Write your first document

About this guide

These instructions describe the desktop application and its configured services. For the hosted browser editor, start with the AtruhaTeX Web guides above. Desktop menu names and service settings may differ from Web.

Create and save a source file

Choose New File from Welcome or the File menu. Paste the complete example below into Source, then save it as main.tex in a new folder. The example uses the standard article class and needs no additional document packages. Replace the title and author with your own text.

\documentclass{article}
\title{Notes on a research question}
\author{Your name}
\date{}

\begin{document}
\maketitle
\section{Introduction}
Describe the question and the evidence you will use.
\[
  E = mc^2
\]
\end{document}

Compile and inspect the page

Choose pdfLaTeX from the Compile menu for this English example, then select Compile. When asked, review execution permission for this local project. Read the generated PDF and check the title, section heading, and equation. If a required executable is unavailable, return to the installation guide rather than repeatedly recompiling.

Make a visible change

Change Introduction to Research question in the source. The existing PDF can remain visible while the document needs compilation. Compile again and confirm that the page heading changes. Switch to Visual to explore supported structured content, then return to Source to inspect the same document text.

Start a larger project

For separate chapters or Arabic writing, open File → Template Library. Review the source files, main file, and dependencies. Choose New local folder and create the project from the reviewed template. The generic thesis and journal starters provide structure; check your institution’s or publisher’s required class and formatting before submission. Help → Getting Started Guide offers a separate practice document without replacing existing tabs.

Find a command

Open the command palette with Ctrl+Shift+P, or Command+Shift+P on macOS, and type a command name. Use the arrow keys to select a result and Enter to run it; Escape closes the search. In the newer Looks v1 development interface, Search commands in the titlebar opens the same palette. The View menu also provides access.