DetectDee: how to use it, and a browser alternative
DetectDee is a Go command-line tool that looks for accounts by username, email address or phone number. Its site list leans toward security forums and developer communities. Here is how it works and what to know before using it.
Username, email and phone search (CLI, Go). Project: github.com/Yvesssn/DetectDee · License: Apache-2.0 · Last reviewed 2026-10-17
What is DetectDee?
DetectDee is released under the Apache-2.0 license. The repository now lives at Yvesssn/DetectDee (the README still links to the earlier piaolin path) and its last push was in August 2023, as of October 2026. Its README lists about 390 supported sites in groups such as cybersecurity, programmer, social, video and blog.
It accepts usernames, email addresses or phone numbers, with thread control and custom headers to avoid being blocked. Optional features include search-engine results, tagging results with an AI service using your own API token, and a screenshot command that needs Chrome.
Our tool searches usernames only. Our email and phone tools are coming soon and are not live.
How to use DetectDee
- Download a release binary from the repository, or clone it and build with Go.
- Run DetectDee update once to fetch the latest site data.
- Run DetectDee detect -n with one or more comma-separated usernames.
- Use -s to limit the search to specific sites, then confirm each hit by hand.
Example commands from the project's README (check it for the current version):
./DetectDee update
./DetectDee detect -n username
./DetectDee detect -n username -s github,v2exDetectDee vs WhatsMyName Apps
| Feature | DetectDee | WhatsMyName Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Sites checked | About 390 listed in its README | 3,165+ sites, merged from the WhatsMyName, Sherlock and Maigret lists |
| Input | Username, email or phone | Username (email and phone tools coming soon) |
| Setup | Release binary or build with Go | Nothing to install. It runs in the browser |
| Maintenance | Last push August 2023 (as of October 2026) | Site list refreshed from upstream datasets |
| Screenshots | Yes, needs Chrome | No |
| Automation | CLI | No API and no CLI |
| Price | Free, open source | Free, no sign-up |
Based on DetectDee's own documentation as of 2026-10-17. Tools change; the project page is the final word.
Pros and cons of DetectDee
Pros
- Covers security and developer communities that general tools often skip.
- Single Go binary for Windows, macOS and Linux.
- Apache-2.0 license; screenshots of results built in.
Cons
- No repository updates since August 2023 as of October 2026.
- Some features need Chrome or your own AI service token.
- Parts of the site list are niche, so coverage of mainstream sites is thinner than in larger tools.
Who DetectDee is for
DetectDee suits researchers who want coverage of security forums and Chinese-language developer sites. For a mainstream username sweep with no download, a browser search is quicker.
Try a username search in your browser
Free, no sign-up. Checks 3,165+ sites; the username is not stored or logged.
Frequently asked questions
Is DetectDee still maintained?
As of October 2026 its last repository push was in August 2023, so some site checks may be out of date.
How do I run DetectDee?
Download a release binary, run DetectDee update once, then DetectDee detect -n followed by a username.
Can I use DetectDee online?
No. It is a downloadable command-line tool. For a browser username search, our tool checks 3,165+ sites without setup.
Related tools and guides
- Sherlock: Username search (CLI)
- GoSearch: Username search (CLI, Go)
- Consensus OSINT: Username, email and phone meta-search (CLI)
- Maigret: Username search (CLI and web UI)
- All OSINT tools compared
- OSINT username search · Reverse username lookup · Platform username checkers
- Username OSINT for beginners
Names and trademarks belong to their owners. WhatsMyName Apps is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by DetectDee or its authors.