What the file is
llms.txt is a plain text file at the root of a site. It lists the pages an automated reader could start from.
It is a convention, not a standard with an enforcement mechanism. A reader may use it, ignore it, or never request it.
What it is good for
- Naming the canonical starting point for a reader.
- Listing the pages you consider most useful, in a stable order.
- Stating boundaries in plain language, where a human also reads them.
A filled file
Cedar and Slate Interiors, written on 2026-09-22.
# Cedar and Slate Interiors
> A two-person joinery studio, working on kitchens, bathrooms
> and fitted furniture.
Canonical site: https://cedarandslate.example
Contact: https://cedarandslate.example/contact
## Read this first
- Services: https://cedarandslate.example/services
- Kitchens: https://cedarandslate.example/services/kitchens
- Pricing approach: https://cedarandslate.example/pricing
## Boundaries
- We quote after a site visit. No price is published per project.
- We work within 40 miles. No delivery outside that radius.
What it will not do
It will not make a model cite you. It will not train anything, block anything, or change how an answer is written.
A reader that ignores robots.txt will ignore this file too.
Acceptance: the file is right when
- it is served at the root, as plain text, with a 200
- every URL in it returns 200 and is indexable
- the first line names the site, and the quote line says what it is
- boundaries use the same words as the rest of the site
- it is regenerated when the page list changes
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| The file 404s | It was never copied into the build | Add it to the static assets |
| A listed URL 404s | A page was renamed | Regenerate the list from the sitemap |
| Nothing changed after adding it | Expected: it is advisory | Measure visibility separately |
| A tool calls the file invalid | It is not a formal standard | Keep it readable, and ignore the grade |
| The file duplicates the sitemap | Two lists now exist | Keep the short list, and point at the sitemap |
Limits
Treat the file as a courtesy to a reader, not as a control.
Measure visibility separately, and label it as an estimate. The answer you see is one answer among many.