Compiling and fixing errors

Compile LaTeX and Typst to a PDF preview, get the same diagnostics for MyST's live preview, and use the Problems panel to fix errors.

This page covers LaTeX, Typst, and MyST: the three formats that produce diagnostics through the Problems panel. LaTeX and Typst compile to a paged PDF preview; MyST renders a live prose preview instead, but still surfaces the same Output and Problems panels for anything that fails to parse.

Plain Markdown doesn't go through this pipeline at all. It renders live with no compile step and nothing to diagnose, so there's nothing on this page for .md files specifically. See Working with Markdown and MyST.

Compile and preview

1

Open a compilable file

.tex, .typ, or .myst.

2

Set compile mode

In the preview toolbar: Auto (recompiles as you type), On Save, or Manual.

3

Compile

Click Compile if you're not on Auto.

4

Check diagnostics

Open the bottom panel to check Output (the raw log) and Problems (a structured list of issues).

5

Jump to the issue

Click a problem to jump straight to that line in your source.

6

Fix and recompile

Repeat until the Problems list is clear.

Paste a confusing error from the Output log into the AI and ask it to explain what's wrong. It's often faster than tracing the log yourself. See Using AI.

Things to know

• Compile controls and the Problems panel only appear for .tex, .typ, and .myst files. A .docx file or a plain .md file has neither, since there's nothing to compile or diagnose.

• Compiling runs in your browser. Some LaTeX packages aren't included in the built-in distribution and can't be installed on demand.

• Exporting directly to Word or PowerPoint from a compiled file isn't supported. Export the PDF and convert it elsewhere if you need another format.

• PDF export is available from the preview toolbar for formats that produce a paged PDF (LaTeX, Typst).

Troubleshooting

No Compile button

The active file isn't a compilable format.

Preview looks stale

Recompile manually and check for source errors.

Compile fails with a package error

The log names the missing package. Not everything can be installed on demand; check whether there's a browser-compatible alternative.

Next steps

• Working with LaTeX and Typst

• Working with Markdown and MyST

• Editing modes

• Using AI