What is Sherlock OSINT and how to install it in 2025 (Complete guide)

Sherlock is an open-source OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence) tool designed for a very specific task: automatically checking whether a username exists across hundreds of platforms and social networks.

It runs from the command line, is written in Python, and that makes it lightweight, cross-platform, and easy to integrate into more complex workflows. It’s not a “magic” or invasive tool: it simply checks whether the public URLs associated with a username exist or not.

While its most common use is OSINT research, I’ve personally used it with a much more practical goal: checking username availability when creating a digital brand, specifically oshytech. In just a few seconds, I could see where the name was already taken and where it was still available—something essential if you want to maintain brand consistency.

What is Sherlock OSINT actually used for?

Sherlock is especially useful when you need a quick, global view of the digital presence associated with a username. Some of its most common use cases include:

• Finding public profiles linked to a username
• Verifying the digital presence of a person, project, or brand
• Detecting potential identity impersonation
• Checking username availability across multiple platforms
• Serving as a starting point for OSINT investigations

It does not access private accounts, does not require credentials, and does not collect sensitive information. Its logic is simple: it checks whether a public URL responds or not.

Installing Sherlock OSINT in 2025

As of today, there are several valid ways to install Sherlock. Below are the most recommended options, depending on how you plan to use it.

Recommended installation with pipx (Python)

This is the method I recommend in most cases, especially if you already work with Python:

pipx install sherlock-project

Why use pipx:

• Keeps Sherlock isolated from other Python packages
• Avoids dependency conflicts
• Makes updates and removal straightforward

If you don’t have pipx, a quick alternative is:

pip install --user sherlock-project

Installing from the GitHub repository

Ideal if you want to modify the code, understand how it works internally, or use the latest version:

git clone https://github.com/sherlock-project/sherlock
cd sherlock
python3 -m pip install -r requirements.txt

Direct execution:

python3 sherlock username

Installing with Docker

A very convenient option if you don’t want to touch your local environment:

docker run -it --rm sherlock/sherlock

Especially useful on servers, OSINT labs, or isolated environments.

Installing via Linux packages

Some Linux distributions include Sherlock in their repositories.

Example on Kali Linux:

sudo apt install sherlock

Note: on newer distributions like Ubuntu or ParrotOS, this method may fail. In that case, pipx or Docker are usually the best options.

Basic usage of Sherlock OSINT

Once installed, using Sherlock is straightforward and requires no learning curve.

Search for a single username

sherlock username

Sherlock will automatically check hundreds of platforms and show which ones exist and which do not.

Search for multiple usernames at once

sherlock user1 user2 user3

Exporting results

One of Sherlock’s biggest advantages is that it allows you to work with the results later.

CSV

sherlock username --csv

JSON

sherlock username --json

Excel

sherlock username --xlsx

This is essential if you plan to automate analysis or integrate the results into other processes.

Practical use cases

Checking brand name availability

This was my use case when checking oshytech before registering profiles:

sherlock oshytech --print-found --csv

In seconds, I had a clear list of platforms where the name was already taken and where it was still available.

Basic OSINT investigation

To quickly collect links to public profiles:

sherlock username --print-found --xlsx

The generated file can be used as a starting point for further analysis with other OSINT tools.

Automating bulk searches

If you work with lists of usernames, Sherlock fits perfectly into simple scripts.

Example using a users.txt file:

for user in $(cat users.txt); do
  sherlock $user --print-found --csv
done

This approach is ideal for audits, recurring analysis, or automated processes.

Sherlock vs similar alternatives

There are other OSINT tools focused on username searches, such as Maigret or Namechk, but Sherlock still stands out for several reasons:

• Better stability and project maintenance
• A clear command-line focus
• Easy integration into scripts and automation
• A large community and solid documentation

While some alternatives are more web-oriented or GUI-based, Sherlock fits especially well in technical environments, where automation and process control matter most.

Automation and workflows

One of Sherlock’s strengths is that it’s not meant to be used in isolation. It works very well as a first step in an automated workflow, for example:

• Username checks → analysis → report generation
• Integration with Python or Bash scripts
• Periodic brand audit processes

This naturally opens the door to linking Sherlock with other articles and guides focused on automation, scripting, and pipelines, which we’ll cover later on.

Ethical and legal considerations

Even though Sherlock only uses public information, it should always be used responsibly.

Legitimate uses:

• Auditing your own digital footprint
• OSINT research
• Branding and identity verification

Unethical uses:

• Harassment or non-consensual surveillance
• Privacy violations
• Illegal activities