# Claude Code Skill Handwriting To Latex

> Handwriting to LaTeX Skill

- Skill: `yangcodingmaster/claude-code-skill-handwriting-to-latex` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add yangcodingmaster/claude-code-skill-handwriting-to-latex`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/yangcodingmaster/claude-code-skill-handwriting-to-latex/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: yangcodingmaster (https://skillmd.com/u/yangcodingmaster)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/yangcodingmaster/claude-code-skill-handwriting-to-latex

---


# Handwriting to LaTeX Skill

Recognise handwritten notes or problem sets (images or PDFs) and convert them into a complete, Overleaf-ready `.tex` file.

## Supported Input Types

| Format | Handling |
|---|---|
| JPG / PNG images | Direct visual recognition |
| Scanned PDFs | Page-by-page recognition |
| iPad handwriting PDFs | Same as above — pay attention to stylus stroke recognition |

If the user uploads multiple pages, process them in order and merge into a single `.tex` file.

## Output Structure

Generate a complete, self-contained `.tex` file with the following structure:

```latex
\documentclass[12pt, a4paper]{article}

% ─── Packages ────────────────────────────────────
\usepackage{amsmath, amssymb, amsthm}  % Mathematics
\usepackage{physics}                    % \dv, \pdv, \bra, \ket etc.
\usepackage{geometry}                   % Page margins
\usepackage{graphicx}                   % Images
\usepackage{booktabs}                   % Tables
\usepackage{array}                      % Enhanced matrices
\usepackage{hyperref}                   % Hyperlinks
\usepackage{setspace}                   % Line spacing
\usepackage{enumitem}                   % List formatting
\geometry{margin=2.5cm}
\setstretch{1.3}

% ─── Cover page (optional — remove if not needed) ─
\title{Assignment / Notes Title}
\author{Your Name \\ Your Institution}
\date{\today}
% ──────────────────────────────────────────────────

\begin{document}

\maketitle   % Remove this line if no cover page is needed

% Body content starts here
...

\end{document}
```

## Recognition and Conversion Rules

### Mathematical Expressions
- Inline expressions: `$...$`
- Multi-step derivations: `\begin{align*}...\end{align*}` (with `*` — **no line numbering**)
- Single standalone equations: `\[ ... \]` — do not use `\begin{equation}`
- **Never output numbered equation tags** — do not use `\tag{}`, `\label{}`, or `\ref{}` unless the user explicitly requests them
- Preserve every step of a derivation exactly as written — do not skip steps
- Common symbol reference:

| Handwritten | LaTeX |
|---|---|
| Vector arrow | `\vec{v}` or `\mathbf{v}` |
| Partial derivative | `\frac{\partial f}{\partial x}` or `\pdv{f}{x}` |
| Integral | `\int_{a}^{b} f(x)\,dx` |
| Summation | `\sum_{i=1}^{n}` |
| Infinity | `\infty` |
| Quantum state | `\ket{\psi}`, `\bra{\phi}` |
| Expectation value | `\langle \hat{A} \rangle` |
| Reduced Planck constant | `\hbar` |
| Hamiltonian | `\hat{H}` |

### Matrices and Tables
- Matrices: `\begin{pmatrix}...\end{pmatrix}` (round brackets) or `bmatrix` (square brackets)
- Augmented matrices: `\left[\begin{array}{cc|c}...\end{array}\right]`
- Data tables: `booktabs` style — use `\toprule`, `\midrule`, `\bottomrule`

### Text Paragraphs
- Write all paragraphs and explanations in English
- If handwriting contains non-English annotations, translate them to English naturally
- Preserve the paragraph structure as written
- Problem numbers: use `\section*{Problem 1}` or `\subsection*{(a)}`

### Cover Page (Optional)
Only add a cover page when the user **explicitly requests** one. When included, prompt the user for:
- Title (assignment name / course name)
- Author name
- Institution
- Date (defaults to `\today`)

## Workflow

### Step 1 — Receive Input
- Obtain the image or PDF from the conversation
- If multiple images are uploaded, confirm the page order with the user:
  > "Please confirm the page order: Page 1 → Page 2 → Page 3, or do you need to reorder?"

### Step 2 — Pre-conversion Confirmation
Before starting the conversion, show the user a brief summary and ask for confirmation:

```
I can see the following:
- Content: {brief description, e.g. "QM derivation, ~3 equations, 1 matrix"}
- Sections: {detected section or problem numbers}
- Cover page: Yes / No

Shall I proceed with the conversion?
```

Wait for user confirmation before generating the `.tex` file.

### Step 3 — Recognise Content
- Read every line of handwritten content carefully
- For ambiguous passages, add a LaTeX comment: `% [Unclear: transcribed as X, please verify]`
- Do not skip any step, even intermediate calculations

### Step 4 — Convert Block by Block
- Text → paragraphs
- Equations → `align*` environment
- Matrices → `pmatrix` / `bmatrix`
- Tables → `booktabs` tables

### Step 5 — Generate File
- Filename: `{course-code}-{content-description}.tex` (e.g. `PHYS101-QM-hw3.tex`)
- Save to `/mnt/user-data/outputs/`
- Also display the complete LaTeX source in the chat for easy copying

### Step 6 — Quality Check
- Confirm every `\begin` has a matching `\end`
- Confirm math environments are not nested (e.g. no `equation` inside `align`)
- If anything is uncertain, append a **"Please verify"** list at the end of the reply

## Important Notes

- **Never simplify derivations** — if the handwriting has five steps, output five steps, aligned at each equals sign
- **Physics packages included by default** — the `physics` package is always loaded, providing `\dv`, `\pdv`, `\ket`, `\bra`, and other commands commonly used in physics and physical chemistry
- **Compiler target** — optimised for Overleaf **pdfLaTeX** by default; no settings changes needed, just hit Compile
- **Language** — all body text and explanations should be in English; translate any non-English handwritten annotations naturally
- **Ambiguous handwriting** — always add a comment rather than silently guessing: `% [Unclear: transcribed as X, please verify]`
- **Cover page** — omitted by default unless the user explicitly says "add cover page"