LaTeX Handouts

LaTeX provides professional typesetting for presentation handouts that combine slide images, presenter notes, and supplementary research into comprehensive reference documents.

Dependency Checking

Before generating handouts, check dependencies using:

${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/check-handout-deps.sh

Exit codes:

• 0: All dependencies available (full handout with images and rich formatting)
• 1: pdflatex missing (BLOCKER - cannot generate handout)
• 2: LaTeX packages missing (use basic formatting)
• 3: Playwright missing (text-only handout)

Graceful Degradation Strategies

When LaTeX packages unavailable (exit code 2):

• Skip \usepackage{tcolorbox} and \usepackage{enumitem} in preamble
• Use standard LaTeX boxes instead of tcolorbox
• Use default enumerate/itemize instead of enumitem
• Result: Basic but functional handout

When Playwright unavailable (exit code 3):

• Skip slide PNG export entirely
• Omit \begin{figure}...\end{figure} blocks for slide images
• Still include all prose paragraphs (Overview, Key Considerations, Technical Details)
• Still include all Further Reading links
• Result: Text-only reference document (still valuable)

When pdflatex unavailable (exit code 1):

• Cannot generate PDF handout
• Offer to create .tex file for user to compile later
• Provide installation instructions

Handout Writing Principles

Critical: Handouts should be comprehensive standalone documents, not just copies of slides.

Content Requirements

✅ DO:

• Write in complete prose paragraphs (2-4 sentences minimum)
• Expand on slide content - explain concepts in detail
• Add context - WHY things matter, HOW they work
• Include researched URLs - 3-5 quality resources per section
• Provide examples - real-world applications and use cases
• Explain trade-offs - discuss implications and alternatives
• Make it standalone - reader understands without attending presentation

❌ DON'T:

• Copy bullet points from slides verbatim
• Write generic descriptions
• Use slide content as handout content
• Skip research for further reading
• Assume reader attended presentation

Writing Style

For each slide, write:

1. Overview paragraph (2-4 sentences)

   • Transform slide bullets into flowing narrative
   • Explain the concept in complete detail
   • Provide context and connections

2. Key Considerations paragraph (2-4 sentences)

   • Discuss implications and trade-offs
   • Explain WHY it matters
   • Provide real-world examples

3. Technical Details paragraph (if applicable)

   • Explain HOW things work (not just WHAT)
   • Code explanations in prose
   • Architecture decisions and reasoning

4. Further Reading list (3-5 URLs)

   • Official documentation
   • Authoritative articles
   • Tutorials and guides
   • Each with specific description of value

Document Structure

Basic Handout Template

\documentclass[11pt,a4paper]{article}

% Essential packages
\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}
\usepackage[margin=1in]{geometry}
\usepackage{graphicx}
\usepackage{hyperref}
\usepackage{fancyhdr}

% Document metadata
\title{Presentation Title}
\author{Author Name}
\date{\today}

% Header/footer setup
\pagestyle{fancy}
\fancyhead[L]{Presentation Title}
\fancyhead[R]{\thepage}
\fancyfoot[C]{}

\begin{document}

\maketitle
\tableofcontents
\newpage

% Content sections
\section{Introduction}
Content here...

\end{document}

Document Classes

article - Standard documents

• Best for: Short handouts (1-20 pages)
• Features: Simple structure, no chapters
• Use when: Single presentation handout

report - Longer documents

• Best for: Extended handouts (20+ pages)
• Features: Chapters supported, more structure
• Use when: Multi-session course materials

scrartcl/scrreprt - KOMA-Script alternatives

• Best for: Modern, customizable layouts
• Features: Better typography, more options
• Use when: Advanced formatting needed

Essential Packages

Graphics and Images

\usepackage{graphicx}  % Include images
\usepackage{float}     % Better float positioning

% Usage
\begin{figure}[H]
  \centering
  \includegraphics[width=0.8\textwidth]{slide-01.pdf}
  \caption{Introduction Slide}
  \label{fig:intro}
\end{figure}

Layout and Formatting

\usepackage[margin=1in]{geometry}  % Page margins
\usepackage{multicol}              % Multiple columns
\usepackage{parskip}               % Paragraph spacing
\usepackage{setspace}              % Line spacing

% Multi-column sections
\begin{multicols}{2}
  Content in two columns
\end{multicols}

Hyperlinks and References

\usepackage{hyperref}

% Configuration
\hypersetup{
    colorlinks=true,
    linkcolor=blue,
    filecolor=magenta,
    urlcolor=cyan,
    citecolor=green
}

% Usage
\href{https://example.com}{Link text}
\url{https://example.com}

Code Listings

\usepackage{listings}
\usepackage{xcolor

...