TeX Packages and Distribution Usage Guide
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CTAN (The Comprehensive TeX Archive Network) is the gathering place for all TeX typesetting system related materials, including source code and documentation for compilation engines, packages, and fonts. Currently, the vast majority of LaTeX packages are uploaded to the CTAN core site and then synchronized to various mirrors around the world.
This article provides mirror configuration methods for the two major distributions: TeX Live and MiKTeX.
TeX Live
TeX Live is currently the most widely used TeX distribution, supporting Windows, Linux, and macOS. The version released on macOS is called MacTeX.
Installation
Common installation methods for TeX Live distribution can be found in this document.
In addition to the annual updated full ISO image, the CTAN mirror also contains an online installer. This method ensures that all installed packages are the latest version, but is greatly affected by network connection conditions. The operation method is (administrator privileges are likely required):
-
Download
install-tl.zipand extract it -
On Windows, double-click to run
install-tl.bat. If there is a graphical interface, you can specify the use of a mirror source in the bottom right button before entering the installer.On Linux, use the following command:
perl install-tl --repository https://mirrors.hust.edu.cn/CTAN/systems/texlive/tlnet
Switch Mirror
The CTAN mirror source used by TeX Live can be changed from the built-in package manager tlmgr (administrator privileges are likely required).
Execute in the command line
tlmgr option repository https://mirrors.hust.edu.cn/CTAN/systems/texlive/tlnet
to permanently change the mirror source.
If you only need temporary switching, you can use the following command:
tlmgr update --all --repository https://mirrors.hust.edu.cn/CTAN/systems/texlive/tlnet
The update --all command in it can be modified as needed.
MiKTeX
The MiKTeX distribution is characterized by installing only the packages that users need, saving disk space usage, but differs in some implementation details from TeX Live. This distribution supports Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Installation
MiKTeX only provides standalone installation packages for Windows and macOS. Go to the TeX typesetting system download page. For installation on Linux, please refer to the official documentation.
Switch Mirror
The CTAN mirror source used by MiKTeX can be switched from the built-in MiKTeX Console graphical application, or you can use the following command:
mpm --set-repository=https://mirrors.hust.edu.cn/CTAN/systems/win32/miktex/tm/packages/