Do I need an llms.txt file?
No, you don't need one. llms.txt is a proposed convention, not an official standard, and Google says no special AI files are needed to appear in its AI features. It is most used for developer documentation. If you have docs that agents should read, a short, accurate llms.txt is cheap to add, but fix access and content first.
Free to read, no signup. Nova helps you decide whether it is worth it and drafts one.
What is documented about llms.txt
llms.txt is a community proposal. Treat any claim that it boosts AI visibility with caution, since the sources reviewed here make none.
A proposal, mainly for docs
The llms.txt site describes a proposed Markdown file that gives AI agents a brief overview and links to LLM-friendly content, mostly used for software documentation. It calls itself a proposal, and describes no formal commitment from AI companies to support it.
The /llms.txt fileSome AI labs publish their own
The same page says OpenAI, Anthropic and Google's Gemini publish llms.txt files for their developer documentation.
The /llms.txt fileNo special AI files needed
Google says no new AI-specific files, markup or schema are needed to appear in its AI features. Pages must be indexed and snippet-eligible.
AI features and your websiteFive steps to decide and build
Do it by hand with these steps, or hand the whole thing to Nova.
Decide whether it fits
It suits developer docs and reference material agents might read. For a marketing site, access and content matter more.
Nova: helps you decide whether it fits.
Choose what to list
Pick your most useful, stable pages: docs, pricing, key guides. Keep it short.
Nova: suggests pages to list.
Write it in the format
Use an H1 with your name, a one-line summary and H2 sections of links with short descriptions.
Nova: drafts the file for you to edit.
Place it at your site root
Serve it at /llms.txt, and keep the pages it links to accurate and reachable.
Nova: checks the file and its links.
Maintain it
Update it when pages change, and don't expect a measurable lift. Recheck it quarterly.
Nova: flags links that have gone stale.
Short on time? Nova, your AI brand visibility expert, runs this Maneuver on your brand and tracks the result.
Take it to NovaA short llms.txt, section by section
| Section | Link | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Docs | [docs-url] | [WHAT IT COVERS] | Draft |
| Pricing | [pricing-url] | [PLANS AND LIMITS] | Draft |
| Guides | [guide-url] | [TOPIC] | Draft |
Nova then keeps the list in step with your pages.
Take this Maneuver into your own AI agent
Get llms-txt-builder.md, a ready-to-use skill file with a decision guide, a file template and a maintenance routine. Drop it into Claude, Cursor or any agent that reads SKILL.md files.
Skill file for Claude, Cursor and other agents
- A should-I-bother guide
- An llms.txt file template
- A maintenance routine
Questions, answered.
Relevant reads
All articlesLet Nova draft your llms.txt
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