| description | Converts Markdown → LaTeX → PDF. Handles Mermaid diagrams, math, tables, citations, figures. |
| name | latex-doc |
| category | writing |
| maturity | stable |
| tags | ["latex","pdf","pandoc","mermaid","templates"] |
latex-doc
Converts Markdown → LaTeX → PDF. Handles Mermaid diagrams, math, tables, citations, figures.
Workflow
- Write or receive content as a
.md file with YAML front-matter
- Run
scripts/build.py with the chosen template
- Deliver the resulting PDF
Quick build
python3 ${CLAUDE_SKILLS_DIR:-$HOME/.claude-agent/.claude/skills}/latex-doc/scripts/build.py input.md \
--template whitepaper \
--output output.pdf
Templates
| Name | Style | Best for |
|---|
master-thesis | Times New Roman, formal, full front matter | Academic papers, theses |
whitepaper | Georgia, navy cover banner, coloured headings | Industry reports, proposals |
minimal | Latin Modern, clean centred title | Notes, memos, quick docs |
See references/templates.md for full front-matter keys and examples for each template.
All options
--template master-thesis | whitepaper | minimal (default: whitepaper)
--output path/to/output.pdf
--bib path/to/references.bib
--logo path/to/logo.png or .pdf
--toc add table of contents
--keep-tex also save the intermediate .tex file
Markdown front-matter (YAML)
Always include at the top of the .md file:
---
title: "Document Title"
subtitle: "Optional subtitle"
author:
- Name One
- Name Two
date: "March 2025"
abstract: "One paragraph summary."
toc: true
bibliography: refs.bib
---
Mermaid diagrams
Fenced ```mermaid ``` blocks are automatically rendered to PNG before compilation.
Requires mmdc — install once with bash ${CLAUDE_SKILLS_DIR:-$HOME/.claude-agent/.claude/skills}/latex-doc/scripts/setup.sh.
Math
Use standard LaTeX math syntax (pandoc +tex_math_dollars):
- Inline:
$E=mc^2$
- Display:
$$\nabla \cdot E = \rho/\varepsilon_0$$
Citations
With --bib refs.bib, use [@key2021] in the markdown. Output uses APA style.
First-time setup (if tools not installed)
bash ${CLAUDE_SKILLS_DIR:-$HOME/.claude-agent/.claude/skills}/latex-doc/scripts/setup.sh
Installs: texlive-xetex, texlive-latex-extra, biber, pandoc, @mermaid-js/mermaid-cli.
Troubleshooting
- Font not found → ensure
texlive-fonts-recommended is installed; for master-thesis the system needs Times New Roman (install fonts-liberation or ttf-mscorefonts-installer)
- Mermaid fails → run
npx @mermaid-js/mermaid-cli --version; check puppeteer sandbox config at assets/puppeteer.json
- biber not found →
sudo apt-get install biber
- xelatex errors → run with
--keep-tex and inspect the .tex file; rerun xelatex manually for full log
