# A2x Processor
## Purpose
Converts AsciiDoc files to PDF (or other formats) using [a2x](https://asciidoc-py.github.io/).
## How It Works
Discovers `.txt` (AsciiDoc) files in the project and runs `a2x` on each file,
producing output in the configured format.
## Source Files
- Input: `**/*.txt`
- Output: `out/a2x/{relative_path}.pdf`
## Configuration
```toml
[processor.a2x]
a2x = "a2x" # The a2x command to run
format = "pdf" # Output format (pdf, xhtml, dvi, ps, epub, mobi)
args = [] # Additional arguments to pass to a2x
output_dir = "out/a2x" # Output directory
dep_inputs = [] # Additional files that trigger rebuilds when changed
```
| `a2x` | string | `"a2x"` | The a2x executable to run |
| `format` | string | `"pdf"` | Output format |
| `args` | string[] | `[]` | Extra arguments passed to a2x |
| `output_dir` | string | `"out/a2x"` | Output directory |
| `dep_inputs` | string[] | `[]` | Extra files whose changes trigger rebuilds |
## Batch support
Each input file is processed individually, producing its own output file.
## Clean behavior
This processor is a Generator — `rsconstruct clean outputs` removes each declared output file individually with no directory recursion. After all per-product cleans complete, the orchestrator removes any parent directories that are now empty. Pass `--no-empty-dirs` to keep them. See [Clean behavior](../processors.md#clean-behavior) and [`rsconstruct clean`](../commands.md#rsconstruct-clean).