# Latex Build

> Latex Build is an Agent Skill for documents published in the majiayu000/claude-skill-registry repository on GitHub: a SKILL.md instruction file an AI agent can load to do this task.

Builds LaTeX documents using latexmk with live preview and dependency tracking. Use when setting up builds, live preview, or troubleshooting compilation.

- Skill name: `latex-build`
- Category: [Documents](https://www.openparable.com/skill/documents/1)
- Source: https://github.com/majiayu000/claude-skill-registry/blob/HEAD/skills/documents/latex-build-terrylica-cc-skills/SKILL.md
- Repository: majiayu000/claude-skill-registry (498 GitHub stars when collected)

## 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
```bash
latexmk -pdf document.tex
# Result: document.pdf created
```

### Live Preview (Watch Mode)
```bash
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

```bash
# 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:
- [Common Commands](./references/common-commands.md) - Build options and output formats
- [Multi-File Projects](./references/multi-file-projects.md) - Automatic dependency tracking for complex documents
- [Configuration](./references/configuration.md) - .latexmkrc and Makefile integration
- [Troubleshooting](./references/troubleshooting.md) - Common build issues and solutions
- [Advanced Patterns](./references/advanced-patterns.md) - Parallel builds and CI/CD integration

**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

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Source: https://www.openparable.com/skill/documents/latex-build (OpenParable). Cite the canonical URL above.