install-tl

Start the text-based installer (default on Unix systems)

$ install-tl -no-gui

$ install-tl -gui

$ install-tl -profile [path/to/texlive.profile]

$ install-tl -init-from-file [path/to/texlive.profile]

$ install-tl -portable

$ install-tl -help

install-tl [options]

-gui
    Starts the installation in graphical mode using Tcl/Tk.

-text
    Forces text mode installation, even if a graphical environment is available.

-v
    Verbose output; increases the amount of information displayed during installation.

-version
    Prints the version number of the installer.

-location
    Specifies the location of the TeX Live distribution (e.g., a CTAN mirror URL or a local directory containing the ISO image).

-scheme
    Specifies the installation scheme to use (e.g., basic, full, minimal). If not specified, the installer presents a menu to choose from.

-repository
    Override the default CTAN mirror and specify a custom repository.
Can also specify a path to a local repository.

-init-by-cwd
    Initialize the installation configuration based on the current working directory.

-portable
    Install in portable mode (without system integration).

-sys-bin
    The directory where the binaries are installed.

The install-tl script is the primary installation tool for the TeX Live distribution on Unix-like operating systems. It provides a command-line interface for configuring and installing TeX Live, including selecting installation schemes (e.g., basic, full), choosing installation directories, and managing package repositories. It can download necessary components from the internet or install from a local ISO image. The installer aims to be comprehensive, offering options for creating symbolic links to system directories and configuring the system environment for TeX Live usage. It supports graphical (Tcl/Tk) and text-based interfaces. It's crucial for setting up a complete TeX environment, providing tools for compiling LaTeX documents and related tasks. The script is designed to handle various dependencies and configurations automatically, simplifying the installation process for users of all levels.

The installer requires internet access (unless using a local ISO). Administrator privileges may be needed for system-wide installation. Configuration files might need manual adjustment after installation depending on specific system requirements. Incorrect installation path can lead to errors and breakages in future TeX Live updates.

Basic: Installs a minimal TeX Live system.
Full: Installs the entire TeX Live collection.
Medium: Installs a collection of packages suitable for general use.
Small: A smaller collection than medium.
Minimal: An extremely small collection, useful for embedded systems.

install-tl typically sets environment variables like PATH, INFOPATH, and MANPATH to include the TeX Live binaries, documentation, and manual pages. These variables are essential for TeX Live to function correctly.

After installation, it's often necessary to update the TeX Live system using tlmgr to ensure you have the latest package versions and bug fixes.

install-tl has been the standard installation tool for TeX Live since its inception as the successor to teTeX. It has been continuously developed to improve installation speed, reliability, and ease of use. Initially, it was primarily a command-line tool, but the introduction of a graphical interface significantly broadened its appeal. The script has evolved to support various platforms and installation scenarios, becoming more robust and flexible over time. Over time the user interface improved from a basic terminal interface to a fully fledged GUI application on the modern TeX Live versions.

tlmgr(1)