LaTeX Instant Runner
A zero-config VS Code extension for compiling LaTeX to PDF with Tectonic.
LaTeX Instant Runner is a LaTeX runner and compiler for VS Code users who want a fast, one-click way to build .tex files and open the resulting PDF.
Install: open the extension in VS Code from the Marketplace.
Use: open a .tex file, click the play button, and the PDF is built and opened automatically.
🖱️ The "One-Click" Promise
We mean it. There is no configuration required.
- Open any
.tex file.
- Click the Play Button in the top right.
- That's it. Your PDF compiles and opens.
(On your very first click, the extension will silently download a lightweight, static Tectonic engine in the background—no sudo required, no terminal commands needed).
✨ Features
- Instant Compilation: Powered by Tectonic. It automatically fetches only the packages you actually use on the fly.
- 100% Zero-Config: It just works out of the box. Highly optimized for GitHub Codespaces, University Linux servers, and local environments.
- Auto-Workspace Cleanup: Silently hides
.aux, .log, .gz, and .out files from your sidebar so your file explorer stays clean.
- Smart PDF Viewing: Recommends the best inline PDF viewer to keep you entirely inside VS Code.
Search Terms
If you are looking for this extension in the VS Code Marketplace, try: LaTeX compiler, TeX runner, Tectonic PDF build, one-click LaTeX, zero-config LaTeX, and VS Code LaTeX runner.
Created by Finlay — Making LaTeX as easy as Markdown.
