LaTeX Build Automation

Quick Reference

When to use this skill:

• Compiling LaTeX documents
• Setting up live preview with auto-rebuild
• Managing multi-file projects
• Troubleshooting build failures
• Cleaning build artifacts
• Automating compilation workflows

Why latexmk?

Industry standard build tool:

• Auto-detects dependencies (bibliography, index, etc.)
• Runs correct number of times (handles cross-references)
• Live preview mode watches for file changes
• Works with Skim for SyncTeX auto-reload
• Bundled with MacTeX (no separate install needed)

Basic Usage

One-Time Build

latexmk -pdf document.tex
# Result: document.pdf created

Live Preview (Watch Mode)

latexmk -pvc -pdf document.tex

# What happens:
# - Compiles document initially
# - Watches for file changes
# - Auto-recompiles when files change
# - Auto-reloads PDF in Skim viewer

Stop watching: Press Ctrl+C

Quick Reference Card

# Build once
latexmk -pdf document.tex

# Live preview (watch mode)
latexmk -pvc -pdf document.tex

# Build with SyncTeX
latexmk -pdf -synctex=1 document.tex

# Clean artifacts
latexmk -c              # Keep PDF
latexmk -C              # Remove PDF too

# Force rebuild
latexmk -gg -pdf document.tex

# Non-interactive (for CI)
latexmk -pdf -interaction=nonstopmode document.tex

Build Checklist

• Verify latexmk installed: which latexmk
• Test basic build: latexmk -pdf document.tex
• Enable SyncTeX: Add -synctex=1 flag
• Test live preview: latexmk -pvc -pdf document.tex
• Configure Skim for auto-reload
• Create Makefile for common tasks (optional)
• Create .latexmkrc for project-specific settings (optional)
• Test clean: latexmk -c removes artifacts

Reference Documentation

For detailed information, see:

• Common Commands - Build options and output formats
• Multi-File Projects - Automatic dependency tracking for complex documents
• Configuration - .latexmkrc and Makefile integration
• Troubleshooting - Common build issues and solutions
• Advanced Patterns - Parallel builds and CI/CD integration

Official Docs: Run man latexmk or latexmk -help for complete reference

See Also:

• Use latex/setup skill for installing LaTeX and configuring environment
• Use latex/tables skill for creating tables with tabularray