LaTeX Environment Setup
Self-Evolving Skill: This skill improves through use. If instructions are wrong, parameters drifted, or a workaround was needed — fix this file immediately, don't defer. Only update for real, reproducible issues.
When to Use This Skill
Use this skill when:
- Installing LaTeX on a new machine
- Setting up MacTeX distribution
- Configuring Skim PDF viewer with SyncTeX
- Verifying LaTeX installation
- Troubleshooting missing packages
Quick Reference
Recommended Stack
| Component | Purpose | Status |
|---|---|---|
| MacTeX 2025 | Full LaTeX distribution (TeX Live 2025) | ✅ Recommended |
| Skim 1.7.11 | PDF viewer with SyncTeX support | ✅ macOS only |
| TeXShop 5.57 | Integrated LaTeX IDE (optional) | ✅ Native macOS |
Quick Start
Install MacTeX
brew install --cask mactex
# Size: ~4.5 GB (includes everything)
Verify Installation
tex --version
# Expected: TeX 3.141592653 (TeX Live 2025)
pdflatex --version
latexmk --version
Test Compilation
echo '\documentclass{article}\begin{document}Hello World!\end{document}' > test.tex
pdflatex test.tex
ls test.pdf # Verify PDF created
Post-Installation Checklist
- Verify
tex --versionshows TeX Live 2025 - Verify
latexmk --versionshows 4.86a+ - Verify
pdflatex test.texcreates PDF - Install Skim if using mactex-no-gui
- Test SyncTeX: compile with
-synctex=1flag - Configure Skim preferences for editor integration
- Add
/Library/TeX/texbinto PATH if needed - Test package installation:
sudo tlmgr install <package>
Reference Documentation
For detailed information, see:
- Installation - Full MacTeX vs lightweight options, Skim installation
- Verification - Check installation, verify PATH, test compilation
- Package Management - Check, install, search for packages with tlmgr
- Skim Configuration - Enable SyncTeX, configure preferences for editor integration
- Troubleshooting - PATH issues, tlmgr problems, permissions
See Also:
- Build Workflows: Use
latex/buildskill for latexmk automation - Table Creation: Use
latex/tablesskill for tabularray usage
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| tex command not found | PATH not configured | Add /Library/TeX/texbin to PATH in shell profile |
| Permission denied (tlmgr) | Need sudo for system packages | Use sudo tlmgr install <package> |
| Package not found | Missing from TeX Live | Run tlmgr search <package> to find correct name |
| Skim not showing PDF | SyncTeX not enabled | Compile with -synctex=1 flag |
| Outdated TeX Live | Old MacTeX version | Run sudo tlmgr update --self --all |
| Compilation hangs | Infinite loop in document | Check for circular includes or missing \end{} |
| Missing font error | Font not in TeX distribution | Install with tlmgr install <font-package> |
| Disk space error | Full TeX Live too large | Consider BasicTeX (smaller) if space limited |
Post-Execution Reflection
After this skill completes, check before closing:
- Did the command succeed? — If not, fix the instruction or error table that caused the failure.
- Did parameters or output change? — If the underlying tool's interface drifted, update Usage examples and Parameters table to match.
- Was a workaround needed? — If you had to improvise (different flags, extra steps), update this SKILL.md so the next invocation doesn't need the same workaround.
Only update if the issue is real and reproducible — not speculative.