Write without the clutter.
A lightweight app with a bundled editor and PDF viewer. No separate web server, Rust or Node.js setup. Write with tabs and autosave, then Compile with one button.
Free & open source · Mac, Windows & Linux
A free, lightweight
offline LaTeX editor.
Write papers, theses and presentations on your own computer,
with autosave, Git history and PDF preview. No account or subscription needed.
Offline compilation needs cached or installed LaTeX packages. Prepare for offline writing.
Your papers stay with you.
Every project is a plain Git repository on your computer. Commit milestones, review history and push to GitHub or another remote when you choose.
Work offline after setup.
Edit, autosave and commit locally without internet. Compile with cached Tectonic packages or an installed MacTeX or TeX Live distribution.
Start writing
Download for Mac, Windows or Linux.
Install Git first. On a Mac, download the app and drag it into Applications; no Terminal window is needed after launch. For a standalone executable, paste your computer’s command into Terminal (PowerShell on Windows). Version v0.3.6.
Which Mac? Apple menu → About This Mac: "Chip: Apple M…" is Apple silicon, "Processor: Intel" is an older Intel Mac.
Mac with Apple silicon
Macs with an Apple M-series chip
Download Mac app (.dmg)
Or run the standalone version in Terminal:
mkdir -p ~/Applications/gitleaf && cd ~/Applications/gitleaf && curl -fL -o gitleaf https://github.com/kmarkiv/gitleaf/releases/latest/download/gitleaf-macos-arm64 && chmod +x gitleaf && ./gitleaf
Mac with Intel
Macs with an Intel processor
Download Mac app (.dmg)
Or run the standalone version in Terminal:
mkdir -p ~/Applications/gitleaf && cd ~/Applications/gitleaf && curl -fL -o gitleaf https://github.com/kmarkiv/gitleaf/releases/latest/download/gitleaf-macos-x86_64 && chmod +x gitleaf && ./gitleaf
Windows
64-bit Windows PCs
Paste into PowerShell:
$ErrorActionPreference = 'Stop'; mkdir -Force "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\gitleaf" | Out-Null; cd "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\gitleaf"; Invoke-WebRequest https://github.com/kmarkiv/gitleaf/releases/latest/download/gitleaf-windows-x86_64.exe -OutFile gitleaf.exe; .\gitleaf.exe
Or download the file (single file, no installer)
Linux · x86_64
Most Intel and AMD PCs
Paste into Terminal:
mkdir -p ~/.local/bin/gitleaf-app && cd ~/.local/bin/gitleaf-app && curl -fL -o gitleaf https://github.com/kmarkiv/gitleaf/releases/latest/download/gitleaf-linux-x86_64 && chmod +x gitleaf && ./gitleaf
Or download the file (single file, no installer)
Linux · ARM64
Raspberry Pi and other 64-bit ARM computers
Paste into Terminal:
mkdir -p ~/.local/bin/gitleaf-app && cd ~/.local/bin/gitleaf-app && curl -fL -o gitleaf https://github.com/kmarkiv/gitleaf/releases/latest/download/gitleaf-linux-arm64 && chmod +x gitleaf && ./gitleaf
Or download the file (single file, no installer)
Mac apps use the menu bar to reopen or quit GitLeaf. Standalone executables need their Terminal or console window to stay open.
Mac app, first time only: GitLeaf is not yet notarized by Apple, so macOS says it "could not verify" the app. Click Done, open System Settings → Privacy & Security, click Open Anyway next to GitLeaf and confirm; after that it opens normally. Needs macOS 13 or newer.
Click a command once to select all of it, then copy. Setup help · All files & checksums
Write wherever you are
Prepare for offline LaTeX writing.
Your files, editor, PDF viewer and local Git history stay available without a connection.
- Set up while online.
Download GitLeaf, install Git, then install Tectonic or a full LaTeX distribution with latexmk.
- Compile your paper once.
Include its bibliography and figures. Tectonic downloads and caches needed packages; full LaTeX uses packages installed on your computer.
- Test without a connection.
Try compiling that paper without internet. New packages may still need a download; remote Git operations, online templates and updates need a connection.
From download to PDF
Your first paper,
in three steps.
- Install Git and start GitLeaf.
On macOS, open GitLeaf from Applications. On Windows or Linux, use your download or install command. The editor opens in your browser.
- Create or import a project.
Choose a built-in article template, import a source ZIP, or clone a Git repository.
- Write, then Compile.
If you need a compiler, accept the Tectonic installation prompt. Your PDF appears beside your writing.
A few useful details
Before you begin.
Is GitLeaf an offline alternative to Overleaf?
GitLeaf is an alternative for local LaTeX editing, with your source and PDF together on your computer. Import an Overleaf source ZIP, or use Overleaf’s Git bridge if your account supports it. Collaboration uses Git; live simultaneous editing is not included.
Is GitLeaf free?
Yes. GitLeaf is free and open source under the MIT license. Local writing needs no account or subscription. Optional third-party services such as Overleaf’s Git bridge have their own access requirements.
Do I need to install LaTeX?
You need Git, but you can start without a LaTeX installation. On your first Compile, GitLeaf offers to install Tectonic if no compiler is found. You can also install MacTeX or TeX Live with latexmk. See compiler options.
Can I edit and compile LaTeX offline?
The editor and your local files work offline. Tectonic needs internet to fetch packages it has not cached. A full LaTeX installation can compile using its installed packages offline. Downloads and remote Git operations need internet. Follow the offline setup checklist.
Can I write a thesis or a Beamer presentation?
Yes. GitLeaf includes article, thesis and Beamer templates, plus ACM, IEEE and Springer LNCS formats. You can also import an existing LaTeX source ZIP or Git repository.
How do I update the Mac app?
Download the new DMG from the release page, wait for Saved, quit through the leaf menu and replace GitLeaf.app in Applications. Your papers stay in the projects folder. See update instructions.
Where is the full documentation?
The setup and reference guide comes from the GitHub README. It includes compiler choices, troubleshooting, configuration and source builds.