LaTeX Workflows with Make: Automating Complex Builds

Created: March 7, 2026 CalmOps 1 min read

Introduction

Makefiles automate complex LaTeX builds, handling dependencies between files and ensuring proper compilation order.

This guide covers Make-based LaTeX automation.

Basic Makefile

Simple Build

TEX = pdflatex
BIB = bibtex

document.pdf: document.tex
	$(TEX) document.tex

clean:
	rm -f *.aux *.bbl *.log *.out *.toc

With Bibliography

TEX = pdflatex
BIB = biber

%.pdf: %.tex
	$(TEX) -interaction=nonstopmode $<
	$(BIB) $(<:.tex=)
	$(TEX) -interaction=nonstopmode $<
	$(TEX) -interaction=nonstopmode $<

clean:
	rm -f *.aux *.bbl *.blg *.log *.out *.toc *.synctex.gz

Advanced Makefiles

Multi-file Projects

MAIN = main
CHAPTERS = chapter1 chapter2 chapter3

$(MAIN).pdf: $(MAIN).tex $(patsubst %,%.tex,$(CHAPTERS))
	pdflatex $(MAIN).tex
	biber $(MAIN)
	pdflatex $(MAIN).tex
	pdflatex $(MAIN).tex

Conclusion

Makefiles automate complex LaTeX builds efficiently.