Agent-Skills.md

Agent Skills: LaTeX Build Automation

LaTeX builds with latexmk and live preview. TRIGGERS - latexmk, LaTeX build, live preview, compilation.

UncategorizedID: terrylica/cc-skills/latex-build

Repository

terrylica/cc-skills
terrylicaLicense: MIT
264

Install this agent skill to your local

pnpm dlx add-skill https://github.com/terrylica/cc-skills/tree/HEAD/plugins/doc-tools/skills/latex-build

Skill Files

Browse the full folder contents for latex-build.

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plugins/doc-tools/skills/latex-build/SKILL.md

Skill Metadata

Name
latex-build
Description
LaTeX builds with latexmk and live preview. TRIGGERS - latexmk, LaTeX build, live preview, compilation.

LaTeX Build Automation

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

  • Compiling LaTeX documents
  • Setting up live preview with auto-rebuild
  • Managing multi-file projects
  • Troubleshooting build failures
  • Cleaning build artifacts
  • Automating compilation workflows

Quick Reference

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=1 flag
  • [ ] 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 -c removes artifacts

Reference Documentation

For detailed information, see:

Official Docs: Run man latexmk or latexmk -help for complete reference

See Also:

  • Use latex/setup skill for installing LaTeX and configuring environment
  • Use latex/tables skill for creating tables with tabularray

Troubleshooting

| Issue | Cause | Solution | | -------------------------- | ----------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- | | latexmk not found | Not in PATH | Add /Library/TeX/texbin to PATH | | Undefined control sequence | Missing package | Check \usepackage statements for required packages | | References show ?? | Need multiple runs | latexmk handles this automatically; ensure no errors | | Live preview not updating | Skim auto-reload disabled | Skim Preferences → Sync → Check for file changes | | Build hangs | Input prompt in nonstop mode | Use -interaction=nonstopmode flag | | PDF not updating | Build error preventing output | Check .log file for specific error | | SyncTeX not working | Missing -synctex=1 flag | Add -synctex=1 to build command | | Too many aux files | Normal build artifacts | Run latexmk -c to clean (keeps PDF) |