Comparison
llms.txt vs ai-agent.json: what and why
llms.txt is a curated content map for LLMs; ai-agent.json is an identity and capability manifest. Different jobs — you need both.
In short
These are not competitors: llms.txt tells an LLM what content to read,
while ai-agent.json says who you are and what you can do as a service. Do both.
What each is
- llms.txt — a Markdown file at
/llms.txtwith curated links to key pages. Helps a model find important content within a limited context. - ai-agent.json — a JSON manifest at
/.well-known/ai-agent.json: name, description, capabilities, endpoints. The service’s “business card” for an integrating agent.
Side by side
| llms.txt | ai-agent.json | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Markdown | JSON |
| Path | /llms.txt | /.well-known/ai-agent.json |
| Audience | An LLM reading content | An agent integrating |
| Answers | ”What’s there to read?" | "Who are you and what can you do?” |
Key difference
llms.txt is about content (articles, docs); ai-agent.json is about
interaction (capabilities, API, payments). The first leads a model to text; the
second describes how to work with you programmatically.
Do both
Yes — they complement each other: llms.txt brings an LLM to the right content,
and ai-agent.json explains how to integrate with your service (including
payment protocols via the payments field).
How to verify
A free scan checks both files (presence, format, required fields) in one report.