dbt (ETL) and Looker (BI) are commonly run side-by-side. When teams operate both, the question that follows is how to keep the two in sync without re-entering data twice. This page describes a possible custom integration and what to confirm during discovery — not an off-the-shelf connector or a project we have already delivered for this exact pairing.
What teams typically want to integrate
- Keep records in sync between the two systems so teams stop re-entering data
- Trigger downstream actions in one tool from events in the other
- Surface relevant context from one system inside the other so users don't switch tabs
- Aggregate data into shared reporting without manual exports
How the integration could work
A few paths are worth evaluating, depending on each tool's supported mechanism, your stack, and budget:
- Native / first-party connector — check whether one exists specifically between dbt and Looker (not assumed; verify with each vendor and confirm the edition you run is supported)
- REST API on both sides + scheduled sync (build once, run on cron)
- Webhook-driven sync (real-time, event-based) where the tool supports it
- Low-code platforms (Zapier / Make / n8n) — only where BOTH tools have a supported connector for your edition; confirm coverage before relying on it (and note the ongoing per-task fees)
- Custom adapter (full control, no per-task platform fees — but you own hosting, maintenance, and any vendor API access/licensing; requires engineering)
What could flow between the systems
Scope what should actually move between them during discovery:
- the core records each system owns (scoped during discovery)
- status and state changes that should stay consistent across both tools
- the identifiers used to match a record in one system to the other
Complexity
A custom integration here is typically simple. Both tools expose a REST API and offer native integrations, so a working connection is mostly configuration rather than custom development.
Need help building this?
Purcell Analytics can build a custom integration between dbt and Looker for businesses that want this running reliably without DIY headaches. Schedule a consultation to scope your specific use case, environment, and supported integration paths.