dlt (data load tool)
Lightweight Python library for building data pipelines as code
https://dlthub.comWhat It Is
dlt is an open-source Python library that simplifies the creation of data loading pipelines. It handles schema inference, incremental loading, data type mapping, and destination management — all from a few lines of Python code. Unlike UI-heavy integration platforms, dlt is designed for engineers who want full control over their pipelines while avoiding boilerplate.
How We Use It
We use dlt for custom ingestion scenarios where flexibility and code-first workflows matter more than a visual interface. It’s our go-to tool when we need to extract data from proprietary APIs, build custom incremental loading logic, or integrate data loading into existing Python applications and Airflow DAGs.
Our Expertise
-
✓Pipeline Development
We build dlt pipelines for API extraction, database replication, and file ingestion with declarative resource definitions.
-
✓Incremental Loading
We implement cursor-based pagination, last-modified timestamps, and merge keys for efficient incremental extraction.
-
✓Schema Evolution
We leverage dlt's automatic schema evolution: new columns detected, data types inferred, and schema changes versioned.
-
✓Airflow Integration
We embed dlt pipelines inside Airflow DAGs as native Python tasks.
-
✓Destination Management
We configure dlt for Snowflake, BigQuery, ClickHouse, PostgreSQL, DuckDB, and filesystem destinations.
Typical Use Cases
Custom API Extraction
Extracting data from proprietary or undocumented APIs where pre-built connectors don’t exist.
Code-First Pipelines
Data pipelines as pure Python code — version-controlled, tested, and reviewed.
Lightweight Ingestion
Scenarios where deploying a full integration platform is overkill.
Rapid Prototyping
Quick prototyping of new data sources before committing to a full platform.
Get Started in Four Simple Steps
Related Services
Ready to Make Data Work for Your Business?
Join companies that trust iJKos & partners to build reliable data infrastructure and turn complexity into clear, confident decisions.