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Run npx skillmds@latest add cboone/write-latex in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.

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This skill is tagged as working with Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex. SKILL.md is an open format, so most agents that read a skills directory can load it too.

Is Write Latex free to use?

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Who published Write Latex?

cboone (@cboone) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.

Write Latex by cboone — Agent Skill

Name: Write Latex
Author: cboone

Write Latex

LaTeX mathematical typesetting style guide based on AMS, IEEE, ISO 80000-2, and Knuth conventions. Use when: (1) writing or editing .tex files, (2) writing raw LaTeX blocks in Pandoc Markdown, (3) setting up LaTeX preambles or macros, (4) working with BibTeX files, or (5) reviewing LaTeX code for typesetting quality.

cboone 71c32c0 12 files · 113.7 KB Updated Sep 17, 2026

File contents

Write LaTeX

Apply the LaTeX conventions from the reference files below when creating or editing LaTeX source.

Core Principles

Semantic markup over visual hacks -- use the right command for its meaning, not for its appearance
Standard compliance -- follow AMS, ISO 80000-2, and IEEE conventions
No deprecated constructs -- never use $$, eqnarray, \def, \centerline, \over, or two-letter font commands
Macro discipline -- define \newcommand macros for recurring notation so a single edit propagates everywhere

Workflow

Review against the essential checklist: ./references/essential/checklist.md
For specific questions, consult the comprehensive references below

Reference Navigation

Quick reviews (default):

references/essential/checklist.md -- condensed, actionable rules

Deep dives by topic:

references/comprehensive/math-typesetting.md -- display math, environments, operators, delimiters, fractions, ellipsis, mathtools
references/comprehensive/iso-conventions.md -- ISO 80000-2: variables, constants, vectors, differential notation, custom macros
references/comprehensive/tables.md -- booktabs, caption placement, column alignment, complete examples
references/comprehensive/bibliography.md -- BibTeX: capital protection, DOI, journal abbreviations, backref
references/comprehensive/packages.md -- recommended packages with load order: mathtools, cleveref, hyperref, siunitx, microtype, and more
references/comprehensive/spacing-and-alignment.md -- math spaces, phantom alignment, intertext, Knuth's @ technique
references/comprehensive/common-mistakes.md -- deprecated commands and their modern replacements
references/comprehensive/figures-and-floats.md -- graphics formats, subcaption, float placement, caption conventions
references/comprehensive/macros-and-cross-refs.md -- macro design, cleveref cross-references, label prefixes
references/comprehensive/document-conventions.md -- equation punctuation, enumitem lists, unbreakable spaces, hyperref metadata

Sources

Downes, M. and Beeton, B. Short Math Guide for LaTeX. AMS, 2017.
IEEE. Math Typesetting Guide for LaTeX Users.
Higham, N. J. Blog posts on tables, BibTeX, packages, spacing, ISO typesetting, ellipses, lists, and book writing. 2013--2021.
Beeton, B. "How to Typeset Equations in LaTeX." TUGboat 18(1), 1997.
Chen, E. LaTeX Style Guide. web.evanchen.cc.
Ensenbach, M. et al. l2tabu: A List of Don'ts in LaTeX.
Voss, H. Mathmode. CTAN.
Mittelbach, F. and Fischer, U. The LaTeX Companion. 3rd ed., 2024.
MathSciNet. Serials Abbreviations.

---name: write-latexdescription: LaTeX mathematical typesetting style guide based on AMS, IEEE, ISO 80000-2, and Knuth conventions. Use when: (1) writing or editing .tex files, (2) writing raw LaTeX blocks in Pandoc Markdown, (3) setting up LaTeX preambles or macros, (4) working with BibTeX files, or (5) reviewing LaTeX code for typesetting quality.---# Write LaTeXApply the LaTeX conventions from the reference files below when creating orediting LaTeX source.## Core Principles1. **Semantic markup over visual hacks** -- use the right command for its meaning, not for its appearance1. **Standard compliance** -- follow AMS, ISO 80000-2, and IEEE conventions1. **No deprecated constructs** -- never use `$$`, `eqnarray`, `\def`, `\centerline`, `\over`, or two-letter font commands1. **Macro discipline** -- define `\newcommand` macros for recurring notation so a single edit propagates everywhere## Workflow1. Review against the essential checklist: `./references/essential/checklist.md`1. For specific questions, consult the comprehensive references below## Reference Navigation**Quick reviews (default):**- `references/essential/checklist.md` -- condensed, actionable rules**Deep dives by topic:**- `references/comprehensive/math-typesetting.md` -- display math, environments, operators, delimiters, fractions, ellipsis, mathtools- `references/comprehensive/iso-conventions.md` -- ISO 80000-2: variables, constants, vectors, differential notation, custom macros- `references/comprehensive/tables.md` -- booktabs, caption placement, column alignment, complete examples- `references/comprehensive/bibliography.md` -- BibTeX: capital protection, DOI, journal abbreviations, backref- `references/comprehensive/packages.md` -- recommended packages with load order: mathtools, cleveref, hyperref, siunitx, microtype, and more- `references/comprehensive/spacing-and-alignment.md` -- math spaces, phantom alignment, intertext, Knuth's @ technique- `references/comprehensive/common-mistakes.md` -- deprecated commands and their modern replacements- `references/comprehensive/figures-and-floats.md` -- graphics formats, subcaption, float placement, caption conventions- `references/comprehensive/macros-and-cross-refs.md` -- macro design, cleveref cross-references, label prefixes- `references/comprehensive/document-conventions.md` -- equation punctuation, enumitem lists, unbreakable spaces, hyperref metadata## Sources- Downes, M. and Beeton, B. _Short Math Guide for LaTeX_. AMS, 2017.- IEEE. _Math Typesetting Guide for LaTeX Users_.- Higham, N. J. Blog posts on tables, BibTeX, packages, spacing, ISO typesetting, ellipses, lists, and book writing. 2013--2021.- Beeton, B. "How to Typeset Equations in LaTeX." _TUGboat_ 18(1), 1997.- Chen, E. _LaTeX Style Guide_. web.evanchen.cc.- Ensenbach, M. et al. _l2tabu: A List of Don'ts in LaTeX_.- Voss, H. _Mathmode_. CTAN.- Mittelbach, F. and Fischer, U. _The LaTeX Companion_. 3rd ed., 2024.- MathSciNet. _Serials Abbreviations_.

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