Applications/TeX

The package GUI-Applications installs several programs in Applications/TeX, which allow users to directly interact with the TeX system. These programs are often updated, so it can be useful to get them directly from their respective web pages. Here are links:

Using the Software

After you install GUI-Applications, you will find a folder named TeX in your Applications folder. This folder contains a front end to TeX named TeXShop and a file named READ ME FIRST. This file explains how to create your first documents using TeXShop. It will take just a few minutes to read a few pages of READ ME, run TeXShop, and write and typeset some of your own sentences. Over time, read the rest of READ ME for more detailed information.

Many users will already know TeX and have their own preferred front end. Add that front end to Applications/TeX and continue using it.

TeXShop on Tahoe

The copy of TeXShop in GUI-Applications runs on Big Sur, macOS 11, and higher. In particular, it runs on Apple's latest system Tahoe, macOS 26. but on that system it does not use Liquid Glass. To add Liquid Glass to an application, it is necessary to compile it on Tahoe using the latest XCode; Liquid Glass is then automatically added without modifying the source code of the program. This was done to TeXShop shortly after Apple introduced Liquid Glass at the 2025 Developer Conference, but the original version of Liquid Glass broke several TeXShop features. This was reported to Apple and over time their engineers fixed those bugs.

Today it is preferable to use the version of TeXShop with Liquid Glass on Tahoe. This version also works on earlier systems, but since those systems lack Liquid Glass, it reverts to the old behavior. This causes a few minor problems, so it is best to use the older TeXShop version 5.57 on these systems. Consequently, we provide a special install program for users running Tahoe, macOS 26. This program adds TeXShop 5.58 to Applications/TeX in addition to the old TeXShop 5.57. This is recommended for users running Tahoe. The package is called mactex-texshoptahoe-20260210.pkg on the TUG site, but is best obtained by using the link below.

Click to obtain and install TeXShopLiquidGlass: