diff --git a/sqlmesh/core/context.py b/sqlmesh/core/context.py
index c8cfbda03c..7f4d48f41e 100644
--- a/sqlmesh/core/context.py
+++ b/sqlmesh/core/context.py
@@ -942,10 +942,12 @@ def config_for_path(self, path: Path) -> t.Tuple[Config, Path]:
 
     def config_for_node(self, node: str | Model | Audit) -> Config:
         if isinstance(node, str):
-            return self.config_for_path(self.get_snapshot(node, raise_if_missing=True).node._path)[
-                0
-            ]  # type: ignore
-        return self.config_for_path(node._path)[0]  # type: ignore
+            path = self.get_snapshot(node, raise_if_missing=True).node._path
+        else:
+            path = node._path
+        if path is None:
+            return self.config
+        return self.config_for_path(path)[0]  # type: ignore
 
     @property
     def models(self) -> MappingProxyType[str, Model]:
diff --git a/sqlmesh/core/macros.py b/sqlmesh/core/macros.py
index 4afb5fd334..2c5ef3b2e8 100644
--- a/sqlmesh/core/macros.py
+++ b/sqlmesh/core/macros.py
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ def __init__(
         resolve_tables: t.Optional[t.Callable[[exp.Expression], exp.Expression]] = None,
         snapshots: t.Optional[t.Dict[str, Snapshot]] = None,
         default_catalog: t.Optional[str] = None,
-        path: Path = Path(),
+        path: t.Optional[Path] = None,
         environment_naming_info: t.Optional[EnvironmentNamingInfo] = None,
         model_fqn: t.Optional[str] = None,
     ):
@@ -1384,7 +1384,7 @@ def normalize_macro_name(name: str) -> str:
 def call_macro(
     func: t.Callable,
     dialect: DialectType,
-    path: Path,
+    path: t.Optional[Path],
     provided_args: t.Tuple[t.Any, ...],
     provided_kwargs: t.Dict[str, t.Any],
     **optional_kwargs: t.Any,
@@ -1431,7 +1431,7 @@ def _coerce(
     expr: t.Any,
     typ: t.Any,
     dialect: DialectType,
-    path: Path,
+    path: t.Optional[Path] = None,
     strict: bool = False,
 ) -> t.Any:
     """Coerces the given expression to the specified type on a best-effort basis."""
diff --git a/sqlmesh/core/model/definition.py b/sqlmesh/core/model/definition.py
index 0808722119..ed93df24a7 100644
--- a/sqlmesh/core/model/definition.py
+++ b/sqlmesh/core/model/definition.py
@@ -1646,6 +1646,8 @@ def is_seed(self) -> bool:
     def seed_path(self) -> Path:
         seed_path = Path(self.kind.path)
         if not seed_path.is_absolute():
+            if self._path is None:
+                raise SQLMeshError(f"Seed model '{self.name}' has no path")
             return self._path.parent / seed_path
         return seed_path
 
@@ -2020,7 +2022,7 @@ def load_sql_based_model(
     expressions: t.List[exp.Expression],
     *,
     defaults: t.Optional[t.Dict[str, t.Any]] = None,
-    path: Path = Path(),
+    path: t.Optional[Path] = None,
     module_path: Path = Path(),
     time_column_format: str = c.DEFAULT_TIME_COLUMN_FORMAT,
     macros: t.Optional[MacroRegistry] = None,
@@ -2171,6 +2173,8 @@ def load_sql_based_model(
     # The name of the model will be inferred from its path relative to `models/`, if it's not explicitly specified
     name = meta_fields.pop("name", "")
     if not name and infer_names:
+        if path is None:
+            raise ValueError(f"Model {name} must have a name")
         name = get_model_name(path)
 
     if not name:
@@ -2249,7 +2253,7 @@ def create_seed_model(
     name: TableName,
     seed_kind: SeedKind,
     *,
-    path: Path = Path(),
+    path: t.Optional[Path] = None,
     module_path: Path = Path(),
     **kwargs: t.Any,
 ) -> Model:
@@ -2268,7 +2272,12 @@ def create_seed_model(
         seed_path = module_path.joinpath(*subdirs)
         seed_kind.path = str(seed_path)
     elif not seed_path.is_absolute():
-        seed_path = path / seed_path if path.is_dir() else path.parent / seed_path
+        if path is None:
+            seed_path = seed_path
+        elif path.is_dir():
+            seed_path = path / seed_path
+        else:
+            seed_path = path.parent / seed_path
 
     seed = create_seed(seed_path)
 
@@ -2403,7 +2412,7 @@ def _create_model(
     name: TableName,
     *,
     defaults: t.Optional[t.Dict[str, t.Any]] = None,
-    path: Path = Path(),
+    path: t.Optional[Path] = None,
     time_column_format: str = c.DEFAULT_TIME_COLUMN_FORMAT,
     jinja_macros: t.Optional[JinjaMacroRegistry] = None,
     jinja_macro_references: t.Optional[t.Set[MacroReference]] = None,
@@ -2588,7 +2597,7 @@ def _create_model(
 
 def _split_sql_model_statements(
     expressions: t.List[exp.Expression],
-    path: Path,
+    path: t.Optional[Path],
     dialect: t.Optional[str] = None,
 ) -> t.Tuple[
     t.Optional[exp.Expression],
@@ -2709,7 +2718,7 @@ def _refs_to_sql(values: t.Any) -> exp.Expression:
 def render_meta_fields(
     fields: t.Dict[str, t.Any],
     module_path: Path,
-    path: Path,
+    path: t.Optional[Path],
     jinja_macros: t.Optional[JinjaMacroRegistry],
     macros: t.Optional[MacroRegistry],
     dialect: DialectType,
@@ -2793,7 +2802,7 @@ def render_field_value(value: t.Any) -> t.Any:
 def render_model_defaults(
     defaults: t.Dict[str, t.Any],
     module_path: Path,
-    path: Path,
+    path: t.Optional[Path],
     jinja_macros: t.Optional[JinjaMacroRegistry],
     macros: t.Optional[MacroRegistry],
     dialect: DialectType,
@@ -2843,7 +2852,7 @@ def parse_defaults_properties(
 def render_expression(
     expression: exp.Expression,
     module_path: Path,
-    path: Path,
+    path: t.Optional[Path],
     jinja_macros: t.Optional[JinjaMacroRegistry] = None,
     macros: t.Optional[MacroRegistry] = None,
     dialect: DialectType = None,
diff --git a/sqlmesh/core/node.py b/sqlmesh/core/node.py
index 874e74b3e9..4f0a66dc2e 100644
--- a/sqlmesh/core/node.py
+++ b/sqlmesh/core/node.py
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ class _Node(PydanticModel):
     interval_unit_: t.Optional[IntervalUnit] = Field(alias="interval_unit", default=None)
     tags: t.List[str] = []
     stamp: t.Optional[str] = None
-    _path: Path = Path()
+    _path: t.Optional[Path] = None
     _data_hash: t.Optional[str] = None
     _metadata_hash: t.Optional[str] = None
 
diff --git a/sqlmesh/core/renderer.py b/sqlmesh/core/renderer.py
index 6622094da3..f2e9e24056 100644
--- a/sqlmesh/core/renderer.py
+++ b/sqlmesh/core/renderer.py
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ def __init__(
         expression: exp.Expression,
         dialect: DialectType,
         macro_definitions: t.List[d.MacroDef],
-        path: Path = Path(),
+        path: t.Optional[Path] = None,
         jinja_macro_registry: t.Optional[JinjaMacroRegistry] = None,
         python_env: t.Optional[t.Dict[str, Executable]] = None,
         only_execution_time: bool = False,
diff --git a/sqlmesh/core/snapshot/definition.py b/sqlmesh/core/snapshot/definition.py
index b6f94108a1..1a284aadfd 100644
--- a/sqlmesh/core/snapshot/definition.py
+++ b/sqlmesh/core/snapshot/definition.py
@@ -2198,7 +2198,7 @@ def check_ready_intervals(
     context: ExecutionContext,
     python_env: t.Dict[str, Executable],
     dialect: DialectType = None,
-    path: Path = Path(),
+    path: t.Optional[Path] = None,
     kwargs: t.Optional[t.Dict] = None,
 ) -> Intervals:
     checked_intervals: Intervals = []
diff --git a/sqlmesh/dbt/converter/convert.py b/sqlmesh/dbt/converter/convert.py
index f097a83884..7eab536946 100644
--- a/sqlmesh/dbt/converter/convert.py
+++ b/sqlmesh/dbt/converter/convert.py
@@ -207,6 +207,8 @@ def _convert_models(
 
         if model.kind.is_seed:
             # this will produce the original seed file, eg "items.csv"
+            if model._path is None:
+                raise ValueError(f"Unhandled model path for model {model_name}")
             seed_filename = model._path.relative_to(input_paths.seeds)
 
             # seed definition - rename "items.csv" -> "items.sql"
@@ -219,6 +221,8 @@ def _convert_models(
             assert isinstance(model.kind, SeedKind)
             model.kind.path = str(Path("../seeds", seed_filename))
         else:
+            if model._path is None:
+                raise ValueError(f"Unhandled model path for model {model_name}")
             if input_paths.models in model._path.parents:
                 model_filename = model._path.relative_to(input_paths.models)
             elif input_paths.snapshots in model._path.parents:
@@ -290,6 +294,8 @@ def _convert_standalone_audits(
 
         audit_definition_string = ";\n".join(stringified)
 
+        if audit._path is None:
+            continue
         audit_filename = audit._path.relative_to(input_paths.tests)
         audit_output_path = output_paths.audits / audit_filename
         audit_output_path.write_text(audit_definition_string)
diff --git a/sqlmesh/lsp/reference.py b/sqlmesh/lsp/reference.py
index 96db4dc63d..9f1215d9ca 100644
--- a/sqlmesh/lsp/reference.py
+++ b/sqlmesh/lsp/reference.py
@@ -164,6 +164,9 @@ def get_model_definitions_for_a_path(
     else:
         return []
 
+    if file_path is None:
+        return []
+
     # Find all possible references
     references: t.List[Reference] = []
 
@@ -246,6 +249,8 @@ def get_model_definitions_for_a_path(
                 if referenced_model is None:
                     continue
                 referenced_model_path = referenced_model._path
+                if referenced_model_path is None:
+                    continue
                 # Check whether the path exists
                 if not referenced_model_path.is_file():
                     continue
@@ -372,6 +377,9 @@ def get_macro_definitions_for_a_path(
     else:
         return []
 
+    if file_path is None:
+        return []
+
     references = []
     _, config_path = lsp_context.context.config_for_path(
         file_path,
diff --git a/sqlmesh/magics.py b/sqlmesh/magics.py
index 58f7135654..ef2db145ee 100644
--- a/sqlmesh/magics.py
+++ b/sqlmesh/magics.py
@@ -287,8 +287,9 @@ def model(self, context: Context, line: str, sql: t.Optional[str] = None) -> Non
             if loaded.name == args.model:
                 model = loaded
         else:
-            with open(model._path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as file:
-                expressions = parse(file.read(), default_dialect=config.dialect)
+            if model._path:
+                with open(model._path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as file:
+                    expressions = parse(file.read(), default_dialect=config.dialect)
 
         formatted = format_model_expressions(
             expressions,
@@ -307,8 +308,9 @@ def model(self, context: Context, line: str, sql: t.Optional[str] = None) -> Non
             replace=True,
         )
 
-        with open(model._path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as file:
-            file.write(formatted)
+        if model._path:
+            with open(model._path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as file:
+                file.write(formatted)
 
         if sql:
             context.console.log_success(f"Model `{args.model}` updated")
diff --git a/tests/core/test_model.py b/tests/core/test_model.py
index 6fe0ccc87d..4214ce60fc 100644
--- a/tests/core/test_model.py
+++ b/tests/core/test_model.py
@@ -3290,7 +3290,7 @@ def runtime_macro(evaluator, **kwargs) -> None:
     model = load_sql_based_model(expressions)
     with pytest.raises(
         ConfigError,
-        match=r"Dependencies must be provided explicitly for models that can be rendered only at runtime at.*",
+        match=r"Dependencies must be provided explicitly for models that can be rendered only at runtime",
     ):
         model.validate_definition()
 
@@ -8226,7 +8226,7 @@ def test_physical_version():
 
     with pytest.raises(
         ConfigError,
-        match=r"Pinning a physical version is only supported for forward only models at.*",
+        match=r"Pinning a physical version is only supported for forward only models( at.*)?",
     ):
         load_sql_based_model(
             d.parse(
diff --git a/tests/integrations/github/cicd/conftest.py b/tests/integrations/github/cicd/conftest.py
index 30f65aecdc..25ba3b2d60 100644
--- a/tests/integrations/github/cicd/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/integrations/github/cicd/conftest.py
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ def _make_function(username: str, state: str, **kwargs) -> PullRequestReview:
             github_client.requester,
             {},
             {
-                # Name is whatever they provide in their GitHub profile or login as fallback. Always use login.
+                # Name is whatever they provide in their GitHub profile or login as a fallback. Always use login.
                 "user": AttributeDict(name="Unrelated", login=username),
                 "state": state,
                 **kwargs,
diff --git a/vscode/openapi.json b/vscode/openapi.json
index bf1cef0809..32a7445e32 100644
--- a/vscode/openapi.json
+++ b/vscode/openapi.json
@@ -1382,8 +1382,14 @@
         "properties": {
           "name": { "type": "string", "title": "Name" },
           "fqn": { "type": "string", "title": "Fqn" },
-          "path": { "type": "string", "title": "Path" },
-          "full_path": { "type": "string", "title": "Full Path" },
+          "path": {
+            "anyOf": [{ "type": "string" }, { "type": "null" }],
+            "title": "Path"
+          },
+          "full_path": {
+            "anyOf": [{ "type": "string" }, { "type": "null" }],
+            "title": "Full Path"
+          },
           "dialect": { "type": "string", "title": "Dialect" },
           "type": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/ModelType" },
           "columns": {
@@ -1417,16 +1423,7 @@
         },
         "additionalProperties": false,
         "type": "object",
-        "required": [
-          "name",
-          "fqn",
-          "path",
-          "full_path",
-          "dialect",
-          "type",
-          "columns",
-          "hash"
-        ],
+        "required": ["name", "fqn", "dialect", "type", "columns", "hash"],
         "title": "Model"
       },
       "ModelDetails": {
@@ -2143,7 +2140,7 @@
       "TestCase": {
         "properties": {
           "name": { "type": "string", "title": "Name" },
-          "path": { "type": "string", "format": "path", "title": "Path" }
+          "path": { "type": "string", "title": "Path" }
         },
         "additionalProperties": false,
         "type": "object",
@@ -2153,7 +2150,7 @@
       "TestErrorOrFailure": {
         "properties": {
           "name": { "type": "string", "title": "Name" },
-          "path": { "type": "string", "format": "path", "title": "Path" },
+          "path": { "type": "string", "title": "Path" },
           "tb": { "type": "string", "title": "Tb" }
         },
         "additionalProperties": false,
@@ -2193,7 +2190,7 @@
       "TestSkipped": {
         "properties": {
           "name": { "type": "string", "title": "Name" },
-          "path": { "type": "string", "format": "path", "title": "Path" },
+          "path": { "type": "string", "title": "Path" },
           "reason": { "type": "string", "title": "Reason" }
         },
         "additionalProperties": false,
diff --git a/vscode/react/src/api/client.ts b/vscode/react/src/api/client.ts
index 807f51e1d9..028b2d1912 100644
--- a/vscode/react/src/api/client.ts
+++ b/vscode/react/src/api/client.ts
@@ -289,6 +289,10 @@ export interface Meta {
   has_running_task?: boolean
 }
 
+export type ModelPath = string | null
+
+export type ModelFullPath = string | null
+
 export type ModelDescription = string | null
 
 export type ModelDetailsProperty = ModelDetails | null
@@ -302,8 +306,8 @@ export type ModelDefaultCatalog = string | null
 export interface Model {
   name: string
   fqn: string
-  path: string
-  full_path: string
+  path?: ModelPath
+  full_path?: ModelFullPath
   dialect: string
   type: ModelType
   columns: Column[]
diff --git a/vscode/react/src/pages/lineage.tsx b/vscode/react/src/pages/lineage.tsx
index ddfac87fc4..18925f28da 100644
--- a/vscode/react/src/pages/lineage.tsx
+++ b/vscode/react/src/pages/lineage.tsx
@@ -100,9 +100,12 @@ function Lineage() {
       // @ts-ignore
       const fileUri: string = activeFile.fileUri
       const filePath = URI.file(fileUri).path
-      const model = models.find(
-        (m: Model) => URI.file(m.full_path).path === filePath,
-      )
+      const model = models.find((m: Model) => {
+        if (!m.full_path) {
+          return false
+        }
+        return URI.file(m.full_path).path === filePath
+      })
       if (model) {
         return model.name
       }
@@ -195,6 +198,9 @@ export function LineageComponentFromWeb({
     if (!model) {
       throw new Error('Model not found')
     }
+    if (!model.full_path) {
+      return
+    }
     vscode('openFile', { uri: URI.file(model.full_path).toString() })
   }
 
diff --git a/web/server/api/endpoints/models.py b/web/server/api/endpoints/models.py
index 5d81306aea..21a7b93eb0 100644
--- a/web/server/api/endpoints/models.py
+++ b/web/server/api/endpoints/models.py
@@ -121,11 +121,12 @@ def serialize_model(context: Context, model: Model, render_query: bool = False)
         )
         sql = query.sql(pretty=True, dialect=model.dialect)
 
+    path = model._path
     return models.Model(
         name=model.name,
         fqn=model.fqn,
-        path=str(model._path.absolute().relative_to(context.path).as_posix()),
-        full_path=str(model._path.absolute().as_posix()),
+        path=str(path.absolute().relative_to(context.path).as_posix()) if path else None,
+        full_path=str(path.absolute().as_posix()) if path else None,
         dialect=dialect,
         columns=columns,
         details=details,
diff --git a/web/server/models.py b/web/server/models.py
index cc12d036fc..d193fa5f07 100644
--- a/web/server/models.py
+++ b/web/server/models.py
@@ -171,8 +171,8 @@ class Column(PydanticModel):
 class Model(PydanticModel):
     name: str
     fqn: str
-    path: str
-    full_path: str
+    path: t.Optional[str] = None
+    full_path: t.Optional[str] = None
     """
     As opposed to path, which is relative to the project root, full_path is the absolute path to the model file.
     """
diff --git a/web/server/settings.py b/web/server/settings.py
index bf64504565..a96d369de8 100644
--- a/web/server/settings.py
+++ b/web/server/settings.py
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ def _get_loaded_context(path: str | Path, config: str, gateway: str) -> Context:
 
 @lru_cache()
 def _get_path_to_model_mapping(context: Context) -> dict[Path, Model]:
-    return {model._path: model for model in context._models.values()}
+    return {model._path: model for model in context._models.values() if model._path}
 
 
 def get_path_to_model_mapping(