Automated summary
This skill installs and configures a complete LaTeX environment on macOS, including MacTeX, Skim viewer, and SyncTeX.
Strengths
- Automated installation of the full MacTeX distribution via Homebrew
- Integrated Skim viewer setup with SyncTeX for inverse search
- Comprehensive verification and test compilation steps
- Package management via tlmgr after installation
Limitations
- macOS only, no Linux or Windows support
- Large download (~4.5 GB)
- Requires sudo for some commands like tlmgr install
When you need to set up a full LaTeX environment on a new Mac, including PDF viewing and source-PDF syncing.
If you need a lightweight distribution (e.g., BasicTeX) or a cross-platform solution for other operating systems.
Security analysis
SafeThe skill only provides safe, standard LaTeX setup commands (e.g., brew install, tex --version, pdflatex). No destructive or exfiltrating actions, no obfuscated code, and no disabling of security features.
No concerns found
How this analysis is madeExamples
I need to install LaTeX on my new Mac. Please set up MacTeX, Skim, and SyncTeX for me.Check my LaTeX installation: run tex --version, pdflatex --version, and compile a test document.Configure Skim with SyncTeX for LaTeX editing. Install Skim if needed and enable inverse search.name: latex-setup description: LaTeX environment setup on macOS. TRIGGERS - install LaTeX, MacTeX, Skim viewer, SyncTeX setup. allowed-tools: Read, Edit, Bash
LaTeX Environment Setup
Quick Reference
When to use this skill:
- Installing LaTeX on a new machine
- Setting up MacTeX distribution
- Configuring Skim PDF viewer with SyncTeX
- Verifying LaTeX installation
- Troubleshooting missing packages
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
From the file to a first result
The download contains exactly the content displayed on this page. This copy may differ from the latest version in the source repository.
View the source and supporting filesThis download contains SKILL.md only. Any scripts, references, templates and dependencies are not included. Get the required files from the source, preserving their directory structure, before continuing.
1. Download the file
Download SKILL.mdFrom the root of a test project, save the file as .skill-downloads/latex-environment-setup-mma3jrjb/SKILL.md, or use the command below. This folder is for inspecting the skill before installation.
Command for macOS/Linux or WSL: requires a POSIX shell and curl. On Windows without WSL, use the download button and create the folder manually.
mkdir -p '.skill-downloads/latex-environment-setup-mma3jrjb' && curl --fail --show-error --location 'https://skills-guides.com/api/skills/latex-environment-setup-mma3jrjb/download' --output '.skill-downloads/latex-environment-setup-mma3jrjb/SKILL.md.part' && mv '.skill-downloads/latex-environment-setup-mma3jrjb/SKILL.md.part' '.skill-downloads/latex-environment-setup-mma3jrjb/SKILL.md'2. Check prerequisites
Read SKILL.md before using it. If it references scripts or external services, inspect them and prepare the required access in your test environment.
Tools declared by the author (check availability in your agent): Read, Edit, Bash
Original excerpt: Quick Reference
When to use this skill:
- Installing LaTeX on a new machine
- Setting up MacTeX distribution
- Configuring Skim PDF viewer with SyncTeX
- Verifying LaTeX installation
- Troubleshooting missing packages
The platforms on this page are catalog indications. The paths below follow tool documentation; they do not prove this skill has been run in those tools. No minimum tool version is confirmed for this listing.
3. Load the skill
After inspection, copy the complete folder into your project using one of the commands below, then open a new tool session. The command stops if a folder with the same name already exists: compare the files before replacing it.
Claude Code
test -f '.skill-downloads/latex-environment-setup-mma3jrjb/SKILL.md' && test -s '.skill-downloads/latex-environment-setup-mma3jrjb/SKILL.md' && mkdir -p '.claude/skills' && test ! -e '.claude/skills/latex-setup' && cp -R '.skill-downloads/latex-environment-setup-mma3jrjb' '.claude/skills/latex-setup'OpenSkills
OpenSkills must already be installed. The local install/read procedure is checked with OpenSkills 1.5.0, which requires Node.js ≥ 20.6.0. Catalog slugs are not resolved automatically.
Official OpenSkills installationopenskills install './.skill-downloads/latex-environment-setup-mma3jrjb'openskills read 'latex-environment-setup-mma3jrjb'Reading should display the installed file content and its base directory. It does not run the skill or install its dependencies.
For an agent that reads AGENTS.md, then sync the index. This command changes AGENTS.md: review the diff before using it.
openskills syncManual method or another tool: attach SKILL.md to a conversation, or open it in an agent that can read files. Include any required supporting resources. No universal folder is recognized by every tool.
4. Try a first task
Use a short, synthetic input: an API endpoint, a small document or an interface brief. In a new conversation, attach the file or give the agent its path, then adapt this request:
Read .skill-downloads/latex-environment-setup-mma3jrjb/SKILL.md and apply its instructions to this example: [describe a test input]. Identify any missing files, dependencies or access. Produce the result requested by the skill without inventing data or running unreviewed scripts.Expected result: output matching the skill instructions, or a precise list of missing prerequisites. A read confirmation alone does not validate a first use. If an external resource is unavailable, that path remains untested.
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