sherlock
CLI tool that searches for usernames across 400+ social networks and websites
Sherlock is a command-line tool that searches for usernames across over 400 social media platforms and websites. It performs automated username enumeration by checking if a given username exists on various services including popular social networks, forums, and other online platforms.
The tool supports multiple search modes, allowing users to search for single or multiple usernames simultaneously. Results can be exported in various formats including text files, CSV, and XLSX spreadsheets. Each search generates individual output files named after the queried username (e.g., user123.txt).
Sherlock includes advanced features like proxy support for anonymous searches, timeout configuration, site-specific filtering, and NSFW site inclusion. It can automatically open found profiles in a web browser and supports both local and remote data sources for platform definitions. The tool is particularly useful for OSINT investigators, security researchers, and digital forensics professionals who need to quickly assess username availability or presence across multiple platforms.
The project maintains an actively updated database of supported sites and provides flexible output options including JSON export and debugging capabilities for troubleshooting searches.
Installation
# via pipx
pipx install sherlock-project
# via Docker
docker run -it --rm sherlock/sherlock
# via dnf
dnf install sherlock-project