> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.paradime.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Configuring Source Freshness

> Set up and manage source data freshness checks in Bolt to maintain data quality and meet SLA requirements.

Monitor the freshness of your source data by configuring the `dbt source freshness` command in your Bolt schedules. This helps ensure your data meets defined SLAs and maintains quality standards.

### Overview

When you include the `dbt source freshness` command in your schedule, Bolt tracks and reports the last update time of your source tables. This information appears in the Source Freshness section of your run details.

### Configuration Steps:

#### 1. Add Required Fields

To enable source freshness checking, add these elements to your source configuration:

* A `freshness` block to define timing thresholds
* A `loaded_at_field` to specify the timestamp column

<Info>
  The `loaded_at_field` is required for freshness checking. Without it, dbt will skip freshness calculations for that table.
</Info>

#### 2. Define Freshness Rules

In your `freshness` block, specify one or both timing thresholds:

* `warn_after`: Triggers a warning when data exceeds this age
* `error_after`: Marks data as error state when exceeding this age

<Info>
  👉 See also: [freshness definition and configurations.](https://docs.getdbt.com/reference/resource-properties/freshness#definition)
</Info>

### **Configuration Example**

```yaml title="models/sources.yml" lineNumbers theme={"system"}
sources:
  - name: analytics_raw
    freshness: # default freshness
      warn_after: {count: 12, period: hour}
      error_after: {count: 24, period: hour}
    loaded_at_field: fivetran_loaded_at

    tables:
      - name: orders
        freshness: # make this a little more strict
          warn_after: {count: 6, period: hour}
          error_after: {count: 12, period: hour}

      - name: customers # this will use the freshness defined above

      - name: product_skus
        freshness: null # do not check freshness for this table
```


## Related topics

- [Testing Source Freshness](/guides/dbt-fundamentals/configuring-your-dbt-project/testing-source-freshness.md)
- [Defining Your Sources in sources.yml](/guides/dbt-fundamentals/configuring-your-dbt-project/define-your-sources.yml.md)
- [Working with Sources](/guides/dbt-fundamentals/getting-started-with-dbt/working-with-sources.md)
- [Build and Test Models with New Source Data](/products/bolt/creating-schedules/templates/dbt-tm-templates/deferred-model-execution.md)
- [Snapshot Source Data Freshness](/products/bolt/creating-schedules/templates/dbt-tm-templates/snapshot-source-data-freshness.md)