tikz

Audit and fix visual collisions in TikZ diagrams within LaTeX .tex files.

203|27|Updated Apr 19, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/franklee16/academic-research-skills --skill tikz-franklee16
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: tikz
Source: https://github.com/franklee16/academic-research-skills/tree/main/visualization/tikz
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/franklee16/academic-research-skills --skill tikz-franklee16

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

TikZ diagrams often end up visually “close enough” by eye but actually collide when labels overlap nodes or arrows cross, making figures unreadable and error-prone.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Collision audit with measurement: Verifies TikZ placement mathematically instead of relying on eyeballing.
  • Curve and label safety checks: Computes Bézier curve depth and checks arrow-label clearance against endpoints, curves, and nearby objects.
  • Node/shape boundary enforcement: Applies boundary rules so text is kept at a safe distance from boxes, circles, and drawn shapes.
  • Recompile-to-validate workflow: Rebuilds the document and ensures LaTeX warnings like Overfull/Underfull are eliminated before re-auditing.

Quick Start

Use the tikz skill on your target TeX file by providing the path to the .tex document you want to audit, such as the file containing all of your TikZ figures.

Frequently Asked Questions about tikz

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I fix overlapping labels and crossing arrows in TikZ diagrams?

To fix overlapping labels and crossing arrows in TikZ diagrams, the skill audits the LaTeX file mathematically. It checks label overlap, arrow crossings, and boundary proximity using gap and Bézier depth calculations, then applies fixes to ensure visual clearance.

What is the best way to validate that TikZ edge labels do not collide with nodes?

Validating TikZ edge label collisions requires computing Bézier curve depth and checking directional label placement against endpoints and nearby objects. This mathematical approach replaces eyeballing by enforcing node and shape boundary rules for safe text distance.

How do I eliminate Overfull and Underfull warnings when editing TikZ figures in LaTeX?

To eliminate Overfull and Underfull warnings when editing TikZ figures, recompile the document with pdflatex after making adjustments. The workflow requires verifying that all errors and warnings are eliminated before performing a full multi-pass re-audit of the diagram.

Does TikZ collision detection work with curved arrows and bend paths across multiple slides?

Yes, collision detection works with curved arrows and bend paths across multiple slides. The audit specifically targets tikzpicture environments containing edge labels where text may overlap nodes or other arrows, applying directional label placement validation to all detected paths.

Why does my TikZ diagram look readable by eye but still has visual collisions?

TikZ diagrams often look visually close enough by eye but actually collide when labels overlap nodes or arrows cross. Detecting these issues requires mathematical gap calculations and boundary proximity checks rather than visual inspection to ensure true figure quality and readability.

Can I audit a LaTeX document with multiple tikzpicture environments at once?

Yes, you can audit a LaTeX document containing multiple tikzpicture environments at once. By providing the path to the .tex file, the tool scans all TikZ figures within the document, checking for label overlap and arrow crossings across all slides before recompiling to validate.