Dbt Transformation Patterns

1---
2name: dbt-transformation-patterns
3description: Master dbt (data build tool) for analytics engineering with model organization, testing, documentation, and incremental strategies. Use when building data transformations, creating data models, or implementing analytics engineering best practices.
4---
5 
6# dbt Transformation Patterns
7 
8Production-ready patterns for dbt (data build tool) including model organization, testing strategies, documentation, and incremental processing.
9 
10## Use this skill when
11 
12- Building data transformation pipelines with dbt
13- Organizing models into staging, intermediate, and marts layers
14- Implementing data quality tests and documentation
15- Creating incremental models for large datasets
16- Setting up dbt project structure and conventions
17 
18## Do not use this skill when
19 
20- The project is not using dbt or a warehouse-backed workflow
21- You only need ad-hoc SQL queries
22- There is no access to source data or schemas
23 
24## Instructions
25 
26- Define model layers, naming, and ownership.
27- Implement tests, documentation, and freshness checks.
28- Choose materializations and incremental strategies.
29- Optimize runs with selectors and CI workflows.
30- If detailed patterns are required, open `resources/implementation-playbook.md`.
31 
32## Resources
33 
34- `resources/implementation-playbook.md` for detailed dbt patterns and examples.
35