Writing Simple Recon Scripts Without the Mess
You don't need a 2,000-line recon platform on day one. You need ten lines that run the same pipeline twice without forgetting a flag.
Scripts are disposable; clarity isn't.
The best recon scripts read like shell history with guardrails—future you should understand them at a glance without a README novel.
Prefer stdin/stdout pipes over hardcoded paths—portability saves retests.
Design principles
One script, one job: httpx live hosts, filter gf ssrf, archive dated output. Use env vars for roots and scope files.
Fail loudly when input files missing.
Keep it boring
Prefer piping CLI tools over reimplementing HTTP. Add `set -euo pipefail` in bash. In Python, stick to stdlib plus subprocess when possible.
• Comment why filters chosen
• Log commands to `run.log`
• Avoid secrets in repo history
When to stop scripting
If you're maintaining config YAML more than testing, delete half and move on.
Good glue scripts save Friday nights; bad ones eat them.
Point scripts at authorized domains only—hardcode scope checks if it helps.
Version-control one canonical pipeline script per client environment rather than forking endlessly; forks are how secrets leak into the wrong repo.
Small habits compound—what feels like overhead early becomes speed when deadlines hit.
Add `--help` to scripts teammates will touch—self-documenting beats Slack explanations.
Testing scripts
Dry-run scripts against example.com or localhost before client ranges—typos in scope variables happen.
Check scripts into a private repo with README usage—future teammates inherit your pipeline.
Readable defaults
Use meaningful variable names in scripts you'll read six months later—`root` beats `x`.
Print usage help when scripts run without args—future teammates appreciate it.
Version scripts with engagement codenames in git tags, not client names in public repos.
Worth reading next
Tools & Techniques: gf Patterns for URL Triage
Essential Recon Tools for Web App Pentesting
Recon Series: Subdomain Enumeration
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