LaTeX Compilation Guide

Compiler Selection

pdfLaTeX

• Best for: English papers, fast compilation
• Limitations: Poor CJK support, requires CJKutf8 package
• Command: latexmk -pdf main.tex

XeLaTeX (Recommended for Chinese)

• Best for: Chinese documents, Unicode support, system fonts
• Packages: ctex, xeCJK, fontspec
• Command: latexmk -xelatex main.tex

LuaLaTeX

• Best for: Modern features, Lua scripting, complex typography
• Note: Actively maintained, recommended for future-proofing
• Command: latexmk -lualatex main.tex

latexmk Configuration

Create .latexmkrc in project root:

# For XeLaTeX (Chinese documents)
$pdf_mode = 5;  # xelatex
$xelatex = 'xelatex -interaction=nonstopmode -no-shell-escape %O %S';

# For pdfLaTeX (English papers)
# $pdf_mode = 1;
# $pdflatex = 'pdflatex -interaction=nonstopmode -no-shell-escape %O %S';

# Enable -shell-escape only for sources you have explicitly verified as trusted.

# Bibliography
$bibtex_use = 2;
$biber = 'biber %O %S';

# Output directory (optional)
# $out_dir = 'build';

# Clean extensions
@generated_exts = (@generated_exts, 'synctex.gz', 'nav', 'snm', 'vrb');

Common Issues

Chinese Font Not Found

% Specify fonts explicitly
\setCJKmainfont{SimSun}[BoldFont=SimHei, ItalicFont=KaiTi]
\setCJKsansfont{SimHei}
\setCJKmonofont{FangSong}

Missing Package

# TeX Live
tlmgr install <package-name>

# MiKTeX (auto-install on first use)
# Or use MiKTeX Console

Bibliography Not Updating

# Force rebuild
latexmk -C main.tex  # Clean all
latexmk -xelatex main.tex  # Rebuild

Watch Mode (Continuous Compilation)

# Auto-recompile on file changes
latexmk -xelatex -pvc main.tex

# With PDF viewer sync
latexmk -xelatex -pvc -view=pdf main.tex

Cross-Platform Notes

Windows

• Install MiKTeX or TeX Live
• Use PowerShell or CMD
• Path: Use forward slashes or escaped backslashes

Linux

sudo apt-get install texlive-full latexmk

macOS

brew install --cask mactex
# Or: brew install basictex