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This guide helps you resolve common issues you might encounter while using Typeset, from LaTeX compilation errors to authentication and collaboration problems.

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Compilation errors

When your LaTeX document fails to compile, Typeset displays error messages in the preview panel.

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Understanding error messages

Compilation errors from Tectonic (Typeset’s LaTeX engine) typically include:
  • Line number: Where the error occurred
  • Error type: The kind of problem detected
  • Context: Surrounding code that caused the issue
Error messages appear in the preview panel as an alert with details about what went wrong.

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Common LaTeX errors

Cause: Math symbols or commands used outside math mode.Solution: Wrap math content in $...$ for inline or \[...\] for display math.
% Wrong
The answer is x^2.

% Correct
The answer is $x^2$.
Cause: Using a command that doesn’t exist or requires a package.Solution: Check spelling or add the required package to the preamble.
% If using \mathbb{R}
\usepackage{amsfonts}  % Add to preamble

% If using \includegraphics
\usepackage{graphicx}  % Add to preamble
Cause: Content appears before \begin{document}.Solution: Ensure all content (except package imports and settings) is after \begin{document}.
\documentclass{article}
\title{My Document}
\author{Name}

\begin{document}  % This must come before content

Your text here.

\end{document}
Cause: Opening { without closing } or \begin{...} without \end{...}.Solution: Check that all braces and environments are properly matched.
% Wrong
\begin{itemize}
  \item First
\end{enumerate}  % Mismatched!

% Correct
\begin{itemize}
  \item First
\end{itemize}
Cause: Missing closing brace or delimiter in a command argument.Solution: Ensure all command arguments are properly enclosed.
% Wrong
\textbf{Bold text

% Correct
\textbf{Bold text}
Cause: Attempting to use a package that isn’t available.Solution: Tectonic automatically downloads most packages. If a package isn’t available, try an alternative or remove the \usepackage line.
Typeset uses Tectonic, which has excellent package support but may not include every obscure package.

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Debugging compilation errors

1

Read the error message

Check the alert in the preview panel for the specific error and line number.
2

Locate the problem

Navigate to the line number mentioned in the error message.
3

Check common issues

Look for:
  • Unmatched braces { }
  • Missing $ around math
  • Typos in command names
  • Missing packages
4

Fix and recompile

Make corrections and click “Compile” again to test.
5

Use the AI assistant

If stuck, ask the AI chat: “Why is my LaTeX code failing to compile?” and paste the error message.
Compile frequently while writing to catch errors early. It’s easier to fix one error than many at once.

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Authentication issues

Typeset uses Clerk for authentication. Protected routes require you to be logged in.

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Can’t access projects

Symptoms: Redirected to login page when trying to access /my-projects, /shared-with-me, or /project/.... Solution:
1

Verify you're logged in

Check if your user avatar appears in the top-right corner.
2

Sign in if needed

Click the sign-in button and authenticate with your account.
3

Check email verification

Ensure your email address is verified in your Clerk account settings.
4

Clear browser cache

If issues persist, clear your browser cache and cookies for Typeset.

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Email verification issues

Your email must be verified to access projects. Check your inbox for a verification email from Clerk.
Steps to verify:
  1. Check your email inbox and spam folder
  2. Click the verification link in the email
  3. Refresh the Typeset page
  4. Try accessing your projects again

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Session expired

Cause: Your authentication session has timed out. Solution: Simply refresh the page and sign in again. Your work is automatically saved, so you won’t lose any changes.

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Collaboration problems

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Invited user can’t see the project

Cause: Email mismatch or account not created. Solution:
1

Confirm the email address

Verify you invited the correct email address.
2

User must sign up

The invited person must create a Typeset account using the exact email address you invited.
3

Check Shared With Me

After signing up, the user should check their “Shared With Me” page.
4

Refresh the page

Sometimes a browser refresh is needed to see newly shared projects.
The email address used to sign up must exactly match the email address used in the invitation.

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Changes not syncing in real-time

Cause: Connection issues with Liveblocks. Solution:
  1. Check your internet connection: Ensure you have a stable connection
  2. Refresh the page: This reconnects to the collaboration server
  3. Check browser console: Look for WebSocket connection errors (press F12)
  4. Disable browser extensions: Some extensions interfere with WebSocket connections
Liveblocks is the real-time collaboration infrastructure that powers Typeset’s collaborative editing. It handles presence, cursors, and document synchronization.

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Can’t remove a collaborator

Cause: Only the project owner can remove collaborators. Solution: If you’re not the project owner, ask the person who created the project to remove the collaborator. The owner’s email is listed in the project metadata.

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Someone edited my work accidentally

Cause: All collaborators have write access. Solution:
  • Communication: Use the chat panel to coordinate who’s editing what
  • Real-time awareness: Watch for other users’ cursors to see where they’re working
  • Version history: Unfortunately, Typeset doesn’t currently have built-in version control
Consider using comments in your LaTeX source to mark sections and coordinate work:
% Section 1 - Alice working here
\section{Introduction}
...

% Section 2 - Bob working here  
\section{Methods}
...

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Performance issues

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Slow compilation

Cause: Complex documents or first-time package downloads. Solution:
  • First compilation: Tectonic downloads required packages on first use, which takes time
  • Subsequent compilations: Should be much faster
  • Large documents: Documents with many figures or complex math take longer
  • Be patient: Wait for the compilation spinner to finish

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Editor lagging

Cause: Large documents or browser resource limitations. Solution:
  1. Close unused tabs: Free up browser memory
  2. Split large documents: Consider breaking very long documents into sections
  3. Disable extensions: Some browser extensions slow down web apps
  4. Use a modern browser: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge work best

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AI chat issues

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AI not responding

Cause: API connection issues or rate limiting. Solution:
  • Wait a moment: Sometimes responses take a few seconds
  • Check internet connection: Ensure you’re online
  • Refresh the page: Reconnect to the AI service
  • Try again later: If services are overloaded

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AI suggestions not applying

Cause: User action required to accept edits. Solution: When the AI suggests edits to your document, you’ll see “Accept” and “Reject” buttons at the bottom of the editor panel. Click “Accept” to apply the changes.
AI-generated LaTeX changes must be manually accepted to prevent unwanted modifications to your work.

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Browser compatibility

Typeset works best on modern browsers:
BrowserMinimum VersionNotes
Chrome90+Recommended
Firefox88+Recommended
Safari14+Works well
Edge90+Works well
Opera76+Should work
Internet Explorer is not supported. Mobile browsers have a dedicated responsive layout.

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Mobile device issues

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Different layout on mobile

Expected behavior: Typeset automatically switches to a tab-based layout on mobile devices.
  • Desktop: Three-panel layout (chat | editor | preview)
  • Mobile: Tabbed layout (switch between chat, editor, and preview)

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Tabs not showing content

Solution: Tap the tab name at the bottom of the screen to switch between:
  • Chat tab: AI assistant and conversation
  • Editor tab: LaTeX code editor
  • Preview tab: Compiled PDF output

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File and project limitations

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Current limitations

Typeset currently focuses on single-file LaTeX documents. Multi-file projects with includes or separate image files may not work as expected.
Direct image upload and inclusion is not yet fully supported. Consider using external URLs or working without images initially.
Tectonic includes standard LaTeX fonts. Custom font installation is not currently supported.
External .bib files are not yet supported. Consider using embedded bibliography entries for now.

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Getting more help

If you’re still experiencing issues:
  1. Check the guides: Review the other documentation pages for detailed information
  2. Ask the AI: Use the in-editor chat to get help with LaTeX syntax and errors
  3. Contact support: Reach out through Typeset’s support channels
  4. Community forums: Share your issue with other Typeset users
When reporting issues, include:
  • What you were trying to do
  • What happened instead
  • Error messages (if any)
  • Browser and OS information
  • Steps to reproduce the problem

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