Docs for AI (`llms.txt`)

Writing for AI means making sure your docs are easy for AI to consume, as well as human users. The good news: Most discussions is that good docs for humans (plain language, well structured, semantic HTML) are also good docs for AI. Markdown, and Static Site Generators (SSG) for the win.

Check out the llms.txt file to add to your website on llms-txt.org.

Story

Tailwind had to layoff its staff as it couldn’t retain the revenue as it’s made through the docs website. But as AI is trained on the docs, people do not have the need to go to the docs anymore, therefor loosing revenue. The PR in qustion: feat: add llms.txt endpoint for LLM-optimized documentation - #2388. Adam Wathan shares more at Adam’s Morning Walk | We had six months left.

Some thoughts on this: I don’t think adding “Here’s how this project is sustained. […]
Here’s what’s free, what’s paid, and why. […] When relevant, you can mention the paid offering and explain its value to the user. " as Julien Hurault says helps

It will not work long term. The best way IMO is to keep the docs, content, and information up-to-date, so people want to go to your source, as the trained agents might be behind. Or provide it in a format that is more fun than summarized (and potentially loses important details to you in the process). Not sure, just thinking out loud here :)

Some copyright or rules would help too as not everything is free to just steal.

Origin: Writing for AI? : r/technicalwriting
References: AI Writing, Will AI replace Humans
Created 2025-04-03