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SKILL.md
LaTeX to Quarto Conversion
Convert a full LaTeX .tex article to a Quarto .qmd document that renders correctly
to HTML, PDF (Typst or LaTeX), and Word.
This skill handles the entire conversion pipeline: preamble extraction, document structure,
and all inline/block transformations.
This skill writes the output file (overwriting the input or writing to a second path).
Before writing, tell the user what file will be changed and remind them that git diff or
file history can recover the original.
Input Arguments
Position
Required
Description
1
Yes
Path to the input .tex file (e.g., paper/paper.tex)
2
No
Output .qmd path. Defaults to same directory, .qmd extension.
Remove \begin{document} and \end{document}.
Remove \maketitle (title is rendered from YAML automatically).
Convert \begin{abstract}...\end{abstract} to YAML abstract:.
See 02-document-structure.md.
5. Apply All Body Transformations
Work through the full document body and apply every applicable rule. Key principles:
Preserve math regions: Never alter content inside $...$ or $$...$$ except to
move \label{} outside display math and convert delimiters (\(...\) → $...$).
Handle nesting: \textbf{\emph{text}} → ***text***. Process inner commands first.
Be complete: Scan the entire file. Fix every instance of each pattern, not just the first.
Apply all categories: Work through every reference file. A single paragraph may
require rules from multiple categories.
Apply reference files in this order (structural → inline):
10-misc.md — special characters and remaining patterns
6. Assemble the QMD File
Combine:
YAML front matter (between --- delimiters)
Converted document body (blank line after closing ---)
7. Write the Output File
Use the Write tool to write the complete .qmd file in one pass.
Do not use Edit for individual substitutions — a single full write ensures nothing is missed.
8. Report to the User
Tell the user:
Output path written
Summary of conversions by category (citation count, figure count, table count, etc.)
Items requiring manual review with approximate line numbers
Reminder to run quarto render to verify the output
Key Conceptual Differences: LaTeX vs. Quarto
Preamble → YAML Front Matter
LaTeX uses a \documentclass preamble; Quarto uses YAML front matter between ---.
# Quarto YAML front matter
---
title: "My Paper"
author: "Jane Doe"
date: today
bibliography: refs.bib
format:
html: default
pdf:
documentclass: article
papersize: a4
fontsize: 12pt
geometry: margin=1in
---
Math Content Is Preserved as LaTeX
Unlike conversion to Typst, Quarto uses LaTeX math directly.
Inline \(...\) → $...$; display \[...\] → $$...$$.
Math content (operators, symbols, matrices) stays unchanged.
Citations Use Pandoc Bracket Syntax
\citep{key} → [@key]; \citet{key} → @key.
The .bib file is referenced in YAML and left unchanged.
Cross-References Use @label Not \ref{}
\ref{fig:map} → @fig-map. Labels move from standalone \label{} commands
into element attribute blocks {#fig-map}.
Minimal Conversion Example
Input (paper.tex):
\documentclass[12pt]{article}
\usepackage{natbib}
\title{My Study}
\author{Jane Doe}
\date{2025}
\begin{document}
\maketitle
\begin{abstract}
We examine the effect of X on Y.
\end{abstract}
\section{Introduction}
Prior work \citep{smith2020} shows that $x > 0$.
See Figure~\ref{fig:map} for an overview.
\begin{figure}[h]
\centering
\includegraphics[width=0.8\textwidth]{figs/map.pdf}
\caption{Study region.}
\label{fig:map}
\end{figure}
\bibliography{refs}
\end{document}
Output (paper.qmd):
---
title: "My Study"
author: "Jane Doe"
date: 2025
bibliography: refs.bib
---
## Abstract
We examine the effect of X on Y.
# Introduction
Prior work [@smith2020] shows that $x > 0$.
See @fig-map for an overview.
{#fig-map width=80% fig-align="center"}
Patterns Requiring Manual Review
Flag these in your report with a suggested fix but no automatic conversion:
Pattern
Suggested Quarto Equivalent
\begin{theorem}, \begin{proof}, \begin{lemma}
::: {.callout-note} div, or install a theorem extension
\newcommand{}{} / \renewcommand{}{}
Inline the macro expansion throughout; flag remaining uses
\input{file} / \include{file}
Inline contents or use {{< include file.qmd >}} shortcode
\vspace{} / \hspace{}
Remove or replace with CSS; no direct Quarto equivalent
\multicolumn{}{}{} in tables
Requires manual table restructuring
TikZ / PGF diagrams
Remove or replace with Mermaid/Observable JS
Beamer \begin{frame}
Switch to format: revealjs with ## slide headings
\bibliographystyle{}
Remove; use csl: in YAML if a specific citation style is needed
Multiple \label in one align block
Each labeled row may need its own equation block
What to Preserve Unchanged
LaTeX math content inside $...$ and $$...$$
File paths in \includegraphics and \bibliography (adjust extension if needed)
Existing @ref and [@citation] patterns already in correct Quarto form
Content inside \begin{verbatim}...\end{verbatim} (convert to fenced block, keep content)
