otlite · Username
Install The Big Brother on Linux or macOS in one command
The Big Brother's command-line scanner checks a username on hundreds of sites and lists where it exists. It is built on Sherlock's site data and detection rules, and writes the hits as profile URLs to text, CSV, or XLSX.
The Big Brother in three lines
pipx install otlite
otlite install thebigbrother
otlite run thebigbrother -- u:jane_doeRuns chadi0x/TheBigBrother (MIT, ★ 772, 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 The Big Brother is for
- A Sherlock-style sweep when you want spreadsheet output (--csv, --xlsx).
- Trying spelling variants in one run with the {?} placeholder, which swaps in _, - and .
Typed inputs for The Big Brother
otlite translates these prefixes into The Big Brother's own flags. Anything else after -- is passed through unchanged, so every original flag still works.
- u:
- Username ·
otlite run thebigbrother -- u:jane_doe
Run every installed tool that takes the same input at once: otlite run --all u:jane_doe
Where the results go
Every run lands under ./results/thebigbrother/<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 thebigbrother <target>, and pull indicators out with otlite extract thebigbrother.
Before you run it
- The README describes a much larger web console and a commercial reporting service. otlite installs the project but runs only its username scanner.
- It fetches Sherlock's current site list at run time and shares Sherlock's false positives. Add --local to use the bundled copy instead.
Update, remove, inspect
otlite info thebigbrother # inputs, keys, an example command
otlite example thebigbrother # sample output, where there is one
otlite update thebigbrother # move to the next tested version
otlite remove thebigbrother # delete its virtualenvFull reference: the otlite docs, and the tool's own README on GitHub.
Pairs with
When open-source isn't enough
The Big Brother lists where a handle exists. SearchIn's identity providers return the profile fields and linked accounts behind those matches.
FAQ
The Big Brother with otlite, answered
How do I install The Big Brother 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 thebigbrother. 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 The Big Brother take through otlite?
u: (username). otlite maps each prefix to The Big Brother'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 The Big Brother results?
Under ./results/thebigbrother/<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 thebigbrother <target> to compare the last two.
Does The Big Brother 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 The Big Brother together with other tools?
Yes. otlite run --all u:jane_doe runs every installed tool that takes username input, in parallel, including The Big Brother. Save the combination as a playbook to repeat it.
Does otlite install The Big Brother web console?
No. otlite runs the package's command-line username scanner, which is what the typed u: input feeds. The browser console the README shows is a separate FastAPI app with its own dependencies; start it the way the project documents if you want it.