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Integrate Databricks with dbt MCP

Databricks agents can call external MCP servers as tools. This guide walks you through connecting a Databricks agent to the remote dbt MCP server so it can query your Semantic Layer metrics and data in plain English through Genie and other Databricks tools.

To get started, install the server from Databricks Marketplace.

The connection uses OAuth with Dynamic Client Registration (DCR), so you don't need to manage a client secret. You authorize access from the MCP service page after installation.

Prerequisites​

  • A dbt platform account with access to the remote dbt MCP server. Refer to Set up the remote MCP server.
  • Your dbt platform host URL. Find it in Account settings or in your browser's address bar. For example, https://vu491.us1.dbt.com/.
  • A Databricks workspace where you can install marketplace listings and create objects in a catalog and schema.

Install from Databricks Marketplace​

Use these steps to install the dbt MCP sever from the Databricks marketplace:

  1. Go to the dbt MCP listing on Databricks Marketplace.
    • If you're logged in to Databricks, select Install.
    • If you're not, select Get access, then log in to Databricks or create a new account.
  2. Select a Catalog and a Schema, then enter an MCP service name (such as dbt_mcp)
  3. Find your dbt platform access URL. It looks like https://vu491.us1.dbt.com/.
  4. In Host, leave the {tenant} placeholder as is. If your access URL has a region such as us1, add it, so the host is https://{tenant}.us1.dbt.com. If it doesn't, keep the default https://{tenant}.dbt.com.
  5. In Tenant, enter the first part of your access URL, before the first dot. For https://vu491.us1.dbt.com/, enter vu491. The Server host line under Tenant should now match your access URL.
  6. Leave the remaining fields at their defaults, accept the terms, then select Install.
  7. Open the MCP service page and authorize access to dbt platform. The install requests these OAuth scopes: offline_access account:read projects:query catalog:read projects:develop jobs:run.
The Install dbt MCP dialog filled in for tenant vu491 in the us1 regionThe Install dbt MCP dialog filled in for tenant vu491 in the us1 region

Use the dbt MCP server in Databricks​

After you authorize access, add the MCP service to Genie Code, or use it in other Databricks tools that support MCP. Refer to Databricks MCP docs for the options.

About AI models in Genie Playground

Some models in Genie Playground don't accept tool calls, so they can't use the dbt MCP server. If tools don't show up, try a different model.

Legacy: manual DCR setup​

We recommend using the marketplace install instead as it's the easiest but if you need to create the connection yourself, you can set it up manually:

  1. In Databricks, go to Connections and create a new connection.
  2. Select HTTP as the connection type.
  3. Enter a catalog and schema.
  4. Select Dynamic Client Registration as the credential type.
  5. Enter your host, for example https://vu491.us1.dbt.com/.
  6. Set the OAuth scope, for example offline_access account:read projects:query catalog:read projects:develop jobs:run.
  7. Set the base path to /api/ai/v1/mcp, then create the connection.
  8. Select Login and authorize access.

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