# What is llms.txt?

> llms.txt is a small Markdown file that hands AI models a clean, curated map of your site's most useful pages. Here's what it is, why it exists, and who needs one.

llms.txt is a plain-text file you place at the root of your site — `https://yourdomain.com/llms.txt` — that gives large language models a concise, curated map of your most important content.

## The problem it solves

When an AI assistant answers a question about your product, it has to make sense of pages built for browsers: navigation, menus, cookie banners, ads, and scripts. That's noisy and easy to get wrong. llms.txt cuts through the noise by pointing models straight at the pages that matter, in a format that's trivial to parse.

## What's in the file

It's Markdown, in a fixed order:

  - an **H1 title** — your project or site name (the only required element);

  - a **blockquote summary** — one or two sentences of context;

  - **H2 sections** — grouped lists of links to your key pages, each with a short description.

```
# Acme

> Acme turns CSV files into charts. These links cover setup, the API, and pricing.

## Docs

- [Quickstart](https://acme.com/start): Upload a CSV and get a chart in 60 seconds
- [API reference](https://acme.com/api): Every endpoint and parameter
```

## It is not robots.txt

A common mix-up: llms.txt does not block or allow anything. It only *curates* — access is controlled by [robots.txt](/guide/llms-txt-vs-robots-txt). Think of robots.txt as the gate and llms.txt as the map.

## Who should have one

If people ask AI tools about your docs, API, or product, yes — it's a small file with real upside (see [does llms.txt help SEO?](/guide/does-llms-txt-help-seo)). Documentation sites and developer tools benefit most.

## Next steps

Ready to write one? Follow [how to create an llms.txt file](/guide/how-to-create-llms-txt), then [validate it](/) to confirm the structure and that every link resolves.