Column lineage at AST grain
BoltPipeline emits column-level edges parsed from the SQL itself. Dagster's lineage is asset-level — it knows asset A depends on asset B but not which columns of A came from which columns of B.
BoltPipeline vs Dagster
BoltPipeline is a SQL-pipeline compilation + certification platform; Dagster is an asset-centric orchestrator. Shared asset mental model, different layers.
SQL-pipeline compilation + cert platformvs asset-centric orchestrator
What BoltPipeline replaces
Where BoltPipeline takes over from Dagster
- nothing — Dagster runs assets, we certify the SQL that produces them
What BoltPipeline complements
Where Dagster stays in the stack
- Dagster as orchestrator + BoltPipeline as SQL author + pre-deploy gate — shared asset-centric mental model
What BoltPipeline does NOT replace
Honest scope — what Dagster still owns
- Dagster's asset materialization, sensor/schedule machinery, Python ops, or ML asset graph
Side-by-side feature matrix
BoltPipeline vs Dagster on the capabilities that drive the buying decision.
| Capability | BoltPipeline | Dagster |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-deploy certification (BLOCKS) | Yes | — |
| AST-derived column lineage | Yes | Partial |
| Asset-centric model | Yes | Yes |
| Python ops + sensors + schedules | — | Yes |
| Continuous drift detection | Yes | Partial |
| ML asset graph | — | Yes |
| Operator triage from drift | Yes | Partial |
Where BoltPipeline pulls ahead
Pre-deploy impact analyzer
BoltPipeline shows the blast radius of a SQL change before commit — every downstream table, column, and dashboard affected. Dagster runs the asset, then you find out what broke.
Drift detection ties to operator triage
BoltPipeline drift detection runs continuously and routes findings to a triage queue with owners. Dagster sensors can detect drift but the triage workflow is on you.
Frequently asked
Do I need to replace my Dagster to use BoltPipeline?
No. Dagster's asset materialization, Python ops, sensors, schedules, and ML asset graph are its strengths — keep them. BoltPipeline certifies the SQL that produces your assets and gates the deploy.
How does BoltPipeline compare to Dagster on lineage?
Dagster lineage is asset-level — it tracks which asset depends on which. BoltPipeline lineage is column-level and AST-derived, with the derivation expression on each edge. Different grain for different jobs.
Can BoltPipeline and Dagster run together?
Yes — they share the asset-centric mental model. Use BoltPipeline to author and certify the SQL; use Dagster to materialize the resulting assets and run sensors/schedules.
See it on your data.
Try BoltPipeline against your live database — your data never leaves your environment.