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

# Sources overview

> Learn how to connect data sources to Hightouch so you can define models and activate data through syncs.

## Overview

![Reverse ETL flow: source → model → sync → destination](https://mintcdn.com/hightouch-3c037897/L_vQfA0JQEpeGUUo/images/get-started/reverse-etl-diagram.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=L_vQfA0JQEpeGUUo\&q=85\&s=1d150ddb9480d3ccb188c5977db55596)

A **source** is any system where your business data lives.

Common examples include cloud data warehouses such as **Snowflake**, **BigQuery**, or **Databricks**. Sources can also be transactional databases, flat files (CSV, SFTP), or BI tools like Looker and Sigma.

Sources are the starting point in Hightouch’s [**Reverse ETL**](https://docs.hightouch.com/getting-started/concepts.md) pipeline. Once connected, you can query data from them to build [**models**](https://docs.hightouch.com/models/creating-models.md), which are then delivered to **destinations** through [**syncs**](https://docs.hightouch.com/syncs/overview.md).

> [!TIP]
>
> **For marketers**: a source is simply where customer and business data lives,
> such as purchase history, website events, or CRM records.

## Add a source

To create a new source:

1. Go to **Integrations**, then **[Sources](https://app.hightouch.com/sources?from=docs)**.
2. Click **Add source**.

![Select a data source](https://mintcdn.com/hightouch-3c037897/L_vQfA0JQEpeGUUo/images/sources/select-data-source.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=L_vQfA0JQEpeGUUo\&q=85\&s=1d81e7d9947f379b57c60847063e3fe0)

You’ll be prompted to choose from supported source types and provide the necessary connection details, such as:

* **Connection method** (e.g. username/password, OAuth, API key)
* **Host and port** (for databases)
* **Authentication details**
* **Permissions** required by Hightouch to query data

> [!TIP]
>
> During source setup, Hightouch prompts you to choose a sync engine. The
> [Lightning sync engine](https://docs.hightouch.com/syncs/lightning-sync-engine.md) is recommended for all
> supported sources. It computes change data capture directly in your warehouse
> for faster syncs and is required for features like
> [Journeys](https://docs.hightouch.com/customer-studio/journeys.md), [Sampling](https://docs.hightouch.com/customer-studio/sampling.md),
> and [Warehouse Sync Logs](https://docs.hightouch.com/syncs/warehouse-sync-logs.md).

> [!NOTE]
>
> The exact configuration steps depend on the source type. See catalog and refer
> to **integration-specific documentation** for instructions.

## Security and connectivity

Hightouch connects to sources securely:

* All data in transit is encrypted with TLS.
* For private networks or VPCs, you can connect via [**SSH tunnel**](https://docs.hightouch.com/security/ssh-tunneling.md), [**AWS PrivateLink**](https://docs.hightouch.com/security/aws/privatelink.md), [**Azure Private Link**](https://docs.hightouch.com/security/azure/private-link.md), or [**Google Cloud Private Service Connect**](https://docs.hightouch.com/security/gcp/private-service-connect.md).
* By default, no customer data is copied into Hightouch storage—queries are run directly against your source.

See [Security and compliance overview](https://docs.hightouch.com/security/overview.md) for details.

## Permissions

Access to individual sources is controlled through custom roles. Admins can configure source-specific grants in the **Source** tab of the custom role builder, including per-source read, write, and manage permissions. See [Roles](https://docs.hightouch.com/workspace-management/roles.md#sources) for details.

## How sources fit into data activation

* **Data teams**: configure sources and expose trusted tables or views.
* **Marketers**: work with models and schema that are built on top of these sources, without needing to understand the connection details.

**Example:**

* Source: a Snowflake warehouse containing ecommerce data
* Model: SQL query for “users with >3 purchases in last 90 days”
* Sync: send this model to Meta Ads for retargeting

## Next steps

* [Add your first source](https://app.hightouch.com/sources?from=docs)
* Learn how to define [Models](https://docs.hightouch.com/models/creating-models.md) on top of sources
* Configure [Syncs](https://docs.hightouch.com/syncs/overview.md) to deliver data into destinations