Compile Paper Skill

Compile LaTeX documents to PDF or finalize DOCX documents. Includes integrated page checking, error handling, and ensures all build artifacts are placed in the build/ folder.

Overview

This skill handles:

• Multi-pass LaTeX compilation (pdflatex + bibtex)
• DOCX finalization (updates fields, TOC)
• Automatic page checking
• Error handling and log parsing
• Clean build output management

Commands

/compile-paper [--watch] [--format latex|docx]

Compile or finalize a document.

Parameters:

• --watch (optional): Auto-recompile on file changes
• --format latex|docx (optional): Document format (default: auto-detect)

Format Support

LaTeX

• Multi-pass compilation: pdflatex → bibtex → pdflatex (2x)
• Error handling: Parse log files, explain errors
• Clean build: Remove auxiliary files from root
• Watch mode: Monitor files and recompile on changes

DOCX

• Finalizes Word document
• Updates fields and cross-references
• Generates table of contents
• Page count validation

Build Output Management

All build artifacts go to build/ folder:

• PDF output: build/main.pdf
• Intermediate files: .aux, .log, .bbl, .blg, .toc, etc.
• Clean root directory: No build files in project root
• Automatic cleanup: Removes any stray build files from root if found

Compilation uses:

• -output-directory=build flag for LaTeX compilation
• All intermediate files created in build/ folder
• Final PDF placed in build/main.pdf

Page Checking

After compilation:

• Automatically checks page count
• Compares against limit from paper-config.json or template defaults
• Warns if over limit or approaching limit
• Works on all platforms (integrated, not via hooks)

Default Page Limits:

Compilation Process

LaTeX (Multi-pass)

1. Run pdflatex (first pass)
2. Run bibtex (process bibliography)
3. Run pdflatex (resolve cross-references)
4. Run pdflatex (final pass)
5. Check page count
6. Report status

DOCX

1. Update all fields
2. Generate table of contents
3. Update cross-references
4. Validate page count
5. Finalize document

Examples

# Compile LaTeX to PDF
/compile-paper

# Compile with watch mode
/compile-paper --watch

# Finalize DOCX
/compile-paper --format docx

Error Handling

• Parses LaTeX log files
• Identifies common errors
• Suggests fixes
• Reports undefined citations/references
• Validates file structure

Watch Mode

When --watch is enabled:

• Monitors source files for changes
• Automatically recompiles on save
• Useful during active writing/editing

Scripts Used

• scripts/compile.py – LaTeX compilation with page checking
• scripts/docx_builder.py – DOCX finalization

Integration with Workflow

1. Write sections: Use write-section to create content
2. Format: Use format-document to validate
3. Compile: Use compile-paper to build PDF
4. Check pages: Automatic page checking after compilation
5. Review: Use review-paper for feedback

Platform Compatibility

Works on all platforms (Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode, Gemini, Cursor). Command syntax may vary by platform – see platform-specific documentation in docs/.