compile-latex
Compile a Beamer LaTeX slide deck with XeLaTeX (3 passes + bibtex). Use when compiling lecture slides.
Best use case
compile-latex is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Compile a Beamer LaTeX slide deck with XeLaTeX (3 passes + bibtex). Use when compiling lecture slides.
Teams using compile-latex should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/compile-latex/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How compile-latex Compares
| Feature / Agent | compile-latex | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Compile a Beamer LaTeX slide deck with XeLaTeX (3 passes + bibtex). Use when compiling lecture slides.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
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SKILL.md Source
# Compile Beamer LaTeX Slides Compile a Beamer slide deck using XeLaTeX with full citation resolution. ## Steps 1. **Navigate to Slides/ directory** and compile with 3-pass sequence: ```bash cd Slides TEXINPUTS=../Preambles:$TEXINPUTS xelatex -interaction=nonstopmode $ARGUMENTS.tex BIBINPUTS=..:$BIBINPUTS bibtex $ARGUMENTS TEXINPUTS=../Preambles:$TEXINPUTS xelatex -interaction=nonstopmode $ARGUMENTS.tex TEXINPUTS=../Preambles:$TEXINPUTS xelatex -interaction=nonstopmode $ARGUMENTS.tex ``` **Alternative (latexmk):** ```bash cd Slides TEXINPUTS=../Preambles:$TEXINPUTS BIBINPUTS=..:$BIBINPUTS latexmk -xelatex -interaction=nonstopmode $ARGUMENTS.tex ``` 2. **Check for warnings:** - Grep output for `Overfull \\hbox` warnings - Grep for `undefined citations` or `Label(s) may have changed` - Report any issues found 3. **Open the PDF** for visual verification: ```bash open Slides/$ARGUMENTS.pdf # macOS # xdg-open Slides/$ARGUMENTS.pdf # Linux ``` 4. **Report results:** - Compilation success/failure - Number of overfull hbox warnings - Any undefined citations - PDF page count ## Why 3 passes? 1. First xelatex: Creates `.aux` file with citation keys 2. bibtex: Reads `.aux`, generates `.bbl` with formatted references 3. Second xelatex: Incorporates bibliography 4. Third xelatex: Resolves all cross-references with final page numbers ## Important - **Always use XeLaTeX**, never pdflatex - **TEXINPUTS** is required: your Beamer theme lives in `Preambles/` - **BIBINPUTS** is required: your `.bib` file lives in the repo root
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