LaTeX and Word
Choose a LaTeX engine, reproduce builds across desktop and web, and review Word documents with tracked changes and comments.
Kosmico edits LaTeX source and Word documents in the same project as their references, figures, analysis, and review history.
LaTeX
Open a .tex file to place the source beside its compiled PDF. Switch between code and preview, or keep both visible. After a successful build, double-click the PDF to jump to the source line through SyncTeX.
Choose an engine
The selected engine belongs to the project. Cloud-backed projects share the choice; local and SSH projects keep it in the project settings. Viewers can compile with the configured engine but cannot change it.
| Engine | Where it runs | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Tectonic | Desktop | The desktop default, with its pinned bundle and automatic dependency model |
| Kosmico pdfLaTeX | Desktop | A managed TeX Live 2025 runtime compatible with common Overleaf projects |
| System pdfLaTeX | Desktop | An advanced option after Kosmico validates an existing TeX installation |
| Cloud pdfLaTeX | Web or cloud compile | The web engine and the shared fallback when a local runtime is unavailable |
The managed pdfLaTeX runtime installs without administrator access and does not change the system PATH. Setup, repair, updates, and package installation show progress and can be cancelled safely.
Compile and diagnose
Click Compile. The result records the engine, engine version, baseline, and whether the build ran in the managed desktop runtime, a validated system runtime, or the web worker. Use this receipt when two machines produce different layout.
The log separates errors, warnings, and information. A failed build does not replace the last successful PDF. Rebuild from scratch clears the desktop build cache when stale intermediate files are the likely cause.
Packages and project assets
When managed pdfLaTeX reports missing .sty or .cls files, Kosmico resolves them against a verified TeX Live 2025 snapshot and asks before installing the matched packages. It does not modify a system TeX installation or Tectonic through tlmgr.
Cloud compilation stages the project's text and supported binary assets in an isolated worker. EPS graphics are converted when possible. If a confirmed graphic cannot be staged, Kosmico may produce a clearly marked degraded preview with visible placeholders. The source file is never rewritten to create that preview.
Word documents
Create, open, and edit .docx files on desktop, web, shared projects, and remote machines. The toolbar covers paragraph styles, fonts and sizes, color and highlight, alignment, spacing, lists, indentation, tables, images, and links. Switch between read and edit mode, and export to PDF.
Note: Legacy
.docfiles are not supported. Convert them to.docxfirst.
Turn on Track changes to record suggestions, then accept or reject them individually or together. Comments support replies, resolution, reopening, @mentions, and proposed replacements. Kosmo's comments are attributed to Kosmo.
Select text and press Cmd+Shift+M (Windows: Ctrl+Shift+M) to comment. Text selected in Word or PDF can also be explained or added as focused Kosmo context; editable selections receive a reviewable proposed replacement.
Version history
Both formats have per-file version history. You can name checkpoints and restore an earlier state. Restoring keeps the state you replaced in history, so it remains recoverable.