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.