Write the paper in LaTeX
Code and Visual mode, tables, math, TikZ, SyncTeX and versions.
In short
The LaTeX workspace is a real editor with a live PDF, a Visual mode over the same document, a table builder, a TikZ editor and version history. Tectonic downloads on first use, so you do not need LaTeX installed.
1Start the paper
Pick the IEEE conference template (the default), a generic article, or your own .zip of .cls/.sty/.tex. Section files are created empty and included from main.tex.
2Write in Code mode
The editor highlights LaTeX, matches brackets and \begin/\end, autocompletes commands, \ref labels, \cite keys and file paths, and shows compile errors in the gutter. Cmd/Ctrl+Enter compiles; the preview updates after typing pauses.
3Or write in Visual mode
Toggle Code | Visual per file. Headings, lists, math (KaTeX), figures, tables, citations and references render in place. Every visual edit changes exactly its source range; switching modes changes nothing. Unrecognised source is shown as tinted raw source, editable.
4Draw a diagram
A file that is mainly a tikzpicture opens the TikZ editor: drag the coordinates it can handle, click to jump to source, and add nodes, edges, rectangles or circles. Coordinates it cannot handle are drawn but not draggable, with the reason.
5Use versions
Freeze version snapshots the tree with its compiled PDF; Versions restores or diffs one; Download gives you the PDF or the source .zip.
For technical users
Compilation runs one document at a time with shell escape disabled (--untrusted / -no-shell-escape). Tectonic packages are preloaded in the background on first open, so the first compile after the preload is about one second. System TeX is detected and offered when Tectonic fails offline, never switched silently. SyncTeX works both ways. Build output stays in the app's data directory, not in your project. A compile error can be fixed with Resolve or Resolve all with AI, applied as an undoable change.