TeXPilot

TeXPilot is a professional LaTeX workspace for students, researchers, and technical teams in Visual Studio Code. Edit source, compile, inspect diagnostics/logs, and review PDF output in one focused environment.

Why TeXPilot

• Productive LaTeX workflow without switching between multiple tools
• Project-scale editing with source, preview, diagnostics, and logs in one UI
• Optimized for real writing sessions with responsive editor and practical controls
• Local-first architecture with optional AI assistance through Ollama

Key Capabilities

Source Editing Experience

• In-app source editor with syntax highlighting modes: Auto, LaTeX, BibTeX, Markdown, Plain Text
• Fast in-file search and replace with standard editor behavior:
  • Find next/previous
  • Replace / Replace All
  • Case-sensitive toggle
• Keyboard-first editing:
  • Ctrl/Cmd+F Find
  • Ctrl/Cmd+R Replace mode
  • Ctrl/Cmd+S Save
  • Ctrl/Cmd+Enter Compile
• Workspace search panel for cross-file lookup and jump-to-line

Project Files Management

• Dedicated Project Files views in Activity Bar and Explorer
• Context-menu actions in Project Files to work in the clicked location:
  • New File
  • New Folder
  • Add Existing Files/Folders (images/materials/assets)
• Smart behavior for file nodes (uses parent directory), directory nodes (uses that folder)

Compile, Diagnostics, and Logs

• Compiler support: latexmk, pdflatex, xelatex, lualatex, tectonic
• Streamed compile output in an integrated Compiler Log pane
• Problems panel with line-mapped diagnostics for the active file
• Expand/collapse pane controls for Source, Preview, and Log layouts

PDF Preview and Export

• Built-in PDF preview powered by bundled pdf.js
• Source-to-preview workflow in the same window
• Download icon action for compiled PDF export
• Download action stays disabled until a compiled PDF is available

Performance and Stability

• Optimized rendering path for large edits and smooth typing
• Reduced unnecessary re-highlighting and re-render cycles
• Lightweight updates for line numbers, decorations, and diagnostics

Revision Tracking and AI Assistant

• Tracked change history for saved manual and AI-assisted edits
• Optional local AI rewrite assistant via Ollama
• Request cancellation, model selection, and scoped rewrite actions

Install

• Visual Studio Marketplace: TeXPilot
• Open VSX: TeXPilot
• Naming note:
  • VS Marketplace: AbhineetPandey003.texpilot-vscode
  • Open VSX: abhineet-pandey.texpilot

Or install from command line:

code --install-extension AbhineetPandey003.texpilot-vscode

Desktop Builds

TeXPilot also ships as an Electron desktop app.

npm run package:windows
npm run package:mac
npm run package:linux

The macOS build creates universal dmg and zip artifacts for both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs in release/mac. The Linux build creates x64 AppImage and .deb artifacts for Ubuntu/Debian-style systems in release/linux.

Electron desktop packages should retain Electron and Chromium license materials generated by Electron/electron-builder. Public macOS distribution should use Apple Developer ID signing and notarization for a smooth install experience.

Publish

The extension version is managed in package.json. Before publishing, run the checks and package commands sequentially:

npm run lint
npm run package:vsix
npm run package:openvsx:vsix

Publish to Visual Studio Marketplace:

export VSCE_PAT="your-vscode-marketplace-token"
npm run publish:vscode

Publish to Open VSX:

export OVSX_PAT="your-open-vsx-token"
npm run publish:openvsx

To publish both registries in one run:

export VSCE_PAT="your-vscode-marketplace-token"
export OVSX_PAT="your-open-vsx-token"
npm run publish:all

Marketplace identities:

• Visual Studio Marketplace: AbhineetPandey003.texpilot-vscode
• Open VSX: abhineet-pandey.texpilot

Quick Start

1. Open a LaTeX project folder in VS Code.
2. Open TeXPilot from the Activity Bar.
3. In Control Center, choose compiler and compile target.
4. Open or create files from Project Files.
5. Edit source, then save with Ctrl/Cmd+S.
6. Compile with Ctrl/Cmd+Enter.
7. Review Problems, Compiler Log, and PDF preview.

Commands

Configuration

Example:

{
  "latexCompiler.executableSearchPaths": [
    "/usr/local/bin",
    "/opt/homebrew/bin"
  ],
  "latexCompiler.compile.timeoutSeconds": 300,
  "latexCompiler.preview.renderTimeoutSeconds": 60,
  "latexCompiler.preview.syncTexTimeoutSeconds": 15,
  "latexCompiler.ollama.enabled": true,
  "latexCompiler.ollama.baseUrl": "http://127.0.0.1:11434",
  "latexCompiler.ollama.model": "llama3.1"
}

Requirements

• VS Code ^1.90.0
• A local LaTeX workspace folder
• A LaTeX distribution available on PATH
• One supported compiler (latexmk, pdflatex, xelatex, lualatex, or tectonic)

Optional:

• SyncTeX tools for enhanced source/PDF navigation
• Ollama + local model for AI-assisted editing

Troubleshooting

• No compiler detected: install a supported compiler and/or configure latexCompiler.executableSearchPaths.
• Wrong file compiling: re-select target in Control Center.
• PDF preview unavailable: save and compile to generate output first.
• Download disabled: compile target once to produce the PDF.
• AI options unavailable: verify Ollama is running and at least one model is installed.

Privacy

See PRIVACY.md.

Summary:

• By default, AI requests target local Ollama at http://127.0.0.1:11434.
• If latexCompiler.ollama.baseUrl points to a remote host, selected document context may be sent to that host.
• TeXPilot stores generated artifacts under .texpilot/ (compile outputs, metadata, logs, revision history, and collaboration comments).

Trademark Notice

TeXPilot is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Overleaf, the LaTeX Project, Microsoft, Visual Studio Code, GitHub, or any of their affiliates. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.

License

Apache License 2.0. See LICENSE.