dbt (data build tool) is an open-source software that simplifies and automates data transformation using SQL queries, addressing traditional complexities in ELT workflows. dbt Core is the fundamental version of dbt, suitable for small to medium-scale projects, while dbt Cloud offers additional features and capabilities, including scalability, collaboration tools, and automated task scheduling. The choice between dbt Core and dbt Cloud depends on project scale, collaboration requirements, and resource constraints. Running dbt from Python enables integration with other data tools and provides flexibility in handling transformations. Two open-source dbt runners are available: the Cloud runner for dbt Cloud and the Core runner for local execution, which can be used to run dbt jobs and manage dependencies. The runners provide a convenient way to automate dbt workflows and handle library conflicts between dbt Core and the Python environment.