typst

Modern typesetting system and compiler

TLDR

Compile document to PDF

$ typst compile [document.typ]

Compile with specific output

$ typst compile [document.typ] [output.pdf]

Watch and recompile on changes

$ typst watch [document.typ]

Compile to PNG

$ typst compile [document.typ] [output.png]

Compile to SVG

$ typst compile [document.typ] [output.svg]

List available fonts

$ typst fonts

Compile with custom font path

$ typst compile --font-path [/path/to/fonts] [document.typ]

Initialize new project

$ typst init

SYNOPSIS

typst command [--font-path path] [options] input [output]

Typst is a modern typesetting system designed as an alternative to LaTeX. It combines the power of LaTeX with simpler syntax and faster compilation.
Documents use .typ files with markup similar to Markdown. Headers, lists, emphasis, and links use familiar syntax. Mathematical equations use a LaTeX-inspired but simpler notation.
Compilation is incremental and extremely fast - documents compile in milliseconds. Watch mode provides near-instant preview updates during editing.
Styling uses a functional approach. Set rules configure defaults; show rules transform elements. The language is Turing-complete, enabling complex documents with scripting.
Templates and packages extend functionality. Bibliography support uses BibTeX or Hayagriva formats. Multi-column layouts, figures, and tables work intuitively.
Output formats include PDF (default), PNG pages, and SVG. Font embedding ensures documents render correctly anywhere.

PARAMETERS

compile INPUT [OUTPUT]

Compile document to output.

watch INPUT

Watch for changes and recompile.

fonts

List available fonts.

init [TEMPLATE]

Initialize new project.

query INPUT SELECTOR

Query document metadata.

--root DIR

Project root directory.

--font-path PATH

Additional font search path.

--format FORMAT

Output format: pdf, png, svg.

--ppi NUM

Pixels per inch for raster output.

--diagnostic-format FMT

Diagnostic format: human, short.

--input KEY=VALUE

Set input variable.

--open

Open output after compile.

-h, --help

Show help.

-V, --version

Show version.

CAVEATS

Newer ecosystem with fewer packages than LaTeX. Some advanced features still developing. Not all LaTeX packages have equivalents. PDF/A for archival not yet supported. Limited IDE integration compared to LaTeX.

HISTORY

Typst was created by Martin Haug and Laurenz Mädje around 2019 as a master's thesis project. The goal was creating a typesetting system that's as powerful as LaTeX but more approachable. After development at Typst GmbH, it was open-sourced in 2023 and rapidly gained adoption.