# Introduction
This repository will help you to start working with Visual Studio Code and LaTeX.

# Step 1: Install a LaTeX distribution 

A LaTeX distribution is mandatory, depending on your system, you can install a complete or lite version. **I recommend to install the full version**. However there are several options like:

- Texlive
- MacTeX
- MikTeX

# Step 2: Install Visual Studio

Of course you will need Visual Studio Code (VSCode) as the main IDE for latex projects. 

# Step 3: Install and configure LaTeX Workshop extension

You need to install the *Latex Workshop* extension form [James-Yu](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=James-Yu.latex-workshop). This extension requires some extra configuration to properly work.

Thus, open the `Command Palette` by pressing `Shift + Ctrl + P` (Windows) or `Shift + Cmd + P` (macOS). Then type *Open User Settings JSON* and open the first item.

![User setting JSON file example](https://mathjiajia.github.io/img/open-json.png)

Now copy and paste the following two snippets into your json file (inside the brackets {} of your file):

```
# "Your previous configuration" , 

"latex-workshop.latex.tools": [
 {
  "name": "latexmk",
  "command": "latexmk",
  "args": [
   "-synctex=1",
   "-interaction=nonstopmode",
   "-file-line-error",
   "-pdf",
   "-outdir=%OUTDIR%",
   "%DOC%"
  ],
  "env": {}
 },
 {
  "name": "xelatex",
  "command": "xelatex",
  "args": [
   "-synctex=1",
   "-interaction=nonstopmode",
   "-file-line-error",
   "%DOC%"
  ],
  "env": {}
 },
 {
  "name": "pdflatex",
  "command": "pdflatex",
  "args": [
   "-synctex=1",
   "-interaction=nonstopmode",
   "-file-line-error",
   "%DOC%"
  ],
  "env": {}
 },
 {
  "name": "bibtex",
  "command": "bibtex",
  "args": [
   "%DOCFILE%"
  ],
  "env": {}
 }
],

```

**Considers that most probably you already have a previous configuration inputs. Take care that these previous inputs (`# your previous configuration`) end with a comma after each entry.**

Also copy and paste the next snippet:

```
"latex-workshop.latex.recipes": [
 {
  "name": "pdfLaTeX",
  "tools": [
   "pdflatex"
  ]
 },
 {
  "name": "latexmk 🔃",
  "tools": [
   "latexmk"
  ]
 },
 {
  "name": "xelatex",
  "tools": [
   "xelatex"
  ]
 },
 {
  "name": "pdflatex ➞ bibtex ➞ pdflatex`×2",
  "tools": [
   "pdflatex",
   "bibtex",
   "pdflatex",
   "pdflatex"
  ]
 },
 {
 "name": "xelatex ➞ bibtex ➞ xelatex`×2",
 "tools": [
   "xelatex",
   "bibtex",
   "xelatex",
   "xelatex"
  ]
 }
],
```

# Step 4. Write & Compile

Now you may open a `tex` file or create a new one. If you want to compile the file, press `Ctrl + Alt + B` (Windows) or `option + Cmd + B` (macOS). Moreover, you may choose another recipes from the sidebar. There is a button in the right top corner to preview PDF file.