Snowflake has extended Cortex Code CLI to support dbt and Apache Airflow, moving its AI coding agent beyond Snowflake-native workflows to operate across the multi-system data stacks most engineering teams actually run.
The company framed the expansion as a response to the complexity of modern data infrastructure, where developers routinely work across several tools and platforms simultaneously.
"Developers don't operate in a single system, and AI coding assistants shouldn't either," said Christian Kleinerman, Snowflake's EVP of Product.
Cortex Code CLI is now generally available for dbt and Airflow workflows. The release also adds new administrative controls and governance features, and expands the model options available to customers, including Claude Opus 4.6 and OpenAI GPT-5.2.
A subscription aimed at teams outside the platform
The more commercially significant element of the announcement is pricing. Snowflake is introducing a self-service monthly subscription for Cortex Code CLI that operates independently of Snowflake compute and consumption.
The company describes it as its first standalone subscription model, and the intent is clear: reach engineering teams that work with dbt or Airflow but have no existing Snowflake footprint.
Related reading
- Snowflake signs $200m deal with OpenAI to offer frontier models inside data platform
- OpenAI: the state of enterprise AI
- India's AI ambitions and a cautionary IPO
That positions Cortex Code CLI as a potential entry point into accounts Snowflake would otherwise struggle to access, with the coding tool serving as a low-friction first product rather than asking teams to adopt the broader platform upfront.
Snowflake said more than 4,400 new users adopted Cortex Code since its November 2025 launch, a figure the company is using to justify the broader rollout. Developers can access setup and subscription details through Snowflake's Developer Guide.
The recap
- Cortex Code CLI adds support for dbt and Apache Airflow® workflows.
- Over 4,400 new users adopted Cortex Code since November 2025.
- Snowflake offers a standalone, self-service monthly subscription for developers not on Snowflake.
