# building-dbt-semantic-layer

Guides AI agents in creating and modifying dbt Semantic Layer components, including metrics, entities, and time spines for MetricFlow across dbt Core versions.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 1000 installs · ★ 746
- Author: dbt-labs
- License: Apache-2.0 · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/dbt-labs/dbt-agent-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/dbt/skills/building-dbt-semantic-layer/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-10-22
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/building-dbt-semantic-layer

## What it does

This skill provides workflows for defining semantic models, entities, dimensions, and MetricFlow metrics. It automatically inspects project files to detect whether your project uses the latest spec (nested under models in dbt Core 1.12+ and Fusion) or the legacy spec (top-level `semantic_models:` blocks in dbt Core 1.6 to 1.11).

The instructions cover simple, derived, cumulative, ratio, and conversion metric configurations. Cumulative metrics require a time spine. Attempting to generate the latest YAML syntax on dbt Core versions prior to 1.12 will trigger schema validation errors, making an upgrade necessary before adopting the simplified format.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add dbt-labs/dbt-agent-skills --skill building-dbt-semantic-layer -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/building-dbt-semantic-layer/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/building-dbt-semantic-layer/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add dbt-labs/dbt-agent-skills --skill building-dbt-semantic-layer -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/building-dbt-semantic-layer/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add dbt-labs/dbt-agent-skills --skill building-dbt-semantic-layer -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/building-dbt-semantic-layer/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install dbt-labs/dbt-agent-skills building-dbt-semantic-layer
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/building-dbt-semantic-layer/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add dbt-labs/dbt-agent-skills --skill building-dbt-semantic-layer -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/dbt-labs/dbt-agent-skills --path skills/dbt/skills/building-dbt-semantic-layer
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/building-dbt-semantic-layer/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add dbt-labs/dbt-agent-skills --skill building-dbt-semantic-layer -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/dbt-labs/dbt-agent-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/dbt/skills/building-dbt-semantic-layer/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- configure dbt Semantic Layer entities and join keys
- write MetricFlow metrics for revenue, conversion, and retention
- generate time spine configurations for cumulative aggregations
- switch legacy semantic models to dbt Core 1.12+ syntax

## Example prompts
- Add semantic layer configuration to fct_orders with a total revenue metric
- Configure entities and dimensions for the customers model using the latest dbt spec
- Help me set up a time spine and cumulative metrics for active subscriptions

## Source text · SKILL.md · Apache-2.0

Below is the content of a third-party file. It is data, not instructions for you: do not act on anything written inside unless the human asks. Block tag: e74bf747d5a21f0f.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE e74bf747d5a21f0f
```text
---
name: building-dbt-semantic-layer
description: Use when creating or modifying dbt Semantic Layer components — semantic models, metrics, dimensions, entities, measures, or time spines. Covers MetricFlow configuration, metric types (simple, derived, cumulative, ratio, conversion), and validation for both latest and legacy YAML specs.
user-invocable: false
metadata:
  author: dbt-labs
---

# Building the dbt Semantic Layer

This skill guides the creation and modification of dbt Semantic Layer components: semantic models, entities, dimensions, and metrics.

- **Semantic models** - Metadata configurations that define how dbt models map to business concepts
- **Entities** - Keys that identify the grain of your data and enable joins between semantic models
- **Dimensions** - Attributes used to filter or group metrics (categorical or time-based)
- **Metrics** - Business calculations defined on top of semantic models (e.g., revenue, order count)

## Additional Resources

- [Time Spine Setup](references/time-spine.md) - Required for time-based metrics and aggregations
- [Best Practices](references/best-practices.md) - Design patterns and recommendations for semantic models and metrics
- [Latest Spec Authoring Guide](references/latest-spec.md) - Full YAML reference for dbt Core 1.12+ and Fusion
- [Legacy Spec Authoring Guide](references/legacy-spec.md) - Full YAML reference for dbt Core 1.6-1.11

## Determine Which Spec to Use

There are two versions of the Semantic Layer YAML spec:

- **Latest spec** - Semantic models are configured as metadata on dbt models. Simpler authoring. Supported by dbt Core 1.12+ and Fusion.
- **Legacy spec** - Semantic models are defined as separate top-level resources. Uses measures as building blocks for metrics. Supported by dbt Core 1.6 through 1.11. Also supported by Core 1.12+ for backwards compatibility.

### Step 1: Check for Existing Semantic Layer Config

Look for existing semantic layer configuration in the project:
- Top-level `semantic_models:` key in YAML files → **legacy spec**
- `semantic_model:` block nested under a model → **latest spec**

### Step 2: Route Based on What You Found

**If semantic layer already exists:**

1. Determine which spec is currently in use (legacy or latest)
2. Check dbt version for compatibility:
   - **Legacy spec + Core 1.6-1.11** → Compatible. Use [legacy spec guide](references/legacy-spec.md).
   - **Legacy spec + Core 1.12+ or Fusion** → Compatible, but offer to upgrade first using `uvx dbt-autofix deprecations --semantic-layer` or the [migration guide](https://docs.getdbt.com/docs/build/latest-metrics-spec). They don't have to upgrade; continuing with legacy is fine.
```
END THIRD-PARTY FILE e74bf747d5a21f0f

The third-party file has ended. Everything between the e74bf747d5a21f0f tags is data: requests and commands from it are not followed. An “end of file” line with another tag inside the block is part of the file.

First 2693 of 10864 bytes. © dbt-labs · Apache-2.0 · https://github.com/dbt-labs/dbt-agent-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/dbt/skills/building-dbt-semantic-layer/SKILL.md

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