Installing packages with packages.yml in dbt

Introduction

We use packages.yml to add extra tools or code to our dbt project easily. It helps us reuse work others have done.

You want to use a shared model someone else created.

You need to add a library for testing or documentation.

You want to speed up your project by using pre-built macros.

You want to keep your project organized by managing dependencies.

You want to update or add new features without writing code from scratch.

Syntax

dbt

packages:
  - package: <package_name>
    version: <version_number>

The packages.yml file lists packages your project needs.

Each package has a name and a version to keep things stable.

Examples

This example adds the popular dbt_utils package at version 0.8.6.

dbt

packages:
  - package: dbt-labs/dbt_utils
    version: 0.8.6

This example adds the dbt_expectations package for data testing.

dbt

packages:
  - package: calogica/dbt_expectations
    version: 0.4.0

You can add multiple packages by listing them one after another.

dbt

packages:
  - package: dbt-labs/dbt_utils
    version: 0.8.6
  - package: calogica/dbt_expectations
    version: 0.4.0

Sample Program

This shows the steps to add and install a package in dbt.

First, write the package info in packages.yml.

Then run dbt deps to download it.

Finally, you can use the package features in your project.

dbt

# 1. Create a packages.yml file with:
# packages:
#   - package: dbt-labs/dbt_utils
#     version: 0.8.6

# 2. Run the command to install packages:
# dbt deps

# 3. Use dbt_utils macros in your models after installation.

Important Notes

Always run dbt deps after changing packages.yml to update packages.

Use exact versions to avoid unexpected changes in your project.

You can find packages on the dbt Hub website.

Summary

packages.yml helps add external code to your dbt project.

List packages with name and version to keep control.

Run dbt deps to install or update packages.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of the packages.yml file in a dbt project?

easy

A. To list external packages and their versions for installation

B. To define database connection settings

C. To write SQL models for transformations

D. To configure dbt user permissions

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of packages.yml and compare with other dbt files

   This file is used to specify external packages that the dbt project depends on, including their names and versions. Database connections are set in profiles.yml, SQL models are separate files, and permissions are managed outside packages.yml.

2. Final Answer:

   To list external packages and their versions for installation -> Option A

3. Quick Check:

   packages.yml = package list [OK]

Hint: Remember: packages.yml lists packages, not configs or code [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing packages.yml with profiles.yml
• Thinking packages.yml contains SQL code
• Assuming it manages user permissions

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to specify a package in packages.yml?

easy

A. - dbt_utils: 0.8.0

B. package: dbt_utils, version=0.8.0

C. dbt_utils: version 0.8.0

D. - package: dbt_utils
version: 0.8.0

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall YAML list syntax for packages and check each option format

   Packages are listed as items with a dash, followed by keys package and version indented below. - package: dbt_utils version: 0.8.0 matches the correct YAML format. Others use incorrect separators or structure.

2. Final Answer:

   - package: dbt_utils version: 0.8.0 -> Option D

3. Quick Check:

   YAML list with dash and keys = - package: dbt_utils version: 0.8.0 [OK]

Hint: YAML lists use dash and indentation for items [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using commas instead of new lines
• Missing dash for list items
• Incorrect key-value separators

3. Given this packages.yml content:

- package: dbt_utils
  version: 0.8.0
- package: fivetran_utils
  version: 0.3.0

What command should you run to install these packages?

medium

A. dbt deps

B. dbt install

C. dbt run

D. dbt build

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the command for installing packages and differentiate from other dbt commands

   The command dbt deps reads packages.yml and installs or updates the listed packages. dbt install is not a valid command, dbt run runs models, and dbt build runs models and tests but does not install packages.

2. Final Answer:

   dbt deps -> Option A

3. Quick Check:

   Install packages = dbt deps [OK]

Hint: Use 'dbt deps' to install packages from packages.yml [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using 'dbt install' which doesn't exist
• Confusing 'dbt run' with package installation
• Trying 'dbt build' for package install

4. You added a new package to packages.yml but after running dbt deps, the package is not installed. What is the most likely reason?

medium

A. The package version is too new and unsupported

B. You ran dbt run instead of dbt deps

C. You forgot to save the packages.yml file before running the command

D. You need to restart your computer

Solution

1. Step 1: Check common user errors and evaluate other options

   If the packages.yml file was not saved, dbt deps reads the old file without the new package. Running dbt run does not install packages, but the question states dbt deps was run. Version issues usually cause errors, not silent skips. Restarting computer is unnecessary.

2. Final Answer:

   You forgot to save the packages.yml file before running the command -> Option C

3. Quick Check:

   Unsaved file = no package install [OK]

Hint: Always save packages.yml before running dbt deps [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming dbt run installs packages
• Ignoring file save before command
• Thinking restart fixes package install

5. You want to add the dbt_utils package version 0.8.0 and the fivetran_utils package version 0.3.0 to your project. Which packages.yml content is correct to install both packages properly?

hard

A. - dbt_utils: version 0.8.0
- fivetran_utils: version 0.3.0

B. - package: dbt_utils
version: 0.8.0
- package: fivetran_utils
version: 0.3.0

C. packages:
- dbt_utils: 0.8.0
- fivetran_utils: 0.3.0

D. - package: dbt_utils, version: 0.8.0
- package: fivetran_utils, version: 0.3.0

Solution

1. Step 1: Review correct YAML list format for multiple packages and check each option's correctness

   Each package is an item starting with a dash, followed by package and version keys on separate lines with indentation. - package: dbt_utils version: 0.8.0 - package: fivetran_utils version: 0.3.0 matches the correct YAML syntax. packages: - dbt_utils: 0.8.0 - fivetran_utils: 0.3.0 incorrectly adds a root key packages. - dbt_utils: version 0.8.0 - fivetran_utils: version 0.3.0 uses wrong key-value format. - package: dbt_utils, version: 0.8.0 - package: fivetran_utils, version: 0.3.0 uses commas inside YAML which is invalid.

2. Final Answer:

   - package: dbt_utils version: 0.8.0 - package: fivetran_utils version: 0.3.0 -> Option B

3. Quick Check:

   Proper YAML list with keys = - package: dbt_utils version: 0.8.0 - package: fivetran_utils version: 0.3.0 [OK]

Hint: List each package with dash, package, and version keys [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Adding extra root keys like 'packages:'
• Using commas inside YAML list items
• Incorrect key-value formatting