Run Dbt Commands

How to pick: Look at where the model file lives. A model at dbt_subprojects/solana/models/... requires cd dbt_subprojects/solana/. If the user specifies a model name without a path, search for the .sql file to determine its sub-project.

Running Commands

All dbt commands must be run from inside a sub-project directory (dbt_subprojects/<project_name>/).

Using pipenv run from the Shell tool

The Shell tool starts a fresh shell without the user's active pipenv shell session. Use pipenv run to execute dbt commands without needing to enter the shell first:

pipenv run dbt compile -s model_name --project-dir dbt_subprojects/<project_name>/

Or navigate first, then use pipenv run:

cd dbt_subprojects/<project_name>/ && pipenv run dbt compile -s model_name

Important: Always use pipenv run when executing via the Shell tool. Do NOT use bare dbt commands — they will fail with "dbt: command not found" since the pipenv shell is not active in the tool's session. Also request required_permissions: ["all"] since dbt needs to write log files.

Common commands

pipenv run dbt deps                        # install dbt package dependencies (run once per sub-project)
pipenv run dbt compile                     # compile all models to target/
pipenv run dbt compile -s model_name       # compile a single model
pipenv run dbt ls -s model_name            # list/check model selection
pipenv run dbt test -s model_name          # run tests for a model

First time in a sub-project

Run dbt deps once before dbt compile or other commands to pull dbt package dependencies. Subsequent runs in the same sub-project don't need dbt deps again unless packages.yml changed.

Compiled output

After dbt compile, the rendered SQL is at:

dbt_subprojects/<project_name>/target/compiled/<project_name>/models/.../model_name.sql

Workflow Example

# From repo root — compile a specific model in daily_spellbook
cd dbt_subprojects/daily_spellbook/ && pipenv run dbt compile -s stablecoins_balances

Or using --project-dir without changing directory:

pipenv run dbt compile -s stablecoins_balances --project-dir dbt_subprojects/daily_spellbook/

Troubleshooting

• "dbt: command not found" — Use pipenv run dbt ... instead of bare dbt. The Shell tool does not share the user's pipenv shell session.
• Permission errors on log files — Request required_permissions: ["all"] on the Shell tool call so dbt can write to its logs directory.
• Compilation errors about missing refs — You may be in the wrong sub-project. Check where the model file lives.
• "Could not find profile" — Make sure you're targeting a sub-project directory, not the repo root.