LaTeX PDF Compiler

This skill enables Claude to create Overleaf-compatible LaTeX documents and compile them to PDF using the user’s local pdflatex installation.

When to Use This Skill

Activate this skill when the user:

• Asks to “create a LaTeX [document] and compile it”
• Requests “make a PDF using LaTeX”
• Says “compile this LaTeX” or “compile to PDF”
• Asks to “generate and compile” any LaTeX document
• Requests updates to existing LaTeX with recompilation

Workflow

Single-Step Generation and Compilation

When user requests a LaTeX document with compilation:

1. Generate Overleaf-Compatible LaTeX

   • Create clean, well-structured LaTeX using standard document classes
   • Use common, widely-available packages
   • Put LaTeX source in a code artifact with language="latex"

2. Compile Immediately

   • Use the compile_latex.py script to compile the LaTeX
   • Run pdflatex twice (for references and TOC)
   • Provide the compiled PDF to the user

3. Present Both Artifacts

   • Show the LaTeX source code artifact (editable)
   • Provide the compiled PDF

Update and Recompile

When user requests changes to existing LaTeX:

1. Update the LaTeX artifact with requested changes
2. Recompile automatically using the compilation script
3. Update the PDF artifact or provide new download

Compile-Only

When user says “compile this” with existing LaTeX artifact:

1. Extract LaTeX from the artifact
2. Compile using the script
3. Provide the PDF

LaTeX Generation Guidelines

Standard Practices

• Use standard document classes: article, report, book, letter
• Include only common packages that work in Overleaf:
  • amsmath, amssymb – Math symbols
  • graphicx – Images
  • hyperref – Hyperlinks
  • geometry – Page layout
  • fancyhdr – Headers/footers
  • enumitem – List formatting
  • xcolor – Colors
• Use UTF-8 encoding
• Ensure proper document structure

Example LaTeX Structure

\documentclass[11pt,a4paper]{article}

\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage{graphicx}
\usepackage{hyperref}
\usepackage[margin=1in]{geometry}

\title{Document Title}
\author{Author Name}
\date{\today}

\begin{document}

\maketitle

\section{Introduction}
Content here...

\end{document}

Compilation Process

The skill uses the compile_latex.py script which:

1. Writes LaTeX to temporary .tex file
2. Runs pdflatex twice with flags:
   • -interaction=nonstopmode (don’t stop on errors)
   • -output-directory (specified temp directory)
3. Captures output and errors
4. Returns:
   • Success: PDF file path and base64-encoded PDF data
   • Failure: Error messages and log excerpts

Error Handling

If compilation fails:

• Show relevant error messages from the LaTeX log
• Suggest common fixes (missing packages, syntax errors, etc.)
• Offer to update the LaTeX and retry

Output Format

After successful compilation:

• Provide download link or base64-encoded PDF
• Keep the LaTeX source artifact for future edits
• Mention file location if saved locally

Requirements

• pdflatex must be installed (TeX Live, MiKTeX, or MacTeX)
• pdflatex should be in system PATH
• Python 3.x available for the compilation script

Common Use Cases

1. Academic Papers: \documentclass{article} with amsmath, sections, bibliography
2. Resumes/CVs: Clean formatting with geometry, enumitem
3. Reports: \documentclass{report} with chapters, TOC, figures
4. Letters: \documentclass{letter} with proper formatting
5. Math Homework: Heavy use of amsmath, align, equation environments
6. Presentations: \documentclass{beamer} for slides

Script Location

The compilation script should be located at: scripts/compile_latex.py

This script is automatically invoked when compilation is needed.