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

# Monitor Types

> Monitoring your data for unexpected changes is one of the cornerstones of data observability.

> [!TIP]
>
> Data Monitors functionality is available via [MCP](https://docs.datafold.com/api-reference/mcp-server-setup.md) — connect your AI assistant to Datafold and manage monitors directly from your development environment.

Datafold monitors run a [data diff](https://docs.datafold.com/data-diff/what-is-data-diff.md) on a schedule:

* [**Data Diff**](https://docs.datafold.com/data-monitoring/monitors/data-diff-monitors.md) → Detect differences between any two datasets, within or across databases, and mark each run OK or Alert against your thresholds.

Data diff monitors are the only monitor type in this version of Datafold. Metric, Data Test, and Schema Change monitors are available on [Datafold Classic](https://docs.datafold.com/classic/data-monitoring/monitor-types.md).

Monitors can also be created, run, and managed via the [Datafold API](https://docs.datafold.com/api-reference/introduction.md) or as [code](https://docs.datafold.com/data-monitoring/monitors-as-code.md).

If you need help creating your first few monitors or developing an overall monitoring strategy, please reach out via email ([support@datafold.com](mailto:support@datafold.com)) and our team of experts will be happy to assist.


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