detect-secrets
detect-secrets is an open-source Yelp tool that finds secrets in code and helps prevent new ones being committed.
Legal & ethical use. Use this tool only on systems, networks and data that you own or have explicit written permission to test. Unauthorised access or scanning can break computer-misuse laws (for example Pakistan's Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, and equivalents elsewhere). Practise in your own lab or in authorised environments such as CTFs.
What it is used for
- Add a pre-commit check against leaked keys
- Create a baseline of known false positives
Key features
- Plugin-based detectors
- Baseline file
- Pre-commit hook
Installation
pip install detect-secrets
Beginner usage guide
Scan a test repository, audit the baseline and add the pre-commit hook.
Example commands
Run these only against your own lab or authorised targets. Placeholder addresses such as 192.0.2.x are documentation ranges.
Scan a repo
detect-secrets scan > .secrets.baselineWrites findings to a baseline file that you can audit.
References
Source verification
Last reviewed: 2026-10-27
Links checked over HTTP: 2026-10-27 07:51 UTC — official: 200, docs: 200, repo: 200
Commands were written from the official documentation and have not been executed on this site; test them in your lab.