___16791__idFLOAT64
licenses___16791__license_typeSTRING
licenses___16791__stateFLOAT64
licenses___16791__updated_atSTRING
licenses___16791__user_idFLOAT64
licenses___112186__account_idFLOAT64
licenses___112186__created_atSTRING
licenses___112186__idFLOAT64
licenses___112186__license_typeSTRING
licenses___112186__stateFLOAT64
licenses___112186__updated_atSTRING
licenses___112186__user_idFLOAT64
licenses___150670__account_idFLOAT64
licenses___150670__created_atSTRING
licenses___150670__idFLOAT64
licenses___150670__license_typeSTRING
licenses___150670__stateFLOAT64
licenses___150670__updated_atSTRING
licenses___150670__user_idFLOAT64
licenses___193777__account_idFLOAT64
licenses___193777__created_atSTRING
licenses___193777__idFLOAT64
licenses___193777__license_typeSTRING
licenses___193777__stateFLOAT64
licenses___193777__updated_atSTRING
licenses___193777__user_idFLOAT64
licenses___257730__account_idFLOAT64
licenses___257730__created_atSTRING
licenses___257730__idFLOAT64
licenses___257730__license_typeSTRING
licenses___257730__stateFLOAT64
licenses___257730__updated_atSTRING
licenses___257730__user_idFLOAT64
show_existing_user_email_verificationBOOL
_kaivo_extracted_atTIMESTAMPTimestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: users__licenses___16791__groups

ColumnTypeDescription
_kaivo_parent_idSTRINGForeign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
_kaivo_idSTRINGPrimary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
valueJSON
_kaivo_extracted_atTIMESTAMPTimestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: users__licenses___112186__groups

ColumnTypeDescription
_kaivo_parent_idSTRINGForeign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
_kaivo_idSTRINGPrimary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
valueJSON
_kaivo_extracted_atTIMESTAMPTimestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: users__licenses___150670__groups

ColumnTypeDescription
_kaivo_parent_idSTRINGForeign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
_kaivo_idSTRINGPrimary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
valueJSON
_kaivo_extracted_atTIMESTAMPTimestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: users__licenses___193777__groups

ColumnTypeDescription
_kaivo_parent_idSTRINGForeign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
_kaivo_idSTRINGPrimary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
valueJSON
_kaivo_extracted_atTIMESTAMPTimestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: users__licenses___257730__groups

ColumnTypeDescription
_kaivo_parent_idSTRINGForeign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
_kaivo_idSTRINGPrimary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
valueJSON
_kaivo_extracted_atTIMESTAMPTimestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: users__permissions

ColumnTypeDescription
_kaivo_parent_idSTRINGForeign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
_kaivo_idSTRINGPrimary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
account_idFLOAT64
created_atSTRING
idFLOAT64
license_typeSTRING
stateFLOAT64
updated_atSTRING
user_idFLOAT64
_kaivo_extracted_atTIMESTAMPTimestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: users__permissions__groups

ColumnTypeDescription
_kaivo_parent_idSTRINGForeign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
_kaivo_idSTRINGPrimary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
account_idFLOAT64
assign_by_defaultBOOL
created_atSTRING
idFLOAT64
nameSTRING
stateFLOAT64
updated_atSTRING
_kaivo_extracted_atTIMESTAMPTimestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: users__permissions__groups__group_permissions

ColumnTypeDescription
_kaivo_parent_idSTRINGForeign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
_kaivo_idSTRINGPrimary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
account_idFLOAT64
all_projectsBOOL
created_atSTRING
group_idFLOAT64
idFLOAT64
permission_setSTRING
stateFLOAT64
updated_atSTRING
_kaivo_extracted_atTIMESTAMPTimestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: users__permissions__groups__group_permissions__writable_environment_categories

ColumnTypeDescription
_kaivo_parent_idSTRINGForeign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
_kaivo_idSTRINGPrimary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
valueJSON
_kaivo_extracted_atTIMESTAMPTimestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: users__permissions__groups__sso_mapping_groups

ColumnTypeDescription
_kaivo_parent_idSTRINGForeign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
_kaivo_idSTRINGPrimary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
valueJSON
_kaivo_extracted_atTIMESTAMPTimestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: users__permissions__permission_statements

ColumnTypeDescription
_kaivo_parent_idSTRINGForeign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
_kaivo_idSTRINGPrimary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
all_resourcesBOOL
permissionSTRING
target_resourceFLOAT64
_kaivo_extracted_atTIMESTAMPTimestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: users__permissions__permission_statements__writable_environment_categories

ColumnTypeDescription
_kaivo_parent_idSTRINGForeign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
_kaivo_idSTRINGPrimary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
valueJSON
_kaivo_extracted_atTIMESTAMPTimestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

How the dbt sync works

After the first load, Kaivo keeps your BigQuery warehouse up to date for you. Where dbt supports it, each sync pulls only new and changed records so it stays fast; otherwise it refreshes the whole table. Every record keeps its original ID, so you won't get duplicate rows.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the initial sync take for dbt?

It depends on how much history is in your dbt account. Most initial syncs finish within minutes, while large accounts can take a few hours. After that, syncs only fetch new and changed records, so they're much faster.

Can I sync only some tables or columns?

Yes. You pick which tables to sync when you set up the connection and can change the selection later. Tables you don't select are never copied to your warehouse.

What happens when dbt's schema changes?

New fields are never added automatically. You choose which fields to sync, so data you haven't selected (sensitive personal data, for example) never lands in your warehouse. When a new field appears, it becomes available for you to add. What happens to removed or renamed fields depends on a table's sync mode: full-refresh tables always match what's currently in dbt, so dropped fields disappear, while incremental tables keep their existing columns and history, so an old field stays and newly added fields fill in over time.

How do I handle GDPR or data deletion requests?

Your data lives in your own Kaivo-managed BigQuery warehouse, so the most direct option is to delete or anonymise specific records right in BigQuery. If you delete data in dbt instead, full-refresh tables drop it on the next sync, while incremental tables keep it, so you would remove the row in BigQuery or ask us to run a full refresh. To remove everything, delete the dbt connector in Kaivo and all of its synced data is deleted with it.

Common use cases for dbt data

Run monitoring

Track runs over time to monitor build success, failures, and run duration.

Project health

Analyse runs by project and environment to find slow or failing models.

Team activity

Use users and projects to see who is running what across your dbt account.

Report on run outcomes to measure pipeline reliability over time.

Use dbt data in your AI and BI tools

Once dbt data lands in your Kaivo-managed BigQuery warehouse, you can explore it with AI tools or any BI tool that connects to BigQuery. Here's how the most common destinations work with dbt data.

Claude

Use Kaivo's MCP server to give Claude secure, workspace-scoped access to your data. Setup guide →

Power BI

Microsoft's BI tool with a native BigQuery connector. Supports direct query and scheduled refresh. Setup guide →

Data Studio

Free Google BI tool with native BigQuery support. One-click connection to your Kaivo warehouse; great for SMB teams on Google Workspace. Setup guide →

Tableau

The premium analytics standard, with native BigQuery integration. Setup guide →

Google Sheets

Use Connected Sheets to query BigQuery directly from a spreadsheet, with no SQL. Setup guide →

Excel

Connect via Power Query's BigQuery connector. Setup guide →

Metabase

Open-source BI tool with strong BigQuery support. Setup guide →

See our pricing page for dbt connector pricing and plan details.

  • Adform: Sync Adform to BigQuery.
  • Amplitude: Sync Amplitude to BigQuery.
  • Auth0: Sync Auth0 to BigQuery.
  • Convex: Sync Convex to BigQuery.
  • GitHub: Sync GitHub to BigQuery.
  • GitLab: Sync GitLab to BigQuery.

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