What is llms.txt?
llms.txt is a plain-text file at the root of a website that tells AI agents what the site is and which public pages matter. It is a map, not a secret API.
In plain English
People have robots.txt for crawlers. llms.txt is a short brief for assistants: what you offer, and links to the real pages. This site publishes one at /llms.txt and a longer public dump at /llms-full.txt. Paid pack bodies are not in those files. Publish it only if you would be happy for a stranger's tool to read those pages. It is a pointer, not a lock. Your private prices, your customer list, and your staff notes do not belong there. Update the file when you rename a guide, or agents will quote a path that 404s and sound sure about it. Link only pages you still stand behind. An agent that quotes a retired guide is quoting you. If a page is for staff only, leave it off the public file. Omit payroll, floor plans, supplier invoices, and draft contracts. Public crawlers should meet only the guides you would hand a stranger at the counter.
How an owner would use it
If you want assistants to describe your business from your own words, publish a short llms.txt that links to your services, hours, and booking page. Do not put prices you have not decided, customer names, or keys in it.
Common mistakes
llms.txt is not robots.txt and it is not a secret back door. robots.txt talks to crawlers about what they may fetch. llms.txt is a public brief. Do not put unpublished prices, customer names, or keys in it. Do not expect every assistant on earth to obey it. Write it as if a stranger will quote it, because that is the point.
A worked example
A fishing charter
Trips and the booking link, not the client list
This is an illustration, not a customer result. The captain publishes an llms.txt that links to trip types, the dock address, and the booking page. It does not list clients or last week's catch counts. Assistants that read it can point people at booking instead of inventing a trip the boat does not run.
Related terms
Prompts and guides
Questions owners ask
What is llms.txt?
llms.txt is a text file on a website that summarizes the site for AI agents and links to the public pages they should read.
How do I use llms.txt?
Publish a short, accurate file at /llms.txt. Link only to pages you want quoted. Leave out secrets and anything you would not want repeated.
How is llms.txt different from a sitemap?
A sitemap lists URLs for search engines. llms.txt is a short explanation plus the links you most want an assistant to read. You can have both. This site does.
Product guides are on AI apps for business.