> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.sqlbuild.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# check

> Run Python checks against tasks, assets, and loaders.

# sqb check

Runs Python [checks](/concepts/python-nodes/checks) in isolation. Checks validate the output of tasks, assets, and loaders. For SQL relation validation, use [`sqb audit`](/cli/audit) instead.

## Usage

```bash theme={null}
sqb --project-dir <path> check [flags]
```

## Flags

| Flag                  | Description                                                          |
| --------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `--select`, `-s`      | Select checks to run (by name, `check:`, `tag:`, or graph expansion) |
| `--exclude`           | Exclude checks from the selection                                    |
| `--no-sql-validation` | Skip compile-time SQL syntax validation                              |
| `--json`              | Print check results as JSON                                          |
| `--json-output`       | Write check results JSON to a file path                              |
| `--vars`              | Override project variables                                           |

Selecting a non-check node is rejected; use [`sqb build`](/cli/build) to run tasks and assets.

## Examples

```bash theme={null}
# Run all checks
sqb check

# Run one check and its required dependencies
sqb check --select +check_orders_exported

# Run checks by tag
sqb check --select tag:exports

# Print results as JSON
sqb check --json
```

## Output

Checks report PASS, FAIL, or WARN per check. A failing `error`-severity check exits non-zero; `warn`-severity failures are reported without failing the command.

Results are written to `target/run/checks/python_checks.json`.

## Relationship to build

`sqb build` runs relevant Python checks by default after the tasks, assets, and loaders they depend on have run. `sqb build --no-audits` skips checks alongside audits. `sqb check` runs only checks, on demand.