dbt™️ Model checks

check-column-desc-are-same

What it does

Check the models have the same descriptions for the same column names.

When to use it

E.g. in two of your models, you have customer_id with the description This is cutomer_id, but there is one model where column customer_id has a description Something else. This hook finds discrepancies between column descriptions.

Arguments

--ignore: columns for which do not check whether have a different description.

Example

repos:
  - repo: https://github.com/dbt-checkpoint/dbt-checkpoint
    rev: v1.0.0
    hooks:
      - id: check-column-desc-are-same

Requirements

Model exists in manifest.json 1	Model exists in catalog.json 2
❌ Not needed since it also validates properties files	❌ Not needed

1 It means that you need to run dbt parse before run this hook (dbt >= 1.5). 2 It means that you need to run dbt docs generate before run this hook.

How it works

• Hook takes all changed yml and SQL files.

• The model name is obtained from the SQL file name.

• The manifest is scanned for a model.

• Modified yml files are scanned for a model.

• If any column in the found model has different descriptions than others, the hook fails.

• The description must be in either the yml file or the manifest.

---

check-column-name-contract

What it does

Check that column name abides to a contract, as described in this blog post by Emily Riederer. A contract consists of a regex pattern and a series of data types.

When to use it

You want to make sure your columns follow a contract, e.g. all your boolean columns start with the prefixes is_, has_ or do_.

Arguments

--pattern: Regex pattern to match column names. --dtypes: Data types. --exclude: Regex pattern to exclude files.

Example

repos:
  - repo: https://github.com/dbt-checkpoint/dbt-checkpoint
    rev: v1.0.0
    hooks:
      - id: check-column-name-contract
        args: [--pattern, "(is|has|do)_.*", --dtypes, boolean text timestamp, "--"]

⚠️ do not forget to include -- as the last argument. Otherwise pre-commit would not be able to separate a list of files with args.

Requirements

Model exists in manifest.json 1	Model exists in catalog.json 2
❌ Not needed	✅ Yes

1 It means that you need to run dbt parse before run this hook (dbt >= 1.5). 2 It means that you need to run dbt docs generate before run this hook.

How it works

• Hook takes all changed SQL files.

• The model name is obtained from the SQL file name.

• The catalog is scanned for a model.

• If any column in the found model matches the regex pattern and it's data type does not match the contract's data type, the hook fails.

• If any column in the found model matches the contract's data type and does not match the regex pattern, the hook fails.

---

check-model-columns-have-desc

What it does

Ensures that the model has columns with descriptions in the properties file (usually schema.yml).

When to use it

You want to make sure that all specified columns in the properties files (usually schema.yml) have some description. This hook does not validate if all database columns are also present in a properties file.

Arguments

--manifest: location of manifest.json file. Usually target/manifest.json. This file contains a full representation of dbt project. Default: target/manifest.json

Example

repos:
  - repo: https://github.com/dbt-checkpoint/dbt-checkpoint
    rev: v1.0.0
    hooks:
      - id: check-model-columns-have-desc

Requirements

Model exists in manifest.json 1	Model exists in catalog.json 2
❌ Not needed since it also validates properties files	❌ Not needed

1 It means that you need to run dbt parse before run this hook (dbt >= 1.5). 2 It means that you need to run dbt docs generate before run this hook.

How it works

• Hook takes all changed yml and SQL files.

• The model name is obtained from the SQL file name.

• The manifest is scanned for a model.

• Modified yml files are scanned for a model.

• If any column in the found model does not contain a description, the hook fails.

• The description must be in either the yml file or the manifest.

Known limitations

If you run your model and then you delete column description from a properties file, the hook success since the description is still present in manifest.json.

---

check-model-has-all-columns

What it does

Ensures that all columns in the database are also specified in the properties file. (usually schema.yml).

When to use it

You want to make sure that you have all the database columns listed in the properties file, or that your properties file no longer contains deleted columns.

Arguments

--manifest: location of manifest.json file. Usually target/manifest.json. This file contains a full representation of dbt project. Default: target/manifest.json --catalog: location of catalog.json file. Usually target/catalog.json. dbt uses this file to render information like column types and table statistics into the docs site. In dbt-checkpoint is used for column operations. Default: target/catalog.json --exclude: Regex pattern to exclude files.

Example

repos:
  - repo: https://github.com/dbt-checkpoint/dbt-checkpoint
    rev: v1.0.0
    hooks:
      - id: check-model-has-all-columns

Requirements

Model exists in manifest.json 1	Model exists in catalog.json 2
✅ Yes	✅ Yes

1 It means that you need to run dbt parse before run this hook (dbt >= 1.5). 2 It means that you need to run dbt docs generate before run this hook.

How it works

• Hook takes all changed SQL files.

• The model name is obtained from the SQL file name.

• The manifest is scanned for a model.

• The catalog is scanned for a model.

• If there is any discrepancy between manifest and catalog models, the hook fails.

Known limitations

If you did not update the catalog and manifest results can be wrong.

---

check-model-has-contract

What it does

Checks that model's yaml has:

config:
  contract:
    enforced: true

When to use it

When you want to force developers to define model contracts.

Arguments

--manifest: location of manifest.json file. Usually target/manifest.json. This file contains a full representation of dbt project. Default: target/manifest.json --exclude: Regex pattern to exclude files.

Example

repos:
  - repo: https://github.com/dbt-checkpoint/dbt-checkpoint
    rev: v1.0.0
    hooks:
      - id: check-model-has-contract

How it works

It checks the generated manifest for the contract configuration

---

check-model-has-constraints

What it does

Checks that model's yaml has specific constraints defined, eg:

  - name: products
    config:
      contract:
        enforced: true
    constraints:
      - type: foreign_key
        columns:
          - "product_id"

When to use it

When you want to force developers to define model constraints.

Arguments

--manifest: location of manifest.json file. Usually target/manifest.json. This file contains a full representation of dbt project. Default: target/manifest.json --constraints: JSON string escaped by single quotes --exclude: Regex pattern to exclude files.

Example

repos:
  - repo: https://github.com/xasm83/dbt-checkpoint
    rev: v1.0.0
    hooks:
      - id: check-model-has-contract
      - id: check-model-has-constraints
        args: ["--constraints", '[{"type": "primary_key", "columns": ["product_id"]}]', "--"]

How it works

It checks the generated manifest for the required constraint. Only models with materialization "incremental" or "table" suport constraints. Enforced model contract is required as well. It checks only the keys defined in the '--constraints' parmeter, ie the actual constraint could have more parameters configured in dbt.

---

check-model-has-description

What it does

Ensures that the model has a description in the properties file (usually schema.yml).

When to use it

You want to make sure that all models have a description.

Arguments

--manifest: location of manifest.json file. Usually target/manifest.json. This file contains a full representation of dbt project. Default: target/manifest.json --exclude: Regex pattern to exclude files.

Example

repos:
  - repo: https://github.com/dbt-checkpoint/dbt-checkpoint
    rev: v1.0.0
    hooks:
      - id: check-model-has-description

Requirements

Model exists in manifest.json 1	Model exists in catalog.json 2
❌ Not needed since it also validates properties files	❌ Not needed

1 It means that you need to run dbt parse before run this hook (dbt >= 1.5). 2 It means that you need to run dbt docs generate before run this hook.

How it works

• Hook takes all changed yml and SQL files.

• The model name is obtained from the SQL file name.

• The manifest is scanned for a model.

• Modified yml files are scanned for a model.

• If any model (from a manifest or yml files) does not have a description, the hook fails.

• The model description must be in either the yml file or the manifest.

Known limitations

If you run your model and then you delete the description from a properties file, the hook success since the description is still present in manifest.json.

---

check-model-has-meta-keys

What it does

Ensures that the model has a list of valid meta keys. (usually schema.yml).

By default, it does not allow the model to have any other meta keys other than the ones required. An optional argument can be used to allow for extra keys.

When to use it

If every model needs to have certain meta keys.

Arguments

--manifest: location of manifest.json file. Usually target/manifest.json. This file contains a full representation of dbt project. Default: target/manifest.json --meta-keys: list of the required keys in the meta part of the model. --allow-extra-keys: whether extra keys are allowed. Default: False.

Example

repos:
  - repo: https://github.com/dbt-checkpoint/dbt-checkpoint
    rev: v1.0.0
    hooks:
      - id: check-model-has-meta-keys
        args: ['--meta-keys', 'foo', 'bar', "--"]

⚠️ do not forget to include -- as the last argument. Otherwise pre-commit would not be able to separate a list of files with args.

Requirements

Model exists in manifest.json 1	Model exists in catalog.json 2
❌ Not needed since it also validates properties files	❌ Not needed

1 It means that you need to run dbt parse before run this hook (dbt >= 1.5). 2 It means that you need to run dbt docs generate before run this hook.

How it works

• Hook takes all changed yml and SQL files.

• The model name is obtained from the SQL file name.

• The manifest is scanned for a model.

• Modified yml files are scanned for a model.

• If any model (from a manifest or yml files) does not have specified meta keys, the hook fails.

• The meta keys must be in either the yml file or the manifest.

Known limitations

If you run your model and then you delete meta keys from a properties file, the hook success since the meta keys is still present in manifest.json.

---

check-model-has-labels-keys

What it does

Ensures that the model has a list of valid labels keys. (usually schema.yml).

By default, it does not allow the model to have any other labels keys other than the ones required. An optional argument can be used to allow for extra keys.

When to use it

If every model needs to have certain labels keys.

Arguments

--manifest: location of manifest.json file. Usually target/manifest.json. This file contains a full representation of dbt project. Default: target/manifest.json --labels-keys: list of the required keys in the labels part of the model. --allow-extra-keys: whether extra keys are allowed. Default: False.

Example

repos:
  - repo: https://github.com/dbt-checkpoint/dbt-checkpoint
    rev: v1.0.0
    hooks:
      - id: check-model-has-labels-keys
        args: ['--labels-keys', 'foo', 'bar', "--"]

⚠️ do not forget to include -- as the last argument. Otherwise pre-commit would not be able to separate a list of files with args.

Requirements

Model exists in manifest.json 1	Model exists in catalog.json 2
❌ Not needed since it also validates properties files	❌ Not needed

1 It means that you need to run dbt parse before run this hook (dbt >= 1.5). 2 It means that you need to run dbt docs generate before run this hook.

How it works

• Hook takes all changed yml and SQL files.

• The model name is obtained from the SQL file name.

• The manifest is scanned for a model.

• Modified yml files are scanned for a model.

• If any model (from a manifest or yml files) does not have specified labels keys, the hook fails.

• The labels keys must be in either the yml file or the manifest.

Known limitations

If you run your model and then you delete labels keys from a properties file, the hook success since the labels keys is still present in manifest.json.

---

check-model-has-properties-file

What it does

Ensures that the model has a properties file (schema file).

When to use it

You want to make sure that every model has a properties file.

Arguments

--manifest: location of manifest.json file. Usually target/manifest.json. This file contains a full representation of dbt project. Default: target/manifest.json

Example

repos:
  - repo: https://github.com/dbt-checkpoint/dbt-checkpoint
    rev: v1.0.0
    hooks:
      - id: check-model-has-properties-file

Requirements

Model exists in manifest.json 1	Model exists in catalog.json 2
✅ Yes	❌ Not needed

1 It means that you need to run dbt parse before run this hook (dbt >= 1.5). 2 It means that you need to run dbt docs generate before run this hook.

How it works

• Hook takes all changed SQL files.

• The model name is obtained from the SQL file name.

• The manifest is scanned for a model.

• If any model does not have patch_path, the hook fails.

Known limitations

You need to create a schema file and then rerun your model (dbt run or dbt compile), otherwise, this hook will fail.

---

check-model-has-tests-by-name

What it does

Ensures that the model has a number of tests of a certain name (e.g. data, unique).

When to use it

You want to make sure that every model has certain tests.

Arguments

--manifest: location of manifest.json file. Usually target/manifest.json. This file contains a full representation of dbt project. Default: target/manifest.json --tests: key-value pairs of test names. Key is the name of test and value is required minimal number of tests eg. --test unique=1 not_null=2 (do not put spaces before or after the = sign). --exclude: Regex pattern to exclude files.

Example

repos:
  - repo: https://github.com/dbt-checkpoint/dbt-checkpoint
    rev: v1.0.0
    hooks:
      - id: check-model-has-tests-by-name
        args: ["--tests", "unique=1", "data=1", "--"]

⚠️ do not forget to include -- as the last argument. Otherwise pre-commit would not be able to separate a list of files with args.

Requirements

Model exists in manifest.json 1	Model exists in catalog.json 2
✅ Yes	❌ Not needed

1 It means that you need to run dbt parse before run this hook (dbt >= 1.5). 2 It means that you need to run dbt docs generate before run this hook.

How it works

• Hook takes all changed SQL files.

• The model name is obtained from the SQL file name.

• The manifest is scanned for a model.

• If any model does not have the number of required tests, the hook fails.

---

check-model-has-tests-by-type

What it does

Ensures that the model has a number of tests of a certain type (data, schema).

When to use it

You want to make sure that every model has certain tests.

Arguments

--manifest: location of manifest.json file. Usually target/manifest.json. This file contains a full representation of dbt project. Default: target/manifest.json --tests: key-value pairs of test types. Key is the type of test (data or schema) and value is required eg. --test data=1 schema=2 (do not put spaces before or after the = sign). --exclude: Regex pattern to exclude files.

Example

repos:
  - repo: https://github.com/dbt-checkpoint/dbt-checkpoint
    rev: v1.0.0
    hooks:
      - id: check-model-has-tests-by-type
        args: ["--tests", "schema=1", "data=1", "--"]

⚠️ do not forget to include -- as the last argument. Otherwise pre-commit would not be able to separate a list of files with args.

Requirements

Model exists in manifest.json 1	Model exists in catalog.json 2
✅ Yes	❌ Not needed

1 It means that you need to run dbt parse before run this hook (dbt >= 1.5). 2 It means that you need to run dbt docs generate before run this hook.

How it works

• Hook takes all changed SQL files.

• The model name is obtained from the SQL file name.

• The manifest is scanned for a model.

• If any model does not have the number of required tests, the hook fails.

---

check-model-has-tests-by-group

What it does

Ensures that the model has a number of tests from a group of tests.

When to use it

You want to make sure that every model has one (or more) of a group of eligible tests (e.g. a set of unique tests).

Arguments

--manifest: location of manifest.json file. Usually target/manifest.json. This file contains a full representation of dbt project. Default: target/manifest.json --tests: list of test names. --test_cnt: number of tests required across test group. --exclude: Regex pattern to exclude files.

Example

repos:
  - repo: https://github.com/dbt-checkpoint/dbt-checkpoint
    rev: v1.0.0
    hooks:
      - id: check-model-has-tests-by-group
        args: ["--tests", "unique", "unique_where", "--test-cnt", "1", "--"]

⚠️ do not forget to include -- as the last argument. Otherwise pre-commit would not be able to separate a list of files with args.

Requirements

Model exists in manifest.json 1	Model exists in catalog.json 2
✅ Yes	❌ Not needed

1 It means that you need to run dbt parse before run this hook (dbt >= 1.5). 2 It means that you need to run dbt docs generate before run this hook.

How it works

• Hook takes all changed SQL files.

• The model name is obtained from the SQL file name.

• The manifest is scanned for a model.

• If any model does not have the number of required tests, the hook fails.

---

check-model-has-tests

What it does

Ensures that the model has a number of tests.

When to use it

You want to make sure that every model was tested.

Arguments

--manifest: location of manifest.json file. Usually target/manifest.json. This file contains a full representation of dbt project. Default: target/manifest.json --test-cnt: Minimum number of tests required. --exclude: Regex pattern to exclude files.

Example

repos:
  - repo: https://github.com/dbt-checkpoint/dbt-checkpoint
    rev: v1.0.0
    hooks:
      - id: check-model-has-tests
        args: ["--test-cnt", "2", "--"]

⚠️ do not forget to include -- as the last argument. Otherwise pre-commit would not be able to separate a list of files with args.

Requirements

Model exists in manifest.json 1	Model exists in catalog.json 2
✅ Yes	❌ Not needed

1 It means that you need to run dbt parse before run this hook (dbt >= 1.5). 2 It means that you need to run dbt docs generate before run this hook.

How it works

• Hook takes all changed SQL files.

• The model name is obtained from the SQL file name.

• The manifest is scanned for a model.

• If any model does not have a number of required tests, the hook fails.

---

check-model-name-contract

What it does

Check that model name abides to a contract (similar to check-column-name-contract). A contract consists of a regex pattern.

When to use it

You want to make sure your model names follow a naming convention (e.g., staging models start with a stg_ prefix).

Arguments

--pattern: Regex pattern to match model names. --exclude: Regex pattern to exclude files.

Example

repos:
  - repo: https://github.com/dbt-checkpoint/dbt-checkpoint
    rev: v1.0.0
    hooks:
      - id: check-model-name-contract
        args: [--pattern, "(base_|stg_).*"]
        files: models/staging/
     - id: check-model-name-contract
       args: [--pattern, "(dim_|fct_).*"]
       files: models/marts/

Requirements

Model exists in manifest.json 1	Model exists in catalog.json 2
✅ Yes	❌ Not needed

1 It means that you need to run dbt parse before run this hook (dbt >= 1.5). 2 It means that you need to run dbt docs generate before run this hook.

How it works

• Hook takes all changed SQL files.

• The model name is obtained from the SQL file name.

• The catalog is scanned for a model.

• If any model does not match the regex pattern, the hook fails.

---

check-model-parents-and-childs

What it does

Ensures the model has a specific number (max/min) of parents or/and childs.

When to use it

You want to find orphaned models (empty file, hard-coded reference, etc.). Or you want to make sure that every model is used somewhere so you are not e.g. materializing unused tables.

Arguments

--manifest: location of manifest.json file. Usually target/manifest.json. This file contains a full representation of dbt project. Default: target/manifest.json --min-parent-cnt: Minimal number of parent sources and models. --max-parent-cnt: Maximal number of parent sources and models. --min-child-cnt: Minimal number of child models. --max-child-cnt: Maximal number of child models.

Example

repos:
  - repo: https://github.com/dbt-checkpoint/dbt-checkpoint
    rev: v1.0.0
    hooks: 
      - id: check-model-parents-and-childs
        args: ["--min-parent-cnt", "2", "--"]

⚠️ do not forget to include -- as the last argument. Otherwise pre-commit would not be able to separate a list of files with args.

Requirements

Model exists in manifest.json 1	Model exists in catalog.json 2
✅ Yes	❌ Not needed

1 It means that you need to run dbt parse before run this hook (dbt >= 1.5). 2 It means that you need to run dbt docs generate before run this hook.

How it works

• Hook takes all changed SQL files.

• The model name is obtained from the SQL file name.

• The manifest is scanned for a parent and child models.

• If any model does not have a number of required parents/childs, the hook fails.

---

check-model-parents-database

What it does

Ensures the parent models or sources are from certain database.

When to use it

You want to be sure that certain models are using only models from specified database(s).

Arguments

--manifest: location of manifest.json file. Usually target/manifest.json. This file contains a full representation of dbt project. Default: target/manifest.json --whitelist: list of allowed databases. --blacklist: list of disabled databases. --exclude: Regex pattern to exclude files.

Example

repos:
  - repo: https://github.com/dbt-checkpoint/dbt-checkpoint
    rev: v1.0.0
    hooks:
      - id: check-model-parents-database
        args: ["--blacklist", "SRC", "--"]

⚠️ do not forget to include -- as the last argument. Otherwise pre-commit would not be able to separate a list of files with args.

Requirements

Model exists in manifest.json 1	Model exists in catalog.json 2
✅ Yes	❌ Not needed

1 It means that you need to run dbt parse before run this hook (dbt >= 1.5). 2 It means that you need to run dbt docs generate before run this hook.

How it works

• Hook takes all changed SQL files.

• The model name is obtained from the SQL file name.

• The manifest is scanned for a parent models/sources.

• If any parent model does not have allowed or has disabled databases, the hook fails.

---

check-model-parents-name-prefix

What it does

Ensures the parent model names have a certain prefix.

When to use it

You want to be sure that certain models are using only parent models with a specified prefix

Arguments

--manifest: location of manifest.json file. Usually target/manifest.json. This file contains a full representation of dbt project. Default: target/manifest.json --whitelist: list of allowed prefixes. --blacklist: list of non-allowed prefixes. --exclude: Regex pattern to exclude files.

Example

repos:
  - repo: https://github.com/dbt-checkpoint/dbt-checkpoint
    rev: v1.0.0
    hooks:
      - id: check-model-parents-name-prefix
        exclude: ^models/stage/
        args: ["--whitelist", "stage_", "--"]

⚠️ do not forget to include -- as the last argument. Otherwise pre-commit would not be able to separate a list of files with args.

Requirements

Model exists in manifest.json 1	Model exists in catalog.json 2
✅ Yes	❌ Not needed

1 It means that you need to run dbt parse before run this hook (dbt >= 1.5). 2 It means that you need to run dbt docs generate before run this hook.

How it works

• Hook takes all changed SQL files.

• The model name is obtained from the SQL file name.

• The manifest is scanned for a parent models/sources.

• If any parent model does not have allowed or has disabled databases, the hook fails.

---

check-model-parents-schema

What it does

Ensures the parent models or sources are from certain schema.

When to use it

You want to be sure that certain models are using only models from specified schema(s).

Arguments

--manifest: location of manifest.json file. Usually target/manifest.json. This file contains a full representation of dbt project. Default: target/manifest.json --whitelist: list of allowed schemas. --blacklist: list of disabled schemas.

Example

repos:
  - repo: https://github.com/dbt-checkpoint/dbt-checkpoint
    rev: v1.0.0
    hooks:
      - id: check-model-parents-schema
        args: ["--blacklist", "stage", "--"]

⚠️ do not forget to include -- as the last argument. Otherwise pre-commit would not be able to separate a list of files with args.

Requirements

Model exists in manifest.json 1	Model exists in catalog.json 2
✅ Yes	❌ Not needed

1 It means that you need to run dbt parse before run this hook (dbt >= 1.5). 2 It means that you need to run dbt docs generate before run this hook.

How it works

• Hook takes all changed SQL files.

• The model name is obtained from the SQL file name.

• The manifest is scanned for a parent models/sources.

• If any parent model does not have allowed or has disabled schemas, the hook fails.

---

check-model-tags

What it does

Ensures that the model has only valid tags from the provided list.

When to use it

Make sure you did not typo in tags.

Arguments

--manifest: location of manifest.json file. Usually target/manifest.json. This file contains a full representation of dbt project. Default: target/manifest.json --tags: A list of tags that models can have. --exclude: Regex pattern to exclude files.

Example

repos:
  - repo: https://github.com/dbt-checkpoint/dbt-checkpoint
    rev: v1.0.0
    hooks:
      - id: check-model-tags
        args: ["--tags", "foo", "bar", "--"]

⚠️ do not forget to include -- as the last argument. Otherwise pre-commit would not be able to separate a list of files with args.

Requirements

Model exists in manifest.json 1	Model exists in catalog.json 2
✅ Yes	❌ Not needed

1 It means that you need to run dbt parse before run this hook (dbt >= 1.5). 2 It means that you need to run dbt docs generate before run this hook.

How it works

• Hook takes all changed SQL files.

• The model name is obtained from the SQL file name.

• The manifest is scanned for a model.

• If any model has different tags than specified, the hook fails.

---

check-model-materialization-by-childs

What it does

Checks the model materialization by a given threshold of child models. All models with less child models then the treshold should be materialized as views (or ephemerals), all the rest as tables or incrementals.

When to use it

Make sure to increase the efficiency within your dbt run and make use of good materialization choices.

Arguments

--manifest: location of manifest.json file. Usually target/manifest.json. This file contains a full representation of dbt project. Default: target/manifest.json --threshold-childs: An integer threshold of the number of child models.

Example

repos:
  - repo: https://github.com/dbt-checkpoint/dbt-checkpoint
    rev: v1.0.0
    hooks:
      - id: check-model-materialization-by-childs

Requirements

Model exists in manifest.json 1	Model exists in catalog.json 2
✅ Yes	❌ Not needed

1 It means that you need to run dbt parse before run this hook (dbt >= 1.5). 2 It means that you need to run dbt docs generate before run this hook.