refactoring-dbt-models

What this skill does

# dbt Refactoring

**Find ALL downstream dependencies before changing. Refactor in small steps. Verify output after each change.**

## Workflow

### 1. Analyze Current Model

```bash
cat models/<path>/<model_name>.sql
```

Identify refactoring opportunities:
- CTEs longer than 50 lines → extract to intermediate model
- Logic repeated across models → extract to macro
- Multiple joins in sequence → split into steps
- Complex WHERE clauses → extract to staging filter

### 2. Find All Downstream Dependencies

**CRITICAL: Never refactor without knowing impact.**

```bash
# Get full dependency tree (model and all its children)
dbt ls --select model_name+ --output list

# Find all models referencing this one
grep -r "ref('model_name')" models/ --include="*.sql"
```

**Report to user:** "Found X downstream models: [list]. These will be affected by changes."

### 3. Check What Columns Downstream Models Use

**BEFORE changing any columns, check what downstream models reference:**

```bash
# For each downstream model, check what columns it uses
cat models/<path>/<downstream_model>.sql | grep -E "model_name\.\w+|alias\.\w+"
```

If downstream models reference specific columns, you MUST ensure those columns remain available after refactoring.

### 4. Plan Refactoring Strategy

| Opportunity | Strategy |
|-------------|----------|
| Long CTE | Extract to intermediate model |
| Repeated logic | Create macro in `macros/` |
| Complex join | Split into intermediate models |
| Multiple concerns | Separate into focused models |

### 5. Execute Refactoring

#### Pattern: Extract CTE to Model

Before:
```sql
-- orders.sql (200 lines)
with customer_metrics as (
    -- 50 lines of complex logic
),
order_enriched as (
    select ...
    from orders
    join customer_metrics on ...
)
select * from order_enriched
```

After:
```sql
-- customer_metrics.sql (new file)
select
    customer_id,
    -- complex logic here
from {{ ref('customers') }}

-- orders.sql (simplified)
with order_enriched as (
    select ...
    from {{ ref('raw_orders') }} orders
    join {{ ref('customer_metrics') }} cm on ...
)
select * from order_enriched
```

#### Pattern: Extract to Macro

Before (repeated in multiple models):
```sql
case
    when amount < 0 then 'refund'
    when amount = 0 then 'zero'
    else 'positive'
end as amount_category
```

After:
```sql
-- macros/categorize_amount.sql
{% macro categorize_amount(column_name) %}
case
    when {{ column_name }} < 0 then 'refund'
    when {{ column_name }} = 0 then 'zero'
    else 'positive'
end
{% endmacro %}

-- In models:
{{ categorize_amount('amount') }} as amount_category
```

### 6. Validate Changes

```bash
# Compile to check syntax
dbt compile --select +model_name+

# Build entire lineage
dbt build --select +model_name+

# Check row counts (manual)
# Before: Record expected counts
# After: Verify counts match
```

### 7. Verify Output Matches Original

**CRITICAL: Refactoring should not change output.**

```bash
# Compare row counts before and after
dbt show --inline "select count(*) from {{ ref('model_name') }}"

# Spot check key values
dbt show --select <model_name> --limit 10
```

### 8. Update Downstream Models

If changing output columns:
1. Update all downstream refs
2. Update schema.yml documentation
3. Re-run downstream tests

## Refactoring Checklist

- [ ] All downstream dependencies identified
- [ ] User informed of impact scope
- [ ] One change at a time
- [ ] Compile passes after each change
- [ ] Build passes after each change
- [ ] Output validated (row counts match)
- [ ] Documentation updated
- [ ] Tests still pass

## Common Refactoring Triggers

| Symptom | Refactoring |
|---------|-------------|
| Model > 200 lines | Extract CTEs to models |
| Same logic in 3+ models | Extract to macro |
| 5+ joins in one model | Create intermediate models |
| Hard to understand | Add CTEs with clear names |
| Slow performance | Split to allow parallelization |

## Anti-Patterns

- Refactoring without checking downstream impact
- Making multiple changes at once
- Not validating output matches after refactoring
- Extracting prematurely (wait for 3+ uses)
- Breaking existing tests without updating them