What is llms.txt?

In practice

A good file is short and curated: the pages that genuinely answer questions, each with a sentence of context, rather than a dump of every URL. It complements robots.txt and the XML sitemap without replacing either, and it works best when generated from the site so it cannot fall out of date.

Where it fits in a build

Worth adding to any site with substantial reference content — documentation, definitions, guides, services. Little benefit for a three-page brochure site.

Common mistakes

• Listing every page, which reproduces the problem it was meant to solve.
• Hand-maintaining it until it describes a site that no longer exists.
• Expecting it to replace clear on-page structure. It is a map, not the territory.

Related terms

• Generative engine optimisation (GEO)
• Structured data
• Answer engine optimisation (AEO)

Working on something that involves this?

ASTACKRA designs and builds AI systems, automation and custom software for businesses that need technology shaped around their own workflow. If this term turned up in a proposal and you want a straight answer about whether it applies to your situation, ask us — no obligation, and we will tell you if the answer is no.