Latex Check

LaTeX/TikZ/Beamer Auditor

Overview

A comprehensive auditing skill for LaTeX documents, including article/report/book classes, TikZ/PGF graphics, pgfplots visualizations, and Beamer presentations. All recommendations are grounded in official CTAN documentation and TeX best practices.

Auto-Invoke Triggers

Use this skill when task mentions:

• "LaTeX check" or "TeX audit"
• "TikZ" or "pgfplots"
• "Beamer" or "slides"
• "compile errors" or "compilation issues"
• "aspectratio" or "16:9"
• "externalize" or "tikzexternalize"
• "latexmk" or "pdflatex"
• "biblatex" or "biber"
• "hyperref" or "cleveref"

Scientific & Standards Foundation

This skill enforces best practices from:

1. LaTeX Project Documentation - Official LaTeX kernel and class documentation
2. TikZ & PGF Manual (tikz.dev) - Graphics and externalization library
3. pgfplots Manual (CTAN) - Data plotting best practices
4. Beamer User Guide (CTAN) - Presentation class guidelines
5. hyperref Manual (CTAN) - Package loading order and PDF metadata
6. cleveref Manual (CTAN) - Type-aware cross-referencing
7. biblatex Manual (CTAN) - Modern bibliography with biber backend
8. microtype Manual (CTAN) - Character protrusion and font expansion
9. csquotes Manual (CTAN) - Locale-aware quotation handling
10. WCAG 2.1 - Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (for Beamer contrast)
11. ChkTeX Documentation - Semantic LaTeX linting
12. latexmk Manual (CTAN) - Automated multi-pass compilation

Audit Scope

1. Document & Engine Configuration

• Document class detection (article, beamer, IEEEtran, etc.)
• Engine compatibility (pdfLaTeX, XeLaTeX, LuaLaTeX)
• Input encoding and font encoding
• Class options validation

2. Package Configuration

• Package loading order (critical for hyperref, cleveref)
• Package compatibility checks
• Required vs. optional packages
• Version-specific requirements

3. Cross-References & Hyperlinks

• hyperref loading position (near end of preamble)
• PDF metadata configuration
• cleveref integration (load after hyperref)
• Label prefix conventions (fig:, tab:, sec:, eq:)

4. Bibliography

• Modern biblatex + biber vs. legacy BibTeX
• Backend configuration verification
• Citation style consistency
• Toolchain completeness (pdflatex → biber → pdflatex)

5. TikZ/PGF & pgfplots

• TikZ library loading
• pgfplots compatibility level
• Data file separation for large plots
• Externalization setup and security
• Shell-escape requirements and warnings

6. Beamer Presentations

• Aspect ratio configuration (43, 169, 1610)
• Theme and color scheme consistency
• Overlay density analysis (≤5 per frame recommended)
• Frame content balance
• WCAG AA contrast compliance (≥4.5:1 normal, ≥3:1 large text)

7. Typography & Formatting

• microtype for improved typography
• Font selection and loading
• Page layout and geometry
• Quotation handling with csquotes

8. Linting & Code Quality

• ChkTeX semantic checks
• latexindent formatting
• Code organization and readability

9. Compilation Workflow

• latexmk usage and configuration
• Shell-escape security considerations
• Multi-pass compilation requirements
• Estimated compilation time

10. Accessibility

• Alternative text for figures (when feasible)
• Color-independent information encoding
• Contrast ratios for Beamer slides
• Logical document structure

Audit Process

Phase 1: Document Analysis

1. Read the LaTeX source file(s)

• Main .tex file
• Included files via \input or \include
• Class files (.cls) if custom
• Style files (.sty) if custom

1. Extract metadata:

```

• Document class: \documentclass[options]{class}
• Class options: aspectratio, fontsize, paper size, etc.
• Engine hints: fontspec (XeLaTeX/LuaLaTeX), inputenc (pdfLaTeX)

```

1. Parse preamble:

• List all \usepackage{...} commands in order
• Extract package options
• Note custom commands and environments

1. Detect document type:

• Article/report/book → Standard academic document
• Beamer → Presentation (trigger Beamer-specific checks)
• IEEEtran/ACM/others → Conference/journal template

Phase 2: Run Checklist Rules

Load rules from checklists/latex_checklist.yml and execute in order:

2.1 Document Structure

• class_detect: Identify class and validate options
• engine_detect: Determine appropriate LaTeX engine
• encoding_check: Verify UTF-8 input and T1 font encoding (pdfLaTeX)

2.2 Package Configuration

Execute in sequence:

1. hyperref_order: Verify hyperref loaded near end

`` RULE: hyperref must come after most packages EXCEPTION: cleveref, glossaries must come after hyperref ``

1. hyperref_metadata: Check PDF metadata

`` VERIFY: \hypersetup{pdftitle=..., pdfauthor=..., pdfsubject=..., pdfkeywords=...} ``

1. cleveref_present: If cross-refs detected, recommend cleveref

`` DETECT: \ref{}, \label{} usage RECOMMEND: \usepackage{cleveref} after hyperref ``

1. cleveref_order: Verify cleveref loaded last

`` RULE: cleveref must be one of the last packages EXCEPTION: Only microtype may come after ``

1. bib_backend: Check bibliography system

`` PREFER: biblatex with backend=biber LEGACY: \bibliography{}, \bibliographystyle{} → flag for migration ``

1. microtype_enabled: Verify microtype for typography

`` CHECK: \usepackage{microtype} present NOTE: Works with pdfLaTeX, XeLaTeX, LuaLaTeX ``

1. csquotes_present: Check quotation handling

`` DETECT: , '', \"{}, etc. → recommend csquotes VERIFY: \usepackage{csquotes} after babel/polyglossia ``

1. babel_polyglossia: Language support

`` pdfLaTeX: \usepackage[language]{babel} XeLaTeX/LuaLaTeX: \usepackage{polyglossia} ``

2.3 TikZ & PGF

Execute if TikZ detected:

1. tikz_present: Confirm TikZ package and usage

`` DETECT: \usepackage{tikz}, \begin{tikzpicture} ``

1. tikz_libraries: Verify library loading

`` COMMON: positioning, arrows.meta, shapes, calc CHECK: \usetikzlibrary{...} before first use ``

1. pgfplots_present: Check pgfplots usage

`` DETECT: \usepackage{pgfplots}, \begin{axis} ``

1. pgfplots_compat: Verify compatibility level

`` REQUIRE: \pgfplotsset{compat=1.18} or compat=newest REASON: Enables modern features and behavior ``

1. tikzcompilecost: Estimate compilation time

``` COUNT: Number of tikzpicture environments ESTIMATE:

• 1-5 figures: Low
• 6-15 figures: Medium
• 16-30 figures: High
• 31+ figures: Very High

RECOMMEND: Externalization if High or Very High ```

1. externalize_detection: Check externalization setup

`` DETECT: \usetikzlibrary{external}, \tikzexternalize VERIFY: prefix=tikz-cache/ or similar ``

1. externalizeshellescape: Verify shell-escape awareness

`` IF externalization detected: REQUIRE: Compilation with -shell-escape WARN: Security implications (only trusted documents) RECOMMEND: latexmk -pdf -shell-escape document.tex ``

1. tikz_naming: Check for explicit figure naming

`` RECOMMEND: \tikzsetnextfilename{descriptive-name} REASON: Reproducible cache names, easier debugging ``

2.4 Beamer (if applicable)

Execute if \documentclass{beamer} detected:

1. beamer_class: Confirm Beamer detection
2. aspect_ratio: Check aspectratio option

`` DEFAULT: 43 (4:3) MODERN: 169 (16:9 widescreen) OTHER: 1610 (16:10), 149 (14:9) RECOMMEND: 169 for contemporary displays ``

1. frame_title: Verify all frames have titles

`` CHECK: \begin{frame}{Title} or \frametitle{Title} REASON: Structure, navigation, accessibility ``

1. overlay_detection: Count overlay specifications

`` DETECT: \pause, , \onslide<>, \only<>, etc. LOAD: lexicons/beamer_overlays.yml patterns ``

1. overlay_density: Flag excessive overlays

`` THRESHOLD: 5 overlays per frame IF count > 5: WARN: Over-complexity SUGGEST: Consolidate or split frame ``

1. framecontentbalance: Check frame content volume

`` HEURISTIC: >20 lines of content → potentially overcrowded RECOMMEND: Split across multiple frames ``

1. contrast_check: Assess WCAG compliance

`` ANALYZE: Theme colors (if standard theme) REFERENCE: lexicons/beamer_overlays.yml contrast guidelines WARN: Potential contrast failures RECOMMEND: Test with contrast checker ``

Phase 3: Optional Compilation Test

If user requests or document is problematic:

1. Invoke compilation (if code-capable helper available):

`` COMMAND: latexmk -pdf -interaction=nonstopmode -halt-on-error document.tex IF externalization detected: ADD: -shell-escape flag ``

1. Parse compilation output:

• Errors → severity: error
• Warnings → severity: warn
• Overfull/underfull boxes → severity: info

1. Check auxiliary files:

• .log file for detailed errors
• .bcf file for biblatex backend
• .bbl file for bibliography compilation

Phase 4: Generate Outputs

4.1 Create Audit Report

Use templates/audit_report_template.md:

1. Fill executive summary:

• Overall status (excellent/good/needsimprovement/criticalissues)
• Count findings by severity
• Highlight top 3-5 issues

1. Document analysis section:

• Class, engine, packages
• TikZ/Beamer specifics

1. Findings by category:

• Group by checklist section
• Include evidence (line numbers, code snippets)
• Reference official documentation

1. Detailed findings:

• Each finding with:
• ID (from checklist)
• Severity (error/warn/info)
• Message
• Evidence
• Reference (CTAN manual, page number if applicable)
• Fix recommendation

1. Compilation guidance:

• Recommended command
• Shell-escape notes
• Estimated compilation time

1. MWE references:

• Link to generated minimal working examples

4.2 Create Fix Plan

Use templates/fix_plan_template.md:

1. Priority 1 actions (errors):

• Step-by-step fix instructions
• Code snippets for corrections
• Expected outcome

1. Priority 2 actions (warnings):

• Recommended improvements
• Impact explanation

1. Priority 3 actions (info):

• Best practices
• Optional enhancements

1. Package loading order:

• Complete preamble template
• Organized by category
• Comments explaining order

1. Specialized fixes:

• TikZ externalization setup (if needed)
• Beamer aspect ratio and overlay fixes (if applicable)
• Bibliography migration guide (if needed)

4.3 Generate JSON Output

Conform to schema/tex_audit_schema.json:

{
  "metadata": {...},
  "document": {...},
  "packages": {...},
  "tikz": {...},
  "beamer": {...},
  "findings": [...],
  "compilation": {...},
  "mwe_paths": [...],
  "summary": {...}
}

4.4 Create Minimal Working Examples

Generate MWEs for relevant fixes:

1. TikZ Externalization (if applicable):

• Copy mwes/tikz_externalization.tex
• Customize for user's specific setup

1. Beamer 16:9 with Overlays (if applicable):

• Copy mwes/beamer_16_9_overlays.tex
• Adapt to user's theme

1. Modern Bibliography (if BibTeX detected):

• Copy mwes/modern_bibliography.tex
• Show migration path

1. Best Practices Template:

• Always provide mwes/best_practices_article.tex
• Demonstrates complete modern setup

4.5 Provide Lint Configurations

1. ChkTeX configuration:

• Copy lint/.chktexrc to project
• Explain usage: chktex -v0 -l document.tex

1. latexindent configuration:

• Copy lint/indentconfig.yaml to project
• Explain usage: latexindent -l=indentconfig.yaml -w document.tex

Phase 5: Safeguards & Notes

1. Shell-escape warning:

`` IF -shell-escape required: EMPHASIZE: Security implications NOTE: Only use with trusted documents EXPLAIN: Restricted shell escape in modern distributions ``

1. Package conflicts:

`` IF known conflicts detected: WARN: Specific incompatibilities SUGGEST: Alternative approaches ``

1. Manual references:

`` FOR each recommendation: CITE: Specific manual section PROVIDE: CTAN link or official documentation URL ``

1. Beamer accessibility:

`` IF Beamer detected: NOTE: Contrast recommendations are WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines ACKNOWLEDGE: Theme customization may be needed PROVIDE: Contrast checking tools ``

Detection Rules Implementation

Package Loading Order

Correct order (with rationale):

% 1. ENCODING & FONTS (pdfLaTeX only)
\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}    % UTF-8 input
\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}        % T1 font encoding

% 2. LANGUAGE
\usepackage[english]{babel}     % Or polyglossia for XeLaTeX/LuaLaTeX
\usepackage{csquotes}           % After babel

% 3. MATHEMATICS (early for other packages to use)
\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage{amssymb}
\usepackage{amsthm}

% 4. GRAPHICS & FLOATS
\usepackage{graphicx}
\usepackage{float}
\usepackage{caption}
\usepackage{subcaption}

% 5. TABLES
\usepackage{booktabs}
\usepackage{array}
\usepackage{multirow}

% 6. TIKZ (if needed)
\usepackage{tikz}
\usetikzlibrary{positioning,arrows.meta,shapes,calc}
\usepackage{pgfplots}
\pgfplotsset{compat=newest}

% 7. BIBLIOGRAPHY
\usepackage[backend=biber,style=authoryear]{biblatex}
\addbibresource{references.bib}

% 8. PAGE LAYOUT
\usepackage{geometry}

% 9. HYPERLINKS (near end!)
\usepackage[colorlinks=true,...]{hyperref}

% 10. CROSS-REFERENCES (after hyperref!)
\usepackage{cleveref}

% 11. TYPOGRAPHY (last!)
\usepackage{microtype}

Rationale:

• Encoding/fonts first: Affects character processing
• Language early: Affects hyphenation patterns
• Math early: Other packages may need math commands
• Graphics/tables: Independent, can be anywhere in middle
• TikZ: May use math, graphics facilities
• Bibliography: Needs to hook into referencing
• Hyperref late: Redefines many commands, needs others loaded first
• cleveref after hyperref: Needs hyperref's reference system
• microtype last: Fine-tunes final typography

TikZ Externalization Detection

IF \usetikzlibrary{external} present:
  CHECK for \tikzexternalize command
  VERIFY prefix setting
  COUNT tikzpicture environments
  ESTIMATE cache size

  IF count > 10:
    STRONGLY RECOMMEND externalization
  IF count 5-10:
    RECOMMEND externalization
  IF count  patterns (extract n)
    - \onslide
    - \only
    - \item

  COMPUTE max overlay number for frame

  IF max > 5:
    WARN: Excessive overlays
    PROVIDE frame title/line number
    SUGGEST: Consolidation strategies

  ACCUMULATE global overlay statistics

Contrast Estimation (Beamer)

FOR standard Beamer themes:
  LOAD known color schemes
  ESTIMATE contrast ratios

FOR custom themes:
  WARN: Manual contrast checking required
  PROVIDE: Online contrast checker tools
  REFERENCE: WCAG 2.1 SC 1.4.3

ALWAYS NOTE:
  - Normal text: ≥4.5:1 (AA)
  - Large text (≥18pt): ≥3:1 (AA)
  - Don't rely solely on color

Example Usage Patterns

Pattern 1: Basic Article Audit

User: "Check my LaTeX document for issues"

Process:
1. Read document.tex
2. Detect class: article
3. Run document/packages/crossref/bib checks
4. Generate audit report
5. Provide fix plan
6. Include best_practices_article.tex as reference

Pattern 2: Beamer Presentation Audit

User: "Review my presentation slides for LaTeX issues"

Process:
1. Read slides.tex
2. Detect class: beamer
3. Run all standard checks
4. ADDITIONALLY run Beamer-specific checks:
   - Aspect ratio
   - Overlay density
   - Contrast estimation
   - Frame content balance
5. Generate audit report with Beamer section
6. Provide beamer_16_9_o

…

## Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

- **Author:** [astoreyai](https://github.com/astoreyai)
- **Source:** [astoreyai/claude-skills](https://github.com/astoreyai/claude-skills)
- **License:** MIT

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.