dbt + Postgres (Docker)

A minimal, generic setup for running dbt Core against a local Postgres database using Docker + docker-compose.

Includes:

• dbt container
• Postgres container
• Makefile helpers
• Example model
• Preconfigured folder structure

Perfect for testing, prototyping, or learning dbt.

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Overview

This project provides a fully containerized dbt development environment:

• Postgres runs in Docker
• dbt (Postgres adapter) runs in a separate container
• Your project files are mounted into the dbt container
• dbt deps is run automatically on startup
• An interactive shell opens inside the dbt container
• Includes an example model in models/example_model.sql

Everything is isolated, reproducible, and easy to run on any machine with Docker installed.

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Project Structure

.
├── Dockerfile
├── docker-compose.yml
├── Makefile
├── dbt_project.yml
├── profiles.yml
├── models/
│   └── example_model.sql
├── macros/
│   └── generate_schema_name.sql
└── seeds/

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Pre-requisites

You need:

• Docker
• Docker Compose
• Make

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Quick Start

1. Start the environment

make dbt-up

This will:

• Build the images
• Start Postgres
• Start the dbt container
• Install dbt dependencies (dbt deps)
• Open an interactive shell inside the dbt container

2. Verify dbt connectivity

Inside the dbt container shell, first just run:

dbt debug

If that succeeds, you can then run:

dbt run
dbt test

when you’re ready.

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Commands

Use make targets to manage the environment.

• Initial setup / first run:

make dbt-up

• List all available commands:

make help

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(Optional) Test Postgres Connection Directly

• All connection and dbt settings are configured via the .env file.
• You can connect to Postgres from your host using any SQL client:

Host: localhost
Port: 5433
User: myuser
Password: mysecret
Database: mydb