NeoTex

This plugin compiles latex files asynchronously while edditing.

The PDF output gives a live preview of your document as you type.

You have the option to highlight changes from the previous save using latexdiff.

Update: Now working on NeoVim and Vim 8

live preview of a latex document

live preview with latexdiff

Installation

Install using the plugin manager you like.

For example vim-plug:

Plug 'donRaphaco/neotex', { 'for': 'tex' }

Usage

For live previewing your latex file open the created PDF using a PDF viewer which supports auto reloading (I recommend zathura or evince). The PDF is created in the same folder where your latex file is stored.

Options

Option	Default	Description
g:neotex_enabled	1	0 = always disabled, 1 = default off, 2 = default on
g:neotex_delay	1000	Update intervall in milliseconds
g:neotex_latexdiff	0	enable latexdiff
g:neotex_latexdiff_options	-	additional options for latexdiff
g:neotex_pdflatex_add_options	-	additional options for pdflatex (-jobname=<filname> and -interaction=nonstopmode is always set)
g:neotex_pdflatex_alternative	-	alternative for pdflatex (e.g. xelatex or lualatex)
g:neotex_subfile	0	experimental support for subfiles (#8) (latexdiff won't work if enabled!)

I also recommend setting let g:tex_flavor = 'latex', which can prevent some issues. (see :h g:tex_flavor for information)

Commands

Command	Description
:NeoTex	Compile current buffer (asynchronously and without writing the file)
:NeoTexOn	Turn live compilation on (for current buffer)
:NeoTexOff	Turn live compilation off (for current bufffer)

Tipp

For better performance use a precompiled preamble.