Nuclei scans for vulnerabilities using customizable templates written in YAML.

docs.projectdiscovery.io/tools/nuclei
Nuclei homepage screenshot

About Nuclei

Nuclei is a vulnerability scanner that uses templates written as YAML files to detect, rank, and describe security flaws. According to its documentation, it is designed to probe modern applications, infrastructure, cloud platforms, and networks. Each template describes a possible attack route, including the vulnerability, its severity, a priority rating, and sometimes associated exploits. The documentation states that the community has contributed over 6500 templates.

The documentation lists several use cases, including web application security, infrastructure security, and CI/CD pipeline security. Some use cases are marked as alpha, specifically API security testing, cloud security, and network device security. Some features, including comprehensive reporting, CI/CD integration, and ticketing integration, are marked in the source as cloud features. The source does not say whether these are available in every setup. Pricing is not stated.

Key features

  • Community-contributed template library with over 6500 templates
  • Target input from URLs, IP ranges, ASN ranges, or files
  • Bulk and parallel scanning of multiple targets
  • Custom templates with dynamic variables for parameterized scans
  • Inclusion and exclusion filters to narrow the scan scope
  • Integration with CI/CD pipelines for automated security testing
Best for: Security engineers and development teams who want to scan web applications, infrastructure, and APIs using customizable YAML templates.
Good for
  • Large library of community-contributed templates
  • Supports bulk and parallel scanning of many targets
  • Can be integrated into CI/CD pipelines
Watch out for
  • Several use cases, including API, cloud, and network device security, are marked as alpha
  • Reporting, CI/CD, and ticketing features are labeled as cloud features in the source

Nuclei at a glance

Type
Website
Pricing
Not confirmed. Check the site
Platforms
Web
Open source
Not stated
Language
English
Last checked
Oct 6, 2026 · Online when checked
Listed
Oct 5, 2026

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Nuclei FAQ

What format are Nuclei templates written in?
Templates are written as straightforward YAML files that define methods for detecting specific security flaws.
What kinds of targets can Nuclei scan?
The source lists URLs, IP ranges, ASN ranges, and file input as supported target specifications.
Can Nuclei be used in a CI/CD pipeline?
Yes. The documentation says Nuclei can be integrated into CI/CD pipelines for automated security testing during development and deployment.
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