agent.md
The operating manual for AI shopping agents — how an agent discovers your store and buys safely.
agent.md is served at yourstore.com/agents.md. It's the file AI shopping agents read to learn how to interact and transact with your store: it declares the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) endpoints, the agent purchase flow, and the rules agents must follow — including that no payment happens without the buyer's consent.
Where to find it
In Avada AEO optimizer, open agent.md and llms.txt and select the agent.md tab. Click the URL (e.g. https://yourstore.com/agents.md) to view the live file generated for your store.
Before AI can read it: your storefront password must be off. If it's on, click Disable password in the Password protection enabled banner.
Custom agent.md
By default, agent.md is generated for you and stays current with your store. To provide your own instructions for AI agents, turn on Custom agent.md and click Edit.
- Custom overrides the auto-generated file — your content replaces it, so include everything agents need.
- Until you add custom content, this area shows an Empty state; the live file uses the auto-generated default.
- Turn Custom agent.md off anytime to go back to the auto-generated file.
Why it matters
- Agent-ready checkout. AI shopping agents (in ChatGPT, Perplexity, Copilot, and more) can transact through Shopify's supported flow.
- Safe by design. No payment happens without the buyer's approval.
- Your store, represented correctly. Agents follow your declared endpoints and policies instead of guessing.