llms.txt file: role, format, and tool to generate it

The llms.txt convention was proposed as a simple way to present selected information and links to AI tools. It remains optional and does not control how AI systems read or understand a site.

What is an llms.txt file, and what are its limits?

The llms.txt file isa small text file (in TXT or Markdown format) placed at the root of a website, such as https://tonsite.com/llms.txt. It plays a key role: providing language models (LLMs) with a concise summary and selected links, when those tools choose to support the convention.

If the robots.txt defines recognized crawl rules. llms.txt does not: it can serve as an additional site summary, with no guarantee that an assistant will retrieve or use it.

Here’s a table comparing the two files:

Differences between robots.txt and llms.txt

In short, the llms.txt file doesn’t replace SEO. llms.txt can be kept as low-cost supplementary documentation, without expecting an automatic measurable effect.

The role of the llms.txt file for your website

The role of llms.txt is to summarize a site and point to useful resources for tools that choose to read the file. It does not control how other systems interpret the site.
With a well-structured file, you precisely specify:

• Which content should be considered (product pages, articles, documentation).
  
• What information summarizes your business.
  
• Which links are essential to understanding your offering.
  
• Which areas should be ignored (such as /admin or /test).
  

A consistent llms.txt can avoid presenting outdated information in this file. It is not a demonstrated ranking lever or a message-control mechanism.

llms.txt file format and structure

The llms.txt file is very simple to create. It follows a clear format that can be read by any engine or auditing tool. Generally, it uses a Markdown-like structure to remain readable by both humans and bots.

Here’s an example of an llms.txt file:

# llms.txt - Example structure

site_name: Agence Scroll

description: Low-code web agency specializing in Webflow and automation

focus: design, development, SEO, automation

important_pages:

- https://agence-scroll.com/offres

- https://agence-scroll.com/blog

- https://agence-scroll.com/contact

exclude:

- /admin

- /private

Each line conveys clear information: the site name, description, key links, and areas to ignore. This structure is easy for people to read and may help tools that explicitly support the convention, without guaranteeing retrieval.

Where to place the llms.txt file on your site

The file must always be placed at the root of the site, just like robots.txt. For example:
https://tonsite.com/llms.txt
This allows crawlers and models to access it easily.
It works with all CMS, whether WordPress, Webflow, or a custom-built site.
Here are some best practices to follow:

• Ensure your file is public and accessible via a browser.
  
• Use UTF-8 encoding to avoid reading errors.
  
• List URLs in absolute form, never relative.
  
• Test the file after uploading to verify its readability.
  

A file outside the site root may simply be harder to discover for tools that look for llms.txt at the conventional location.

How to generate your llms.txt file in seconds

To make things easier, Scroll agency has developed a free, online llms.txt generator: llms-txt-generator.agence-scroll.com.

This tool lets you create your llms.txt file without writing a single line of code.
All you need to do is:

1. Enter your domain name.
   
2. Select or add your site’s key pages (offers, articles, documentation).
   
3. Generate your file in TXT format, ready to download and place at your site’s root.
   

The tool follows the currently proposed llms.txt convention and produces a clear draft to review before publishing. It’s compatible with all CMS and can be updated anytime if your offering or content evolves.

Avoid these mistakes in your llms.txt file

Here are some tips to keep your llms.txt effective:

• Update your file as soon as you add a new important page.
  
• Be precise in descriptions and links; avoid overly generic text.
  
• Ensure the content of listed URLs is public and accessible.
  
• Avoid duplicates between robots.txt and llms.txt: they should be complementary.
  
• Perform a one-off audit to verify the consistency of the provided information.
  

Good documentation and a clear structure matter. A well-written llms.txt mainly remains concise, consistent documentation of your key pages.

In short: your quick guide to the llms.txt file

• It is an optional convention, generally written in Markdown, which some tools may choose to read.
  
• It does not replace SEO fundamentals, and its effect on visibility has not been established.
  
• It must be placed at the root of your site and updated regularly.
  
• You can generate it in minutes using the tool developed by Scroll.
  

You can add it at low cost as a reference summary while keeping site content, internal links, and sources as the priorities.

If you want to go further in optimising your website, SEO, or implementing effective low-code tools, Scroll agency supports you with strategy, development, and digital visibility for your project.