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About dbt versions

dbt v2 is the current generation of dbt and uses the 2.x release series. dbt v1 is the Python-based generation and stays on the 1.x series. Both follow semantic versioning. This page covers versioning for local dbt installations.

v2 ships in two distributions. Install dbt v2 for the full, recommended experience. If your organization has a strict requirement for an Apache 2.0 licensed runtime, install dbt OSS instead. For more information, refer to dbt licensing.

If you're using the dbt platform (including the dbt platform CLI), you don't need to manage dbt versions yourself. Release tracks automatically keep you up to date and provide early access to new features.

dbt v2 versioning

dbt v2 uses semantic versioning starting with version 2.0. To install or update dbt v2, see Install dbt.

Semantic versioning

dbt v2 follows semantic versioning:

  • Major versions (for example, v2 to v3) may include breaking changes. Deprecated functionality will stop working.
  • Minor versions (for example, v2.0 to v2.1) add features and are backwards compatible. They will not break project code that relies on documented functionality.
  • Patch versions (for example, v2.0.0 to v2.0.1) include fixes only: bug fixes, security fixes, or installation fixes.

Release channels

dbt v2 is distributed through release channels during the preview period:

ChannelDescriptionStability
latestThe stable, "known good" version✅ Recommended for most users
canaryThe latest officially released version⚠️ Most recent stable version but still undergoing thorough testing
devThe latest development build❌ May not have passed all tests

Run dbt system update to get the latest stable release, or specify a channel with dbt system update --version canary.

For current versions and release history, see dbt v2 releases.

Checking your version

Run dbt --version to check your installed version:

$ dbt --version
dbt Fusion 2.0.0-preview.126

Further reading

dbt v1 versioning

The dbt v1 engine uses semantic versioning for the 1.x release series. To install or update dbt v1, see Install dbt.

  • Active: In the first few months after a minor version's initial release, we patch it with bugfix releases. These include fixes for regressions, new bugs, and older bugs / quality-of-life improvements. We implement these changes when we have high confidence that they're narrowly scoped and won't cause unintended side effects.
  • Critical: When a newer minor version ships, the previous one transitions to "Critical Support" for the remainder of its one-year window. Patches during this period are limited to critical security and installation fixes. After the one-year window ends, the version reaches end of life.
  • End of Life: Minor versions that have reached EOL no longer receive new patch releases.
  • Deprecated: dbt v1 versions that are no longer maintained by dbt Labs, nor supported in the dbt platform.

Latest releases

dbt v1Initial releaseSupport level and end date
v2.0Currently in betaTBD
v1.12Jul 16, 2026Active support — July 15, 2027
v1.11Dec 19, 2025Critical support — Dec 18, 2026
v1.10Jun 16, 2025Deprecated ⛔️
v1.9Dec 9, 2024Deprecated ⛔️
v1.8May 9, 2024Deprecated ⛔️
v1.7Nov 2, 2023End of Life ⚠️
Deprecation date: January 31, 2027
v1.6Jul 31, 2023End of Life ⚠️
Deprecation date: January 31, 2027
v1.5Apr 27, 2023End of Life ⚠️
Deprecation date: January 31, 2027
v1.4Jan 25, 2023End of Life ⚠️
Deprecation date: January 31, 2027
v1.3Oct 12, 2022End of Life ⚠️
Deprecation date: January 31, 2027
v1.2Jul 26, 2022Deprecated ⛔️
v1.1Apr 28, 2022Deprecated ⛔️
v1.0Dec 3, 2021Deprecated ⛔️
v0.X ⛔️(Various dates)Deprecated ⛔️

All functionality in v1 since the v1.7 release is available in dbt release tracks, which provide automated upgrades at a cadence appropriate for your team.

1 Release tracks are required for the Developer and Starter plans on dbt. Accounts using older dbt versions will be migrated to the v1 Latest release track.

For customers of dbt: dbt Labs strongly recommends migrating environments on older and unsupported versions to release tracks or a supported version. On January 31, 2027, dbt Labs will deprecate v1 versions v1.3 through v1.7, removing them from availability in dbt platform.

How dbt v1 uses semantic versioning

dbt follows semantic versioning:

  • Major versions (for example, v1 to v2) may include breaking changes. Deprecated functionality will stop working.
  • Minor versions (for example, v1.8 to v1.9) add features and are backwards compatible. They will not break project code that relies on documented functionality.
  • Patch versions (for example, v1.8.0 to v1.8.1) include fixes only: bug fixes, security fixes, or installation fixes.

We are committed to avoiding breaking changes in minor versions for end users of dbt. There are two types of breaking changes that may be included in minor versions:

  • Changes to the Python interface for adapter plugins. These changes are relevant only to adapter maintainers, and they will be clearly communicated in documentation and release notes. For more information, refer to Build, test, document, and promote adapters guide.

  • Changes to metadata interfaces, including artifacts and logging, signalled by a version bump. Those version upgrades may require you to update external code that depends on these interfaces, or to coordinate upgrades between dbt orchestrations that share metadata, such as state-powered selection.

Adapter plugin versions

dbt releases dbt-core and adapter plugins (such as dbt-snowflake) independently. Their minor and patch version numbers may not match, but they coordinate through the dbt-adapters interface so you won't get a broken experience. For example, dbt-core==1.8.0 can work with dbt-snowflake==1.9.0.

If you're building or maintaining an adapter, refer to the adapter creation guide for details on the dbt-adapters interface.

Run dbt --version to check your installed versions:

$ dbt --version
Core:
- installed: 1.8.0
- latest: 1.8.0 - Up to date!

Plugins:
- snowflake: 1.9.0 - Up to date!

You can also find the registered adapter version in logs. For example, in logs/dbt.log:

[0m13:13:48.572182 [info ] [MainThread]: Registered adapter: snowflake=1.9.0

Refer to Supported data platforms for the full list of adapters.

Further reading

End-of-life versions

info

On January 31, 2027, dbt versions v1.3-v1.7 will be deprecated and removed from availability in dbt platform. Upgrade any environments still on these versions to a supported version or a release track before then.

Once a dbt version reaches end-of-life (EOL), it no longer receives patches, including for known bugs. We recommend upgrading to a newer version in dbt, dbt v2, or dbt v1. All versions prior to v1.0 have been deprecated.

Current version support

dbt supports each minor version (for example, v1.8) for one year from its initial release. During that window, we release patches with bug fixes and security updates. When we refer to a minor version, we mean its latest available patch (v1.8.x).

After a newer minor version ships, the previous one transitions to critical support (security and installation fixes only) for the remainder of its one-year window. After the one-year window ends, the version reaches end of life and no longer receives patches.

While a minor version is officially supported:

  • You can use it in dbt. For more on dbt versioning, see Choosing a dbt version.
  • You can select it from the version dropdown on this website to see documentation that is accurate for use with that minor version.

Upgrading

Upgrade to new patch versions as soon as they're available. Upgrade to new minor versions when you're ready because you can only get some features and fixes on the latest minor version.

dbt makes all versions available as prereleases before the final release. For minor versions, we aim to release one or more betas 4+ weeks before the final release so you can try new features and share feedback. Release candidates are available about two weeks before the final release for testing in production-like environments. Refer to the dbt-labs/dbt milestones for details.

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