# Lightdash
> Lightdash is an open-source BI platform that turns your dbt project into a governed metrics and dashboarding layer. It connects to MotherDuck as a DuckDB warehouse.
## How it works with MotherDuck

Lightdash builds its semantic layer from your dbt project and queries the warehouse directly. When you connect a project, select **DuckDB** as the warehouse type and choose the MotherDuck option so Lightdash runs queries against your MotherDuck database.

## Prerequisites

- A MotherDuck database with the tables or views your dbt project models.
- A dbt project (dbt v1.8 or later) whose profile targets MotherDuck.
- A MotherDuck access token for Lightdash to use.

## Setup

1. In MotherDuck, create an access token for Lightdash.
2. In Lightdash, create a project and select **DuckDB** as the warehouse type, then choose the **MotherDuck** option at the top of the connection form.
3. Fill in the connection fields:
   - **Database**: the MotherDuck database name. If your dbt profile uses `path: "md:analytics"`, enter `analytics`.
   - **Schema**: the schema Lightdash should use, for example `main`.
   - **Access token**: the MotherDuck token you created.
   - **Threads**: start with `1` and increase as needed.
4. Save the connection and let Lightdash compile your dbt project.

## Authentication and configuration

- Use a dedicated token for Lightdash, scoped to only the database(s) you want it to query.
- Enter the database name without the `md:` prefix.
- Keep the schema in the connection form aligned with the schema your dbt models write to.

Your dbt `profiles.yml` should target MotherDuck through the DuckDB adapter with the `motherduck` extension:

```yaml
my-motherduck-db:
  target: prod
  outputs:
    prod:
      type: duckdb
      path: "md:analytics"
      schema: main
      threads: 4
      extensions:
        - motherduck
      settings:
        motherduck_token: "{{ env_var('MOTHERDUCK_TOKEN') }}"
```

## Important notes

- Lightdash reads its metrics and dimensions from your dbt project, so keep the dbt models and Lightdash connection pointed at the same MotherDuck database and schema.
- The "Start of week" setting controls which day begins the week in charts. "Auto" uses the warehouse default.

## Use cases

- Expose a governed metrics layer over MotherDuck data built from your dbt models.
- Build dashboards and explores for business users on top of curated MotherDuck schemas.
- Reuse an existing dbt-on-MotherDuck project as the semantic layer for self-serve BI.

## Related content

- [View the full Lightdash MotherDuck setup guide](https://docs.lightdash.com/get-started/setup-lightdash/connect-project#motherduck)
- [dbt integration](/integrations/transformation/dbt/)
- [MotherDuck authentication](/key-tasks/authenticating-and-connecting-to-motherduck/authenticating-to-motherduck)


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