feat: build dbt Core Tools VS Code extension to replace dbt Power User

[cbini]

Problem

dbt Power User (innoverio.vscode-dbt-power-user) is the only VS Code extension that works with dbt Core, but it has significant pain points:

• Crashes with deferToProduction: true on dbt 1.11.7
• Aggressive project discovery causes slowdowns across 15 dbt projects
• Requires the Datamates companion extension (unused)
• The official dbt Labs extension requires dbt Fusion (not GA, proprietary LSP, no Codespaces SSH support)

Solution

Build a thin VS Code extension wrapping dbt Core CLI with five features:

1. dbt command runner — Run/Build/Test with scope selection, configurable executable, defer support
2. Compiled SQL viewer — side-by-side rendered SQL from manifest, updated on save via dbt parse
3. Lineage viewer — D3/dagre DAG centered on current model, expand/collapse, right-click actions
4. Jump to properties — open corresponding YAML, scaffold if missing (one file per model)
5. Model preview — dbt show results in a sortable HTML table

Design Spec

docs/superpowers/specs/2026-04-02-dbt-core-tools-vscode-extension-design.md

[cbini]

Pilot Setup Instructions

1. Uninstall dbt Power User and its dependencies

In VS Code, uninstall the following extensions:

• innoverio.vscode-dbt-power-user
• samuelcolvin.jinjahtml (Jinja template syntax)
• bastienboutonnet.vscode-dbt (Datamates companion)

2. Install dbt Core Tools

Install the extension from the VS Code marketplace:

• TEAMSchools.dbt-core-tools

3. Configure remote VS Code settings

Open your Remote settings JSON (Preferences: Open Remote Settings (JSON)) and add:

{
  "dbtCoreTools.profilesDir": ".dbt",
  "dbtCoreTools.deferManifestPath": {
    "kipptaf": "src/dbt/kipptaf/target/prod",
    "kippnewark": "src/dbt/kippnewark/target/prod",
    "kippcamden": "src/dbt/kippcamden/target/prod",
    "kippmiami": "src/dbt/kippmiami/target/prod",
    "kipppaterson": "src/dbt/kipppaterson/target/prod"
  }
}