latex-pdf-compiler skill

---
name: latex-pdf-compiler
description: Compiles LaTeX source code to PDF using pdflatex. Use this skill whenever the user asks to create and compile LaTeX documents, generate PDFs from LaTeX, or compile existing LaTeX code in artifacts.
---

# 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

```latex
\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.