# TiefDown Converter
[](https://github.com/Tiefseetauchner/TiefDownConverter/releases)
[](https://crates.io/crates/tiefdownconverter)
[](https://discord.gg/EG3zU9cTFx)
## Overview
TiefDownConverter is a command-line tool designed to streamline the conversion of structured Markdown projects into various output formats, such as PDF, EPUB, and Typst-based documents. It simplifies the process by acting as a wrapper around Pandoc and XeTeX, enabling users to set up a project once and reproducibly generate multiple formats with a single command.
tiefdownconverter_core is the core library for tiefdownconverter - while it is seperated, it is recommended to use the command line tool.
### Why TiefDown?
- **One-Command Workflow**: TiefDown removes the need for complex Pandoc CLI setups, automating template management and format conversions.
- **Project-Based Structure**: Every TiefDown project is self-contained, making it easy to manage large documents.
- **Multi-Format Support**: Convert Markdown into PDFs (via XeTeX), EPUBs, or other formats using Typst.
- **Extensibility**: Customize projects with templates and Lua filters for advanced document processing.
## Documentation
Documentation is available in [docs/docs.pdf](https://github.com/Tiefseetauchner/TiefDownConverter/blob/main/docs/docs.pdf) or [docs/docs_tex.pdf](https://github.com/Tiefseetauchner/TiefDownConverter/blob/main/docs/docs_tex.pdf)
These are generated using `tiefdownconverter` as well, thus the two files. It's essentially a demo.
## Features
- Converts Markdown projects into PDFs, EPUB, and Typst-based documents.
- Reads structured project metadata from `manifest.toml`.
- Supports customizable LaTeX, Typst, and EPUB templates.
- Allows users to add, remove, and update templates.
- Enables users to validate project structure and clean temporary files.
- Simple command-line interface with easy project setup and updates.
## Installation
### Prebuilt Binaries
Download the latest release from [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/Tiefseetauchner/TiefDownConverter/releases) and extract the binary.
### Build from Source
To build TiefDown Converter manually, ensure you have Rust installed, then run:
```sh
cargo build --release
```
This will create an executable in the `target/release/` directory.
### Dependencies
TiefDown requires the following external dependencies:
- **Pandoc**: Handles Markdown parsing and conversion.
- **XeTeX**: Required for LaTeX-based PDF generation.
- **Typst** (optional): Enables Typst-based conversion.
#### Installing Dependencies
##### Linux (Debian/Ubuntu-based):
```sh
sudo apt install pandoc texlive-xetex typst
```
##### Windows (via MiKTeX):
1. Install [MiKTeX](https://miktex.org/download) or via `winget install MiKTeX`.
2. Install Pandoc from [pandoc.org](https://pandoc.org/) or via `winget install pandoc`.
3. Install Typst manually if needed or via `winget install typst`.
## Usage
### Available Commands
- **Convert** – Converts a TiefDown project, using either the current directory or a specified project. Templates can be selected manually or default ones from the manifest will be used.
- **Initialize** – Creates a new TiefDown project with optional templates. Supports setting up a Markdown directory, skipping default templates, and overwriting existing projects.
- **Project Management** – Offers various subcommands to manage TiefDown projects:
- Add, remove, and update templates.
- Update the project manifest.
- List available templates.
- Validate the project structure and metadata.
- Clean temporary files.
- **Help** – Displays help information for any command.
### Initializing a Project
```sh
mkdir my-project
cd my-project
tiefdownconverter init -t lix_novel_a4.tex # Or any preset template you may have in mind. For no initial templates, use -n
```
This creates a new TiefDown project with the `lix_novel_a4.tex` template.
### Converting a Project
```sh
tiefdownconverter convert
```
This command converts the current project using the specified template.
#### Converting specific templates
```sh
tiefdownconverter convert -t lix_novel_book.tex
```
#### Adding a Lua Filter
Lua filters can be added to a template using the `tiefdownconverter project update-template` command:
```sh
tiefdownconverter project update-template <TEMPLATE> --add-filters path/to/filter.lua
```
To remove a filter:
```sh
tiefdownconverter project update-template <TEMPLATE> --remove-filters path/to/filter.lua
```
Filters are stored in the project manifest and used during the conversion process.
## Project Structure
A typical TiefDown project consists of:
```
project/
├── manifest.toml
├── Markdown/
│ ├── Chapter 0_ Authors notes.md
│ ├── Chapter 1.md
│ ├── ...
├── template/
│ ├── lix_novel_a4.tex
│ ├── lix_novel_book.tex
│ ├── custom_template.typ
│ ├── template_epub/
```
### `manifest.toml` Example
```toml
markdown_dir = "My Story Folder"
version = 1
[[templates]]
filters = ["luafilters/chapter_filter.lua"]
name = "lix_novel_a4.tex"
output = "a4_main.pdf"
template_type = "Tex"
[[templates]]
filters = ["luafilters/chapter_filter.lua"]
name = "lix_novel_book.tex"
output = "8x5in_main.pdf"
template_type = "Tex"
```
## Customization
### Custom Templates
Users are encouraged to create their own templates. TiefDown allows adding templates via:
```sh
tiefdownconverter project add-template my_template.tex
```
Use -h for more options.
Templates must include:
```latex
\input{./output.tex}
```
to correctly insert converted Markdown content.
### Custom Lua Filters
Users can define and apply custom Lua filters by placing them in the project directory and updating the manifest as described above.
Example filter to modify headers:
```lua
function Header(elem)
if elem.level == 1 then
return pandoc.RawBlock("latex", "\\h{" .. pandoc.utils.stringify(elem.content) .. "}")
end
if elem.level == 2 then
return pandoc.RawBlock("latex", "\\hh{" .. pandoc.utils.stringify(elem.content) .. "}")
end
end
```
## Performance & Limitations
- Handles large documents as efficiently as Pandoc and XeTeX allow.
- Minimal logging/debugging available.
- No Windows installer yet; setup is manual.
- EPUB output is functional but lacks advanced customization.
## Community & Support
### Contributions
Contributions are welcome via pull requests on GitHub. Please be kind.
### Bug Reports & Feature Requests
Report issues on the [GitHub Issues page](https://github.com/Tiefseetauchner/TiefDownConverter/issues).
You can also join my [Discord Server](https://discord.gg/EG3zU9cTFx)
## License
This project is licensed under MIT. See `LICENSE` for details.
## Coffee
If you appreciate this project, consider supporting it by contributing or donating.
[](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/tiefseetauchner)
## Attributions
Mascot (Fibschiiiiiiiiiiiii) by my lovely boyfriend Finn <3
## Graphs
### Rust Lines
### Markdown Lines
