← works
2015 · Writing Tools · LaTeX · Library

SyncTeX-js

A SyncTeX parser written in JavaScript.

The problem

Editors that preview a compiled PDF need to jump between a line in the LaTeX source and its exact spot in the output. That mapping lives in SyncTeX files, which most web tooling can’t read.

The approach

SyncTeX-js is a JavaScript parser for SyncTeX files, usable in the browser or Node, so editors can implement forward and inverse search.

In practice

It makes source ↔ PDF synchronization available to JavaScript-based LaTeX editors.

Highlights

  • Parses SyncTeX in pure JavaScript
  • Maps source ↔ PDF positions
  • Runs in the browser or Node