Tips to help you level up your scripting skills

1. Break Problems into Smaller Steps

• Start by identifying what you want to achieve (e.g., subdomain enumeration, directory brute-forcing, etc.).
• Break each task into smaller, manageable steps. For example:
  • Subdomain enumeration: Use assetfinder, subfinder, and amass.
  • Directory brute-forcing: Use gobuster or ffuf.
• Write small scripts for each task first, then combine them into a larger script.

2. Learn Bash Basics

• Understand basic Bash concepts like:
  • Variables (TARGET=$1)
  • Conditionals (if [ -z "$TARGET" ]; then)
  • Loops (for tool in "${TOOLS[@]}"; do)
  • Functions (subdomain_enum() { ... })
• Practice writing small scripts to automate everyday tasks.

3. Use Modular Design

• Write functions for each task (e.g., subdomain_enum, dns_interrogation).
• This makes your script easier to read, debug, and reuse.

4. Experiment with Tools

• Play around with the tools you use (nmap, gobuster, ffuf, etc.) to understand their options and outputs.
• Read their documentation and try different flags to see how they behave.

5. Learn from Others

• Study open-source bug bounty scripts and tools (e.g., ReconFTW, Amass, Nuclei).
• Look at how they structure their code and handle errors.

6. Practice, Practice, Practice

• The more you write scripts, the more comfortable you'll become.
• Start small, automate repetitive tasks, and gradually build up to more complex scripts.

7. Use ChatGPT or Other AI Tools

• Tools like ChatGPT can help you brainstorm ideas, debug scripts, or explain concepts.
• For example, you can ask:
  • "How do I parallelize tasks in Bash?"
  • "What's the best way to log output in a script?"
  • "How do I check if a command exists in Bash?"

8. Join the Community

• Engage with the bug bounty and cybersecurity community on platforms like:
  • Twitter (follow bug bounty hunters and tool developers)
  • Reddit (e.g., r/bugbounty, r/netsec)
  • Discord servers (e.g., Bug Bounty World, Hack The Box)
• Share your scripts, ask for feedback, and learn from others.

9. Iterate and Improve

• Your first script doesn't have to be perfect. Start with something simple, then add features and improvements over time.
• For example:
  • Add error handling.
  • Make the script faster by running tasks in parallel.
  • Add support for custom wordlists or API keys.

10. Believe in Yourself

• You already have the mindset of a bug bounty hunter: curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to learn.
• Scripting is just another tool in your arsenal, and with time, you'll master it.