otinstaller · Username

Install user-scanner on Linux in one command

user-scanner takes a username or email and checks platforms that reveal whether an account exists. It groups results by category and ships an MCP server, so agents can call it too.

user-scanner in three lines

pipx install otinstaller
ot install user-scanner
ot run user-scanner -- u:jane_doe

Runs kaifcodec/user-scanner (MIT, ★ 5k, otinstaller v0.0.4, registry updated Oct 13, 2026). otinstaller installs and runs it; it does not change or verify it.

What user-scanner is for

One run for both a handle and the email behind it.
Agent workflows: the same checks over MCP.
A second source next to Sherlock and Holehe.

Typed inputs for user-scanner

otinstaller translates these prefixes into user-scanner's own flags. Anything else after -- is passed through unchanged, so every original flag still works.

u:: username · ot run user-scanner -- u:jane_doe
e:: email · ot run user-scanner -- e:jane@example.com

Run every installed tool that takes the same input at once: ot run --all u:jane_doe

Where the results go

Every run lands under ./results/user-scanner/<target>/ as a timestamped output file plus a .meta.json sidecar: the exact command, start and end time, exit code, and the SHA-256 of the output. Group runs with --case, compare the last two with ot diff user-scanner <target>, and pull indicators out with ot extract.

Before you run it

otinstaller never runs it with --allow-loud, which would notify the target.

Update, remove, inspect

ot info user-scanner      # inputs, flags, keys
ot example user-scanner   # sample output
ot update user-scanner    # move to the next tested version
ot remove user-scanner    # delete its virtualenv

Full reference for this tool: docs for user-scanner.

Pairs with

Sherlock

Sherlock checks a username against several hundred sites and reports where a profile with that exact handle exists.

Holehe

Holehe asks about 120 services whether an email address is registered, using their password-reset and sign-up checks without sending anything to the address.

socialscan

socialscan asks a short list of major platforms whether a username or email is available, taken, or invalid, using their own sign-up validation.

When open-source isn't enough

user-scanner says which accounts exist. SearchIn's identity and leak providers return what those accounts reveal.

People & identity

People & identity

Breach intelligence

FAQ

user-scanner with otinstaller, answered

How do I install user-scanner on Kali or Ubuntu?

Install otinstaller once with pipx install otinstaller, run ot init, then ot install user-scanner. The tool lands in its own virtualenv under ~/.otinstaller/, pinned to a version that was tested on Ubuntu, so nothing touches your system Python. ot doctor flags a missing git or venv module.

Which inputs does user-scanner take through otinstaller?

u: (username), e: (email). otinstaller maps each prefix to user-scanner's own flag. Everything after -- that is not a typed input is passed through unchanged, so the original flags still work.

Where does otinstaller save user-scanner results?

Under ./results/user-scanner/<target>/ in the folder you run from, as a timestamped output file plus a .meta.json sidecar with the exact command, timing, exit code, and SHA-256. Add --case <name> to group runs, and ot diff user-scanner <target> to compare the last two.

Does user-scanner need an API key or a login?

No key is required for the basic run. Optional keys, where the project supports them, go in ~/.otinstaller/.env and are passed only to tools that declare them.

Can I run user-scanner together with other tools?

Yes. ot run --all u:jane_doe runs every installed tool that accepts username input, in parallel, including user-scanner. Save the combination as a playbook to repeat it.