TeXbrain is a free, open-source LaTeX editor that runs entirely in the browser, offering live PDF preview, real-time collaboration, and built-in git integration without requiring any account or backend. Created by a master's engineering student frustrated with paid features in tools like Overleaf, it compiles LaTeX to PDF client-side using WebAssembly (SwiftLaTeX) and supports direct folder access via the File System Access API. Users can manage git repositories directly in the browser using isomorphic-git, with no terminal required.
The tool works offline after initial load and includes a smart package-loading system that caches files efficiently, fetching only filenames over the network—never document content. Currently limited to pdfTeX (no XeTeX/LuaTeX), with packages pinned to TeX Live 2020 and no bibtex/biber support yet. Ideal for Chromebooks, university labs, or anyone avoiding local TeX installs.
Already used by some for thesis work, with community contributions and bug reports shaping its development.
Source: Hacker News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing