otlite · Username

Install socialscan on Linux or macOS in one command

socialscan asks a short list of major platforms whether a username or email is available, taken, or invalid, using their own sign-up validation. Fewer sites than Sherlock, far fewer false positives.

socialscan in three lines

pipx install otlite
otlite install socialscan
otlite run socialscan -- q:acme

Runs iojw/socialscan (MPL-2.0, ★ 1.8k, otlite 1.2.1, catalog updated Oct 23, 2026). otlite installs and runs it at a tested version; it does not change or verify the tool itself.

What socialscan is for

A reliable yes or no on the big platforms.
Checking whether a handle is free before registering it.
Verifying Sherlock hits on the platforms socialscan covers.

Typed inputs for socialscan

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

q:: Search text · otlite run socialscan -- q:acme

Run every installed tool that takes the same input at once: otlite run --all q:acme

Where the results go

Every run lands under ./results/socialscan/<target>/ as a timestamped output file, a .meta.json sidecar (the exact command, start and end time, exit code, and the SHA-256 of the output), and a .envelope.json with the entities found, in the same shape for every tool. List runs with otlite results, group them with --case, compare the last two with otlite diff socialscan <target>, and pull indicators out with otlite extract socialscan.

Before you run it

Covers roughly a dozen platforms; use it for precision, not reach.

Update, remove, inspect

otlite info socialscan      # inputs, keys, an example command
otlite example socialscan   # sample output, where there is one
otlite update socialscan    # move to the next tested version
otlite remove socialscan    # delete its virtualenv

Full reference: the otlite docs, and the tool's own README on GitHub.

Pairs with

Sherlock

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

Maigret

Maigret searches a username across thousands of sites and, where it finds a profile, extracts the public fields on it: display name, bio, location, linked accounts.

user-scanner

user-scanner takes a username or email and checks platforms that reveal whether an account exists.

FAQ

socialscan with otlite, answered

How do I install socialscan on Kali, Ubuntu, or macOS?

Install otlite once with pipx install otlite (or the one-line installer on the otlite page), run otlite init, then otlite install socialscan. The tool lands in its own virtualenv under ~/.otlite/, pinned to a version that was tested, so nothing touches your system Python. otlite doctor prints the command that fixes a missing git or venv module.

Which inputs does socialscan take through otlite?

q: (search text). otlite maps each prefix to socialscan's own flag. Everything after -- that is not a typed input is passed through unchanged, so the original flags still work.

Where does otlite save socialscan results?

Under ./results/socialscan/<target>/ in the folder you run from, as a timestamped output file plus a .meta.json sidecar (the exact command, timing, exit code, and SHA-256) and a .envelope.json with the entities found. Add --case <name> to group runs, otlite results to list them, and otlite diff socialscan <target> to compare the last two.

Does socialscan need an API key or a login?

No key is required for the basic run. Optional keys, where the project supports them, go in with otlite keys set NAME and are passed only to tools that declare them.

Can I run socialscan together with other tools?

Yes. otlite run --all q:acme runs every installed tool that takes search text input, in parallel, including socialscan. Save the combination as a playbook to repeat it.