What is the purpose of a project manifest file in Looker?

The project manifest file in Looker serves a crucial role in defining project-level settings and integrations. This file, typically named manifest.lkml, outlines various configurations that govern how the Looker project operates. It includes settings for the project’s versioning, integration with other systems, and configurations for LookML modeling and extensions.

Using the manifest file allows teams to manage and maintain their Looker development projects more effectively. By specifying integration points and project settings, the manifest ensures that developers can work consistently while collaborating on models and dashboards. This organizational structure is essential for scaling Looker projects, particularly in environments where multiple stakeholders are involved.

In contrast, managing user permissions is handled separately through user roles and permissions settings. Creating data models is a function of the LookML files themselves, not the manifest. Compiling LookML into reports is part of Looker's backend processing but is not directly related to the purpose of the project manifest file. Thus, the project manifest file’s prime objective is centered on project-level settings and integrations, which is why defining those attributes correctly is so vital for effective Looker project management.