Databricks

Connect Databricks to Wobby

To connect Wobby to your Databricks SQL environment, follow the steps below. Wobby uses read-only access to query data from your Unity Catalog via SQL Warehouses.

✅ Wobby supports both Personal Access Tokens and DBX's Service Principals for authentication.

1. Choose Your Authentication Method

You can connect Wobby using either of the following:

  • Personal Access Token Easiest to set up for individual access.

  • Service Principal (OAuth) Better for automated access, access control, and secret rotation.


(Option A) Use a Personal Access Token

  1. In the Databricks UI, go to: Top right avatar → User Settings → Developer → Access Tokens

  2. Click Generate new token

    • Add a descriptive comment

    • Set a reasonable lifetime

  3. Copy the token value immediately — it can’t be viewed again.


(Option B) Use a Service Principal (OAuth)

  1. Create a new Service Principal in Azure AD

    • Note the Application (Client) ID and Tenant ID

  2. Generate a Client Secret

    • Go to: Certificates & Secrets → New client secret

    • Copy the secret value (can’t retrieve later)

  3. In Databricks:

    • Open Account Console or Workspace Admin → Service principals

    • Add the app (Service Principal) by its client ID

  4. Assign workspace entitlements:

    • ✅ Must have Access to SQL

    • (Optional) Grant Workspace access if needed

  5. Grant access to data:

    • Add the Service Principal to a group or grant access directly in SQL Warehouse and Unity Catalog


2. Grant Required Permissions in Databricks

To allow Wobby to read metadata and query tables, the identity (user or service principal) must have:

  • SQL Warehouse: CAN USE on the target warehouse Databricks → SQL Warehouses → Select warehouse → Permissions

  • Unity Catalog:

    • USAGE on each catalog you want Wobby to scan

    • USAGE on schemas inside those catalogs

    • SELECT on tables or views you want Wobby to query

ℹ️ Missing privileges will result in empty catalog/schema/table lists during metadata sync.


3. Collect Connection Details

You’ll need the following values from your Databricks SQL Warehouse:

Field
Where to find it

Host

SQL Warehouse connection dialog (e.g. adb-1234567890123456.17.azuredatabricks.net)

Port

Usually 443 (default)

HTTP Path

SQL Warehouse → Connection Details (e.g. /sql/1.0/warehouses/abcd1234efgh5678)

Catalogs

Unity Catalog catalogs Wobby should scan (start with main or default if unsure)


🚧 Troubleshooting Tips

Issue
Possible Cause

Empty catalog list

Missing USAGE on catalogs or pointing to legacy Hive instead of Unity Catalog

Cannot see schemas or tables

Missing USAGE or SELECT at schema/table level

Connection test fails

Incorrect token/secret, wrong HTTP path, or firewall/network issue

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