Write Latex

Write LaTeX

Apply the LaTeX conventions from the reference files below when creating or editing LaTeX source.

Core Principles

1. Semantic markup over visual hacks -- use the right command for its

meaning, not for its appearance

1. Standard compliance -- follow AMS, ISO 80000-2, and IEEE conventions
2. No deprecated constructs -- never use $$, eqnarray, \def,

\centerline, \over, or two-letter font commands

1. Macro discipline -- define \newcommand macros for recurring notation

so a single edit propagates everywhere

Workflow

1. Review against the essential checklist:

./references/essential/checklist.md

1. For specific questions, consult the comprehensive references below

Reference Navigation

Quick reviews (default):

• references/essential/checklist.md -- condensed, actionable rules

Deep dives by topic:

• references/comprehensive/math-typesetting.md -- display math, environments,

operators, delimiters, fractions, ellipsis, mathtools

• references/comprehensive/iso-conventions.md -- ISO 80000-2: variables,

constants, vectors, differential notation, custom macros

• references/comprehensive/tables.md -- booktabs, caption placement, column

alignment, complete examples

• references/comprehensive/bibliography.md -- BibTeX: capital protection,

DOI, journal abbreviations, backref

• references/comprehensive/packages.md -- recommended packages with load

order: mathtools, cleveref, hyperref, siunitx, microtype, and more

• references/comprehensive/spacing-and-alignment.md -- math spaces, phantom

alignment, intertext, Knuth's @ technique

• references/comprehensive/common-mistakes.md -- deprecated commands and

their modern replacements

• references/comprehensive/figures-and-floats.md -- graphics formats,

subcaption, float placement, caption conventions

• references/comprehensive/macros-and-cross-refs.md -- macro design,

cleveref cross-references, label prefixes

• references/comprehensive/document-conventions.md -- equation punctuation,

enumitem lists, unbreakable spaces, hyperref metadata

Sources

• Downes, M. and Beeton, B. Short Math Guide for LaTeX. AMS, 2017.
• IEEE. Math Typesetting Guide for LaTeX Users.
• Higham, N. J. Blog posts on tables, BibTeX, packages, spacing, ISO

typesetting, ellipses, lists, and book writing. 2013--2021.

• Beeton, B. "How to Typeset Equations in LaTeX." TUGboat 18(1), 1997.
• Chen, E. LaTeX Style Guide. web.evanchen.cc.
• Ensenbach, M. et al. l2tabu: A List of Don'ts in LaTeX.
• Voss, H. Mathmode. CTAN.
• Mittelbach, F. and Fischer, U. The LaTeX Companion. 3rd ed., 2024.
• MathSciNet. Serials Abbreviations.

Source & license

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

• Author: cboone
• Source: cboone/agent-harness-plugins
• License: MIT
• Homepage: https://github.com/cboone/agent-harness-plugins

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