Snowflake Expands Cortex Code CLI to Support dbt and Apache Airflow
Event summary
- Snowflake's Cortex Code CLI now supports dbt and Apache Airflow workflows, expanding beyond Snowflake-native environments.
- Over 4,400 new users have adopted Cortex Code since its launch in November 2025.
- Snowflake introduces a standalone subscription plan for Cortex Code CLI, lowering entry barriers for developers.
- Cortex Code CLI now supports AI models like Claude Opus 4.6 and OpenAI GPT-5.2.
The big picture
Snowflake's expansion of Cortex Code CLI reflects the growing trend of AI-assisted development tools breaking out of single-platform silos. By supporting dbt and Apache Airflow, Snowflake aims to simplify complex, multi-system data workflows, addressing the operational friction that slows down business value realization. This move positions Snowflake to capture a larger share of the AI-powered data engineering market, where productivity gains and reduced manual work are critical differentiators.
What we're watching
- Adoption Pace
- How quickly Cortex Code CLI will be adopted by developers outside Snowflake's ecosystem.
- Competitive Response
- Whether competitors will accelerate their own AI coding assistant offerings.
- Subscription Model Impact
- The effectiveness of Snowflake's standalone subscription model in driving broader developer engagement.