sherlock

Find social media accounts linked to a username via Sherlock OSINT.

Updated May 4, 2026

Search Tags:#social media #reconnaissance #osint #sherlock #account discovery #username search

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/JamesFincher/gengar --skill sherlock-jamesfincher

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: sherlock
Source: https://github.com/JamesFincher/gengar/tree/main/optional-skills/security/sherlock
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/JamesFincher/gengar --skill sherlock-jamesfincher

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Sherlock enables OSINT username reconnaissance by locating public accounts associated with a single handle across hundreds of social networks, reducing the manual effort of searching each site one by one.

Core Features & Use Cases

Cross-platform username discovery: Searches for matching profiles for a provided username across 400+ supported platforms using the Sherlock Project.
Configurable results gathering: Supports default fast scanning, optional NSFW inclusion, and optional Tor routing when the user requests those behaviors.
Actionable output presentation: Surfaces a categorized list of found accounts and indicates where results are saved (typically <username>.txt).

Quick Start

Run the sherlock OSINT search for the username the user provides, using Sherlock’s default command to print matches and return the found profile links.

Frequently Asked Questions about sherlock

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema

How do I find social media accounts tied to a specific username?▼

To find social media accounts tied to a specific username, you can run an OSINT discovery search using Sherlock. It scans over 400 platforms for matching public profiles and returns categorized links for any accounts it finds.

What is OSINT username reconnaissance and how does cross-platform account discovery work?▼

OSINT username reconnaissance locates public profiles associated with a single handle across hundreds of social networks. Cross-platform account discovery works by querying over 400 supported platforms simultaneously to reduce the manual effort of searching each site individually.

Do I need the Sherlock CLI or Docker installed to perform a username search?▼

Yes, you need the Sherlock CLI or Docker available in your environment to perform a username search. The Skill relies on the Sherlock engine to execute the cross-platform OSINT scans and retrieve the discovered account links.

Can I include NSFW platforms or route my username search through Tor?▼

Yes, you can include NSFW platforms or route your username search through Tor. The Skill supports configurable results gathering where you can optionally request NSFW inclusion and Tor routing during the discovery process.

How are the results saved when running a cross-platform username discovery scan?▼

When running a cross-platform username discovery scan, the results are saved locally as a text file. The output typically generates a file named after the target username, containing the parsed links to all found social accounts.

What is the best way to check username availability across multiple social networks?▼

The best way to check username availability across multiple social networks is running a bounded timeout OSINT scan with Sherlock. It quickly queries over 400 platforms to determine where a specific handle is already registered or available.