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Tech riderRev. 22 Sept 2026

detect-secrets

Ch 156.5of 23 Secrets Scanning Software
  1. 1Runs onLinux, Mac, Windows
  2. 2CostsNot stated by the maker
  3. 3Supported VCSGit
  4. 4Pre-commit scanningYes
  5. 5Custom detection rulesYes
4 lines stated Written from the maker's own pages: github.com
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Overview

detect-secrets is ranked #15 of 23 in secrets scanning software on Specifiction. It runs on Linux, macOS, Windows.

Compared on secrets scanning software

Supported VCS
Gitgithub.com
Pre-commit scanning
Yesgithub.com
Custom detection rules
Yesgithub.com

Facts

Purpose
detect-secrets detects secrets in a codebase and aims to prevent new secrets from entering it.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Detection approach
It checks code changes using heuristically crafted regular expressions to identify newly committed secrets.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Baseline
A scan creates a baseline of potential secrets already present in a repository.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Scanning tools
The project provides scan, hook, and audit commands to create baselines, flag new secrets, and review baseline findings.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Detection methods
Its detection strategies include regex rules, entropy detection, and keyword detection.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Customization
Users can develop custom detector plugins and filters, and adjust built-in plugins and filters.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Integrations
The README recommends configuring detect-secrets as a pre-commit hook with the pre-commit framework.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Installation
The project documents installation with pip or Homebrew.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
License
The repository identifies its license as Apache-2.0.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
False positive handling
Users can exclude matching lines, files, or secret values and can use inline allowlist comments.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Optional extensions
Word-list filtering and the gibberish detector require optional packages; the gibberish detector is not enabled by default.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Limitations
The README says the heuristic pre-commit hook does not prevent all secrets, including multiline secrets and some default passwords.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Intended users
The project describes itself as designed with the enterprise client in mind.github.com · 4 Oct 2026

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Sources