DOCUMENTATION

Getting Started with llms.txt

Learn how to set up and optimize your store's AI presence with our comprehensive guide.

What is llms.txt?

llms.txt is a proposed standard for providing structured information about your website specifically for Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity. Think of it as robots.txt but designed for AI consumption.

While robots.txt tells search engine crawlers what pages to index, llms.txtprovides AI systems with a comprehensive, well-organized summary of your site's content, helping them understand and accurately represent your business.

💡 Pro Tip: AI assistants are increasingly being used to research products and make purchase recommendations. Having a well-structured llms.txt file can help your products appear in these AI-powered conversations.

Installation

Step 1: Install from Shopify App Store

Search for "Vs LLMs.txt Generator" in the Shopify App Store, or visit the app page directly and click "Add app". Follow the prompts to authorize the app for your store.

Step 2: Grant Permissions

The app requires read access to your products, collections, pages, and blog posts to generate your llms.txt file. We never modify your store data.

Step 3: Configure Your Settings

Once installed, you'll be taken to the app dashboard where you can customize yourllms.txt configuration.

Configuration Options

Store Information

  • Store Name: The name that will appear at the top of your llms.txt file.
  • Store Domain: Automatically detected from your Shopify store (read-only).
  • Description: A brief description of your business. This helps AI understand your store's purpose and niche.

Content Toggles

  • Include Products: When enabled, all active products with their titles, descriptions, and URLs are included.
  • Include Collections: When enabled, all collections with their titles and URLs are included.
  • Include Pages: When enabled, all published pages (About, FAQ, etc.) are included.
  • Include Blogs: When enabled, all blog posts and articles are included.

💡 Best Practice: We recommend enabling all content types for maximum AI visibility. However, if you have pages you'd prefer to keep less visible (like internal landing pages), you can selectively disable content types.

Understanding the File Format

Your generated llms.txt file follows a structured markdown format that's easy for both AI and humans to read:

# Your Store Name

> Brief description of your store and what you sell.

## Products

- [Product Name](https://yourstore.com/products/product-handle): Short description
- [Another Product](https://yourstore.com/products/another): Description here

## Collections

- [Collection Name](https://yourstore.com/collections/collection-handle)

## Pages

- [About Us](https://yourstore.com/pages/about)
- [FAQ](https://yourstore.com/pages/faq)

## Blog Posts

- [Article Title](https://yourstore.com/blogs/news/article-handle)

Accessing Your llms.txt File

Once configured, your llms.txt file is automatically served via Shopify's App Proxy at:

https://your-store.myshopify.com/a/llms

If you have a custom domain (e.g., yourstore.com), the file will also be available at:

https://yourstore.com/a/llms

Testing Your Setup

  1. Open your browser and navigate to your llms.txt URL
  2. You should see a plain text file with your store information
  3. Use the "Preview" button in the app dashboard to see a formatted view

Automatic Updates

Your llms.txt file is generated dynamically, meaning it always reflects your current store data. When you add new products, update descriptions, or publish new blog posts, your llms.txt file automatically includes these changes.

Update Frequency

  • Free Plan: Updates reflected on weekly cache refresh
  • Pro Plan: Updates reflected on daily cache refresh with priority support

Best Practices for AI Optimization

1. Write Clear Product Descriptions

Your product descriptions are included in the llms.txt file. Make sure they clearly explain what the product is, who it's for, and its key benefits.

2. Use Descriptive Page Titles

Page titles appear in the file, so make them descriptive. "About Us" is better than "About", and "Frequently Asked Questions" is better than "FAQ".

3. Maintain a Blog

Blog posts add valuable context about your expertise and product knowledge. AI systems can use this content to better understand and recommend your products.

4. Optimize Your Store Description

The description you set in the app appears at the top of your llms.txt file. Make it comprehensive but concise—explain what you sell, who your target customer is, and what makes your store unique.

💡 Example Description: "Premium organic skincare products for sensitive skin. Based in Austin, TX, we formulate our products with locally-sourced botanical ingredients. Best known for our award-winning Calming Face Serum and Gentle Cleanser."

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to add any code to my theme?

No! The app uses Shopify's App Proxy feature to serve your llms.txt file. No theme modifications are required.

Will this slow down my store?

No. The llms.txt file is served separately from your storefront and doesn't affect your store's performance.

Can I see which AI systems are accessing my file?

Currently, we don't provide analytics on file access. This may be added in a future update.

What happens if I uninstall the app?

Your llms.txt file will no longer be served at the /a/llms URL. The URL will return a 404 error until you reinstall the app.

Is my data secure?

Yes. We only read publicly available information from your store (products, collections, pages). We never access customer data, orders, or private store information. See our Privacy Policy for more details.

Getting Help

If you have questions or run into issues, we're here to help: