
Nuclei
Scan applications, APIs, networks, DNS, and cloud configurations for vulnerabilities using Nuclei.

About Nuclei
Nuclei is an open source vulnerability scanner that runs as a command-line tool. Its checks are written as YAML-based templates, which users can create or customize, and it is used to scan applications, APIs, networks, DNS, and cloud configurations. Community security professionals contribute templates for newly reported vulnerabilities.
The project is in active development, so releases may include breaking changes, and the source recommends reviewing the changelog before updating. It is described as primarily a standalone CLI tool, and the source notes that running it as a service may pose security risks. Installation via go install requires Go 1.24.2 or later. A free cloud tier with monthly limits is offered, and a separate cloud-hosted Pro and Enterprise edition built on Nuclei OSS adds team and reporting features; the source does not state the limits or prices of these tiers.
Key features
- Scans applications, APIs, networks, DNS, and cloud configurations for vulnerabilities
- Simple YAML-based templates for creating and customizing vulnerability checks
- Community-contributed templates for trending vulnerabilities
- Multi-step checks that simulate real-world steps to verify a vulnerability
- Parallel scan processing with request clustering
- Integration into CI/CD pipelines for detection and regression testing
- Open source, with templates contributed by a community of security professionals
- Templates are simple YAML files that can be written and modified by users
- Supports multiple protocols, including TCP, DNS, HTTP, SSL, WHOIS, and JavaScript
- Under active development, and releases may include breaking changes
- Described as primarily a standalone CLI tool; running it as a service may pose security risks
- Installation via go install requires Go 1.24.2 or later
Nuclei at a glance
- Category
- Privacy & Security › Security Tools
- Type
- Open-source project
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Open source
- Yes · Source code
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 6, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
Guides for Security Tools

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Nuclei FAQ
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