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.