sherlock

Search 400+ social networks for accounts matching a given username using the Sherlock CLI.

Updated Jun 5, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/xu1713/openhorse --skill sherlock-xu1713
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: sherlock
Source: https://github.com/xu1713/openhorse/tree/main/openhorse/openhorse/optional-skills/security/sherlock
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/xu1713/openhorse --skill sherlock-xu1713

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill requires sherlock-project.

What problem does it solve? Finding where a username is registered across the internet requires manually checking hundreds of social platforms, which is slow and error-prone. This Skill automates OSINT username reconnaissance by running the Sherlock CLI and presenting the discovered accounts as organized, clickable links. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Cross-Platform Username Search: Queries 400+ social networks in a single command and reports only confirmed matches with --print-found. - Flexible Options: Supports NSFW site inclusion, Tor routing for anonymity, custom timeouts, and wildcard username variations when explicitly requested. - Structured Results: Parses Sherlock output into a summary count, categorized platform links, and a saved <username>.txt results file. - Use Case: A security researcher investigating a suspicious handle can ask to look up the username and receive a consolidated list of matching profiles across Twitter, GitHub, Instagram, and other platforms within minutes. ## Quick Start Ask the assistant to find all social media accounts associated with a specific username, for example by saying "check where the username johndoe123 is registered".

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 by username?

Run the Sherlock CLI with the target username, for example `sherlock --print-found --no-color "username"`. It queries over 400 social networks and prints only the platforms where the username is registered, along with profile URLs.

How to install Sherlock for username OSINT searches?

Install Sherlock with `pipx install sherlock-project` (recommended) or `pip install sherlock-project`. Alternatively, run it via Docker with `docker run -it --rm sherlock/sherlock <username>`, or use packages on Debian, Ubuntu, Homebrew, Kali, or BlackArch.

Can Sherlock search anonymously through Tor?

Yes, Sherlock supports a `--tor` flag that routes requests through the Tor network, but it requires a running Tor daemon. If Tor is unavailable, you can use the `--proxy` flag with an alternative proxy instead.

Why does Sherlock return no results for a username?

No results usually means the username is genuinely not registered on the checked platforms. Try verifying the spelling, testing variations with the `?` wildcard, or accounting for deleted accounts and privacy settings that hide profiles.

Why do Sherlock searches time out or hit rate limits?

Some sites respond slowly or block automated requests, causing timeouts. Increase the wait with `--timeout 120`, narrow scope with `--site`, and add delays between bulk searches to avoid triggering platform rate limits.