Latex Compile

LaTeX Compile

Use this skill when the user asks to build, render, regenerate, or compile a .tex file.

Run from the plugin root:

python3 scripts/compile_latex.py /absolute/path/to/main.tex

Default auto mode uses Tectonic first only when the project looks simple enough not to need a full TeX Live toolchain. It falls back to TeX Live or MacTeX when Tectonic fails or when the project uses bibliography, shell-escape, index/glossary, or explicit non-Tectonic engine features.

Common options:

python3 scripts/compile_latex.py /absolute/path/to/main.tex --compiler tectonic
python3 scripts/compile_latex.py /absolute/path/to/main.tex --compiler texlive
python3 scripts/compile_latex.py /absolute/path/to/main.tex --engine xelatex
python3 scripts/compile_latex.py /absolute/path/to/main.tex --output-directory /absolute/path/to/build
python3 scripts/compile_latex.py /absolute/path/to/main.tex --json

Behavior

• Detects bundled or PATH Tectonic and existing TeX Live or MacTeX.
• Honors a leading % !TEX root = ... directive when present.
• Uses latexmk for TeX Live builds when available.
• Enables SyncTeX with -synctex=1 for TeX Live builds.
• Does not install TeX.

If neither Tectonic nor a usable TeX installation is found, stop and route to latex-doctor or texlive-runtime-installer.