Latex Workflow Setup with Neovim (LazyVim) on Arch Linux DWM

2025-07-07

This guide explains how to configure a complete LaTeX editing and preview workflow using LazyVim + VimTeX on Arch Linux with DWM as the window manager.

1. Prerequisites

Required Packages

Install the essential LaTeX and development tools:

sudo pacman -S --needed texlive-most \
  zathura zathura-pdf-mupdf \
  neovim ripgrep fd nodejs npm \
  lazygit git unzip wget

texlive-most: Complete LaTeX distribution.
zathura: Lightweight PDF viewer, integrates well with VimTeX.
ripgrep, fd: Used by Telescope, LazyVim fuzzy finder.

Optional but Recommended:

yay -S latexindent perl-log-log4perl perl-yaml-tiny

For automatic formatting using latexindent.pl.

Arch Wiki Reference:

2. Install LazyVim

Follow the official LazyVim install:

git clone https://github.com/LazyVim/starter ~/.config/nvim
nvim

On first launch, it will auto-install all plugins.

3. Install VimTeX Plugin

Edit your ~/.config/nvim/lua/plugins/latex.lua:

return {
  {
    "lervag/vimtex",
    lazy = false,
    init = function()
      vim.g.vimtex_view_method = "zathura"
      vim.g.vimtex_compiler_method = "latexmk"
    end,
  },
}

Then rebuild LazyVim plugins:

:Lazy sync

4. LaTeX Live Preview with Zathura

Make sure Zathura opens the compiled PDF automatically and supports backward/forward search:

Required LaTeX preamble

\usepackage{pdfsync} % Optional for better syncing

You can then use:

\ll — Compile document
\lv — Open viewer (Zathura)
\lk — Stop compiler

Ensure synctex is enabled in your latexmkrc or .latexmkrc file:

$pdf_mode = 1;
$pdflatex = 'pdflatex -synctex=1 -interaction=nonstopmode %O %S';

5. Example Project Structure

Projects/
  my-cv/
    main.tex
    main.pdf
    style.cls

6. Troubleshooting

Zathura not opening or preview not syncing?

Run :messages to see errors.
Make sure you have zathura-pdf-mupdf backend.
Check for correct filetype: :set ft=tex
Check :VimtexInfo

Compilation not working?

Make sure latexmk exists:

which latexmk

If not:

sudo pacman -S texlive-binextra

Note: Since early 2024, latexmk has been moved from the deprecated latexmk package into texlive-binextra. For more info: Arch Forum Thread and latexmk discussion

7. Resources & References

Now you’re good to write your papers, CVs, or thesis like a real Arch Chad. Happy TeXing!