Does Lightdash support the dbt semantic layer?

Not anymore. We used to support third-party semantic layers like dbt’s, but after testing with our users, we found that adoption was low. Most teams preferred a fully open, native Lightdash Semantic Layer instead. It’s easier to use, more flexible, and works better with the rest of the Lightdash experience.

Third-party semantic layers often limit what’s possible in the UI, like filtering, pivoting, or managing permissions. So we made a big decision: we open-sourced the semantic standard we use to power Lightdash. That way, you can still define metrics and dimensions inside your dbt project (and version-control them alongside your models), but with full access to Lightdash features and none of the trade-offs.

You still get the benefits of keeping everything in dbt, with a more powerful, open BI layer on top.