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llms.txt is a proposed Markdown file that gives AI agents a concise, curated guide to a website and links to its important pages. You can add it to self-hosted WordPress with a generator plugin or by publishing a file yourself; WordPress.com documents the feature for Business and Commerce plans. It is optional, and publishing it does not guarantee better rankings or citations from AI services.

What llms.txt does—and what it does not do

The proposal describes llms.txt as a way to give agents useful background, guidance, and links in one accessible place. Its aim is to make important site information easier to find than it may be amid a page’s navigation, advertising, scripts, and other HTML. The proposal’s author, Jeremy Howard, describes it this way: “We propose adding a /llms.txt markdown file to websites to provide information to help agents use a website.” See the llms.txt proposal.

It is not a replacement for your website, ordinary crawl controls, structured data, or XML sitemap. Nor is it a proven ranking switch: the Project LLMs.txt WordPress.org listing says no major search engine or LLM provider has officially announced that it seeks out these files. There is no reliable ranking-uplift or citation-frequency figure in the cited sources, so treat any visibility benefit as unproven and dependent on whether a service chooses to use the format. See the Project LLMs.txt listing.

What goes in an llms.txt file?

The file is plain Markdown named llms.txt. The proposal defines an ordered structure: an optional title and summary, followed by sections containing links and brief descriptions. Keep it concise, accurate, and focused on public pages that help explain the site or its work. Use canonical URLs and descriptions that clarify why a page is useful.

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The file can sit at the domain root, such as https://example.com/llms.txt, or under a path such as https://example.com/docs/llms.txt. A file in a subdirectory applies to URLs under that path, according to the proposal. Some implementations also offer llms-full.txt, which can provide fuller Markdown content, and page-level Markdown versions. Neither the companion file nor page-level Markdown is required for every WordPress site. The proposal also describes using HTTP Link headers to advertise Markdown alternates and the descriptive file. See the format proposal and its explanation of the motivation.

Add llms.txt to self-hosted WordPress with a plugin

A generator plugin is usually the simplest route if you want WordPress to assemble the file from selected content. Two WordPress.org options documented in the supplied sources are Project LLMs.txt and Website LLMs.txt. Their settings and output methods differ, so check the plugin’s current listing and your hosting compatibility before installing.

Project LLMs.txt

  1. In WordPress admin, go to Plugins → Add New.
  2. Search for Project LLMs.txt, then install and activate it.
  3. Open its settings. Review the site information and content types so the generated index contains only the pages you intend to publish.
  4. Generate the files, then visit your public /llms.txt URL in a logged-out or private browser window and inspect the contents and links.

The plugin listing says it creates /llms.txt as a structured index and /llms-full.txt with fuller Markdown content. It lists WordPress 6.4+ and PHP 8.1+ as requirements; physical-file mode also needs permission to write to the root directory. Check the Project LLMs.txt listing for its current details.

Website LLMs.txt

  1. Install and activate Website LLMs.txt from WordPress.org or upload the plugin through your usual WordPress workflow.
  2. In the dashboard, go to Settings → LLMs.txt.
  3. Configure the included or excluded post types and, where needed, a custom title or description. The plugin also documents attaching Markdown files to individual posts or pages.
  4. Generate the output and open the public /llms.txt address without logging in. Check that it shows the intended Markdown and links.

Website LLMs.txt documents serving the file through a rewrite rule when it cannot write a physical file to the site root. Its listing also warns that inaccessible content may be omitted after regeneration. See the Website LLMs.txt listing.

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Other ways to publish the file

Create and deploy it manually

If you have file-deployment access, create a plain Markdown file named llms.txt in the web root or in the relevant subdirectory. Follow the proposal’s ordering and ensure the server returns the file as text rather than an HTML error or login page. This gives you direct control over the content, but you also need a process for updating links and descriptions when the site changes.

Use WordPress.com’s built-in feature

WordPress.com’s support documentation says its llms.txt feature is available on Business and Commerce plans and publishes the file at the domain root. Use the platform’s current controls to enable it, then verify the public root URL. See WordPress.com’s llms.txt support page.

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Choose an implementation that fits your site

Before choosing a plugin or manual deployment, check how it publishes and how much control it gives you. The options below summarize the documented approaches; plugin capabilities can change, so confirm details in the linked listings.

Option Deployment and output Editorial control Check before using
Project LLMs.txt Creates /llms.txt and /llms-full.txt; physical-file mode writes to the root directory. Settings include site information and content types. Its listing specifies WordPress 6.4+ and PHP 8.1+; physical-file mode needs root-directory write permission. Plugin listing
Website LLMs.txt Can serve /llms.txt through a rewrite rule if a physical root file cannot be written. Can include or exclude post types, set a title or description, and attach Markdown to individual posts or pages. Check how inaccessible content is handled on regeneration. Plugin listing
Manual/server deployment You place a Markdown file in the root or a subdirectory and configure the server to return it as text. You control the file directly. Requires deployment access and a way to keep URLs current. The proposal also describes HTTP Link headers.
WordPress.com built-in feature Publishes at the domain root. Use the platform’s current controls. WordPress.com documents availability on Business and Commerce plans. Support page

Curate and maintain the file

  • Include useful public pages: for example, pages about the site, its products, documentation, policies, and other key resources.
  • Leave out sensitive or low-value URLs: do not list private, paywalled, draft, or otherwise unsuitable pages. A URL appearing in this file is not a reason to make restricted content public.
  • Keep links stable and descriptions specific: explain what a reader or agent will find, rather than repeating a generic site tagline.
  • Regenerate or review it after significant changes: update it after major edits, navigation changes, migrations, or plugin updates.
  • Test the public response: visit /llms.txt while logged out and confirm it is accessible, contains the expected Markdown, and has working links—not an HTML error page, login wall, or escaped URLs.
  • Use it alongside standard site practices: keep crawl controls, structured data, XML sitemaps, and clear HTML in good order.

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