Agent skill
latex-build
Builds LaTeX documents using latexmk with live preview and dependency tracking. Use when setting up builds, live preview, or troubleshooting compilation.
Install this agent skill to your Project
npx add-skill https://github.com/majiayu000/claude-skill-registry/tree/main/skills/documents/latex-build
SKILL.md
LaTeX Build Automation
Quick Reference
When to use this skill:
- Compiling LaTeX documents
- Setting up live preview with auto-rebuild
- Managing multi-file projects
- Troubleshooting build failures
- Cleaning build artifacts
- Automating compilation workflows
Why latexmk?
Industry standard build tool:
- Auto-detects dependencies (bibliography, index, etc.)
- Runs correct number of times (handles cross-references)
- Live preview mode watches for file changes
- Works with Skim for SyncTeX auto-reload
- Bundled with MacTeX (no separate install needed)
Basic Usage
One-Time Build
latexmk -pdf document.tex
# Result: document.pdf created
Live Preview (Watch Mode)
latexmk -pvc -pdf document.tex
# What happens:
# - Compiles document initially
# - Watches for file changes
# - Auto-recompiles when files change
# - Auto-reloads PDF in Skim viewer
Stop watching: Press Ctrl+C
Quick Reference Card
# Build once
latexmk -pdf document.tex
# Live preview (watch mode)
latexmk -pvc -pdf document.tex
# Build with SyncTeX
latexmk -pdf -synctex=1 document.tex
# Clean artifacts
latexmk -c # Keep PDF
latexmk -C # Remove PDF too
# Force rebuild
latexmk -gg -pdf document.tex
# Non-interactive (for CI)
latexmk -pdf -interaction=nonstopmode document.tex
Build Checklist
- Verify latexmk installed:
which latexmk - Test basic build:
latexmk -pdf document.tex - Enable SyncTeX: Add
-synctex=1flag - Test live preview:
latexmk -pvc -pdf document.tex - Configure Skim for auto-reload
- Create Makefile for common tasks (optional)
- Create .latexmkrc for project-specific settings (optional)
- Test clean:
latexmk -cremoves artifacts
Reference Documentation
For detailed information, see:
- Common Commands - Build options and output formats
- Multi-File Projects - Automatic dependency tracking for complex documents
- Configuration - .latexmkrc and Makefile integration
- Troubleshooting - Common build issues and solutions
- Advanced Patterns - Parallel builds and CI/CD integration
Official Docs: Run man latexmk or latexmk -help for complete reference
See Also:
- Use
latex/setupskill for installing LaTeX and configuring environment - Use
latex/tablesskill for creating tables with tabularray
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