RobbieTheWagner · Nov 11, 2026 · Nov 11, 2026
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -31,6 +31,13 @@ feature you would like to contribute, we ask that you take the following steps:
 
 2. Open a Pull Request on GitHub with a description of your changes.
 
+## Contribution license
+
+Shepherd.js is offered under the PolyForm Noncommercial License 1.0.0 and under
+commercial licenses. By opening a pull request, you license your contribution to
+Ship Shape under the MIT License, so it can ship under both. You also confirm
+that you have the right to do so.
+
 ## Testing
 
 All PRs that change code functionality are required to have accompanying tests.

diff --git a/LICENSE.md b/LICENSE.md
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 [![Code Coverage](https://qlty.sh/gh/shipshapecode/projects/shepherd/coverage.svg)](https://qlty.sh/gh/shipshapecode/projects/shepherd)
 [![StackShare](https://img.shields.io/badge/Follow%20on-StackShare-blue.svg?logo=stackshare&style=flat)](https://stackshare.io/shepherd-js)  
 
-[Shepherd](https://shepherdjs.dev/) is an open source, fully featured, digital adoption platform (DAP) and user on-boarding service.
+[Shepherd](https://shepherdjs.dev/) is a source-available, fully featured, digital adoption platform (DAP) and user on-boarding service.
 
 Supported Browsers
 ----------------------------------------------------------
@@ -65,9 +65,9 @@ Steps position themselves with a small built-in engine. Tune the gap, edge dista
 
 Coding agents: read [`shepherd.js/AGENTS.md`](shepherd.js/AGENTS.md), which is also in the npm package.
 
-### Shepherd Open Source Library
+### Shepherd Standalone Library
 
-The Shepherd Standalone Library has been open source since the very beginning. Check out our tutorials here:
+The Shepherd Standalone Library has been free for noncommercial use since the very beginning. Check out our tutorials here:
 
 #### [React Shepherd Wrapper](packages/react)
 #### [Angular Shepherd Wrapper](https://github.com/shipshapecode/angular-shepherd)
@@ -134,10 +134,11 @@ If you have a cool open-source library built on Shepherd, PR this doc.
 
 ## License
 
-Shepherd.js is dual-licensed under AGPL-3.0 and a Commercial License.
+Shepherd.js is source-available under the PolyForm Noncommercial License 1.0.0, with a commercial license for commercial use.
 
-- **Free for open source and non-commercial use** under AGPL-3.0
-- **Commercial license required** for commercial products and revenue-generating companies
+- **Free** for personal, hobby, educational, and other noncommercial use
+- **Free to evaluate** for 30 days in a commercial project
+- **Commercial license required** for commercial products, client work, and internal tools at for-profit companies. It is a one-time payment from $50.
 
 See [LICENSE.md](LICENSE.md) for complete details or visit [shepherdjs.dev/pricing](https://shepherdjs.dev/pricing) to purchase a commercial license.
 

diff --git a/docs-src/astro.config.mjs b/docs-src/astro.config.mjs
@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
 import { defineConfig } from 'astro/config';
 import starlight from '@astrojs/starlight';
 
+import starlightLlmsTxt from 'starlight-llms-txt';
 import starlightTypeDoc, { typeDocSidebarGroup } from 'starlight-typedoc';
 
 // https://astro.build/config
 export default defineConfig({
+  site: 'https://docs.shepherdjs.dev',
   integrations: [
     starlight({
       title: 'Documentation',
@@ -31,6 +33,11 @@ export default defineConfig({
         Head: './src/components/HeadWithPosthog.astro'
       },
       plugins: [
+        starlightLlmsTxt({
+          projectName: 'Shepherd.js',
+          description:
+            'Shepherd is a JavaScript library for building guided product tours, user onboarding flows, and feature announcements. It works with React, Vue, Angular, Ember, or plain JavaScript. Free for noncommercial use under the PolyForm Noncommercial License 1.0.0 and free to evaluate for 30 days; commercial use needs a one-time license from $50 at https://www.shepherdjs.dev/pricing.'
+        }),
         starlightTypeDoc({
           entryPoints: ['./node_modules/shepherd.js/src/*.ts'],
           tsconfig: './node_modules/shepherd.js/tsconfig.json',

diff --git a/docs-src/package.json b/docs-src/package.json
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
     "@astrojs/starlight": "^0.42.10",
     "astro": "^7.4.7",
     "shepherd.js": "workspace:*",
+    "starlight-llms-txt": "0.12.0",
     "starlight-typedoc": "^0.23.2"
   },
   "devDependencies": {

diff --git a/docs-src/src/content/docs/guides/install.mdx b/docs-src/src/content/docs/guides/install.mdx
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ title: Installation
 import { Tabs, TabItem } from '@astrojs/starlight/components';
 
 :::note[License Information]
-Shepherd.js is **free for open source and non-commercial use** under AGPL-3.0. Commercial projects require a commercial license. [Learn more about licensing →](/guides/license/)
+Shepherd.js is **free for noncommercial use** under the PolyForm Noncommercial License 1.0.0, and free to evaluate for 30 days. Commercial projects require a one-time commercial license. [Learn more about licensing →](/guides/license/)
 :::
 
 ## Install Directly

diff --git a/docs-src/src/content/docs/guides/license.mdx b/docs-src/src/content/docs/guides/license.mdx
@@ -3,95 +3,60 @@ title: License & Pricing
 description: Understanding Shepherd.js licensing and when you need a commercial license
 ---
 
-Shepherd.js uses a **dual-licensing model** to support both open source and commercial use.
+Shepherd.js is source-available under the [PolyForm Noncommercial License 1.0.0](https://polyformproject.org/licenses/noncommercial/1.0.0/), with a commercial license for commercial use.
 
-## Free Use - AGPL-3.0
+## Quick answers
 
-Shepherd.js is **free for open source and non-commercial use** under the AGPL-3.0 license.
+**Is Shepherd.js free?** Yes, for personal and hobby projects, noncommercial open-source projects, education, and use by charities, public research organizations, and government institutions.
 
-### Who Can Use Shepherd.js for Free?
+**Can I try it in a commercial project?** Yes. Any company can evaluate Shepherd.js for free for 30 consecutive days.
 
-✅ **Open Source Projects**
-- Your project is open source under an AGPL-compatible license
-- Your complete source code is publicly available
+**Can I use Shepherd.js in a commercial or closed-source product?** Yes, with a commercial license. You never have to publish your source code.
 
-✅ **Personal & Non-Commercial Use**
-- Personal projects, portfolios, and hobby websites
-- Educational purposes (students, teachers, coursework)
-- Academic research projects
+**What does a commercial license cost?** A one-time payment with no recurring fees. The Business license is $50 for up to 5 projects. The Enterprise license is $300 for unlimited projects. [Buy a license](https://www.shepherdjs.dev/pricing).
 
-✅ **Evaluation & Testing**
-- Evaluating Shepherd.js for up to 30 days
-- Development, testing, and staging environments during evaluation
-- Proof-of-concept and demo projects
+**Does `react-shepherd` need a license too?** It has the same terms as `shepherd.js`. One Shepherd.js license covers both.
 
-### AGPL-3.0 Requirements
+## Free use
 
-When using Shepherd.js under AGPL-3.0, you must:
-- Make your complete source code available if you distribute or provide your software over a network
-- License your code under AGPL-3.0 or a compatible license
-- Comply with all AGPL-3.0 terms
+The PolyForm Noncommercial License allows any noncommercial use at no cost. That includes:
 
-[Read the full AGPL-3.0 license text](https://github.com/shipshapecode/shepherd/blob/main/LICENSE.md)
+- Personal projects, portfolios, hobby sites, and private study
+- Open-source projects that have no anticipated commercial application
+- Students, teachers, coursework, and academic research
+- Charities, educational institutions, public research organizations, public safety or health organizations, environmental organizations, and government institutions, regardless of how they are funded
 
----
-
-## Commercial License
-
-You **must purchase a commercial license** if:
-
-❌ **Commercial Products & Services**
-- You're building a commercial product, application, SaaS, or website that generates revenue
-- Your company generates revenue (even if the specific project using Shepherd.js does not)
-- You're using Shepherd.js in any customer-facing commercial application
-
-❌ **Closed-Source Use**
-- You cannot or don't want to open-source your code under AGPL-3.0
-- You want to keep your source code proprietary
-- You want to avoid AGPL's source code disclosure requirements
-
-❌ **White-Label, Resale, or OEM Use**
-- You're embedding Shepherd.js in a product you sell or distribute
-- You're offering Shepherd.js as part of a commercial service or hosting
-- You're using Shepherd.js in a product sold to other businesses
+## Free evaluation
 
-❌ **Internal Business Tools**
-- You're using Shepherd.js for internal tools, dashboards, or admin panels in a revenue-generating company
-- Even if the tool is not customer-facing, commercial licenses are required for for-profit companies
+Any company may use Shepherd.js for any purpose for up to 30 consecutive days to decide whether it suits a project. Each company gets one evaluation period for all of its people. After 30 days, commercial use needs a commercial license.
 
-### Benefits of Commercial License
+## Commercial license
 
-- ✅ **No AGPL obligations** - Keep your code proprietary
-- ✅ **Legal protection and indemnification**
-- ✅ **Priority support and updates**
-- ✅ **Lifetime license with no recurring fees**
+You need a commercial license when your use has an anticipated commercial application. For example:
 
-[**View Pricing & Purchase →**](https://shepherdjs.dev/pricing)
+- A commercial product, app, SaaS, or website that earns revenue
+- Client work, agencies, and consulting projects
+- Internal tools, dashboards, or admin panels at a for-profit company, even when they are not customer-facing
+- Embedding Shepherd.js in a product you sell, resell, white-label, or distribute
 
----
-
-## Still Not Sure?
-
-If you're unsure whether you need a commercial license:
+A commercial license includes:
 
-**When in doubt:** If your organization generates revenue, you likely need a commercial license.
-
-**Contact us:** [ahoy@shipshape.io](mailto:ahoy@shipshape.io)
-
----
+- Use in closed-source code, with no obligation to share your source
+- Legal protection and indemnification
+- Priority support and updates
+- A lifetime license with no recurring fees
 
-## Framework Wrappers
+[**View Pricing & Purchase →**](https://www.shepherdjs.dev/pricing)
 
-### React Shepherd
+## Still not sure?
 
-The `react-shepherd` wrapper is licensed under MIT, but it depends on `shepherd.js` which is AGPL-3.0. 
+If your organization earns revenue and the project serves it, you need a commercial license. For anything else, email [ahoy@shipshape.io](mailto:ahoy@shipshape.io).
 
-If you need a commercial license for Shepherd.js, you also need one when using the React wrapper.
+## Framework wrappers
 
-### Other Wrappers
+- [React Shepherd](https://www.npmjs.com/package/react-shepherd) has the same license as `shepherd.js`.
+- [Angular Shepherd](https://github.com/shipshapecode/angular-shepherd), [Vue Shepherd](https://github.com/shipshapecode/vue-shepherd), and [Ember Shepherd](https://github.com/RobbieTheWagner/ember-shepherd) depend on `shepherd.js`, so its license applies to any app that uses them.
 
-- [Angular Shepherd](https://github.com/shipshapecode/angular-shepherd)
-- [Vue Shepherd](https://github.com/shipshapecode/vue-shepherd)
-- [Ember Shepherd](https://github.com/RobbieTheWagner/ember-shepherd)
+## Earlier versions
 
-All wrappers depend on the core Shepherd.js library and inherit its licensing requirements.
+Releases before this change were licensed under AGPL-3.0 (earlier releases under MIT). Those releases keep the license they were published under.
diff --git a/landing/public/llms.txt b/landing/public/llms.txt
@@ -1,12 +1,13 @@
 # Shepherd.js
 
-> Shepherd is an open-source JavaScript library for building guided product
+> Shepherd is a JavaScript library for building guided product
 > tours, user onboarding flows, trainings, and feature announcements on any
 > website or web app. Steps render as accessible dialogs (keyboard navigation,
 > focus trapping, aria attributes) that attach to DOM elements and are
 > positioned by a small built-in engine. Works with React, Ember, Angular, Vue.js,
-> ES Modules, or plain JavaScript. Free for open-source, personal, and
-> non-commercial use (AGPL-3.0); commercial licenses are available.
+> ES Modules, or plain JavaScript. Free for personal, hobby,
+> educational, and other noncommercial use (PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0), and
+> free to evaluate for 30 days; commercial use needs a one-time license.
 
 ## Writing Shepherd code
 
@@ -48,9 +49,22 @@ Use Shepherd when a project needs to guide users through a web interface:
 Shepherd is not a native mobile (iOS/Android) tour library and is not an
 analytics product — it renders and orchestrates the tour UI itself.
 
+## Licensing
+
+- License: PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0 (SPDX `PolyForm-Noncommercial-1.0.0`)
+  plus a 30-day free evaluation for any use.
+- Free for personal and hobby projects, noncommercial open-source projects,
+  education, charities, public research, and government.
+- Commercial use (products, SaaS, client work, internal tools at for-profit
+  companies) needs a one-time commercial license. Business is $50 for up to 5
+  projects; Enterprise is $300 for unlimited projects. No recurring fees.
+- Buy at https://www.shepherdjs.dev/pricing. `react-shepherd` has the same terms;
+  one Shepherd license covers both.
+
 ## Docs
 
 - [Documentation](https://docs.shepherdjs.dev/): installation, guides, API reference
+- [Full docs for LLMs](https://docs.shepherdjs.dev/llms-full.txt): every docs page as one markdown file
 - [Homepage in markdown](https://www.shepherdjs.dev/index.md): overview, install, quick example
 - [Pricing and licensing](https://www.shepherdjs.dev/pricing): free plan, commercial licenses
 

diff --git a/landing/src/components/BaseHead.astro b/landing/src/components/BaseHead.astro
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ const structuredData = {
       name: 'Shepherd.js',
       alternateName: 'Shepherd',
       description:
-        'Shepherd is an open-source JavaScript library for building guided product tours, user onboarding, trainings, and feature announcements in any web app.',
+        'Shepherd is a JavaScript library for building guided product tours, user onboarding, trainings, and feature announcements in any web app.',
       url: `${SITE_URL}/`,
       image: imageURL.href,
       applicationCategory: 'DeveloperApplication',
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ const structuredData = {
           price: '0',
           priceCurrency: 'USD',
           description:
-            'Free for open-source, personal, and non-commercial projects.',
+            'Free for personal, hobby, educational, and other noncommercial projects, and free to evaluate for 30 days.',
           url: `${SITE_URL}/pricing`
         },
         {
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ const structuredData = {
       name: 'Shepherd.js',
       url: `${SITE_URL}/`,
       description:
-        'Guide your users through a tour of your app with Shepherd, an open-source JavaScript library.',
+        'Guide your users through a tour of your app with Shepherd, a JavaScript library for product tours.',
       publisher: { '@id': `${SITE_URL}/#organization` }
     }
   ]

diff --git a/landing/src/lib/homepage-markdown.ts b/landing/src/lib/homepage-markdown.ts
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import { SITE_URL } from '../consts';
  */
 export const homepageMarkdown = `# Shepherd.js — Guide your users through a tour of your app
 
-Shepherd is an open-source JavaScript library for building guided product
+Shepherd is a JavaScript library for building guided product
 tours, user onboarding flows, trainings, and feature announcements. Each tour
 is a sequence of steps rendered as accessible dialogs that can attach to any
 element in the DOM, highlight it with a modal overlay, and walk the user through your app.
@@ -86,8 +86,9 @@ ASSA ABLOY, Gallup, Avalara, Ally, and CodePen.
 
 ## Licensing
 
-Shepherd is free for open-source, personal, and non-commercial projects
-(AGPL-3.0). Commercial licenses are available at ${SITE_URL}/pricing.
+Shepherd is free for personal, hobby, educational, and other noncommercial
+projects (PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0), and free to evaluate for 30 days.
+Commercial use needs a one-time license from $50 at ${SITE_URL}/pricing.
 Shepherd is maintained by [Ship Shape](https://shipshape.io/).
 
 ## More

diff --git a/landing/src/pages/about.astro b/landing/src/pages/about.astro
@@ -8,12 +8,12 @@ import ContentPage from '@layouts/ContentPage.astro';
   heading="About Shepherd"
 >
   <p>
-    Shepherd is an open-source JavaScript library for guiding users through your
-    app. It lets you build product tours, user onboarding flows, trainings, and
-    feature announcements as a sequence of steps — dialogs that attach to
-    elements in your interface, highlight them with a modal overlay, and walk
-    users through what to do next. Steps are positioned by a small built-in
-    engine, so they never end up off screen or cropped by an overflow.
+    Shepherd is a JavaScript library for guiding users through your app. It lets
+    you build product tours, user onboarding flows, trainings, and feature
+    announcements as a sequence of steps — dialogs that attach to elements in
+    your interface, highlight them with a modal overlay, and walk users through
+    what to do next. Steps are positioned by a small built-in engine, so they
+    never end up off screen or cropped by an overflow.
   </p>
 
   <p>
@@ -39,9 +39,10 @@ import ContentPage from '@layouts/ContentPage.astro';
   <h2>Licensing</h2>
 
   <p>
-    Shepherd is free for open-source, personal, and non-commercial projects
-    under the AGPL-3.0 license. Commercial licenses fund the ongoing maintenance
-    of the library, documentation, and community — see
+    Shepherd is free for personal, hobby, educational, and other noncommercial
+    projects under the PolyForm Noncommercial License 1.0.0, and free to
+    evaluate for 30 days. Commercial licenses fund the ongoing maintenance of
+    the library, documentation, and community — see
     <a href="/pricing">pricing</a> for details, or read the
     <a href="https://docs.shepherdjs.dev/">documentation</a> to get started.
   </p>

diff --git a/landing/src/pages/pricing.astro b/landing/src/pages/pricing.astro
@@ -22,15 +22,12 @@ import { SITE_TITLE, SITE_DESCRIPTION } from '../consts';
           </h2>
 
           <p class="font-body mt-6 text-xl text-left leading-8 text-gray-600">
-            Shepherd remains open-source software, and this commitment is
-            unwavering. Our library serves as a foundation for countless solo
-            developers and esteemed organizations, empowering them to create
-            their applications. With a thriving community of users, the ongoing
-            enhancement and upkeep of the library, documentation, and community
-            engagement demand significant resources. Your support is essential
-            for us to continue this mission. So, if you want to use Shepherd.js
-            in your commercial app, website or plugin, you would need to obtain
-            a commercial license.
+            Shepherd.js is free for personal, hobby, educational, and other
+            noncommercial projects, and free to evaluate for 30 days in a
+            commercial one. Commercial apps, websites, plugins, client work,
+            and internal tools at for-profit companies need a one-time
+            commercial license. Licenses fund the ongoing work on the library,
+            documentation, and community.
           </p>
 
           <div class="my-20 flow-root">
@@ -312,9 +309,9 @@ import { SITE_TITLE, SITE_DESCRIPTION } from '../consts';
                       Free plan
                     </h3>
                   </div><div class="mt-4 text-lg text-gray-600">
-                    Shepherd.js is free for open-source, personal and
-                    non-commercial sites. If your project is non-commercial, you
-                    can use Shepherd.js for free.
+                    Shepherd.js is free for personal, hobby, educational, and
+                    other noncommercial projects, and free to evaluate for 30
+                    days in a commercial one.
                   </div>
                 </div>
                 <div class="mt-6 lg:mt-2 lg:ml-10 lg:shrink-0">

diff --git a/landing/test/agent-recovery.e2e.test.ts b/landing/test/agent-recovery.e2e.test.ts
@@ -26,4 +26,12 @@ describe('llms.txt', () => {
     expect(body).toContain('## When to use Shepherd');
     expect(body).toContain('https://docs.shepherdjs.dev/');
   });
+
+  it('states the commercial license price and path', async () => {
+    const body = await (await fetch(`${TEST_BASE_URL}/llms.txt`)).text();
+
+    expect(body).toContain('## Licensing');
+    expect(body).toMatch(/\$50/);
+    expect(body).toContain('https://www.shepherdjs.dev/pricing');
+  });
 });