---
title: "dbt freshness checks with no loaded_at_field | Metacenta"
description: "A dbt source can set a freshness threshold that never actually runs. How we spot a missing loaded_at_field, and why it is only medium confidence."
url: "https://metacenta.com/rules/source-freshness-no-timestamp"
updated: "2026-10-14"
tokens: 521
---

Source monitoring · rule source-freshness-no-timestamp

# dbt freshness checks with no loaded_at_field

A Metacenta review checks this under the rule **Configured freshness checks can actually run**. Everything below applies whether or not you ever commission one.

## What this rule checks

Among dbt sources with a freshness threshold, this rule flags those with no `loaded_at_field` and no `loaded_at_query`. Without one, dbt has no column to measure the newest row by.

## Why it matters

The check then either falls back to warehouse metadata or does not run at all. The monitoring can be there on paper and absent in practice.

## How to fix it

**Make the configured freshness checks runnable.** Set `loaded_at_field` to the column that records when each row landed, or confirm that the adapter in use supports the warehouse-metadata path.

Before:

```yaml
sources:
  - name: shop
    freshness:
      error_after: {count: 24, period: hour}
```

After:

```yaml
sources:
  - name: shop
    loaded_at_field: _loaded_at
    freshness:
      error_after: {count: 24, period: hour}
```

## When it is fine to leave

From dbt 1.9, some adapters can read freshness from warehouse metadata without a column. If yours can, and `dbt source freshness` returns results for these sources, the gap is closed.

## What we need to check it

`manifest.json` alone. We report this at medium confidence, because the manifest cannot tell us whether your adapter supports the metadata fallback.

[Ask about a review](https://metacenta.com/enquire?src=rule-source-freshness-no-timestamp&via=md)

## Related pages

- [dbt source freshness: how to set it up](https://metacenta.com/rules/source-no-freshness)
- [dbt sources past their freshness threshold](https://metacenta.com/rules/source-freshness-stale)
- [dbt freshness thresholds that are never run](https://metacenta.com/rules/source-freshness-unmeasured)
- [A sample review, as a client reads it](https://metacenta.com/sample)
- [All published rules](https://metacenta.com/rules)
- [How a review is assessed](https://metacenta.com/standard)