Introduction to Typst and Recommended HiMCM Collaboration Workflows

What is Typst

What Are Typesetting Languages?

  • Typesetting languages are specialized systems that control how text appears on a page or screen
  • Instead of clicking formatting buttons like in Microsoft Word, you write simple codes or commands that tell the computer how to arrange text, equations, images, and other elements
  • They handle complex formatting automatically: page numbers, footnotes, citations, table of contents, mathematical equations, and consistent styling throughout your document
  • Originally used for professional printing, they’re now essential for creating academic papers, technical documents, and books
  • The main benefit: you focus on writing content while the system handles all the visual formatting rules consistently

Why Use Typst

Advantages over Microsoft Word/other office apps

  • Compatibility

  • Full precise control over documents

  • No leaving the keyboard (even for document settings)
  • Convenient math input (also keyboard only)
  • Pure text format: git tracking and AI collaboration (important features of the workflow I’ll introduce)

Advantages over LaTeX

  • Fast: Compiles documents in under 5 seconds versus minutes with LaTeX
  • Easy to learn: Clean, readable syntax similar to Markdown—no confusing backslashes or brackets (including simplified math inputs)
  • Clear error messages: Understandable explanations instead of cryptic technical errors that frustrate beginners
  • Real-time preview: See your formatted paper instantly as you type
  • Built-in citation handling: Automatic bibliography and reference management
  • Modern programming features: Variables and functions make complex documents easier to automate

Overview of Typst

Key Syntax

= Heading

== Level 2 heading

=== Level 3 heading

...

*bold* _italic_ // Comments

- Bullet points

+ Numbered list
+ You don't need to manually number

#align(genter)[
	#image("path/to/image.png", width: 75%) // svgs are recommended
]

// Math uses $$ but the grammar is different to and simpler than latex, see official documentation

Suggested Collaboration Workflows for HiMCM

Basic: fully online real-time collaboration using typst.app

Copy the file contents/download the entire project as zip and use any AI to debug/add features

Advanced: Windsurf + git + P2P Live Share

  • Requires at least 1 member in the team to have git knowledge, optimally all members, git guide from PHGameStudio website
    • All members need to know how to commit, checkout, push, and pull/fetch in git
  • Install Windsurf and install the tinymist typst plugin to edit typst with real-time preview
  • You can get unlimited free trials by following the guide on the PHGameStudio website
  • Use git for large edits made by 1 person
  • Use the P2P Live Share plugin for meeting edits where multiple people edit the same part simultaneously