In today’s digital landscape, where AI systems increasingly serve as intermediaries between users and web content, a critical gap has emerged. Large Language Models struggle to efficiently crawl websites filled with navigation menus, advertisements, and complex JavaScript, consuming valuable context windows on irrelevant content. Enter llms.txt, a proposed web standard created by Jeremy Howard of Answer.AI that promises to revolutionize how AI systems understand and interact with websites.
Understanding llms.txt in the context of modern web development
The llms.txt standard addresses a fundamental challenge facing LLMs: context window limitations. When an AI system attempts to understand a website, it must process the entire HTML structure, including elements irrelevant to the actual content. This technological limitation has created an opportunity for a more efficient approach, one that provides AI systems with curated, structured summaries optimized for machine comprehension.
At its core, llms.txt functions as a structured Markdown file placed at /llms.txt on your website’s root. Similar to how robots.txt guides search engine crawlers, llms.txt provides AI systems with a roadmap to your most important content. The format is elegantly simple: a title, summary blockquote, organized sections with descriptive links, and an optional section for secondary information that can be omitted when context is limited.
Early adopters include major technology companies like Anthropic, Cloudflare, and Stripe, with implementations spanning from comprehensive API documentation to product catalogs. While official support from major LLM providers remains limited, the growing ecosystem of tools and the low barrier to implementation make it an attractive addition to any forward-thinking web strategy.
Getting started: Manual implementation in minutes
The beauty of llms.txt lies in its simplicity. Just as you would create a robots.txt file, you can manually create an llms.txt file and upload it to your website’s root directory. This approach works universally, regardless of your hosting environment or content management system.
Creating your first llms.txt file
Open any text editor and create a file named llms.txt (all lowercase). The structure follows a straightforward pattern:
# Your Website Name
> A brief, compelling description of what your website offers
Optional expanded description providing more context about your business,
services, or platform. Keep it concise but informative.
## Main Section
- [Page Title](https://yoursite.com/page-url): Brief description of this page
- [Another Page](https://yoursite.com/another-url): What visitors will find here
- [Third Page](https://yoursite.com/third-url): Key information on this page
## Secondary Section
- [Resource Name](https://yoursite.com/resource): Description of this resource
- [Help Center](https://yoursite.com/help): Support documentation and guides
Real-world example for a local plumber
# Mike's Plumbing Services
> Licensed emergency plumber serving San Diego County since 1995
We provide 24/7 emergency plumbing services, installations, and repairs
for residential and commercial properties throughout San Diego.
## Services
- [Emergency Plumbing](https://mikesplumbing.com/emergency): 24/7 emergency response
- [Water Heater Repair](https://mikesplumbing.com/water-heaters): Installation and repair
- [Drain Cleaning](https://mikesplumbing.com/drains): Professional drain solutions
- [Pipe Repair](https://mikesplumbing.com/pipes): Leak detection and pipe replacement
## Contact & Service Areas
- [Contact Us](https://mikesplumbing.com/contact): Call (619) 555-0123
- [Service Areas](https://mikesplumbing.com/areas): San Diego, La Jolla, Chula Vista
- [Free Estimates](https://mikesplumbing.com/estimate): Get your free quote online
Once created, simply upload this file to your website’s root directory, the same location where your index.html or robots.txt file resides. The file should be accessible at https://yourwebsite.com/llms.txt. No special permissions or server configurations required.
This manual approach provides immediate AI optimization without any technical complexity, making it perfect for static sites, simple hosting environments, or as a quick proof of concept before implementing more sophisticated solutions.
WordPress implementation for local service businesses
For the millions of WordPress sites powering local businesses, implementing llms.txt offers a unique opportunity to ensure AI systems accurately represent their services, hours, and location information. The WordPress ecosystem has responded quickly, with multiple plugins already available and custom implementation options for developers.
Plugin-based approach
The simplest path involves using established plugins like Website LLMs.txt (10,000+ active installations) or LLMs.txt Generator. These plugins handle the technical complexity while allowing customization through the WordPress admin interface.
Custom PHP implementation
For developers seeking more control, a custom implementation provides flexibility to integrate business-specific data dynamically:
<?php
/**
* Plugin Name: Custom LLMs.txt Generator
* Description: Generate llms.txt for local home service businesses
* Version: 1.0.0
*/
class CustomLLMsGenerator {
public function __construct() {
add_action('init', [$this, 'add_rewrite_rules']);
add_action('template_redirect', [$this, 'handle_llms_request']);
}
public function add_rewrite_rules() {
add_rewrite_rule('^llms\.txt$', 'index.php?llms_txt=1', 'top');
}
public function handle_llms_request() {
if (get_query_var('llms_txt')) {
header('Content-Type: text/plain');
echo $this->generate_llms_content();
exit;
}
}
private function generate_llms_content() {
$site_name = get_bloginfo('name');
$site_description = get_bloginfo('description');
$home_url = home_url();
// Get business info for local services
$business_hours = get_option('business_hours', 'Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM');
$service_areas = get_option('service_areas', []);
$phone = get_option('business_phone', '');
$content = "# {$site_name}\n";
$content .= "> {$site_description}\n\n";
// Local business specific information
if ($phone) {
$content .= "**Phone:** {$phone}\n";
}
if (!empty($service_areas)) {
$content .= "**Service Areas:** " . implode(', ', $service_areas) . "\n";
}
$content .= "**Hours:** {$business_hours}\n\n";
// Services section
$services = get_posts([
'post_type' => 'service',
'posts_per_page' => -1,
'post_status' => 'publish'
]);
if ($services) {
$content .= "## Services\n";
foreach ($services as $service) {
$content .= "- [{$service->post_title}]({$home_url}/services/{$service->post_name}): " .
wp_trim_words($service->post_excerpt, 15) . "\n";
}
$content .= "\n";
}
// Contact and location info
$content .= "## Contact Information\n";
$content .= "- [Contact Us]({$home_url}/contact): Get in touch for quotes\n";
$content .= "- [About Us]({$home_url}/about): Learn about our experience\n";
return $content;
}
}
new CustomLLMsGenerator();
This implementation leverages WordPress’s rewrite rules system, avoiding .htaccess modifications while providing clean URL access. The generated content dynamically includes business hours, service areas, and current services, ensuring AI systems always have accurate, up-to-date information about your local business.
Next.js implementation for B2B SaaS platforms
Modern SaaS platforms built with Next.js benefit from the framework’s powerful routing system, making llms.txt implementation remarkably straightforward. The platform’s support for both static and dynamic generation allows teams to choose the approach that best fits their content update frequency.
Static generation for documentation-heavy sites
For SaaS platforms where core documentation changes infrequently, static generation provides optimal performance:
// app/llms.txt/route.ts
export const dynamic = 'force-static';
export async function GET() {
const llmsContent = `# Your SaaS Platform
> A comprehensive project management platform that helps B2B teams collaborate effectively and deliver projects on time.
Our platform integrates task management, team collaboration, and real-time analytics to streamline workflows for modern businesses.
## Documentation
- [Getting Started Guide](/docs/getting-started.md): Complete setup and onboarding process
- [API Reference](/docs/api.md): Full REST API documentation with examples
- [Integration Guide](/docs/integrations.md): Connect with Slack, GitHub, and Jira
- [Security Overview](/docs/security.md): Enterprise-grade security and compliance
## Features
- [Task Management](/features/tasks.md): Create, assign, and track project tasks
- [Team Analytics](/features/analytics.md): Real-time insights into performance
- [Custom Workflows](/features/workflows.md): Build automated processes
- [API Access](/features/api.md): Programmatic access to all features
## Support
- [Help Center](/help): Comprehensive guides and tutorials
- [Community Forum](/community): Connect with other users
- [Contact Support](/contact): Get help from our technical team`;
return new Response(llmsContent, {
headers: {
'Content-Type': 'text/plain; charset=utf-8',
'Cache-Control': 'public, max-age=3600',
},
});
}
Dynamic generation with TypeScript validation
For platforms requiring real-time content updates, a dynamic approach with proper validation ensures accuracy:
// lib/llms-generator.ts
interface LLMsSection {
title: string;
links: Array<{
name: string;
url: string;
description: string;
}>;
}
export class LLMsGenerator {
private config: LLMsConfig;
constructor(config: LLMsConfig) {
this.config = this.validateConfig(config);
}
private validateConfig(config: LLMsConfig): LLMsConfig {
if (!config.siteName || !config.description) {
throw new Error('Site name and description are required');
}
// Validate URLs
config.sections.forEach(section => {
section.links.forEach(link => {
try {
new URL(link.url, 'https://example.com');
} catch {
throw new Error(`Invalid URL: ${link.url}`);
}
});
});
return config;
}
public generate(): string {
let content = `# ${this.config.siteName}\n`;
content += `> ${this.config.description}\n\n`;
// Add main sections
this.config.sections.forEach(section => {
content += `## ${section.title}\n`;
section.links.forEach(link => {
content += `- [${link.name}](${link.url}): ${link.description}\n`;
});
content += '\n';
});
return content.trim();
}
}
This TypeScript implementation provides type safety while maintaining the flexibility to generate content based on current platform state, ensuring AI systems always receive accurate, validated information about your SaaS offering.
Shopify implementation for ecommerce excellence
Shopify’s hosted environment presents unique challenges, yet the platform’s Liquid templating system offers elegant solutions for llms.txt implementation. For ecommerce sites, this standard provides an opportunity to ensure AI systems accurately understand product catalogs, policies, and business information.
Liquid template approach
The most accessible implementation leverages Shopify’s native templating system:
{%- liquid
layout none
content_for_header
-%}
# {{ shop.name }}
> {{ shop.description | default: 'E-commerce store powered by Shopify' }}
Located in {{ shop.address.city }}, {{ shop.address.country }}.
We offer {{ collections.size }} product categories with {{ shop.products_count }} total products.
## Product Categories
{%- for collection in collections limit: 10 -%}
{%- unless collection.id == blank or collection.products_count == 0 -%}
- [{{ collection.title }}]({{ collection.url | absolute_url }}): {{ collection.description | truncate: 100 | default: collection.products_count | append: ' products available' }}
{%- endunless -%}
{%- endfor -%}
## Featured Products
{%- assign featured_products = collections['featured'].products | default: collections.first.products -%}
{%- for product in featured_products limit: 8 -%}
- [{{ product.title }}]({{ product.url | absolute_url }}): {{ product.description | strip_html | truncate: 80 }} - {{ product.price | money }}
{%- endfor -%}
## Store Information
- [About Us]({{ pages.about.url | absolute_url }}): Learn about our company
- [Contact Us]({{ pages.contact.url | absolute_url }}): Customer service team
- [Shipping Policy]({{ pages.shipping-policy.url | absolute_url }}): Delivery options
- [Return Policy]({{ pages.return-policy.url | absolute_url }}): Easy returns
## Customer Service
- Phone: {{ shop.phone | default: 'Available through contact form' }}
- Email: {{ shop.email | default: 'Available through contact form' }}
Creating a page with the handle “llms” and assigning this template provides immediate llms.txt functionality, dynamically pulling current product information, collections, and store policies.
Advanced Shopify app implementation
For Shopify Plus stores or those requiring advanced features, a custom app provides greater flexibility:
// app/routes/api.llms.txt.js (using Remix)
export async function loader({ request }) {
const { admin } = await authenticate.admin(request);
// Fetch shop data
const shopQuery = `
query getShopInfo {
shop {
name
description
url
email
phone
}
}
`;
const shopResponse = await admin.graphql(shopQuery);
const shopData = await shopResponse.json();
// Generate content with proper error handling
try {
const shop = shopData.data.shop;
let content = `# ${shop.name}\n`;
content += `> ${shop.description || 'E-commerce store'}\n\n`;
// Add dynamic product and collection data
// ... (additional GraphQL queries)
return new Response(content, {
headers: {
'Content-Type': 'text/plain; charset=utf-8',
'Cache-Control': 'public, max-age=3600'
}
});
} catch (error) {
console.error('Error generating llms.txt:', error);
return new Response('Error generating content', { status: 500 });
}
}
This approach leverages Shopify’s GraphQL API to access comprehensive store data, enabling sophisticated content generation based on real-time inventory and business information.
The path forward: Embracing AI-optimized web standards
The implementation of llms.txt represents more than a technical optimization—it’s a strategic investment in your website’s AI readiness. As LLMs become increasingly prevalent in how users discover and interact with web content, ensuring these systems accurately understand and represent your business becomes critical.
Current adoption patterns reveal fascinating insights. Documentation-heavy platforms like Cloudflare (3.7M tokens) and Prisma (1.5M tokens) have created comprehensive llms-full.txt files, while API-focused companies organize content by endpoints and methods. This diversity in implementation approaches demonstrates the standard’s flexibility across different business models.
That being said, challenges remain. Google’s John Mueller has compared llms.txt to the deprecated keywords meta tag, highlighting concerns about potential abuse. The lack of official support from major LLM providers means the standard’s future remains uncertain. However, the minimal implementation cost and potential upside make it a worthwhile addition to any comprehensive web strategy.
At NextLeft, we recognize that successful digital presence requires both human-optimized experiences and AI-ready content structures. The llms.txt standard provides a bridge between these worlds, ensuring your valuable content reaches audiences regardless of how they access it, whether through traditional browsers or AI intermediaries.
Taking action: Your implementation roadmap
Whether you’re running a local service business on WordPress, scaling a B2B SaaS platform with Next.js, or growing an ecommerce empire on Shopify, implementing llms.txt follows a clear path:
Start with content audit: Identify your most valuable pages, documentation, and resources that AI systems should prioritize.
Choose your implementation approach: Select the method that aligns with your technical capabilities and platform constraints.
Validate and test: Use available validators to ensure proper formatting and test with actual AI systems when possible.
Monitor and iterate: Track AI bot access patterns and refine content based on usage data.
Stay informed: The standard continues evolving, with new tools and best practices emerging regularly.
The convergence of AI and web technologies has created unprecedented opportunities for businesses willing to adapt. By implementing llms.txt today, you’re not just optimizing for current AI systems—you’re positioning your digital presence for the AI-driven future of web interaction.
Ready to make your website AI-ready? Contact our team at NextLeft to explore how llms.txt implementation fits into your broader digital strategy. We specialize in creating comprehensive web solutions that serve both human visitors and AI systems effectively.
