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How-to: Install TeX Live (LuaLaTeX)

ModernDoc requires:

  • TeX Live 2024+
  • LuaLaTeX (lualatex)
  • recommended: latexmk, biber

1) Verify what you have

tlmgr --version
lualatex --version
latexmk --version
biber --version

If any command is missing, install TeX Live properly (below).

2) macOS

Option A: MacTeX (full)

  • Best if you want everything included.
  • Large download.

After install:

sudo tlmgr update --self

Option B: BasicTeX (small)

Install BasicTeX, then add what you need:

sudo tlmgr update --self
sudo tlmgr install collection-luatex latexmk biber

Best practice: TeX Live upstream installer

Distro packages are often older. For ModernDoc, TeX Live 2024+ matters.

If you use distro packages anyway, ensure they provide:

  • lualatex
  • biber
  • latexmk
  • modern packages (fontspec, unicode-math, etc.)

4) Windows

Install TeX Live (or a TeX distribution that includes LuaLaTeX and biber). Then verify commands work in PowerShell.

5) Install ModernDoc package files

If you ship moderndoc.sty / modern-doc.sty

Install into your local TEXMF:

TEXMFHOME="$(kpsewhich -var-value=TEXMFHOME)"
mkdir -p "$TEXMFHOME/tex/latex/moderndoc"
cp moderndoc.sty "$TEXMFHOME/tex/latex/moderndoc/"
mktexlsr "$TEXMFHOME"
kpsewhich moderndoc.sty

If you’re using modern-doc.sty, use that path instead.

6) Minted prerequisites (optional but common)

Minted requires shell escape:

latexmk -lualatex --shell-escape main.tex

And a working Python environment.

Check:

python3 --version
pygmentize -V || true

If pygmentize is missing:

python3 -m pip install --user Pygments

7) Final verification

Run:

cat > test.tex <<'EOF'
\documentclass{scrartcl}
\usepackage[doctype=article]{moderndoc}
\begin{document}
Hello ModernDoc.
\end{document}
EOF

latexmk -lualatex --shell-escape test.tex

If this builds, you’re ready.