--- name: LaTeX Document slug: latex-document-2 category: Writing description: LaTeX Document creates, compiles, and converts LaTeX-based documents into PDF with PNG previews. Use it for resumes, reports, posters, papers, forms, or converting PDFs and other formats into LaTeX. github: "https://github.com/ndpvt-web/latex-document-skill" language: TeX stars: 717 forks: 53 install: "npx degit https://github.com/ndpvt-web/latex-document-skill ~/.claude/skills/latex-document-skill" installs_to: ~/.claude/skills/latex-document-skill source_path: SKILL.md collection_size: 1 category_size: 1012 added: 2026-08-23T05:20:04.379Z last_synced: 2026-08-23T05:20:04.379Z canonical_url: "https://dirskills.com/skills/latex-document-2" --- # LaTeX Document LaTeX Document creates, compiles, and converts LaTeX-based documents into PDF with PNG previews. Use it for resumes, reports, posters, papers, forms, or converting PDFs and other formats into LaTeX. **Install:** ```bash npx degit https://github.com/ndpvt-web/latex-document-skill ~/.claude/skills/latex-document-skill ``` ## README # LaTeX Document Skill Create any LaTeX document, compile to PDF, and generate PNG previews. Convert PDFs of any type to LaTeX. ## Workflow: Create Documents 1. Determine document type (resume, report, letter, invoice, article, thesis, academic CV, presentation, poster, exam, book, cheat sheet) 2. **If the target is an IEEE journal / Transactions / IEEE two-column paper:** Read [references/ieee-journal-twocolumn-guide.md](references/ieee-journal-twocolumn-guide.md) before choosing a template. Start from `examples/ieee-twocolumn-sample.tex` for a working IEEEtran baseline and use `examples/ieee-twocolumn.png` / `examples/ieee-twocolumn-p1.png` / `examples/ieee-twocolumn-p2.png` as visual references. 3. **If poster:** Run the poster sub-workflow (see [Poster Sub-Workflow](#poster-sub-workflow) below), then skip to step 5. 4. **If cheat sheet / reference card:** Run the cheat sheet sub-workflow (see [Cheat Sheet / Reference Card Sub-Workflow](#cheat-sheet--reference-card-sub-workflow) below), then skip to step 5. 5. **Ask the user which enrichment elements they want** (use AskUserQuestion tool with multiSelect). Offer relevant options based on document type: - **AI-generated images** -- custom illustrations, diagrams, photos (uses generate-image skill) - **Charts/graphs** -- bar, line, pie, scatter, heatmap (pgfplots or matplotlib) - **Flowcharts/diagrams** -- process flows, architecture, decision trees (TikZ or Mermaid) - **Citations/bibliography** -- academic references, footnotes, works cited (BibTeX/biblatex) - **Tables with data** -- comparison matrices, financial data, statistics (booktabs) - **Watermarks** -- DRAFT, CONFIDENTIAL, or company logo background - Skip this step for simple documents (cover letters, invoices) or when the user has already specified exactly what they want. 6. Copy the appropriate template from `assets/templates/` or write from scratch 7. Customize content based on user requirements 8. Generate external assets based on user's element choices: - AI images: `python3 /../generate-image/scripts/generate_image.py "prompt" --output ./outputs/figure.png` - matplotlib charts: `python3 /scripts/generate_chart.py --data '' --output chart.png` - Mermaid diagrams: `bash /scripts/mermaid_to_image.sh diagram.mmd output.png` 9. **For documents 5+ pages:** Review the [Long-Form Document Anti-Patterns](#long-form-document-anti-patterns-must-read-for-reports-theses-books) section and run the Content Generation Checklist before compiling. Key rules: prefer prose over bullets, include global list compaction, escape `<`/`>` in text mode, vary section formats, limit `\newpage`, size images at 0.75-0.85 textwidth. 10. Compile with `scripts/compile_latex.sh` (auto-detects XeLaTeX for CJK/RTL, glossaries, bibliography) 11. Show PNG preview to user, deliver PDF ### Poster Sub-Workflow When the user requests a poster: read [references/poster-design-guide.md](references/poster-design-guide.md) for the complete workflow including conference size presets (NeurIPS/ICML/CVPR/ICLR dimensions), layout archetypes (Traditional/BetterPoster/Visual-Heavy), color schemes, and typography standards. Use `poster.tex` (portrait) or `poster-landscape.tex` (landscape). Ask the user for conference/orientation, layout style, and color scheme using AskUserQuestion, then proceed to step 5. ### Cheat Sheet / Reference Card Sub-Workflow When the user requests a cheat sheet, reference card, or formula sheet: 1. Read [references/cheatsheet-guide.md](references/cheatsheet-guide.md) for the complete workflow including template selection, content budgets, typography rules, and the PDF-to-cheatsheet pipeline. 2. Select template: `cheatsheet.tex` (general, 3-col landscape), `cheatsheet-exam.tex` (exam formula, 2-col portrait), or `cheatsheet-code.tex` (programming, 4-col landscape). 3. Follow the guide's workflow steps, then return to main workflow step 5. ## Workflow: Mail Merge (Batch Personalized Documents) Generate N personalized documents from a LaTeX template + CSV/JSON data source using `scripts/mail_merge.py`. Template syntax: `{{variable}}` for simple substitution, Jinja2 (`<< >>`, `<% %>`) for conditionals/loops. See `assets/templates/mail-merge-letter.tex` for an example. Full guide: [references/interactive-features.md](references/interactive-features.md). ## Workflow: Version Diffing (latexdiff) Generate highlighted change-tracked PDFs using `scripts/latex_diff.sh`. Supports file-to-file diff, git revision diff, multi-file flatten, and custom markup styles. Full guide: [references/interactive-features.md](references/interactive-features.md). ## Workflow: Convert Document Formats Convert between Markdown, DOCX, HTML, and LaTeX using `scripts/convert_document.sh`. Full guide: [references/format-conversion.md](references/format-conversion.md). ## Workflow: Convert PDF to LaTeX Convert existing PDFs (handwritten notes, printed reports, legal docs) to LaTeX. Full pipeline: [references/pdf-conversion.md](references/pdf-conversion.md). **Quick steps**: Split PDF into page images (`scripts/pdf_to_images.sh`), select a conversion profile, create shared preamble, apply scaling strategy, validate with `scripts/validate_latex.py`, concatenate, compile. **Scaling strategy**: 1-10 pages = single agent; 11-20 pages = split in half (2 agents); 21+ pages = batch-7 pipeline (ceil(N/7) agents with `run_in_background: true`). **Conversion profiles** (in `references/profiles/`): `math-notes.md` (equations, theorems -- has beautiful mode), `business-document.md` (reports, memos), `legal-document.md` (contracts, statutes), `general-notes.md` (handwritten, mixed content). ## Workflow: Fill PDF Forms Fill existing PDF forms -- both fillable (with form fields) and non-fillable (image-based). Full guide: [references/pdf-operations.md](references/pdf-operations.md). **Step 1: Check form type:** ```bash python3 /scripts/pdf_check_form.py form.pdf ``` **If fillable** (has form fields): ```bash # Extract field metadata python3 /scripts/pdf_extract_fields.py form.pdf field_info.json # Create field_values.json with values for each field, then fill python3 /scripts/pdf_fill_form.py form.pdf field_values.json output.pdf ``` **If non-fillable** (no form fields): ```bash # Convert to images for visual analysis bash /scripts/pdf_to_images.sh form.pdf ./tmp/pages # Visually identify fields, create fields.json with bounding boxes # Validate bounding boxes (+ optional validation image) python3 /scripts/pdf_validate_boxes.py fields.json --image page_1.png --output validation.png --page 1 # Fill with text annotations python3 /scripts/pdf_fill_annotations.py form.pdf fields.json output.pdf ``` ## Workflow: Advanced PDF Operations For text/table extraction (pdfplumber), OCR (pytesseract), programmatic PDF creation (reportlab), watermarking, page rotation/cropping, metadata extraction, JavaScript libraries (pdf-lib, pdfjs-dist), and batch processing, see [references/pdf-operations.md](references/pdf-operations.md). ## Compile Script ```bash # Basic compile (auto-detects engine) bash /scripts/compile_latex.sh document.tex # Compile + generate PNG previews bash /scripts/compile_latex.sh document.tex --preview # Compile + PNG in specific directory bash /scripts/compile_latex.sh document.tex --preview --preview-dir ./outputs # Force a specific engine bash /scripts/compile_latex.sh document.tex --engine xelatex bash /scripts/compile_latex.sh document.tex --engine lualatex # Use latexmk for automatic multi-pass (recommended for complex documents) bash /scripts/compile_latex.sh document.tex --use-latexmk --preview # PDF/A output for thesis submissions and archival compliance bash /scripts/compile_latex.sh document.tex --pdfa # Verbose output for debugging compilation issues bash /scripts/compile_latex.sh document.tex --verbose # Quiet mode for batch/CI jobs (only errors shown) bash /scripts/compile_latex.sh document.tex --quiet # Clean auxiliary files only (no compilation) bash /scripts/compile_latex.sh document.tex --clean ``` ### Compilation Flags | Flag | Description | |---|---| | `--preview` | Generate PNG previews of each page after compilation | | `--preview-dir DIR` | Directory for PNG output (default: same as .tex file) | | `--engine ENGINE` | Force engine: `pdflatex`, `xelatex`, or `lualatex` | | `--use-latexmk` | Use `latexmk` as compilation backend (auto multi-pass, bibliography, index) | | `--verbose` | Show full compilation output (all engine logs) | | `--quiet` | Suppress all non-error output | | `--clean` | Remove auxiliary files (.aux, .log, .bbl, .fdb_latexmk, etc.) and exit | | `--pdfa` | Produce PDF/A-2b compliant output (auto-injects `pdfx` package) | | `--auto-fix` | Auto-fix common compilation errors (float placement, encoding) | ### Compilation Backends **Manual multi-pass (default):** Runs the engine multiple times with bibliography/index/glossary passes as needed. This is the traditional approach and works without `latexmk` installed. **latexmk (`--use-latexmk`):** Uses `latexmk` for automatic dependency-driven compilation. Recommended for complex documents with bibliographies, indexes, glossaries, or cross-references -- latexmk determines the correct number of passes automatically. Requires `latexmk` (included with TeX Live). ### Log Filtering (texfot) When `texfot` is installed (included with TeX Live), compilation output is automatically filtered to show only relevant warnings and errors, suppressing noisy package loading messages. This applies in the default verbosity mode. Use `--verbose` to see unfiltered output, or `--quiet` to suppress all non-error output. **Engine auto-detection**: If the .tex file uses `fontspec`, `xeCJK`, or `polyglossia`, the script automatically uses `xelatex`. If it uses `luacode` or `luatextra`, it uses `lualatex`. Otherwise defaults to `pdflatex`. Override with `--engine`. The script auto-installs `texlive` (including `texlive-science`, `texlive-xetex`, `texlive-luatex`, `biber`) and `poppler-utils` if missing. It auto-detects `\bibliography{}` (runs bibtex), `\addbibresource{}` (runs biber), `\makeindex` (runs makeindex), `\makeglossaries` (runs makeglossaries), runs the correct number of passes, generates PNG previews with `pdftoppm`, and cleans auxiliary files. ## Script & Tool Reference For PDF utilities (encrypt, merge, optimize, extract pages, pdf-to-images), LaTeX quality tools (lint, word count, analysis, package check, citations), compilation auto-fix, bibliography fetching, and diagram scripts (Mermaid, Graphviz, PlantUML), see [references/script-tools.md](references/script-tools.md). ## Templates Copy from `assets/templates/` and customize. ### Resume Templates (5 ATS-Compatible Options) Select based on experience level, industry, and ATS requirements. See [references/resume-ats-guide.md](references/resume-ats-guide.md) for full ATS guidance. | Template | Best For | Key Feature | ATS Score | |---|---|---|---| | **`resume-classic-ats.tex`** | Finance, law, government, any ATS portal | Zero graphics, plain text only, maximum parse safety | 10/10 | | **`resume-modern-professional.tex`** | Tech, corporate, general professional | Subtle color accents, clean design, good ATS + human appeal | 9/10 | | **`resume-executive.tex`** | VP, Director, C-suite (5-15+ years) | Two-page, executive summary, board roles, P&L focus | 9/10 | | **`resume-technical.tex`** | Software, data, engineering roles | Skills-first hybrid, projects section, tech stack emphasis | 9/10 | | **`resume-entry-level.tex`** | New graduates, career starters | Education-first, one page, coursework, activities | 9/10 | All 5 templates follow ATS rules: single-column, no graphics/images, no tables for layout, standard section headings, contact info in body (not header/footer). ### STEM Student Templates - **`homework.tex`** -- Homework/assignment submission template (`article` class, 11pt) with toggle-able solutions (`\showsolutionstrue`/`\showsolutionsfalse`), custom problem/solution environments, honor code section, `fancyhdr` headers, `amsmath`+`amssymb`+`amsthm` math, `listings` code highlighting (Python, Java, C++, Matlab styles), `enumitem` for (a), (b), (c) sub-parts, `hyperref`. Customization via `\coursename`, `\assignmentnumber`, `\studentname`, `\studentid`, `\duedate`. Example problems: calculus, proof by induction, Python coding, matrix algebra, kinematics, Java OOP. - **`lab-report.tex`** -- STEM lab report template (`article` class, 11pt) with `siunitx` for uncertainties and SI units, `pgfplots` for data visualization, `booktabs` for professional tables, `amsmath` for equations, `fancyhdr` headers, `caption`+`subcaption` for figures. Structured sections: abstract, theory, procedure, data/results (with uncertainty tables), analysis (pgfplots graphs), discussion (error analysis), conclusion, references, appendix. Example: pendulum period measurement with error propagation. ### Other Templates - **`lecture-notes.tex`** -- Beautiful lecture notes (`scrartcl` KOMA-Script class) with Palatino font, `microtype` typography, color-coded `tcolorbox` theorem environments (blue theorems, green definitions, orange examples, purple remarks), TikZ graph theory diagram styles and macros (`\CompleteGraph`, `\CycleGraph`, `\PathGraph`), styled section headings with `titlesec`, `fancyhdr` headers, `hyperref` + `cleveref` navigation. Ideal for converting handwritten math/science notes to beautiful PDFs. Includes graph theory custom commands (`\V`, `\E`, `\deg`, `\chr`). Used by the math-notes conversion profile in beautiful mode. - **`thesis.tex`** -- Thesis/dissertation (`book` class) with title page, declaration, abstract, acknowledgments, TOC, list of figures/tables, chapters, appendices, bibliography. Front matter uses roman numerals, main matter uses arabic. Includes theorem environments. - **`academic-cv.tex`** -- Multi-page academic CV with publications (journal/conference/preprint sections), grants and funding, teaching, advising (current/graduated students), awards, professional service, invited talks. ORCID and Google Scholar links. - **`book.tex`** -- Full book (`book` class) with half-title, title page, copyright page, dedication, preface, acknowledgments, TOC, list of figures/tables, parts, chapters, appendix, bibliography, index. Custom chapter headings, epigraphs, fancyhdr, microtype. - **`poster.tex`** -- Conference poster (`tikzposter` class, A0 portrait) with 2-column layout, QR code, 5 color schemes, tikzfigure charts, tables, coloredbox highlights. Includes commented **#BetterPoster** layout variant (central billboard + sidebars). Portrait is standard for most conferences. See poster design guide for conference size presets. - **`poster-landscape.tex`** -- Landscape conference poster (`tikzposter` class, A0 landscape) with 3-column (30/40/30) layout, QR code, tech purple color scheme. For CS/ML conferences (NeurIPS, ICML, CVPR, ICLR). Includes commented `\geometry{}` presets for CVPR/NeurIPS custom sizes. - **`cheatsheet.tex`** -- General reference card (`extarticle` class, landscape A4, 7pt base font) with 3-column `multicols` layout, `tcolorbox` colored section boxes, tight spacing. For command references, concept summaries, quick-reference guides. Supports front+back printing. - **`cheatsheet-exam.tex`** -- Exam formula sheet (`extarticle` class, portrait A4, 6pt base font) with 2-column layout, maximum content density, black-and-white printer-safe. For university exam "allowed cheat sheets" with formulas, theorems, definitions. Optimized for single-sided printing. - **`cheatsheet-code.tex`** -- Programming reference card (`extarticle` class, landscape A4, 7pt base font) with 4-column layout, `minted` syntax highlighting, monospace font emphasis. For language syntax, API reference, CLI commands, keyboard shortcuts. - **`letter.tex`** -- Formal business letter with colored letterhead bar, TikZ logo placeholder, company info, recipient block, date, subject line, signature. Professional corporate appearance. - **`exam.tex`** -- Exam/quiz (`exam` class) with grading table, multiple question types (multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-blank, matching, short answer, essay), point values, solution toggle via `\printanswers`. - **`report.tex`** -- Business report with TOC, headers/footers, data tables, bar chart (pgfplots), process flowchart (TikZ), recommendations - **`cover-letter.tex`** -- Professional cover letter with sender/recipient blocks - **`invoice.tex`** -- Invoice with company header, line items table, subtotal/tax/total - **`academic-paper.tex`** -- Research paper with abstract, sections, bibliography, figures. Includes example `.bib` file (`references.bib`) for BibTeX citations. - **`examples/ieee-twocolumn-sample.tex`** -- IEEE Transactions / journal example using `\documentclass[journal,10pt]{IEEEtran}` with abstract, keywords, single-column figure, single-column table, full-width table, and numeric bibliography. Use with [references/ieee-journal-twocolumn-guide.md](references/ieee-journal-twocolumn-guide.md). Preview PNGs: `examples/ieee-twocolumn.png`, `examples/ieee-twocolumn-p1.png`, `examples/ieee-twocolumn-p2.png`. - **`presentation.tex`** -- Beamer presentation with title slide, content frames, columns - **`fillable-form.tex`** -- Fillable PDF form (`article` class) with hyperref form fields: text inputs, checkboxes, radio buttons, dropdowns, push buttons. Two-column layout with `tabularx`. Custom `\FormField`, `\FormCheck`, `\FormDropdown` helper commands. Requires Adobe Reader for full form support (browser PDF viewers have limited form capabilities). - **`conditional-document.tex`** -- Configurable document (`article` class) with etoolbox toggle system: show/hide TOC, appendix, watermark, draft mode, confidential marking, abstract. Template variables via `\providecommand` (title, author, org, version). Three visual profiles (corporate, academic, minimal). Supports command-line variable passing for CI/CD. - **`mail-merge-letter.tex`** -- Mail merge letter template with `{{variable}}` placeholders for use with `scripts/mail_merge.py`. Company-branded letterhead, recipient address block, body text with data-driven personalization. Pair with CSV/JSON data source. - **`resume.tex`** -- Legacy resume template (has photo area and tables -- not ATS-optimized) Usage: ```bash cp /assets/templates/resume-classic-ats.tex ./outputs/my_resume.tex # Edit content, then compile bash /scripts/compile_latex.sh ./outputs/my_resume.tex --preview --preview-dir ./outputs ``` ## Document Type Selection | User Request | Template | Document Class | |---|---|---| | Resume, CV (ATS-safe) | `resume-classic-ats.tex` | `article` | | Resume (modern look) | `resume-modern-professional.tex` | `article` | | Resume (senior/executive) | `resume-executive.tex` | `article` | | Resume (technical/engineering) | `resume-technical.tex` | `article` | | Resume (new graduate) | `resume-entry-level.tex` | `article` | | Homework, assignment, problem set | `homework.tex` | `article` | | Lab report, experiment writeup | `lab-report.tex` | `article` | | Lecture notes, math notes (beautiful) | `lecture-notes.tex` | `scrartcl` | | Thesis, dissertation | `thesis.tex` | `book` | | Academic CV (publications, grants) | `academic-cv.tex` | `article` | | Report, analysis | `report.tex` | `article` | | Cover letter | `cover-letter.tex` | `article` | | Invoice | `invoice.tex` | `article` | | Academic paper | `academic-paper.tex` + `references.bib` | `article` | | IEEE journal, IEEE Transactions, IEEE two-column paper | `examples/ieee-twocolumn-sample.tex` + [ieee-journal-twocolumn-guide.md](references/ieee-journal-twocolumn-guide.md)