tlmgr-gui

Manage TeX packages graphically

TLDR

Start a GUI for tlmgr

$ sudo tlmgr gui

Start a GUI specifying the background color

$ sudo tlmgr gui -background "[#f39bc3]"

Start a GUI specifying the foreground color

$ sudo tlmgr gui -foreground "[#0ef3bd]"

Start a GUI specifying the font and font size

$ sudo tlmgr gui -font "[helvetica 18]"

Start a GUI setting a specific geometry

$ sudo tlmgr gui -geometry [width]x[height]-[xpos]+[ypos]

Start a GUI passing an arbitrary X resource string

$ sudo tlmgr gui -xrm [xresource]

PARAMETERS

--help
Displays a brief help message and exits, detailing available options for launching the GUI.

--version
Displays version information for the tlmgr-gui application and exits.

The tlmgr-gui command launches the graphical user interface for tlmgr, the TeX Live Manager. It provides a user-friendly front-end for managing your TeX Live installation, allowing users to perform various administrative tasks without relying on the command line.

Through this GUI, users can easily:
install new TeX packages,
update existing ones,
remove unwanted packages,
manage TeX Live repositories,
and configure global TeX Live settings.

It simplifies the maintenance and customization of a TeX Live environment, making it accessible to a wider range of users, especially those less familiar with command-line operations.

CAVEATS

The tlmgr-gui command requires a graphical environment (such as X Window System or Wayland) to function properly. It cannot be used on headless servers or in environments without display capabilities. Operations performed through the GUI, such as installing or updating system-wide TeX Live packages, may require appropriate user permissions (e.g., root privileges via sudo).

KEY FEATURES AND INTERACTION

Upon launching, tlmgr-gui typically presents a main window with various tabs or sections dedicated to different management tasks, such as 'Packages', 'Configuration', 'Repositories', and 'Paper Size'. Users can easily browse through lists of installed and available packages, search for specific ones, view detailed information, and initiate installation or update processes with simple clicks. The interface provides visual feedback on ongoing operations and helps manage package dependencies automatically, streamlining the TeX Live maintenance workflow.

HISTORY

tlmgr-gui was developed as an integral part of the TeX Live distribution to complement the powerful but command-line-centric tlmgr tool. Its introduction aimed to provide a more intuitive and accessible way for users to manage their TeX Live installations, especially for those who prefer visual interfaces. It has evolved with TeX Live over the years, continually improving its usability, stability, and feature set to simplify package and configuration management for TeX users worldwide.